TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 227
warning...adult content
~
"Bing...bing..." The fasten seatbelt signal sounded it's order, and the plane began to move slowly into position for it's take-off. The crew members came down the aisle, checking on things, then gave the safety demo. Ghost was taking it all in. Steve had his eyes closed tight, and his knuckles were turning white from gripping the arm rests so hard.
"Ghost," Steve whispered. "I gotta get off. Tell them I can't do it."
"I can't do that," Ghost said. "Besides, you already are doing it. Here, hold my hand, 'cause here we go." He squealed, as the plane gathered speed, and lifted off the runway. The force of the take off pushed them back into their seats, and their ears popped. Ghost was giggling the whole time. Steve just looked pale, and sick...his eyes still closed.
"Wow, look at that, Steve...look outside. The clouds are beautiful. Ya gotta see it...look," Ghost said, urging Steve to open his eyes.
Steve did peek out for a second. "Um-hmm...oh, God...I feel sick."
"I'm sorry," Ghost said, brushing Steve's sweaty, yet cold forehead. "I wish I could make it be ok for you."
"Me, too. You just have fun and enjoy the ride. I'll be ok...when it's over, ok?"
"Would it be better if I was scared, and you had to be brave and make me not freak out?"
"No, and I'm glad you're not scared, 'cause I'd still be scared, and then what? It wouldn't work," Steve said.
Ghost thought about that for a minute, then noticed the flight attendant pushing a trolley down the aisle. "Hey, they're bringing drinks and snacks. Can we get some?"
Steve nodded. "Yeah, go ahead."
"What do you want?"
"Uh...beer?"
"Yep, they have that on their cart. Maybe it'll relax ya."
"Ahh, get me one of them, then," Steve said.
~
After a few swallows of his beer, Steve did relax a bit. He was able to look around some. Ghost was still munching on crackers.
"Ya feeling better, now?" Ghost asked.
"Yeah, a little...but, I gotta go pee...where? how?" Steve asked.
Ghost shrugged. "I'll ask." He pushed the call button, and a crew member came to their seat.
"Where is the bathroom?"
It was pointed out to them, and now Steve had to actually walk down the aisle, and keep his balance.
"You want me to go with you?" Ghost asked.
"No...yes...no, I'll make it ok." He rose unsteadily from his seat. Lurching and holding on to seat backs, he did make it into the tiny room. The rushing wind sound, and the bumpy effects of the plane, brought on a near panic attack. He was afraid he'd get locked in.
He could barely turn around in there, but managed to relieve himself, thought not very neatly. He looked in the mirror above the tiny sink. "Is that me? I look like hell," he thought. His face was pale, with red splotches on his cheeks and neck. His eyes were big and dark from panic. Taking a deep breath, he splashed water on his face.
The plane suddenly dropped in a bit of turbulence, and Steve felt his stomach flip flop. "Oh, God," he said aloud. "Let me outta here." He fiddled with the door latch, finally jerking open the door, and he started back down the aisle. Having to scoot over a bit, as someone else was coming, he almost landed in some businessman's lap.
"Hey, watch where you're going," the man said, and pushed Steve upright.
"Sorry, sorry," Steve mumbled, as he continued to his seat.
The plan lurched again, and Steve fell to his hands and knees. A crew member helped him up, and to his seat. "Fasten your seatbelt,"she said, "It's still a little rough, but we'll be through it soon...don't worry."
He did what she'd asked, then leaned his head back on the seat, closing his eyes. "Ghost...if I ever, ever mention flying again, just kill me, ok? That would be better than doing this again."
Ghost took Steve's hand, and leaned his head on Steve's shoulder. "Do you really hate it?"
"Yes," Steve said. He tried holding his breath, to keep from sobbing, but a few tears ran down his face, onto Ghost's hair. "I'm being such a baby. I know I am, and I can't stop it." He was shaking.
"Here, lean over on me. I'll hum you a song, and you try to sleep, ok? Then, when you wake up, maybe we'll be there," Ghost said. Steve did, and Ghost's soft humming did ease his panic enough to doze off.
Ghost gazed out the window at the sky and passing clouds...the sky he always looked at. It gave him a sense of peace, and he fell asleep for awhile, too.
~
As the plane began it's descent into LAX, the cabin pressure adjusted, making their ears pop, again, waking them up.
"What's wrong...what's happening?" Steve asked.
"Nothing, we're almost there...we're fixing to land in L. A. ... I can see buildings, and other planes, and stuff," Ghost said.
The plane made a smooth landing, but Steve thought it would never slow down.
"We're here...we're back on the ground," Ghost said.
"Good," Steve said.
At the gate, everyone began exiting the plane. Ghost got his backpack from over head, and they inched their way off the plane.
"Where's Linda supposed to meet us?" Ghost asked.
"She said after we get our suitcases, just go out the nearest exit, and she'd be on the sidewalk," Steve said.
They found the luggage pick-up area, and grabbed them as they came around.
"Ok, this way, I think," Steve said. He'd gotten his confidence back, now that he was on land, again. Ghost tagged along, behind, looking at all the people.
"Maybe we'll see a movie star," he said.
"C'mon, forget movie stars...we gotta find Linda," Steve said, as they went outside. They stood there a few minutes, looking around. Then, Linda saw them. She waved and hollered.
"Steve...Ghost..." She rushed up, hugging them both. "You're finally here."
"Yeah, Sis, we made it...wasn't any problem at all," Steve said.
Ghost gave him a look, and rolled his eyes. He started to say something, but thought better of it, in time.
"Ok, follow me. My car is over there, not too far," Linda said. They all piled in, and she pulled away from the parking area, heading for her house.
"How far away are you from the airport?" Steve asked.
"Oh, not that far, but with this crazy traffic, it'll take us at least half an hour. I'm telling you, Steve, my kids are beyond excited to meet their uncle. And, Lisa too, but I think she's a little shy about it," Linda said.
"Well, we're basically strangers. It's been years..."
"I know, but y'all will get to know each other real soon."
"Is she going to move, too?"
"Not yet. In fact her and her fiancé are going to be living at the house, and maybe buying it...or maybe just selling it for me. We'll just have to see how things turn out," Linda said.
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing
Friday, October 9, 2015
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 226
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 226
warning...adult content
~
They'd never been to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, before, so Steve drove around, finally finding the parking area to leave his car for a few days. They got their suitcases and went in. It was bustling with travelers, and there were confusing signs, and loudspeaker announcements.
They stared at it all for a few minutes, trying to make sense of it. Steve pulled out the paperwork he had. "Our tickets are waiting for us...over there," he said, as he spied the right airline desk.
The counter person was nice and helpful, checking them in, taking their bags, and pointing them in the right direction to the security area. They managed to get through the screening process ok, and came out the other side, to see people going in every direction.
"Ok, we have to find the gate we leave from," Steve said. "Stay close, and we'll find it, then see how much time we have left." Ghost followed, trying to keep up and not get distracted. It was hard, though, as there were so many things to see.
"Here it is," Steve said. He checked them in at the right gate. "Ok, we have some time before we go. You want to get something to eat and drink?"
Ghost smiled. "Sure, let's go find something."
They walked down the carpeted walkway, looking at the restaurants, and food kiosks, then decided on having a breakfast burrito, at a place called the 'Flying Burrito'. They laughed at that, and Ghost took a picture of the sign. After eating, they wandered some more, stopping into a gift shop.
Steve picked out a magazine and some candy, then looked around for Ghost. "Aw, crap, where'd he go?" he said. "Not now...you can't be getting lost." He scanned the aisles in the small shop, but didn't see him. "Ghost? Where are you?" he said, a bit loud, which made people stop and stare. He didn't care. He had to find him. Then he heard, "Over here, Steve."
He headed toward the sound of Ghost's voice. Finding him over by the shelf of books for sale, he said, "Thought you got lost."
"Look, they have our book, right here," Ghost said, holding it up to show Steve. There were a few people gathered around him, as he'd been telling them all about their book. They were all smiling, and grabbing one to buy.
"This here is Steve, y'all," Ghost said to them. "Me and him did this book, and it's real good, and kinda spooky." He laughed. The people were asking Ghost if he could really talk to the dead, and he was assuring them he could.
Steve wasn't surprised that Ghost had an audience. He let him have his moment in the spotlight for a bit. "Thank you for buying our book," Ghost said to the crowd. "Hey, Steve, why is our book here, anyway?"
"I don't know," Steve said. "I thought we sold out at the show. I'll ask the saleslady if she knows anything about it. Then we need to go."
They walked to the counter, stopping a minute by the display of sunglasses. Ghost tried on a pair or two. "Which one?" he asked.
Steve considered, then said, "Those are cool looking...get those. Do ya want some candy or anything to take with us?" Ghost picked a couple of candy bars, and a package of markers, putting it all on the counter.
As they waited, the clerk said, "Hey, y'all look familiar...been here before?"
Shaking his head, Steve said, "No, but our book is on your shelf. Do you know why?"
"Oh, yes," she said. "There's a young man that brings them in, once in awhile. Says he's doing it for y'all, and collects the money to put in a savings for y'all."
Steve looked at Ghost, his eyebrows raised. "It must be the printing company guy, ya think? We'll have to call him when we get back. He never told us he was doing this." He looked back at the clerk. "If you see him in the next few day, tell him we'll be getting in touch, soon."
As they walked back down toward their departure gate, Ghost said, "I took a picture of our book on the shelf, with all the other books."
"Yeah? That was a good idea," Steve said. Finding a seat, he was getting more nervous as the time to board got closer. He kept jiggling his foot, and changing positions. He noticed that Ghost seemed fine. He thought to himself, that Ghost had probably forgotten why they were here, already...thinking it was just a field trip. He was glad of that, in a way. But then, Ghost looked at him, over the top of his sunglasses.
"I didn't forget...we're flying to California," Ghost said, then smiled, knowing it bugged Steve for him to read his mind.
"Oh, well...good..." Steve sputtered, trying to save face at being caught.
"You know, you really should be used to it, after all this time. I told ya, you come in loud and clear to me," Ghost said.
"Aww...I know...It just surprises me, every time," Steve said.
"Why you so nervous, anyway?" Ghost asked.
Steve shrugged. "I don't know. I know it's going to be fine, it's just...well...a better question, is why aren't you?"
Ghost grinned. "This is a fun adventure we're doing. Trevor said for me to just look at the other people. They go places all the time, and if they don't look scared, then we don't need to be, either." He looked around. "Does anyone look scared?" he asked.
Steve watched people walking around the area, for a minute. "No, I don't think so."
"See...we shouldn't be scared either," Ghost said.
Just then the announcement to board came over the speakers. Steve clutched Ghost's hand, hard. "Calm down, Steve," Ghost said. "It'll be ok. Come on, we gotta go find a seat." He stood up, pulling Steve up.
Steve felt his legs shaking, as he walked the boarding hall. The sounds and jet fuel smell assaulted his senses. At one point he made to turn back, but Ghost kept a tight grip on his hand, tugging him forward. As they entered the plane, he was surprised at how narrow it was. He thought for a second he was leaving reality, and was in every airplane movie he'd ever seen.
