Vision of Shadows

by Vincent Morrone

  Please, I thought, don’t leave me.

  “Payne tried to kill him,” I said through tears. “The ghost that was possessing people. He must have possessed Payne. Payne fought him and did this to himself.”

  I felt a chill and looked over my shoulder.

  Jay. He looked weak, unable to even try and possess anyone, at least for now, but he was still alive. It hadn’t worked. Payne had died for nothing. You can’t kill the dead. I had lost the most important person in my life for nothing.

  Jay looked at me with loathing. This wasn’t over, though it was over for tonight. I could tell it would be awhile before Jay could attack again. He looked like he could barely hold his form. He was only there to let me know he wasn’t dead.

  “What in the name of Sam Hill is going on here?” I heard Grandpa say as he made his way to us.

  Varick looked up with tears in his eyes. “Payne. My grandson. He won’t heal.”

  “Heal?” Uncle Mark asked. “Varick, he’s been burnt beyond belief, and he had a piece of wood in him. He’s not going to just get better. I’m sorry, but he’s gone. Varick, I thought the world of him, but…”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Varick snapped. “My grandson can heal! He can heal from anything.”

  “What are you talking about?” Uncle Mark asked.

  “He’s right, son,” Grandpa said. “Payne told me the other day. Boy heals from anything. Gunshots, burns. But this might have been a bit much. Let me see him.”

  “Dad, no,” Uncle Mark yelled as Grandpa clumsily got down on the ground near Payne’s still form. “You can’t. Not after Zack.”

  “Wait, what?” I asked, confused. “What’s happening?”

  “Hush, Bristol,” Grandpa said. “You listen to me, son. That boy put our girl before everything. Can you imagine the pain that boy felt in there? I’m not going to sit here and do nothing. Varick and I may not be much by way of friends anymore, but that’s his grandson there. Now, get the hell out of my way.”

  Reluctantly, Uncle Mark shifted to allow Grandpa to get near Payne. Grandpa reached out and touched Payne’s forehead and then closed his eyes. Grandpa looked like he was trying to hear something faint. He shook his head. Opening his eyes and looking at Varick McKnight, Grandpa said, “I can’t promise you anything, Varick. You know that.”

  Varick pleaded. “Please, Gregory. I know what I’m asking.”

  Grandpa held eye contact for a moment. Then he nodded. “For our ladies.”

  I watched as Grandpa moved his hand from Payne’s head down to his heart. It seemed more a gesture of love than anything else.

  “C’mon boy,” Grandpa muttered. “I know you’re there. Your girl needs you.”

  Hearing Grandpa call me Payne’s girl felt like a stab through the heart. I looked to my uncle who seemed to be ready to give up hope, and then to Varick, whose eyes were locked on Grandpa.

  Payne started to convulse. One spasm after another rocked his body, making it difficult for Grandpa to hold on.

  Suddenly, Payne’s eyes opened. They fell on me.

  I sprung forward and caught his hand as he reached out to me. The burns on his skin swiftly melted away. Within minutes, Payne was whole and healthy again. He sat up with a wheezing breath, Grandpa helping him. I cried his name as he fought for breath. Payne looked at me just long enough to send me that wicked grin of his before collapsing.

  “I’ll be damned,” Uncle Mark said.

  Varick reached out to Grandpa and took his hand. “Thank you.”

  Looking uncomfortable with the gratitude, Grandpa just nodded. “Can we get out of here now?”

  Before long, someone came to pick up Toby, Bryan, and Blasé. Varick had given instructions to any McKnights that were there to not ever speak of what they witnessed Grandpa do.

  Varick let Uncle Mark carry Payne up to his car. It was a white Rolls Royce, elegant on the outside and beyond belief on the inside. Not only were the seats made of leather, but the carpeting was lamb’s wool. There was a bar, a TV, and what looked like a couch for a back seat. I barely registered any of it. I sat next to Payne and held his hand. Uncle Mark, Varick, and Grandpa got in as well.

