Chapter 2
Snake wandered into the room, looking for his cigarette pack. "Who'ssss thissss?". He hissed, as he glanced around the bedroom, looking down at the bed where my Ira slept. Ira stirred a bit. "Hey, little girl, where'sssss Ace?". Snake hissed, as he glanced down at Ira. "besidessss…you're beautiful, darlin".
Ira tossed a bit in her sleep before acknowledging him. "Ace went out for a while". "What do you need?". Ira asked, in the irate manner I had, that I knew she took after. "I wasss looking for my cccigaretesss". Snake hissed. "Doessss Ace have them?".
"I don't know if he has them". "Don't disturb Ace, or I right now". "Get back to work, and if you want to keep your face, get out of my sight". Ira said, irately. The way she handles those idiots, she makes me so proud. "ok…ok…I'll get out, but know that Ace trustsssss me, asss well". Snake hissed. "You have 3 seconds to get out of my sight, before I become vile". "Ace doesn't like it when you disturb him, or your other superior". "To make things clear, I'm your other superior". "Ace appointed me". Ira said, viciously. She takes after me, so well.
"Ok, then". "I'm outta here". "jusssst …well….I'll find my cigarettessss later on". Snake hissed. "Bye now". Ira waved him off, as Snake backed out, nervously. Ira still slept, peacefully mind you. While I went on to concoct my other plan.
The old theater in Townsville was where some magician known as Al Lusion had his accident a long time ago. Some say, if one uses the correct spell, they can resurrect the zombie of Al Lusion. I visited the theater, seeing an older man with a beard, and some redness to his eyes. "So, we decided upon our deal, haven't we?". I asked, coming near him. "There would be some aspect of it".
The older man held a still, plain gaze about him. "Something along those lines". "I'm thinking to resurrect this magician, and use these spells to have the world under our control". "That, and bringing about something so deadly, so cataclysmic, that the world wouldn't help but be seethed in danger". "You'll get 100% of the cut, master Ace". the older man said. "Hmm….that sounds likely to me". "I wouldn't be opposed to it". I said, laughing a bit. "After all, I do want something that even the holiest of Saints can't defeat". "Something that evil would define itself upon". "I like where this is headed, and I'll come aboard". "As long as I have full control". I looked down at the money stack the older man handed me. That, and this orange brooch. "Wear this, and you'll have full control of the evil, in every aspect". The older man informed. "I like the color of it…and the high amount". "You know how to impress me, my friend". "Unlimited power is the sole source". I said, almost cackling.
"Well, do not think you're free just yet". The older man said, flashing his eyes. "You're going to give me my cut, and full control of Ira's power, and accounts when she's gained your full trust". "I expect it on the midnight of the 21st of next month". "If not, you'll be punished along with the rest of them". "You do understand the velocity of this atrociousness, and the anger that will be bestowed upon if I do not get my fair share". The man sounded vicious as of now. "Yes, I understand". I replied. "But I'll repay you, soon enough". "Hopefully, we're good".
"Do as I've instructed you, and the world will crumble in its depths". The older man said, as he looked away, turning to dust at that moment. "Hmm, fascinating". I said, taking the 2,000 dollars with me, to store at the bank. I walked back from the theater, but not before rubbing the brooch. "Hmm, this will be nice". "All for anything I desire". "How colloquial". I muttered, as I spotted the very place where Al Lusion died. It was a sore spot. Even so, it was a spot where one day, he'd be resurrected.
Coming back to the annex, I noticed Ira at the side of her bed, praying. She seemed to be having a close connection to her birth mother it seemed. That, and when she was upset, she often prayed. "Ira, honey". I said, gently. Ira glanced up at me, upon hearing her name. "Very nice job, listening, sweetie". I said, kindly. "You learned that in therapy, didn't you?".
