Two Souls: Into the Fire # 246

Warning … adult content

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As they drove back to the motel, Linda could tell that Stevie and Mandy were needing a nap. They could hardly keep their eyes open. Steve was staring out the window, lost in a fog of mental pain. She, herself, was exhausted. She couldn’t help the thoughts that came to her.

She gave in to them for a few minutes…What have I gotten us into…uprooting the kids and moving across the country, leaving all we know…going into the unknown and unfamiliar … are Steve and Ghost always in so much drama?…Where are we going to live, where will I find a job… Her mind was in turmoil over it all, going around and around. Then, there was the traveling, and they still had so far to go. Ghost’s health was in jeopardy, too, now, and it was getting to be too much for her. She felt her eyes sting, as tears began to fall. She wiped them away, before Steve could see, at least she hoped he didn’t see her crying. He didn’t need her self-pity on his shoulders, too. Taking a deep, shuddery breath, she said to herself, “I will be strong. I will see this through.”

She pulled the van into the motel parking lot, and switched off the engine. They just sat there a minute. “Mommy, are we home?” Mandy asked, still half-asleep.

“No, sweetie, we’re back at the motel. We’re going in so you and Stevie can take your naps,” she said. Getting out, she helped unbuckle the kids from their car seats. In the room, she helped them get into comfortable sleep clothes, and tucked them in, kissing their foreheads.

“Y’all try to sleep for a little bit,” she said. “Here’s your doll, Mandy. Your uncle Steve and I will be right outside, talking.”

“Okay, Mommy,” Mandy said. Stevie was already asleep.

Steve closed the door, as he and Linda went out. “Okay…I’ve had my pity party, Steve…now, we get busy,” Linda said. “Here’s my thoughts…see what you think,” She cleared her throat, before speaking again. “You go to the office and tell them what’s going on. Pay for the damages to the room…whatever they ask for.” Steve nodded.

“Next, you have to go get your things from the room, and bring them over here.”

“Yeah, I can do that,” Steve said. He headed off to see the motel manager.

Linda checked on the kids, then freshened up a little. Running a brush through her hair, and splashing cold water on her face, helped revive her. Back outside, she met up with Steve, again.

“That’s done,” Steve said. “Now, the room…um…it’s gonna be hard to go in there, Linda…to see…well, you know.”

“I know, but you have to…I have to stay with the kids,” Linda said. “You just try not to think about what happened earlier.”

Steve nodded, as he tried to steel himself for opening the other room’s door. He closed his eyes, as he opened it…immediately the stale air in the room engulfed him. He could see it all happening again. He went in, but left the door open. His eyes were drawn to the bathroom…this is where it happened…oh, God…Ghost’s blood on the floor…shattered glass… A quick look only…there was none of their things in there. He hurried to gather up the few things they’d brought in, from the main room, then left, shutting the door behind him.

He didn’t say a word, as he passed by Linda. He just went into her room and dropped everything on the floor, against the wall. He came back outside…he was breathing hard, and shaking all over. “That’s all,” he said.

“I know that was a hard thing to do, but you did it,” Linda said.  She wanted to hug him, he looked so sad, but she knew if she did, he would probably break down completely.

“Now what?” he asked.

“Well, it’s still a long time until seven o’clock. Maybe we should try to rest, too. I’m going to call Lisa, and tell her what has happened, then I’ll lay down with the kids for awhile,” Linda said. “Maybe you should call Kinsey to let him know what’s going on. Then, come rest on the little bed, okay?”

“Yeah, I better call Kinsey,” Steve said. He took out his phone. They both made their calls.

~

Linda dialed her sister’s number. “Hey, Sis, it’s me. We’re stopped a few days, here in Arizona. We were about to get into New Mexico, but Ghost had a bad spell, and is in the hospital.”

“Oh, no…will he be all right?” Lisa asked.

“Yeah, I think so. They’ll release him maybe tomorrow. I’m hanging in there. I’m tired…the kids are good. No complaints from either of them.”

“Good, good, but I can tell by your voice, something’s bothering you,” Lisa said.

Sighing, Linda said, “Just the stress, I guess, Lisa. The uncertainty of it all…second guessing…you know how it is. We’re fine, but we’ll be glad when we get to Missing Mile and can settle down somewhere.”

“I’ll try not to worry then, sister. You keep calling me, though, even if just to say hi, okay?” Lisa said.

“I will,” Linda said. “Love you.”

“Love you, too,” Lisa said. They ended their call. Linda went inside to rest, with the kids.

~

Steve had gone over to a little grassy area by the motel pool. Sitting at a picnic table, he made his call to Kinsey.  “Hey, Kinsey,” he began, when the phone was answered.

“Hey, there Steve. Good to hear from you,” Kinsey said. “Where are y’all? How’s it going?” he asked.

“Oh, we’re still in Arizona, but right near the border to New Mexico. We’re gonna be here a little longer than we thought…” Steve trailed off.

“How come?” Kinsey asked.

