by Cheree Alsop
An eerie glow still filled the room. As my eyes adjusted to the new darkness, I made out the forms of ghosts, hundreds of them, packed within the basement.
“W-what are they doing?” Lyris asked.
“I’m not sure,” I replied.
I moved Dara behind me and took a step forward.
The ghosts parted to reveal the vampire ghost I had met in the infirmary. He held up the box that had come from the one in our attic marked with the sigil of Chutka the Shambler.
“I was wrong about your friends,” he said in the low voice I remembered. “They protected you as you protected them. Well done.”
He carried the box to me. I accepted it cautiously, sure he would turn into the demon once more.
“The demons are gone for now,” he said as if he had read my thoughts. “In the box you will find one part of a key to defeat Chutka the Shambler and end the threat he poses to your world.”
“Not another key,” I groaned.
The ghost smiled a toothy smile. “Of a sort. Good luck, Mr. Briscoe.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
The ghosts stepped back. I set the box on the table, only then noticing how my hands shook. I glanced back at my team and saw the same relieved, exhausted expressions on their faces that I knew showed on mine. Brack had opened the door to let Dara and Lyris tend to our wounded. Professor Briggs leaned against the door frame with a hand on his side. He gave me a reassuring nod.
I put the key in the lock and turned it. The box opened. I peered inside and was disappointed to see that the only thing inside was what looked like a small black rock.
“That’s it,” Professor Briggs said. He limped up behind me. “That’s what your uncle used to open the gateway to the demons. I thought it was gone forever. Your mother must have locked it away to protect the school when she left.”
I studied the lump. “What is it?”
“A piece of Chutka’s heart,” the vampire ghost replied. “Guard it well for he is as desperate to get it back as you are to finish him. There are two more pieces. Put them together and then destroy them once and for all.”
“Where do we find the other pieces?” Vicken asked.
The ghost shook his head. “That I do not know. I wish you luck. You have my respect, Finnley Briscoe.” The vampire ghost gave a sweeping bow and faded from sight.
The other ghosts did the same, vanishing until it was just my team in the basement.
I shut the lid of the box and locked it again, then withdrew the key.
“I’ll take that for safe keeping,” Professor Briggs said.
I held out the box. When he reached for his, he winced and grabbed his side.
“You can have it if I can help you to the infirmary,” I told him.
“Deal,” he replied with a pained expression.
Brack carried Lorne while Lyris and Dara helped Jean up the stairs. Professor Briggs lasted about three steps before his hold on his cane faltered. He would have fallen if I hadn’t caught him.
“Enough of this,” I told him.
Before he could protest, I ducked under his arms and picked him up.
“Put me down,” Briggs commanded.
I ignored him and started up the stairs. “You really think you can make it up from the basement to the second floor in your condition? It would take two days.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m fine, Finn. I can walk.”
I paused and gave him a steeling look. “Are you going to protect that box or bleed out on these stairs? The way I see it, those are the only two options right now.” I smothered the fact that the amount of blood that covered his side and dripped onto the stairs alarmed me more than I let on.
Briggs must have seen it in my face anyway because he nodded. “Fine, but you can’t tell anyone about this.”
“I won’t,” I replied.
While Mercer didn’t exactly look happy to see us, he grunted at the sight of our team together in the infirmary. The bandages across his torso showed blood, and when he moved, he gave an uncharacteristic grunt of pain.
I crossed to his bed.
“Looks like it went well,” he said dryly.
I held out the key. “We got what we needed, but we’re not done. Briggs has the box with the piece of Chutka’s heart, but there are two more we need to find.”
Mercer shifted uncomfortably on the bed. “I feared as much. Keep the key. It should be separate from the box.”
I withdrew my hand. “Lyris said Briggs is going to be okay, but Lorne and Jean need surgery. Dr. Six says she’s bringing in help. Keep an eye on them for me.”
“Where are you going?” the sweeper asked with suspicion in his gaze.
