Daisy Madigan's Paradise

  The drawing was just about complete when the howling started. The terror almost prevented her from moving, keeping her stuck to the same spot. 'Move, move, move,' she whispered to herself as the sounds got closer and closer until finally, the adrenaline pulsing through her body allowed for movement. But there wasn't enough time to get back to the catacombs. She had no choice, therefore, than to escape upwards.

  Climbing the nearest tree, she'd just got high enough when she saw them. Holding her breath, Daisy watched as the first wolf sniffed at the spot where she had been sitting just moments before. He wandered around, smelling the ground, getting closer and closer to the tree where she found herself clinging to.

  As the others arrived, the dread-locked woman's eyes appeared to be glowing yellow. Daisy gulped.

  The second wolf followed behind her, then the awful memory busting brunette and her man, the leader walked into the clearing last.

  They were talking quietly, laughing about having stolen some precious item. She heard them mention something about a museum but before she had the chance to listen to anything further, she spotted her pencil hanging out of her jacket pocket.

  With eyes wide open in fear, Daisy realised she was unable to catch it in time as she clung to the tree. So she watched as it fell, almost in slow motion, out of her pocket and was slowly carried on the breeze until it bounced onto the ground below.

  How could such a small thing make such a loud noise, Daisy would never understand.

  The moment it hit the ground, both wolves' ears pricked upwards, followed by their eyes. Daisy would never forget that moment.

  The second they laid their eyes on her, the dread-locked girl looked up right at her as if they had communicated telepathically. Her eyes seemed to glow brightly as she hissed with an evil smile spreading across her face.

  'Well, well, well,' she said as the other two turned to see what all the fuss was about. 'What have we here? This must be the Daisy that Jack mentioned.'

  Daisy didn't know what to do. She could climb down and try and outrun them, but she knew that would never work, even with her super human speed, would the wolves match it? Looking across at the nearby trees, she saw her only means of escape. She would have to jump from tree to tree until she could either get out of the park or into her secret hiding place. The trouble with that is that they might see her go in and she certainly didn't want that. She had no choice, she would have to try and escape from the park.

  The wolves watched her every move while the three 'humans' goaded her, assuming she was just a regular runaway hiding in a tree.

  Perhaps the element of surprise would slow them down a little.

  She didn't want to wait and see what they would do. She just knew she had to get away.

  So she took a deep breath and threw herself onto the closest tree, grabbing it with all her strength like some kind of Amazonian monkey. If only she had a long tail, she thought as she then went on to the next.

  She could hear the 'humans' yelling at her and the wolves were snarling, following her trail from beneath her.

  'Get her!' shouted the leader as one of the wolves jumped as high as possible.

  Fortunately for Daisy, it wasn't quite high enough and as she grabbed hold of the next tree, she left the wolf behind slightly. However, the next tree wasn't as strong; it refused to hold her weight and so she hung, clinging on, as it drooped, creaking, threatening to break directly above the gang.

  A wolf snapped at her feet, grabbing her and pulling her down, tearing the skin in her ankle. She winced and with as much of her strength as she could muster, she kicked it full force on the head, temporarily stunting it as it released her.

  With a split second to spare, she grabbed hold of the nearest branch and flung herself on to it before eventually landing on to the gate's wall. Stopping briefly to catch her balance, she ran along the top of the wall, like a tightrope walker, all the time listening to check where the wolves were, snapping beneath her feet.

  She could hear the cackle of the brunette's laugh as she enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, certain that she would have a plaything for later.

  But Daisy had other ideas and so, she turned and took one last look at the gang and catapulted herself out of the park, landing on her feet. She ran as fast as she possibly could until she reached Balvinder and Shariq's corner shop.

  Banging hard on the door, tears fell down her cheeks as the adrenaline continued to flow.

  'Please let me in Shariq... please,' she shouted, banging, banging, banging.

  Finally, after a couple of minutes, she noticed the shop light switch on and Shariq hurried to open the door.

