14th August 2240
After our latest marriage crisis was diverted, or swept under the carpet and deliberately forgotten about; we tried to make the best of what was left of our holiday.
For some reason I still felt as weak as I did after the Voodoo attack. Whenever I stood up from sitting or lying down, the head-spins almost made me fall down again. However, I tried to carry on as normal because I wanted my husband to have a good time.
On our last evening in New Orleans, we did go back to the Creole restaurant in the French Quarter.
The atmosphere was festive, with a brass band playing ‘Bayou Blues’ and the restaurant had a dance floor. This time I didn't ask Declan to dance, as I didn't have the energy for it. We were content to sit at our table and watch everyone else instead.
Besides, we ordered quite the feast for dinner. For our entree, we shared the Oysters Rockefeller which were baked with green herbs, butter sauce and breadcrumbs. For the soup, we each had a bowl of Shrimp Gumbo. Declan ate the Jambalaya for his main, a rice dish that had shrimp, ham, tomato and Andouille sausage in it. I ordered the Lobster Creole and in exchange for him using his strength to easily crack open the shell for me, I shared some of the succulent flesh. Lastly for dessert, he had Pecan Pie and I ate the Bread Pudding with Vanilla Whisky Sauce.
However, when it came time to leave the restaurant, Declan had to put out his arm to steady me. I think I stood up from my chair too fast, as I rose from our table and almost fell into the one beside! The couple who were having a romantic dinner of their own, passed a peculiar look my way.
“B, you look like you’re drunk.” He said disconcerted.
"Sorry," I blushed.
"And you didn't finish your main or your dessert." He frowned. "What's wrong, you don't like Creole food?"
“No, it was delicious," I promised. “I’m just not that hungry.”
I wasn’t lying either. For the rest of the holiday, I struggled to even consume half of what was put in front of me. There was nothing wrong with the food, but nausea would overtake my stomach after the first few mouthfuls.
Another unusual thing was I felt so cold I'd need to wear a sweater on a 30 degrees Celsius day. Declan would be sweating in a singlet top and gave a funny look when I pulled on the extra layer. In air conditioning I'd absolutely freeze. When we were in the rental car, I'd point all the air vents in his direction and hunker down into my seat with a sweater over me.
I didn’t sleep well either as I constantly had nightmares, or that's what I hoped they were. When my eyes would begin to close, I thought I saw three dark shadows standing at the end of the bed! They looked like three people, with the third slightly shorter, as if it were a woman standing between two men.
Whenever I looked at them directly, the shadows faded from my sight. However, I swear the room dropped temperature by one or two degrees, indicating they were somewhere near. Nervously, I looked about our hotel room, trying to spot them.
The first time it happened on our last night in New Orleans, I surprised my husband by suddenly sitting upright in bed.
"Hmm...?" He stirred. "What is it?"
But by the time he'd woken, the shadows had disappeared. I knew he wouldn't see them. So like lying about my physical health, I fibbed about my sound of mind too.
"Nothing," I said vacantly. "It's nothing."
"Are you cold again?" He wondered. "I think the air conditioning must be playing up, as it's dropped a few degrees."
Then his large arm wrapped about my waist and he pulled me back down, so I was lying against his side.
"Go back to sleep, baby." He mumbled out sleepily. "We have an early start in the morning."
He was right, we checked out of our hotel at 8 AM to drive out of town.
We had morning tea in Biloxi Mississippi, lunch in Prichard Alabama then a late dinner in Tallahassee Florida, where we overnighted.
I tossed and turned so much that Declan gave up trying to spoon me, instead he slept with his arm outstretched so I could rest my cheek on it. A couple of times I snuggled into his side and used his body heat as an additional blanket. However, it didn't last long from what disturbed my slumber.
The temperature in the room began to drop, which gave me goose bumps. I half opened my eyes to take a peek then they bulged, as abruptly I sat upright. My eyes turned turquoise and my lips parted in a snarl, as my teeth and nails extended.
I saw them with my supernatural sight which made the dark as clear as day.
The three shadows stood at the end of the bed. Although they were formless, I couldn't see through them. They had mass, even if they didn't have a heartbeat or a living body.
"B, what are you growling at?" My husband stirred. "Did you have a bad dream?"
But by the time he sat up whilst rubbing sleep from his eyes, they were gone.
I sniffed the room to pick up a lingering scent but they left no evidence behind.
"C'mon," he pulled me into his arms. "It's just the air conditioning playing up again. I'll warm you."
He tried to move into our customary position where he slept over me, but I wouldn't let him. Tonight my guard was up, the shadows could come back. Although my teeth and nails had retracted, my eyes were still glowing.
"Go back to bed, babe." He yawned out. "We're driving to Orlando tomorrow, which you've been looking forward to. Soon you'll be seeing Disneyworld and Epcot."
