While I could continue to show the fallout of Danny's parents learning the truth and catching them up on everything they need to know, there is something else that needs to be addressed at the moment. Specifically, it is time to deal with the motivation.
We all know why Sanduleak is tangled up in all of this. But we really haven't explored Aunt Melinda's reasons for hating ghosts so much. Some of it is similar to Freakshow's, their parents giving more attention to ghosts than their own children. But there is another reason for her hatred towards ghosts and why she wants to get rid of them so strongly.
Of course, I never said it was a particularly good reason…
Today is the day where my entire life changes. I have met the man of my dreams. He's unbelievably handsome, smart, and nice. He's perfect.
It started like any first day in a new town. We set everything up, my siblings and I worked on our school work, and then we had some free time while Mother and Father focused on the new ideas for acts with the ghosts. And while they were busy ignoring us like usual, we did some exploring around town.
Cathy and Little Freddy were spending time with the daughter of the newest acrobatics. They seemed to really like Lydia, after all. So I ended up by myself at one point and that's when I found him.
Edward.
I was surprised when I first spoke to him, though I think he was more surprised. But the longer we spoke, the more it seemed like we belonged together. He's older than me and he's certainly different than what I originally pictured when I envisioned the idea of my true love, but there are no doubts in my mind. There is no one else in the world who understands me as easily as he does. And I doubt anyone else could be more perfect for him than me. It's like a dream come true. Or a fairy tale.
And even with our differences, we belong together forever.
-Excerpt from "Melinda Showenhower's Journal: Age 15"
Melinda wasn't exactly thrilled that Lydia decided to spend the night at a friend's house without asking first, but the girl was hanging around the living and that was something she wanted to encourage. She needed to forget about the ghosts she'd foolishly gotten attached to. So when she found Lydia's message on the answering machine, she tried to be positive about the situation and continue with preparations.
The shield generator from the Fentons was combined with the more powerful battery from Axion Labs. With the increased power, the thing should have an impressive range. And a large circle should work for what she needed, regardless of whether it was created by drawing it on the ground or with a ghost-proof force field. Perfect for summoning, binding, banishing, or exorcising any and all ghosts inside.
But she wouldn't be able to pull off her ambitious plan without some rest first. If she wanted to succeed, Melinda needed a good night's sleep. So the woman crawled into bed, the necklace around her throat and dreams of days gone by fluttering through her head.
Melinda watched her twelve-year old brother staring at what was clearly his first crush even though he was supposed to be working on his school work. It was actually pretty adorable, the two of them sitting at a different picnic table from the older girl and focused almost completely on each other. Yes, the girl in question had some rather unusual fashion choices. But Little Freddy and Lydia seemed to enjoy spending time with each other. Even Cathy got along with Lydia. Between the girl and her parents joining the circus, it was nice to have some new faces.
The Showenhower's Family Circus was a rather unique one and Melinda knew it. Sure, there were some clowns, acrobats, and other standard acts. Even Cathy and Melinda knew some juggling tricks and how to pull off a few flips just in case they needed to fill in for someone. But her parents also had another set of acts that astonished and astounded the audience, leaving them wondering how it was humanly possible. Of course, that was because the main acts in the circus weren't human.
Their family knew about ghosts for generations. Some were trapped in one place, mostly invisible to normal people, and were the spirits of the dead. Others were more mobile, almost always visible, and made of ectoplasm, making them better for use in the circus. Knowledge and artifacts were passed down over the years and used in a variety of ways. This generation thought the best option was to use them for entertainment. Tricks, illusions, and shows for the masses were all performed by the collection of ectoplasm ghosts. Their parents were always working on how to best make use of the ghosts in the show.
And that was why Melinda was watching Freddy as he and Lydia did their school work. Mother and Father were busy with their collection of ghosts, leaving the sisters to handle more and more of the homeschooling for each other. The parents were happy to teach about ghosts, the artifacts, and the history of their family. But if the topic wasn't related to ghosts somehow, they weren't that enthusiastic or patient. She'd heard Freddy complain that they liked ghosts more than their own children, but Melinda refused to believe such a thing.