  She pushed it open and slammed it shut behind her.

  'Switch off the light, switch off the light,' she shouted.

  Shariq did exactly as she said while trying to calm the young girl down.

  'Are you hurt, Daisy? Are you injured? What happened? What happened?' he said as Daisy burst into tears and leaned back against the wall, sliding down until she sat in a heap on the floor.

  'I'm okay,' she said, 'I'm okay. Thank you... thank you,' she sobbed.

  'Shariq... what on earth is going on down there?' shouted Balvinder from the top of the stairs.

  'It's okay. No need to worry. We're coming up. Come on Daisy, get up, get up. Come upstairs and we'll fix you a nice cup of sweet tea. It's okay now... it's over. It's over...'

  CHAPTER 17

  Daisy had refused to tell Balvinder and Shariq what really happened. They knew she was a homeless girl but they also knew not to ask questions. Even though she knew they trusted her, she knew she couldn't tell them the truth. There was this feeling inside her that told her nobody should know about her abilities, or the fact that there was such a thing as werewolves.

  Slowly she began to accept that she was seriously different than most people and she also came to accept that she was strong enough to come to terms with it. She had managed to escape the gang. If she did it once, she could do it again. Nobody was going to frighten her away from her home.

  The next few months were spent in a frenzy of helping numerous ghosts to cross over. But at the same time, it was also spent trying to return the memories of those that had been touched by the weird brunette in the scary gang.

  Luckily, she had so far managed to evade capture, but she had seen them since in the park at night on several occasions. Some local ghosts had warned her when they were coming, giving her time to escape to her hiding place within the secret catacombs. She just hoped that none caught would give her 'home' away.

  Jack was still with her, promising to stay by her side for the foreseeable future. But one morning, she knew it was finally time for him to go.

  She'd found him wandering through the trees like a lost puppet on a string, not knowing which way to go. He'd been touched by her again and enough was enough. Jack had been that woman's target too many times now and his memories were beginning to confuse him.

  'Jack, this can't go on any more. You must cross over and join your family.'

  'I don't know what you mean?'

  'Jack, surely by now you must realise what you are? You died in that house fire months ago. You've only been staying here for me and I... I think it's time for you to go.'

  Looking forlorn, Jack stared at the muddy ground, 'I... I know... I'm a ghost aren't I?'

  Daisy nodded, 'I've been telling you for months for you never believe me. You usually just go off in a huff. But it's time to face up to it, Jack. It's time for you to join your family.'

  'But... but, who is my family, Daisy?'

  'Your mum and dad, Jack. They're waiting for you.'

  'But what if I don't recognise them?'

  A smile crossed Daisy's face, 'I have a feeling that all your memories will return the moment you step into that light. You'll know them immediately.'

  'But... but I don't want to leave you, Daisy. I can't leave you, I promised that I would never leave you.'

  'That was when I'd lost everythi
ng Jack. I was lost. But I'm not lost any more I've found myself here, helping all these trapped spirits. I feel like this is what I'm meant to do, at least it's part of what I'm meant to do.'

  'What do you mean?'

  Shrugging her shoulders, Daisy kicked the dirt absent-mindedly, 'I dunno. I feel like I'm meant to be a part of something big. I don't know what yet but I know that it's coming. I can't explain it except that I know I'm in the right place now and I'm okay. I'll be okay. I'm finally able to... let you go, Jack.'

  The expression on his face made her stomach feel like it was tied up in a massive knot and she felt so guilty, but she knew, deep down, that he wasn't meant to stay on this earth any longer.

  'But, Daisy... I... I...'

  'I know, Jack.'

  Looking back to the floor, he suddenly rushed right up to her and shook his head determinedly.

  'I'm not leaving until you've found your father,' he said, crossing his arms with a smirk.

  She knew he meant it and she also knew that he was right. It was time that she tracked him down. She was ready to be re-united.

  Holding her hands up in submission, she smiled and shook her head, 'Okay, okay... I'll find my dad and you cross over.'

