The After House

by Michael Phillip Cash

  He heard a loud “Psst,” and saw the captain embedded in the wall, pointing to the living room.

  Hugh and Remy had left her covers and pillow in a rumbled mess on the couch. He saw a vague outline of a man prodding the pile of bedding.

  The intruder whispered, “Remy, is that you?” He reached out a hand to pull back the covers. The captain motioned to Hugh that he was going to go in front of him. Scout had gotten out and her sudden, shrill barking added to the terror startling the stranger, who turned quickly. Hugh realized he had a gun in his hand.

  Hugh leaped forward and hit the intruder’s hand. The gun went off, and the room was bathed in a white flash. Hugh raised the bat, but the other man deflected the attack and hit Hugh’s hand with the pistol. Hugh went numb from wrist to elbow. The bat flew out of his grasp and hit Scout, leaving her dazed. Then it dashed into the mural, chipping the paint in two places.

  The two men went down hard, wrapped in a tight hold, each trying to overpower the other. The combatants rolled on the floor, and Hugh grabbed the shoulders of the man above him. He punched the other man’s face, but the intruder was wearing a ski mask, and the blow rolled off him. Dark eyes gleamed from twin holes. Hugh pushed on his chin, trying to dislodge the disguise. A fist loomed large before his eyes. Hugh knew he was going to get punched, and it was going to be hard. The blow never came. A large vase cracked against the assailants head, dazing him.

  Hugh’s attacker went down with a thump. His head banged hard on the wood, and the gun skittered away on the floor. Remy stood over him, her hands still in the air, her bare legs white in the moonlight. Hugh’s shirt billowed about her small form. The men both scrambled to their feet, their arms outstretched as they watched for an opportunity to pounce.

  Remy ran to the wall switch and flipped the light switch. When the lights blinked on, Remy recognized the stranger’s build.

  “Scott!”

  Scott ripped off his headgear. “Did I interrupt something, princess?” he asked through clenched teeth. He turned to Hugh. “Better get it all now, because once you put a ring on her finger, she stops.”

  Hugh lunged, his face contorted with rage. His hands locked on Scott’s neck. Scott struggled to rip them off.

  Remy looked for her phone. Where was her phone? “How could I lose my phone?” she thought frantically. She dodged between the men, pulling at cushions, throwing them around. The fighters tripped as they danced around them. She sliced her foot on a shard of the vase. She yelped with the pain and limped around the room, leaving a trail bloody footprints.

  “I hope you bleed to death,” Scott yelled. “That bitch is indestructible. I tried to poison her, and she ended up thinking it was a stomach flu. I’ve been sitting outside all day freezing my ass off waiting to get in here.”

  “What?” Remy screeched. “That was you earlier today?” Then she realized what he’d said a moment earlier. “You tried to poison me?”

  Scott went on as if she hadn’t spoken, his face livid, spittle flying. “Stupid kid I hired couldn’t burn her out. She made more damage on my car when I ran her off the road. She’s inhuman, you stupid ass. Get out while you can.”

  Hugh growled with rage, reaching for the other man, but Scott sucker punched him in the chin. Stars danced before his eyes, Hugh weaved around a bit. Scott was barely winded. A trickle of blood from Remy’s blow appeared from Scott’s hairline. He brushed it away impatiently.

  Clearly Hugh was more of a lover than a fighter. Remy watched him waver from the blows. She searched for another object to throw at her ex-husband.

  The captain moved to the other side of the room, materializing with a blaze of light and screaming like a rusty door. Hugh felt his own body break out in a cold sweat.

  Scott’s eyes opened wide. “Holy shit!”

  Hugh noticed the direction of his glance. Two sets of eyes spotted the gun on the other side of the room. They both scrambled for the weapon and grappled for possesion. Scott kicked Hugh in the stomach, then kneed him in the head. Dark spots filled Hugh’s vision. He went down, his cheek hitting the cold floor with a nasty thud.

  He distinctly heard the captain say, “Dork! You were supposed to use the bat!”

  Hazily Hugh wondered what it meant. He was sure his teeth were permanently moved. “There goes twelve years of orthodontic work,” he thought fleetingly. He could swear birds were flying around the perimeter of the room. Scout crawled over whimpering, licking Hugh’s face furiously, trying to get a reaction.

