The Old House

by Alexie Aaron

  “There is a tunnel inside him made of what looks to me to be malachite. I think, somehow, encased in the malachite are the rest of Glen’s emotions.”

  “Wow.”

  “When we connect you, if he is not waiting for you in the hall, there is a tunnel you may have to crawl through to get to him,” Mia explained. “I know this is difficult to understand, and there’s nothing scientific about it. But you will see it.”

  Mark nodded.

  “In order to get the boys’ machine to work, you have to bring your dad to the hall,” Mia said. “I’ve talked to him about using his pupils to access the right answers. You will be limited at first because he only has two emotions with which to measure the pupils. This will make communication a bit slower, but it is still possible. Are you ready?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Mia looked at Cid and Ted. “It’s show time.”

  Cid slid the clear glasses gently on Glen while Ted made a few adjustments. “We’re good to go. Mark, it’s all up to you now,” he said, patting the similarly bespectacled boy on the back.

  Mia pushed into Glen’s hall. She stood by, just in case Mark needed help. She watched him arrive and saw the disappointment on his face. He turned to leave, but he clenched his fists and walked forward and disappeared into the malachite. In a few moments, he returned with his father.

  “Stay here,” he said.

  Mark opened his eyes. “Mia, he is in the hall. I’m going to select a question. Dad, can you hear me?”

  “Yes, Mark,” his voice came over Ted’s laptop.

  “Oh my god. Oh my god,” Mark’s mother Sarah said.

  “Long time, no speak,” he said.

  “Me too. Dad, I need you to not quit.”

  “No quit, Mark,” he responded.

  “Yes, but you’re not fighting. I need you to fight to come back. We need you, Mom and me. We need you.”

  “Try,” he said, his words echoing in the still room.

  “Thank you,” Mark said. He took off his glasses and smiled. “It was him!”

  Sarah hugged everyone in the room.

  In the near future, the staff of nurses, technicians and therapists would need to be trained by Cid and Ted. Mia would make regular visits to Glen to see if she could do something from Glen’s side of things. They were all encouraged by what had happened today.

  Mark grasped Mia’s hands and told her through tear-laden eyes, “He’s there. I can see that he’s still there.”

  “Keep working with him to bring out more emotions,” Mia said. “I know that love and happiness are somewhere near the surface. Mark, keep talking to him, and perhaps you can chip away enough fear and apathy to free the other emotions.”

  “Mia, I am so happy to have what we have. Don’t worry, I will continue to fight for him, each and every time we talk,” Mark promised her.

  ~

  Mia stood nervously at the front door. “Mr. Wayne will see you in the den,” the butler said. “Follow me.”

  Mia walked through the quiet house. The house was cold, its décor Spartan but expensive. She felt better when she entered the lush, warm library. She took a moment to look at all the shelves of books. She was so taken in by the two floors of books that she didn’t see Wyatt until she backed into him.

  “Whoa, sorry, this is a beautiful room,” she gushed.

  Caught by surprise, he laughed. The sound seemed unfamiliar coming from his throat. “I’m glad you approve. My servant said you had something to give me in person?”

  Mia turned around and handed him the plastic box. “Inside is Strawberry Wine, your brother’s book.”

  The demon was visibly touched. He lifted the lid and drew out a page. “It’s in his hand.”

  Mia turned to go.

  “Stay. Please sit.”

  Mia followed his hand to a small grouping of tall-backed chairs. She sat down, feeling positively tiny in the large chair. Still, she sat back, liking the feel of the chair behind her.

  Wyatt set down the manuscript and looked over at her. “Two visits from the Ice Queen in a week, people are going to talk.”

  “Oh dear, my reputation precedes me.”

  “No, after you left, I looked you up. You’re an interesting creature. You are a fence-sitter, even after dealing with the Other. You have embraced your demon gene and, at first, rejected the birdman, but now…”

  “I’m confused, clumsy and complex.”

  “But not conflicted.”

  “Somewhat. I can’t seem to figure out what I am.”

  “But you know who you are,” Wyatt said.

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Tell me, did you cross them over?”

  “I was in a drainpipe when the house was destroyed. They crossed without my help, but I did see them in the light.”

  “Heaven?”

  “I don’t know what’s in the light for them, but, Wyatt, they were happy.”

  “Thank you. You didn’t have to come here, but you did. You have every right to shun me and my kind, but you don’t. This causes me to worry for you.”

  “Me?”

  “Mia, you have to find your place in what is coming. You can’t sit on the fence.”