I thought I'd check, "Declan do you smell something?"
"Nup," he closed his eyes as he spooned me from behind. "It's just the typical damp air an air conditioner pumps out."
Easily, he slipped back into sleep whereas I stayed up half the night, afraid to close my eyes.
The following morning we zoomed down the freeway towards our next stop. We were planning to stay in Orlando for two nights, before driving onwards to Miami for another two. Then we'd fly up to Washington DC and hop in another rental, to visit the top half of the country for three weeks. We'd toured the bottom half for the other three, starting in San Francisco then LA, next to Las Vegas and then the Grand Canyon and so on.
I felt exhausted with sleeplessness on top of the dizzy spells. I think Declan could tell, as he tried to make me eat all of my breakfast. I think he was following his motto that food could cure all ills.
In the car, I fidgeted with the internet radio as I tried to find a classic rock station. However, I accidentally hit the news channel and we heard part of a report. When he tried to change it, I held his hand back so I could hear what was happening.
“The New Orleans Police Department states that forensics have finally advised what kind of animal they are looking for. In spite of eye witness reports, the DNA extracted from the saliva on two of the victims did not come from a bear, but a type of wolf. Police have advised that Federal National Parks and Wildlife Services employees have joined officers to track down the unusual suspect. Working from security camera footage and genetic evidence, authorities have created a profile of the animal. The police and rangers are using the representation as well as forensic scanners, to search Louisiana and its neighbouring states Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi.”
Declan's hand pushed past my own and he switched off the sound system.
“Relax B, they’re not gonna find jack.” He said annoyed. “I can’t imagine the police searching for a Werewolf, can you?”
I turned quiet as concerned, I looked out my window.
He continued, “Humans can't comprehend us. In the Middle Ages we were called demons then science came up with the word lycanthropy, a mental illness that afflicted humans had who said they could change into wolves. Mankind has never got us right and I doubt that they’ll start now.”
"At least you look completely different in your other body." I sighed. "As long as you remain in your human form, you'll never be identified."
"That and I scan as mostly human in human form," he added on.
"If they had scanned me back in New Orleans, who knows what would have happened." I gazed out the windscreen.
Declan took hold of my hand and held it firmly in his, as his other was on the wheel.
“I know.” He said seriously. “Why do you think you’re not allowed to fight alongside the males in the pack? Not just because we're stronger than you, but you'd be recognized most of all, being the only female. We're not just protecting your safety, but your anonymity.”
I joked, "And all this time, I thought it was your bloodlust refusing to share your kill. That, or your giant ego thinking you can take on the world."
"No, it was the male brain which operates on logic instead of the female brain which operates on emotions." He replied coolly.
Then he winked, showing he was joking too which made me snicker.
"You'd better hope that I operate on emotions, I mean how else do I put up with you?" I moved his hand to my mouth to playfully bite it.
"And here I thought it was because as a male, I was just using you for sex." He smirked, before moving my hand to his mouth to kiss.
A soft smile played on my lips as I looked his way. But when I turned my head towards the windscreen again, I screamed! The three dark shadows were right in front of us, on the other side of the glass.
Declan slammed on the breaks! Our rental came to a screeching halt whilst the cars behind had to swerve or hit us. They beeped in protest as they passed, with one giving us the finger.
“B, what is it?!” He cried out in alarm as he frantically looked this way and that. "Did I hit something?"
I sat as still as a rock, petrified with fear, staring out the windscreen. He looked from me to the road ahead then back to me. He clearly couldn't see the three dark shadows which were standing on the bonnet of the car.
“What is it?” He grabbed hold of my arm. “What’s wrong?”
I pointed out the windscreen at them as they began to turn see-through. They were fading away again, disappearing back into the nothingness they came from. He looked out the windscreen, but still he couldn’t see anything. Soon we were staring at the sunlight glinting off the silver coloured bonnet.
More cars sped past, beeping at the weirdoes who'd stopped in the middle lane. My husband put his foot down on the accelerator again and he pulled off the road, so we weren't in anyone’s way. Still I didn’t move, as I sat staring out the windscreen.
“B, your aura has almost vanished, now what is it?" He cupped my face to make me look at him. “Are you sick or scared?”
My eyes watered as it all came pouring out like a confession, “I think I'm both. I see them Declan, or I think it’s them. Three dark shadows are following us since the death of the Voodoo Practitioners. Two of the shadows are as tall as men with the third as short as a woman.”
My husband pulled back to look on his wife in a combination of shock and disbelief.
Then he asked in a low voice, “You see dead people?”
I cried out helplessly, “I know how this sounds! That's why I haven't said anything until now. I've seen dead people before, but usually they're after images when their energy leaves the timeline. I saw Derik as an 18 year old again when he passed away from old age."