  I explained to them about Jay and his power to possess people. Apologizing profusely, I told them why I ran. As I explained, I felt so ashamed. If I hadn’t run, they wouldn’t have come looking for me. Now Bryan, Blasé, and Toby were hurt. Not to mention what Payne had endured in his failed attempt to kill Jay. I explained all of this and begged for forgiveness.

  “Bristol,” Uncle Mark said. “I think that everyone here understands, but you can’t run. It’s not going to stop this Jay. He’ll keep coming after you.”

  I just shook my head. “I can’t let him hurt anyone else. Can you imagine if he had managed to kill me through Payne? Payne never would have forgiven himself.”

  “Bristol, my dear.” Varick leaned forward in his seat and took my hand. “I must say you take my breath away. Your biggest worry about someone murdering you is that they will feel bad about it afterward? I find that extraordinary.”

  “It’s not funny,” I complained. “Payne’s just beginning to forgive himself for not being able to save his mother. I should go. You were all better off before I arrived. I’ve got to get out of this town where Jay can’t follow me.”

  “Enough,” Uncle Mark said. “You think we would ever forgive ourselves if one of us killed you while we were possessed by this Jay guy? How do you think we’d feel if you were killed by some stranger under the same circumstances because you left? You’re family. We stick together. Understand?”

  “I never wanted to leave, Uncle Mark. You know that, right?”

  Uncle Mark nodded. “We all know that.”

  “There’s a few other things to consider as well,” Grandpa said. “First off, it sounds like the shadow whatchamacallits were the ones who set this Jay after you. Since it didn’t stop once you told us about them, we have to guess that they just don’t want you around to get hints of what they’re up to, which is why we obviously need you here. You’re too important.”

  “I am?” I sniffed.

  “Yeah, you are,” Grandpa said. “But don’t let that go to your head. Besides, you’re pretty much stuck here like the rest of us.”

  “What?” I said. “Stuck here? What do you mean?”

  Varick sighed and squeezed my hand. “Bristol, it has long been believed that neither family can leave Spirit. We are tied to this place. Whatever dark forces give us these abilities also bind us to this town. I can leave for a business trip. We can send our children away to college, but this has to be our home.”

  “But my parents, they left,” I said.

  “They thought,” Uncle Mark added, “because they had a girl that maybe the curse was wearing off. Or it didn’t apply to them. But it did. Who knows how it affected them.”

  “Point is, kiddo,” Grandpa said, “you’re stuck looking at our ugly mugs, so you better get used to it.” He reached forward and patted my hand. The same hand Varick was holding.

  I watched a younger Varick staring at the wreckage of the car. The woman I had thought was his pregnant wife was inside, but Payne had said that Varick’s wife hadn’t died in a car crash. So, who was it?

  Then I saw a woman in Varick’s arms. She was weeping. Inconsolable, she had her face pressed against Varick’s chest. Varick tried to soothe her, but it seemed useless. She looked up at the sound of a car screeching to a stop. She was very pretty, even through the tears. She looked a lot like Hunter.

  Both Varick and the woman looked up as a man came running. Gracefully dodging police who tried to stop him, he ran past Varick and the woman. Falling to his knees, I watched as my much younger grandfather took the hand of his dead wife while placing his other hand over her heart. He closed his eyes, silent tears streaming down his cheeks, as he tried to will her back to life like he had done to Payne.

  I watched in horror as Grandpa was flung backward. He convulsed
in pain as Varick ran to his side.

  “Gregory, you fool!” Varick said. “You cannot heal the dead. I’m so sorry, but she’s gone. They’re both gone.”

  Stunned, Grandpa pushed away from Varick. “Get away from me! I can. I have to.”

  I watched as Grandpa struggled to get back to his dead wife. Unable to walk, he tried to crawl, only to be held back by Varick. They fought. Varick tried to remind Grandpa that he had sons who needed him. If he died here, now, who would care for them?

  As this played out, I could hear laughter. Who would laugh at this tragic scene? How could they?

  Jay. His cruel face enjoying the sight of the misery he had created. As Grandpa and Varick struggled, Jay walked over to what must have been Varick’s wife. She was crying as she watched Grandpa and Varick fight.

