#playghosttrick

Alive again. Disappointed again. Again, the guards’ bullets can’t bring him peace and only every take him back to four minutes before his failure, at the bottom of the special prison. That’s where he wants to be: the outside world remains a distant dream.

The ghost wearing Yomiel’s face hovers around him with an awkward nervousness and apologizes for having gotten him killed again, if only he could’ve seen that guard in time, he’ll do better in their next attempt, does it hurt? No it doesn’t, that’s the problem. There are no lies in this strange communication between ghosts: Jowd can be certain that the guy is not lying and truly wishes him no harm.

Pity that.

“You know, ‘Sissel’” - turns out there are no air quotes in the ghost world either, but he still makes an effort - “this place feels like a long, long tunnel.”

“It has an end… eventually. I saw the night. It is beautiful, Detective. The moon is so bright.”

“Oh, there’s a light at the end of it, alright.”

There’s the empty stare again. It’s like the ghost knew about humanity, as a general concept, and then filled in the blanks watching cheap shows on TV, or hearing real people talk from afar, a borrowed knowledge like his borrowed face.

“It’s such a beautiful light,” Jowd teases. “Red and yellow, elegant, unexpected.”

“Detective, sometimes I really don’t get you.”

“Good for you.”

“Popular tunnel. Congested, even.”

It makes no sense for Jowd’s muscles to ache. Nothing has happened to his body aside from eating some cold chicken in his cell, which feels like a lifetime ago. But after bleeding out for the seventh time, it’s his consciousness that’s aching and flares up the brain expecting the body to know that pain and behave accordingly. Which is good. If this were his afterlife, stuck for eternity staring at Yomiel’s kind face (the kindness he erased at the park) as the ghost reaches out for a connection, to strike up a friendship and then lead him to the slaughter over and over again, it’d be good. He could not think of a most perfect punishment than to surrender to Yomiel’s best intentions.

Or whoever the guy really is.

“Are you a god of death?” Jowd asks with an idle smile. He knows the question is pointless: that amnesia is the real deal, the ghost doesn’t know. It would be fitting, though.

“I don’t know what that is,” comes the predictable reply. “I’m a ghost who’s trying to save you.” He puffs up with all the poise of a wet kitten, and ends up equally endearing. “And when someone does something nice for me, they’re my friend and I want to help them. Lynne is my friend and she wants you alive and out of here.”

Ergo: get off your butt and help me as I am helping you, you ungrateful ass. Jowd can feel ‘Sissel’’s calm judging stare loud and clear through those shades.

“It’s charming how you manage to stay on rails, Sissel. It’s a talent. Choo choo.”

“I’ll get you out of this tunnel, Detective.”

“Sure you will.”

“It’s beautiful outside. There’s fresh grass and… birds...”

That thought seems to be enough to get him daydreaming for a moment. Charmed by birds. Imagine that.

“Chickens, as well, perhaps,” adds Jowd, ever so duly helpful. And why not. Some chicken would be good.

“Look, Lynne!” Kamila stood at the window staring out into the night. “It’s a full moon.”

Lynne joined her at the window. “It sure is,” she said staring at the large moon above and the stars scattered around it. It was a beautiful night. She wondered what tomorrow’s night would bring.

Would that same moon shine on her meeting at the junkyard? What exactly would it see? That man had important information. Tomorrow was going to be pivotal to everything, she knew it. Her gaze slid away from the window to glance toward the phone. Maybe she wouldn’t have to make many more of those calls either.

“Is something wrong?” Kamila stared up at her.

Lynne grinned. “Not at all.” If all went well, and it had to, things were only going to get better from here. “Hey do you wanna watch a movie?” It was about time they spent some quality time together. She’d been so busy lately and tomorrow would be even busier.

“Sure! And can we have some donuts too?”

“Obviously.”

They snuggled up on the sofa together. Missile curled up between them with a happy wag before falling asleep. The movie played. They ate their donuts. Lynne wondered how many more nights like these were left. Naturally Kamila would be welcome to visit whenever she wanted—this was her home too after all and Missile would never forgive either of them if she stayed away, well he’d be very upset anyway—but it wouldn’t be the same as living together. It would be better overall, but Lynne did wonder if she might miss this a bit. It just had to be a small price to pay.

I’m coming Detective Jowd.

