Astral Bodies

Chapter 1

If he’s dead then why on Earth are you still open?

I blinked down at the woman, jug of water in hand as I continued to pour her a drink. She peered up at me through what I thought were Prada sunglasses, an unlit cigarette clenched between her thumb and index finger. I’d been getting these questions all day with the same shocked stares.

Nobody has died ma’am, I told her, giving my best smile. It’s only a rumour. There was a woman using the room on the fifth floor that skipped out on her bill; that’s all.

The woman grimaced as I straightened my back, her nails clinking as they wrapped around the glass. I thought they looked like lizards claws. Well, she said, I heard that it was a Japanese business man that was strangled up there. Do you know the stories?

Yes ma’am, I tried to assure her. But let me be the one to tell you that none of them are true. Back in 1946 a woman did die on the twelfth floor but I’ve yet to see a ghost. Nobody’s died here recently. Although, I had seen things that made me shiver.

She pouted more. When she began to tell me of what she heard at the downtown salon I glanced over my shoulder to the other customers. Two of my tables were waiting for their checks while another was still hoping to get a drink. Madison, the only other waitress working with me tonight was too overwhelmed on her side to do anything. She was easily overwhelmed. My eyes drifted towards the hotel manager, William, and he was giving me his signature disapproving stare. I faced the woman, too engrossed in her own conversation to notice I wasn’t listening.

Let the girl do her job, darling, the woman’s husband said, a small laugh as he looked at me. We’ll wave you down when we want to order.

I tilted my head at him and straightened my skirt discreetly behind the jug of water. I recommend the fish tonight. I hurried over to the family waiting for water before asking another table if they wanted their check.

As a four star hotel it was surprising how small the restaurant was. And on Sunday, the biggest check out day of the week, I was grateful we weren’t that busy. If only the new customers didn’t want to keep asking about the girl that vanished from the twelfth floor last week.

It wasn’t the first time someone had just left after using a fake credit card for a night, but it was odd that she’d left all her things. One of the bellhops had told me he thought she was a prostitute, the classy kind that cost more than my monthly paycheque. And she was; the cops had been by to discuss it with the manager and sadly that started the rumours.

Two that were floating around told the tale of a man that had been meeting his mistress but instead met the edge of a knife. Another said that a woman was here with her boyfriend, and both were murdered in a robbery. That’s what happened when an infamous haunted hotel had the police come by; old ghost stories mixed with reality, and adding in the number of people only made the stories more elaborate.

At least my shift was almost over and soon enough I would be done with these questions.

An hour came and went, and just as the last family was leaving I managed to get the velvet ropes across the archway leading into the hotel lobby. I gave a wave to Sonia in the gift shop and hurried back to count my till and distribute tips for the day. Not long after I was jumping out the front doors of the hotel with Sonia and we hurried home. Because I was always so busy working while at work, she was the only friend I’d made. And it was because she was friends with everyone; in high school she was the same.

Where’s Jack? I asked her, curious that the usual doorman wasn’t there. I thought Jack always worked the Sunday night shift.

Sonia pushed a small hand through her cropped hair. His cat is sick so I think he took the weekend off to take her to the vet, she answered. He said he’d be here Monday. Oh, which reminds me I can’t help you move tomorrow? I wasn’t sure why she phrased it as a question.

What? I cried, stopping on the sidewalk to gape at her. You can’t leave me alone with my mother. You promised! She had been the only one to promise to help me with my mother, at that. My own sister didn’t even want to go there.

Sonia slapped her hands together in front of her face, bowing her head and peeking up at me with one eye shut. I’m soooo sorry Tess, she whined, but William asked me to cover a shift and I said yes. I really need the money. I’m sure you’ll be fine.

I huffed and leaned against the bus stop sign, realizing that I’d already made it to my destination. I crossed my arms and took a moment to check down the street, bus nowhere in sight. I’ll be screwed, I said. All she’ll want to talk about is me joining her stupid business. And tonight I’m having dinner with my dad so he can do the same. I moaned. And I’ll have them both telling me that I should never help the other one because that’s just—

They’re still going at each other since the divorce, eh? interrupted Sonia. I nodded.

It’s like since Rose is working with Mom, Dad expects me to join him, I admitted, one shoe kicking at the ground. My dark brown curls fell over my shoulders, and I found I couldn’t quite face Sonia anymore. She slapped my arm hard. Ow!

No pity party! she cried. You’ll be fine tonight, and tomorrow, and I will see you at work on Tuesday. If you need to bail at any time give me a text and I will call saying I’ve lost a leg in a tragic gift shop accident. Despite how troublesome I thought the next two days would be I managed a smile, watching as Sonia ran off towards her car.

