A few nights later Melinda was driving home from work when suddenly something flashed in front of her. "Melinda!" Matthew's voice called suddenly. She panicked and swerved, but managed to get her car stopped at the side of the road without mishap.

She turned around and saw Matthew was sitting in the passenger side. "What was that all about?" Melinda asked in annoyance.

"Hurry!" Matthew said, not answering her question. "They've got your friend!"

"Kirk?" Melinda immediately asked, concerned. "Those two who killed you have him?"

"Yes!" Matthew said, "Hurry! I'll give you directions."

Melinda quickly pulled back out onto the highway and went as fast as she could in the direction Matthew indicated.

A few miles out of Grand View, they were driving by a fenced in field. "Stop here," Matthew said.

Melinda quickly pulled over to the side. She saw three figures in the gloom. Two of them were beating up on a third. Melinda sprinted over to them. Suddenly she stepped on a twig, causing a loud snap. They both whirled around. One of them, she realized it was Aaron, held a gun, which he now pointed at her. "Go now if you want to live," he growled.

Suddenly Matthew decided it was time for him to step in. He used his powers to lift a huge tree branch and throw it at Aaron. It hit him in the chest and he dropped the gun and staggered backwards.

Melinda acted quickly and grabbed the gun. She pointed it at Aaron and Russell. "Leave him alone," she said.

Russell made a move to sneak up on her and reclaim the gun. Suddenly the scene was illuminated with light. Melinda looked around and saw that both her car and the one that Aaron and Russell had borrowed from Gabriel and driven out here were turned towards the scene, headlights on.

Aaron and Russell suddenly panicked and ran off. As they ran, Aaron called over his shoulder, "Watch your back, fag. We'll be back for you when you least expect it. You can count on that." They went over to the truck, frantically climbed in, and drove off.

Melinda dropped the gun. "I never did feel comfortable holding onto one of those things for too long," she admitted. Then she smiled at where Matthew stood next to Melinda's car. "Thanks, Matt, that did the trick."

"You're very welcome, Melinda," Matthew said, bowing. Then he chuckled. "I never was very strong in my life. Who knew I would be able to lift a tree branch that big after I died?'"

Melinda smiled at him and then turned back to where Kirk was. He had some cuts and bruises, but was surprisingly unhurt. He saw her looking at him and said, "They were just starting when you drove up, Melinda. How did you know I was in trouble?"

"Matthew told me," Melinda said with a smile.

"Matthew?" Kirk asked. "A ghost?"

"Yes," Melinda said. "He's the one who threw the branch and caused the car headlights to come on."

Kirk smiled, "It certainly scared the daylights out of them," he said.

"That it did," Melinda said, smiling back. She helped him up. "Come on, I'll take you to my place. Jim can doctor you up then your dad can come get you."

"Ooh, ow, watch it," Kirk complained as Melinda pulled him up and threw his arm around her shoulders. "I'm going to have quite a few bruises from this."

"I'm sorry," Melinda said. They slowly waked towards Melinda's car. "We should tell your father about what happened," she told Kirk as they walked. "I think you're in danger," she continued when he shook his head. "He should know so he can keep an eye on you."

"All right," Kirk gave in with bad grace as Melinda helped him into the passenger seat of her car. "We can tell my dad."