"Hey, Melinda, I'm back," called Cathy as she walked over, claiming a spot at the second picnic table with her. "How are Freddy and Lydia doing on their homework?"
"Other than distracting each other, they're doing fine," she said. "And they're absolutely adorable."
The younger boy groaned in complaint and glared at the teenage girl. Melinda just smiled.
"Do you have to say things like that? I'm not five anymore," grumbled Freddy. "Do you just live to embarrass me?"
Cathy smirked and rubbed his head, saying proudly, "One of the perks of being an older sister. And Lydia doesn't mind, right?"
The younger girl shrugged casually as Freddy dropped his head to the table with an annoyed groan. Of course Lydia didn't mind. Someone with so many piercings and tattoos at such a young age didn't get embarrassed easily or care what others thought.
Laughing slightly, Cathy said, "That's why you're my new favorite. See if you can help Freddy with his math homework and keep him on track. I don't think Melinda and I can handle him on our own. Two girls just aren't enough."
Lydia raised an eyebrow, but eventually gave a nod. In response, Freddy grumbled and Cathy chuckled. Then Cathy turned towards her sister.
"Why don't you go out and enjoy the town again, Melinda? I'll watch them for a while."
"I don't need a babysitter," grumbled Freddy, raising his head from the table while everyone essentially ignored his complaint
Melinda didn't even hesitate. She'd explored the place when they first arrived and met someone that really captured her attention. And she was eager to see him again. The teenager abandoned the picnic tables and hurried towards town. The streets weren't the most crowded and were fairly easy to navigate, so she made great time.
She ended up following the sidewalk towards an older neighborhood with older houses. Some were even a century old. They were nice structures with elaborate architectural details that were rarely included in modern houses, like columns, uniquely-shaped windows, and the occasional curved wall. None of these were the cloned suburban homes that would fill certain neighborhoods and were impossible to tell apart. These buildings had history. Melinda and Cathy shared a fascination with such houses, compelling them to seek out the more interesting buildings whenever they arrived in a new town. It was the entire reason she'd encountered him in the first place.
He was sitting on the porch, just like the first time she saw him. Dressed in a rather nice, though out-of-date, suit that was streaked in ash and soot, he stared out as the world passed him by. He'd been so surprised to have someone see him after decades of invisibility. But with his light brown hair and eyes, his apparently twenty-ish body, and his charming smile, he was the most handsome man she'd ever seen. Dead or alive.
"Edward, I'm back," she said.
He smiled, taking her hand gently and bowing politely. Melinda struggled not to blush. No one treated her like that in her fifteen years of life. She rather liked the feeling.
"Miss Melinda, it is wonderful to see you again," he said. "It is so rare that I get to enjoy such pleasant company. With no one alive dwelling here and most of the living unable to see me anyway, it can be so lonely at times."
"That's too bad," she said. "I don't mind keep you company for a while."
Melinda sat down next to the ghost. They sat there, talking about the world outside the old house. She told him about the different towns she'd seen, the circus, her siblings, her parents and how she wished they'd spend more time with the family, and any other topic she could devise.
And Edward listened patiently. He was so nice, polite, and attentive, giving her his complete focus and being so understanding. Her parents certainly didn't pay her nearly as much attention as him. He was just so sweet and handsome. Even if he was long dead, he was the perfect man. And the longer she spoke to him, the more she liked him.
No, it was more than that. She was certain of it. Melinda loved Edward. The nice and handsome young man was completely perfect. Melinda knew they would be great together. Edward didn't even seem to mind her age, not saying she was just a child or acting as if she was too young to understand the world; she would reach his age eventually, after all. And the only thing standing in the way of their happiness was the fact he was stuck in his house and the circus would move on.
That was something she would not allow to separate them. She would not lose her precious Edward so soon. She would fix it. And because of all her time listening to her parents lovingly describe ghosts and the various artifacts their family collected over the generations, she was certain she could make it work.
"Edward, you know I mentioned how my parents collect objects of power?" she said finally.
"I recall," the ghost nodded.
"Well, it might be possible to find something that will let you leave this house. You could see the world. It would be fun."
