Two Souls: Into the Fire # 287

Warning … adult content

***

Melody thought for a moment, still feeling that Steve was not wanting to talk about what was bothering him. Ghost was still asleep, so she said, “I can tell you a story, if you want.”

Steve raised a shoulder, “Okay, go ahead.”

Clearing her throat, Melody began. “It’s not a funny one, but I had a dream once…of her…of our mother.”

Steve smiled. Another dreamer, just like Ghost…

“Did you know her?” Melody asked.

“No, I didn’t, and …well, never mind,” Steve said. Did she forget? Their mother died the same day she and Ghost had been born…or not born…aborted…

“I know it sounds strange, Steve, but I did know her, and so did Ghost”

Frowning, Steve looked over at her. “How can that be?”

She shrugged. “We were part of her…for awhile. There’s a place inside us, where she still is. I can sense her, and she comes to me in dreams. She was so pretty.” Melody sighed. “She was a rebel, though, and wasn’t afraid of anything, except staying there up in the mountains. She wanted out. That’s what I know. Ghost told me he knew it, too, even before that journal grandmother gave him. He told me so. He said he talks to her, and sees her spirit sometimes. Those times he goes off by himself…didn’t you ever wonder about what he did, alone out there in the woods?” She looked at Steve, and he could feel her eyes boring into him.

He was surprised, as he’d never thought to ask Ghost, before. How could he not have? Those times Ghost would come back, kind of sad, and not wanting to talk, he must have been hurting inside, even more than he realized.” He sighed.

“I’m no good at reading signs like that, Melody. I can’t usually see below the surface.” He shook his head. “It kills me to know this. Why couldn’t I have just known what to say to him?” He was disgusted with himself, now, remembering and knowing that Ghost had needed him then, at those times, more than even he could talk about it, or acknowledge it.

“Don’t be down on yourself,” Melody said. “Most people can’t sense these things, but you were there by his side, and that’s what really counts.”

~

They rode in silence a little while, lost in their own thoughts. Ghost was mumbling something, as he slept. Steve glanced in the rear view mirror at him, hoping his dream would not turn into a nightmare, or day-mare, or whatever you’d call it. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something leap into the road, right in front of them.

Melody shrieked, as he braked hard, to avoid hitting the thing. The van skidded a bit, but Steve held it steady, slowing, and pulling over to the side of the road. Ghost had been woken up, and was staring out the front windshield.

“What the hell was that?” Steve asked, his voice raised an octave.

“Oh my, God…oh my, God…” Melody was repeating, with her hand over her pounding heart.

“Y’all okay?” Steve asked them.

“It was a deer,” Ghost said, calmly. “I was trying to warn you, right before I saw it in my dream.” He paused a second. “It’s an omen.”

Steve snorted. “Bullshit…it was a crazy old deer. They jump in front of cars all the time…don’t mean nothing,” he said, but the look on Ghost’s face was scaring him, even as he tried to blow the incident off as normal.

“What kind of omen?” Melody asked.

“I don’t know, yet,” Ghost said, shrugging. “But, it’s for Steve.”

“Hell no…” Steve said, a bit too loud, but he still had that weird feeling from earlier, and knew Ghost was right.

“Can’t omens ever be good ones? How do you know what they mean?” Melody asked.

“I never saw a good one, before,” Ghost said. “I don’t know what they mean, just later you have be on the lookout, after you see or feel one. Then, you’ll know when the thing happens, that that is what it was for.”

Steve was shaking his head. That’s crazy talk…

“It’s not crazy talk, Steve,” Ghost said. “You need to be careful for awhile.”

“Oooh, that’s giving me chills,” Melody said, as she rubbed her arms.

Steve eased the van back up onto the road. “I’ll be careful, ’cause I’m always careful…no more, no less.”

Ghost shrugged. “It’s your omen. Do with it what you will,” he said. He leaned back, closing his eyes, trying to go back to sleep.

Steve didn’t want to admit it, but he was a bit jumpy, now. “Dammit, Ghost, why do you have to say things like that. you know it freaks me out.”

Ghost opened one eye, and stared at the back of Steve’s head. “Because it’s the truth,” he said. He didn’t know if Steve had heard him or not, because he’d turned the radio on pretty loud. Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. I’ll be watching out for you, even if you don’t believe it…

They continued on their way. Steve kept pushing buttons on the radio, but nothing was suiting the mood he was in. Melody gasped, each time a car passed them, sure it was going to hit them. She kept stepping on imaginary brakes.

“Will you stop that?” Steve finally said. “They aren’t going to run into us.”

“Sorry,” Melody said. “I know, but I can’t help it. Ghost got me kinda scared, now, and I just want to be out of this car, and safe in my room.”

“Yeah, me too. He has a way of doing that, all cryptic…like he gets some terrible message from on high. Then, half the time he don’t even know what he’s talking about. It creeps me out. I should be used to it, by now,” Steve said.

“Does it come true, what he predicts?”

“Sometimes…most times…but, like he said, you don’t know it until later.”

“Why can’t I do that…see things, hear things, know things?” Melody asked.

“I thought you could,” Steve said.

“I can a little bit, but I never thought much about it, or even tried to. Now, I’m all interested in it,” she said.

Steve laughed. “Hah, then you’ve come to the right pace. Ghost can tell some tales, all right. Some are true, some from who knows where, and he’ll make you believe it every time.

Melody turned to look in the back seat at her sleeping brother. “I wonder what’s going on in that head, right now?”

