“We’re Pretty Vacant”

“Can’t promise there won’t be a ghost but I know a pub with the quietest ghost ever,” Cliff chuckled. He was referring to a pub in Croydon with the ghost of a kind old friar who sometimes stole patrons drinks when they weren’t looking. “Its no problem,” George put his hand on Cliff’s shoulder. “I should probably go. Ambra hates it when I’m out too late.” Cliff nodded, “see you around, mate.” He gave a cursory salute.

“My mother’s the same about me goin’ out, but good thing she kicked my arse outta the house. Now I can’t disappoint her further anymore,” Paul commented as he rubbed his neck, his mind wandering back to his band. He wondered if the rehearsal rooms were haunted too. By Cliff’s words, it was pretty likely and it explained why his drumsticks kept on bloody disappearing ever time he left them somewhere. Shit, what if tomorrow’s gig has a spook? Malcom said it’s gonna be held at that abandoned house down at Hammersmith because he can’t afford a real place at the moment. “So tell, Cliff, what’s the most haunted place in dear old London?” I just pray I won’t have to play there.

“Tsk, not at all. No fucks tossed around if anyone knows that I’m sweet on ya,” Paul smiled — this time more shyly than the usually troublemaker grin. He then thought about how his band mates would react to another one of his girlfriends. Steve, his best mate, would obviously try to get into her knickers — and if he succeeds, Paul wouldn’t forgive him this time. The former girlfriends he wasn’t too fancied with and when he found out about the shagging, he wasn’t hurt by it. But with Mellody, he actually found himself caring for her deeply. The other two he wasn’t too worried about; Glen was polite and John was so shy around to the entire female population he wouldn’t do anything to her. “It isn’t an expectation. It’s just the truth, darlin.” His cheeks turned faintly red at the peck on his neck as he turned to kiss her cheek back.

Cliff held up his silver pendant to the girl. She squeaked and then disappeared. The one to push Paul out was Cliff’s friend George. George had no abilities, but he knew a shitfucked situation when he saw one. “Thank me later,” he muttered, “who fuckin’ knows what’s gonna happen next.” Cliff came out next, bruises around his eyes and ears. “Sorry about all that,” he mumbled.

Paul snapped out of his thoughts as he was pushed. He turned around to see one of Cliff’s friend behind him — didn’t know the bloke’s name but he seemed just as scared as him. They waited for everyone to leave the pub. Paul could barely hear the words out of Cliff’s mouth, courtesy of the ghost’s wailings and screams. He bit his lip as he saw the man’s appearance, all those dark bruises around his face made him look worse than bleedin’ death. “I got a flat with a mate that’s nearby. It’s got some first-aid shit and a bed. I’ll bet good money that you’re about to pass out and knock your brain over,” he drawled out with a tired, shaky voice. Paul silently added, “And afterwards, maybe you can explained what the fuck happened in the last hour…” @moderndaykluski

“This,” Cliff asked, indicating the bruises that dotted his face, “this’ll all be gone by morning. Don’t worry about it.” Aside from the actual injuries, Cliff felt fine. After 32 years of putting up with the supernatural, you sort’ve get used to the after effects and learn to muck through them. “Tell ye what,” he said, “I owe ye a drink. This night got all fucked up and I can’t ‘elp but feel responsible for that.” George nodded, “she don’t always get that mad. I guess ya struck some kinda nerve.”

Paul wasn’t fully convinced he was okay, but he didn’t push things, especially when it came to strangers. “Hell, you owe me a drink and an explanation. What happened probably ain’t your fault anyway. If anything, I’ve might’ve tipped her off like your friend said,” he reassured to Cliff. “At least I get to tell Jonsey what a nutter this night was, but I reckon he’ll think I’m fuckin’ with him.” Paul felt drained, which was odd because it hasn’t been that long since he entered the pub. Maybe getting acquainted with ghosts had something to do it. There were too many questions and he believed there wouldn’t be enough beers to make up for them. @moderndaykluski

“Alright, an explanation,” Cliff agreed. It was reasonable enough. “I told ye, she was a brass. ‘Er lover killed ‘er in a jealous rage. We all think she’s tryin’ to get people to tell ‘er story. I guess when she saw new blood she wanted yer attention. She wanted ye to know that she was still around.” George nodded, “poor gal.” 

