Misty Meadows: The Asylum

Chapter 5

Moth had taken her to a cliff.

Kane set the helmet on the bike and scanned the area, “Where are we.”

“The only place in Misty Meadows that isn’t haunted.”

“Well, it’s beautiful.”

“I scattered my mother’s ashes here.”

Kane wasn’t sure what to say to that, so she looked around, desperate for something that would change the subject and she lamely settled on, “It’s really pretty.”

Moth nodded, and awkwardly pulled out a gold chain with a gold ankh pendant and held it out to her, “It’s supposed to ward off evil and stuff. My mom swore it protected her from the town, she lost it a few days before she died, and I found it today and thought you might like it.”

“Wow, thank you.”

Moth took the chain and came up behind her, placing the chain around her neck.

He stayed there and rested his hands on her shoulders, “London, don’t go into that asylum. People don’t come out of there; I can’t lose you too.”

Kane’s blood ran cold, but she turned to face him, “My friends are going in there and I can’t leave them to face this alone.”

Moth shook his head, “Please just think of you with this.”

“No, I can’t just leave-”

Moth cut her off, his lips against hers.

Kane jumped back, “What the hell was that?”

“Well, you kissed me back.”

Kane frowned, “You just kissed me.”

He nodded.

Her phone started ringing and she answered without looking at it, “Hello?”

“Kay, long time.”

She froze; that was a voice she had hoped to never hear again.

Goran Owens; her psychotic ex.

“What do you want, Goran?”

“I just called to tell you I miss you, I’m hurt that you left without even saying goodbye.”

Kane realized she must have looked as freaked out as she felt because Moth had a concerned look on her face.

“Kane, why so quiet?”

Kane exhaled a shaky breath, “You need to leave me alone; I want nothing to do with you.”

What he said next turned Kane’s blood to ice.

“You thought running off to Misty Meadows would keep me away? The town is so small, sweetheart; I’ll be seeing you soon,” he paused, “And tell that flame obsessed freak not to even try standing in my way.”

She dropped the phone, looking around in a panic.

“London, what was that about?”

Kane shook her head, “Nothing.”

“Right; that’s why you’ve gone as pale as a ghost. Tell me what’s going on.” He picked up the phone and studied it as if the phone would tell him.

Kane sighed, “Goran Owens; He’s an ex of mine, he’s crazy I have a restraining order on him, but he still stalks me. He’s here and he knows about you and he’s not very happy.”

“Stalks? New rule; you go nowhere without me, or one of the other three. If you see him anywhere, you tell me. Give me a description so I know who I’m looking out for. And speak to Alice so she knows too.”

Kane frowned, “Hold up, this guy is a whole new level of crazy; he won’t think twice of killing someone.”

“Which is why I won’t let him come anywhere near you.”

When they got to Alice’s, Moth stayed with Kane to make sure she told Alice everything.

Alice agreed with Moth that Kane wasn’t to go anywhere alone, and she invited Moth to stay for dinner.

When Kane went to bed, Moth was still there.

He went into the kitchen to talk to Alice, now that Kane was in her room.

“Alice, I know my father wasn’t a good person, but I am not like him.”

Alice turned to him with a grim look on her face, “Evil follows your family like a plague. You say you are not like your father, yet you seem to follow his footsteps.”

“But that isn’t true.”

Alice raised a brow, “You were both accused of murder.”

“The difference is that he was guilty, and I’m not.”

Alice shook her head, “In the eyes of the town, you were both guilty.”

“I don’t care what this town thinks of me, I care about what Kane thinks of me, and at the moment she believes that I’m innocent and that’s all I need. You don’t have to believe it, but I care about Kane.”

“You cared about Willow too, didn’t you? But she still ended up dead in that fire on Misty Hill.”

Moth said nothing, keeping his face void of any emotion; even though her words cut deep.

Willow Hillson had died in the house on Misty Hill along with his father, Kal Star and a few others.

Moth hadn’t known she was in the house until he had been asked to identify the body.

He couldn’t help but think back to that night, standing on that hill, watching as the house burnt down; people screaming around him.

Alice frowned, “You’ve gone pale; sit down.”

Moth took a seat at the counter and shook his head, “Look, if Goran has been watching Kane, and he knows me, he knows you too, so he’ll know that she’s staying here.”

“Yes, I’ve thought of that.”