Steve shrugged. “I don’t know, but for sure it’s way more interesting than what I see when I’m asleep.”

***

***

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 # 286

Warning … adult content

***

Steve parked the van in front of the magic shop, there in downtown Raleigh. As he, Melody, and Ghost entered the storefront, the little bell tinkled, alerting the store’s owner. She came up front, from the back room, and as soon as she saw who her customers were, she smiled. “Ghost, Steve, it’s been awhile. Come on in and look around. I have a few new items you might be interested in.” She looked toward Melody. “And who is this lovely lady? She, well, she looks an awfully lot like you, Ghost.”

“That’s ’cause she’s my twin sister,” Ghost said, then introduced them to each other. Melody was wide-eyed in wonder, as she looked at all the new-age items filling the little shop.

“Go on, look around,” the saleslady said. “If you see something you want, put it here on the counter,” she urged them.

Ghost and Melody wandered around, exclaiming over everything. Steve leaned on the counter, watching them.

“How’ve you been, Steve? Everything good …. no more demons to get rid of?”

“Nope, not so far. We’ve been pretty good. Been out to L. A.  My sister moved back home here, and we all drove back just yesterday.”

She nodded. “And, y’all found Ghost’s sister along the way. I didn’t know he had one.”

“We didn’t either,” Steve said. “It was a strange story how we found her. I’ll tell ya sometime. I need to round up those two. We gotta get groceries, then head back home.” He went over to where Ghost and Melody were looking at the crystals and gemstones.

“Find anything you want?” he asked them. “We need to get going; let’s pay for your stuff and get over to the grocery store.”

Ghost put his chosen items up on the counter, along with Melody’s. He’d gotten the usual sage bundles, and incense, and Melody had picked out a nice rose quartz stone, and a necklace with a dragonfly pendant.

“Anything for you today, Steve?” the lady asked.

“Naw, you know me…got enough of this stuff already.”

“There’s never enough magic, Steve,” Ghost said, looking serious about it.

“Well, you keep us supplied with plenty,” Steve said. They checked out their purchases, then drove around to the grocery store.

“Okay, y’all…in and out, stick to the list, and Ghost…”

“Yeah, I know. I’ll try,” Ghost said, rolling his eyes.

Inside was nice and cool, and the three of them stayed together for a little while, but Steve got a bit preoccupied at the meat counter. Ghost motioned for Melody to follow him.

“Now, we can look around without Steve bossing us and all,” Ghost said.

Melody giggled. “What should we look at?”

Ghost thought a moment. “Um…shiny things. It’ll be a game. We have to find just shiny things, and bring it back to the basket…and, sneak it in before Steve sees.” He laughed.

“Oooh fun,” Melody said, ready to play along.

They went up and down the aisles, at a pretty quick pace, grabbing a box of tin foil, a cheese grater, a package of light bulbs, and at the last minute, Melody picked up a bottle of metallic silver nail polish. They went back to find Steve. He was no longer at the meat counter, though.

“Where’d he go?” Ghost asked.

Melody shrugged. “Ask somebody.”

Ghost nodded, looked around, then walked up to a kid stocking the shelves with frozen foods.

“Did you see Steve?” he asked.

“Huh? Who’s that?” the kid asked.

“He’s got dark hair, and he’s tall. We lost him,” Ghost said. His shiny items were slipping from his arms, and he was juggling them around, trying to hold on to them.

The kid looked around the store. “Is that him, way off in the dairy section?”

Ghost looked where the kid was pointing. “Hey, yeah it is. Thanks.” He and Melody headed in that direction, but slowed down as they neared, so as not to be seen. As Steve turned from the basket, they both rushed up and dumped their extra items in, covering them with packages of toilet paper, and paper towels. They high fived each other, just as Steve turned toward them.

“I know y’all disappeared. What were you doing?” Steve asked.

“Just looking around,” Ghost said. “Are we done, yet?”

“Almost,” Steve said, pushing the basket down the cereal aisle. “Get whatever kind you want,” he said. “Did you get the things Linda wanted?”

“Oh, I forgot,” Melody said. “What was it; did I write it down?” She took the list from Steve, scanning over it. “Oh, here it is. She wanted cereal, juice, and milk.”

“Go ahead and get those, then we’ll be finished,” Steve said.

“I’ll meet you up front,” Melody said.

Steve and Ghost made their way up to the check-out counters. “I’m impressed, Ghost,” Steve said. “You did great in here, today.”

“Yeah,” Ghost nodded. “I think because Melody is here. She is good for me.”

“I believe it,” Steve said.

Melody returned to set her things on the counter. She looked in the basket, and noticed the shiny items hadn’t been seen by Steve. He was casually watching , but then frowned a bit, when he saw the extras go by.

“Hey, those weren’t on the list. Why are they here?” He gave Melody and Ghost a look, but they weren’t admitting anything. “Ok, fine, y’all had a bit of fun…ha-ha.”

“So, y’all still want these?” the clerk asked.

“Yeah, we’ll use them sooner or later,” Steve said, and pulled out his wallet.

While walking out to the van, he said, “If you’re waiting for me to get mad, it’s not gonna happen.’

“Mad at what?” Ghost asked.

“Come on, don’t play that game,” Steve said. “You know what.” He laughed, and Ghost gave him a look. He knew if Melody hadn’t been along, Steve would have not thought the little prank funny at all.

Back in the van, Steve was not looking forward to the thirty mile drive back home. He’d had enough of driving to last him a long time. Not even the sight of his T-bird, sitting in their driveway, could entice him. He could feel a strange mood coming over him, but couldn’t really put a name to it. It was making him uneasy, though.