Cabanela leaned back in his seat, feet up on his desk and phone receiver in hand for one last call after today’s final round of making sure everyone knew exactly what their orders were and were exactly ready for tomorrow.

He perked up as the professor’s voice came over the line. “Heeey there, professor!”

“Ah, it’s you. I thought we were done. Did something happen?”

“Just checkin’ in. Everything all right there?”

“I would have told you otherwise. You’re the one playing the big hero tomorrow. Focus on yourself.”

That was what he was doing. Making the final checks and making certain everything was in place. And, maybe getting just a smidgeon, a soupçon of reassurance. Everything was going to work out after all.

“The contraption is ready if you need your proof again,” the professor said. “Everything else is in your hands now.”

“Glaaad to hear it.”

The professor’s tone softened just a bit. “I’ll be here if you need anything. Keep me updated.”

“Will do. Don’t let me keep you. I’ll be seein’ you soooon with some real good news.”

“Be careful, you old crazy character.”

“Good niiight, prof.”

Cabanela hopped up from his seat, setting the phone down as he went. It was late. Time to go home and get some sleep—if such a thing were possible with how he fair buzzed with energy—and be ready for tomorrow.

The world outside was dark, but softened by moon and starlight. He stopped by his bike and stared up at the full moon above. “Nooow there’s a pretty sight. Even prettier tomorrow.”

See you soon, my old friend.

He had come to the park. This was the place where it all began and ended, and Yomiel promised himself this would be the last time he saw this place, the place where his life was ruined. After tomorrow he wouldn’t have to see it or this wretched city again.

One final set of tasks left and then he was out. Sissel bumped up against his leg with a loud mrr.

“We’re almost done,” Yomiel said. “We’ve got a new life coming. Not just me. You too. You’ll stick by me, right?”

Sissel meowed and gave his leg another nudge.

“It’s all going to be different. It’s going to be better.”

“Mrow?”

“Okay, okay.” Yomiel scooped Sissel up into his arms. He wondered sometimes what his fur really felt like. It looked sleek. He supposed he might never really know that much. How well would their promised new body emulate anything like touch? Still, it would be better. It had to be better than the numb emptiness of the last ten years.

Yomiel stared at the park equipment and the fountain in the distance lit under the light of the full moon. Just over there. It happened right there. He glanced up at the moon. Space, a meteorite. He looked away.

Sissel snuggled deeper into his arms and the small rumble alerted him to his purring. At least one of them was happy.

There were still some dregs of snow around. Was it cold? Was Sissel cold? He was awfully insistent on burrowing into his arms and there was no reason to stick around here anymore. He shouldn’t have come in the first place—nothing but bad memories he didn’t need reminders of lingered here.

“Let’s go.”

I will be free. It’s almost time to end this. 

Jowd set down his paintbrush. His final painting would be finished tomorrow just in time. He moved the canvas aside and paused to stand in front of the picture of two faces long ago darkened from his sight, or he from theirs—sometimes he couldn’t decide which. They wouldn’t have to suffer the sight of him for much longer anyway.

From there his gaze wandered to his other project painted on the wall. Mino served as an ever present reminder. This was earned. Funny to think tonight was, at last, the final full night he would spend under Mino’s watch.

It took a long five years to bring this old case to an end. He’d never been involved in one that had taken so long. It was long past due for this one to see its finish. Case closed and Kamila could finally be free of it. Nothing to do now but get some sleep and prepare to finish that painting and then… That was all.

With that thought he went to bed. He lay in the darkness, staring and thinking vague thoughts of electricity and a darkness that wouldn’t lift before sleep took him.

One more day.

Small details changed within the junkyard as new items were added or others taken away, but the whole of it remained the same. Or maybe it was simply that after ten years it all started to look the same. It made no difference to the lone lamp watching over it all.

The moon shone down, big and bright. It did the first time too, he remembered though he hadn’t paid it much attention then during that long chase. He’d seen that same moon so many times since and he’d see it again tomorrow and then… and then… He wondered what changes might occur here tomorrow night. The first part would replay itself, but afterward if all went according to plan, everything would change.

The lamp creaked in a small movement. This was getting harder. They were running out of time. He was running out of time, but it wouldn’t matter if his hopes came true. None of this would matter again. It was almost time to begin. Tomorrow night fate would change at last.

