Chapter 7: Corpse Whisperer

"This bed rest thing is gonna get old really fast.."

"Least they gave you something to do…"

Lucas raised an eyebrow, raising up the book one of the nurse's had given him. "This isn't something to do, this is an insult to my masculinity…Vampires should be blood sucking killers, not glittery dolls."

It had been a few days since the first instance of nightmares. It wasn't the last but Lucas was getting better at keeping his emotions under control. Now he was just bored to death as it were. Hector shook his head. "Well what do you expect? Those nurses all read that junk."

"Well I ain't a nurse now am I?" He replied looking out the window with a sigh, his room was directly looking out to the courtyard, and he was tempted to test the lock on the window to see if he could make an easy break for it…. But something didn't seem right.

"... Wait… What's going on out there…?"

"I'll go see."

Hector made his way over to the window, phasing through it looking down at the courtyard. Took him a moment before it became clear what he saw lying in the middle of the courtyard. A body of a young woman with a pool of blood around her head. If Hector could turn pale he would.

"Oh... Oh gosh."

"What?"

"I'm not sure you would want know..."

Lucas got out of bed walking over to the window, eyes widening when he saw the body.

"The heck...?"

"Exactly what I thought..."

Lucas looked at the scene carefully focusing. Not only could he see the body, he could see a spirit curled up beside it balling.

"We gotta get down there."

"Door is locked Lucas."

Lucas smirked.

"I know."

Lucas quickly began fumbling with the lock on the window.

"Hey hey what are you doing?!"

"Making a way out."

"Are you-"

"Crazy? Yeah, but let's remember the room we're in isn't too far from the ground, you can grab me right?"

"Yeah but not for long, let alone only when no one is looking!"

"We got a tree to cover us, just get me to the ground once I crack this lock, okay? We got a spirit who needs us."

Hector sighed.

"Alright..."

Lucas growled a little when the lock proved harder to unlock then he thought. "... Heh… This is easy.."

"Lucas what are you-"

There was a bat Alex had left in there, no one dared ask him why he had it but it proved useful this time as the lock broke. "Home run." He grinned.

"Well... That happened. Alright, hang on."

Hector picked Lucas up by his arms floating him down to the courtyard keeping behind the tree.

"Anyone sees you you're dead."

"Ya think I don't know that? My head'll be on a spit by the time they're done with me." He looked around to be sure no one saw him before making his way to where the body was. He took a deep breath swallowing hard.

This was a little scary... but also quite sad.

"Hey…" He said softly kneeling to where the spirit was. "What happened?"

"I… I…" The spirit broke into a sob. "I didn't mean to…"

"Hey... no one's judging you… I just wanna know what happened… I wanna help you…"

The spirit calmed down a little. "I…" She held her hand up to her head pointing her index finger to her temple and mimed pulling a trigger.

Lucas' eyes widened. "You… killed yourself...?"

She nodded but said nothing else.

"Why?"

She shook her head and pointed behind him. He followed her hand and gulped seeing movement around one of the other windows. "

Craaap and a half... Uh... Stay here! Don't go anywhere!"

She gave him a look as if to say: "Kind of obvious I won't."

Lucas quickly made his way back behind the tree.

"Great first chance I get to help someone and someone might've seen me."

"I warned you." Hector muttered.

Lucas sighed looking out from behind the tree. Hector did the same, curious about what was going on.

Out of the building came a woman. Lucas' eyes widened when he realized that he recognized her.

That woman who was asking all those questions revolving around Hector. What was her name? Naomi Kimishima... that's right.

Behind her was a man with pale blond hair in a suit that was all colors of blue. Even the tie was blue.

"Dr. Kimishima, why did you need me to come along?"

"Because this probably won't be a long case Little Guy... Least I hope, and better to have you on sight than having you back at CIFM."

... PFFFT! Little Guy?! Man talk about demeaning nicknames! Lucas thought snickering a little.

"Right..."

Naomi made her way over to the corpse, kneeling beside it putting on gloves. She examined the body and the weapon that was beside it. The gun didn't appear to be anything special, a model anyone could purchase at an arms store. Still, it would be better to have it analyzed or dusted for prints just in case.

"Little Guy! Take the weapon and get it dusted for prints, the victims, anyone else's… And have the team start looking for a suicide note."

"Right away, Doctor."

There's a burn mark at the entry wound...I t's looking more and more like she killed herself... But what would drive someone so young to death..?

