A Blue Sky Existence

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

The Other Side of the Coin

     ‘Where exactly are we going?’ panted Charlie, trying to keep up with Victoria’s quick but silent steps. Her cloak swished around hidden ankles.

     ‘We are making our way to the Ashford headquarters, although - ’

     ‘Headquarters? Sounds secretive.’

     ‘Well, it’s not as if we’re on parade for the world to see, and an organised meeting point is necessary for our operation to run smoothly. Now, as I was saying, before we go to the Ashford headquarters, I wish to make a detour, for your benefit.’

     ‘That benefit being…?’

     ‘Last night I proposed something to the others, during our meeting. They said it was a splendid idea.’

     If Charlie hadn’t known better, he could have sworn that Victoria’s pale face momentarily shone with pride, a hint of smile sweeping across her lips.

     ‘Do you ever cut to the chase about anything?’ he asked, finally taking brisk enough steps to match Victoria’s pace.

     ‘I’m not very familiar with that expression. Remind me of its meaning.’

     ‘As in, do you ever say something without sounding cryptic?’

     She rolled her eyes with the air of someone very much beyond their years.

     ‘Really, I see this in every young person now. You don’t seem even to try and appreciate the nuances of the English language. All that matters is substance, hurrying along with things, rushing from here to there. It’s quite sad, I think.’

     ‘You sound like my grandparents.’

     ‘They were once young too, I hope you realise. And, since you evidently keep forgetting, I’ll remind you again of the fact that, immortality aside, I am as young as you are.’

     ‘Oh yeah…’ said Charlie, glancing at her. He supposed it was true, but the generation gap was so vast, it didn’t feel natural to think of Victoria as “young”. But then, he didn’t instinctively think of her as old either…

     As Charlie pondered, he walked into something hard and wooden: a gate. He looked up. Here was the cemetery, where they’d first encountered each other.

     ‘Why have we come back here?’ asked Charlie, fiddling with the latch. Victoria was already on the other side.

     ‘You are no ordinary mortal, Charles - sorry…’ She rebuked herself at Charlie’s irked expression. ‘I don’t however know how well connected you are with the world of the dead. Of course, the very fact that you and I are able to hold a conversation is significant in itself, but there needs to be some other form of assessment before you may go any further.’

     ‘Should I be worried?’

     ‘Don’t be ridiculous. All you have to do is talk to them, or at least make an attempt.’

     ‘Who?’

     ‘Them.’ Victoria cast her cloaked arm to the graves. Some were a polished marble; others dated as far back as the early nineteenth century, their names eroded by rain and the succession of years. 

     ‘We are not all servants of Death. In fact, most pass directly to their afterlives, some of whom still return to linger by their graves for a short time. Souls with whom you are to communicate.’