Hello again! I am so happy with the way this fic has been going. I really want tosay thanks to Chelle and Ella for all the help and support! Thanks guys! Anyways so here is the next chapter of my wonderful fic. I will be really busy with the holiday season so the next chapter may take a little longer. I need to figure out some more of theplot. But don't give up. It will be here.
Well happy Turkey Day everybody!
Kat looked at Casper in shock. He had never kissed her with so much passion before. Never so deeply and with so much force. It was as though he was claiming her so that she or anyone else would have to think twice on where their relationship stood. Me Tarzan, you Jane, she thought. Looking into his eyes she saw the rawness of his love. Burning so wild yet being held back by his blue depths.
"I am positive we do. "She said a little out of breath, she was only a teenager after all. Damn the hormones, she never asked for them.
Casper just chuckled, the sound coming out as a rumble that wound up Kat's nerves even more. What has gotten into me, she asked herself. Well duh, you are alone in an attic with the boy you love, he has been missing for four days, he is kissing you like a wild man AND to top it all of, if things were figured right, in some screwing unexplainable way, he too would be about 16 or 17. So he has these horrid hormones too, or wait does he... he is dead after all, but the trio act ho-
Kat's thought were cut off by the boy in question clearing his throat. She turned to look at him and nearly melted in her seat. God, she loved him.
"I am sorry. I just forget how "solid "I can become when I want something bad enough." He said, never breaking eye contact.
"I didn't even know you could um... do that... "Kat said, blushing wildly.
"Yea well..." Casper cleared his throat again, "I also owe you another apology."
"For what?" Kat asked.
"For everything. For leaving, for being so closed up lately, for not being here for you... just for everything. "Casper looked away then.
"Casper, none of that matters, "Kat said, taking his almost transparent cheek in her hand. She had forgotten how cold he actually was; it felt nice against her warm skin. "Your uncles... they... they told me everything."
"What? They did? "Casper said, looking up in surprise.
"Yes, they actually got very passionate about it. Especially Stretch. He is... he is quiet mad at me, actually. "Kat flinched remembering the ghost's expression.
"Oh, " was the only thing Casper could say as worry slide across his face." I hope... I hope he didn't say anything too awful. "
"Oh it was pretty bad, but what can I do." Kat shrugged, a small smile fell onto her face. "It is Stretch after all. "
"No big worries then?" Casper said as he took her hands in his.
"No, and even if there were, that's not what I want to talk about. What I want to talk about is you. And the reason why you haven't been sleeping well lately. And then maybe we can hear your side of all this madness... if you are up to it. "Kat said thoughtfully.
"It all ties in together actually. So Miss Harvey, sit down and I will tell you little story. "Casper said, a hint of his oldest uncle's sarcasm filling his voice.
"Ok." Kat sat down quickly beside the ghost.
"The sleeping can't sleep, Kat. I don't know why, but we just can't. The last time I got a full night sleep was when I was in a box being lowered into the ground. "Casper spit out.
"Oh Casper, that's horrible. "Kat moaned.
"I know. I am sorry. I didn't mean to sound so…. dark. "Casper flinched as he spoke.
"It's alright. I guess you have every right to. Everybody does at one point in their life… or in your case…. afterlife. "
"Ok… well I am glad you understand. You always do. I guess everyone eventually has to get bitter, even a "friendly" ghost" Casper smiled up at Kat, his blue eyes shining. "So….. because I can't sleep, I drift in and out of dreams, memories and as of late, the same awful nightmare. "
"Same awful nightmare, what nightmare? " Kat asked.
"It's just a nightmare. " Casper said, his eyes turning to the floor and doubt creeping into the corner of his mouth.
"Casper, you have always told me everything, why stop now? " Kat asked him.
"I don't know. It's just I hate sounding so bitter, so melancholy when I am with you. I should be the happiest ghost around. "
"I want to know. So, Casper Jameson McFadden, if you don't tell me this instant I will never kiss you again! "She said playfully, but still using the force necessary.
"Oh no! I couldn't go on! "Casper said as he poked her in the side. " Ok, if I must. "
Casper took a deep breath and began.
"It starts out good enough, I am there playing in the snow with my uncles. We are having a snow ball fight, and my mom and dad are watching from the porch. Everyone is smiling and laughing. We are all so happy. Well, right as my uncle is throwing this really huge snowball, I jump on my sled and zoom off to escape …. Well, my sled starts going faster and faster and I can't jump off nor stop. So I start to cry for help, but no one can hear me they are all still laughing and playing. All so happy. So I fly off the cliff, but right when I think I am gonna drop, I start to glide in the air. I glide for a little while, feeling the air through my veins and the clouds at my feet. But as I yell back to my family to look at me, the sled tips and I start to plunge towards the waves below. My last glance at my family is my mom screaming, my dad crying and all three of my uncles scrambling to catch me. But they are too late. Always too late. "Casper paused there to get his bearings, "I fall faster and faster, and suddenly I hit the waves, hard! And as I sink lower into the water, I look above me and see the sun. Its right there, my escape, but as I try to reach it, the water becomes dark red, almost crimson. And suddenly the redness starts to envelope me. And it fills my body and a warm, thick liquid erodes my lungs and I can't breath. I try and try but air won't break through and suddenly right before everything goes black I wake up. "
Casper sat in silence looking at Kat, waiting for her reaction. "Say something. "
"You have to go through that every night? " Kat whispered.
