A story about life, love, courage, and testing ultimate friendship. What happens to Beetlejuice and his friends when one of their own falls into despair and changes completely? Nothing will ever be the same. This story is an Alternate Universe set five years after Dark Shadows in the year 2008, and does not follow the intended story line. I repeat, this story does NOT follow the intended story line of the two stories (A New Beginning & Dark Shadows) included in my Beetlejuice Afterlife series, which is why it is simply titled "Mania" and not "Beetlejuice Afterlife – Mania". If I have someone ask me why I would put this as a sequel, I'll ignore them, because, right here it says: THIS STORY IS NOT A SEQUEL. This story was just bursting to be written, but I have no intention to make it part of my previous series. It just happens to use that series' events as a prelude. I hope there is no confusion.
Again, I want to thank those of you who reviewed. Words left behind for me to read after you've read my work really mean a lot to me. -- So, I'm not gonna waste more of your time up here. Send your eyes below, my friends. And I hope you like what you see.
Mania
Spencers13 – March 2003–March 2004
R – Drama – Angst
Chapter Four – First Day of Forever
The next two weeks passed slowly for everyone involved. The days were long and full of worry, but after the initial few days, things did run more smoothly for both Endri and Kyle.
The white—haired human had woken up the next day feeling refreshed but also incredibly heartbroken. His wife–the mother of his daughter; the one he had done so much for, taken so many lengths to find and be with again–had left him. His heart ached, and his eyes burned, but he refused to cry in front of anyone but Endri, and only Endri because he was still asleep. He knew the ghost resented weakness in any form, but Kyle still needed his friend to comfort him in his hour of need. He just wished that hour had never come to pass to begin with.
He would sit, sometimes for hours, on the plush of Endri's bed beside his inert form, his knees pulled up to his chest and his hands buried in his white, unruly hair, tears making his cheeks wet. It was the only thing giving away his inner torturesadness. The only comfort he had was the presence of his best friend and the softness of the bed and blankets he sat upon. Nothing else registered to him as he sat there, toiling over the heartache raging within his being. But as the days passed, and things began to slowly settle, the pain began to ebbthough it didn't stray far.
Beetlejuice, Lydia, and Kyle took turns sitting in vigil at Endri's bedside day and night. If the ailing ghost was ever left alone, it was only for a few minutes.
Eventually, his fever faded, and he slowly regained his former strength. His body lost a few pounds and trimmed an inch here and an inch there. It was sparse, but still noticeable if looked for.
Downstairs, in the kitchen, Beetlejuice and Lydia sat at the table eating breakfast. They were both being quiet, but companionably so. Things were generally quieter around the Roadhouse nowadays.
In the doorway, a muscular form emerged, using its hand on the frame for balance.
Lydia looked up at the newcomer, gasping. "EEndri?"
With his head leaned back, ready to drop a large, juicy beetle into his mouth, Beetlejuice's eyes bulged from their sockets, and he looked over. There his son was! Standing in his blue—grey boxers and tank, Endri still looked tired, but much better. Beetlejuice tossed his screaming breakfast over his shoulder and leapt up, arms wide and grinning.
"Endri! You're awake!" he shouted, throwing his arms around the ghost. His son stumbled back, but Beetlejuice caught him in time and held him in a bear hug. "Oh, I missed you! How do ya feel, huh?!" He backed away a bit and held the ghost still as he looked him over. Reaching up, he held one eyelid more open. "Lemme see your eyes here."
Carefully, he scrutinized his son's iris. It had gone from dull, listless green from two weeks ago to bright, metallic green and full of sparkles once more. Those sparkles weren't as bright as they could have been, however. And around his iris, on the inside ring and out, circled bright rings of red. It was an ominous sign.
Trying to look over such obvious evidence of his son's problems, Beetlejuice instead did as he did best, and tried to liven things up a little. "Yep! You're doin' better all right! You could still stand to use some rest, but I think a little food would do some good too. Come—on, kid, have a seat." The ghoul led Endri to an empty chair at the table and coaxed him to sit.
The ghost had been quiet thus far, just looking at his surroundings, Beetlejuice, and Lydia warily. It was as if he barely recognized anything. A bowl of Count Chocula cereal was clunked down in front of him, and Endri looked up at his father curiously.
"You can't talk anymore, kid? How are ya feelin'? Huh?"
Slowly, the ghost lowered his gaze to the bowl and lifted the spoon already resting in it. He poked the utensil at the cereal lethargically. "Iam still a bit weak."
Beetlejuice grinned at the sound of his son's voice. It was wonderful to hear, even if it was laden with sleep and a bit of sandpaper. "Aw, it ain't nothin' a little food and more rest won't cure."
Nodding slowly, Endri just stared into his bowl. After a moment, he took a few deliberate bites.
Concerned, the ghoul and his human lover looked at each other. Endri didn't seem to be himself. He ate slowly, only staring at the bowl, letting long minutes pass in silence.
He tilted his head to the side in question finally, still staring into his seemingly mesmerizing cereal. "Papa?"
Beetlejuice grinned at the new designation his son had decided to give him only recently. "Yeah?"
The ghost paused, poking at the bat and ghost shaped marshmallows in his cereal. "What is my name?"
Lydia and the ghoul exchanged worried glances once more. "Uhdon't you know, Son?"
Endri nodded, still not looking up. "Aaremind me."
"Well," his father began, clearing his throat, "you're Endri."
The ghost frowned, tilting his head further to the side, still poking several marshmallows with his spoon. He sank the little bats under the milk, then let them pop back to the surface, playing with his food like a young boy would.
"Nothat doesn't seem right. That's not all of it."
Lydia leaned over, trying to see into her friend's face since his hair covered it at her angle. "What do you mean, Endri?"
"That isn't my whole name."
"Wellwhat is your whole name?"
He frowned deeper. "I can't remember." He paused for a moment, seemingly in thought. "I thought Papa knew."
Scratching the back of his head, the ghoul nodded a few times. "Ya knowI think you're right, kid." He struck a thoughtful pose: one arm crossed over his chest, the other hand supporting his chin while a finger tapped his lips. Suddenly, his eyes brightened. "Oh, I remember!"
At long last, Endri looked up.
"It's Endriethi!"
A bright smile spread over the ghost's lips, and his eyes closed into mirthful arches. "Ah, yes. That's it."
Beetlejuice chuckled. "You shortened it, didn't you?"
Nodding, Endri went back to his cereal. "Aa. To make it easier to pronounce."
Lydia smiled. She never knew 'Endri' was a shortened version of his whole name. "Why did you suddenly think of that?"
The ghost stopped eating, his spoon poised a few inches from his lips, and looked up, confused. "I don't know. I justthought of it all of the sudden." He stared into his half—finished cereal. "II'm not really hungry," he mumbled, dropping the spoon into the dish with a little splash and clank.