"I did". Ira said. I smiled a kind smile, sitting down on the side of the bed. "I have some good news for us, honey". "I played the lottery today, and I won 2,000 when my number was called". I said, gently. "That's nice". Ira said. "I was thinkin', you and I could move into a bigger place in the city, maybe one of those penthouses, where we could have a nice view of the city, we could have our own porch, our own pool deck, our own wine bar". "We could have our own casa all to ourselves". "Just you and I, no one else to bother us, no one else to tell us what we should be spendin our money on". I said, kindly. "I'll even have some coconut water in the fridge for us, when we get thirsty". "Just you and I, partner". I smiled another greasy smile, that was gentle in nature.
It was a sympathetic smile that came into play with the crane-like feature of my neck. I loved giving my Ira sympathetic smiles. "How does that roll with ya?". I asked, gently. I took Ira's hands in my green ones. "It sounds pretty good". Ira said. "I don't have a problem with it, really". "But I am wondering, do I have to pay for my end of it?". "I mean how do I….?".
"Don't worry about that, cupcake". I said, gently. "I'll handle your finances from now on". "You won't have to worry about a thing, or pay for a thing". "I'll keep an eye on everything, so you won't have to get hot and bothered over it".
"But you do have to allow me some control over them". "Perhaps what the spending pattern is, and what it looks like". I said, gently. "Ok". Ira said. I smiled a gentle smile, as Ira nodded. "Good to know we're on the same wavelength, kiddo". I said, gently. I kissed Ira's cheeks, gently. Ira did feel some of the tobacco and cigarette ash that my tongue had, on her cheek. She recoiled quickly, but she was alright for most of it. I chuckled a bit, smiling. "Love ya, darlin". I said, gently. I winked at her, while she nodded. Ira noticed something falling out of my pocket. Turns out, it was the deal I made with the older man, that I had written on a post-it note. Picking it up, quickly, and with a slimy millipede's quality of sneakiness, and cunning, I pressed it into my pocket. "What was that?". Ira asked. "Nothin' really". "It was just a bank note I need for my records". I said, gently. "So, why don't I treat you to some spaghetti, and coconut water, my dear?". "Now that we have some?".
"Ok, that sounds good". Ira said. I smiled a gentle smile, blowing my Ira some kisses. "I love ya, baby, and if it's quite alright, I need ya baby, for all the lonely nights, I love ya, baby". "Trust in me when I say". "Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down or play, oh pretty baby, now that I found you, stay". "And let me love you, ba-by, let me love you". I sang, gently. Ira nodded, as she smiled. "That's a pretty nice rendition". Ira said. "I love my baby darlin". "That much I know is true". I said, gently. I kept blowing Ira some kisses. Ira smiled. Then I sang this in a gentle hum, even though I was way off key. Or whatever….(hey, I happen to think my singing is pretty good).
"Somebody is spec-ial to me, I wonder who". "Some-body changes my gray skies to blue". "Some special la-dy with a gorgeous smile, and a love that lasts a while".
"Reunited cuz we under-stood". "Nothing standin in our way". "We are one for one anot-her too". "You're my baby girl, Ira, poo". I sang, gently in a kind hum. I blew Ira another kiss as I sang to her. "That's nice". "It means a lot". Ira replied. We both laughed, as Ira took another drink of her milk. "Hey, I'm sure it does". "Because you mean a lot to me, beautiful". I said, gently. Ira smiled. I put the spaghetti in the microwave, covering it with a paper towel. As the microwave hummed to life, I poured Ira and I some coconut water in a fine-china glass that I stole from a thrift store in the same plaza as the grocery store. "Here we are, darlin". "Some paradise in a glass". I said, gently. "Thank you". Ira said. Ira glanced around. I took the spaghetti from the microwave, putting it in a bowl with a cover over it.
"So, I won the lottery by playing the daily number…I think it was somethin around 3456 or somethin' stupid like that, but I won it". "That's still beyond my belief". I said, taking my coconut water outside to the porch. "That's still nice that you won". Ira said. "The daily number is a hard route to go behind". "I played the daily number a couple of times, and I haven't won anything". "Usually, the points I have, are far away from the actual thing".
"Hey, same here, but they're not that bad once you actually hit the numbers". "I hit the numbers a couple of times, but I only won 5 or 6 bucks on a ticket". "It was stupid to think I had all of the numbers right in a row, but I did this time, and wowie, what a difference it made". I said. "The bucks I won were straight 5's, but they were odd the way they did them". "Stupid moves by stupid people".
