“Mr. Montgomery, I think Sam may have gotten something off the table. The way he ran out of the room so quickly. I’ve seen my dog do that when he got hold of something he shouldn’t,” Alexander said.
“If you wouldn’t mind, can you go check him? Then take him outside in case he did eat something and throws it up,” my dad said.
Alexander ran into the living room after Sam. He grabbed the dog by the collar. He put the dog in a sitting position facing him and opened the dog’s mouth. It was too late. Sam had already eaten the note. Alexander pulled out a small piece of paper that had gotten stuck to the roof of the dog’s mouth. He had been trying to lick it off. He then let go of Sam, who headed straight back to the kitchen, Alexander followed behind.
“He ate a piece of paper,” Alexander said.
“Again? What is it with that dog and paper? I remember when he was a puppy he would attack the mail and the newspaper. He even once chewed up a role of wrapping paper one Christmas,” my mom said.
“Put him in the backyard, I don’t feel like cleaning up vomit, too,” my dad said.
Griffin was now furious. A dog had foiled his plan. He failed the task he had been given. He walked out into the kitchen and into the backyard where Sam had been put in case he threw up.
“I hope you’re happy. You ruined everything. Now Emma is really screwed. If you hadn’t eaten that piece of paper, maybe she would have made it. But no, he of little self control had to eat it,” Griffin said as he kicked a patio chair.
Sam just stared at Griffin as he talked. When Griffin was done talking, Sam threw up.
“That is disgusting,” Griffin, said, “You deserved it. That’s what you get for eating things that don’t belong to you. You also shouldn’t go around eating non-food items. Wouldn’t after having it in your mouth for a few seconds make you realize ‘oh, this isn’t food, I better not eat this or I’ll get sick’. Maybe now you’ll learn some self control,” Griffin said.
“Were you just lecturing to a dog the importance of self control?” Patrick said, laughing. Patrick had startled Griffin. He hadn’t noticed Patrick entering the yard. Griffin turned red. After the initial embarrassment of what just happened, Griffin was relieved to see his grandfather again.
“Where were you? Emma’s in trouble. Two men at a store kidnapped her. The rest of the spirits are looking for them right now. I tried to write a message for Savannah’s parents to call the police, but Sam ate it,” Griffin said.
“Are you sure?” Patrick asked his grandson.
“About whether the dog ate the note or that Emma has been kidnapped?” Griffin asked.
“About Emma?” Patrick asked,
“Yes, I’m sure,” Griffin said, annoyed.
“Do you know where they are?” Patrick asked.
“No,” Griffin said.
“We’re going to find a car and look for them,” Patrick said.
Ch. 46
We are never going to find Emma. We have been driving for a half hour. I wonder if Griffin was able to the message across to my parents. I’m starting to get a really bad feeling here. What if we are not able to find the car? Maybe we should head back.
“Edgar, maybe we should just give up. I don’t think we’re going to find Emma,” I said, feeling very defeated.
“You want to give up just like that? You’re ready to throw in the towel so soon? This is not the Savannah I know. The Savannah I know does not give up so easily,” Edgar said, not taking his gaze off the road ahead of him.
“Well, that Savannah has left the building,” I said, “Besides, if we haven’t found the car yet, we’re not going to,”
Up until now, I had been so optimistic. Now that feeling of optimism is being replaced by reality. The odds of finding Emma alive now seemed slim.
“Savannah, stop acting all defeated. There is still that little glimmer of hope that we’ll find her. Try to be optimistic,” Camille, said from the back seat.
“Well it’s a little hard to be optimistic when you know what the reality is. The world is a sucky, dangerous place. I know what it’s like. I’ve watched the news; I’ve read the newspaper. You’re still stuck in your perfect little 19th century world where the worst thing that happens is that someone steals a cow. It’s not like that anymore, Camille. People kill each other for no reason. You don’t understand,” I said.
“Fine, maybe I don’t. But that doesn’t mean we have to give up. Just because the world has gone to hell and a hand-basket doesn’t mean that all hope is gone. I thought Emma was your friend? ” Camille asked.
“She is,” I said.
Edgar pulled the car to the side of the road. William did the same. Cars buzzed past us. Nobody said anything. We all sat there defeated. After a while William walked up to the driver side window of our car. Edgar reached down for the crank and opened the window. William bent down to talk to Edgar.
“So, I guess the search is off?” William asked, disappointed.
“Yeah,” I said.
“Why?” William asked again.
“Because Savannah has lost all hope. She thinks there’s nothing we can do,” Camille said.
William was not happy with my reason and he made sure to let me know.
“Well that’s a real good reason for giving up on finding your friend. I’m sure she would love hear you say that. Why don’t you let her know why you were so ready to give up,” William said indicating the gas station right across from where we had pulled over.
I looked in the direction that William was pointing and sure enough, there is a red Camaro, like mine, sitting by a gas pump. By the look of the neighborhood, I doubt you see many nice cars around here that often. I guess it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility that this is in fact my car in which Emma is locked in the trunk. It seems too good to be true. I really hope that this is the right car.
“When did you notice the car parked at the gas station?” Edgar asked William.
