“W-wait,” she protested. “C-Calvin. Don’t take my Calvin away,” she cried, looking me in the face.
Hauser motioned me toward the faintly crying baby with his eyes. He nodded, then stepped between Penelope and the warming table, blocking her view.
As I approached the nurse attending to the newborn, I saw that she’d already cleaned the birth residue from his body. As he lay there, he squirmed slightly but was quite lethargic. A moment later, his body stopped moving completely, as his pink skin began to fade. The nurse began several resuscitation procedures, but there was no change. Calvin was unresponsive.
“Doctor? We have a problem. He’s stopped breathing,” the nurse said calmly.
The doctor rushed over and tried to revive the baby. After several minutes attempting to bring life back to the newborn, he dropped his head low and shook it. “Dammit,” he cried.
A moment later a faint wisp exited the baby’s mouth. I quickly retrieved my soul box and captured Calvin’s soul. Forgoing the cleanse for the moment, I slipped the box back into my pocket.
When I returned to Penelope’s side, Hauser looked at me expectantly. I nodded and patted my pocket. I then looked down at Penelope’s tear-streaked face with a heavy heart. She was still groggy, but she was very aware of our presence.
“I am so sorry for your loss. I wish there was another way,” I said.
Penelope nodded almost imperceptibly then closed her eyes tightly and sobbed.
Hauser and I disappeared a moment later.
Chapter 13
Back at my park bench, Hauser and I stood in silence for a moment.
“What the hell?” I asked.
“My sentiments exactly,” Hauser replied.
“What just happened? I mean, we’re not supposed to be able to be seen or heard by anyone living, right?” I asked.
“Yes, that’s right. Unless the soul is in flux. But usually those situations act more like a living being than one that is about to die. They still shouldn’t be able to see us until death is absolute or imminent.” Hauser scratched his head in contemplation. Then his eyes brightened up instantly. “Quickly, Jack. Cleanse the soul and get your new box. Maybe Penelope’s soul will be next.”
I brought the box to my lips and inhaled sharply. A second later the box disappeared. Then, surprising both Hauser and me, two boxes appeared in its place. I looked at Hauser, whose eyebrows raised nearly off his head.
“Well, champ. It looks like you’ve graduated. You’ve got your first double collection from the Sentinel.”
“But wasn’t Abigail and Raymond a double collection?” I asked.
“Not exactly. Yes, they happened in quick succession, but were two separate collections. Usually when there is a double collection like you have now, the circumstances are quite different. The deaths will be nearly instantaneous.”
“Like from an accident?”
“Typically, yes. That’s how most multiple deaths occur,” Hauser said slowly. “Unless… unless it is—well, never mind.”
“Go on?” I urged.
“Unless there’s some kind of catastrophe that causes multiple deaths instantaneously. Tell me, Jack, who are the two names on your boxes?”
I twisted the boxes in my hands until the names were clear to me. “Luke Holloway and Meghan Sharp.”
“Well, neither of them are the baby’s mother, so I’m not sure what that’s about. Why don’t you start tracking down your new marks, and I’ll go find out what’s up with Penelope’s fluxing soul.”
“Yeah, sure. But, before you go, what about—”
“Don’t worry about it, kid. Your little temper tantrum earlier is water under the bridge. If the Sentinel really accepted your resignation, they would not have given you another soul box, let alone two at the same time. Let’s just try and stay on target from here on out, agreed?”
Strangely, a wave of relief overpowered me. Part of me really wanted to be done with this godforsaken job. But at the same time, I felt at home. I felt right, like I was in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing.
“Sounds good, Hauser. I’ll try and do my best.”
“I know you will,” Hauser said. “Now, if’ you’ll excuse me, I need to—”
“Wait! I almost forgot.”
“I know, kid. Alistair Hobbs. I’ve got somebody working on him as we speak. Remember,” Hauser said as he dangled his pocket watch between his fingers, “I’m all knowing.” Then he winked, turned, and vanished.
I leaned back on the bench that had been my safety zone for the past six months. Although the location was centrally located, I realized that in order for me to truly move on, I’d have to leave the city entirely. And walking away from the park bench was the first step.
I stood up and took in the cozy park and its unassuming surroundings one last time. “Good-bye, Wilson,” I said, wondering if he could hear me from wherever he was now. “Thanks for… everything, I guess. But I think I’m going to find my own way now.”
I turned and walked down the sidewalk, trying to decide whether to begin tracking down the borrowers of my next two souls, or jump to my cabin in the woods. My home.
A moment later, I vanished.
Chaotic Duplicity
Chapter 1
A faint autumn breeze filtered through the partly open drapes in Luke Holloway’s apartment, causing goose bumps to spread across Meghan’s bare skin. She had just stepped out of the shower and paraded through the bedroom to her overnight bag for a clean pair of panties. Rummaging through her bag, she withdrew a pair of pink lacy boy shorts and quickly slipped them on. Next, she picked out a clean skirt and top before returning to the bathroom.
“You know, you don’t have to get dressed on my account,” Luke said.
Meghan smiled as she leaned her head back into the bedroom. “But if I walk out in public naked, people will point and laugh.”
“The fact that people will point is a given. However, they will not be laughing. They’ll be admiring your sheer sexual appeal,” Luke said, tossing the bedsheets to the side.
Meghan giggled girlishly before ducking back into the bathroom to finish dressing.
Luke moved to the window and closed it to within an inch of the bottom. He parted the drapes fully and peered out. Both sides of the street were lined with townhomes similar to his own. The sun shone brightly, causing him to squint momentarily. He reclosed the drapes, then pulled on a pair of gym shorts before joining Meghan in the bathroom.
“You know, it’s still pretty early. Are you sure you have to go?”
Meghan was standing at the mirror, applying mascara to her already long lashes. “I know, babe. I wish I could. But we’ve had a wonderful three days together, and Dana is expecting me back around lunchtime.”
Luke stepped up behind Meghan, wrapped his arms around her and gently kissed the nape of her neck.
“Luke?” Meghan pleaded.
“What? I was just… hoping to convince you to stay.”
Meghan lunged her elbow backward sharply, forcing Luke to retreat.
“Oww,” he gasped.