MIDNIGHTS  : O

chapter one

     It was October 25th, eleven thirty-five p.m., when the chartered plane landed at the quiet landing strip in California. Dimly lit lights glowed eeriely from the strip's only controller tower. Beautiful Haitian born Arla was helped off the plane and into a waiting resort shuttle van that was going to take her to the One Hundred Palm Trees Suites and Resorts. Before she got into the shuttle she looked around the darkened strip.
     "A bad omen surrounds this place. An ominous vibe has been with me since I left Jamaica. The plane was late because of a sudden storm on the island causing a three hour delay which caused the pilot to become confused with this flight directions, and then my having to take the originally hired fortune teller's place here at the resort at the last minute because of his sudden unexplained death. This tells me that these time consistant coincidences are not merely coincidences, but an alignment of time that is readying itself for a trist with fate."
     "Look lady, it's late and personally I don't believe in you psychics mumble jumble so you don't have to put on a show for me. I'm only here to drive you to the resort because I'm getting paid to." the driver said snidely as she held the door to the shuttle van open. Arla looked the elderly woman up and down.
     "Believe me lady, none of what I said was for your benefit personally."
     "Good because whatever you got to say won't spook me. Save it for somebody who cares." the driver chuckled as the pilot walked over with Arla's two travel bags.
     "Getting spooked will be the least of your problems driver. I see death coming your way real soon." Arla said and got into the van. The driver gave her a mean look, put her bags in the van and angrily sped off into the quiet night as they rode the black paved road in silence.

                                                                    page 2

     Even though the now winding dark road was only lit by a few very dim lit lamp posts, Arla could see that the rocky sloped sides of the road were steep deep gorges. They soon turned off the winding dark road and were welcomed by bright flood lights that directed them to the One Hundred Palm Trees Suites and Resorts. They arrived at the main entrance just at the stroke of midnight. The manager, who was there waiting opened the door and helped her out the van with a smile as bells from the resort town's Church chimed twelve times faintly in the distance.
     "Arla, thank you so much for coming at such short notice. I'm Russ Reese manager here at One Hundred Palm Trees Suites and Resort. I truly thought we were in trouble when our New Orleans fortune teller died suddenly under such unusual circumstances, but now of course we have an authentic Haitian born Jamaican raised fortune teller to charm our guests for our big Halloween extravaganza. I hope you don't mind that we're billing you as, 'a palm reader', to go along with the theme of our resort's name. The owner thought the play on the Palm Trees and palm reader name was catchy." Russ finally finished as they walked into the beautiful and extravagant lobby. It was so tropical looking it reminded her of Jamaica.
     "Your play on the name is fine Mr. Reese." she said still looking around as Russ shook his head.
     "Oh no, please call me Russ. No formalities here. Now we have your suite ready. Winston here will be happy to take you there. Even though it's late, we're happy to serve you. I'll let you get some rest after your long flight and we'll talk more tomorrow afternoon of what you'll be doing for us for the next six days." he smiled and kissed her hand.
     "Thank you Russ. I will look forward to it." she smiled and followed the bellboy Winston as Russ yawned and headed for his office suite.

                                                                    page 3

One month earlier,.............................

     It's September 25th, near midnight, on the island of Aruba where tour boat guide Beaseley Barnes and resort housekeeper Stacee Smyth popped the cork off a bottle of champagne to celebrate their new positions at the One Hundred Palm Trees Suites and Resort in California. They were working for its smaller sister resort Twenty-five Palm Trees Suites and Resorts there in Aruba. Beaseley had been working there for the summer as a chartered tour boat guide while he waited for his apprenticeship to design boats and cruise ships in California to go through.
     Just so happened the resort in California wanted to build its own fleet of chartered and sightseeing yachts. The firm he worked for in New york was partnered with Florida and California's boating manufacturing industry. His engineering degree from Florida A&M University got him into the coveted world of design.
     Stacee was born in Aruba and only finished high school. She never been off the island and followed in the footsteps of her parents by working with them at their small oceanside bed and breakfast family business. Her and her older brother worked there and since he and his wife were interested in running it once their parents were retired, Stacee left to work at the larger hotels because she wanted exposure to the more lavish style of living.
     She worked at a large hotel chain for two years before she was recommended to the Twenty-five Palm Trees Suites and Resorts. She had worked there for a year as a housekeeper when Beaseley was hired for the summer as a tour boat guide. They both instantly became infatuated with the other which led them to become instant lovers. The relationship was sex oriented, but they did learn to respect each other by mid summer.
     As Stacee became fascinated by Beaseley's travels from New York and up and down the Caribbean's ports of calls building sailing vessels and driving them made her mention how she had never been off the island and would love to visit the states. Beaseley encouraged her to apply at the