"Excuse me, excuse me," Ghost was saying and smiling, as he kept going forward down the aisle. Steve was feeling like a zombie, being led around for the final scene, where the zombies are all killed.
Finding them a seat, Ghost put his backpack in the overhead bin. "Ya want by the window, or not?" he asked. Steve just shook his head; he was beyond words, at the moment. So, Ghost took the window seat, and pulled Steve down to the middle one.
"Hey, look, they got seatbelts, and look...here's a little tray that comes down," Ghost said, as he fiddled with everything. Then he noticed the light and air controls, above their seats. "Ya need some air?" He turned it on full blast, pointing it toward Steve's face.
Steve gulped, and took a breath. He felt like he'd been holding it for awhile. This revived him a little, so he was able to look around. People were still finding seats. He was feeling claustrophobic now, though.
"Ghost, can you knock me out, or something? It'd be better if I don't know anything until we get there," he said.
Ghost laughed. "Just relax...nothing bad is gonna happen...and I would know, ya know...and I don't sense any badness at all...just fun."
"Ok, ok, I'm trying...think good thoughts, think good thoughts he repeated over and over.
Ghost watched him, knowing there wasn't one good thought in Steve's head.
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing!
# 226
warning...adult content
~
They'd never been to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, before, so Steve drove around, finally finding the parking area to leave his car for a few days. They got their suitcases and went in. It was bustling with travelers, and there were confusing signs, and loudspeaker announcements.
They stared at it all for a few minutes, trying to make sense of it. Steve pulled out the paperwork he had. "Our tickets are waiting for us...over there," he said, as he spied the right airline desk.
The counter person was nice and helpful, checking them in, taking their bags, and pointing them in the right direction to the security area. They managed to get through the screening process ok, and came out the other side, to see people going in every direction.
"Ok, we have to find the gate we leave from," Steve said. "Stay close, and we'll find it, then see how much time we have left." Ghost followed, trying to keep up and not get distracted. It was hard, though, as there were so many things to see.
"Here it is," Steve said. He checked them in at the right gate. "Ok, we have some time before we go. You want to get something to eat and drink?"
Ghost smiled. "Sure, let's go find something."
They walked down the carpeted walkway, looking at the restaurants, and food kiosks, then decided on having a breakfast burrito, at a place called the 'Flying Burrito'. They laughed at that, and Ghost took a picture of the sign. After eating, they wandered some more, stopping into a gift shop.
Steve picked out a magazine and some candy, then looked around for Ghost. "Aw, crap, where'd he go?" he said. "Not now...you can't be getting lost." He scanned the aisles in the small shop, but didn't see him. "Ghost? Where are you?" he said, a bit loud, which made people stop and stare. He didn't care. He had to find him. Then he heard, "Over here, Steve."
He headed toward the sound of Ghost's voice. Finding him over by the shelf of books for sale, he said, "Thought you got lost."
"Look, they have our book, right here," Ghost said, holding it up to show Steve. There were a few people gathered around him, as he'd been telling them all about their book. They were all smiling, and grabbing one to buy.
"This here is Steve, y'all," Ghost said to them. "Me and him did this book, and it's real good, and kinda spooky." He laughed. The people were asking Ghost if he could really talk to the dead, and he was assuring them he could.
Steve wasn't surprised that Ghost had an audience. He let him have his moment in the spotlight for a bit. "Thank you for buying our book," Ghost said to the crowd. "Hey, Steve, why is our book here, anyway?"
"I don't know," Steve said. "I thought we sold out at the show. I'll ask the saleslady if she knows anything about it. Then we need to go."
They walked to the counter, stopping a minute by the display of sunglasses. Ghost tried on a pair or two. "Which one?" he asked.
Steve considered, then said, "Those are cool looking...get those. Do ya want some candy or anything to take with us?" Ghost picked a couple of candy bars, and a package of markers, putting it all on the counter.
As they waited, the clerk said, "Hey, y'all look familiar...been here before?"
Shaking his head, Steve said, "No, but our book is on your shelf. Do you know why?"
"Oh, yes," she said. "There's a young man that brings them in, once in awhile. Says he's doing it for y'all, and collects the money to put in a savings for y'all."
Steve looked at Ghost, his eyebrows raised. "It must be the printing company guy, ya think? We'll have to call him when we get back. He never told us he was doing this." He looked back at the clerk. "If you see him in the next few day, tell him we'll be getting in touch, soon."
As they walked back down toward their departure gate, Ghost said, "I took a picture of our book on the shelf, with all the other books."
"Yeah? That was a good idea," Steve said. Finding a seat, he was getting more nervous as the time to board got closer. He kept jiggling his foot, and changing positions. He noticed that Ghost seemed fine. He thought to himself, that Ghost had probably forgotten why they were here, already...thinking it was just a field trip. He was glad of that, in a way. But then, Ghost looked at him, over the top of his sunglasses.
"I didn't forget...we're flying to California," Ghost said, then smiled, knowing it bugged Steve for him to read his mind.
"Oh, well...good..." Steve sputtered, trying to save face at being caught.
"You know, you really should be used to it, after all this time. I told ya, you come in loud and clear to me," Ghost said.
"Aww...I know...It just surprises me, every time," Steve said.
"Why you so nervous, anyway?" Ghost asked.
Steve shrugged. "I don't know. I know it's going to be fine, it's just...well...a better question, is why aren't you?"
Ghost grinned. "This is a fun adventure we're doing. Trevor said for me to just look at the other people. They go places all the time, and if they don't look scared, then we don't need to be, either." He looked around. "Does anyone look scared?" he asked.
Steve watched people walking around the area, for a minute. "No, I don't think so."
"See...we shouldn't be scared either," Ghost said.
Just then the announcement to board came over the speakers. Steve clutched Ghost's hand, hard. "Calm down, Steve," Ghost said. "It'll be ok. Come on, we gotta go find a seat." He stood up, pulling Steve up.
Steve felt his legs shaking, as he walked the boarding hall. The sounds and jet fuel smell assaulted his senses. At one point he made to turn back, but Ghost kept a tight grip on his hand, tugging him forward. As they entered the plane, he was surprised at how narrow it was. He thought for a second he was leaving reality, and was in every airplane movie he'd ever seen.
"Excuse me, excuse me," Ghost was saying and smiling, as he kept going forward down the aisle. Steve was feeling like a zombie, being led around for the final scene, where the zombies are all killed.
Finding them a seat, Ghost put his backpack in the overhead bin. "Ya want by the window, or not?" he asked. Steve just shook his head; he was beyond words, at the moment. So, Ghost took the window seat, and pulled Steve down to the middle one.
"Hey, look, they got seatbelts, and look...here's a little tray that comes down," Ghost said, as he fiddled with everything. Then he noticed the light and air controls, above their seats. "Ya need some air?" He turned it on full blast, pointing it toward Steve's face.
Steve gulped, and took a breath. He felt like he'd been holding it for awhile. This revived him a little, so he was able to look around. People were still finding seats. He was feeling claustrophobic now, though.
"Ghost, can you knock me out, or something? It'd be better if I don't know anything until we get there," he said.
Ghost laughed. "Just relax...nothing bad is gonna happen...and I would know, ya know...and I don't sense any badness at all...just fun."
"Ok, ok, I'm trying...think good thoughts, think good thoughts he repeated over and over.
Ghost watched him, knowing there wasn't one good thought in Steve's head.
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing!
Sunday, October 4, 2015
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 225
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 225
warning...adult content
~
It was a quick trip to Raleigh, this time, and they got to the bank shortly before closing time. After taking out some cash from their safe deposit box, they stopped in at a fast food place, to bring something back for their supper. Missing Mile had a lot of good things about it, but not a lot of choices for take-out. It was always a treat, when they did stop in.
"I'm going to try to have good dreams tonight...about flying, and everything," Ghost said.
"That's a good idea," Steve said. "I'm sure we will be fine, but that helps, I'm sure."
After arriving home, they finished up their packing, and last minute details for the trip. Taking a break after eating, they tried to watch TV awhile, but couldn't concentrate, so went on to bed...Ghost to dream, and Steve to toss, turn, and worry.
He kept thinking of all he had to do before they left...and they had to be at the Raleigh airport by ten a. m. So, he was calculating all this, instead of sleeping. He could hear Ghost already asleep, and muttering in his dreams. At last, he did sleep for awhile.
Right before dawn, though, he woke from a dream, but couldn't remember what it was about...it just left an unsettling feeling in him. He couldn't get back to sleep, so got up to start the coffee. He looked in on Ghost, who seemed peacefully asleep in his blankets, so he joined him. He hoped he'd be calmed by snuggling with him.
Slipping into the warmth by Ghost, he threw his arm over him, burying his face into Ghost's hair. He took deep breaths, trying to doze off, but Ghost was waking up, moving and stretching.
Noticing Steve in his bed, Ghost smiled, and gave him a kiss. "I know you're awake," he whispered.
"Mm-hmm," Steve murmured.
"I want to kiss you some more...do you want to kiss me?"
"Mm-hmm," Steve said, opening his eyes to find Ghost staring into his own. He smiled and they kissed again. "You still taste like molasses," Steve said. Ghost laughed, and pulled Steve closer.
Their time spent together this morning was slow and sensual. Feeling totally relaxed afterwards, Steve twirled Ghost's hair around his fingers. He'd almost forgot about his worries of the night before.
"I smell coffee," Ghost said.
"Yeah, I made it earlier."
"Ya want me to bring ya some?" Ghost asked.
"Yeah, would you?"
Ghost got up and went into the kitchen. He fed Spirit, and poured two mugs of coffee, bringing them back to bed, where they continued to talk and wake up.
"Well, we have a lot of stuff to do, today," Steve said, and started listing them out loud.
"I know, and tonight we'll be at Linda's house. That's so weird," Ghost said.
"I'm getting excited about the trip," Steve said. "So, guess we better get ready, close up the house, and take Spirit over to Zach's."
"I'm gonna miss him," Ghost said, stroking the cat, who had jumped up on the bed.
"Yeah, but we'll be back pretty soon...a few days, really," Steve said. He got up to take the mugs back to the kitchen. "Are you hungry? I can make something."
"Not really, my stomach is all jumpy," Ghost said. "Maybe just a cereal bar would be ok, though."
They both nibbled on one, as they gathered up their suitcases, got dressed, and put Spirit's food, bowls, blanket, and toys in a box. "Must be like if you have a kid, and have to take a bunch of stuff with you," Steve said, laughing.
With the house locked up, they all three piled into the car. They were quiet on the drive, arriving at Zach's pretty quick. "Are they even up, yet?" Steve asked. He knocked on the door, and after a few minutes, Trevor opened it.
"Oh, hey, y'all are here already," Trevor said. "Sorry, we were still asleep, but come on in. Hey Zach, they're here," he hollered. "Get up already." He turned back to Ghost. "You can let him run around and get used to the place."
