I could feel eyes burning the side of my face as I zipped up my hold-all and pushed down on it, trying to condense its size.

"You got everything?" The voice asks from the bedroom door.

My shoulders loosen slightly as I twist around and plunk myself on the bed. My eyes looking over to the door as I answer "Yeah, I think so."

The man with his head tilted to the side smiles slightly, his shirt was still tucked into his suit pants but his tie was hanging loosely around his neck. "You sure you're ready to do this? I don't mind you know? I can support us both. If you want to find yourself a real career?"

I tried not to wince at his words "Jack, this is my career. I want to do this."

He sighs "I just think you should be doing something more... Than running around with a camera in the dark."

Jack had been my partner for the last 2 years and although he respected me and treated me like I was gold in a miners hand. He also found my choice of career ridiculous and often vented his opinion on it.

His brown hair was slicked back on his head, his clean shaven jawline had kept the baby face essence about him.

"It's a little more than that." I reply, causing his eyes to roll. "Besides, I thought you supported me in my choices?"

He steps into the bedroom and takes a seat at my dressing table, looking at me with his crystal blue eyes.

"I do. You know I do. I just thought that the urban exploring you've done in the past was.. Well, in the past. You could be doing so much more! You could be a lawyer, a doctor, an accountant, a nurse? You love animals, so maybe a vet?"

"None of them are really me though, are they?"

"You don't know. I think you're selling yourself short.. This Zak guy seems to have riled you up before you've even started. I just think you could be doing so much more than, this." He states looking at my hold-all.

I frown "You always said you were curious about what happens after this life–"

"That doesn't mean I want to know, something's are better left a mystery. Like Bigfoot or... Or the Loch Ness Monster, in Scotland."

"They're myths."

"And ghosts aren't?" He asks, the sarcasm dripping in his voice.

"No, there's been credible evidence stating that they do exist. Ghost Adventures has provided some of that evidence." I reply.

He cocks his head and scoffs slightly "-Lilah, the show even says it's for entertainment purposes. I bet they make half of the shit up themselves."

I tried not to take that as an insult as I looked at Jack. A part of me was still holding the disappointment that he wasn't happy for me. Whilst another part of me wanted to tell him he was wrong, but I couldn't.. Because at this moment in time, I didn't know if they did, myself.

He reaches over and takes my hand in his "Look, I know I sound a little harsh.  I shouldn't be putting you or this job down. But I really do want what's best for you. You know that, right?"

I nod.

"I understand you have this need to go out and see the world, but I always thought we could do that together..."

I wet my lips ready to speak when he continues.

"Which is why I said about a proper career. I want us to go and visit different countries, taste different foods and just be at one with the world. I do. But to do any of that, we need money. Decent money."

"Which is what I'll get by doing this." I reply.

"But it won't last forever will it? A career... A career like being a doctor or a lawyer can really take you places in the world. We could go anywhere, you'd always have that degree, you'd be able to use it anywhere. Ghost hunting? That's hardly going to get you a secure job in the future. You don't need any qualifications to run around in the dark and bang on a few things."

"But it's something I want to do." I reiterate trying not to snap at him. "Besides, you never had a problem when I said I was going to apply."

He shrugs "Never thought you'd get the gig."

It's my turn to scoff "Wow."

"Oh. No, not like that! I just mean.. You haven't really got the experience have you? There's paranormal teams out there, you have just urban explored places in your own time as a hobby."

"And it's my hobby that's got me this far, Jack. Please be happy for me."

He smiles slightly squeezing my hand gently "I am. But it wouldn't hurt for you to plan for the future, our future, how can you do that job when you're growing a baby?"

I inhaled slightly, his real agenda coming out.. Jack had always wanted a baby. Or Babies. He had told me so after three months of being together. A little too soon for me to say anything I simply smiled and then pointed out a cute puppy crossing the street.

A child was definitely not on my agenda.

"Well I'm not pregnant, so I don't need to worry about that." I reply calmly.

"Not pregnant yet. I can't wait until you are though." He beams looking down at my stomach.

"And I won't be... Just for a little while longer, like you said. We need to plan for our future. So whilst I do this, we can save for a new home or something...."

Like a dog.

"Or a baby. I hear they are expensive. Not to worry... We got this." He smiles before letting go of my hand to bop my nose gently. "I'll get some prospectus sent here from the colleges and universities. There's no reason why you can't take a look."

I wasn't going to win...

"Yeah. Sure." I answer as he leaves the room.

+++

Dinner time came, after having my last homemade meal for the next week, I take a hot bath before joining Jack on the couch.

He had some car show on TV that I really didn't care much for, so I did what I always did...

I researched.