“I just noticed it. If I had noticed it earlier, I would have said something. I know what you’re getting at and I don’t like it,” William said.
“We’re sorry, William. Don’t take it personally. We know you wouldn’t wait to tell us,” Camille said.
“Enough with the talking let’s get to that car before it’s too late,” Edgar said.
Before Edgar started the engine, the red Camaro turned out of the gas station and into traffic. Edgar gunned it to catch up with the Camaro. William was close behind. I was impressed with Edgar’s driving. I wonder where he learned to drive since cars were not around when he was alive. I didn’t think gunning it was necessary, but then again, I wasn’t the one driving. As we got close to the Camaro, we saw that the passengers were not the ones we were after. Instead of being the two idiots who beat Emma and locked her in the trunk, it was a middle-aged man in the driver’s seat and a young blonde woman in the passenger seat. They were both clearly in a good mood and they were dressed impeccably. At least some people were having a good time tonight. I couldn’t believe it. What were the odds? I’m sure William didn’t do it on purpose, but this set us back.
“I take it those were not the men who took Emma? Unless one of them had access to a very talented plastic surgeon within the last couple of hours?” Edgar said.
“I can’t believe it,” Camille said, “We were after the wrong car. Good going William”
Edgar stopped the car. We were right in the middle of a busy road. Cars sped right through us. It was kind of scary until you realized that you couldn’t possibly get hit by any of them. Edgar got out of the Bel Air and Camille and I followed. William and Whitney got out of the mustang. Edgar was not happy. He kicked one of the front tires as hard as he could. Hey, it’s better than William’s head.
“Edgar, calm down. It was a mistake, okay. Everyone makes mistakes once in a while. Yourself included,” Camille said.
“I wasn’t the one who made this mistake,” Edgar said in a venomous tone. He was looking at William. All I
can say is, thank god William is already dead because Edgar is angry.
“I’m sorry. I really thought it was them,” William said.
“Well it wasn’t them, was it?” Edgar asked,” we lost precious time. It may not have been a lot, but in terms of a life a stake, it is quite a bit”
“Edgar, please calm down. William feels horrible enough as it is,” Whitney said.
“How was I supposed to know?” William asked.
I felt bad for William. Edgar is being a little rough on him. I had to help.
“In William’s defense, this is an area in which many people can’t afford cars as nice as the one we’re looking for, which is why William figured this may have been the one we were after,” I said.
“You’re defending him now? I thought you would be the most upset?” Edgar said.
Yes, I’m upset. What the hell is he saying; of course I’m not happy.
“Yeah, I am,” I said, “He made a mistake, alright. He’s human; at least he was human at one time. Let’s just stop the finger pointing and get back in the damn cars and save my friend. Where’s Whitney?”
“I’m right here,” Whitney said standing next to me.
I just needed the reassurance that she is here. She’s the sanest of all of us and I need to know she’s around.
“You heard her, into the cars. William, you follow me and don’t do anything stupid,” Edgar said.
We drove off into the night. We passed other spirits along the way. We asked if they had seen a red Camaro with the men we described to them. No one saw anything. Many offered to help though. It’s nice to know that spirits are always ready to step in and help other spirits. I’m getting worried. The farther we went the less hopeful I became that we would find Emma alive. On top of worrying about Emma, I’m really missing Patrick. If he were here, he may know what to do. Maybe he knew ways of tracking people that he learned in the army. I wonder how Griffin is doing. I don’t think this night could get any worse.
Ch. 47
“We can’t leave to look for them yet. We have to try to get Savannah’s parents to call the police,” Griffin said.
“Okay. How exactly do you expect us to communicate with them?” Patrick asked, “It’s not like we can pick up a phone and call them”
“I don’t know. I tried writing something, but the stupid dog ate it. In the movies, they may it look so easy for spirits to communicate with the living,” Griffin said.
“Griffin, we’re not in the movies. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but this is real life. It’s nothing like it is in the movies,” Patrick said.
Patrick began walking around the living room. He was in a deep state of thought. Griffin, feeling defeated, sat on the sofa. He felt like a failure. He had tried so hard to get his message across. As he sat there, the not so great realities of being a ghost began sinking in again. It is nothing like it is in the movies. The movies made it seem almost glamorous. In reality, it’s the complete opposite. Being a ghost is a lonely existence. No matter how large you’re group is, it can never take the place of the loved ones and friends you left behind. After a while, you begin to see your group as family, but still even then, all you can think about are those you left behind. Patrick sensed his grandson’s sadness. He knew that Griffin is realizing what it really means to be a ghost.
“Hey, don’t beat yourself up over this. We’re not going to give up just yet. This is not over,” Patrick said.
“Will this get any easier?” Griffin asked his grandfather.
“I honestly don’t know,” Patrick said.
“I’m not talking about that,” Griffin said, staring ahead.
Patrick knew what he meant. He thought about his answer very carefully before responding. There is no easy way to tell someone that ‘no, things will never get better. They’ll only become a little more bearable as time goes on’. Then he thought about lying to Griffin. The poor kid feels bad enough as it is. Why bring him down more? In the end Patrick decided just to tell Griffin the truth. No beating around the bush.
