Ghosts
From the Past
Written
By Kendra
Glancing at her watch for the
hundredth time that day, Rachel let out a long sigh as she looked back at the
large stacks of papers that were piled on top of her desk. She’d been there since
Of course, this was nothing
new. Things were the same every tax
season. Unorganized information,
frantic clients, last minute adjustments….she had come to expect those things
no matter how hard she tried to be prepared.
But things just never seemed to go as planned and she always found
herself falling behind…drowning in a sea of tax forms and government codes that
would overwhelm an ordinary person. But
Rachel was no ordinary person. She’d
dealt with worse things before…things that would make the complicated world of
the IRS tax code seem like a walk in the park…things that no woman should ever
have to live through. And somehow, she
had survived it all. This was just one
more obstacle in her path that she would have to overcome.
Glancing back down at the
papers on her desk, Rachel stretched and yawned before rising from her
seat. Fuck it. The papers would just have to wait. She’d find someway to make up the work
tomorrow. Right now she was tired and
ready to go home.
Switching off the small lamp
on her desk, Rachel gathered her coat and briefcase and headed out the door,
making her way down the deserted hallway toward the elevator. The wall to her right was made up entirely
of glass, allowing her to peer down into the dimly lit parking lot outside,
taking note that, not for the first time, hers was the only car remaining.
Of course, that was the way it
should be. Her co-workers actually had
lives outside of the office. They had
wives and husbands and children who were waiting patiently at home for them to
return from their day of work. She had
no such luxury. All that was waiting
for her at home was a frozen microwave dinner and her dog…and she wasn’t sure
if he was even happy to see her. She
often thought that if the yappy little bastard could learn how to feed himself,
he really wouldn’t care if she ever came back.
But things hadn’t always been
so bleak and lonely for her. At one
time, she had almost had a family of her own.
At one time, she had been happy too.
She’d had so much to live for then.
So much to look forward to. But
happiness for her obviously wasn’t meant to be. In an instant, everything she had ever loved had been snatched
away from her…gone forever…with no way to get it back. And since that time, she’d never been able
to make herself let go of the pain.
Stopping in front of the
elevator, Rachel pushed the call button and waited for the car to arrive, her
heart constricting a little more when she remembered that fateful day so many
years ago.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Mark, really, we still have a
long time before we have to worry about this.
Why do we have to do it today?” Rachel asked her husband, as she gazed
at him from her seat in the truck.
“Because I want things to be
perfect when the time comes. We need
furniture and toys and clothes....” Mark replied, his eyes sparkling as he
turned to look at his wife.
“But the baby won’t be here
for another EIGHT months!” she laughed, shaking her head as her husband smiled.
“I know. But you know me. I always like to get a head start on things!”
“No…you always get carried
away with things! And if I know you as
well as I think I do, you’ll have the nursery looking like a miniature version
of the garage before you’re done…motorcycles and all.”
“Well, you know, I hadn’t
thought of that…but now that you mention it….” Mark replied, tapping his lip
thoughtfully as he flashed her a lopsided grin.
“We don’t even know if it’s
going to be a boy or a girl. Don’t you
think we should at least wait until we know that much?”
“It doesn’t matter. Girls can like bikes too, you know. After all, you like riding mine.”
“Riding yours is what got us
in the situation in the first place.” Rachel quipped, smiling as Mark
chuckled. “Besides, girls are supposed
to be all cute and frilly and stuff. So
how do you expect her to be that with all the plans you’ve got going on in that
demented head of yours?”
Mark shrugged his shoulders.
“I’ll buy her a pink bike.” he
replied, glancing over at his wife as she giggled at his response.
“You’re incorrigible
Mark. Really, you are.”
“But that’s why you love me so
much, right?”
”Right.” Rachel replied, as she scooted across the cab of the truck and
snuggled close against his side.
That was the last thing she
remembered.
When she came to a few days
later, she found herself in the hospital, her body broken and bandaged, her
husband and unborn child both dead.
Their truck had been hit by a drunk driver, who had failed to stop at a
red light at a busy intersection.
