Ghost Luna

6. Another attack

Tyler was quickly removed and cleaned up to limit public panic. The murder was gruesome and more akin to an animal attack.

Lane and Toby spent a few hour documenting the evidence to be analysed later by other specialised experts.

Feeling nauseous Lane took a step outside for some much needed air after reassuring Toby she wouldn't 'wonder off'. Since when had Toby become her dad or this invested in her safety. It felt nice but also irritating. Lane was used to being independent and alone. She had forgotten what it was like to really look out for someone and for someone to do it for you in return. Sure her housemates were great but they were a couple and in each others pockets and they were the centre of their own world. She had been a third wheel for quite some time.

The night was chilly and Lane pulled out a jumper from her back pack.

"Urgh, this isn't mine. At least it will be big and warm." She pulled it over and made a mental note to thank Paul later and apologise for borrowing his stuff. She picked up whatever was clean and she hadn't done the laundry in a while so it was eventually going to happen. He wouldn't mind.

"Hey."

Lane almost jumped out of her skin.

"Argh! I didn't hear you approach!"

"Sorry," Shrugged Damien. He was wrapped up in a warm trench coat jacket and scarf.

Suddenly Damiens eyes narrowed, " Are you wearing aftershave?"

Lane inhaled the jumper she was wearing. Huh, not as clean as I thought.

" No, I'm wearing my housemates jumper by mistak- "

"Take it off!" Damien commanded and began to remove his jacket and held it out to Lane.

Dumbstruck, Lane stood with her mouth open. Regaining herself she furrowed her eyebrows and squared her shoulders, " Is that a command Chief Nolan?" Lane's jaw set in defence. Who the hell does this guy think her is?

" I..just...you look pale and that jumper doesn't look warm enough. Put it on and I'll wear that...jumper."

"Oh...well...umm...sure?" It was such an odd request Lane's immediate displeasure was turned to confusion as she was taken aback by the strange chivilary.

They exchanged but Lane noticed he only held the jumper.

She shivered.

Damien took off his scarf and wrapped it around her. Their cold breaths mingled in the air as their eyes connected. Lane behan to heat up inside and she felt her cheeks redden and his stunning blue eyes captivated her. She bit her lip and Damien leaned in closer, almost nose to nose, when Toby emerged from the tent. Damien groaned slightly and cleared his throat as he stepped away.

"Ready to go?"

Lane nodded vigorously. Damien and Yoby caught each others eyes and seemed to silently communicate for a second. A brief smile crossed Toby's lips.

"Do you mind if you both sit in the back as I have some stuff in the front seat I can't be bothered to move?" Toby asked.

" Sure, grateful for the lift." Lane replied, I mean we'll soon be carpooling all the time." She smiled at this and genuinely was looking forward yo yhis aspect. She liked Toby. He was stable, safe and comfortable. Easy.

" Excellent. Let's go."

Damien opened the door for Lane and sat unnecessarily close to her on the drive home. Lane began to nod off and Damien caught her head and rested it on his shoulder.

"That is a rather large smile you are sporting, sir." Toby chuckled.

"She is frustratingly closed off Toby. I understand she isn't one of us. But she isn't human either. Why can't she sense me like I can her?"

" I'm not sure. Hopefully when she moves in we can monitor her better. She'll be a perfect mate for you."

"How so?"

" Well, she already doesn't take any of your crap. I've seen the push back and it is humorous. I don't think I've ever seen you flustered cousin."

Toby drove round the block a few times to give Damien more time with Lane leaned against him.

"I think we have to wake her otherwise I may be reported as casing the joint." Toby half joked.

"Fine."

Just as Toby turned the block Lane woke up screaming.

DREAM

Flashing lights and loud music assaulted her ears. The recognisable smells of a night club: vodka, cigarettes, vomit, sweat and s*x were overwhelming. In the corner of her eye she spotted Tyler. He was surrounded by a gaggle of girls and lines of coke infront of him, secured behind a VIP area. The club wasn't familiar.

A beautiful woman stepped forward and slipped him an envelope. He frowned and left.

Lane tried to keep up as he exited the club. A few blocks and she realised that they were at the crime scene. No. She didn't want to see this. She began to back away when Tyler turned, though his face was suddenly skeletal and translucent, "You must watch. It is important."

Lane gasped and watched on rooted to the spot.

Tyler resumed his walk until he waited beneath the tree. Suddenly, a dark mist descended on him like a swarm. A wolf and the beautiful woman appeared from the shadows.

"Alfonse will be avenged." She cackled and the wold left as the seemingly paralysed Tyler. The mist hid most of the assault but Lane was not spared seeing Tyler's mamed body lifted as if by magic into the tree from all to see.

The woman and wolf left.

Tyler contorted in the tree and to Lane's horror reached for her. She had seen enough and filled her lungs with air and screamed....

AWAKE

"Lane. Lane!" The comforting Arms of Damien reassured her immediately and she allowed herself to relax into the comfort.

"What is wrong?" Damien asked softly and with deep concern etched on his face. His worried eyes touched Lane and she felt compelled to tell the truth no matter jow mad it sounded.

She retold her dream in the quite darkness to these patient men and she didn't feel in the least bit embarrassed. She felt safe.

After her retelling Toby offered something surprising, "You know what Lane? I think you shouldn't be alone with those thoughts. Sometimes crime scenes can have unexplained effects on us. Sometimes it's good to be in the company of people who understand. How do you feel about staying at ours and we'll talk about it in the morning?"

Lane was going to object but realised he had a point. when she woke up she'd be alone and that didn't appeal to her.

"I guess this gives me a chance to test drive my new room." Lane replied.

"Good girl," Damien messed up her hair. She was too tired to be annoyed and also too comfortable to move an inch from his grasp.

"Why did you say us?" Lane asked. Damien stiffened beside her.

'Oh, Damien moved in yesterday. He had an argument with his previous landlord and we had more than o e room spare." Toby shrugged.

"Oh, " Lane didn't move. She would be living with Damien too. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. She was surprised she felt more positively than negatively- even, maybe...Happy?

It didn't take long yo reach Toby's gated off community block. Dawn was coming and Lane just wanted to crash out.

Damien showed her to her ridiculously spacious room with four poster bed. He hung by the doorway uncomfortably.

"You can come in and sit a while," taking pity on the guy. He must think she had something wrong with her or she was fragile and was dithering. This would give him the option to leave. To her suprise Damien looked relieved and sat on the couch beside the bed. He made himself comfortable by stretching his legs and throwing aside the jumper he never put on.

Lane proceeded to sit on the bed facing him.

"I can stay until you fall asleep," Damien offered.

This would normally have made Lane uncomfortable and her cynical side would have yelled it was creepy but Damien had a strang calmi g effect on her.

" Well, I have nothing yo change into or get ready gor bed do I was just planning on crashing out," Lane said honestly.

"I can help." Damien got up and came back with a large tree shirt and toiletries. The t-shirt smelled of him. He waited wordlessly as Lane stepped into the bathroom and sorted herself out.

She handed him his coat back and he took it .

"Just turn the light out and I'll look out for you," Damien said.

Lane got into bed and fell sound asleep.