| Calling All Angels – Season Finale Written by Darren Rowe Harry & Emma’s – attic, 18 Spencer Street Standing by the small window at the front of the damp and darkened attic, Cassie slowly pulls back the curtain covering the window. Looking out across the suburban street laid out before her, she wickedly smiles. “Tonight,” she hisses. “Tonight you’ll all wish you’d never crossed me.” Closing the curtain, Cassie turns and looks back at the sparse room she’s called home for just over a week. She had it made up here. It may have been dark, damp and cold, but it brought her close to Harry. She’d never been this close to him since the accident that tragically claimed the life of her twin sister, Charlotte Beaumont. Harry was living out his life in the rooms below her. He was so close, so close that she could smell him, even taste him in the air. This whole house smelt and felt like Harry – it was Harry. Walking across the old timber floor of the small attic, Cassie approaches her makeshift table and picks up her gun. Turning it over in her fingers, the feel of the cold barrel against her skin sends tingles up her spine. As a pure evil smile creeps along her face, she sits quietly on the ground. Closing her eyes, Cassie calmly exhales in a deep breath. Snapping open her eyes, she stares across the room blankly. Her normally piercing green eyes have suddenly vanished and instead have been replaced with the burning rings of hell, the rings of fire that overpowered her body. Blinking, her hellish eyes quickly change back to the piercing green that melted Harry’s heart a few years ago. Looking at her ball gown, Cassie slowly rises from the ground. “It’s time,” she says in a soft tone to herself. “It’s time to get this show on the road.” – spencer street – Ward 6 – Room 23, Somerset General Hospital “Oh, Margot, no,” Georgia says as she looks at her mother-in-law saddened by her news that she was set to leave Somerset – today. “Why so soon? I mean, we didn’t even get to say a proper farewell or throw you a party or anything.” “Well,” Margot begins. “I think you have much more on your plate to concentrate on rather than throwing a farewell party for me.” “Oh, that’s nonsense and you know it is. You’ve spent most of your life in Somerset.” “Yes, and now it’s time for a change. It’s time for me to go and live a little.” Georgia knows in her heart that what Margot was saying is true. She had spent almost all of her life in Somerset and she’d never left the country. “Well,” Georgia begins as she places her hand on Margot’s in a sign of support. “As long as you’re sure.” “Oh I am Georgia; I know this is for the best. I know this is what I have to do.” Georgia smiles warmly. “And you know what you have to do,” Margot continues. “Hmm? What’s that?” “Get better. You’re an amazing woman, Georgia, far too young to leave this earth already.” “Oh believe me,” Georgia says with a soft smile. “I have no intentions of going anywhere for a while yet. Oh, what about Delilah? Are you still going to run it?” Margot shifts uncomfortably in her seat. “Um…” “Oh Marg,” Georgia says as she looks at her mother-in-law. “You haven’t?” “Georgia, I couldn’t possibly run the café from the other side of the world. And besides, I sold it to someone who I can trust. Someone who I know is going to run it the way I did.” Georgia squints as she looks deep into Margot’s eyes, trying to figure out whom she is referring too. “Who?” “Ronan.” “Ronan? Really? Wow, I wouldn’t have picked him to be running a café.” “Yes, well,” Margot begins. “He said he wants to get out of the financial business and besides, he and April are going to do wonders with that café. I can see it now. I’ll come back in six months for a visit and it’ll be completely different.” “Oh no, surely not. April and Ronan will run it superbly, I can tell. Six months? You’re really staying away that long?” Margot nods. “Here, maybe when you get better, you and Calvin can come and see me…wherever I may be.” “Yeah,” Georgia responds with a laugh. “I’m sure we will.” Sitting at Georgia’s bedside, Margot looks at her daughter-in-law. She looks so sick, so ill. Her face is flushed of all colour and has a faint yellowish tinge to it. She looks weak, so vulnerable, and so defenceless. Margot’s heart breaks. All Georgia can do is lie in that bed, allowing herself to be overtaken by the powerful chemicals that are set to fight her debilitating illness, allow herself to put her life in the hands of God. Margot knows that Georgia has a long and painful road to recovery before her, months of uncomfortable radiation therapy, and, if that failed, doses of horrific chemotherapy treatments. Patting Georgia’s hand, Margot smiles. “You know I’m here for you, every step of the way.” “Yeah,” Georgia replies. “I know you are.” Leaning forward, Margot kisses Georgia on her forehead. Just then Calvin appears in the doorway and watches on as his mother and wife said their goodbyes to each other. Clearing his throat, he enters the room. “Mom,” he begins. “Mom, its time to go.” “Oh,” Georgia moans. “So soon?” “Unfortunately yes, it’s the last flight out to Paris.” Sitting up in her bed, Georgia reaches across and hugs her mother-in-law warmly. “I’m going to miss you.” “And I, you,” Margot replies as she hugs Georgia back careful not to cause her any discomfort after her mastectomy operation. With her seriously ill daughter-in-law in her arms, Margot’s eyes swell with painful tears. Parting, Georgia looks at Margot and wipes a tear from her eye. As she rises from her seat, Margot holds Georgia’s hand. “You get better, you hear me?” Georgia