Mark’s side of the vehicle had taken the force of the crash, injuring
him so severely that he had died en route to the hospital. The impact had also thrown her from the cab
of the truck and, while she had managed to survive, her baby had not been so lucky.
In only a few short seconds,
her life had been completely destroyed.
And she knew there was nothing she could do to ever get it back
again.
Rachel sighed as she stepped
into the elevator and closed the door. It
had been five years since that day.
Five very long years. But the
memories were still so fresh…so painful.
Just as if it had only happened yesterday. Her heart still ached terribly for the only man she had ever
loved. There had been no other man in
her life since that time….and she didn’t think there ever would be again.
Closing her eyes, she leaned
her head against the wall of the elevator, rubbing her temples as she tried to
ease the ache that was starting to surface there. It had been such a long day…so much stress. She was more than ready to head for home.
Feeling the car lurch, Rachel
opened her eyes and glanced up at the overhead light, just in time to see it
flicker once or twice before it went out completely, thrusting the elevator into
pitch darkness as it came to a screeching halt.
“Fuck! Not now!
Not tonight! Stupid… damn….
piece of junk…..” she cursed as she kicked at the door, knowing that it
wouldn’t do any good. There was no way
she could ever budge it on her own.
Pounding on the door, she
yelled for somebody to help her, but she already knew that her attempts were
futile. At this time of night, there
would be nobody else around to hear her screams.
“I can’t fucking believe
this! Why me? Why does this shit always have to happen to me?” Rachel muttered
under her breath as she beat her head against the wall.
“I can’t stay here. I don’t want to spend all night alone in
some stupid, crappy elevator!”
Closing her eyes, she tried to
calm the anger and fear that was racing through her, knowing that it wouldn’t
do any good for her to panic. This was
just another test of her will…one more hurdle that she would have to
overcome. Trying to think ahead into
the future, she knew that things had to eventually get better. At least, she hoped they would. She didn’t think she would be able to take
it if they got any worse.
Feeling a sudden chill run
through her, Rachel shivered as she pulled her coat tighter around her small
body, taking note for the first time of the cold air that was swirling about in
the small compartment.
“This is just great!” she
mumbled to herself again. “Not only am
I stuck in this stupid thing but there’s no heat either. Just fucking great!”
Stretching her arms out in
front of her, she cautiously felt her way along the wall until she reached the
control panel, randomly punching at the buttons in hopes that one of them would
either restart the car or summon her some help. But still there was nothing.
She was trapped here alone, in the dark, in the middle of this stupid
office building and there was absolutely nothing she could do about it.
Resting her head against the
cool metal panel, Rachel closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, trying
hard not to have a complete mental breakdown as she contemplated her
dilemma. It wouldn’t do for her to go
off the deep end right now. It wouldn’t
get her out of here any faster.
Hearing a rustling sound
behind her, Rachel raised her head and glanced over her shoulder nervously,
half expecting to see someone else there.
”Don’t be silly. You were all alone
when the elevator stopped, remember?
There’s no way anyone else could have gotten in here.”
Shaking her head, she turned
her attention back to the control panel and resumed her frantic button pushing,
hoping that she would finally hit the combination that would get the car moving
again. Then she heard it. That sound again. Only this time it was louder…closer.
Spinning around, Rachel found
herself backing away from the door, easing toward the opposite corner as she
tried to see across the darkened elevator.
Then she picked up on another sound…one so faint that at first she
thought she had imagined it.
“I must really be losing it.”
she thought to herself, when she realized what she was thinking. “I have got to find someway to get out of
here.”
Shaking off the confusion, she
stumbled back in the direction of the door, stopping in her tracks when she
heard it again.
“Rachel….”
Her name! Someone was calling her name!
“It’s just my
imagination! I’m just tired…that’s
all. I just need to get out of here and
go home, get some rest and everything will be fine in the morning.
Reaching the door, she pounded
with both fists, frantically trying to find someway out of her darkened prison.
“Rachel… come to me Rachel… Let me help you.”
