Chapter 24
✾Zak✾
I struggled but I turned off the television after I realized that Vera had fallen asleep. I phased through the floor and went down stairs. Her mother was sitting in the living room watching television. “What are you watching?” I asked leaning on the back of the couch.
She looked up at me and then back at the television. “It’s just the news since I’m going to head to bed soon. Would you like to to leave the tv on when I do?”
I shook my head, “No it’s alright thank you though.”
“Vera’s father should be home in a day or two.” Her mom said and I blinked a bit surprised.
“So that means that he will be here before she has to start school then. That’s a plus.” I smiled a bit.
She nodded, “Yes. She’ll be very happy. I’m glad that he was able to come home. Thankfully it’s in one piece.”
“He’s in the military isn’t he?” I asked tipping my head a bit to the right.
She nodded, “I’m always worried when he’s fighting.”
“That’s completely understandable. You do a good job trying to stay positive around Vera though.” I mentioned.
She smiled and stood up turning off the tv. “Thank you Zac. You have a good night dear.”
“Good night.” I said as I stood there and she turned off the lights. I was standing in the darkness. It was one of those times where I wish I could draw. I’ve had those moments plenty of times over my years of being dead and alone.
Floating back upstairs I checked on Vera to find her sleeping soundly. If she was getting sick hopefully she was able to catch it in time. She didn’t need to be sick when her dad came home. I sat in the room for a while and red one of the books that were sitting on her desk for a while then I went up onto the roof for the rest of the night.
Today we decided to go for a walk in the woods again. Vera was able to kick her cold in the butt with going to bed early which was a relief.
“Vera slow down.” I complained as I kept phasing through the trees as she practically ran through the woods exploring.
“Oh don’t complain, you’re not even walking.” She waved her hand at me and took a sharp right turn.
“But your mom told me to keep an eye on you. You were lucky and didn’t get sick last night. Now it’s looking like it’s going to rain. I don’t want you to get sick.” I stated catching up to her.
“The weather man said it’s not going to rain till around five, we have plenty of time.” She replied and I flipped myself over so I was looking at her upside down and floating in front of her with a frown my hair falling towards the earth.
“Since when has a weather man ever been right?” I questioned raising an eye brow.
“Oh look the tree house!” Vera pointed past me and ran through me as I sighed flipping myself back over.
I always got a bad feeling from this tree house. It looked old when I first found it when I was alive. It was when I was little. I got dizzy when I climbed up into it and woke up hours later not understanding why I passed out. But the feelings just got worse the more I visited it over the years of growing up. I still get the willies from it and I’m dead. I don’t know what it is, but after seeing that picture that I drew and being able to really think I finally remembered that.
“Come on slow poke.” Vera’s voice brought me back to the present and I saw her climbing up the old ladder.
“V-Vera! What are you doing get down from there! That thing is really really old. It’s older then even me.” I told her and floated up to where she was on the ladder. She got hurt yesterday and I don’t want her to get hurt again today.
“Calm down. The ladder is sturdy; I’m not going to get hurt.” She responded and I looked at her with a please don’t go any higher look. She sighed and looked away from me. “Fine…I’ll get down. But only because it looks like it’s going to rain. The next sunny day, I’m going up into that tree house.” She stated and got down. It’s been fairly damp lately, but mainly because it’s been raining around the middle of the night every night this week.
I sighed in relief as I came back down to the ground with her. “Thank you.” I smiled softly.
“It’s only because your cute.” She pouted and crossed her arms like a child.
I chuckled, “Thanks for complementing a dead man. I think your pretty cute yourself.” I answered and her face flushed a shade of red.
I watched a rain drop land on her nose and we both looked up to the sky. It started to sprinkle so we started back to the house. By the time we got there with some slipping and butt landing in mud later. It was pouring rain and Vera was soaking wet. “Don’t you look beautiful.” I smiled sweetly and she batted at me and her hands phased right through me. “The plus side to being dead. I don’t get wet.”
“haha, very funny.” She started ringing out her hair and slipped out of her sneakers. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Before you go can you bring out one of your stories that you write I really want to read it while you take a shower.” I answered following her.
“No.” She answered quickly and I frowned.
“Why not?” I pouted as my shoulders slumped.
“Because it’s not done.” Vera instantly went into the bathroom and shut the door in my face.
“But I can give you feedback on what you have done so far. Come on Vera please??????”” I begged.
“This is pay back for not letting me go into the tree house. You’ll have to suffer.” I heard her laugh from the other side of the door.
I glared at the door and then wandered back to her room and sat on her desk waiting for her to get out. She had to start school tomorrow since it was a Monday. I’m sure she was nervous about it. I kinda hope that she’ll let me go with her. I want to see what’s changed about the high school since I’ve been dead.
