Table of Contents [Report This]
Printer Chapter or Story Microsoft Word Chapter or Story

- Text Size +

Mystic Voices

Chapter three: "A Moment Like This"



Angel's Bluff (7:00pm)

Just when she had convinced herself that everything was fine and her mind was playing tricks on her, she saw a man in the doorway.

"Jarod, you scared the hell out of me!" Miss Parker barked, putting her hand over her heart in an effort to slow it's beating. He seemed to be unresponsive, as if he didn't see or hear her, witch only pissed her off all the more. As she drew closer to him, she couldn't help but to notice he was dressed differently and the ice queen within her couldn't resist a comment. "Oh are we wearing tights now?"

He seemed to be ignoring her completely which sent her reeling. She was just about to grab him when a loud crashing sound came from behind her. She turned on her heels just in time to dodge a book flying across the room at her. Scrambling to her feet, she brought her eyes to the doorway only to find it empty. She could hear the faint sounds of footsteps running towards her down the hall and took a deep breath as she stepped out to see who or what was approaching.

"Miss Parker, are you all right?" Jarod asked concerned , as he reached her.

"Yeah no thanks to you ." She snipped.

"I am sorry. I forgot the tools upstairs and went back to get them just in case." he showed her the Electromagnetic field detector and Thermal-scanner in his hand. "I tried to tell you but you seemed so determined with what you were doing I just figured I would run and be back before you even noticed it was gone."

"So then you decided to scare the hell out me? I mean you could have at least announced yourself, instead of just standing there." She growled annoyed.

"Standing where?' Jarod asked confused.

"God, you are getting on my last nerve here Jarod! Don't play innocent, I saw you in the doorway."

"Are you sure your okay?" Jarod stepped forward, concern in his eyes. "I 've been upstairs for the past twenty minutes, Parker. I have no idea who or what you saw, but it wasn't me. Honestly I've been upstairs this whole time."

"Right and I'm a virgin." She hissed. "Cut the crap Jarod. This little wild goose chase is getting tiresome. But even I have to admit the picture of Lyle in the study was a nice touch. Not to mention the tights."

" Tights? Parker, I don't know anything about a picture of Lyle and I did not make all of this up just to scare you. Besides it is impossible to make this equipment work like that way. What ever is happening in this house is real and I'm in no way in control of it."

She didn't say anything but instead became deeply engrossed in his current attire. She was attempting to wrap her mind around the fact that he was back in his clothes from earlier. She shook her head, raising her eyes to look at his. She was immediately lost in the deep brown puddles. She knew he was telling the truth, alas a new dilemma arose. If Jarod wasn't the one in the doorway then who was. The slamming of a door jerked her from his gaze and back to reality. "Come with me." She ordered turning back to enter the study.

A misty white smoke began to swirl around them and the cackling sound of laughter filled the hallway. Miss Parker could feel the tingling of her own skin and swallowed deeply in an effort to control what was happening to her. The mist seemed to move and before their eyes for just an instant a figure formed smirking at them before once again dissipating into the air.

"What the hell was that?" Miss Parker asked dumbfounded.

"Well I believe that would have been an an apparition of some sort. So the question is not what was that but who was that?" Jarod said calmly pulling out his tools, to read the hall. Watching the thermal-scanner, He groaned and turned on the electromagnetic field detector. "Well who ever it was they are gone but I am still detecting disturbances in the electromagnetic field."

"Care to break that down Barney style?" She asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Well a thermal scanner detects temperature drops. See when I hold this up to you the image on the screen appears as a red blurb showing me that you are a heat giving source unlike the other items in the hall. Well for some reason,unknown to most paranormal investigators,apparitions also seem to hold some kind of heat bearing or cold bearing elements. The theory is that evil or should I say aggressive entities give off heat like the living where as peaceful entities appear a distinctive blue. Apparitions or ghosts as most people call them also give off an electromagnetic charge that can be registered on this meter. Everyone has an electromagnetic charge but that in living subjects is different of those that have died."

"Great so you are telling me that once again I am seeing dead people? My life is a Stephen King novel." She quipped tossing her hands up in the air.

Jarod looked at her confused but before he could question who Stephen King was she grabbed his shirt and pulled him into the study.

"Well don't just stand there Wonder-boy." She snapped, pulling open drawers of the desk. "Start looking."

"What are we looking for?"

"The reason this house seems to want to keep us here or the reason it keeps trying to kill us, whatever we stumble upon first."

The window blew open again, a breeze entered the room and seemed to revolve around them in a tornado like funnel. The sweet smell of flowers filled the room coating the air with it's perfume. Jarod walked over to the window, looking down he discovered a garden nuzzled among large stone pillars. Standing along side a row of Forget-Me-Knots, he could see the outline of a woman. He was just about to call out to her when the window slammed closed nearly shattering in the process. He tried to push it open again, shivering from the new cold that encircled him.

The thermal-scanner in his hand began to illuminate two soft red forms, One across the room where Miss Parker still stood at the desk, and another that seemed to be standing just inches from him. He could feel his heart begin to race as he lifted his eyes from the small screen and directed them to the area the heat seemed to come from. For just a moment he could see the outline of a man but as he leaned closer to investigate it further it vanished taking the cold with it.

"Earth to Jarod." Miss Parker quipped, moving over to him and reaching out to touch his shoulder. Surprised, he jumped away from her. "Down Wonder- boy it's just me."

"Did you see that?" He asked exasperated.

"See what?" She questioned looking around the room.

"Never-mind. Did you find anything?"

"I'm not sure. This was in the top drawer but I'm not sure what it opens." She said holding up a gold key.

Jarod took the key from her hand and examined it. The sound of music filled the hall, distracting him and he moved over to the door to listen. The soft rhythms seemed to pull him into the hall. As if entranced, he began to walk down the hallway with Parker on his heels. "Sounds like it is coming from the living room." He said softly. Just as in the hall, the candle torches that lined the walls along the stairwell began to glow, as they began to descend down the steps. The closer they got to the bottom floor the louder the music became.

When they finally reached the landing, they could see the radiant glow of the living room. Shadows danced along the wall inside the room. Laughter and conversations filled the air, drawing them closer. As they reached the arch of the doorway, they found themselves in an empty room.