That answer or a piece of it would come, as her phone started to go off energy coming off of it. Picking it up she closed her eyes.

"I'm going to die... Either today... or three months from now... I'm… I'm taking back control."

BANG!

"She... was going to die?" The truth never dies... If she was ill, traces of the disease would be in her blood... And her ID would help..

"We need an ID, and a blood analysis done...There's more than just someone pulling a trigger here.."

From his place behind the tree Lucas watched amazed.

"Whoa... did you see that stuff coming off her phone?" He whispered.

"Yeah... she's got the ears at least.."

"Then why isn't she asking the spirit herself?"

"Well... she doesn't have your eyes I don't think…"

"Huh... so she only hears... Well that explains why she never saw you…" He shrugged.

Lucas continued watching as the case was continued.

"The victim is Sadie Powell, age 22, was previously admitted to Resurgam First Care for treatment... Diagnosed with End Stage Pulmonary Fibrosis… It would appear she killed herself as a last attempt to take back control... of what little life she had." Naomi said after it had gone on for awhile.

Sadie's spirit smiled as she stood from where she was. "And now... I'm finally free…"

No one else but three heard what was said. Two of the living... And one of the deceased themselves.

Her spirit faded away presumably going on to the next world.

"She's going into the light?"

"I dunno... never saw it so can't testify for her... But I think she's gonna be okay…"

Lucas sighed with relief seeing the spirit go. Everyone started clearing the area. Two people came in taking the corpse away and then it was just Naomi by herself in the courtyard. It was silent until she looked towards the tree Lucas and Hector were hiding behind and spoke out.

"I know you're there."

Lucas froze feeling embarrassed he actually got caught.

"Busted…" Hector whispered.

Naomi made her way over to the tree locking eyes with Lucas.

"I remember you… Last I heard from Gabe, you're supposed to be confided in your room."

Lucas gave a sheepish look.

"Ehehe... Well uh... I really needed some fresh air?" He tried, knowing it was a lame attempt and she knew it too.

"Really now?" She asked.

He gulped. "... I saw that woman's body... I thought... maybe there was a chance... she was still alive." That's a lie and you know it. But… I promised I wouldn't tell…

"And that's why you hid behind the tree... you didn't want anyone to get mad at you."

"Yeah… Are you mad?" He gulped.

She shook her head. "Not mad... just surprised how one boy can manage to sneak past several staff members."

He grinned. "I have my ways... the tree helped."

"... Did it?"

"... Maybe?"

Naomi chuckled patting Lucas' head.

"You're smart… little reckless… but brave too… least from what I can tell."

"Thanks... I try." He smiled. "You're really cool! You solved that case just like that!"

Naomi gave a smile.

"Just doing my job… Now, how about I get you back to your room? I promise I won't tell anyone."

He nodded. "Sure, that sounds good...Thanks Ms. Kimishima."

"Anytime, Lucas... Let's head in."

She's pretty cool... for being one of the adults... and she's not gonna rat me out to Dr. Cunningham... Awesome.

Leading the boy inside Naomi looked around. "Coast is clear.."

"Phew...Thanks for this.."

"Anytime…" They rounded a corner and both blinked seeing something they didn't expect to see.

Little Guy… Being followed by Vincent. "Who…?"

"My friend."

"Hey, Tie-Guy! What's it like being a cop? Can I see your badge? Please?" Vincent asked.

Vincent had seen Little Guy when he was bringing back the lab results and had fallen in step behind the agent… and hadn't really given up on following him mostly because he was curious.

"Uh, it's… interesting and sorry… I left it at home." Little Guy said, stumbling over his words a little.

I'm terrible with kids... I'll admit, he's cute though.

"Little Guy... what are you doing?" Naomi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Same question to you, Vin." Lucas added.

"I'm hanging out with the awesome Tie-Guy!"

... PFFFT! Tie-Guy...That is even worse than Little Guy... I'm so proud of you Vincent..

"And I was just heading to find you... he followed me." Little Guy said, giving a sheepish look.

"... I will ask nothing else… but you can't take him with." Naomi smirked, passing them, Lucas trying not to snicker as he followed.

"I know that!"

"But I wanna hang out more with you!" Vincent said with a small pout.

"Uh... If you're good… I'll let you have my tie?"

He gasped. "Really!?"

"... Really."

