Ghost-Ish- Lazarus Page 6

  Then she prompted, “Kid sister?”

  I shook my head. “Not in the related sense, but close enough.”

  I turned to Matt. “Rin and her friends are tracking down Lazarus. Since, umm... since Lazarus is after me, this brought me to Rin's attention.”

  The man was too intelligent for the snow job, even though it was all mostly true. I could see the patience in his eyes as he picked out the true statements from the rest. He wouldn't ask me the real reason I caught Rin's attention unless I offered.

  He nodded and provided, “Lazarus. Nasty lot them. I can smell military black ops a mile away.” Which brought his attention squarely to the bird woman in our midst. “Those were some interesting moves you were using when you were fighting Cam. Your father military?”

  She regarded him and said, “My father is dead. I've got some Delta Force and martial training.”

  He looked about to call bullshit on her, and I was too, but then I remembered what she said about experiencing the lives of every soul she helped to the afterlife. She compartmentalized those memories in her mind, so she didn't go nucking futs. But there was the bleed through I saw when Adelaide treated Kyler like her daughter. Could they call on the experience and training of those they reaped?

  That was sobering. It would mean that she would hold all the good people did in their lives as well as the insufferably evil things people had done. And it felt like she herself had done all those things when she... absorbed their lives? How was she even sane? And how did you not let the dark consume you?

  My gloomy thoughts were washed away when she added, “And I'm awesome.”

  Matt exhaled and smiled, letting her keep her secrets and said, “Yes, you fell into an awesome heap when I hit you.”

  She countered, “Hey, you snuck up on me and hit me from behind.”

  I stepped between them, trying not to grin. She really was mortified that someone had gotten the drop on her. “Children, children.”

  They snickered good naturally and I said as I saw Ferret handing out the last of the pizza, popping another pepperoni into her mouth, and shoving the box into one of the burn barrels so it could contribute to keeping the area warmer, “I gotta get my charge back to her bed so she can sleep.”

  Matt nodded, his eyes scanning the shadows, ever vigilant. Rin muttered with a crooked smile on her face, “I'll drop by tomorrow to get your story, Casper. Don't think you're getting out of it. You know ours. I'll probably have the, umm... other women I spoke of in tow.”

  Other... oh, the Fates? I half believed the women were pulling my leg about that. But heck, parts of me were ghost-ish, who the hell was I to say what was real or not anymore?

  From what I remember about the myths of the Fates was that three women wove the life threads of everyone on a big loom. A young woman, a middle-aged one, and an old lady. Something like Maiden, Mother, and Crone if I remember correctly. High School seems like it was another lifetime ago, so I wasn't completely confident in my memory. They had stuffed so much information into our young and pliable minds back then.

  Rin nodded and held out a fist, Matt bumped it. Just great they were bonding like a couple testosterone-laden men. Then the badass woman looked awkward as she turned to me. “Umm...”

  I rolled my eyes at her and then I grabbed her hands and gave them a squeeze as I said, “It has been... surreal. I'll catch you on the flip side, Tweety-bird.”

  She chuckled out, her confidence returning, “Roger that, Casper. Don't expect to get past second base again so easily.”

  Second... what... oh my god! She was trying to kill me... again, but of embarrassment this time. My mouth gaped like a fish out of water as I tried to deny her implications.

  She shared with an amused looking Matt as she pulled on her helmet, “She was getting all sorts of over the shirt action on my abs on the ride here.”

  I gaped and finally squeaked out, “I was just holding on, brat.” Though her abs were pretty tasty, I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of me admitting that.

  She winked at me and slapped her visor down on that smug face of hers. She said from her helmet as she inclined her head, “Kid.”

  Ferret grasped my hand as she joined us. She didn't like being called kid. She responded, “Trinity.”

  Rin growled as she started her bike and took out her frustration on the road as the motor roared like some prehistoric beast on the prowl as she rode a wheelie out to the street. Then she was gone.

