Sting of an Estranged Heart!

“I don’t understand!” I stammered anxiously, my trembling hands tucking my violet hair behind my ears. Darting my copper eyes around the room, the harsh news that my estranged mother passed stung harder than I thought it would. Wondering why the hell they called me, a layer of clammy sweat drenched my skin. The silk of my jet black blouse clung to my ample breasts, a dark history coming to life. Every breath shortened, a rusty skeleton key getting slid across a carved wooden desk. Words faded in and out, the corner of my lips quivering. Finishing up, the elderly lawyer made sure the paperwork and key were in my possession. Slinking towards my beat up truck, a puff of air blew my soft wolf cut up the second I crashed into my seat. Resting my forehead onto the steering wheel, a primal scream burst from my lips. Gathering my wits, the address was one that I had never heard of. Pulling out of the small town lawyer office’s parking lot, trees flashed by my window. Sourdough bread, peanut butter and fluff bounced around in the back, my patience wearing thin. Humming with the heavy metal on the radio, many spirits waved on the side of the road. Choosing to ignore them, the curse of my sixth sense wasn’t going to ruin this quick visit.

“Genevieve!” My mother’s voice shouted in my ear, no one showing up in the mirror. “Don’t go! Harm will befall you.” Like you protected me, I mumbled under my breath bitterly. Praying that her spirit would go away, nothing would be better. Chewing on my bottom lip, serenity shifted to a consuming darkness. Friendly spirits shrank back into the woods, a rundown brick mansion came into view. Pulling up to the front, several curtains moved on their own. One remained open, a blacked eyed woman ghost glaring down at me. Staring back up at her with equal intensity, ghosts like her needed to know their place. Yet something was darker than her. Unable to place it, a crack of my neck dispelled it. Dark eyes spoke of murder or a horrid ending, my heart going out for her. Getting out with my overnight bag, something crunched along the hedges. Waiting for a ghost to pop out, a squirrel had me smiling softly to myself. Stop being a damn fool! Flipping the key off of my palm, a long groan poured from my lips. Standing still for a moment, a greater sense of darkness taunted me from behind. Spinning on my heels, a growl reminded me to grab my food. Reaching into the back, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Snatching my supplies, the sensation faded away. What in the fresh hell was going on here? Chewing on my lips for a second, a shadow figure darted in between the trees. Shrugging it off, dirt crunched with every footfall into my house. Juggling my supplies, the key slid into the lock with ease. A soft click permitted me entry, the door squealing open. A cloud of dust threatened to choke me, sheets covering furniture. Locking the door behind me, a flick of the golden light switch failed to produce any light. Dodging a steak knife, an unimpressed expression lingered on my features. Wow, someone was a cranky little lady!

“Nice try!” I shouted into the shadows of a hallway, my tired eyes seeking the basement. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Chuckling nervously, impatience showed in my eyes. Mumbling a couple of curse words, the paperwork had mentioned this place having electricity. Dumping my stuff onto the closest table, clouds of dust followed every step towards what had to be the basement. Bouncing down each wooden step with my phone’s light on, black eyes flashed in front of me. Stumbling back a bit, an annoyed huff tumbled off of my tongue. Tripping over the rocks in the dirt basement, a breaker box came into view. Shining the light on it, that same damn spirit hovered behind me, her cold fingers curling round my throat.

“Cut the fucking shit!” I snapped hotly, my fury filled eyes meeting hers. “I see you. What’s your fucking problem! This is my home now! My ex just freaking broke up with me and I have nowhere else to go. What do you want!” Slapping the switches on, the twitch of my brow had her lowering her hands down gingerly.

“Sorry.” She apologized sincerely, bullet holes dotting her chest. “A serial killer broke into my mansion and shot me. No one has asked me that. My name is Vivienne Westmouth. You must be my descendant Genevieve Books. Is the color of your hair natural?” Chuckling softly to myself, such silly questions watered down my fiery temper. Taking in her bloody white Victorian gown, a few strands hung out of her silver Victorian style bun.

“No, I dye it.” I answered politely with a gentle smile, my hands cupping hers. “What’s the real problem? Why aren’t there any animals around here?” Ripping her hands back, her form faded away. Mumbling out an irked okay, lights flickered on upstairs. Making my way upstairs, other ghosts floated around to catch a glimpse of me. Gathering my food supplies, avocado green cabinets had me grimacing. A dark energy had me staring out the bay window, a silver blade glinting in the light. Blinking a couple of times, the apparition had disappeared. Testing the sink, the carved wooden chandelier over my head flickered a couple of times.

“Viv, I wasn’t done talking to you.” I yelled sweetly into the ceiling, the dirty water running clear after a few minutes. Crashing into a painted black chair, the beat up round table had at least three inches of dust on it. Leaning back onto the chair, a bird crashing into the window had me popping to my feet. Rushing out to see if the bird was okay, a tiny yellow bird twitched before getting snatched into the bushes. Shrinking back, fear rounded my eyes for the first time today. Branches cracked in the woods, bullets whistling by my head. Ducking down, glass shattered next to me. Reaching for the window sill, a piece of glass slid into my palm.

