by Susan Hatler
****
As I walked toward Nicole’s front door holding Jonathan’s hand, I’d never been so stressed in my life. My shoulders hunched so tightly that it would take a military army of massage therapists to ease my tension. Seriously. Jonathan’s physical life depended on Mr. Higgins helping us, which was doubtful at best.
Even if the artificial body operation at Treasure Island turned out to be true, Mr. Higgins could still totally deny its existence. I mean, couldn’t he go to jail or something for revealing top secret information to his teenaged daughter and her friends?
I stepped onto Nicole’s porch and sucked in a deep breath, knowing I just had to think positively about Mr. Higgins sneaking us onto that secret base. We’d somehow get one of those artificial military bodies, and leave with nobody being the wiser.
Not too impossible. Sigh. At least this situation couldn’t get any worse.
Jonathan reached for the doorbell. . . .
“I sincerely hope this meeting with Mr. Higgins is beneficial,” Owen stated, slipping his hands into his pockets and rocking onto his toes. “The longer this takes, the higher the chances are that Jonathan’s spirit will evaporate.”
Jonathan froze just before ringing the buzzer. “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” He grabbed Owen’s arm, his eyebrows shooting upward. “What do you mean by evaporate?”
Owen tugged his arm free from Jonathan’s grasp, then he scratched his temple. “I’ve been pondering the mind and body relationship during the drive over here. We all have our own theories and beliefs about what happens to the mind once the body ceases to exist. But since your spirit didn’t pass on when your body deceased, we don’t know how long your spirit can survive in this dimension without it.”
Jonathan’s eyes bulged.
“You have no factual evidence to support that, Owen,” I snapped, trying to speak his language. He was so not thinking positively. I pressed the doorbell, then turned to Jonathan, wishing Owen had kept his negative, analytical thought-process to himself. The possibility of Jonathan evaporating made my stomach turn, so I pushed it from my mind. “If you were going to evaporate—or whatever—then it would’ve happened by now. Don’t let Owen’s crazy speculations freak you out.”
But Jonathan’s face had paled. “Evaporate,” he repeated, clearly stunned.
Owen cringed as I shot him the death glare. “Sorry. I simply believe it’s important to prepare ourselves by considering all of the possibilities. You brought me into the group for my brain, correct?”
I supposed that was true, but evaporate? Owen needed serious sensitivity training. I swiveled as the front door opened.
Mr. Higgins appeared in the doorway, towering over us with his muscular build. His dark hair was buzzed short and neat. He wore a collared shirt with bright primary color stripes and beige corduroy pants, making me want to suggest that he change his outfit immediately. Not that I’d dare.
His dark, foreboding eyes peered down at me. Gulp.
“Good evening, Mr. Higgins,” I said, putting on a brave face in the hopes that he’d have the heart to help us out.
“Hello, Amy,” he said, in an even tone that suggested he’d expected to see me and wasn’t too happy about it. “Nicole’s grounded. I know you’re already aware of that. You can come back when her teenage years are over.” He started to close the door.
“Wait!” I shot my arm past the door, blocking it from shutting all the way. “I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Higgins. I really am.” Never had truer words been spoken. “But didn’t Nicole tell you why we’re here?”
“As a matter of fact, she did.” He nodded, crossed his arms over his broad chest, then steeled his eyes. “Nice try with the ghost story, but she’s still grounded, and there’s nothing you or your friends . . .” His voice trailed off as his gaze drifted to Jonathan, then his eyes opened wide. “Reverend Gabriel? What are you doing here?”
Jonathan winced, then tugged at his white square collar. Huh. I’d totally forgotten Nicole’s dad attended church since most of Nicole’s Sundays were spent hanging with Brynne and me. When Jonathan remained silent, I nudged his arm.
Jonathan cleared his throat. “Uh, good evening, Mr. Higgins.”
“Bill,” I muttered, coughing into my hand.
“Er, Bill,” Jonathan said, doing a pathetic job of recovering. Although he straightened his stance. “It’s good to see you, sir. I mean, Bill.”
My frazzled nerves shifted into hyper mode as Owen and I exchanged a look. I wanted to roll my eyes. Jonathan totally needed to work on his delivery. I elbowed him again.