The front steps of my father’s new condo were kept perfectly clean; I only wished I could say the same about the interior of his place. It had been just over a year since he’d left my mother, and he’d already remarried to a woman four years older than me, with two children of her own. I was fairly certain this was a very long, very stupid midlife crisis.

Tess! Bree cried, opening her arms wide as she burst through the front door. I was technically allowed to walk in whenever I wanted, but I always felt the need to knock. Bree ushered me inside, hair covered in tinfoil. I’m so sorry I’m a mess; I lost track of time doing my hair and then Johnny started crying and—

It’s fine, I cut her off. Is Dad here? I kicked my shoes off and placed them on a mat by the door, adding to the pile already there. As I hung my jacket on the rack against the wall I saw Bree’s Archer High School jacket there. Why did my dad think it was a good idea to marry a girl I went to high school with?

He’s in the kitchen, Bree told me, and I’ll be ready in a bit! Read: an hour.

I shuffled my way through the living room, past the children’s toys, football blaring on the television and finally made it into the kitchen. I shoved myself onto a stool near the island counter, noting the familiar smell of my father’s famous cabbage casserole. Read: gross.

Bree, did you remember to buy condoms today? Dad asked, not even turning around from whatever he stirred on the stove. As much as I love Johnny and AJ we don’t need another one around.

I slid from the stool. Aaaaand I’m out of here.

Dad jumped and spun to face me. Tess, I thought you were Bree...sorry about that. His face didn’t turn as red as it should have.

I raised my eyebrows, focusing on the newly installed granite countertop. I can see why, we did only graduate three years apart.

Dad grimaced. No attitude, not tonight. Let’s have a nice dinner when you don’t take shots at Bree? Please?

Sure, I said, no emotion in my tone. I’ve got some condoms if you want to use them. I pretended to rummage around in my purse, knowing full well he’d never take them. Then again, it’s not like I actually had any. Dad jumped again and pressed against the island, eyes stern as he stared me down.

You’re not old enough for that sort of stuff young lady, he said, completely serious.

I laughed, my decision to play nice suddenly vanishing. Okay, I said, blood beginning to rush faster through me. A, I’m twenty. And B, she’s four years older than me, so I guess she isn’t either!

I grabbed my things and rushed out of the condo as quickly as possible. My shoes weren’t tied properly and my bag was slipping from my fingers as I passed by Bree and her oldest son, AJ, near the door. AJ only questioned his mother as to why I was leaving, and as the door slammed shut behind me I heard her tell him I had to go to work. The guilt did little to extinguish my fury over everything, but even I wasn’t really sure why I’d gotten so upset. This wasn’t the first time I’d had dinner with them, or heard them say something stupid or been ridiculously hypocritical. But still my face burned red, shoes stomping the pavement until I stopped to think.

I stood under a streetlight, deciding to wait for the bus there rather than in the much more populated downtown area. I made sure to glare at anyone that passed by too closely, and it managed to keep both the girls away. A sudden crack of thunder made me jump higher than my father had, and in seconds the street was coated in fresh rain. I muttered, Just perfect. Would you like to send my mother to me as well, Universe?

A pink convertible pulled up in front of me just as the bus came around the corner, headlights blinding through the thin sheet of rain. I said to myself, I just had to ask.

Thankfully it wasn’t Mom that I found when the window rolled down, it was my sister Rose. She called, Get in, before the bus gets here!

I only waited two seconds before jumping into the sweltering heat Rose liked to keep the car in. Her brunette hair was tied back in a tight, skin-stretching ponytail, a smirk on her face. I thought you might ditch Dad, she said as the bus honked. She threw the car in drive and crawled away, rain pattering lightly against the windshield.

I so don’t want to talk about it, I grumbled, tossing my purse into the backseat. There was a bead necklace draped around the rearview mirror, and I tapped it absently. I poked things when I got agitated, like a cat, Rose would often say. Despite what I’d just said, I found the only thing I wanted to do was complain about my father. He thought I was her and asked if she picked up condoms, I whined, and when I offered him some he had the gall to tell me I was too young to have sex. Like, seriously?

Rose laughed but stopped short. Wait, you have condoms?

I rolled my eyes. "Not the point. How can you stand seeing him with her? She was on the same cheer leading team as you in high school."

Rose shrugged. She makes him happy.

Not good enough a reason to marry her, only a year after he divorced Mom.