Casting another fearful glance
over her shoulder, she found the crack in the doors, digging in with her
fingernails as she tried to force them apart.
“Come to me Rachel. I can help you….”
“I don’t need your fucking
help!” she screamed, backing up and giving the door a hard kick as her temper
finally broke lose.
“Just go away and leave me alone!” she sobbed, the tears rolling
down her face as she rubbed her injured foot with her hand.
Resting her head against the
wall, she began to cry in frustration, the unbearable ache in her heart making
its painful presence known. It wasn’t
just about the elevator anymore. She
was tired of not having things go her way.
She was tired of the pain and the disappointment. She wanted to be free from it all. She just wanted it all to end.
As she stood there sobbing against the wall, she suddenly felt an
incredible rush of warm air surround her body, effectively blocking out the
colder air that was swirling around the small space.
“Don’t cry Rachel. I’m here now. I’ll help make things better.”
She jumped when she heard the
soft rumble directly beside her ear.
Then she caught the smell and her heart lurched in her chest. It was a scent that she had become so very
familiar with. One that she would never
forget as long as she lived. It was the
smell of leather…well-worn leather…with the slightest hint of cologne mingled
in for good measure. It was a smell
that she would recognize anywhere.
“Mark?” she whispered softly,
her voice barely audible as she forced the word past her lips. She jumped when she felt an arm encircle her
waist.
“It’s me darlin’. I’m here.” he murmured, his lips grazing
ever so softly against her ear.
“How? You’re supposed to be…. How did you….?”
“I saw that you needed
help. I came to help you.” he stated
softly, his lips nibbling gently on her neck.
Closing her eyes again, Rachel
couldn’t suppress the sob that escaped from her body at his words. Pulling herself out of his embrace, she
slowly turned to face him, not really sure what she should expect to see.
The elevator was so dark that
she couldn’t make out his face….she couldn’t even see the outline of his large
frame. But the smell…the sound of his
voice…told her that it was really him.
Hesitantly reaching out, she
placed her hands on his chest, experimentally running them over the hard
surface as his arms encircled her waist once more.
“I’ve missed you baby.” he
whispered, the tenderness in his voice stirring feelings inside of her that she
had long though of as dead.
“I’ve missed you too
Mark. So much. But… I still don’t understand…”
“Let’s see if this makes
things any clearer.” he murmured, seconds before he pressed his lips against
hers
That one touch was all it took
for her to quiet her thoughts. Running
her hands up his arms, Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck, moaning as his
tongue flicked out to tease at the corners of her mouth. Parting her lips to let him in, she
tightened her grip on his neck, her body coming alive beneath the touch it had
craved for so long.
Cupping her face in his hand,
Mark slowly broke the kiss, brushing his lips over her forehead and across her
cheeks, playfully nipping at the end of her nose, before claiming her lips
again. Leaning into his massive body
for support, Rachel gave herself over to him completely, her mind reeling from
the wonderful pleasure of his kisses.
Breaking the kiss once more,
Mark released her and took a step back.
“Mark? Please don’t go.” she whispered, fisting her
hands in the front of his shirt when she felt him try to pull away from her.
“Shhh. I’m not going anywhere darlin’. Just hang on a minute.” he replied softly,
as he pried her hands lose from his shirt.
Her hands falling back to her
sides, Rachel listened as she heard the rustling of clothes….the sound of a
heavy leather jacket being dropped to the floor…the jingle of a belt buckle
being loosened…the sound of a zipper being pulled. Every sound seemed to echo throughout the empty space of the
elevator, heightening her arousal, fueling her need. Then all was quiet again and she felt the panic rising inside of
her when she thought of him leaving her again.
“Mark?”
“I’m right here darlin’.” he
replied, bracing his hands against the wall, one on either side of her head, as
he leaned in to give her yet another kiss.
Feeling the heat emanating
from his large frame, she brought her hands back to his body, letting them
wander over his bare skin, enjoying the feel of the flawless surface against
her fingertips. Then dipping her hand
lower, she wrapped her small fist around his throbbing erection, loving the way
it jerked and pulsed beneath her touch.