“I’m here to, uh, ask you a favor. May we come in?” Jonathan clasped his hands in front of him, looking a little bit like he was about to give a sermon on the front porch.
“Certainly, Reverend.” Mr. Higgins pulled the door open, ushered him in, then gave Owen and me curious stares as we scrambled in after him. “The kids are with you?”
“Yeah.” Jonathan nodded as he walked with Mr. Higgins into the modest, but immaculate living room. He sat awkwardly on the couch, looking relatively small next to Mr. Higgins’s bulky frame.
I was about to follow Owen into the living room when a hand gripped my shoulder. I spun around to find Nicole standing in front of me. She wore jeans and a tee shirt, but her hair and make-up were done as if she were going out.
“Hey,” I said, happy to see her despite our earlier argument. But instead of gabbing about how she finally landed a date with Todd like we normally would, I had to focus on finding my guy a body in which to exist. “Did you ask your dad about the secret base?”
“Yes.” Her frosted lips spread into a phony smile. “Now he’s considering sending me to military school. Thank you so much for that.”
“Sorry,” I said, and I was. But the clock was ticking here. “Had your dad heard anything about the artificial bodies they’re making at Treasure Island? Did he have any advice on how we could sneak in undetected?”
“No can do,” she said, pressing her hand against my forehead. “You don’t have a fever, but I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. Brynne thought maybe your delusions were due to a high temperature, since I told her you were coming over with Owen and his ghost buddy.” Her gaze drifted to Jonathan. “Why is Reverend Gabriel here with you guys?”
I glanced at where Jonathan was making awkward chit-chat with Mr. Higgins, then turned back to Nicole. “That’s Reverend Gabriel’s body, but that’s not Reverend Gabriel. Jonathan had to zombie him in order to communicate with Owen and me.”
“Oh, I see.” She nodded as if it were all clear to her now, then she suddenly gripped my arms. “Snap out if it, Amy. I want my friend back. Maybe you can even come to Alex’s party with me,” she said, making a hopeful expression.
“I’ve already told you what my priority is,” I said, gritting my teeth as the thought of Jonathan’s spirit evaporating popped into my head. A wave of panic rolled through me. “We need to stop wasting time!” I shouted.
Everyone turned to stare at me. Jonathan gave me a look that seemed to ask if I was all right. Mr. Higgins frowned as if he were annoyed I’d interrupted his conversation with the good minister. And Owen was seated on the plaid sofa, his usual quizzical expression replaced with a surprised look.
Okay, maybe I’d lost it a little, but enough was enough. I strode into the living room, and put my hands on my hips. “Mr. Higgins, I know this looks like Reverend Gabriel.” I waved my thumb in Jonathan’s direction. “But, it’s actually my friend, Jonathan. He’s got a serious situation and we need your help.”
Mr. Higgins glanced from the minister’s body to me. “I don’t follow.”
I drew in a breath. “Jonathan Miller was on his way to school last Friday when a big rig rear-ended him. If you don’t believe me, check the newspaper. Just before the vehicle collided with his, Jonathan’s spirit somehow levitated out of his body so he wasn’t inside it during the crash.”
“Oh, Amy.” Nicole dropped onto the loveseat next to the
couch, then started rocking back and forth as if to comfort herself. “There’s something wrong with my friend. We have to help her.”
“No, you’re just not seeing me, or listening to what I’m saying,” I said, wishing I could stop being invisible for once in my life. “Jonathan died as a result of injuries from the accident, and his body was cremated.” My gaze shot to Mr. Higgins. “That’s why we need your help to get a new body for Jonathan from the secret military operation at Treasure Island, which we know exists,” I said, even though part of me still had doubts. “They have artificial bodies, and we need one in a bad way. So will you take us there?”
Mr. Higgins’s brows furrowed. “I’m not sure what you kids are up to, but Nicole’s still grounded. Perhaps the next time she gets some hair-brained idea, you’ll come tell me before she mutilates her skin.”
“You’re ruining my life, Dad.” Nicole flung herself onto the arm of the sofa, then threw the back of her hand across her face. “I’m the only one in school with such a clueless parent. Why can’t you be cool like Amy’s mom?”
“Huh?” I gaped at her, wondering what in the world she found appealing about my hyper-critical mom.