“Hey, Ghost, tell me a story or something…a funny one, okay?” he asked.

“He’s asleep already,” Melody said.

“Huh, that was fast,” Steve said, and sighed.

Melody could sense something going on with Steve, so asked him, “What’s wrong? You seem down all of a sudden.”

“It’s nothing, just a weird mood, I guess. I’ll be okay.”

***

***

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 # 285

Warning … adult content

***

“I really want to know you,” Melody said. “Like, how it was growing up. It seems so different from me.” She was drawing little hearts on the damp table.

“I do that,” Ghost said.

“Huh…do what?”

“That…draw on the table,” he said. “Ever since I was a kid, this here table. I drawed lots of stuff on here.” He pushed his finger around on the still wet surface of the old-fashioned dinette. “It could tell you lots of stories about me.”

“This table was our grandmother’s?” Melody asked.

“Um-hmm,” Ghost said, as he got a far-away look in his eyes.

“Oh, Ghost, I want to hear about her, too. I’ve missed so much.”

Ghost looked up, meeting her eyes. He knew she meant it, and that he would tell her everything…everything. “Everything,” he said aloud.

“Yes, everything.” Melody repeated, as she looked deep into Ghost’s eyes.

A thousand thoughts and memories were filling his mind…snippets of conversations, long gone, snap shots of his life, running together in fast-forward sequences. He wasn’t trying to send his images to her, but she was hearing and seeing some of them, as she stared back. They both were totally in their own world, together…he sending and she receiving the images and feelings. They didn’t hear Steve and Linda come quietly to the kitchen door.

They paused, watching Melody and Ghost, and were fascinated. Linda nudged Steve. He smiled, as they both could tell that these two were talking without words. Just then, Spirit jumped up onto the table, breaking their concentration. Both reached out to pet him, then laughed.

Steve cleared his throat to make himself noticed. “Y’all okay?”

“Yeah, we got some things to catch up on,” Ghost said. “And Spirit says he’s happy Melody came home to us, and I am, too.”

“Me, too,” Melody said. “I want to really be your sister, not just somebody who looks like you.”

“I got lots to tell you, and show you,” Ghost said.

Steve laughed. “Melody, you’ll learn soon enough that once you get Ghost talking, he don’t ever want to stop.”

“I can’t wait,” Melody said.

“Y’all have plenty of time for that. Right now, we gotta go to the store, that is if y’all want to eat, later,” Steve said. “Who’s coming with me”

“Me and Ghost,” Melody said, getting excited.

“I’m not,” Linda said. “I’m going back to the Yew. Kinsey’s probably pulling his hair out by now, trying to keep up with Stevie and Mandy. Y’all can take the van; it has more room. I’ll drive Kinsey’s car back.”

Melody jumped up from the table. “Where’s some paper? I’ll make a list.”

“I like making lists,” Ghost said. “I’ll get some paper for you.” He went off to his bedroom.

“Well, brother,” Linda said, “I’m heading back to town. Y’all coming in later?”

“Sure, we’ll be in, and Melody will probably need to recover from the shopping trip, if you know what I mean,” Steve said, shaking his head.

Linda laughed. “Oh, I think it’s you who’ll need to recover. Anyway, give me a hug, I’m outta here.”

“Need me to pick up some things at the store, while we’re there?” Melody asked Linda.

“Oh, yeah…write down juice, for the kids, and some cereal and milk for in the morning. I don’t know what else right now,” Linda said.

She and Steve walked toward the front porch. “See ya later,” Steve said, waving her off.

Back inside, Ghost handed Melody some paper and markers. “Here, ” he said. You can have this notebook for your own.”

“Oh, thank you,” Melody said. She started writing the list. “Tell me what y’all need to buy, and I’ll write it.” Ghost looked around the kitchen, naming off items.

“Put beer on there,” Steve said, as he came back into the kitchen.

“And, cat food,” Ghost said.

After a few minutes, the list was finished, and they were ready to go. “Where is this grocery store?” Melody asked.

“Raleigh…about thirty miles from here,” Steve said. “There’s a little one here, but for most of it, we go to the big one.”

~

As they drove down the highway toward Raleigh, Steve said, “Ok, here’s the plan. We go in, we get what’s on the list, and we go home. Got it?”

“Uh…we need to go to the magic shop, too,” Ghost said.

“And, why is that?” Steve asked.

“There’s a magic shop,” Melody asked. “I want to go see it.”

“Maybe another day,” Steve said. He expected to get a rise from Ghost, or even Melody, but they were quiet. He glanced in the rearview mirror at Ghost, then noticed Melody smiling and nodding her head…for some reason he couldn’t find a reason for. Then it dawned on him…they were mind talking.

“Hey, y’all stop that ESPing each other.” He frowned. “If ya got something to say, just say it.”

“Okay, please, please, please, Steve, can we go to the magic shop?” Melody begged, hoping Ghost’s suggestion would work.

“We ain’t got nothing else to do today,” Ghost said.

Steve was shaking his head, no, but said. “Oh, y’all win, but just for a minute. We’ll go in, say hi, and you can get what you need. How’s that sound?”

“We can do that,” Ghost said. He and Melody high-fived.

~

The rest of the trip was spent with Ghost singing songs, and Melody adding her voice along with him on the ones she knew. Steve smiled. They sound great together…

“Hey, I have an idea,” Steve said. “You both should sing a few songs on the stage.”