smiles and nods. “Of course, Marg, of course I will.” Taking a deep breath, Margot gently lets go of Georgia’s hand. Raising her own hand to her mouth, she blows Georgia one last kiss before turning and walking out of the room. “Bye Marg,” Georgia says in a soft whisper as she watches Margot and Calvin walk out of her room. “I’ll miss you.” – spencer street – The Ballroom, Somerset General Hospital Standing on the wooden clad dance floor of the ballroom, Kate looks around the elaborately and elegantly decorated hospital ballroom. The many elegantly decorated tables spread out around the room are the picture of perfection. Each table looks stunning with its royal blue and snow white silk tablecloths and stunning blood red and sunshine gold bouquets of local tulips. Large bouquets of stunning floral arrangements made from bright and vibrant flowers surround the entire room. The ceiling has magnificent crystal and glass chandeliers hanging down above every dining table and the dance floor looks stunning placed under cascades of white Baby’s Breath hanging down from the ceiling. Rubbing her hands together Kate sighs. She has a good feeling about this year’s ball. After the months of pain and anguish in her private life, she can tell that tonight is going to be a highlight for her, a night when things were going to go her way. “Excuse me, Doctor Goodwin,” one of the waitresses asks politely as she approaches Kate on the dance floor. Turning, Kate looks at the petite blonde waitress. “Oh, yes?” “I just thought I’d let you know that everything is going well in the kitchen and that the guests are arriving now in the foyer.” Kate’s heart flutters. “Oh, thank you. Thank you very much.” Nodding, the waitress turns and walks away, leaving Kate standing alone in the large ballroom. Taking one last look around, Kate lets out a soft, peaceful sigh. Turning, Kate heads across the ballroom towards the large French glass doors on the far side of the room, the entrance where the guests will arrive shortly. Her pale green Yves St Laurent evening gown glistens under the large chandeliers as Kate gracefully makes her way towards the two ushers standing next to the enormous doors. “Francis, Robert you may now open the doors, thank you,” Kate politely commands as she stands next to the two ushers. With a quiet heave, both ushers swing open the large pale wood doors. The joyful sound of the 20 violinists in the foyer quickly fills the ballroom as the loud talking of the gathered guests rumbles into the room. “The honourable mayor, gathered dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen,” Kate begins. “It is my duty and pleasure as Somerset General Fundraising Committee President to officially welcome you all to this, the 42nd annual Somerset General Hospital Annual Ball. The ballroom is now open.” With a loud and booming applause, the gathered guests begin to file benevolently into the stunningly decorated ballroom. – spencer street – The Goodwin Residence, 23 Spencer Street The normally busy and bustling Goodwin residence is eerily silent for once as most of the family attends the hospital’s fundraising ball. But upstairs in her darkened bedroom, Nicole lies on her soft bed, gently running the tips of her fingers over her slightly rounded stomach. In the months that had passed since her passionate and loving affair with Connor, she hadn’t been able to keep her mind off him. Every time she felt her stomach she knew that growing inside her was the product of their love, their mutual desire and attraction to each other. Every time she had kissed Luke, she could feel Connor’s lips pressed against her’s, his hands gliding over her body. Nicole blinks, longing to have Connor back in her life. Longing to have him tough her, kiss her and love her the way she wants, the way she loved. Breathing out deeply, Nicole closes her eyes. With her eyes closed and the house peacefully quiet, Nicole slowly begins to fall asleep. As her body relaxes, her mind begins to remember the times when she and Connor were together. [Flashback] Sweeping Nicole into his arms, Connor held her securely as he gazed into her eyes. Her eyes were so deep, so transfixing that it was like looking deep into her heart, deep into her soul. “I love you,” Connor says with one of his dashing smiles. “I love you, Nicole.” Being held so securely, so strongly in Connor’s arms was amazing, but there was something else. Something about being here, in London with Connor added to it all. The history, the majestic and mystical feel of the country seemed to magnify everything and make it all the more special. Succumbing to temptation and Connor’s charms, Nicole slowly leans in towards Connor. Softly, she kisses him on the lips. The warm, intimate and loving feeling of their two bodies coming together in an intimate embrace surges through Nicole’s mind, her body, her heart and her soul. [End Flashback] Suddenly, there’s a loud and commanding knock at the door. Snapping open her eyes, Nicole continues to lie on her in silence for a brief moment. It can’t be gran or anyone, could it? Nicole thinks to herself. They’re all at the ball and that started at least half-an-hour ago. Then there’s another powerful and booming knock from downstairs. “Okay, okay,” Nicole calls out loudly as she sits up on her bed. “I’m coming.” Rising, she stands for a brief second while she stretches. The soft feel of the Berber carpet under her feet is like a kiss from heaven. Trudging towards the stairs, Nicole yawns. Beginning down the staircase, Nicole rubs her hands together to try and warm them up. With the darkness of the