Ira nodded. "It's not like they have a system to it, either". "It's either you win a couple, or you draw a couple". "It's either or, and rough estimate". "There's no reasoning to it".
"I'd have to think I got lucky this time when I played the numbers, but it's too obvious to deduce that". I said, lighting a cigarette. The lighter flame illuminated my face again. "I love playing the numbers, it's always good to see when I win". "That, and I have some scratch offs I played around with as well". "They're always nice to see what could've been won with that". I said, gently. "One of these days, if we do win the numbers, we'll get that vacation cabin in the woods we always wanted". "How 'bout that?". I smiled a cunning smile behind my cigarette. "That would be nice". Ira said. "I like the sounds of that, girlie". I said, kindly. We both shared a smile, laughing. I watched the end of my cigarette glow, and cinge with ash at the tip. "Mmm, yeah". I hummed, contently. As I smoked my cigarette, I tapped some of the ash from the ends.
"You enjoyin your spaghetti?". I asked, kindly. "I am". Ira said. "This is exactly how nurse Hannah used to make it when I was at Children's". "It does taste really good". "This is right on point as well".
"I remember nurse Hannah a bit". I said, gently. "She was a lovely nurse for you". "She did a lot of wonderful things, it seems". I brought the cigarette to my lips again. "I remember she'd bathe you, read you stories, play with you, sing you some songs". "She was very motherly". I remarked, kindly. "Does it make you sad that she passed away?".
"Sometimes". Ira said. "I know my future was definitely shaped by her, and that I did what I could". "But I also know that she was someone I could definitely go to, if I needed help with anything".
"Nurse Hannah meant a lot to you, growing up". "All of those caregivers did". "But the wonderful aspect of it, is that you had people to trust, people to rely on when you needed help the most". "I think that's just lovely". I said, gently.
"It is lovely". Ira said. "I had people there that I could trust….and that I could rely on if I needed them". "Life was easiest because I had them". "When they all got transferred, or passed away, it seemed like I had no one". "That's the thing about my families….is that they all pass away, or go away, and I have no one". Ira sniffled as she said this.
"I know it might seem hard as of now…and your past was a hard one….but I promise, i'll always stick around, and be here for you to lean on whenever, and if ever you need me". "Or anyone in that respect". I said, gently, consoling my Ira. "I know….and I'm glad….because…I guess…you're the only one who understands me….and wants to help me". Ira said.
"I love you the most, and while life is hardest, know that I'll make it easiest for you, in every aspect". I said, gently. Ira nodded, as she finished her spaghetti. She drank her coconut water as well. "Don't worry, things will be quite alright". I assured, gently as the glow of the ashen smoke illuminated my face, and my cunning, devilish grin. Ira nodded, as she convened with it. She knew just how lovely it truly was, to have me there. I would make her future worth her while.
The powerpuff girls. I always hated em' but they were still around. They were still fighting crime, and being as truculent a force to my plans as ever. Still, people respected em. If that wasn't surprising enough. Blossom looked through the telescope, talking with the head astronomer. "I think this might actually be something that we're looking at, here". "It has the potential to be a planetoid, or something of the sort". Blossom said. "Perhaps". The astronomer replied, deep in thought as he looked through the telescope. "Let me see deeper into what it is, though". He widened his view with the telescope. "This doesn't look like a planetoid". "This looks like a comet, or an asteroid headed straight for Earth". "It's got a tail and everything".
Blossom's eyes widened as she glanced through the telescope. "An ASTEROID?". She said, with some panic. The Astronomer nodded, as he took a glance through the telescope. "This Asteroid will make it's mark in less than a month". "We do need to alert anyone that might be within harm's way". The Astronomer stated.
"Oh…well…it seems as if we need to alert the mayor right now". "Especially if this Asteroid is heading straight for Townsville". "We can't have it destroying the entire planet, and have Townsville be its first target". Blossom said, a little frightened. "I understand, but still, it is a risky move, having something that big, and cataclysmic coming towards us". "It's small as of now, we don't want to have anyone panic". "I'm sure you understand". The Astronomer said.
