TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 301

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 301
warning...adult content




~
"Hey," Terry hollered into his phone. "Is that you, Steve? Hello?" He was still half asleep, and confused, but kept on yelling, as he could hear Steve making noises. Finally, Steve heard him, but he'd dropped his own phone, when he fell. He could hear Terry, somewhere in front of him, so he felt around in the dark, until his hand brushed against the phone.

"Terry," Steve croaked out, then coughed, as his stomach roiled, almost making him sick. "Terry, find him. Tell him I didn't mean to hurt him again. Make him come back."

Frowning, Terry asked, "What the hell, Steve...what's wrong? I don't know what you're talking about...slow down."

"Ghost...I need him...and I'm drunk...and you have to go get him," Steve said.

"Where is he? Are you at home?"

"Yeah, and he's at Kinsey's, unless he's gone. Please don't let him be gone."

Then, it registered what Steve had said...that he'd hurt Ghost again. Terry immediately remembered that other time when Steve had hurt Ghost.

"God damn you, Steve, if you went and hurt Ghost again, you're a dead man. I will personally do it myself," Terry vowed.

"Just go find him," Steve said. "Tell him I'm sorry, and bring him back here, please."

"Oh, I'm gonna find him, but I sure as hell ain't bringing him back to you, you bastard," Terry yelled. He then hung up the phone.

"No...no...wait," Steve cried into the phone, but it did no good.

~
Terry scrabbled some jeans and boots on, threw on a jacket, and ran out the door, immediately getting soaked from the rain. He didn't really notice much, as he ran down the block to Kinsey's place. He'd remembered to take his keys to the back door, and unlocked it as fast as he could. Standing just inside the hallway, he thought it odd that there was no noise, no lights, no sign of anything wrong.

He wondered where Ghost could be, if he was actually here in the club. First, he looked into the office, and then the bar area, but nothing was out of the ordinary. Looking up to the apartments upstairs, he didn't want to wake everyone, if he didn't have to. Then, he remembered the back room where there was a big couch. He'd slept there many times, himself.

He opened the door slowly, not knowing what condition he'd find Ghost in, if he was even there at all. The room was totally dark, as there were no windows, and the electricity was still out. He strained his eyes, peering into the depths of the room, toward where he knew the couch was located. Taking small, shuffling steps, he worked his way over, hands out, feeling for anything he might bump into.

Then, as his knees touched the couch, he whispered, "Ghost? Are you here?" Feeling around lower, his hands touched something soft...a blanket he figured. Poking some more, he felt an arm. "Ghost..." he said aloud. He gripped Ghost's arm, and shook him. Ghost screamed in pain and shock.

"It's just me...Terry...it's ok...wake up, dude."

Ghost sat up, holding his arm to his chest. He could feel his wrist throbbing now.

"Dammit, we need some light in here," Terry said. "You awake...you ok...are you hurt?" Terry asked in Ghost's direction, as he still couldn't see him.

"I'm awake," Ghost said through gritted teeth. "My wrist hurts, that's all, and you scared me."

"Come on, let's go out to the bar. At least there's a window. Do you have any idea where a flashlight or candles are around here?" Terry asked.

"In the office, I seen some," Ghost said. He reached out until he found the edge of Terry's jacket, and pulled himself up. They carefully walked out into the main room, then down the hall. The thunder and lightning were still crashing outside, and they could see where they were in the bright flashes.

In the office, Terry rummaged around in the desk drawers, finally finding a flashlight. He flicked it on. Ghost sat on the office couch, watching Terry.

"Ok, here's the deal," Terry said. He sat in Kinsey's swivel chair, behind the desk. "Steve called me. That's why I'm here. You wanna tell me what's going on?"

Ghost shook his head, and looked down at the floor.

"Why are you here, instead of at home?" Terry asked.

Ghost shrugged. "'Cause Steve hates me. He told me to go away. He wouldn't even look at me no more." He began sobbing.

Terry narrowed his eyes. "Did he hurt you?"

Ghost didn't answer.

"DID HE HURT YOU? ... GOD DAMMIT, ANSWER ME."

Ghost nodded. "Yeah, but he didn't mean to. It was the omen that did it."

Terry stood up, pushing the chair back hard against the wall. "He's dead. I'm getting my gun. I'll tell you when it's over," Terry said, and stomped out the door of the office.