winter’s night having encompassed Spencer Street, it was now beginning to get very cold. Approaching the door, Nicole sighed. “What have you forgotten now, gran?” Placing her hand on the brass door handle, Nicole opens the large wooden door. Raising her head, Nicole’s eyes suddenly widen. “Oh my God,” she whispers to herself in complete amazement. “Connor, you’re here.” “Hey gorgeous,” Connor says with a broad smile as he looks at Nicole. – spencer street – The Ballroom, Somerset General Hospital “Oh darling,” Grace begins as she stands in the now heavily populated ballroom with a crystal glass of champagne in her hand. “This is absolutely stunning.” “Oh, thank you mom,” Kate replies with a warm smile. “But I think a lot of the credit deserves to go to Charlotte Beaumont. After all she is the one who organised the entire event.” “Yes,” John begins as he stands next to his new bride, Grace. “But you are the president of the fundraising committee.” “Well, there’s no need to trump my own horn,” Kate replies with a laugh. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d better make sure the mayor and his wife are having a good time.” “Oh yes darling, of course,” Grace replies as she watches her daughter walk away as she takes a sip of her champagne. “You’re very proud of her, aren’t you?” John asks as he too watches Kate walk away and begin talking to everyone, making them feel comfortable. “Yes,” Grace replies. “She’s a very strong woman, much stronger than I.” “Oh, come on now,” John says as he turns to face Grace, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist. “You don’t need to be strong now, you’ve got me.” Grace cocks an eyebrow. “Well someone’s still very much living in the 1940’s. What about all this independent woman malarkey that you were sprouting the other day at the airport?” “Oh, now I do think that women now days need to be strong and independent, but not when they’re married to someone like me who takes care of them and treats them like a queen.” Grace smiles at John. “You’re amazing, you know that?” John nods as he smiles. “Oh, Grace begins, “Give us a kiss.” ~~~~~~~~~~ “She’s done a good job, hasn’t she?” Louise says to Stuart as she glances around the ballroom, looking at all the gathered guests. “Hmm?” “Kate, Stuart. She’s done a good job, hasn’t she?” “Oh,” Stuart begins as he takes a big gulp of his champagne. “Oh, yeah. It’s, it’s amazing.” The couple falls silent as they watch everyone else having a good time at the ball. As a waiter approaches Louise, she quickly reaches across and steals a glass of champagne from his platter. Taking a long sip, Louise looks at Stuart. “What?” Stuart asks grumpily as he notices Louise looking at him. “Nothing,” Louise quickly replies before falling silent. “It’s just…” “Oh, what have I done know?” “No,” Louise says as she rests her hand on her new beau’s arm. “It’s not you; it’s…its Shaznay.” Stuart stops and looks at Louise. “Shaznay? Well…is everything okay? Is everything alright?” “It is now,” Louise says as she looks around, making sure no one is listening in to their conversation. “What do you mean?” “I mean she knows, Stuart. Shaznay knows about us.” “Well of course she does,” Stuart scoffs. “Everyone in the street knows.” “No,” Louise says insistently as she yanks on Stuart’s suit. “She knows about…our secret.” Stuart suddenly stops as he looks at Louise sternly. “Our secret…as in…” “Yes,” Louise hisses in a quiet tone. “She knows it all, but I managed to make her believe otherwise.” “Are you sure?” “Yes, I made her believe it all,” Louise says as she takes another large gulp of champagne, finishing off her glassful. “She’s very easy to manipulate and as long as she never discovers some other way, we’re in the clear.” “God,” Stuart whispers. “If that ever got out…” “I know, I know,” Louise insists. “You’d be ruined.” “We’d both be ruined,” Stuart snaps. Staring at Stuart slightly scared, Louise knows that everything Stuart is saying is true. If Shaznay ever discovered their secret, both their lives would be ruined. ~~~~~~~~~~ “You could pretend to be happy,” Amy hisses as she and Brock stand silently on the side of the ballroom. “You could pretend you’re having fun.” “Who says I’m not having fun?” Brock replies with an acidic tongue. “I can tell, Brock, I’ve know you a long time.” “Well,” Brock begins. “Maybe you don’t know me that well at all.” Turning, Amy stares at Brock. “I know what this is about.” “About? What is this about, Amy?” “It’s about Luke and what I said.” “Oh please,” Brock scoffs as he watches everyone else at the ball having a great time. “You’re pissed off because I spoke my mind and you don’t like that.” “Amy, I love you speaking your mind, but sometimes – like yesterday – your opinions are best kept to yourself.” “Oh,” Amy moans. “You’re unbelievable you know that?” Brock looks down at his petite fiancée. “Excuse me. What have I done now?” “It’s this caveman complex you have, any time I show a bit of strength, a bit of opinion you resort to your primitive ways.” “Oh that’s a load of shit and you know it is.” “No, Brock,” Amy says becoming fired up at the brief disagreement. “It is not a load of shit. This is how I feel and if you don’t like it…” “Then what?” Brock asks. “What are we going to do?” “Then,” Amy says as a single tear swells in one of her eyes. “I guess we go our separate ways.” Taken aback by Amy’s ultimatum, Brock falls silent. Looking at his fiancée, Brock wonders if maybe they should part ways. – spencer street – Rear Carpark, Somerset General Hospital As a heavy rainstorm sets in over Somerset, Cassie, wearing a