Part 3
*****
Winston suddenly lost it. "YAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!" he screamed as he attacked Dwayne. Both men landed on the ground and Winston rained blows after blows on him. "I won't let you bury Ray! I'll kill you first!"
Dwayne threw Winston off him. "You'll pay for that, Zeddemore!" Dwayne took out his knife and tried to stab Winston, but he rolled away and jumped up, ready to take Dwayne on. Dwayne came at Winston with his knife. Winston dodged it, but Dwayne kept stabbing at him.
Suddenly, Winston whirled around and kicked upwards, knocking the knife out of Dwayne's hand. Then he kicked Dwayne in the jaw, sending him flying against the wall. Winston breathed hard as he stared down at Dwayne. Then he turned back towards the others.
Suddenly the hut's door flew open and Peter and Egon came storming in along with the Vietnamese police force.
Egon ran up to Winston. "Winston, are you all right?"
Winston ignored him and ran to Ray. "I'm fine! We've got to get him to a hospital."
"I am Captain Lin Cuk. These men are wanted by my government for the murder of Kim Sue."
Winston turned to the police captain. "I know that! They were sent to military prison for it."
The captain had his men take Dwayne, John, Mike, and Kenneth into custody. "These men will pay for their crime, but this time they'll serve it here in Vietnam where the killing took place."
As the men were taken away, Dwayne stared back at Winston. "This ain't over Zee, not by a long shot. I'm going to...." Suddenly, Dwayne's words were cut off and he grabbed his throat. The ghost of Kim Sue stood in front of him.
"As you have taken my life, I will take yours," the ghost said.
Dwayne tried to speak, but he couldn't. Suddenly his eyes rolled up in the back of his head and he fell down, dead. Kim Sue's ghost looked at the body then she turned to the others. "Justice has been done." Then she vanished.
None of the Ghostbusters said anything - they were all by Ray. Egon looked at Winston. "Winston, how long has Ray been out?"
"I don't know. He comes to every now and then but not long enough."
Egon nodded. "Captain, we need to get our friend to the hospital."
"The nearest one is in Saigon."
"Can you get us there?" asked Peter.
"Yes. I will have one of my men take you. What happened to him?" The captain pointed at Dwayne.
"Like Kim Sue said - justice has been served," replied Peter coldly.
Captain Lin Cuk turned to his men. "Get that man to the hospital and take that man," he said, pointing to Dwayne, "to the morgue."
Winston stood back as he watched the officers carefully take Ray away. Then he carefully slipped out the back unseen by his friends.
Egon was the first to notice that Winston was gone. "Peter! Winston's gone!"
Peter was now beside Ray, cradling his head in his lap. "I think Winston needs to be alone right now Egon. We need to be here with Ray. Once Winston gets his head clear, he'll come."
"I wonder," replied Egon as he also climbed inside the car.
It was a long drive, but eventually they got to the hospital. Peter was surprised how quickly the medical staff moved to get Ray into the emergency room. Six hours went by with no word on Ray's condition, nor was there any sign of Winston.
"Peter?"
"Yeah, Egon?"
"Do you think Winston will come back?"
"I don't know, Egon, but I hope he does before Ray wakes up, because if Winston isn't there when..." Peter stopped for a moment, wiping his eyes. "Sorry. Something's in my eye... He's going to be heartbroken and blame himself for Winston leaving." Egon nodded as Peter stood up. "I can't do anything here and this waiting is driving me nuts. I'm going to look for Winston."
"Just make sure you two are both back before Ray wakes up," A nurse said as she walked up to them. "Gentlemen, the doctor will see you now about your friend." Peter stopped and they followed her to the doctor. "Please wait here. The doctor will be right with you."
Both men sat in the office and a young woman in her thirties walked in. She was stunning and if Peter wasn't so worried about his friends, he might have made a pass at her. Egon stood up. "Hello, Doctor."
"Hello, gentlemen. My name is Doctor Ming. Your friend has suffered multiple cuts and bruises. He also has a compound fracture to his leg. Whoever set it did a good job. My biggest concern is his skull. He suffered a hairline fracture."