His father was practically shocked. "Not hungry? But you usually eat twice as much as that!"
Endri looked confused again. "I do?"
For the third time that morning, Lydia and Beetlejuice exchanged worried glances.
"Uhyeah, you do. Are you sure ya just feel a little weak still? Is anything else wrong?"
Shaking his head, the ghost reached up to hold it. "AhI don't know. I can't seem to concentrate." He looked around suddenly, a little worried. "Where is Kyle?"
Lydia glanced at her lover who also seemed uneasy about the subject of the young ghost's human friend. She answered, however, knowing Endri may upset easily. "I think he's out back," she said, pointing to the back door down the narrow hallway on the other side of the kitchen.
Endri stood and simply walked out of the room without even a goodbye. When he was gone, Beetlejuice and Lydia stared at one another.
"BJwhat's wrong with him? He's nothing like he used to be."
The ghoul sighed and ran a hand through his long, blonde hair, leaning back against the counter. "I was afraid of this."
"What is it?"
"He's nothing like he used to be, 'cause he isn't. He's" he looked down, feeling his throat tighten, "got someproblems."
"Problems?" The young woman stood and walked over to her lover, putting an arm around his shoulders and kissing his cheek with reassurance.
Beetlejuice smiled, but it dropped quickly. "He'she's got the Mania, babes."
"You never told me about that before. Is it some kind of disease?"
He sighed. "It's not an easy thing to talk about for us dead guys. Butit's called 'Necromania'. It's amental disorder ghosts and ghouls can develop. Usually it only happens in the really old ones, ya know? Neitherworldians over 1,000 years old are the most prone to get it, but some 'cases' have developed in younger ones." He shook his head, sadly at first, but then more aggressively. "Endri is far too young to get this! Dammit! I can't imagine how horrible his afterlife must have really been for him to fall off the deep end like this."
"What does it do?"
"Necromania affects the brain," the ghoul answered, pointing to his head. "A ghost's thinking process changes. They have fits of hysteria It usually develops because a ghost has just been around so long that they go insane because they can't stand it anymore. There is only so much you can do in the Neitherworld, and when a ghost looks ahead and realizes that they're gonna be around foreverthey can flip out. They go insane. Some try to find ways to wipe themselves out so they won't have to exist forever, but others just fall off the deep end and become raving lunatics. You know Scuzzo the Clown?"
Lydia nodded, wondering why he would mention that crack-pot clown before it dawned on her. "You mean?"
"Yep. The Mania. It's real sad too. Most of their relatives and friends and stuff don't like to acknowledge them anymore, and that makes it worse. It's considered shameful for a ghost to flip out like thatlike they couldn't hold their ownlike they were weak."
"ButEndri was anything but weak, Beej."
The ghoul sighed again. "We don't know that for sure. Maybemaybe his strong attitude was just a fake. It's possible. We don't know what all he's been though." He drifted off for a moment. "I wish I did, though. I wish he'd trust me enough to tell me some stuff about himself. He trusts Kyle, though." Beetlejuice couldn't help but feel the slight twinge of jealousy inside.
"Kyle has been with Endri the longest of anyone. They both confide in each other. It's kind of a given that they'd trust each other more than anyone else, BJ."
"MmI know. Still"
Out back, behind the Roadhouse, picking at little rocks and staring off into the distance, Kyle sat near the ledge. Had he known Beetlejuice had taken a breakfast break from sitting at Endri's bedside, he would have taken the ghoul's place. But, out there he sat, letting his mind wander, but not too far. He had to keep from thinking aboutthat night. Anything was better than that.
The sound of the back door opening caught his attention. It shut with a low click, then quiet but audible footsteps advanced on his position.
"I asked to be left alone," the human mumbled in a hollow voice. It was just as empty as he.
"OhI—I'm sorry. I'll go back inside, then."
Quickly, Kyle turned his head around. "Endri?!"
The ghost only smiled at his long—time friend wanly.
"Endri!" The human leapt up and ran back, throwing his arms around his friend and hugging tightly. "You're awake! You're up! Are you okay? Do you feel better?"
Endri just hugged back, his eyes closed with insatiable contentment.
Kyle pulled away, but still kept his hands held tightly to broad shoulders and standing close to his old partner. "It's so good to see you up, man." He stared into the ghost's smiling face. Endri looked disheveled, something he rarely ever was. It amused Kyle to no end whenever he saw his friend that way. Now, though, he was just so relieved to see the ghost up and about, his eyes teared up. "I missed you, ya know. I was worried. HehI thought you'd never wake up, Rip Van Stinkle."
The ghost smiled, but said nothing.
Kyle sniffed. "What'sa matter, man? Can't talk anymore?"
Endri reached up to brush his thumb over the corner of the human's eye. "No need to cry. I'm okay." His voice was soft and warm, and it sounded so good to hear after so long.
Kyle bit his bottom lip, closed his eyes, shook his head back and forth, then threw his arms back around his best friend. "II don't know what I'd do without you, 'Dri. I really don't. I'm so glad you're okay."
Closing his eyes, the ghost hugged back, smiling.
The human backed away again and reached up to push his friend's hair around. "You look good, 'Dri. You look real good," he half whispered, his lower lip trembling.
"Why so sad, then?" Endri asked, tilting his head to the side.
Kyle shook his head. "'CauseI—I just can't believe it. I can't believe there's somethin' wrong with you. There can't be something wrong with you. You look fine. You look better than fine. You, standing here awake, is a fuckin' sight for sore eyes, man."
Such kind words only instilled shame within him, and the ghost lowered his head. "II'm sorry, Kyle."
"For what?"
"For beingfor not being righti—in the head."
"Youknow there's something wrong with you?" the human asked, using his fingers to tilt Endri's head so he could see the sparkles in his eyes. It was then that he noticed the tiny rings of red encircling those twinkling orbs.
The ghost swallowed. "Yes, II can feel it. Something is very different in me. Sometimes, I forget thingslike my name this morning. Ands—sometimes, Ilose track of myself."
"You forgot your own name?" Kyle asked, looking very disbelieving.
"AaI knew that. But my full name is what I forgot. My given name."
"And what would that be?"
"Endriethi."
The human looked surprised for a moment before remembrance set in, and he inclined his head as the memory was struck. "That's right. I remember you telling me that a long time ago. Why's it just Endri now?" he asked to be reminded.
"I shortened it to make it easier on myself and others."
Kyle paused. "Right." He resigned to add a little silence to their conversation and just stared for a while. At length, he sniffed and reached up to hug his friend again.
Endri silently hugged back for a minute. "Kylewhy are you out here all alone? Why are you so sad? I can tell you're not just happy to see me. Something's wrong," he said softly, knowing his friend all too well.