black coat, sneaks through the back carpark of the hospital towards the main building. With rain pouring down on her, Cassie clutches her purse close to her chest. “Excuse me ma’am,” a burly security guard says as Cassie nears the hospital building. “You can’t go through there.” “What?” Cassie says in a soft, naïve tone. “I…I just want to get to the ball.” “Ma’am you need to enter through the main entrance to get to the ballroom.” “Oh,” Cassie replies, shielding her face from the well built security guard. “Okay then, thank you.” Turning, Cassie begins to walk quickly away from the security guard. In her haste, a small object slips from her purse. “Hey,” the guard calls as he bends down and picks up the small object. “You dropped something.” Stopping, Cassie reaches into her purse and firmly grips her handgun. “Oh,” she says turning back to face the guard, “Thank you. Thank you so much.” Walking up to the guard, Cassie slides the gun out of her purse and holds it close to her chest. “Thank you,” she says as she takes the small object from the guard. Suddenly, the guard’s eyes widen as he spies Cassie’s face. The illuminating light from behind him makes Cassie’s face clearly visible. “Oh my God,” he whispers in horror. Quickly reaching for his cell phone, he stares at Cassie. Smirking, Cassie clutches her pistol as she takes aim at the guard. Before the guard has time to dial for help, Cassie pulls the trigger. A loud bang rings out across the vacant and wet carpark as the security guard’s lifeless body falls to the ground in a bloodied heap. Stepping over the deceased guard, Cassie heads towards the single door at the back of the hospital, the one the guard was protecting. Looking back at the dead security guard, Cassie glares. “Oh you poor baby,” she hisses before spitting on him. Opening the single door, Cassie enters the hospital. The deceased security guard lies on the ground with a bloodied hole in between his eyes. – spencer street – The Ballroom, Somerset General Hospital “Oh well I’m glad you’re enjoying yourselves,” Kate says with a smile as she looks at Somerset’s mayor and his wife. “Oh, Kate,” the mayor begins. “You’ve excelled yourself this year. I don’t think anything could ruin this night.” “Well,” Kate begins, “let’s hope not.” “Excuse me, Kate,” Doctor Megan Richardson says as she approaches the Somerset favourite. “Oh, Megan,” Kate says as she turns and looks at her colleague with a smile. “Have you met Hank Jones, Somerset’s mayor?” “Ah, no,” Megan says as she shakes the mayor’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you sir.” “Likewise,” the mayor replies with a smile. “Ah, Kate, the chef is having a problem with one of the main dishes he’s about to serve. He wants to see you immediately.” Kate looks back at Somerset’s mayor and rolls her eyes. “I think you spoke too soon,” she jokes. “Okay, well I’ll just take care of this and I’ll be right back.” Turning, Kate leaves the mayor behind as she heads towards a small door on the far side of the room. – spencer street – Somerset General Hospital, Somerset Carefully sliding her loaded gun back into her purse, Cassie takes a calming breath as she begins to walk through the small corridor at the rear of the busy hospital. The loud clop sound of Cassie’s high-heeled shoes against the hard floor fill the deserted corridor. Pacing quickly towards the elevators, Cassie’s stomach churns with the fear of begin caught but the excitement of what she’s about to do. Reaching the elevators, Cassie presses the button, waiting for the doors to open. Standing impatiently waiting, she looks around to make sure no one is coming. Her heart thumps in her chest with the fear and exhilaration of being caught. A soft ping sound fills the air as the doors to the elevator in front of Cassie slide open. “Wait,” a woman calls out frantically as she quickly races down the corridor, her shoes filling the air with a loud clopping sound. “Hold the lift.” Quickly stepping inside the small elevator, Cassie tries to ignore the woman. Cassie presses the button marked ‘close doors’. “Wait,” the woman cries out again. As the doors begin to close, the woman lunges and manages to hold the doors open. Quickly catching her breath, the woman then enters the lift. Looking at the woman who asked her to wait, Cassie’s eyes widen with complete astonishment when she realises its Kate. “Oh,” Kate says a little surprised as she turns and looks at Cassie as the doors to the elevator slide shut. “Charlotte, how lovely to see you here. I thought you’d be down at the ball.” “Well,” Cassie begins as she reaches back into her purse. “I have some far more important matters to take care of at the moment.” “Well,” Kate begins. “You’re lucky you weren’t here a few moments ago. I’ve just come from the kitchen where the chef was refusing to plate up one of the dishes.” Cassie nods uninterested as she holds her pistol tightly in her purse. “Well when you’ve finished with what you’ve got to do I’d love to have a drink with you to thank you for everything you’ve done,” Kate says as she looks straight ahead of her, looking at the closed silver elevator doors. “So, what do you say?” “There’s no need,” Cassie says as she narrows her glare and slides her gun out of her purse. “I won’t be here long.” Pressing the pistol hard against Kate’s head, Cassie smiles. “Are you good at brain surgery, Dr Goodwin?” Standing frozen in the elevator, Kate’s heart thumps nervously in her chest as her blood runs cold. The firm pressing of the pistol against her temple makes Kate become weak at the knees. The shear terror and fear of the