"What the hell is going on?" Parker gasped unbelieving. She moved into the room and began to look around. Everything appeared to be as it had been the last time they had been there with one difference, the oil lamps and fireplace where a blaze. Walking over to the fireplace, she stood allowing her trembling body to soak in it's warmth. "Okay genius what now?"

Jarod looked at her dumbfounded, then down at the equipment in his hand, which was telling him quiet bluntly that they were not alone in the room. The thermal-scanner showed a room full of red and blue forms not to mention the fire and oil lamps flames. The electromagnetic field detector swung off the odometer, eluding that there was an abundance of disturbances as well. The most disturbing for him at the moment was the large red mass that seemed to be lurking over Parker. He looked up at her again a note of fear in his eye.

"You okay Pez-head?" She asked moving towards him when she noticed the look on his face. "You don't look so good."

Jarod watched awed as the red mass seemed to glow brighter in it's intensity with each step she took towards him. Horrified he watched as it burst forward crashing into her and sending her tumbling towards the corner of the couch beside him. Instinct seemed to take over as his leg jerked upward kicking the couch back a few inches. Then he watched as she crashed to the floor. Extending her hands to catch her, he took hold of her arms and pulled her to her feet. "Are you all right?" He asked concerned, looking her over.

"Okay care to explain what the hell just happened?" She grumbled adjusting the hem of her skirt as she regained her blance.

"We're not alone." Jarod said quietly, once again bringing his attention to the instruments in his hand.

"No, shit Sherlock." She scoffed. "But the question is who the hell is here with us." She took the gun from her holster.

"I don't think you can shot a ghost." Jarod teased. "Lets go take a look around the rest of the house."

"Great we're in a house full of ghosts who apparently want to kill me and you want to play Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys."

"Nancy who?" Jarod looked confused.

"Oh forget it!"She threw her hands up again in defeat.

"Would you rather we just sit here and wait for the next shoe to drop?" Jarod growled back frustrated.

Suddenly the fire and oil lamps blew out bringing a veil of darkness over the room. Panicked filled Jarod as he watched helplessly as the room was once again filled with red masses. He stumbled forward using his hands to feel his way to Parker. When at last he felt a soft body he sighed with relief. "You okay?"

"Just dandy." A strange woman's voice answered. "But if you would kindly remove your hand from my bosom."

Jarod jerked his hand back, as he could feel the warmth of his blushing cheeks. "I'm terribly sorry. I thought you were someone else." Jarod murmured embarrassed as the room was once again a glow and he found himself staring at a young woman, holding a mask over her eyes and dressed rather oddly.

"And quiet a lucky woman she is." The girl smiled. "I hate to be rude, but who are you suppose to be?"

Jarod looked around the room. It was filled with dozens of people dressed in elaborate costumes all holding sticks that where attached to the masks covering the majority of there faces. Then he looked down to find himself still dressed in jeans and his navy cotton button up shirt. "I um. . um. . ."

"He was just about to change." another voice said from behind him. "Right this way Mr. MacGregor. Your costume is in the changing room.."

Jarod turned to find himself face to face with another young woman, she was dressed in a costume as well. "I'm sorry you must have me confused with someone else. I'm just looking for my friend. She's tall, dark brown hair, legs that go on forever. Has an attitude. Have you seen her?"

"Oh yes. Mother took her to the changing room a few minutes ago. Once you're changed I will be happy to take you to her." She said leading him towards the door. As they moved across the floor, her mask fell for just a moment revealing her face.

"Isabelle?" Jarod questioned, recognizing her from the photographs around the house. She simply nodded placing a finger to her lips to quiet him.

"Please, a we must go quickly before Father finds you." She warned yanking him out into the hall.

"The woman I came with, are you sure she's all right?" Jarod hesitated.

"She is safe for now. Come on we need to hurry, time is fleeting and father is due back down at any moment."

"What do you mean safe for now?" Jarod stared at her intently, fear overcast in his eyes. "Who wants to harm her?"

"Please. I will explain but we need to get you into a costume before father comes down from his office." She pulled him into a room off the main hallway and closed the door. Then walking over to the closet she pulled a costume out and handed it to him. "You can change behind the screen." She pointed to a changing screen in the corner.

Jarod looked at the clothes in his hand. "Before I do anything I want to know where Miss Parker is. And why you called me Mr. MacGregor?"

"I knew you were a MacGregor as soon as I saw those big brown eyes of yours." Isabelle said softly, as she studied his face. "You look so much like Michael's father and a bit like Michael too. Besides you and your companion have been the only visitors that have been able to see us in a 120 years. I just kind of assumed you were somehow connected to us. You are a MacGregor aren't you?"

"I'm not sure who I am." Jarod said looking at her in disbelief still.

"It's the curse. It has spread through every generation." Isabelle exclaimed quietly. "Greed, anger, and loss, that is all we Parkers are destined for and My love brought it to Michael's family as well. My love was poison to him. It's no wonder he turned to another." Tears rolled down her checks. "Your friend, she is a Parker isn't she?"

"Yes, she is the great granddaughter of your youngest brother." Jarod studied the costume in his hands. "I am to be Anthony?"

"Yes and your companion is to be Cleopatra. Mother thought they would be fitting." Isabelle smiled, "I'll leave you to change."

"What makes you think we are star crossed lovers?" Jarod questioned.

"I saw the way you looked at her in the attic."

"And what does that have to do with anything?"

"The eyes never lie." She said, touching his arm gently, before walking out of the room.

Jarod wanted to call after her, to ask her a million more questions. He wanted to know where they were and what was happening to them. He wanted her to explain how it was that he could see her when she'd been dead for over a hundred years. But more than anything he wanted to see Parker, to know she was safe. He decided the best way to accomplish that was to do what Isabelle had asked and he stepped behind the screen to change.

Meanwhile upstairs

"What the hell is going on?" Miss Parker snapped as she was pulled up the stairs in the darkness. "Jarod I swear to god if you don't answer me I'll put a bullet in your ass!"

"That is no way for a young lady to speak." An woman's voice bit out yanking her up the last step and into the lighted hallway.

