Ghosted

While the three agents sat in their temporary hideout, Jill shared her life before joining the force.

Seven years before Olivia opened the book of Nihilo, Jillian was a fourteen-year-old high school student. She lived a comfortable lifestyle in one of the most beautiful suburbs in Buffalo.

As the daughter of university professors, Jill was an overachiever in academia who won the respect of nearly everyone in school and the community. That is, everyone but her twin sister, Tabitha. Tabitha was the opposite of Jillian and often in her sister's shadow. Tabitha struggled to keep up with her academics. Tabitha noticed her parents offered Jill more attention than they gave her.

In secret, Tabitha experimented with dark magic and made several attempts to contact the Blessing. But one fateful night, Jill walked in on one of her sister's rituals and tried to stop her. The two sisters struggled to stop the other when Tabitha pulled out a short dagger meant to use on herself as a blood offering to the Blessing. But in the climax of their battle, Tabitha used it to stab Jill in the heart, sacrificing Jill instead.

After hearing what happened, Jill's parents sent Tabitha to a psychiatric hospital and the family moved out of the city. Many months passed and Jill's spirits still lingered in that house.

It was at this point that Captain Moss and Maxine discovered her spirit. At first, they offered to release her to the afterworld so she could rest in peace. But Jill insisted she could provide assistance to them and join the force. Jill argued she would use her new existence to help people. She wanted to atone for the fact she could not help Tabitha Therefore, Captain Moss created enchantments that allow souls to exist between the human world and Parabola. A few years later, Jill met Olivia when they were accepted by the force. They bonded as outcasts and misfits. The two had been close friends ever since, always being honest with each other and never keeping secrets.

Until now.

After hearing her best friend confess the events that led to her death, Olivia felt a twisting sensation of mixed emotions.

" Hey, Liv, you okay?"

Scott asked.

" Why didn't you tell

me?" Olivia asked. She pouted, hurt that Jill didn't confide in her.

" I was ashamed," Jill said.

" You knew what the Blessing was. You knew they'd be after my family and me and you didn't tell me?"

" Liv, you don't understand," Jill said." How I died was too difficult to explain and it was part of the deal I made with Captaitooss to..., "

" Moss?" Olivia said again." He got you to keep this from me."

Scott tried to defend his ghostly friend.

" She didn't do anything wrong when you think about it."

" Don't try to defend her," Olivia said. "

" I was following orders," Jill said.," Olivia please understand,"

" I understand I can't trust my best friend to whom I have confided everything and you couldn't do the

same."

Olivia stormed out of the loft, slamming the door behind her leaving Jill both sad and concerned.

" Do not follow me. I need time alone."

" Don't worry, Jill." She'll come around," Scott said.

" I hope you're right, Scott."

Darkness fell when Olivia secluded herself contemplating her feelings toward Jill's secret. How could she do this to me? Olivia thought.

The young enchantress continued her walk. She approached an alleyway.

I trusted her with my secret about Lilith. Why didn't she trust me?

" Chris, stop! I'm serious."

Olivia heard a familiar voice come from the alleyway in front of her. She touched the wall and walked down to follow the voice.

It was then she saw Lorna and her coworker, Chris talk outside next to his blue corolla as Lorna walked

away from him.

" We had a good time at the concert, right?" Chris said while he stepped closer to Lorna. She lifted her arm to keep him away.

" I'm not interested, Chris," Lorna said." Please leave me alone."

"Come on. Don't be that way."

"Chris, Let go."

Olivia's blood boiled but she harnessed her magic.

"No, Liv," she whispered to herself. "Keep your cover."

" Do you know how much it cost me to get those tickets?" Chris grumbled. "Why don't you be a good

little girl and show me some gratitude?"

Chris put his arms around

her, keeping her from running.

" I don't take no for an answer."

Olivia walked out of the alley." Maybe you should start,"

" Nice, you brought a friend," Chris said." Always wanted a three-way."

" The girl said she's not interested. Why don't you try that on me instead?"

Chris threw Lorna to the ground moved toward Olivia.

" I like the way you think, Red," Chris said, while he reached for Olivia's waist.

But Olivia kneed him between his legs before punching him in the face. Finally, she took out her silver whip, wrapped it around his ankles, and pulled back. He crashed to the ground.

" What do you say we have a little joy ride in his car? It's getting late," Olivia suggested Olivia grabbed his car keys and the young ladies drove off.

As Olivia drove Lorna in the car that she took from Chris, the two girls began to converse about their lives.

"So, you teach kids and wait tables?" Olivia asked as her hair flowed through the peaceful drive.

"Pretty demanding schedule but, yeah."

"Bookworm?" Lorna said with a scowl on her face.

"Take it easy." Olivia giggled. "I meant you seem like you'd be running the restaurant, not working to pay off loans."

"I like serving on the side, but I've always had a passion for working with kids."

" That's pretty sweet.

I'm guessing your parents had something to do with that,"

Lorna began to pout because she harbored a painful fact about her past.

" My mother abandoned me when I was little. My father died when I was ten."

" I'm sorry."

" Thanks. It was an unnatural circumstance."

"Unnatural?"

" He was obsessed with magic and experimented with it. Eventually, he got mixed up with the wrong

people and they used that same magic to kill him."

" M-magic?"

" I know it sounds crazy. Some people say magic is fake. But after what happened at the concert ..."

Olivia grabbed her hand, caressing it in her palm to put Lorna at ease.

" I don't think you're crazy," Olivia said." I hate magic too."

Moments passed as the two girls arrived at the front of Lorna's apartment. "Thanks ... for the ride."

Lorna said. Lorna unbuckled her seat belt, climbed out of the car, and stood outside the car.

Before she drove away, Olivia sensed

Lorna's pasted smile masked her pain.

" Believe it or not, I'm an orphan,"

Olivia confessed. "I understand why it's hard for you to talk about your family."

Lorna looked at Olivia warmly while Olivia parked the car.

"But if you ever need someone to talk to here's my number." Olivia blushed and handed her card to Lorna.

" I will,"

Thanks."

Lorna waved goodbye as she walked into her home.