The deal with the Devil has been broken. We are no longer trapped in our contracts. And we can live our lives normally once again. For the most part, I mean. The Phantom Express is still our one and only home, and we can all be together once again. I wish I could be much more grateful for that. I can only imagine the trouble those boys had to go through to get our contracts back. If I could thank them, truly I would. I was happy living in this train. And I was happy being with T-Bone, Head of the Train, and the Blaze Brothers. After we had made our bets, we had turned into these...well, I wouldn't say monsters per se. But, we were certainly a lot more aggressive. We didn't want to lose our souls to these boys! Of course, we didn't realize we were going to be saved. If we had, then I'm sure we would have done things differently.

Anyways, after the boys burned our souls, we were free to leave the train again, and wander. But frankly, I was the only one who could. T-Bone didn't feel welcome, and the Blaze Brothers and the Head of the Train were all connected to the train, physically unable to leave. As grateful as I was to be able to leave the train, I wanted everyone else to experience the things that I did. I wanted to be out there with them, and spend time with them! So, I had decided to get a little help from the same boys who had helped us in the first place! Of course, they didn't really have the power in the end to help us. But, their Old man Kettle certainly did! For days, I remember he worked away, working on a potion that could help us. He was able to give the boys their pea shooters, so I had faith that he would be able to help us too! It took a pretty long time, but he did it! He created a potion, that would enable us to be free, in a matter of speaking. Rather than creatures, we would be mobile, and the closest to human that we could be.

I'd seen humans before, once upon a time. They didn't reside in Inkwell, which was too bad. But in exploring the lands beyond, I was able to see so so many of them! Walking on two feet, mingling, and covered in flesh! It was pretty neat, to be honest! I never thought that we could ever look anything like that! And, it was super exciting! I remember running (Erm...floating anyways) home as fast as possible, potions in my arms, and as excited as could be. We were going to be human! We could go through Inkwell together. Maybe we could even take the train to the human world! Head of the Train told me once that the train only ran through Inkwell, so that wouldn't really be possible. But well...a phantom can dream eh? Anyways, I hurried back, and I presented what I had. But, I guess I should have known that they wouldn't be too easily convinced. How could they trust Elder Kettles potions or his intentions? It took a while to convince them. (I didn't beg of course! Not that much anyways hehe.) Anyways, once I had finally managed to convince them, it was super exciting!

The Blaze brothers were the first to take it, almost as an experiment. I think they wanted to see Inkwell outside of the train just as much as I wanted them to. It wasn't an easy transition, it seemed pretty painful actually. But the effects were pretty quick! Before my eyes, they began to change, shrinking down from their tremendous height, losing their rounded tops, and growing appendages I'd only seen on humans, and some of our own Inkwell residents. It was truly amazing! What was funny to me though, was that they were identical once again, just like they had been before. So, that was pretty neat! But what was even better, was that they still had some electrical abilities. They were a bit minimal, but they were neat!

After that, T-Bone had some, and so did the Head of the Train. And before long, I had not one, not two, but FOUR humanized friends! It was way too cool! But, when I think back, I think that was probably my biggest influence on what I did next. See, I hadn't really planned to have any of the potions. There wasn't much of a point. But, I guess just looking at these new forms made me a bit jealous. I wanted to be like them! So, without another thought behind it, I had some for myself, more than ready to be human.

I wanted to be like them. I wanted to explore Inkwell Island with them. I wanted to ride the train and go to the human world someday. I wanted to see and experience all sorts of things with them. But now, I'm the one who can't do any of it. Because, I can't navigate, and show them around anymore.

Not when I can't see.

The Blind Specter's hands ran along the walls of the train, feeling his way across the room. Without his sight, he now used his sense of touch, and his hearing to navigate his way around the train. It was the only way he could really. As a ghost, he still had his sight of course. While his way of seeing could be a bit inconvenient, what with his eyes being embedded in his hands, at least he could see at all really! But, he didn't have that ability any longer. After taking the potion that day, he had felt the same pain as the others had as he transformed from ghost, to human. At the moment, his vision hadn't faded or given him a moment to realize what was happening. Rather, it was there one moment and gone the very next. He had hoped it was just a temporary thing, something only happening at the moment. But as he had discovered, he was sadly mistaken. Understandably, when he realized it was permanent, he had completely panicked. He had gone from silence, as he got used to things, while the others admired their new forms, to completely hysterical, grabbing at the others, and sobbing like a child might. What else would one do when they suddenly found themselves blinded? He hadn't even had the proper chance to see what his new form was before he had lost his sight.