situation races through Kate’s mind and threatens to engulf her body, paralysing her. “Ch…Charlotte…” Kate stammers nervously. From the corner of her eye Kate can see the evil smirk splashed across Cassie’s face. “W…w…what are…you…d…doing?” Smiling, an iniquitous laugh slips from Cassie’s lips. “You have no idea, do you?” “Idea? Idea about what?” Kate says softly as her voice crackles with fear. Quickly, her eyes swell with tears. “I…I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Oh come on Kate,” Cassie taunts as she slides the gun along the side of Kate’s head. “You’re not playing games with me now, are you? Because you’re not exactly in a great position to do so.” “Charlotte,” Kate stammers quickly. “What?” Cassie interrupts, pressing the gun harder against Kate’s head. “I’m sorry, who are you talking too?” “You,” Kate replies as a tear breaks free from her eye and begins to trickle down her perfect cheek. “I don’t think so,” Cassie retorts with a laugh. “You can’t be talking to me, my name’s Cassie…not Charlotte.” Slowly, the moving elevator comes to a stop. Quickly reaching across to the keypad on a small panel of the elevator, Cassie quickly hits the ‘emergency stop’ button. The elevator comes to a grinding halt. “What?” Kate replies, horrified about what is to come of the situation. Her hands are shaking violently and her voice wavers. “”Kate, for a doctor, you’re not very bright, are you?” “Excuse me?” “You heard,” Cassie hisses, loading the next bullet in place. “Kate, Charlotte was killed two-years-ago.” Standing in complete silence, Kate frowns. She doesn’t understand, she doesn’t follow what Cassie is saying. “Charlotte was killed in a car crash, Kate. A car that Harry was driving. I’ve been impersonating her to get close to Harry, to get close enough to do to him what he did to my sister.” “Kill him?” Cassie happily nods. “But you see, my dear friend, I’ve told you it all now. So, unfortunately, I can’t let you go back to that ball. I mean, you might spill all and we can’t have that now, can we?” “I won’t,” Kate replies nervously as a bead of sweat begins to trickle down her forehead. “I…I…I’ll go home, I’ll leave.” Cassie falls silent, quietly pondering Kate’s request. “You’re a good person, Kate. You’re a person of your word.” “So,” Kate quickly replies. “You can let me go, I’ll go home. I promise.” Slowly removing the gun from Kate’s head, Cassie smiles. “You’re too goo to me Kate.” Breathing out quickly, Kate rolls her eyes in complete relief. “But first,” Cassie begins, sliding her gun back into her purse. “I need you to get me as close to the ball as you can. As close to Harry and Emma as possible, but I can’t be seen – by anyone. Understood?” Kate reluctantly nods. “Good,” Cassie smirks as she pushes the ‘emergency stop’ button once again, “Let’s get this show on the road then.” The doors to the elevator quickly slide open as Cassie hides behind Kate, pressing the tip of the gun firmly into Kate’s back. The loud and peaceful tune of the orchestra quickly fills the elevator as does the smell of the divine meals currently being served to the many gathered guests. The loud and joyous chatter of the patron’s swirls around Kate. Her body was gripped by fear and made everything seem to go very slowly. Walking out of the elevator, Kate turns and begins to head towards the bathrooms as Cassie follows pressed behind her, obstructed from the view of the guests. “Here,” Kate says as she stops out the front of the ladies bathroom. “Good girl,” Cassie hisses as she slides in through the bathroom door. Sticking her head out, she glares at Kate. “Now go home and tell anyone, I’ll hunt you down and kill you. Do you understand me?” Kate nods as she looks at the psychotic woman nervously. “Then scoot.” Turning away from Cassie, Kate breaths a sigh of relief. Looking around the room she notices that everyone is laughing and having a good time. Inside her heart aches, aches for what was about to happen, aches at the thought of innocent people dying. Kate’s deep and irrational breaths begin to make her become light headed. Quickly heading towards the doors to leave the ballroom, she feels a hand grip her shoulder. Spinning around, she looks at the person before her and breaths a sigh of relief. “Oh April,” Kate says a nervous breath. “You…You’ve got to go.” “What? Kate, are you okay? You look horrible.” “Go home, April. Go,” Kate hisses. “Go and don’t look back.” “Kate,” April replies scared and concerned as she stares at her close friend worried. “W-what are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere; it’s a great ball this year.” “No,” Kate hisses as she grasps April’s forearm tightly. “Just trust me, get Ronan and go home. Don’t look back, please, I’m begging you.” “Kate, you’re scaring me.” “April, just please, leave. Leave now, with me.” Sighing, April reluctantly nods. “Okay, okay, I’ll just get Ronan and then we’ll come with you.” “Than you,” Kate says utterly relieved as April turns and heads back towards the dance floor. Watching April walk away, Kate slides her cell phone from her purse. “Hello? Police?” she says as she places it to her ear. The Ballroom, Somerset General Hospital “So,” Dr Megan Richardson begins as she sits across the exquisitely decorated table from Ronan, running her index finger across her lip seductively. “You’ve been left alone?” “Oh, Ronan begins, sensing Megan’s forward advances, “April’s just talking to Kate, she’ll be back soon.” “Pity.” “Excuse me?” “Well,” Megan begins as she leans forward, revealing a plunging and abundant cleavage through her skimpy black Gucci dress. “I