Ghost let the wiggly cat down, and he began exploring. "I'll get his things," Steve said.
Zach came into the living room, pulling on a t-shirt. "This is gonna be fun," he said, watching the cat.
Steve lugged in all the cat things, litter box included. "Where ya want all this?"
They situated everything, and said their good-byes. Ghost was getting teary eyed, so Steve urged him toward the door, before it got too emotional. "Well, we'll be back in a few days...have fun cat sitting," he said.
Back in the T-bird, Steve saw Ghost brushing away a few tears. "He'll be fine..." he said.
"I know, just...it's happening," Ghost sniffed. "I'm ok with it, but it'll change now."
Steve frowned, wondering what Ghost was getting at. "Change? Oh...because Linda and her kids will be here and be part of our lives now?"
"Yeah," Ghost nodded. He sighed, and leaned his head on Steve's shoulder.
"It'll be different, sure, but they'll have their own place, and we'll see them a lot. You know how much I always missed them," Steve said.
"Um-hmm, and I'm really glad you found them," Ghost said, but then sobbed, wiping his tears on Steve's sleeve.
"Ghost? What is it? This is really upsetting you." He pulled the car over to the side of the road. "Look at me. Tell me why you're so sad about it." He took Ghost's face in his hands, kissing away some of the tears.
"I just...I'm happy for you, really. I just feel lonely or something. It's a weird feeling, like I'm empty inside, and alone, and it hurts me...so bad, Steve." He continued to cry.
Steve still couldn't get what Ghost meant. He just held him close, letting him cry, trying to soothe him.
Ghost began again, "Steve...I got nobody. I mean I got you, but I got nobody else...no other family. I feel so alone sometimes. Why don't I? Why is it like this? Am I the only one in the whole world that is part of me? All by myself? It shouldn't be that way, and it makes me scared, and small, and so lonely," he cried.
Steve cried too, for Ghost's pain was his own, and his heart was breaking for Ghost's sorrow. He rocked back and forth, holding Ghost close. "Aww, Ghost, I hate that you are feeling so sad. I don't know why things happen like they do, but you aren't alone in the world. You have me, and I'm your family. And, my sister, and all our friends. We all are connected forever. Maybe not by blood, but in the best way that counts...we love each other. We stand by each other, no matter what. That's more than some people who are blood related do."
Ghost nodded. "I know," he whispered. "It just gets me sad sometimes."
"Um-hmm, and when you do, just come to me and I'll help you through it, ok?" Steve said.
"Yeah, I will," Ghost said, sitting up and drying his face. He took a deep breath. "I love you so much, Steve," He gave him a hug.
"I love you, too, Ghost," Steve said. He started the car again, and they continued their way to Raleigh.
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, and Writing
# 225
warning...adult content
~
It was a quick trip to Raleigh, this time, and they got to the bank shortly before closing time. After taking out some cash from their safe deposit box, they stopped in at a fast food place, to bring something back for their supper. Missing Mile had a lot of good things about it, but not a lot of choices for take-out. It was always a treat, when they did stop in.
"I'm going to try to have good dreams tonight...about flying, and everything," Ghost said.
"That's a good idea," Steve said. "I'm sure we will be fine, but that helps, I'm sure."
After arriving home, they finished up their packing, and last minute details for the trip. Taking a break after eating, they tried to watch TV awhile, but couldn't concentrate, so went on to bed...Ghost to dream, and Steve to toss, turn, and worry.
He kept thinking of all he had to do before they left...and they had to be at the Raleigh airport by ten a. m. So, he was calculating all this, instead of sleeping. He could hear Ghost already asleep, and muttering in his dreams. At last, he did sleep for awhile.
Right before dawn, though, he woke from a dream, but couldn't remember what it was about...it just left an unsettling feeling in him. He couldn't get back to sleep, so got up to start the coffee. He looked in on Ghost, who seemed peacefully asleep in his blankets, so he joined him. He hoped he'd be calmed by snuggling with him.
Slipping into the warmth by Ghost, he threw his arm over him, burying his face into Ghost's hair. He took deep breaths, trying to doze off, but Ghost was waking up, moving and stretching.
Noticing Steve in his bed, Ghost smiled, and gave him a kiss. "I know you're awake," he whispered.
"Mm-hmm," Steve murmured.
"I want to kiss you some more...do you want to kiss me?"
"Mm-hmm," Steve said, opening his eyes to find Ghost staring into his own. He smiled and they kissed again. "You still taste like molasses," Steve said. Ghost laughed, and pulled Steve closer.
Their time spent together this morning was slow and sensual. Feeling totally relaxed afterwards, Steve twirled Ghost's hair around his fingers. He'd almost forgot about his worries of the night before.
"I smell coffee," Ghost said.
"Yeah, I made it earlier."
"Ya want me to bring ya some?" Ghost asked.
"Yeah, would you?"
Ghost got up and went into the kitchen. He fed Spirit, and poured two mugs of coffee, bringing them back to bed, where they continued to talk and wake up.
"Well, we have a lot of stuff to do, today," Steve said, and started listing them out loud.
"I know, and tonight we'll be at Linda's house. That's so weird," Ghost said.
"I'm getting excited about the trip," Steve said. "So, guess we better get ready, close up the house, and take Spirit over to Zach's."
"I'm gonna miss him," Ghost said, stroking the cat, who had jumped up on the bed.
"Yeah, but we'll be back pretty soon...a few days, really," Steve said. He got up to take the mugs back to the kitchen. "Are you hungry? I can make something."
"Not really, my stomach is all jumpy," Ghost said. "Maybe just a cereal bar would be ok, though."
They both nibbled on one, as they gathered up their suitcases, got dressed, and put Spirit's food, bowls, blanket, and toys in a box. "Must be like if you have a kid, and have to take a bunch of stuff with you," Steve said, laughing.
With the house locked up, they all three piled into the car. They were quiet on the drive, arriving at Zach's pretty quick. "Are they even up, yet?" Steve asked. He knocked on the door, and after a few minutes, Trevor opened it.
"Oh, hey, y'all are here already," Trevor said. "Sorry, we were still asleep, but come on in. Hey Zach, they're here," he hollered. "Get up already." He turned back to Ghost. "You can let him run around and get used to the place."
Ghost let the wiggly cat down, and he began exploring. "I'll get his things," Steve said.
Zach came into the living room, pulling on a t-shirt. "This is gonna be fun," he said, watching the cat.
Steve lugged in all the cat things, litter box included. "Where ya want all this?"
They situated everything, and said their good-byes. Ghost was getting teary eyed, so Steve urged him toward the door, before it got too emotional. "Well, we'll be back in a few days...have fun cat sitting," he said.
Back in the T-bird, Steve saw Ghost brushing away a few tears. "He'll be fine..." he said.
"I know, just...it's happening," Ghost sniffed. "I'm ok with it, but it'll change now."
Steve frowned, wondering what Ghost was getting at. "Change? Oh...because Linda and her kids will be here and be part of our lives now?"
"Yeah," Ghost nodded. He sighed, and leaned his head on Steve's shoulder.
"It'll be different, sure, but they'll have their own place, and we'll see them a lot. You know how much I always missed them," Steve said.
"Um-hmm, and I'm really glad you found them," Ghost said, but then sobbed, wiping his tears on Steve's sleeve.
"Ghost? What is it? This is really upsetting you." He pulled the car over to the side of the road. "Look at me. Tell me why you're so sad about it." He took Ghost's face in his hands, kissing away some of the tears.
"I just...I'm happy for you, really. I just feel lonely or something. It's a weird feeling, like I'm empty inside, and alone, and it hurts me...so bad, Steve." He continued to cry.
Steve still couldn't get what Ghost meant. He just held him close, letting him cry, trying to soothe him.
Ghost began again, "Steve...I got nobody. I mean I got you, but I got nobody else...no other family. I feel so alone sometimes. Why don't I? Why is it like this? Am I the only one in the whole world that is part of me? All by myself? It shouldn't be that way, and it makes me scared, and small, and so lonely," he cried.
Steve cried too, for Ghost's pain was his own, and his heart was breaking for Ghost's sorrow. He rocked back and forth, holding Ghost close. "Aww, Ghost, I hate that you are feeling so sad. I don't know why things happen like they do, but you aren't alone in the world. You have me, and I'm your family. And, my sister, and all our friends. We all are connected forever. Maybe not by blood, but in the best way that counts...we love each other. We stand by each other, no matter what. That's more than some people who are blood related do."
Ghost nodded. "I know," he whispered. "It just gets me sad sometimes."
"Um-hmm, and when you do, just come to me and I'll help you through it, ok?" Steve said.
"Yeah, I will," Ghost said, sitting up and drying his face. He took a deep breath. "I love you so much, Steve," He gave him a hug.
"I love you, too, Ghost," Steve said. He started the car again, and they continued their way to Raleigh.
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, and Writing
Friday, October 2, 2015
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 224
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 224
warning...adult content
~
Zach agreed to figure out a playlist for Gumbo to play in their upcoming show at the club. "I guess we all should practice some. I'll go over the songs and put the list together," he said.
"Hey, Steve, when are y'all going out to California?" Terry asked.
"Pretty soon," Steve said. "I have to call Linda and make sure it's ok to come help her. I mean she did invite us, but you know. We plan on flying out there, for real this time."
Terry laughed. "Hah, I'd like to see that. Didn't y'all try that once before?"
"Shut up, Terry. Yeah, we tried, but we had some problems. We're up for it...I think...anyway, we'll have to get the days booked and whatever else there is to do," Steve said, and sighed. "Why is everything so complicated?"
"It's not that hard," Kinsey said. "Terry and I just called the travel agent, and they set it all up...no big deal."
"Oh, ok...well see, I didn't even know that part."
"Leave it to me, then, I'll get it set up for you. You just say when, ok?" Kinsey said.
"Don't worry about flying," Terry said. "it's really kind of fun, and way faster."
"I know, but how do we convince Ghost that we won't die?" Steve asked. He looked over to the arcade room, where Ghost and Trevor were shooting pool.
"Hmm, that will be tricky," Terry said. "Just keep saying positive things about it. Every time he makes an excuse, come back with something good."
Steve nodded. "Yeah...I'll try. Oh, by the way, when we're gone, who wants to watch Spirit? I mean, someone could stay at our place, or I can bring him to y'all. What do y'all think?"
"Well, I would, but I just stayed over at your place for over a week. I'm going to stay home awhile," Terry said.
"Me too, but you could bring him over here, if he don't mind a lot of people around," Kinsey said.
"Hey, let us keep him," Trevor said. He'd just got back to the table, and heard the end of the conversation. "Spirit is a cool cat." He looked at Zach, "Ok with you?"
Zach nodded, "Sure, why not...bring him over any time."
"Great, that's settled then," said Steve. He got up to go find Ghost and let him know.
"Hey, guess what? Trevor and Zach will keep Spirit at their house whle we're gone. You ok with that?"