“Me…sing on a stage?” Melody asked.

“Yeah, you sing really good, and if you and Ghost sang together, it would be awesome.”

“You do sing good,” Ghost said. “When we gonna be on stage again?”

“Soon, I hope,” Steve said. “We’ll have to clear it with Kinsey, but I’m sure he’d be okay with some Saturday night.

“We can have Zack and Trevor up there, too,” Ghost said, getting excited. “I need to sing. Well, more than I do now, anyway.”

“I know, and it’s been way too long,” Steve said.

“What songs would you want me to sing?” Melody asked. “What if I mess it all up?”

“We’d practice a lot first, don’t worry about it. You already know most of them, anyway,” Ghost said. “It’s really fun, and the kids love it when we play. They won’t boo you, if you miss a word. They never do to me, and I forget the words sometimes…right, Steve?”

“That’s right, Melody. Ghost forgets the words, even though he’s been singing them for years. Then, he just makes something up and keeps going.” Steve laughed.

“Well, guess I’ll try it, then.” Melody said.

They were in Raleigh now, and Steve was negotiating the traffic. “This is a pretty big city,” Melody said, looking at the buildings and shops.

“There it is…the magic shop,” Ghost hollered, pointing it out to Melody. “It’s got all kinds of cool things in there, and the lady is real nice.”

***

***

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 # 283

Warning … adult content

***

Steve went into the kitchen to see what Linda and Melody were doing. There was a rich aroma of coffee infusing the air in the little house, and he inhaled deeply. Linda was setting out mugs for everyone, and Melody was making eggs and toast. They were glad now, that they’d stopped by the little convenience store on the way to Ghost’s house this morning. Picking up a few things for breakfast was a good idea, as there was nothing much in the refrigerator to use.

“Hey…breakfast?” Steve asked.

“Yep, that’s what it is, brother,” Linda said, giving him the once-over.

“About earlier…” Steve said, a bit embarrassed.

“Don’t worry about it,” Linda said, and winked. “Here, sit down.” She handed him a full mug, of the hot coffee. She looked up, as Ghost came into the room. “You, sit down.” She poured him a mug of coffee, too, setting it in front of him. “Here’s sugar, and there’s milk, but I didn’t find any creamer. Y’all need to go to the store.”

Melody finished the eggs and toast, and set them on the table. Getting out plates and forks, she didn’t look either Steve or Ghost in the eye. It was getting awkward, and no one was saying anything, as they concentrated on eating.

Linda sighed. “Okay, enough of this. Sorry we were laughing before, and we didn’t mean to surprise you like we did, but we’re all grown-ups here, so…oops…and let’s forget about it.” They all agreed, and Ghost added, “I love him.”

Linda reached over and hugged him. “We know you do, honey.”

~

After eating, Ghost showed Melody around the house, small as it was. He pointed out the newest parts that were built after the hurricane. “My room looks just the same as before, but has new walls and stuff, ’cause they were all smashed.” He looked at the walls, touching the nearest one. He had been slowly adding to the writing on them. Looking down, he said, “It was all flooded in here, and I almost died, but Steve saved me.” He looked sad, remembering that day.

Melody looked up at the ceiling, noticing the stars painted on. “They glow in the dark, don’t they?”

When Ghost nodded, she said, “I had some on my ceiling at home, too. They were just the stick-on kind. I’d look at them every night, and dream of being somewhere else.”

“We have a song about the stars, on our CD,” Ghost said. He got up from the bed, where he’d been laying down, to get something from the dresser. “Here, you can have these,” he said, holding out a copy of their book, and the CD they made. “But, don’t listen to it now. Wait ’til it’s quiet.”

Melody nodded. “I know I’ll love it. Is this is the book y’all did?”

“Yeah,” Ghost said.

She flipped through it, stopping at a picture or two. “This is awesome. You really saw the spirits and talked to them?”

“Sure…at least I did. Steve says he can’t see them, but I think he just don’t want to. He gets freaked out a lot.” He laughed, because it was true.

“You’re not scared?”

“No, not of the spirits of the dead, cause they’re not really dead. They’re just in spirit form. They’re still who they always were.” He paused a few seconds. “The other things, yeah, I’m scared.”

Melody glanced up at him, wondering what he meant by that, and not sure she wanted to find out. She felt a chill go up her spine, leaving goose-bumps on her arms. Rubbing them away, she asked, “You’ll show me how to see them, the good ones?”

Ghost shrugged, “I’ll try, but I don’t really know how I do it. I was always seeing them…always…” he whispered the last word, as he remembered his past for a minute.

Melody saw the fleeting shadow of his thoughts cloud his face. “Ghost? What is it…something just happened. Was I feeling your thoughts, or sensing something sad?”

Ghost shook his head to clear away the thoughts, to clear his mind. “Hmm? What did you say?”

Melody was confused. Ghost was acting weird, now. She repeated her question.

“Um…yeah, you picked up on something, I guess, like how I was feeling? But, I don’t know how I was feeling. Everything just went blank or something. I don’t know…” he said, seeming a bit dazed, or confused himself.

“You looked sad, and I could feel it…in here,” Melody said, putting her hand over her heart. Coming over to the bed, she gave her brother a hug. “It’s okay, whatever it was. We’re together, now, and no bad things can stand up to us. Do you believe that?”

Ghost looked into her eyes, a mirror of his eyes. “I want to,” he whispered, “but, I can’t.”