  Scott looked up, and Hugh heard him yell as if from a distance. Remy’s ex held the gun pointed at the captain, then turned it on Hugh. His face was white, his eyes wild.

  “What kind of crazy house is this, Remy?”

  “Scott,” Remy pleaded. “Put the gun down. Please, stop. Where is Livie?”

  Scott ignored her, breathing heavy through clenched teeth.

  “Think what you’re doing,” she implored him.

  He aimed at Hugh, who was trying to push up. “Stay down, Lancelot.” His eyes searched the room for the apparition. “That’s some weird kind of ménage à trois you got going on. I wouldn’t have been so hasty to leave if you were open to it, baby-doll.”

  Hugh roared, shooting to his feet. Eli smiled as he watched Hugh’s clumsy attempt to protect Remy.

  “Wisht, lad, you fight like a girl,” he thought. The captain took this opportunity come up behind Scott, shoving him hard. Hugh and Scott hit each other, and Hugh spun around and landed in a quiet heap near Remy. Scott pivoted, firing point-blank at the captain, who was now dripping blood and howling with unearthly rage, his hands outstretched toward Scott.

  Scott blinked and reached out but saw his hand go right through the apparition. He shivered from the arctic blast. The dog jumped, its sharp teeth locking on to Scott’s hand. Scott shook her off furiously and kicked her hard when she landed. Remy heard an inhuman squeal, but she wasn’t sure if it was the captain, the dog, or Scott.

  Her ex-husband turned, his face blanched but furious. He pointed the gun directly at Remy. “I’ve had enough of this already. You have more lives than a cat and more bodyguards than the president!”

  “No!” Hugh’s fingers searched the floor for the bat. He found it. Raising it, he threw himself in front of Remy, his body jerking in midair when the bullet hit him. The bat fell uselessly to the floor, rolling against the wall with a hollow clang. Remy whimpered, fell to her knees, and dragged Hugh into her arms.

  “No, no!”

  Scott walked over and raised the gun to finish off Remy.

  “Where’s my daughter?” Remy cried out.

  “Home. Asleep under the watchful eye of Priscilla. You don’t have to think about her anymore.”

  “Why?” Remy asked disbelievingly. “Why, Scott? Why are you doing this?” she sobbed.

  “Does it matter now?” he asked, shrugging. “No hard feelings, Remy. It’s all about the money. Always money. I have a life insurance policy on you. I need—”

  He never finished the sentence. Remy watched wide-eyed as the captain whacked him on the head with the bat.

  “Call for help,” Eli told her before fading into the darkness, his face lined with exhaustion.

  * * *

  Remy looked at both men lying on the floor. She struggled to her feet and ran on rubbery legs up the stairs, her breathing harsh in her ears. The phone was buried under their clothes in her bedroom.

  Scott lay quietly, while Hugh was starting to stir. With shaking hands, she picked up her afghan and wrapped it around his arm, pressing hard. She called 911 using only her thumb. He tried to raise himself on one elbow, so she gently placed his head in her lap.

  “What’s a dork?” he asked no one in particular.

  She knew she spoke to the operator, but couldn’t recall even giving her address. Hugh moved around restlessly, but Remy patted him on his head. Crying incoherently, she tried calling her parents to get Livie, but she didn’t remember how to use the phone.

 
The squad car arrived minutes later. Scott was cuffed to the side of his stretcher, despite being unconscious. Two ambulances arrived, one for the prisoner and one for his honor, the mayor.

  Hugh was gently reprimanded by a police officer as he took in the carnage. “We have a sheriff, Hugh. We just needed a mayor. A nice, quiet mayor.”

  “I have to get Livie,” Remy wailed to the officer, who assured her they would retrieve her together.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The officer held out the keys that were hanging from the door lock.

  “They’re my daughter’s keys. Please, I have to get to her.” Remy was on the sofa, Hugh next to her on a stretcher, the dog panting peacefully at her feet.

  Hugh reached out his hand to her. “Please don’t drive. Call your parents.”