Ugh… How did I get into this mess?

“Yomiel! Honey, talk to me!” I could hear Sissel’s worried voice from somewhere. I felt someone shake my body a bit.

“Sissel, don’t shake him like that! Let me check on him. Yomiel, can you hear me?” It was a grave, male voice this time. Was it Jowd? 

I couldn’t remember anything and this somehow made me feel even worse. “Ughn….” Was the only thing I could manage to let out.

“Look, he’s waking up!” It was Sissel’s voice again and as I tried to open my eyes, I could see her hovering over me. Or barely could see her, because my vision was still trying to adapt to the bright light of the environment.

“W-What… what happened?” I blurted out. My head was spinning and as I tried to properly wake up, I could feel I was lying down in some sort of fabric. The light was just too bright to get used to and my already sensitive eyes were having a lot of difficulty to try processing what was going on and I suddenly realized I was without my sunglasses for some reason, so instead of relying on my weak eyes, I searched the ground to feel where in the world I was when I felt sand beneath my fingers.

“You passed out, honey. Oh my gods, I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have—” Sissel was cut short by the male voice again.

“It’s okay, Sissel, it wasn’t your fault.” Then I felt a large hand on my shoulder. I couldn’t properly see in this bright sunlight, but I knew who it was. It was Jowd. “You’re okay there, Yomiel?”

“Yeah, just… I need my sunglasses, please. It’s so hard to see anything in this fucking strong sunlight.” I said tiredly as I finally managed to sit down. Then the memories just came rushing back to me.

----

It’s crazy to think about how time flies. It seemed like it was just yesterday that I was released from prison, but that had been a year ago. Sissel and I got married recently and we were just back from our honeymoon when Jowd and Alma asked us for a family trip to celebrate as a family. A family. That was a weird word to me. My family life was so messed up that for years I’ve been wishing for my ideal definition of family. And now, looking at Jowd, Alma, Kamila, Sissel (and I mean both)... Despite the awkwardness and guilt I still feel towards them about the things I’ve done to them in the past, I can’t help to shake the feeling that I’m in the right place. Is this what it feels like to be in a family?

So yeah, we agreed to it. Sissel had been all excited about it, of course, while I’ve been really nervous. I didn’t know what to expect from this trip and I hoped things would turn out alright. What got me worried though, was actually where we were going to spend this vacation. 

We were going to spend a weekend at Jowd’s beachside home.

I had to admit I wasn’t really fond of the idea of getting too close to the ocean again, but I guess as long as I stayed on firm land, I would be okay. I knew it wasn’t Jowd’s idea either, he didn’t seem too fond of the ocean too after the whole submarine incident. But we couldn’t say no to our women, could we?

So there we were, hosted in Jowd and Alma’s beachside house. There was an entire room for me and Sissel and I still remember Jowd’s rule about using the bedroom.

“Yomiel, Sissel, I know you two just came back from a heated honeymoon, but please, no doing anything improper while Kamila is around. This is a family vacation.”

“Geez, we’re not that vulgar, Jowd!” I rolled my eyes, but Sissel let out an embarrassed giggle. It’s true that Sissel and I got… a little busy during our honeymoon, but I knew it wouldn’t be polite of us to do this kinda stuff in someone else’s house. 

In the afternoon, we packed our stuff and went to the beach. Kamila was busy building sand castles with cat Sissel (yes, of course she brought the cat with her. And honestly, I was glad to have my best friend with me on this trip too.) Lynne had come too (it was like she was already part of Jowd’s family) and she would play around with Kamila and cat Sissel and Missile. Good thing pets were allowed on this beach. 

I, of course, was standing FAR AWAY from the ocean, under the beach umbrella, safe from the burning sun and working with my laptop. Of course I would bring my laptop for the trip. There were some projects I could work on while everyone else was having fun. Besides, I would stay safe and far away from the sea, as it should be. But of course, sometimes I would lift my eyes from the computer screen to stare at Sissel. Gods, she looked so wonderful in a bikini. At least one good thing came out of being in this hellish place. The way her skin looked so beautiful under the sun, not to mention the tiny drops of sweat that made her skin sparkle under the sunlight, making her look even more desirable… Damn. I found myself licking my lips in lust and, for a moment, I mentally cursed Jowd for his stupid rule about me and Sissel “not doing anything improper while we’re hosted in his house.” So, to take my mind out of my “improper thoughts”, I tried to focus back on my coding. But just as I came back to writing...

