Chapter Thirty-Five
Tomorrow would be Halloween, the busiest night of the year for Koji. Well, it would be the busiest if he actually had a job anymore. Kicking a piece of trash along the sidewalk, the former paranormal investigator sighed forlornly. What was he to do now? His career was all he had. His parents were on the other end of the East coast. Maybe he could move back. Koji pulled his coat tighter around him and shivered. He missed the almost perpetual warm Florida weather.
Pushing his hat down, he thought, Why am I not driving? Why am I not in a car with adjustable heat? Oh, right. He had decided to go for a walk in historic downtown Liberty Square to clear his head. And the heater didn't work anyway. He'd always meant to fix that.
Stopping at a crosswalk, he waited for the signal to light up and then he dashed across, holding down his fedora. If he wanted to, he could just turn back around and go home. It was only about a mile away. Hot cocoa and the Ghost Hunters marathon he had TiVoed last night were waiting for him. ( It wasn't that he liked the bickering wannabes, he just loved laughing as ghosts stood in front of the cameras waving and holding up signs that read, "Hi ma! I'm on T. V." )
Perhaps it was the festive Halloween decorations that kept him going onward. Cardboard witches, black cats, and skeletons hung in windows; grinning jack-o-lanterns were perched on porches; and some shops and houses even had orange lights strung up. Halloween had always been Koji's favorite holiday. He loved the spookiness, the silliness, and, most of all, the candy. Even with his height, he still couldn't pass for a kid. The neighbors knew him. So he'd go shopping the day after Halloween and get bags of all the discounted post-holiday goodies.
As he passed a window with a salt water taffy puller in it, he remembered he had not bought any candy to pass out for trick-or-treaters; or rather, candy that he'd eat and usually finish by the time any kids got to his porch. Sometimes in his weaker moments when he started getting a stomachache, he'd actually pass out treats to children. He stepped into the store and bought three bags of taffy. As he left, he made a mental note to put at least one aside for the trick-or-treaters.
Chewing some of his loot, his thoughts wandered back to Destiny and the ghosts. Over and over, he had relived the moment in his mind where he had "confessed" to setting up a sham haunted mansion. He still couldn't believe he had done that! He, Koji, voted "Most Obnoxious" in his senior year of high school, had done something that was not only unselfish, but had risked ruining his reputation to help someone else's. Looking back on his life, he realized what a pain in the neck he'd been. Sure he had some nice moments here and there, but for the most part, he had acted only for himself, caring little for anyone else. All those buildings he had snuck into and all the spirits he had harassed and all the people he had annoyed… No wonder he didn't have any friends.
Suddenly he brightened. He did have friends! Not the obsessive jerks at the Institute, but genuinely good people, like Destiny. Her main concern was helping someone in need, even if they were dead. There was also Dustin, always chivalrous and thoughtful. Even the hitchhikers had made an effect on Koji. They had proved their loyalty time and time again, and had taught him when to lighten up and laugh and when to take things seriously. It was the littlest ghost, though, who had most profoundly affected him. L. L.'s youth and innocence had shown him just how bitter and jealous he had been. He had wasted his precious childhood trying to get something he just couldn't have. So what if he didn't get to be the world's greatest psychic? That time should have been spent playing and learning about more important things. She made him realize that he should have a good time while he could. The dead child was a grim reminder that life could come to an end any given moment.
In a much better mood than he had previously been in, Koji stepped into a formal clothing store. There was a sale on hats.
Destiny clicked away at the keys, the rhythmic tap taps creating a false sense of calm around her. On the laptop screen in front of her was a crude diagram of the portrait gallery. Her main focus was the ceiling. Less than a third of it had been finished. Then there was the broken attic window that needed to be fixed too. Hadn't George mentioned a spice rack as we--
"Destiny?"
She didn't look up.
"Destiny, I think we need to talk." Arms crossed, Dustin stood behind her. She had not said a word after they had come back inside from the cemetery. George too had been silent, but he had vanished without any clue to where he was going.
Eyes still glued to the screen, she said, "Dustin, I'm busy."