  “Can’t it be stopped?”

  Wyatt sighed. “It may have come too far. Too many humans involved. No honor.”

  “I hope that something happens to change the direction in which we all are headed. I wouldn’t enjoy having to fight those I share a bond with,” Mia confessed.

  “Me neither.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to fight?” she asked.

  “I may have to, to survive.”

  “I hope you do survive, Wyatt.”

  “It’s not Wyatt you’re talking to, Mia.”

  “I gathered, but it’s easier somehow.”

  “You wouldn’t like me if you saw my true form.”

  “What did you look like before the fall?”

  “How…”

  “I didn’t believe William’s words. I knew you weren’t spawned from a woman. You’ve always been. You can’t make an angel, not even a fallen one.”

  “I would prefer if you didn’t let your master know.”

  “I have no master.”

  “Sariel? Angelo? Roumain?” he asked, reading her each time. “No, you are free still. I take it you’re weighing your options too.”

  Mia blushed and shook her head. “I will fight for the human race, to protect my family and friends. If it is at Sariel’s side then so be it. But I assure you, the only slave I am is to love.”

  “You have been very honest with me, Mia. I have never had anyone trust me in a very long time. It was an unfortunate set of circumstances that took my wings from me. Don’t let the same happen to you.”

  Mia stood in front of the demon and grasped his hands. “Don’t live whatever time we have left in this cold place. For most of my life, I kept to myself, guarding myself from hurt and ridicule. It was a horrible thing, just existing. Live. Go to N’awlins. There’s a tree hugger there that could use some guidance. He’s a hero. Don’t let him become anything less.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to hunt a few ghosts, make love to my husband, and watch my son grow. You know, normal stuff.”

  “I sense that normal for you is extraordinary to someone else.”

  Mia walked to the door of the den and stopped. “I almost forgot. Thank you for the tornado. Next time, give a girl a little heads-up.”

  Wyatt laughed. This time it didn’t sound odd. It sounded right.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Mia let Maggie off her lead. They were far enough away from any roads. She sat down and watched as the dog chased a few butterflies before getting the scent of what Mia prayed wasn’t a skunk.

  “Sorry to be late,” Ted said from behind her.

  She turned around to see Ted lugging a massive picnic basket.

  “That’s large enough for a party. Are we expecting anyone?�
�

  “No. Just Cid being Cid. Get up, and let me put a blanket down.”

  Mia held on to the basket while her husband lay the coverlet on the ground. He took the basket, and from inside he withdrew two small pillows. He placed them on the ground and set the basket on the blanket.

  “Come on, we’re missing the best clouds.”

  “What?” Mia said, looking up.

  Ted grabbed her and lay her head on the pillow and pointed upwards. “That’s Thor. See his mighty hammer?”

  Mia could kind of see the Norse God as he was portrayed in the comics. How about that one?” Mia pointed.

  “Um, that’s a heart. My heart to be exact.”

  “That was romantic.”

  “Good. I suck at romance, Mia. I know I do.”

  Mia rolled to her side and looked at her husband. “I disagree.”

  “You’re too kind.”

  “There’s this picnic…”

  “Cid’s idea.”

  “The nice little pillows…”

  “Audrey.”

  “Well, you showed up,” Mia said.

  Ted broke into a smile. “But I was late.”

  “Any particular reason?”

  “I was writing this line of code, and time got away from me.”

  “But you’re here now.”

  “Murphy insisted.”

  “I’m getting the feeling that romance, the Martin way, takes a village.”

  Ted shaded his eyes and looked over at his wife and nodded.

  “Any particular reason why you’re so resistant to being romantic?”

  “I think it’s against my nature.”

  “Could be.” Mia lay back down and closed her eyes. She was enjoying the warm sun on her face when a shadow moved overhead. Expecting to see a cloud, she opened her eyes to see Ted above her. “Tired of cloud gazing?”

  “I saw one that looked like an angel, and so I was comparing you and it.”

  “Oh, Ted, I’m no angel.”

  “I know,” he said with a husky voice.

  Mia giggled. “You know the dog is going to watch.”

  “Maybe. All I care about is, we are far enough away that Superman can’t get his jollies off.”

  “I can be quiet, Teddy Bear.”

  “Not with what I have planned, you can’t.”

  ~

  Maggie came back with a note tied to her collar. Murphy escorted her to the farmhouse, and Cid rewarded her with a slice of bacon.