“Now, you’re freaking me out, Ghost,” Melody said. “I wanted to see and feel things, but you’re making me scared.”

Ghost didn’t answer. He was still looking in her direction, but wasn’t really seeing her. She hadn’t known Ghost long enough to have seen him like this.

“I’m getting Steve,” she said, leaving the room. She stopped for a second, at the door, looking once more at Ghost. He’d not moved or stopped staring into space. She found Steve and Linda on the front porch.

“Steve,” she said, as she came outside.

“Hey, Melody, getting the grand tour of the house?” He laughed.

“Not any more. Ghost is acting weird, and he was scaring me. Go look at him.”

Steve jumped up from the swing and ran into the house, with Linda and Melody following. At the bedroom door, Steve was relieved to see that Ghost wasn’t having a seizure.

“Ghost?” he asked, softly, coming to sit by him on the bed. “What do you see?”

Linda started to say something, but Steve motioned for her to wait. “It’s okay, Ghost, you can say what it is.”

Ghost finally focused on Steve’s face. “Steve?”

“I’m right here…there’s just us. No one else in here. You okay?”

Ghost shuddered. “I don’t like it. I don’t…I can’t see it, yet…just a bad feeling, real strong. We need protection…” he faded off, as he began his trance, again, his eyelids fluttering. He was breathing hard. Steve knew he had to break the circuit in Ghost’s thoughts, and feelings, or he’d go into a seizure for sure.

“Ghost, come on, get up. You need to walk around, get some fresh air. Let’s go NOW.” Steve shouted, making Ghost startle.

“What? Why you yelling?”

Steve grabbed is hands, pulling him up, then guided him outside. “Linda, get some coffee. You know how he likes it.”

“But, there’s no cream,” Linda said.

“Crap, well, lots of sugar and milk, then. Hurry.”

Linda ran to the kitchen, and Melody trailed after her. “What’s going on? Why is Ghost so weird? Tell me.”

“Don’t worry, he gets like this sometimes,” Linda said. “Didn’t Steve tell you?”

“He said Ghost has seizures sometimes. Was that one in there?”

Linda looked up from heating the coffee. “You never seen anyone have one before?”

Melody shook her head. “No.”

“I’ll explain later, but that wasn’t one, or maybe a little one. I think Steve calls it Ghost’s trances. It’s where he does this psychic thing, where he can see into the future, and most times it’s bad. Anyway, he’ll be fine. It’s normal for him, and yeah, it’s spooky as hell.” Linda still looked worried, though, as she poured coffee into a mug for Ghost.

***

***

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 # 282

warning … adult content

***

Steve was surprised that Ghost wanted to make love out here on the porch swing. He wasn’t going to protest, though. After all, their house was way out in the woods; no one else lived out here for miles. He smiled.

Ghost slowly rubbed his bare foot against Steve’s thigh. “Come here, I want you.”

Steve ran his hand up along Ghost’s leg. Ghost could feel the warmth transferred from the hot coffee cup, to Steve’s hand, to himself. He closed his eyes, catching his breath.

Steve set his mug on the porch. It was a bit awkward getting situated on the swing, as it kept rocking back and forth. Soon, though, the rocking began to keep time with their own sensual movements. They were free, and uninhibited with their passion, crying out as each touched the other in special places…in pleasure and a bit of loving pain. They didn’t hear the car drive up onto the gravel driveway.

It was Linda and Melody, in Kinsey’s car. They were momentarily shocked, but what else could they do…they were facing the porch, as they looked through the front windshield.

“Oh my, God, Linda,” Melody said. “What should we do?”

“Um…they’ll be done in a few minutes,” Linda said, and giggled. “Enjoy the show?”

“I feel like we’re watching a porno movie,” Melody said.

Linda shook her head. “No, we’re watching a love story.”

Melody covered her eyes, but Linda laughed, as she caught her peeking through her fingers. “You embarrassed?”

Melody nodded. “I don’t want to be seeing this. It’s my brother that I just met.”

Linda wondered, not for the first time, how much Melody had experienced in her life, she seemed so naïve.

“Okay, don’t look. It is pretty awkward. I mean, it’s my brother, too.”

“Oh, I’m glad the kids didn’t come with us out here,” Melody said.

“Me, too.” Linda took a quick glance up at the porch. All was still and quiet, now. “How should we let them know we’re here?”

“Uh…honk the horn? Or, just get out like we just got here. Pretend we didn’t see anything?”

“Yeah, that’s what we’ll do,” Linda said. “Ready?”

Melody nodded, and reached for the door handle.

“On the count of three, let’s open the doors, and get out. Act normal. One, two, three,” she counted. They opened the car doors, and as they got out, both slammed the doors to make a noise. They began talking about the weather, as they walked up the porch steps.

When Steve and Ghost heard the car doors slam shut, they froze. “Oh my, God…they’re here,” Steve said. He jumped up off of Ghost, grabbed his pajamas, and quickly stepped into them. He managed to get them pulled up, just as the girls had reached the porch steps.

Ghost had nothing to grab, except the blanket. He scrabbled around trying to find it. Steve saw it under the swing. He picked it up, and tossed it over Ghost, including his head.

“Hey,” Ghost hollered, his voice muffled. He was squirming around under the blanket, trying to find an edge to get his head out from under.

The girls stopped and stared. Linda couldn’t help herself from laughing.

“What are y’all doing here?” Steve asked.

“You told us to come over this morning,” Linda said.