"And just who the hell are you?" Miss Parker bit out, surprised to find herself face to face with an older woman.

"In here." The woman directed ignoring Miss Parker's question.

"If you think I am going anywhere until you answer a few questions, You are out of your mind."

"We haven't time for a temper-tantrum at the moment. If my husband see you you can be sure you won't be going anywhere. Now unless you want to join the rest of us trapped in this house I suggest you go inside that room and get dressed in the costume I have laid out for you." The woman said sternly narrowing her blue eyes at her.

Miss Parker opened her mouth to make a witty comeback, but seeing the fire in the woman's eyes , she closed it again quickly and walked into the room before her. Before her laid out on the bed was a costume and a white mask. She recognized the dress and head attire immediately from her high school days and a very annoying English teacher who had made them read all of history's great love stories. She was to be Cleopatra.

Her first response was that the woman waiting outside could go to hell. There was not way she would be caught dead in this over exaggerated get up. Then, she decided that she was going to put that bullet in Jarod's ass after all, as soon as she found him anyway. Looking down at the costume again, she could hear a faint voice telling her to stop procrastinating and get changed. Before she knew what she was doing she had slipped out of her own clothes and was adorned in the costume she had been holding.

She stood staring at her reflection, wondering how it was she had ended up in yet another situations where she had to not only trust Jarod but was also seeing persons no longer among the living. Her thoughts immediately drifted to the things that they had learned on Carthis They were thoughts she found herself reflecting upon often in the days since their return.

"You look Amazing." A familiar voice called in awe from the doorway.

"Do you ever knock? I could have been changing. Or is that. . ."She began to say as she turned to face the door. As her eyes fell upon Jarod, who was dressed perfectly as Anthony, she could feel her stomach do a small flip flop. Taking a deep cleansing breath, she moved slowly across the room towards him. "So Anthony and Cleopatra? Cute Wonder-boy, not funny, but cute."

"I had nothing to do with this." Jarod said, walking over to her. "Mrs. Parker dictated our attire."

"Well aren't you just the alter boy tonight. Innocent on all accounts"

"We best get downstairs." Someone called from the hall.

Jarod put out his hand to Parker, who starred at it reluctantly before taking it. "Shall we?"

"Parting with the dead not exactly my idea of a fun night out."

"There has to be a reason we can see them. I mean Isabelle told me that we are the first people in 120 years that has been able to actually see them. Don't you want to know why that is?"

"You saw Isabelle?" Parker asked, pulling them to a stand still.

"Yes she is the one who gave me this lovely get up. She said something else I found rather interesting."

"What that your a pain in the ass?" Parker teased.

"She called me Mr. MacGregor. When I asked her about it, she said that Michael and I look a lot alike. I am not sure what that means but I have every intention of finding out. She also said something about us having a connection to them in some way."

"Great, just what I need another unexplainable connection to you." She rolled her eyes and began walking again.

Jarod, hurt by her words, bowed his head and looked at the floor. Miss Parker hated those sad, puppy dog eyes. One look in them and she was mush inside, and that scared the hell out of her. After all there's nothing more terrifying to an Ice queen then melting. She yanked on his hand pulling him out the door while keeping her eyes focused on anything but his.

When they returned to the living room, they found the party was in full swing. "Okay so what now?" She asked, looking around the room through the small eye holes of her mask.

"We mingle and pay attention to every detail no matter how small. Most apparitions are stuck here due to unfinished business something they were meant to do that they never had the chance to. I think Isabelle is trying to show us what happened the night she died. If we can figure out what happened to her and help her finish it, she will be free from what binds her to this plane of life and she can move on."

A figure in the garden caught Miss Parker's eye and she moved away from Jarod to investigate. Moving cautiously through the crowd she realized the many of the faces where oddly familiar to her. A shiver ran down her spine sending a wave of tingling goosebumps to cover her body. As she reached for the handle to the glass doors she felt strangely as if someone was lurking behind her. Spinning on her heels she found herself face to face with a man who looked very much like Lyle. His face was a bit older and his hair was tinged with gray but the eyes, those cold empty eyes, they were Lyle's. She could feel her breath catch in her throat as she watched him lean in closer to her.

"Leaving so soon my dear? The party has just begun." He purred in a sickeningly sweet tone that made her stomach turn.

"Just stepping out to admire the garden and get a breath of air." Parker said more meekly than she had intended.

"Just be careful there's a storm brewing." He warned with a malicious smile before turning back towards the party and disappeared before her eyes.

She released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding and closed her eyes for a moment. When she turned back to face the doors the figure she had spotted earlier had been joined by another. She turned the knob slowly, so not to disturb them, and stepped quietly out onto the terrace. Moving unseen behind a row of Lilac bushes, she listened to the conversation the was taking place.

The man's voice was strangely familiar and she couldn't help but to take a peek at his now unmasked face. It was as if she had traveled back in time twenty years. The face she saw was a younger version of Jarod's. "Hello Michael." She said softly understanding now why Isabelle had called Jarod a MacGregor.

"Maria, I don't know how to say this to you. To find the words to express the regret and pain that are hovering in my heart. When I asked for your hand it was wrong, for my heart was not free to give. Please believe me when I say I never meant to hurt you. I thought I could forget that my heart could move on but I was mistaken and I know now that marrying you would be wrong. The heart can not be denied and I fear that our marriage would only bring you pain a pain you should not have to bare. I hope you find someone who will love you the way you should be loved but I am afraid that I am not the man to do it. You see my heart belongs to someone else and has now for a long time, maybe forever. And even through I may only ever be allowed to love her from afar I know now that she is the only woman I will ever love. I am sorry and I wish for you great happiness but I can not do what I know is wrong just to appease a man I hate." Michael spoke softy each word coated with great sorrow and regret to the woman he stood with.

The red haired woman began to sob and ran off into the darkness. Miss Parker watched as those all to familiar lost sad eyes bowed to look at the ground. She wasn't sure what it was that propelled her forward to him, perhaps the fact that he reminded her of a friend she thought she had lost or maybe she felt the connection that Isabelle told Jarod about, but she went to him just he same.