He couldn't see the translucent, blue skin he now possessed, which resembled the color of his ghost form. He couldn't see his wispy blue hair, or the empty eye sockets in his head. He couldn't see how tall he was now. He may have been the shortest member of the train now, but he was still a fairly tall male. He couldn't see any of it...

After that day, he had been led back to the back of the train where he usually resided and hadn't come out since. Only once had he had the courage to venture outside of the caboose, and attempt to find his way around. But in the end, he had gotten himself lost, and was found huddled between the seats by one of the Blaze brothers. After that, he kept to the caboose. And usually, that's where he would have been now. But unfortunately, he found himself without much of a choice this evening. He had to leave his station, despite his loss of sight, and the fear that still made his stomach twist up.

That night, before he had left, he had been visited by the Blaze brothers. He knew they only had good intentions at the time, but he could only blame them for the departure of his safe space. That night, they had come in the hopes of cheering Blind Specter up some, treating him to a light conversation, and soda as well. After forming their new bodies, the twins had happily been experimenting and testing out every part of their new bodies. Including their tongues and stomaches. They had been more then happy when they found out they could finally eat! They didn't have to eat like a human did. But it was still an enjoyable experience~

specter had not been quite in the mood to converse with them but happily accepted their drinks. During that time, he had found that he had a rather interesting little party trick with this new body. When he drank or ate anything with his ghost body, it simply evaporated and became nothing. But that wasn't the case anymore. The brother had explained that they could see the cola in his stomach. After lifting his shirt so they could have a better look, they had nearly screamed with laughter. They could see the brown liquid pooled in his stomach area just sitting there. It hadn't disappeared after all!

It had given the Blaze Brothers a few laughs, and they managed to convince the ghost to drink a bit more just to see what the capacity of his translucent stomach was. Their praise and laughter seemed to give him what he needed, cheering him up a good deal. He wished he could have seen their smiles himself, but he would take what he would get. He gulped down a few cans, and the boys practically died as it all flooded right into his stomach.

So, by the time the twins left, Spector was feeling a lot better~

He lie back on one of the seats once more, the sounds of the forever running train soothing him. And as he lie, he waited for the soda in his stomach to evaporate, just as most food did. But instead, it remained uncomfortable in his stomach. He could feel it sloshing around inside of him, making him frown. Is this what it felt like to digest? It didn't feel very nice... Specter sat up, resting his hand on his stomach. It felt cold, and distended. And when he sat, gravity helped to push it down. He didn't really have organs after all. His heart didn't beat, and his lungs did not work. The soda would not digest, and it needed somewhere to go.
So as he sat up, the soda moved down, pushing against his bladder. It moved so quickly!

He hissed as the pressure began to grow uncomfortable, holding his stomach with both arms. This wasn't painful really. But it was a sensation he wasn't familiar with. He had to think about this for a moment. He knew a decent amount about the anatomy of the living, having always been curious. So, when he thought about it a little more carefully, it started to dawn on him what might be going on. Did...did he need to use the bathroom? That's what all living people did after all. So, it would only make sense.

Did they have a bathroom on the train? He was almost certain that they did. He just hadn't really had a need to visit it before. So, he wasn't sure if he could say exactly where it was... He sighed, feeling panic already rising in his throat. what was he supposed to do..?
He could already feel it pushing against his...nethers, making him put his hands between his legs. There was no processing to do, nor did it have anything else to pass through. So, it was already trying to come out. He didn't have time to wait...

The Blind Specter stood, and pressed his hands against the wall. "You've lived on this train for years now. This is your home," he said to himself in his whispery voice. "You know where you're going," he told himself.

He walked out of the caboose, and quickly found the wall once again with his hands. He walked along, keeping his hands planted firmly against the wall. This was the storage car. Where they kept the random things Specter brought from Inkwell Isle. They didn't need, or have too many material possessions. But the ghost was...well, kind of a hoarder... Knickknacks and boxes were scattered in the room. Despite T-Bone's many attempts to properly clean the area, the Blind Specter often made messes... But that was going to prove to be his downfall, making it tougher for him to get where he needed to be.
After stepping on one too many items, he settled for scooting his feet along the floor, rather than taking steps. It made the journey take a longer time then it should have, but it was the safest choice.

He holed himself up ever since he had become blind, save for that one trip he had taken where he got lost. So, he hadn't had a chance to get to this human body, or the environment around him. He was confused. Disoriented. And when he stepped on the items, he was shocked by how much it had hurt. He didn't want to risk it again, so he settled for the scooting. He had to focus on where he was going, and on not wetting himself, rather then focus on the pain...

