A Fate Unknown: A PNR, Why Choose Novel (The Ghost Girl Series Book 1)

by Sinclair Kelly

  Fate’s eyes tear up, and one fat drop spills over, rolling down her cheek. She looks so damn sad that I just want to hug the shit out of her. She gasps, bringing a finger from her free hand up to touch the wetness.

  “What is it, babe?” I murmur softly, closing the distance between us and wrapping one large hand behind her neck, my thumb brushing another tear from her cheek. Her hand is still in my brother’s, and something about the three-way connection just feels right somewhere deep inside my soul.

  She looks up at me, another tear spilling free. “Ghosts can’t cry. I haven’t shed a tear in...God...I don’t even know how long.”

  “You’re alive now, babe. You’re going to feel all the feels, and, as much as it pains me to say it, crying is part of that. But just for future reference, tears are more Knox’s thing.”

  That brings a small smile to her face.

  “But that’s not what's really bothering you. Talk to me.”

  The smile falls, and her eyes well up again. Shit! Why’d I have to go and open my big, dumb mouth?

  “What’s wrong with me, Thad? Why does my power keep freaking out?”

  “Nothing’s wrong with you, babe. I’m sure your power is just trying to balance itself out after everything you’ve been through.”

  “You really think that’s it?”

  She’s silent for a moment, the hope in her eyes causing a strange fluttering in my chest as tears continue to slip down her cheeks. My heart is pounding, and everything inside me wants to fix whatever is causing her pain. The fuck is this? It feels familiar, but so has every fucking other thing lately.

  “I do. You’ve been through hell, woman. Cut yourself some slack.”

  “What would I do without you guys?” she whispers.

  “You’ll never have to find out,” I whisper back.

  “We’re leaving,” Levi informs Cole and Knox. “We’ll make sure to text when we arrive and when we’re on our way back.”

  I force myself to step away from the woman that’s doing crazy things to my insides and turn to face my brothers.

  “You guys make sure she’s safe, yeah?” Knox murmurs.

  Cole remains stubbornly silent, his jaw clenched so tight I’m surprised his teeth haven’t shattered. He obviously wants to argue against this little outing but has realized how pointless that would be.

  “You know we’ll guard her with our lives,” I say solemnly, earning a begrudged nod from Cole.

  Knox moves toward Fate. Releasing Levi’s hand, she steps into Knox’s embrace, his arms wrapping around her and his cheek coming to rest against her temple.

  “You listen to the twins, little ghost. Do as they say and don’t do anything crazy. I expect you to come back to me, you hear?”

  “I’ll behave. I promise,” she says quietly.

  She steps back and spares a glance at Cole.

  “Please understand why I need to do this,” she pleads.

  “I do understand,” he mutters, “but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  She surprises us all when she walks up to him, stopping with only inches to spare.

  “Thank you,” she says before going up on her toes to give him a kiss on his cheek. I’ve never seen Cole blush. Almost wish I had a camera to record the moment.

  “Alright, you two,” she says, turning our way. The tears are gone, and our feisty girl is coming back online. “Let’s hit the road. Assuming, of course, that I can actually leave the property now that I’m a real girl. Wouldn’t that be shit luck.”

  “Right this way, woman.” I bow, sweeping my arm toward the front door. “Your chariot awaits.”

  “Don’t let him lie to you, Fate. It’s a Denali, and a messy one at that. His lazy ass uses the floorboards as a garbage can for all his fast food wrappers.”

  “Why does that not surprise me?” Her laughter dispels the negative vibes crowding the room as I follow slightly behind her and Levi, risking a backward glance at our brothers. I can appreciate the worried looks on their faces even if I think they’re unnecessary. They should have a little more faith that we’d never let anyone or anything harm a hair on her head. Playful and provocative we may be, but when it comes to the most precious thing in all our lives...being protective is the name of the game.

  I give our brothers a small nod in understanding and rush out after our girl. She’s waiting for me just outside the door, and when she places her small hand in my much larger one, I feel complete for the first time in this current existence.

