Chapter 4b
Stuck in the Spider web's haunted house
"What do you mean Shuko and I aren't a happy couple!?"
I asked, my eyes fully opened with panic as I could feel myself begin to sweat bullets. I didn't say anything about our deal, not one single word to anyone, was she pulling a prank or was she in league with Shuko and this was a test.
"I mean, I know all about that deal. Ya do know selling yourself this way was popular during the early parts of history? Though what you two are doing is against the law, I believe it's called fraud and no one likes a two-bit con man."
Jhastlyn spoke as she levitated off the ground and positioned herself as if sitting in an invisible chair. She wasn't wrong, what we were doing was against the law but she couldn't have known that, the only people who knew of the act are Ailuros, Shuko and myself. So one of them must have talked but the question is, is this a test from one of them or does a third party know about this.
"Deal? What deal?"
I asked, playing dumb was my only good trait but because I was caught off-guard my acting was horrible.
"Oh Kid, you're so cute when ya play dumb. Seems you would like some proof huh, well should I talk about; "the not very interesting folders," "the amount you signed for," or how even though you could have exposed Shuko for the fraud she was about to commit, you played along because you thought she was doing it for some good."
Jhastlyn spoke, I could tell she wasn't bluffing, hell the why she spoke, it was like she were there.
"Like I said, I won't spill if you agree to my conditions and you can think of me as your comrade as a bonus. So do we have a deal?"
Jhastlyn spoke as she put her hand towards me to seal the deal.
I didn't say a word as I shook her hand, what could I say, she knew way too much for it to be simple coincidence.
"Like I have any choice in the matter."
I spoke bitterly, my heart had be beating so fast I was surprised I didn't go under cardiac arrest.
"You could have said no."
Jhastlyn spoke as she slowly spun in the air.
"Would you have accepted it if I would have said no?"
"Yeah. If you would have said no, I would have quickly removed the link and gave you back your things. If I didn't that would be stealing, and stealing is wrong."
I'm sure a ghost possessing anything isn't against the law, maybe against the laws of nature but that's it.
"So can I say no now?"
"Nope, ya done sealed the deal. No backsies. This is a "your fate is sealed" type of deal."
"Are you the devil?"
I asked out of curiosity, I mean I was basically sell my soul… again.
"Not even close. Devils are far craftier."
"Then can I ask a question?"
"Only if you haf'ta?"
"How do you know about Shuko and I?"
"Ya talk in your sleep."
What! Really!? You mean I spilled and I wasn't even aware! Did Shuko know that I sleep-talk, maybe that was why she wanted to live together.
As I began to hold a self-pity party in my head, Jhastlyn began to laugh.
"I'm kidding, it was with ghost powers! We can read memories, duh."
Jhastlyn said pointing her index fingers at me. I couldn't tell if she was being serious or not but before I could ask any other questions I heard the locks on the front door unlock. Looking around frantically I pulled my phone out and gazed at the screen.
5:15…5:15! I've been out for the whole day! I've got to clean up, but it's no use now that Shuko's here. Chances are she'll probably deal out some punishment but I at least got Jhastlyn to talk so maybe it won't be so bad… who am I kidding it's not like she's going to believe that Jane is Jhastlyn, hell I'm still having a hard time believing it. Well at the least I can put the things off the table and put them in the sink and make it look like we just finished a snack.
I tried to rise up off the couch and do some half-assed attempt at creating an illusion but before I could fully get up Jhastlyn held me down with both hand forcing me to look her somewhat revealed torso.
"Didn't I tell you to relax, if you're worried about the mess I made then don't. I took care of it while you were recovering."
That's a relief, I thought as I heard the door open, but that was when it hit me, what about Shuko's room? She will kill me if she saw her room a mess and there's no one here to blame but me. It was at that time the door had opened and I could feel my doom approaching.
"What about Shuko's room?"
"I did say I took care of it, even though I touched some things I wish I hadn't."
What do you mean you wish you hadn't, what's in her room!? Any ways, at least I avoided some trouble, but how was I going to explain Jhastlyn, maybe I could think of something believable before Shuko could see her.
"I'm home Hon, Jane-"
Shuko froze as she looked at Jhastlyn and me. It took me a second but I could tell what she saw when I viewed us from the reflection in her eyes. From Shuko's point of view, I was sitting down with another woman who had both of her hands on me while wearing a shirt that revealed her cleavage and naval. This looked like an affair no matter how you slice it.