  'Not until you've found him though,' he winked as Daisy nodded with a sigh.

  oOo

  Finding the drunk homeless man turned out to be a lot easier than you'd imagine. With the help of quite a few ghosts, it was a piece of cake actually. She knew exactly where he was and she was ready to go fetch him.

  Waiting for night to fall, Daisy knew that a petite teenage girl carrying a fully grown man through town and then to the cemetery might get some odd attention, especially if she planned on doing it at speed.

  So after her shift at the corner shop, instead of heading home, she took a slow walk, the couple of miles to central Hackney. Once she'd arrived, she found a secluded spot to eat her dinner, kindly provided by Balvinder. Then she sat for hours waiting for the streets to clear in the darkness.

  After midnight, she finally felt ready to go and see her father and so she began the short walk to the spot where she'd been told he frequently beds down for the night, not too far from the end of Church Street, apparently.

  Walking through the shopping district, Daisy couldn't help but look longingly in the shop windows. It was a long time since she'd had the money to be able to walk into a clothes shop and buy whatever took her fancy. Like every January, in the sales, her mum had always given her £100 spending money and told her she could buy whatever she wanted. She stood for a moment with her hands on the glass looking at the latest styles on the faceless mannequins.

  Daisy sighed and looked down at the old pair of skinny jeans that were ripped at the ankle and were becoming more and more stained despite the weekly wash Balvinder gave them.

  One day, she thought, one day things will be different.

  The sound of breaking glass interrupted her thoughts and she turned quickly to see a couple of teenage boys laughing as they threw a second beer bottle at the wall.

  She withdrew out of the street light and continued to walk silently in the shadows beyond, careful to avoid attention.

  Daisy spotted a nearby police car come to a halt by the kerb. Two officers stepped out and approached the drunken boys, who were growing louder by the minute. Daisy waited for them to turn away from her before she rushed across the street and carried on walking until she reached the place she expected to find her father.

  It was a short narrow alleyway with a dead end. Right at the back, she could see someone leaned against the wall with a bottle in his hand. The familiar smell of alcohol and stale body odour made her nose wrinkle in disgust.

  'Dad?' she said as she tiptoed closer.

  The man stopped, mid-drink, and slowly moved the bottle away from his lips.

  'Dad?' she asked again, a little louder.

  Trying to stand, she watched him sway uncontrollably. Rushing forward to catch him as he fell, Daisy felt a familiar tug in her chest. She'd missed him so much. And she'd only just realised.

  'It's okay, Dad. I've got you. I'm gonna to take you somewhere safe. I'm gonna look after you now, Dad,' she whispered as her eyes welled up.

  CHAPTER 18

  Getting him 'home' had been surprisingly easy. Using her peculiar new-found strength, she hoisted him across her back and ran, keeping away from the street lights and stopping at the sight of anyone wandering the streets, casually leaning him against the wall. Once the person had passed, she'd hoist him right back up and continue running until arriving back at Abney Park in the early hours of the morning.

  Getting him into the catacombs was a little more difficult considering the entrance was quite tight but she'd finally managed, soon falling asleep next to her snoring father in the darkness.

  Waking up the following morning, she was startled to find her father had disappeared. Cursing under her breath, she'd rushed up into the cool air, only to find him kneeling quietly inside the old chapel whispering.

  '...very sorry. I shouldn't have left her like that but look at her. I knew she'd do better on her own,' he coughed before continuing, 'I'll never forgive myself for doing what I did, but I miss you. God I miss you...' he sobbed, his whole body shuddering.

  Daisy tiptoed back outside and sat down on an old rock covered in moss and dirt. Was he praying? Was he speaking to Mum? Could he see her, thought Daisy. No, I saw her cross over the day she died.

  As she sat pondering, Beau appeared through the old doorway.

  'Daisy?' he croaked, holding his head as if in pain.

  'Dad? Are you okay?'