“Get inside before you can’t!” Viv pleaded from the bay window, a motherly concern softening her dark eyes. Scrambling back inside, purple rays of twilight descended up upon the land. Greeting me at the door, icy fingers grazed my wound. Fussing over me, any hatred had melted away. Putting my finger in the air, a welcome silence granted me the peace I needed to plan my next step. That monster couldn't simply wander the land like this, poison seeping into the dirt with every second he stuck around.

“Worry not about my hand. I can give myself st-” I began, a storm rumbling to life outside. Heavy rain drummed away on the roof, thunder booming its majestic song. Losing power from the storm, a loud fuck burst from the tip of my tongue. Tucking my phone into my bra with its flashlight on, a dig through my bag produced an advanced first aid kit. Many nights were spent with me fixing myself up, my ex proving to be useless on that front.

“What are you?” She inquired curiously, a patient huh jumping off my tongue. “How are you so calm?” What was with the twenty questions, I thought bitterly to myself. Ruby dripped with every footfall to the bathroom, her energy floating behind me. Leaving the bathroom door open, questions were fair for most people. Living people would barrage me with questions if they knew, dread bubbling in my gut.

“Have you ever wondered what was beyond this bullshit?” I returned while setting up a stitching situation with another huff, distinct fear causing her to fade a bit. “There we go. I dispel the bad guys so the good guys can live here comfortably. Hell, I help souls move on every now and then. My mother and I weren’t on great terms because of my gifts. People don’t pay me to cleanse their properties but I do get thanked for it. Mostly, I am an artist and published author. That is if you want to know how I get my funds. Helping people is what makes me smile at the end of the day. Let this nasty fellow off of my property, ‘kay? You can stay or go. The ball is in your court.” Plucking out the piece of glass, graciousness lightened her energy. Focusing on the task at hand, the last knot felt like a spot of relief.

“What will you do after you get rid of him?” She questioned intensely, her cold breath bathing my neck. Clingy was the one word describing her. Then again, being my spirit guide tended to always be an open position. Not one stuck around, moving on happened often happened due to me making them happy within the year. Ditching my mess on the sink, loneliness drove her to such a question. Hell, loneliness plagued us all.

“I planned on sticking around. Would you like to be my spirit guide? Not going to lie, danger comes with the job.” I offered sincerely, her features brightening visibly. “First I have to cut your link which is him.” Mumbling a dejected okay, a single tear stained her cheek. Creaking my way over to my bag, ghost cleansing supplies waited for me. Plucking the black salt from the bottom, Viv quivered next to me. Shoot, I forgot that all ghosts feared the powerful substance.

“This isn’t for you.” I comforted sweetly, my fingers curling around my grandmother’s leather spell book. “Did you even get to leave this place?” Shaking her head, sorrow stole the light in her eyes. Shattering my heart, freedom would soon be hers. Pulling out my large box of salt dough ornaments, the various shapes were there to please the various people I had aided in the past. Racing around the house to hang them up over every window and door but the one going in and out, a warm serenity washed over the space.

“Nothing can get in for the most part.” I assured her with a pat on her shoulder, the ability to breathe again feeling amazing. Flipping open the book, my finger traced the neat cursive. Searching for the homicidal maniac section, the right spell came up. Packing a smaller bag with the necessary ingredients, her hand snatched mine.

“Be careful, my dear.” She begged with a stunning smile, the left side hanging slightly higher than the right. Assuring her with a matching smile, anxiety crashed over me the second my boots hit the dirt. Natural fear never died, normal techniques not aiding in my fraying nerves. Closing my eyes, an empty circle planted itself into my mind. Remembering its energy, a trail existed. Tracking it, evil blackness swallowed every possible way out. Battles like these became killed or be killed, the outcome holding dire consequences for the loser. Pushing through the terror increased heart rate, true courage coming from those who marched forward with fear in their hearts. Hiking at a steady pace, a dooming presence seemed to keep his distance. Maybe it was the screw off energy swirling around me, future protests would make it quite difficult on my end. Still, why wasn't he making his move? Lacking my usual research bit me in the ass, a decent smart person using the tools at hand. Coming upon the circle, an eerie redness colored the moon. Blood moon, that was never a good sign for anything. Plopping down in the middle, blustery gusts threatened to blow me about. Dang, someone seemed to be pissed off. Good! Angry ghosts often made poor decisions in the long run. Pops had me ducking, my trembling hands digging around for the black salt. Lifting it out of the bag, a bullet shattered the glass. Not good! Gritting my teeth, a smart fellow had come out to play. Salt rained down around me, glass shards glittering in the empty circle of dirt. Protection was out, a grimace plastering itself on my lips. Why did nothing go my way? Slapping my cheeks, a white glow shimmered on my skin. Cutting my good palm, ruby glistened away. Dipping the tip of my finger, humming helped draw a carbon copy of what was in my grandmother’s book. Slamming my palm onto the edge, the symbols glowed to life. A ghost in a Victorian style brown suit charged at me, the worn wooden butt of his Flintlock rifle smashing into the back of my head. Beady copper eyes bore into my eyes with pure hatred, his handlebar mustache wiggling with sick pleasure. Warmth contrasted the coolness of the rain, trees doubling around me. Panic rounded my eyes, alertness slipping away. No! Spell, first! Passing out simply had to occur later.

