broken hearts

Shannon: I was both too confused and scared to hug him back. I had to leave, otherwise Sterling, or Vage, or maybe even the kids would get hurt. But I couldn't at the same time, and I hated myself for being so selfish.

Sterling:" it will alright shannon"

Shannon: I shook my head slowly, "No, it won't. He'll stop at nothing to get me back...I know it."

Sterling:" I will protect you Shannon"

Shannon: "I'm worried about you though, about everyone...I mean, if I stay, he'll-" I couldn't even think about what he would do without choking up a little.

sterling:" you haven't worry i will okay "

Shannon: I started to object, but stopped myself, and pulled away from him after a moment. I tried to believe his words, but I just couldn't. Kyle was going to come sooner or later...and take away everyone and everything I cared about, make them suffer until I'd go with him.

sterling:" whats wrong shannon"

Shannon: I weakly shook my head, "I-I don't want to talk about it anymore." Even though I knew it would never go away if I just tried to forget about it.

sterling:" okay shannon" i said before getting myself another drink

Shannon: I blinked at him a second since I half-expected him to press the issue. I finished my drink, and ordered another one despite I was getting more than a little tipsy. I began to worry if I was starting to become an alcoholic. A ghost sat down beside me, but I didn't really care all that much. He glanced over at me with his molasses-brown eyes, and commented in his natural Southern drawl, "You're gonna kill yourself if you keep that up." I looked over at him, surprised that he didn't say the usual 'You can see me?' or 'Please, help me!'. He was...different somehow.

sterling:" you see a ghost shannon?"

Shannon: "Yeah." I replied. The ghost chuckled, "I'm assumin' he can't see me?" I nodded my head simply. I set my drink down on the counter, and pondered of a way to speak to him without looking insane.

sterling: i keep drinking my drink while she look like thinking

Shannon: I took a notepad from my shoulder bag and wrote, *What's your name?* "John." He answered. "Yours?" *Shannon.* "His?" *Sterling.* "Nice to meet ya both." John said with a lazy grin. I smiled at him. He seemed kind enough.

sterling: i look at her notepad see she was talking to the ghost

Shannon: I glanced at Sterling, and asked both of them, "You wanna talk?" "Sure, if 'e wants to." John replied.

sterling:" sure shannon"

Shannon: I handed Sterling the notepad and pen as I got another pen for myself so I could write what John was saying.

sterling:i wrote * how you john doing?* being a drunk pretty much limit thinking

Shannon: John answered jokingly, which I wrote down, *Pretty good, bein' dead an' all. What 'bout you?*

sterling: * just being drunk out of mind*

Shannon: *Well, jus' make your lil' lady here doesn't get too tipsy.* I wrote hesitantly, John then told me, "You gotta keep an eye on this guy here, he looks like he can't handle his liquor too well." I stifled a laugh, but still felt weird about John calling me Sterling's lady. I was sure Sterling would tell him differently.

sterling:* i promise john she won't*

Shannon: Oh, jeez...maybe Sterling was drunk. *Good to hear it* John said with another easygoing smile. He placed a hand on my shoulder, which was surprisingly warm. "Make sure he gets home okay." I nodded, and flashed him a smile.