"She'll be all right, in time she'll come to see that you only did what you knew was best." Parker said softly reaching out and lifting his chin."It would have been wrong to marry her if you love another."

"It's you." Michael said awed. "So you can see me." A look of relief seemed to flood over his face as he looked at her.

"Yes, I can see you." she smiled gently, lowering her mask. "I'm not sure why or how but I can see you."

"Please you have to help us. You have to save her." Michael began to plead, the look of relief was replaced by fear.

"Save who?"

"Isabelle. She will die at midnight if you don't. I have tried year after year to stop what happened, to change it, but I can't he won't let me. I am cursed to remain outside and watch her die year after year. But at last the curse will be broken for you have come at last."

"Slow down there Romeo. What are you talking about?" Parker questioned.

"Not here, he is watching. Meet me by the maple tree in ten minutes and I will tell you everything." Suddenly he was gone, vanished into the cool night air.

Miss Parker lifted the mask to cover her face and moved quickly back inside to find Jarod. She wasn't sure why but something inside her warned that she need him. Opening the glass door she slipped back into the living room.

As she left a white mist took form where she had been standing just minutes earlier. Robert Parker's eyes were glowing red with hatred."This union shall never be." He roared, as his form dissipated into the air leaving only a white mist that seeped into the house through the closed doors.

Miss Parker moved around the room looking for Jarod. Finally she stopped and began to ask if anyone had seem him. A young man cloaked in a deep red cape moved towards her. "I think I saw him heading upstairs." He offered.

"Thank you." Miss Parker called as she pushed her way through the crowd to the stairs.

After she was gone the young man's form shifted to reveal Robert Parker. "My pleasure." He smiled, spotting Jarod outside. His form turned to mist again and then floated upwards disappearing into the celling. The sound of the clock striking ten echoed through the house.

Outside on the grounds

Jarod looked around the garden confused he was sure that he had seen Parker there. Shaking his head he moved to the door to go back inside. Placing his hand on the silver knob, he began to turn it when it unexpectedly it began to glow red, scalding the palm of his hand. He pulled his hand away screaming and clutched it protectively to his chest.

"It's to late it knows." a soft voice called softly from above, taking him off guard. "The house won't let you back in it's tasted your blood it knows who you are now."

"What do you mean it knows who I am?" Jarod asked looking upward, but who ever had spoken with him was gone.

"Your one of us." Michael said appearing out of thin air. "Your a MacGregor."

"How is that possible?" Jarod asked confused.

"Come, we're not safe here." Michael said, leading him through the garden to a small house that stood at the back of the property.

"I need to know what happened here, I need to know if you know who I am." Jarod pleaded as Michael handed him bandages for his hand.

" I'll tell you what I know." Michael began, " My name is Michael MacGregor. A long time ago I feel in love with a beautiful girl,"

"Isabelle Parker." Jarod interjected.

"Yes. Isabelle and I were in love from the moment our eyes met. We spent the summer sneaking around. When fall came and I was to return to my studies I couldn't bear to leave her behind. So I asked her to marry me and come away with me. When Mr. Parker learned of our relationship he was furious. He kept her locked up in that house, watching every move she made. He told me that if I ever saw her again my family would pay from my betrayal. I tried to see her, I wrote her letters but then her family sent her away. It broke my heart the day her father announced she would marry another.

Mr. Parker told me that if I valued my life and the lives of those I loved I would forget about his daughter, and encourage her to marry Lord Winston in Blue Cove. I wasn't afraid for my life for it was not worth having if I couldn't share it with Isabelle. But I found myself afraid for my family. I knew I couldn't sacrifice their safety for my own selfishness. In order to ensure my hearts silence, Mr. Parker decided I was to marry Maria, one of the chambermaids. I was a coward and one night under his watch I asked Maria to marry me. In the weeks that followed I knew that the marriage was wrong, that I couldn't marry a woman when I loved another. My father, being a brave man, told me to follow my heart, that if Isabelle and I loved each other that we could endure anything. I was still afraid for I had seen the hideous things the Parker's were capable of but my father said that no amount of fear should stand in the way of true love. With his encouragement I decided I had to know the truth that I had to hear it from Isabelle herself that she didn't love me. So I traveled to Blue Cove, that is when I discovered truth, that she had never left that house.

That crazy bastard had been keeping her a prisoner. He'd built a cell and everything. I was so angry. On the night I returned I confronted Mrs. Parker in the garden. She admitted to me that Isabelle had never left, that her husband had built a room above the attic and kept her there. I wanted to kill him that night, to strangle him with my bare hands. But Mrs. Parker pleaded with me to wait. She told me that Mr. Parker had the only key to the room and we needed him to free Isabelle. It killed me to leave her in that house but I thought it was the only way. Mrs. Parker came to me a few days later. She told me that she had convinced her husband to let Isabelle attend the Masquerade ball that was to take place on All Hallows Eve She told me that if I really loved her I would come from her that night. I left a sketch in the maple tree where Isabelle and I had spent our time together. It was Isabelle dresses as Juliet. I hoped that Mrs. Parker would understand and when I received my Romeo costume the next day I knew she did.

That night I went to the ball but Mr. Parker kept Isabelle close by his side and I could not get to her. At a few minutes before ten I saw her escape him and go to the garden. I knew I didn't have much time so I ran out after her. She looked beautiful standing there bathed in the moonlight. The moment I saw those blue eyes I knew that I could never again be without her. I begged her to come away me. She was unsure afraid of what her father would do if she tried to escape him. I told her that if she loved me still, I would be waiting on the beach below the cliffs at midnight. Maria arrived and before I knew what was happening she had thrown her arms around me. The pain I saw in my loves eyes was unbearable and tried to explain but she ran off before I could. I spent the rest of the night explaining to Maria that I couldn't marry her and gathering my things. At quarter till midnight I climbed down the cliffs to the beach and waited praying that Isabelle would come to me. As I heard the clock strike midnight I heard a gut wrenching scream coming from the house above me and before I could move I found Isabelle's body at my feet, blood encircling her. I took her in my arms and held her as she let go of life and in that moment I died with her." Michael wiped a tear from his cheek. "They said she fell from a window in the roof. They said she killed herself. But I know that was a lie. She loved life to much to end it. I know in my heart he killed her, he killed her because I loved her. I spent the next year of my life in a daze I was devastated and in my grief I found comfort in the arms of Maria. We married a few months later and I tried to be a good husband. I came to care for her but even in her arms I couldn't pull my mind from Isabelle. I thought I was going crazy everywhere I looked I saw Isabelle. At night in the garden smelling flowers and in the morning sitting in the attic window. On the anniversary of her death, I saw her in the window again and I climbed up thinking that maybe she hadn't died after all, thinking that he was still keeping her locked away. My hand slipped and I fell. In the months that followed my death I saw my son born and the woman who had became my wife grieve for me. When Mr. Parker learned that my son could possess my abilities he decided he wanted to raise him as a Parker and tried to take him from Maria. She gave her life to save him and my family escaped with him. They fled back to Scotland to protect him. My son was your great-grandfather.

