Nathan's Clan of Deadheads Page 17

  He again stood taking in the beauty of the silver maple and dogwood ringing the glen at the compound. A group of children played, running through the white blanket of Queen Anne’s Lace, the occasional wild yellow daffodil poking a head out to be noticed. Squeals of laughter rode the light breeze to his ears as he stood at the edge of the clearing in the afternoon sun with Zach, and Sarah. A smiling Shelly stood at his side, an arm around his waist. Movement at the head of a worn path leading to the holler where the creek snaked its way through the property caught his attention. Nathan froze at the sight of Jason. The old man leaned against an old, thick-trunked tree and his eyes bored into Nathan’s. Like a bank of thick, dark clouds had formed, his world dropped into shadow. Fear churned in the pit of his stomach, and he trembled in his sleep.

  Chapter 35

  Date after date, filled with conversation, their connection deepened. Taking her father with them to dinner one evening proved a good move, too. The conversation had been lively. The guy was funny and didn’t seem even slightly suspicious of Nathan’s attention to his only daughter. Nathan found himself praying Shelly felt the same about him.

  Through one-sided conversations, he convinced himself the probable chances of success with her stood somewhere right around ninety percent; if he dared to believe in a dream, in a future with family, a real family to call his own. That was if he remembered the words from the nightmare; if it were true that Jason couldn’t touch him so long as he stayed in Erick. Though, he’d have to be very careful. Because Nathan wanted to seal the deal with Shelly. Turn it into more than “let’s go out to dinner, or meet for drinks, or spend the night in bed.”

  Walking through the mall with his mind pre-occupied, he didn’t pay much attention to anything but the floor ahead of him; a habit he’d acquired in his youth when deep in thought over solving a problem at the mine.

  A sudden jolt rattled him. He sat up, shook his head, and realized he was tangled up in another person. A woman had run headlong into him, and tossed them both to the ground like old feed sacks dumped on the floor of the barn. Deadheads in the near vicinity stood to watch the commotion. Some laughed even as others gazed at Nathan as if in awe, or confusion.

  The woman pulled herself into a sitting position and faced him, then brushed her hands along her very short blonde hair. “Sorry.”

  “Sorry?” Nathan mimicked. “Ya’ll knocked me for a real loop, and all you can say is ‘sorry’?”

  She shrugged her athletic shoulders. “I didn’t see you.”

  “Well, obviously.” Nathan stood. “Are you okay?”

  Blue eyes gazed up at him. “I’m fine.” A curious expression crossed her face, then she glanced around at the people streaming along in that weird dance they do to dodge oncoming foot traffic in crowded places. “We should’ve breezed right through one another. Where did you come from?”

  His stomach dropped, and Nathan looked around in a panic only to discover his new self walking steadily along. If Jason was anywhere in the vicinity, Nathan was a true goner.

  This could not happen. Even if he survived, he could not go through finding another new body this soon. Zach would kill him if he had to deal with the machinations of creating yet another new identification within weeks. Worse, it would mean Shelly slipping through his fingers. An odd ache stabbed his heart.

  Nathan did his best to grab control of his emotions without letting this woman in on his secret. Even as he moved a couple of steps in the direction his errant body had gone, and craned his neck to peer above passing people in search of Erick, he asked, “What’s your name?”

  “Heidi.” She stood and pushed a hand out.

  “Name’s Nathan. Pleased to meet you, but where in the name of—”

  A male voice called out his name, another familiar male voice laughed and said, “How about that? A two-fer!”

  Heidi turned to run and halted as if she’d been frozen in mid-stride when a new, booming, ominous voice called out her name. A woman Nathan had never seen before approached Heidi. “Finally. Girl, you are one tough nut to crack, you know that? It feels like we’ve been chasing you through half the state.”

  Nearby deadheads took off running in all directions, though a few stopped inside adjacent stores and peered through the display windows to watch while Heidi, moving like Frankenstein’s monster, returned to stand next to Nathan.

  Nathan’s throat went dry, and his body shook. This cannot be happening. Not now. He turned with longing in the direction he’d been headed.