                                                                     page 4

main resort in California with his and his firms recommendation. She only agreed because he was going to work there. He was being considered to be a part of the boat design team that would develop the yachts.
     Now as Beaseley and Stacee layed on the secluded beach they toasted each other at the stroke of midnight as they drank champagne. Stacee couldn't believe that she would be leaving for California to live and work thanks to Beaseley. She kissed and thanked him over and over again as they drank two bottles of champagne. Both, being a little tipsy, caressed and held each other as Beaseley sleepily looked into her eyes.
     "I love you Stacee, I wish we could be together forever." he said as she took his tone to be serious.
     "So what are you saying Beaseley? Do you want to marry me or something?"
     "Maybe. Do you want to marry me?" he asked as she nodded.
     "Yes I would. How about we become engaged?"
     "Okay." he said and kissed her as they made love.

     A few days later they both found themselves at the airport. Beaseley stood watching Stacee say goodbye to her family after he was introduced to them as her fiance. He was uncomfortable with the title because neither had confirmed it to be true. After they boarded the plane, whose first stop was Florida, Beaseley told Stacee how he felt.
     "I can't believe you told your family we were engaged."
     "But we agreed that we were."
     "Then you told them we were getting married soon."
     "Well we did talk about being engaged and getting married."
     "But we were drunk Stacee."
     "I know Beaseley, but we still love each other right? I mean you told me that you loved me."
     "I was drunk Stacee. I didn't really mean what I said."

                                                                  page 5

     "You didn't?" she asked as he saw she was disappointed and tried to change his answer.
     "Well, maybe not all of it."
     "Well I did. I do love you Beaseley."
     "And I care for you Stacee, a lot but I'm not ready to get married. Please tell your family that we're only thinking about getting engaged okay?" he asked as they settled into their seats.
     "Okay." she sulked as he felt guilty.
     "Stacee, I'm sorry. It wasn't like I was sincere, had a ring, or was down on one knee."
     "But you initiated it."
     "But I didn't ask you. Look, who knows what the future holds for us. I like you a lot, hell I may even love you, but not enough to marry you right now. Give me some time and let me ask you in my own way okay?" he smiled, held her hand and kissed her cheek as she blushed and agreed. When the plane landed Stacee and Beaseley separated. She caught a flight and went on to California because she started her housekeeping position in two days. Beaseley took a flight to New York where he had a meeting with his firm's head.

     Beaseley arrived in New York and went to his apartment to freshen up and change. The next day he went to the Manhattan office and was shocked to find his college sweetheart Gracelynn Gray sitting across from his boss. Her eyes lit up when she saw him. She stood up and they both smiled widely and hugged.
     "Well you two must know each other huh?" the boss Oscar Oliver smiled.
     "Yes sir, we do. It's good to see you again Gracelynn."
     "You too Bees."
     "You were the only one who I let call me that."
     "Yeah, that was my way of saying I love you." she smiled.
     "You two are getting a little too personal for me."
     "We're sorry Mr. Oliver. We were college sweethearts at Florida A&M. We both were

                                                                  page 6

engineer majors with a flare for design." Beaseley said looking in her eyes.
     "Well what a coincidence the two of us wind up here for the apprenticeship right Mr. Oliver?"
     "It's a coincidence indeed. Both of you are about to compete for the same job, designing yachts for One Hundred Palm Trees Suites and Resorts. There's only one apprenticeship and two of you. Russ Reese the manager was told to have the best two eager beavers apply so he can choose the best. So I guess you two are headed for California. I chose you Beaseley, and Gracelynn's boss from Clearwater Beach Florida chose her. I guess I can say may the best person win. Russ Reese will be expecting you two in one week so be on your best behavior and sell yourself like your life depended on it. Good luck." Mr. Oliver said as the two left his office.

