Page 2 of See A Highlander (A Highlander Across Time #10)

CHAPTER 2

T he castle sat on a craggy cliffside with the ocean on one side and the bridge on the other. Moss and vines covered the ancient stone making it look more beautiful than Annie could ever imagine.

There were a few towers and only one was missing the roof. A wall lay toppled over on the ground but the rest of the walls on the frontside were intact.

“It's so beautiful,” Mitch said.

In front of the castle was a gravel lot where cars and buses full of guided tours parked.

Annie directed Mitch to stand at the castle entrance in front of the massive wooden doors. She wanted to get the perfect shot, something that was easier said than done when Bella continued to be insufferable.

“I think I want to do the opening segment here. We'll do a few takes. Then we'll go inside and find a spot to do the live stream. We have about an hour before going live,” she said to him.

“Sounds good, boss,” Mitch said putting his camera bag down and getting set.

“And what about me? What should I do?” Bella asked.

“Nothing. I don't need anything from you. Just stay out of my way,” Annie said.

“Annie, I can't stand you being this mean to me. You won't even look at me. We haven't made eye contact since yesterday. It's driving me crazy.” Bella stepped in front of Annie stopping her path.

“Oh? I’m driving you crazy? You’re one to talk. How dare you try to be the victim here. You made your bed… with my ex-boyfriend I should add… now you must lie in it. Now move aside,” Annie said walking around her.

“Ughh. I hate you,” Bella shouted and stomped inside the castle.

It was the best thing that Bella could do in that moment, Annie thought. It was fine that she was having a temper tantrum like a child as long as it took her away from her. She had wanted to leave her in the hotel and now she wished that she would have, but she did need the extra hands. The castle was often dark and someone to hold another light really did help out.

Annie set her backpack down on the rock ledge. It looked as though it had been a retaining wall centuries before but was now nothing but a ruin only as high as her knees. She sat down and looked through her notebook rehearsing what she was going to say during the opening filming shots.

It was hard to concentrate because she couldn’t get the anger out of her mind. She was still furious with the betrayal fresh on her mind. It annoyed her because this was supposed to be a trip of a lifetime. She had saved up a long time to go to Scotland and now it was happening. Only the trip had been ruined by her ignorant cousin and cheating boyfriend.

“I'm ready when you are,” Mitch said.

“Okay. I’m ready,” Annie said.

She took her position in front of the door practicing her lines. She wanted this livestream to go as planned and be exciting for her viewers. Annie understood this wouldn’t be an easy achievement with Bella pouting and stomping around like a child.

Looking around, there was no Bella in sight. It was now or never. Annie didn’t know where she had gone off to, but it didn't matter.

Annie gave Mitch a nod and he started to record. She eloquently described the castle and its history, but within a minute of starting she was rudely interrupted.

“That sounds terrible, Annie. Maybe do it again. The audio is going to be crap on that and I won't be able to edit it,” Bella said peeking her head out from the massive door from inside the castle.

“Cut. Let's do that again, Mitch. Bella, you have to stop. I can't have you ruining all my takes simply because you're having a temper tantrum. Now shut up and sit down,” Annie said.

“How dare you tell me to shut up! I am not a child,” Bella said stepping out of the castle and getting in Annie's face.

“I’ll call you a child as long as you keep acting like one. Now you're here to work. You’re still on my payroll so unless you don't want to get paid, do what I’ve asked,” Annie said.

Bella started to formulate a comeback but then stopped. She stomped over to the rock wall and sat down like a pouting child. Annie knew that it was the only way she was going to get Bella to act somewhat professionally by threatening her wages.

Annie did the clip again. This time she was able to do it without a peep from Bella. When they were done, they moved inside the castle searching for the perfect spot to do the live stream.

“Mitch, what do you think? I want it to be in a very creepy spot. This is a ghost hunting channel after all. How do you think the lighting will come out if we go live in a darker spot like this one?” Annie asked as she moved down a corridor pushing open a door. “It looks like it's a stairwell down.”

“Yeah, that is really dark. I think it'll be all right as long as I have the light on, on top. Just aim your flashlight at the walls so that we get a sense of the stone of the castle and the shadows.”