"You're afraid." When she still did not turn and look at him, he vanished and reappeared behind the computer. Then he stuck his head through the back of the monitor and out the other side. He gripped the bottom of the screen, his fingers curling out and under. "I really think we should talk about what Lily said."
Pretending not to see him, she stared through his face at the gallery mock-up. "A few of those beams are going to have to be replaced," she mumbled. "Especially the one George was hanging from. His weight and the rope cutting into it probably weakened it."
"You're ignoring the issue," he said in a sing-song tone.
She finally looked him in the eye. "Your glasses are askew. And I'm not ignoring anything. Besides, George said Leota was, how'd he put it, restricted, and I've had enough warnings to know not to purposefully go to her. Now, please, let me work."
Adjusting his spectacles, he sighed. "I think maybe you should take this seriously."
Frowning, she snapped, "Seriously? You're talking to me about taking a threat against my life seriously! I can't stop thinking about it! I find out my house is haunted. I'm the descendant of the last owner! And now some witch I never met has some evil plot involving me? I am taking this very seriously! But what can we do about it? Should I confront the psychotic ghost and just hope it's a big misunderstanding and she had no intention whatsoever of ripping out my heart? Or--or whatever it is she wants to do? There's nothing I can do right now. There's no clues, no hints. I can't suddenly Velma up a solution." Wearily, she begged, "Just not now, Dustin."
"But--"
Destiny glared back at the screen. There were some key numbers missing. "If you'd like to help, go into the gallery and measure the length of the beams and the perimeter of the ceiling."
Backing out of the monitor, Dustin exhaled sharply. If she did not want to discuss it, fine. She could be stubborn.
She watched him walk away. She felt terrible for snapping at him and brushing him off like that, but she was nervous. When Destiny Chalmers was nervous, the only thing she found comfort in was her work. Blueprints and equations would not break your heart or try to kill you. It was with a sense of guilt that she realized that true friends would not either.
As she mentally mulled over any apologies she could say, her cell phone rang. It always seemed like someone called while she had to do some heavy thinking. It was probably keeping her from fully going insane. If she actually sat down and thought for a long time about the fact that her home was filled with dead people, she would probably run through the house screaming.
"Hello?"
"Moshimoshi!"
"Koji, I'm impressed. I never thought you actually knew Japanese." Destiny smiled.
"Mom made sure I had some drilled into my head just in case her family paid us a visit." Sitting on a park bench, he lay one arm across a hat box on his lap and braced the elbow of the other arm on top of the box so he could hold up his cell phone easier. "I was wondering if you were doing anything for Halloween tomorrow."
She blinked a few times. "Oh. I forgot completely forgot about Halloween. I have to get candy. Boy, I really don't want to go back out in public yet."
"Well," he said brightly, "I've got some bags of candy, some decorations, plenty of cheesy horror flicks. Why don't we have our own little party at your place? The chances of kids stopping by is rare, so we get all that taffy to ourselves." When she did not answer, he said pitifully, "I'm feelin' kind of low right now and I could do with some cheering up. Oh, and I need to drop something off anyway."
Destiny leaned back in her chair, fingers tapping the tabletop and an eyebrow arched. "Like what?"
He glanced back down at the box. "A gift. So, we on for tomorrow?"
Biting her lip, Destiny thought about it for a second. "Yeah. There's something else I should tell you about too when you get here."
"Is everything all right?"
"As of right now, yes. But I'm leery."
"Okay. It's getting late. I'm going to start walking home. I'll get the decorations and everything together. Tomorrow afternoon good?"
"Fine by me."
"Cool. Sayonara."
"Toodles," she chuckled. Looking back at her diagram, she wondered how Dustin was doing.
Dustin jammed the metal end of the measuring roll into a beam. The wood was soft and in poor shape thanks to time and termites. Pulling the roll with him, he floated to the other side of the beam. "Twenty. That one will need to be replaced." He jotted down the number with a pen onto a little notepad he had brought up there with him. Down below on the floor was Destiny's tool bag.
