“There are a lot of ghosts in that house. It’s not impossible to expect that one may have wanted to take a ride on the Kiki train,” Alan said. “Don’t worry, once you have a good meal, we’ll talk more. Why don’t you just sit back and enjoy the scenery. We’re going to go through a town about the age of the house you’re working on. I wonder if there will be any similar architecture.”
“I doubt these farmers could afford craftsmen like were working in the Atwater house, but they could have similar styles.”
Alan listened to Kiki’s explanation of copycat builders while he drove. He didn’t mind that he had already heard this lecture series from Kiki twice before. He was overjoyed it was Kiki and not some negative elemental orating.
~
Cid looked at the text Alan sent him. He whistled to get everyone’s attention. “Listen up!” he said and waited for the whine of the machinery to die down. “Kiki is negative elemental free.”
The group congratulated themselves.
“I sense a but,” Jesse said.
“This means the negative elemental has to return here. Murphy described losing power suddenly as being sucked back. The elemental will have to feed on the ghosts, and since he’s recently fed, they won’t have much power to give. I hope it will have to hibernate until there is enough power.”
“Are we safe working?” Wayne asked.
“We can aggressively work on anything that needs to be worked on in the basement because the ghosts down there will not have enough energy to cross the veil to hurt us. But as the elemental draws power, we have to protect ourselves from being possessed by this thing. Crosses, gentlemen. If you have them, wear them. If not, I have some that I carry in my go bag.”
“I’d like to get one from you,” Pete said. “I’m not a religious guy. Will it still work?”
“If you believe in the power of good, it will work,” Cid answered.
“What project should we work on first?” Pete asked.
“Wayne?” Cid asked.
“Why ask me?”
“Because when Kiki’s not here, she puts you in charge. We finished Pete’s media room, so he’s no longer the leader in Kiki’s eyes.”
“Why not you?”
“No desire. I have my hands full keeping you guys alive.”
Wayne smiled. “Give me a minute to look the chart over. Why not grab some lunch in the meanwhile.”
Carl patted his stomach and headed for the stairs.
Pete walked to the trailer with Cid. “I have a ghostie question.”
“I’m not an expert, but I’ll do my best to answer it.”
“I’ve worked on a lot of old houses and buildings. I’ve seen the creatures and gave them a wide berth. Why wasn’t I possessed?”
“It takes a particularly strong ghost to do that.”
“What about a demon?”
“Demon questions, I’d have to refer you to an expert. From my experience, they don’t want to live inside our filthy bodies. The bacteria we use in digestion makes them ill. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but again, I don’t know the motivation behind each demonic possession. I’ve been temporarily possessed by a ghost before. The Michigan assessment comes to mind. It was a surprise and, like I said, temporary.”
“What’s happening to Kiki?” Pete asked as they entered the trailer.
“I think that the negative elemental is cognizant that his existing ghosts are about played out. He’s using them in hopes of killing one of us. We are fresh meat. If we die in that house with the protections in place, I fear our souls will get stuck there.”
“How can we free them? I know some of them are beyond saving, but I’d feel better if we didn’t leave those bastards to suffer. What if we got rid of the negative elemental?”
“I think you’re right, but we have to be careful. I don’t think we have the whole story yet.” Cid pulled out the cross and gave it to Pete. “This cross was blessed by Father Simon.”
“The homeless priest.”
“He’s not homeless,” Cid said.
“Man, you’re pedantic,” Pete said, putting on the cross.
“Do you have change for a twenty?” Cid asked.
“Yes, I do,” Pete said, pulling out his wallet. “Why?”
“We were playing poker last night, and Jesse and Sally took me to the cleaners. I’m into Jesse for ten.”
“If you play Jesse again, I believe I can help you out. You see, Jesse has a tell.”
“You’ve played with him before?”
“Yes, back when I didn’t have two kids. Alas, my children turned out to be smart. They’ll be headed to college, and so my leisure fund is now a college fund. The boys take after their mother.”
“What’s his tell?” Cid asked to bring Pete back on point.
“His hands get sweaty when he’s excited. He’ll wipe one hand on his pants if he has a good hand. He’ll set his cards down and wipe both hands if it’s a great hand.”
“I’ll look for that. Now there’s Sally…”
“Lover boy, that’s your problem. If you gaze over at her like Mr. Darcy, maybe, just maybe, she’ll lose her concentration.”
Cid’s eyes lit up. “Pete, you’re a genius. Your boys get their smarts from both you and your wife.”
“Maybe write that down on a piece of paper. My wife will never believe another human being called me smart.”
~
Kiki rubbed her stomach and grinned. “If I put any more down here, it’s going to rebel.”
Alan smiled. “Dessert?” he tempted.
“No dessert.”
“Tell you what, let’s walk off the meal. I need to