In his rage Mr. Parker called upon dark forces to bind our souls to this house but ensured that even in death Isabelle would not leave that house and I would not enter. So alas even in our death we can't be together. He swore no Parker would ever be allowed in the arms of a MacGregor."

"The Parker Curse." Jarod mumbled

"Yes." Michael said sadly. "The Parker Curse has been successful until now."

"What's different now?"

"You see, Jarod, that as evil as Mr. Parker was Mrs. Parker was good. She prayed to the heavens that one day a Parker and a MacGregor would meet again, and that when their pure hearts professed their love it would free us all. I see the way you look at your Miss Parker, it was as I looked at Isabelle. Your in love with her?"

"Yes, but I'm afraid that we are not the ones who can save you. She doesn't love me." Jarod bowed his head as a tear escaped sliding down his cheek. "I think she did once but lies and fear changed that."

"Don't be so sure of that Jarod." Michael smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder in encouragement.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Never give up on love Jarod. Just because the heart whispers doesn't mean it can't be heard. Just because someone doesn't know how to show you the way they love you doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. I have learned that the people we care about most in life are taken from us to soon. So we must fight for and cherish every moment we are given. Life is fleeting but true love lasts far beyond the grave."

Jarod could see the hope in Michael's eyes and a part of him grieved for the losses he had endured. "I don't know what to do." He admitted sadly. "I've tried for years to make her see that I love her. But she remains just inches out of my grasp."

"Stop letting your fear guide you and follow your heart it has always known the way." Michael said softly, "but we must hurry Jarod midnight approaches."

"What happens at midnight?" Jarod looked up alarmed.

"The curse begins again, Isabelle will fall from the tower and Miss Parker's soul will be trapped inside the house forever."

"No! I can't lose her. I won't." Jarod rose to his feet, determination in his voice.

As they stepped outside the tiny house, that had been their sanctuary, their eyes immediately fell to the Parker house and the red glow that encompassed it.

"He knows." Michael gasped weakly.

"Well if he thinks he is going to keep her he'll have to kill me first." Jarod sneered, moving past Michael towards the garden. The quiet world was disrupted by an eerie echo as the clock struck eleven.

"Gods speed." Michael prayed as his sprit was forced to remain at a distance.



Meanwhile back at the main house

Miss Parker moved up the stairs slowly that eerie feeling of foreboding returning in the pit of her stomach. She turned a few times feeling a cold breath on the back of her neck but always found herself alone. As she reached the second floor she was sure she spotted Jarod lurking in the hallway near the entrance to the tower room. She called out to him but he seemed unable to see her as he disappeared through the doorway. Frustrated, she moved quickly down the hall until she stood at the bottom of the now dark pathway. Her heart began to pound as she looked up into the blackness before her and something inside her wished she had brought Sydney or Broots along this time. Taking a deep breath, she began to climb the upwards feeling her way into through the darkness. The door behind her suddenly slammed closed sending an unexpected shudder of fear to course through her body. Panicked, she raced back down the stairs and began to bang on the steel door with her clenched fists. Her cries for help drown in the echoing of door.

"No one can hear you." A meek voice called from behind, as the passageway was flooded with light.

Miss Parker turned to find herself facing Isabelle, an oil lamp clenched in her hand. "Where the hell is Jarod?"

"There's no one here but you and I."

"I am not in the mood to play games. I saw him come in here just a few minutes ago. Now where the hell is he?"

"No you saw what my father wanted you see." Isabelle said quietly. "He only made it appear that Jarod was there. Come on lets get upstairs before the light fades." Turning, she began up the stairs. Not hearing Miss Parker's foot steps, she turned and looked at her sadly, then walked back down and touched Miss Parkers arm gently. "Come. There's no way out here."

"Fine lead the way." Miss Parker scoffed and motioned her to keep moving.

When they reached the bedroom at the top of the stairs, Isabelle lit the candle torches that hung around the room. When the room was a glow with soft light, she moved to sit across from Miss Parker on the couch.

"So care to enlighten me as to what the hell I am doing here." Parker sneered, looking around.

"One hundred and thirteen years ago my father threw me from that window to keep me from marrying the man I loved. Since that time my soul has been trapped in this room, every night and day except for this one On October 31st I relive that night again, every moment, every thought, every fear. My father bound my sprit as well as the others to this place with a curse. He wanted to be sure that Michael and I would never find the happiness we longed for. So it is our fate to love from afar and never again to know the warmth of the other's arms. Thus for all these years he has been able to keep us apart allowed only to see each other in the fleeting moment before my death. My mother being a good woman, kind and loving, tried to save us. She prayed to the heavens that one day a Parker and a MacGregor would fall in love, that their bond would be unbreakable. The connection of their hearts would set us free and damn my father to the hell he deserves. Every year we have waited for those hearts to touch but every year we remain. . . " Isabelle stopped speaking suddenly as the clock struck eleven, her ghostly face painted in fear.

"Isabelle what is it?" Miss Parker asked drawing nearer to her.

"He's coming." Isabelle said meekly, "It's starting."

The room grew unbearably colder. Miss Parker's skin was prickled with goose bumps, she wasn't sure if it was the cold or the fear that came with knowing what the change in temperature meant. Her heart was beating in her chest so hard she thought that at any moment it would burst from her body. A crash moved her attention to the corner, in which Isabelle had retreated. Parker's hand moved instinctively to her lower back.