Nicole gestured toward me. “Amy never listens to her mom’s advice, and she gets terrible grades. Yet her mom still let her go out when Alex asked her on a date.”
I wanted to point out that was probably only because my mom wanted me out of the house, but I wanted to drop all talk related to my lame date with Alex.
“If I may interrupt . . . ” Owen raised his right hand. “We’re losing sight of our goal. Mr. Higgins, your help is crucial to Jonathan’s survival, and time is of the essence. There’s a very real possibility that his spirit may evaporate if we don’t find a permanent body for him immediately.”
My stomach coiled as Owen reiterated his latest theory. Apparently hearing the word “evaporate” again had affected Jonathan as well, because he jumped to his feet.
“What Amy just told you is true,” Jonathan said. He came over to stand next to me, then gestured to his torso. “I’m not Reverend Gabriel. I’ve just borrowed the minister’s body temporarily. My name is Jonathan Miller, and I really need your help.”
“Well, this is just dandy.” Mr. Higgins rubbed his hands against his thighs and shook his head, before turning to Nicole. “It’s bad enough that you disobeyed me, but now you’ve involved Reverend Gabriel in one of your shenanigans. Well, it won’t work. You’re still grounded. And after this stunt, I’m afraid you aren’t even going to know what the outside of your room looks like, young lady.”
Nicole’s face crumpled. “But, it’s not my fault. Amy made the story up, not me.”
I clasped my hands in prayer position and stared at Mr. Higgins. “I know it’s hard to believe at first. I was totally shocked myself when Jonathan took over my body.”
“He’s the one to blame.” Nicole pointed to Owen, whose forehead wrinkled. “You’ve brainwashed my best friend into thinking she’s in love with your zombie friend.”
Jonathan’s gaze flicked to mine, and I flushed.
“Me? I’m an innocent bystander.” Owen’s voice rose an octave, and he stood. “Do you think it’s fun for me to watch them get affectionate while Jonathan’s in the minister’s body? That’s beyond inappropriate. And I was less than pleased when Jonathan zombied my body, but I’ve come to terms with it and now I’m doing the right thing.”
“I’ve had enough of all this zombie talk.” Mr. Higgins puffed up his chest, his face turning red as he touched his palm to his cheek. “It’s making me hot . . .”
“Hot?” I asked. Prickles darted up my arms. I watched Mr. Higgins’s body suddenly jerk sideways. His chin dropped to his chest, and his eyes drifted closed.
Then Owen darted next to me and caught the Reverend’s body, which had started to collapse. “Um, a little help here?” he said, staring at me.
“Oh, right,” I said, wrapping my arm around the minister’s waist. It had taken me a few seconds to realize that Jonathan had vacated the minister’s body and had apparently knocked Mr. Higgins out of his body. A little warning would be nice next time.
“Daddy?” Nicole dropped to her knees on the carpet, and made her way over to her dad’s body, which was flopped sideways on the couch. “Oh, no.” Her voice rose a pitch and she flashed me a panic look. I think all of my drama gave him a heart attack. I’m sorry, Daddy. Come back. I’ll never get another piercing again.”
“Your dad will be fine, Nicole,” I grunted as I helped Owen drag Reverend Gabriel’s limp body to the loveseat. He may not be as big as Mr. Higgins, but he sure wasn’t light. We set the minister’s body down in an upright position with his head leaning back and his eyes closed. “He’s temporarily in zombie land, which is kind of like floating. It takes some getting used to but it’s not that bad.”
Nicole kept an arm around her dad as she turned to me wide-eyed. “He isn’t dead?”
“No,” I said, wiping my sweaty hands together as I stepped away from the minister’s body. Then I watched Mr. Higgins’s body, waiting for Jonathan to bring it back to life, and make that awkward lurch. “Your dad has been zombied.”
“Z-Zombied?” Nicole said, gaping at her dad.
Suddenly, Mr. Higgins’s thick hands flexed. His head rolled in a slow circle, then his head came up and his eyes opened. “Man, he sure put up a good fight.”
I smacked Mr. Higgins’s arm. “You should’ve warned us before you did that. You really scared Nicole, and Owen barely caught Reverend Gabriel in time.”