Ghost was too shocked to say anything. It had happened too fast. He heard the back door open and then slam shut. "Wait...wait..." he screamed. Stumbling as he ran down the hall, he yanked open the door, but Terry was gone.

Thunder crashed again, and lightning lit up the parking lot. Ghost flinched as the cold rain stung his skin, but he splashed through ankle deep water, as best he could, down to Terry's house. "Oh God, oh God...I have to stop him..."

Just as he came to the corner of the building, he saw Terry getting into his car, and backing out. "Stop..." Ghost yelled, as he closed the gap, reaching the driveway right in front of Terry's car. As the car rolled forward, Ghost slammed his hands down on the hood, feeling pain shoot up his wrist and arm.

"What the hell?" Terry yelled, as he braked hard, throwing Ghost off, and onto the pavement. He jumped out, pulling Ghost up. "Get in the fucking car," he yelled, pushing Ghost ahead of him. "

"Don't shoot Steve...don't kill him," Ghost screamed.

"Shut the fuck up," Terry yelled back. He kept driving down the rain slicked highway.

~

Next part coming soon!


Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 300

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 300
warning...adult content




~
Steve opened another can of beer, as he drove the five miles home. Pulling up on the graveled driveway, he cut the engine of his T-bird, and just sat there a few minutes. Dew was already forming on the grassy areas by the house, with a slight fog twining around the base of the pine trees. They'd left no lights on in the house, when they'd left earlier that afternoon, so that now, looking at the darkened little cabin, seemed a bit eerie.

Only unseen crickets and frogs could be heard, somewhere out in the woods. Steve had the feeling that something was watching him. "I've been around Ghost too long, thinking spooks are everywhere, watching us while we sleep...we'd never know..." He shivered, as a sudden chill overtook him. It seemed way too quiet...even the air felt heavy with foreboding.

Shaking his head of this line of thought, he got out of the car, slamming the door, hoping maybe the noise would scare away any lurkers out there among the trees. Stepping on the sagging porch steps, he pulled open the old screen door, hearing it's familiar squeak. Inside he flicked on the table lamp, chasing away the gloom, in the house.

Spirit came out of the bedroom, to rub against his legs. Bending down, Steve patted the cat's head. "Hey, cat...you hungry?" Spirit walked to the front door, sniffing the night air. He looked back and meowed. Steve knew immediately what the cat was asking...'where's Ghost?'.

"Aww, kitty, Ghost didn't come home tonight. He'll be back later on, though." He went into the kitchen to get food for Spirit. "Here ya go," he said, setting the dish down in the living room by the couch. He hefted the 30-pack of beer up onto the coffee table, and proceeded to crack open one after the other.

After a while, he headed off down the hall to the bathroom, only staggering a little bit, but bumping into the little hall table, he knocked off one of Ghost's geodes. It rolled a bit back and forth, as he tried to focus on it. "Shit," Steve said aloud. From the corner of his eye, though, he thought he saw a shadowy form slither into Ghost's bedroom.

"What the hell? Ghost?" He frowned, at the image he thought he saw, but couldn't wait to use the bathroom any longer. He was getting jumpy, now, all alone here in the house, hallucinating things. He finished up, then peeped into Ghost's room, just to check things out. He admitted to himself, that he was a bit scared of what he'd find. Standing at the threshold, he took note of the glowing stars on the ceiling, and the faint smell of dried roses, but saw no weird shadows. Shaking his head, he went back to the couch.

The voices in his head had been quieted somewhat, but now they returned, worse than before. Closing his eyes, he muttered, "What have I done...what have I done?" And then, he cried.

After a while, he scraped his arm across his face, wiping away his tears. He tried to get his thoughts in order, trying to make sense of all that had happened. A hand reached out for another can of beer, and in a moment of clarity, he was surprised to find it was his own, bringing beer after beer to his mouth to guzzle down, one by one. It seemed unattached to him.  He could now feel a darkness creeping into his field of vision, as his head swam with dizziness. Falling to his side, on the couch, he lay there, letting the darkness take over. Then the dreams began.

Just as before, he could see images flashing one after another. Images of his life, of Ghost, of everything good and everything bad, stopping only for a bit longer look at certain times. He felt again, the deep depression of the years without Ghost, and how he'd been on the verge of ending it all, when Ghost came back that night.

He startled awake, a bright flash of lightning struck close by, it's silvered electricity, splitting a nearby tree. The following crash of thunder, shook the house...but he didn't care anymore. He only felt the same crushing despair as on that night so long ago. Abruptly sitting up, he shouted, "No! It can't happen again."