“Ummm…baby…that feels so
good…” Mark half-moaned, half-growled as he trailed his lips down her neck.
Feeling her arch against him,
his hands left the wall, wandering down the smooth curves of her body, coming
to rest on top of her breast. Teasing
the hardening nipple between his thick fingers, he soon had her panting softly
in his ear.
“You’ve got too many clothes
on darlin’.” he whispered softly, his fingers already working at the buttons of
her coat as he unfastened them and slid the material from her shoulders.
Repeating the process, he
quickly removed her shirt, then gave a sharp flick of his wrist as her bra was
removed as well. Cupping her now-bare
breasts in his large hands, he resumed his gentle nibbling on her neck,
steadily working his way down her body until his mouth found one of the
stiffened peaks.
With a soft cry, Rachel arched
her back, forcing herself deeper into his hot mouth. Her hand gripping his shaft even tighter, she began to stroke him
faster, her own desire quickly growing out of control.
Moaning loudly, Mark reached
down to stop her, pulling her hand away as she protested with a loud moan of
her own.
“Soon baby. I promise.” he chuckled, as his mouth moved
to her other breast to continue the torment.
Bringing his hands to rest on
her hips, he began to slowly hike up the silky material of her skirt until it
was gathered around her waist. Holding
it in one hand, he slipped the other one between her thighs, letting it tease
her already drenched center through the thin material of her panties.
“Mark…please….” she whimpered
softly, squirming as she tried to make him increase the pressure.
Chuckling softly, Mark dropped
to his knees on the floor, easing Rachel out of her skirt and panties before
gently urging her thighs apart.
Starting at her waist, he placed gentle kisses along the smooth skin of
her stomach, letting his tongue swirl playfully around her belly button before
steadily working his way down toward her drenched center. Moving at a slow, leisurely pace, he took
the time to inhale her warm, intoxicating scent before finally leaning in for a
taste. Easing one of her legs across
his broad shoulder, he began to trace along her soft folds with his tongue,
teasing her momentarily before plunging it deep inside of her tight body.
Tangling her fingers in his
hair, Rachel squirmed against his mouth, whimpering and moaning in pleasure as
he withdrew his tongue and enclosed his lips around her throbbing clit. Sucking gently on the small nub, he used the
tip of his tongue for added stimulation and he soon had her panting harshly as
she moved against him, her body tightening as a powerful orgasm rushed through
her.
Gasping for air, she collapsed
back against the wall, her body trembling as Mark rose back to his feet and
took her in his arms again.
“You taste so good darlin’….so
sweet. God…I’ve missed you so much….”
he growled before taking her lips in a fierce kiss, letting her feel his own
arousal as he pressed her into the wall of the elevator.
Trailing his hands down her
body, he cupped her bottom, lifting her off of the floor.
“I can’t wait any longer
baby. I need to be inside you.” he
murmured as he eased himself between her wet folds. With one quick thrust, he buried himself to the hilt inside of
her, groaning at how tightly her passageway gripped his pulsating cock.
Wrapping her arms around his
neck, Rachel dug her nails into his back, crying out in pleasure with every
thrust of his hips.
“Damn baby! You’re so fuckin tight! It’s been a long time for you, hasn’t it?”
he whispered softly, even as he increased his pace.
Unable to reply, Rachel
whimpered as she clung to him tightly, her body spiraling higher and higher out
of control as she felt another intense orgasm building inside of her.
“Mark…please…faster…..” she
cried, trying her best to work her hips in rhythm with his.
“I can feel you’re almost
there baby. Cum for me Rachel….show me
how much you’ve missed me.” Mark growled, as he teetered on the edge of his own
release.
His sensual words were the
only encouragement she needed, and she cried out as he finally pushed her over
the edge, her body shuddering as the waves of pleasure coursed through
her.
“Fuck…Rachel!” Mark growled
out, gritting his teeth as he exploded deep inside of her.
Resting his head on her
shoulder, Mark continued to hold her close as he came down from his powerful
high, enjoying the feel of her body still wrapped tightly around his own.