This made his eyes widen as he glanced away, as the memory still affected him.
"That's how I sensed he'd died right after Rachel." I continued. "Then on our last night in New Orleans, I saw the three shadows standing at the end of our bed. Then again in Tallahassee and now they appeared on top of the bonnet of the car. And I know I'm not imagining it, because I've even seen them with my Werewolf sight."
"So that's why you were growling at something in the room last night?" He checked.
"Yes!"
He turned thoughtful as he looked from me then back out of the windscreen. “Are they here right now?”
“No, they’ve gone again.”
“Where were they?”
“They were standing on the bonnet of the car and looking at us through the windscreen.” I pointed.
“And it’s definitely the Voodoo psychos?”
“I can't see them clearly, they just look like shadows.” I faltered. "But their height -"
"- is the same as the two men and one woman that I killed." He finished for me.
"Yes."
Suddenly he surprised me by pounding the steering wheel with his fist! “Damn it, B! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I didn’t know if you'd believed me," I answered.
“Of course I believe you!” He said indignantly. “You’re a Circulator, you can see the past and the future! Your warning feelings are always right! Four days ago, you saved my life by putting me into phase and getting five snakes out of my stomach! B, I'd frickin' believe you if you said that the earth wasn’t round!”
Although I felt elated by his confidence in my ability, Declan was still angry.
He growled under his breath as he pulled his mobile phone out of his pocket. Then he opened his door, got out of the car and made a call. I got out of the car too, but then I had to hold onto the door as my head spun from standing up. He noticed this too, which made him roll his eyes and turn away.
“Chiron," he greeted. “You felt B's fear just then? Yeah, she's scared because she's being haunted by the Voodoo psychos. She's weak, she can't stand up without getting dizzy and she's not eating properly. To top it off, she can't sleep because dead people are standing at the end of our bed!"
Pause… then I watched his eyes widen as he looked further worried.
He echoed, “Gertrude can still see darkness surrounding her? A Voodoo spell? Yeah, but I stopped them before they could finish it! Right. OK then. We’re coming home today, we’ll call you back when we know flight details.”
Declan hung up and headed back to the driver's side of the car.
“C’mon," he said gruffly. “We’ll drop off the vehicle at the rental company at Orlando Airport then we’re outta here.”
I felt bad that another holiday was being ruined and maybe it was my fault. I hesitated as I tried to think of a solution. Maybe I could do something as a Circulator? Could I use my light to repel them? What if I tried to fight them in phase?
“B, can you please get in the car?” He hurried me along.
I surprised him when I said back, “No.”
“No?”
“No Declan, we're not cutting short another holiday because of this.” I said stubbornly.
“B, don’t be stupid.” He rolled his eyes. “Just get in the car, we’re going home!”
“No.”
He said tiredly, "Please get in the car and we’ll fight about this on our way home.”
“Declan,” I walked around the car to stand before him. “I want us to have a nice, normal vacation of what’s left of it. We can't let them ruin our 150th Wedding Anniversary. You planned this trip for months.”
This made him smile as he placed his hand on my arm to give an affectionate squeeze. Then his smile faded and a glare took its place. He lectured as he walked me back to the passenger's side:
“Honey, if a Tribal Elder back in Alaska, is seeing darkness close in on you when we’re all the way in Florida? It means it's time to go home so the said Tribal Elder and our Medicine Man, can undo the Voodoo curse. Now get your married ass into the car and let's get a move on."
“A Voodoo curse?" I repeated in disbelief. "But I’m a Circulator, it shouldn’t work on me. The spell with the snakes didn't work, so why would this?”
“Yeah but because you’re a Circulator, you can see things that I can’t!”
He held open the door for me however I hesitated so I could debate this further.
"I don't understand how you can see my aura, but you can’t see the three shadows following us?”
“Because I’m a frickin’ European Werewolf, not a Circulator! I don’t have visions like you do!” He snapped then he took a deep breath to reign in his temper. “Look baby, please just get in the car and co-operate. For me? It can even be my wedding anniversary present.”
A moment passed as I looked from his bright blue eyes back to the grey leather upholstery of the car, before I reluctantly climbed in.
“Thank you!” He cried out, as he raised his eyes to the heavens above.
Then he rushed around the vehicle to his seat. He was so anxious to get underway, he slammed his door so hard that it rocked the vehicle. I passed him a tired look of my own, however he didn't see. With one hand on the wheel and the other on my leg, he rejoined the traffic on the freeway.
*****
A couple of hours later, we dropped off the hire car at one of the rental outlets at Orlando Airport.
Next, we wheeled our suitcases into the terminal as we proceeded to a counter to buy our tickets.
“We need two seats to Fairbanks, please.” He told the airline staff member.