"Shu-"
Was all I could say before Shuko launched webbing at me and yanked me from Jhastlyn. Though the distance wasn't great, with the amount of force I was just glad I didn't suffer whiplash.
"Hon, what's the meaning of this? Who is this woman and why was she on top of you?"
Shuko barraged me with questions as she held me in her arms. Yanking me aside, I did feel rather comfortable in her arms, or it could just be because her breast were pressed against my back.
"You see Shuko, she put me on the couch to-"
But before I could finish, Shuko pushed me aside and dashed towards Jhastlyn, passing her completely before manipulating her fingers causing thin wires to encase Jhastlyn causing her to squirm in pain.
"Talk, who are you?"
Shuko asked as she tightened the wires.
"Just as forceful as I guessed."
Jhastlyn spoke as a grin widened on her face before she completely vanished causing the wires to slacken as my jacket and gloves hit the floor.
Shuko looked shocked as her web like wires fell to the floor before the articles of clothing rose up and manifested Jhastlyn.
"Not bad, not bad. If I had a physical body that would have been it for me, but you'll at least give me a chance to test out this form."
Jhastlyn spoke before dashing towards Shuko with a flying kick only for it to completely miss Shuko as she leaped to the ceiling before chasing after Jhastlyn.
As Shuko got within close quarters of Jhastlyn, she used her claws to attack but each of her swipes were blocked or deflected by Jhastlyn before she would counter with her own combination of punches and kicks. It looked evenly matched until Shuko caught Jhastlyn's arm.
Shuko then reached in with her free arm to strike, that was when Jhastlyn preformed a complicated maneuver with her free hand that required her to catch Shuko's wrist and kick upward, causing her to somersault backwards, aiming to strike Shuko chin with her feet.
Fortunately, Shuko's reflexes allowed her to dodge the attack by shooting web from her spinneret to the wall behind her and yanking herself back. This caused Shuko to let go of Jhastlyn's arm but she still managed to grab onto the glove, causing Jhastlyn to phase out her hand, giving up the glove.
It was at this point that I felt a heavy burden impact me, like someone increased the gravity or I quickly over-exerted myself.
As Shuko looked at the glove, she gave a smirk as she threw it to the ground towards me.
"So you've taken possession of Hon's clothing."
Shuko spoke, I was shocked that she knew of possession.
"Well aren't we informed."
Jhastlyn spoke as her eyes began to glow and some of the silverware from the kitchen danced around her. As the silverware floated around Jhastlyn, the gravity felt like it got heavier as I felt my breathe shorten.
As Jhastlyn dashed towards Shuko, she came with a right hook but Shuko easily read it and caught her. With a grin Shuko tried to grab Jhastlyn only for her to vanish losing another glove but as her jacket hit the glove all the silverware shot towards Shuko.
With her flexibility, Shuko dodged the assault of knives, forks and spoons whilst scurrying along the ceiling, dropping the glove she swiped. While she didn't take any injuries, her clothes were tattered revealing her cleavage and naval. I would have put this incident to memory but my breath was even shorter than before and my vision was starting to get blurry.
This weight must be due to Jhastlyn compensating from the lost of my gloves, was the obvious suggestion but to think that it would affect me to this extent. If I don't stop this, chances are I'll pass out or worse die.
While Jhastlyn and Shuko continued their bout, I grabbed my gloves and put them on as well as grabbed the silk wire that Shuko dropped earlier. After taking a glance at Shuko I can tell she was getting ready for the final clash and Jhastlyn just stood there with her eyes glowing, preparing as well.
Shuko then launched herself ready to pounce, her claw like fingers extended, when suddenly I was flung in between the two. Due to the close range and momentum Shuko wasn't able to redirect her attack as she closed in.
Almost instinctually, my arm moved to block her attack. First the back of the wrist would tap Shuko's claws, then the back of the knuckles would push the claws outward so I wouldn't be dealt a serious blow, followed by the tightening of the silk around Shuko's waist and the couch to help slow down her momentum so when she crashed into me I wouldn't die. Though it was extremely improvised and impossible if I didn't have some help, but this was based on what I learned from Uncle's dojo, the Touga Style Attack: Shearwater Serpent Strike, a technique that required manipulating an enemy's projectile attacks and sending it back to them.
Just as planned, Shuko did crash into me but aside from getting a face full of ta-tas and being moved back a few inches there was no real physical damage.
"Hon, what do you think you're doing?"
Shuko demanded, her voice carried a hint of anger topped with disapproval.
