by Cameo Renae
“Where am I?” his voice came out in a hollow whisper.
“In a hospital,” I replied, hoping not to agitate him.
“Why?” he asked, glancing around. “Why am I here?”
Oh God. I had to tell him. This was the part of my job I loathed most.
“What’s your name?” I found that using their name helped to form a connection.
“Billy,” he replied.
I inhaled sharply. “Billy Campbell?”
“Yes.” His eyes narrowed. “Do I know you?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “But you came here with Logan Pierce. Do you remember anything about what happened?”
“Logan…” His eyes went distant for a while. “Where is he?”
“He’s in critical care. A drug overdose.”
His hands pressed on the sides of his head. “We got some nasty shit. I threw up, I couldn’t breathe. The pain. It sent me to the fucking floor. I screamed a warning, and I think I stopped his injection. The rest, I don’t remember.”
“Who gave you the drugs?” I asked.
“Antman.”
“Antman?” I repeated, and he nodded.
“I’m gonna kill that bastard.” The ghost heaved, vomiting in front of me. I stepped back, but nothing hit the floor.
He wiped his mouth. “Ant and Logan got into a fight when Antman demanded he pay more for the drugs. Logan knew he’d found out about the family money, and told him he wasn’t paying any more than what he’d been paying. Antman apologized, said he wanted to make amends. That’s when he handed over a small zipper pouch. It was his special stash of heroine,” he said, using air quotes.
“Oh God,” I breathed. “He did it purposely?”
Billy threw up again, but the white plasma disappeared.
“Yeah, I need to tell someone, but we can’t go to the police. We were shooting drugs, man. They’ll arrest us and we’ll be kicked out of school. I’ve been searching for someone to help, but couldn’t find anyone, except you.”
I swallowed hard, sucking in a deep breath. “There’s a reason why I’m the only one you can see.”
“Why?” he asked, his head twisted to the side.
I didn’t want to beat around the bush. He needed to know, and I needed to find a way to tell Liam about what happened.
“I’m so sorry to tell you this, Billy. You didn’t make it to the hospital. You were dead on arrival.”
“No.” He shook his head. “No, no, no,” he whispered, frantically looking around the hallways, then down at his body. “No,” he fisted his hands in his hair, “you’re lying. I can’t be dead.”
He attempted to punch the wall next to him, but his hand passed right through it. “What the fu—” He tried to hit the wall again, but his hand never made contact.
“I’m so sorry.”
“What’s happening to me?” His eyes narrowed, his face enraged as he twisted to face me. “Who the hell are you?”
My heart was pounding as I gave him the details. “My name is Lizzy, and I’m a medium. I see spirits who are stuck between realms. I’m not sure why you haven’t crossed over. Maybe it’s because you didn’t know you were dead, or it could be because you felt the need to tell someone what happened. But now that you’ve given me the information, I can make sure that the authorities know what happened. You can cross over to a much better place and not have to be stuck here.”
He relaxed a bit, his brow furrowing deeply. “What about my mom and my baby sister?”
“They’ll learn to manage, knowing one day soon they’ll see you again. I can assure you of that.”
“What’s it like?” he asked. “Crossing over?”
“I don’t know. But I do know that there are people who we love who are there. So it must be a beautiful place.”
He closed his eyes as if concentrating. When he opened them again, his entire demeanor changed. “Antman lives in an apartment building on Sunset Street.”
Sunset Street? That was where Betty Brown’s boyfriend lived. I still had to deliver her message too.
“Do you know a Nicolaus Hoffer?” I asked.
He nodded. “He’s Antman’s brother.”
“Wait. What?”
“They’re both effed up.”
“How?” I had to ask.
“Word is, Nick found out his girl was pregnant. I guess he saw some ultrasound pictures in her purse and got pissed. He didn’t want a kid, so Antman had him lace her alcohol with some heavy drugs, then take her down to the beach for a swim.”
“Holy shit,” I said, enraged with the news. My blood was boiling. Betty loved him so much, she hadn’t crossed over. She’d wanted to make sure he received a message to be happy and move on with his life, to give an apology for not telling him about their child.
“Are you sure what you told me is true?”
He nodded. “Antman told us himself. Said he gave Nick the drugs. I wouldn’t doubt it was the same batch he gave us.”
“Oh God,” I exhaled. Maybe they could use the drugs as evidence. But they’d need to test Betty’s blood, and compare it to Billy and Logan’s.
This entire trip was getting more and more twisted. And somehow, I was ending up in the middle of it. Why? I didn’t need or want this. I had wanted a vacation. I wanted to find some peace and happiness. I guess God had other plans.
The thing was, I didn’t know where to start, or who to tell. I didn’t know anyone in authority down here. Maybe I could call Tyler’s dad, Officer Cross, and ask him what I should do. Hopefully, he could point me in the right direction, or at least give me some sound advice.
I heard voices in the hallway, one of whom was Liam. “I’m going to go look for a friend of mine,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”
I turned to Billy. “Thank you for all of that information. I’ll make sure Antman doesn’t get away with this.”
“So, you’ll tell someone?”
