by Sarah Wynde
***
She’d been given clear instructions on where to drop off the car, but as she drove up to the parking lot, she couldn’t help worrying. Unlike the usual rental car experience, she’d been told she’d be met by someone who would collect the keys.
“So you remember what I told you, right?” she asked Dillon.
“Every word,” he assured her.
“Work on stretching. I know the bounce-back is no fun, but if you practice, you’ll find that you’re able to get farther and farther away from the car. It’s like exercise, it’s going to be painful at first, but the rewards will be worth it.”
“I will. Are you kidding? Being out of this car would be so great. I’ll practice every day.”
“And avoid the ghosts with the red edges. If you see someone who looks like they’re outlined in red, go the other direction.”
“I will,” he promised, but this time with less enthusiasm.
“I’m serious. I know you’re lonely and you probably think any company is better than none, but it’s not. The red ghosts are bad news.”
“I’m already dead. What can they do to me?”
“Oh, sweetie.” She shook her head. “If you think boredom is the worst thing that can happen, then you didn’t watch nearly enough television while you were alive. Trust me on this one.” She turned and stared at him, eyes intent, knowing that she was probably the first person who’d looked directly at him since his death. “Stay away from ghosts with red edges.”
He nodded.
“And stretch.” She pointed a finger at him and smiled, and he smiled back, a mix of emotions fighting for precedence on his face.
She spotted someone approaching through the back window, and said hastily, “Gotta go. You take care.”
Stepping out of the car, she greeted the young woman. As she handed over the keys, she impulsively said, “I’m going to be moving to this area in a few weeks and I’ll need to lease a car. Is there any chance that this one might be available?”
The girl looked startled. She glanced from the car to Akira and back to the car again, before saying, “This car? But . . . um, well, I guess. I mean, I don’t know. I can ask.” Her tone was doubtful.
“That would be great,” Akira said. “Do you have a number or something I could call when I get back?”
“Sure. Yeah. You could ask at GD. Ask Grace.” The girl nodded, her uncertainty disappearing. “Grace will know. She’ll be able to help you.”