"Well… I didn't think… you would go for… the kill so quickly. You see… this woman is Jhastlyn Spectre. You might not… recognize her and find this hard… to believe but she was Jane."
I spoke, having to stop after ever few words to catch my breath as I felt my conscious fading.
"Is that so? But I'm not asking about that, what I want to know is what you're doing with your hands."
I didn't notice but my arms were wrapped around what I could only guess was a waist and needless to say I was grabbing a handful.
"No, I'm not… doing what you think."
I protested as I was trying to remove the gloves, but because of my lack of energy, my fingers kept slipping causing me to check for firmness.
"Alright that's enough."
Jhastlyn laughed as she took advantage of my and Shuko's conversation to slip behind us and remove the gloves. Though I didn't feel the stain of exhaustion like I was earlier, I was still feeling pretty down, causing Shuko to carry me and lay me on the couch.
While I was laying on the couch, JhastlynI basically summarized about needing energy to live and about her current form. Though it was omitted, the only reason I was able to get the silk around Shuko and the reason why the couch didn't go flying with us or the reason why Shuko didn't suffer any injuries was because Jhastlyn used her weird ghost ability on everything albeit it cost me quite a bit of energy.
"So you understand what Jhastlyn is?"
I asked seeing as I needed a textbook explanation and I still didn't quite understand it.
"Of course Hon, we have someone like her at the company."
"We do?"
I haven't meet any ghost in the time I've been there, but it's not like ghost just pop up and gossip.
"One day I'll introduce you two, albeit this is my first time meeting one who changes appearance based on what they're possessing. But can I ask one question?"
"Sure Shu!"
"Shu? Never-mind, but why are you clinging so much to Hon?"
Shuko asked as she watched Jhastlyn float around me as if she were on cloud nine.
"Simple,I have to keep a watch on my life support."
Jhastlyn spoke, as she lowered herself down on me.
"And that's because of your "link," right."
Shuko spoke, she was clearly agitated.
"Yup, Kid and I are now a packaged deal."
Jhastlyn continued, for some reason despite being a ghost she had weight on her.
"Kid?"
Shuko asked, I mean what's one more nickname.
"I call him Kid because I've lived about sixty human years. Though if you have a problem with Kid then I can call him something else like Boss or Lifeline or maybe Whipper-snapper."
"Sixty years!"
Both Shuko and I blurted out in shock, well more Shuko and I just voiced slightly louder then normal.
"Wait, didn't you say you were acquainted with a ghost, shouldn't this not surprise you?"
"Hon, the one I know of is five years old at max."
"Isn't she still just a child? Aren't you ignoring the Child-labor law?
"You'll understand when you meet her."
Bet'cha ten bucks I don't.
"I'd rather you call him at least by his name."
Shuko voiced or rather protested, needless to say Shuko had been acting strange since she met Jhastlyn.
"Why does it matter? Do you think I'm going to take away your precious lover?"
Jhastlyn provoke Shuko as she put her arms around me, much to the displeasure of Shuko.
Why was she doing this? Jhastlyn already knew that our marriage was a charade, there was no need to provoke Shuko while I can barely move.
"Wouldn't you hate it if someone came and began hogging all your toys?"
I would normally say something about not being anyone's property but my input isn't needed.
"So he's your physical property?"
"Yes."
Shuko confirmed as she crossed her arms and stared down Jhastlyn.
"Then I claim his soul, this way we both win!"
Jhastly spoke as she smiled like a child, reflecting how I felt this argument sounded.
"I claimed that as well when we became husband and wife. So sorry missy but everything about him is off-limits."
Why are you continuing this? Even I can see she's riling you up for fun.
"Well aren't you the possessive wife. Don't worry, I have no interest in romantic pursuits, I'm just comfortable hanging around Kid here, besides Kid doesn't mind."
"I believe he does. Hon, tell Jhastlyn that her hovering around all the time is a nuisance!"
Shuko commanded as she gave a death-glare, if this relationship weren't fake I would say that Shuko was jealous.
"I don't really min-"
I started to speak, but before I could finish my sentence the doorbell rang.
"Well look at that, someone should get the door."
I spoke and though reluctant, Shuko went to the door were I heard a familiar voice.
"Um, am I interrupting something?"
The voice asked as Shuko scurried back in the house and upstairs. You see, Shuko's clothes were still tattered from the earlier conflict, so she basically answered the door showing whoever was there a whole new world.
After a few seconds, footprints were headed towards Jhastlyn and myself, revealing themselves to be Ms. Smith.