Steve hesitated a second. “Uh…Kinsey…it’s Ghost…he’s in the hospital here…”

“Oh, no…what happened?”

“He had a…seizure…a bad one, Kinsey…and somehow fell into a mirror and got cut. He had to have a few stitches, but they’ll be okay…it’s…well, they’re keeping him some more, because he was out of it for so long. They’re making sure he’s over it, ya know, got some more meds, and all.” Steve stopped a few seconds, then blurted out, “Shit, Kinsey…I only seen him once this morning, and can’t go back until tonight…and nobody’s telling me anything.” He tried to stifle a sob. “…and he’s not okay, Kinsey…” he said, his voice catching. “He’s just not, and…he said he thinks I hate him. And, the EMTs kept saying it was a suicide attempt, when he broke the mirror…and now I don’t know what to think…or do…or say,” he cried.

“Steve…get ahold of yourself,” Kinsey said. “Did he say anything else…did he say why?”

“No, that’s all, and they made me leave in a hurry. I don’t know what’s going on and I get no information at all. What should I do, Kinsey? I mean, when I see Ghost again. Just ask him straight out? What if he won’t even want to see me no more?”

“I don’t get what’s going on, but it doesn’t sound good, Steve,” Kinsey said. He thought for a minute. “What do you think? Did it look accidental? You weren’t there when it happened?”

“No, I was over in Linda’s room, or car, or whatever…waiting for him to come out. Then he didn’t, so we go in and he’s…Oh, God…laying there on the floor, in the glass, and bleeding, and totally passed out. Then they came and took him…and Kinsey? I’m scared to say it, but there wasn’t no way he fell onto the mirror…it was bolted down.”

“Oh, Jesus, Steve…” Kinsey said. They were silent then, for a minute. “What’s Linda’s take on all this?”

“I don’t know, she didn’t really say. She’s so tired and all, and the kids…she’s taking a nap right now…she just keeps talking about getting back on the road again.”

“Hmm, well, Steve…y’all just go up there tonight and demand some answers from those doctors. And, I guess see if Ghost has come around to normal now. Sounds like just the after-business of the seizure, and the trauma of getting hurt, and medicines…I’m sure he didn’t mean that what he said…there’s no way, you know,” Kinsey said.

“I know, Kinsey, but I’m so worried.”

“I know, Steve, but you have to handle it, you and Linda both. And as soon as possible, get Ghost back home,” Kinsey said. “Let me know how it goes.”

“Okay, I will,” Steve said. They hung up their phones. Steve rubbed his face, and prayed Ghost would be better tonight.

***

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Next part coming soon!

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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 # 245

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The doctor continued talking to Steve, asking questions, and explaining some of the treatments Ghost would be receiving.

“Now, Ghost had cuts from glass. Do you know how it happened?” the doctor asked.

Steve shook his head. “No, I wasn’t there.”

“Okay…” the doctor wrote something on his paper. “The cuts are superficial, mostly, but there are two that needed a few stitches, but weren’t too serious. What we don’t understand, is why he has not been responsive. He hasn’t regained full consciousness, though he is moaning, and mumbling your name, so far. Is he on drugs? Is he, or has he been suicidal?” He looked up, waiting for Steve’s answer.

“What? No, no, no, none of that…ever. He has seizures sometimes. An old head injury causes them, and he takes medicine for it. He probably had one, and fell into the mirror.” Steve took a second to think. “He loses his vision when it happens, but it always comes back…and usually has a bad headache…but, he’s never been out this long before.”

Nodding, the doctor said, “Now we’re getting somewhere, Steve. That explains a lot. I’ll tell my colleagues what is likely going on, and we’ll be able to treat it. Thank you. As soon as he is stable, and in a room, you will be able to see him.” He turned to go back through the double doors.

Looking over at Linda, Steve asked, “He’s gonna be ok, right?”

She hugged him. “Yes, he’ll be fine, I’m sure. Now we just have to be patient and wait.” She led him over to the chairs.

An hour passed, then another. Steve paced and worried. Linda got the kids a snack, and coffee for herself and Steve. Other emergency cases came in, were treated, and left, but there still was no word about Ghost. After a little more waiting, the double doors swung open, and the doctor came to talk to them.

“Okay, here’s the latest. I know you’ve been worried. Ghost has been admitted to a room.” He gave them the location and room number. “He’s regained consciousness somewhat…he’s still groggy, and medicated, but is stable. You can go up and see him, but only for a short time. He’s had a very serious seizure. We did a brain scan, and he’ll be put on stronger meds after his discharge. He’s still being monitored, of course. I expect at least one to two days here.” He handed Steve a paper map, with directions to the room, then left. Steve stared at the paper, unsure what to do.

“Go on, Steve,” Linda said. “I’m staying down here with the kids. They’re not allowed up there.”

Steve nodded, looking around. “How? How do I find him? Where is this room?” He looked so lost.

“Steve, just go over to the desk…ask the lady.” She turned him in the right direction.