Kyle squeezed tighter for a second, then let go entirely. He gave a brief smile, then turned and walked slowly back to the ledge and sat down. His friend followed, sitting little more than a foot away. Both stared off into the distance for a while, letting the silence stretch between them.
That morning was almost the same as all the other mornings in that part of the Neitherworld: warm and dry, but pleasantly so. Endri found himself wishing that grass grew on that small plateau where the Roadhouse sat. But, with the piles of junk and the dirty lifestyle of his father, he guessed that the grass, if it ever grew, wouldn't last long anyway.
"Kyle?" he asked quietly, turning his head toward his friend. The silence had lasted long enough, and he realized that the human wasn't about to start any new conversations.
The man sighed. "I—uhwould rather not talk about it, 'kay, 'Dri?"
Nodding, Endri looked away, respecting his friend's wishes. He would have to endure the silence after all. But silence wasn't exactly what he craved anymore. He used to love it, used to revel in it and the solitude it brought. But now, things had changed drastically. To be silent meant there was time to thinkand time to think meant thoughts of the futureand the future would last foreverand everand–
"'Dri, can I ask you something kindapersonal?" Kyle asked without looking.
Thank you, the ghost thought. "Of course."
The human paused, debating on whether he should really ask or not, but ultimately decided to just say it. "Is it" he paused again, unconsciously picking at a few pebbles at his side, "Is itreally good for a ghost to umg—get a human into bed with them? Likeare Humans really good in bed for a ghost?"
Endri looked over, wide—eyed. "Uh"
"You don't need to go into detail. Just a 'yes' or 'no' will work."
Swallowing, the ghost looked away, casting his eyes back into the hazy distance. "From myyes."
Kyle nodded. "Can I ask you somethin' else? I got a couple questions."
"Mm—hmm."
"Is being with a human a thrill for a ghost?"
"Do you still want a 'yes' or 'no'?"
"If you want. Detail isn't necessary."
"Umyes."
"Is it like a high?"
"Yes."
"Is it addicting?"
"Yes."
Kyle huffed and shook his head, feeling the tears stinging, but trying to hold them in. He didn't want to look weak in front of his best friend.
Endri finally looked over again. "Why do you want to know those things?"
"Justcurious." The human's voice wavered, and his eyes twinkled with barely—contained tears.
Surprised at his friend's distress, the ghost scooted closer. "Kylewhat's wrong? Why are you so upset?"
Shaking his head, Kyle bit into his lip. "Noyou just woke up. Now's not the time for me to dump mymy problems on you." His voice shook even more.
Endri scooted to sit directly beside his friend. "Kyle" he whispered gently.
The human slowly turned his head, his lower lip quivering, his eyes swimming with tears. A low whimper escaped his throat, and that was all Endri could stand. He reached out and wrapped his arms around his friend. Kyle fell into the embrace, crying silently, trying to keep everything in so as not to embarrass himself in front of his usually stoic friend. Trying to stifle an oncoming sob, he buried his face into Endri's upper chest.
"Please, Kyletell me what's wrong."
The human ground his teeth together and screwed his eyes shut, his grip on the ghost suddenly trembling. An unexpected sob escaped his lips, and after it left, the rest could be held back no more. "Sh—She's gone. She l—left me!" he cried.
Endri hugged him tighter, caressing a hand along the back of the man's head. He said nothing.
"After–After all I've done!" Kyle shook, gripping the ghost's tank tighter. "All the years of searching! Everything I've done to take revenge for her death! She left me!!" He cried loudly, not caring who heard anymore. He hurt too much. "Sh—She said she didn't love me! She said she was pretending!" he sobbed. "She cheated on me, 'Dri! She cheated on me!!"
Endri continued to hold his friend close, his pale hand caressing the length of the man's back and up into his hair at the back of his head, offering some form of comfort.
And Kyle continued to weep.
"She used me! All she kept me around for was sex! I was nothing but a toy for her to play with at night, then she'd go see that other bastard during the day! She fuckin' used me, Endri!" He broke off to painfully hiccup a sob from his throat. "Sh—She says we're not married anymore either. L—Like when she died, it annulled our marriage. So–So why did she keep calling me her husband for over five years now? I'll tell you why! So she could fuckin' use me!" He dug his face into Endri's chest, vigorously rubbing his stinging eyes against the soft fabric of the ghost's tank. "All I was good for was to look after Faygo and fuck her! Dammit, I feel like total shit!"
"Shhh! No, Kyle, don't you dare feel that way! There's something wrong with her if she doesn't love you! Anyone would be a fool to not love and care about you! You are such a wonderful, kind person. Peppershe must not see that any longer. The fool woman has been blinded."
The human sniffed and readjusted his hold on Endri's shirt. "No, she's not totally blind. She–She still knows a good fuck when she sees one!"
The ghost tried to shush him, but to no avail.
"A—And it isn't even because it's me! It's because I'm human! She only wants to fuck me 'cause I'm alive! All I am is an addiction to her!" he sobbed loudly.
Endri shushed him again. "No, Kyle. You're so much more than that. She's just too stupid to see it!" he growled. "Do you want me to take care of her for you?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically dark.
Kyle's head darted up, looking almost scared. The tears on his face were an odd sight to his friend. "N—No! No, don't hurt her, Endri. I don't want that."
"Then I'll have a little talk with her. I'll fix things, Kyle. Don't worry. I'll make everything all right again."
He shook his head and sniffed, leaning back in to rest his forehead to the ghost's shoulder. "That's nice of you, but I don't think I could ever be with her again. Not after all I've heard her say, not now after I know how she really feels about me. It would never be the same. It could never go back to the way it was before." A hollow chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Sometimes ignorance is bliss. 'Least I was gettin' laid every other night." His eyes squeezed shut as the tears began anew.
Endri just held him tightly, stroking his back. "Have you moved back into the Roadhouse?"
Kyle nodded 'yes'.
"Don't worry, then. I'll be here all the time. I'll do everything I can, give you everything I can. I promise, you'll never be lonely with me around. I'll try my hardest to keep you happy."
The human sobbed louder, clutching Endri's tank in shaking fists.
"Shhno more tears now. You're just wasting them on her. Forget about her for now."
Kyle only cried and shook his head against his friend's chest. How could he forget the way she washow he thought she loved himhow she played him for a fool?
"Nene look. Someone has come to visit youlook."
Shakily, Kyle raised his head, but didn't stray far from his friend's chest. His blue eyes caught sight of a multi—shaded blue butterfly fluttering nearby, a small trail of blue sparkles following behind it. He sniffed and swallowed, leaning up farther to see better and noticed that the butterfly glowed just slightly from within. Kyle sniffed again, feeling Endri's hand moving along his back just slightly, tracing small patterns.