  “I know how much you’re afraid of fire,” Jay said to her, even though she couldn’t hear him. “But we’ll wait until the time is right. You haven’t even had a chance to tell him you’re pregnant again, have you?”

  I was back. The flash was gone and I was back. My uncle was calling my name, concerned that I had blanked out on him. Everyone was looking at me with concern, except for Payne who was still sleeping peacefully.

  “Grandpa,” I said, taking his hand and hating what I was about to tell him. “I need to tell you about Grandma.”

  When we pulled up in front of my house, Varick leaned forward to kiss my cheek. “We shall handle this. I promise you. You will be protected. Now, do you believe that you will be safe for the night?”

  “Yeah, but…”

  “Then you get some rest,” Varick said. “Tomorrow, we will deal with this…” An expression of revulsion crossed Varick’s face. “Jay.”

  I climbed out, followed by Uncle Mark, who turned to the car to make sure his father got out all right. When there was no movement, Uncle Mark stuck his head in. “Dad, you coming?”

  “I’ll be in soon,” Grandpa said. “Go on in, son.”

  “Dad,” Uncle Mark said. “Now isn’t the time to have it out with Mr. McKnight.”

  “What am I? Twelve?” Grandpa growled. “I don’t need you telling me how to act. Varick and I just want a chance to catch up, is all. We need to discuss old man stuff.” Grandpa moved his arm back and forth. “I’m thinking it might rain tomorrow.”

  Uncle Mark looked unconvinced but decided he just didn’t have the energy or the will to fight with his father anymore. He slammed the door shut and brought me into the house.

  I didn’t get two feet before Simon ran up to me and nearly tackled me in a hug. I could feel him shaking. I held on to him as Aunt Breanne came in and explained to Uncle Mark how the boys wouldn’t go to bed until they saw me and knew I was all right.

  As I hugged Simon, I looked around for Zack. Where was he? They told me he was fine. Grandpa had healed him the same way he healed Payne. So where was he?

  “Zack’s upstairs,” Aunt Breanne said. “He waited up until he saw you come out of the car and then he ran upstairs. You should go see him.”

  I nodded and looked down at Simon. He had stopped shaking, but he still looked frightened. “I kept thinking about Mom and I thought…” Simon stopped talking when his voice hitched. I pulled him back into a hug.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “But I’m okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  “You better get up to Zack,” Simon said. “He’s just a kid, and sometimes he can be such a baby.”

  I gave Simon a kiss on the cheek, wishing Uncle Mark and Aunt Breanne would do a better job of hiding their grins.

  I knocked on his door before entering. “Zack, can I come in?”

  Zack was in bed. The lights were out, but I could tell he was still awake and avoiding looking at me. I flipped on the lights, moved to the bed, and sat.

  “You’re back,” Zack said.

  “Yeah, I’m back,” I said. Slowly, I put my hand on his. He didn’t pull away, which I took as a good sign. “I never should have run. I was scared. Zack, do you understand what happened tonight before I left? Do you understand why I left?”

  “Yeah, I got hurt,” Zack said. “But it wasn’t my fault, I swear. I don’t remember even climbing up there. Grandpa believes me. He said someone made me do it and not know it.”

  “I know,” I said. “It wasn’t your fault. But the person who did it, they did it because of me. They hurt you because of me.” Suddenly, despite my best effort to remain calm, I couldn’t hold back the tears.

  “Zack, I love you,” I said. “I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you. I was so scared. And this person told me he wouldn’t leave you or Simon alone unless I ran, so I ran, and I’m sorry.”

  Zack sat up and hugged me. “I thought you didn’t want us anymore.”

  “Oh no, Zack. I love you. I really do. I ran because I love you. I know that sounds stupid but…”

  “It is stupid,” Zack insisted. “You belong with us. We can protect you. I know I’m little, but I can protect you.”

  All I could do was apologize again and again. After a while, I think Zack forgave me. Now all I had to do was forgive myself. I tucked him in and started to leave. Before I got out the door, he called me back.

  “Whoever this guy is that did this to you,” Zack said. “I hope somebody kills him bad.”