“To Fairbanks?" She echoed in surprise. "You mean in Alaska?”
“That would be it," he said coolly as he fished out his wallet.
The girl busied herself by typing into her computer. Then she read off the screen, “I can put you on the flight to Seattle that’s departing in 45 minutes, but the only seats left are in First Class. Then from Seattle, there’s a flight to Fairbanks.”
“No problem," he tapped on the counter with his credit card. “Actually, if we can have First Class seats all the way, I don't mind paying the extra.”
With his height and muscles, he needed the room. Once we flew Economy and he was squashed in so tight, he could barely move. This was especially annoying for the other guests who were seated on either side of him. We kept getting elbowed when he tried to eat and in the end he got a leg cramp.
“You have a three hour stopover in Seattle before your flight to Fairbanks.” She advised as she busily tapped away on her touch screen computer.
“Fine," he said curtly. "So what's the damage?"
"That will be six thousand credits altogether," she announced. "Did you want me to check if there were Business Class seats on the other flights, so it'll be cheaper?"
"Nope," he shook his head. "We'll take what we can get."
Just as he was about to hand her his credit card, I stopped him.
“Give us a second please.” I said to the girl, before I pulled my mate away from the counter. “Why are we flying? If it’s so important we get back to Alaska ASAP then I'll instantaneously phase us home.”
“As much as I want to rush home, we need to do this the ‘normal’ way," he said quietly.
“Why?”
“Because we have to leave a paper trail and be sighted on the planes,” he continued.
“Why?”
“Look around us," he glanced about.
So I did, but I tried to do it subtly. I saw several security guards standing around the metal detector, as well as holding other scanning devices. There were also a couple of police officers with them and more standing around the exits of the Airport. They seemed to be looking for something or someone, and paid particular interest to anyone with pets.
“Are there more police around than usual?” I remarked.
“Uh huh.”
“Because of what happened in New Orleans?”
“Yup.”
“But I thought that the police were looking for a wolf.” I frowned.
Declan pulled his phone out of his pocket once more, to show me a news story on the screen.
POLICE ARE INTERVIEWING DOG HANDLERS WHO MAY HAVE TRAINED THE MUTANT WOLF. AFTER FURTHER ANALYSIS OF THE FOOTAGE BY FEDERAL WILDLIFE EXPERTS, THEY BELIEVE IT HAD BEEN TRAINED TO LOOK FOR A FIRE ESCAPE TO REACH THE ROOFTOPS AND HOW TO CLIMB LADDERS. AS THE ANIMAL'S DISAPPEARANCE IN THE CBD REMAINS UNEXPLAINED, IT'S BELIEVED IT RAN TO A MEETING POINT WHERE A TRUCK MAY HAVE PICKED IT UP. POLICE ARE ALSO ANALYZING TRAFFIC CAMERAS TO LOOK FOR ANY SUSPICIOUS VEHICLES LEAVING THE CBD AREA.
“It'll look unusual if we suddenly reappear in Alaska. By travelling the ordinary way, we can show copies of tickets and boarding passes. We can't be looking suspicious at a time like this.” He warned.
Then he turned back to the girl behind the counter, "I'll pay for those flights, please."
"No, wait!" I stepped up beside. "You paid for the trip, I'll pay for the early return home."
"B -"
"Here we go," I shoved my credit card into her hand before he could.
After I paid for the flights we checked-in our luggage. Then to get to our gate, we had to go through the security scanners. We’ve never had a problem with these scanners before, as they didn't scan the person internally but externally.
I walked through the security check first as Declan walked right behind me. The police as well as guards watched the computer screens carefully, to spot any abnormalities. My heart was pounding as I tried hard to carry on as normal.
“Excuse me," a loud voice sung out.
We froze as two security guards and policemen walked towards us. But then they kept walking, to pull up the man behind. My heart felt like it had stopped in fright, before racing onwards.
“Can you please empty your pockets, sir?” The Police Officer demanded. "Yes, we mean the one inside your jacket too."
We exchanged glances as Declan walked forwards to take hold of my hand. He gripped onto it hard as we walked to our departure gate. I don't think either of us relaxed until we were sitting on the plane.
As soon as we were in the air we emitted sighs of relief. Also, I loved takeoffs and landings as I enjoyed the rush and the inertia. I think so did Declan, as he leaned over me to look out the window. Maybe it was because we could run in supernatural speed, we enjoyed going fast period.
Once the rushing ground was replaced with sky, we both sat back in our seats.
"We're going home, Mrs. Sabre." He passed a grin.
"Thank god," I sung.
Declan patted my hand then he picked up the menu by his seat. As he scanned the list of food and drink, I read over his shoulder. When I made note of what I wanted, I glanced out the window.
Abruptly, I shoved my face into his hot chest to calm myself, as I breathed in his maple syrup scent.