Lucas rolled his eyes hearing this.

"That's Vinnie for you… looks up to anyone who seems awesome."

"Is that so?"

"Yep, he calls me Lucas-sensei… and he also spent almost the entire day yesterday apparently following Dr. Muller around."

"Huh… well glad to know someone likes him besides the nurses and the team…"

Naomi looked to Little Guy.

"I'll leave you two alone, I need to get this kid back to his room. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Understood, Dr. Kimishima."

Naomi nodded leading Lucas down the hallway.

"Which room?"

"Room 314."

"Alright, we'll be there shortly."

Lucas didn't want to take chances and kept close behind Naomi.

Any nurse sees me they'll go tell Dr. Cunningham for sure. Anything to get me in trouble since… revenge… a never ending circle.

After a few moments they were back safely in Lucas' room.

"WE LIVE!" Hector cheered flying around the room. "Erm… Least one of us lives I mean."

Lucas chuckled flopping out on his bed.

"Thanks for the help, Ms. Kimishima."

Naomi nodded.

"One last thing Lucas." she said closing the a little door so no one else could hear.

Lucas blinked. "What?" He asked sitting up. "Something wrong?"

"No not at all…"

Naomi looked him right in the eyes.

"You can see the dead can't you?"

Lucas gulped. ...There's no use lying… But… "... Can't you?"

"I only hear… I'm guessing you have both visual and auditory."

"Yeah…" Sorry Hector… "I've been able to since I woke up here.."

Naomi walked over to him giving a soft look.

"There are not many who can… some receive the gift, others it's because the natural ability was awakened, from what Gabe told me you did hit your head in that accident correct?"

Lucas nodded looking to the side. "Yeah...They said I have a concussion that's still healing… and my head really hurt when I woke up.."

"Understandable… Lucas, you would be what some would call a Corpse Whisperer. To some, it is the nickname they gave me… but they don't respect the fact it was an actual term that was set long before I was born."

"Really? So… seeing the dead and hearing them… that's normal..?"

"Yes… Others would say no, but in reality it's not unheard of… a friend of mine could confirm that for you."

Lucas tilted his head to the side. "Who..? Little Guy…? Is he one too?"

"No, not many know what I can do. Gabe is one of the few who is aware, and as for the person who could confirm it's normal… he gave me my phone."

"Cool...That's really amazing… I saw that purple stuff float off of it… is that spirit energy?" He asked curious. There was a lot he didn't know and he had questions that had been rattling in his head for awhile.

Naomi nodded.

"You must have a lot you want to know don't you?"

"Yeah... I really want to know as much as I can… it's been weird… but really cool… though there's a lot of stuff I know I don't know yet.." And I got a big brother out of the deal..

"Tell you what, I have to get back to work but how about I come back and teach you what I know?"

Lucas smiled brightly at that idea. "I'd love that."

"You just have to promise to behave for my friend Gabe, alright?"

"I will! I promise!"

Naomi smiled patting his head.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Naomi made her way out leaving Lucas alone with Hector.

"Looks like you've made a new friend eh?" Hector said grinning.

Lucas smiled. "Yeah I guess I did… and she's really nice."

"I'll agree on that, plus a fellow Corpse Whisperer, as she called it, will really help."

Lucas nodded. "Yep… I can learn the ropes from her… get a better idea of how these abilities work... Hey, maybe one day I'll even solve a murder myself!"

Hector chuckled, ruffling his hair.

"Be an awesome investigator."

He chuckled. "Hee… I'll do my best Big Bro. And you'll be by my side and help right?" He asked hopefully.

"Yeah! I'll be your ghost companion."

"Awesome! Lucas and Hector, supernatural investigators... I like the sound of that."

Hector laughed.

"Sounds good to me!"

The redhead grinned. "Epic… Brothers forever." Even though I don't remember anything… or rather I don't think I want to remember...I still got a life… and a home… right here.

"Alright, that's it come here!"

Hector flew over to Lucas hugging him close.

"Bro hug!"

Lucas laughed hugging him. "Bro hug for the win!" He grinned reaching up trying to mess up Hector's hair. "Gotcha!"

"WAH! HEY!"

"Haha! You had it comin' bro!" He laughed.

Hector grinned.

"True."

Lucas smiled hugging him. "... Love you Big Bro… thanks for watching out for me.."

"Anytime Little Bro."

Hector hugged him closer.

"Anytime…"