'Sign of Hope'

                                    

                                          
An hour or so later, I'm sitting across the table from Julie and Flynn with the boys standing around us. Ray and Carlos are outside clearing up the party as the delicious smell of pizza wafts through the kitchen. 'I can't say it enough. That was amazing!' Flynn smiles around, not letting the fact that she can't see us affect her enthusiasm 'and Kay girl, you should just go solo, you don't need these guys' she states matter-of-factly picking up her drink with attitude. 'Yes she does!' Reggie squeals in protest as Alex chimes in 'no she doesn't', Luke echoes him shaking his head 'she doesn't'. I laugh and lean back into Luke who is standing behind me, the rush of adrenaline from the performance giving me confidence, 'I'm not going anywhere' I roll my eyes as Luke wraps his arms around me and rests his head on mine. Julie smiles fondly at the two of us and Flynn's face grows into confusion 'what's happening?' she asks, raising her eyebrows in my direction. 'Ohhh' she nods as she reaches an answer 'they're being cute again aren't they?'. Julie nods as Flynn stands to fill up her glass. 'What? No I-' I start to protest using the table to pull myself away from Luke but he holds me against him tucking his head into my neck whispering 'just let it happen'. I relax into his embrace tilting my chin slightly 'I hate you guys'. 
                          
After departing the kitchen - not wanting Carlos to sit on me during family dinner - we decided to play basketball outside on the driveway. As I'm holding the ball, I go to throw it but a sharp pain juts through my ribs and I'm no longer able to hold it as if all energy has left my body. The boys are hit with the same flash of torture and we all stand up wincing at the ache. 'What is that?!' Reggie groans and I nod in agreement 'I know I thought it had stopped but-' I'm cut off as I'm hit by another blast and I fall. Alex sticks his arm out to catch me, but he goes straight through me and I hit the ground. Luke rushes over to me sitting beside me and pulling me in to comfort me. 'You guys didn't feel that one did you?' I whisper and they all shake their heads in worry. I shut my eyes in pain, leaning against Luke as I take a deep breath. 'Why is this happening?' Reggie asks, his voice breaking in fear. 'It's because you guys are in serious trouble' a voice calls from behind us, I turn quickly ignoring the whiplash like pain that streaks through my neck as I see Willie standing with his arms crossed - pure regret written on his face. 'We need to talk' he says seriously, his eyes flickering over to Alex and then to me. 
                          
'All these jolts are happening because Caleb put his stamp on us?' Luke asks, his voice trembling with rage as his grip around me tightens. We're currently walking down the promenade, where we moved so that Julie wouldn't hear us talking. 'He wants you under control, you're the only ghosts that can be visible to lifers without his help' Willie explains pausing in front of us. 'You let him do this to us?' Alex yells, his anger is magnified with his feelings towards Willie. I place a comforting hand on his chest 'he couldn't stop him' I say quietly as I remember the look of sheer panic on Willie's face last night when he stopped by 'but now he's doing the right thing' I smile towards him. 'If he even knew that I was here talking to you he'd-' he stops for a moment, his face morphing into one that makes me want to retreat into my bed and never emerge. He's terrified of what Caleb can do to him. The boys continue talking as I try to wrap my mind around this turn of events. Caleb showed no interest in me at the club, I felt inferior under his eyes and yet my pain was far worse than what the boys were experiencing. Luke looks down at me, watching my face as I think, his own mind asking the same questions which he decides to voice. 'Why are Kay's so much worse?' he asks, his voice hesitant. Willie looks at me and sighs deeply 'because.. At the club Caleb saw that you guys would be willing to do anything for her. By speeding up her clock, he's making you guys join him faster'. I raise my eyebrows 'what that doesn't even make any sense!' I shriek. 'Think of it this way - Caleb knows that you'll do anything you can to stop Kayla being in pain. So he increased her jolts, and has brought her closer to - to death because...' he trails off as Alex speaks for him 'because he knew we would do anything to save you' he finishes, reaching out to hold my hand in his. 'I'm insurance' I smile sadly 'you guys can't take the risk' I nod wiping my face with my hands in exasperation. Luke moves away from me, almost repelled by my words 'you're suggesting we let you die??' he yells raking his hands through his hair and pulling off his beanie. 'I'm not letting you die for me Luke - end of story' I turn back crossing my arms over my chest. 'Wait, there is another option!' Willie cries in desperation, his eyes pleading with me to listen, 'you gotta figure out your unfinished business'. Luke scoffs, moving back beside me but not making any contact 'oh and what's that??' he asks aggressively, his voice loud and threatening. 'Something you all wanted to do together' Willie looks around before shaking his head 'I can't be here' he takes one last look at Alex before he disappears into thin air leaving behind the scent of despair and regret. I look up into the night sky and around the street racking my brain to try and find any clue to our unfinished business until my eyes land on a neon sign across the street. The sign is bright blue, emitting a cool glow - but now rather than being a sign for a place - it's a sign of hope. The Orpheum.