“I got that — it’s everythin’ else I know nothing about. Christ, I just thought all that ghost shit was just another tourist scam until now,” Paul drawled out as he rubbed his neck slowly. He eyed out the edge of the street. He was looking out for the next pub and the closest one was down the block. The situation with Virgina did leave him feeling a bit sorry for the girl. He turned to ask Cliff. “Can’t you help her? Or is she just stuck there forever?” The twenty year old rested his back against the lamp-post, staring at the two older men. @moderndaykluski

“Every centimetah of the British Isles is ‘aunted,” Cliff said, “there’s a ghost in every ‘ome. None of them ever give me a break.” He scratched at the back of his neck. “We nevah really figured out if Virginia can move on or not. That’s why we just pass the story along to anyone ‘oo comes in. It seems to be what she wants.”

“What’d you mean there’s a spook everywhere? That ghost is the only one I ever saw.” Paul blinked with surprise, but the memories of all the ghost stories from his earlier days came back to them. Maybe there was some truth when he was too much of a damn septic to believe them. “W-Wait, you’re one of those medium types! That’s why you were actin’ odd at the pool table. Blimey..” As he caught on with the connection, his eyes were focused and his pale eyebrows had jutted together. @moderndaykluski

“Well, by day I work at Oxford university,” Cliff laughed, scratching at his arm, “but yeah. I guess I am one of them medium types.” He looked at the younger man, not sure if he was being believed or not. “But it’s true, wot I said about England bein’ ‘aunted. We ‘ave enough bloody ‘istory for it. They don’t always manifest though.”

Paul pushed himself off the lamp post without a word. It made sense how rationally Cliff had explained it, but he still need time to process it. “Alright, I believe it... but I’d still like to have that drink. Without a ghost this time, please,” he joked as he pointed towards where the other pub would be. “And thanks for pushing me out when Virginia had me in some sort of trance.” He turned to George this time, nodding his gratitude. The goosebumps on his arms were still there from his interaction with her, along with the nervous. He wasn’t completely over it but he planned to forget what happen by tomorrow.

Cliff held up his silver pendant to the girl. She squeaked and then disappeared. The one to push Paul out was Cliff’s friend George. George had no abilities, but he knew a shitfucked situation when he saw one. “Thank me later,” he muttered, “who fuckin’ knows what’s gonna happen next.” Cliff came out next, bruises around his eyes and ears. “Sorry about all that,” he mumbled.

Paul snapped out of his thoughts as he was pushed. He turned around to see one of Cliff’s friend behind him — didn’t know the bloke’s name but he seemed just as scared as him. They waited for everyone to leave the pub. Paul could barely hear the words out of Cliff’s mouth, courtesy of the ghost’s wailings and screams. He bit his lip as he saw the man’s appearance, all those dark bruises around his face made him look worse than bleedin’ death. “I got a flat with a mate that’s nearby. It’s got some first-aid shit and a bed. I’ll bet good money that you’re about to pass out and knock your brain over,” he drawled out with a tired, shaky voice. Paul silently added, “And afterwards, maybe you can explained what the fuck happened in the last hour…” @moderndaykluski

“This,” Cliff asked, indicating the bruises that dotted his face, “this’ll all be gone by morning. Don’t worry about it.” Aside from the actual injuries, Cliff felt fine. After 32 years of putting up with the supernatural, you sort’ve get used to the after effects and learn to muck through them. “Tell ye what,” he said, “I owe ye a drink. This night got all fucked up and I can’t ‘elp but feel responsible for that.” George nodded, “she don’t always get that mad. I guess ya struck some kinda nerve.”

Paul wasn’t fully convinced he was okay, but he didn’t push things, especially when it came to strangers. “Hell, you owe me a drink and an explanation. What happened probably ain’t your fault anyway. If anything, I’ve might’ve tipped her off like your friend said,” he reassured to Cliff. “At least I get to tell Jonsey what a nutter this night was, but I reckon he’ll think I’m fuckin’ with him.” Paul felt drained, which was odd because it hasn’t been that long since he entered the pub. Maybe getting acquainted with ghosts had something to do it. There were too many questions and he believed there wouldn’t be enough beers to make up for them. @moderndaykluski

“Alright, an explanation,” Cliff agreed. It was reasonable enough. “I told ye, she was a brass. ‘Er lover killed ‘er in a jealous rage. We all think she’s tryin’ to get people to tell ‘er story. I guess when she saw new blood she wanted yer attention. She wanted ye to know that she was still around.” George nodded, “poor gal.” 