He continued on, until he reached the door into a passenger car. This was a bit tougher, for he couldn't go along the wall. He had to navigate along the seats... Specter used his hands to move around the car. He couldn't quite remember which care the bathroom was in, but he knew it was somewhere between the passenger cars. Whichever that was... He didn't know...

He continued on, touching each seat. It was a pattern. A step, a seat. A step, a seat. A step, a seat. So once the row of seats ended, he nearly fell... There was the next door. He let himself out, shivering when the cold air hit his skin. It wasn't cold to him per say. But he could feel the change in the air, and the air pressure. It made him flinch, and made it harder to hold it... He had to stop here now, putting his hands between his legs once again.
When a little leaked out of him, he flinched once more. Unlike an average Inkwell Isle resident, his urine was like cold water, frigid against his hands. He trembled, holding himself tightly. Everything had advanced so quickly! He hadn't even had the soda half an hour ago, and already it was trying to come out... What he didn't see, was how the cola inside of him was changing. Rather than brown, it was starting to turn blue, the color of ectoplasm. And the more blue it became, the more it tried to escape...

He kept still, holding himself tighter, before he hurried into the next train car. But upon entering the car, the train came to a screeching halt... The Head of the Train saw up ahead that there was something on the tracks. An animal, perhaps? He didn't know, but he wasn't about to find out by running it down! Blind Specter cried out as the loud screeching filling his ears, and the train jerked violently to try and stop. He couldn't keep his balance, and fell. His back slammed against the train seat, and he toppled onto the cushion.
Blind Specter squeaked as he tumbled off of the seat, and onto the ground between this seat, and the one in front of him.

He curled up there on the ground for a moment, knowing he would loose his balance if he stood again with the train still screeching along the track, trying to stop. But, his fear of falling gave way to a different sensation... He gasped and sat up, feeling the liquid trickling out of his body. When he pressed his hands between his legs, he could feel the frigid liquid against his hands, soaking into his pants, and puddling onto the ground. While the pressure in his stomach was exiting as well, he knew this was something he shouldn't be doing. Not here on the ground anyway.. He curled his legs in, pressing his hands even tighter between his legs as the train finally came to a stop. But, nothing was stopping him. He couldn't help the sudden groan that exited his throat at the feeling of the pressure leaving. If he were able to see, he would have seen that the liquid was a light blue, a bit darker than his skin. He could feel it leak to the seat of his pants, and wetting the legs as well.
Now that the train car was quiet, he could hear the hissing of his own..urine? Whatever it was...

And by the time he had emptied, he was left sitting in a big, blue puddle, and panting, despite not needed the air in the first place...

His pants felt...cold. Soaked and stuck to his translucent skin. When he set his hands on the ground, he jerked them away fast, having accidentally set them in the cold puddle. His back was still hurting from how hard he had slammed it into the train seat when he had fallen. These were all new, and startling sensations that he didn't know how to deal with..

Blind Specter curled his legs up to his knees and hugged them tight. He felt so disoriented. He didn't think he could find his way back to the caboose on his own.

Well, no, that wasn't true. It was a straight path back the way he came, he knew that. But, he supposed he was just afraid to go back. what if he got hurt? What if T-Bone saw him..? He wasn't afraid of T-Bone of course, he was just a bag of bones! (Well, not anymore he supposed. He was human-ish now. But, still.) He wasn't afraid of him. But, he didn't think he could handle a scolding right this second... Not when he was feeling so sensitive...

He placed his face into his knees as his shoulders shook. He could produce urine, but not tears? That was...irritating...
Oh God, he didn't know what to do...

Because the train was so quiet, he could hear a door slide open. He curled up a bit tighter, hoping with everything he had that he wouldn't be seen. But, he stood out from the dark, muted colors of the train, so it as impossible...

T-Bone entered the passenger car, sliding the door shut behind him. Ironically enough, he had been coming to check on Specter. He hadn't heard from him since the incident itself. The Blaze Brothers had updated him on the ghosts's status earlier in the day. But, he felt he ought to see him for himself.

He only took a few steps into the car, before pausing. He could easily see that glowing, blue aura between the train seats from where he stood. And since the train had stopped, he could hear the sniffling as well. He hesitated here. He had to go back to the front of the train soon. He was the conductor after all. But...now that they were all human, Head of the Train had easily taken over his job, controlling the train. (Heck, that's why they had stopped in the first place. T-Bone was a lot less merciful, and would have plowed along anyhow. They had a schedule to follow after all.)
T-Bone rubbed the back of his neck with his cold hand as he glanced back at the door. He wasn't good at dealing with situations like this. Specter wasn't the sort of ghost to cry without reason. When was the last time he had seen him cry at all..? The ghost was practically a child. Acting impulsively, playing rather then working, and doing as he pleased. He had a very happy disposition. So, it was unusual to see him like this.

