Giles Was One Of Our Kind

[ILLYRIAN]

GILES WAS ONE OF OUR KIND

1 THE CROSS

"I suppose you want some more work for the Eye team?"
asked D.I. Watts
"Yes, we are a bit short on new cases."
"There might be one, we're unsure about this one ourselves."
"What is it?" asked David.
"There are some strange things happening in this persons garden,
he'd like us to have a look, and by us I mean you," said D.I. Watts
"Ok, we'll take a look a bit later on today."
David and Siobhan went to the back of Buckfastleigh, onto a
partially made road on the South Eastern side of the town, down
near the railway lines. In the garden they looked around at several
old cars.
"David, there is a ghost by that car," said Siobhan.
Walking to the ghost David asked him why he was there."
"I was in a crash in this car, my son and his friend were with me. I
was taking a broken silver picture frame to be repaired, I'm
waiting for some-one to find it."
"What is your name?" asked David.
"It's Terry."
"Where did you have the picture frame?" asked David
"I think my son had it with him," replied Terry.
"OK, in the impact it would have gone forward. So it could have
gone against the back of the front seat, or under it."
As David was about to feel under the seat something hit the car
and bounced to hit another car.
"What was that?" asked David, looking up.
"I'm not sure, I was watching you," replied Terry.
David looked under the seat again.
"I can't see anything here, that's a thought."
He slid his hand under the seat feeling the carpet.
"Oh yuk, wet carpet!, yuk. Ah!, here we go, under the carpet, it,
there feels like something is here."
He pulls his hand out with a cross.
"Good thing you're not a vampire," suggested Siobhan.
"Why's that?"
"Your hand would be burning if you were."
"From the way you two get along, would her best friend be
Buffy," said Terry.
"Hello do you know me?'
David and Siobhan looked to the road.
"Sorry, did you say something?" asked David.
"I thought you knew me, you just said my name, well, he did."
"Do you live here?"
"No we are passing through, trying to find a place called? what's
the name of the place Will?"
"Totnes."
"We are meant to be seeing an old friend there this evening."
"And what is your name?" asked Siobhan.
"Buffy."
"Oh right," said Terry, "I meant some-one in America."
"I used to live there."
"I'd suggest you wait till we are going there and you could follow
us, but what we do is a bit sensitive, you might not appreciate it."
"What is it?" asked Buffy.
"We are looking for, or helping a ghost."
"That would be a welcome distraction for me, I usually fight
vampires and other demons."
"You do? that is different, well if you are ok with ghosts, come
in," said David.
Willow looked around, "What is this place?"
"If you go along the driveway, there is a Wildlife Centre."
"Excuse me I'll just finish what I was doing," said David.
Pushing his hand under the seat again he feels another object
pulling it out, he see's it is the other part of the cross.
"Now that we've found it, what would you want us to do with it?"
"That's something else I'd never thought of," said Terry.
"Put it on the table in the house, let your dad get it fixed."
"Is that the bits of the cross?"
They look to the fence.
"That's Adrian's friend, May," said Terry.
"Do you know the people who live here?"
"Yes," replied May.
"Come on in then," said David.
"I'm not going in there!"
"Why not?"
"Weird things happen in there."
"Weird? what do you mean?" asked David.
"Things move by themselves, you know, like by a poltergeist."
"What does she mean by that?" asked Terry.
"It could be the ghost of your son, or like she said, a poltergeist."
"Who are you talking to?" asked May.
"Siobhan just asked me what would move things."
"I didn't hear her!"
"She spoke quietly, if you had come closer you'd have heard."
"I wonder, what we heard a bit earlier," said Terry.
"When that thing was thrown onto the car?" asked Willow.
"Did you see who threw it?" asked David.
"It came from behind those cars."
"Who said that. It sounded like Adrian's father. And he"˜s dead,"
said May.
"Siobhan, this is going to get hard to explain isn"˜t it."
May climbed over the fence then came towards them.
"I didn't think you'd want to come onto this place."
"Where did you get that?" asked May, pointing at the cross.
The car door slammed shut.
"What the!" May turned, then to ran to the safety of the fence.
"Who shut the door?"
David looked to them all.
"Excuse me! Mr Peters is nearly here," May called to them.
"Who?" asked David.
"My dad," said Terry.
"Could this get any worse for you?" asked Siobhan.
"Don't say that, or it will."
"I did say it!, so what could be worse?"
"Flight Lieutenant Jennings will give us a fly over."
"Who is that?" asked Terry.
"A ghost from our last case," replied Siobhan.
"Who are you?" asked May.
Siobhan turned to see May standing near them
"We're investigators, for a firm in Town," she David.
"There's only one place, mum told me about them. They're
called The Supernatural Eye."
Buffy and Willow looked to each other.
"How does your mum know about them, what do you know
about them?" asked Siobhan.
"My mum cleans the police station, she told me about them. The
last case they were on was for a ghost carriage in the Midlands."
"Really? what do you think of ghosts?"
"They are fantastic," replied May.
"What would you do if you met one?" asked David.
"As if that's likely to happen. Guess I'd be a bit scared, but I
would like to though."
Siobhan looked at David.
"Your choice," she said.
"I don't think I need to ask you two, but May? do you feel
scared looking at Siobhan?"
"No."
"Ok, the case the Supernatural Eye is working on at the moment
is about a possible ghost that's been seen in a garden."
"Did you see the ghost?"
"Yes, I spoke to him, I know who he is, that's why we are here."
"What! who is the ghost?" May asked cautiously.
"Adrian's father."
May stared at David.
"I was right you are with the Supernatural Eye."
"This is entirely up to you, ok. If you want to see two ghosts look
behind you."
May closed her eyes, breathed in deeply, opened her eyes then
turned around.
"OH, MY, GOD!. Your Adrian's father!. Where's the other
ghost?" asked May happily.
"Your looking at her."
"No, I can only see Siobhan," said May.
"May, Siobhan is a ghost," said Adrian"˜s father.
"YOU ARE!."
Siobhan slowly disappeared then re-appeared
"F......"
"I hope you're not going to say what I think you are going to say,
'cos I'd ask you if you kiss your mum with that mouth?."
May smiled, then carefully touched Siobhan then Terry.
"Oh wow!"
"Hang on, Terry and Siobhan are ghosts?" asked Willow, "Cool."
"That seemed to go ok, next thing is Terry's dad," said Siobhan.
"Good luck."