"Will he pull through?" Peter asked.
"I can't really say. We did all we could. The rest is up to him."
"Thank you, Doctor. May we see him?" said Egon.
"Yes, but only one of you."
"Egon, you stay with Ray. I'll find Winston and bring him back."
"All right, Peter - and hurry."
"I will, Egon."
Once Peter left the doctor took Egon to Ray. Egon walk in and gasped. The youngest Ghostbuster was hooked up to all kinds of machines and his head was covered. He took a deep breath and sat down beside the still body with only the sounds of the machines telling him that Ray was still with them. "Hey, Raymond. Peter and Winston will be here soon."
****
Winston wandered the street of the small town, knowing he would never be able to return to the Ghostbusters. He walked into a cafe and picked up the phone.
"Operator."
"Yes, operator. I'd like to make a person-to-person call. The number is 555-6746."
"Please hold while I connect you."
Winston waited, hearing the line crackle in his ear as connections were made halfway across the world to the United States. A voice came on the phone. "Hello. Big Ed Zeddemore speaking."
"Dad?"
"Winston? Son, are you okay?"
"No, Dad. I need to come home."
"Son, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just want to come home and work for you again."
"Winston?"
"Dad, please! Can I come home?"
"Son, where are you?"
"I'm in Vietnam. Dad, it's a long story."
"Winston, where are your friends?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm no longer a Ghostbuster."
"What? Winston, what are you talking about? Why not?" Ed asked.
"I can't explain it now, Dad- I've just- I've gotta come home, okay?" Winston asked.
"Sure. You know you're welcome anytime, but Winston - please - think about this, okay? You know I haven't always agreed with what you do, but I do love you and I want you to be happy," Ed said.
Winston nodded. "Sure Dad," he said. "I'll be home soon."
Winston hung up the phone and took a cab to the airport. He bought a ticket and boarded the plane. He was glad when it was ready to go. As the plane took off, all he could think of was how bad Ray looked when they had taken him to the hospital. He breathed deeply. God, why didn't he stop those men thirteen years ago?
*****
"Winston!" Peter cried. He walked through the streets of Saigon. He kept glancing at everything, sadly realizing how hard it must have been to be there. "Winston!" Peter called. A few people stared at him, but he kept walking. He was definitely sticking out as an American.
A young man stopped Peter. "I can tell you where man you look for."
Peter stared at him. "How can you tell me?"
The young man smiled. "You are Ghostbreakers. I read about you. Your friend also Ghostbreaker. He talk on phone said he go home. He leave go home said he no longer Ghostbreaker. You pay me now." The young man held out his hand.
Peter paid him the money sadly. He headed back to the hospital, tears in his eyes. When he arrived, he walked up to the nurse's desk and asked where the ICU was. Once there he walked in and saw Egon sitting by Ray. "Hey Egon," he muttered. "How's he doing?"
Egon looked up and sadly shook his head. "Not so good, Peter. I'm not sure if he going to wake up."
Peter walked over to Egon. "Don't say that! Don't ever say that! The kid will wake up. He just needs to rest."
Egon nodded then turn back to Ray as he carefully put the covers up to him. "I hope so, Peter. Did you find Winston?"
Peter shook his head. "No. Some kid told me Winston went home - gave him twenty bucks and he didn't even get our names right - called us Ghostbreakers not Ghostbusters."
Suddenly Ray screamed, "Winstonnnnnnnn!!!!"
The two men turned to him. "Ray?" But Ray was still out - he was dreaming.
Peter glanced at Egon, sighing, "We have to find Winston."
"I know Peter," Egon said tearfully. "I know." Egon took Ray's hand in his. "Calm down, Ray. It's okay. Calm down." This seemed to work a little as Ray stopped thrashing about. Peter also reached out and took Ray's other hand in his.
***
When the plane landed, Big Ed was waiting for his son. Winston said nothing as Big Ed took his son home. Later that day, Winston was sitting on his back deck of his father's house staring at the sky. His eyes watered.
