Lockwood and Co. book 4: The Creeping Shadow

Chapter 2

        I opened the door of my room, and flop on my bed needing to get myself together. I take a deep breath, then start getting all my possessions in place. I've never been the type to own very much. Living with so many sisters in such a small home taught me that well. I can pack just about everything necessary I own in a suitcase and a few bags. Any extra clothes or whatnot, I'll just leave and pick up another time. I feel a little sad. Only there probably wouldn't be another time. I don't think I'd be able to bear only returning for something as little as that. No, I decided. I'll take what I can carry, and leave the rest. They can throw it out for all I care.

            I tried to smother out the hope that I'll be able to return someday,and try to convince myself that that's not partially why I decided to leave some of my possessions. Suddenly, I feel a cold wave of energy enter my brain, and know that the skull is still active. So I'm not awfully surprised when I fear it's rasping voice in my head.

        "Oh, so now you're on vacation huh? Lucky you. I get to be stuck in a jar 24/7. There is no break from that. I don't suppose you'll be willing to assist me with this little problem."

          I give the skull a look. "You know the answer to that question. And I'm not going on vacation. I'm leaving."

           I could hear a smirk in it's tone. "Oh, you're trying to get a break from Ms. Munro then? Hoping that old Locky will miss you in your absence? You're making this to hard on yourself. I've told you this before: just bash her upside the head, and hide her body. Simple, quick, and only a slight chance of blood splatters. If things work out and you don't get arrested or get the death penalty, I'm sure Lockwood will reserve his bleached megawatt smile for you only. Maybe write you a love poem or two."

          I shake my head. "No skull, I'm not going out for a walk or as some silly act of rebellion. I'm leaving Lockwood and Co. Permanently. Holly is getting out the resignation forms for me."

         The skull's jaw dropped, resulting in making the psychic energy around it morph into an even more hideous expression. "Leaving?! You must be bloody joking! You love this dump! A few days ago you were daydreaming about how you would steal Old Dentures away from that horrible Holly Munro! What happened?!"

         I sigh as I start zipping up my bags. "Things can change in a few days, Skull."

         The skulls eyes narrow. "You didn't meet some half-baked ghost that influenced you, did you? Some apparition that made you doubt your abilities, or showed you a some stupid prediction of the future?"

          I didn't respond, and I guess that was enough of an answer.

          The skull was quiet for a moment. "Ahh. It was during the incident with that ghost in the department store right? The one that's currently giving Lockwood and Co. it's fifteen seconds of fame. I thought I sensed another presence in the vortex you fell through. Sorry to burst your bubble Lucy, but you shouldn't take the word of a ghost that can't even communicate as well as I can. You've let it get to you, but there's no point in doing so now that it's been exorcised. You mustn't let that foolish creature influence your behavior. You're better then that."

        That...was probably the nicest thing the skull had ever said to me, besides the time it talked to me about the struggles of living in two worlds.

         I look straight at the skull. "But do you know for a fact that other ghosts can't see the future?"

        The skull hesitated, then it sighed. "Well Lucy, the thing about the future is that it's never written in stone. Your actions, even something as simple as what you eat for breakfast can influence what happens to you the next day. So taking the word of another ghost about what happens in the future, isn't wise, because it's not yet a fact that what it prophecies will actually happen."

      "But can some ghosts see the future or not?" I pressed.

        Once again the skull seems hesitant to answer me, but seems to realize that it can no longer evade the question. "Yes."

        That was all I needed to hear. I shouldered my bag, and started rolling my suitcase out of the room.

         "Wait, Lucy! At least take me with you!" The skull cried.

          I look at the skull. Sarcastic, and annoying, but wise and if I could actually admit it to myself, very helpful with psychic situations. But it was also, as I had already admitted to myself, a symbol of my problem. I had to sort things out first before I could be around a type three spirit like the skull. Even now I felt the hunger in me. The urge to embrace the psychic energy that my senses were becoming more aware of. Something was changing in me: I just didn't know whether it was for the better or for the worse.
       I give the skull one last look. I was actually going to miss the irritating spirit. "Good bye Skull," I say with a sad smile.

      "You can't seriously be considering leaving me with that horrible threesome. Especially that fat stripper! I refuse to take another bath with him. I have rights!"

      I close the door hearing the skull whisper one last desperate,"Lucy!"  Then I shut off my side of the connection and the psychic link between our minds is severed, and I can hear the skull no more.

      I knew in my heart that I would probably regret leaving the skull behind. But as of now: it was for the best.