Ghost looked up from the shot he'd just made. "Yeah, that's fine. He likes them, and I know they'll take care of him."
"Yeah, that'll work out fine. I'm gonna go call Linda right now. I'll be in the office," Steve said. "We really need to get going on this."
Ghost didn't say anything, but was already getting anxious about the trip...and the flying part. He went back to his game though, trying to improve his shots. He'd never played very much before. Trevor joined him again, picking up his cue stick
"Did Steve tell you?" he asked.
"Yeah, it's fine. Spirit will like it I guess. He's pretty calm, and we'll bring his food," Ghost said. He racked up the balls again. "You break, Trevor."
They played a few rounds, and Ghost actually won one, but he suspected Trevor had just let him win it.
"Steve said y'all were flying out there," Trevor said.
"Yeah, looks like it."
"Don't worry, it'll be fun."
"I know, everybody says that, but that don't make me feel any better about it," Ghost said. He sighed, and shook his head. "I'm scared to, Trevor."
"Is it just because it's different, and new...or do you have a bad feeling about it?" Trevor asked.
Ghost shrugged. "Both...mostly 'cause it's new, I guess. I'll probably freak out...and I don't want to. But, how do you not be scared, when you are?"
"Oh, good question. Just keep telling yourself positive things about it. You know, like it's way faster...and Steve won't be all tired and cranky, like after driving a long time."
Ghost laughed. "That would definitely be a good thing."
"Yep, and look at the other people on the plane. If they're not looking scared, then there's no reason for you to be."
"Hey, yeah...that's right. Thanks for telling me that...it helps a lot."
Steve came back into the arcade room. "Well, everything's all set. Linda says she'll be ready in about a week. We'll help load some stuff in her car, and she has a moving company to take the big stuff. She said she'll rent a U-Haul, too, and we can drive it back here." He smiled, happy to have got it settled. "I'm telling Kinsey to call the travel people. We'll get our tickets, and leave next week. Ok?"
Ghost nodded. "I'm trying to not be scared."
"Me too," Steve said.
~
The week passed pretty fast. Kinsey did book their flight, and gave Steve the printout of their itinerary. Ghost explained to Spirit that he was going on a trip, and would be back soon, and that he'd be staying with Trevor and Zach. "They'll take real good care of you, my sweet kitty. Don't be afraid, ok?" Spirit seemed to understand. He looked into Ghost's eyes, and meowed. Ghost laughed. "I knew you would get it."
"Hey, have you packed yet?" asked Steve.
"No, not yet...have you?"
"Well, I have some stuff laid out on the bed. I figure a few changes will be enough. Are the suitcases in the back room?" Steve asked.
"Uh-huh, the last I saw them they were." He looked in his closet. "Guess I'll pick some things to take," he said to Spirit. He tossed a couple pair of soft, drawstring pants, his striped hoodie, and the long tie-dyed t-shirt, onto the bed. A few other shirts and socks and he was done. He'd wear his old Army jacket and jeans, on the way there. He put an extra notebook on the pile. His main one would be in his back pack with his markers.
"I got everything," he hollered to Steve.
"Good...I put your suitcase out in the hall," Steve yelled back. He was in his bedroom, packing his own stuff.
Ghost crammed all his clothes in his, and barely got it closed. He was sitting on the case, bouncing up and down to get it fastened, when Steve came in.
"I just thought of something," Steve said.
"What?"
"We need to go to the bank, and get some money. We'll need to pay for those tickets, and for eating, and all kinds of stuff, when we get there, and on the way back, too...and for gas," Steve said. "Let's go on up to Raleigh this afternoon, and get that done."
"Now?"
"Yeah, why not...we have time before they close."
So, they took off down the highway, and as usual, Steve drove fast, with the radio on loud.
"When are we going on the plane?" Ghost asked.
"Tomorrow afternoon...after lunch."
"Ok, so why didn't we just go to the bank in the morning?"
"Hah...I don't know," Steve said. "Guess I wasn't thinking...it would have saved us a trip up here." He started laughing, and Ghost just rolled his eyes.
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing
# 224
warning...adult content
~
Zach agreed to figure out a playlist for Gumbo to play in their upcoming show at the club. "I guess we all should practice some. I'll go over the songs and put the list together," he said.
"Hey, Steve, when are y'all going out to California?" Terry asked.
"Pretty soon," Steve said. "I have to call Linda and make sure it's ok to come help her. I mean she did invite us, but you know. We plan on flying out there, for real this time."
Terry laughed. "Hah, I'd like to see that. Didn't y'all try that once before?"
"Shut up, Terry. Yeah, we tried, but we had some problems. We're up for it...I think...anyway, we'll have to get the days booked and whatever else there is to do," Steve said, and sighed. "Why is everything so complicated?"
"It's not that hard," Kinsey said. "Terry and I just called the travel agent, and they set it all up...no big deal."
"Oh, ok...well see, I didn't even know that part."
"Leave it to me, then, I'll get it set up for you. You just say when, ok?" Kinsey said.
"Don't worry about flying," Terry said. "it's really kind of fun, and way faster."
"I know, but how do we convince Ghost that we won't die?" Steve asked. He looked over to the arcade room, where Ghost and Trevor were shooting pool.
"Hmm, that will be tricky," Terry said. "Just keep saying positive things about it. Every time he makes an excuse, come back with something good."
Steve nodded. "Yeah...I'll try. Oh, by the way, when we're gone, who wants to watch Spirit? I mean, someone could stay at our place, or I can bring him to y'all. What do y'all think?"
"Well, I would, but I just stayed over at your place for over a week. I'm going to stay home awhile," Terry said.
"Me too, but you could bring him over here, if he don't mind a lot of people around," Kinsey said.
"Hey, let us keep him," Trevor said. He'd just got back to the table, and heard the end of the conversation. "Spirit is a cool cat." He looked at Zach, "Ok with you?"
Zach nodded, "Sure, why not...bring him over any time."
"Great, that's settled then," said Steve. He got up to go find Ghost and let him know.
"Hey, guess what? Trevor and Zach will keep Spirit at their house whle we're gone. You ok with that?"
Ghost looked up from the shot he'd just made. "Yeah, that's fine. He likes them, and I know they'll take care of him."
"Yeah, that'll work out fine. I'm gonna go call Linda right now. I'll be in the office," Steve said. "We really need to get going on this."
Ghost didn't say anything, but was already getting anxious about the trip...and the flying part. He went back to his game though, trying to improve his shots. He'd never played very much before. Trevor joined him again, picking up his cue stick
"Did Steve tell you?" he asked.
"Yeah, it's fine. Spirit will like it I guess. He's pretty calm, and we'll bring his food," Ghost said. He racked up the balls again. "You break, Trevor."
They played a few rounds, and Ghost actually won one, but he suspected Trevor had just let him win it.
"Steve said y'all were flying out there," Trevor said.
"Yeah, looks like it."
"Don't worry, it'll be fun."
"I know, everybody says that, but that don't make me feel any better about it," Ghost said. He sighed, and shook his head. "I'm scared to, Trevor."
"Is it just because it's different, and new...or do you have a bad feeling about it?" Trevor asked.
Ghost shrugged. "Both...mostly 'cause it's new, I guess. I'll probably freak out...and I don't want to. But, how do you not be scared, when you are?"
"Oh, good question. Just keep telling yourself positive things about it. You know, like it's way faster...and Steve won't be all tired and cranky, like after driving a long time."
Ghost laughed. "That would definitely be a good thing."
"Yep, and look at the other people on the plane. If they're not looking scared, then there's no reason for you to be."
"Hey, yeah...that's right. Thanks for telling me that...it helps a lot."
Steve came back into the arcade room. "Well, everything's all set. Linda says she'll be ready in about a week. We'll help load some stuff in her car, and she has a moving company to take the big stuff. She said she'll rent a U-Haul, too, and we can drive it back here." He smiled, happy to have got it settled. "I'm telling Kinsey to call the travel people. We'll get our tickets, and leave next week. Ok?"
Ghost nodded. "I'm trying to not be scared."
"Me too," Steve said.
~
The week passed pretty fast. Kinsey did book their flight, and gave Steve the printout of their itinerary. Ghost explained to Spirit that he was going on a trip, and would be back soon, and that he'd be staying with Trevor and Zach. "They'll take real good care of you, my sweet kitty. Don't be afraid, ok?" Spirit seemed to understand. He looked into Ghost's eyes, and meowed. Ghost laughed. "I knew you would get it."
"Hey, have you packed yet?" asked Steve.
"No, not yet...have you?"
"Well, I have some stuff laid out on the bed. I figure a few changes will be enough. Are the suitcases in the back room?" Steve asked.
"Uh-huh, the last I saw them they were." He looked in his closet. "Guess I'll pick some things to take," he said to Spirit. He tossed a couple pair of soft, drawstring pants, his striped hoodie, and the long tie-dyed t-shirt, onto the bed. A few other shirts and socks and he was done. He'd wear his old Army jacket and jeans, on the way there. He put an extra notebook on the pile. His main one would be in his back pack with his markers.
"I got everything," he hollered to Steve.
"Good...I put your suitcase out in the hall," Steve yelled back. He was in his bedroom, packing his own stuff.
Ghost crammed all his clothes in his, and barely got it closed. He was sitting on the case, bouncing up and down to get it fastened, when Steve came in.
"I just thought of something," Steve said.
"What?"
"We need to go to the bank, and get some money. We'll need to pay for those tickets, and for eating, and all kinds of stuff, when we get there, and on the way back, too...and for gas," Steve said. "Let's go on up to Raleigh this afternoon, and get that done."
"Now?"
"Yeah, why not...we have time before they close."
So, they took off down the highway, and as usual, Steve drove fast, with the radio on loud.
"When are we going on the plane?" Ghost asked.
"Tomorrow afternoon...after lunch."
"Ok, so why didn't we just go to the bank in the morning?"
"Hah...I don't know," Steve said. "Guess I wasn't thinking...it would have saved us a trip up here." He started laughing, and Ghost just rolled his eyes.
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 223
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 223
warning...adult content
~
"Hey, Kinsey," Steve said. "Yeah, we're here, still alive. In fact, we just got up a little while ago. What? Oh, we're fine now, I think the flu, or whatever it was is gone. Anybody, still sick out there? Ok, good. Well, we've been busy...like last night..." he hesitated a second, not sure what to tell Kinsey about the coffin.
Ghost grabbed the phone, though, and started in telling Kinsey all about it. "Kinsey, we had to fight a war, and it was scary, and we threw holy shit at it, and rat poisoned it, and Steve shot the coffin all to pieces...but we won. We didn't even have to use the pillows. Huh? Oh, the demon that was here. We banished it. ...Oh, ok, here's Steve."
Steve took back the phone. "Don't worry about us, Kinsey, we're fine. Yeah, it was a...what did you call it, Ghost...a little demon? Oh, a lesser demon. Anyway, we got rid of it." He listened to Kinsey for a minute. "Ok, sure, we can drive in today. See ya soon." He shrugged.