"Tell you what. If you'd like to do a bit of work for us, a few hours
a week. If your mum is okay with that that is," said David.
"If it is ok, I'll guarantee you'll meet two other ghosts, if you help
us with Terry's father," said Siobhan, "and if you are really lucky
you'll get to meet what we would describe as other worldly beings."
"Tell you what, can you give me those parts of the frame, I'll give
them to Mr Peters and explain who you are to him. That should
make it ok then. I am intrigued though, what would you call an
other worldly creature."
"Not creature May, a being."
"Thanks, If you ask your mum to tell D.I. Watts about you working
for us, that way your mum will find out about us, and when D.I.
Watts tells us, we'll know everything is alright," said David.
"That's sneaky."
"Not really, it's us being careful, that's all."
"OK," said May.
May walked into the house after Mr Peters had gone in.
"Mr Peters, about those people outside."
"I take it they are friends of yours?" he asked.
"They are now, some of them are people from Supernatural Eye."
"They are? mmm, what are they doing here?"
"Working a case, look what they found."
May hands over the two parts of the cross.
"They found it in the your sons car! I saw his ghost him out there,
with them!"
"Weren't you afraid?" asked Mr Peters.
"A bit but not with them there. I'm going to see my mum."
"When you come back, let me know I'd like to see my son again."
In the garden Terry and David watched May run off up the road.
"Terry? Do you know where May is going?" asked Siobhan.
"No, but it's probably to her house, she lives next door but one."
"I was hoping that your dad would have come outside," said David.
"Any reason?"
"A very specific reason dear. Can you get the others here, soon!"
"What is it?"
"I'll tell you just after you get back," said David.
Siobhan disappeared. Returning with Erica and Edward.
"I take it they are ghosts as well?" asks Willow.
"Yes."
"So that's what four ghosts here?"
"More like five, I think Terry's son is around here," said David.
"I told Mr Smithers, he's on his way here," said Siobhan.
"Thank you," said David.
Walking away with Terry, Siobhan quietly asked him.
"What is David so serious about?"
"He hasn't said anything to me, I can't think what it would be, it
wouldn't be my dad would it."
Erica walked back to David.
"You've got them thinking that something is up, what is it?"
"Erica can you ask Siobhan to go to May's, try and get her and
her mum here."
Erica went to Siobhan
"He wants you to get May and her mum here."
"What is it?"
"He didn't say, he's gone very serious though."
"I'm not sure about this."
"What could it be? is it me? or this place?" asked Terry.
"I'm thinking it is to do with you, but I don't know what."
May came back, they waited until David's dad joined them.
"David? what is it?" asked Siobhan.
"In a minute Siobhan, if you, Erica, Edward and Terry can wait
here for a minute. May, you and your mother, if you'll come into
the house with my dad and I."
"It might be best if you two wait out here," said David.
They went into the house.
"I was hoping to see you, son," said Mr Peters.
"Hello dad."
"What is it?" asked May's mum.
"I believe there is an angry spirit here, or a poltergeist," said David.
"What makes you think that?" asked Mr Smithers.
"What May said when we saw her. And something that happened."
"Why do you want me here?" asked May's mum.
"To ask your permission for your daughter to be here, and for
you to stay with her. Mr Peters I'd like your permission to try
and contact the spirit here."
"Ok, do you need me to be here?"
"You've got my ok as well, but do you need May here."
"This won't happen if May isn't here," replied David.
"Me? why?" asked May.
"Dad?, can you ask the others in?" asked David.
When they were all in the room.
"First of all I'll introduce you to each other. I think every-one
knows that this is May and this is her mother. This is Mr Peters
he is Terry's father. Mr Peters, I want you to realise that I will
try to help with the repairs here."
"What repairs?" asked Mr Peters.
"If it is what I think it is there may be some damage done to your
house. This is Siobhan, her cousin Erica and Edward is Erica's
son, they are ghosts."
Mr Peters looked t them, "fair enough."
"They are who I meant May," said Siobhan.
"Thanks," replied May.
"I want you all here to see if we can stop, no, I mean help an
angry spirit."
A very loud bang is heard and the house vibrated.
"What was that?" asked Mr Peters.
"That was the very angry spirit," said David
"Could it have been a poltergeist?" asked May..
"It could have been May, but if that's an angry spirit, wouldn't it
have been older than Adrian? That would have been a powerful,
very strong ghost to make shake this house?"
"The spirit doesn't have to be strong to make the house move."
"Yes it would," said Terry.
"Anyone could drive a car into the house," replied David.
"That's true," agreed May, "But who is doing that and why."
"Thank you May. The angry spirit is Adrian."
"Is that you Adrian?" asked Terry.
"It is Adrian, but we all need to remain calm and quiet. The idea
is to find out why Adrian is so annoyed," said David.
"Didn't you say thought it could be a poltergeist?"
"I wasn't sure, now I am. It is an angry spirit."
"Why would Adrian be so angry?" asked Mr Peters.
"David, just say what you are thinking," said Mr Smithers.
"David, just concentrate on Adrian, feel what he is feeling then
tell us what it is," said Siobhan.
David looked at Siobhan then his dad. Sitting back into the chair,
he closed his eyes.
David's voice was heard, but it wasn't from his body.
"He feels as though this has been done to him on purpose."
A loud roar echoes through the house.
"Keep going David, you are connecting with Adrian."
"Is that what it sounds like?" asked May.
"How do you know about this?" asked Erica.
"From mum," replied May.
The ground rumbles and shakes.
"That was just like an earthquake."
"May?, when you were in hospital did you ever see Adrian?"
"I thought I did."
"What do you mean? you thought you did?"
"Her father doesn't believe that there can be ghosts. He
persuaded May that it was just a dream."
"Okay, well I know they exist. The problem may well have been
that Adrian could play with May one day and the next he couldn't
get her to see him," said David.
The room suddenly went very cold. Every-ones breath could be
seen, they began to shiver.
"I'M ALONE, I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE. NO-ONE
WANTS TO SEE ME I HATE YOU ALL."
"So when stuff is thrown about. It is a cry for attention by Adrian?"
"That isn't how to get attention," said Mr Peters.
"How long has it been since the accident?" asked Siobhan