“Oh, yeah…well…” he looked down at Ghost. “What the hell are you doing under there?” he asked, jerking the blanket off Ghost’s head. His hair was a fly-away, tangled mess from the static electricity in the blanket. Sweaty, and out of breath, he wrapped the blanket around himself, and without a word, stomped into the house, his bare feet barely making a sound. The trailing blanket knocked over the coffee cup, spilling the last dregs of the now cold liquid.

Melody was trying to stifle her giggles, by covering her mouth, but with little success.

“Y’all wanna come in?” Steve asked, trying to sound normal. He held open the screen door for them. Melody was taking it all in. There was a lot to look at…This is my brother’s house, and my grandmother’s…this is home…

Steve left the girls there in the living room, while he followed Ghost into the bedroom. He closed the door after himself, as he entered. Ghost was on the bed, just staring into space. When he looked up at Steve, a big, crooked grin lit up his face.

“We got caught,” he said, then got to laughing until tears ran down his face. Steve sat on the bed, laughing with him.

“Oh my, God…how long were they there?”

“I don’t know, they just appeared,” Ghost said. He lay back on the bed again, going over the past little while, in his head. He then got more serious, and reached over to pulled Steve to him. Turning on his side, he enveloped Steve in a warm hug, and kissed him. “It was so good out there,” he said, and smiled. “I want to do it again.”

“Mmm…me too,” Steve said. He smoothed Ghost’s hair, and looked into those eyes. Sighing, he kissed Ghost again. “We better get out there. Get dressed.” He got up off the bed, and went to the door. Ghost nodded, getting up, too.

***

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 # 277

Warning … adult content

***

Linda had pulled the van into the parking lot of the small police station. She and Melody sat there a few minutes, trying to compose themselves, before going inside. It was a tidy, brick building, with a glass door in front. They didn’t see the squad car anywhere.

“I don’t see it; there must be a parking lot back behind the building,” Linda said.

“What do you think they’ll do to Steve and Ghost?” Melody asked.

Linda shrugged. “I don’t know, but I hope they don’t actually put them in jail. Maybe they’ll just get fined or something. I suppose we better go in.” She and Melody got out of the van, and helped Stevie and Mandy out of the back seat.

“Now, kids, I need y’all to mind your manners in here,” Linda said.

Melody pushed open the door to the police station. Linda breathed deep. This could go either way. Small towns did things different than L. A. she knew. In front of them was the sergeant’s desk. She went up to ask what they should do next. He didn’t look too happy to have his evening interrupted, though.

Clearing her throat, she said, “They brought my brother and his friend in from up at the visitor center. Where are they? What do I need to do?”

The officer narrowed his eyes, as he stubbed out his cigarette. “Yeah, they radioed it in. They’re in back being questioned and processed. It will be awhile,” he said. His tone changed then, as he looked over at the kids, and smiled. “Got three of the young’uns, myself. Here, that is if it’s ok.” He pulled out a couple of lollipops from a drawer.

Linda smiled, relieved that he wasn’t as mean as he looked. “Thank you,” she said, and gave one each to Stevie and Mandy. “Y’all sit quite, now…we have grown-up business to do.”

Looking back to the officer, she asked, “Can you tell me what will happen, now?”

“Well, let’s see,” he said, rubbing his chin. “It’s been awhile since we arrested anyone.” He chuckled. “Sorry, well…after questioning, they’ll determine the outcome. Probably just pay a hefty fine, and of course the gun will be confiscated. Then, they can leave, after bail is posted. If there are no outstanding warrants, that’ll be about it. Gotta run ’em through the wanted list, of course. Any marks on their record, might land ’em in jail for awhile, until all that is settled. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

“Okay, how much will the bail be? I’ll pay it right now,” Linda said, pulling out her wallet.

“We’ll have to wait for the bondsman. He’s been notified. Should be here soon.”

Linda nodded, then went to sit down with Melody and the kids. She leaned back on the wall, with her eyes closed. Melody squeezed her hand.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked.

“No, we just have to wait.”

An hour passed, and still no word. The sergeant had gone back to watching a small tv, and monitoring the radio. Melody took the kids to the restroom, to wash the stickiness from their hands and faces. Just as she returned to the main room, the holding room door opened. Another officer came out, giving papers to the desk sergeant, who then nodded.

Looking over at Linda, he motioned her over to the desk. “Ok, ma’am, the bail is set at $500.00 each. Pay that, and they’re free to go. There will be a hearing with the judge in six weeks. Basically, just a formality to close the case. But, make sure they both show up. No skipping out on it, or it’ll be a definite jail sentence. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” Linda said. She handed him her credit card, and signed the ticket. Steve and Ghost were led out of the back room, then.

“Oh my God, Steve,” Linda said.

“Hold on, Miss,” the sergeant said. Turning to Steve and Ghost, he asked had they been appraised of what needed to happen.

“Yes, sir, we understand,” Steve said.

“Y’all are free to go. Good luck.”

They all walked back outside into the cool mountain air. The sun was just coming up. Linda hugged both Steve and Ghost. She could tell Steve was tensed up, and barely holding back his temper.

“Not now, Steve…please calm down,” Linda said.

Ghost was just quiet, all the energy drained out of him. Linda hugged him especially gently, trying not to bump his swollen face. “Get in the car, hon,” she said, guiding him to the door.

***

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 # 275

Warning … adult content

***

Steve came out of the steam filled bathroom, after his shower. “There’s still hot water, if you want to get in there,” he said.

“Okay, I will,” Ghost said, getting off the bed. “Oh, here,” he tossed the remote control to Steve. “It don’t work very good.” He went on into the bathroom, closing the door, as Steve flipped through the channels.