“Well, I’ll be here as much as I can. As long as you’ll allow me.”

Alice nodded, “That’s fine; there’s a sleeper couch in the lounge that you’re welcome to use. Also, I want you to go with her to that asylum.”

Moth nodded, “I was planning on it.”

“I’ll speak to Lewis and explain why I want you there.”

“Tell him I’ll be bringing a guy named Kelso; I’m not taking any risks with Owens around.”

“I’ll go and see him first thing in the morning.”

“Kelso will go with you; if Owens is around he might target you too.”

Alice shook her head, “I’ll be just fine.”

“Neither of you will be alone until this guy has stopped.”

Alice nodded, “Okay, I’ll go check on Kane and then bring you some blankets.”

Moth waited till Alice was out of the room before letting out a breath; trying to forget that burning house.

When he closed his eyes, he could still see Willow’s charred body.

Kane woke up the next morning and frowned when she saw Moth in the chair in the corner of the room with a coffee mug in his hands.

“You stayed the whole night?”

Moth nodded, “Yeah, and I’ve gotten my friend Kelso to stick around to make sure Alice is safe.”

Kane’s frown deepened, “She can’t be too happy with you being here.”

Moth laughed, “She’s fine with it; where do you think I got the coffee from?”

Kane smiled, “Well, lucky she can’t make up her mind then.”

“She’s making breakfast with Kelso; I think we might have had a breakthrough.”

Kane was surprised but happy to hear this.

She got up and went to the kitchen with Moth close behind.

Alice stood at the stove making pancakes with a tall guy with messy, longish brown hair, who stood stirring a bowl of batter.

Kane let out a laugh, “That looks hilarious.”

He looked up with a smile, “You must be Kane. I’m Kelso.”

Kane sat at the counter, pushing her phone away when a private number called.

Moth answered and hit speaker's phone.

“What’s up?”

Silence.

Alice and Kelso turned to look at the phone, while Kane and Moth kept their eyes on each other.

Moth tilted his head, “Can I help you?”

“I want to speak to Kane.” She could hear the anger in Goran’s voice.

“Who can I say is calling?”

“Her boyfriend.”

“Her boyfriend, give her the phone.”

Moth hung up.

Kane stood, “I’m going to get ready for school.”

She got her clothes and went to the bathroom; she filled the tub and climbed in.

Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes; enjoying the warm water.

Plop

Kane tried to ignore the sound.

She frowned; the water had gotten a lot thicker.

Her eyes flew open and she let out a scream, jumping to her feet and trying to get out of the thick blood that now filled the tub.

She slipped and fell, hitting her arm and leg hard against the tiled floor, and her head against the wall.

She instantly felt light-headed.

Looking up, she saw the charred girl she had seen in the mirror in the house on Misty Hill.

Leaning up, Kane pulled the towel and covered herself, and the charred girl reached out a hand to her at the same time the door opened and Moth stood there, “London, are you okay?”

The girl’s eye widened in shock at the sight of him… or was that fear.

Kane frowned, “I, uh, fell.”

Alice barged in, pushing past Moth.

’Kane, are you okay?”

She pulled herself to her feet, readjusting the towel to keep it in place.

Moth came forward, “You’re bleeding!”

Alice shoved him out, “Lounge; I’ll take care of this.” She closed the door in his face and turned back to Kane, “Now, tell me what happened.”

“I fell.”

Alice gave her a look, “You screamed.”

“Because I fell.”

Alice didn’t look like she believed that, but she sighed and said, “We need to get you to the hospital.”

Kane nodded, “I’ll get changed and we can go.”

Alice walked out and Kane changed into her clothes, rolling the sleeves of her shirt up so it wasn’t rubbing against the cut on her forearm.

She walked out to see Moth leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

“You okay?”

Kane sighed, “The water in the bath turned to blood and a burnt girl appeared.”

His eyes flashed, “Burnt girl?”

Kane nodded, “It’s the second time I’ve seen her; the first was in the mirror at that house you sleep in.”

Moth paled and opened and closed his mouth a few times.

But before Kane could get anything out of him, Kelso came to them to let them know that Alice was waiting to take Kane to the hospital.

Kane sat on a hospital bed with Doctor Meyers standing in front of her; Alice, Kelso and Moth were in the waiting room.

“Well, the good news is that you don’t have a concussion, bad news is that we need to stitch this up. I must say, Miss London, trouble seems to follow you.”