"Kinsey want's to see us in person, to see if we're really ok," he said.
"Are we going, now?" Ghost asked.
"Yeah, why not. Get dressed...we're going to town."
"Why does he want to see us, all of a sudden?"
"I don't know," Steve said. "Probably 'cause we haven't seen him in so long, you know, with everybody being sick."
After getting ready to go, Steve revved the engine of the T-bird, to get it warmed up. "Man, we haven't been anywhere in awhile. It'll be good to drive and see everybody," he said. He pulled out onto the highway, speeding as usual.
Ghost leaned back, letting the fresh air from the open window, blow his hair back. "This feels good."
"I know, and it'll clear our heads of being all stuffy in the house," Steve said.
"I need to write on my wall, too. I brought my markers," Ghost said.
The trip to the club only took them about ten minutes. "She still drives like a young'un," Steve said, patting the dashboard, and grinning.
Ghost rolled his eyes, and got out of the car. He was happy that Steve liked his car so much. It was family, after all these years. He pushed open the heavy wooden door to the Yew. They stood there a minute, letting their eyes adjust to the dim interior.
"Hey, that was fast, guys," Kinsey said, as he came out of his office. "C'mon in...good to see ya finally."
"Hey, Kinsey," Ghost said, giving him a hug. "I'm gonna write on the wall." He headed over behind the stage.
"Turn on the lights, if you want to, Ghost," Kinsey said. "Sit down, Steve...want a beer?"
"Sure, Kinsey," Steve said, pulling up a chair at a table near the arcade room.
Kinsey sat down, smiling. "I gave all you guys a call...they should be here any time now."
"Is this some kind of special meeting?" Steve asked.
"No, not really. It's just I want to see y'all, to catch up on things, you know...well, I really just needed some company," Kinsey said.
Steve laughed. "Oh, sure...anytime. We never hang out as much anymore, for some reason. Just so much going on, I guess."
Kinsey nodded. "Yeah, then all of us getting sick like that. Do you think that was all it was, Steve? It was kinda funny with that other business with the other earthquake, too."
"We had the same feeling," Steve said.
"What were you talking about earlier...a demon...again?"
"Yep, at our house. Ghost thinks it was an underling to the big one that was over at Trevor's, and it followed us home. It must have been hanging around all this time out in the graveyard, or something." Steve frowned. "Then, lately it was doing weird shit, and maybe even those earthquakes...or at least made us all believe that's what it was." He paused a minute, taking a swig of his beer. "It got more serious, so we busted him. I think it's gone for good now."
"You really believe that hocus-pocus stuff, Steve?" Kinsey asked.
Steve took a breath, and let it out slow. "Kinsey, for real, I don't know what to think. But, I know what I saw, and whether it was real or a hallucination, it was not good. It sure seemed real, to me, though...and I did see it...just once. When I turned on the flashlight...God...it was so ugly. It roared, Kinsey. I didn't actually hear it, but I felt it...inside. Like when you hear somebody's bass on the car radio turned up really loud, and it shakes your insides. That's how it felt." He shuddered. "And, that one little look at it...man, it was so freaking ugly."
"Damn," Kinsey said. "Nothing like that around here."
"Be glad it isn't. That crap scares me. Ghost was scared, too, but you should have seen him. Well, you did that other time, and this time, last night, was just as intense."
"What all happened?"
"Oh, we gathered up all kinds of things to banish the thing." He laughed. Some of it was kinda silly, now that I think about it. We had pillows, and TV trays, and bike helmets for protection. We poured rat poison and salt all around the yard, and Ghost mixed up some more of that oily herb stuff. He flung some of it at the thing. Hit it, too. But the best, was Ghost. The words he said, yelling how he was gonna kill the demon, and go away for good, 'cause we killed vampires, and he was nothing compared to that...well, he was totally in charge. And, by God, it worked." He shook his head, remembering it all. "Oh, I shot holes in the coffin, too. Then it was gone for good. Kinsey, how does Ghost do that? He's so flaky, and wouldn't ever kill anything. He's scared of spiders, and even his own shadow, most of the time. Then he transforms, or something, and kills vampires and demons. I see it happen, and it's so awesome, every time."
Kinsey shook his head. "I don't know, Steve. That's just how it is. Ghost has some magical power he was born with...even he don't know how he does it, I'm sure. Just be glad he uses it for good, and not evil."
Steve nodded. "You got that right."
They continued to drink their beers, thinking their own thoughts for a bit. They could hear Ghost, humming to himself, over at the wall. Then the door clattered open, and Zach and Trevor came in.
"Hey, guys, grab a beer and come sit," Kinsey said.
They did, and joined Steve and Kinsey at the table. "What's up?" Zach asked.
"Nothing, Kinsey just needed company, so he called in his posse, " Steve said, and laughed.
"Yeah, so what?" Kinsey asked. "I miss you guys hanging out around here."
"Where's Ghost?" Zach asked.
"He's over at the wall," Steve said.
"Ah, it's been awhile. Guess he has to catch up." Zach got up to go over there. "Just gonna see how he's doing, then."
"You and Zach feeling better, too?" Steve asked.
"Yeah," Trevor said. "For awhile there I thought we'd die, and poor old Kinsey got caught, but we're glad he helped us out."
"Well, I couldn't get up enough energy to leave," Kinsey said, laughing. "Who's ready for another one?" he asked, walking over to the bar. They all were.
The back door banged open, and Terry and R. J. came in. They got themselves a beer, and pulled up a chair. "Hey, heard y'all had trouble with another demon, Steve," Terry said. "What happened?"
Steve explained the story again. He didn't mind. He felt fine being the spokesperson for "Demon Destroyers R Us". They all liked the name, so were taking turns making up advertising blurbs for the 'company'...such as, "Ghost's trump demons every time", and "Demon Destroyer's do it at night". They were all laughing, as Ghost and Zach came back to the table.
"What's so funny?" Zach asked.
They repeated some of the jokes, and Ghost and Zach came up with some of their own. After a bit, Ghost said, "This isn't for real, is it? I don't want to do it any more."
"Naw, just messing around...unless you want to," Steve said, winking.
"Uh-uh, not me," Ghost said.
"This place sure needs some good times, again," Kinsey said. "Are all of you so busy you can't find time to do a show, anymore?" He looked at Terry and Zach. "The regulars come in all the time, but the jukebox just isn't the same."
"Ah, you know how it is, Kinsey," Terry said.
"The last one was before Christmas, for crying out loud," Kinsey said. "And, I'm talking Gumbo here...Ghost and Steve are going out to California to help Linda with her move back here. So, Gumbo...get busy...I'll give ya two weeks."
"Sure, Kinsey, we can do that...can't we Terry?" Zach asked.
"Yeah, guess so. You figure it out, Dude, you're good at that. Then, let me know what to practice," Terry said.
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing
# 223
warning...adult content
~
"Hey, Kinsey," Steve said. "Yeah, we're here, still alive. In fact, we just got up a little while ago. What? Oh, we're fine now, I think the flu, or whatever it was is gone. Anybody, still sick out there? Ok, good. Well, we've been busy...like last night..." he hesitated a second, not sure what to tell Kinsey about the coffin.
Ghost grabbed the phone, though, and started in telling Kinsey all about it. "Kinsey, we had to fight a war, and it was scary, and we threw holy shit at it, and rat poisoned it, and Steve shot the coffin all to pieces...but we won. We didn't even have to use the pillows. Huh? Oh, the demon that was here. We banished it. ...Oh, ok, here's Steve."
Steve took back the phone. "Don't worry about us, Kinsey, we're fine. Yeah, it was a...what did you call it, Ghost...a little demon? Oh, a lesser demon. Anyway, we got rid of it." He listened to Kinsey for a minute. "Ok, sure, we can drive in today. See ya soon." He shrugged.
"Kinsey want's to see us in person, to see if we're really ok," he said.
"Are we going, now?" Ghost asked.
"Yeah, why not. Get dressed...we're going to town."
"Why does he want to see us, all of a sudden?"
"I don't know," Steve said. "Probably 'cause we haven't seen him in so long, you know, with everybody being sick."
After getting ready to go, Steve revved the engine of the T-bird, to get it warmed up. "Man, we haven't been anywhere in awhile. It'll be good to drive and see everybody," he said. He pulled out onto the highway, speeding as usual.
Ghost leaned back, letting the fresh air from the open window, blow his hair back. "This feels good."
"I know, and it'll clear our heads of being all stuffy in the house," Steve said.
"I need to write on my wall, too. I brought my markers," Ghost said.
The trip to the club only took them about ten minutes. "She still drives like a young'un," Steve said, patting the dashboard, and grinning.
Ghost rolled his eyes, and got out of the car. He was happy that Steve liked his car so much. It was family, after all these years. He pushed open the heavy wooden door to the Yew. They stood there a minute, letting their eyes adjust to the dim interior.
"Hey, that was fast, guys," Kinsey said, as he came out of his office. "C'mon in...good to see ya finally."
"Hey, Kinsey," Ghost said, giving him a hug. "I'm gonna write on the wall." He headed over behind the stage.
"Turn on the lights, if you want to, Ghost," Kinsey said. "Sit down, Steve...want a beer?"
"Sure, Kinsey," Steve said, pulling up a chair at a table near the arcade room.
Kinsey sat down, smiling. "I gave all you guys a call...they should be here any time now."
"Is this some kind of special meeting?" Steve asked.
"No, not really. It's just I want to see y'all, to catch up on things, you know...well, I really just needed some company," Kinsey said.
Steve laughed. "Oh, sure...anytime. We never hang out as much anymore, for some reason. Just so much going on, I guess."
Kinsey nodded. "Yeah, then all of us getting sick like that. Do you think that was all it was, Steve? It was kinda funny with that other business with the other earthquake, too."
"We had the same feeling," Steve said.
"What were you talking about earlier...a demon...again?"
"Yep, at our house. Ghost thinks it was an underling to the big one that was over at Trevor's, and it followed us home. It must have been hanging around all this time out in the graveyard, or something." Steve frowned. "Then, lately it was doing weird shit, and maybe even those earthquakes...or at least made us all believe that's what it was." He paused a minute, taking a swig of his beer. "It got more serious, so we busted him. I think it's gone for good now."
"You really believe that hocus-pocus stuff, Steve?" Kinsey asked.
Steve took a breath, and let it out slow. "Kinsey, for real, I don't know what to think. But, I know what I saw, and whether it was real or a hallucination, it was not good. It sure seemed real, to me, though...and I did see it...just once. When I turned on the flashlight...God...it was so ugly. It roared, Kinsey. I didn't actually hear it, but I felt it...inside. Like when you hear somebody's bass on the car radio turned up really loud, and it shakes your insides. That's how it felt." He shuddered. "And, that one little look at it...man, it was so freaking ugly."
"Damn," Kinsey said. "Nothing like that around here."
"Be glad it isn't. That crap scares me. Ghost was scared, too, but you should have seen him. Well, you did that other time, and this time, last night, was just as intense."