"Winston, you want to tell me what all this is about?" Big Ed asked him.
"I-I don't know if I can, Dad," Winston said tearfully and Ed pulled him into a hug.
"Son, you know you can tell me anything. Here, come on over and sit on my lap." Winston smiled a little at his dad's joke. "Hmmm... Well, maybe you're too big for that. Son, I know that you love being a Ghostbuster, so why did you leave?"
Winston told him the whole story - even about the girl.
Big Ed stood up. "Well, you did come forward and they did pay for it. I'm sorry about your friend, but you need to be with him."
Winston shook his head. "No, Dad. I can never face Ray again."
Suddenly Winston heard laughter. "No, Dad. I can never face Ray again. What's the matter, Zee? Feeling guilty?"
Winston whirled around and saw Dwayne's ghost flowing in front of him. "Hey Zee, I'm dead now. But did you really think that would stop me? Think again, pal! Your friend's in a coma back in Saigon. He can neither die nor wake up. I have him trapped here with me. So why don't you try to rescue him again? Maybe this time, you'll get lucky."
Big Ed watched in horror as Winston jumped at Dwayne. "You! I don't believe you have Ray!"
"Well, theoretically, I only have his spirit. But as long as I have it, your young friend can't die or wake up."
"How am I supposed to get to him?"
"Ask your friend Spengler. That is, if he'll even speak to you for causing all of this and then leaving them."
Winston turned away. His father placed his arm on his son's shoulder. "Winston, you can do this. You've got to go back and tell your friends what's going on."
"I know, Dad." Winston turned back to Dwayne. "How long do I have?"
"All the time you want, Zee, but there's just one thing. Spengler can get you here so you can try to save Chubby, but only **you** can come. If any of the others come after you, old Chubby's spirit here will be destroyed and he'll be in a coma forever with no chance of waking up."
Winston suddenly lunged at Dwayne, but he disappeared. "Damn, I never should've left! Dad, I've got to go back. I need to save Ray and I need Egon's help."
"All right, son. I'll drive you to the airport."
"Thanks, Dad - but we need to make one stop."
"I know, son. You need to get Janine."
Winston nodded. "Janine needs to know what's going on."
They went to the firehouse and found Janine typing. She looked up. "Winston! Egon just called. Why are you here? Why aren't you with them? With Ray?"
"Janine, we don't have time for twenty questions! I'll explain on the way to Saigon."
Janine grabbed her bag from underneath the desk. "Okay Winston - let's go."
Once they were on the plane, Winston told Janine the whole story. "Oh my God! Winston - to go through that twice and that man has somehow gotten Ray's spirit. How is that possible?"
Winston placed his head in his hands then looked up at her. "The only difference is this time Ray wasn't shot and killed like she was, but he may be in limbo the rest of his life - if you can call that living - if I don't find a way to get to him. Only Egon knows how to do that."
They were quiet the rest of the trip. Once they got to Saigon, they took a taxi to the hospital. Winston asked at the desk where Ray was. Janine decided to stay and wait. After Winston left, Egon turned the corner. "Egon!" Janine cried out.
Egon hurried over to her. "Janine, I'm glad to see you."
"I'm glad to see you too, Egon. You look terrible. Is there a place that we can talk?"
"Yes. There's a waiting room near the ICU. We can talk there. Oh Janine, he won't wake up! I've never felt so helpless in my life. There's nothing I can do for Ray."
"Egon, there might be something…"
Egon stared at her. "What do you mean?"
Janine took his arm in hers. "Come on. I'll tell you what Winston told me."
*****
Peter sat in the hospital holding Ray's hand. "Come on buddy, we need you to wake up," he said. "I need you," he squeezed Ray's hand but got no response. Peter's eyes watered. "I'm sorry you had to go through all this," Peter said. "I wish it had been me." Peter closed his eyes in exhaustion but he opened them when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Winston?" Peter cried, standing up. His eyes were blazing. He was upset because Winston had left. "What are you doing here?" he snapped
Winston shuddered at the tone of Peter's voice. "I need to talk to you guys," Winston said sadly, sighing.
