Alex loves to eat (nanwu) wrote in st_margarets, @ 2015-11-14 11:20:00 |
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Alex kept the habit he built over the summer of meditating in the morning. That meditation also involved going into the spirit world. He was still learning to protect his body from intruders, but Alex was getting better at it. Most of the ghosts around the school seemed to get the general idea that his body was off-limits. What happened with that female spirit earlier that year appeared to still resonate with them. Each time that Alex went into the spirit world, he saw the other spirits but he also hoped to see one person in particular. His grandfather said he would visit Alex when he needed him and Alex constantly felt like he needed his grandfather. But it seemed like when Alex felt he didn't need his grandfather, that's when he needed him the most. So as he pulled himself into the spirit world, he was surprised to see his grandfather waiting for him there. There was a mixture of feelings. Anger that it took him so long to arrive. Excitement he was there. Sadness knowing that he was still dead. But he embraced his grandfather's spirit with his own. There really wasn't a sense of touch there. There was an idea of it. The very basic core of what these senses were but much of that was Alex's projection of it from his still strong connection to the world of the living. His grandfather to him smelled like incense and citrus. He looked old still but more lively than he ever did in life. He seemed pleased to see Alex but Alex knew that he had come to see him for a reason. "Grandson," his grandfather spoke in Mandarin, "You've been improving." There was a momentary burst of pride as Alex nodded and spoke, "Yes! I don't have to wear the amulet anymore and my body seems to be fine on its own now. It's great, right?" There was that flicker of pride in his grandfather's eyes but it was also replaced with something else. Alex frowned, "What's wrong, grandpa?" "Your powers improve a little but I have been watching you. You are still a brat," his grandfather replied rather bluntly. Alex was used to this. His grandfather was always blunt and death didn't change that at all. That was both disappointing and comforting at the same time. Alex was in a constant tug-of-war with emotions right now. "Follow me," his grandfather said and Alex obeyed without question. They spoke as they traveled, Alex not really paying much attention to where they were going. His grandfather was here. He came just like he said he would. Alex hoped it would be long enough for him to really talk to him for more than just a few moments. "Mr. Cavanaugh and I are going to lead some dead people to the afterlife or something," Alex said with a hint of enthusiasm and his grandfather replied, "I know." Alex was starting to realize that his grandfather was actually around but he never showed himself to Alex. This was something that Alex and Mr. Cavanaugh talked about doing toward the beginning of the school year. Why hadn't his grandfather showed himself sooner? Alex frowned. "He will teach you how to respect the dead more," Guozi said calmly, "This is good. Other elements of your ability will be learned elsewhere. In time. You will go to China eventually to learn this if you do not learn it here." China still felt like a threat to Alex. It sort of was but it wasn't. Without his grandfather there, if Alex did get kicked out of St. Margaret's, it didn't mean he had to go there. But Alex knew in the deep recesses of his mind that he'd want to go there. It's often what stopped him from using his powers for malicious purposes. The mark he still wore on his spirit was also a reminder of why he didn't look to hurt others. He said it was because they weren't worth it and in reality, Alex didn't want to feel whatever kickback actually seeking to cause that much harm to would do to himself. They talked for a bit more and Alex told him about his studies and ended up getting lectured on using drugs. He didn't need the drugs, his grandfather said, and he should stop. Alex told his grandfather more about his new friends, even if his grandfather likely already saw them, and when they finally stopped walking, Alex realized where they were. He knew it was the infirmary because it was pretty crowded with spirits and some of them didn't look so awesome. "Do you want me to like . . . fix them or something?" Alex asked and his grandfather shook his head, "You are not ready for that. Magic will heal them. Most of them. We are here to look at him." His grandfather pointed and Alex's followed the direction till his eyes fell on the familiar large form of Ashton's spirit and Professor Hallowfen's. Between them lay Barclay. Alex stiffened. Barclay looked different though. There was something wrong with him. He didn't have a spirit. "He's dead," Alex said and his grandfather replied, "He's not." "Vampire?" Alex questioned. Ugh, like Hydra needed another asshole vampire. Wasn't Leon enough? His grandfather clarified, "He is alive but he is gone." "So . . . he's dead," Alex asserted again and his grandfather sighed, "No. He lives but he is not here. Something happened to him. Separated him." "And what do you want me to do about that?" Alex sneered, "I'm not all that sorry if he goes. He punched me." "You goaded him," Guozi added and gave Alex a look. Alex frowned, "He can't take a joke, okay? So whatever, fine. What do I need to do to fix this?" "You can't fix it," informed the older man, "This is beyond your power." "Then why are we here?" Alex questioned, not confused. "You must thank him," came the simple reply. Alex's mouth gaped open in horror, "What?" "He saved you. He saved everyone," the old spirit said and Alex frowned, "He wasn't the only witch that went out there, you know." "I know, but he sacrificed much more than they did," his grandfather said. Alex felt a sense of betrayal. His grandfather knew what Barclay did to him. He knew it and here was telling Alex to show gratitude to Barclay. Yeah, Alex was grateful in some sense that Barclay went out there but it wasn't like he was doing it to save anyone but his dragon and himself and his little friends. Alex was convinced that whatever Barclay did wasn't to save someone like him. He was pretty sure if Barclay could pick and choose, he'd let Alex have been killed out there. "You do not have to like him to recognize what he has done," Guozi continued, "I know you do not like him. That he has hurt you. But you benefit from his sacrifice. Show respect. Show your gratitude." "How am I supposed to do that?" Alex questioned tightly. "Remember that you live because of him and don't allow that sacrifice to be squandered on anger," his grandfather's spirit turned to face him, "Let it go, Alex. Living or dead, we are beings of dual nature. There are no absolutes in this world. This boy has show you kindness before—" "Yeah, for cash," Alex interrupted and then silenced himself to let his grandfather continue, "You do not have to seek his friendship nor companionship. I believe none of you are ready to be that and your past may prevent you from it. But you will never be right here—" his grandfather pointed at Alex's head, "—until you are right here." The finger then moved to press over his heart. Glancing at Ashton, seeing the cloud of worry that surrounded the dragon's spirit and a similar cloud circling around Professor Hallowfen, Alex felt some anger subside. But not entirely. He could never see himself friends with Ashton or Barclay and it may take some time to really think about what his grandfather said. Nobody changed overnight and anyone who said otherwise was lying to themselves. "Can they fix it?" Alex asked finally and his grandfather replied with solemn eyes, "I don't know. This is complicated. Difficult. Too much at work. In the end, time will tell." Right. Alex ran his hand over his head, "So what now? You're just gonna leave again?" "You and I have some work to do," his grandfather stated, "but you also have other things to do. I will be here and tomorrow we will work." "It's the weekend," Alex said with a slight whine and then straightened up, "Fine. I'll . . . see you tomorrow." His grandfather's spirit turned and faded through a wall. Alex glanced once more at the two figures standing next to the empty form lying on the bed. He had a lot of thinking to do and this wasn't the place to do it. So he departed the way he came, returning to his body so he could start preparing for Daniela's birthday party. The party that was a celebration of not just her birthday, but also that they were all alive. Alex's grandfather was gone but he still needed to talk to someone. Maybe he'd grab Mr. Cavanaugh after classes on Monday. |