He rolled himself off the couch, and onto all fours. Then, bracing his hands on the coffee table, heaved himself up. He almost blacked out again, but the lightning flashed just then, jump starting his heart to a pounding rhythm.

"Why are you tormenting me?" he shouted at the thunder.

Spirit hissed, and ran for cover under the bed in Ghost's room.

"God, if you're punishing me, go ahead. I don't care...I deserve it. I'm a horrible person. I took a vow that I'd never hurt Ghost, again, but I have. I know it, you know it...so strike me with your lightning. Do it now...just do it. Just bring Ghost back to me one more time. I have to tell him I didn't mean it. I don't want him to go away." He was sobbing now, staring up toward the ceiling. "I love him. Is that so wrong...is it? It can't be. You put our souls together before, so many times; there has to be a reason why. Don't let this be the last time...please," he begged.

He'd been pacing as best he could around the living room. The electricity had been knocked out with the storm, leaving the house in darkness, again. He tripped over the empty beer cans on the floor where he'd tossed them, falling to his knees, getting back up. Hail now began hitting the roof, and rain was being blown inside through the screen door. Another crack of thunder and lightning resulted in another pine tree across the way to be struck, with sparks flying through the wind.

"This is Armageddon...or hell...I think I'm in hell..."

A sudden thought hit him. "Where is Ghost? Is he ok? Is he here in hell with him?" He had to find him, and then remembered his phone. Patting hs jeans pockets, he felt it, and scrabbled it out. Trying to focus on the back-lit numbers, he punched the speed-dial for Terry. Then, just as Terry answered, he stumbled again, over a beer can, falling hard.

"Ow," he yelled, then he couldn't help it...he began crying...loud, heart-wrenching wails."

~
Next part coming soon!


 Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 299

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 299
warning...adult content




~
Linda led Steve back over to where Ghost and Melody were sitting, there on the sandy beach.

"We're going home, now," Linda said. "Melody, you'll ride back with Steve, and Ghost, you'll ride with me and the kids. We are all too tired to be arguing out here, tonight, but in the morning, we'll try and work this all out, together. Let's go." She marched back to the van, followed by the others.

Steve wouldn't even look at Ghost, and kept his distance. As he got into his car, he slammed the door, waiting for Melody to get in, then sped off. They never said a word the whole way back.  Linda followed him down the highway toward Missing Mile. They made it back to Kinsey's bar, where Steve dropped Melody off at the back door, then spun gravel, as he left toward his and Ghost's house.

Linda and Melody woke the kids up, to go inside to their beds. Ghost just sat on the back porch of the club, looking down at the pavement. When the kids were settled, Linda took Melody aside.

"He's still down there, isn't he?" she asked. Melody nodded.

"Go see if you can talk to him. Tell him he should come in, now."

Melody frowned. "But, what do I even say to him. I mean, Steve is being ridiculous. He's your brother and all, but damn, he's so mean."

Linda gritted her teeth at that remark, then let it go. This time she agreed with Melody. "I know, and he's not usually like this. Something must have made him snap this time. We'll try to sort it all out tomorrow. Just right now, go talk to Ghost, please." She heaved a sigh.

"Ok, and I'm sorry I said that," Melody said.

"It's ok," Linda said. "We have to hang in there, and keep it together, for them."

Melody went downstairs to find Ghost. Coming out the back door, she then sat down by him, just to be there for him. For a few minutes she watched, as he piled up little pieces of gravel, then knocked them down. She could tell that his wrist was still hurting, though. Every now and then, she could hear him sniffle.

"Why don't you come on inside?" she asked. "There's plenty of places to sleep tonight."

He shook his head, then took a handful of the little rocks, throwing them, watching them ping off the front of the van, as they hit.

"It's the omen," Ghost said. "I told him it was a bad one, but he never believes me. It took us by surprise out there, coming on real sudden like that. He has to deal with it, and it might take awhile. He'll be ok...it will go away."

"Will you be ok," Melody asked.

Ghost sighed. "Yeah...I ain't going no where. It just hurts when he says things like that to me. But, Melody...I didn't mind control him. I didn't..."

She nodded. "I believe you. I don't understand it, but I've come to know that you don't lie. Steve knows that, too, deep down."

"I know," Ghost said.

They sat there a few more minutes, each lost in their own thoughts. Then Melody asked, "So, how do you fix it...this omen thing?"