The rope tied around the middle of the beam annoyed him. It seemed creepy to leave a bit of noose dangling around. Good thing the body was gone at least. Staring back at the knot he decided to cut it off. Leaving the measuring tape, pen, and tablet, he dove down to grab a knife out of the bag. At the moment when he thought he'd reached it, it moved down.
"What?" Looking around him, he realized the room had once again stretched a bit. He laughed and smiled. "All right, all right, I get it. Good one, whoever you are." As he reached down again, the floor moved down, too. He heard no voices this time. The portraits were silent. This was being done to get on his nerves. "Ha ha! Yes! Very funny the first time! I'm trying to get some work done." Then the process repeated itself. "Oh, cut it out!" When he put his hand down, the floor moved up. Too high. He suddenly had his hand in the middle of the bag. Grumbling thanks, he took out a small, toothed knife and floated back up to the beam.
He set to work sawing the noose when he heard a whisper.
"Dustin…"
"Lily?" But he knew it wasn't her again, or even George's mother. No, this was a voice that sent shivers up his spine and made him think about his death. He chose to ignore it, cutting fiercely to make himself focus.
"Oh poor Dustin…"
It was in his head that time, darting around his thoughts. "Get out!" He was saying it as much to the voice as he was to himself. He jabbed the knife into the wood and jumped down, slowing his momentum in time to gracefully touch down to the floor. With a shock, he realized he had landed right in front of the panel that led to Leota's secret door.
"Why are you so afraid, Dustin? You're dead. You have nothing to fear."
Somehow, he felt numb. He tried to speak but his tongue seemed swollen. "Destiny…"
"Come, let me show you my plan, Dustin. She'll be fine, I assure you. Just see for yourself…"
A cold feeling washed over him. He had not commanded his feet to move forward, but they did so themselves. They took him up the staircase and into her room. What was he doing? Was he really trying to find out Leota's plan? Was he doing this to save Destiny? Stepping into Madame Leota's chamber, a chill ran down his spine.
The raven perched atop the back of her chair ruffled its feathers. Its beady black eyes glared at Dustin. For a moment, he wondered if the bird was a ghost. It was hard to tell in the darkness.
"Dustin, I'm so glad you could join me."
He looked down at the glowing crystal ball. Leota smiled up at him, her ruby red lips curled into a seductive smirk. "You know, I've never been able to get a really good look at you before. You're quite a handsome young man, really." Her dark locks wafted in front of her face, blocking everything but her piercing green eyes. "I've been watching you, Mr. Dust." The mists in the ball swirled and faded until the scene of Dustin and Destiny dancing appeared. "I know," she spoke over the action, "that you love her." The kiss played out. "And she loves you." Leota chuckled. "What an adorable couple you make." Her face once again appeared. "Which brings me to my proposition."
"Proposition?" This wasn't right. The list of names Phineas had given flashed through his mind.
"Yes, dear. It's so cramped in here and I'm so lonely. All I want is to be able to stretch my legs and have conversations. You have no idea how lucky you are to be able to roam about the mansion. I can't even have that!" She pouted. "I can't even hold my little girl in my arms and kiss her good night." She sniffed as a tear trickled down her cheek. "It wouldn't take much to set me free. Just crack open this crystal. Your brother almost did, but he's so selfish and mean. He just left me crying."
The dumbstruck feeling left him. "With all I've heard, why should I?" he demanded.
"I thought you would ask that. I've served my time, haven't I? I've thought about how I've acted and I've changed my ways. It's unfair to keep someone imprisoned forever, don't you think?
"But let's not talk about me for a minute. Let's talk about you. I remember when you first walked in here, so timid and nervous, being Mister Mature. Do you remember what happened Dustin? I showed you your deepest desire." Once again she displayed the image. A living Dustin picked up Destiny by her waist and they spun and laughed. Leota's voice and features interrupted the sweet vision, catching Dustin by surprise as he almost got swept up in the fantasy. "I know you want to live. If I'm set free, I'll bring you back to life!"
The offer gave him a jolt. "What!"
She laughed at the shock in his voice. "I will bring you to life when I'm set free. But you must act quickly. After Halloween I won't have the power to do it, but right now I'm strong enough. You'll finally truly have her, Dustin. Isn't that what you want?"