"What all happened?"
"Oh, we gathered up all kinds of things to banish the thing." He laughed. Some of it was kinda silly, now that I think about it. We had pillows, and TV trays, and bike helmets for protection. We poured rat poison and salt all around the yard, and Ghost mixed up some more of that oily herb stuff. He flung some of it at the thing. Hit it, too. But the best, was Ghost. The words he said, yelling how he was gonna kill the demon, and go away for good, 'cause we killed vampires, and he was nothing compared to that...well, he was totally in charge. And, by God, it worked." He shook his head, remembering it all. "Oh, I shot holes in the coffin, too. Then it was gone for good. Kinsey, how does Ghost do that? He's so flaky, and wouldn't ever kill anything. He's scared of spiders, and even his own shadow, most of the time. Then he transforms, or something, and kills vampires and demons. I see it happen, and it's so awesome, every time."
Kinsey shook his head. "I don't know, Steve. That's just how it is. Ghost has some magical power he was born with...even he don't know how he does it, I'm sure. Just be glad he uses it for good, and not evil."
Steve nodded. "You got that right."
They continued to drink their beers, thinking their own thoughts for a bit. They could hear Ghost, humming to himself, over at the wall. Then the door clattered open, and Zach and Trevor came in.
"Hey, guys, grab a beer and come sit," Kinsey said.
They did, and joined Steve and Kinsey at the table. "What's up?" Zach asked.
"Nothing, Kinsey just needed company, so he called in his posse, " Steve said, and laughed.
"Yeah, so what?" Kinsey asked. "I miss you guys hanging out around here."
"Where's Ghost?" Zach asked.
"He's over at the wall," Steve said.
"Ah, it's been awhile. Guess he has to catch up." Zach got up to go over there. "Just gonna see how he's doing, then."
"You and Zach feeling better, too?" Steve asked.
"Yeah," Trevor said. "For awhile there I thought we'd die, and poor old Kinsey got caught, but we're glad he helped us out."
"Well, I couldn't get up enough energy to leave," Kinsey said, laughing. "Who's ready for another one?" he asked, walking over to the bar. They all were.
The back door banged open, and Terry and R. J. came in. They got themselves a beer, and pulled up a chair. "Hey, heard y'all had trouble with another demon, Steve," Terry said. "What happened?"
Steve explained the story again. He didn't mind. He felt fine being the spokesperson for "Demon Destroyers R Us". They all liked the name, so were taking turns making up advertising blurbs for the 'company'...such as, "Ghost's trump demons every time", and "Demon Destroyer's do it at night". They were all laughing, as Ghost and Zach came back to the table.
"What's so funny?" Zach asked.
They repeated some of the jokes, and Ghost and Zach came up with some of their own. After a bit, Ghost said, "This isn't for real, is it? I don't want to do it any more."
"Naw, just messing around...unless you want to," Steve said, winking.
"Uh-uh, not me," Ghost said.
"This place sure needs some good times, again," Kinsey said. "Are all of you so busy you can't find time to do a show, anymore?" He looked at Terry and Zach. "The regulars come in all the time, but the jukebox just isn't the same."
"Ah, you know how it is, Kinsey," Terry said.
"The last one was before Christmas, for crying out loud," Kinsey said. "And, I'm talking Gumbo here...Ghost and Steve are going out to California to help Linda with her move back here. So, Gumbo...get busy...I'll give ya two weeks."
"Sure, Kinsey, we can do that...can't we Terry?" Zach asked.
"Yeah, guess so. You figure it out, Dude, you're good at that. Then, let me know what to practice," Terry said.
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing
Sunday, September 27, 2015
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 222
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 222
warning...adult content
~
Ghost felt around on the table for his oils and herbs. His hands were shaking, as he poured and crushed the mixture together in the little bowl, chanting the words over it like he'd done before. Then, standing up, he spoke to the thing.
Steve felt his heart skipping beats, but he held onto Ghost's jacket, just in case the demon took off with him.
"I see you...I hear you...make yourself known to us," Ghost said, not loud, but steady. "Come closer and be identified, then we can come to an understanding." He kept on talking, and then whispered to Steve, "It's coming closer. He's over by the coffin, now."
Steve still couldn't see anything. His teeth were chattering.
"We're not afraid of you, so you can stop trying to scare us. We just need you to be gone from here. You don't belong here...go back to the underworld." Ghost stared out across the back yard, pausing just a second, before speaking again.
"You probably have friends there. They miss you and want you to come back. You're their leader now, and you have to go to them. You'll never be appreciated up here among the living...ever...so, do the right thing, ok, 'cause we're tired of your shit...all the moaning, and clanking, and moving things around. It don't work anyway. We're wise to you, and we'll do everything we can to banish you. NOW GO BEFORE I GET MAD!"
He held up the pot of oily herbs, and said the incantation again, and waited for a response.
"He's still here, Steve, but he's thinking about what I said."
Steve was sweating, now, his forehead wet, with drips running into his eyes, stinging them. Ghost began talking to the demon, again.
"You know I'm right...go away and leave us alone...forever. We killed a bad assed vampire before, and we sure can kill you, too, so don't even try us. Come any closer and you'll get a taste of this here nasty stuff...ya hear me? BE GONE!" He stirred the pot, so the thing could see it.
"Hold up the big cross, Steve," Ghost said. Steve grabbed the wooden cross that was on the table. "Ok, he's moved back a little."
He suddenly put his hands over his ears. "Damn...he roared loud...did you hear it?"
Steve shook his head. He hadn't heard anything.
"Ok, that's your last chance," Ghost said. "Have some of this." He lobbed a spoonful of oil at the thing, hitting it. "Got'cha, asshole," he yelled. "Ya want more?" He waited a second, breathing hard. "Turn on the flashlight, Steve, let's blind him."
Steve flicked it on, and in that second, he actually could see a form. "Oh, my God!" he screamed. He dropped the flashlight, and it went out. With shaking hands, he reached over and got his gun from the table. He heard a whining noise...what was it? Then he realized it was himself, whining out loud with every breath. "Can I shoot it now?" he managed to ask. "Do we need to put on our pillows and stuff?"
He kept on jabbering whatever came to him. "We should light the candles, huh? Ghost?"
Ghost was quiet, just keeping an eye on the entity.
"What's it doing? That's the ugliest thing I ever saw," Steve said.
"Shh..." Ghost grabbed Steve's hand again, to calm him. "Just wait, ok...it's not coming closer. Maybe we don't have to do anything else," he said. "And I need to hear if it says anything."
Steve nodded, still trying to see something out there. But, he'd only gotten that one glimpse.
"Hand me the holy water bottle...hurry," Ghost said. Steve found it, and gave it to Ghost.
"Hey, you know what this is? It's holy water...Jesus blessed water...and I'm fixin' to pour it on you, unless you go away," Ghost said. He uncorked it. "He's cringing now, Steve...backing up some more." He watched the swirling mist, as it undulated in that one spot.
"We have lots more stuff to kill you with...so if you want to die forever, just come on...'cause you have nothing but your misty form, and loud voice...and that's all. It doesn't scare us, and you will never be us. Go away and never come back," he yelled. He made like to throw the holy water, and it made the thing retreat a bit more.
"Hey, you're standing in it right now, anyway...holy water and rat poison is all over the grass...so you're dead already. We're bored of you and your stink. BE GONE!" Ghost yelled, and flung a few drops at the thing.
Steve was shaking all over from fright, but he was thinking, 'wow, just wow...listen to Ghost yell at the thing...amazing...'
"Shit, he's loud, Steve, but I think he's got the idea, now," Ghost said. "He's almost faded away already. I think we may have banished him, for real."
As they watched, there was a small explosion of light out by the coffin. Both of them saw it, and heard a popping electrical sound. Then all was dark and there was silence.
"He's gone. I don't see, or hear, or smell, or even feel that it's here," Ghost said.
"Can I shoot something, now?" Steve asked. "I really need to."
"Yeah, sure, shoot all ya want. If there's anything left of him, it'll reinforce our demand," Ghost said.
Steve aimed for the coffin...or at least the dark coffin shaped thing by the fence, and fired several shots, hitting the mark every time. Then, he shot out into the graveyard, just in case. "This is for disturbing the peace of the old guys out here. They're heroes...leave them alone, too," he yelled. "Damn, that felt good," he said, and smiled.
Ghost smiled too, and shook himself, to try and relax a bit. "Yeah, it does. We did a good job, and I'm pretty sure that's the end of it."
"What now?" asked Steve. "Do we still stand guard tonight?"
Ghost shrugged. "Well, I think I'd feel better if we did, just in case, ya know," he said, and yawned. "But, I'm so tired, I might go to sleep."
"Yeah, me too. Guess we can sit out here for a little while, then I'm going on in," Steve said.
"Ok. Oh, in the morning, don't let Spirit out, ok? The rat poison is still on the ground until it rains. He'll just have to be an inside cat for awhile," Ghost said.
They sat out in the darkness of the night for a bit longer. "Hey, hand me one of those snacks," Ghost said.
Steve rummaged around in the paper sack, and brought out peanut butter crackers, and two beers that were not quite ice cold any more. "You were really good doing that banishment stuff. You sounded in charge the whole time. I'm impressed, Dude." He handed Ghost a beer. "Me, I was whining like a little puppy. I wasn't brave at all." He was thinking how amazing little, pacifist Ghost was during the whole ordeal. "You really let that thing have it."
Ghost laughed. "Well, I didn't half way know what I was doing. Something just kinda took over, and I don't know how. I can't even remember what I said."
"Yeah? Well, I do, and it was great, and strong, and it worked," Steve nodded. "Oh yeah, somewhere in there you said weird words, like a foreign language or something. Now that I think about it, maybe it was one of those old mountain curses you don't even know you know. It comes out in situations like this...ya think?"
"Maybe...whatever did it, I'm glad it's over," Ghost said. "I wasn't feeling scared either, which is weird, 'cause I was real scared before. Now, I'm kinda freaked out about it all, but it worked, I think."
They sat out there on the back porch awhile, eating the snacks, and looking into the woods. It was quiet, and they heard no more disturbances. Ghost kept yawning. "I have to go to bed, Steve. I can't stay awake. You can stay out here if you want to, but I really think it's over."
"Yeah, I'm coming in, too. There's no way I'm out here by myself," Steve said.
They gathered up their equipment. "Give me those pillows. I'll put them back on the bed," Ghost said.
Steve put away the guns, leaving the other things in the box, to be put away later.
~
The next day, they finally woke about noon. "I had a weird dream," said Steve. "I kept hearing bells ringing, and we were on a game show, where we had to smash a monster on the head, and a bell would ring when it was destroyed. We won prizes."
"Cool," Ghost said. "What kind of prizes?"
Steve thought a minute. "We won things like a guitar, and cases of beer, and a famous artist oil painting, some concert tickets...well, a bunch of stuff, 'cause we were good at bashing the monsters. But, we told them we already had some of that, and could we trade it in for a trip on a plane, so they let us."