"Truly? You believe you can do such a thing?" He lightly kissed her hand before adding, "You are indeed a treasure, Miss Melinda. Even if you do not achieve this goal, the offer is a kind one. Thank you."
Blushing while her heart raced at the sweet gesture, Melinda ducked her head and smiled. This was so perfect. She could see it now. She'd free him from the bounds of the haunted house and he'd fall in love in return. Then he would travel with the circus, allowing the two of them to see the world together. Melinda would spend the rest of her life with her perfect man, even if he was already dead. Nothing would interfere with her happiness.
It took a long time and plenty of searching, but she found it in one of her parents' trunks. Someday it would be Freddy's, but not yet. Melinda pulled out the dusty knife. She looked it over carefully, certain that Mother and Father would be busy with the ghosts of the circus for a few more hours. There was plenty of time to take it, use it, and bring it back before they noticed.
It was fairly ordinary-looking dual-edged knife, the type that looked vaguely like a tiny sword. Both sides of the blade were sharp, but were marked with different symbols. She couldn't actually read the language, but she knew they said "free" and "destroy" respectively. The knife was called something complicated that supposedly translated into "Twin-sided Blade of the Trapped Dead." The original version of the name was probably more poetic-sounding. But the important part was how it worked. While one edge could destroy a ghost, using the other sharp edge could sever bindings such as the one that kept Edward trapped in his house. It was exactly what she needed.
Slipping the knife into her purse, Melinda crept out. With years of experience navigating the chaos of the circus, she made it most of the way off the grounds before being spotted. Even then, she was almost to the street before being interrupted.
"Melinda, are you leaving?" asked Cathy, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Turning to face her sister, she said, "Just for a little while. I'll be back before our parents notice."
"All right, but where are you going?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Then a knowing expression crossed Cathy's face and she smiled. "You're going to see your boyfriend, right?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You've had the same love-struck expression as Freddy around Lydia since we arrived in this town. You definitely have a crush on someone."
"It's more than a crush. I love Edward. We're absolutely perfect together," Melinda declared defensively.
Cathy smirked, "Whatever you say. Just be careful. We'll be leaving soon, so don't let your heart get broken."
"I know. Don't worry. I plan to make sure that won't be a problem," she said before hurrying away.
She practically ran along the streets of the town towards her destination. She was so excited. Melinda knew he would be so happy to hear the wonderful news. She could free him from the haunted house and they could be together. It would be perfect.
Edward wasn't on the porch, but Melinda wasn't concerned. He couldn't go anywhere, so he had to be waiting inside. She practically skipped up the steps. She tried the door and gleefully discovered it was unlocked.
With a smile on her face, Melinda called, "Edward? It's me. I have great news."
Glancing around the dark and dusty interior, she searched the foyer for any sign of the ghost. She knew he'd be lurking somewhere. She started to contemplate the elaborate staircase just as someone walked through a doorway. But it wasn't her precious Edward.
Dressed in a lovely leaf green gown, she was a gorgeous brunette woman. Like Edward, she was streaked with ash and soot. The hem of her old-fashioned dress was even singed a little. But she wasn't burned. It was clear they both died from smoke inhalation rather than the fire itself.
"Who are you?" Melinda asked.
"You can see me?" asked the young woman.
"Oh, Miss Melinda," said Edward as he walked in. "You have returned." He turned towards the woman and said, "This is the girl I told you about."
The young woman nodded thoughtfully as Melinda's heart crumbled. The way he said "girl" made it sound more like "child." He saw her as just a little kid. And then there was the beautiful and well-figured woman…
"Miss Melinda, this is my fiancée, Isabella. We both died together when a fire broke out in her family's home during a party. Bella, this is Melinda. She's the one who said she would find a way to let us leave this house," he continued. "Did you succeed?"
"Yes," she said, struggling to speak past the lump in her throat.
Fiancée. Edward was engaged before his death. He didn't love her; he loved Bella. All her dreams for the future were shattering.
"I am sorry I missed you before," said Bella. "There was an appointment with our caseworker and those always take longer than expected."
