Chapter 13: A Ghost’s Kiss

Ellie barely slept.

How could she? Victoria was everywhere—whispering in the shadows, brushing against her skin like an unwanted lover, filling every empty space between her and Ben.

And tonight, she wasn't subtle.

The room had grown cold, an unnatural chill sinking into Ellie's bones. The bedside lamp flickered as if caught in an unseen storm. Ben lay beside her, his breathing steady but tense. They both felt it.

Victoria was here.

A soft giggle—sickly sweet, dripping with malice—echoed through the dimly lit bedroom. Ellie sat up, her pulse hammering. "Enough, Victoria!" she hissed, her voice breaking.

Victoria's laughter swirled around them, curling in the air like smoke. "Oh, Ellie," she purred, "you sound so desperate. So… helpless."

Ellie clenched her fists. "You don't belong here!"

"Neither do you." The voice was suddenly behind her, whispering against her ear.

Ellie whirled, but no one was there.

Ben sat up, his jaw tight. "Victoria, leave her alone."

"Or what, darling?" The ghost's voice turned playful, teasing. "You'll fight me?"

The temperature dropped.

And then—Ben jerked forward with a gasp.

"Ben?" Ellie's voice came out small.

His body stiffened. His breath hitched. His fingers twitched at his sides as if restrained by invisible threads.

"She's touching me," he choked out.

Ellie felt it—the shift in the air, the icy presence curling around him like an unwanted embrace.

Ben's lips parted slightly, his body trembling under the unseen pressure. "Victoria—stop."

"Mmm, why?" Victoria's voice was sultry now, thick with cruel amusement. "I used to be the only one who could make you shiver like this, Ben."

Ellie froze, horror tightening her throat.

She could see it now—Ben's muscles tensing, his head tilting slightly, as if someone was trailing invisible fingers down his chest.

Ellie's stomach churned. "You witch—"

"Awww, jealous?" Victoria giggled. "Ben never minded my touch before."

Ellie lunged forward, grabbing Ben's shoulders. "Ben, fight her!"

His eyes darted to hers, wild and desperate, his breath coming in sharp gasps. "She—she's inside my head, Ellie. I—I can feel her everywhere."

Victoria sighed theatrically. "Oh, darling, don't be so dramatic."

Ben jerked violently, like someone had just run ice down his spine.

"You're sick, Victoria!" Ellie shouted, her fury overcoming her fear.

Victoria laughed, a cold, haunting melody that filled the space between them. "And you're in my way."

Ellie felt the air shift—and suddenly, she was the one being pulled back.

She fell, her back slamming against the mattress as a ghostly weight pinned her down.

Ben lunged for her, but an unseen force shoved him away.

"Stay right there, lover," Victoria purred. "This is between me and her now."

Ellie struggled, but it was like being held down by ice-cold chains.

"Tell me, Ellie," Victoria's voice dropped to a poisonous whisper, "what's it like knowing you'll never be enough for him?"

Ellie snapped.

"You're nothing but a ghost, Victoria!" she spat, her voice raw. "You're dead, and I'm still here!"

The room shook.

Ben shouted her name, but Ellie barely heard him—because suddenly, the weight lifted.

She gasped, jerking upright, her breath ragged. The room fell silent.

Victoria was gone.

For now.

Ben scrambled to her side, cupping her face, his hands warm—so alive. "Are you okay?" His voice was frantic.

Ellie swallowed hard. "She's getting stronger, Ben."

He nodded grimly. "Then we have to stop her."

Ellie exhaled shakily, pressing her forehead against his. "Before she takes one of us with her."