"Oh, well...I could try some stuff, but he'd have to let me, and right now he won't even look at me. He mostly don't even believe in any of this, anyway, like I do. Well, except for the vampires and demons...he knows they're real, but all the things our grandmother taught me...the spells, and potions, and magic charms...he don't like to even think about them."

Melody thought for a minute. "So what you're saying is, until he is ready to listen to you, he'll be...well, mean to everybody?"

Ghost shrugged. "I guess so. He never had to really think about omens and signs very much before."

"Ok, well, we're all talking it out in the morning. He said he'd be here, so we'll just wait until then," Melody said. "You ready to come in?"

Nodding, Ghost got up off the porch, and Melody opened the door, waiting for him. He paused for a moment, staring up into the night sky. Melody's heart lurched, as she saw how sad he looked.

"Come on, let's get you a blanket. You want to stay in my room?"

"Naw, I'll be in the back room; it'll be fine, there's a big couch in there," Ghost said.

"Ok, try to get some rest," Melody said, as she gave him a hug.

~
As Steve had sped off, his mind was in turmoil. His thoughts and emotions were spinning out of control, and he knew it, but was unable to get a handle on it. He drove farther down the main street, noticing the convenience store was still open. It felt like the middle of the night already, but checking his watch, he noticed it wasn't even midnight, yet. On impulse, he pulled into the little store's parking lot. He went in, directly to the back wall of cooler shelves. Grabbing a 30-pack of beer, he then paid for it and left. Out on the highway, he cracked open a can, wanting at this point, only to drown out the voices in his head, telling him he was being an asshole.

"Shut the hell up," he yelled, as he chucked the now empty can out the window.

~

Next part coming soon!


Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 298

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 298
warning...adult content




~
Steve felt himself scooting backwards on the sand, away from Ghost, but didn't know how he was doing it. He didn't know how he could move at all. How could he be afraid of Ghost? Why was Ghost doing this to him?

He heard a muffled scream...where was that coming from?

"Steve, Steve...wake up," Ghost said. He pinched Steve's arm, hard. It made Steve scream. "Wake up," Ghost yelled, right up in Steve's face. Steve felt Ghost's hot breath on him, and dared to open his eyes, again. Ghost's long hair was hanging in his face, tickling his cheeks. He blinked, trying to clear his eyes.

"Ghost?"

"Wake up...you fainted," Ghost yelled, and shook Steve's shoulders.

"What? Wait...you did something to me...stay away," Steve said, cringing.

Ghost sat back, "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Steve pushed himself up on his elbows. Looking closer at Ghost, he saw that he looked normal now, not with the weird eyes from before. "You made me see things," he said. "Nothing was normal, and you were mean and scary."

"Why would I..." Ghost began, but Steve interrupted him.

"You mind controlled me. You gave me a nightmare of every bad thing I ever did, and you were laughing about it. I can't explain it, just don't do it again, please Ghost, don't do it again."
~

By this time Linda and Melody had ran over to see why Steve was screaming. Out of breath, Linda said, "What's the matter? Are you hurt?"

Ghost looked at her, then back to Steve. "Yeah, we're ok. I think Steve fainted, and he had a nightmare, or something."

Steve tried sitting up, but was still groggy. "That was no nightmare. That was you...you were doing things in my head."

"Calm down, Steve," Linda said. "We don't know what you're talking about. Ghost said you fainted, and we heard you scream. What were you dreaming about?"

Steve pointed to Ghost. "Ask him, he did it. He made me see things...bad thing."

Ghost reached over to touch Steve's arm, to reassure him, to let him know he didn't manipulate his mind.

"Stay away from me," Steve said, as he dodged Ghost's hand. "You're the craziest son-of-a-bitch I ever knew. I don't know why I ever saved you in the first place. I had a feeling, way back then, that nothing good would come of it. Now, it's finally here," Steve was breathing hard, and now narrowed his eyes. "You've held me prisoner of your damn fantasy world long enough. I'm done with it. I'm done with you. Go away...go away...I'm commanding you, devil's spawn...be gone."

"Steve...Steve..." Linda tried to get his attention, to break his train of thought. "Come here. Come over here with me," she said. Grabbing Steve's hands, she pulled him up, and led him away down the beach.

"I mean it, Linda. I'm done. I've had enough. Get him away from me...from me...from me..." He was sobbing now. Linda held onto him, letting him cry it out.
~

Melody sat down in the sand, next to Ghost. "What the hell was he going on about?" she asked. "Why was he saying those mean things?"