Hey, just be glad they had a private wedding in the Bahamas and we didn’t have to go, Rose said, besides, it’s not like he’s changed. He’s still Dad.

I looked out the window and crossed my arms. Maybe it wasn’t a good thing he was still the same.

I decided to change the topic. You’re still helping me tomorrow, right?

Yes, she said. But Mom has to work so I’m bringing Simon instead. Even though they’d been together for what felt like forever, her voice still went a little breathy when saying his name. I found it equal parts irritating and sweet, so I never teased her about it.

Thank God, I breathed, and immediately regretted it.

You have to talk to her sometime, chided Rose. I know you don’t like her pressuring you into joining the business, but it’s not like you have to. I think you really hurt her feelings moving into residence last year for school. Besides, since I started my salon I think she’s a little lonely.

I’m coming back for the summer aren’t I? I asked. Though with the freezing rain and constant clouds it didn’t feel like a real summer vacation.

And working non-stop. Just...maybe call her tomorrow after we’re done with your things? Maybe go by the shop to say hello?

Sure. Read: never going to happen.

Chapter 2

That evening I decided I needed a little me time. Or a lot of me time, actually. My roommate at the university had gone out, and it was the last night I was going to have to myself for the next four months; I had to do what I could. After I made myself a cup of tea, I slipped into my pajamas and jumped into bed.

It was time for me to let loose. I grabbed a book and opened it, setting it in my lap to make it look like I had fallen asleep reading should my roommate come home early. Taking deep breaths, I focused my energy onto my soul, imagining a lighter aspect of myself lifting from my body. Another deep breath and I was in a trance.

When I opened my eyes I was standing beside my bed, looking down at my unconscious body.

Never going to get tired of this, I said, hands on my hips. The silver cord that connected me to my body was as strong as ever, and drifted easily over my comforter. It would occasionally disappear as I moved, but it didn’t worry me anymore. The only way that cord could break was if someone came into the room and killed me; nothing on this side could harm me.

I had no idea where I got this gift from, but it certainly wasn’t my mother, despite her claiming it was in our family history. Rose wasn’t able to do it either, and Dad was the last person I’d ask about it. How did one ask their family about astral projection? I certainly had no idea.

It was easier when everyone pretended like nothing happened, except my mother on occasion. For whatever reason she still believed in my gift, though I now claimed to not have it. And I was not going to make the same mistake again by telling anyone. Ever.

I glanced out my window and saw that the world had taken on a milky violet twilight. Splashes of colour ignited the new leaves, and after a few steps I was floating outside my window, taking it all in.

A walk in the spectral woods was just what I needed to calm down. I flew easily over the campus, watching as students flitted to and fro with their astral tails following behind them. It was odd to tell what people were thinking based on the colour of their tail. One boy looked excited, creating a sparking clear red; someone thought he might be getting lucky tonight. Too bad the girl he was with was showing a dark gray…I rolled my eyes at myself, reminding me of my number one rule.

Don’t watch others or their emotions; it’s rude. I wouldn’t want someone prying into my feelings, so why would I do it to someone else?

I glided towards the woods, and in seconds I was landing on a small dirt trail that I often walked. Even though it was night, everything was lit up in an array of dark colours. Purple, indigo, green, and even a little white made the woods illuminate.

Walking through cleared my mind, lifting me a little off the ground. If I didn’t pay attention, I tended to float up. I quickly grounded myself, feeling the earth squish beneath my spectral feet.

I furrowed my brow. Squished?

I looked down and found I had stepped in a sort of black ooze, something I’d never seen before. Astral projecting gave me new discoveries every week it seemed, but nothing like this. I floated above it, finding the black had almost sunk into my feet. I shook it off, but just barely.

Searching up and down the pathway, I saw that the trail led deeper into the woods. Curiosity got the better of me, as it often did, so I followed. Nothing could hurt me in this realm anyway, right?

Minutes later I found the trail grew thicker, but something else did as well. I floated into the trees, finding another trail lighting my way; one of a muddy green and gray. I was beginning to get worried, seeing so many negative emotions so far from the city. But I kept moving forward, verbally reminding myself that I was safe.

Nothing can even see you, I said, stop being ridiculous.

The woods grew more shadows as I moved, the black ooze infecting everything around it. It didn’t move, didn’t bubble or twitch, and just…engulfed everything nearby. I began to hear multiple voices chanting and saw a bright light coming up.

As the black ooze trail ended I saw a figure leaning over a pedestal. A pedestal that held a body on it.