  “How could I have been so stupid?” Remy stared at her phone. “Scott called me from Olivia’s phone.”

  “He called you?” the detective asked. “May I see your phone?” The police had been joined by Nassau’s finest, two plainclothes detectives.

  “I had a threatening call, but the last number to show was my daughter’s. I had spoken with her earlier, so I thought I was imagining things. Please take me to her. Please,” she implored.

  “A squad car is on the way. We’ll be taking Priscilla Langly in for questioning. There’s another squad car on the way to take you there.”

  A paramedic finished bandaging Hugh’s shoulder.

  “How is he?” Remy asked as the man stood.

  “It’s just a graze. Man!” Hugh laughed. “I’ve always wanted to say that.”

  Remy stood on shaky legs. She bent over. “You could have been killed.”

  “I didn’t think, Remy. When I saw. . .I don’t want to live if you’re not here.” Hugh looked right at her, his heart filled with the sight of her, safe and whole.

  A howl erupted from between the walls, and all movement stopped. The detective, police officer, and paramedic exchanged looks.

  “It’s the dog,” Remy assured them.

  “Bad fireplace flue,” Hugh said at the same time.

  The paramedic and detective looked down at the silent dog, rolling their eyes skeptically.

  “OK, Your Honor. Get ready for a little ride.” They lifted the stretcher to load him into the ambulance waiting beside the door.

  “I have to go get my daughter, Hugh. I will come to the hospital as soon as she’s safe at home.”

  “I don’t want you driving. I’ll be out by tomorrow.”

  Remy leaned over and kissed his lips gently. “You’re the bravest man I know. I never want to be parted from you.”

  “Me either,” Hugh answered. As the door to the ambulance closed, he felt a whisper by his ear. “A dork is a whale’s penis. We didn’t know about schmucks back then. Next time you jump into a fray, use a better weapon.”

  Hugh turned to the medic and asked, “You calling me a schmuck?”

  “No, sir. Did you hit your head as well?”

  The doors slammed shut.

  * * *

  Marum had a self-satisfied smile on her shiny lips. “Twofers. Two for the price of one!”

  “Don’t be so cocky, Marum,” Sten said. “Eli still is unresolved. While they do love when kindreds hook up, getting a soul home is the primary mission.”

  “The only thing holding Eli Gaspar back is Eli Gaspar. Look at them.” She beamed. “We didn’t even guide them, and they found each other!” Marum batted her full-sized wings in all their glorious beauty.

  Sten kept his invisible by his side. He eyed her display impatiently, but Marum ignored him. “They are all like that when they first get them,” Sten thought.

  “Look, it’s urgent we get the captain home. I’m just about out of ideas.”

  “We’ve still got Olivia. Wait till she gets home,” Marum said with a nod.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Remy and the detective ended up meeting the other squad car at Scott’s home. They waited until Priscilla’s mother could get there to take the baby. Olivia was beside herself with worry over her little brother. Once her daughter was safe, Remy’s anger abated with her fear, and Remy found herself holding Priscilla’s mother’s hand, promising to help with the baby. He and Olivia shared the same smile.

  When they got home, Livie was delighted with her new housemate, Scout. Remy wondered if they should change her name to something more feminine. They talked about it, but Scout she was, and Scout she remained.

  Olivia was finally home, safe in the cottage. Remy took the time to explain what had happened. She didn’t like lying, so she told Olivia that Daddy and Priscilla had made some poor choices and would have to take a time-out.

  Her daughter stood, worry creasing her furrowed brow. “Mommy, Evan can’t be alone.”

  Remy assured her daughter that baby Evan would be safe. They would make sure he did not miss anything important. He would visit them, and they would keep him company.

  Remy lay on the bed, hugging her for a good while longer than normal.

  Olivia touched her mother’s bruised face with tender, baby hands. “Does it hurt?”

  “No, not at all,” Remy assured her.

  Remy left Olivia warm and drowsy and closed the door with a quiet click.

  Olivia snuffled, then turned on her side, her eyes popping open. It wasn’t that she saw him. She just knew he was in the room.

  “Is everyone in this blasted town psychic?” Eli asked from his spot.

