Haunted: A Lockwood & Co Story

Chapter Fifteen: Make up and Make out

Lockwood returned from his Chelsea excursion early the following morning, having spent the hours of darkness walking its streets silently and alone. He seemed both energized and baffled by the experience, which had served to back up what they'd seen from the viewing platform and heard from Inspector Barnes.

Lockwood rushed back to their headquarters, his mind racing with worry. As he entered the library, he was met with a sight that took his breath away - Charlotte was lying unconscious on the couch, her face pale and her breathing shallow. Panic surged through him as he knelt down beside her.

George was sitting on the arm chair next to her, watching over her. Lockwood turned to him. "What happened to her? Ghost-touched? Sick?"

"She hasn't eaten. She fainted."

"She what?"

"She hasn't eaten since Hanover Square. That was three days ago, Lockwood. She has been so caught up in whatever fight you two have been having, and so worried beating herself up for what happened to you, that she hasn't eaten." George said.

Lockwood stared at Charlotte's unconscious form, his heart sinking with guilt. He realized in that moment that he had been too harsh on her, pushing her away when she needed him the most. The sight of her pale face and shallow breathing was a stark reminder of the toll their recent battles had taken on her, both physically and emotionally. Lockwood vowed to make it up to her, to show her the care and support she deserved.

"She is dangerous when she is hurt. She can easily destroy everything around, instead she doesn't. She destroys herself." George said, returning back to his comic.

"Has she woken up?" Lockwood asked, brushing some hair out of her face.

"Once. I got her into a taxi and she said that she had forgotten but I think she was just preoccupied. She's had a tough month. Her dad just passed, we hired a new person without asking her, and you two are fighting. It's been stressful for her." George flipped his page. "You need to apologise to her."

"I will." Lockwood grabbed a blanket and covered the girl. The palms of her hands were covered in grazes from where he assumed she hit the ground. "I thought that sending her with you would keep her safe. That she wouldn't get hurt. There were so many Visitors, George. If she had made a connection with any one of them... I can't live without her George."

"Chelsea was that bad?" George asked, putting the comic down.

Lockwood nodded, resting his head against the couch that the girl was lying on. "Terrible, George. I..."

There was a groan from behind Lockwood, that caused him to whip around. Charlotte was stirring.

"You two are so loud." She groaned as she covered her eyes with her arm. Lockwood immediately rushed to Charlotte's side, his worry evident in his eyes. "Are you okay? Do you need anything? Should I call a doctor?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. But Charlotte managed a weak smile and gently pushed his hand away.

"I'm fine, Lockwood. Just a bit exhausted, that's all. I promise, I'll be okay," she reassured him, her voice barely above a whisper. Though he still felt guilty for neglecting her, Lockwood couldn't help but feel a sense of relief knowing that she was awake and, more importantly, that she was going to be alright.

Lockwood turned to George and said, "Hey, George, I think we could all use some food. Why don't you go to Arif's and get us something to eat? Charlotte needs to regain her strength, and I don't want her worrying about cooking right now. Plus, I could use a good meal myself." George nodded and grabbed his jacket, ready to fulfil Lockwood's request and provide some much-needed nourishment for everyone.