Kane nodded, “It sure does.”

‘Or maybe it follows Moth’

Kane frowned but said nothing; she wasn’t about to argue with a voice only she could hear.

“Can I rather just bandage it and keep it clean?”

He nodded, “You can, but it will take longer to heal.”

“That’s fine,” she frowned, thinking of the last time she had seen the Doctor, “Is there a shrink around?”

His movements slowed slightly, “Why?”

“Oh, I’m just asking.”

“That isn’t something one would ask for the fun of it.”

Kane sighed, “Okay, I think I need one.”

He frowned, “And why is that?”

“I, uh, see things that others don’t.”

Meyers tilted his head slightly, “And how do you know that others don’t see them? Or that seeing them makes you crazy?”

Kane frowned, “Well, I mean…”

“Don’t underestimate the town, Miss London; it doesn’t have the reputation of being haunted for no reason.”

“You don’t even know what I’ve been seeing.”

The Doctor chuckled, “Dead people, perhaps?”

Kane sighed and explained everything, from her time in the mental institute, right up to how she had gotten the cut on her arm.

Meyers smiled, “Both of your grandmothers were born here; both of your grandfathers were born here; both of your parents were born here. There are at least ten generations of Gomes, and three to four generations of London’s in this town; have you ever stopped to think that maybe you were brought back here for a reason? Others may think that you need help; I think you have a gift.”

Kane said nothing; she hadn’t expected that from the doctor at all.

When he was done, she thanked him and walked out.

Moth was the first at her side “Is everything okay?”

Kane nodded.

Alice came over to them, ”I’ve already contacted Lewis and told him you won’t be coming in; Kelso is waiting in the car, we need to go see the sheriff about Goran.”

Kane rolled her eyes, “That guy hates me; he’s not going to be much help.”

Alice turned to Moth, “Maybe it would be best if you weren’t with us.”

“If Moth isn’t there, I’m not going.”

Alice said nothing as she walked out.

As Kane and Moth followed, he reached out and took hold of her hand.

After they had been to the station and spoken to Rick, Kane was sure he wasn’t planning on doing anything about Goran.

Kane sat in the lounge staring at the television but not paying attention; Moth sat watching her.

Alice walked in, “I need to do some shopping, Kelso and I won’t be long.”

Moth nodded; waiting until Alice and Kelso had left before turning back to Kane.

“You said you saw a burnt girl; what did she look like?”

Kane frowned, “Charred.”

Moth exhaled, hoping she wouldn’t notice the effect her words had on him; he had a good idea of who she was seeing, but he couldn’t tell her that.

If she knew…

Kane stood, “What aren’t you telling me?”

Moth shook his head, avoiding her gaze, “Nothing.”

“Moth, I’m not stupid.”

He pulled out his lighter, flicking it on and off, “Leave it alone, London.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, “In case you missed it, I’m not good at taking orders. You know something about that girl I’ve been seeing, and I want to know what it is.”

He jumped to his feet, clearly angry, “Just leave it!”

“No! You aren’t the one getting haunted by her, so-”

“How do you know I’m not being haunted by her?”

Kane frowned, “Why would she haunt you? How are the two of you connected?”

Moth sighed, “She died on the fire on Misty Hill along with my father.”

Kane froze as she remembered the girls fear-filled eyes in the bathroom when she had heard Moth’s voice.

Why would she be scared of Moth; unless he had been responsible for the fire?

She thought back to the woman with the hole in her chest, telling her to stay away from ‘him’; was it Moth?

Moth spoke, his voice pulling her from her thoughts, “Don’t do that, London, please, don’t look at me like the rest of Misty Meadows; like I’m a monster.”

Kane frowned, had she been looking at him like that? Had she made him feel as if she felt the same way everyone else did?

She hoped she hadn’t, but she didn’t know exactly what she thought anymore.

As much as she didn’t want to admit it, there was a part of her screaming for her to believe what everyone had said about him; screaming at her to get away from him.

But, of course, there was also the part of her that trusted him with her life; wanting to believe he was innocent.

Kane sighed, “You know I would never look at you like everyone else.”

He didn’t miss a beat, “There was a second there that you did.”

Before she could reply, there was a knock at the door, and Moth went to get it, while she tried to convince herself that Moth wasn’t a monster.