“To find Alden,” I replied.
I hurried back down the stairs, but my steps faltered. I leaned against the railing for a moment to give my head a chance to stop spinning.
Footsteps came up behind me.
“You push yourself too hard,” Dara said. She set a hand on my shoulder. “You’re going to be of no use to anyone if you don’t get some food in you, especially after giving so much blood to Vicken.”
I allowed her to help me up. “But I need to find Alden. I think he’s waiting for me.”
Dara read the determination on my face. “I’ll grab something from the cafeteria and meet you in the forest. Will that work?”
Relief filled me at her understanding. “That would be great.”
We walked together down the stairs and then she left me to head to the hallway of doors. I passed scents that intrigued me, but kept my focus on the one that was open. I had no idea who had unlocked it originally after Brack left, but I was grateful it remained open just the same.
I stepped into the forest and let out a sigh at the feeling of sunshine on my shoulders. I wanted to run to the cemetery, but the thought of Dara finding me passed out along the way kept me from pushing myself. By the time she caught up to me, I felt stronger from the warmth of the sun’s rays. The scent of the crisp mountain breeze brought with it hints of frosted pines from higher up on the mountain. I fought back the urge to phase and explore it.
“I found pulled pork rolls and cooked hamburger patties. I figured you needed protein,” Dara said when she caught up to me. “But first, drink some water.”
I fought back a grin at her orders and did as I was told. I drained the first water bottle she held out, then chuckled and accepted the second one. I finished it just as quickly.
“Good. Now eat all of this. You’re not going to help Alden if you don’t listen to me,” she said, softening her chiding tone with a teasing wink.
I didn’t tell her that the thought of not listening had never crossed my mind. I ate the pulled pork rolls and cold hamburger patties with relish at the flavor, the way my stomach filled, and the taste of something besides the ash that had lingered in my mouth since the demon fire. The food tasted better than anything I could remember, and I finished it before we had even reached the cemetery.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Dara said.
Finally feeling more like myself, I was taken by the way the dapple light from between the leaves danced across her face, catching in her ashen hair and making her violet eyes glow.
“It is,” I replied with my eyes on her instead of the forest.
“A beautiful place to be buried,” she said.
I was caught off-guard by her words. “What?”
I followed her gaze and saw that we had reached the cemetery. The realization of why we were there pressed against me, and with it returned the desperate need to find Alden and ensure that he was safe.
“Mezania, can you open the tomb?” I asked.
“Of course,” the ghost replied.
I lingered by her tombstone and Sparrow’s ghost, but the little dragon watched Mezania as though she didn’t see me. It made my heart hurt.
As soon as the dark stairway was revealed, I started down it.
“Finn?” Dara said hesitantly behind me.
I looked back to see that she had followed me down, but with the thick darkness, she was forced to take the steps much more slowly.
“I’ve got you,” I said.
I ran back up to her and slipped my hand in hers. Warmth ran up my arm at her touch. Before I could allow myself to get lost in being so close to her, I forced myself to continue down.
“I keep trying to think about the last time I saw him with ghosts following him,” I told her to keep my mind distracted. “I figure that was the last time he was really himself.”
“The ghosts followed him to the clubhouse,” she said.
I nodded. “But they were gone when I woke up in the cemetery.” A thought occurred to me and I paused in the upside-down corridor. “I think I saw them last while he was sleeping. I’ll bet he’s in our room!”
We took off running up the stairs. On the third floor, we ran to dorm thirty-three. I opened the door and pushed it inward. My heart slowed at the sight of Alden curled into a ball in the corner of the ceiling. He looked like he was sleeping.
Figures in white surrounded his still form. They turned at my entrance. I didn’t know whether to be afraid or if they were harmless; either way, I pulled Dara behind me to keep her safe.
“Why are you here?” I asked.
An older woman with kind eyes smiled at me. “Grims take care of the spirits of those who pass away. It is a hard job, but they are never alone.”