  Murphy handed Cid the note addressed to him. Cid unrolled it and started laughing.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “It’s from Ted. It says: Don’t wait up. I figured out the thing.”

  Murphy pushed his hat back on his head, scratched his beard and was speechless.

  ***

  Glossary

  PEEPS: Paranormal Entity Exposure Partners

  Dupree, Mike: Founding partner of PEEPs and on camera personality.

  Garrett, Cid: Contractor, investigator, cameraman, and technician.

  Hicks, Burt: Founding partner of PEEPs, lead investigator, and cameraman.

  Jake: Ghost, research and computers.

  Martin, Mia Cooper: Sensitive, lead investigator, and security. Ted’s wife and Brian Martin’s mother.

  Martin, Ted: Lead technician, computers, and communications. Mia’s husband and Brian Martin’s father.

  McCarthy, Audrey: Researcher and investigator.

  Murphy, Stephen: Ghost, translator and security.

  Recurring Characters:

  Alessandro, Father: Jesuit Priest, mind reader, exorcist, sensitive, and friend of Father Santos.

  Bainbridge, Matt: Pediatric doctor, Audrey McCarthy’s boyfriend, has ghost of his great-uncle in his home.

  Bouvier, Beth: Former PEEPs researcher, fired for trying to sabotage Mia.

  Braverman, Susan: Mega Chicago Bears fan, housewife, Tom Braverman’s mother and Brian Martin’s babysitter.

  Braverman, Tom: Deputy Sheriff, school friend of Mia. Murphy brought him back to life, inadvertently giving him the sight.

  Cooper, Beverly: Professional Sensitive, associate of Father Santos, Mia’s aunt.

  Day, Amber: Former PEEPs investigator/phony sensitive.

  Dupree, Glenda: Mike Dupree’s mother, supporter of PEEPs, recent millionaire.

  Ed aka He-who-walks-through-time: Superhuman. Judy’s partner.

  Elizabeth: Birdwoman. Head Gray Lady, healer and associate of Angelo Michaels.

  Jefferies, Alan: Attorney for the Martins and PEEPs.

  Judy aka Refugia: Birdwoman. Former Gray Lady. Independent healer and Ed’s partner.

  Maggie Mae: Mixed breed dog of PEEPs who can see ghosts.

  Maria: Countess of Sardinia. Angelo’s plus one.

  Martin, Brian: Son of Mia and Ted Martin.

  Martin, Whitney: Former Deputy Sheriff. Mia’s high school crush and ex-boyfriend.

  Mendelssohn, Ralph: Musical stage designer, Mia’s godfather, married to Bernard Wesley.

  Michaels, Angelo: Birdman and associate of Father Santos. Lead Warrior and librarian for the Brotherhood of the Wing.

  Murphy, Chastity: Deceased wife of Stephen Murphy.

  Norwood, Sabine: Sensitive, clairvoyant, and medium. Associate of Father Santos. Widow, cousin of Mia and mother of triplets.

  Roumain, Judge: Judge of Purgatory.

  Ryan, John: Sheriff, neighbor of Burt Hicks and friend of Father Santos.

  Santos, Father (Paolo): Roman Catholic priest, exorcist, mind reader. Leader of a professional group of paranormal investigators.

  Shem, Gerald: Associate of Father Santos. Businessman who trades in favors, Beverly Cooper’s paramour.

  Stavros, Orion: Birdman, scribe, researcher, field medic. Mia’s grandfather, and Angelo Michaels’s friend.

  Sticks: Teenage demon.

  Sariel: Archangel.

  Two Face Tony: Demon of the Anderson Mill.

  Walters, Doctor: Emergency MD. Mia’s doctor.

  Wesley, Dr. Bernard: Director of the Culture Department of Chicago’s Field Museum, friend of Father Santos, Mia’s godfather, and married to Ralph Mendelssohn.

  Terms:

  OOB: Out of body. State of bilocation.

  Earcom: Communication device worn inside the ear while investigating.

  Alexie Aaron

  After traveling the world, Alexie Aaron, a Midwestern native, returned to her roots where she’s been haunting for years. She now lives in a village outside of Chicago with her husband and family.

  Her popular Haunted Series was born from her memories of fleeting shapes rushing around doorways, an heirloom chair that rocked itself, cold feelings of mysterious dread, and warm feelings from the traces of loved ones long gone.

  Alexie also writes the Cin Fin-Lathen Mysteries. These mysteries, set in England and south Florida, combine action and intrigue with a liberal dose of humor.

  Want more information? Check out www.alexieaaron.com