mean, a gorgeous man like you shouldn’t be all alone on a cold winter’s night now, should he?” “Ah, Megan,” Ronan says, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table. “I’m flattered and all, but I’m married. Happily married.” Leaning back in her seat, Megan runs her fingers through her long, soft blonde mane. “Oh well, your loss.” “Hey,” April says cheerily as she approaches her husband and flirtatious colleague. “Darling, I think we really should get going.” Looking up at his wife, Ronan senses something’s not right. “April, is everything okay?” “Ah…yeah, Kate’s going home and she’s asked us to take her, that’s all.” “Oh,” Ronan begins surprised as he rises from his seat. Casually, he looks down at Megan. “Things were getting a bit boring around here anyway.” “Great,” April replies as she kisses Ronan on the cheek. “I’ve just got to dash off to the bathroom first, that’s all.” “Okay, well I’ll wait outside with Kate.” April smiles at her loving and adoring husband before she quickly turns and heads towards the female bathrooms. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Are you going to eat that?” Amy snaps as she sits watching her fiancée, Brock, casually stab his fork into his meal laid out before him. “Hmm?” Brock replies dazed. “Oh, you’re unbelievable, you know that?” “Amy, what are you on about?” “You,” Amy sternly replies as she glares at her future husband. “We’re supposed to be enjoying ourselves and here you are thinking about work.” “Well,” Brock begins angrily. “What am I supposed to think about? I’m still pissed off that we didn’t catch that crazy psycho, Cassie.” Amy tuts angrily as she looks away from Brock. “What?” Brock snaps, his loud tone drawing the attention from the mayor. “Do you want me to apologise for failing at my job?” “Why don’t you just get over it? I mean, you’re always thinking about work. It’s like I’m not even here anymore.” “Well you’re not.” “Excuse me,” Amy replies mighty angry as she looks back at Brock. “What is that supposed to mean?” “I mean, you and Ronan seem to be getting pretty cosy.” “Oh would you hear yourself! There is nothing going on…and I’m sick of you assuming the worst. It’s like you’re becoming your sister.” “What?” Brock replies. “What has Jane got to do with this?” “Oh you know she hates me,” Amy angrily replies. “You know she thinks you can do much better than me.” “Well,” Brock begins sarcastically. “Maybe she’s right.” “What?” “Maybe Jane’s been right this whole time? Maybe you and I aren’t meant to be together.” Staring in Brock in amazement and astonishment, Amy’s heart shatters. ~~~~~~~~~~ Approaching the female bathrooms, April sighs as she pushes the door open. Popping open her purse, she looks down, searching for her makeup compact. As she approaches the basins, April slides her small, black compact out. Looking up into the mirror, her eyes suddenly widen as she spots Cassie standing behind her, pointing her pistol directly at her. Quickly turning, she stares at Cassie in sheer terror as fear and panic grip her body. “Nice knowing you, Doc,” Cassie hisses as she aims the gun at April and fires. The ear piercing crack of the gun shot rings through the tiled bathroom as April’s eyes stay opened wide. With one violent motion, April’s body falls heavily to the floor. The blinding pain surges through April’s body as she holds her hand over the bloodied wound just above her abdomen. Never before has she felt such intense, crippling pain. The tickling trickle of blood seeping from her wound runs over her immaculate hands, staining them red. Pacing up to the wounded doctor, Cassie looks down at the injured woman and smiles. “Night, night.” Pointing the gun once more, Cassie fires another bullet into April’s defenceless body. ~~~~~~~~~~ “What was that?” Ronan asks slightly cautious as the two muffled gunshots come from the women’s bathroom. “What?” Megan replies blankly as she looks at the spooked café owner. “It…It sounded like two loud bangs. Like…gun shots or something.” “Gunshots,” Megan scoffs as she begins to laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” “Look, Megan,” Ronan says concerned as he looks at April’s colleague. “April’s in there, would you mind?” Sighing, Megan rises from her seat. “I suppose not. I’ll go and see what it was.” As Megan heads across the timber dance-floor towards the female bathrooms, Kate rushes back into the ballroom. “What was that?” She asks terrified as she hurries up to Ronan. “Oh, Kate, hi.” “What was that bang, Ronan?” “Oh, you heard it too?” “Yes,” Kate says insistently as she watches Megan head towards the toilets. “Where’s she going?” “To the bathroom to check on April.” “What?” Kate replies mortified as her heart sinks in her chest. “April’s in the bathroom?” “Yeah,” Ronan replies a little wary of Kate’s insistent attitude. “She just went in to touch up her makeup when there were those bangs. Megan’s just going to check on her.” “Oh my God,” Kate cries out as she races towards the bathrooms. “April!” ~~~~~~~~~~ Swinging open the doors to the female bathrooms, Megan covers her mouth politely as she yawns. She doesn’t understand Ronan’s insecurities about his wife. Sure, they’d had a few hiccups along the way, but they were about to become parents. Maybe that explains his concerns for April all the time. Suddenly, Megan stops dead in her tracks. The horrific site of April lying dying in a pool of her own blood greets Megan as she stands in the doorway of the bathrooms. The crisp white tiles of the walls are splattered red with April’s warm, trickling blood. Noticing something out the corner of her