"Does it matter?" asked Terry.
"Yes, very much. If he wants attention and can't get it. Remember
he is only eleven. He hasn't the thought processes you or I have."
"May how do you think Adrian would feel if he was ignored for
no reason?" asked Siobhan.
"He would get angry when no-one responds to him."
"Now you are getting it."
"I am in here, we can both hear you."
"David? Good grief, David has made full contact with Adrian.
Adrian is speaking through David. May, would you like to be
friends with Adrian?" asked Siobhan.
"Yes."
"If Adrian could be here, would you like to play with him?"
"Yes."
"Adrian? what about you? Adrian?"
All the light bulbs in the room exploded.
"What's happening?"
"Adrian? was that you?"
"Yes, sorry."
"Adrian? is David speaking for you?" asked Siobhan.
"Yes I am."
"What does that mean, how could he do that?" asked Erica.
"Remember how David was asked to try and be a link with
Adrian? Well he has done that!"
"Those light bulbs blowing? that was when their two beings
joined?" asked Erica.
"No they joined before that, that was Adrian being impressed."
"Can you tell us why Adrian began to be so destructive?"
"When May was in the hospital, I could play with her. Then
her father said those horrible things to her about me."
"Who was your friend?"
"Adrian?"
"Who is your friend Adrian?" asked Erica.
"May is my friend."
"Would you like May to be your friend again?" asked Siobhan.
"So it was you that would talk with May, then one day she
stopped talking to you," said Erica.
"Yes."
"What could have caused May to do that?" asked Siobhan.
"Her father saying it was only a dream. And when May was
getting better, she was losing her semi-consciousness."
"So it wasn't that her father saying it was a dream, more that she
was getting better," said Siobhan.
"Like David is now, right, now I see. Adrian, if there is something
that we ask, and you don't know how to answer us, ask David to
help you," said Erica.
"How does that work?" asked Terry.
"Before when we said about Adrian being to young to have the
though processes of an adult, well David made a connection with
Adrian's mind. So they can talk."
"He did it so that Adrian will be able to understand why he is
behaving like he is?"
"Adrian will see it from our perspective, an adults view."
"So Adrian throwing something, it wasn't because he wanted to
throw it. It was because of the frustration he felt when I didn't
answer him," said May.
"Did you hear that David."
A voice was faintly heard
"We did."
"What you are doing David, it is, well it is a bit dangerous."
"No, it just got very dangerous. It might be a good idea if you go
outside now," suggested Siobhan.
"What do you mean?" asked Mr Smithers.
"What was said, before Adrian blew the light bulbs when he was
happy, he might be very happy soon."
"So who should go outside?" asked Terry.
"Adrian."
"Why would he need to go outside?" asked Terry.
"David just answered, but his voice was distant, that could mean
they are about to separate. It may be an easy separation it might
not," said Siobhan, "so Adrian goes outside."
"David?, are you going outside?" asked Erica.
"Maybe he already has," said Edward.
"How? what?" asked Terry.
"Think about it, David is helping Adrian, so he may have actually
gone into Adrian. If so, even though David's body is inside David
could be outside."
"Mr Smithers, will you stay with David's body, every-one else, I
think you'd best come outside," said Siobhan.
"What did we come out here for Siobhan?"
"If we are needed to help find David's life force and guide him
back to his body."
"Why?" asked May.
"Now I'm sure I've heard of this."
"It is like astral projection," said Buffy.
"She is right it is like astral projection. David has gone into
Adrian to help Adrian but without the life-line back to his body,"
said May"˜s mum.
"So could he get back?"
"At the moment he can't, we need to find Adrian."
"What will happen if he can't get back."
"David will be dead," said Siobhan.
They all started to look around but none of them saw Adrian.
May's mother went to the house, turning she called out.
"ADRIAN!, please come towards me and stand next to May,
bring a car headlight with you."
A headlight floats towards them, then stops near May.
May spoke softly to Adrian.
"Did David help you Adrian?"
"Yes," replied Adrian.
"Now David needs your help, David's life might not be able to
get back into his body without your help. Please help him?"
asked May.
The headlight moved away from them, then as it approached
them the outline of Adrian's body was seen. It went into the house.
"What do we do now?" asked Terry.
"Wait, and hope," said May"˜s mum.
Coming from inside the house.
"BLU--DY HELL!."
Then walking from the house.
"What he meant was, there's a thing," said Davis the visible ghost of Adrian.
"If it wasn't for David I wouldn't have known that I needed to be
like this. Hello May," said a happy Adrian.
"There's some more baby fish in our fish pond, would you like to
come and see them? with me," said May.
She looks at David, and smiled," thanks."
They go of together.
"I've got a confession, dad, I offered May a few hours work
each week."
"After what's just happened I couldn"˜t say no and, well, thinking
about it. It's a good idea," said Mr Smithers.
"I think you two had better start saving your money," said Siobhan.
"Which two?"
"You and David."
"Why?"
"My wedding guest list is getting bigger," said Siobhan.
"Your wedding? who are you going to marry?" asked David.
"Who'd want her?" asked Erica.
"Why would any-one want her?" asked Mr Smithers.
"You know, that's a good question?" asked Erica.
"Do you lot want an invite?"
"Well.."
"Before you say anything, I was going to put the ball and chain
around you ankle, but it could move up towards your neck!"
"There is one good thing dad, half the invited people would be
ghosts, so the reception wouldn't cost to much."
"Speaking of which, any-one want a drink?" asked Mr Peters.
"Thanks, that'd be nice," replied Mr Smithers.
"Any-one want a spirit?" asked David.
"Careful! your not getting rid of me that easy."
David and Siobhan smile to each other.
As they were leaving the house David noticed Scherry standing
near their car, he quickly realised that only he could see her. Even
with all the others next to him, only Buffy could hear him.
"Prepare to open your minds and your eyes, for soon you will
know more about us as I tell you what the future will be."
"Scherry?" asked David.
"Just as you have done wondrous things to help others, so do I."
David turned to Willow.
"Did you know who that was?"
"Beats me, I've never seen her," said Willow.
"This person you two are meant to be seeing, you are welcome
to stay at our place afterwards."
"Thanks for that."