     They had dinner that night and discussed old times and why they broke up, which was because Gracelynn wanted an older established boyfriend who could pull strings that would allow her to start at the top, not the bottom. Beaseley unfortunately couldn't do that because he was at her level. He told her over dinner that she must not have met this man or she wouldn't be starting at the bottom by applying for an apprenticeship. She confessed that she hadn't because the men expected things from her that she wasn't ready for like marrying them or being their long term mistress since most were already married. She couldn't do any of those things because she still loved her Bees and knew they would get back together someday.
     He knew that part of what she was saying was true because they once were crazy about each other, but her competativeness always got the better of her. Deep down he knew she had wanted to be the first to be successful between them two years ago when they graduated college, and she still wanted to be now. He didn't care though because he still had feelings for her too. He wondered, since they were so different, if they would be able to start a relationship all over again. Gracelynn wondered the same thing, but once again didn't care because it would be fun trying to see as they both tried to prove it to each other that night and the rest of the week by making love over and over.

                                                                         page 7

chapter two

     Beaseley and Gracelynn found themselves in California the second week of October. They both quickly realized the huge resort got its name from the actual one hundred palm trees planted throughout the property. It sat right near the ocean with a view that was spectacular. The resort had three large swimming pools and the suites were simply, sweet. Everyone loved them. Russ welcomed them to the resort and explained to each of them what he and his bosses were looking for when it came to the yachts design.
     He gave them the rest of the week to come up with a pitch and their design idea as they aquainted themselves with the feeling of the place. As they left the office and headed for their adjoining suites, they ran into Stacee and her co-worker Emmagene. Stacee was so thrilled to see Beaseley that she forgot she was still on the job. She left her cleaning cart, ran to him, grabbed his face and kissed him. As Emmagene smiled with delight, Gracelynn looked on with envy. Beaseley, enjoying every second, slowly pulled away.
     "I wonder if all of the hired help this friendly Bees. Do you even know this girl?" Gracelynn asked looking her up and down.
     "Yes he knows me, I'm his fiance."
     "Stacee, I told you not to tell people that."
     "You said don't tell m family. Who is she?"
     "I'm his girlfriend, from way back. You can't possibly be his fiance because the week we just spent together making love proved I was his one and only."
     "Making love? What is she talking about Beaseley?"
     "Bees and I use to go together back in college, we broke up, found each other again and now we want each other back right Bees?" Gracelynn asked as all three women looked at him. He swallowed hard.
     "I'm sorry Stacee, but Gracelynn's right. We sort of found each other again and we both have strong feelings for each other."
     "So you want to be with her?"
     "At this point yes, but I still would like to be friends with you." he said as Stacee slapped

                                                                         page 8

his face and ran away crying. He started to go after her, but Gracelynn grabbed his arm.
     "Uhn-uhn. I think you better stay here and explain her to me Bees. Who is she and why does she think she's your fiance? Have you two been that deep?"
     "Well, she think she's...." he started as Gracelynn stopped him.
     "Nevermind. You go on after her. I'll find someone else. Someone who isn't into playing games." she said as he caught her by the arm.
     "No wait a minute. This is all of my fault. I'll fix everything." he said as Gracelynn yanked her arm away.
     "Yeah, you go ahead and do that but until then I'm not your girlfriend either." she said and walked away leaving Beaseley to sigh heavily as Emmagene pushed her cleaning cart and left too.

     A few days later Stacee had calmed down enough to listen to what Beaseley had to say regarding Gracelynn. Even though he explained that Gracelynn was the one he wanted to spend time with, he let her know that if things were different, she would be the one he wanted. Stacee didn't like the idea of being Beaseley's second choice or being looked down upon by Gracelynn because she was a housekeeper.
     Instead of letting her broken heart be exposed, Stacee worked like nothing was bothering her. This attitude angered Gracelynn with jealousy because the secret effect it had on Beaseley was the confusion of not really knowing if he had made the right choice. During this time Gracelynn not only flirted openly with Beaseley for Stacee's benefit, she secretly flirted and slept with Russ Reese to get the apprenticeship.
     It worked. Russ Reese was a handsome twice divorced middle aged man with a girlfriend, but liked to flirt and mess around as well. Stacee, Emmagene, and the concierge Alice all witnessed only the flirtations and gossiped about it amongst themselves. After Beaseley and Gracelynn gave their presentations to Russ on why they should be a part of the yacht design team, both Beaseley and Gracelynn were offered the apprenticeship as a joint partnership. Russ believed Beaseley's presentation was better, but Gracelynn's flirtations were just as good and he owed her for sleeping with him.