“I got that — it’s everythin’ else I know nothing about. Christ, I just thought all that ghost shit was just another tourist scam until now,” Paul drawled out as he rubbed his neck slowly. He eyed out the edge of the street. He was looking out for the next pub and the closest one was down the block. The situation with Virgina did leave him feeling a bit sorry for the girl. He turned to ask Cliff. “Can’t you help her? Or is she just stuck there forever?” The twenty year old rested his back against the lamp-post, staring at the two older men. @moderndaykluski

“Every centimetah of the British Isles is ‘aunted,” Cliff said, “there’s a ghost in every ‘ome. None of them ever give me a break.” He scratched at the back of his neck. “We nevah really figured out if Virginia can move on or not. That’s why we just pass the story along to anyone ‘oo comes in. It seems to be what she wants.”

“What’d you mean there’s a spook everywhere? That ghost is the only one I ever saw.” Paul blinked with surprise, but the memories of all the ghost stories from his earlier days came back to them. Maybe there was some truth when he was too much of a damn septic to believe them. “W-Wait, you’re one of those medium types! That’s why you were actin’ odd at the pool table. Blimey..” As he caught on with the connection, his eyes were focused and his pale eyebrows had jutted together. @moderndaykluski

“You’d rather burn in hell than socialize. Maybe havin’ you pissed will make you less of an ass,” Paul joked. @awkwardanduninterested

He scoffed and held back a laugh, “Depends on who I’m socializing with. And in this case, I doubt it.”

“I’m hurt, John! And here I thought you at least tolerated my presence. I’ll just have to get you damn drunk enough to like me then.” Paul tilted his head at the entrance to the pub with a feral grin. “Come then, let’s see if you’ll take it like a bitch.”

Rolling his eyes, he followed, there was nothing better to do anyway. “Don’t get your hopes up.” He didn’t like dwelling on the past, but it was difficult to imagine himself having fun with someone that nearly beat him to a bloody pulp.

“You’re also a bad liar, darlin’. I don’t think you can ever talk your way outta a ticket,” Paul smiled as he wrapped his arm around her. “Come on, tell me what’s bothering you.” @garnishedarrogance

Her cheeks became slightly red as he wrapped his arms around her, she felt foolish for being jealous over something so small. “I… ” She started, but then her head dropped as she didn’t have the courage to tell the truth. “No, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to sound bitchy.”

“That’s bollocks. I wanna hear what you gotta say. Don’t you ever hold back because you afraid of soundin’ like a bitch,” Paul said to her in seriousness. He noticed the red tint in her cheeks and couldn’t help but tease her more. Leaning closer to her ear, he smiled —“Plus, when you do bitch’, you’re still just as lovely as ever.” @garnishedarrogance

Her arms fell on her sides as Paul leaned closer, not being able to stay mad for too long. “Hey, don’t say things like this.” She laughed lightly while swatting his arms then nodded her head once. “I feel jealous when you’re out with them… Stupid, I know. Don’t make fun of me, please.” Mellody wrapped her arms around his neck then hid her face in embarrassment.

Paul tightened his embrace around her and lightly played with her hair between his fingers. His chest felt warm from her heated cheeks. “It ain’t stupid at all, Melody. I ain’t gonna make fun of you for that. I’m not that much of an ass,” He muttered to her before he stepped back to meet her eyes. “You just gotta know that you’re more important to me. More than some punk gal who don’t even know my name. How about the next time I’m with them, I’ll have you tied to my waist? That way, everyone with a brain knows I’m a taken man.”

Mellody relaxed in his embrace, his words were simple but comforting and it helped her to overcome that embarrassing feeling. “I know you’re not. You’re really sweet but that’s a secret that I’ll keep with me.” Mellody chuckled softly as she lifted her head to look at Paul and nodded to his suggestion. “Guess I can go… If there’s no problem.” Mellody also didn’t want to look so possessive of the man.

Cliff held up his silver pendant to the girl. She squeaked and then disappeared. The one to push Paul out was Cliff’s friend George. George had no abilities, but he knew a shitfucked situation when he saw one. “Thank me later,” he muttered, “who fuckin’ knows what’s gonna happen next.” Cliff came out next, bruises around his eyes and ears. “Sorry about all that,” he mumbled.