"That's a good one," Ghost said. "It sounds familiar, like us chasing away bad guys, and going to go on a plane to see your sister. It's funny how dreams are."
Steve agreed. "Yeah, we do need to plan our trip, and I have to call Linda...like today." He got up to go make the morning coffee.
Ghost fed Spirit, who then wanted outside. "Nope, kitty can't go out, sorry. You have your box, go use that, today." Spirit trotted off to the other room. As he waited for the coffee to be ready, he pulled open the kitchen curtain to take a look into the back yard. Everything looked normal. The coffin was still there, but now shot through with bullet holes.
"You aimed real good in the dark, Steve."
"I did? Let me see. I didn't know where the damn thing was in the dark...you say I hit it?"
"Yeah, just about every time, looks like," Ghost said.
Steve laughed. "Wow, guess I did, huh?"
They had a really late breakfast, then went out front to sit on the swing. Their phone rang, just as they sat down. Steve answered, then whispered over to Ghost, "It's Kinsey."
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing
# 222
warning...adult content
~
Ghost felt around on the table for his oils and herbs. His hands were shaking, as he poured and crushed the mixture together in the little bowl, chanting the words over it like he'd done before. Then, standing up, he spoke to the thing.
Steve felt his heart skipping beats, but he held onto Ghost's jacket, just in case the demon took off with him.
"I see you...I hear you...make yourself known to us," Ghost said, not loud, but steady. "Come closer and be identified, then we can come to an understanding." He kept on talking, and then whispered to Steve, "It's coming closer. He's over by the coffin, now."
Steve still couldn't see anything. His teeth were chattering.
"We're not afraid of you, so you can stop trying to scare us. We just need you to be gone from here. You don't belong here...go back to the underworld." Ghost stared out across the back yard, pausing just a second, before speaking again.
"You probably have friends there. They miss you and want you to come back. You're their leader now, and you have to go to them. You'll never be appreciated up here among the living...ever...so, do the right thing, ok, 'cause we're tired of your shit...all the moaning, and clanking, and moving things around. It don't work anyway. We're wise to you, and we'll do everything we can to banish you. NOW GO BEFORE I GET MAD!"
He held up the pot of oily herbs, and said the incantation again, and waited for a response.
"He's still here, Steve, but he's thinking about what I said."
Steve was sweating, now, his forehead wet, with drips running into his eyes, stinging them. Ghost began talking to the demon, again.
"You know I'm right...go away and leave us alone...forever. We killed a bad assed vampire before, and we sure can kill you, too, so don't even try us. Come any closer and you'll get a taste of this here nasty stuff...ya hear me? BE GONE!" He stirred the pot, so the thing could see it.
"Hold up the big cross, Steve," Ghost said. Steve grabbed the wooden cross that was on the table. "Ok, he's moved back a little."
He suddenly put his hands over his ears. "Damn...he roared loud...did you hear it?"
Steve shook his head. He hadn't heard anything.
"Ok, that's your last chance," Ghost said. "Have some of this." He lobbed a spoonful of oil at the thing, hitting it. "Got'cha, asshole," he yelled. "Ya want more?" He waited a second, breathing hard. "Turn on the flashlight, Steve, let's blind him."
Steve flicked it on, and in that second, he actually could see a form. "Oh, my God!" he screamed. He dropped the flashlight, and it went out. With shaking hands, he reached over and got his gun from the table. He heard a whining noise...what was it? Then he realized it was himself, whining out loud with every breath. "Can I shoot it now?" he managed to ask. "Do we need to put on our pillows and stuff?"
He kept on jabbering whatever came to him. "We should light the candles, huh? Ghost?"
Ghost was quiet, just keeping an eye on the entity.
"What's it doing? That's the ugliest thing I ever saw," Steve said.
"Shh..." Ghost grabbed Steve's hand again, to calm him. "Just wait, ok...it's not coming closer. Maybe we don't have to do anything else," he said. "And I need to hear if it says anything."
Steve nodded, still trying to see something out there. But, he'd only gotten that one glimpse.
"Hand me the holy water bottle...hurry," Ghost said. Steve found it, and gave it to Ghost.
"Hey, you know what this is? It's holy water...Jesus blessed water...and I'm fixin' to pour it on you, unless you go away," Ghost said. He uncorked it. "He's cringing now, Steve...backing up some more." He watched the swirling mist, as it undulated in that one spot.
"We have lots more stuff to kill you with...so if you want to die forever, just come on...'cause you have nothing but your misty form, and loud voice...and that's all. It doesn't scare us, and you will never be us. Go away and never come back," he yelled. He made like to throw the holy water, and it made the thing retreat a bit more.
"Hey, you're standing in it right now, anyway...holy water and rat poison is all over the grass...so you're dead already. We're bored of you and your stink. BE GONE!" Ghost yelled, and flung a few drops at the thing.
Steve was shaking all over from fright, but he was thinking, 'wow, just wow...listen to Ghost yell at the thing...amazing...'
"Shit, he's loud, Steve, but I think he's got the idea, now," Ghost said. "He's almost faded away already. I think we may have banished him, for real."
As they watched, there was a small explosion of light out by the coffin. Both of them saw it, and heard a popping electrical sound. Then all was dark and there was silence.
"He's gone. I don't see, or hear, or smell, or even feel that it's here," Ghost said.
"Can I shoot something, now?" Steve asked. "I really need to."
"Yeah, sure, shoot all ya want. If there's anything left of him, it'll reinforce our demand," Ghost said.
Steve aimed for the coffin...or at least the dark coffin shaped thing by the fence, and fired several shots, hitting the mark every time. Then, he shot out into the graveyard, just in case. "This is for disturbing the peace of the old guys out here. They're heroes...leave them alone, too," he yelled. "Damn, that felt good," he said, and smiled.
Ghost smiled too, and shook himself, to try and relax a bit. "Yeah, it does. We did a good job, and I'm pretty sure that's the end of it."
"What now?" asked Steve. "Do we still stand guard tonight?"
Ghost shrugged. "Well, I think I'd feel better if we did, just in case, ya know," he said, and yawned. "But, I'm so tired, I might go to sleep."
"Yeah, me too. Guess we can sit out here for a little while, then I'm going on in," Steve said.
"Ok. Oh, in the morning, don't let Spirit out, ok? The rat poison is still on the ground until it rains. He'll just have to be an inside cat for awhile," Ghost said.
They sat out in the darkness of the night for a bit longer. "Hey, hand me one of those snacks," Ghost said.
Steve rummaged around in the paper sack, and brought out peanut butter crackers, and two beers that were not quite ice cold any more. "You were really good doing that banishment stuff. You sounded in charge the whole time. I'm impressed, Dude." He handed Ghost a beer. "Me, I was whining like a little puppy. I wasn't brave at all." He was thinking how amazing little, pacifist Ghost was during the whole ordeal. "You really let that thing have it."
Ghost laughed. "Well, I didn't half way know what I was doing. Something just kinda took over, and I don't know how. I can't even remember what I said."
"Yeah? Well, I do, and it was great, and strong, and it worked," Steve nodded. "Oh yeah, somewhere in there you said weird words, like a foreign language or something. Now that I think about it, maybe it was one of those old mountain curses you don't even know you know. It comes out in situations like this...ya think?"
"Maybe...whatever did it, I'm glad it's over," Ghost said. "I wasn't feeling scared either, which is weird, 'cause I was real scared before. Now, I'm kinda freaked out about it all, but it worked, I think."
They sat out there on the back porch awhile, eating the snacks, and looking into the woods. It was quiet, and they heard no more disturbances. Ghost kept yawning. "I have to go to bed, Steve. I can't stay awake. You can stay out here if you want to, but I really think it's over."
"Yeah, I'm coming in, too. There's no way I'm out here by myself," Steve said.
They gathered up their equipment. "Give me those pillows. I'll put them back on the bed," Ghost said.
Steve put away the guns, leaving the other things in the box, to be put away later.
~
The next day, they finally woke about noon. "I had a weird dream," said Steve. "I kept hearing bells ringing, and we were on a game show, where we had to smash a monster on the head, and a bell would ring when it was destroyed. We won prizes."
"Cool," Ghost said. "What kind of prizes?"
Steve thought a minute. "We won things like a guitar, and cases of beer, and a famous artist oil painting, some concert tickets...well, a bunch of stuff, 'cause we were good at bashing the monsters. But, we told them we already had some of that, and could we trade it in for a trip on a plane, so they let us."
"That's a good one," Ghost said. "It sounds familiar, like us chasing away bad guys, and going to go on a plane to see your sister. It's funny how dreams are."
Steve agreed. "Yeah, we do need to plan our trip, and I have to call Linda...like today." He got up to go make the morning coffee.
Ghost fed Spirit, who then wanted outside. "Nope, kitty can't go out, sorry. You have your box, go use that, today." Spirit trotted off to the other room. As he waited for the coffee to be ready, he pulled open the kitchen curtain to take a look into the back yard. Everything looked normal. The coffin was still there, but now shot through with bullet holes.
"You aimed real good in the dark, Steve."
"I did? Let me see. I didn't know where the damn thing was in the dark...you say I hit it?"
"Yeah, just about every time, looks like," Ghost said.
Steve laughed. "Wow, guess I did, huh?"
They had a really late breakfast, then went out front to sit on the swing. Their phone rang, just as they sat down. Steve answered, then whispered over to Ghost, "It's Kinsey."
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 221
TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 221
warning...adult content
~
After eating their supper of eggs and toast, they hauled the box of equipment out to the back porch. It was just beginning to get dusky outside...that in between time of light and dark. Pink streaks from the lingering sunset, filtered through the pine tree branches, giving a surreal pinkish glow to the shadows in the yard. It was quiet out. There was no wind, and the birds had all gone to their nests. Even the forest owl they usually heard, was quiet...unnaturally quiet, Steve thought.
"Get our jackets and some blankets, Ghost," Steve said. "I'll get the big flashlight, too." He had momentarily forgotten they'd not gone out in the back yard all day. Now, he remembered why...the coffin. He shivered, as he stared at it. It had not moved since this morning.
Ghost broke the silence, as he came out the door, loaded down with jackets, blankets, and a paper sack with snacks in it. "Hey, I got us some stuff to eat," he said, as he set it all down on a small table.
"Good thinking," Steve said. "Let's arrange it. We have the lawn chairs, the table, and all this other stuff, so we'll just sit back and wait."
"Do you want the phone, too?" asked Ghost.
"Oh, yeah," Steve said, and got up to go inside for it. He locked the front door before coming back out. "Now, first things first. I'm going to pour this salt and poison around. You hold the flashlight."
They went to the edge of the yard, and sprinkled them sparingly, as they walked a large circle around the house. After washing their hands, just in case poison got on their hands, they sat in the chairs, and begin the vigil...waiting for something to happen, for something to come at them from the dark.