TO BE CONTINUED

 

[ILLYRIAN]

GILES WAS ONE OF OUR KIND

2 MUM'S BIRTHDAY

Putting her jacket on Melanie pushed her hair back. She saw her father
coming towards her.
"Are you ready to go?, I'm trusting you to get do something right,
please don"˜t let me down again Melanie," said her father.
"I'll do it dad," said Melanie.
"All you've got to do is go to the shop, pay up the lay-by and get the
gift gift-wrapped then come straight home, don't go and see your
friends first, understand."

She went to the shop, it was a good ten minute walk, but she
didn't mind. She began to hum a tune to herself and before she
realised it, she was at the shop. Going up to the counter.
"Can I help you?" asked the assistant.
"I've got an item on lay-by her here's the final payment, can I have
it gift wrapped please."
Carefully she put it in her jacket, then began the journey home,
nearing an alley she went to cross the road, straight into the path of
a car.

Jumping back she caught her foot on the kerb, falling heavily
against the wall. Dazed, she picked herself up, straightened her
clothing and continued going home, merrily singing to herself knowing
that her father would be pleased with her, just for a change.
Rounding a corner near her home she met her father.
"Well have you got it Melanie?"
"Yes dad it's under my jacket just......what? it's."
"You idiot child!, now what am I going to do? I can't afford another,"
said her father in disgust. He moved her out of his way as he strode to
the supermarket. Melanie took a step closer to home but stopped,
where had the gift gone?, she turned, then felt all kinds of dizzy.

David was getting lessons in how to contact Siobhan, when he
couldn't see her, Siobhan had gone to the clothing shop with
Mr Smithers, he said he wanted some new clothes that the girls
wouldn't poke fun at. Siobhan new the real reason though, he just
wanted Erica to feel proud walking with him.
"Breathe easier David, it needs to be thoughtless. You should be able
to forget that you are breathing, close your eyes. See the image of
her before you in your mind, now try to see past her and....oh.
Er David you'd better open your eyes."

Seeing the girl in their front room.
"Where did she come from? who is she?"
"I don't know, who is she I've never seen her before."
"Excuse me miss, who are you?" asked David.
"What am I doing here, where is this?"
She looked at David and Erica. "Who are you?"
"What were you just doing?"
"I was,...I was....I can't remember,...I."

Erica leant close to David, whispering to him.
"She's new, I mean she has only just died, she doesn't know she's
dead, either that or she's been dead a while. Either way she doesn't
know she's dead yet," said Erica.
"Well, you don't know us and we don't know you. So first off, my name
David and this is Erica."
"Hello, my name is Melanie."
"Let's see, I am twenty seven years old, Erica is about twenty years
old, how old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"This house is where we live, it is in Totnes. Where do you live?"
"Torquay, so why am I here?. What time is it?"

"It's nine thirty in the morning, is there somewhere you should be?"
"I think so, I want to be, that's right my mothers birthday, oh, but
I lost the present........"
"What date is your mothers birthday?"
"It's the fourteenth of July, tomorrow," said Melanie.
Erica looked to David.
"She'll find out soon," declared Erica.
"What?, I'll find out what?" asked Melanie.
"I was being taught how to contact my girlfriend, instead you appeared
in the room. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this but, you are dead.
Look at the paper, it's the twenty seventh of October," said David.
Melanie looked at the date, she turned and stared at the floor.
"You might not think so at the moment but we can help you, if
anything we are the best people to help you right now."
"How can you be? I'm dead, are you dead?"