Moth returned with Brent, Cassie, Cliff, Collin and Macy.

“Are you okay?” Of course, Cliff would be the first to ask her.

She nodded, filling them in on Goran Owens, and everything else they had missed.

Macy looked rather worried, “What if he does get to you, Kane?”

Moth spoke before she could, “I won’t let that happen.”

Brent scoffed, “You can’t guarantee that.”

Moth glared at him, “I know I can.”

Brent narrowed his eyes, “Somehow I doubt that.”

Cliff rolled his eyes, “Funny, you’ve been convinced he’s some dangerous killer, now you don’t think he’ll be able to protect Kane.”

“Excuse me, I’m standing right here, and I can protect myself,” she turned, noticing how Cassie stood awkwardly away from them, she turned back to Cliff, “Brace-Face, you’ve got to get your girl to come out of her shell a bit,” she turned back to Cassie, “Sorry, you’re just a bit too quiet.”

Moth instantly picked up she was ready to change the subject and went along with it.

He motioned to himself, “Yeah, you have the accused killer,” he motioned to Cassie and Cliff, ’The nerd dating the ex popular girl,” moving on to Collin and Macy he said, ’The secret couple, who isn’t so secret,” he grunted in Brent’s direction, ’The self-obsessed, arrogant Jock,” lastly he motioned to Kane, “And the big mouth bad girl no one wants to cross,” he turned back to Cassie, “With this normal group, how can you even think of being quiet?”

Kane frowned, “Bigmouth bad girl? That’s the best you could do?”

Moth seemed to be thinking for a second, “Okay, let’s rephrase that, the accused killer and resident bad boy, and then not to be messed with bad girl, who seems to be avoiding speaking of her kiss with the said accused killer.”

Kane’s mouth dropped and her eyes widened, had he just said that?

All eyes were on her.

Macy looked at Kane, “When did this happen?”

Brent glared at Moth.

Cliff high fived him, “It’s about time you woke up and made a move.”

Kane could not believe he had just told everyone about their kiss.

And right on cue, Alice and Kelso walked in.

Alice frowned, “Why do you lot all look as if you’ve seen a ghost?”

Kane winced at her choice of words.

Cliff put on a huge smile, “Oh, nothing, Mrs. Gomes.”

Brent had other plans, “Kane and Moth are dating.”

Collin sighed, “Oh God.” Kane cleared her throat, about to try and fix the situation, but Alice spoke.

“Yes, thank you, Brent, but I’ve pretty much figured that out for myself.”

Kane and Moth exchanged glances, “What?”

Alice sighed, “I might be old, but I’m not stupid; with the way you two have been lately, it is quite obvious.”

Kane frowned, “We aren’t dating.”

Moth gave her a look, “Yet.”

Brent was not amused, “This is ridiculous! He’s a killer!”

Alice turned to him, “Excuse me, but this is my house, and I expect a bit more respect than that. It’s no secret that I’m not very fond of Moth, but none of us know what happened on that hill and cannot make assumptions on hearsay. Besides, Kane is happy.”

There was an extremely awkward pause; no one could believe Alice was standing up for Moth.

Cassie cleared her throat, “There’s a get together at the lake tonight. Mrs. Gomes, do you think it would be fine if Kane joined us?”

Moth spun, “The lake; are you crazy?”

Kane frowned, “What’s wrong with the lake?”

Collin frowned, “It’s also haunted.”

Kane thought back to her first day in Misty Meadows when the water in the lake had turned to blood.

“Why is it haunted?”

Macy took the chance to answer, “This one guy ran out of the burning house on Misty Hill, covered in flames and he threw himself in the lake, trying to put out the flames; but it was too late and his body was found in the lake a few days later.”

Kane sighed, “This town just gets better and better.”

Brent cleared his throat, “It’s going to be awesome, and everyone from school is going.”

Kane shrugged, “I guess it could be fun.”

Alice frowned, “Is it a good idea with Goran around?”

Brent nodded, “Yeah, we’ll-”

Moth spoke as if Brent wasn’t even there, “I’ll make sure he doesn’t come anywhere near her.”

Kane had gone for a plain look for their outing at the lake; black boots, dark blue jeans and a long-sleeved button up red and black plaid shirt.

Moth and Kane left Kelso to keep Alice safe; there was no telling where Goran would strike.