“You’re watching over him?” I said. My muscles loosened at the realization that they didn’t mean him harm.
“Of course,” a man with short gray hair and a warm smile told us. “Family takes care of family.”
“You’re all Grims,” Dara said with awe from behind me.
They nodded as a group. “And now we’ll leave him in your capable hands,” the first woman said. She gave me a warm smile. “We’re glad he has you. Werewolves make loyal friends.”
Twinkling lights filled the air so bright Dara and I had to shield our eyes with our hands. When the light faded, Alden was left alone.
I dropped to my knees next to him. “Alden, wake up,” I said. I shook his shoulder gently.
“Finn?” Alden lifted his head and gave me an unfocused look. “Is that really you?”
I nodded and couldn’t fight back the smile that spread across my face. “It’s really me.”
Alden rose and hugged me so tight I could barely believe the strength in his small body.
“I was sleeping and I couldn’t wake up,” he said. I felt tears soak my shirt when he continued with, “I kept doing bad things, but I couldn’t stop myself, even when the team was in danger, I couldn’t control what was happening. It was horrible!”
“Everything’s alright now,” I told him. I patted his back. “Haunted High is safe, our team is recuperating, and everyone is going to be fine.”
Alden cried as if he couldn’t stop. I met Dara’s gaze. She nodded and set a hand on his shoulder.
“It’s alright,” she said in a voice just above a whisper. “Breathe, Alden. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
His sobs slowed and then stopped with the empath’s help. Finally, Alden lifted his head and gave us both a watery smile. “Are you sure?”
We nodded in unison.
A sigh of relief came from the Grim before he sat up.
“Alden, what’s that on your arm?” Dara asked.
Light showed from beneath Alden’s sleeve. He pulled it back and everyone stared.
“Mezania Brown,” he said, reading the first name that glowed blue on his forearm. Then he said, “Sparrow.”
The names made my heart clench in pain. I looked at him in an effort to distract my thoughts. “I thought Grims didn’t escort animals.”
He gave me a small smile. “No one crosses over alone. Other spirits are there to walk with the gentle creatures of this world. But you’re right when you say that Grims don’t normally do it.” He pushed his pale hair back from his face and said, “Sparrow sacrificed herself for you. There is a very special place for creatures like her, and I get to be the one to help her find it.”
My eyes burned but I blinked quickly to keep the tears from falling.
“She deserves that,” I said.
“She does,” Dara agreed.
Together, we walked up the stairs. I don’t think any of us were surprised to see Professor Briggs already at the cemetery. Briggs leaned against Mezania’s tombstone with a hand on his side as they spoke. When we left the pit beneath the demon gateway, he and Mezania turned to us with warm smiles.
“I’m glad to see you’re alright,” the professor told Alden.
“Thank you,” Alden replied. But he lowered his head as though he couldn’t bring himself to say the words he needed to.
“What is it?” the professor asked.
Alden looked at me. I took pity on him and said when he was reluctant to.
“Alden received his first two names as a Grim.”
Briggs’ eyebrows rose in surprise. He looked from me to Alden. “Congratulations. You’re a bit young for that, aren’t you?”
Alden nodded without looking at him. “Some-sometimes it happens under special circumstances.”
Briggs gave him a searching look as if confused by the Grim’s reluctance. “What circumstances?”
Alden lifted his hand and allowed the sleeve to fall back from his arm. Silence filled the clearing at the sight of the names written there in blue light.
“I see,” Professor Briggs said at last, his voice tight.
He and Mezania looked at each other for a long moment. It felt as though they couldn’t get enough of seeing each other. Dara’s hand slipped into mine. A drop of water landed on my hand. I looked over to see tears sliding down her cheeks. The tears I had kept at bay spilled over at the sight. I pulled her to me and wrapped my arms around her.
Tears that matched Mezania’s trickled down the professor’s face. When Briggs nodded, it was clear the motion took a great effort.
“It’s time for you to go,” he said, his voice breaking.