Oh God, it was what he wanted more than anything! The fine scent of alluring perfume drifted in the air. Like a soft hand, it tickled him under his chin, caressed his cheek. He distinctly remembered it as the kind Destiny wore. He let it overpower him. His eyes closed and his mind began to drift…
"An evil witch!" "Do you honestly think we would want anything to do with that conniving, murderous, heartless banshee…" "Boy, Leota deserves no ones sympathy! You've got no idea what that woman's done!" "…she's single handedly responsible for bringing about the deaths of Gus, Ezra, myself… The ghosts that hang out in the ballroom, the tea party guests…"
"She'll get you! She'll get you all!"
Dustin's eyes snapped open. Coughing, he waved away the perfume. How stupid he had been! He ran.
"Set me free!" With her scream, an unnatural breeze blew around the room, ruffling the tapestries on the walls and making the hanging occult charms jingle like wind chimes. The raven screeched and fought to regain its footing.
Running out through the formal door and into the hallway, Dustin didn't stop until his shoulders were grabbed by George. "Dustin, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." He smiled smugly at his own lame joke. But his features soon became concerned. "What's wrong? Did you just come out of Leota's room? What were you doing there?"
"I--I don't know! I just… I don't know." His eyes were wide and fearful.
Bracing a hand on the other man's back, George led him to the library. It worried him to see the usually calm Brit so upset. He knew they had all been under great stress, but this went beyond the dealings of the afternoon. "I've spent the past couple of hours here, looking for any clues in the books. Nothing yet, I'm afraid. No spells that seem suspicious. No rituals that caught my eye. Now, what did Leota say to you?"
Emily and Bea dashed down the main hall into the foyer just as Destiny was shutting down her computer. "Did I hear right?" cried Emily, eyes alight, and her heart pounding. "Is Koji coming by tomorrow?" She grinned expectantly.
"Uh." Destiny looked at Bea, who grimaced and shrugged. "Yeah. Why?"
"Oh." Emily attempted to look calm as she twirled a lock of her hair. "No reason."
Bea sighed exasperatedly. "She's got a crush on the bloke."
Immediately defensive, Emily snapped, "No I don't!"
"You just told me, sweetie. It's what we've been bloody discussing for the past twenty minutes, if you recall. You dragged me out of the graveyard to tell me, right when I was about to go for a ride with Manny." She crossed her arms and smiled. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find my little cycling Irishman." But before she could turn around, Emily grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back.
"She," Emily pointed at Bea, "thinks it's a bad idea for me to have feelings for Koji." She huffed.
This caught Destiny by surprise, especially since Bea had tried so hard to get her and Dustin's relationship going. The mortal decided to fluster the former would-be bride a bit before attacking that issue, though. "But you don't have feelings for Koji. You just said so." She smirked at Bea, who grinned back. It was like teasing a little sister.
"All right! All right!" Emily cried, flinging her arms into the air. "I like Koji! I can't help it!" She collapsed onto a sofa, pouting.
Destiny and Bea took seats on either side of her. "I thought you said he was icky and short," Destiny pointed out sarcastically.
Fingering a bit of lace on her dress, Emily mumbled, "Well, I changed my mind. He's still short. Just not icky. I mean…" She sat up. "He's so adorable! Those chubby cheeks," she squeezed her own, "those big dark eyes," she batted her eyelashes, "and the way he does his hair," she finished, pointing to her own head.
"Oh, you mean by not combing it for two weeks," chuckled Bea.
Emily scowled. "You keep making fun of him! You just don't know him!"
"Nor do you," Bea pointed out helpfully. "Look, poppet, I think you're just looking for a rebound. I think this'll get you hurt."
"I know what I said about him earlier, but that was before I saw how heroic he was! How he just sprang in front of the camera like that!" She sighed wistfully. "I've been plucking petals, you know, and each stem I reach says 'Yes!'"
"Sounds like a completely accurate way to choose a hubby," Bea winked at Destiny.