“Seriously, Yomiel? You’re working while we’re on vacation? Who even brings a laptop to the beach?” I heard Sissel complaining. Sigh. Just when I was trying to concentrate on the code...

“Sissy, love, you know I’m not fond of beaches.” I protested quietly, but she didn’t seem ready to give up.

“No, no, no. Turn this off, I want you to come swim with me!” She literally took the laptop from my hands and put it on the table.

“SWIM? Babe, you know I can’t swim!” I started to panic as she pulled me from the chair and started dragging me towards the sea.

“We’re not going too far, I swear! We’re only going where the water hits on our knees. Besides, you’ll be with me and I CAN swim, so I can save you if anything goes wrong!” She winked at me, but I couldn’t shake this dreadful feeling out of me. The closer she dragged me to the ocean, the closer I was to panicking.

“Sissel, PLEASE, no! I-I-I don’t like the sea! I-It’s too d-d-dangerous, e-e-even for those who can swim! L-Let’s go back, please!” I tried to convince her one last time.

“Please, Yommy! Just this once! Do it for me, please…” She looked at me with her ‘kitten eyes’ face. The one she always used whenever she wanted to convince me of something. I could never say no to that face. But the ocean….

I looked over at Jowd, who was helping Kamila with the sand castle. I tried to ask him for help, but Sissel managed to push me closer towards the water and I could already feel it under my feet.

The cold sensation of the water under my feet, along with the furious roar of the waves got me thinking back of that dark, sinking submarine and how I was supposed to be left there with the debris, forgotten, like a complete, lost soul. 

The memories of that night came rushing to me all at once and I could feel as if I was trapped in that submarine again, sinking slowly towards the bottom of an endless sea.

Then the world seemed to disappear around me.

---

Back to the present, as I woke up I could still feel myself shaking in fear. Sissel was feeling terrible about it and she was apologizing all the time for trying to force me to get into the water with her. She had brought me my sunglasses and a coconut so I could drink some of its water. It helped me to feel a bit better for a second.

“You sure you’re okay, Yomiel?” Jowd asked again. Even Kamila, Lynne and Alma were standing nearby and everyone seemed worried about me.

“I… guess….” The real answer was ‘no, I’m not’, but I didn’t want to make Sissel feel worse. But I guess Jowd understood the real meaning of my words. He already knew how much I hated the idea of standing close to the ocean when in the other timeline, I was supposed to be left alone in that sinking submarine.

(It’s okay, Yomiel, you’re safe now.) cat Sissel’s voice echoed in my mind. The black kitten was now sitting on my lap, staring at me intently with his big amber eyes. (Though I understand why you freaked out. Water is the worst.)

(Do you want to come back to the house with your wife? I can stay here with Kamila, Alma and Lynne. And.. huh… You two can have a time for yourselves, if this will help you get your mind of what happened.) Jowd’s voice echoed through our Ghost World connection.

(What? But you said…)

(I said ‘no doing anything improper while Kamila’s around’. But we’ll be here on the beach so you two can have the house for yourselves for a while.) He winked playfully. Gods, I couldn’t believe he was really willing to pass over his own rule for my sake.

(And we can talk about the ocean incident later.) The cat said. (That is, if you want to, of course.)

(Thank you, guys.) I sighed in relief, smiling at my two friends. As awkward my friendship with Jowd felt at first, I came to realize he was like a big brother watching over me at times 

“Sissel, he’s doing better now!” I heard Jowd shout to her. She was buying another coconut for me and came back to my side as soon as she heard Jowd’s voice.

“Really? Oh, thank goodness! I’m so, so sorry, Yommy…. I didn’t know your fear of water was that big.” She hugged me and it was a relief to feel her warm body pressed against me.

“Why don’t you two go back to the house and take some rest? I can stay here with the girls, don’t worry.” He winked at us one more time. It seemed like Sissel took the hint as well because she cast a lustful glance towards me, then nodded.

“Of course! This will help us a lot. Thank you so much, Jowd!” She giggled, then winked at me. “It will be a good way to apologize for my mistake.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle back. “You’re already forgiven, my love. And thanks once more, Jowd.”

