Angel Hugs
written by: LJ Jacobs
-Have you heard from Dan? Kim asks Beth.
A tear runs down Beth’s cheek.
Then another…
And another…
Her lips quiver like seaweed beneath a strong ocean current. She puts her head in her hands, and her shoulders start to shake.
That’s a no, then, Kim thinks. I shouldn’t have asked!
Why the hell did I ask?
She comforts her work colleague and friend by rubbing her shoulder until the sobs subside. -There, there, she says, -there, there. Let it out.
They are out of the office on their lunch break, sitting in a small canteen on the upper floor.
Beth coughs, then composes herself, remembering where she is. After blowing her nose and taking a drink of tea, her expression changes. She suddenly becomes more upbeat as she remembers she’s got some great gossip to share with her workmate. She quickly wipes the last tear away, as if symbolising the drawing of a line under the topic of her ex, and looks around to check no one is listening. She then leans in closer to Kim.
-Let’s forget about my ex, she says. -Would you like to hear something weird instead? Something spooky?
Kim nods enthusiastically, happy that Beth is more composed now and that the subject of her relationship is over.
Beth knows Kim likes hearing about spooky incidents…
-Something strange happened in my new flat last night, Beth says.
The flat in question used to be a bedroom in a Victorian house before the property was converted into a multi-apartment complex.
Beth continues. ‘Tell me, Kim, have you ever heard of Angel Hugs?
Kim replies in the negative. -I’ve heard of guardian angels – is that the same thing?
Beth shakes her head. -They’re similar, from what I’ve researched, except Angel Hugs are a sign that a particular angel has fallen in love with you and goes against the laws of its dimension to make physical contact, usually in the form of hugs, though it can be in other ways, too…
She then goes into detail about what happened to her the previous evening…
-I was watching TV in the dark and had just finished my repulsive microwave meal for one, when suddenly the room became very cold – despite the heater being on. I went to the kitchen to discard the compartment plate and to make a cup of cocoa before bed. While standing at the counter, waiting for the kettle to boil, I felt a strange sensation. A sensation that felt like two arms coming around my midriff and gently squeezing. There was also the feeling of the trunk of a body close behind me.
-Were you scared? Kim asks.
Beth laughs and says, -Quite the contrary – it felt wonderful! So wonderful that I wanted very much to lean my head back onto the chest of the entity. I imagined it being thick with hair because the muscular arms felt hairy. The entity gave off a very manly aura, which was nice since I haven’t been with a man for months. Not since Dan…
She momentarily looks sad, then snaps out of it.
-Before I could do anything, though, she continues -the kettle started squealing like a gull on a pier full of ice cream and he – it – fled, startled.
-Do you think the ghost will come back, Kim asks, -and if so, how far will you let the encounter go?
-It’s an angel, not a ghost, Beth reiterates, -and I hope it does come back, for it’s ignited a burning in my core that I haven’t felt in a long, long time…
***
The next day, Beth sits with Kim in the canteen once more, and Kim can tell by Beth’s cheerful face that something amazing has happened again.
Kim guesses that there may have been more attention from the angel.
Beth replies in the positive, -Damn right there was. Look at this, bitch!
She lifts her hair to show a small love bite on her neck.
-Do tell, Kim says.
-While standing by the sink in the bathroom brushing my teeth before bed, Beth begins, -I again felt a looming presence behind me. There was no one in the mirror, but I felt arms around my waist once more.
She starts to go red when she adds, -Those hands slowly ventured up and cupped my… breasts.
-Did you run away? Kim asks.
Beth goes redder and bites her lip. She says honestly, -No, I didn’t because… Why – I liked it. No, not liked – loved! That’s right, I fucking loved it! I loved it so much I finally leaned back into that manly chest and the angel started to kiss my neck! Then it began to softly nibble the tender flesh there…
-Did anything else happen? Kim asks.
-Yes! Beth almost shouts. -A hand started to venture south, dipping under the elastic band of my pyjama bottoms, heading for the area that was – I’ll admit it – craving to be touched.
Kim looks around to see if anyone is listening. Happy that no one is in earshot, she asks if the angel stopped there.
Beth’s eyes sheepishly look to the floor. -He… caressed me down there, she admits. -Not enough to produce an orgasm, but enough to get me… wanting more. To want him inside me – for it looked like that was what was going to happen! Full penetration! His hand slowly pulled my flimsy pants down, revealing my buttocks. He then moved that same hand back up and held my waist while his other hand went to my shoulder, motioning me to bend forward…
Beth suddenly looked crestfallen. -It was then that my mobile, which had been resting on the edge of the bath, started to ring and the angel fled once more…
-Who interrupted you? Kim asks.
-Dan! Beth says.
-Dan?
-Yes, Dan. He wanted to know if he could come round and have a chat.
-What about?
-About our situation. He said he’d been thinking about me a lot and wanted us to try again. He said he’d been a silly, jealous fool and regretted leaving me. He said he never wanted to split up or leave our old home. He said he could see what a big mistake he’d made. He was sobbing. I’d never heard him cry before.