“Er, did you just see them again?” He asked in surprise.
I gave a single nod and he wrapped his arms about his wife.
“Try not to look at them." He whispered in my ear. "Let’s see if the ole saying ‘ignore them and they’ll go away’, works.”
I nodded again whilst keeping my face tucked into his t-shirt and he began to stroke my back.
When Declan noticed another passenger looking on peculiarly, he lied with, "Fear of flying."
"Ah," the man looked like he understood. "I used to be too, but you know what helps?"
Then the stranger toasted him with a glass of whisky.
"We can't drink," he rolled his eyes. "Times like this make me wish we could, but we can't."
"Ah," the man looked like he understood something else. "I used to be on the wagon, six months sober."
"What happened?" He gave a funny look.
"My promotion involved frequent business trips," the man gulped down the last of his beverage.
*****
The flight from Orlando to Seattle was mostly smooth sailing. My husband made sure we got our money's worth by ordering dish after dish. I snacked on a packet of mixed nuts then some biscuits and cheese, as he ate the nuts, biscuits and cheese, an entree, the main and then dessert. We were offered champagne, but we shook our heads and ordered some kind of soda instead.
To ignore the shadows outside my window, I kept occupied by watching the in-flight entertainment. Thankfully the ghosts remained outside of the plane, although I was curious why they didn't come inside. It was as if they had to keep a distance while they were following us.
We encountered turbulence between Idaho and Washington State, so bad that the Flight Attendants stopped serving food and drinks. The seat belt sign came on and the plane shook dangerously, even the Attendants had to be seated. The plane dipped then climbed before dipping again.
I could tell the turbulence made Declan uneasy, as he squeezed my hand so hard that his knuckles turned white.
“If the plane goes down, you can phase us to safety before we hit the ground, right?” He whispered worriedly.
Now it was my turn to reassure, "We’re not going to die in a plane crash.”
Suddenly the plane dipped again, leaving our stomachs in our mouths.
He swallowed hard, “Wouldn’t it be funny if one of our kind died that way; in a plane crash.” Then he lowered his voice, “Or maybe we'd live? But I suppose it'd cause suspicion if we were the only two to walk away from the wreckage.”
“Declan, relax.”
“Relax? Relax? Who says I'm not relaxed?” He laughed nervously. “This must be the worst turbulence ever and with our age, that's saying a lot.”
I turned to look out the window to see what the weather was like outside. The clouds looked black and angry, with continuous streaks of lightning. Then I think I scared him more, by how quickly I turned again to stare at the seat in front.
“They’re still there?” He guessed and when I nodded he moaned. “Man, this has to be the WORST flight ever! This even beats the time they served bad chicken which almost gave me diarrhoea.”
Suddenly the plane dipped again and we heard the engines strain as the pilots fought to stabilize the aircraft.
“Y-y-yeah I’d agree to that.” I stammered out.
Then he looked my way in dread. “Hey, you don’t think it’s the Voodoo crazies who are causing the turbulence, do you?”
I shook my head. “They’re not that powerful, otherwise I’d feel them affecting the electromagnetic field around the plane.”
“Well at least that’s somethin’.” He managed out.
However, his hand was gripping onto mine so hard that it started to hurt.
“Dec?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re about to break my hand.”
“Oh.” He released it. “Sorry.”
Then I put my hand over his instead and our fingers entwined.
*****
Forty minutes later, our plane landed safely in Seattle and we found we weren’t the only terrified ones on board. The passengers erupted into applause, loud enough for the pilots to hear. We exchanged surprised glances as we too began to clap.
"I think I'm gonna need one for the road," the alcoholic/fear-of-flying/business executive told the Attendant.
Then he slipped three tiny bottles of whisky into his briefcase before disembarking.
Since our journey to Fairbanks was considered to be a connecting flight, we didn't have to worry about collecting our luggage and checking-in again. So we had three hours in Seattle Airport with nothing to do but wander around. Naturally, my husband found the food court to eat even more.
"Not again!" I whined.
"Don't you complain," he growled warningly. "You barely ate anything on the plane so I'm half doing this for you."
"What, you're stuffing your face for the sake of your wife?" I raised my eyebrows.
"Shut up." He said then looked around the court. "So what do you feel like? There's hamburgers, pasta, kebabs, Indian, Chinese and even Japanese."
"Hmmm, I haven't had sushi in a while." I shrugged back.
Declan passed a peculiar look, "They were serving smoked salmon on the plane!"
"Shut up." I repeated.
Then I headed towards the Sushi Train as he headed for the hamburgers.
We ate our take-away together in front of a wall of glass which showed the planes moving to and fro along the concourse.