  Because that’s what this last fifty years without her was – existing. With her by my side, her hand in mine...that’s fucking living.

  A look in the rearview has my heart stuttering in my chest.

  Fate’s head is sticking out the back window, with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen plastered on her face. She’s practically bouncing in her seat, her excitement and utter joy overflowing now that she’s successfully left behind the place that’s held her captive for the last ten years. Standing up to Cole’s asshole-ish ways was worth it for the simple pleasure of this moment.

  “We’re almost there. You ready, woman?” Thad asks, twisting around to watch her as she pulls her head back into the SUV.

  “I’m totally ready!” she eagerly replies. “What should I expect once we’re there?”

  Thad looks over at me. He’s still nervous about her seeing firsthand what we’re capable of. Why, I’m not sure. It’s not like him to worry so much. I still love the dipshit, and the fact that I know my twin possibly better than I know myself means that I understand why he’s freaking out. His feelings for Fate are new for him, or at least new as far as this current existence is concerned, and Thad doesn’t do emotions. I, on the other hand, want to feel all the emotions. The good, the bad, and everything in between. It’s what makes life worth living.

  I pull off the interstate and navigate onto Main Street which runs the entire length of the small town in Southern Illinois. I’ve got to admit, it’s got a certain kind of charm. There’s a grassy median running down the center of the street with old-fashioned street lights perched in regular intervals. The shops on each side have doors open in greeting and signs swinging in the breeze. Benches dot the sidewalk, so the weary can rest or neighbors can sit and chit chat.

  “Oh my ghost! What the hell is that?” Fate gasps from the backseat.

  Up ahead, I spot a crowd gathered around something very large and very orange.

  “You’ve gotta be shitting me,” Thad mutters.

  “Is that what I think it is?” I ask.

  Fate scrambles in between our seats to get a better look, having unbuckled her seat belt in her excitement.

  “Can we stop? Please? I want to see what that’s all about.”

  “It’s the Wienermobile,” I confess reluctantly.

  Her eyes cut to mine. “I’m sorry. What did you just say?”

  “The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. It travels across the country promoting the Oscar Mayer hot dog brand.”

  “You mean to tell me that car is shaped like a giant wiener?” She glances back to the crowd, considering. “Now this I have to see. I bet it’s epic!”

  Thad rolls his eyes and looks back at her. “Mine is even more epic, woman.”

  “Babe, I have no doubts on that score. But it’s not every day a girl gets to see a gigantic mobile wiener.” She turns those gray eyes on me and sticks out her lower lip in a pout that is just too damn sexy to ignore. “Pretty please, Levi?”

  “How the hell can I say no to that? Let’s do it.”

  Thad groans as I pull into a spot in front of the local diner and throw it in park. Before Thad and I can even unbuckle our seatbelts, Fate’s already opening the door and bolting out of the car.

  “Come on, dipshit. We can’t let her get into any trouble, or the guys will have our asses,” I exclaim, quickly exiting the car and jogging after her.

  She’s right at the front of the crowd, staring in wonder like it’s the most magnificent thing
she’s ever seen. Honestly, it probably is at the moment considering her unlife these last hundred years or so. In reality, it’s a giant orange hot dog on a bright yellow bun. I don’t get the allure, but others obviously do. People are asking the driver questions like he’s some sort of celebrity.

  He spots Fate and immediately does a double take. His short, five-foot-five-tops ass is going to try to hone in on our girl. I can see it written all over his ruddy face. Unbelievable. Like he even stands a chance. Wait ‘til Thad gets a load of this.

  “Hey, pretty lady. Want to sit in the driver's seat?” he walks up and asks Fate.

  “Hell yes!”

  Well, damn. Guess the little man has some game after all. Either that or our socially deprived girlfriend is just a little too easy to please these days.

  She ducks through the door in the middle of the - fuck, I never thought I’d say this - wiener before I can stop her, immediately making her way up to the driver's seat and waving out the window.