  His new body had stopped and gaped at him, as if he saw him. “Nathan, what happened? Are you coming?”

  This turn of events confounded Nathan. In all the years of taking over living people, not a one had ever been aware. “Erick?”

  “What should I do? You want me to go ahead and pick something out for Shelly, or wait for you?”

  Nathan didn’t doubt that Erick would be able to communicate. There were plenty of people capable of seeing and hearing the dead. But, this guy seemed especially adept. And, now, Nathan wanted to know why. Even more than when he’d talked to that woman at the museum the day he’d decided on Erick. Could it be a result of having occupied the body for so long? What about all the others he’d shed, the kid left alone on the roadside? Though he’d never noticed any apparitions following him, Nathan scanned the crowd.

  “Oh, shit…” Erick’s voice trembled. “This is what you’ve been afraid of. What can I do, Nathan?”

  Nathan took a step toward him and opened his mouth to respond, and a hand touched his shoulder. He jumped away, wanted to run.

  Jenna’s voice boomed in Nathan’s ears. “Nathan, you stop right there and turn around.”

  His feet refused to do anything but obey the command.

  “Now that’s something I’ve never witnessed before.” Marvin stood smiling. “Hey, someone wants to talk to you.”

  Jenna moved into view. “I have to admit, Marvin, it was a good idea to have you ahead of us. Now, the two of you are going to come with us. We have a lot to talk about. The question is, will you cooperate, or do we have to take you?”

  Heidi found her voice, although it quivered with vibrato. “What do you mean take us? Take us where?”

  Nathan knew what Jenna meant, and squeezed his eyes shut. “I’ve seen it, and ya’ll don’t want that to happen. It’s best we do what they ask.”

  The smirk on the face of the woman with Jenna made her words redundant. “Like you have a choice.”

  “Before we do anything, I think you need to talk to that guy over there.” Marvin indicated Erick, who waited in place. “It’s either that, or figure out a way to get him to go along.”

  Nathan turned his head. “You leave him alone. He hasn’t done nothing.”

  Heidi glared at him. “Is this what got us in all this trouble? I’m stuck because of you?”

  “I don’t know about that,” Marvin stated. “They’ve been looking for you for a long time and, personally, I’m tired of her,” Marvin hooked a thumb over his shoulder toward Jenna, “being gone all the time.”

  “Marvin, shut up. You’re breaking my concentration.”

  “What’re you talking about? I’m not doing a thing but hel—”

  “I said, shut—”

  Heidi broke away, running through the throngs of shoppers.

  “Dammit! Now look what you did.”

  In the commotion, Marvin took off to chase after Heidi as Jenna’s form turned into a storm-cloud of swirling dark matter. A tornado-wind of chill air spun around the mall’s path. People wrapped their arms around themselves, grumbling about air conditioning being tested in the middle of winter. A great voice roared out of Jenna. “Marvin, get away from her.”

  Erick made a beeline toward Nathan. With his stomach lurching into his throat, Nathan ran right at him. “Hurry, Erick.”

  “Oh, no you don’t!” The blonde stranger jumped in front of Nathan. As she struck into Erick’s right side Nathan pushed into the left.

/>   Erick’s muffled voice burrowed into Nathan’s head. “Oh, my God, it’s like I’m in a freezer. Nathan, do something. Get her out, it’s too cold.” Then another, female voice commanded, “Get out. Now.”

  “Erick, I’m sorry.” What would happen to the clan if he didn’t return? What would happen to the compound, to the land holding itself? He never made any arrangements on that score. A deep sadness rained down on him. Defeat descended over him like a heavy cloak.

  “I’ll go wherever Nathan wants.” Erick moved next to Nathan, but his voice sounded odd, as if a basso was attempting to sing tenor.

  Wearing an expression that revealed mistrust, Jenna, returned to the spot with Heidi in tow. “You,” she said to Heidi, “stay put, if you know what’s good for you. Try getting away again and you’ll regret it. I promise you that.”

  “Fine. Whatever. I don’t know what you want, but you people can suck it.”

  “And shut your mouth. I’ll get back to you in a second.” Jenna focused on Erick and Nathan. “Diane, move out of him. You’re a willing host, is that what you’re telling me?”

