2 weeks and 6 days later.

"Frank you are fucking insane,"Vicky whispered.
"Shut up,"I hissed, looking around to make sure no one was watching us.
"You seriously believe your mothers ghost is going to be here? Calling for you and her killers?"Vicky pulled me round to look at her.
"Vicky, I don't know what I believe. But I know that I'm never going to stop thinking about it until I find out for myself. You can wait in the car if you want?"

"Yes. Please. Just remember, if you do actually see any ghosts, throw the salt at them. Kay?"She looked at me seriously.
"Vicky I hardly think that what you've seen on a tv show is actual lore in real life."
"Just do as I say,"She sighed, snatching the car keys out of my hands.
"Alright fine,"I held my hands up in defence and took the bottle of rock salt from her.
"Be careful."

I nodded and turned back around to stare into the dark foyer of what used to be Gerard's apartment building. I hadn't been able to push the thought out of my mind. Vicky was the only one who hadn't really laughed at me, purely because of that stupid super show that she watched. I had managed to convince her to come with me but now that she was here, she was sceptical.

I turned my flashlight on and stepped through the broken glass. There were cobwebs everywhere and it was dustier than the house had been after I got out of prison. I had no doubts that the power would be out so I made my way to the stairs, not bothered by the creepy silence. I couldn't even hear the traffic outside.

I tugged open the stairwell door and took a deep breath. I always hated going up these stairs. They lasted forever. I looked back over my shoulder, unable to see anything at all, and moved forward. My shoes slapped noisily on each step, echoing upwards only to echo back down to me. The noise comforted me slightly. When I reached floor eight, the fear set in.

I opened the door out into the corridor, trying to remember what number apartment Gerard was in. I looked up and down before heading left. Walking slowly, keeping an eye on the door numbers. The place was covered in graffiti, damn near every door. I passed door sixty nine and couldn't help but giggle at the pictures people had drawn.

I rounded a corner and continued creeping along. When I reached a door that was wide open onto a room that looked like a bomb had hit it, I stopped. The place hadn't been touched at all. It was literally exactly as Gerard and I had left it after that night.
"Oh jesus,"I grabebd the door frame for support at the sight of Mum's blood stains on the floor.

I closed my eyes and took huge gulping breaths, trying to steady myself. My head snapepd up at a loud noise down the hall.
"Frank?"Someone called softly. I couldn't breathe. I stood up straight and gripped my salt hard, trying not to let it slip between my sweaty fingers.

"Frank?"It was a womans voice. I looked around and darted into the kitchen of the apartment. It reeked of rot and sadness. I turned my torch off and waited in the darkness, trying not to breathe too heavily.
"Fraaaank?"She called. I squeezed the torch tight, sliding down the counter to curl up into a ball in the corner.

"Jesus christ... Frank?"She called. I stared at the door to the kitchen. She was here,"Frank where the fuck are you?"
It was definitely Mum. I took a deep breath, willing myself to get up and go out. It was my Mum after all.

I was about to get up when I saw a light flash around. What the fuck? Ghost's dont have torches. A figure stepped into the doorway and the light shone on my face. I screamed. Like a girl.
"Jesus christ Frank shut the fuck up would you?!"Vicky laughed.
"You scared me to fucking death! Why the fuck would you start calling out my fucking name! Oh my god,"I groaned as she pulled me to my feet.

"Sorry. Man that was hilarious. I don't think I've ever heard a guy scream like that,"She said as we walked back out into the ruined lounge. There was nothing that could be salvaged in here.
"Except for in Yellow Fever,"Vicky muttered.
"Sorry?"
"Nothing. So. This is where she-"
"Yes."

Vicky stayed silent as I picked my way through the debris and into the bedroom. It was completely safe and sound. I shone my torch around. The bed looked grey with all the dust. It didn't smell as bad as outside though. I was about to turn and leave but something stopped me.
"What's that?"

"I-"I couldnt talk. I stumbled over some clothes on the ground until I reached the canvas,"Oh my god..."
"What? What is it?"Vicky came and stood next to me as I blew off as much dust as I could.
"It- its my- my birthday present..."I whispered, staring at the beautiful painting of Gerard and I at Disneyland.

"Who painted this? Its amazing,"Vicky said in awe.
"My boyfr- my ex boyfriend. Gerard,"I stuttered. I stared at it and stared at it.
"Frank are you okay?"She placed her hand on my shoulder.
"I- yeah I just- I've made a mistake... A- a fucking huge mistake."
"What are you talking about?"Vicky asked.
"My only one,"I found myself singing quietly.

"What are you- are you singing? What the hell is going on Frank? What are you doing?"Vicky asked as I picked up the painting carefully.
"I'm taking it home,"I said simply, looking around the room for anything else.
"But- are- are you allowed?"
"Vicky. This was finished the night my mum died. My boy- fuck. My exboyfriend, Gerard, painted it for me for my birthday."

"Right but- I dont even know. Alright. You got your closure?"
"I- yeah I guess..."I went back out into the lounge and shone the torch down onto the spot where Mum had died. The window looking down into the courtyard was open, letting in a strong gust of wind. It blew back my hair and ruffled my clothes as I stared down at the spot.
"I love you Mum. Bye,"I whispered and followed Vicky out.