"Yeah, you sure do!" Peter said, folding his arms across his chest. "First you can tell us... No, not us… You can tell Ray... Why did you leave?"
Winston gulped, looking down, "I-I couldn't face Ray," he said, staring at the floor.
"So that's it then, you just up and leave when things got a little tough?" Peter asked. The sound of his voice had calmed down some but he was still angry and Winston could tell.
"Peter-" Winston hesitated. "You don't understand-you weren't there. You didn't have to watch it twice."
"No I didn't, but neither did you," Peter snapped.
"Whoa Pete, I-" Winston started to defend himself..
Peter looked away from him, feeling hurt and angry, and all alone. Egon suddenly walked in the room. "Winston!" Egon said "I saw Janine outside .She told me you were here. I'm glad you came back. Now what's this about Dwayne having Ray's spirit?"
Peter turned back around quickly. "What do you mean Dwayne has Ray's spirit?"
Egon placed his hand on Peter's shoulder to steady the psychologist. "Janine told me what Winston told her but I need to know more detail, so start talking, Winston!"
Winston repeated the story to Egon and Peter. "Can you find a way to get me to limbo to find Dwayne and save Ray's spirit?"
Egon rubbed his chin. "Yes - if I had a lab or a place to work. "
"You can use the lab here, Doctor Spengler," said Doctor Ming as she entered the room to check on her patient. "Anything you need."
"Thank you for the offer, Doctor Ming." Egon replied. Then he turned to Winston. "Peter and I are going with you."
"But Egon, Dwayne said just me!" Winston protested.
Peter walked over to him and started to grab Winston out of anger but managed to control himself. "Winston, that's what he wants - for you to go alone. Well, this time, we're going in to back you up. We're your friends."
Winston smiled at Peter because he knew that Peter had forgiven him. "Okay then, Egon. What's the plan?"
"I first have to set up a machine that will take us to Limbo then we'll see from there."
TBC
*****
Winston suddenly lost it. "YAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!" he screamed as he attacked Dwayne. Both men landed on the ground and Winston rained blows after blows on him. "I won't let you bury Ray! I'll kill you first!"
Dwayne threw Winston off him. "You'll pay for that, Zeddemore!" Dwayne took out his knife and tried to stab Winston, but he rolled away and jumped up, ready to take Dwayne on. Dwayne came at Winston with his knife. Winston dodged it, but Dwayne kept stabbing at him.
Suddenly, Winston whirled around and kicked upwards, knocking the knife out of Dwayne's hand. Then he kicked Dwayne in the jaw, sending him flying against the wall. Winston breathed hard as he stared down at Dwayne. Then he turned back towards the others.
Suddenly the hut's door flew open and Peter and Egon came storming in along with the Vietnamese police force.
Egon ran up to Winston. "Winston, are you all right?"
Winston ignored him and ran to Ray. "I'm fine! We've got to get him to a hospital."
"I am Captain Lin Cuk. These men are wanted by my government for the murder of Kim Sue."
Winston turned to the police captain. "I know that! They were sent to military prison for it."
The captain had his men take Dwayne, John, Mike, and Kenneth into custody. "These men will pay for their crime, but this time they'll serve it here in Vietnam where the killing took place."
As the men were taken away, Dwayne stared back at Winston. "This ain't over Zee, not by a long shot. I'm going to...." Suddenly, Dwayne's words were cut off and he grabbed his throat. The ghost of Kim Sue stood in front of him.
"As you have taken my life, I will take yours," the ghost said.
Dwayne tried to speak, but he couldn't. Suddenly his eyes rolled up in the back of his head and he fell down, dead. Kim Sue's ghost looked at the body then she turned to the others. "Justice has been done." Then she vanished.
None of the Ghostbusters said anything - they were all by Ray. Egon looked at Winston. "Winston, how long has Ray been out?"
"I don't know. He comes to every now and then but not long enough."
Egon nodded. "Captain, we need to get our friend to the hospital."