When they finally regained
their senses, Mark reluctantly released his hold on her, sitting her back on
her feet as he withdrew from her body.
Taking a step back, he knelt on the floor and felt his way in the dark
until he found their clothes. Dragging
them back to where Rachel was standing, he felt her jump when he placed his
hand on her leg.
“Here darlin’. Let me help you get dressed. We don’t have much time.” he whispered, as
he helped her back into her panties.
Without a word between them,
Mark helped Rachel into the remainder of her clothes before dressing
himself.
“You’re leaving me again,
aren’t you?” Rachel finally whispered, her soft voice breaking the unbearable
silence.
“I’m sorry baby. I don’t have a choice. I don’t belong….here….anymore.” he answered reluctantly, immediately growing
concerned when she didn’t offer a response.
“Rachel? Are you alright darlin’?”
Hearing her muffled sob, he
reached out for her and pulled her into his arms.
“Don’t cry baby. I don’t want you to cry over me anymore.” he
murmured, as he slid to the floor, bringing her with him to cradle her in his
lap.
“Please don’t leave me again.”
she cried as she buried her face into his well-worn jacket, inhaling the
comforting scent.
“You know I can’t stay
here. It’s just not possible.” he
whispered gently, as he rocked her in his arms.
“Then take me with you.”
Rachel murmured, tightening her grip on his shirt. “Please don’t leave me here by myself again. I don’t want to stay here without you.”
“I can’t do that Rachel. It’s not your time. You still have things left to do with your
life. You’re not ready to leave this
world yet.”
Crying harder, she closed her
eyes when she felt him begin to stroke her hair.
“Please don’t leave me again
Mark….please…don’t….go.” she murmured, the fatigue quickly taking over her body
as he continued to touch her.
Feeling her body begin to
relax against his, Mark knew that she was falling under his spell. He hated to leave her like
this....disappearing without a proper goodbye.
But he thought it was for the best.
He hoped that it would be less painful for her.
Hearing her murmur his name,
Mark whispered to her soothingly.
“I have to leave you now
Rachel. It’s time for me to go. But don’t ever think that you’re alone. I’ll always be close by… watching over
you…keeping you safe. I promise you
baby…I’ll come back to you soon. I will
find someway to live again.”
Easing himself from beneath
her, Mark laid her sleeping form carefully on the floor, leaning in to give her
one last kiss on the forehead before he vanished into the darkness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Waking with a start, Rachel
bolted upright as she gazed around her, immediately noticing that the elevator
was moving again.
“I must have been dreaming….”
she murmured, as she rubbed her head in confusion, remembering what she had
dreamt.
“Mark….there was no way he
could have been here. But it seemed so
real.” she thought to herself, rubbing her lips when she remembered how good it
had felt to be in his embrace again.
The soft jingle of the bell
alerted her to the fact she had reached her destination, and she slowly
staggered to her feet as the doors opened, finally releasing her from her metal
confines of her prison.
Picking up her briefcase and
straightening her clothes, she took one last glance around the elevator,
noticing for the first time that she now felt strangely at peace with
herself. Letting out a soft sigh, she
slowly headed toward the door, stopping in her tracks when she spotted
something lying on the ground in front of her.
Bending down to pick it up, her heart nearly stopped when she saw what
it was. A small scrap of
leather…well-worn leather. Bringing it
to her nose, she smiled as she inhaled the scent. With the slightest bit of cologne mingled in for good measure.
Pulling herself upright, she
clutched the material tightly in her fist as she looked around her once
more. Then rubbing her hand across her
stomach, she smiled when she remembered the words her husband had said to her.
He would live again. Maybe not his body. But his heart…his soul…his love was now
growing inside of her. She understood
now why he had come back to her. And
she realized that he had helped her more than he would ever know.
Smiling again, she strolled
from the elevator, a spring in her step as she headed for home. For the first time in a very long while, she
was finally looking forward to what the future would hold.
The End
E-mail Lady B at taker123@yahoo.com.
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