Two Souls: Into the Fire # 251

Warning … adult content

***

“I’ll order whatever sounds like UFO food,” Ghost said, still talking about what he wanted to eat when they stopped in New Mexico.

“You’re weird, ya know,” Steve said.

“I know,” Ghost said. He got out his journal and pen, and began drawing pictures of aliens and UFOs. He’d show Steve what he drew, every once in awhile. “How do you like this one?” he kept asking.

“I like all of them,” Steve said, glancing at the page. “You draw really good. Where do you get ideas for aliens, anyway…TV?”

“Nuh-uh…them shows are fake. I seen real ones before…in a dream, but it wasn’t a dream. I think I was there where they were, looking at them,” Ghost said.

Steve knew Ghost was off and running with another fantastical story, but he loved hearing them, so he kept asking questions. “When was this dream, not a dream deal?”

“Oh, a long time ago, before I was here.” Ghost said.

“Up in the mountains?”

“No, before that…another time,” Ghost said. “I was here before this time…you know…” he sighed. “I still miss it sometimes…that other time.”

“You’re not making sense…what other time?” Steve asked.

Ghost thought a minute. “Didn’t I tell you before, that we both knew each other a bunch of other times? That’s why we’re together now, ’cause we always were supposed to be. We’ll always be together…even when we’re gone from here.”

Frowning, Steve was still confused. “You told me before?”

“Yeah, I think so. My grandmother told me, and she told you. Then I told you again. Remember?”

Steve thought about it, trying to get what Ghost was talking about. He vaguely remembered the strange conversation he’d had with Ghost’s grandmother, Miz Deliverance, that day he rescued Ghost behind the school, many years ago. What had she said…that he and Ghost were meant to meet again, but only when the time was right…and then…it was the right time.

“I kinda remember that, Ghost. I didn’t get it then, though, and I still don’t, but it is a familiar feeling…I get this weird knowing about us, that I can’t put into words.”

“Yeah, that’s it,” Ghost said. “Exactly. There’s a word for it, for when you come back, and another word for what we are…re…something…” he tried to think of the words.

“Oh, you mean reincarnation?” Steve asked. “Is that it? I’ve heard of that, and it’s like you said…we come back again and again.”

“That’s the word, Steve, and that’s what we did. And, the other words is soul-mates, I just remembered. That’s what we are…our souls are meant to be together, no matter what, no matter when, and in every lifetime we’re in…every one of them.” Ghost laughed. “And, here we are today.”

Steve laughed, too. “That’s so cool. That’s the connection we have. I get it, now.”

Ghost nodded, “And our name too…Lost Souls?…’cause it fits…we are lost souls ’till we find each other again. I’m glad it’s you, Steve. I wouldn’t want it to be anybody else.”

“Me too, Ghost…it wouldn’t work any other way,” Steve said.

They rode in silence a little while, both thinking of it. Then, Steve asked, “What’s that got to do with UFOs?”

“Huh?” Ghost asked. “Oh, you mean me seeing them in a maybe dream, and the stuff between us? Nothing, I guess, except I remember this other place and time I was in, and they were there. I don’t think I stayed very long in that place, that time, ’cause I couldn’t find you, and I had to keep searching. You weren’t one of the aliens.”

“But, you kind of miss that place?”

“Yeah, ’cause it was pretty neat. I didn’t live very long…didn’t get to know it much.”

“Would you go back there, if you had a chance?” Steve asked. “If a UFO stopped us, right here in the road, and asked you to come back…would you go?”

“No, why would I?” Ghost said, shaking his head. “You are here, Steve. This is where I belong.”

“Good, I want you to stay here with me,” Steve said, smiling.

~

After awhile, they came to the next city, Albuquerque. Steve pulled into a large parking lot, and waited for Linda to catch up. “Here she is,” he said, getting out of the U-Haul.

Linda pulled her van up next to them, and rolled down the window. Steve leaned in, and asked, “Just wondering if you have any idea of where you and the kids want to eat.”

“Anything but fast food and sandwiches,” she said. “I need a break, and want some real food, today.” She laughed.

They scanned the area of town they were in, but didn’t see anything likely. “Maybe we could ask someone over in that convenience store? Surely, they’d know a good place to eat,” Linda said.

“Okay, I’ll go ask,” Steve said, and walked over to the little store.

The kids were getting fidgety, wanting to get out and run around. “We’ll get out in a few minutes. Uncle Steve will be right back, then we’ll go eat.”

When Steve rejoined them, Linda asked, “What did you find out?”

“There’s a restaurant about two blocks over there,” he said, pointing. “It has all different things. Then there’s a diner, about a mile up the road, and a truck stop on the way out of town. Which one sounds the best?”

“The restaurant, will be fine,” Linda said.

Steve went back to the U-Haul. “Did you find a place?” Ghost asked. He began putting away his book and markers.