"No I'm not, but I can help you."
"Not if I'm dead," said Melanie.
"First of you need to see that you are dead. The quickest way is for
you to walk through that wall."
"Follow me, we'll just go into the hallway, then you walk through the
wall to David, I'll be with you all the way, just trust me," Erica told her.
Together they went into the hall, Melanie slowly moved her hand in
front of herself. Her finger tips went into the wall.
"Now what?"
"Now the rest of you."

Carefully Melanie moved through the wall, she stood looking at David.
"Oh no, I'm a ghost, what now?, what can you teach me now, how
did I get here?" asked Melanie, "and how can you see me?"
"As for seeing you that's a two-way thing, put simply I would need to
be tuned in to your wavelength and you'll need to tune yourself in to
my wave length. Right now I'll call other people in to help you."
"Do they have to know I'm dead, I wouldn't want to scare people."
"No matter what you want or don't want, some people will be scared,
some people won't be scared, some people are used to being with dead
people, some of the people I am calling are dead!"
"Oh? I think I'll know who is dead."
"Ok, am I dead, or is Erica dead?"
"Well no, I mean you are both nice people."
"Thank you, are you a nice person?"

"Yes."
"So a ghost can be a nice person?"
"Well, yes I suppose so."
"Good!, I'm glad that you won't say that again, Erica."
Erica walked through the wall.
"Melanie? did you know I was a ghost."
"Oh, no I didn"˜t, sorry."
"David is my friend, I was in the room when you arrived."
"Yes, I remember that now, oh are you and him?"
"No, David is going to marry a cousin of mine."
"How old is your cousin?"
"That depends on how you see us, she is either twenty two or from
the day we both died in eighteen twenty three."

"What? she's? then? but?"
"We died within a minute of each other, her name is Siobhan, she is
out clothes shopping with Mr Smithers, he lives here, he isn't a ghost,
but we won"˜t hold that against him."
Melanie starts to smile.
"Who else lives here?"
"Just Edward, he"˜s my son, there is a couple of friends here, they are
from Scotland, although from their accents I reckon they are from
the USA."

"Ok, do you two know any other ghosts?"
"That's a good one, there's Grant, Margaret, Elizabeth, The Blue Lady
and her child, The White Lady, Veronica, there was Lord and
Lady Freeman, Edmund, Gareth, Erica's dad and her son"˜s wife, Adrian
and his dad and now you."
"How come you've met all them?
"My dad and I run a small investigators, the Supernatural Eye, we do
what we can to try and help ghosts."
"You forgot about Flight Lieutenant Jennings," pointed out Erica.

"Was he in a plane crash?"
"We didn't ask, I would guess it might not be a pleasant memory,
so I don't ask. That's why I didn't ask you."
"So Melanie, do you accept that you are dead?"
"Yes Erica, I do."
"Good, would you be alright with meeting more ghosts soon, if you
want, we can find out about you."
"I'd like to find out about me."
"No, not a good idea, we'll find out about you then we will tell you
when there is a few of us to help you if we need to."
"Why do you say it like that?"
"When I found out about myself, I was disappointed a bit, so I'd like
to save you that, and that's if it needs be."

"Like Erica said, and after all you can't remember about yourself, so
it might be best if you were told."
"So what do we do?"
"Well, I'm going to get myself a cuppa."
David went into the kitchen, he met Willow and Buffy in there.
"I'm just about to make myself a drink, you want to join me?"
As Melanie was going into the kitchen she asked Erica
"Can I have a drink?"
"You can, but it'll go straight through you, and I don't mean you'll
need to go to the toilet, it'll literally fall straight through you."
"So we sit and watch while he drinks."

They walk into the room.
"Yes, and we'll call him names while we watch him, what was it that
Grant called you David? oh yes that was it, a bag of bones! we do get
to have our fun Melanie."
"What was that cake you liked to eat Erica?" asked David.
"Shut up."
"We're Back!"
Melanie turned to Erica.
"That's Siobhan, my cousin, and Mr Smithers, as in David and Siobhan.
Erica whispered in Melanie's ear.
"Oh, company, hi, I'm Mr Smithers. And you are Buffy and Willow, right."
"Want a drink dad?"
"Yes please, er, aren't you going to offer one to your friend?"

"It'll only make the seat wet."
"Will it?, oh sorry you've, oh!, do you mean you are like Erica?"
"Yes I'm a ghost, I heard about it so I came here to see what you look
like in the shower."
"Oh, er, um."
The girls burst out laughing.
"I'll get a drink later." He went upstairs.
"So how old are you?" asked Siobhan.
"I'm not sure, until a few minutes ago I didn't know I was dead."
"Understood, if you want I'll go and find out what I can about you."
"If you don't mind?, I'm from Torquay, and I think I died July
fourteenth, but that's all I remember."
"That's ok, and I will tell you what I find out."
Siobhan vanished.

"Like I said, you'll be ok here, we'll help you," said David.
Mr Smithers was making some lunch for David and himself.
When Siobhan returned.
"About Melanie, I think we'd all best sit down."
"Like that is it?"
"Erica is Edward here?" asked Siobhan.
Erica closed her eyes, then opened them a moment later.
"He'll be here soon."
Edward walked in to the room.
He looked at Melanie, she shyly returned the look. "Who is he?"
"Hello mum."
He then kissed Erica on her forehead. Melanie looked strangely at him.

