Two Souls: Into the Fire # 279

***

Kinsey jumped up from his chair, when he saw Steve and Ghost come into the office. A big smile creased his face.

“Hey, Kinsey,” Ghost said, “we’re here. Surprise!” He ran over to give Kinsey a hug. “We have another surprise, too.”

Kinsey was taking it all in. His quiet office had suddenly become a noisy, people filled room. It felt like a party, already. Stevie and Mandy were running around hollering, and Linda was shushing them. Melody was hanging back, trying to be inconspicuous, and Ghost was babbling on and on, whether anyone was listening, or not. Steve just leaned against the wall, smiling, but looking tired.

“Well, Steve, you got ’em all back, safe and sound,” Kinsey said.

“Um-hmm, and it wasn’t easy,” Steve said, and sighed.

“Yeah, I can imagine,” Kinsey said. “You look beat.”

Steve nodded. “I think I need to sleep for about a year, then maybe I’ll feel okay.”

Kinsey watched the kids for a minute. “What’s the story…Ghost’s face? What happened?” He really looked at the black eye and swollen mouth.

“A freak accident,” Steve said. He didn’t want to get into it right now. He knew Kinsey would never fully trust him again, anyway. No need to go into details at this point.

“Okay…” Kinsey said, as he raised his eyebrows. “Then, who’s the girl? She looks the spitting image of Ghost.”

Nodding, Steve said, “I’ll let Ghost tell ya. Hey, Ghost, c’mere,” he said, getting Ghost’s attention. “You gotta introduce Kinsey to…”

“Oh yeah,” Ghost said. He ran over to the couch, where Melody was sitting with Linda. Kinsey and Steve moved a little closer. “You gotta actually meet Kinsey,” he said, grabbing Melody’s hand, helping her up. “Kinsey, this here is Melody, my sister.” He laughed. “We found her, and we didn’t even know we was looking for her.”

“Well, what do ya know. Nice to meet you, Melody. I’m Kinsey.”

“Hey, Kinsey,” Melody said, a bit shy now. “It was a big surprise to me, too.”

Shaking his head, Kinsey said, “I’m trying to wrap my head around it. Sorry if I stare, but you two are so much alike.”

“That’s ’cause we’re twins, Kinsey,” Ghost said. “We’re supposed to look alike”

Kinsey laughed. “You’re right, and you’ve got to tell me the whole story. It’s amazing. I mean, nobody knew.”

“We’ll tell ya everything, but right now we need to get Linda, Melody, and the kids settled in,” Steve said.

“Of course. Her room is ready and waiting, and it’s no problem opening up one for Melody,” Kinsey said.

“Thanks, man,” Steve said. “You want…I mean, how much, well, all the stuff in the U-Haul. What should we do with it for now?”

“Oh, well, bring in what you want. We’ll put it in the other empty rooms for now. I was just thinking of what they need for today, or the next few days?” Kinsey looked at Linda.

“We can do that,” Linda said, “but, Steve, don’t you have to turn in the U-Haul soon?”

“Yeah, but not today. Why don’t you tell me what you want out of there, for now. The rest can be situated tomorrow.”

Linda named off several things she and the kids would need right away, and Melody did the same for herself. Some items were from the U-Haul, some were from the van.

“Come on, Ghost, let’s start hauling it in.” They all went outside, and began unloading. Even Stevie and Mandy were helping, by bringing in their toys.

Trudging up and down the stairs a few times got most of the essentials. “That’s enough for now,” Linda said, as she and the others went into the office, collapsing into chairs and the onto the couch. Kinsey brought in more coffee and some juice for everyone.

“This is so nice of you, Kinsey, to let me stay here,” Melody said. “I plan on getting a job. I don’t want to be a free-loader.”

“Aww, don’t worry about it…take your time settling in,” Kinsey said.

After a little while, Linda suggested they go get something to eat. It had been a long time since any of them had eaten anything, but snack foods.

“I can make us something,” Kinsey said.

