Still slightly reeling from what just happened, I steadied myself on Sarah`s arm. She was looking at me wide-eyed.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"Don't be!" she grinned her grin and looked back down at the black box.
"So how do you suppose we get that through the barrier?" I asked.
"We need someone who is close to death."
"I can think of seven good uses of a cadaver today," I mumbled under my breath.
"Eh?" Sarah laughed.
"Never mind," I said, she kissed me again.
As much as I was enjoying myself, we had made a breakthrough and we needed to get on. I peeled myself away from her lips, groaning as I did so.
"Where in hell are we going to find one of those, though?" she whispered.
"We could try the nursing home..." I suggested.
"You're evil." I shrugged my shoulders.
...
Oddly enough later that day we cut the rest of our lessons and found ourselves at the nursing home at the other end of town.
"Who are you here to see?" asked a short woman at the reception desk. Sarah looked over at me in a short burst of panic.
"Um...my uncle, he's been in here a while," I said.
"Name," she said bluntly.
"Um..." I stepped forward and 'accidently' stubbed my toe off the desk. Whilst I doubled over in pretend pain and the woman leant over the desk to check I was okay Sarah dashed around the desk and looked for a way in.
"You okay?" the woman asked.
"Sure thing," I announced standing up, as Sarah joined me at my side. She whispered in my ear.
"So your uncle's name?" I could tell we were really wearing her patience.
"George King," I told her.
Now I hear you say, this plan is a bit of a long stretch?
My answer to that.
Yes, yes it is.
So you're hardly going to believe what happened next.
We were lead to Mr Kings room.
"You're niece and her friend Mr King." The woman left us in the room. It was a small room that smelt of steak and kidney pie. George was lying on his bed, he was asleep. He looked grey and way past his sell by date.
"What now?" I asked Sarah. She took out the small black box and stepped forward. She took in a deep breath and forced it down George`s throat. He didn't put up much of a fight. He coughed for a little bit and then settled down. He opened his eyes. Sarah jumped back and grabbed my hand.
"Who are you?" he whispered.
"Um...just a volunteer, just checking your okay." George smiled.
"I`m okay, actually come to think of it, my throat hurts, fancy finding me a lozenge or something." I bit down on my lip and nodded. I heard Sarah choke back on a laugh.
"Sure thing Mr King, I'll let someone know. See you later."
On the way out I let the grumpy receptionist know about the lozenge, she rolled her eyes. We were just about to walk out when she piped up.
"Hey, we don't have you on file. Leave your name and number and we will keep you updated on his progress." I quickly scribbled down my information, Sarah and I quickly left.
...
We ended up back at Sarah`s house with a pizza.
Oddly enough the thing that happened next was exactly what we needed to happen. My phone began to ring.
"Sorry to call so late but I regret to tell you your uncle has died."
I put the phone down and screamed.
