SPASE

SPASE: CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Maddie is surprised to learn that through being the Guide, they have the ability to feel and see memories of souls that are ready. All Parker's done is wait by those tracks just as she did on Earth, contemplating whether she's actually good enough. She wastes so much time waiting instead of working on herself, like learning the lessons she needs to learn in order to transition. Parker needs to work on moving forward with her existence instead of constantly looking back.

Maddie returns to Reynolds' side, huffing and puffing as they bring their hands to their knees and stare at the ground.

"Holy guacamole... what the fuck do we do now? Can't I just find someone else to transition? I saw everything, Reyn, there's no way she's going to go," Maddie whines.

No. She needs us, Reynolds relays. Feeling a tickle behind his ear, Reynolds scratches hard with his back paw, accidentally nicking his ear with his toenail, making it bled a little.

"Reyn! You're bleeding!" Maddie screeches as they take to their knee to wipe his ear with the end of their dress. "I thought you said there was no pain, hurt, hunger, and other stuff here in Spase?"

I said there wasn't as long as you didn't create it for yourself. I did that. I did I mean to, no. But I had an itch.

Maddie looks behind his ear and gasps. "Ah! You have a tick! We have to get it out now!" Maddie jumps away from him and squirms.

We! We? I can't get it, sunflower, you need to! Grab the head and twist!

Maddie flails their hands in a panic.

"Reyn, I can't get it out! I don't have a tick remover or anything and I'm not touching that thing!"

Darlin' I need you to do it. I can't pull it out. I don't have thumbs and my paws can't get it for that matter.

Maddie gags and turns to face toward the railroad tracks. Finally, after dancing around for about five minutes, Maddie turns and faces Reynolds with a determined look on their face and exhales.

"Fine. I'll do it."

Maddie reaches behind his ear, twists its head, and pulls. The tick comes out in one yank.

Oh, thank God I thought I was going to have to go to the vet and have some removed from the way you were jumpin' like a bean, Reynolds relays.

"What do you mean, vet?" Maddie asks as they placed their hands on their hips. "You mean to tell me there's a vet in Spase?"

We have a number of great vets here. How do you think I'm lookin' so dapper all of the time, Reynolds says as he gives them a wink.

Maddie rolls their eyes and laughs. Thoughts of Mom and baby Maddie dancing to The Beach Boys flood Reynolds' head like a tidal wave.

Through Maddie's peaks of laughter, they hear the sound of a high-pitched train whistle. Maddie looks off into the distance and slightly jumps, trying to get a visual of what might be coming.

"Do you think that's her?" Maddie exclaims, bringing their hands to their head and then placing them on the rolling hills of their hips.

Not likely, Reynolds relays. I can always feel the vibrations of what's about to happen before it does.

Maddie turns and looks at him wide-eyed. "Why didn't you say anything before! You know, before my fat ass ran after the damn train!"

Hey, watch your tone, youngin.' I didn't think about it until now. Now come, pet behind my ear, Reynolds scolds.

"Woah, I'm not getting sucked into that trap again," Maddie says, backing up and holding out their sweaty palm.

I'm trying to find her with my mind, doll, Reynolds says as he closes his eyes tight. Reynolds feels Maddie's massage behind his left ear. Reynolds stays focused. His back left leg begins tapping the ground in reflex. He knows he must stay focused in order to find Parker. Suddenly, Reynolds lets out a low grunt and he feels himself and Maddie drifting.

Maddie continues to scratch behind his ear. They move their other hand to help work their magic. Double ear rubs equal a howl.

Maddie and Reynolds drift. They drift in-between the hums of his howl and end somewhere else. They're going to find Parker. Reynolds feels that in his howl too.