by Alexie Aaron
Cid ran around the weather anomaly and opened the back of the truck while Burt kept an eye on what he thought was an entity.
Cid came back and nodded to Burt that he was running digital.
“My name is Burt. I’m with a group of people that are trying to help the souls trapped here. Can you communicate with me?”
The whirlwind hovered for a moment before moving off in the direction of the back of the house. Burt followed it with Cid close behind. It moved along the outside wall of the garden. Burt and Cid caught up. Burt repeated his name and offered help. The whirlwind appeared to move through the wall. Burt walked up to where it disappeared and examined the wall. He looked around and found a piece of slate on the ground. He rubbed it against the stone blocks and put a big X. “When we come back, let’s start here,” he suggested to Cid. “I think the garden is the key.”
“It seems to be the consensus,” Cid commented. “The running thesis is that the old bag ground up some people and fed them to her plants.”
“It’s never that cut and dried, Cid,” Burt cautioned. “Something’s bothering me though,” he said as they walked back to the truck. “Mia said, ‘Might I have a bit of earth,’ in her delirium.”
“That’s from The Secret Garden by Burnett,” Cid informed him. “My mother read it to us as children. It was a pivotal moment in the book.”
“So was it Mia asking for a bit of earth, or someone else?”
“That you have to ask her, Burt.”
“I guess I will. You get any messages from Ted?”
“Just to pick up my underwear, we are having a guest tomorrow.”
“Mia doesn’t care about stuff like that.”
“No, but her aunt Bev may,” Cid said, checking his phone. “Evidently she is going to school Mia on how to avoid possession. She wants to use Murphy in her exercises.”
“Poor guy,” Burt commiserated. “Beverly Cooper is a mighty force to be reckoned with. I’d hide your virginity, or she’ll have you on your back before lunch,” he warned.
Cid got in the truck and started it up. He wondered how Burt knew he was still a virgin. He put it into gear, and they headed away from Gruber mansion. “How old is Mia’s aunt anyway?”
Burt burst out laughing. “Don’t know. Looks forty, could be older. She’s a cougar, Cid, been around the world a few times I gather.”
“You see, Burt, you and I see things differently. You see a cougar, I see an experienced woman. What things I could learn…”
Burt shook his head, sat back and hoped Bev’s mating instinct would pick up Cid and leave him alone. Not that he would mind a night with a beautiful woman, but she was, after all, Mia’s aunt and one of the strongest sensitives this side of the Atlantic.
Chapter Thirteen
He lost control of it in his sleep. Hagan woke to two guards fighting frantically to unwind the bed sheet from his neck. His arms were restrained, and he felt the sting of electricity moving through his body.
“I’m sorry, Fowler, but you’re killing us here. Calm down. Who did this to you?”
He wanted to ask what the guard was talking about. He assumed by the rush to relieve him of his bedding that the monster within had tried unsuccessfully to end his life. Hagan let the humiliation of his urine-soaked clothes go. He thought of the future stares of his fellow inmates and their disgust at the axe murderer trying to off himself. The fear of his rage was the only thing that kept the cruelest beast of the facility away from him. Now he would be preyed upon. His life would be a series of victimizations after another. He would snap, kill and be killed. The evil would be free to harm more innocents, and he wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
“Lawyer,” he croaked.
A familiar face lowered his to Hagan’s. “I’ll make sure of it. Until then I will pray for you.”
~
Mia turned into the drive and slowly made her way up towards the house. There had been some changes to the farm. It had taken on a very male appearance. Gone were the frilly curtains, April loved so much. They had been replaced with blinds. The side yard’s paving had been extended, and five vehicles were parked in front of the renovated barn. Mia turned her truck around and parked, as she always did, for a quick exit. She jumped out of the truck and walked over to the tarp-covered end of the barn.
Stakes had been driven into the thawing ground. Someone had sprayed lines of orange paint. She smelled the aroma of coffee before she heard the footfalls behind her.
“It’s going to be an office,” Cid informed her. “After the wall fell, Murphy suggested to Ted that he may as well build onto the barn.”
