It took a moment for him to register where his mind had taken him. He looked around, trying to ease the nagging feeling in his mind that told him he knew where he was. Finally, something clicked in his mind. "This is the way home from my old school," Kaeden nodded, fairly satisfied that he still remembered.
His was momentarily distracted by someone walking right through his ghostly form, and he turned around to glare at the passerby. "Watch it," he muttered, knowing that the person could neither hear nor see him.
Looking farther down the street, Kaeden noticed older versions of himself and his sister walking down the street. Tamara looked anxious, like she knew something bad was about to happen. He jogged down over to where younger-Kaeden was to see what this flashback would be about.
"...and I asked to borrow his crayon, and he blew up on me! For no reason!"
"Mm, that's great." she mumbled absently, still looking paranoid.
"Well, well. What 'ave we 'ere?" A boy about Tamara's age stepped out in front of them, his eyes glittering mischievously.
Tamara stiffened. "Nothing." she tried to walk around him, but he barred her path.
"Who's this, then?" The boy beckoned to younger-Kaeden.
"I'm Kaeden," he chirped before Tamara could stop him.
"Kaeden! This is your li'le brother? I've heard so much about you."
"Let's go, Kaeden." she grasped her brother's hand and tried to pull him along, but he wouldn't budge.
"Are you one of Tamy's friends?"
The boy shot a smug glance at her. "You could say that."
"Eric, stop it. We have to go." Tamara was thinking furiously, trying to find a way to get her and her brother home.
Eric took on an innocent look. "But I was just about 'o tell 'im some news 'bout your dad."
"Is he back from his trip yet?" Kaeden bounced excitedly. "Did he bring back lots of souvenirs?"
Eric shook his head sombrely. "'Fraid not. They've all been lying to you, see. Your dad's not really on a trip. He never was."
Tamara was growing frantic. "Stop it! He doesn't need to know!" she grabbed Kaeden's hand, pulling desperately.
Kaeden was frowning now. "What do you mean? Mom said..."
"Didn't you listen? I just told you, they've all been lying to you. Your dad's actually been dead for more than three years." he stated rather matter-of-factly.
"Dead?" Kaeden echoed, beginning to think that Eric wasn't all that great.
Finally, Tamara succeeded in pulling Kaeden away from being anchored to the spot, and she ushered him down the street as fast as his little legs would allow.
Eric looked on, looking rather proud of his achievement. Ghost-Kaeden narrowed his eyes in disgust at the boy, itching to beat him silly. "You were always there to make her life as miserable as possible," he growled, lingering there by Eric before running to catch up with Tamara and his younger self. I should have done something to protect her...
"Mom," younger-Kaeden watched as his mother piled the dishes into the sink, seemingly very distracted. "Is Dad... dead?"
His mother tensed, before turning around to face her son with eyes full of regret and sadness. "Kaeby," she sighed, "we have to talk."