"He is my son."
"Right, you are known by most people as Mandy, you were killed."
Erica held Mandy.
"Thanks, they think your father killed you he is due to go to court in
three months, we've plenty of time to help you get your memory back."
"That isn't right, I know I can't remember what happened. I don't think
my father would have done it, he thinks I'm a waste of space but
he does like me," said Melanie.
"Well in that case please stay here, we'll help you. Tomorrow we will
go and together we will put the jig saw together."
"Edward can you take Mandy for a walk please?" asked David.
"David, while you have a minute spare, I got a message from our friend,
it seems that another will be coming here tomorrow, is that
alright?" asked Willow.

"It might be a bit cramped but I guess it will be ok."
Fixing his attention on Siobhan,
"What didn't you say about Melanie, Siobhan?"
"Your right, there is a more David, everything feels wrong, I saw where
she is said to have died, but she didn't die there, there is a faint trace
of something else. I'll go and see her father, it's the quickest way.
I'll get something to that psychic, I'll return when I can."
"Wait for a bit, Melanie will get worse before she gets better."
Erica appeared to them, in the room.
"Edward just called, Mandy has problems."
An hour had passed before Erica, Mandy and Edward came back.
David and Mr Smithers were sat in the kitchen waiting for them.

"You've got problems still?"
"Very big, if Mandy was like you, she might kill herself."
"Dad, call Simon, ask him to keep an eye on the situation. Edward, I'm
sorry about this but can you ask Margaret to come and help. Erica,
call Veronica. I'll see about getting May here."
"How can she help?" asked Siobhan.
"I don't know, but she is the same age. Erica will you go and see her
father. Siobhan when Margaret gets here will you two go and find out
what you can."

"Will you be staying with her?"
"Yes, with Veronica and May, if we get anything out of her I'll try
and get a message to you."
Edward returned with Margaret, David told her what the problem was
and what he wanted her to do. She left with Siobhan. Erica went as well.
"Edward are you alright to stay here? with Melanie?. Veronica and May
should be here soon."
As soon as Mr Smithers had finished calling Simon, David rang to see
if May was in, and if she could help.
"If there is anything we can do, just say so," said Buffy.
"If you can stay with Melanie, that would be good," replied David.
"I don't want you to make a big fuss, just or me."
"Why not?"

"Am I really worth it."
"That's true, we'll ask Siobhan, oh that's right she gone to try and
help you, so has Erica. Seems they think you are worth helping."
"I hope I can repay you all," replied Melanie.
"I'd say that seeing you happy will be enough."
"Thanks."
"There is one thing I'd like to know. Your name? would you prefer to
be called Mandie or Melanie?"
"I've been known as Mandie for so long, but I do prefer Melanie."
"Then I'll tell everyone here to use that name," said David.
Veronica came into the room.
"I was asked to come here? what is it?"

"Sorry."
"Ok, I understand what you want, Melanie would you like to watch
the TV with me?"
They go into the back room. During the next ten minutes, May,
Edward and Sarrah arrived to sit with Melanie. May's mother stayed
and had had a cuppa with David and Mr Smithers. After a few
minutes May came out for some biscuits.
"Melanie said something about a birthday present for her mum that
she lost. She said it was order number 02272842 at Raphiel's jewellers,
it was an ankh cross on a necklace."
"Thanks, I'll pass it on to Siobhan. Can you find out if her mum wanted
that or if that is what they bought."

"Find out if her mother did want it, why?"
"No, ask Sarrah to come out here. Wait till the conversation changes."
"Any reason for that?"
"Maybe, the ankh cross is Egyptian, it can mean life, it's also used in
magic, as protection."
"Yes, find out her mothers beliefs, I dare say she'd like to see
Melanie," said Mr Smithers.
"And come here to help, hopefully."

"What can you tell me about Melanie, Mr Smithers and why isn't her
mother with her?" asked May's Mother
"Ah, right, I guess from what you just said you didn't get told that
Melanie is a ghost?"
"No, that wasn't said. That explains a few things though. Who is in
that room?"
"There's Edward and Sarrah, Veronica and Melanie, oh and May.
Siobhan and Elizabeth are in Torquay, Erica has gone to Exeter. Simon
has been asked to help when he can."
"Are any ghosts in that room?"
"May is the only one that isn't. Is that a problem?"
"Oh no!, I was just thinking it might help if that Melanie got used to
cuddling a person again."
"Well if you don't mind," said Mr Smithers.

Walking into Melanie's house Siobhan and Elizabeth go invisible.
Melanie's mother, Cecelia, is by herself, sitting on the sofa, crying.
Siobhan looks around the room. She see's six books on the supernatural.
"Choices, I want to know who's books they are."
"I'll go to Erica, get her to ask Melanie's Father, then I'll let you
know," said Elizabeth.
"Thanks."
Elizabeth disappeared. A cat sauntered in the room like it owned the
place, stopping, it looked to where Siobhan was and hissed.
Cecelia looked, stared at where Siobhan stood.
"Melanie!, oh please!, please!"

Siobhan thought about it, then materialised.
"What! who are you?"
"My name is Siobhan, I am here trying to help Melanie. She is at my
friends house right now, doing the same as you."
"What is that?" asked Cecelia.
"Crying, but she isn't by herself."
"I've no-one to be with, my husband is in prison, he is by himself as
well," said Cecelia.
"Do you believe in ghosts, does he?"
"Yes, nearly as much as I do right now."
"Then he isn't alone my cousin Erica and Elizabeth are with him, they
are ghosts. It's just a thought, but if I can get a car here would you
like to see Melanie."