From the age of 14, I had become an urban explorer or at least that's what I called myself. Other people called me a trespasser.

I had a fascination for wandering around derelict buildings, from hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, to factories and warehouses. I took pictures and uploaded them onto an urban explorer website for others to head out and explore. Along with instructions and the usual dos and don'ts when going out there.

My first one was always the most obvious.

- If there's a sign. You stay behind the line. -- I only ever entered places that didn't display the no trespassing sign. There's a difference of exploring and getting arrested.

Two. - Always let someone know where you are going and roughly how long you'll be. Because if anything was to happen to you, at least they would know where to look.

Three- Always go prepared. I'm talking safety harness and rope if necessary, depending on location, I'm talking about a mobile phone with full charge, water, a small first aid kit, a torch, plenty of batteries, glow sticks, camera with plenty of charge and a memory stick. Gloves and a utility knife.

Four- Leave the location as you find it. Don't leave your rubbish behind or vandalise the place. Be respectful of the environment and treasure the hidden and forgotten gems.

Five-- Note down any dangers and list them on the post. Alerting others of the dangers so that they can make the informed decision on whether to go or not.

I had a wish list, forever growing in size of places I wanted to go. And whilst Jack supported my wish to travel, he really didn't understand the true meanings behind it..

I wanted to go to Italy, whilst he dreamt of pizza, the Pantheon and the Vatican Museum. I dreamt of the Colosseum and Poveligia Island. Both a little damaged in structure, both with history.

He wanted to go to New York for the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and The Empire State Building. I wanted to go for the 9/11 memorial and Hart Island.

There was nothing wrong with his interests, as there were nothing wrong with mine. We just saw the difference in the locations we picked.

"Check that out.." I spoke twisting the laptop to show Jack the Romanian castle which was now in ruins. Reconstruction was being done but at a slow pace.

"Fascinating." He speaks not having glancing at the screen once.

"And this one?" I ask still not having changed the photo.

"Yeah, that's got some vibes." He adds.

I take the laptop and google Jacks celebrity crush... Pamela Anderson, Baywatch days.

"And that one..." I speak.

"That's pretty scary." He speaks, still not having looked at it once. I scoff and shut off the laptop before putting it into its bag.

"W-where you going?" Jack asks suddenly interested in my movements.

"Bed."

"But it's still early?" He frowns glancing at the clock.

"I know, but I feel tired so I'm going to head up. Carry on with your programme." I give him a smile before heading to bed. Leaving him with horsepower and speedometers.

-3-

Zak's head rolled to the side as hands from behind raked up his chest. He was sat on the couch whilst his friend dragged her nails up over his shirt trying to entice a reaction out of him. Her tongue licked at his ear lobe before she bit it gently, trying always to find out what would make him give her the attention she craved.

She arrived in a short dress, she fluttered her lashes, twirled her hair and brushed her nails along her low cut neckline whilst giving him the opportunity to read between the lines. But he didn't take.

He simply sat here, his mind working overtime.

His friend's hands landed on his shoulders, she frowned when she felt the tenseness within him and tried to massage his shoulders but he flinched with a hiss.

Zak had to grit his teeth as his shoulder throbbed from the hard pressure of her thumb digging into his muscle. He wasn't sure why it hurt so damn much, but it did.

He watched his friend, Jessie pout as she came around the couch and picked up her small clutch bag.

"I guess I'm going to head off. You seem a little busy." She spoke looking around the living room, the TV was off but his mind wasn't and that was becoming a problem.

"Oh.. Um. Okay." He sighs standing up.

"What's wrong? You asked me to come over, I'm here. Yet you've barely said anything to me.."

He shook his head "I'm sorry. I don't know what's got into me."

"How about I tell you, what's not got into me?" She suggests glancing down at his crotch before looking up with lust in her eyes. She pushed her hands across his expansive chest and sighs "You're worked up, tense, angry..."

Zak rubs his eyes "I know. I just can't–"

She takes his hand away "Use me."

He pauses and looks down at her.

"Use me. You're worked up, I'm wound up. We could both help each other out here.." She spoke taking hold of his belt buckle causing Zak to swallow. "You can be as rough as you need to be. I'm pretty sturdy."

Zak's eyes lower to her lips as she wets them. "I know there's an animal in there, so let it out... Fuck me."

She squeaks slightly as he slams her back against the wall, her body arching closer to his in need. A second passes between them before Zak's mouth pushes against hers and the heat between them begins to simmer.

"How I need it?" He breathes pulling off his belt.

"Until I can't walk." She pants back before a giggle leaves her body as he slings her over his shoulder and stalks to the bedroom. Kicking it closed behind them.