It didn’t take me long to realize that the source of the ooze was death itself, from the girl on the pedestal; she was completely still, no sign of life in her. No aura surrounding her. My heart raced while my mind tried to make sense of what I was seeing.

The person leaning over the body was mumbling something over and over again, the nearby fire crackling. The flames lashed towards me in the ether, creating sparks of green and blue and making me flinch back. The figure turned, face covered by a hood.

I swore they looked right at me, and I froze to the ground. After a moment, the person’s head moved right and left, as if searching for me. Soon, the chanting turned to a growl all around me, and they swung their arm backwards, palm open and smashing into an unseen wall. That was the last thing I saw before I woke up in my bed.

I jumped up, throwing my book across the room and knocking my tea over. There was a scream trying to crawl out of my throat, but I managed to choke it down and breathe again.

What the hell? I questioned. I searched my memory but everything began to blur together. All I knew was that I found a body in the Arrow Woods, and the killer was still there. Ignoring the spilled tea, I jumped from bed and grabbed my cell phone, ready to call the police. But I had to stop myself.

How would I explain seeing that to them? Another idea struck, and I headed from my dorm, not even bothering to put my robe on.

The university still had a couple old pay phones hidden in its shadowy corners. Nobody used them anymore, and I prayed they were still functional. As I approached them I searched the lobby for anyone that might notice me, but found myself alone. I was behind the front desk, the woman there busy playing some game on her cellphone.

I picked the phone up quietly, keeping my eyes on the front doors, and dialed 911.

When they picked up I interrupted them and said, trying to disguise my voice to be much more wispy, There’s a body in the Arrow Woods, near the falls. The killer made a fire and they’re doing some sort of…ritual, I think. You should hurry.

I felt sick. Every inch of my good-natured being was ordering me to answer the operator as he asked my name, but instead I hung up the phone. I licked my lips and closed my eyes a moment, allowing my hands to shake.

I took a deep breath. It was over now; I’d done my part.

Slipping back towards the doors I straightened my back and approached the front desk. Hey, I said, the woman looking up at me. I spilled some tea in my room; do you have the key to the closet so I can get some stuff to clean it up?

Oh, of course, she said. Just bring it back before ten.

I nodded. Absolutely. She passed me the key and I started walking back to my room when she called, Were you outside? You’re feet are filthy! You should wear shoes or something.

I stalled and looked at my feet. Lo and behold, the soles of my feet were pitch black.

It was the first time I’d ever brought something back from the other side.

Chapter 3

The lord took pity on me the next day, and I somehow managed to survive moving back in with my mother. I thought the fact that everyone was preoccupied with the body in the woods made the process a lot less painless. At least as far as my mother was concerned. Maybe that was why I didn’t object to going out to lunch with them.

I was just glad Simon was there, my sister’s fiancé and also known as the best to be brother-in-law ever. There was no situation he couldn’t diffuse, and had even given up a major story for the paper to help me out. If only he knew just how much I knew about that story.

I was probably incredibly obvious, and if the police traced anything back to me, I was screwed. My hands were shaking, and I knew I looked paler than the girl in the woods had last night, and I actually had circulation in my veins. I wasn’t even being my usual snarky self, which made my mother question me a few times.

Are you sure you’re okay, Tess? she asked again. Her dyed red hair was covered by a piece of silk that wrapped gently around her head. Her nails were acrylic, and probably harder than diamonds, and the smell of incense wafted off of her clothes. Nothing about my mother was real, least of all her profession.

Psychic.

I resisted rolling my eyes. I’m good. Just nervous about my internship.

In a few days I would find out if I got the internship with a local couple’s therapy office, which I desperately wanted. If I could get in there, my future after school would be set, and it meant I wouldn’t have to work part time at the Archer’s Gateway, or be around my mother much this summer.

Well if you don’t get it you can always come work with me, Mom offered. I’m sure my clients would love to have their aura read by you, or you could teach them about your gift!"

No, I think I’m good, I stated. It looks better on a resume to have references that aren’t your mother. That had always been my excuse, and I was sticking to it. Forever.

Mom pouted at me from across the table. Read: she wasn’t about to give up.

She’s got a point, Mary, Simon chimed in. Employers frown upon seeing ‘Mom’ on resumes.

Rose and I snickered, the sound barely audible in the restaurant.

It doesn’t help that her gift isn’t real, Rose added. I gave her a scowl this time. What? It isn’t! You claimed since you were six that you could walk through walls and see colours around people. It’s total BS.

Mom gave Rose a hard stare, and it seemed to shut her up. "Don’t be jealous because your sister has received the family gift. Be grateful;