"An Asteroid is heading towards us at a rapid rate!". Blossom said, with much defiance, and alarm to her voice. "If we don't alert anyone, and let things happen, we have every right to panic". Blossom did seem upset.
"Yes, but think of how much chaos that would ensue from it". "It would bring a mountain of tragedy". The Astronomer said.
"That might be true, but if we alert everyone right away, we'll get everyone out before it's too late". Blossom said. "Don't do this, don't delay telling anyone".
The Astronomer nodded, scratching his brow. "I suppose". The Astronomer stated. While Blossom glanced at the telescope, she saw the Asteroid coming nearer and nearer. Even if it was a small, red, fiery ball in the sky.
Ira came out onto the porch later on, holding her milk in her hands. She had some milk before bedtime. She came outside, sitting down on one of the chairs. "Hey, darlin". I said, gently. I smiled a gentle smile, smoking my cigarette. "Hi, Ace". Ira said, as she sat down, fruitful to discuss. "What's going on, love?". "You look a bit pensive this evening". I said, gently. "Kind of….I guess". Ira said. "What's going on, honey?". "You feelin' ok?". I asked, gently. "I had another nightmare….but this time….it was a woman….someone with brown hair, holding a baby before she turned to dust". Ira explained.
"Mmm". I nodded. "Your birth mother it sounds like". "Birth mother was with you when you had that dream…she was with you so early on". I said, gently. "Birth parents are gifts to us, they truly are". "Without their nourishment and development, we wouldn't be able to survive none".
"But I've noticed your birth mother died a couple months into having you". "She died when you were only 2 months old". "She expired before she had a chance to give you a good life". I said, softly in a gentle whisper. "I now know what kind of pain you must've been in that young in your infancy". "Small, fragile, beautiful brown eyes, you have been ripped away from the source of care, and love". "Your milk, your nurturing, the bond you had with her, was taken away from you". "You had no one when you were still a baby, because birth mom passed away". "You were left alone for some time".
"No more breastmilk, touching, hugging, or kissing". "No more strokes on the head, or singing". "Birth mom was taken from you, when you were a baby". "You were by yourself, shaking, cold, and alone". "Does that make you sad, knowing that?". I asked, in a soft, gentle whisper. "Kind of". Ira said. "I feel sad because….because I guess…I could've lived a normal life with my birth mom….but she died". "I had a family that wasn't so nice, but I'm not upset about that". "I'm upset that I was developmentally delayed, I'm upset that no one cared, and I grew up without a family, I'm upset that I lost my birth mother". "My birth mom would've made it at least somewhat normal, but I didn't have that". "I had horrendities".
"I miss my birth mom….and I guess….everything is kind of messed up now, I don't know what to do". Ira said. "I understand". I said, softly with gentleness. "You were traumatized, you were given hardship, but I know someday things will get easier for you". "I promise you that one day, you'll change the world".
"You and I both know your birth mother is always beside you, and I know she's proud of you for being so strong". "Your birth mother has always been proud of you, because you've risen above, and used strength". "Your strength is what gives you opportunity". "I believe, you can do, anything". I said, gently. I tapped ash from my cigarette. "My darling, I'm so sorry, and sad that this upsets you". "I wish I could comfort you in your time of need, and duress". "I know it's difficult now, but one day, life will be fulfilling again". "You'll find meaning in the miracles you perform, and the work you do". "That, and your life beside me". "I can give you some hope". I said, kindly with softness. "I know…but I'm ok". "Really, I am". "I don't need anyone right now". Ira said, as she sniffled. "You sure, darlin?". I asked, kindly. Ira nodded.
"Your birth mother's proud of you, I'm proud of you". "We love you, deeply, and we know with every measure comes a line of love, and respect". "She and I will always be beside you, my Ira". I said, kindly with softness. Ira nodded, as she sniffled, drinking her milk, while the sky kept a purplish, reddish color. Ira stood up, walking away for a bit. She sighed, sniffling. "Ira". I said, gently with soft kindness. Ira turned her head, responding to her name. "Yes?". She asked. "You ok?". I asked, kindly. "Everything good?".