"I can see her! where is she? oh please, yes, yes, yes."
"Have you got a phone I can use?"
"Yes, it's in the hall, where is Melanie?"
"In Totnes," replied Siobhan, "so it shouldn't take to long."
David answered the phone.
"Just listen to me David. Cecelia would like a lift so that she can
be with Melanie."
"How did you do that?"
"I got lucky."
"What did she say about the cross?"
"I'll tell you about that a bit later."
"Ok, I'll be leaving in a minute."

Siobhan went back into the room.
"Thereâleave. I was wondering, what did you want
for your birthday?"
"What? oh right the ankh cross!. Yes."
"I was trying to find out your beliefs before I materialised."
David quietly spoke to his dad.
"That was Siobhan, she is with Cecelia right now, Melanie's mother.
They want me to go over there and give Cecelia a lift here, I won't be
long, or should I take Melanie out for a drive?"
"You go by yourself, hold that, is Melanie's father in a cell by himself,
Melanie should go there while you get her mother here."

David raised a finger to his dad.
"Erica and Elizabeth are with him as we speak, get Sarrah and Edward
to go with Melanie, but don't mention her mother. Take Edward aside
first. Tell Erica that they shouldn't say about Melanie's mother either.
I'll be just over half an hour."
While David was driving off, Mr Smithers asked Edward and Sarrah
from the room and said why, Mr Smithers then asked Sarrah if when
you go from one place to another can you keep contact with
another ghost?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"I've got a favour to ask of you and Edward then?"

"If it'll help, sure, what is it?" asked Sarrah.
"It's been arranged for Melanie, a half hour visit with her father."
"What are you on about?" asked Melanie.
"For you to visit your father."
"WHAAT! oh thank you."
"Edward, Sarrah, remember it'll only be about half an hour, I'll remind
you when the times up."
When they had gone.
"I can tell, you're up to something aren't you?" asked May.
"Perceptive aren't you," he replied.
"What is it?" asked May's mum.
"David has just gone to get Melanie's mother here," said Mr Smithers.


TO BE CONTINUED

 

[ILLYRIAN]

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

GILES WAS ONE OF OUR KIND

3 THE GRAVEYARD WELCOME

Siobhan wanted to visit the church in Collaton as they were going
to Paignton, hoping he would find out why Siobhan was so
interested in churches David agreed. As he neared the village he
slowed the car, parking on the main road near the shop. He and
Siobhan went to the church, then gazing, standing outside the
gates. David tried to see Siobhan's expressions. While they
stood there a women walks up to them.
"You aren't you going in are you?" asked Mrs Priestly.
"No, and I wouldn't advise you to either," said David.
"Why not?"
"We were told of ghosts that attack people who go in there."
"You know about them?, that's good. Just as well, I was here to
warn you about them. I look after the flowers in the church."

"Can you tell us what happens?"
"It's simple, any one that tries to go in the church gets attacked."
"Every-one?" asked Siobhan.
"Yes."
"I could understand having a grudge against certain people
but every-one?" asked Siobhan.
"Have the ghosts been recognised?"
"No, most people that see them just run away."
"Can you stay here then? just for a minute."
"Yes, what are you going to do?"
"I'll go in, when they attack me see if you recognise them."
"Isn't that a bit risky, best leave that to the people who know
what they are doing."

"It might be a topic for debate, especially after what you just said
but we are from the people who are dealing with this," said David.
"You are?, can you keep this quiet then, ghosts don't exist. As
according to the faith there was only one ghost, that is Jesus. All
the others are of the devils creation."
"I don't think it'll be something that will be featured in the paper,"
said Siobhan.
"Just watch them, see if you knew them."
David opened the gates then walked into the churchyard, not
wanting to get trapped in there, he kept watch behind him. He
walked closer to the church doors. Trying to open them he
found they were stuck. Calling to Mrs Priestly. "Are these doors
normally locked."

"They should be open," she replied.
As David was about to put his shoulder against the door a ghost
appeared near him.
"That looks like Eric Tomlinson. He died two years ago. I think
he fell through some-ones roof," said Mrs Priestly.
Siobhan took a photograph. She signalled to David to return.
"I'll be leaving, if that's alright," said David..
"If you leave without going inside, yes. Do not try to go in there
until I say that you can," said Eric.
"As you say."
David went back to where Siobhan was.
"We know who he was and Mrs Priestly said when he died, it
was only last year," said Siobhan.
"We'll go back and try to find about him. Did she say who the
others were?"

"What others?" asked Siobhan.
"At both ends of the church, there were ghosts there."
"We didn't see them," said Siobhan.
"Strange, I felt like I knew one of them," said David.
"So? back to the house?" asked Siobhan.
"Don't think so, we know what Eric did. It's those other two, I
know that I know one of them, I saw her but I can't put a
name to her," said David, "and you didn't see them?"
"I'm sorry David, no I didn't," said Mrs Priestly.
"Did you know Eric?"
"I met him once or twice, but I wouldn't say that I knew him."
"Would you mind meeting him?" asked David.
"If needed, I suppose so," replied Mrs Priestly.