"The nearest one is in Saigon."
"Can you get us there?" asked Peter.
"Yes. I will have one of my men take you. What happened to him?" The captain pointed at Dwayne.
"Like Kim Sue said - justice has been served," replied Peter coldly.
Captain Lin Cuk turned to his men. "Get that man to the hospital and take that man," he said, pointing to Dwayne, "to the morgue."
Winston stood back as he watched the officers carefully take Ray away. Then he carefully slipped out the back unseen by his friends.
Egon was the first to notice that Winston was gone. "Peter! Winston's gone!"
Peter was now beside Ray, cradling his head in his lap. "I think Winston needs to be alone right now Egon. We need to be here with Ray. Once Winston gets his head clear, he'll come."
"I wonder," replied Egon as he also climbed inside the car.
It was a long drive, but eventually they got to the hospital. Peter was surprised how quickly the medical staff moved to get Ray into the emergency room. Six hours went by with no word on Ray's condition, nor was there any sign of Winston.
"Peter?"
"Yeah, Egon?"
"Do you think Winston will come back?"
"I don't know, Egon, but I hope he does before Ray wakes up, because if Winston isn't there when..." Peter stopped for a moment, wiping his eyes. "Sorry. Something's in my eye... He's going to be heartbroken and blame himself for Winston leaving." Egon nodded as Peter stood up. "I can't do anything here and this waiting is driving me nuts. I'm going to look for Winston."
"Just make sure you two are both back before Ray wakes up," A nurse said as she walked up to them. "Gentlemen, the doctor will see you now about your friend." Peter stopped and they followed her to the doctor. "Please wait here. The doctor will be right with you."
Both men sat in the office and a young woman in her thirties walked in. She was stunning and if Peter wasn't so worried about his friends, he might have made a pass at her. Egon stood up. "Hello, Doctor."
"Hello, gentlemen. My name is Doctor Ming. Your friend has suffered multiple cuts and bruises. He also has a compound fracture to his leg. Whoever set it did a good job. My biggest concern is his skull. He suffered a hairline fracture."
"Will he pull through?" Peter asked.
"I can't really say. We did all we could. The rest is up to him."
"Thank you, Doctor. May we see him?" said Egon.
"Yes, but only one of you."
"Egon, you stay with Ray. I'll find Winston and bring him back."
"All right, Peter - and hurry."
"I will, Egon."
Once Peter left the doctor took Egon to Ray. Egon walk in and gasped. The youngest Ghostbuster was hooked up to all kinds of machines and his head was covered. He took a deep breath and sat down beside the still body with only the sounds of the machines telling him that Ray was still with them. "Hey, Raymond. Peter and Winston will be here soon."
****
Winston wandered the street of the small town, knowing he would never be able to return to the Ghostbusters. He walked into a cafe and picked up the phone.
"Operator."
"Yes, operator. I'd like to make a person-to-person call. The number is 555-6746."
"Please hold while I connect you."
Winston waited, hearing the line crackle in his ear as connections were made halfway across the world to the United States. A voice came on the phone. "Hello. Big Ed Zeddemore speaking."
"Dad?"
"Winston? Son, are you okay?"
"No, Dad. I need to come home."
"Son, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just want to come home and work for you again."
"Winston?"
"Dad, please! Can I come home?"
"Son, where are you?"
"I'm in Vietnam. Dad, it's a long story."
"Winston, where are your friends?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm no longer a Ghostbuster."
"What? Winston, what are you talking about? Why not?" Ed asked.
"I can't explain it now, Dad- I've just- I've gotta come home, okay?" Winston asked.
"Sure. You know you're welcome anytime, but Winston - please - think about this, okay? You know I haven't always agreed with what you do, but I do love you and I want you to be happy," Ed said.
Winston nodded. "Sure Dad," he said. "I'll be home soon."
Winston hung up the phone and took a cab to the airport. He bought a ticket and boarded the plane. He was glad when it was ready to go. As the plane took off, all he could think of was how bad Ray looked when they had taken him to the hospital. He breathed deeply. God, why didn't he stop those men thirteen years ago?