"Aa butterfly."
"Aaisn't she beautiful?"
With a shaking hand, the human wiped his eyes, sniffing. "Yeah." Again, he took notice to the ghost's hand moving on his back along with the tiny creature. "You're controlling it?"
"She is made of my energy."
Kyle slowly reached out, wanting to touch such a thing for himself. The little butterfly landed on his shaking finger obediently. "I—It has weight!"
With tiny legs the width of hairs, the butterfly tiptoed along the human's finger. It was so very delicate, made of see—through wisps of blue energy.
Kyle chuckled at the light tickle of the creature's teeny legs. "I can feel it walking around," was his mumble of amazement. He reached up, carefully running a finger over the delicate wings. Even though they were transparent and swirled with blue energy, they were still solid to the touch.
"Wow. I never thought you could do something like this. I've never seen you use your powers'cept for on some sandworms and the Drinker a couple years ago," he mumbled, staring in fascination.
Endri smiled, still holding his friend. The human's shoulder rested against the side of his chest, and his arm wound around the man's back, keeping him secure and offering silent support. "I rarely use my powers."
"You should more often. I'd love to see you do those tricks Beetle does," the human mumbled, staring at the little butterfly in his hand. "This is so beautiful."
Endri grinned. "Would you like to keep it?"
Surprised, Kyle looked up. "Keep it? As inkeep it?"
"Aa."
"You can do that?" he asked, looking back to the butterfly.
"Do you want it?"
The human glanced back up at Endri, then to the insect again. "Well" It walked along his finger, tickling as it went. "Hehsure. Yeah, can I have it?"
"Of course. Hold it in your palm."
Kyle let it walk into his palm, and it stayed there, obeying the commands from the ghost.
"Just hold it. Give me your other hand." Endri took the man's other hand when it was offered to him and held it above the butterfly, slowly pressing it down over top of the creature. Its wings spread open and lowered all the way down to his palm, trying to keep from being touched.
"Hey, you're gonna squish it!"
"Just watch," the ghost assured. He pressed the man's hands fully together, and a blue flash erupted from between his fingers for a brief second.
Kyle jumped a bit, startled, and separated his hands, looking at them. "It tingles. Where'd it go?"
"It's inside you."
"In me?" He stared at his hands again. "How do I get it back?"
"Just think of it. Think about the butterfly, and use your mind to 'ask' it to come back out."
"Ask it?"
"It's a give and take thing with this kind of energy. It's in there, but you have to have respect for it or you won't be able to use it. Give it a try."
Kyle gazed at his hands and frowned in concentration. Nothing happened. "Well, I'm asking, but I'm not getting an answer." He chuckled.
"It will probably take time. You've never had to use a power like mine. Just practice."
The human concentrated again, frowning and tensing.
"No, no. You must have a clear mind. You can't be so tense. Relax and let your mind drift. Just think of the butterfly, that's all you need to do." He moved his hands in a calming motion: palms facing down and acting as though he was pressing down on something.
Kyle sighed and cleared his thoughts. His eyes opened to stare dazedly at his hands. Nothing.
Endri smiled. "Wellnot everyone is a natural. But I'm sure you'll get it sometime."
The human smirked. I'll show him. His thoughts cleared again, and the image of the butterfly imprinted itself in his mind as he closed his eyes once more.
Relax.
A small ball of blue light formed in Kyle's palm.
Concentrate.
The blue light melded into the shape of a butterfly, and when it fully developed, it walked along his hand. The human opened his eyes to gaze at his handiwork.
Endri just grinned. "Well, I guess there are naturals ne? Very nice."
Kyle played with it for a bit before asking, "How do I put it back?"
"The same way as before."
Gently, he pressed it between his palms, and it flashed and vanished again. "Well, that's easier than pulling it out," he said, wiggling his tingling fingers.
"Aa. But with more practice, you'll be able to draw it out and play with it without even thinking."
Kyle looked up to Endri, smiling. "Thank you," he said, wrapping his arms back around the ghost and hugging tightly.
The blonde hugged back, a smile on his lips as well. "You're welcome. I told you I'd give you anythingdo anything for you. My best friend," he whispered.
Kyle clung tight, his heart swelling. "Endri, you're absolutely the best thing that's ever happened to me! I'd fall apart without you!" New tears pricked at his eyes. What a roller—coaster he had been on lately!
"You're the only thing keeping me goi–ugnn" The ghost slumped forward, his eyes slipping closed.
Now it was Kyle's turn to support Endri. "'Dri? 'Dri!"
Huffing for a breath, the ghost reached up with a shaking hand to lay it on his friend's arm for support. "S—SorryI seem to be tired still."
The human stood, pulling Endri along with him. "We're going back to your room right now. You need rest."
"I feel so weakall the sudden." the ghost mumbled absently, his eyes having a hard time staying open.
"Let's go. Come—on," Kyle coaxed, toting Endri to the back door and up to his room where he laid the ghost to his bed and drew the covers around him. Gently, he brushed the ghost's blonde hair from his face. "You be okay?"
"Mm" Endri agreed, lightly panting.
"Sleep, then. Wake up when you're ready. I'll still be somewhere around the Roadhouse, 'kay?"
"Okay."
Kyle smiled. "Take it easy, Partner." He patted his friend's shoulder and watched as he blinked and closed his eyes. He left, then, closing the door quietly behind him.
First off, I feel dumb for not putting translations of the Japanese I was using during the first three chapters. So, below are all the Japanese words used in this fic so far, up to this chapter.
Japanese / pronunciation / English Translation:
sensei / sen-say / teacher; master
kashikoi / kah-shee-coy / wise; clever; intelligent
kata / kah-tah / form (martial arts, dance, etc.); posture; style
gi / gee (g in "gun") / training uniform worn by students or users of martial arts
bakayaro / bah-kah-yah-roh / You fool!
Genki uzu saru! / gen-kee oo-zoo sah-roo / Energy vortex, go away!
hai / high / yes
aa / ah / informal "yes"; yeah
ne / neigh / say; eh?; hmm?; huh?; attention getter
There, hope that helped some of you out. Now, I'll say a few words about this chapter. Uhhh...oh, right! Sorry, I'm a bit off tonight. So we discovered what exactly was wrong with Endri! He's nuts! Haha! No seriously, he's gone insane. I won't say exactly HOW yet; I'll just let you discover for yourselves. BJ explained what exactly Necromania (what Endri has) is, so I'm not gonna do it again. All I'll say is that it's not cureable. Once a ghost develops this (they don't catch it, mind you, it's not a disease), they have it forever. If they ever wanna be normal again, it's a matter of suppressing their insanity, not taking pills to get rid of it. Kyle finally released his heartache, unable to really do so since Pepper left him. Good ol' Endri was there to catch him on the way down. Oh, and that thing about Scuzzo having Necromania, and that's why he's insane...I DID make that up, you know. I just thought it would be a really good explanation to why he's so bonkers all the time. :P
Anyway, thanks for reading my dribble so far! hugs everyone See you all next chapter!