There were several plasma, flat-screen televisions hanging from the ceiling. Most were showing times for arrivals and departures, but the odd one was for the Internet TV. A news channel was on, with subtitles appearing at the bottom of the screen, so we'd know what the news reader was saying.
"Hey B," he nudged my side.
I looked up from my Salmon and Avocado Nori Rolls, chopsticks and small bowl of Soy Sauce and Wasabi.
The news story was about a tornado which had touched down in Montana, which also explained the storm system we encountered over Idaho. It looked to be a bad one, too. Experts were calling it an F4 and it had annihilated two towns.
Several shots of families crying over missing loved ones, flashed across the screen.
"That's strange," I frowned. "Montana isn't in Tornado Alley."
He guiltily looked my way, "It wasn't the Voodoo ghosts, was it?"
"No," I shook my head. "If they're not strong enough to affect a plane, they can't possibly manipulate a storm system."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah because they have to alter the cumulonimbus cloud into a Supercell, which turns rain to hail and affects the up drafts and down drafts enough to turn into a singular circulating motion."
"Gees B, I should buy you a pair of black rimmed glasses for when you go all nerdy like this." He chuckled.
However I didn't laugh and this time I nudged him, as the screen showed a bawling five year old clinging to her injured grandmother. The caption underneath read that the older woman was caring for her, as the parents were grocery shopping. The woman was wounded by debris whilst lying protectively over her granddaughter. Now the parents were missing and the grandmother's house was blown away. This made my chest hurt and eyes water, so much so I pulled out my mobile phone.
"Cassie? It's me, B." I stood up and walked a little away. "Have you seen the news about the tornado? Well, an F4 wiped out two towns in Montana. I want to use Hodge Endeavor's charity organizations to help out."
*****
I lost my appetite again and all I wanted to do was sit out the last two hours in the departure lounge.
Our plane hadn't arrived at the gate yet, which would transport us home to 'the last frontier'. We were the only people in the lounge, as a steady stream of travellers coursed along the walkway. But I appreciated the partial isolation, as I felt emotionally wrung out.
The European Werewolf was restless though, he couldn't sit in the one place for long. Periodically, he'd stand up and walk around to stretch his legs. He'd look out the window at the empty space where the plane would dock, before walking over to another Internet TV to see what was on.
"You go," I said.
"Go where?"
"Go back to the Food Court, or go and look at the shops or something."
"I'm not interested in shopping." He returned. "That's your deal, remember?"
"You don't have to buy anything, just look around."
"Nah."
"Why not?"
"Because you're here," he said simply.
"We're not stuck together like Conjoined Twins," I tried to joke. "I don't need you to babysit me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You need to stretch your legs before getting on a plane again, so go."
"B, shut up."
Then he walked over to look at the technology which airline staff scanned boarding passes with.
There was nobody around to stop him, as the gate was empty. I assumed staff would appear half an hour before the flight's departure time. He even walked behind the desk they sat at, as he strolled about with his hands in his pockets.
I sunk lower into my seat as I rested my head in my hand. My eyes were stinging and I think it was because I was tired as well as upset. A couple of times when I looked at the steady flow of people going on with their lives, I'd see the shadows pass by too. It looked an eerie contrast, death strolling amongst life.
The news story of the tornado confounded these thoughts. The image of the five year old and her grandmother, haunted me as much as the actual ghosts. Every time their upset faces flashed through my mind, it made them sting even more.
Just then Declan came to sit beside and he asked knowingly, "You're still thinking about the tornado, aren't you?"
I gave a nod.
"Now it's mixed in with the ghosts and you're completely worn out," he guessed.
I nodded again.
"Your aura is looking pretty dim right now." He said. "Can you still see them?"
I nodded a third time.
"Where are they, are they here in the lounge?"
This time I shook my head then I waved my hand towards the bustling walkway. "They pass to and fro."
"What, amongst the living?"
"Yep."
"And nobody sees shadows of dead people amongst the solid shapes of the living, besides you." He mused. "Now I understand why schizophrenics lose it, when they see this sort of thing but nobody else does."
"Thanks a lot!" I rolled my eyes.
"I didn't say that you were schizophrenic," he said dryly. "I'm just speculating. I mean, in the olden days people could get lobotomized for seeing what you do."
This turned on the tears and I rasped out, "I know."
Then I felt his large arms engulf me as he pulled me in for a hug, "Shhh."
"Oh Declan..."
"Shhh," he held me tighter. "We're gonna be home soon and there'll be no more ghosts, no more tornadoes and no more Voodoo curses."
"We can't stop tornadoes from happening," I sniffed.
"Maybe one day we can."
"And what about other supernatural things attacking us?" I sighed into his chest.
"At least I can stop those," he muttered. "You may not like how I do it, but most of the time it's effective. It's not like they usually come back and cause further problems."