“I don’t want to go,” Mezania replied. “I want to stay here with you.”
Briggs shook his head and gave her a smile of such tenderness I heard Dara stifle a sob. “This isn’t a good life for you, darling,” he told her. “You can’t be happy staying here like this.”
Mezania let out a shuddering breath and lifted her hand to Briggs’ cheek. I thought it would pass through the way it did whenever she tried to touch him, but this time, her hand rested just below the scar that marred his face. She gasped. “Trace?”
Briggs glanced at Alden questioningly.
The little Grim lifted his shoulders with a smile on his damp face. “It’s the least I can do,” he said.
Mezania threw herself into Briggs’ arms. He held her close and smoothed her hair down her back. She clung to him as if she would never let him go.
Professor Briggs met Alden’s gaze and mouthed, ‘Thank you.’
Alden nodded.
Briggs spoke with his lips brushing Mezania’s hair. “Remember me the way I was when we were young,” he told her.
Mezania shook her head and smiled despite her tears. “I’ll remember you as you are now, brave, strong, and the kind of boy I would have loved to live my entire life with. I’m so glad I got this time with you,” she told him. When she finally stepped back, she did so with a smile. “I love you, Trace Briggs. I always will.”
Briggs returned her loving smile. “I love you, Mezania Brown. I always have and I always will.”
Mezania touched his cheek one last time, then turned to Alden. “I’m ready.”
Alden held out his hand. The ghost looked at each of us in turn. When her eyes met mine, I said, “Thank you so much for all of your help. I’ll always value your friendship.”
“And I, yours,” she replied. She gave a small laugh. “You helped me overcome my fear of werewolves.”
“I’m glad,” I replied.
“And I
appreciate our talks,” Dara said from my side. Her voice broke slightly when she said, “I’m going to miss having you here.”
If Briggs was as surprised at the revelation that Mezania and Dara were friends as I was, he didn’t show it.
Mezania gave Dara a warm smile. “I’ll miss you, too. Keep an eye on Finn. He’s a bit reckless.”
I rolled my eyes and everyone laughed.
“It’s time,” Alden said gently.
Mezania slipped her hand into his. Alden whispered a word in a language I didn’t know and the name on his wrist grew so bright we had to turned away. When we looked back, they were gone. Briggs let out a stifled sob and leaned against a nearby grave marker. Dara made her way to his side.
Movement caught my eye. I turned to see Sparrow watching us from the top of Mezania’s tombstone. She swished her little ghost tail and flapped her wings as if she, too, was ready to go. To my surprise, she looked right at me instead of past us like before. I wondered if it was another gift from Alden, letting us see each other so I could say goodbye.
I knelt on the grass beside where she sat on Mezania’s tombstone. “You’ve been such a great friend,” I told the little dragon. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.” I held up my bandaged wrist and tried to force my tone to be light, but I failed entirely when I said, “I miss carrying you around with me.”
The little dragon let out a puff of blue flame, but it disappeared in the sunlight. I gave her a watery smile. “I’ll miss you, too.”
Alden appeared where he had left, but without Mezania at his side. The young Grim gave Professor Briggs a reassuring smile. “She is where she needs to be now, and she is surrounded by loved ones you would know.”
His words sent fresh tears trailing from the professor’s eyes, but he nodded and set a hand on Alden’s shoulder. “Thank you, Alden Grim. You’ve been a true friend.”
Alden sucked in a breath and turned to me. “Are you ready for me to take Sparrow?”
I nodded even though it was a lie. The thought of seeing the little dragon leave the way Mezania had killed me. She had only begun her life, just to sacrifice it to save me. It didn’t feel fair.
Alden set his hand on the tombstone with his palm up. The little dragon crossed to it and sat on his hand. Alden closed his eyes and whispered the word in the language I didn’t recognize. Instead of vanishing like I expected him to, nothing happened. Alden opened one eye, peaked at me, then closed it and said the word again. Nothing happened.