“Nope, nothing on,” he said, and turned off the TV. He sighed, and closed his eyes. The bed was soft, and the quilts were fresh and fluffy. When Ghost returned, he saw that Steve was asleep. Turning out the light, he snuggled close to Steve, under the covers. He’d been wanting more, but he just lightly kissed Steve’s lips, and whispered, “In the morning.”

He yawned, and made himself think of home. Pictures filled his mind. He always liked thinking of home, but this time it felt different. He sensed that he needed to do this, to block other thoughts from intruding. Bad thoughts, scary thoughts, were on the edge of his consciousness. Sometime in the night, the nightmare began. Ghost flailed about, hitting Steve.

“What? Hey, stop…stop…” Steve hollered, as he came awake. Ghost was talking, and moaning. “Ghost…wake up.” Steve took hold of Ghost’s arms, but in the throes of his nightmare, Steve wasn’t able to subdue him.

Ghost sat straight up and screamed. His eyes were open, but he wasn’t seeing Steve at all. As Steve watched, as if in slow motion, Ghost turned to him and actually growled. He lunged forward, biting him hard on the shoulder. Steve screamed in pain, as he felt blood trickle down his arm. In a purely reflexive action, he hit Ghost hard across the face, to make him stop biting.

“God damn it, that hurt…get away, Ghost…what the hell is wrong with you?” Steve shouted, scrambling backwards off the bed. Ghost lunged again, his teeth bared and bloody, still in his nightmare.

Steve was frozen to the spot for a second, but managed to sidestep Ghost, as he came at him again. Running to the bathroom, he filled a cup with cold water, then threw it in Ghost’s face, hoping to wake him up. It worked. Ghost was drenched, but he shook his head, looking confused.

“Why I’m wet?” he asked, from the floor where he’d fallen. He licked his lips, and rubbed his hand over his mouth, the taste of his and Steve’s blood, and the smear of it on his hand, confused him even more. As he looked up, Steve could see that he desperately needed to get Ghost home, as soon as possible. He needed more meds, and the sessions with the therapist, just as the doctor in the hospital had urged.

Even in his pain, Steve’s heart melted with love and worry. “Ghost, you were having a nightmare. I had to wake you up, so I threw water on you. You are awake now, aren’t you?”

Ghost nodded. “I’m awake.” He coughed, and spit out blood.

Steve closed his eyes for a second. How…how am I going to explain Ghost’s busted lip, the blood, the black eye… He could see Ghost’s eye already swelling, and it looked bad. His own shoulder was throbbing and bleeding, still. A crazy, wayward thought crossed his mind, I hope he’s had his shots… He tried to muffle a burst of nervous laughter at that thought. It’s the stress, that’s all…shut up…

Ghost could barely see out his swollen eye, now. “Steve? What…why?” Steve reached out a hand to help Ghost up off the floor. They sat on the edge of the bed. Ghost, just noticing Steve’s injury, cried out, “You’re hurt, you’re bleeding…let me get a wet cloth.” His legs shook, as he shuffled to the bathroom.

Running water on the wash cloth, he looked up into the mirror, He had to steady himself on the edge of the sink, as he saw his own face. After a few deep breaths, he returned, to gently wipe blood off Steve’s shoulder. “Steve, tell me…I have to know.” He tried to look into Steve’s eyes, but Steve was hanging his head down, covering his face with his hands, shaking his head. Ghost waited.

“Oh, Ghost, I don’t even know how to say it.” Ghost was smoothing back Steve’s hair, still waiting for an explanation, and he kept dabbing the cool cloth onto himself, then onto Steve.

“You were having a real bad nightmare. Do you remember it, any of it?”

Ghost shook his head. “No, but right before I went to sleep, it felt…I don’t know, weird, or bad in here.”

“But we threw the holy water. You said something ran out. What? Did it come back in?” Steve asked.

***

***

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 # 274

Warning … adult content

***

Steve tried to adjust his position in the U-Haul’s seat, as he kept driving. They were getting close to their stopping place for the night, and he was ready. The cabins they’d stayed at last summer, would be a welcome sight. He’d told Ghost how many miles and time were left until they got there, but he knew Ghost didn’t really understand. He seemed satisfied, though. He shook his head, and yawned.

“Hey, look,” he said, pointing out the sign up ahead. “It’s the sign for the visitor’s center and the cabins. We’ll be there in no time.”

Ghost gave him a funny look. “No time? What’s no time mean?”

“Oh, it means real quick,” Steve said.

“Huh, no time is real quick? Is there a yes time?”

“I don’t think so,” Steve said.

Ghost drummed his fingers on the window ledge. “Times are confusing. There’s too many of them to keep up with.”

Steve let that comment pass, with no reply. He knew Ghost would be off and running on a tangent about time, and he didn’t have time to listen to it, right now. They were there. He pulled into the parking area.

“Whew, here we are. I’m done driving for the day.”

Ghost was grinning, as he saw the restaurant. “C’mon, let’s go.” He opened the truck’s door to get out.

“We’ll go in when Linda gets here,” Steve said, looking back down the road. “Here she comes, now.”

Linda parked the van next to the U-Haul. “This place is beautiful,” she said, as she got out and looked around. “Come on, kids, come look.” Melody helped Stevie and Mandy out of their car seats.

“Smell the air. It’s so fresh and piney,” Melody said.