-So? Kim says.
-So, what?
-What happened? Did he come round?
-Yeah, he came round. What can I say? I still love him – even though he thought I was shagging Martin from accounts.
-You were! Kim laughs.
-Yes, but he didn’t know that, did he! If you’re going to accuse someone of something, at least have some evidence to back it up.
-What about your friend, the ghost? Kim asks.
-Angel, Kim! Beth says. -He’s an angel.
-Sorry, angel, Kim corrects herself.
-Angels are supposed to be forgiving, aren’t they? Beth says. -I’m sure this one will be no different…
***
At work the next day, Kim is not surprised that Beth’s workstation is empty.
She thinks she knows where Beth is – under hot covers with a very raw undercarriage thanks to her reunion with Dan the Man. The rumour going round is… he’s hung like a baby’s arm holding an apple.
She smiles to herself.
That-a girl, Beth!
At least the angel thing, or whatever it was, will be forgotten.
She’s sure it’s all been in Beth’s mind.
Lonely people tend to fantasise a lot. It’s not a healthy situation to be in, so thank God it’s over now that Dan has come crawling back.
Kim is certain she won’t have to worry about her friend now.
Until she sees… Dan at the vending machine, that is.
What the…?
She looks around to see if the supervisor’s on the prowl. Thankfully, she’s nowhere to be seen.
Kim gingerly gets up from her workstation and stealthily approaches Dan.
She taps him on the shoulder.
He jumps, spilling some coffee from the paper cup he’s holding.
-Jesus, that’s hot! He cries.
-Sorry, Dan, she says.
-It’s fine, I’m just still a bit spooked after being at Beth’s last night. I’m sure her new apartment is haunted. It was freezing in there – even though the heating was on – and I could feel a presence.
-Where is Beth?
-I don’t know. After I left her, she was purring like the cat who got the cream, because… well, she did! A whole sack full, if you know what I mean.
Kim feels like gagging.
Dan laughs and winks, then takes a sip of his drink, still chuckling as the warm liquid flows down his gullet.
-She’s probably sleeping in, he says, -recharging her batteries. I’ll ring her later.
Kim walks slowly away with a puzzled look on her face.
What’s going on? she thinks.
She knows she must find out.
***
Kim phones Beth while in a cubicle in the Ladies’ Room. She doesn’t want the supervisor to see what she’s doing.
Beth’s phone rings, but there’s no answer – only an automated female voice announcing the answer phone. Kim cuts it off mid-sentence and tries again…
But there’s still no answer.
Kim has a bad feeling in her stomach. She thinks it can only be an intuition. She usually trusts her gut. She decides she must go to her friend’s apartment quickly. It can’t wait until the end of the day for Dan to return to pick up where he and Beth left off.
Men truly only think of one thing.
She walks out of the toilets and catches the eye of the supervisor. She holds her stomach and acts unwell. She bends and grimaces. Hopefully, this’ll pique the interest of the woman tasked with keeping things running smoothly in this department.
It does!
Grace Murphy comes over.
-Is everything ok, Kim? she asks, sounding genuinely concerned.
-Period pain, says Kim. -I’m heavy and my back and stomach are killing me. I’m gonna have to go, Grace. I’m so sorry.
-That’s fine, Grace says, -I’ll alter your pay accordingly.
I’m sure you will, thinks Kim, as she hurries to collect her coat. You wouldn’t give the steam off your shit!
***
Kim pulls up outside the main entrance of Beth’s apartment building and hurriedly kills the car engine.
Though inside may now be modern and have all the creature comforts a twenty-first-century occupant expects, the exterior is still firmly rooted in the age of the early empire. It is a dark and foreboding four-storey building with sandstone bricks, large bay windows, and a pitched roof.
It looks like a doll’s house, Kim thinks, striding up the path.
She walks up to the big burgundy door. To the side is a column of doorbells with a name plate by each one. She looks up and down but can’t see Beth’s name. She checks again.
Am I at the right place? she thinks.
She checks the house name above the door and sees it says Hawthorn Place.
Yes, this is Beth’s apartment building alright.
She looks at the names again and again, conscious that her intuition is virtually pushing her forward by screaming in her head, -She needs you, Kim, hurry!
At last, Kim realises the problem – Beth hasn’t been here long, so the old tenant’s name might still be the one on display.
But which one is it?
At that moment, another occupant is coming out.
Kim thinks quickly.
-Hold the door, please! she shouts.
The old woman emerging obliges.
-Thank you! says Kim, sincerely, and smiles gratefully.
Now she’s in the communal hallway, there’s just one more obstacle left – finding the right apartment.
She remembers Beth saying her apartment used to be one of the attic rooms.
So, she goes up the stairwell to the top floor.
Three doors meet her on a long landing.
A young man is painting one of the doors, and an elderly man is watering a plant by another door. Thankfully, this leaves only one door it can be.
She knocks on it.
It’s got to be Beth’s apartment.
There’s no answer.
She knocks again, and this time the door opens slowly, just like they do in creepy horror films.