  “Are you kidding?” Erick’s laugh sounded nervous. “I’ve had a better life in the last two months than ever before. I’ll admit it was a little strange at first, but once I got used to him being there it was great.”

  “Well, so maybe we don’t need anything more from him.”

  Jenna didn’t bother to turn to say, “Hush, Marvin,” she kept Heidi and Nathan locked in a visual grasp. “Did you think I didn’t know what you’ve been doing all these years, Nathan? Though you haven’t literally taken lives like she has,” Jenna pointed at Heidi, “you’ve stolen them. Heidi, I don’t have to tell you it’s unacceptable, because if you thought otherwise you wouldn’t have kept running from Diane,” Jenna indicated the blonde woman standing with her. “You’re both lucky it’s me you face right now and not Jason.”

  “Isn’t that the truth? That guy is a hard-ass from way back,” Marvin said.

  “Careful,” Jenna warned. “He’s still part of the World Council and the most powerful Keeper there is. I’d maintain a respectful tongue in my head if I were you.”

  The mention of Jason sent a shiver down Nathan’s spine, followed by a buzz and severe tingle in his left side. Erick was attempting to push himself over, to deliberately envelope Nathan. Movement on his right caught his attention, a blur of motion as Heidi turned to dash away.

  Jenna scowled, her face a thickening cloud of darkness. She pointed and shouted, “Heidi, you come over here now.” Heidi froze, then swiveled, then moved to stand in front of Jenna. “Dammit, Marvin! Now, I told you to stop pulling my focus. Shut up and let me do what I came here for.”

  “Well, pardon me, your highness—”

  “Oh, no you don’t.” Before Erick completed the move, Diane grabbed onto Nathan’s wrist. “Don’t worry, I’ve got hold of this one. But, damn, she’s strong, isn’t she,” Diane said, pointing at Heidi. “No wonder she kept getting away from me.”

  “Another try like that, and I’m done with the both of you,” Jenna shook her head.

  “Then let me go, bitch.”

  Diane snickered. “Oh, believe me. You don’t want her to be done with you. That’s an end you don’t want to meet.”

  Heidi crossed her arms. “Fine. Then stop with the bullshit, and tell us what the fuck you want, already.”

  After a bit of throat-clearing, Nathan found his voice. “So, now what?”

  “We’re going to get some things straight, or the next time you step out of him—or get knocked out of him—it’ll be your last.” Jenna fixed him with a solid stare. “If I don’t turn you over to Jason.”

  Chapter 36

  Jenna couldn’t restrain the small grin that spread across her lips. Heidi reminded her of herself, determined to help those who couldn’t help themselves. The woman paced around the hotel suite.

  “Quit being impertinent.” Jenna’s gaze followed each step her captive made. “You killed someone.”

  “So what? One less scumbag in the world to prey on children.” Heidi indicated the street below.

  “I’m not arguing that. But, the one absolute on this plane of life cannot be broken. Jason, or any member of his sect, would’ve taken you without hesitation. You don’t realize how incredibly lucky you are to be here right now.” Jenna paused. “My question is, why didn’t you help that little girl to safety?”

  Heidi snorted. “Yeah, how?”

  “How did you take the scumbag around the corner and beat his head against the brick building? The same way he does.” Diane pointed at Nathan, who sat in a dining chair as stiff and quiet as a mannequin. “You slide yourself in.”

  “And where do you propose I should’ve taken a kid? Have you ever seen the inside of a shelter for children? Do you have any idea what the foster care system does to someone?”

  Jenna laughed. She’d been passed through more foster homes than she cared to remember. It hadn’t been great, but not all of them had been houses of horror. “I suggest you don’t underestimate what any of us lived through. Barring taking a child home to their parents, where they belong, there are shelters that can help.”

  Heidi stopped her pacing and jabbed a finger at Jenna. “Then you haven’t seen the shitholes they pass off as shelters around here. They suck. Kids aren’t allowed to be kids.”

  “I don’t recommend that attitude,” Diane said.