  “You let her go inside that thing?” Thad grumbles, coming up beside me.

  “Have you met that woman? You think I could stop her from doing anything she wants to do?”

  “Good point, wankstain.” Thad’s eyes narrow on the driver standing a little too close to Fate for our comfort. “Who the fuck is the douche canoe leaning over her shoulder?”

  “That’s the driver, and he’s got about two seconds to remove his hand from her arm, or I’ll be removing him...permanently.”

  At that point, a spark of electricity is visible through the window, and a loud yelp reverberates out the door. The driver clutches his hand and backs away from Fate, quickly shaking his head. We can’t make out what she’s saying, but the guy looks terrified.

  She slowly makes her way back outside and over to us, the smirk on her gorgeous face doing nothing to ease my worries. In fact, it increases them.

  Thad’s fists are clenching by his sides. “What the fuck did he do?”

  “He asked if I’d like to get a drink with him later. When I politely refused, he asked if maybe I just wanted to get a closer look at his wiener.” She snorts, rolling her eyes. “Like I’m not already surrounded by enough wieners as it is.”

  “He fucking did what?” Thad bellows. “I’m going to kick his ass!”

  I quickly grab Thad’s arm and pull him back.

  “No need,” Fate adds a little too smugly. “When he went to slide his hand down my arm, my power didn’t take kindly to that and shocked the shit out of him.”

  “What did you say to him before you walked away?” I ask.

  “I told him I was actually pretty hungry and would be willing to look at his wiener if I could have a bite,” she snickers. “Even snapped my teeth and licked my lips for good measure.”

  We both just stand there, gaping at her.

  “Holy fuck! You’re like a female version of us,” Thad sputters, eyes wide.

  “If the guys find out about this, they won’t leave you alone with us. Ever,” I reply with a grin, only partially serious.

  “Then let’s not let them find out, eh?” She simply shrugs and starts walking back to the car. “Come on, boys! We have a house to un-haunt. De-haunt? De-ghost? What’s the technical term for removing unwanted spirits these days?”

  “It’s called clearing or cleansing the home,” I tell her as we all climb back into the SUV.

  “Got it! Now what else do I need to know?”

  “Buckle up first and then we’ll give you the rundown.”

  “Seatbelt. Right,” she grumbles, eyeing the safety device like it’s a snake that’s going to bite her hand if she touches it. When everyone is in and restrained, I put the SUV in drive and head toward the residential section of town. The house we’re driving to sits at the end of a long, gravel lane. The separation offers privacy without destroying the close-knit feel small towns are famous for, as the neighbors’ drives veer off to the left and right with their own private entrances.

  “Okay, so here’s how we usually do this,” I start, knowing Thad isn’t going to be much help. He’s become such a Nervous Nelly where Fate’s concerned. “We talk with the family first, getting an idea of what we’re dealing with. Usually, we recommend they leave the premises to avoid any confrontations, especially with angry, aggressive spirits.”

  “They willingly do that? Just leave two strangers alone in their home?”

  “By this point, they’re usually willing to do whatever we say to get rid of whatever is causing them grief.”

  Thad adds seriously, “And you’re here to observe only. If we tell you to do something, listen. Sometimes these spirits don’t want to give up their current arrangement so easily, and they lash out. I don’t want you accidentally getting caught in the crosshairs.”

  “I understand. I promise to listen and not get in the way,” she replies with an innocent look on her face.

  Something tells me to be wary of that look.

  I don’t have time to question it as we pull up to the house at the end of the drive. It’s a seemingly well-maintained, older two-story with light gray siding and white trim. The large yard is mowed, with several flowering bushes lining the front. There are a couple of ride-on toys and a few dolls sitting near the sidewalk that leads up to the porch. The windows at the front of the house are open, the curtains fluttering in the breeze. A rocking chair and small table sit next to the screen door.

  At first glance, everything appears completely normal, but appearances are often deceiving. I mean, just look at us.