Again, I want to thank those of you who reviewed. Words left behind for me to read after you've read my work really mean a lot to me. -- So, I'm not gonna waste more of your time up here. Send your eyes below, my friends. And I hope you like what you see.
Spencers13 – March 2003–March 2004
R – Drama – Angst
Chapter Four – First Day of Forever
The next two weeks passed slowly for everyone involved. The days were long and full of worry, but after the initial few days, things did run more smoothly for both Endri and Kyle.
The white—haired human had woken up the next day feeling refreshed but also incredibly heartbroken. His wife–the mother of his daughter; the one he had done so much for, taken so many lengths to find and be with again–had left him. His heart ached, and his eyes burned, but he refused to cry in front of anyone but Endri, and only Endri because he was still asleep. He knew the ghost resented weakness in any form, but Kyle still needed his friend to comfort him in his hour of need. He just wished that hour had never come to pass to begin with.
He would sit, sometimes for hours, on the plush of Endri's bed beside his inert form, his knees pulled up to his chest and his hands buried in his white, unruly hair, tears making his cheeks wet. It was the only thing giving away his inner torturesadness. The only comfort he had was the presence of his best friend and the softness of the bed and blankets he sat upon. Nothing else registered to him as he sat there, toiling over the heartache raging within his being. But as the days passed, and things began to slowly settle, the pain began to ebbthough it didn't stray far.
Beetlejuice, Lydia, and Kyle took turns sitting in vigil at Endri's bedside day and night. If the ailing ghost was ever left alone, it was only for a few minutes.
Eventually, his fever faded, and he slowly regained his former strength. His body lost a few pounds and trimmed an inch here and an inch there. It was sparse, but still noticeable if looked for.
Downstairs, in the kitchen, Beetlejuice and Lydia sat at the table eating breakfast. They were both being quiet, but companionably so. Things were generally quieter around the Roadhouse nowadays.
In the doorway, a muscular form emerged, using its hand on the frame for balance.
Lydia looked up at the newcomer, gasping. "EEndri?"
With his head leaned back, ready to drop a large, juicy beetle into his mouth, Beetlejuice's eyes bulged from their sockets, and he looked over. There his son was! Standing in his blue—grey boxers and tank, Endri still looked tired, but much better. Beetlejuice tossed his screaming breakfast over his shoulder and leapt up, arms wide and grinning.
"Endri! You're awake!" he shouted, throwing his arms around the ghost. His son stumbled back, but Beetlejuice caught him in time and held him in a bear hug. "Oh, I missed you! How do ya feel, huh?!" He backed away a bit and held the ghost still as he looked him over. Reaching up, he held one eyelid more open. "Lemme see your eyes here."
Carefully, he scrutinized his son's iris. It had gone from dull, listless green from two weeks ago to bright, metallic green and full of sparkles once more. Those sparkles weren't as bright as they could have been, however. And around his iris, on the inside ring and out, circled bright rings of red. It was an ominous sign.
Trying to look over such obvious evidence of his son's problems, Beetlejuice instead did as he did best, and tried to liven things up a little. "Yep! You're doin' better all right! You could still stand to use some rest, but I think a little food would do some good too. Come—on, kid, have a seat." The ghoul led Endri to an empty chair at the table and coaxed him to sit.
The ghost had been quiet thus far, just looking at his surroundings, Beetlejuice, and Lydia warily. It was as if he barely recognized anything. A bowl of Count Chocula cereal was clunked down in front of him, and Endri looked up at his father curiously.
"You can't talk anymore, kid? How are ya feelin'? Huh?"
Slowly, the ghost lowered his gaze to the bowl and lifted the spoon already resting in it. He poked the utensil at the cereal lethargically. "Iam still a bit weak."
Beetlejuice grinned at the sound of his son's voice. It was wonderful to hear, even if it was laden with sleep and a bit of sandpaper. "Aw, it ain't nothin' a little food and more rest won't cure."
Nodding slowly, Endri just stared into his bowl. After a moment, he took a few deliberate bites.
Concerned, the ghoul and his human lover looked at each other. Endri didn't seem to be himself. He ate slowly, only staring at the bowl, letting long minutes pass in silence.
He tilted his head to the side in question finally, still staring into his seemingly mesmerizing cereal. "Papa?"
Beetlejuice grinned at the new designation his son had decided to give him only recently. "Yeah?"
The ghost paused, poking at the bat and ghost shaped marshmallows in his cereal. "What is my name?"
Lydia and the ghoul exchanged worried glances once more. "Uhdon't you know, Son?"
Endri nodded, still not looking up. "Aaremind me."
"Well," his father began, clearing his throat, "you're Endri."
The ghost frowned, tilting his head further to the side, still poking several marshmallows with his spoon. He sank the little bats under the milk, then let them pop back to the surface, playing with his food like a young boy would.
"Nothat doesn't seem right. That's not all of it."
Lydia leaned over, trying to see into her friend's face since his hair covered it at her angle. "What do you mean, Endri?"
"That isn't my whole name."
"Wellwhat is your whole name?"
He frowned deeper. "I can't remember." He paused for a moment, seemingly in thought. "I thought Papa knew."
Scratching the back of his head, the ghoul nodded a few times. "Ya knowI think you're right, kid." He struck a thoughtful pose: one arm crossed over his chest, the other hand supporting his chin while a finger tapped his lips. Suddenly, his eyes brightened. "Oh, I remember!"
At long last, Endri looked up.
"It's Endriethi!"
A bright smile spread over the ghost's lips, and his eyes closed into mirthful arches. "Ah, yes. That's it."
Beetlejuice chuckled. "You shortened it, didn't you?"
Nodding, Endri went back to his cereal. "Aa. To make it easier to pronounce."
Lydia smiled. She never knew 'Endri' was a shortened version of his whole name. "Why did you suddenly think of that?"
The ghost stopped eating, his spoon poised a few inches from his lips, and looked up, confused. "I don't know. I justthought of it all of the sudden." He stared into his half—finished cereal. "II'm not really hungry," he mumbled, dropping the spoon into the dish with a little splash and clank.
His father was practically shocked. "Not hungry? But you usually eat twice as much as that!"
Endri looked confused again. "I do?"
For the third time that morning, Lydia and Beetlejuice exchanged worried glances.
"Uhyeah, you do. Are you sure ya just feel a little weak still? Is anything else wrong?"