“No, I’m afraid not. As time wears on, you’ll start to accept what has happened. The pain will lessen over time, but it will always be there as a reminder. The hardest thing you will have to encounter is watching the world go on with out you,” Patrick said.
Griffin just continued to stare into space. He took in all that his grandfather has told him. Patrick felt horrible about having to set Griffin straight. By not telling him the truth, Griffin still would have been crushed by the reality of things. Out of nowhere, Willow appeared. She sat on the floor, in front of Patrick. Patrick pets her. Eventually, she turned to Griffin and started licking his hand. After realizing that he had been sitting on the edge of the sofa. Patrick leaned back. As he sat there with Griffin and Willow, something bright caught his eye.
Sitting on a chair by the window was a laptop. It was turned on and opened to a word document. Patrick knew what it was because he had watched people using them in cafes and hotels back in France. Patrick had an idea. The odds of his idea working were slim, but it’s worth a chance.
“Griffin, whose computer is that?” Patrick asked.
“I don’t know, why?” He asked.
“I think I’ve got an idea,” he said.
With that Patrick walked over to where the computer sat. He tried to see if he could move it, but it was too heavy. So instead, he dropped to his knees. Griffin and Willow looked over his shoulders. Before he did anything, he chose and random letter and pressed it to make sure he could type. Sure enough, the letter “U” appeared on the screen.
“Since when do you know how to use a computer?” Griffin asked.
“I learned a while ago from watching other people do it,” he said.
“Cool. Do you think it will work?” Griffin asked.
“I hope so,” Patrick said.
Since there was already something written, Patrick made sure to move the curser down. He didn’t want to mess up what someone had already written. Once he had the cursor far away enough from the previously written text, he began his message. He knew the odds of this working were slim, but he did it anyway, mainly for Griffin.
“Whoever sees this message, please call the police. Savannah Montgomery is in great danger. This is not a joke. This is very real. Time is of the essence,”
Patrick and Griffin both read over the message. It is straight and to the point. Since they didn’t have time to wait for someone to happen upon the message, they made sure to get the attention of everyone in the house. Patrick looked for something to knock down. He spotted a vase high on a shelf right near the laptop he just used. He climbed up and sent it crashing to the floor.
“That is a Tiffany vase. Those things are like really expensive. My mom has one that was given to her along time ago and we were threatened never to go near it,” Griffin said.
Patrick just shrugged his shoulders. The sound of talking from the kitchen stopped immediately. Savannah’s dad is the first one out of the kitchen followed by his wife and Alexander.
“What the hell is going on around here?” my dad asked aloud, “We either have a damn ghost or someone broke in?”
“If someone broke in, the dogs would have started barking. We would have known immediately. You know how they are,” my mom said.
As my dad and Alexander made the rounds checking the house, my mom went to find what had fallen. When she found it, she was devastated.
“Oh, no! Not the Tiffany vase that grandma gave me! It’s been in the family for over a hundred years! This thing survived two World Wars, a boat ride from England and many children and pets. I can’t believe it. This is one of my most treasured items,” she said as she began to cry.
“Good job, Patrick. You had to choose that vase to break,” Griffin said.
“I think Emma’s life is a little more valuable than a vase,” Patrick said.
When my dad and Alexander got back to the living room, my mom was picking up the pieces of the vase off the f
loor. That’s when she found the message on the computer. When she saw it her face turned white.
“Carl, come here,” she called out frantically.
He went to where she was kneeling on the floor. Alexander stood behind them. They all read the message and were stunned.
“This has to be a joke. Alexander, why would you do this? This is not funny,” my dad said.
“Blame the youngest guy in the room, thanks. I like to joke around with people but never would I do something like this,” Alexander said,” maybe it was Arianna. She could have snuck into the house”
“I highly doubt that Arianna could have done this. We searched the house and she’s not here,” my dad said.
“We should call Savannah, she’s been gone a while,” my mom said, not listening to my dad or Alexander. She was worried.
“Maybe she got sidetracked. You know how she is. Call her and tell her we want her home. It’s late,” my dad said.
My parents immediately got on the phone to look for me. When they didn’t get a hold of me, they tried my friends. None of them had seen me, I mean Emma. After a while of waiting, my dad and Alexander decided to go look for me. They didn’t want to have to get the police involved just yet. They were right in thinking I may have gotten side tracked. The question is what could they think have sidetracked me late at night? It’s not like there are many places open that time of night. Well bars are open. If I had gone to a bar I would call and invited someone to go with me.
“Alice, Alexander and I will go out to look for Savannah. You stay here in case she calls or comes home. If she does, call us as soon as possible,” my dad said.
My dad went to the garage and got into his silver Benz and Alexander got into his black Cherokee. Patrick and Griffin followed Alexander out to his car. Patrick looked around for a car to use. He found a female ghost sitting on the hood of a 1960’s model Lincoln. She was admiring herself in a compact. Patrick went up to her and using his undeniable charm, he got her to let him borrow the car.
“Grandma is right, I do get my charm from you,” Griffin said. Patrick smiled upon hearing this.
The Middle Realm Page 24