  Wincing and nodding at the same time, Daisy was shocked to see him in daylight. His handsome face had changed dramatically since she'd last seen him. The alcohol abuse had clearly taken its toll on his looks and his health. His once attractive clear green eyes were replaced by dull, blood shot ones with heavy lids and deep bags beneath them. His skin looked pale and grey and his newly grown beard and long straggly hair were full of greying hairs.

  'I need a drink,' he whispered, half smiling.

  Daisy shook her head, 'No Dad... that's enough. It's been long enough. It's time you pulled yourself together.'

  'You don't understand, Daisy... I need it.'

  Daisy stood her ground, 'You don't need it, Dad. It's making you ill.'

  He rushed towards her and fell to his knees, 'I need it. I'm sorry but I do, I need it... I need it.'

  She watched as he begged her, his whole body shivering - not from the cold but from his need for alcohol. Seeing him like that terrified her. She knew he needed medical help but how could she offer him that?

  'Okay,' she whispered. 'I'll help you but will you go back to the warmth and try to sleep. I'll see what I can do.'

  After agreeing, she took him back to the catacombs where she made him curl up in her sleeping bag. It didn't take long until his eyes were closed and he was snoring again.

  Content that he could be left alone for a while, Daisy decided to go for a walk through the park to clear her head, but before long she realised she wasn't alone. A ghost had appeared. One she hadn't seen before.

  'Hello?' she asked the young man in the strange blue velvet jacket and trousers.

  'Erm... hello?' he whispered nervously back.

  'I'm Daisy.'

  'Hello Daisy,' he answered shyly.

  'Do you have a name?'

  The man looked away from her and fiddled with the buttons on his jacket. 'I, erm. I don't know.'

  'What do you mean, you don't know?'

  'I...I... don't remember?'

  Oh, not again, thought Daisy. That horrible woman had gotten to him too. As she looked at him, she realised he looked scared, alone and incredibly lost.

  'That's okay. You're safe here with me. I have a really good hiding place where you could stay for a while, if you like. At least until you feel better, until you remember who you are?'

  The ghost looked around, as if he was totally
spooked and nodded.

  She smiled and suggested he follow her.

  'My Dad is sleeping down there at the moment but don't worry, you're completely safe with him. Everything is going to be okay, alright? I'll make sure of that,' she said warmly.

  The ghost visibly relaxed as she showed him the way to the catacombs.

  'Its really well hidden,' she pointed. 'You're welcome to stay there as long as you need to, okay?'

  He nodded and disappeared inside.

  oOo

  'Jack? You there?' she asked a little later as she sat beneath the sleeping lion wondering what to do.

  Jack appeared instantly with a smile.

  'I take it you've been there the whole time?'

  He nodded.

  'What should I do? I don't know what to do?'

  Jack approached her and placed his arm across her shoulders making her smile.

  'I wish I could feel that, Jack.'

  'Me too.'

  She looked at him and asked him again, 'What am I going to do? He looks so ill.'

  'Can you take him to a hospital?'

  'I don't know... will they even help him? Will they turn us away?'

  'No... they wouldn't do that. I'm sure they'll do everything they can to help. I'll come with you, if you like?'

  Daisy smiled but shook her head, 'Jack,' she said, 'You made me a promise, remember?'

  But he turned away from her with a sigh, 'but... but... you need me more now than ever before. You need me to help you with your dad.'

  'No Jack. Now I'm with my dad again, its me and him. I have to help him on my own. He's my family and it's time for you to be with yours. They're waiting for you.'

  She thought she saw him wipe away a tear. Can ghosts cry?

  'You know I'm right, Jack. You have to move on, just like me. I'll be happier knowing you are where you belong. You promised me, Jack.'

  'I know,' he replied.

  'Are you ready?'

  Slowly, he looked deep into her eyes and nodded.

  'I'm ready,' he croaked.

  'I'm really going to miss you, Jack.'

  'I'm really going to miss you too. I'll never forget you,' he whispered as he leaned forward and gently placed a kiss on her cheek. A kiss that she could have swore she actually felt.