David thought what he was about to do, he was about to speak
to Siobhan when he noticed the people that were staying with
them, "David, Siobhan, this is our friend."
"How did you get here?" asked Siobhan.
"We were on the bus, our friend told us she wanted to be here,
she said she wants to see Ignascious, who-ever that is."
"I live here, and I've never heard of any-one who has that name,
I wonder if Eric has?" asked Mrs Priestly.
David opened the gates again, standing just inside the graveyard
he called out to Eric. Waiting a few seconds.
"I hope I don't have to go towards the church, that'll get Eric's
back up." He was about to call Eric again when a figure appeared
a metre from him.

"What is it?" asked Eric.
"Sorry to trouble you, but those other two who are they?"
"I don't know either of them, but they are strange. Neither of
them are dead yet they appeared here as I do. The other with
them, she was different though," said Eric.
"Different in what way?" asked Siobhan.
"I could feel that she had died but she wasn't dead, I first saw
her near to the church, I am sure there was a glow there."
David faced Siobhan then looked about, remembering the figure
he saw when he was at Mr Peters house and the thoughts that
flashed in his mind about her.

"Goddess Medusera!" he exclaimed.
"What! who?" exclaimed Mrs Priestly.
"I'm just taking two steps forward Eric, bear with me," he
looked to the sky, "I don't know if this is the right way, but here
goes, Medusera! I want to ask you a question," called David.
Eric and Siobhan looked about, "Nothing happened David."
Buffy and Willows friend stepped forward.
"Near the end of the church David," her voice resonated, even
though there was no reason for it.
"Yes thanks, but I thought she has a white glow, I saw a
blue glow?"
"Who is it David?" asked Siobhan.
He turned to face her, "I don't know."

"David! look," said Siobhan, pointing to the church.
A woman bathed in a blue light came towards David.
"She is busy, that is why I came. I am the Goddess T'ara,
what do you want?"
"Who are the other two here. I think I know one of them but
I can't put a name to her," said David.
"You know of both of them, but you do not know them."
Puzzled by what she said, David looked at her.
"I know who you mean David, think of Edward," said T'ara.
"Of course!," exclaimed David, "Judith!"
"I'm not sure if you met the other, she is Judith's sister Andrea.
And yes Mr Tomlinson, neither of them are dead, they are both
here to end the demon."

"Excuse me, I'm Siobhan, how did you know about this church."
"Because of who is here and who will be here," she replied.
"Can Edward and Sarrah to be here?" asked Siobhan.
"Yes," she smiled, "I must take my leave, one thing though David.
Those here do not throw things at those who try to enter the
church, they throw things so that people will not try to enter the
church, now I will leave you."
And she was gone.
"David? was she really a Goddess? I never thought that I'd see
a goddess," said Mrs Priestly, she looked at Eric, "Mind you
speaking with a ghost wasn't high on my list either."
"Only one ghost? you don't know about Siobhan then do you?"
"What did he mean Siobhan?"
"I died about a hundred and eighty years ago," said Siobhan.

"Edward and Sarrah?" asked Mrs Priestly.
"Ghosts as well."
"Siobhan, before you call them, something that the Goddess
said, those here throw near people, not at them," said David.
"So."
"It just struck me, they try to keep people out of the church."
"Then there is something about the church."
"Sort of, but I don't think that is it Siobhan, something in the
church might be of danger," said David, "get Edward here, we
might get a few more answers."
David and Mrs Priestly stood looking at the church.
"Right, I've called him. But I do have a question for you David,"
he nodded towards Mrs Priestly.
"Yes Mrs Priestly, I am a living person," said David.

While she was thinking about them Edward and Sarrah appeared.
"Excuse me?" asked Mrs Priestly.
"There are two people here, we thought that you'd like to meet
them," said David.
"Okay, who are they?" asked Edward, Sarah looked at Buffy,
Willow and their friend.
"Not them, these two."
"Mum, dad," said Andrea and Judith.
Appearing as they walked until they stood near them, both in their
normal clothes.
"Before the memories flood back, why are you two here?"
"David, the demon that inhabited Father Graythorpe's body is in
the church, it tried to get out of the roof, damaging it," said Andrea.

"That is why I am here," said Eric.
"Judith and I are here to end the demon," said Andrea, "And now
if you will excuse us, oh can your friends come with us?"
David questioned who, as Buffy and her friend moved past them.
"This is why I am here," said her friend, even though he was
under the gates archway he heard her voice several times.
Standing at the back of the church by herself, Buffy called for the
demon, seeing her it swooped down from the roof towards her.
As the demon flew down Judith and Andrea saw the tail of the
demon behind the main part of the body, jumping to it then
grabbing it they forced the demon out of Father Graythorpe's
body. Slamming the demon's head repeatedly onto the church
floor the demon materialised, Judith swung the demon around
in front of her as her sister loosed two cross bow arrows into it,
killing it.

The body of Father Graythorpe continued towards Buffy, only
now her new friend was at her side, together they caught him.
"Now what do we do with him?" asked Buffy.
"Leave him with me, that is why I am here."
Buffy looked at her, Andrea put her arm on €™s shoulder.
"Come on, we'll tell Willow it is her time."
"Willow? what can she do?" asked Buffy.
"When my sister comes back to life, she will be better if she
can talk to some-one."
As Buffy was about to leave the church, she turned to see her
new friend. She saw the Father, head in hands, crying in her
friends arms.

Willow stepped inside the doors of the church, her body
appeared to come alive as she walked past her, stopping,
she helped Judith to her feet then continued towards
the altar.
"Is Father Ignascious Graythorpe ready to return to his own
time?" asked Goddess Turee.
"As long as you leave him with the knowledge he helped defeat
the demon, then yes," said Echo, "My time as a counsellor is at
an end."

THE END