eye, Megan quickly turns and looks on horrified as Cassie aims a gun squarely at her head. Firing, Cassie watches on as Megan’s body instantly falls to the floor in a bloodied heap. Walking up to the bloodied body of Megan, Cassie leans down and places her fingers at the base of Megan’s face, pressing them against her neck searching for a pulse. Waiting a moment, a smile soon slinks across Cassie’s face as she realises Megan is dead. Stepping over Megan’s lifeless corpse, Cassie heads towards the door of the bathroom. About to push it open, the psychotic and crazed woman suddenly stops as the door to the bathroom swings open as Kate comes bundling into the bathroom. “April!” Kate creams as she notices the pregnant doctor lying lifeless on the bathroom floor. “I thought you were going home?” Cassie cackles as she looks at Kate. “You lied to me.” Suddenly overcome with adrenalin, Kate turns and quickly races out of the toilets. Taking aim at Kate, Cassie fires another bullet. It misses and goes flying into the ballroom. The loud bang rings out across the dance-floor. The gathered guests scream out in horror as they suddenly realise that the bangs they heard coming from the female bathrooms were gunshots. “Oh my God,” Ronan yells out as he spots Kate come racing out of the toilets with a blood splattered Cassie close behind. Suddenly, Cassie stops and stares at the scared and confused guests. She watches them intently. She can see them screaming, but can’t hear anything. It’s almost as if she’s in a moment of pure clarity, a moment of realisation. Watching as everyone begins to scramble from their seats, rushing towards the exits, Cassie feels her body succumbing to the devilish desire to fire more and more bullets at those who were so cruel, so mean to her. Losing all control over her body, Cassie looks on as she raises the gun. Noticing Cassie, Brock quickly grabs Amy by the arm and pulls her off her seat. “What the hell are you doing?” Amy screams as she falls to the floor. “Stay down,” Brock yells, quickly jumping up from his seat. Pointing the small, silver pistol squarely at the mayor of Somerset, Hank Jones, Cassie fires a bullet. From the distance she’s standing, the psychotic woman watches as the mayor grasps his throat. The bullet had pierced directly into his throat and blood was pouring from the pierced wound. A wicked smile overcomes Cassie as she turns. Noticing Brock, Cassie’s body is overcome with the notion of fear and paranoia that he’ll catch her. Pointing the gun firmly at Brock’s chest, Cassie fires not once but twice, watching as the strong and powerful detective falls heavily to the ground. ~~~~~~~~~~ Hiding under the table, Amy watches on as the gathered guests scream in a mad panic and race towards the exits. Suddenly two gunshots ring out across the fearful air. They sounded close, too close for comfort. Cupping her hands over her ears, Amy’s ears fill with tears. She’s never been in such a horrible, horrific or traumatic occasion as this. Suddenly, Amy watches on horrified as the seat she was sitting in is splattered in a rich red liquid, a liquid that strikes Amy’s soul. A liquid that could only be blood. Screaming out in horror, Amy’s overcome with fear and sheer terror as Brock suddenly collapses to the floor, lying, staring at her. “Brock!” Amy screams as she races across the carpeted floor on hands and knees, towards her dying partner. Lifting Brock’s lifeless body into her arms, Amy runs her hand over Brock’s hair and she looks at his bloodied body. “Oh my God, oh my God.” “Hey,” Brock begins in a quiet and husky tone. “It’s not that bad, but you need to get help, Amy. You need to go and get help.” ~~~~~~~~~~ Watching as so many of the guests scramble in a mad and frantic panic for the doors, Cassie aims her gun and fires another four bullets in quick succession. The ear splitting bangs ring out across the room of horror and destruction. Laughing as she watches four guests drop to the ground in a bloodied mess, Cassie’s body surges with excitement and exhilaration. Quickly glancing around the terrified guests, Cassie notices Grace and John racing for the exit. Raising her gun, yet again, Cassie aims it directly for John. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Come on,” Grace cries out in sheer terror as she takes John by the hand and races for the exit. Spotting Kate ahead of her, Grace follows her daughter’s lead. With her heart in her mouth and adrenalin having captured her body, Grace runs as hard and as fast as she can towards the large French doors that lead to the only exit. Suddenly another gun shot rings out. Jumping in fright, Grace feels John tug at her hand. Turning, Grace looks at her husband in horror. His eyes are transfixed on her as he holds his chest tightly. A slow trickle of rich red blood rolls from his mouth as he falls to his knees. “John,” Grace cries out as she kneels down and holds John. Clutching him firmly to her chest, She rocks back and forwards as she wails out loudly, tears streaming down her face. “John!” “Da…d…darling,” John painfully mutters as he struggles to speak, struggles to keep his eyes open. “Don’t…do…don’t c…cry for me. I…I’m not leaving you, not just yet.” “John, you’re…you’ve been…” “Yes,” John says as he takes Grace’s hand in his. “Let’s not…let…let’s not talk about it. Let’s not say it.” Holding John close to her body, Grace shakes profusely as she watches John fight the pain and battle to stay conscious. Her heart tearing in two, Grace sits transfixed by her husband’s last breaths. “I…I love you,” John says as he looks into Grace’s eyes, faintly smiling as another gun shot rings out across the ballroom. “You…you’ve got the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen.” “John, I…I love you too,” Grace replies as she rocks back and forth with John in her arms. “I always will.” Then, leaning down, Grace softly and tenderly kisses her dying husband on the lips. The kiss, the last kiss they’ll ever share finally breaks Grace’s heart as she feels John’s last breath against her cheek. The last signs of life suddenly swept from his body. Looking back at the dying man, Grace breaks down in tears as John’s eyes slowly close. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Dead,” the mayor’s wife cries out in a painful, heart-wrenching cry as she leans over the body of Somerset’s mayor. “Hank…oh my darling Hank.” ~~~~~~~~~~ As the final of the guests rush from the ballroom crying and screaming out in terror, Cassie begins to walk around the ballroom. Stepping over bloodied and dying people, she looks around the room, admiring her work. She’d done it, she’d accomplished everything she’d set out to achieve. There was no way anyone would ever be mean to her again. “Cassie,” Harry yells as he appears behind the crazed woman, staring at her blood-spattered dress. Suddenly stopping, Cassie’s heart flutters in her chest. He knew it was her, Harry knew it was her. For so long she’d desired to hear him call her name just once, just one more time. When she sat in his attic watching him make love to Emma, she imagined it was her in his embrace. She imagined it was her that was overcome with the overpowering pleasure that only he could give her. Turning, Cassie smiles at her former lover. Harry stands, looking deeply, staring into Cassie’s eyes. Staring into her piercing green eyes, he knows. He knows that standing before him is the purest form of evil that has ever walked God’s earth. Slowly, a wicked smile, a smile that Harry has never seen before in his life, slinks its way across Cassie’s porcelain face. Raising the small gun, she aims it intensely at Harry’s head. Staring at Cassie, Harry becomes spellbound by the two perfectly straight rows of crisp white teeth just a few short metres away from him. Of all the things to notice, he had to notice her teeth. “Goodbye Harry,” Cassie hisses in a fowl tone as she holds the gun steadily. Peering out from the table she’s hiding behind, Emma quickly searches around the room of destruction and terror, hoping to find a sign – any sign at all – that Harry is okay. Glancing over at the dance-floor of the ballroom, Emma’s eyes suddenly widen in horror. Her body suddenly flushed with cold blood, Emma bursts out from behind the table and races towards Harry and Cassie. The tight fabric of her Dolce and Gabbana gown severely restricts her leaping strides as she rushes towards her fiancée and his crazed ex in a mad panic. Staring down the barrel of Cassie’s gun, Harry swallows deeply. The thought of death didn’t worry or faze him, but the thought of Cassie getting away with what she had done did. Noticing a glint in the crazed woman’s eyes, Harry knows what was about to happen, he knows Cassie is about to fire her last bullet. That one bullet she had saved for Emma would soon pierce through his body. Taking one last short step forward, Cassie takes a quiet breath. “NO!” Emma screams in a blood curdling call as she lunges ferociously for Cassie. Just then an almighty crack rings out across the ballroom. Snapping his eyes shut, Harry’s ears ring with the stinging sensation of the loud gunfire. In a fleeting moment of clarity, he stops. There was no pain, no pain at all. Quickly opening his eyes, Harry looks at Cassie. The crazed woman’s perfectly proportioned face is splattered with a dark red liquid. A dark red liquid that could only have been blood, blood that was not hers or Harry’s. Slowly, Harry’s mouth falls open as he looks at Emma. Her pure white silk gown is suddenly a deep red colour. In a moment of urgency and desperation, Harry’s instincts kick in as he lunges for Emma. Clutching her tightly, he holds her bloodied body close to his chest. His mind racing with a thousand thoughts, feelings and emotions, he gazes at the bloodied hole in Emma’s chest. Looking into Harry’s eyes, Emma suddenly knows what has happened, what is about to happen. As if she was watching herself, Emma feels Harry slowly lie her down on the floor. The hard feel of the wooden dance floor below her presses intensely against her back. Staring into Harry’s eyes, she can see her bloodied body in the reflection of his widened eyes. Looking around the bloodied ballroom, Cassie can’t keep the joy from overtaking her body. She’d done it; she’d made everyone pay for treating her like an outcast. Sliding the gun back in her purse, Cassie turns and with one last calming breath, leaves the ballroom. “Harry,” Emma whispers as she reaches over and takes his hand in hers. “Harry.” “Ssshh,” Harry softly whispers, stroking a golden lock from her face. “You’ve got to save your energy; you’re going to need it.” Blankly looking into Harry’s teary eyes, Emma slowly feels the numbing kiss of death slowly beginning to take over her body. Summoning the last of her energy, the last of her might, Emma squeezes Harry’s hand tightly. “I…I…I love you Harry. I always will.” “Don’t,” Harry whispers loudly as he strokes Emma’s face. “Don’t do this, don’t leave me like this.” As her breathing draws deeper, Emma’s vision slowly begins to blur. She can vaguely see Harry, but she can feel him, smell him and sense him. With one last deep breath out, Emma slowly sees nothing but darkness. |