“No, you’ve done enough,” she said. “I know there’s a diner here, let’s just all go over there.” they all agreed with this.

Ghost and Steve rode with Kinsey, and they all met at the diner. Their favorite waitress was there, and was happy to see them. Introductions were made for Melody, then they all ate until they couldn’t hold any more.

“I want to go get Spirit, now,” Ghost said. “Then I want to go home.”

“Okay, me too,” Steve said.

Kinsey drove them around the corner to Zack and Trevor’s house. This time Melody rode with them, as Linda and the kids went back to the Yew.

“You’ll get to see Spirit,” Ghost said. “I missed him so much…and Zack and Trevor, too.”

“So you missed them, too?” Steve asked.

“Yeah, but not as much,” Ghost said.

Kinsey pulled up into the driveway, and they all got out. Ghost was the first one to the door. He knocked, and waited. He knocked again. “Maybe they’re not home,” Steve said.

“They’re in there,” Ghost said. “they’re in the kitchen, cooking, and…” he concentrated for a minute. “…and they have the music on.” He banged harder on the door.

Finally the door opened. Trevor was surprised, and smiled. “Hey, you’re back. Sorry, almost didn’t hear you knocking. Y’all come on in. Hey, Zack, guess who’s here?” As he turned toward the kitchen, his long ginger hair swung around his bare back.

Melody couldn’t help but stare, open mouthed. Ghost caught her thoughts. He smiled his crooked smile. “They’re together,” he said.

She swallowed. “Uh, I know…but, damn.”

Zack came out into the living room. “Hey, it’s good to see y’all.” He hugged Ghost and Steve. Noticing Melody, he did a double take. “Who’s this lovely lady that looks like you, Ghost?” he asked.

“That’s my twin sister, Melody,” Ghost said. “This here is Zack.”

Zack took Melody’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Enchante, ma Cherie,” he said in his New Orleans accented voice.

Melody giggled. “Thank you. I can tell you’re from New Orleans. I’ve lived near there forever, up until a few days ago.”

“Ahh, it is a pleasure, and you are right,” Zack said.

Steve, watching this exchange, just rolled his eyes.

“Where’s Spirit? I come to get him and take him home,” Ghost asked.

“Here he is,” Trevor said. He was carrying the sleepy cat in his arms.

Ghost reached out for him, and Spirit meowed long and loud, happy to see Ghost again.

***

***

Next part coming soon!

***

Thanks for visiting! Peace

© 2019 BS

***

This is a work of “fan fiction” based on the novel, “Lost Souls” by Poppy Z. Brite. All credit for the original characters, places, and some backstory mentions, belong to Ms. Brite and her publishing affiliates. Only newly introduced characters, places, and original elements of this story are entirely from my imagination. Character descriptions are a blend of the original book descriptions and my interpretation of them.

Two Souls: Into the Fire # 278

Warning … adult content

***

It was a tight squeeze, but everyone managed to get into the van. Linda started the engine, and pulled out of the police station parking lot, to head back up the mountain to the cabins. They needed to get their belongings, and the U-Haul, then settle up with the manager for the damages.

Stevie kept asking his uncle Steve what happened. “Not now, Stevie,” Linda said, trying to shush him.

“You wanna know what happened? I’ll tell ya,” Steve said, still angry.

Linda gave him a warning look. “Steve, no…they don’t need to hear it, and Stevie, stop asking questions…it’s grown-up stuff. We’re getting the U-Haul, and going back on the road.”

“Damn right we are,” Steve said. He slammed his fist down onto the arm rest, making them all jump. Ghost had laid his head over on Melody’s shoulder, and when Steve startled them, he gripped her arm hard, then began sobbing.

Linda took a deep breath. This is a waking nightmare…

~

Up at the visitor’s center, word had spread among residents and employees. The place was abuzz with speculation. As Linda parked the van, she could see people standing on the porch, and others peering through the windows.

“Steve, my suggestion is we don’t need to tell anyone anything. You and Ghost just go straight to the U-Haul and leave. I will give the manager a check, then I’ll follow you down. I’m not in any mood to be talking to anyone, even if they say they are your friends. Deal?”

