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Katie O’Hara…

She was there, she was alone, she was vulnerable

Tonight…

Ah, tonight…

Tonight was too soon

Too soon; the death of the stripper had to be noted, puzzled and plastered all over the news A stripper otten quickly That was the way of the world But Stella Martin, pathetic user that she had been, had now taken her place in iend

And, of course, that would be it with Katie, too

For athe fact that he had chosen such a whore to be his victim Stella hadn’t really deserved to be reain, Tanya Barnard hadn’t been pristine, either

Katie…well, Katie was a good girl She deserved the best She truly deserved to be legend

So very, very special would have to be done for her Nothing quick, nothing spur-of-the-ht out carefully

Fantasy Fest was conificent could be done with Fantasy Fest

On a Monday night, the streets were quiet Comparatively

There were still people out and about The bars were open on Duval, and scattered venues around the city It was an odd Monday-still Monday, but a Monday with the city beginning to fill Many people planned vacations around Fantasy Fest, and soht, when the city went into high gear

Katie wondered if there would be an air of nervousness, or if tourists would simply need the diversion for their own lives

Usually, people could rationalize away so, heinous or even evil

I’m not a prostitute I can’t be affected

I am alith my friends…husband…lover…

I will be safe

Of course it was true

The ghost walked ahead of Katie

She thought that the ghost of Stella Martin was going to turn down the block before Duval, but she didn’t She see out her move She looked at Katie, and then she moved on to Duval

Katie followed There was no reason for her to be afraid Duval was as familiar to her as her own front walk

Rick’s was open, as was the Irish bar across the street, and both see the sounds of music out to the road and all those who still prowled the town They passed the s around; they waved to Katie She waved back and hurried on

They were near one of the inns on Duval Street that ht pass on a daily basis-and barely notice They onderful places for the city Small, on top of storefronts, they often had the kind of rooht find an affordable stay Her brother had rented one with a group of friends once "Katie, there’s one bed There’s a bed under the bed, and when you open the closet, there’s a reat Of course, you have a ton of folks and one bathroohost stopped She stared at Katie, frowned, looked worried, then sighed

And walked around back

Katie hesitated, then followed her

A narrow alley led to the back of the building and stairs that allowed guests at the place to depart through the rear of the establishment Another alley ran between the shops, bars and restaurants on the main street and the shops, bars, restaurants, B and Bs and homes that were on the other side

Katie could hear all the sounds frohter Theby She could hear the light toot of a horn

Laughter again

The ghost looked anxiously about and ran along the back alley, then stood in the rape tree

Katie walked over to her The ghost seemed very afraid; she looked around constantly

She opened her mouth She couldn’t really make sound She wasn’t anywhere near as comfortable in her death as Bartholomew had come to be Katie could barely hear her

I was here, it’s all I remember, but the plastic, the darkness and the fact that I couldn’t breathe Then the hands, I can’t forget the hands around host of Stella Martin actually seeht and the people, it’s the darkness…he knows the streets He was following me… I didn’t realize…

"Stella," Katie said aloud, "was it Danny? Danny Zigler?"

Stella frowned I…no I don’t know I don’t know! But go…please It’s dark Go now, and help et yourself killed, or how the hell will you helpher personality Brash in life, she would be so in death

Katie turned