Shaking his head, the ghost reached up to hold it. "AhI don't know. I can't seem to concentrate." He looked around suddenly, a little worried. "Where is Kyle?"
Lydia glanced at her lover who also seemed uneasy about the subject of the young ghost's human friend. She answered, however, knowing Endri may upset easily. "I think he's out back," she said, pointing to the back door down the narrow hallway on the other side of the kitchen.
Endri stood and simply walked out of the room without even a goodbye. When he was gone, Beetlejuice and Lydia stared at one another.
"BJwhat's wrong with him? He's nothing like he used to be."
The ghoul sighed and ran a hand through his long, blonde hair, leaning back against the counter. "I was afraid of this."
"What is it?"
"He's nothing like he used to be, 'cause he isn't. He's" he looked down, feeling his throat tighten, "got someproblems."
"Problems?" The young woman stood and walked over to her lover, putting an arm around his shoulders and kissing his cheek with reassurance.
Beetlejuice smiled, but it dropped quickly. "He'she's got the Mania, babes."
"You never told me about that before. Is it some kind of disease?"
He sighed. "It's not an easy thing to talk about for us dead guys. Butit's called 'Necromania'. It's amental disorder ghosts and ghouls can develop. Usually it only happens in the really old ones, ya know? Neitherworldians over 1,000 years old are the most prone to get it, but some 'cases' have developed in younger ones." He shook his head, sadly at first, but then more aggressively. "Endri is far too young to get this! Dammit! I can't imagine how horrible his afterlife must have really been for him to fall off the deep end like this."
"What does it do?"
"Necromania affects the brain," the ghoul answered, pointing to his head. "A ghost's thinking process changes. They have fits of hysteria It usually develops because a ghost has just been around so long that they go insane because they can't stand it anymore. There is only so much you can do in the Neitherworld, and when a ghost looks ahead and realizes that they're gonna be around foreverthey can flip out. They go insane. Some try to find ways to wipe themselves out so they won't have to exist forever, but others just fall off the deep end and become raving lunatics. You know Scuzzo the Clown?"
Lydia nodded, wondering why he would mention that crack-pot clown before it dawned on her. "You mean?"
"Yep. The Mania. It's real sad too. Most of their relatives and friends and stuff don't like to acknowledge them anymore, and that makes it worse. It's considered shameful for a ghost to flip out like thatlike they couldn't hold their ownlike they were weak."
"ButEndri was anything but weak, Beej."
The ghoul sighed again. "We don't know that for sure. Maybemaybe his strong attitude was just a fake. It's possible. We don't know what all he's been though." He drifted off for a moment. "I wish I did, though. I wish he'd trust me enough to tell me some stuff about himself. He trusts Kyle, though." Beetlejuice couldn't help but feel the slight twinge of jealousy inside.
"Kyle has been with Endri the longest of anyone. They both confide in each other. It's kind of a given that they'd trust each other more than anyone else, BJ."
"MmI know. Still"
Out back, behind the Roadhouse, picking at little rocks and staring off into the distance, Kyle sat near the ledge. Had he known Beetlejuice had taken a breakfast break from sitting at Endri's bedside, he would have taken the ghoul's place. But, out there he sat, letting his mind wander, but not too far. He had to keep from thinking aboutthat night. Anything was better than that.
The sound of the back door opening caught his attention. It shut with a low click, then quiet but audible footsteps advanced on his position.
"I asked to be left alone," the human mumbled in a hollow voice. It was just as empty as he.
"OhI—I'm sorry. I'll go back inside, then."
Quickly, Kyle turned his head around. "Endri?!"
The ghost only smiled at his long—time friend wanly.
"Endri!" The human leapt up and ran back, throwing his arms around his friend and hugging tightly. "You're awake! You're up! Are you okay? Do you feel better?"
Endri just hugged back, his eyes closed with insatiable contentment.
Kyle pulled away, but still kept his hands held tightly to broad shoulders and standing close to his old partner. "It's so good to see you up, man." He stared into the ghost's smiling face. Endri looked disheveled, something he rarely ever was. It amused Kyle to no end whenever he saw his friend that way. Now, though, he was just so relieved to see the ghost up and about, his eyes teared up. "I missed you, ya know. I was worried. HehI thought you'd never wake up, Rip Van Stinkle."
The ghost smiled, but said nothing.
Kyle sniffed. "What'sa matter, man? Can't talk anymore?"
Endri reached up to brush his thumb over the corner of the human's eye. "No need to cry. I'm okay." His voice was soft and warm, and it sounded so good to hear after so long.
Kyle bit his bottom lip, closed his eyes, shook his head back and forth, then threw his arms back around his best friend. "II don't know what I'd do without you, 'Dri. I really don't. I'm so glad you're okay."
Closing his eyes, the ghost hugged back, smiling.
The human backed away again and reached up to push his friend's hair around. "You look good, 'Dri. You look real good," he half whispered, his lower lip trembling.
"Why so sad, then?" Endri asked, tilting his head to the side.
Kyle shook his head. "'CauseI—I just can't believe it. I can't believe there's somethin' wrong with you. There can't be something wrong with you. You look fine. You look better than fine. You, standing here awake, is a fuckin' sight for sore eyes, man."
Such kind words only instilled shame within him, and the ghost lowered his head. "II'm sorry, Kyle."
"For what?"
"For beingfor not being righti—in the head."
"Youknow there's something wrong with you?" the human asked, using his fingers to tilt Endri's head so he could see the sparkles in his eyes. It was then that he noticed the tiny rings of red encircling those twinkling orbs.
The ghost swallowed. "Yes, II can feel it. Something is very different in me. Sometimes, I forget thingslike my name this morning. Ands—sometimes, Ilose track of myself."
"You forgot your own name?" Kyle asked, looking very disbelieving.
"AaI knew that. But my full name is what I forgot. My given name."
"And what would that be?"
"Endriethi."
The human looked surprised for a moment before remembrance set in, and he inclined his head as the memory was struck. "That's right. I remember you telling me that a long time ago. Why's it just Endri now?" he asked to be reminded.
"I shortened it to make it easier on myself and others."
Kyle paused. "Right." He resigned to add a little silence to their conversation and just stared for a while. At length, he sniffed and reached up to hug his friend again.
Endri silently hugged back for a minute. "Kylewhy are you out here all alone? Why are you so sad? I can tell you're not just happy to see me. Something's wrong," he said softly, knowing his friend all too well.
Kyle squeezed tighter for a second, then let go entirely. He gave a brief smile, then turned and walked slowly back to the ledge and sat down. His friend followed, sitting little more than a foot away. Both stared off into the distance for a while, letting the silence stretch between them.