"Looking for this?" A loud deep voice bellowed through the room.

She spun on her heels to find herself face to face with Robert Parker. A knot twisted in her stomach, as she noticed her 9mm dangling from his finger. His eyes were dark and hallow and the cold that radiated from them chilled her to bone. She felt herself unwillingly take a step backward, a move that seemed to empower him all the more.

"Run. . ." Isabelle warned, as the room seemed to begin to glow red. The rest of her warning was drowned in the thunderous cackled of laughter that seemed to move the very walls of the room.

Miss Parker was bombarded by the voices inside her. Grabbing her head, she feel to her knees deafened by the screaming that Mr. Parker's presence seemed to summon from within her. She watched the scene before her helplessly .

Mr. Parker made his way towards his daughter, angry pouring for every pore of his body, illuminating him in a red glow. Each footstep a thunderous illustration of the power his body contained. He towered over the small trembling teen before grabbing her arms and pulling her from the corner. His eyes fell to the sliver locket that hung delicately around her neck. In one forceful swipe of his hand, it was snatched away and tossed across the floor. Miss Parker watched as it slid stopping only when it reached her. She reached down quickly grasping the now hot silver into the palm of her hand. Isabelle's pleading voice drew her back to the father and daughter and the struggle that had ensued between them for the diary clutched to Isabelle's chest.

Pushing the pain from her mind, Miss Parker got to her feet and willed her body forward towards them. She went at him in a full run only to find herself slipping through his body and crashing into the wall. Picking her body up off the floor, she held her head as a rainbow of colors swirled before her eyes. She could hear Isabelle's screams grow wildly out of control, as Mr. Parker forced her towards the window, ranting about family honor and disgrace.

Isabelle cried out clutching the curtains of the window as his body hovered over her pledging that he would never allow her to marry a feeble man such as Michael. In protest, Isabelle screamed that she loved Michael and he was more of a man than her father would ever be. Those words seemed to call forth the demons that lived within him. His hands moved from her arms to her neck, then slowly tightened squeezing the life from her body. She struggled against him pushing against his chest with her hands as she gasped for the air he denied her.

Realizing that she was simply to witness this horror, Miss Parker sank helplessly back to the floor, allowing her tears to spill endlessly down her flushed cheeks. Suddenly the silver heart still grasped in her hand seemed to move. She opened her fingers to find the heart radiating a brilliant white light.

Suddenly the room grew quiet and Isabelle and Mr. Parker grew still. "It's you." Isabelle whispered in awe, as the white light from the locket encompassed Miss Parker.

Outside in the garden

The wind swirled in the tree tops above sending a wave of leaves drifting across the dark star-less sky. They seemed to sing a soft, sad melody as they skittered across the top of the grass. Jarod's heart was pounding in his chest, as he moved quickly over the grounds to the garden entrance. Michael's words echoing in his mind as he moved. " Isabelle will fall from the tower and Miss Parker's soul will be trapped inside the house forever." He couldn't let that happen, he won't, if it took his life he would save her. When he reached the doors at last, he stood observing them as he planned a course of action. He could see the people in the living room still moving around their faces painted with smiles of laughter. His stomach turned as he spied the clock on the mantel, twenty minutes after eleven, time was escaping him. He looked down at the flaming red handle of the door. Suddenly his injured hand seemed to be on fire again and he cradled it protectively to his chest.

His mind was a flutter of activity as he began to sim all the possible outcomes of the actions he could take. When he finished, his heart sank as he realized his intelligence would be of no use to him. This was not a war of the mind but one of the heart, that realization was terrifying in itself. He swallowed hard and raised his eyes to examine the rest of the house. Then trying to clear his mind, of the clutter of thoughts, he attempted to let his heart show him the way. He was instantly more aware of his body, he could feel his blood rushing through his veins feeding him from the inside, the rise and fall of his lungs as they received the air that moved them, and the steady beating of his heart, as if whispering all of it's secrets in his ear.

His eyes searched each window until, as if being told, they came to rest on just one It was almost invisible from the ground small and nuzzled into the arch of the roof top. It was illuminated with a blinding white light that seemed to warm his shivering body as he looked into it. He was aware then that his heart had begun to beat faster. It was as if the light was calling to him, summoning him to it. He looked down searching the house for a way in, a way to get into the comfort of that light.

The wind swirled again, but this time he could hear the soft sweet message it whispered in his ear. He looked up to find himself looking into a woman's eyes. He recognized her at once as Mrs. Parker. She smiled and lifted her hand to point at his burned hand. He looked down at it, following her gaze, and suddenly felt something clutched inside his closed fingers. Opening them slowly, he found the key, Miss Parker had found in the study, laying in the palm of his hand. Lifting his eyes, he looked up where she had been, confused as to how it had gotten into his hand, but she gone.

He moved towards the house unsure where he was going but trusting that something was leading him. Out of no where a small door came into view nuzzled in between the rows of For-get-me Knots. Jarod stepped up to it, to find it's handle cold. He looked down at the key once more and then placed it carefully into the lock. Turning it once counter clockwise, he heard the lock pop. Grasping the handle with his good hand, he pushed the door open slowly and stepped cautiously inside. He was surrounded by blackness and immediately wondered how he was to find his way. As if he had summoned it with his thoughts a soft light began to move towards him. When it finally stopped just inches from him, he saw Mrs. Parker's familiar soft eyes sparkling.

"You must hurry." She warned, as she handed him the oil lamp in her hand.

"I don't know how to thank you." Jarod said gratefully.

"Save her." was all he heard as she vanished into the vast darkness that encircled him.

He moved quickly through the basement and up the stairs. When he reached the first floor, he stopped and listened at the door before opening it and quickly slipping into the party. Grabbing a mask off the table, he covered his eyes and moved into the crowd. He searched each set of eyes, as the clock chimed once, telling him it was half past the hour. His time was drawing to a close. He could feel the urgency in the air and moved more quickly through the room back to entrance hall. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, the torches began to glow as if showing him the way. He didn't allow himself to think but simply followed them.