“Nice try, love!” He taunted cruelly, rotten teeth clattering onto my skull. Gross! Why did it always have to be so freaking nasty! Shuttering underneath his hold, his darkness began to devour my energy. How the hell was he so powerful! Grinning and bearing it, his presence was no longer welcome here. Time for this crap to end!

“I call upon the spirits of the land to cast this monster out! May he rot in Hell!” I cried out, his grip loosening. A crack opened up in front of me, intense heat reddening my face. Hell was always a one-way ticket to a sunburn. A clawed hand gripped the dirt, the bastard's confidence slipped away upon the sight of the blood glistening away. Ripping him off my back, screams pierced my ear drums. Cupping my ears, ruby trickled down my cheeks. Such sounds never got better. Stealing him into the crack, hot air swirled one last time before sealing shut behind him. Collapsing into a heap, a rough darkness whisked me away.

Groaning awake, a shadow of an umbrella intrigued me. How peculiar! Viv waved down at me, her inky eyes twinkling with freedom. Sitting up while massaging my forehead, the migraine was definitely from an overuse of powers. Happy animals bounced around, life returning to the forest. White energy swirled off the dirt, pride mixing with the freedom in her eyes. Could she feel the dirt underneath her glowing boots? Don't ask pointless questions, you fool.

“You really are something, aren’t you?” She mused playfully, something feeling cozy about her. “Where in the world are we going next?” Digging around my bag, my emergency migraine pills rolled into my palm. Swallowing it dry, relief would come in half an hour. Struggling to my feet, dried blood matted my hair. Oh yeah, wood met my skull. Hospital bills frightened me more the ghosts constantly bothering me.

“Shower, first.” I grumbled with high hopes and no concussions. “How are you, Viv?” Smiling with tears in her eyes, something told me that she would be alright by my side. Offering her my elbow, no hesitation showed her in her eager happiness in the way hers hooked around mine. Chatting about her pleasant memories, my additions to the conversation pleased her further. Seeing her engage with me warmed my soul, a bit of my own loneliness melting away. Perhaps talking did heal the soul, social media stealing a bit of that away. Birds chirped by the front door, the mansion feeling like home upon entering. Selling her paradise would never be an option, many memories waiting to be made here. Excusing myself to take a shower, a swipe had my overnight bag swinging away on my arms. Washing up in the hot water, any stress from the previous night of hell swirled down the drain. Tugging on a giant band t-shirt and long striped socks, a day of freedom was calling me. Brushing out my snarls, the shrill of my cell phone annoyed the crap out of me. Ignoring it for a second, a feel around my skull revealed little to no damage. Scrunching up my hair with my curl foam, a couple twists had my hair in space buns. Inhaling deeply for a few breaths to calm the tone in my voice, the person would call back if they requested my assistance. Another ring irked me to death, my thumb sliding over the green phone. Nothing prepared me for what I heard, a chill shooting up my spine.

“Help me. My address is 1-” A frightened woman’s voice panicked on the other side, my sharp mind committing her address to memory before a shrill shriek cut the call short. Sliding my feet into my combat boots, a non-dusty house surprised me. Shocking me out the horror of the phone call, research would be necessary before I hit the road. An excited Viv spun around, her skirt floating up before coming down. As sweet as it was, she didn't have to do all of this.

"Home can’t be home with sheets on everything.” She chirped cheerfully, my brow cocking. Carrying my bag to the worn black leather couch, the leather puckered as she plopped down next to me. Dragging my laptop onto my lap, childlike wonder brightened her eyes. Fingertips moved a mile a minute, information popping up on my screen. Glancing over at her, adventure brought life back into her eyes.

“You up for a job? This new building is on a dumping ground and we have another psycho to banish to Hell.” I suggested blithely, clapping announcing her pure bliss. “I can take that as a yes. Today will be research, research, and more research! Boring, I know.” Resting her head on my shoulder, her tired smile met mine.

“Thank you for letting me latch onto you.” She thanked me profusely, her hand holding mine. “Heaven could never compare to saving people with you.” Chuckling softly to myself, nothing could be better than this. Lord, please grant me more days like this.