Paranormal Agency BOOK 2 : THE FUNERAL HOME.

Greg was exhausted. He had been in a bad mood lately. Mostly because he had felt like he was going practically nowhere with his “unfinished business.” It had been four years since he had died and he felt like he had barely made any progress at all. How could he possibly cross over under these terrible circumstances?

When morning came, Alison invited him in and told him about her dream. She had seen Death again. It was a snap back to reality for him. His eyes lit up in curiosity. “What happened in the dream?” he asked, unable to help his excitement. This could be it. The lead he was looking for.

“What’s got you so enthusiastic?” Alison asked.

“Unfinished business,” he replied flatly. “Remember?”

“You ready to tell me what that is yet?”

Greg gave her an annoyed look. He didn’t have time for this. “Look, just tell me what happened. Seriously. I’m not joking.”

“Fine,” Alison said. “Death said that if I ever see a Soulless, I should stab it in the chest with the athame Emily gave me. He said the Soulless might be looking for me now.”

“Really?” He couldn’t believe it. The athame was the weapon. And here, he had thought it had been a lucky shot. But the athame really was there weapon against the Soulless. He felt so happy he could cry. Finally. He was finally going to get those bastards back for what they did to him all those years ago.

“Yep.”

“What else did he say?”

“Well, that was pretty much it.”

Greg’s expression fell. “Oh.” He grimaced. He was hoping she’d have more for him. Common, Alison. Don’t fail him now. She was his only hope. “You don’t remember anything else?”

“He did say one other thing.”

“What?”

“That I’m immune to their Hellfire,” she replied.

“I remember that,” he said, remembering the other night when they had gone to investigate Emily’s death and had run into a Soulless instead. “I remember. That thing attacked you and nothing happened. I thought that was amazing.” The creature had burned the shit out of him. He couldn’t remember being in that much pain his entire dead life. He hadn’t even known he could be in pain as a spirit, let alone that much of it.

“Not really,” she said. “But if you say so.”

“He called you a messenger before,” Greg continued. “You said that he told you to spread the word about the Soulless.”

“Yeah. I still don’t understand what I’m supposed to do though.”

“I don’t blame you.” This was turning into a growingly pointless conversation. This wasn’t what he was looking for. At least he knew about the athame now. That was good. “Did you ever tell Marissa about Death?”

“Yeah. Once a while back. But she didn’t say much about it.”

“I see.” Greg thought about everything she had told him. There had to be a way to make use out of this information. Too bad Alison hadn’t been able to tell him anymore. “Maybe you should visit Marissa and let her do her thing on you.”

“I could,” Alison agreed. “You mean like get a card reading?”

“Sure. Whatever it is she does.” According to Alison, the woman could see the future and gave accurate reading using her tarot cards.

“That’s a good idea. I should check in with her and see what she’s up to.”

Greg nodded. He really wished he was alive again, or at the very least, that Marissa could see and hear him. Some psychic Marissa was. He had to go much too far out of his way just for her to be able to see and hear him for a second. It wasn’t very practical, he thought, thinking of the time he had shown himself to her at the bar. He needed to be able to have a real conversation, not just perform tricks like some kind of circus clown. If only she could see and hear him, he could find out if Marissa was able to help him using her powers.

“What are you thinking about?” Alison asked.

“Just work.”

“What do you mean work? You act like this is your job or something.”

“Whatever you say, Alison.”

“I know, I know,” Alison said with a wave of her hand. “Unfinished business, right?”

“That’s the one.”

“The big secret I’m not allowed to know about,” she continued.

“Yep.”

“And you’re going to tell me. Ever.” She went on. “No matter what.”

“Absolutely.”

She sighed. “Fine, Greg.”

He still wasn’t ready to share details about his life and even less about his death. A part of him wasn’t sure why he was still keeping everything so secret from her. Especially now that Alison had also witnessed the Blessed and the Soulless. They were at the same place now. Was he just being stubborn? “I’ll tell you eventually when I’m ready.” Or was it because it hurt too much?

“I don’t ask for a lot, you know. You don’t have to tell me everything. I can tell the difference. I mean, you don’t have to tell me every little crappy thing that ever happened to you, like the time you peed your pants in public or something too personal like that. I mean, just a little basic info is all I want.”

“Let’s talk about something else,” Greg stated seriously. “I don’t feel like going through this again, Alison. I’ll tell you when I’m ready to tell you.”

Why did he do this to her? Why couldn’t he just be honest for once? All he did was lie to her. She didn’t even know his real last name. He had made one up when they had met, even though he had told her the truth about his first name.

He wondered, was he just self-conscious? They had both been attacked by the Soulless at Emily’s house. Alison pretty much knew about as much as he did about the Soulless and the Blessed. So, what was holding him back?

He frowned. Was it because he was in love with her?

Would things change between them if she knew the truth? He didn’t want to lose their friendship, and if it was love, then he didn’t want to lose that either. What the hell was he doing? He felt like the worst person in the universe. He knew he was being pathetically selfish about the whole thing. What was he going to do when this whole thing was over and done with?

“You okay?” Alison asked. She must’ve noticed the concerned expression on his face. Damn it. He hated it when she could tell how he was really feeling. He liked to stay cool and collected, leaving what he was really thinking a completely mystery to others. It was just the way he had always been. He hated being easy to read.

“I’m fine,” he said quickly, forcing a smile.

“I’m thinking of calling a priest, like you suggested,” Alison said to him, changing the subject.

“Good. That’s what I wanted you to do.”

“A professional will do us some good,” Greg agreed.

“Will stop implying I’m not a professional,” Alison complained. “You’re pissing me off.”

Greg felt annoyed. “Anything else? Now I imply the wrong things too? What else is wrong with me?”

“You’re giving me a headache.”

“Why do you always blame me for everything.” But he couldn’t help but smile. Alison was so cute sometimes. Every so often, he couldn’t help but think how much he adored her.