  I grinned at how the little one got her so riled up. It was just a name. I looked at my pseudo-sis and motioned with my free hand to our place and gave her her own round of name therapy, “Eliza.”

  She froze like a statue for just a moment, not saying a word, before exhaling and moving toward our box. I inclined my head at Matt, and he returned the gesture before wheeling off toward his burn barrel, which I saw more and more as his sentry position.

  Ferret looked frightened as she slid onto her shelf, eyes not leaving mine.

  I had to roll my eyes at her as I absently tucked her in. “Oh come on, I'm not stupid you know. Get some sleep.”

  She studied me a moment, I could see the fight or flight reflex warring inside her. It was the look one got just before they ran. But then she relaxed when I gave her a soft smile. “Get some sleep kiddo. Lots to learn tomorrow.”

  She snuggled into her spot and then said quietly, “Ok. Love you, Cam.”

  I patted her shoulder as I sat back against the back wall. “Love you too.”

  She knew she didn't have to be scared that I was learning who she used to be. Achievement unlocked, level up.

  After a few moments of silence as I tried to make sense of everything that had happened today, Ferret asked as a hand drifted down to me, which I grasped, “You ever going to tell me about what happened to you?”

  I stopped breathing. What exactly did she mean by... she continued, “I saw it once. And when you do that half sleep thing you do, you forget to breathe.” Shit!

  I swallowed, realizing she was still holding my hand, not pulling away. Wait, the little snot knew? Now she's... ahh I got it. Mutually assured destruction, I'm rubbing off on the little sneak. I could puncture the Snidely Whiplash grin she likely had on her face just then.

  I gave her hand a squeeze and asked, “When you tell me all about Eliza?”

  She snorted, causing me to grin as she said, “Touche.” Who says Touche anymore? Oh wait, I do, is that where she got it?

  I thought about it a moment as she returned the hand squeeze and let me go to snuggle into her blanket. She and the people here in our little community really had the right to know since I was attracting all sorts of trouble, putting everyone around me in danger. I was just scared to tell them... what if... what if they asked me to leave? After I lost my life, I lost everything. I couldn't even visit dad in the slammer.

  These people were my family now.

  I let myself slip into that zen state, drifting like sleep, I had to smirk when I remembered to breathe this time. The world around me just merged into a gentle buzz of background noise, then unbidden, the memory of Rin's ass encased in form-fitting leather flashed through my mind. Damn it, I had it bad for the mini ninja bird.

  Chapter 6 – Shelter

  It was an interesting night, I couldn't quite reach my sleep-like state as I kept thinking about the feather browed smirk of the biker girl. And I wished that I had the shelter to myself for a bit. Evil grin. But as it inevitably does, the sun rose to wake the city, once again turning it into a buzzing metropolis of people rushing to work to work their fingers to the bone, all of the magic of New York City's nightlife a distant memory.

  The days and nights of the city were diametrically opposed concepts, they were as incongruous as... well as night and day. Ok, that was a lame analogy, I know. Maybe my brain is turning to mush, and I'm getting stupid as I lose parts of myself. Then again, I did just use diametrically and incongruous in a sentence. Ten points for the use of a four and six syllable words. Go me.

  A flicker of sadness, or maybe regret, flashed through me at the thought. My father was always so proud of me going to college, and that I was excelling in my intellectual pursuits that were such a contrast to our not so legit lifestyle. He'd give points to me every time I'd say things that showed how much I had learned.

  Most of what I was learning was so far beyond him, but he's still one of the smartest people I know... street smarts are sometimes more valuable and insightful than all the things one can assimilate from higher learning. Besides the whole, getting caught and thrown in the clink thing, dad was pretty much a genius. And he could work numbers in his head like a machine.

  It was everything he taught me about the streets that have kept me out of Lazarus' grasp all these months. The only stupid thing I have done is to stay in the city. But I can't bring myself to leave. New York is my home, and no government black-ops assholes are going to take it from me.