When they got to the lake, Kane was surprised to see just how many people were there.

There was also a huge bonfire.

Moth sighed, “Me near flames; they’re going to have a field day.”

Kane rolled her eyes, “Good for them, at least they’ll have something to talk about.”

Macy came over in heels too high and a white dress.

“I’m so glad you came!”

“You’re the only one,” said Kane as she eyed the preppy group around her.

Moth looked around, “Where’s Cassie and Cliff?”

“They went with Collin to get something to drink. Kane, have you seen Brent yet?”

Kane shook her head, “No, why?”

“He looks so good! Talk about eye candy!”

Kane scrunched her nose up in disgust, “Ew, no thanks; he’s the male version of a Barbie doll.”

Moth cleared his throat, “And here he comes.”

Kane turned to see Brent; he was in blue jeans, a white polo shirt with white sneakers, his sun-kissed hair slicked back neatly.

Kane shook her head; she and Moth were the only two who didn’t look preppy.

Brent smiled at her, “The Best Looking Student is tomorrow, you might want to network for some votes.”

Kane laughed, “I’ll pass, I didn’t even want to enter.”

Cassie, Cliff and Collin joined them.

Kane smiled, “Nice to see you’ve toned down the geekiness, Cliff.”

Brent laughed, “well he’s dating Cass now, he has to step it up.”

Cassie sighed, “Brent, don’t start.”

Kane shot him a look, “He’s missing the feeling of my fist in his face.”

Moth rested his hand on her lower back, “London, no fights tonight.”

Kane sighed, he had a point though.

Macy, who couldn’t seem to walk in her heels, dragged Collin off to dance.

Kane caught a glimpse of a tall blond figure and wondered if it was Goran.

Moth frowned, “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, “Nothing.”

“You sure?”

She nodded; she wasn’t about to ruin the night worrying about Goran.

A few hours into the night and Kane had managed to sneak out of Moth’s constant watch.

She was crouched in front of the lake; running her hands through the water when she heard the gravel crunch behind her.

She turned to see a girl with long blond hair, a few years younger than her.

Kane realized she was a ghost when she took in what the girl was wearing; blood-soaked jeans with a once-white shirt.

Kane stood, “Let me guess, your body is here somewhere.”

Suddenly screams were coming from the sheds.

Kane ran, pushing her way through the people.

And the sight before her turned her blood to ice; it was the girl she had just seen; she lay on the ground in a pool of blood, her neck sliced open.

Macy was huddled in the corner crying.

Kane crouched next to her, “Mace, are you okay?”

Macy wrapped her arms around Kane and continued to cry.

Soon Rick was called, and Macy gave her statement before leaving with Collin.

Kane had convinced Cliff to take Cassie home, telling him she would be fine.

Moth was by her side when Rick had insisted on questioning her; after which they had gone home and told Alice and Kelso of the night’s events.

As Alice spoke with Kelso and Moth about Misty Meadows, Kane sat in silence, trying to find the answer to only one question she had.

Where had Moth been at the time of the murder?

That was something she needed to know; it had been bugging her since finding the girl’s body.

Alice stood, “I’m going to get some sleep.”

She walked out leaving the three sitting in silence.

Kelso cleared his throat, “So, where were the two of you when she was found?”

“I was at the lake.” She turned to Moth.

He looked between the two of them, “I, uh, went to the toilet.”

Kane didn’t miss the look in Kelso’s eyes, and she was sure that Moth didn’t miss the look in hers.

She stood, “Goodnight, I need to get some sleep.”

Of course, she didn’t go to her room; she simply stepped out of sight and listened in on the conversation.

Kelso started speaking, and not in English.

“Cad a rinne to?”

Moth sighed, “Nothing, Kelso.”

Kelso rattled off in Celtic.

Little did he know, Kane knew the language; why was he so concerned for her not to hear their conversation?

Moth laughed and changed to Italian, “Lei said irlandese, impara a scuola.”

Kane rolled her eyes; he had just told Kelso she learned the language at school.

What Moth didn’t know, however, was that she was fluent in Italian, French and Spanish too.

Kelso sounded annoyed and he rattled off in Italian.

Kane frowned, yeah Moth, what did you do?

“Nothing, Kelso.”

“Non ti credo.”

Kane frowned; getting worried because his friend didn’t believe him.”

Shaking her head, she decided to go to her room and sleep.