"Why are you doing this?" she asked.

"You bitch! Wasn't it bad enough what I did to you before? Stop putting your nose in things that don't belong!" she hollered at Beth, and then threw the gas can in her hands at Beth. She ducked out of the way, and it smashed into the front window.

"He didn't do anything to you, why are you doing this to him?" Beth asked, keeping her tone low and calm while all she wanted to was scream with terror and run far away. The woman's eyes, which were glowing in the light coming through the window, was all she could see of her features.

"They hurt people. I will never stop until he knows how much he hurts others," she threatened. Beth stared at her, a loss for what to say next. They stared at one another, a face off.

"Beth!" Brian called, stopping suddenly as he ran into the room. The woman turned to see him and then smiled. The sight of that twisted, demented smile was terrifying. She flicked the lighter in her hand, and brought it up next to the curtain of the window she was standing next to.

In an instant, the curtains were blazing. They went up in flames, in silence, which in the seconds following, intrigued Brian. In movies, they always made a whooshing noise. They were silent as the flames began to eat at his home. With shriek-like laugh, the woman brought her foot through the glass, and after it had shattered, jumped through.

As soon as she was gone, panic set in, as the gasoline all over the room caught fire. Brian grabbed Beth's arm, and started to lead her to the front door.

"Is there anyone else in the house?" Beth called.

"No, just us," he answered, as they reached the door. They ran outside, just as the entire living room exploded into vicious flames. They kept running, until they reached the street. Brian turned and watched desolately as his home was slowly destroyed.

"Why is this happening, Beth?" he asked.

"She thinks you hurt her. She will never stop haunting your life until you die," Beth answered.

"What do you play in this?" he asked, slightly accusatory.

"I'm just an observer."

"Twice you've come to save me. Why?" he demanded.

"Please, you have to get away from here. She is still around, still…hunting. If you don't leave now…" she broke off.

"I can't leave Justine," he answered, staring at his confused girlfriend who was standing a few yards in front of them, watching the house burn with a horrible blank look on her face.

"She doesn't want her. She wants you. Come, now. Please!" Beth said, pleading. I saw it, if you don't leave now, she'll find you. Please, I saw it once, don't make me see it again.

"Where will I go?"

"Come with me," she whispered. Looking back at the home where he had had many good times, many good memories, and had planned to build a future with Justine in, he looked back at Beth, meeting her amber eyes. They had the reflection of the fire in them, and they were so desperate. And he nodded.

* * * *

Beth sighed heavily, as she disconnected the phone call, and handed the phone back to Brian. She had called Sadie to let her know not to expect her at the bookstore until further notice. She had no idea what to do; where to go. She had just felt relief because she had been able to convince Brian to come with her. For the moment, she knew deep in her heart that the safest place for with was with her.

She reached into her pocket for her keys, and pulled them out, struggling a bit with the wet material of her pants. She was freezing, and shaking, but she was trying to hide it. Brian was worried enough. He had just spoken to his girlfriend before they took off into the night, disappearing before the authorities could arrive on the scene. She hadn't understood why he had to leave, and had ended up pushing him away in anger.

She opened the door, and let him into her small, shabby apartment. After closing and locking the door behind her, she turned to watch Brian solemnly with her eyes. He walked to the window, and stared hard for a moment. And then he turned.

"We are alone now. So talk," he said simply, looking at her carefully. Beth could feel the emotional intensity that he was feeling.

"There is so much to tell," she whispered. And with that, she fainted.