“Okay, cool. Then that's what I want to do. I want to start here with the live and let the viewers know that we haven’t gone down the staircase. Then we’ll go down them live. Who knows if the stairs are even complete. They might be broken, but we will try,” Annie said.

“Sounds good. I'll get ready. We have less than five minutes before we go live,” Mitch said.

“Okay let me get ready,” Bella said.

“Get ready for what? I don't need you for this,” Annie said.

“But you said I could be in the live stream with you. Remember?” Bella said.

“That was before I knew you were a backstabbing slut. You're not in this now,” Annie said.

“That's not fair. You lied.”

“Make sure we almost ready?” Annie said, ignoring Bella.

“Yes. Ready. Less than sixty seconds.”

Annie drowned out Bella's annoying nagging. She looked around at the area getting a good look at her surroundings. She knew what she was going to say but was still very nervous about it. It would be improvisation since she didn’t know what was at the bottom of the stairs. If it was nothing, they would have to turn back and find a different area walking around the castle during the live stream, which could be very disappointing to the viewers. It was a hard balance, but one that she had signed up for.

“Okay. It's time. Let's go live,” Annie said standing at the top of the stairwell and facing Mitch.

“And… you’re live,” he said.

“Hey, everyone, Annie Mills here and I’m here in Scotland,” Annie said.

“And I’m here too,” Bella said, pushing herself beside Annie and waving toward the camera.

“Um, yeah…” Annie said giving a tight smile. “We’ve arrived at Dunscaith Castle on the Isle of Skye, which is now a ruin, but has not completely vanished. A good portion of it still stands. There are halls and walls and we’re going to walk through it all looking for the witch ghost called Scathach. Are you ready to go along with us?”

“I know I am,” Bella excitedly pushed closer to Annie getting into frame.

Annie moved away from her quickly.

“So I’m at the top of a staircase that goes, deep down. We haven’t actually walked down it yet. I wanted to take you with me because I care about you,” Annie said.

“No you don’t. You don’t care about anyone but yourself,” Annie said.

“Folks ignore her. I do. Come on, let’s go,” Annie said trying to keep her irritation out of her voice.

She motioned for Mitch to follow. They began the descent down the stairs. Bella followed behind nagging the whole way.

“Oh look at this. Looks like we’ve entered some sort of underground group of rooms,” Annie said. “Mitch let’s take a look.”

Mitch panned the camera, getting a good shot of the dark room. Annie looked around and Bella followed her.

“I want to do a segment. You said I could do a segment,” Bella nagged.

“That was before you betrayed me,” Annie snapped.

Bella gasped. “How dare you say that while we’re live.”

“You’re right. I’ve had enough of you, Bella. You’re fired. Now go back upstairs,” Annie said.

“Um, we’re still live. Should I cut it?” Mitch asked.

“No. Don’t. I’m sorry everyone, you might have seen that I’m looking for a new editor, and now you know why. So, let’s continue, shall we? Come this way.” Annie moved into the cavernous room. It was empty, but as she moved around the room, she noticed something. “What’s that over there?” she pointed toward it and moved closer. “Looks like a door,” Annie said. “Wow, it’s tiny. I wonder what they keep in there? Shall we look?” Annie said, smiling at the camera. “Mitch get a shot of the door, it’s not secured, so let’s open it up and see what’s in here.” She moved closer and put her hand on the door that was partially open. “Looks like I’m going to have to get down on the ground to go in. I wonder why it’s so small?” She got on her hands and knees ready to crawl through it.

“I’ll go through it,” Bella said, dropping down next to Annie. She shoved Annie out of the way.

“Ugh. Bella. Stop. I’ve had enough of this.” Annie pushed her back.

Bella responded with another shove. Annie didn’t like this. She grabbed Bella’s arm and yanked on it. “Stop.” She was completely embarrassed that this was all going live around the world.

“No you stop.” Bella slapped Annie.

Annie gasped. Meanwhile Mitch stepped back filming the entire thing to the livestreaming audience.

Before long, the two of them were wrestling on the ground, screaming at each other and pulling each other’s hair.

They rolled through the door and the door slammed shut behind them, but Annie barely registered the sound. Her focus was on Bella and teaching her a lesson. She was so done putting up with her.