Time: Modern Day
Location: Sydney, Australia

Carter's mind began to wander. He felt no pain. He felt nothing really. Then he heard a familiar voice. It was Carrie's. She was on the TV's breaking news bulletin about the shooting. He couldn't see the TV, only hear her voice. Her voice was breaking. Not like her at all. Not very professional.

She told the viewers about the shooting, then relayed the news that Carter Cheval had been among the victims, and had been rushed to hospital, where he had died from his horrific wounds. She said her partner would be missed terribly, and that everyone at the station was in a state of shocked disbelief. There was no news yet on the whereabouts of the shooters or the reason for the attack.

Police were continuing their investigations at the scene. She would remain there to report any further developments. Carter thought to himself that she had finally gotten her wish of a big enough story to get her live on location.

The TV broadcast was drowned out by other voices. Layla! Layla was crying, nearing hysteria.

"Where is he, where have you put him? I want to see him. I want to see him NOW!"

"All right Miss, just a minute I'll take you to him. I must warn you though it's not pretty."

"I don't care for pretty, I've never cared for pretty. I just want to touch him, be near him." With that the door swung open and a beam of light lit up the room.

The intern switched on the large overhead light. It was directly above spirit Carter. It flowed through him and lit up his body, covered by a pristine white sheet. The intern raised the sheet a little and waited for a response from Layla. She motioned him to go ahead. He slid the sheet to the side exposing Carter's body. She broke down, collapsed to her knees and grabbed at his lifeless hand.

"Oh God. What have they done to you Darling! I swear to you I'll find whoever was responsible for this, and make sure they pay. They'll pay alright. I'll kill the bastards myself if I have to, I swear." Her resolve gave way to uncontrolled sobbing. The intern left her alone with him without a word.

She placed a hand on his bloodied chest. It had been cleaned up somewhat, but still blood collected and dried at the bullet sites. Her hand rested on his chest and broke the beam of blue light connecting his spirit to his body. He swore that he felt something when her hand touched the beam. It was a warm, glowing feeling, and his beam reacted by intensifying the light at her hand. She might have felt something too because she pulled her hand back, almost as though she had been burnt.

She looked up instinctively, directly at his spirit. She looked confused, bewildered almost, then shook herself, shuddered, and said nothing. She rushed out of the room without turning back.

Music: On My Own - Ashes Remain