"Emily," began Destiny, choosing her words carefully, "I don't think Koji has the same feelings for you. That's why Bea"--Bea nodded-- " and I both think you should reconsider about this." She smiled at her. "You of all people should know not to rush into a relationship."
Turning to the live woman, Emily sent her an icy glare. A snarl twisted her pale lips. "How dare you try to tell me how to live my life!" She sprang up.
"Afterlife," Bea corrected.
"And then you have to go and remind me of the most traumatic thing that's ever happened to me!" she sobbed. "I never should have listened to you! I'm going back up to my room!" Head down and brushing away tears, she ran to the attic stairs.
Sighing, Destiny put her head in her hands. "Great," she groaned, looking up. "Another situation I handled completely wrong. This day can't get worse, can it?"
Bea pondered that for a moment. Finally, she said brightly, "It could be raining fire and brimstone. Don't worry. Em will get over it. She's a teenager with a crush. Once she's got the sobs out of her system, she'll come back down. We can get this all straightened out tomorrow when Koji comes. She'll see that he doesn't like her and I can introduce her to some nice dead chap." Bea grinned.
"By the way, how're you and my brother doing?"
Destiny shook her head. "I snapped at him earlier. I'm scared, Bea. Apparently Leota's got it in for me and everyone else. Maybe I should just leave--"
"No, don't, please! Look how happy everyone is! Except Mr. Baker and Asher. They're always grouchy. And Leota… But look at how cheerful George is! Dustin is in love! My mopey brother has fallen head over heels for you, and I can tell by that grin you feel the same for him! The gossip chain has been running rampant." Destiny had to laugh at that. "And I finally have a sane woman to talk to. Whatever the threat is, I can assure you that you have just about every single ghost of Gracey Manor behind you. We love you and we won't let anything happen to you."
"Wow." Destiny was speechless. "Thanks Bea. I don't know what to say."
Bea's eyes sparkled. "I meant every word of it. Now," she said as they stood up, "I need to find my Manny and you should talk to Dustin, from what you've said. Cheerio, dear! Oh, I'll have a word with Asher too. Selfish git's been hogging the television remote and won't let anyone else use it. I'll straighten him out later." She winked and vanished.
"Bye Bea," said Destiny. Then she started her search for Dustin. He wasn't in the gallery anymore, so she set off down the main hall. She soon found him in the library. As she pushed the door open, he quickly hushed.
"Oh, hello Destiny," he greeted with a smile as she stepped in. He sat in a rocking chair as George stared gloomily out the window. "Sorry I left. I got sidetracked." He got up and walked to her side. Gently he took her arm. "George is in a…mood. Let's chat elsewhere." Together they walked out and Destiny closed the door behind them.
When they were out of earshot, Destiny whispered, "How has he been taking this?"
"You know how he is. Covers it up nicely. He told me he's been searching through the books for any clue as to what Leota's planning."
"No, I meant, about Lily. I can't imagine how much that tore him up inside."
Dustin shrugged. "It's hard to tell with him sometimes. I know he must be devastated. To lose someone you love so much and then to find out they're imprisoned. Must be pure agony." He cleared his throat. "There's something else. I went into Leota's room. That's what has him mad. As he should be, of course. I don't know what came over me. Destiny, it was like something was in my mind, making me move." He shuddered, remembering the cold feeling that had rushed through him.
Watching him shiver, she asked cautiously, "What happened?"
Furrowing his brow thoughtfully, he tried to remember. The memories seemed to blur together. "She said something about watching us." Realization dawned on his face. "Destiny, she's been watching you, studying you!" He felt sick as Destiny paled in fear. "She knows about us." Shamefully, he hung his head. "She made me an offer."
Voice quivering, she asked, "What was it, Dustin?" Placing a hand on his cheek, she looked into his eyes. "Don't be afraid to tell me."
Placing his hand on hers, he said, "Leota told me that if I set her free, she'd give me my life back."
Heart pounding, Destiny had to ask, "What did you do?"