“”Deal,” Steve said. “I’ll be damned if I’m gonna explain anything to anyone here.”

“Okay, ready?” she asked.

Steve nodded. “Ghost, let’s go. Don’t look at anybody, don’t talk to anybody. Just get in, and we leave.” He opened his door, and the passenger back door, to let Ghost out. They were on the far side of the U-Haul, so the onlookers didn’t have a view of them. As soon as they were in, he started it up, and pulled out.

Linda got out, alone, and walked to the office. She heard people calling out to her, but she didn’t stop or look their way. Inside, she faced the manager at his desk.

“How much do we owe for the damages?” she asked.

He told her a figure, and she doubled it, then handed him the check. Raising his eyebrows, he asked, “Are they gonna be okay?”

Linda nodded. “Yes, they’ll be fine. It was an accident.”

“I know, and we do care about them, you know. Sorry I yelled earlier.”

“Thank you,” Linda said. “They care about y’all, too. You’ve all been very kind to them. They’ve already left, though. They’re a bit shook up, and embarrassed about the whole incident.”

“Y’all are always welcome here…no hard feelings. I mean that,” the manager said.

Linda nodded. “I’ll let them know.” She turned, and went out the door, straight to the van. Inside, she felt she could breathe again. After a minute, she pulled out of the parking lot, and wound her way back down the twisty mountain road. On the outskirts of the little town, she saw the U-Haul pulled over, waiting for her. She pulled in behind it, then called on her cell phone to Steve.

“It’s all taken care of. Let’s get out of here,” she said.

~

They drove for miles. No one was saying anything, in either car. Even the kids weren’t complaining that they’d had no breakfast. They were all feeling a pall hanging over them. Exhaustion was showing on their faces, yet determination was keeping them going. The tall pines on both sides of the road seemed to loom over them, casting shadows on the road. The sun was somewhere above the tree tops, but here on the road, it was still, and dark.

As they passed the road that led up to the little community where Ghost had come from, he showed a bit of interest.

“That’s the road…” he began.

“We’re not stopping,” Steve said, and pushed the accelerator down harder.

“It smells like home,” Ghost said, smiling as best he could. “Can’t you smell the ocean, Steve?”

“Yeah, won’t be long,” Steve said.

“Where we going?” Ghost asked.

“Huh? We’re going home,” Steve said, glancing over at Ghost.

“I know, but to our house, or to the Yew? Or to Zack’s to get Spirit?”

“Oh…uh…the Yew, I guess,” Steve said. “Linda is staying there for now. Maybe Kinsey will have something to eat. I’m about to starve.”

“Me, too,” Ghost said. “I love home. I don’t want to go anywhere else, again.”

“You got that right. Hey, look…there it is, straight ahead.” Missing Mile was in their sights.

Both of them were grinning. The bad mood had lifted. “Does he know we’re here today?” Ghost asked.

“I don’t know, I haven’t talked to him,” Steve said. “Too late, now…we’re here.” He parked the U-Haul in the back parking lot of the Sacred Yew. Linda did the same, and they all got out, stretching their legs.

“It’s done…we’re here. Let’s go in and surprise Kinsey,” Steve said. He opened the back door. The familiar atmosphere of the club washed over them. It was dim in the hallway, and a wonderful smell of coffee was in the air. A light was on in the office, so they walked over, and Steve opened the door.

There was Kinsey, coffee cup in hand, leaning back in his office chair. As the door opened, he looked up in surprise. “What the hell? Y’all are back!”

***

***

Next part coming soon!

***

Thanks for visiting! Peace

© 2019 BS

***

This is a work of “fan fiction” based on the novel, “Lost Souls” by Poppy Z. Brite. All credit for the original characters, places, and some backstory mentions, belong to Ms. Brite and her publishing affiliates. Only newly introduced characters, places, and original elements of this story are entirely from my imagination. Character descriptions are a blend of the original book descriptions and my interpretation of them.