“I’m sorry.” Mr. Higgins’s hand, which I knew was being controlled by Jonathan, reached for me, but I backed away. I could barely handle Jonathan in the young reverend’s body, but no way could I deal with him touching me as Mr. Higgins. That would be wrong on so many levels.
Jonathan dropped his hand and continued talking. “But we weren’t getting anywhere trying to convince him through words, and the thought of evaporating has me antsy.” Jonathan’s gaze drifted behind me. “Uh oh.”
“What?” I asked, following the direction of Jonathan’s gaze over to Reverend Gabriel’s body on the loveseat.
Instead of sitting there vacantly, Reverend Gabriel’s eyes had opened. His head turned slowly, and seemed to be taking in each of our shocked expressions. Then his body rose to its feet, he puffed out his chest, and he turned to Jonathan, wearing a look that could kill.
Chapter Eleven
Five minutes ago, Jonathan had zombied Mr. Higgins’s body to prove that he was real. Mission accomplished. Unfortunately, the proof didn’t have the desired effect. Instead of driving us to the secret military base on Treasure Island as we’d all hoped, Mr. Higgins—who I’m pretty sure was currently occupying Reverend Gabriel’s body—was chasing Jonathan around the room.
“Stop it!” I shouted, then dove onto the couch as Jonathan whizzed by at high speed. “Mr. Higgins, stop!”
Owen ducked out of the way. “Amy, that might not be Mr. Higgins in the reverend’s body. It’s possible that Reverend Gabriel floated all the way here and reclaimed his body. But I don’t see him as having this kind of temper.”
Nope, neither did I. I’d seen Mr. Higgins get worked up before though, so this body must be inhabited by Nicole’s dad now. But I couldn’t be sure. I tried to reason as I jumped on the couch to get out of the way. “We don’t have time for vengeance, Mr. Higgins. Or Reverend. Whichever spirit you are. We have an artificial body to confiscate.”
“What’s going on in here?” Brynne suddenly appeared in the room, her honey-blonde hair flowing over her shoulders, and her attention fixed on the two men running around the sofa. She wore a white tank, a denim skirt, and white strappy-heels.
Not that this was the time to think about a bestie outing, but was she going to Alex’s party with Nicole?
Brynne’s gaze drifted over to Owen and her jaw dropped open. “Why is he here?” she squeaked.
“Brynne!” Nicole raced across the room and th
rew her arms around our stunned friend. “You’re never going to believe this, but Owen’s ghost friend is real. He just zombied my dad, and now we think my dad’s in Reverend Gabriel’s body and is trying to get his own body back. But it might be Reverend Gabriel intent on revenge. I’m so going to be sent to military school after this.”
“Get out of my body this instant!” Reverend Gabriel’s body yelled, raising his fist in the air.
Okay, so that was definitely Mr. Higgins in the reverend’s body.
“This was not part of the plan,” Jonathan said, breathing hard, barely escaping Reverend Gabriel’s hand’s grasp.
At the last minute, I jerked out of their way, lost my balance, then fell backward off the end of the couch. My scream cut off when a pair of arms caught me. I glanced up and saw Owen and his mop of blond hair. Oh, no. Brynne so did not need to see him rescuing me right now.
“You okay?” he asked, frowning.
“Yeah, uh, thanks.” My gaze darted to Brynne, and I hoped she’d somehow missed me doing the backflip into her crush’s arms. No such luck. Her penciled brows came together. I wiggled out of Owen’s hold, then scampered over to Brynne, and grasped her hands. “You have to know I fell by accident, and would’ve preferred to hit the ground than upset you in any way.”
Brynne scooted aside as Jonathan barreled by, then she leaned toward me. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me on purpose. But what happened between you and Owen?”
Due to the chaos in the room and Jonathan’s possibly impending evaporation, I decided to summarize. “It started when I told Mrs. Beckencourt that I thought UFOs were fascinating. Owen got the very mistaken impression that I liked him. Then Jonathan zombied me at school, you drove him home in my body, and Owen came over to help me since he’s the only one with an open enough mind to believe that my body had been snatched by a zhost.”
Her brow lifted. “A zhost?”
“Zombie-ghost. I don’t know what else to call it.”
Her gaze flicked to Owen, who crossed his arms as he surveyed the two men. Then she turned back to me. “That’s cute. But go on.”