  “You guys aren’t going to grab your gear?” Fate asks as we meet on the sidewalk and make our way up to the house.

  “We usually wait until they’re gone so we don’t freak the family out any more than they already are,” Thad states in a low voice.

  “Plus, we might not even need it,” I add before leaning forward to ring the doorbell. The sound echoes inside.

  “Be right there,” a feminine voice calls out.

  “Just remember,” Thad murmurs, his eyes locked on Fate, “do everything we tell you to do. No questions.”

  “When did you become such a worrywart?” Fate complains with a roll of her eyes.

  “Since you exploded like a goddamned grenade,” Thad snaps.

  “Point taken,” she whispers back just as a young woman approaches the screen door.

  “Can I help you?” she asks as she dries off her hands with a dish towel.

  “Hi there. I’m Levi, and this is my brother Thad,” I greet her as I motion toward my twin before nodding toward Fate. “This is our assistant, Fate. We’re from Valley Investigations and Paranormal Society. You called about a situation in your home?”

  “Oh! Yes. Hi. I’m Paula. Please, come in. Have a seat in the living room, and I’ll grab my husband from the backyard. Tricia is upstairs playing in her room.”

  We follow her into the front room of the house. A well-worn sofa and loveseat fill the space around the coffee table, which has magazines neatly stacked on top. Everything is clean and tidy. Pictures of the young family hang on the walls and adorn the mantel over a small fireplace.

  We sit down on the sofa, Fate between Thad and me. It’s a little bit tight with our considerable bulk, but Fate doesn’t seem to mind. She silently takes in the room, a slight furrow between her brows. Before I can ask her about it, the screen door toward the back of the house opens and closes, and the sound of footsteps immediately draws closer. As the couple enters the living room, the wife looks excitedly nervous, while the husband looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here. That’s pretty typical for most of our jobs.

  “Um, this is my husband Frank. Frank, this is Levi, Fate, and Thad. They’re from the paranormal company I told you about. They said they can help us.”

  We stand and shake hands with the reluctant-looking man. The couple is in their early to mid-thirties. They both have mousy brown hair and tired eyes that speak of the struggles they’ve been having here.

  “I don’t know if
y’all will be able to help, but at this point we’re willing to give it a shot,” he says, placing his hands in his back pocket. He won’t look at us, instead maintaining eye contact with his wife.

  “Why don’t we all sit, and you can tell us what’s going on,” I suggest.

  They shuffle over to the loveseat, sitting and sharing a look before he places his hand on her knee, obviously giving her comfort.

  “We moved into this rental six months ago. At first, everything was great. There’s plenty of space and lots of yard for Tricia to play in. She’s six. The neighborhood is quiet, and everyone seems friendly.”

  I spare a sideways glance at Fate who’s still slowly inspecting the room. Every so often, she’ll tense up, but her face is as calm as can be.

  Paula’s voice brings my attention back to her. “Then about four months ago, we heard Tricia talking in her room. It sounded like she was playing with a friend, but I knew no one else was here, so I opened the door and peeked in. She was sitting on her rug, all her dolls and accessories scattered over her bedroom floor. When I asked her why she’d made such a mess - because she’s almost always obsessively neat - she said Abigail wanted to play dolls. I asked who Abigail was, and she said it was a little girl she had made friends with. But there was no one else in the room.” The tears start falling, and she quickly tries to wipe them away.

  Frank reaches over to the end table, grabbing a tissue for his wife. They share a brief look before he turns to us, taking over the explanation and giving his wife time to compose herself.

  “It went on like that for a little while, and we just chalked it up to an imaginary friend. We’d left behind family and everyone we knew when we decided the city wasn’t for us, and Tricia took it pretty hard. She’s struggled to make friends at school, and since it seemed to be pretty harmless, we didn’t worry much. All kids have imaginary friends, right?” He sighs and rubs his forehead with his free hand.

  “I’m guessing things changed,” I solicit.