Save Me

Tell Me How Does It Feel?

The moment the door closed, Cass breathed out. Then again, so did he. Sitting in that room, listening to that man, was worse then when the fire broke out in the woods. Dying quickly would be too merciful for the both of them. Not to mention what his father was about to do.

She did look pale, the judge was right about that.

“How’s it going?”

Peter forgot Gwen and Bren were waiting out in the hall with the ghost. All three of them looked anxious even Bren.

“It’s definitely not glitter and bows,” Cass whispered.

Bren came forward and took her hand much like someone would see an adult do with a child. He loved her. It was clear as day now.

“I think I heard someone say something about a break room. I imagine there’s a drink machine.”

“Don’t tell me you’re offering to buy me a drink because that would just be weird.”

“Please. You can buy your own drink.”

Gwen popped him on the arm. “Be nice.”

He just kissed her on the cheek briefly in response before walking down the hallway with Cass. She looked lost, not about the place she found herself in, but just about everything else.

“How is she doing?”

Peter turned to his twin, his own weariness leaking through.

“She’s having a hard time.”

Gwen nodded and slipped her hand into his.

“What do you think?”

“The Judge has sympathy but I’m afraid it’s not going to be enough. He has to follow the law and do what he thinks it best on her part. I know Dad slipped in the request for emancipation secretly this morning. The Judge hasn’t mentioned it for obvious reasons but if he even thinks she can’t take care of herself both mentally and physically, then he won’t grant it.”

Gwen nodded, her own worry about the whole thing coming through to his mind.

“It’s like she’s in quick sand. No matter how hard she crawls out of it, the sand just sucks her down that much faster.”

“He won’t place her with my uncle,” the ghost said quietly. “Of that, I’m certain.”

“How can you be so sure?” Gwen snapped. “This is your fault after all. You and your family.”

“And that’s the exact reason the judge won’t do it. It’s not what’s best for her. He doesn’t want to see her end up in that place again any more than we do.” He was staring down the hall. “I imagine he’ll either keep her in her father’s custody or place her with Carter. That would be what’s best for her.”

“What would you do if she was placed with us?”

The ghost looked at her, really studied her like she was stupid. To him the answer was obvious but Peter didn’t even want to think about him hanging around her after this.

“Don’t worry about it,” he finally said.

“I never said I was going to worry. If anyone should be worried it’s you.”

“And why’s that?”

“You’re a ghost with unfinished business. You’re refusing to complete your business so you can pass over. You’re holding on to a girl that you shouldn’t because there’s no future for you and her. You’re dead. She’s alive. All you would be doing is holding her back from living her life.”