"Do you think Vampires have souls? I mean, we've killed a few of those over the years. What do you think happens to them?"
"I don't know and I don't care," he said unhappily. "Since they're half dead, maybe they lose their souls when they're turned?"
"Declan?"
"Yeah B?"
"We have the most interesting conversations in airport lounges."
"We do indeed."
*****
The flight from Seattle to Fairbanks didn't take as long as the flight from Orlando to Seattle. Thankfully there wasn't any turbulence, either. However, I'd never felt so glad to be home as I did when our plane touched down.
It was around 11 PM when we walked out of Arrivals with our luggage. I thought we'd instantaneously phase home, however we spotted the tall stature of Forrest standing by an exit. I swear seeing another Lokoti never looked so good!
"Forrest!" I cried out, as I rushed forwards to swamp him in a hug.
"Hey Aunt B," he hugged me back so hard, he lifted me up. "Welcome home."
"Forrest," my mate shook his hand. "It's nice of you to come and pick us up."
"Don't mention it," he took my suitcase for me.
However, I caught him think - MAN, HER AURA LOOKS FADED.
To which Declan moodily thought back - TELL ME ABOUT IT.
"I can hear you," I sung.
"Yes dear," he replied.
I let him sit in the passenger's seat as I sat in the back. The two men talked quietly as I closed my eyes. Soon the lights of the city of Fairbanks were behind us, with nothing but dark highway ahead. The drive put me to sleep as Forrest's family car, cruised home.
Declan put down his window for a short time. Although the air was chilly, a change from Florida's heat, I appreciated the musky air. It felt good to be back in the woods, even if I couldn't see them. I felt like one of the males in the pack when they were relieved to return to home soil.
I lightly dozed, occasionally opening my eyes to see where we were. Since it was so dark, my eyes would glow turquoise to engage my night-vision. Then I'd recognize our location and it continued until I read the familiar sign; 'World Heritage Listed Lokoti National Park. Lokoti Community Centre, Population 636. To enquire about camping or hiking trails, please contact the Federal National Parks and Wildlife Services.'
"Oh, we're home." I sat upright.
"Home sweet home," my mate agreed.
Forrest drove into the small village, before turning left at the intersection to climb up the steep hill our house sat on. We cruised past the odd driveway which led to our relative's abodes before coming to our own, at the end of the cul-de-sac. The sight of our small, two-story, brown, wooden cottage with its stone chimney was a sight for sore eyes. However, our driver turned off the high beams as soon as he turned off the engine.
The three Werewolves engaged their night-vision, as we got out of the car then headed for the boot. Declan's eyes glowed green with his circular pupils turning into narrow slits, whilst Forrest's were a yellow colour and mine glowed turquoise. Once our suitcases were out, we three headed towards the veranda.
Just then a second pair of high beams shone from a car coming up the hill. Our glowing eyes faded to their natural colours, as Meadow's car parked behind Forrest's. Out climbed our Medicine Man who walked around to the passenger's side to help out our Tribal Elder. His lights remained on, so the human could see as he escorted her up the gravel drive.
"Gertrude and Meadow," I began. "What are you guys doing here? It must be the middle of the night."
"You know why we're here, Aunt B." The elderly human chastised. "Can you see them?"
This made Forrest, Declan and I pause at the bottom of the veranda stairs.
Funnily enough, I hadn't thought about the ghosts since the plane landed. It was then that I realized I hadn't seen them since Fairbanks. I looked about my dark garden, with my human sight switching to my Werewolf one to see better.
"Oh hang on," I dropped my suitcase. "They're standing at the end of the driveway."
"Yes?" The elderly Lokoti woman listened.
"They're literally standing on the edge of our property, like they can't come any closer."
"And?" She urged.
"You know what?" I realized something. "They're getting further and further away from us."
"Go on," she nodded.
"In New Orleans, they were standing at the end of our beds. When we flew, they were outside of the plane. In Seattle, they didn't come into the lounge of the boarding gate. Now, it's like they can't come onto our property." I thought aloud.
"Very good, Light Person." The Elder nodded. "They were strongest in New Orleans because you were on their territory. Now that they're on yours, they're losing power."
My mate asked in his typical blunt fashion, "So how do we rid ourselves of them, for good?"
"With a little bit of this and a little bit of that," she grinned in good humour. "Meadow, where is your Medicine Bundle?"
Our middle-aged Medicine Man gave the old woman's arm to Forrest to hold, as he quickly dashed back to his vehicle. However, when he returned it wasn't his black leather doctor's case he was carrying, it was a brown leather pouch. We watched as he opened it on the veranda and by the illumination of his headlights, he took out several feathers and crystals.
"Crystals?" I asked in disbelief.
"They're not just pretty stones you buy in a New Age store." Gertrude frowned. "They're smoky quartz which come from the caves on our land. The same caves that your ancestors took refuge in, during the winter blizzards."