  “Fuck you, bitch. Who are you to tell me how to act? I’ve got news for you—”

  Jenna whirled around to face Heidi. “Stop! This doesn’t solve anything, and I’ll tell you what I told her,” Jenna waved a hand in Diane’s direction, “you best keep a civil tongue in your head. Because I can call Jason and that would not be good.”

  “What do you suggest I do? I can’t get into them like I do to people who are trying to molest or abuse them, they’re too small. And I can’t exactly grab them by the hand, now can I? I’m not going to stop. And you know what? You can kiss. My. Ass. So, you call this Jason, or whoever the fuck you want. I’ll tell them the same thing.” Heidi crossed her arms, a defiant expression on her face.

  “She really needs an attitude adjustment.”

  Jenna smiled at Diane’s comment. “In fact, I think I like her for it. She’s got a fire that I find admirable.”

  “Spunk,” Marvin tossed in. “I wonder who she sounds like?”

  “Hush, Marvin.”

  “Don’t tell me to hush. You know it’s true.”

  “Stop. Now.” Jenna’s volume rose as she turned and saw Marvin sitting, one leg tossed over an arm of the chair he occupied. “True or not, you need to stop interrupting.”

  “Fine. Don’t let me help.” Marvin stomped toward the door but stopped when the lock disengaged.

  The door swung open and Erick walked in carrying a small package. “I hope this will do, Nathan.”

  “That will have to wait,” Jenna said. “We may not have any power over you Erick, but take my advice: go over there,” she pointed to the small sofa, “and sit. You, too, Marvin.”

  Nathan cleared his throat. “I may have a suggestion that might could help ya’ll….”

  Jenna returned her attention to the purpose of hunting down these two. Nathan’s situation could wait, Heidi had to take first priority. “Which would be?”

  “Well, ma’am, she said the kids were too small. Now, granted, most of the folks I’ve slid into over the years were like puttin’ on a pair of comfortable old overalls for slopping the hogs. But, if they aren’t going to be safe at home, which is awful because a person’s mama and daddy should be a refuge, the thing I find helps is to wait until they’re sleeping. It gives you the time to adjust yourself, you take over kind of gradual-like.”

  “And exactly what do you suggest I do with them? I won’t take them to a shelter. They don’t need any more abuse. If there’s no one in institutions to show them love, they at least deserve to be somewhere with people who will care. And prote
ct them from the assholes that prey on them. I don’t see any—”

  Marvin butted in. “I don’t know about you but, from the looks of this suite, I’d say Nathan is pretty flush with funds.”

  Diane shuffled over. “What are you suggesting, Marvin?”

  “I’m suggesting he part with some. What about it, Nathan? Can you think of a way to help out? Maybe make a sizable donation to—”

  Heidi erupted in laughter. “If you think giving anything to the money-grubbers around here would actually help the kids, you might want to get your head out of your ass.”

  “They aren’t all like that,” Jenna argued. “My life in the system may not have been princess dresses and tiaras, but it wasn’t terrible. I had food, clothes, and a clean place to sleep.”

  “Yeah, well, what about young boys and men? I don’t see shelters taking them in. Most get turned away. I’ve even seen shelters turn women away if they have a teenage son. I’m telling you they don’t provide for everyone who needs it. So, let me ask again—you know, just in case you didn’t hear me the first fucking time. Or maybe I need to talk slower. What would you suggest I do?”

  “Stop being bitchy.” Jenna’s tone ended the argument. “Because it’s not going to get you anywhere. Believe me, I can be damn stubborn.”

  “I’ll vouch for that,” Marvin said.

  Jenna ignored him. “Okay, I grant you, shelters are crowded. It proves there’s a lot of work to be done. But, if they don’t accept boys over a certain age, laws demand they find safety for them somewhere.”

  Heidi let out a snort. “Laws. Laws work for those who follow them.”

  Diane laughed. “Oh, that is rich. True, but rich.”

  Everyone in the room turned toward Erick when he piped up. “Nathan, what about the compound?” In the ensuing silence, Erick shrugged. “What?”

  Marvin whistled disbelief. “You have a compound?”

  “Well, now, it’s nothing fancy. Just a bunch of small cabins up in some woods my granddaddy left me.”