"Everything is ok, now". "I'm doing well again". Ira said. "I…I forgive what happened to me…and I forgive my foster family for everything". "I know they were only trying their best". "There are no feelings of malice, or hatred". "I love everyone the same, as the Lord does".
I nodded, smiling at Ira. "That's a wonderful way to think". I said, gently with softness. "My baby girl, can I get you some more milk?". "Everything ok?". "Sweet baby toots?".
"Everything is ok". Ira said. "I'm doing well now". "Thank you for helping me". "I appreciate it". She sniffled again. Then another question. "Why was I so far behind in development?". "Why couldn't I walk, swallow, eat, or talk?". "What does that have to do with my foster family?". Ira asked. "Well, every baby, every child when they're young, needs stimulation, contact, love, and happiness, a loving parent when they're young". "Stimulation helps the brain wire a proper way, so the synapses can connect in an orderly fashion". "When a baby isn't stimulated, or given contact, the synapse connection can be disrupted". "That's why there is such a thing as peripheral, or institutional Autism, there's such thing as mental retardation, and improper brain growth, due to our babies being abused, or neglected, under-stimulated at birth". I explained, gently.
"Is that why children are given Adderall, and psychostimulants, when they have peripheral Autism?". Ira asked. "Psychostimulants help with nerve ending, and receptors, as well as synapse connection". I said, gently. "Psychostimulants can help with memory, processing, executive functioning, and abstract thinking, as well as reasoning, and logic". "It helps with communication, and energy levels". "Children with mental retardation have scored higher on Intelligence Quotient tests due to these medicines".
"Their handwriting improves, as well as speech, reading, imaginative thought, and concrete thinking skills". "But the point of it is; stimulation helps with brain formation, and growth". "Babies with processing skills, and reading skills have the nurturing of their mothers, and the milk they need from their mothers". "Most of all, they're given human contact, and love". "Stimulation, and engaged play from infancy to toddlerhood". I explained, kindly. "You weren't given that when you were growing up". "That's why my baby girl was taking her time in the beginning". "She was deprived of love".
"But you were given abuse, negative attention, fear, and constant hypervigilance". "Perhaps a nurturing environment would've helped much better". I said, kindly. "You would have benefitted from hugging, kissing, cuddling, playing, and given a normal life". "Instead…well…something else came from it". I tapped more ash from my cigarette. "You weren't given the outside world, you weren't given love, or attention, positivity, that's why you had a hard time in the beginning".
"You couldn't respond to my voice at the beginning, or listen to directions". "You had a hard time understanding". "Because you were so deprived". "And you were 13". I said, gently. I smoked my cigarette. "I know". Ira said. "I was…I was delayed….kind of". "But I guess…I guess things were kind of bad". Ira sniffled as she glanced around. "So, it was because my foster parents….didn;t love me properly?". Ira asked. "That's just it, honey". "They didn't love you, or stimulate you nearly enough". "You were trapped, your heart was trapped, and you needed to be let out". I said, gently with softness. I blew out some smoke. "But everything is ok, now". "You came to be a beautiful girl with a normal aspect, and a normal quotient, and you're safe now". "You won't get hurt anymore". "I'll protect ya, I'm always here for you, my darling baby". I said, gently. I smiled a kind smile. Ira nodded. "I hope". Ira said. "I'm trying to have a normal life". "I don't know what else to do now….but I have a job as a judge, I'm a Saint, I'm just…I just want to be intelligent, and be independent". "I don't want to be crippled by an intellectual disability".
"You won't be". I said, gently. "You're amazing the way you are, and you're beautiful the way you are, you don't need to be special for anyone, because, you're already my darlin". "I know you're smart, I know you're holy, I've known since you were a little girl walking to me, to give me a hug". "I knew we had a special bond from the beginning". "I know one day, you'll change the world, because you've given me everything, you've given this world everything".