Isabelle's room

Mr. Parker tossed Isabelle onto the bed and turning to look towards Miss Parker. "I knew you were trouble. I could smell your weakness as soon as you entered my house." He bellowed.

"You have no idea who I am." Miss Parker sneered, hoping to sound stronger than she felt.

"I know you enough to know that your love brings with it only death." He snarled taking a step towards her. "Your heart is your weakness."

"Don't listen to him." Isabelle called out in panic, as she mustered the strength to stand. "He's lying. He wants to confuse you, don't let him."

"You know I'm right, don't you Miss Parker. Your like a black widow only your venom is your love. It kills whatever it touches. First it was your mother, dear sweet Catherine. She loved you and that love killed her. Oh and then Thomas, we mustn't forget poor Thomas, all he ever wanted was someone to share his life with, I'm sure you didn't mean to steal his young life. Pity he was such a good man, so much to give to world. But you ended all that didn't you, your love got him killed." His voice was steady and hypnotic as he spoke. "Every thing your heart touches dies."

Miss Parker listened immobilized by the fears he seemed to call from inside her. She could feel her chest begin to constrict as tears rolled down her cheeks in hot wet streams, as some part of her believed his words.

"You know I am right." he cooed. She nodded in response, unable to find her voice. "You don't want to hurt anyone else do you?" She shook her head still locked in his gaze. "Then eliminate your weakness Miss Parker. Deny your heart and you'll find the piece you've been looking for."

"He lies." Isabelle screamed gathering her strength and rushing towards them. "Your heart is your path to freedom, it always has been. Deny what is inside you and you lose yourself forever."

"You insipid little waif." Mr. Parker roared, grabbing Isabelle by the arms and flinging her across the room.

"He knows I speak the truth." Isabelle called out weakly. "Don't let you fear of the past steal your future. Listen to your heart."

"Miss Parker. Miss Parker are you there." Jarod's voice up the stairwell and seemed to pull her from her trance.

"Jarod. Jarod I'm here. I'm up here." She called out.

"Impossible!" Mr. Parker hissed.

"Love makes anything possible." Isabelle scoffed, a gleam of hope in her eyes.

Taking two steps, he scooped her up and tossed her through the glass panes of the window, sending her body crashing to the rocky cliffs below.

Miss parker screamed out, rushing to the window in a vain effort to save her. But all she found when she reached to it was Michael clutching the lifeless body on the rocky cliffs below. "You bastard!" she screamed, spinning on her heels. "She was your child."

"She was weak." Mr. Parker bit back, narrowing his eyes at her.

"All she ever wanted was for you to love her and let her love him."

"And I did love her, Miss Parker, as I've proven by taking her pathetic existence. I told you love brings with it only death and misfortune. She was a foolish child plagued with a heart that would have disgraced us all. I saved her."

"You murdered her." She bit out in retaliation.

His eyes flashed an evil that chilled her to the bone, as he moved towards her. She inched slowly backwards until she could feel the sharp shards of broken glass at her back. She was trapped, caged between his body and the broken window.

Jarod paced the hallway below trying to find a way to get to her. His heart stilled as he heard a gut wrenching scream from above. He held his breath and waited, only releasing it when he heard Miss Parker's angry voice once more. He still had time, he sighed, struggling with the door handle again. Finally, unsure if it was by force or sure will, he felt it give way and fall open. Stumbling upwards through the darkness he went to her. When he reached the top of the stairs he found her pinned against the window by Mr. Parker. It was as if his body took over as it carried him towards them.

Mr. Parker turned his head slightly to look at Jarod. "Come any closer and she dies." He threatened, moving to show Jarod the sharp broken shards behind her.

Jarod froze. His eyes searching wildly until they feel upon hers. "It's going to be all right." He said softly, seeing the fear that raged inside her.

"Isn't that sweet. He actually thinks he can save you." Mr. Parker cooed mercilessly.

"Let her go." Jarod demanded.

"As you wish." Mr. Parker smiled, pushing his hands forcefully against her shoulders and sending her body crashing past the shards of glass and out the window.

"NO!" Jarod screamed out, tears falling endlessly down his cheeks.

Miss Parker's body tumbled down the slope of the roof top. Her hands reaching out frantically for anything to stop her, as she toppled over the edge and began her decent to the sharp, rocky valley below. Panic and dread filled her, when at last her fingers caught the slick ledge of the gutter leaving her body dangling.

"Did you honestly think that your love would be enough to save her?" Mr. Parker smiled.

Jarod lifted his tear stained face, his eyes glaring with hatred.

"Oh how sweet, you did." with that he was gone, taking all the light with him.

Miss Parker's fingers began to slip as she struggled to pull herself upwards. "Help, someone help me, please!" she cried out helplessly, as her arms grew tired.

Hearing her pleas, Jarod's heart swelled with hope and he moved to the window quickly climbing out onto the roof. "I'm coming Parker just hold on, I'm coming." He called out to her, as he shimmed himself down the slope.

The gutter that held her began to creek and bow under her weight. Suddenly it broke, tossing her dangling body to and fro, she screamed out losing her grip with one hand. "Jarod!" she screamed fearfully.

Jarod laid down on his belly and stretched his arms out to her. "Take my hand." He pleaded.

"I can't." she cried as the gutter bowed again dropping her down a notch further.

"Parker look at me." Jarod demanded. She lifted her eyes to meet his. "You can do this. Do you hear me? You can do this. Just reach out and take my hand."

"I can't. I'll fall you're to far away." she cried out, her eyes filled with fear.

"Trust me. I promise I won't let you fall." He leaned out just an inch more, coxing her to him "Just give me your hand."

Suddenly the gutter began to give way under her hand, She looked up to meet his eyes once more and found the courage to reach for him. Swinging her body away from the falling metal, she was jolted upwards as his finger coiled around her wrist. He pulled her body up over the ledge and into his arms. She rested exhausted against him, sobbing.

"Shhh. . ." he said softly rocking her back and forth, tears of relief trickling from his blood shot eyes. "I've got you." His hand swept tenderly in circles across her back.

She tightened her arms around his waist, allowing her head to rest against his chest and the pounding of his heart to echo in her ear. She realized suddenly that it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard. As she lifted her head to look at him, the moon reappeared in the sky bathing her tear stained face in it's soft light. Her blue tear filled eyes sparkled like stars in the darkness.

