Chapter 19

There was a stunned silence, then, to my surprise, my mom started to laugh. Everyone quickly followed, laughing not only at the surprised look on Mics face.

But at his response, “Quick thinking kid,” he murmured.

Ruby rose to her feet and looked at me, a gentle smile on her face, “shall we head home, for the night.”

I nodded in full agreement. Before Ruby could get to the bag, I made to pick it up. It was my stuff, after all. It wouldn’t budge. Ruby just laughed a little under her breath, picked the handle of the bag up and swung the whole thing over her shoulder. She gave me a quick wink and made for the exit.

“Umm, excuse me. Don’t you think Destiny should stay, to help clean up the mess she made?” Came my fathers rather harsh voice. Ruby and myself turned, just as I held the door open. Ruby gestured me out of the shop, whilst throwing a quick comment over her shoulder, and towards my father.

“There is nothing to clean up, Arthur.” Then walked out. I didn’t get to see the reaction on my fathers face, when he realised that the bookstore had been restored to its immaculate state. As Ruby and I walked quickly away, jabbering to each other. Already spitballing theories about the other souls that were, as of now, officially missing.

We entered Ruby’s house, now my house too, I supposed. And Ruby dumped the bag on the floor. I still couldn’t believe I couldn’t pick it up. When I asked Ruby about this, she tapped the side of her nose. I knew what that meant, so I chose to butt out.

“Tea.” Ruby exclaimed, and reached for the kettle. After it was filled to the brim, Ruby placed it on the stove. And lit the flame.

“I could do that for you, you know.” I said. Somewhat flippantly.

That drew a frown from Ruby as she looked at me. “You must not mistreat your gifts, Dess. It would be very wrong to do so.”

I felt myself flush, “I was only joking around, Ruby. I would never just use my gifts for something so frivolous.”

Ruby, to my consternation, started to laugh. “You should see your face.” She spat out, laughing too much to form the words properly.

I folded my arms across my chest, looking miserable, I stated that I would have to think about my living arrangements, if shit like this was going to happen.

That soon sobered Ruby up, who stopped laughing abruptly. She started to speak. I interrupted her, “you should see your face!” Then I started to laugh.

Ruby chuckled at that, “touché.”

I looked around, but couldn’t see the bag anywhere. I pondered this before asking ruby. Maybe she had moved it, without me seeing?

Ruby waved her hand absently, telling me it was all sorted.

Not too sure what she meant, but too tired to do anything about it, I merely shrugged my shoulders and sat down, by the kitchen table. Ruby handed me my cup of tea. I sipped on the hot liquid, letting the warmth sooth my throat, which had started to ache.

I was brought rudely out of my blissful moment, by a sharp slap of plastic, hitting plastic. I looked toward the door, where the noise had emanated, and saw a rather large butt, being squeezed through it.

“I think you are supposed to be facing forward, when you come through a cat flap.” I said, sardonically.

I only heard a few words of response, as his front end was still sticking out the wrong way, of the back door.

Ruby just sat there, staring in amusement at Remus’s antics. Castiel, ever the playful and helpful dog, walked over to the cat. Told him he would help, and proceeded to grab hold of Remus’s tail, and pull.

Remus yowled out, whether scared or in shock, and shot back out of the flap. Castiel looked dumbfounded, as to where the cat had gone. Both Ruby and I laughed, as I praised the dog for trying to help.

The next thing that happened, saw Remus being grounded, and Castiel being cuddled by his mom. The poor little thing was shivering in fright.

Although, saying that, I think I would be shivering in fright, if a huge shaggy haired cat, came flying through the cat flap, launch himself at me, and bite me on the ass.

Which is precisely what Remus had done.

Now, the cat was locked in the lounge, whilst Ruby saw to her beloved dog.

I was apologising, profusely. Ruby, however, just waved it off with a smile. Stating cats will be cats, and dogs will be dogs.

A little while later, I had let Remus out of the lounge, as we all sat in the cosy space. The case files open between Ruby and myself.

“Okay, so we have; Old Mr Frogget. He was. The resident spirit at the library. We have a Ms Paula Shatterly; she is resident at coral farmhouse. There is another missing soul from the back wood; called Ms Jennifer Buckley. There are two souls missing from the Manor House; a Mr & Mrs Palmer. And last, we hope, but not least, we have Sophie Wells. From the well!” I added.

“She resides down a well?” Ruby asked, perplexed. I just gave a shrug.

“Why the heck would anyone forcibly remove each soul, from the places they have chosen to reside in?”

Ruby and I were quiet for a few moments, when there was a very loud, metal upon metal, knocking. Ruby jumped up to answer it. Then called from the kitchen, that food had arrived.

I ate my food in a distracted silence. Every now and again, I scribbled something down in my note book. For the most part, Ruby simply sat and watched me. Only now and again asking a pertinent question.

By the time I had finished eating, I had thought of something. I asked Ruby if she had a map of the area.

She didn’t.

“It’s okay. This might be better researched at the bookstore tomorrow. If I’m right, we may have a bigger problem than I first anticipated.”

“Fair enough, now. Bed, missy. You need to get some rest.”

I agreed, and stomped tiredly up the stairs, dreading the state on my room. But, to my surprise and delight. My room was completely set up. It looked exactly the same as my room at the agency. Right down to the colour of the carpet. And the pictures on the walls.

I opened my door, to call down and ask how this had happened, only to see Ruby slinking in to her own room, saying a mysterious “goodnight”, whilst smiling at me.

I was too tired to think about anything, so I dove under the covers. I was just getting sleepy, in that wonderful place between awake and asleep, when I heard a thump coming from the outside of my bedroom door.

I blew out a frustrated breath, stood up. Walked to the door and opened it a crack, to allow a very offended cat into the room.

Apparently, he was upset at me leaving him on his own, downstairs. I did remind him, sleepily, that he had gone out earlier. But that was not a good enough excuse. He started to have a whinge, but I didn’t hear another word as I fell into sleep. My last thought on the missing souls. How frightened they must be. Being pulled from everything you ever loved, and put, goodness knows where.

“I will find them.” I mumbled, in my sleep.

Remus agreed, as he curled up by my feet. And drifted off, into his own peaceful slumber.