Melinda nodded silently as her heart broke and she blinked back tears. Then the pain and sorrow transformed into fury. How dare he? How dare he lead her on like that? He was so patient, understanding, and nice. He was so perfect. And she loved him. But Edward had his Bella. He should have been Melinda's soul mate. It wasn't fair.
"But I am glad to properly meet you," continued Bella with a friendly smile. "And we appreciate how you are helping us."
He must have done this on purpose. He must have tricked her on purpose so she would free him and Bella from the house. Or maybe they just liked hurting her feelings for amusement. Either way, it was cruel and vicious. It didn't matter that Melinda came up with the idea first or that she made the offer. It was his fault. He and his precious Bella. They were to blame. They were the ones who deserved to suffer.
"We are indeed, Miss Melinda. Thank you," Edward said. "What must we do for your plan to free us from this house?"
Melinda pulled the knife out of her purse and showed it to the pair. They stared at the blade with the strange writing.
"Using one side of this knife, I can cut the bonds that keep you trapped here," she said quietly.
They were cruel, evil, uncaring monsters. They weren't even worthy of being considered people. They were just heartless things. They were ghosts. Her heartbreak and shattered dreams were their fault. She hated Edward for doing such a thing to her. And he would pay. It would pay. It would pay for what happened.
She twisted the blade in her grip, adjusting so it would be easier to use the opposite edge. Then she smiled, her expression nearly as sharp as the knife. Melinda stared at the two ghosts with no mercy in her eyes.
"Miss Melinda? Are you all right?" asked Edward, noticing that something was off about her.
"Perfectly fine, my precious," she said flatly.
Then she moved. Years of learning the tricks of the circus made Melinda faster than she looked. Before either of the ghosts could react, she slashed the throat of Bella. And because she used the side marked "destroy," the ghost crumbled into dust without any time to scream.
Edward stared in horror at where Bella once stood. It almost looked like it cared. But the heartless and selfish thing wasn't capable of such emotions. Not really. It wasn't human. It was simply a pale shadow of one.
"Bella?" it whispered. Then, turning towards Melinda, Edward asked, "What have you done?"
"I got rid of a problem," she said. "And I'm not finished."
Still looking shocked by her actions, Edward managed to dodge her fist strike. But Melinda was faster than the ghost expected and her next swing connected. She slashed its throat and Edward crumbled to dust, the brief expression of betrayal of no concern to her. Breathing hard, Melinda was left alone in the old and empty foyer.
Tears started rolling down her face. Tears of heartache. Tears of broken dreams. Tears of frustration. Tears of fury and hate.
Stupid, vile, cruel, evil, manipulative ghosts. How dare they toy with her emotions? Why did she trust Edward? She let the ghost trick her into loving it. How could she have even considered treating Edward like a person? It was so clear now. Ghosts were just heartless things that didn't deserve to exist.
Destroying Bella and Edward wasn't enough. All of them. All of them would have to pay. All of them should be gone from the world. They didn't belong. And they caused nothing except pain and suffering. They hurt her, breaking her heart for their own purposes and amusement. She hated all of them.
Melinda rubbed away the tears and tossed the knife back in her purse. She wouldn't forget this. She would never forget. With only a quick look back, the teenage girl marched out the door.
"You can't leave," said Melinda, holding her sister's shoulders to keep her from continuing her escape. "You can't."
"I have to," Cathy said gently, keeping her voice down to avoid awakening someone else. "I can't stay here any longer."
She shook her head regretfully while Melinda tried to understand. Technically Cathy was an adult, but she never imagined her leaving. She was family.
"Why? Why are you running away like this?" Melinda laughed sadly, "Most people try to run to a circus, not from."
Cathy said quietly, "I have to get out of here before it's too late. I love you, Freddy, and our parents, but it isn't enough. This family is only destroying itself. Look at us."
She gestured around her and their immediate surroundings. She looked so regretful.
"Mother and Father love ghosts more than anything. They barely talk to us, but they spend hours with the ghosts and the dusty records of our ancestors," Cathy described. "They might mean well, but they haven't been good parents for a long time. And Freddy has been acting out, trying to get their attention. He's been messing with the artifacts and I think he might be stealing. He's going to end up in trouble one of these days and there's nothing that's going to change that except feeling superior to ghosts. And with our parents, he'll never feel that way."