"God your beautiful." Jarod whispered in awe, as he reached up to brush a stray hair from her check.

She didn't say anything but reached up to cup his cheek with her hand. Her eyes drifted back and forth between his deep chocolate eyes and the softness of his lips, that seemed to beckon her to them. She didn't permit herself to think as she leaned closer into him. Letting her heart lead her, she brushed her lips gently against his in a soft warm kiss. Allowing her lips to express what she couldn't find the words to say. Jarod wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her passionately into his embrace and deepening the kiss. As if on cue, the clock struck midnight.

Breaking the embrace, Jarod looked deep into her eyes unsure if she was ready to hear what he needed to say. His mind wandered for a minute to Michael and Isabelle and how their lives had been stolen before they could say all that they needed to say. He decided in that instant that he would not allow their lives to take the same path. He had learned from the past, that there were no guarantees, only moments, that you could cherish or disregard He had disregarded enough moments in his life, allowed them to slip through his fingers with out a fight. He promised himself this would not be one of them. Taking a deep breath he let his heart speak for him. "I love you Madeline Parker. I've always loved you and I know now I always will." He whispered, a tear trickling down his cheek as he spoke the name that had been held secret in his heart from as long as he could remember.

A new wave of tears cascaded down her cheeks as she allowed both her heart and her head to drink in his words. She had waited a life time to hear him say them, imagined the moment over and over since she was a child, but none of that could have prepared her for the overwhelming emotion they stirred within her. She swallowed hard studying his face. It was there, nestled in his deep loving eyes, she found the courage to defeat her fears and speak her heart. She had missed the chance to tell Thomas she loved him and decided that she was not going to make that mistake again. "I love you too." She said softly, making her way into his arms again and kissing him tenderly.

They sat there just holding each other as they watched the waves beat against the rocks, when suddenly their eyes fell upon two figures below. They both smiled as they watched Isabelle run across the beach and into Michael's waiting arms.

"It's over." Miss Parker smiled as they watched the lovers fade into the moonlit sky.

"No, Middies. It's just beginning." Jarod purred, kissing her passionately.

They spent the rest of the night wrapped in each others arms.

The Centre two days later

Miss Parker sat at her desk watching the leaves tumble downward from the tree outside. The delicate shades of brown, yellow and red were a pleasant distraction from the work she was suppose to be doing. She had spent most of the morning trying to explain what she had found in Maine to members of the board. Then had had a run in with Lyle that left her searching for a glass of Scotch. Not to mention the fact that she had not heard from Jarod in over twenty four hours. Not even a late night call to make sure she had made it home safely. She glanced at the clock again, it was only twenty till one. She sighed heavily and down the last bit of amber liquid in her glass.

"Miss Parker?" Sydney poked his head in the door.

"What?" she sneered, rubbing her temples with her fingertips.

"This just arrived for you." He said, walking over and handing her the package in his hand. "Are you sure you don't want to talk?" He asked noticing the empty glass next to the bottle of Scotch on her desk.

"I told you Syd I'm fine. If you want to psychoanalyze someone, why don't you go find Broots. He's usually a few screws short." she sneered, opening the package. Inside was a CD, A book entitled Shakespeare's Greatest Works, Dozen For-Get-Me-Knots, and a small pink box. The smile she had been fighting all morning finally spread beautifully over her face as she opened the pink box to find a silver heart shaped locket. She lifted it into the air sliding the chain between her fingers until the heart rested in the palm of her hand.

"What is it?" Sydney asked.

"Let's just say it's a momento of the past and the promise of the future." She smiled slipping the locket around her neck and tucking it safely inside her blouse.

Sydney looked at her confused.

She smiled patted him on the back and lead him to the door of her office. "It's a beautiful fall day out there Syd. I'm going home early. Maybe you and Broots should to. Life's to short to spend it working."

"Miss Parker is everything all right?" Sydney asked concerned as she scooted him out into the hall.

"Everything is perfect Syd just perfect." She smiled and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek before turning to go back inside and closing the door.

She reached inside the pink box and retrieved the note that was tucked beneath where the locket had laid.

Maddie,

Now you hold my heart in your hands.

J.

She smiled and picked up the CD, book and flowers from her desk. Grabbing her coat, she headed out the door not bothering to look back. When she got to her car, she decided to put the top down on the convertible then popped the CD in the stereo. Placing the flowers on the seat next to her she opened the book and read the inscription.

In matters concerning the heart all things are possible if you believe in them. Sometimes love is just around the corner waiting to be found. It is only with open eyes and a willing heart you will find it. May all your days be blessed with happiness.

Isabelle and Michael MacGregor

Miss Parker smiled placing the box next to flowers as she squeezed the locket with the other hand. Starting the car, the air was filled with music. Pulling out of the parking garage, she watched as the wind blew through the trees sending a rainbow of leaves dancing across the crisp autumn sky. She smiled still clutching the heart delicately in her hand. "Kizmet" she whispered with a smile as the words of the song found a special place in her heart.

What if I told you this was all meant to be

would you believe me, would you agree

it's almost that feeling, that we've met before

so tell me that you don't think I'm crazy

when I tell you love has come here and now



A moment like this, Some people wait a lifetime

for a moment like this, some people search forever

for that one special kiss

Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me

some people wait a lifetime, for a moment like this



Everything Changes but beauty remains

something so tender I can't explain

well I may be dreaming but still lie awake

can we make this dream last forever

and I'll cherish all the love we share



A moment like this

Some people wait a lifetime, for a moment like this

some people search forever, for that one special kiss

Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me

some people wait a lifetime

for a moment like this





could this be the reign of love above

I wanna know that you will catch me when I fall

so let me tell you this

some people wait a lifetime

for a moment like this



Some people spend two lifetimes, for a moment like this

some people search forever, for that one special kiss

oh I can't believe it's happening to me

some people wait a lifetime, for a moment like this

some people search forever oh yeah

some people wait a lifetime

for a moment like this.



The End.

The song used in the end of chapter three is "A Moment Like this." by Kelly Clarkston









You must login (register) to review.