"Hey Hon, I got your call, is everything alright? Did something happen to Jane?"
Ms. Smith spoke, sounding quite concerned.
"Yeah, about that…"
I started to trail off as Jhastlyn arose from laying on me.
"Smith!"
As a voice shrieked from the stairs, I recognized it immediately as Shuko's.
"Jhastlyn would like to speak with you."
"Jhastlyn?"
Smith spoke, puzzled as she was sat down in front of our spectral guest.
"And who might this be?"
Smith asked, seeing as this was their first encounter, so to speak.
"This is Jhastlyn, or as you called her, Jane."
Shuko spoke, re-introducing the pair with the kind of smile that showed that she was scheming something.
"This is, I mean you're Jane?"
Ms. Smith asked the person in question, finding it hard to believe.
"Yeah, I was the brat that ya brought over here this morning. And the name's Jhastlyn Spectre.
Jhastlyn declared, sounding a bit annoyed that she had to say the same thing over and over.
"Spectre?"
Smith questioned befoew laughing it off.
Oh well, kids grow up so fast nowadays."
"What do you mean, kids grow up so fast nowadays!? This person and Jane are two complete separate entities, so that would mean officially we hold no responsibility for Jhastlyn, right."
As Smith listened to Shuko's outburst, she cut her eyes making her appear quite serious.
"Shuko."
Smith spoke, her tone was low and her body language gave off a sense of danger.
"We had and currently have no idea what Jhastlyn's species is, officially. So she isn't in our systems legally, thus she falls outside of my jurisdiction. So just like Darling's slime, if she likes it here then she can stay."
Darling's slime, I didn't know Smith's boyfriend was a host.
"So you basically don't want to do any more work."
Shuko spoke agitated even more than earlier.
"Now-now Shuko. This is a matter between the family here, what do the three of you think of the situation? Jhastlyn how do you feel about the living arrangements?"
"I've got no problems, so long as I'm with Kid here."
Jhastlyn spoke as she floated behind me.
"How about you Hon?"
"I don't really mind, but Shuko, what do you want to do?"
I spoke, giving Shuko the final decision.
"Hon. I …"
Shuko started to speak, stopping herself as if she were trying to weigh the pros and cons before taking a look at me.
"If it's okay with you then as your wife, I don't see any reason why she can't stay."
Shuko spoke, her voice had a hint of defeat for having to compromise.
"See, that's what family is all about, and if you think of Jhastlyn as a teenager in her rebellious stage then I'm sure everything will work out."
Smith spoke as she rose from her seat and headed towards the door.
"If everything's settled, then I'll be on my way. I've got dinner plans with some colleagues at Darling's place, so I'll be seeing you all later."
Smith continued as she walked towards the door, seeing herself out and leaving us in the living room. I had finally gotten enough strength back to sit up.
"You're really too kind, you know that."
Shuko spoke as she walked towards me and put her hand on my head to praise me… I'm still not a dog.
"Since Jhastlyn just needs you to live, I guess there's no threat if she stays here. She can stay in the guest room."
Shuko continued as Jhastly wrapped her arms around my neck from behind.
"Isn't that great Kid, though in all honesty Shu would have agreed the moment you gave the word. I mean she likes you a lot more then she lets on.
Jhastlyn joked as she began to chuckle lightly, causing Shuko to twitch.
"What did you say?"
Shuko spoke, her face had turned red and her body began to trembling slightly.
"I know what you did during the full moon."
Jhasltyn spoke, though I didn't get it.
"What's the full moon got to do with me?"
I asked, Smith mentioned something about the moon on our first meeting but nothing of note happened during the last full moon.
"Oh Hon, did you forget what I told you this morning."
"This morning?"
"You didn't get Jane to speak."
"What do you mean she's-"
"This is Jhastlyn Spectre, technically an illegal liminal, while Jane was a legal liminal."
Shuko spoke, cutting me off.
"She has a point there."
Jhastlyn spoke as she floated away from me.
"But Jane is Jhastlyn."
"No I'm/she's not."
Both Jhastlyn and Shuko spoke in unison. Et tu Jhastlyn.
"So you know what that means."
Shuko spoke as she threaded some silk together.
"Position… 58?"
"So you do remember."
Shuko spoke as a jester like smile creeped across her face, causing my eyes to shot towards Jhastlyn.
"It's not like she'll kill you."
Jhastlyn spoke as she floated upstairs, leaving me to my fate.
Next chapter, the conclusion of the Specte arc