*****
"Winston!" Peter cried. He walked through the streets of Saigon. He kept glancing at everything, sadly realizing how hard it must have been to be there. "Winston!" Peter called. A few people stared at him, but he kept walking. He was definitely sticking out as an American.
A young man stopped Peter. "I can tell you where man you look for."
Peter stared at him. "How can you tell me?"
The young man smiled. "You are Ghostbreakers. I read about you. Your friend also Ghostbreaker. He talk on phone said he go home. He leave go home said he no longer Ghostbreaker. You pay me now." The young man held out his hand.
Peter paid him the money sadly. He headed back to the hospital, tears in his eyes. When he arrived, he walked up to the nurse's desk and asked where the ICU was. Once there he walked in and saw Egon sitting by Ray. "Hey Egon," he muttered. "How's he doing?"
Egon looked up and sadly shook his head. "Not so good, Peter. I'm not sure if he going to wake up."
Peter walked over to Egon. "Don't say that! Don't ever say that! The kid will wake up. He just needs to rest."
Egon nodded then turn back to Ray as he carefully put the covers up to him. "I hope so, Peter. Did you find Winston?"
Peter shook his head. "No. Some kid told me Winston went home - gave him twenty bucks and he didn't even get our names right - called us Ghostbreakers not Ghostbusters."
Suddenly Ray screamed, "Winstonnnnnnnn!!!!"
The two men turned to him. "Ray?" But Ray was still out - he was dreaming.
Peter glanced at Egon, sighing, "We have to find Winston."
"I know Peter," Egon said tearfully. "I know." Egon took Ray's hand in his. "Calm down, Ray. It's okay. Calm down." This seemed to work a little as Ray stopped thrashing about. Peter also reached out and took Ray's other hand in his.
***
When the plane landed, Big Ed was waiting for his son. Winston said nothing as Big Ed took his son home. Later that day, Winston was sitting on his back deck of his father's house staring at the sky. His eyes watered.
"Winston, you want to tell me what all this is about?" Big Ed asked him.
"I-I don't know if I can, Dad," Winston said tearfully and Ed pulled him into a hug.
"Son, you know you can tell me anything. Here, come on over and sit on my lap." Winston smiled a little at his dad's joke. "Hmmm... Well, maybe you're too big for that. Son, I know that you love being a Ghostbuster, so why did you leave?"
Winston told him the whole story - even about the girl.
Big Ed stood up. "Well, you did come forward and they did pay for it. I'm sorry about your friend, but you need to be with him."
Winston shook his head. "No, Dad. I can never face Ray again."
Suddenly Winston heard laughter. "No, Dad. I can never face Ray again. What's the matter, Zee? Feeling guilty?"
Winston whirled around and saw Dwayne's ghost flowing in front of him. "Hey Zee, I'm dead now. But did you really think that would stop me? Think again, pal! Your friend's in a coma back in Saigon. He can neither die nor wake up. I have him trapped here with me. So why don't you try to rescue him again? Maybe this time, you'll get lucky."
Big Ed watched in horror as Winston jumped at Dwayne. "You! I don't believe you have Ray!"
"Well, theoretically, I only have his spirit. But as long as I have it, your young friend can't die or wake up."
"How am I supposed to get to him?"
"Ask your friend Spengler. That is, if he'll even speak to you for causing all of this and then leaving them."
Winston turned away. His father placed his arm on his son's shoulder. "Winston, you can do this. You've got to go back and tell your friends what's going on."
"I know, Dad." Winston turned back to Dwayne. "How long do I have?"
"All the time you want, Zee, but there's just one thing. Spengler can get you here so you can try to save Chubby, but only **you** can come. If any of the others come after you, old Chubby's spirit here will be destroyed and he'll be in a coma forever with no chance of waking up."
Winston suddenly lunged at Dwayne, but he disappeared. "Damn, I never should've left! Dad, I've got to go back. I need to save Ray and I need Egon's help."
