by Keeley Smith
He didn’t feel anything, the only difference he noticed was the change in the air and the sudden welcoming sounds of the night. One moment they were stood in the dark, cold place and the next they were breathing fresh air and listening to the twitters in the woods surrounding them.
He opened his eyes to find them stood next to Lester’s grave. The head stone still remained in tatters.
“Oh my god! I can’t believe we are back!” Deyna squealed and started skipping in a circle.
He didn’t feel quite as happy. Yes, he was home but what had he come home to? He didn’t have a mother, had never had a father. What could he do with his life now?
He looked around the cemetery, his eyes glanced towards the woods expecting to see the glint of red from the hungry eyes of the wolves but he didn’t see anything. They were alone.
“Where’s Lester?” Phillip asked.
Deyna stopped skipping. The smile on her face turned to one of sadness.
Lester wasn’t here.
“I guess he had to go...” Stephen shrugged.
Without the ghost here Stephen felt like he’d lost a friend which was strange considering the small amount of time they’d spent together. Yet he felt like the experience they’d been through would always leave a place in his heart for Lester.
“I wanted to say goodbye,” Deyna whispered, tears were already swimming in her eyes.
She came to him and put her head against his chest. He felt the sting of tears.
“Me too,” he murmured.
“I’m not gone yet, lad.”
They turned to see Lester stood on the verge of the woods with two feet firmly touching the ground. Deyna gasped.
“We thought you’d left,” Stephen called.
“I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”
Deyna ran to the ghost. Before Stephen could warn her, her arms were around Lester. Stephen gasped, as did Phillip. They walked together towards this Lester, one that no longer shimmered. Lester was stroking Deyna’s hair. Her face was pushing into his jacket as tears slid silently along her cheeks.
“You are an amazing, beautiful girl please don’t change who you are,” Lester whispered.
“I won’t.” Deyna held onto him a second longer and stood back. “Thank you, Lester.”
Lester nodded and turned his attention to Phillip.
“Phillip, or should I say young Pip.” Lester held out his hand to Phillip who shook it in return.
“Thank for everything, Lester. You helped saved me on that bridge and I will never forget that.”
“No, thank you. I’m a new man because you went through that quest for me.”
“It was worth it.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
Phillip and Deyna looked at him and Lester and then walked away together leaving the two of them alone.
“So...” Stephen said scuffing the dirt with his trainers. He found himself in another situation where he couldn’t find the right words.
“What will you do now, lad?”
“I actually don’t know.”
He had a home to go to but there wasn’t anyone waiting for him. He didn’t know what he was going to do about school.
“I’m sorry about everything that has happened.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. He took your wife away from you and for that he deserves everything he gets.”
“I’m sorry it changes your life like it has.”
“I’m not sorry. I can’t believe I lived with him all these years and I didn’t know...”
“Stephen, you are not your father. I see the worry in your eyes but you are not him. You are strong willed, brave and loyal, all the qualities he did not possess.”
Stephen nodded his head, fearing the words would break up and he would crack.
Lester nodded and held out his hand. “I couldn’t begin to thank you enough for everything you have done. You and your friends will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Stephen shook the man’s hand feeling the contact and, for once, feeling warm flesh.
“Where will you go?” Stephen asked him.
“I can’t tell you,” Lester said with a laugh.
Stephen smiled. “Nothing new there then.”
Lester pulled him into a hug. “Marie waits for me,” Lester whispered happily in his ear.
Stephen felt a fresh wave of tears fill his eyes. He’d finally given him an answer.
“I’ll think about you from time to time.”
Lester smiled. “Thank you.”
He stood and watched the old man walk away into the dark woods. Just as they lost sight of him, the figure of a woman appeared. Deyna started crying as she watched Lester and the figure of a woman meet.
“Oh,” Lester said turning around. “Keep your wits about you. You never know when the next quest could find you.”
With those words, Lester disappeared leaving them standing in the cemetery, alone.
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