Kim thinks about the angel Beth told her of, and how it has seemingly fallen for her friend…
She thinks about how it likes a hug…
An Angel Hug is what Beth called it.
Nervously and cautiously, Kim enters the dwelling.
***
Beth is sitting half-dressed in front of a dressing table, her top half slumped forward, like a child taking a nap on their desk at school.
-Beth!
Kim runs to her friend.
She pulls her upright.
Beth’s face is blue, and a lipstick trail is streaked across her cheek, as if whatever happened to her happened mid-application. Her blouse is ripped open, and her breasts are exposed. Ejected buttons lie on the surface of the dresser.
-Nooo, Kim screams. -Oh, God, please, no! She hugs her friend and weeps. -What’s happened to you? Oh, sweetheart, what’s happened?
She manoeuvres her gently backwards off the stool. Beth’s eyes go up into her head as Kim cradles her.
Kim weeps uncontrollably…
She stays that way for a long time.
Until…
She feels a soft draught on her cheek.
Is it a draught, though? she wonders. Or… could it be a…a… breath?
She starts to feel panicky, thinking of Beth’s ‘angel.’ Was it real? Was her friend telling the truth all this time?
Hairs rising on her arms and on the back of her neck, Kim slowly lays her friend down onto the carpeted floor, then gets up and carefully makes her way to the exit.
Get out, Kim, she thinks. Get out now!
Suddenly, a faint, but very audible man’s voice whispers into her ear, -You’re so pretty. Will you be faithful?
Kim runs away screaming and straight into the neighbours on the landing, who heard the commotion.
***
Kim can’t believe her friend has been squeezed to death.
The detective who interviews her admits that, ‘He had to have been one strong bastard.’
She answers all his questions. There is nothing she can tell him – nothing that won’t make her sound crazy, that is!
The detective says that Beth’s on/off boyfriend, Dan, would have been charged with her murder, except there are a lot of witnesses who saw him that morning at the same time Beth was last seen alive.
These witnesses must be the neighbours, Kim thinks.
She has a suspicion about who the real culprit is, but it means having to do research on the old Victorian house that is now an apartment block – especially the attic room where her friend lived and spoke of having an admirer.
An admirer who likes hugging….
***
Kim is not old-fashioned. She likes using the internet like most people these days. But it’s the local library where she does her research on the Victorian house her friend was murdered in.
She uses the old archive machine and finds a detailed history of the property. The last piece is an interesting, if very disturbing, story from 1888.
The house was owned by a wealthy married couple called Arthur and Emily Hawthorne.
Arthur was a cotton trader, and he took Emily as his wife a month before purchasing their dream home.
According to the last piece Kim finds – a news article from the local Chronicle – Arthur killed Emily because he suspected her of having an affair with his partner.
The cause of death was of great interest at the time, it seems, because it was so unusual.
Arthur Hawthorne had squeezed his wife to death.
A symbol to everyone, but not least poor Emily, that he would never be letting her go.
Three months later, he was executed.
***
That night, Kim confides in her husband while at the dinner table.
-I think Beth was killed by a jealous ghost, Alan, she says.
Alan nearly spits his food out. -Jesus Christ, Kimmy, are you on medication I don’t know about?
-Hear me out, Kim says. -Beth told me a few days before her death that she was experiencing Angel Hugs and that a strange, intimate encounter occurred. She then dies by being squeezed in the same apartment where, over a hundred years before, a jealous guy kills his wife in exactly the same way! Both ladies had the attention of another man. Is that a coincidence?
-I’m not buying it, Alan says. -It’s more than likely someone heard about Beth’s experiences – probably due to going stir crazy in that two-room den – and took advantage of the situation. There are a lot of sickos around willing to make someone’s nightmare a reality.
Kim sighs. She doesn’t know what to think anymore.
-What’s that? Alan asks, pointing to a book near his wife’s elbow.
-It’s a book I’ve been studying, Kim says. -It’s called ‘Ghosts and their Behaviours.’
Alan rolls his eyes, picks up the dirty dishes, and goes to the sink.
-Don’t be like that, hon, says Kim, -I need to know what we’re dealing with here.
Alan loses it and slams the dishes in the sink. -She was murdered by a person, Kim. Ok? A real-life person. According to Dan, she had more lovers than a Sultan. It’s obvious one of them did it.
He storms off.
Kim slowly rises, tears filling her eyes, and continues cleaning the miraculously unbroken plates.
She remembers the breath on her cheek in Beth’s apartment. She remembers the almost inaudible utterance, ‘So pretty. Will you be faithful?’ before screaming and running for help.
This is why she got the book.
She needs to know the ghost won’t be following her back here. That she will be safe. Thankfully, according to the author of ‘Ghosts and their Behaviours,’ ghosts only haunt the properties of their past.
She hears Alan coming back into the kitchen. She keeps her eyes focused on the foamy water.
He puts his arms around her and whispers, ‘Sorry.’
She leans her head back. She closes her eyes and feels content.
-I’m glad you’re apologizing, she says.
-I’m not fucking apologising! Alan screams… all the way from the next room…
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