Ghost was stunned speechless, at Steve's outburst.

"Ghost, answer me," Melody said.

He looked up in confusion. "I...uh...I don't know. He thinks I controlled his dream? He thinks I put bad things in his head? I don't know why. I didn't do any of that," Ghost said. After a few seconds, he looked Melody in the eyes, "I didn't do that to Steve, but something did. Something had ahold of him...something bad. That must be the omen, you remember, from before? Maybe...now, Steve thinks he hates me. I know he doesn't, but right now, he does." He took Melody's hands. "We have to get it off of him."

"Shut up over there. Quit talking about me," Steve yelled.

"What can we do, Ghost?" Melody asked. "It's so late, and we're not even home, and Steve has to drive us back." She thought for a minute. "I guess I could drive his car back. I don't know what to think, what to do. Besides, he really does hate me, and he wouldn't let me drive his car, anyway."
~

"What happened out here, Steve?" Linda asked. "What were y'all talking about right before all this yelling started? Do you remember?"

Steve nodded. "Hell, yeah I remember. I told Ghost it was over with us...for real...for good. Then he started doing something to my head. He didn't want to hear what I said, and he made it worse, and he knew it, and wouldn't stop. It wasn't a dream, Linda, it wasn't."

"Ok, so why on Earth would you break up with Ghost?" Linda asked. "You love him, Steve. It's not right." She stopped to take a deep breath. "You didn't mean it, did you?"

"Yeah, 'cause I know I'm no good for him. I make things worse. He could have been happy all these years, but I kept him for myself, and I did bad things, and I just now figured it out. So yeah, it's for the best." He rubbed his face. "But, now he's gone all crazy about it. It's all messed up. I think it's the other way around, now. He made me  stay with his mind powers," Steve said.

Linda was so confused. he knew they all were, at this point. "Ok, so we all need to calm down, and talk it out...like now. You need to quit being..." she stopped. She didn't want to say what she was thinking, which was that Steve was being ridiculous about the whole thing.

"Steve, you've done the best you can. I know you never meant for Ghost to be hurt, or you either, but you both have been. Now, it's time to put it right. But, listen to me...we are exhausted. We are away from home, and we have to get back. The kids might wake up, with all this noise. We have to call a truce, or something. Do you understand?"

"I'm not taking him home with me, Linda...no way...not yet," he said, shaking his head.

"Fine, then he can ride with me, but we are not just leaving him here. He can stay with us at Kinsey's, but in the morning, it has to be dealt with."

"Yeah, sure, whatever..." Steve said.

"Ok, then, let me go tell them how it's going to be, and then let's go home," Linda said.

~
Next part coming soon!



Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 297

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 297
warning...adult content



~
Steve led Ghost down to the water's edge. They walked a few minutes, moving back as the tide brought the waves farther up onto the sand. Sighing, Steve stopped to sit awhile, and they both watched the moon rise above the horizon, making the darkness of the water sparkle.

Sighing again, Steve asked, "Are you afraid of me?"

Ghost hesitated for just a second, then slowly shook his head. "No..." he whispered.

Steve barely heard the word over the rhythmic sounds of the waves, but his heart skipped a beat. He knew Ghost was lying. Putting his fingers to his forehead, he closed his eyes. "Look at what I've done. I've hurt you more times than I can count, and now you are having to lie to me, and yourself, and I know that is something you just don't do. It's my fault, I know that. I'm to blame for everything. Me, and my god damn temper...and God knows, I've tried. I've tried, Ghost. I'll never stop trying to get it under control, to make things better."

Shaking his head, and swallowing hard, he continued. "I'm not making any excuses, and I don't want you to make any for me, either. There is nothing good about what I've done. I'm sorry, so sorry for all of the pain I've caused you."

Ghost started to say something, but Steve stopped him. "No...wait...I wish you would get angry at me...hate me...tell me to fuck off, and mean it...but, that's not you. I'm no good for you, Ghost. I've messed up your life too many times. I should have never tried to keep you...like a caged up bird or something, making it seem like you're a prisoner, only doing what I wanted for you to do. I'm ashamed at how many times I've begged you to love me, when you could have gone anywhere, done anything, and had the kind of life you deserved...not full of pain."

Ghost could feel Steve's anguish. He knew Steve was hurting inside, as much as he himself was. Reaching for Steve, he brought him close, sobbing into his hair. ...the truth hurts, it hurts so bad...