She reached out and touched Melinda's shoulder sadly. Even in the darkness, her face was easy to read. She wasn't happy, but she was determined.
"And the last few years have changed you. You avoid ghosts and practically snarl at them when you have get near them. And you might hide it from Mother and Father, but everyone else around here knows how you feel. You've become hateful and spiteful, Melinda. You blame them for anything and everything, even if it doesn't make sense. You keep talking about how you won't be happy as long as ghosts remain in this world."
"Of course not," she snapped. "They don't belong around humans. Those things bring nothing except torment and misery. Treating them like people is foolish."
"This isn't healthy, Melinda," said Cathy firmly.
"I'm fine."
"No, our family is obsessed. In one way or another, our entire family is obsessed with ghosts and it isn't healthy. This entire circus isn't good for us. The closest person to normal around here is Lydia and while I love her like a little sister, I think she's helping Freddy with his thefts. She loves him, but she's also enabling him. I'm afraid that if I don't get out of here while I still can, I'll end up like the rest of the family."
"We're not that bad, Cathy. And where will you go?"
Taking a step back so Melinda could no long hold onto her, Cathy said, "I met someone last time the circus was in this town. His name is Charles Deetz. We've been exchanging letters when we could and he even drove to a few other towns to catch the show and see me. He is perfectly normal and doesn't have anything to do with ghosts." She smiled slightly. "And he doesn't mind me approaching things in a less traditional method."
"What do you mean?" she asked quietly.
Cathy rubbed her arms while smiling thoughtfully. She look so happy that Melinda couldn't help feeling mildly jealous. But only mildly. Even if she was sneaking out in the middle of the night, she wanted Cathy to be happy. She loved her sister.
"I asked Charles to marry me," said Cathy. "And he said he would. That's where I'm going. I'm going with him, Melinda. I'm going to build a life without the shadow of the Showenhower family name defining it."
Melinda was hit with conflicting emotions. She loved her sister and hated to lose her. But Cathy would be away from the harm ghosts could cause. Those things wouldn't ruin her life, wouldn't manipulate or trick her, and wouldn't hurt her physically, mentally, or emotionally. She'd be safe and happy.
"If this is what you want, I won't try to stop you," Melinda said finally.
Cathy smiled and said, "Thanks. I hope someday you let go of your hatred and find happiness. Bye, Sis."
With that last farewell, her sister slipped out into the night. Melinda stared long after Cathy vanished from sight. Her sister was gone, fleeing the ghosts that practically plagued their family. It was their fault. The ghosts were the reason Cathy left. Ghosts ruined everything, directly or indirectly. Those things were to blame. Melinda hated all of them.
Someday, Melinda would make all of them pay. She would make them pay for being heartless creatures and for ruining everything. They didn't deserve to exist. And she would find a way to make sure they suffered.
Yes, Melinda's hatred of ghosts and her unwavering belief that they are all horrible entities that should be exorcised are due to a teenage girl being essentially rejected by her first crush. Like I said, it doesn't necessarily have to be a good reason, but it certainly shows she has issues. One ghost inadvertently broke her heart, so all ghosts must pay the price because apparently all of them are "cruel and evil beings who exist to hurt the living."
Yeah, the Showenhower family had issues. Lots of issues.
And before you ask, the names of the couple were a reference to "Twilight." I'm not a fan of the books or movies, but I did read/watch them at the urging of my friends (they've since outgrown the series and no longer like them either). But I just used the names, not the characterizations, appearances, or personalities.
This should be the last flashback/dream sequence for a while. Just in case you were growing sick of them...
Once again, go and buy my book. There's a link on my profile, but it is currently not working for some reason. So just go to Amazon and look up "Dead Man Walking" by A.R. Jones. You can't miss it. You can buy it for the Kindle or download the Kindle app thing for your smartphone. You can probably even download it on your iPad or other computer things. Just go out and support my original piece of fiction, please.
Remember, reviews are nice and I always appreciate them. I love hearing feedback on this and all stories I write. Thanks.