"All right, son. I'll drive you to the airport."
"Thanks, Dad - but we need to make one stop."
"I know, son. You need to get Janine."
Winston nodded. "Janine needs to know what's going on."
They went to the firehouse and found Janine typing. She looked up. "Winston! Egon just called. Why are you here? Why aren't you with them? With Ray?"
"Janine, we don't have time for twenty questions! I'll explain on the way to Saigon."
Janine grabbed her bag from underneath the desk. "Okay Winston - let's go."
Once they were on the plane, Winston told Janine the whole story. "Oh my God! Winston - to go through that twice and that man has somehow gotten Ray's spirit. How is that possible?"
Winston placed his head in his hands then looked up at her. "The only difference is this time Ray wasn't shot and killed like she was, but he may be in limbo the rest of his life - if you can call that living - if I don't find a way to get to him. Only Egon knows how to do that."
They were quiet the rest of the trip. Once they got to Saigon, they took a taxi to the hospital. Winston asked at the desk where Ray was. Janine decided to stay and wait. After Winston left, Egon turned the corner. "Egon!" Janine cried out.
Egon hurried over to her. "Janine, I'm glad to see you."
"I'm glad to see you too, Egon. You look terrible. Is there a place that we can talk?"
"Yes. There's a waiting room near the ICU. We can talk there. Oh Janine, he won't wake up! I've never felt so helpless in my life. There's nothing I can do for Ray."
"Egon, there might be something…"
Egon stared at her. "What do you mean?"
Janine took his arm in hers. "Come on. I'll tell you what Winston told me."
*****
Peter sat in the hospital holding Ray's hand. "Come on buddy, we need you to wake up," he said. "I need you," he squeezed Ray's hand but got no response. Peter's eyes watered. "I'm sorry you had to go through all this," Peter said. "I wish it had been me." Peter closed his eyes in exhaustion but he opened them when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Winston?" Peter cried, standing up. His eyes were blazing. He was upset because Winston had left. "What are you doing here?" he snapped
Winston shuddered at the tone of Peter's voice. "I need to talk to you guys," Winston said sadly, sighing.
"Yeah, you sure do!" Peter said, folding his arms across his chest. "First you can tell us... No, not us… You can tell Ray... Why did you leave?"
Winston gulped, looking down, "I-I couldn't face Ray," he said, staring at the floor.
"So that's it then, you just up and leave when things got a little tough?" Peter asked. The sound of his voice had calmed down some but he was still angry and Winston could tell.
"Peter-" Winston hesitated. "You don't understand-you weren't there. You didn't have to watch it twice."
"No I didn't, but neither did you," Peter snapped.
"Whoa Pete, I-" Winston started to defend himself..
Peter looked away from him, feeling hurt and angry, and all alone. Egon suddenly walked in the room. "Winston!" Egon said "I saw Janine outside .She told me you were here. I'm glad you came back. Now what's this about Dwayne having Ray's spirit?"
Peter turned back around quickly. "What do you mean Dwayne has Ray's spirit?"
Egon placed his hand on Peter's shoulder to steady the psychologist. "Janine told me what Winston told her but I need to know more detail, so start talking, Winston!"
Winston repeated the story to Egon and Peter. "Can you find a way to get me to limbo to find Dwayne and save Ray's spirit?"
Egon rubbed his chin. "Yes - if I had a lab or a place to work. "
"You can use the lab here, Doctor Spengler," said Doctor Ming as she entered the room to check on her patient. "Anything you need."
"Thank you for the offer, Doctor Ming." Egon replied. Then he turned to Winston. "Peter and I are going with you."
"But Egon, Dwayne said just me!" Winston protested.
Peter walked over to him and started to grab Winston out of anger but managed to control himself. "Winston, that's what he wants - for you to go alone. Well, this time, we're going in to back you up. We're your friends."
Winston smiled at Peter because he knew that Peter had forgiven him. "Okay then, Egon. What's the plan?"
"I first have to set up a machine that will take us to Limbo then we'll see from there."
TBC