  I didn’t answer him. How do you tell an eight year old that the person in question is already dead?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jay, Revealed

  The next day we drove over to McKnight Manor. Grandpa, who was being unusually quiet, had told us we were expected there after lunch. As such, it was just before one p.m. and we were all squished into Uncle Mark’s car.

  Varick met us outside. It didn’t take long before Simon impressed him by knowing about all the art he had displayed. It seemed all of the pieces that had been destroyed had already been replaced. Zack impressed Varick because he was simply an adorable ball of energy.

  Hunter came trotting down the stairs. She said hello to everyone, and then with a glance from Varick she turned toward Zack and Simon.

  “Hey, you two,” Hunter said. “You guys like to bowl?”

  Zack looked excited. “Yeah, and I rock at it. Are we going down to the Bowl-a-Rama?”

  Hunter laughed. “No, I was thinking we’d use the bowling alley in the basement. C’mon.”

  “You know,” Simon said. “We both know you’re just getting us out of the room so the adults can talk about something without us there.”

  Hunter laughed as they all went through a door.

  “Yeah,” Uncle Mark said. “But the boy went without much argument. And he hates to bowl.”

  Just then, Payne came down the stairs.

  “Bristol,” he yelled. I wanted to say so much to him and had no idea where to start. When Payne reached me, he grabbed me and kissed me hard. Anything that might have been in my head was lost now. I could do this all day.

  Uncle Mark had other ideas. He tapped Payne’s shoulder and used his thumb to tell him to back off.

  “If you two are done,” Varick said. “We have business to discuss. I believe I have a solution for what to do with the person that Bristol refers to as Jay.”

  That got everyone’s attention. At Varick’s suggestion, we all took seats in his living room. The room was about the size of the entire first floor of my house, filled not only with beautiful art and antique furniture, but also tons of expensive and rare books that lined the walls.

  Payne whispered in my ear that this was the formal living room. Was there a not-so-formal living room? And probably a den, and a great room, and who knows what else.

  “Bristol, dear,” Varick said. “I would like you to look through here. Tell me if you notice anyone in particular.”

  I took what looked like an old family photo album from Varick. It was a large brown leather-bound book, bursting at the seams. I placed it on the table and started to look through it. I saw pictures of members of the McKnight family. All blo
od relatives, no wives.

  “What are we doing here, Varick?” Grandpa asked. “I thought we had this thing settled?”

  “We do,” Varick responded. “But I want to be absolutely sure before we take the next step. I want there to be no room for doubt. For everyone’s sake.” He glanced at me.

  “And once there isn’t?” Grandpa asked.

  Varick looked sad but resolute. “I have made all preparations. We shall finish it.”

  That seemed to satisfy Grandpa.

  I kept flipping pages. “Mr. McKnight, this is you, isn’t it?” I said as I held up the page.

  “Yes, from a long time ago,” Varick said. “A very long time.”

  Varick McKnight was a very powerful and attractive man now, but back then, he was a cutie pie. I scanned the faces. Wow, he had a lot of brothers. Or maybe some of them were cousins. Each one looked like eye candy. There was a tall, very broad shouldered type, a pair of redheads that looked like twins. When I flipped the page, I felt like my heart was going to stop.

  “That’s him,” I whispered. “Jay.” I placed the book on the table. Payne grabbed it to look.

  “Where?” Payne asked. I pointed Jay out and Payne growled. Okay, I admit it was pretty cool to see Payne react so protectively. It was shallow, but it still made me smile.

  Varick put on a pair of glasses and leaned over the table to look for himself. He nodded toward Grandpa and sat down. “I knew him very well I’m afraid. He always had a penchant toward violence.”

  “That’s a real pretty way to put it,” Grandpa said. “He was a bully. Nothing more. But a slick one. Your grandmother fell for him for a spell, but she saw through him in the end. It didn’t last between them more than a few weeks.”

  “As I recall,” Varick said, “you were there to console and protect her rather quickly. When Jay got obsessive, it frightened poor Jeanette. You were able to play the hero.”