“Yep, and looks like it’s right over there,” Steve said, as he was pulling into the parking lot.

Inside the restaurant, they were led to a booth, and given menus. Ghost looked it over and laughed. “See…I told you there’d be UFO food,” he showed Steve, pointing out the names of some of the choices.

“You’re right,” Steve said, reading them off out loud.

About half the menu did have funny UFO names for the pretty much ordinary food. There was ‘planetary meatballs and spaghetti’, ‘flying saucer tortillas’ for a build your own burrito, ‘E-T tacos’, ‘alien appetizer platter’, ‘close encounter’ enchiladas, and ‘galaxy grilled chicken’, among other things. They made their choices, and drank iced-tea while they waited for their order to be ready.

“This is the weirdest place I ever ate at,” Steve said, as he looked around.

“I know,” Linda said. “I don’t even know what it’s supposed to be…is it a Mexican food place?”

“Kind of, but the waiters are all dressed…well, like Mexicans from outer space.” He snickered at that.

Ghost was taking it all in. He had a grin on his face, and was enjoying the spectacle. There was a hodge-podge of costumes the waiters and waitresses were wearing, from serapes and sombreros, to alien ears, and antennas, in any combination. The décor was just as mixed up, and the music playing over the speakers was western songs, alternating with sci-fy movie themes.

Their waiter came by to let them know it wouldn’t be long. “Y’all’s order is working, but if the kids want to burn off some energy, there’s a kid space over through that door,” he said, pointing to the back of the room.

“Thanks,” Linda said. “That’s just what they need.” She and Steve took Stevie and Mandy over to play. Ghost got out his camera,  and wandered around snapping pictures. Several other customers were doing the same, and he got to talk to them about where they were from, and where they were going. It was like a family party atmosphere in the restaurant. He found his way into the play area, to take pictures of the kids. They were having a ball, hollering and playing on all the equipment, with some other kids. After a little while, their waiter motioned to them that their food was ready, so they rounded up the kids, and went back to their table. There was so much food there, the table was filled.

“Oh, my…we ordered a lot,” Linda said.

“Well, let’s get started, then,” Steve said.

They ate until they could hold no more. “I’m dying,” Ghost said. “I ate too much.”

“But it was so good,” said Steve, pushing his plate away. Even the kids had eaten a lot, for them. They paid their way out, and went back to the cars.

“Ready to get back on the road?” Steve asked. “There’s a few more hours until it gets dark.”

“Sure, we really should,” Linda said. “Then we can all sleep good tonight at a motel.”

They pulled out of the parking lot, and found the Interstate highway, again. Everyone was refreshed from their break.

***

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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 # 250

Warning … adult content

***

On the elevator, riding down to the waiting area, Ghost seemed to be fine, but Steve asked anyway, “You okay? I mean, you’re out of here now, and the doctor said you could go, but how do you really feel?”

“I’m good…feeling fine, Steve. I’m just happy to be outta here. That medicine makes me feel weird, though, like floaty or something.”

Steve nodded. “Yeah, he said it probably would until you get used to it. He said not to drive…”

“I don’t wanna drive,” Ghost said, looking alarmed.

Steve laughed. “I know, and I told the doctor you don’t. So, do you feel ready to get back on the road, when we leave here? You can sleep if you need to…or we can stay at the motel another day or so…whatever you need.”

Ghost sighed. “I just want to be home.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” Steve still thought Ghost didn’t feel good, though, but he willed himself to not think it, because Ghost would pick up on his thoughts, and he didn’t want to start another conversation about it right now. He’d take Ghost’s word on it, and they would carry on.

As they got to the waiting room, Stevie and Mandy came running to hug Ghost. “Yay…we missed you, Ghost. Can you come out now?” Stevie asked.

“Yeah, I can come out now,” Ghost said, kneeling down to hug the kids.

“You got a boo-boo?” Mandy asked, touching Ghost’s cheek.

“Um-hmm, but it’s better now.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Linda said. “Are you up for more traveling?”

“Sure…I’m letting Steve drive, ya know, so I can write…and sleep,” Ghost said, and laughed.

“Good, then I guess we should get going, huh, Steve?” Linda asked.

“I’m ready if y’all are,” Steve said.

The kids got their things, and everyone went to their cars. Steve briefed Linda on the route out of town, and they took off down the road…out of Arizona into New Mexico. Steve figured they could make it across with only a stop for food and gas once, before night.

Turning on the radio, Steve tried to find a station that would come in more than static. He still thought it was strange that cities were so far apart out here in the west. It wasn’t like back home, at all. Ghost stared out the window for awhile, as he munched on peanut butter crackers, and sipped water. He wasn’t very talkative, even though Steve commented on the desert scenery, as they rode along. Finally finding some music to listen to, he settled into driving, and keeping a watch in the rearview mirror, to make sure Linda was still following. There weren’t many other cars on the road, so she had no problem keeping up.