                                                                   page 9

     Being a little short handed with tour boat guides because of the Halloween Ball, Russ asked Beaseley to stay on for the week of Halloween to drive Halloween partiers around on nightly boat tours that had spooky surprises for double his pay. He agreed and asked Gracelynn to stay too, even though their yacht design jobs weren't suppose to start until January because of the upcoming holiday months.
     She agreed, but couldn't come back until the thirtieth of October due to a prior engagement. He told her that he had a Halloween engagement surprise for her of his own so he wanted a guarantee that she would be back. Knowing that he was going to propose marriage to her she happily guaranteed that she would be back. Unfortunately Stacee found out about the Halloween engagement through exaggerated rumors, but believed they had some truth to them.

                                                                     page 10

chapter three

     The month had passed and it was now October 26th. Russ Reese had spent the day with Arla explaining what was expected of her concerning entertaining the guests with fortune telling and stories of the supernatural with folklore twists. Arla understood that this whole Halloween Ball shindig was for entertainment purposes only, but she knew something more was about to happen that wasn't going to be entertaining at all because she was ready to entertain with thrills and chills.
     For the next two days she observed the resort property, the atmosphere, and the employees as they transformed the resort into a spooky Halloween fright fest. Arla found herself being drawn to Stacee and Beaseley's, who were now on friendly speaking terms, positive and negative spiritual energies which made them perfect targets.
     Arla began to perform the job she was hired to do as the resort began to become over run with guests. She talked to the guests about strange happenings that involved voodoo spells, witch doctors, voodoo priests and priestesses, and zombies. She told tales of witches, psychics, life after death experiences which involved unsolved crime cases, spirit boards that moved by themselves and those who could bring back the dead. Ghosts towns and ghosts that walked the earth because they had unfinished business were her spookiest tales.
     In between telling these tales, she read palms giving good news, strange news, truthful news, and bad news. The driver of the resort shuttle van watched her from afar and laughed with friends, but secretly took heed to the death warning. Business was good from the continuous stream of guests checking in for the event, but Arla still observed Beaseley and Stacee in her free time. She overheard them around midnight on the twenty-eighth discussing how he had realized that the love he could finally admit to had changed between the two women and his confusion on which one he truly loved would be remedied by Halloween.

                                                                   page 11

     She watched them on one of the tour boats that night and soon learned that the third party of this love triangle was Gracelynn. This was when she decided to intervene in the troubled souls lives by mixing various suggestive powders together that would be placed in the hand of the unsuspecting soul during a reading.

     October 29th brought the beginning of the end as far as Arla was concerned. That evening Stacee and Emmagene were on their way to get their paychecks when Emmagene had an overwhelming urge to have her palm read. She talked Stacee into going with her to get a quick reading from Arla. Emmagene got a standard reading then talked Stacee into getting a reading too with the help of Arla who promised Stacee that she had something very important to tell her. Stacee sat down as Arla quickly rubbed her hands in the powder on the table, took Stacee's hands and squeezed them tightly. Arla let go of Stacee's hands and looked into them and sighed as she gave her a stern warning.
     "Stacee love, do not take what you hear, see, and believe to heart today because life is too short. However if you do take it to heart, you will win your heart and the price that you pay will be of your own making, at your own expense." Arla finished leaving Stacee's palms wet. Stacee and emmagene left slightly confused as Arla smiled to herself and watched them leave. The two decided to go get their paychecks once again which was by Russ's office. As the two neared his office, they heard Beaseley's voice mentioning proposing and his boss Oscar Oliver, who Russ and Beaseley invited to the Ball, mentioned Gracelynn's name.
     Fortunately the office door was ajar and the two women peeped in to see Beaseley holding a red velvet box which held a sparkling diamond ring. The men congratulated him and said how lucky the young lady was. When Stacee heard Beaseley say he would pop the question at the Costume Ball, and when no one mentioned Stacee's name, she automatically knew he meant Gracelynn since he