After about an hour, Ghost was getting restless. He kept changing positions, getting up and stretching, yawning, tapping his feet, and humming. Steve gritted his teeth. He knew Ghost wasn't paying attention.
"Would ya sit down and be quiet? How the hell would we hear anything, with all the noise you're making?"
"What? What are we listening for, anyway," Ghost asked. "I thought we were just watching the coffin and stuff."
"Yeah, well you keep making noise, it'll scare away the...whatever it is," Steve said.
"Well, isn't that what we're trying to do...scare it away?"
Steve sighed. Technically, Ghost was right. "Yeah, we are, but if it comes out, we can maybe get rid of it for good. If it just is scared to come out tonight, it'll try again and again. So, we kinda want it to do something. Understand?"
"Oh, yeah, now I do. So, guess I have to be quiet and still and concentrate," Ghost said, and sat back down.
"Uh-huh, and use your senses to see if you feel it out there anywhere close."
"Ok, I'll try," Ghost said. He stood back up by the railing, closed his eyes, and breathed deep, letting it out slowly.
Steve watched, as Ghost swayed from side to side, sort of like using radar to detect faint noises or emanations in the atmosphere. He'd seen Ghost do this hundreds of times, and it never failed to fascinate him.
After a few minutes, Ghost opened his eyes, staring out into the graveyard. "It's out there," he whispered. "It's not real close. I can barely feel it, but it knows were out here. It's hesitant to make a move just yet. It's...it's...gathering strength to manifest." He kept staring at one particular spot across the darkening tombstones.
"Get the candles ready, but be quiet. It'll probably suck the energy from the flashlight battery...and maybe the house electricity, too." He breathed deep again. "I can tell it's not one of the old Civil War guys doing this." He turned toward Steve.
"It's a lesser demon...one that was left over from Trevor's house. It must have clung to us after that night, and has been roaming the graveyard all this time. He thinks he's the boss now...of something...or somebody." He shrugged, and gazed back over the cemetery. "I don't sense any more than the one, though."
Taking another deep breath, made him cough. "He smells...like rotten eggs, or sulfur...well, not good."
Steve tried to smell the air, but didn't detect anything unusual. He did set out the candles and lighter within easy reach, though. "What now?" he whispered.
Ghost shrugged. "Wait, I guess...'til he comes closer, so I can see him."
"Can you talk to it?"
"Not yet. It's just making grumbling sounds. If it gets stronger, I'll maybe hear a word, or a scream, or something." He sat back down. "I think we need to pretend we don't know it's there. Just act normal. Then, when we look out the side of our eyes, you know, not direct focus on it, and well...do something with our stuff, I guess," Ghost said.
Steve nodded. "What first...knife throwing?"
"Huh-uh, first I'm gonna do the oils and herbs. I'll crush them and say the banishment words to it...and flick some holy water at it," Ghost said. "But, if that isn't working, then we throw knives, and shoot it, and all the rest, 'cause then it'll be all out war." His voice caught for a second in a half sob. "And Steve, we have to win it...we have to win it...or...or...we'll get possessed, I guess. And, we'll be one of them." He shivered.
Chills ran up Steve's arms, and he gulped. "Is this for real? I mean, would we really be one of them...a dead demon forever? Would we still be looking like us, just walking around, just be weird and mean like a zombie or something?" His voice was getting higher pitched, the more scared he became.
"Yeah, that's about it...I think," Ghost said. "And, if one of us gets taken, the other of us has to, to...'cause that'd be horrible to see one of us be like that...ok?" He looked up into Steve's eyes. "So, if I see it's got you, I'll give up and be one, too. Will you...for me?"
Steve's eyes were wide with fear, now, and he could tell that Ghost was totally serious. "Yeah, yeah, of course I would, Ghost. You know I would. I couldn't let you be one without me," he said.
Ghost nodded. "Good, but maybe we can banish it first." He sounded confident.
"Oh, yeah, we can do it, we will," Steve said.
"Shhh..." Ghost said. "I hear something." Steve thought his heart stopped, right that second.
They stared out into the graveyard, gone dark now. Their eyes had adjusted to the dark , and they'd not turned on the flashlight. Only the stars and a half moon had control of the sky.
"Ok, kinda look out the side of your eyes, Steve," Ghost said. "I can see it now...can you? It's just a mist, but it's moving this way." He gripped Steve's hand, hard.
Steve tried, but didn't see a mist anywhere. "I don't see it," he said.
Ghost kept looking at it. "Oh, well, it's real swirly and slow, and some kind of...well, I'm not sure, but maybe a face?" Ghost whispered, then took a breath of air, and gagged. "Gahhh, it stinks. Pretend we don't see it, ok?" He looked away and tried to listen for any sounds.
"Shit...it sounds mean, Steve. Even if it's an underling, he's still got power. I'm getting the oils ready, right now, before it's too late."
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing
# 221
warning...adult content
~
After eating their supper of eggs and toast, they hauled the box of equipment out to the back porch. It was just beginning to get dusky outside...that in between time of light and dark. Pink streaks from the lingering sunset, filtered through the pine tree branches, giving a surreal pinkish glow to the shadows in the yard. It was quiet out. There was no wind, and the birds had all gone to their nests. Even the forest owl they usually heard, was quiet...unnaturally quiet, Steve thought.
"Get our jackets and some blankets, Ghost," Steve said. "I'll get the big flashlight, too." He had momentarily forgotten they'd not gone out in the back yard all day. Now, he remembered why...the coffin. He shivered, as he stared at it. It had not moved since this morning.
Ghost broke the silence, as he came out the door, loaded down with jackets, blankets, and a paper sack with snacks in it. "Hey, I got us some stuff to eat," he said, as he set it all down on a small table.
"Good thinking," Steve said. "Let's arrange it. We have the lawn chairs, the table, and all this other stuff, so we'll just sit back and wait."
"Do you want the phone, too?" asked Ghost.
"Oh, yeah," Steve said, and got up to go inside for it. He locked the front door before coming back out. "Now, first things first. I'm going to pour this salt and poison around. You hold the flashlight."
They went to the edge of the yard, and sprinkled them sparingly, as they walked a large circle around the house. After washing their hands, just in case poison got on their hands, they sat in the chairs, and begin the vigil...waiting for something to happen, for something to come at them from the dark.
After about an hour, Ghost was getting restless. He kept changing positions, getting up and stretching, yawning, tapping his feet, and humming. Steve gritted his teeth. He knew Ghost wasn't paying attention.
"Would ya sit down and be quiet? How the hell would we hear anything, with all the noise you're making?"
"What? What are we listening for, anyway," Ghost asked. "I thought we were just watching the coffin and stuff."
"Yeah, well you keep making noise, it'll scare away the...whatever it is," Steve said.
"Well, isn't that what we're trying to do...scare it away?"
Steve sighed. Technically, Ghost was right. "Yeah, we are, but if it comes out, we can maybe get rid of it for good. If it just is scared to come out tonight, it'll try again and again. So, we kinda want it to do something. Understand?"
"Oh, yeah, now I do. So, guess I have to be quiet and still and concentrate," Ghost said, and sat back down.
"Uh-huh, and use your senses to see if you feel it out there anywhere close."
"Ok, I'll try," Ghost said. He stood back up by the railing, closed his eyes, and breathed deep, letting it out slowly.
Steve watched, as Ghost swayed from side to side, sort of like using radar to detect faint noises or emanations in the atmosphere. He'd seen Ghost do this hundreds of times, and it never failed to fascinate him.
After a few minutes, Ghost opened his eyes, staring out into the graveyard. "It's out there," he whispered. "It's not real close. I can barely feel it, but it knows were out here. It's hesitant to make a move just yet. It's...it's...gathering strength to manifest." He kept staring at one particular spot across the darkening tombstones.
"Get the candles ready, but be quiet. It'll probably suck the energy from the flashlight battery...and maybe the house electricity, too." He breathed deep again. "I can tell it's not one of the old Civil War guys doing this." He turned toward Steve.
"It's a lesser demon...one that was left over from Trevor's house. It must have clung to us after that night, and has been roaming the graveyard all this time. He thinks he's the boss now...of something...or somebody." He shrugged, and gazed back over the cemetery. "I don't sense any more than the one, though."
Taking another deep breath, made him cough. "He smells...like rotten eggs, or sulfur...well, not good."
Steve tried to smell the air, but didn't detect anything unusual. He did set out the candles and lighter within easy reach, though. "What now?" he whispered.
Ghost shrugged. "Wait, I guess...'til he comes closer, so I can see him."
"Can you talk to it?"
"Not yet. It's just making grumbling sounds. If it gets stronger, I'll maybe hear a word, or a scream, or something." He sat back down. "I think we need to pretend we don't know it's there. Just act normal. Then, when we look out the side of our eyes, you know, not direct focus on it, and well...do something with our stuff, I guess," Ghost said.
Steve nodded. "What first...knife throwing?"
"Huh-uh, first I'm gonna do the oils and herbs. I'll crush them and say the banishment words to it...and flick some holy water at it," Ghost said. "But, if that isn't working, then we throw knives, and shoot it, and all the rest, 'cause then it'll be all out war." His voice caught for a second in a half sob. "And Steve, we have to win it...we have to win it...or...or...we'll get possessed, I guess. And, we'll be one of them." He shivered.
Chills ran up Steve's arms, and he gulped. "Is this for real? I mean, would we really be one of them...a dead demon forever? Would we still be looking like us, just walking around, just be weird and mean like a zombie or something?" His voice was getting higher pitched, the more scared he became.
"Yeah, that's about it...I think," Ghost said. "And, if one of us gets taken, the other of us has to, to...'cause that'd be horrible to see one of us be like that...ok?" He looked up into Steve's eyes. "So, if I see it's got you, I'll give up and be one, too. Will you...for me?"
Steve's eyes were wide with fear, now, and he could tell that Ghost was totally serious. "Yeah, yeah, of course I would, Ghost. You know I would. I couldn't let you be one without me," he said.
Ghost nodded. "Good, but maybe we can banish it first." He sounded confident.
"Oh, yeah, we can do it, we will," Steve said.
"Shhh..." Ghost said. "I hear something." Steve thought his heart stopped, right that second.
They stared out into the graveyard, gone dark now. Their eyes had adjusted to the dark , and they'd not turned on the flashlight. Only the stars and a half moon had control of the sky.
"Ok, kinda look out the side of your eyes, Steve," Ghost said. "I can see it now...can you? It's just a mist, but it's moving this way." He gripped Steve's hand, hard.
Steve tried, but didn't see a mist anywhere. "I don't see it," he said.
Ghost kept looking at it. "Oh, well, it's real swirly and slow, and some kind of...well, I'm not sure, but maybe a face?" Ghost whispered, then took a breath of air, and gagged. "Gahhh, it stinks. Pretend we don't see it, ok?" He looked away and tried to listen for any sounds.
"Shit...it sounds mean, Steve. Even if it's an underling, he's still got power. I'm getting the oils ready, right now, before it's too late."
~
Next part coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing
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