"Why, Ashlyn, why? Because he was getting in the way of my - and your - freedom. Don't you understand? That's why you feel this way, because you don't have the courage to shove those who are holding you back out of your way. You just need to elarn how to beat down the barricades they've set up for you. The death of an oppressor is the rebirth of a slave."

Tenor rang the bell again. "Helloooo" he shouted out. He started fidgeting and staring at his watch.

not enough time. he thought. never enough goddamned time

Evan heard the bell from the stairs and sprinted into the lobby, skidding to a stop behind the desk. He straightened his tie and patted down his now windswept hair before greeting the pair.

"Hello, hello, and welcome to the Asterville Inn! Sorry for the wait, I was stuck in a hole in the wall."

---

Ashlyn shook her head. "Is the end of a life really the way to freedom? What life would that be?"

"Do you think that his life won't go on? He is dead now. He is like me. He holds more freedom than you do. If you wanted to be optimistic, you could say I even did him a favor."

Eddie conveniently doesn't mention that anyone who gets dragged into his little Indian Burial Ground is trapped there to become another one of his legion of souls.

Tenor slammed down a pile of money. "I don't care, just be quick about it." This guy looked like a bit of a Punk, but in the end he was just some kid. Tenor could take him down easy, he was sure. but laying with you would be so much sweeter than killing he thought, smiling.

"Okay, okay," murmured Evan, grabbing a key and quickly making change. He eyed the obviously drunk woman on the man's arm. "Planning a big day, wink wink, nudge nudge? Hoping for a nice lunch, eh?" He held out the key.

---

"Optimism. Oh, that's rich." Ashlyn couldn't help a laugh. "Anyway, what is this insanity you're rambling about - freedom without death?"

This young man was annoying Tenor more and more. "It's no concern of yours. Keep to your own business." He grabbed the key out of his hand quickly, and made a move to leave, but the girl had fallen over.

"Dammit!" he shouted, and kicked her.

Eddie grins again.

"It's very simple, really. To put it simply, I'm dead enough for the both of us...If you cling to your life so dearly, then I can give you the best of both worlds."

"Elaborate," said Ashlyn, her interest piqued.

---

"Need a hand?" asked Evan. Unable to resist, he plowed right on ahead. "Seems like too much woman for you to handle, know what I'm saying?"

Tenor smiled, but the smile was without warmth. All he'd wanted to do was to live. Well, there was more than one way a man can live.

"You should really know who you're talking to before you open that mouth of yours."

His fist took the boy full in the face.

Evan fell over, silly grin still on his face. Just as he hit the ground, footsteps came from the stairwell, followed by an irritated voice.

"...any idea how much that's going to cost to rep-" Viv stopped short as she saw Tenor standing, hand still in a fist with the woman on the floor. "Evan?"

"A ghost and a human can bond, you see. You can have all the abilities of a deadite while still keeping your life." Eddie says, walking over to Ashlyn.

Ashlyn stiffened. "Really." She'd heard about this, and not all had been positive. However... "Tell me more."

"Stupid punk didn't even put up a fight." Tenor said. "Seems--" but he wouldn't be able to relate what it seemed, as he coughed up a small bit of blood. No, not now... I have more time... I should have more time. It seemed to be less and less every time, but he needed it, he wanted it, he craved it. He could feel his chest opening up again, and he looked at Viv with mad eyes. "No.. this is too soon. I'm not going back there... not yet... not ever."

Eddie explains to Ashlyn exactly how bonding would work since Nevrmore doesn't know what it would entail.

Her half-day finished, Jen quickly showered and dressed. Now in khaki shorts, a sensible t-shirt, and sandals, gym bag slung over her shoulder, she shoved the gym doors open as she left, yelling goodbyes to her co-workers over her shoulder as the doors swung shut. So many thoughts surrounded Jen as she walked home. She had finally forced Gertie's words to the back of her mind, but they was still there, festering. She had no idea what classes she needed to take next semester. The leering ghost of a construction worker killed last month reminded her that the spirits around Asterville were getting... active. And to top it all off... she was getting hungry.

There was only one solution. Jen turned left down the next street and headed for the Asterville Inn.

"What did you do to Evan? Where-" Viv stared a moment. "Haven't I seen you before?"

---

"Fascinating," said Ashlyn, her tone breathless. "Two minds in one. The possibilities are endless."

"Endless indeed. Much more than you could ever do in this small little office. So, what would you say if I offered the chance to bond with you?" Eddie asks the million dollar question.

Ashlyn froze. It was one thing to be the mind behind the experiment. It was quite another to be the subject. "I-I'd have to have time to think it over."

Tenor looked at the woman more closely... "Just forget about me, you'll be better off... but for now..." Red was starting to bloom through his shirt now. The boy was unconscious, so there'd be no hope there, but the girl... he grabbed her arm and sent himself in, reaching for the life force he knew would be inside...

and was thrust back. He fell to the ground now, as he got weaker. "You..." he said. "You'll wish you hadn't done that." Saving a miracle, it was going to be over. He sighed as the blackness rose to meet him.

There would be no body, there never was. He would just.... fade.