  I noted that penetrating blue eyes were on me. I smiled at Eliza. “Hey, kid.” She smiled, and I prompted, “Time to get moving. The shelter has eggs and toast this morning. Go get something to eat other than pepperoni, and get a shower there. Paul said he'd make sure to keep a plate aside for you. Then we can get to your lessons.”

  She cocked an eyebrow imperiously, suspiciously, just like I did. I was such a bad influence. “Are you saying I stink?”

  I nodded and smiled widely. “Yes, yes I am. Now scoot so we can go over your study material.”

  She deflated, just like any other teen when it came to schoolwork. I bet she never thought she'd still have to do it living on the streets. She grumped, “Fine,” like I was sending her to the firing line.

  We both looked toward the door when we heard Matt calling out, “Cam, your biker chick is back.”

  This got a grin from Ferret. “Saved by the bell!”

  I pointed at her. “Hey, brat, this doesn't get you out of anything. If I'm not back when you are, go over your notes. I'll quiz you.”

  She exhaled loudly as she slid off her shelf, grabbing some clothes from her little stack, and at the last second, stealing my well worn Quiet Riot concert tee. “Hey! Rat!”

  She bobbled her head, shooting me a shit-eating grin. “That's Ferret, thank you very much.”

  Ferret scooted to the door and looked back before heading out to beat the line at the shelter. “Love you.”

  I had to smile at her as I echoed, “Love you too.”

  Then I snorted as Matt, and a few others mimicked my voice, “Love you too.”

  I said loudly with a smile as I started to change my own clothes, sniffing my pits to determine that I really needed a shower too, “Zip it assholes, or I'll kick your collective butts.” The entertained chuckles and grumbles around our shanty-ville made gave me a sense of satisfaction. I had a weird family.

  Once I struggled into a new set of clothes and my hoodie in the cramped space, I slid out. Matt wasn't far away, he was parked next to a steel girder pylon head cocked, listening intently. I arched a brow in question, and without looking at me, he just nudged his chin up.

  I looked up to the tracks directly above him and had to smother a smile. Rin was there, schooling her face as she looked down at us, head cocked unnaturally. I muttered, “Hey Bird-brain.”

  She looked around at the three or four people moving about our little community. She looked undecided about something, but then just jumped. My breath caught in my throat until she basically glided down to me on those amazing feathered arms. The moment she set foot on the ground the feathers vanished.

  She looked sheepishly around at the people of my extended-family who had paused momentarily then started going about their business. She said almost under her breath, “Hey Casper.” Then added in an odd tone, “It is so disconcerting to do that in front of... well, living people. They don't... seem fazed. I figured Sarge here got the word out about me.”

  Matt chuckled. “Lieutenant.”

  “Whatever Sarge.” She parried back without sparing a glance at the man as she seemed fascinated with something on my face. Did I have pizza sauce on me from last night? I wiped my mouth with the back of my arm. This made a smile quirk at the corners of her mouth. Damn, she looked even better in the morning light.

  I demanded self consciously, “What?”

  She shrugged. “Nothing.” Then she schooled her face and got serious. “You owe me a story.”

  I nodded, though I thought I'd never tell my story to anyone. Just the thought of it had my insides tying themselves in knots. Then I said as I started trudging toward the shelter, “But not until I get cleaned up at the shelter.”

  She just plodded along beside me, and Matt asked, “Want some backup?”

  I smirked back over my shoulder at the man who had started wheeling our way. “Nah, I think I can handle the Tweety-bird.” He just inclined his head, his gaze intent on us, some sort of understanding in his eyes and the need to do... something, anything. He didn't suffer from classic PTSD, but I knew he doubted his value as a soldier, but he wasn't a soldier anymore. One day, I hoped he'd trust me enough to tell me his story.

  I almost snorted, I was one to talk.

  Rin leaned into me until our shoulders touched, saying with innuendo that had me heating up thinking about the curves the badass woman was hiding under her leathers. “You couldn't handle me on your best day, Casper.” I wasn't listening as I re-evaluated my thoughts about what her leathers might be hiding, they were so tight, it left little to the imagination.

