Cast the Cards

This time Carey ignored Clark, flushed, moved to the shower, and turned the spray on as hot as he could stand it. He pulled down his boxers, kicked them toward the hamper, and stepped inside the basin. With his head under the water he clenched his eyes tight and prayed to God when he left the

stall Ghost Clark would be gone.

I know I don’t talk to you like I should, but please take this away. I can’t. Ten minutes and a good scrub-down later, Carey felt like a new man. The hangover was tolerable, and the smell of alcohol had run down the drain. It was time to get something in his stomach. He stepped out of the shower and sighed. No Clark. Toweling dry, he padded into his room, slipped on a pair of comfy black sweats, a plain black T-shirt, and migrated to the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and jumped when Clark appeared to his right.

“I’m sorry, I really hate to do this to you, but it’s important.”

“Damnit!”

“Please, believe it’s me. You want me to Swayze something?” The refrigerator door jerked out of his hand and closed.

Carey’s hand shook. Afraid to believe, he hesitated. “Clark?”

“Yes. I’m really here, and you need to pay attention because this is about Savannah.”

Carey took a shaky breath and nodded. “Okay, this is happening.”

“You believe me now?” Clark leaned closer.

“That or I’m completely insane which isn’t likely to just happen overnight.” He clung to the logic in his response. When all logical answers failed it was time to think outside the box. Extending a shaky hand, he touched Clark’s arm and jumped.

“You’re solid!”

“Jeez. Nice to see your own deductive reasoning outweighs my mad ghost skills.”

Carey smirked. “I don’t want to get sappy, but I’ve missed you, asshole.” His voice broke and he cleared his throat to dislodge the lump that choked him. He threw an arm around his brother, hugging his body to him as tears escaped his eyes. Clark’s body was whole, albeit cooler than normal, as he returned the hug.

“I would’ve come sooner if I could’ve, I swear. It doesn’t work that way.”

“I’m just glad you’re here now.” Pulling back, Carey wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. Clark’s words from earlier registered, bursting his bubble of joy. “You said this was about Vannah?”

“Yes, she’s in danger.”

“Hate to break it to you, little brother, but that’s kind of in her job description.”

“Younger by one minute, ass, and not this kind of danger… They’re back.” The whispered tone was full of apprehension. Why would a ghost be scared?

“Who?”

“The killers who took us want to finish what they started.”

“Over my dead fucking body.” Carey balled his hand into a fist.

“That’s what I was hoping you said,” Clark whispered, a look of relief on his face.

“Tell me what I need to do.”

“First, speak to her.”

“Easier said than done, Clark.” He ran a hand through his hair and blew out air.

“What happened between you two?”

“I don’t know. Things got fucked up quick. Maybe seeing your face when she looked at me was too much? She pulled away, went inside her own head, and never really came back out. Next thing I know she’s switching schools, her major, and avoiding me like the plague. I tried to contact her for a while, and then I just…” Carey shrugged. “I figured if she needed me to back off to be okay, then that’s what I’d do. It hurt like a bitch though. I won’t lie.”

“That doesn’t sound like her.”Clark looked crestfallen.

Carey’s heart bled for him. Poor guy comes back and everything is upside down.