"I ran out. I just left." Disappointment briefly flickered over Destiny's features. "I never knew her when I was alive, but she's not a good person. She killed me, among many others. She's--she's trapped for a reason." In a hollow voice, his eyes focused somewhere far off, he continued, "It would be selfish and foolish of me to let her go just so I can be alive again."
Destiny felt a sharp pang of shame. "I'm sorry." She hugged him and he embraced her tightly back. The worry was still there, but she felt safe with him. Odd. She felt safe with a dead guy. Maybe it was because nothing could happen to him. And if anything happened to her, what would that mean? An eternity with the man she loved? "We're both a little selfish, I guess," she admitted with a smile. "And we're also both a bit foolish. Me moreso than you, I think." She chuckled.
He laughed. "No, I'm sure we come out evenly." His mood had lifted and his easygoing smile was back. "How could I trust her, anyway? Her main intent is to hurt you, I know it. And I won't let that happen." He kissed her.
Her spirits were up, too. Even though he was a ghost, she felt so lucky to have him in her life. "Dustin, I'm sorry for snapping." She sighed. "I was just scared and lashed out."
He smiled as she nuzzled his chin with the top of her head. "It's all right, my love. We're all tense right now. Nothing's going to come between us."
"'Scuse me, lovebirds! Comin' through!"
Destiny and Dustin looked up to see Ezra and Phineas running in their direction. The couple broke apart just before the pranksters would have plowed into them. Ezra skidded to a halt and hid behind Destiny. Phineas cowered behind Dustin, but tried to huddle under his coat.
Dustin craned his neck around and glared at the lump by the back of his legs. "Excuse me? You do realize most of you is showing, right?"
"What's wrong with you two?" asked Destiny. "Owe someone money?"
"Not this time," Ezra answered, peering over Destiny's shoulder. He quickly ducked back down.
Just then the source of the terror came shouting down the hallway, swinging a metal ball. "You forgot Gus's anniversary!" The short man was livid. "How could you forget?" He chased Ezra around Destiny. "Quit hiding behind the lady, coward!"
"Sorry, Gussie!" Ezra cried. He ducked another swing, his hat flying up cartoonishly and the metal ball whooshed in the empty space between hat and head. Grabbing his derby and pushing it back down, Ezra said, "You could have reminded us!"
"Yeah!" Phineas agreed. He scooted away from the angry man, shuffling Dustin's feet along with him to keep his disguise. Unable to keep his balance, Dustin fell backwards, landing with the back of his knees and lower half of his legs on Phineas, who had ducked down and covered his head.
The plump phantom chuckled nervously up at the seething dwarf. "It was just a mistake, Gus."
Dustin floated up and dusted himself off. "What's got him so mad?"
Pointing and sobbing, Gus declared, "They forgot my death day anniversary!"
Destiny looked at Dustin and arched an eyebrow questioningly. He just looked back at her and shrugged. Finally, she had to ask, "What?"
Getting up, Phineas explained, "Each year, we always do something special for Gus on the anniversary of his death. E and I always kinda felt responsible, so we try to make up for it. Well, it was a couple of days ago and we didn't even realize it."
Gus sniffed. "Thought they were taking extra long to make a big surprise."
Destiny patted Gus's head. "Poor little guy." He wrapped his arms around her legs and hugged her. "I know they didn't do it on purpose. If anything, Gus, it's my fault. I guess I upset things when I showed up."
Sniffling, he croaked, "It's okay. Gus understand."
"He didn't understand ten seconds ago!" Ezra shouted from behind Destiny.
"Well," Destiny stopped down, "what can I do to make it better?" Before Ezra could make any comment at all, she said, "Within reason and decency."
"Darn it!" grumbled Ezra.
Gus thought on this. "Like to hear about our last days alive. It's been so long. Almost forgot."
"That's, uh, a little morbid," mumbled Destiny. She stood up. "One of you two want to take this?"
"I'll do it," chirped Phineas just as Ezra began to open his mouth. "No need for anyone to add fictional details and exaggerations."
"But that makes it interesting!" Ezra protested.
Destiny smiled thoughtfully. "You know, I'd like to hear about your lives, too. Why don't we all find a comfortable place to sit, and you can tell me and Gus all about them."