“It’s very ambitious, but I approve. Are you going to stick around for the construction?”
“Yes. There’s nothing in Kansas calling me back.”
“I’m glad you’re here, you bring balance to the craziness,” Mia pointed out.
“Thank you, I think. How are you feeling?”
“Stupid. Contrary to popular belief, I abhor being carried unconscious all over the damned place. I detest being taken advantage of by the bullies of the spirit world and have the role of damsel-in-distress thrust upon me.”
“I hear that’s why your aunt is arriving today. The bozos in there are dusting for the woman, for heaven’s sake.”
This made Mia laugh.
Cid watched as her features softened. “I needed that, thank you.”
Mia heard the screen door slam and looked over at the house. Ted was walking, carrying two mugs of coffee. “Morning, TM.”
Cid looked at her and asked, “TM?”
“Short for Tits Magee,” she explained.
“Huh, I can, er, nevermind,” Cid stammered and walked away.
Mia walked over to Ted and kissed him before taking the mug from him. “Morning, Ted. You see Murph around?”
“Not yet, it’s early. He’s probably walking the property line. He usually shows up about nine. How’d you sleep?”
“Like a baby, missed you though,” Mia told him.
“Me too. But I had things to do here.”
“Any problems with Burt?”
“Not that I could tell. Cid ran interference a few times. What do you think about my new extension?” Ted asked.
“Nice and airy, great view,” Mia commented, waving her arms.
“When Murphy suggested it, I was a bit wary. I have a lot of rooms in the house - presently they are filled with testosterone - so what do I need the extra room for? Then I gets to thinking, I’d like to have a place that I can leave the computers on. Not having to worry about the beeps and sighs they make. I’d like our home to be free from work stuff. A sanctuary of sorts away from work pressures.”
Mia smiled and pointed out, “Our?”
“It seems rather dishonest to say my when I mean our. How do you feel about our?” Ted said seriously.
“Since we’re being honest, our thrills me. Are we moving too fast? I don’t want to fail at this. I’m so socially stunted that I’m not sure how to respond. I can only respond with how I feel,” Mia explained.
Ted looked down at her and said, “I’m the same way. I’ve never really dated before, and well, you know I’m a novice at things my peers are very experienced at. But I love you so much. I want to support you and take care of you, and, hell, have you support me and take care of me too.”
“Seems then that we have agreed that our is the right word to use,” Mia said and reached up to pull Ted down lower so she could kiss him.
The noise of a car coming up the drive cut their kiss short. Mia turned to see one of Gerald’s Town Cars move slowly towards them. It stopped, and a uniformed driver got out and inquired, “Is this the home of Theodore Martin?”
“Yes, that would be I,” Ted informed him.
The driver smiled and proceeded to open the door.
To say Beverly Cooper made a memorable entrance would be an understatement. She emerged from the vehicle as if she was attending a Hollywood premiere. Her expensive l
eather boots hit the ground first, and as she stood, Mia was surprised to see that Bev had lost weight. The wool pants moved sensually over her curves, the silky lining rustled lightly. She had her leather jacket open, showing off the vibrant tangerine-colored silk blouse she had on. Bev quickly closed it exclaiming, “Damn, it’s cold in the country.”
Her hair was full and expertly styled. Mia leaned in to give her aunt a kiss and noticed that, as suspected, Bev had had work done.
Bev looked at Mia and didn’t see any facial lines. “Damn, girl, you’re not botoxing with Ralph are you? You’re too young,” she advised.
“No, Bev, I’m not.”
“Angelo,” she guessed. “You’ve been to the… Damn, I suddenly can’t remember what the place is called? Anyway, you’re looking good. Hello, Ted, come kiss your new auntie.”
Ted stifled his surprise, leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
Mia looked at Bev and narrowed her eyes. Why was she so accommodating? What did Ralph have on her that made her so, well odd?
“Would you like to come in for some refreshments? Murphy hasn’t shown yet, but I expect him soon,” Ted informed her.
“Sounds good.” She turned to the driver. “Would you mind returning in a few hours? Mia, tell the man where he can get a good meal,” she ordered.