                                                                    page 12

told her to come back for the Ball. Again she ran from the door and down the hall. She went to her suite which was off the resort property, but near it, that was designated to the employees only.
     She layed in bed for a couple of hours until she realized that she didn't get her check. She went back and got it, but was stopped by the concierge Alice who told her that Gracelynn had called from Clearwater Beach Florida to tell Beaseley that she would be in late tonight by midnight instead of tomorrow. She also asked if Stacee would be attending the Ball because she wanted to make sure Stacee would be around to see Bees propose to her personally.
     Stacee couldn't believe what she was hearing and angrily decided to blackmail Gracelynn into going back home by threatening to tell Beaseley that she flirted with Russ to get the job. She took the chance of trying to catch Gracelynn on the only road coming from the airport before she reached the resort.
     Stacee left at eleven o'clock p.m. which was the same time Beaseley asked Emmagene to deliver his invitation to Stacee which asked her to be his date for the Halloween Costume Ball. He couldn't deliver it to her himself because he was asked to cover for another tour boat driver at the last minute. Emmagene went to her suite but didn't find her there so she went to the spot where Stacee would sometimes go, which was near the ocean, to think. Instead she found Arla who told her that a disaster was about to strike and poor Stacee would be involved.
     "What kind of disaster will it be Arla? she asked as Arla shook her head.
     "One that will change all of our lives in a way that will seem truly unbelieveable."

     The clock read eleven fifteen p.m. when Gracelynn received the keys to her rental car at the airport. It was about an hours drive from the airport to the resort. Gracelynn figured if she sped she could get there before midnight. Since there was no one on the roads she was able to drive happily over the speed limit along the darkened road.
     Twenty-five minutes later she was on the winding road that led to the resort. This was where she literally ran into Stacee. She screeched on her brakes, but hit Stacee's jeep anyway. Stacee jumped out the jeep screaming at Gracelynn who got out of her car too. They argued over Gracelynn's speeding and Stacee's waiting in the middle of the road.

                                                                 page 13


     "Are you crazy Stacee! What in the world are you doing out here?"
     "Waiting for you!"
     "Why?"
     "To stop you from ruining all of our lives."
     "What in the heck are you talking about? You're the one out here in the middle of the night, in the middle of the road trying to cause accidents. If anyone will ruin lives it will be you because you're going to cause somebody to get killed."
     "I'm here to stop you from coming to the resort. I can't let Beaseley propose to you." Stacee said as Gracelynn nodded her head and smiled.
     "I see what this is about. There's no need to be jealous Stacee. Bees and I go way back and it's only fair that he marries me."
     "But is it fair for him no to know how you flirted around with Mr. Reese?"
     "How did you know about that?"
     "I saw you."
     "Well you need to get a life. If all you have time to do is watch me flirt and sleep with Russ to further my career then you're pathetic." she said as Stacee looked on surprised angrily.
     "You slept with Mr. Reese!"
     "What do you mean? Yeah I did. You just said that you saw me didn't you?"
     "I said I saw you flirt with him! I had no idea that you slept with him! I didn't know you were so nasty. Beaseley definately doesn't need to be with someone like you. Cheating on him with the man who could become your boss because you want to steal the job you and your boyfriend are competing for is low. You are not worthy of his love. I'm not going to allow him to propose to you without knowing what you've done." Stacee said and headed back for her jeep. Gracelynn thought

                                                                     page 14

about jumping her from behind and beating her up, but decided against it and thought scaring her to death by running her off the road would be more fun.
     "You're not going to tell him anything." Gracelynn shouted after her as both women got into their cars without fastening their seatbelts. Stacee started her jeep up and drove off as Gracelynn did the same thing. She sped after Stacee, caught up with her, and rammed the back of her jeep as they neared the steep gorges of the winding road.
     Gracelynn sped up trying to get on the side or at least right behind her. Stacee lost control of the jeep a couple of times nearly falling off the edge of the road and into the darkened gorge. Gracelynn reveled in the chase as she scared Stacee. Stacee, fearing for her life, decided to make a drastic move as they came up on the curve that ended the winding road.
     On one side the steep gorge met up with the ocean while the other side met up with a wooded area. Stacee screeched on her brakes while she spun the jeep around as it nearly went off the side of the road to face Gracelynn's oncoming speeding car. She smashed down on the gas pedal and sped towards Gracelynn who continued to speed towards Stacee. Both women, determined to make the other turn away, continued to speed towards each other. Just as they're about to run head on into each other, Gracelynn swerved out of the way, but not in time. Stacee's jeep hit her car giving it the push that it needed to go tumbling off the road and down into the gorge. The hit made Stacee lose control and she too skidded off the raod and down into the gorge on the opposite side.
     Gracelynn's car landed upside down with the impact causing the roof of the car to smash inward which crushed Gracelynn into the steering wheel and the dashboard as it landed at the bottom of the gorge near the edge of the ocean. Stacee's jeep rolled down the gorge still speeding with such force that it ran through a cluster of trees and rammed head on into a thick tree trunk.