"Don't be ashamed of your differences, my Ira". "don't think you're crippled by anything". "Your experiences have made you into the gifted, beautiful woman you are, today". "You are a beautiful soul because you have the differences, because you've experienced hardship". "You're not disabled, or disadvantaged". "You're someone who's in a good place, you're beautiful because you've suffered". "You are great, Ira". "You are someone who deserves so much, and I can be the man who gives it to you". "I can be that blessing for you". I said, gently. "Allow me, and things will be so much easier for the both of us". "Don't be ashamed, be glad we're here together".
Ira nodded as she glanced upwards. I smiled a cunning smile behind my cigarette. "Reunited cuz we under-stood". "Reunited, and it feels so good". "Give me lovin to give me a song". "Reunited, and movin along". I sang, in a gentle, soft hum. "I'll help you, my Ira". "let me be your financial manager". I said, gently.
"Alright then". Ira said, as I smiled another cunning smile. "Don't be sad, darling". "Be happy, be ok with it". I said, gently. "One day, we'll get our cabin in the woods". I smiled a gentle smile. Ira nodded, as she looked up at the reddish purple sky. A wolf howled in the distance. Or perhaps a wolf howled somewhere else. Either way, there was a howl. A mist, a mysterious summer wind blew over us, as I blew out more ashen smoke. "I remember that was our song after I met you again when you came back from Italy". "Reunited". I said, softly with gentleness, as I tapped more ash. Ira nodded, hearing the wolf's howl once again. "What is that around your neck?". Ira asked. I glanced down at my brooch with a quick, slimy reaction. Much like a millipede skittering under a refrigerator. Sneaky, weaselly, disgusting.
"Nothing, just something I found at the thrift store". "Nothing important". I said, quickly, with nervousness. "Ok…". Ira said, as she drank her milk in the darkness. We sat in silence for a bit of time, as a red dot, that to which looked like it had a tail, appeared in the night sky. "What's that weird-looking star up there?". Ira asked, as she noticed the object in the night sky. "It's nothing". "Perhaps just a plane, or something". I remarked, quickly again.
"It looks like it could be a planet, or something". Ira said. "It has a red tail….it could be something". Ira stared at the centesimal object for a bit of time. She glanced, seeing the red dot. "Whatever it is, Venus, or a star, it seems to have a tail at the end of it". "Maybe I should get my telescope". Ira said. "No, no, it's quite alright". I convinced, gently albeit, quickly. "Nothing bad will happen". "It's just an airplane". "Come on now, let's get you to bed, honey". "You have an early morning ahead of you". "Let's see what we can accomplish between now and then".
"Ok". Ira said. Ira took her milk inside, as I finished my cigarette. I came inside, as the wolf's howl was heard again. From the loading dock, a rat and a weasel came by, holding a crate of milk, or meat, as they came by, perhaps stealing from the store. The rat hissed at me. "Well, that seems to be of no importance". I said, as I came inside. Ira noticed the rat purring when he saw her, winking one of his beady red eyes. Ira nodded, as she came inside, closing the screen door. "Hey baby girl". The rat said, as he winked at Ira. Ira didn't seem to notice. While Ira drank her milk, I grabbed a soda from the refrigerator. Some bugs came out of it.
"Darlin'". I said, gently with kindness. "Ira, I was hopin to help you out with somethin' this evenin". I smiled a kind smile, taking a pill from a container. "What is it?". Ira asked. "This is just somethin' that'll help with your nightmares". "It helps you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake refreshed". "It's a medicine that'll help you find sleep even in the most difficult places". I said, kindly.
"That sounds nice". Ira said. "I guess I could try it". "Maybe it will work".
"It should, it has when I tried it multiple times". I said, gently. Ira took the capsule, as she drank more of her milk. While I stood, glancing out of the window, I felt an odd shaking feeling. Not my body or anything….more like….the house began to shake. Some of the dishes in the sink began levitating, as a loud clanging noise was heard. Then some knocks on the wall. "What's that all about, huh?". "Is there an animal in the wall?". "My landlord said I have bees, and snakes, but never an animal in there". I muttered. The knocks in the wall continued into a loud slamming noise. "Hmm….nothin I haven't heard before". "I might head out for a bit". "See if I can lock the gate comin in". I remarked.