Mia watched as Ted gave Bev his arm, and the two of them strolled towards the house. She turned to the driver and made a few recommendations. He thanked her and got into the car and drove off.
Mia entered the farmhouse to find it filled with laughter. Bev was charming the men with one of her stories. Burt, although clearly nervous, was laughing along with the rest. Cid was entranced. Mia subtracted the differences in their ages and shook her head. Well, he was an adult, so she dismissed her worry. She didn’t know why Bev wouldn’t settle down with Gerald. But to question her about it invited lectures on the evils of monogamy, and Mia didn’t want to waste her time with that.
Ted handed Bev a mug of coffee. Mia sensed that her aunt bit back a snide remark regarding handing a lady a mug. For this she was grateful. She caught Bev’s eye and smiled. Bev winked at her.
“Now where the hell is Murphy?” Bev said.
“This Old House is on in five minutes, I expect he’ll be here soon,” Cid said.
“The old man’s watching television? Pah, what’s the world coming to? He should be scaring tourists,” she complained.
“Don’t be giving him any ideas,” Mia warned. “I don’t need Father Santos on my case.”
“Poo, Santos has a very narrow view. He needs to get his head out of the Good Book and into the real world.”
“Don’t be dissing Father Santos around here, Bev. He’s Ted’s hero,” Mia cautioned.
“Ted, he’s just a man. No better than you or I. He just has a better publicist, that’s all,” Bev said and laughed at her own joke.
Murphy chose that moment to move through the front door. He stood in the living room surveying the assembled company.
“Hello, Stephen, nice to see you again,” Bev said. “We met up yonder a few months back.”
Burt and Cid suffered the disadvantage of not being able to see the ghost. They didn’t see him tip his hat in recognition. Murphy nodded at the TV and looked at Ted.
“I’m taping the show, Mia needs your help. Do you think you could help her out?”
Murphy looked from the TV to Mia and back again. He nodded slowly, narrowing his eyes.
“He’s not pleased, but he will help me out,” Mia interpreted for Burt’s and Cid’s benefit.
“Murphy, we’ll see the show after you’re done,” Cid said to the air in front of him.
Murphy’s face lightened a bit, and he nodded.
“Okay, the farmer’s in. All those who have fucked my niece leave the house and find something else to do,” Bev announced.
Mia groaned in embarrassment. Ted picked up his coat and followed a quickly retreating Burt out the front door.
“Cid, you can leave too. I was just checking how big a slut my niece had become.”
Cid nodded, looked sympathetically at Mia, grabbed his coat and exited.
“Thanks for the humiliation.”
“You’re welcome. Stephen, have a seat. Mia, you too,” she ordered. “It’s going to take me awhile to explain this to both of you.” She waited until Mia sat down and Murphy perched himself above her on the arm of Ted’s new couch. “Stephen, Mia had an episode yesterday that, with your help, I think I can train her to avoid. Avoid is not a good word. Repel. That’s better. Tell us what happened. I want to hear it from your own lips,” she asked Mia.
“I entered the garden at a mansion we’re trying to clean for a client. It’s a walled-in garden. I took a few steps inside and felt an overwhelming rush of hate, fear, cruelty, sadness - you name the negative emotion, it was there. It pulled me into a state of unconsciousness during which an entity of some kind assaulted me,” Mia reached into her pocket and drew out a picture Ted printed for her use. She showed it first to Murphy and then handed it to Bev.
“Lord, girl, that must have hurt. It looks like…”
“Vines,” the deep-timbered voice of Murphy echoed in the room.
Bev held her cool and just nodded in agreement. “Rose vines or perhaps ivy? Those old gardens are rife with dangerous plants.”
“Angelo taught me how to block mind readers,” Mia said and continued, “Which gave me the idea that perhaps I could be taught to stop this type of mind possession.”
Bev notice how Murphy’s aura darkened at the mention of Angelo Michaels’s name. “Yes, go on,” she encouraged her.
“I thought, since you taught Sabine how to take in spirits, you may also have taught her how to keep them in check. Keep their emotions from clouding her mind and, well, keep her in control.”