"Lately. Yes." Casper answered back.
"I am sorry. That must be awful. " Kat said back.
"It is. But it would be worst if I didn't have you by my side every night. "Casper sighed.
"Oh Casper, you romantic. " Kat pushed herself into his arms.
They stayed that way, until the sun began to sink into the waves, just enjoying each other company and warmth.
"Now, about Stretch being mad at you? " Casper said, breaking the peaceful silence.
"It is nothing big, it just seems you three have a lot to talk about. " Kat mumbled into his shoulder.
"Well, as much as I want to stay up here and hold you, there is no better time than the present to figure all this out. So shall we go and find my dear moody uncle? "Casper said grinning.
"If we must. " Kat said as she jumped up.
Stretch sat on Doctor Harvey's couch flicking the stray pieces of lint and fuzz into the air. He felt terrible. Like the 6 feet of dirt that his former body was now buried under. But hey what's a guy to do.
With a frown, he floated off the couch and to the bar they had made the doc built 2 years ago. As he pour a shot of Jack Daniels, he watched the sun finally fade into the earth. And suddenly night began to swallow the room like a great monster. The moonlight poured in, bathing the already pale ghost in its shadow .As Stretch looked around the darkened room he realized for some reason tonight, he didn't feel like being alone.
" Oh hell " Stretch said out loud, as he carried his drink back to the overstuffed couch, to wallow in some more of his own self pity.
Stretch hit the cushion in frustration, and dust, lint and fuzz burst from the couch and into the air. Stretch laid back down while stray fuzz floated downward until it rested on his almost transparent form.. He just left it there, and slumped deeper into the red velvet.
Stinkie and Fatso aren't talking to me, the brat is in tears, Doctor Harvey is still at that damn university teaching a class and Casper... well, Shortsheet, he was another story, Stretch thought, his depression and loathing shining through with every word he spoke.
" This is hopeless. " He said, running his hand over his face and downing the last of his drink.
" It would only be truly hopeless if ya didn't try to find the answers, Uncle Stretch. " came a voice from the door way. " And kept drinking. "
" You got your father's book smarts but you got your mothers's poetic ability, bulbhead. " Stretch said bitterly, without even looking up knowing his nephew was floating in the doorway with that " That's too bad and kinda pathetic " look he had perfected over the years.
" Yea, but I got your common sense. And smart mouth, but that's besides the point. " Casper said as he floated down to sit on top of the couch.
" Yea, that ya did. It got your face popped a number of times when you was younger. " Stretch said finally looking at his nephew, a devious smirk reappearing on his face. His mood slightly lightening, because no matter how much he hated talking about his former life, he did enjoying remembering the kid's.
" Yea thanks for that by the way. " Casper said, returning the smirk.
" So whatcha want bulbhead? I ain't got all day" Stretch exclaimed, snapping out of his day dreaming.
" You, like me, have all eternity...but I don't like talking to your smart ass anymore than you like talking to me, so maybe we should figure out things quick, and get it over with. " Casper said, sarcastically.
Casper was growing up, it was clear by his smart mouth and quick wit. Stretch thought as he shook his head. Where had time gone?
" Ok shortsheet, lets go and find Stinkie and Fatso and hash this out. " Stretch floated up, flicking the lint one last time trying to act casual.
" Ok, and uncle Stretch... maybe you should think up a better nickname for me. Shortsheet and Bulbhead are getting kinda old. " Casper said laughing.
" Ok, " said the older ghost, acting as though he was seriously thinking.
At that moment the door opened quietly and Kat walked in, upon noticing that the two ghost were somewhat smiling she decided it was ok to speak.
" Did you two talk? " Kat's voice came from below.
" No, sweetheart. We thought maybe we should find Uncle Stinkie and Fatso before we did. But don't worry. " Casper smiled longingly at the girl below. His love and affection showing in his eyes.
" Ok kid, as for the nickname... how about Whipped. " Stretch cackled.
Casper blushedfuriouslyand Kat just looked at the violet eyed ghost as he floated right by, still laughing. His mood having greatly improved.
"Come on, better go and follow 'im " Casper mumbled.
" Ok...whipped... " Kat said as she joined in with Stretch's laughter.