“Yes,” I answered. “I have a few connections in law enforcement, they will be able to help.” He gave me a smile, which made him look a little friendlier. “Are you ready to cross over now?”
“Yes. But I don’t know if I can. I’ve cursed like a sailor my entire life, drank alcohol like it was going out of style, and have done so many drugs.”
“It’s not like that,” I said, assuring his insecurities. “All spirits can cross over. And it looks as if someone has come to help you.” I nodded my head at the man behind him.
Billy turned to see the man standing in a halo of light. “Dad?” He froze, eyes wide as the man held his hand out to him.
“It’s time to come home, son,” his dad answered.
Billy ran to him, and they embraced. Emotions bubbled inside, reminding me of my encounters with Michael, filling my eyes with hot tears.
“Thank you, Lizzy,” Billy called. “I’ll put in a good word for you on the other side,” he said, with a grin.
His dad waved at me, and I waved back. He then wrapped his arm around Billy’s neck, and they walked through the doorway. As soon as they did, it disappeared, leaving me alone.
Fatigue set in, leaving my body exhausted. I started back to the waiting room, and when I made a turn, I bumped face-first into Liam’s chest. His arms wrapped around me and held on tight, only to let go when a shrill voice called his name.
Liam rolled his eyes, then looked down at me. “I wondered where you went.”
“Is that your mom calling you? How’s Logan?”
“Yes, she’s here, unfortunately. And Logan’s in a coma, but stable,” he exhaled a sigh of relief. “They said his blood had quite a bit less of the drug than Billy had. I can only assume Billy took the first shot, and Logan saw the effects of it before he finished pumping the poison into his own arm.”
I laid my hand on his arm. “I think that sounds like a pretty accurate assessment.”
A middle-aged woman came around the corner. When her eyes landed on me, they went glacial, so I dropped my hand and took a few ste
ps back.
“Son, could I speak to you?”
“Sure,” he replied, then glanced over to me. “I’ll be right back.”
I nodded and watched as he followed his mother down the hall and around the corner, looking like a young child who was in trouble with his momma. They must have stopped nearby because I could hear their voices loud and clear. Instead of leaving, I stood and listened to what she had to say.
“Who is that?”
“She’s just a friend.”
“A friend?” Her voice escalated. “Is she the one you were with when you should have been with your brother?”
She sounded like a royal bitch.
“Don’t even begin to pin Logan’s situation on me,” Liam admonished. “I’m not his babysitter.”
“Were you with her today?” her voice climbed over his. “Yes or no.”
“Yes.”
“I knew it. See what happens when girls get in the way? You lose focus.”
“I’ve never lost focus. I took a goddam day off for myself, nothing to be ashamed of. It just so happened, it was the day your idiot son decided to shoot up poisoned drugs with his loser friend.”
“How dare you,” she growled. “Your brother is fighting for his life, and here you are—”
“Why do you think he came to California?” Liam interrupted. “Huh? It’s because he wanted nothing to do with the family business or the life goals you and father set for him.”
“There is nothing wrong with having plans,” she said. “And speaking of plans, you might as well know. You will both be leaving California, immediately. As soon as Logan is able to, he will be transferred to a private facility near us. We will have your transcripts sent directly to Princeton, where you will be able to start school directly after spring break.”
“What?” Liam snapped. “How can you do that without discussing it with me first?”
“Don’t use that tone of voice with me, Liam,” she admonished.
It took everything inside of me to keep from storming over there and giving her a piece of my mind. But I didn’t know Liam that well. It wasn’t my place.
“Princeton has always been your dream,” she mollified.
“No, mom. Princeton has been your dream, and at the time I thought it was mine too.”
“Liam, you are an heir to your father’s inheritance. If you don’t take over, everything he’s worked so tirelessly for, will fail. This company was built for you and your brother, and one day, for your children, and your children’s children.”
“I know,” he finally said, his voice defeated.
“Good. Now, your father is on his way. He should be here soon.”
I’d heard enough. I headed back to the waiting room and texted Emily on the way.
Me: Can Tyler pick me up at the hospital?
Em: I’ll text him, but he just took off to help a friend on the side of the highway. I’ll call you a cab.
Me: No, that’s okay. I can wait. I’ll just hang out in the waiting room downstairs and read magazines.
“Em: I’m not going to let you linger at the hospital.
Me: I have some things I need to work out here first. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back.
Em: Ok. Any news?
Me: Logan is in a coma, but should make it. And, Mrs. Pierce is here. :/
Em: Thank God. He is a lucky SOB. Is his mom everything you’d hoped?
Me: Above and beyond. Ugh.
Liam ambled into the waiting room a few minutes later. “We can give you a ride back to the townhouse.”
I shook my head. “Thanks, but Tyler is on his way to pick me up.”
“Oh,” he said, sadly. “Lizzy, I’m really sorry. My mother…”
I held up my hand and stopped him. “It’s fine, and I understand. You’re a good person, with a big heart. You feel as if you need to make everyone else happy, but remember, you’re not a child anymore. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself, or give your opinion when you feel it’s necessary. In the end, it’s you who will have to live with your choices.”
