Ghosts of Halloweens Past

Chapter 2

Rose woke in the morning feeling different — alive. She hadn't felt the softness of a blanket, the warmth of the sun, the gentle breeze of a fall day in so long. She took a deep satisfying breath. The sweet smell of pastries scented the air and the toasted aroma of fresh brewed coffee.

She tossed the covers back, got to her feet and froze. Across the room she stared at the mirror above the dresser, only she wasn't staring at her own face. She was staring at Nick's. Her hand, or his hand actually, lifted and slid down his stubbled cheek. She ran a hand through his wavy brown hair. He needed a haircut. He hadn't bothered to change out of his clothes from the night before so his flannel and jeans were a wrinkled disaster.

Nick? She thought. He didn't respond. His soul was still resting. He had had a rough night. Being possessed can tire a human, she supposed, so she let him rest.

She rummaged through his dresser and closet and found the nicest fitted button down and jeans that were the least damaged. She combed his hair and used some kind of product that promised "a high quality, premium hair styling pomade that leaves your hair shiny, happy, and looking its best with a long-lasting hold." It didn't disappoint.

All of Nick's casual shoes were dirty or tearing, so she chose the faux leather boots he had on last night, and found her way to the kitchen. Erin was up making pancakes and eggs. A full pot of coffee was steaming on the counter. It all smelled so delightful. Her mouth watered with a hundred year long desire.

"Good morning," Rose greeted.

Erin eyed him. "You're put together awfully early," she said.

Rose sat eyeing the stack of pancakes.

"Help yourself," Erin said, motioning with her spatula.

Rose meandered around the counter and glanced around at the cabinets, peeking inside a few to find the plates. Erin turned and handed her a plate from the opposite cupboards. She took it gingerly. "Thank you."

Erin stared as she piled pancakes onto her plate and drowned it in syrup. Eyeing a mug, she poured herself some coffee, taking in the scent as it wafted from the cup.

"I thought caffeine made your anxiety worse?" Erin said.

"Oh, yes," Rose fumbled. "Yes, it does. I'll only have a little, then." She stuffed her face with pancakes as though she hadn't eaten in a millenia, because she hadn't. The sweetness of the maple syrup and the buttery airy flapjack sent a wave of joy through her soul. She has missed food. She hadn't realized how much she missed food until she had savored it again. She never wanted to not smell or taste or feel ever again.

"Are you ok?" Erin asked. "You seem...different. And if I'm being honest, I didn't expect you to be in a good mood after what happened last night."

"I've never been better," she said around a mouth full of sugary delight. Then she remembered she was supposed to be Nick. She washed down the pancake with a few sips of coffee, contemplating how Nick would reply. "I mean, I thought about what you said, and I think you're right. In fact, I'm going to make an appointment today."

Erin's eyebrows raised so high Rose thought they would fly off her face. "Oh, well, great."

"It is great," she replied and finished her coffee.

"Eggs?" Erin offered.

"Please!"

Rose ate until she physically couldn't fit in another bite and then went back to Nick's room. First order of business was to find that witch Nick had seen. She picked up his phone and stared at it. She had seen the modern people using them as they walked by the cemetery but still didn't know how they worked. They hadn't had any phones when she was alive but she understood they had changed drastically over time since they had been invented.