Then we watched as Meadow picked up a large grey and white feather, and to our amusement he used it to 'dust off' Declan.
"What the...?" My mate took a step back. "Sorry buddy, not that you're not handsome? But I don't swing that way."
We all guffawed including Meadow however, he continued to 'cleanse' my mate with the feather.
"Humour me," he chuckled as he finished what he was doing.
Then he put the feather back and picked up two crystals which he passed to Gertrude.
Next, she sung in old Lokoti, which sounded very similar to the Lokoti Funeral Chant. I suppose it was appropriate, a song to ward off the dead sounding like the song to wish them well. She raised the crystals in the air with both hands, before passing one to Meadow. Then he joined in the chant and together they held the rocks in the air. Lastly, their singing died down and they both held out the crystals to me.
"Use your light to shine through the crystals," she instructed.
"You mean you want me to go into phase?" I wondered.
"If that's how you do it," she shrugged.
Instead of completely dissolving into light, I simply glowed. This made the light from my bio-electromagnetic frequency, briefly course through the minerals. They momentarily shone before Gertrude and Meadow took them back. As she headed up the front steps, our Medicine Man disappeared around the back of our house.
"We're putting one crystal over the front door and the other over the back, so they're protecting the entryways of the house." She explained.
Declan's lips pursed together and I sensed he felt frustrated, as he helplessly looked on. Then he asked, "Will this make them leave B alone?"
"No," the old woman shook her head. "The crystals aren't meant for her."
"What?!" My mate spluttered. "But you said if I bring her back here, you could undo the Voodoo spell!"
The same time as our Tribal Elder slowly came back down our veranda steps, our Medicine Man reappeared. She let go of the wooden handrail to take Meadow's arm once more. Then she calmly gazed up into the indignant face of my mate.
"The Voodoo Spell you stopped was for Aunt B," she acknowledged. "The darkness may surround her light, but as we've found out, they can't diminish it. Her light is timeless which thwarts the dark."
"Then what the hell was all the feathers and crystals, for?!" Declan demanded.
Oh hang on, my eyes widened as I began to understand. Meadow didn't use the feather to cleanse me, but my mate. I gawked at the big, strong male standing beside, as he seemed vulnerable now.
"The darkness couldn't pervade the light, so it tried to penetrate another darkness, which is inside you." Gertrude patted him on the chest. "We had to bring you home as soon as possible, before they could possess you."
The European Werewolf's mouth fell open in surprise, "Say what?"
Now Meadow spoke up, "If we had said that the darkness around Aunt B was trying to bypass her to get to you, you wouldn't have believed us. Or, your bloodlust would think it could fight them off, which was what caused the problem in the first place."
Declan blinked then blinked again, as he looked from them to me.
"But she's getting dizzy spells..." his voice trailed off.
"I looked that up," our Medicine Man nodded. "Circulators who use their light to excess can be drained from the experience."
"But the Voodoo freaks were after HER!" My husband refuted.
"So they didn't try to harvest you?" Meadow looked on pointedly.
This made the predator throw down his suitcase in anger, "FRICKIN' HELL!" Then he stormed off whilst muttering curses under his breath and he even kicked at the gravel.
In spite of myself, I started to giggle. "Well, I don't feel like the damsel in distress, anymore."
"Can you see the shadows?" Gertrude checked.
I looked down the darkened driveway and I couldn't see anything at the end nor on the road.
"Nope," I smiled.
"Good," she said perfunctory. "Now I'm going to bed."
Then Meadow gathered up his traditional Medicine Bundle, took the old lady's hand again and escorted her back to his car.
"I think I'll head off too," Forrest excused himself.
"No problem, thanks guys." I said as I threw them a wave.
Two plasma-powered vehicles reversed out and then disappeared down the hill.
This left me and my fuming mate in the darkness again. I picked up my suitcase and headed for the front door to unlock it. Declan had calmed down enough to reclaim his luggage and follow me inside. I turned on the living room lights and breathed in the familiar scent of home.
I watched him walk past and he looked as relieved to be back as I did. Then he put down his case again to stand before me. He looked my way long and hard.
"B, did you know?" He wondered.
"About the ghosts trying to possess you? No, I didn't." I raised my eyebrows. "It's a scary thought."
"Tell me about it," he grumbled as he momentarily looked away. Then he looked back to frown, "If you're in the all-clear then why is your aura still faded?"
"I've no idea." I yawned. "But all I can think about now, is bed."
"You got that right," he muttered.
Then he did something sweet. When I stooped to pick up my luggage one last time, he beat me to it. Then the husband followed his wife upstairs with the suitcases. However, they left all the lights on downstairs as a just-in-case, to keep the darkness outside.
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