“Okay,” he said, going over to ask. The woman took the paper map of the hospital rooms, and highlighted the path Steve should follow to Ghost’s room. He thanked her, and followed the directions, finding it with no trouble. His heart was pounding, though, as he slowly pushed open the door.

“Oh, God…” he said to himself, as he saw Ghost lying there in the hospital bed. There was an IV hooked up to Ghost’s arm, and his eyes were closed. He quietly went over to the bedside.

“Ghost…it’s me, Steve.” he said.

Ghost cracked open his eyes a bit. “Steve?” he whispered, then tears ran down his face.

“Oh, Ghost, it’s gonna be okay. The doctor said so, and you’ll only be here a day or two…until you feel better.” He took Ghost’s hand, squeezing softly.

Ghost tried to talk, but was still having a hard time with his words. “I call you…”

Steve nodded. “I know…I heard you. I came as fast as I could.”

“Why? You hate me,” Ghost cried out.

“What? What are you talking about? Of course I don’t hate you…I love you, Ghost.”

Ghost shook his head, as much as the pain would allow.

Before Steve could say anything else, a nurse came in. “You’ll have to leave, now…Doctor’s orders…only a short visit for now. It’ll be longer this evening,” she said, as she ushered Steve out.

“I’ll be back,” Steve said, as he looked back at Ghost, and left the room. The nurse was sympathetic . She reassured him they were taking good care of Ghost, and he could come back at 7 p.m.  He retraced his steps back to the main waiting area, to find Linda. She looked up as he came back to sit beside her.

“How is he?” she asked.

“I…I don’t know…I was only allowed in for like five minutes. He knew I was there, but he looked so…” He turned closer to Linda, laying his head on her shoulder, as tears ran down his face. She held him tight. After a few long minutes, he said, “He said I hate him. Why would he say that?”

Linda was at a loss for words. It didn’t make sense to her either.

“He was calling for me, Linda, but when I went in, he said that to me. Then the nurse made me leave. I can go back at seven.”

“Well, did the doctor, or a nurse say anything else…like his condition or when he can leave?”

“No, nobody said anything…except come back later.”

Linda sighed. “Well, we need to make some kind of a plan. We need to get something to eat, and I need to get the kids out of here. Come on…” She got up and went to Stevie and Mandy. “Let’s go, you two. We’re going for lunch,” she said.

“Yay,” Mandy said, as she jumped up and down.

“Where’s Ghost…isn’t he coming?” Stevie asked.

Linda tried to think how to explain it to them. “Not this time. The doctor wants him to stay here a little longer. We’ll be back tonight, though,” she said, as they walked over to Steve.

“Uncle Steve, why can’t Ghost come with us?” Stevie asked.

Steve looked at Linda, but she shrugged. “Stevie,” she said, “I just told you why, remember? Now let’s go eat.”

~

Driving around the town, they found a McDonald’s, so pulled into the parking lot. “This will be fine, and the kids can burn off some energy playing in the kid’s area.” They ordered their food, found a table, and the kids ate everything. “Y’all must have been hungry,” she laughed.

“Yeah, and can we go play?” Stevie asked.

“Yes, go on.” She watched them head to the play yard. Then, she noticed that Steve had barely eaten anything. “Ok, let’s talk,” she said.

He looked at her, and his eyes said what he was thinking…then he said it out loud, “There’s nothing to say, Linda. Ghost thinks I hate him.”

“Now look here, Steve, I don’t know why he’d say that. He’s had a trauma, he’s on strong meds…he could say anything, and not even know it. So, you need to pull yourself together, and forget about it, for now.”

“But, do you think he…tried to kill himself?’ Steve asked, hating that he even said those words. “I mean, it really didn’t look like an accident to me…falling into the mirror, that was bolted to the wall? That would’ve been impossible, Linda…and those EMTs knew it, too.”

“Oh, Steve, I know what it looked like, but we haven’t heard it from him, and he may not even remember. So, we don’t know…may never know. We’ll just deal with the situation how ever it comes to us. But, we do have to go forward…think it through…”

Steve nodded. “I know…”

“Now, I do know we have to go to the motel and tell the manager something,” Linda continued. “And we’ll have to pay for the damages to the room. You can stay in our room until we can leave,” she said, trying to think of what else. “We’ll get y’all’s things from the other room, then come back up here at seven, see how things are going, and when he gets released, I guess get back on the road. She closed her eyes, and rubbed her forehead. “Steve, we’re still so far from home…we can’t give up now.”

“I know,” Steve said, giving her a hug. “God, I hope we can figure this out.”

“Me too,” Linda said.

“I’m sorry this trip is turning into such a disaster…this road trip, it’s been mostly good, but more days on the road…I don’t know…you probably regret it already, and I wouldn’t blame you if you turned around and went back,” Steve said.

“Nope, I’m in it all the way, brother. Family sticks together, for better or worse,” she said, smiling.

“No matter what?”

“No matter what,” Linda said. “Okay, then, let’s get going.” She got up to go get Mandy and Stevie.

***

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.