                                                                        page 15

     The impact threw Stacee head first into the tree trunk too, but automatically jolted her right back into the seat of the smashed jeep. There she sat lifeless as the bells from the distant Church chimed twelve times bringing on midnight.

     The next day Emmagen and Beaseley wondered why Stacee hadn't turned up for work and why Gracelynn hadn't showed up either. As night fell a worried and desparate Emmagene went to Arla who told her and Beaseley her worst fears had come to pass and the dead would walk among them as the day of evil approached. An angry Beaseley told Arla to stop talking so crazy and negative.
     "I'm sorry Beaseley, but what I'm saying is not crazy and what I'm feeling is not negativity. It's true. I have a connection with you, Stacee, and Gracelynn. I know things that seem impossible to some are truly possible to all no matter how unbelieveable they seem. My feelings are always on the money because I have a true gift."
     "I don't care about your gift or what you feel Arla. You're being paid to make things up and to entertain the guests, not me so keep your outrageous lies to yourself." he said angrily and left as Arla smiled.

     Once again midnight was approaching as the bells began to chime. Stacee began to moan and groan as she moved slowly in the jeep. She layed still for a second and as the last bell chimed she opened her eyes. She looked around and began to cry as she realized the situation she was in and felt the dried blood on her head. Her body ached as she got out of the jeep. She looked around the darkened area and began to walk.
     She realized she was shivering and confused on where she was when she suddenly heard rustling noises behind her and the crunch of twigs from footsteps. She turned around to see something so unbelieveable she had to blink a couple of times. There was Gracelynn, coming towards her, but she was slightly glowing and transparent. She could see right through her, but she didn't understand how she could.

                                                                     page 16

     She decided that she was seeing things and turned to leave as a cold hand grabbed her arm tightly. She tried to twist free as she turned to see Gracelynn holding her arm. She was luminous and angry. Stacee scratched the fingers which made them ease up their grip as Gracelynn let out an eerie painful howl. Stacee stumbled, but found herself running away fast. Gracelynn followed. They ran through the wooded area for several minutes until Gracelynn lunged and jumped on Stacee causing both women to fall.
     Gracelynn put her hands around Stacee's throat and began to choke her as Gracelynn howled, "I won't let you tell Bees." Stacee gasped for breath as she twisted her body and clawed once again at Gracelynn's fingers. Gracelynn seemed to be superstrong, but Stacee was just as strong. She pulled the hands from her throat and shoved Gracelynn off and into a tree which seemed to had knocked her out to Stacee's surprise.
     She got up and followed the moonlight which led her to the Church whose bells rang every midnight. She walked through the small Church cemetary and up to the door of the Church. She put her hand on the door handle to open it and felt a strong sensation of not wanting to go in, she turned around and saw Gracelynn standing in the cemetary watching.
     She figured that she must have been feeling the same overwhelming sensation of not wanting to go in like she felt since she had stopped chasing her. Although she was confused, the sight of seeing Gracelynn as a ghost made Stacee scared enough to fight the feeling by pulling the door open and going inside. The Church was dimly lit, but empty. Stacee looked at the crosses and the religious statues as well as the stained glass windows. The moonlight glowed through the windows and sparkled on the pews. Stacee sat on one of the pews, felt weak, and fainted.

     Halloween finally arrived as dawn rolled in. The afternoon quickly came and went allowing the festivities to get underway at the resort. Halloween music filled the air, haunted boat rides were being taken, buffets were layed out throughout the resort as guests roamed around in costume as evening turned to night.  Arla, whose long palm reading line wouldn't allow her to leave, watched Beaseley and Emmagene talk to a police officer outside. He told them Gracelynn and Stacee could not be reported as missing until 48 hours had passed. Besides, it was Halloween and they were probably playing a trick on them.

                                                                 page 17

     Fearing the worst, they called a couple of the local hospitals, but no one had been admitted yesterday or today. They called a couple of morgues, and only one woman had been bought in. They rushed over, but it wasn't either woman. Not sure where else to look they went back to the resort.
     It was close to eleven p.m. when they walked through the crowds of people as the Ball was in full swing. Arla was still reading palms, but during her break, she assured Emmagene that everything would be revealed by midnight. Emmagene tried to tell Beaseley, but he shrugged her off and went off to the ocean's edge and looked out into the night.