Ghost got out his journal, and began to write.

“What’cha writing about,” Steve asked.

“Oh, just whatever I think of. I’m trying to catch up from the last time I wrote in here. You know, about the hospital and all…and why I was there, and how I felt.” He looked out the window again, for a few seconds. “Then, I’ll write about us going down the road.”

“Oh, okay.” After a couple of minutes Steve said, “While you were in the hospital, I kinda was writing a song. I got some of the words down, and kept hearing the notes in my head.” He looked over at Ghost, to get his reaction.

Ghost was grinning. “You did? What’s it about? When can I hear it?”

“I need to work on it some more, but it’s about that ghost town we saw…and you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, how you knew there was a fake town, and a real one. Well, there’s more to it than that…like words unspoken…about fake and real stuff. Like I said, I’m still working on it, but I’ll try to play it for you tonight when we stop,” Steve said.

Ghost reached over and touched Steve’s face. “I’m glad you’re real,” he said.

Steve smiled. “Glad you’re real, too.”

Ghost sighed. “I’m sleepy…I want to lay down.”

“Well, there’s really no way. Just try to get comfortable as best you can, because you have to have your seat belt on.”

“I know,” Ghost said. He scooched down a little bit, though, and took his jacket to rest his head on, against the side window. He looked up into the sky of New Mexico…a clear, blue sky.

Steve glanced over at him…sky blue eyes, match the blue sky…amazing…

“I’m looking for UFOs,” Ghost said. “This is where they hang out, ya know.”

“In the daytime?” Steve asked.

“Sure, why not?”

“Well, ’cause then people would see them?” Steve countered.

“Yeah, like me,” Ghost said. “That’s ’cause I’m looking for them. They come out of their secret hiding places sometimes, just to see if we’re paying attention. Then the next day, they’ll know…the people report a sighting, and it gets wrote about in the paper, and on TV.”

Steve snorted. “So the UFOs read the newspapers and watch TV news?”

“No, not the UFOs, Steve…the aliens.”

“Ohh, I see…”

“Yeah,” Ghost said, still looking farther down the road. “Ya see that big ‘ol mountain, way off over there? That could be where they have their cave at…where they live.”

Steve laughed out loud. “They live in caves?”

“Well, yeah, or hollowed out places in the mountains. It would have to be big enough for their UFOs, though,” Ghost said. “I know some things, Steve.”

“Yes, you sure do,” Steve said, totally believing all Ghost was saying, and at the same time, knowing it was another fantastic story that Ghost loved to tell…and could make seem so real.

Ghost smiled his crooked grin, knowing he had sucked Steve into his tale of UFOs. “My eyes are tired of looking now, but you wake me up if you happen to see one.”

“I will, right after I scream from fright.”

Ghost closed his eyes, and was asleep almost before Steve finished talking. Steve yawned, and fiddled with the radio again. He let down the window for some fresh air…anything to keep awake.

“This road is monotonous,” he thought. “Feels like we’re getting nowhere, even as the miles keep rolling by.” He wondered how Linda was holding up. She was still behind him, keeping up. He risked a quick call.

“Hey, Linda, I’m ready to get out and stretch my legs awhile. Let’s stop at the next town,” he said.

“Okay, I’m needing to stop, too,” she said.

They continued for another thirty miles or so, finally seeing signs for the next town. Then, pulling into a gas station/convenience store, he got out to stretch. He was pumping gas into the U-Haul, when Linda pulled into the parking lot.

“Is everyone asleep?” Steve asked.

“My two are, but I’m thinking I should wake them up to go potty,” Linda said.

“Let’s see,” Steve said. “The next town is about an hour away. Maybe they’ll stay asleep until then, and we’ll be hungry, too. I say we keep going. Just let them sleep for now. You need to go, while we’re stopped?” he asked.

“Yep, keep an eye on the kids, and I’ll be right back,” Linda said, as she walked to the store.

When she returned, Steve took his turn, then they were off down the road, again. Steve kept thinking of the song he was working on, trying out different words, hoping he could remember them to write them down. Ghost began to wake up, shortly before they were to stop.

He sat up straighter, rubbing his neck. “Where we at?” he asked.

“”The middle of nowhere,” Steve said.

“Huh?”

“We’re between towns, Ghost. We’re gonna stop pretty soon, and get something to eat.”

“Oh, yeah…I’m hungry,” Ghost said.

“We’ll stop in Albuquerque to eat, then keep going until dark. We’ll probably make it into Tucumcari for tonight,” Steve said. “We’re on this here road I-40 all the way home.”

“They got some funny names out here, don’t they?” asked Ghost. “Did ya see any UFOs when I was asleep?”

“No, I would have woke you up, if I had.”

“Where we going to eat? I want some New Mexico food,” Ghost said.

“What kind is that? Is it different than regular food? We’ll just eat at a regular place…order whatever you want,” Steve said.

***

***

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.