“You’re welcome.” The detective said while he held the black kitten in his arms and watched as Sissel and I packed our things and headed back home. Sissel’s arms wrapped around mine as we walked back to Jowd and Alma’s beach house.

Alma’s pace slowed just short of home. While the day had been busy, it had also been satisfying and she’d almost left behind the vague sense of unease that plagued her the past few days. She could only attribute the feeling to Jowd’s behaviour; try as he did he couldn’t hide his own unease from her. Added to that, she’d yet to get a satisfying answer as to why he insisted on booking today off. It wasn’t as though she was home to enjoy her birthday anyway and they had the evening planned, but he remained resolute and she’d long since learned to recognize when he wouldn’t budge.

Her break had been a pleasant affair, but no more useful for gleaning any answers. Between Cabanela swinging by with flowers and a highly decadent slice of chocolate cheesecake, and Jowd calling for further pleasant, if slightly puzzling, conversation she’d been lulled into contentment and her call with Jowd had to be stopped before she could gain any clues as to why.

She sighed and shook her head. Jowd and Cabanela were the detectives and all power to them. She was content to let them go at it while she took in the stories, both real and fictional, to be an ear and offer input as she could. Yet, since that day when something changed it seemed she had a case of her own and a difficult first case it was. When Jowd was this stubborn he had his reasons; she only hoped those reasons would be forthcoming sooner than later.

And what were the odds on that?

Snowflakes gently fell, a slow buildup to what looked to be a long and steady fall later, the first of the season. It was then she realized she’d come to a near standstill and she certainly wasn’t going to get anywhere like this and the house was right there within view. So, she hurried forward, pausing only for a moment to catch a flake to smile at it and entertain herself with the thought of taking Kamila out tomorrow if the weather didn’t turn terrible.  

The door opened before she could get a hold of the handle and Jowd stood framed by the warm light within. She blinked in surprise. He very quickly looked back over his shoulder, though what he looked for she couldn’t say, and she barely had time to register the shift in tension in his face to relief before she was pulled to his chest for a large hug.

“Is everything all right?” Jowd asked. “You’re a bit late.”

His arms were tense around her and she tipped her head back to look up at him. She couldn’t have been late by more than a few minutes. Why did it matter? Was he planning something, but neither of them were fond of big to-dos so that seemed highly unlikely. “I suppose I was a bit slowed down by the weather.”

Jowd looked past her then pulled her inside as if he’d only just noticed the snow drifting down. The chill was shut out leaving them standing in the hall and Jowd’s hands remained at her shoulders.

“Are you all right?” Alma asked while surveying his face in hopes of gaining some inkling of an understanding of what was going on behind that beard.

His shoulders slumped. He cupped her cheek in one hand and met her eyes, studying her as she studied him. Then he smiled. “Everything’s fine. Happy Birthday.”

She smiled back, glad to see a genuine smile on him and he released her so she could remove her coat.

“I’ll get dinner going,” Jowd said as the pair moved the hall and split at the kitchen and living room.

Alma watched Jowd enter the kitchen, pausing to look down at Sissel who had taken up position as their resident loaf. This happened sometimes, these moments of seeming communion shared through stares alone as far as she could tell.

Then Sissel abruptly rose to his feet with a loud meow, and just as abruptly and rather deliberately, Alma thought, turned his back on Jowd with a flick of his tail and trotted toward the sofa. He almost gave off the impression of exasperation, but that was silly, wasn’t it?

Jowd shook his head and she knew that look of amused self-deprecation that crossed his face. Something happened between cat and man, but just as Jowd held onto some mystery so too did their newest family member.

Jowd caught her staring and his grin was that of a private joke. “Guess he had enough of me. Can’t say I blame him.”

“No accounting for taste, I suppose,” Alma shot back.

“That’s what I keep saying,” Jowd laughed and turned toward the kitchen to settle into the cooking.

Alma went to the couch with a suppressed sigh. She’d missed something there. Sissel jumped to the back of the sofa and curled up, close enough to be company, but far enough to be out of reach. No help there either. Like owner like cat, Alma snorted to herself.

She didn’t have long to stew in her thoughts as the cry of “Mama!” reached her and Kamila jumped up from her toy blocks to come over and climb onto her lap.