     Stacee awakened herself by feeling sick to her stomach and the annoying ache of having to get out of the Church. As she got up, feeling weak, she noticed the Pastor of the Church staring out at the cemetary. She reached the door to see Gracelynn still standing there. The Pastor looked at her strangely, but asked if she needed any help. She told him no and left the Church. Once out she felt better, but still not quite right. She gathered her strength when she noticed Gracelynn walking towards her from the cemetary. This time she followed the sparkling lights far off in the distance as Gracelynn followed screaming her name.
     Fifteen minutes had passed when Stacee suddenly stopped. She realized that the lights she had been following were the lights from the resort. She heard music too. She remembered it was Halloween and the Ball was going on. Getting to Beaseley was all she thought about when Gracelynn caught up and grabbed her hair from behind yanking her back into her arms. She put her arm around her throat squeezing it tight, but Stacee stomped on her foot and elbowed her. She let Stacee go and coughed in pain.

                                                                    page 18

     Stacee ran as she felt herself going up hill. Gracelynn let out an ear piercing scream of, "Nooooooooo!" as Stacee reached the top and found herself on the road that led to the resort. Breathing heavily she walked towards the resort. She saw headlights coming down the road as she heard Gracelynn screaming her name. Stacee turned around to see her standing in the middle of the road. The driver of the resort shuttle van whizzed past Stacee and tried to avoid hitting Gracelynn by swerving through her and off the road down the gorge and into the ocean.
     Stacee ran down the road as Gracelynn chased her screaming, "You can't tell!" Stacee made it onto the resort grounds and ran screaming Beaseley's name and how Gracelynn was trying to kill her. The costumed guests looked on in confusion but all gasped in fright as the ghostly  figure of Gracelynn walked through crowd. Beaseley, who was standing near the ocean turned around teary eyed to see Stacee running towards him. He ran to her and each landed in the others arms as they kissed.
     "Where have you been? I wanted to tell you that I loved you and wanted to marry you." he said as she smiled with surprise.
     "It was me you wanted? Not Gracelynn?"
     "It was you. I love you. Will you marry me?" he asked and pulled the ring out as Gracelynn shrieked an ear piercing "No!" As she began to run towards them, the Church bells began to chime in the distance as midnight approached. Beaseley stared in amazement as Gracelynn reached them and lunged for Stacee, but disappeared instantly. Stacee smiled and looked into Beaseley's eyes and told him she would marry him.
     As he slipped the ring on her finger the last bell chimed. It was midnight and All Hallows Eve was now over as a stunned Beaseley watched Stacee slowly become transparent. She felt as if her life's essence was being ripped from her body.
     "What is going on!" she cried in extreme agony as Arla appeared out of the crowd.
     "You died Stacee, you and Gracelynn died when you had the accident on the road. I warned you

                                                                   page 19

not to let your heart believe what it saw and heard, but you did and paid the price for doing so by dieing within the cursed hours of the midnight to midnight timeline that occurs every Halloween. This timeline allows the dead to walk amongst the living without the dead knowing that they are dead leaving them to interact with the living. Of course it depends on when you died, you first walk amongst the living, then you become transparent, then you disappear. Both of your broken hearts desire, which was Beaseley, set the timeline between life and death into motion giving you the chance to be proposed to, and Gracelynn the chance to try and stop you." Arla finished.
     Stacee nodded as the pain began to subside. She held on to Beaseley feeling faint.
     "You had chosen me Beaseley, before any of this had happened. I should have known in my heart that you truly loved me. I wouldn't have went after Gracelynn and I wouldn't be dead." she said and began to fade away as the police entered looking on in amazement as Beaseley cried, "Noooooooooooooooooo! Don't leave me!"
     "I'm sorry Beaseley, I love you." she whispered and disappeared as the ring Beaseley had put on her finger fell to the floor bouncing a couple of times and spun slowly until it stopped. A teary eyed Beaseley bent down to pick it up as the crowd cheered and clapped believing the whole thing had been a show put on for their benefit as a trick for trick or treat. The police explained to Beaseley that they had found Stacee's body in her jeep and Gracelynn's near the ocean. Arla, who was nearby, sighed with a smile.
     "My work here is done." she laughed as an overwhelming smell of rotting flesh filled the resort grounds. She began to glow brightly nearly blinding the guests as she transformed into a hideous rotted corpse. As the glow faded away, she became transparent, walked towards the ocean and disappeared into the night.

                                                                      THE END
By DJPM