Chapter 6

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Ralph and Pam walked up to the door of Bill's apartment. "Thanks for fixing the soup, Pam. From the way Bill sounded on the phone it'll do him some good." Ralph said holding a thermos as he knocked on the door.

"That was a rough storm yesterday." Pam replied.

"In more ways than one." Ralph said touching the side of Pam's face with his hand. She smiled.

"Come in!" Bill's voice sneezed through the door.

Ralph and Pam walked in. "Bill, you look horrible!" Ralph said, seeing Bill laid out on his couch under the covers with a box of tissues on top.

"I feel ten times worse." Bill said coughing as he reached for a tissue. "Who would've thought fighting an evil spirit could be a walk in a park, but being out in the rain yesterday puts me out of commission."

"We brought you some chicken noodle soup. Hopefully, this will help." Pam said gathering up a bowl and spoon from the kitchen.

"You guys didn't have to do that." Bill said sitting up.

"It's the least we could do, after yesterday." Ralph said sitting down.

"Don't get mushy, Ralph. We're partners, we do that kinda stuff." Bill replied.

"Yeah, you're right." Ralph smiled.

"How's the head?" Bill asked.

"Still sore." Ralph said rubbing the spot where Foster hit him with the gun. "I wonder if that's one of the reasons Sheila took control over me so easily." he wondered.

"It's possible. It's no brass chandelier, but being hit like that can still cause damage." Bill responded.

"I'm surprised the suit even worked while she was in control. Why didn't the green guys help and try to stop her?" Ralph asked starting to get frustrated.

"As far as you and I know, they DID help. You giving me the holographing power, the storm. We'll never know." Bill said.

Ralph sighed. "She could have caused serious harm to you, Pam or anyone for that matter. I felt so helpless." Ralph said leaning back in the chair.

"Kid, there was barely anything you could do. Trust me. It's over now and we're all fine. No one got hurt." Bill said trying to reassure him.

Pam brought the bowl of soup to Bill. He examined it.

"This stuff homemade?" he asked.

"Yes, but there's nothing extra in it. I remembered how you didn't like spices and all." Pam said assuringly.

"That's my Counselor." Bill said as he started to eat the soup.

"One thing I'm worried about. How do you know she's gone? We didn't have a room to physically put her in and all you saw was a glow from that dragon stone." Ralph asked with a serious look on his face.

Bill said while taking a spoonful of soup. "Yeah, I can tell. The eyes of the dragon design have a glow in it now. That's what Helga or Hulda said yesterday."

Pam nodded.

"I checked it today, you can tell by looking at that big rock in it. It looks different now."

"You haven't gotten rid of it, Bill?"

"Why should I? It'll be safer here with me, plus I get to keep an eye on Sheila. I'm sure she's enjoying that." Bill chuckled.

"Here, I'll show you." Bill said as he pulled the silver jade dragon stone from under the cover. He reached over to put it on the table, but being weak from the cold it slipped from his hand. Ralph quickly caught it before it could hit the floor.

"Bill, I think you better put it in a safety box instead." Ralph said looking at the dragon stone.

"Keep it locked away forever, too." Pam added.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Bill admitted.

THE END

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