"Don't, Ghost. Don't try to make me feel better. I don't want to feel better, when I've made you miserable all this time. I know that now. I tried to stop hurting you...I tried to stop thinking it, hoping it would go away, but it hasn't, and I haven't. Look at what I did, just tonight."

Ghost raised up his head. "Steve, stop hating yourself. It doesn't matter, I told you before."

"It does matter. It has to stop. I have to stop, and I know you won't...so I have to be the one...to call it off...to stop myself from hurting you...by hurting you this one last time. It has to be over...we have to be over. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I feel I won't ever change enough before something even worse happens."

Ghost looked into Steve's eyes, really looked. There was just enough moonlight to see the tears on Steve's face, his dark eyes full of pain. Brushing away the tears with his fingers, putting the drops into his mouth, he said, "You are part of me, Steve, you always have been. I would have no life, no reason to live, without you...even then, even now, forever more."

Ghost continued to stare into Steve's eyes, holding his gaze steady. "You won't ever be rid of me, Steve. I've seen to that, a long, long, time ago. You can try, you can hurt me, you can kill me again, it does not matter. We are bonded, we are blood, we are...we are..."

Steve was getting a strange vibe from Ghost. His thoughts of leaving were being pushed right out of his mind. The thoughts were fading away. While he was trying to recapture them, because he'd said them out loud, and they were important, he was also thinking, "Ghost is in a trance...he's acting weird...he's controlling my mind, right now..."

It was such a strange feeling, and he was powerless to stop it. "Maybe Ghost put a spell on me, or a curse. Maybe that curse from long ago, or maybe a new one. He's not afraid of me...uh-uh...but, I'm afraid of him..." He'd never thought about it like that, before. It was totally opposite...he'd never had any control over Ghost, but he was, and had been controlled by Ghost...to be Ghost's puppet, his whimsy, to be manipulated...even the bad stuff. Ghost was making a fantasy of his dreams come to be real life. This was too much to think about. He didn't understand it at all. He just wanted to make it stop.

His heart pounding, he came to this crazy conclusion. "This is the most unreal thought I've ever had...this is not my thinking at all, it is Ghost's. Why is he making me think crazy things?" He shook his head, trying to clear it of the whirling thoughts. Images were flashing non-stop, faster and faster, one after the other...and still, Ghost stared into his eyes.

"How can I have thoughts about my thoughts, at the same time... and his, too. What the hell is happening?" He closed his eyes; he had to break away from Ghost's intense gaze. "I'm the crazy one," he said. "I have been all along, just like Melody said. She knew...she knew..." He took a shuddery breath. "Ghost?" he breathed out. "Am I dying? Is this what if feels like...everything I ever did keeps flashing in my head, like a fast forward movie, or something."

He opened his eyes, just for a second, to see if Ghost was still staring at him. He was...and he was grinning his crooked grin. "Make it stop, please, Ghost, make it stop." Steve's teeth were chattering, now, but he felt waves of heat rushing into his face, at the same time.

~
Next part coming soon!



Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 296

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 296
warning...adult content




~
"That's enough, Steve," Linda said. "Calm down. Nobody's up in y'all's business. Melody was just concerned, that's all. I asked her to find y'all, and she hasn't been around us long enough to know how you and Ghost deal with things. She didn't mean to tick you off, but you jumped on her pretty hard, there."

"Bullshit..." Steve said. "She called me a liar, and she had to be put in her place. I guess she'd call what we're doing now a fight, too. Ya think? I wouldn't call this a fight, and neither was that out yonder."

"Well, I think you should apologize to her," Linda said.

"Oh, hell no," Steve said.

~
Steve and Linda had been arguing so loud, they hadn't noticed that Ghost had gone to the van to see about Melody. She hadn't gotten in and disturbed the kids, but was standing on the far side. Ghost could see she was crying. He went to her and gave her a hug.

"How can you stand him?" Melody cried into Ghost's shoulder. "He's the crazy one around here, not you. He's so loud, and rude, and domineering." She sniffled, and wiped her eyes.

Ghost started to say something to ease her distress, but before he could, she said, "Don't try to defend him. You know it's true. I don't know why you let him treat you bad, and then forgive him. I don't know y'all's whole story, but I can imagine it hasn't been all lovey-dovey all these years. Am I right? Huh?" She stared into Ghost's eyes, waiting for confirmation.

