TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
78th installment
warning...adult content
~
"Steve, that's not gonna happen."
"What are they pissed about, then?" asked Steve.
"Well, all I can understand, is this graveyard wasn't supposed to be put here, because even longer ago, it was a burial ground for Indians. Now, they're on top of them, and it's sacred ground. The Indian souls are mad at the newcomer's souls...and they're gonna maybe start a soul war or something. They want us to help them," Ghost said.
"Oh, hell, no!" Steve said. "Let them work it out. We're not getting involved in their turf war." He pulled Ghost toward the car.
"But...maybe we can help," Ghost said, hanging back.
"No way, Jose." Steve was adamant. "You got your pictures, now we're going."
Ghost didn't move. He was determined to stay there and find out more of what was going on. "I'm staying here tonight," he said. "You can go stay at the room in town, if you want to, but this here is where I'm gonna stay."
They stared at each other, neither wanting to give in. Finally, Steve spoke, "You're being ridiculous, Ghost. You can't help people that aren't even here anymore."
"Maybe I can," Ghost countered.
"What? You're gonna sit out here all night, mediating between the old Indian ghosts, and the new ghosts? What good is that? It's been over for a hundred years already." Steve tried to make Ghost see how absurd it was. "Just because you happened by here, they roped you into getting involved?"
"Yeah, something like that," Ghost said. "I guess it was fate that brung us here, today. They must'a been reaching out their minds to me...'cause they knew I'd help."
"And, you're gonna be stubborn about this, huh?" Steve asked.
"Guess so," Ghost said, shrugging.
"Well, then you have fun tonight with your spooks...I'm leaving. I'll pick you up in the morning," Steve said, as he opened the car door and pitched Ghost's backpack and jacket out, along with a bottle of water and a handful of snacks. He started the car and drove away. Ghost watched him go. He sighed...wishing Steve had stayed, but truthfully, he knew Steve was too scared to.
He picked up his things and walked over to a shady area. Getting out his notebook again, he wrote what he knew so far. The spirit voices were a low hum...he'd focus in on them in a bit. He had no idea of how to help. He knew he'd just been talking big to Steve, but now he felt committed to actually do something. He decided to learn what he could, then tomorrow go into town and tell someone. They probably didn't even know about the Indians.
He leaned back against a tilted, old cross headstone, and tried to listen. This, then tuned into dreaming, as he fell asleep. The dream/visions started, soon after. He saw that many, many years ago, the Indians had a settlement in this area. As the people had passed on, they were interred here. Eventually, their once thriving tribe had dwindled, so that as settlers moved closer, they were incorporated into this evolving town.
Some stayed, others opted for the government's resettlement onto reservations, elsewhere. The graveyard was used for years after, but people soon forgot who'd started it, and didn't know the Indians held the belief, that it was sacred ground, because they'd all died off one by one.
But, the Indian spirits knew, and didn't like it. Therefore, the animosity...they were here first. The others should be buried elsewhere, but they had no way of saying this...until now...using Ghost as their go-between.
Ghost woke up, and had a clear picture of the story. This, he'd let the town know, maybe the mayor...somebody who could do something about it. He let his mind speak to the spirits...let them know he'd try to make things right for them. He had a feeling that they understood.
Then, he began thinking of his and Steve's adventure. Maybe, Steve was right, maybe they should just fly out west. The thought scared him, but maybe he could overcome his fear. Only one way to find out. He'd tell Steve, in the morning, that he was willing to try. He found a soft patch of grass, as darkness fell, and lay down looking at the stars, twinkling in amongst the pine tree branches. The breeze made them whisper and rustle. He felt at peace out here, but kind of lonely, without Steve.
~
Steve was back at the boarding house room. He wasn't mad at Ghost, just confounded that Ghost would actually do something on his own...that he stood right up to him, and wouldn't back down. But, when Ghost got something, that to him was important, he did tend to focus in on it, and wouldn't be swayed.
But, he did miss Ghost already. He didn't like sleeping alone, anymore. 'I probably should have stayed out there, but I needed a break from creepy graveyards," he thought. 'I'll go get Ghost in the morning. He's fine tonight, doing what he loves to do." and he fell asleep, hoping that was the case.
~
Early the next morning, Steve grabbed coffee to go, at a corner store, and drove on out to the cemetery. Getting out of the car, holding the two cups of hot coffee, he scanned the area. He didn't see Ghost. He hesitated to holler loud - didn't want to rile up the spirits, so he wandered around.
Finally, he saw Ghost, still asleep by the old cross. Steve caught his breath, as always, at watching Ghost sleep. "Ahh...I get to kiss him awake." Setting down the cups, that's what he did. Ghost responded warmly, then sat up rubbing his eyes. He reached for the coffee. The one thing that would get him going in the morning, would also put him to sleep at night. Steve didn't question how that worked, anymore. He just handed him the cup.
"So, did you figure anything out, last night?"
Ghost nodded, and told him about his dream/vision, and what he intended to do about it. Steve agreed it seemed like a good plan. "You ready...seen enough of this place, yet?" he asked.
"Yeah, let's go into town. I'll talk to somebody, then let's go somewhere else. I need to tell you something," Ghost said.
Steve raised his eyebrows. "Why can't you just tell me, now?"
"Because I don't want to tell you out here."
Steve knew it'd do no good to prod, so he got up, held out his hand to Ghost, and they walked back to the car. Ghost was getting nervous. Maybe he couldn't go through with it...but, still he was going to try.
In town, they found the small library. Ghost asked the clerk who they could tell about something important, about their town. They were directed to the geneology/historian desk. Ghost told his story...not mentioning how he knew this. The lady was surprised to hear it, and assured them she'd look into it, and try to get something done. Satisfied, Ghost and Steve left.
"Where to, Ghost?" Steve asked.
"Just go to the next big city. If I see a good place to stop, I'll let you know."
As they drove down the highway, Ghost was looking for a roadside park, or something like that, as a good place to stop. He was also rehearsing what he wanted to say to Steve. It felt weird to do that, though. He was not known for planning things out. Mostly he just said whatever came into his head, right or wrong, but really wanted this to sound right - not stupid.
Up ahead, there appeared to be a small pull-over, into a shady area.
"Stop up there, Steve, ok?"
"Sure, Ghost, then you gonna talk to me?"
Ghost nodded. Steve was worried. Ghost wasn't being himself, today. "What on Earth could be bothering him?" he wondered. He pulled into the area, and killed the car's engine. It knocked and pinged a bit. "Must have got some bad gas somewhere...need to get a tune-up soon," Steve was thinking.
"Ok, go," he said, meaning for Ghost to start talking, but Ghost got out of the car, and went over to the lone cement picnic table. Steve shrugged and followed.
"Ghost, you're making me nervous with all this dramatic build-up. Just tell me already. Is it something bad?"
Next installment coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing!
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