“We been here before,” Ghost yelled. He started turning around and around, with his arms outstretched. Stevie and Mandy copied him, while they giggled.

“What are you doing?” Melody asked.

“He’s just being Ghost,” Steve said. He rolled his eyes. “Who’s hungry? Let’s go inside.”

They all headed to the small restaurant. “Me first. I want to surprise them,” Ghost hollered, as he ran up to the door ahead of the others. He yanked open the door, took a step in, and tripped on the door sill. “Aiii,” he screeched, as he landed hard.

Before anyone could react, they heard a woman holler from inside. “Ghost…it’s Ghost and Steve. Look y’all, they’re back.” She rushed over, reached down, and helped Ghost stand up. “You okay, hon?” she asked, lending her arm for Ghost to hang on to.

“Um-hmm,” Ghost said, and rubbed his palms together, where they’d been scraped a bit. “Surprise,” he said, with a big smile on his face.

“Oh, it’s so good to see you again.” The waitress gave him a hug. “Y’all come in. Hey, Steve, how ya been?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “I’m getting y’all some coffee. What will the kids have?”

“Chocolate milk,” Stevie said, bouncing on the booth’s seat.

“Sure, I’ll bring it all in a minute,” she said, bustling off to get their refreshments.

“See I told ya they were nice here,” Ghost said.

“Yeah, I never seen any waitress be so nice,” Melody said.

“Here ya go,” the waitress said, setting the drinks down on the table. She handed them a menu to look over. “Are y’all needing cabins for the night?”

“Yeah, we’re staying,” Steve said. “Hope you have a couple available.”

“We sure do. It’s not quite tourist season yet, so you’re in luck. Let me know what you want to order, and I’ll go get the keys to a couple of the cabins,” she said.

When she got back with the keys, they told her what they wanted to eat. “Good choices, and whenever you’re ready, just go on over. They’re just down the way, you remember.”

As they waited to eat, a couple of the year round regulars came in. They came up to the table to visit.

“Y’all gonna sing us some more songs?” one of them asked.

“Oh, not tonight,” Steve said. “But, I’ll bet we could in the morning, before we leave.”

“All right then,” the guy said, as he and his friend went to their table.

“They love you here,” Linda said.

“Uh-huh,” Ghost said, as he dug into his plate of pancakes with molasses.

Steve smiled, remembering the last time he saw Ghost eat pancakes and molasses here. He was anticipating a repeat of that night. Ghost looked up at him, having heard his thoughts.

“Yes,” he said, and smiled.

“Yes, what?” Linda asked. Then she saw the looks between Ghost and Steve, and she understood. “Ohh…I see,” she said, grinning.

They continued to eat, and drink coffee that the waitress kept refilling their cups with. Linda, looking at the kids, said, “Well, y’all, I need to get these kiddos to bed. Anyone else ready to go?”

Ghost yawned. “Me, I’m ready,” he said, getting up from the table. He helped Linda get the kids down, and then they all said good-night.

“How do we do this?” Linda asked. “We need some things from the van. Do we just walk over there to the cabins, or drive?”

“We have to walk, but it’s not far. We can get our things and carry them over,” Steve said. It was just getting dark, so he turned on the flashlight to light their way down the path, after getting their things.

“Which one do you want? They’re about the same, I think.”

“Oh, this one’s fine,” Linda said, going up to the closest cabin. “We’ll see y’all in the morning.” She, the kids, and Melody went inside, locking the door behind them.

Steve was yawning now, too. “C’mon, let’s get inside,” he said, as he and Ghost walked the short distance to the next cabin over.

As soon as Steve opened the door, Ghost hesitated. “Just a minute,” he said, peering inside. “It’s not clean.”

“How do you know? I haven’t even turned on the light, yet,” Steve said. “Come on.”

“Wait, let me…hang on, Steve, it’s here somewhere.” Ghost felt around in his backpack. “Ok, now…throw some of this in there ahead of you.” He handed Steve a little, cork topped bottle.

“What the hell? Holy water? You been carrying that around all this time?” Steve asked.

“Uh-huh, just in case, and now it’s the case, ’cause it don’t feel right. Something happened in here that wasn’t good. I need to cleanse it.” Ghost explained.

Whatever…” Steve sighed. He uncorked the bottle. “Just drip some around? Are you gonna say stuff?”

“Yeah, just shake a little bit out in here, and in the bathroom. I’ll say stuff,” Ghost said.

“Okay, here goes.” Steve shook a few drops out in front of them.

“You bad left overs, get outta here. You’re not wanted here any more,” Ghost said, loud and clear, as he closed his eyes, and turned around three times. They did the same in the bathroom. Steve wondered if three was a magic number, and how Ghost knew when three times had happened.

“Ow, did you feel that?” Ghost asked. He’d opened his eyes, and was staring back behind them.

“I felt you bumping into me. What happened?” Steve asked. He didn’t see, hear, or feel anything strange.

“It was the bad thing. It pushed me, and then ran out the door. I felt it go by me, like a cold wind. Hurry and close the door,” Ghost said. Steve did, and locked it.

“It’s gone? It’s all clear now?” he asked.

Ghost breathed deep, as he stared into the corners. “Yeah, it’s gone.”

“Good, I’m taking a shower, then going to bed,” Steve said.

Ghost turned down the bed, and clicked on the remote. The reception wasn’t good up here in the mountains, though. A couple of channels came in, but were snowy. He smiled. “Yep, just like home.” He felt a zing of anticipation at the thought of home. It wouldn’t be long, now.

***

***

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.