Finally, he sighed, and moved forward, approaching the ghost. He wondered if he had gotten himself lost again. But when he came closer, he could easily see what the real issue was. The boy sat huddled against the wall, hugging his knees. And surrounding him was that glowing blue puddle. Oh boy, now what...?

"Specter," T-Bone said, accidentally making the boy jump. "What happened?"

Specter lift his head, revealing those empty sockets. His head followed the sound of the conductor, despite being unable to see him. "Boney I..." Specter sniffled. "I fell..."

"Yes, and then some..." T-Bone sighed, removing his hat, and rubbing his bald head as he thought about what to do. He couldn't just leave him here... He didn't trust the Blaze Brothers to really know what to do either... "Can you stand?" he asked.

"Um, yeah," he nodded. But, he stayed rooted to the spot.

"So...stand."

But, Specter shook his head no, placing his chin on his knees. He had gotten hurt enough walking around here. He wanted to just stay here in this spot. T-bone sighed, looking around again, wondering what he ought to do. But, he supposed there was only one option. "Fine," he said. "Just...don't struggle okay? Please make this easy on the both of us," he requested. Specter lift his head again, not sure what he was talking about. He heard footsteps again, coming closer to where he was. Then, there was a sudden arm under his legs, and another on his back.

"H-Hey! What are you doing?!" Specter cried.

"You didn't leave me a choice," T-Bone sighed as Specter hit him a few times on his shoulders. "You're making more of a mess on my train the longer I leave you there. So, I'll get you back to the caboose myself. I said don't struggle!"

"Put me down!" Specter insisted. "I can walk on my own!"

"You can, but you showed me that you won't," T-Bone said plainly, taking him back. He walked through the passenger car, and through the storage car, all the wayback to the caboose. Only there did he set him on his feet. Ugh. The arms and chest of his uniform were all cold and damp now...

"You didn't have to do that. I'm not a child..." Specter blushed.

"Well last I checked, adults don't have accidents..." T-Bone responded. "I can't imagine you have clothing anywhere. But, I have plenty of uniform bottoms you can borrow," he said. "They will likely be a little big on you however."

"Right..." He wanted to be tough and say something like 'I hope you don't expect a thank you,' or 'I don't need your stupid pants.' But all he could say was, "Thanks..."

"Of course," he nodded. He looked through the caboose, and found the line of conductors uniforms that the previous conductor had kept here. He brushed the dust off of one pair of red pants, and hand them over. But when he didn't take them, he mentally slapped himself. Right, he couldn't even see them... T-Bone came closer, and pressed them into Specter's hands. "I trust you won't need help changing?"

"I..don't think so," Specter replied. He'd never done this before after all. But he was sure he could manage, right?

"I'll take that as a yes," T-Bone said, shaking his head as he took the pants back. "Are you going to make this hard on me as well?"

"I...no..." Specter mumbled.

"Good, thank you," T-Bone said, kneeling down in front of the ghost. In an awkward moment of silence for the two of them, T-Bone removed his cold trousers and underpants. He didn't have spare underwear lying around, so he would have to bare with it for now. Then, he helped the boy step into the new pants. He could have suggested cleaning the ghosts's legs first. But, they were surprisingly dry... Did it...absorb into his skin? Odd.

"Alright, we're finished," the conductor said, picking up the pants. Then, there was another moment of silence...
"You know," he finally said. "You could have called for someone if you needed help."

"I didn't think I'd need any..." Specter admit. "It didn't seem like that hard of a task."

"I see," T-Bone nodded. "But you see where that assumption got us? Call me next time."

"You're harsh..." Specter sighed, sitting back down on the little seat, meant for passengers to sit and watch out the window.

"No, you just don't like being told what to do," T-Bone point out. But, Specter said nothing. "I'm..I'm not going to scold you for asking for help. So, you don't have to hesitate to ask me. Understand?" he asked.

Specter nodded his head. "Understood..."

"Good lad," he nodded, patting the top of Specter's head, in a rare show of...was this affection? Maybe.. "Stay here for now, and I'll clean the mess." When he saw the way the young one pout, he sighed. "And afterwards...we can take a walk in the train together. Try and help you locate everything you might need. I imagine its maddening being stuck in one car all day," he said.

"No kidding," Specter nodded. Then, he finally managed a little smile. "Thank you."

"Right," T-bone said in his gruffer voice. "Rest awhile. I'll come collect you in a bit."

Specter nodded and lie back on the seat, folding his arms behind his head. T-Bone could be scary, but he meant well. Maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all~