  She shoved my shoulder lightly. “Earth to Cameron, you about done perving out?”

  Wha? Oh shit. A blush burned on my cheeks as I rubbed the back of my neck. “Hey, I was just thinking... don't flatter yourself... Trinity.”

  She almost growled, and I challenged with a cocked brow. “Oh, I assumed we were using full names since you used mine. Was I mistaken?”

  Rin muttered, “You really are a pain in the ass aren't you?”

  I nodded, then informed her. “You know, I can meet you somewhere... I don't need any help cleaning up.”

  I had to double-take when I caught her murmuring under her breath, “A shame.” Who's the perv now? I couldn't get the smile off my face if you paid me. My instincts seemed to be right, the mini ninja bird was into... well, birds. That could explain the slow, pleasant burn moving through me like an incessant tide.

  I hesitated a moment. I was too full of myself to think someone like her would show interest in someone like me who is living off the streets. She already said I freaked her out and her Raven instincts were telling her I was just wrong.

  She turned, hiding her smile from me. I pushed her shoulder back, and she chuckled, then said, “Yeah, and you'd skip out the back, and I wouldn't get my story until I tracked you down again. I brought popcorn and everything.”

  The woman was as stubborn as I was, though it sort of felt like an excuse... “You don't need an excuse to hang out with me, Rin.” She grumped, and my smile split my face. I had hit the nail on the head. It wasn't as if anything I could tell her about Lazarus, which was virtually nothing, would be any help to her and her friends. Though I would cheer them on if they could get the men in black asswipes to leave me the hell alone.

  As we approached the homeless shelter, I had to grin. Ferret was fast, she was at the front of the line. I slipped in after Manny, about twelve places back from my young roomie who stuck her tongue out at me, then waved cutely at Rin.

  It was putting a crimp into the bird girl's mojo as she waved back then complained to me. “She's a cute one.” I nodded, and she added, “And much smarter than she is letting on.” I nodded again. Eliza had brought acting innocent on the streets to an art form. She was smart as hell, her picking up so quickly on the lessons I taught her told me that she had brains to spare. The ironic hell of it all was... she really was innocent. Street as they come, but innocent.

  I glanced at Rin again, pausing to take her in, she seemed relaxed and comfortable there, that set off little bells in my head. Neither her posture nor her mannerisms made me think she was bothered in the least standing in a line at a homeless shelter with me. I still didn't know why she was even here, we seriously could have met later.

  I suppressed a smile, wondering if she were as attracted to me as I was her. And most people, as unfair as it was, were visibly uncomfortable being seen around the homeless, let alone standing in line at one. Had she been...

  I never finished my thought when she prompted, “Do they get eggs here? When's the soup kitchen open?”

  She was far too familiar with how things worked. Had she worked at a shelter before? I prompted, “Volunteer?”

  She shook her head. “Nah, but the volunteers rock. I was sort of involuntarily homeless when I was fourteen.” She whispered, “After my family was murdered.” Then she shrugged. “I was sort of on the road for a spell on my bike until...” She smiled, her badass facade breaking a little. “... Until Adelaide and Shannon took me in when I was...” She stumbled verbally for a moment like she was catching herself. “When I was eighteen, three years back.”

  I called bullshit. “Bullshit, you're not twenty one.” She was nineteen, twenty if she stretched, though her eyes looked haunted, like Matt's. Eyes someone so young shouldn't have, eyes that have seen the pain of hundreds of lifetimes she was forced to live out as whatever gods there were judged the souls she brought to the afterlife. Those were the eyes of some of the elderly in our shanty village who had lived long lives in a world that had been cruel to them, and they were just waiting to die.

  My hand reached out before it could tell me what it was doing, and I cupped her cheek, my chest ached at that shadow in her eyes. She closed her eyes a moment and seemed to just bask in the contact, before taking a deep breath as I dropped my hand and she hid that vulnerability away behind her smarmy bravado. “Whatever Casper, I'm nineteen. Twenty next month. But my ID says differently.” She shot me a cheesy challenging grin.