Chapter 8

It hates you so hold me

It holds you so hold me

Until it sleeps...

Casper knocked on the door and Kat called to him that it was ok. She had put on the dress already and was checking herself out in the mirror. As he stepped inside, a beautiful sight met his eyes. She was a vision in cerulean silk, with her chestnut brown hair free around her shoulders. The light from the moon making an ethereal glow that sparkled off her jewelry and in her eyes. He smiled and took her hand, giving her a twirl that made the loose flowing garment flutter dreamily. Kat blushed.

"What do you think?"

"It adds to your beauty." He kissed her hand.

She blushed deeply this time and put her head on his chest. Each of them wrapping their arms around the other and they began to dance. Their serenade was the crashing of the waves and the eerily hypnotic cries of the wind. It was that night all over again, the whispered promises, the tender touch, it was bliss. Casper vowed to her that it would never end.

The Grim Reaper was furious! That McFadden brother was alive! Not only was that a pain, it would get the Reaper in trouble. Ghosts don't just turn up alive left and right. The sneaky brother stole the scythe and turned himself back, all because of some girl he was pursuing. She turned out to be the main squeeze of that Casper kid, which made a rather complicated triangle. The living can be rather odd at times. Sliding from shadow to shadow, Reaper made its way to the McFadden Mansion. It would get its sickle back, and then show Stretch who was boss. No one could escape the icy grip of the Reaper.

The days seem to go by too fast for Kat's liking. She and Casper were inseparable, going to school, studying, always together. Casper was doing much better in math thanks to her, and she was better at history. She was disappointed that he didn't tell his past, but she didn't want to force it out of him. But sometimes she couldn't help wondering…

The day of homecoming came a bright, sunny morning. Kat woke in a surly mood, grimacing as she opened her eyes to the bright sunlight. She got dressed and went downstairs. Dr. Harvey had a note taped to the kitchen door explaining his absence so it was up to her to get breakfast going today. Grumbling, she pulled out eggs, bread, pancake mix, and set a pot of coffee on. She couldn't stand coffee, but Stretch and even Casper liked to sip a cup or two. Speaking of Stretch or Jack as he now liked to be called, she hadn't seen the rest of his siblings for a few days. Stinkie had waltzed in that day at dinner all depressed, but that was the last she'd seen of him.

The wonderful aroma of brewing coffee was warm and welcoming, and she wouldn't be

surprised if the whole mansion was filled with the scent. It cheered her a little and she went about her task with a bit more enthusiasm. Soon the smell of eggs and sausage cooking mingled with the coffee, it was nearly done. Casper had opened the door, dressed, his hair slightly ruffled from sleep.

"Good morning." He yawned and helped himself to the toast.

"Good morning." Kat replied, sounding too cheerful.

She hummed as she put her eggs on a plate and turned to sit at the table. Casper had already taken a seat. He was frozen with a hand on the fork, about to dig into his food, lost in thought.

"What's wrong?"

His eyes looked wet and he blinked several times before answering. Casper crying? She had never seen such a happy person look so sad. Why?

"It just reminds me of that day when I…died. My dad made me breakfast just like this. It meant so much to me because he was so busy that I never saw him in the mornings. But I saw him that one last time."

Kat reached over a laid a comforting hand on his arm, whispering reassurances. He smiled and any traces of tears were wiped away with the memory. Someone coughed at the door. Both heads spun to see Jack in the doorway, looking a little embarrassed.

"Hey." was all he said.

He poured himself cups of O.J. and coffee and joined the pair at the breakfast table. It was silent. That was until Stinkie burst through the wall, an army of ghosts behind him.

"There he is, that's da fleshie kisser!" He pointed directly at Stretch.

The crowd booed and gasped. Casper and Kat go to their feet while Jack stayed calmly at the table.

"Stinkie you know there's no party unless I was invited."

Jack took a swig of his drink. The mass of ivory spectors hissed, shaking their heads. Except for one, whose head was tucked under his arm.

"Yeah well the party is over Stretch, your time is up!" Stinkie grinned gleefully

"What do you mean?" Jack's calm face slowly turned to one of confusion.

As if on a silent signal, the sea of phantoms parted. Something massive and dark nudged between them. The sunny room was plunged to darkness and the enticing scent of breakfast was replaced with the stench of wet dirt and other despicable odors. Kat clutched Casper as it emerged fully only a few feet near them.

"Is that…?" Kat asked breathless.

Casper could only nod in return.