"Goodnight, Ace". Ira said, as she stood with her milk. "Goodnight, baby girl". "My darlin". "Love you more than anythin' else". "I'll see you in the early mornin". "Love ya honey biscuit". I said, gently. "I love you, too". Ira said. I hugged Ira, gently, warmly, with the kindness I had. "See you tomorrow". "Goodnight, baby". "Night". I said, gently. I kissed Ira's cheek, gently, pinching her cheeks, playfully, wiping her cheeks, kissing them one last time before we both said goodnight.
As I disappeared outside, hopping over the gate, a nasty gust of wind swooped over the yard, blowing my hair back. It was an odd gust of wind because it was hardly ever windy outside. I kept on, heading to the office of my friend, as we continued. It was dark, with tints of red to the sky. Blood red. But Ira was dealing with something way more haunting. Way more….spirited.
Ira glanced around as she looked around her room, seeing a picture frame fly across the room, a dresser become forcefully knocked over, and a quick invisibility drag her from her bed, as it impaled her. "What is happening?!". She yelled, as she tried getting her grip on the bed, and on any solid object, before seeing the lights flicker on and off. "Seriously, can someone tell me what is going on!?". Ira yelled. Ira glanced upwards, as she headed outside, seeing no one. The store was deserted, (more like it was closed), and there wasn't a soul outside. Even the loading dock seemed empty. As if it had been abandoned. Ira stood outside, feeling the air become particularly hot. It had been unseasonably warm all year long. Above her, there was a ghastly head, with a face. The face had dark, soulless black eyes, with no pupils, and black lips against a ghost white face. It had come specifically to talk to Ira. The face was that of the Harvest Moon Spirit. He didn't seem very happy this evening. He seemed melancholy, and dismal, angry perhaps.
"H…hello?". Ira asked, as she looked up at the spirit. "I am the spirit of the Harvest Moon". The spirit said, with a loud, bellowing, booming voice. Ira began shaking, but somehow found bravery within her, to tolerate the spirit. "H…hello?". "I'm sorry….did I do something to disturb you, Mr…Harvest Moon Spirit?". Ira asked. "No, No, not at all, Ira Feldson". "You haven't done anything wrong". "I have been sent here with a warning about an event so cataclysmic, so incriminating, the task of stopping it can only be obtained through you, holy one". The spirit said. "Well…well…what is going to happen?". Ira asked. "A great Asteroid summoned by the powers of evil will collide with Earth, and destroy the beings of the planet in less than a month's time". "The powers of evil will awaken a disturbed spirit that has been resting for some time". "Only you, the spiritual realm's chosen one can bring this evil to a halt". "We will be relying on you, Ira". "we need you now more than ever". "We are counting on you". The spirit said, as his voice became melancholy, and saddened, rather than intimidating, and angry.
"Who does the evil belong to?". Ira asked. "They". The Harvest Moon spirit replied. "They do not care about you, Ira Feldson". "They want you to fail". "They want to leave you behind, and damage you, hurt you as badly as they have before". "I won't let that happen today". "You can't let that happen". "Only if you can reach past the deception, will you truly begin to see the knowledge of reality". "But we want you to succeed". "We need you to take this mission". "For the Earth, for heaven, for the Lord". The Harvest Moon spirit said. He did sound as if he was pleading in his voice. As if he needed to be saved. Ira looked at this spirit with sympathy. Though he was quite unsightly, he was crying out for help. Ira understood him, as she reached up her hand to console him. He only disappeared at the sight of her hand. Perhaps the Harvest Moon spirit was broken, or damaged. Before his shadow disappeared, he left Ira with a message.
"Please help us, Ira". "you are the only one". "Be strong, Ira". "happy protecting". The spirit said, before his shadow disappeared. Ira looked upwards, seeing nothing, as a wolf's head, with black soulless eyes appeared in front of her. White Wolf's head. The wolf grew yellow, bloodshot eyes, roaring at Ira. as she screamed