His head dropped forward with a sigh, his fingers raking through his hair. “I know,” he whispered. “But right now, decisions have to be made for what’s best for my future. The company is my future.”
It was evident he had no other choice but to comply. Taking over the family business was his only real option. They needed Liam. He was obviously the only family member who could eventually take over and run the company. But he still had his mom’s apron strings firmly attached, and I wasn’t sure if they would ever be cut.
I stood up and gave him a hug. He needed one. God knows if his mother ever hugged him growing up.
He stiffened, probably shocked by my abruptness, but soon his arms wrapped tightly around me. I took in the smell of his cologne, feeling the finality of the moment. He must have felt it as well, and leaned down to kiss my cheek.
“Thank you for everything, Lizzy. I can honestly say, these past two days will carry me through the shit storm I’m about to enter.”
“I sincerely wish you the best, and hope one day you will find true love and happiness,” I breathed, leaning back to look up at him with a smile. I felt bad for him; felt bad there was nothing I could do to make it better.
“Liam, we have to go,” his mother interrupted, standing at the entrance of the waiting room. Her face was rigid, her lips and eyes pinched tight.
“Goodbye, Lizzy,” Liam whispered.
“Goodbye, Liam.”
As he walked away, I felt a pang of sadness, knowing I wouldn’t see him again.
The elevator door slid open on the first floor, and Mason stood directly before me. Neither of us moved until he stepped to the side and held the door open for me to exit.
“Did you see Liam on your way in?” I asked.
“No,” he replied with a surprised look on his face. “Are you here alone?”
“I came with Liam, but Tyler is coming to pick me up.”
His eyes narrowed. “How’s Logan?”
“He’s in a coma in the ICU, but he’s stable, and they said he’ll survive. Unfortunately, his friend wasn’t so lucky.”
“I heard.”
“Only immediate family can get in to see him, and they left.”
“They?”
“Their mom is here,” I exhaled.
“That bitchy peacock?” His face pinched in disgust. “I hope she’s staying at a hotel.”
“She is,” I answered. “And it looks like you’ll be losing your roommates.”
“What the hell? What do you mean?”
“They are having Logan transferred to a facility nearby, and forcing Liam to transfer to Princeton.”
“They better freaking give me notice. We signed a year lease, and I’m not going to get stuck with the full rent.”
“I’m sure they’ll work it out.”
The elevator beeped, probably because we’d been holding it for too long.
As I stepped out of the elevator, Mason stepped in.
“They won’t let you in,” I said.
“It won’t hurt to try. He’s like a brother to me.”
“Good luck,” I said as the door slid shut.
I proceeded to the first-floor waiting room which had a coffee machine. I made myself a cup of dark-medium roast, found a few magazines to bide my time, and picked a comfortable armed chair in one of the corners. Plopping down, I checked my phone to make sure the ringer was on, then settled in.
As I flipped the pages, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Billy had said. I needed to tell someone, and the only one I could think of was Tyler’s dad—Officer Cross.
Halfway through my first magazine, I heard someone clear their throat. When I glanced up, it was Mason.
“I thought Tyler was going to pick you up.”
“He is, after he helps someone who’s broken down on the highway. He’s being the good Samaritan.”
“I’m going back to the house. I can give you a
ride.”
“On your motorcycle?”
“Yep. And just to ease your mind, I’ve never had an accident.” He held his hands out to his sides. “It’s up to you. You can go home now, or you can sit here and wait.”
“When you put it that way,” I said, setting my magazine down. I wouldn’t tell him that I really wanted to read how to make a homemade mask for my hair. Tossing the rest of my coffee in the trash, I turned to him. “Let’s roll.”
A grin grew on his lips. “Let’s roll.”
As I followed him out to the parking lot, I texted Emily. I didn’t realize I had only two percent battery left.
Me: Getting a ride home with Mason. Tell Tyler 2 cancel.”
Tucking my phone into my pocket, he handed me his helmet.
“Here, put this on.”
I slid it over my head and snapped it in place, but it was loose and really wobbly. I felt like a bobble head.
“Are we going straight home?”
“What?” His brow furrowed and he leaned closer.
“Are we going straight home?”
He shook his head and lifted the plastic front. “I can’t hear you.”
“Are we going straight home?” I asked for the third time.
“Yes, unless there’s somewhere else you’d rather go.”
“Nope.”
“Have you ever ridden a bike before?”
“I’ve ridden a dirt bike, and a snow machine.”
He hopped on, straddling the bike, his hands on the grips. He lifted the kickstand and started it up. “Jump on,” he said, twisting the throttle and revving the engine.
I hopped on the back, lowered the facemask, and held onto his waist.
I didn’t say it out loud, but I was a little terrified about riding with him. What if he had another seizure while we were going fifty? We would both arrive back at the hospital in body bags.
And then, as if he could read my mind, he answered.
“Don’t worry about me. Headaches are usually a dead giveaway to an oncoming seizure. Sometimes. Most days they’re headaches, but there are a few times when it escalates.”
“And?”
“And today, I’m headache free.”
