  It was a horrible dream, but thankfully parts of it were already fading as Julie tried to focus her eyes on the dim electronic clock. 6:29AM. But the thought of work didn't motivate her. Something from her dream planted a question in her mind. "Damian? " she said softly. He was always there. "Yeah? " he replied just as quiet. "What happens when we die?
Do you think our soul or spirit ever go somewhere? " She asked feeling just a tad silly for oputting it to him. "I sure hope something happens. I don't want to keep existing like this. " he said with a sigh. Julie sighed as well and turned around in bed. She looked over at the other side. "Are you there? " she asked. It wouldn't be the first time he stayed in the same bed as her. It no longer shocked her that he could be anywhere.
"No, I'm by the window. Any form of rest has been getting harder. " he said in a depressed voice. Worry instantly came to Julie's mind. As much as Damian was a shock at first he had now become a close comfort and she knew the stress meant something. As she laid there slowly waking to the sounds of distant birds she was reminded of the day she discovered Damian and her talent for hearing him. It was a gorgeous summer day at the local community college where she had been attending part time.
She was just on her way to pick up text books when she heard an angry voice cursing about the empty court yard. Birds had stopped chirpping and the wind suddenly blew cold as more outragous curses bounced off the brick walls of classroom halls. "Hello? " she asked wanting to make sure she wasn't dreaming but also afraid of the anger. "Huh?
" the voice suddenly responded to her. "Are you Ok? " she asked trying to be helpful. Suddenly the cold breeze got a little stronger as it blew through her knitted sweater. "You can hear me? " a whisper said right next to her ear. She nearly jumped and spun to find no one near her. "Yes," she said more frightened then before. Then the voice suddenly began laughing like a maniac and she ran.
It wasn't long before the voice caught up with her and explained the strange circumstance. Damian Westen was killed 6 months earlier from that day and what remained of him was left wandering about on the brink of insanity. All he wanted was to understand what was happening but then when he gave up on his future he turned to revenge and has been seeking his murders. Since Julie came he has had more control over himself. He has not left her for fear of that raw insanity of existing but not existing. Julie finally threw off the covers and got ready for the day paying no mind to Damian. He had never left her, not for a second since their meeting, and she had to get use to having a what was left of a 28 year old man constantly around her.
At least he never seemed to care about such hormonal things anymore. He only wanted to find comfort and rest. She was soon dressed and called to Damian. "Time to go. Don't be such of a hardass to Dr. Abdul today, alright. Just because you won't leave doesn't mean that I have to suffer minimum wage. OK? " she said. Dr. Abdul was the curious scientist who first noticed the strange phenomenon around Julie and since then as acquired her and Damian as projects in which she is paid a comfortable salary. Suspicious Damian agreed only because "at least it's not the military". Damian was a realist but Julie could easily tell he was one of those troubled people.
The ones that never got good grades but still had enough commonsense to make it in life. He was a smoker and constantly complains but the lack of cigerettes but Julie thinks he misses much more than just cancer sticks. She can't seem him but she can hear the longing in his voice. The longing for all this teasing to end. Whats the good of existing like this, he once yelled in anger. Indeed, Julie thought, why does he stay like this? She always hoped Dr. Abdul would someday figure this out. --------------------------------------------------- to be continued.......
This is The Pair. My sci-fi coupling of a ghost and the one who knows he still exists. It's a question that has always "haunted me". There have been these "haunted houses" and I wondered... do these ghosts ever leave? Do they ever join the rest, where ever they may be? Are they just seeking comfort by staying in those houses?
Julie is a dependant young girl that has been sheltered and Damian is the complete oppsite but no matter the difference they are forced to deal with one another because of Julie's gift and Damian's need for companionship. 
