Garth smiled as he got out of the car, "Wait here, I'll be quick." Millie laughed as he ran into the house. Her phone gave off a text received tone; it was from Derrick. Millie had been having an off again, on again relationship with him for the past two years…she rolled her eyes as she read the text.
Derrick: Hey, beautiful ;)
Millie: What's up?
Derrick: I heard you were on your way home…want to stop by?
Millie saw Garth headed back to the car: Maybe, I'll let you know later.
She placed her phone back down into the cup holder. Garth tossed his bag of stuff into the floor and plopped down, "Alright; got what we need." She nodded as they made the drive back to Melanie and Brett's house. Her phone went off and Garth looked at it, "You're still with that guy?" She sighed, "No…not really, it's more of a friend with benefits thing." He nodded with a frown, "You know, I don't approve of that. You deserve more…" She smiled as they pulled into the driveway, "Thanks Garth, I know you mean well…but sometimes I have needs." This time he sighed and got out of the car, "I know, Millie. Just remember your worth more than him." She nodded and hooked their arms together as they walked up to the porch. Melanie smiled and let them in, "Mom and dad just left, did you need anything?"
Garth shook his head, "nope, we are here to clean this up. We've found what has attached her to you." Melanie smiled with relief, "Thanks goodness." Millie lead the way into the living room and began to draw a circle around them, making sure to include Brett. He scoffed, "What the hell is that supposed to do?" Garth spoke as he set up a small bowl, "It keeps the ghosts back, they can't cross over the salt. We are just making sure she doesn't attack us when we burn the bracelet." Millie motioned to the one on Melanie's wrist, "That bracelet is what attached her to you. Her sister, Brenda, who made it; looks exactly like you. It's a double whammy. So, after we burn the bracelet, if she's still here you are going to need to talk to Tabitha and convince her that you aren't Brenda."
Melanie nodded and handed the bracelet off to Garth who placed it in the bowl, pouring salt on it and then setting it on fire. The four of the sat in the circle, talking about random things until the fire went out. Brett stood, "Well, that's it right. She should be gone?" Millie nodded as she broke the circle, "Hopefully…" The four of them stood there anxiously. Garth turned around to smile at them but before he could talk, he was thrown across the room, "Garth!" The three of them scrambled around the room as Tabitha phased into a visual being, "Why are you hurting me!?" Her voice gargled in and out as she shouted towards Melanie, "All I've done is love and protect you…" She phased out and back in standing two feet in front of her, "Brenda, I thought I lost you…and then when I died, I found you." Tabitha's ghost reached out and brushed a few strands of hair from her face before turning to Millie, "You can't make me go!" Millie felt herself being picked up and thrown towards Garth, she screamed in shook as she knocked into him. She stood sighing quickly, "Sorry…" He nodded as the two looked over to Melanie.
She reached out hesitantly to Tabitha, who took her hand, "Look…I'm sorry she passed away. I'm sorry you died because my brother was stupid and let you drive…but I'm not Brenda, I am not your sister." Tabitha started to cry a little, phasing and whimpering out, "I know...I'm just scared to let go. What's the other side going to be like?" Millie slowly walked over to Melanie, putting a hand on her shoulder, "We don't know Tabitha. None of us do, but I can say that I'm damn sure your sister is waiting on you. She's probably upset its taking you so long to show up…" Tabitha nodded and let go of Melanie's hand, "I'm sorry…" She phased over to Brett and kissed his cheek, "Goodbye." The four of them stood their quietly before Brett spoke, "Is she really gone?" Garth nodded, "Yeah, it seems like she decided to cross over once Melanie confirmed that she wasn't her sister…" Millie took the photo out of her pocket handing it to him, "Also, it's probably a good idea to burn all of these…just in case." He nodded, a slight blush creeping over his face.
After the mess was cleaned up, Garth drove the two of you back to his place. Trying to get you to stay the night he pulled her into a hug, "Please, I know you must be tired…we had a long day today." Millie sighed and leaned into it, "Nah, I miss dad and want to get home. Thanks for the offer though." He chuckled, "Alright, Mills. Stop by anytime, you're always welcome." She nodded and walked out to the car, waving as she got in. The drive home was long and tiring; a full two days journey. Having only stopped to sleep a few hours and some energy drinks; Millie bounced excitedly as she pulled into her home town the sign reading: Welcome to Sioux Falls.