Ghost nodded. "No, it hasn't been, but nobody can be perfect. Everyone has arguments and misunderstandings. It's best to talk and clear the air. That's what we do, and it's not having a fight."

"So what do you call it, then, when he hurts you...like now. I can see you're holding your arm funny. He hurt you, didn't he?" Melody asked.

Ghost looked down at his swollen wrist. It was stiff and throbbing, now. "Yes...it hurts...it might be broken, but he didn't..."

"Stop...just stop making excuses for him. He's an abuser, and he's hurt you, and will again. You know that, don't you? Don't you?"

Ghost nodded. "But, I can't stop loving him," he said, as tears ran down his face.

"Oh, Ghost," Melody said, softly, as she drew him to her. "I know, I know you love him. I'm sorry I'm in such a mood tonight. I don't mean to upset you." They were quiet for a minute.

"He's had help for it...his anger...and, it's better now, a lot better," Ghost said.

"That's good," Melody said. "I won't butt into y'all's business anymore...well, I'll try not to, anyway. I just can't stand a bully."

Ghost sucked in his breath, as he looked up at Melody. "Steve's not. He saved me from them. That's why...well, not just that, but one of the reasons I love him. We've been together so many times, and this time it'll work...I know it will."

Melody nodded. "I hope so," she said, but really had no idea what he was talking about, as they'd not yet told her the whole story.

There was a noise coming from the other side of the van. They looked over, to see Steve standing there. Clearing his throat, he said, "Melody, I'm sorry for yelling at you, and being mean. I didn't mean to cause trouble, ok?"

Melody narrowed her eyes. "Ghost explained it to me. I don't want to be enemies, Steve. We both love Ghost, and our arguing puts him right in the  middle. I hate that...and I don't want to just forget it, though. I have to say it. I know you hurt Ghost out there...his wrist may be broken. That's not acceptable, Steve He said you've been getting help, and that's good. But, do you ever apologize to Ghost, after you hurt him? Or does he just forgive you, and that's the end of it?" She stared hard at Steve.

"Ghost knows I don't mean it...right, Ghost?" He looked over at him.

Ghost shrugged. "You do mean it when you're doing it. Then you don't."

Steve was using all the restraint he could, not to lash out at Melody again, for starting this whole thing. He was clenching his fists, and wanted so bad to tell her again to stay out of it.

"Ghost, I'm sorry for hurting you. I know it sounds lame, at this point, but I do mean it." He reached out for Ghost's hand. "Come here, I need to talk to you." Ghost took his hand, and they walked away from the van.

Melody shook her head, as she watched them walk away. "Bite your tongue, girl," she told herself. "It does no good to point out the obvious to those two." She went back to find Linda.

"Get anything settled over there?" Linda asked.

"Not really. I plan on keeping my mouth shut from now on, though. I hate what I'm seeing happen." She bit at her bottom lip. "I don't know if you see it, or not, but I'm done trying to bring it up," Melody said.

~
Next part coming soon!


Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 295

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 295
warning...adult content




~
Breathing hard, Steve glared down at Ghost. He was as angry as he'd ever been at him, now, thinking he'd been tricked, been played. He continued yelling, even as a rational thought zinged through his mind...this is actually working...Ghost is rallying...he's coming around...

He reached down, grabbed Ghost's wrist again, and yanked him upright, but as he did, they both heard a crack. Ghost cried out from the pain.

"Fuck, now look what you made me do. You gonna cry about that, too? Stand up here...don't you dare flake out on me." Steve said. For some reason, he felt himself wanting Ghost in the worst way. He realized how sick that made him, but he didn't care. He'd gone too far to turn back. Entwining his fingers into Ghost's long hair, he pulled him close into his chest, then yanked hard, so Ghost's head was thrown back, exposing his throat. He was surprised that Ghost didn't struggle from his grip, so he kissed him, with passion fueled by his anger.

Ghost met him with his own love/hate of this kind of arousal. He felt it too, and ignoring the pain in his right hand, he latched onto Steve's hair, pulling him in for more. His lust for Steve was all he could think of, now. He had to have him.

They again sank down into the soft sand, panting each other's name, as they tore off their clothes. The sky had now grown dark, concealing them from any prying eyes. Only the stars above watched them consummate their love for each other that night.

~
Melody kept walking slowly down the beach, looking for any sign of Steve and Ghost. The sun had already disappeared behind the dunes to the west, leaving only a few streaks of pink reflecting on the high clouds. Her eyes were adjusting to the growing darkness, little by little. The sound of the lapping waves, washing rhythmically ashore, was the only sound.