  Olivia sat up, causing Eli to scoot up her bookcase.

  “I won’t hurt you,” she told him sadly. “I know it wasn’t you.”

  “Ach, he’s a silly man, your pa. He’ll have plenty of time to think on all this nonsense.” Eli settled comfortably on her nightstand. He toyed with the nail polish. “Tell me, have you seen a little girl?”

  “Stella?”

  “No, I’m sure her name is not Stella. She answers to. . .Charlotte.” He became thoughtful, his eyes masses of swirling clouds. “There was a small boy. A newborn.”

  Olivia swung her legs over the side of her bed and thought, then shook her head. “I can hear them sometimes, but I don’t see them.”

  He jumped down eagerly. “Where, dear heart? Where do you hear them?”

  Olivia pursed her lips. “I have to think.” She moved over to her dollhouse standing in the corner. Her grandmother had just bought it when they moved into the house. “Sit here.” She patted the raspberry carpet. “Come closer.” Her finger touched her lips. “You have to be very quiet.”

  Eli gingerly sat down next to the girl. “If you find them, I’ll never call you a hell-born babe—”

  “Shhhh.” She closed her bright amber eyes. “Listen.”

  It was so quiet in the room, Eli found his leg shaking as it used to do when he was impatient. He felt a gentle caress. The girl’s touch gave him a weird sort of peace. He rested his back against the wall, listening hard. It started with a faint rustling, then footsteps. Cocking his head, he quieted himself and shut out the groans and whispers that circulated throughout the house.

  A reedy song floated on the air. He heard Olivia’s quick intake of breath, saw her alert eyes filled with wonder. She pointed to the empty space to the side of them, a smile playing around her upturned lips.

  There was laughter. It started low but built up. Eli heard children’s voices. They were singing. Chills ran down his spine. He crouched and pressed his ear to a wall that existed to no one but him. He heard a baby cry.

  “Thomas.” Tears tracked down his face as the memory of his son’s name came back with the gale force of a typhoon. The sounds of happiness floated on the ether. His heart seemed to melt in his chest.

  Olivia turned her face to him. “Do you hear it?” she asked urgently. Pointing to where the singing was coming from, she told him, “Go to them.”

  “I can’t.” He pressed his shoulder against a wall that wouldn’t budge. Olivia looked at the spot and shrugged.

  “Just s
tep over,” she told him. “There’s nothing there.”

  Sweat broke out on Eli’s forehead. He heard a voice, a woman, calling the children to return. A sob caught in his throat at the familiar musical sound. It floated down to him, filling him, making his entire being quake with need. The voice receded, growing fainter.

  “No, no, no. Don’t leave. Don’t leave yet,” he howled, all his pain and misery wrapped in that sound. “Sarah,” he cried. “Sarah, I came home, but you were gone. Where did you take them? I searched for you. I searched for all of you.”

  There was only the echo of silence. “Sarah, don’t leave me.” He slid down, powerless against the wall separating him from his loved ones. He landed on the floor in a dejected heap.

  Ever practical, Olivia said, “Perhaps you should try the police? They can be very helpful.”

  Eli lay in a puddle of depression on the floor.

  “Mister, Captain, you need to ask for help. When I can’t do something, I ask my mommy for help. Don’t you have anyone to ask?”

  Eli shook his head sadly. “They’re all gone. I have no one left.”

  “Everyone has someone. Even if they don’t know it, like my brother, Evan.”

  Eli crawled into a sitting position. “I had somebody. But I was stupid and selfish and thought they would always be there. I didn’t care about what was important to them, and because of that, I lost them all.” Tears ran from his eyes.

  Olivia nodded sagely. “Yes, it’s about those choices again.”

  How did he ever think she was a terror?

  “Like my dad. Mommy explained he made some poor choices.”

  Eli almost laughed, but she was so adorably serious.

  “Daddy and Priscilla are going away for a little while. Evan could be alone. But he won’t be. He’ll have me and my mommy. He won’t even realize he’s alone, I mean, without his mommy. Everybody has somebody. You just have to let them be with you.” Olivia was thoughtful for a minute. “Maybe you could go to the church and talk to the rector. He’s very nice.”