That morning was almost the same as all the other mornings in that part of the Neitherworld: warm and dry, but pleasantly so. Endri found himself wishing that grass grew on that small plateau where the Roadhouse sat. But, with the piles of junk and the dirty lifestyle of his father, he guessed that the grass, if it ever grew, wouldn't last long anyway.
"Kyle?" he asked quietly, turning his head toward his friend. The silence had lasted long enough, and he realized that the human wasn't about to start any new conversations.
The man sighed. "I—uhwould rather not talk about it, 'kay, 'Dri?"
Nodding, Endri looked away, respecting his friend's wishes. He would have to endure the silence after all. But silence wasn't exactly what he craved anymore. He used to love it, used to revel in it and the solitude it brought. But now, things had changed drastically. To be silent meant there was time to thinkand time to think meant thoughts of the futureand the future would last foreverand everand–
"'Dri, can I ask you something kindapersonal?" Kyle asked without looking.
Thank you, the ghost thought. "Of course."
The human paused, debating on whether he should really ask or not, but ultimately decided to just say it. "Is it" he paused again, unconsciously picking at a few pebbles at his side, "Is itreally good for a ghost to umg—get a human into bed with them? Likeare Humans really good in bed for a ghost?"
Endri looked over, wide—eyed. "Uh"
"You don't need to go into detail. Just a 'yes' or 'no' will work."
Swallowing, the ghost looked away, casting his eyes back into the hazy distance. "From myyes."
Kyle nodded. "Can I ask you somethin' else? I got a couple questions."
"Mm—hmm."
"Is being with a human a thrill for a ghost?"
"Do you still want a 'yes' or 'no'?"
"If you want. Detail isn't necessary."
"Umyes."
"Is it like a high?"
"Yes."
"Is it addicting?"
"Yes."
Kyle huffed and shook his head, feeling the tears stinging, but trying to hold them in. He didn't want to look weak in front of his best friend.
Endri finally looked over again. "Why do you want to know those things?"
"Justcurious." The human's voice wavered, and his eyes twinkled with barely—contained tears.
Surprised at his friend's distress, the ghost scooted closer. "Kylewhat's wrong? Why are you so upset?"
Shaking his head, Kyle bit into his lip. "Noyou just woke up. Now's not the time for me to dump mymy problems on you." His voice shook even more.
Endri scooted to sit directly beside his friend. "Kyle" he whispered gently.
The human slowly turned his head, his lower lip quivering, his eyes swimming with tears. A low whimper escaped his throat, and that was all Endri could stand. He reached out and wrapped his arms around his friend. Kyle fell into the embrace, crying silently, trying to keep everything in so as not to embarrass himself in front of his usually stoic friend. Trying to stifle an oncoming sob, he buried his face into Endri's upper chest.
"Please, Kyletell me what's wrong."
The human ground his teeth together and screwed his eyes shut, his grip on the ghost suddenly trembling. An unexpected sob escaped his lips, and after it left, the rest could be held back no more. "Sh—She's gone. She l—left me!" he cried.
Endri hugged him tighter, caressing a hand along the back of the man's head. He said nothing.
"After–After all I've done!" Kyle shook, gripping the ghost's tank tighter. "All the years of searching! Everything I've done to take revenge for her death! She left me!!" He cried loudly, not caring who heard anymore. He hurt too much. "Sh—She said she didn't love me! She said she was pretending!" he sobbed. "She cheated on me, 'Dri! She cheated on me!!"
Endri continued to hold his friend close, his pale hand caressing the length of the man's back and up into his hair at the back of his head, offering some form of comfort.
And Kyle continued to weep.
"She used me! All she kept me around for was sex! I was nothing but a toy for her to play with at night, then she'd go see that other bastard during the day! She fuckin' used me, Endri!" He broke off to painfully hiccup a sob from his throat. "Sh—She says we're not married anymore either. L—Like when she died, it annulled our marriage. So–So why did she keep calling me her husband for over five years now? I'll tell you why! So she could fuckin' use me!" He dug his face into Endri's chest, vigorously rubbing his stinging eyes against the soft fabric of the ghost's tank. "All I was good for was to look after Faygo and fuck her! Dammit, I feel like total shit!"
"Shhh! No, Kyle, don't you dare feel that way! There's something wrong with her if she doesn't love you! Anyone would be a fool to not love and care about you! You are such a wonderful, kind person. Peppershe must not see that any longer. The fool woman has been blinded."
The human sniffed and readjusted his hold on Endri's shirt. "No, she's not totally blind. She–She still knows a good fuck when she sees one!"
The ghost tried to shush him, but to no avail.
"A—And it isn't even because it's me! It's because I'm human! She only wants to fuck me 'cause I'm alive! All I am is an addiction to her!" he sobbed loudly.
Endri shushed him again. "No, Kyle. You're so much more than that. She's just too stupid to see it!" he growled. "Do you want me to take care of her for you?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically dark.
Kyle's head darted up, looking almost scared. The tears on his face were an odd sight to his friend. "N—No! No, don't hurt her, Endri. I don't want that."
"Then I'll have a little talk with her. I'll fix things, Kyle. Don't worry. I'll make everything all right again."
He shook his head and sniffed, leaning back in to rest his forehead to the ghost's shoulder. "That's nice of you, but I don't think I could ever be with her again. Not after all I've heard her say, not now after I know how she really feels about me. It would never be the same. It could never go back to the way it was before." A hollow chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Sometimes ignorance is bliss. 'Least I was gettin' laid every other night." His eyes squeezed shut as the tears began anew.
Endri just held him tightly, stroking his back. "Have you moved back into the Roadhouse?"
Kyle nodded 'yes'.
"Don't worry, then. I'll be here all the time. I'll do everything I can, give you everything I can. I promise, you'll never be lonely with me around. I'll try my hardest to keep you happy."
The human sobbed louder, clutching Endri's tank in shaking fists.
"Shhno more tears now. You're just wasting them on her. Forget about her for now."
Kyle only cried and shook his head against his friend's chest. How could he forget the way she washow he thought she loved himhow she played him for a fool?
"Nene look. Someone has come to visit youlook."
Shakily, Kyle raised his head, but didn't stray far from his friend's chest. His blue eyes caught sight of a multi—shaded blue butterfly fluttering nearby, a small trail of blue sparkles following behind it. He sniffed and swallowed, leaning up farther to see better and noticed that the butterfly glowed just slightly from within. Kyle sniffed again, feeling Endri's hand moving along his back just slightly, tracing small patterns.
"Aa butterfly."
"Aaisn't she beautiful?"
With a shaking hand, the human wiped his eyes, sniffing. "Yeah." Again, he took notice to the ghost's hand moving on his back along with the tiny creature. "You're controlling it?"
"She is made of my energy."