"I'm definitely a beach person," she thought. "Ghost may be from the mountains, but give me the ocean, any time."

Getting back to what she was supposed to be doing, she continued walking down the shore. She wasn't afraid of getting lost, in the dark; she knew she could just turn around, follow the shore in the other direction back to their camping spot. Still looking ahead, she figured she should be getting close to finding them, and after another few minutes, she stopped, listening.

"Wait a minute...was that them?" she muttered. She walked faster toward the sound. "Yes, I can hear Steve...wait...he's yelling about something..." She went closer. "No, he fighting with Ghost," she said, when she heard Ghost cry out. "Oh, my God, what should I do?"

She ran forward a little ways, then turned back the other way, thinking she had to go get Linda. "No, I have to make them stop," she said, turning around again. She felt crazy, going back and forth, so finally began running back to get Linda, or at least tell her what was going on. She didn't hear any more yelling from Steve, at least.

Coming upon the campsite, she was out of breath, so just motioned for Linda to wait a second.

"What is it?" Linda asked. "Did you find them?"

"Yeah, they're way off down the beach, and they were fighting," she managed to say. "Steve was yelling, and then I heard Ghost holler like he was hurt, then I didn't hear any more." Melody said, then took a second to get her breath. "I still didn't see them, I just heard them, so I ran back here. What should we do?" She sat on the sand then, her legs shaking, and her heart still pounding

"Here," Linda said, handing her a bottle of water. "It was quiet when you left?"

"Yeah, is that a good sign? Should I have tried to make them stop?"

"No, better that you came back. We'll just wait for them," Linda said, looking out toward the water. "They know where we are, and it probably wasn't anything serious, at least I hope not. I swear...those two...it's not the first time they've gotten into it with each other, and I doubt it'll be the last. They're loud, but make up pretty fast, when it's over."

"Ok, but it scared me," Melody said. She looked around. "Where's Stevie and Mandy?"

"They're already asleep over in the van. They were tired out, but I think they had fun today," Linda said. "Did you?"

"Oh, yeah, I love it here. I'd live right on the beach if I could."

Linda laughed. "Well, I'm sure we'll be back; it's really not that far from town. I wish they'd hurry back here, though. I'm tired, and it's getting late. We still have to drive home."

Melody grinned. "Oh, I don't know, we could stay overnight."

"Not me, I'm all gritty, and now I'm hungry. We didn't bring any more food, anyway."

"Oh, yeah, that could be a problem," Melody said.

After a few more minutes talking about the day they'd had, they heard Steve talking. He and Ghost were almost back to the campsite. It was really too dark to tell, but Linda looked for any sign of anger between the two of them. She didn't sense any, and they were now laughing about something. That, at least, made her feel better.

"You sure took your time getting back here," Linda said, as they flopped down on the sand, beside her and Melody.

"So...did ya miss us?" Steve asked, teasing his sister.

"No, but we were ready to leave, then y'all disappeared. Melody went looking for you...she heard yelling. What was that about?"

Steve looked over at Ghost, who just shrugged, and drew shapes in the sand. "Yelling? No, we were just discussing some things. We got it sorted out," he said.

"Hmm, ok, whatever..." Linda said, but wasn't convinced.

Frowning, Melody gave Steve a look. "I heard you yelling, Steve...loud. I ran all the way back here. Don't deny it." she said.

Steve gave her a look, back. "Just drop it, Melody. It's none of your business, anyway," he said.

Ghost looked up, startled at Steve's tone.

"Well," Melody said, "I think it kinda is my business, when it's my brother you're yelling at." She stood up, brushing sand off her shorts, then walked to the van.

Steve hollered after her, as he watched her walk away, "Don't get all high and mighty, honey...not with me...we barely know you, so stay out of it."

"Fuck you," Melody said, but didn't look back.

There was a shocked silence between the three of them left there on the sand.  "What?" Steve asked. "She asked for it. I don't care who she is, it's not for her to say anything about me and Ghost." He saw Linda's expression. "And, you can stop looking at me like that, Linda; same goes for you, too. You're my sister, and I love you, and she's Ghost's sister, and I guess they love each other...I don't know...but, dammit, y'all both stay out of it. If we want y'all's opinion, we'll ask for it," Steve said.

~
Next part coming soon!



Peace, Love, & Writing