“Yes, I did. She already had the gift, mind you, just didn’t know how to use it.”
“My gifts are different, can you help me?” Mia asked.
“Don’t underestimate yourself. You are more powerful than you know. Us Coopers have talents that defy science and magic. Now, Stephen, once I explain the process to Mia, I would like you to try to possess her. Now don’t give me that look. I know you’ve been in her body before; I can see parts of you in her still.”
Mia’s eyes opened wide as she remembered. “In the museum, Murph, remember?”
Murphy lowered his head and nodded.
Mia was quick to also say, “Bev, in the well, Murphy reached in and squeezed my heart to start it. Is that what you are seeing?”
“Could be a combination of the two, but it’s the possession nonsense, I think that he did that gives you the icy blue color. How did it feel?”
“It was overwhelming and not very nice. Sorry, Murph, I don’t mean to tattle.”
“My my, you two are thick as thieves. Here’s the deal. Murph left his mark on you. He can move into you anytime he wants. It may not have been on purpose, as I don’t think he is aware of the nature of his invasion. He also probably saved you by doing this. It’s like a dog peeing on a tree. He took down the For Rent sign and put up a Psychic Occupied sign.”
Mia looked up at Murphy and saw that he looked more uncomfortable.
“Stephen and I will have a talk later, but don’t worry, old man, you’re not in trouble, yet.” Bev sat a moment. “Where was I? Oh yes. Stephen, I want you to move into Mia - not now, when I say so. Mia, I want you to picture a blooming flower but run the image in your head backwards. Do you see it? When we act as mediums, we use the image of the flower opening to invite the spirit in,” she explained. “So if we don’t want invasion, we think about the flower which is our mind and soul and close the petals one by one until the bud is too tight to penetrate. Try it. First open. Stephen, feel free to enter my niece. My that sounds dirty, but you know what I mean.”
Murphy nodded and flowed downward into Mia until Bev saw an overlay. “Stephen, deeper,” she directed. Bev saw Murphy disappear. “Open her
eyes, you old devil.”
Mia’s eyes opened and gone was the soft moss green. Instead, the cold steel blue of Stephen Murphy resided there.
“Please leave.”
Murphy acquiesced and resumed his perch on the couch.
“Mia, wake up.”
Mia’s eyes opened, and she looked at her aunt. “Ouch.”
“Feels like a hangover. It will pass,” she comforted. “Now, Mia, close the flower. Tight. Stephen, try again,” she requested.
Murphy flowed towards Mia but could only become an overlay.
“Mia push him away as if your mind had hands,” she instructed.
Murphy was repelled and rubbed his arms uncomfortably.
“I understand that stings like being hit with rock salt,” Bev commented.
Murphy nodded.
“Mia, you successfully repelled an entity. In a moment, you’re going to let Stephen in, and then gently push him out. After that’s done, Stephen, be prepared because I want you to go in and fight to stay in. Don’t pussyfoot around. I want you to be mean and hang on in there. It’s for her own good. But first, Mia, be gentle. After, imagine that each petal of the flower which is your soul has a sharp point on it. And with one quick motion, push him out. Okay, are you ready Stephen?”
He nodded.
“Mia, open your mind.” Bev watched as Murphy moved deeply into Mia. He then was moved gently out. “Okay, now let him in, count to three and expel him. Stephen, remember to fight her.”
This time Mia’s mind pulled Murphy in. Bev noted this and was surprised at how she instinctively knew how to do this. Murphy and Mia fought for control. Bev was alarmed at how strong the ghost was. He had certainly hid his light under a basket. It took fifteen minutes, but Murphy was tossed out of Mia. Mia opened her eyes briefly and then fainted. Stephen glared at Bev and gently put his hand into Mia’s head and gave her a jolt.
Mia’s eyes opened and she smiled. “Thanks, Murph, I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
She reached over and touched Murph, much to Bev’s surprise. She filed this in her memory to deal with later. Mia had made physical contact with a spirit without the spirit manifesting into a solid. Something happened in their training battle. It was some kind of transference. It scared and thrilled Bev at the same time. She looked at Murphy and could tell this was new to him also.