Kyle slowly reached out, wanting to touch such a thing for himself. The little butterfly landed on his shaking finger obediently. "I—It has weight!"
With tiny legs the width of hairs, the butterfly tiptoed along the human's finger. It was so very delicate, made of see—through wisps of blue energy.
Kyle chuckled at the light tickle of the creature's teeny legs. "I can feel it walking around," was his mumble of amazement. He reached up, carefully running a finger over the delicate wings. Even though they were transparent and swirled with blue energy, they were still solid to the touch.
"Wow. I never thought you could do something like this. I've never seen you use your powers'cept for on some sandworms and the Drinker a couple years ago," he mumbled, staring in fascination.
Endri smiled, still holding his friend. The human's shoulder rested against the side of his chest, and his arm wound around the man's back, keeping him secure and offering silent support. "I rarely use my powers."
"You should more often. I'd love to see you do those tricks Beetle does," the human mumbled, staring at the little butterfly in his hand. "This is so beautiful."
Endri grinned. "Would you like to keep it?"
Surprised, Kyle looked up. "Keep it? As inkeep it?"
"Aa."
"You can do that?" he asked, looking back to the butterfly.
"Do you want it?"
The human glanced back up at Endri, then to the insect again. "Well" It walked along his finger, tickling as it went. "Hehsure. Yeah, can I have it?"
"Of course. Hold it in your palm."
Kyle let it walk into his palm, and it stayed there, obeying the commands from the ghost.
"Just hold it. Give me your other hand." Endri took the man's other hand when it was offered to him and held it above the butterfly, slowly pressing it down over top of the creature. Its wings spread open and lowered all the way down to his palm, trying to keep from being touched.
"Hey, you're gonna squish it!"
"Just watch," the ghost assured. He pressed the man's hands fully together, and a blue flash erupted from between his fingers for a brief second.
Kyle jumped a bit, startled, and separated his hands, looking at them. "It tingles. Where'd it go?"
"It's inside you."
"In me?" He stared at his hands again. "How do I get it back?"
"Just think of it. Think about the butterfly, and use your mind to 'ask' it to come back out."
"Ask it?"
"It's a give and take thing with this kind of energy. It's in there, but you have to have respect for it or you won't be able to use it. Give it a try."
Kyle gazed at his hands and frowned in concentration. Nothing happened. "Well, I'm asking, but I'm not getting an answer." He chuckled.
"It will probably take time. You've never had to use a power like mine. Just practice."
The human concentrated again, frowning and tensing.
"No, no. You must have a clear mind. You can't be so tense. Relax and let your mind drift. Just think of the butterfly, that's all you need to do." He moved his hands in a calming motion: palms facing down and acting as though he was pressing down on something.
Kyle sighed and cleared his thoughts. His eyes opened to stare dazedly at his hands. Nothing.
Endri smiled. "Wellnot everyone is a natural. But I'm sure you'll get it sometime."
The human smirked. I'll show him. His thoughts cleared again, and the image of the butterfly imprinted itself in his mind as he closed his eyes once more.
Relax.
A small ball of blue light formed in Kyle's palm.
Concentrate.
The blue light melded into the shape of a butterfly, and when it fully developed, it walked along his hand. The human opened his eyes to gaze at his handiwork.
Endri just grinned. "Well, I guess there are naturals ne? Very nice."
Kyle played with it for a bit before asking, "How do I put it back?"
"The same way as before."
Gently, he pressed it between his palms, and it flashed and vanished again. "Well, that's easier than pulling it out," he said, wiggling his tingling fingers.
"Aa. But with more practice, you'll be able to draw it out and play with it without even thinking."
Kyle looked up to Endri, smiling. "Thank you," he said, wrapping his arms back around the ghost and hugging tightly.
The blonde hugged back, a smile on his lips as well. "You're welcome. I told you I'd give you anythingdo anything for you. My best friend," he whispered.
Kyle clung tight, his heart swelling. "Endri, you're absolutely the best thing that's ever happened to me! I'd fall apart without you!" New tears pricked at his eyes. What a roller—coaster he had been on lately!
"You're the only thing keeping me goi–ugnn" The ghost slumped forward, his eyes slipping closed.
Now it was Kyle's turn to support Endri. "'Dri? 'Dri!"
Huffing for a breath, the ghost reached up with a shaking hand to lay it on his friend's arm for support. "S—SorryI seem to be tired still."
The human stood, pulling Endri along with him. "We're going back to your room right now. You need rest."
"I feel so weakall the sudden." the ghost mumbled absently, his eyes having a hard time staying open.
"Let's go. Come—on," Kyle coaxed, toting Endri to the back door and up to his room where he laid the ghost to his bed and drew the covers around him. Gently, he brushed the ghost's blonde hair from his face. "You be okay?"
"Mm" Endri agreed, lightly panting.
"Sleep, then. Wake up when you're ready. I'll still be somewhere around the Roadhouse, 'kay?"
"Okay."
Kyle smiled. "Take it easy, Partner." He patted his friend's shoulder and watched as he blinked and closed his eyes. He left, then, closing the door quietly behind him.
First off, I feel dumb for not putting translations of the Japanese I was using during the first three chapters. So, below are all the Japanese words used in this fic so far, up to this chapter.
Japanese / pronunciation / English Translation:
sensei / sen-say / teacher; master
kashikoi / kah-shee-coy / wise; clever; intelligent
kata / kah-tah / form (martial arts, dance, etc.); posture; style
gi / gee (g in "gun") / training uniform worn by students or users of martial arts
bakayaro / bah-kah-yah-roh / You fool!
Genki uzu saru! / gen-kee oo-zoo sah-roo / Energy vortex, go away!
hai / high / yes
aa / ah / informal "yes"; yeah
ne / neigh / say; eh?; hmm?; huh?; attention getter
There, hope that helped some of you out. Now, I'll say a few words about this chapter. Uhhh...oh, right! Sorry, I'm a bit off tonight. So we discovered what exactly was wrong with Endri! He's nuts! Haha! No seriously, he's gone insane. I won't say exactly HOW yet; I'll just let you discover for yourselves. BJ explained what exactly Necromania (what Endri has) is, so I'm not gonna do it again. All I'll say is that it's not cureable. Once a ghost develops this (they don't catch it, mind you, it's not a disease), they have it forever. If they ever wanna be normal again, it's a matter of suppressing their insanity, not taking pills to get rid of it. Kyle finally released his heartache, unable to really do so since Pepper left him. Good ol' Endri was there to catch him on the way down. Oh, and that thing about Scuzzo having Necromania, and that's why he's insane...I DID make that up, you know. I just thought it would be a really good explanation to why he's so bonkers all the time. :P
Anyway, thanks for reading my dribble so far! hugs everyone See you all next chapter!