Paul snapped out of his thoughts as he was pushed. He turned around to see one of Cliff’s friend behind him — didn’t know the bloke’s name but he seemed just as scared as him. They waited for everyone to leave the pub. Paul could barely hear the words out of Cliff’s mouth, courtesy of the ghost’s wailings and screams. He bit his lip as he saw the man’s appearance, all those dark bruises around his face made him look worse than bleedin’ death. “I got a flat with a mate that’s nearby. It’s got some first-aid shit and a bed. I’ll bet good money that you’re about to pass out and knock your brain over,” he drawled out with a tired, shaky voice. Paul silently added, “And afterwards, maybe you can explained what the fuck happened in the last hour…” @moderndaykluski

“This,” Cliff asked, indicating the bruises that dotted his face, “this’ll all be gone by morning. Don’t worry about it.” Aside from the actual injuries, Cliff felt fine. After 32 years of putting up with the supernatural, you sort’ve get used to the after effects and learn to muck through them. “Tell ye what,” he said, “I owe ye a drink. This night got all fucked up and I can’t ‘elp but feel responsible for that.” George nodded, “she don’t always get that mad. I guess ya struck some kinda nerve.”

Paul wasn’t fully convinced he was okay, but he didn’t push things, especially when it came to strangers. “Hell, you owe me a drink and an explanation. What happened probably ain’t your fault anyway. If anything, I’ve might’ve tipped her off like your friend said,” he reassured to Cliff. “At least I get to tell Jonsey what a nutter this night was, but I reckon he’ll think I’m fuckin’ with him.” Paul felt drained, which was odd because it hasn’t been that long since he entered the pub. Maybe getting acquainted with ghosts had something to do it. There were too many questions and he believed there wouldn’t be enough beers to make up for them. @moderndaykluski

“Alright, an explanation,” Cliff agreed. It was reasonable enough. “I told ye, she was a brass. ‘Er lover killed ‘er in a jealous rage. We all think she’s tryin’ to get people to tell ‘er story. I guess when she saw new blood she wanted yer attention. She wanted ye to know that she was still around.” George nodded, “poor gal.” 

“I got that — it’s everythin’ else I know nothing about. Christ, I just thought all that ghost shit was just another tourist scam until now,” Paul drawled out as he rubbed his neck slowly. He eyed out the edge of the street. He was looking out for the next pub and the closest one was down the block. The situation with Virgina did leave him feeling a bit sorry for the girl. He turned to ask Cliff. “Can’t you help her? Or is she just stuck there forever?” The twenty year old rested his back against the lamp-post, staring at the two older men. @moderndaykluski

Cliff held up his silver pendant to the girl. She squeaked and then disappeared. The one to push Paul out was Cliff’s friend George. George had no abilities, but he knew a shitfucked situation when he saw one. “Thank me later,” he muttered, “who fuckin’ knows what’s gonna happen next.” Cliff came out next, bruises around his eyes and ears. “Sorry about all that,” he mumbled.

Paul snapped out of his thoughts as he was pushed. He turned around to see one of Cliff’s friend behind him — didn’t know the bloke’s name but he seemed just as scared as him. They waited for everyone to leave the pub. Paul could barely hear the words out of Cliff’s mouth, courtesy of the ghost’s wailings and screams. He bit his lip as he saw the man’s appearance, all those dark bruises around his face made him look worse than bleedin’ death. “I got a flat with a mate that’s nearby. It’s got some first-aid shit and a bed. I’ll bet good money that you’re about to pass out and knock your brain over,” he drawled out with a tired, shaky voice. Paul silently added, “And afterwards, maybe you can explained what the fuck happened in the last hour…” @moderndaykluski

“This,” Cliff asked, indicating the bruises that dotted his face, “this’ll all be gone by morning. Don’t worry about it.” Aside from the actual injuries, Cliff felt fine. After 32 years of putting up with the supernatural, you sort’ve get used to the after effects and learn to muck through them. “Tell ye what,” he said, “I owe ye a drink. This night got all fucked up and I can’t ‘elp but feel responsible for that.” George nodded, “she don’t always get that mad. I guess ya struck some kinda nerve.”

Paul wasn’t fully convinced he was okay, but he didn’t push things, especially when it came to strangers. “Hell, you owe me a drink and an explanation. What happened probably ain’t your fault anyway. If anything, I’ve might’ve tipped her off like your friend said,” he reassured to Cliff. “At least I get to tell Jonsey what a nutter this night was, but I reckon he’ll think I’m fuckin’ with him.” Paul felt drained, which was odd because it hasn’t been that long since he entered the pub. Maybe getting acquainted with ghosts had something to do it. There were too many questions and he believed there wouldn’t be enough beers to make up for them. @moderndaykluski