Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be by October Weeks

Author:October Weeks [Weeks, October]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

When Vic pulled into Rusty’s yard, she parked next to a Jeep she knew well. It belonged to close friend Beth Collins. The moment Vic exited the car, Beth was on her way over. She wrapped her in a tight hug.

“How’re you holding up?” the brunette asked as she pulled back. “Darrell almost came looking for you since you took longer than expected. I understood his worry when I was told you were stopping by the trestle.”

Vic smiled over at Darrell and Rusty. The latter was preparing the grill. “I decided to stop at the trestle to see if I could find anything new, or a brief glimpse at a reason this ghost decided to come back.” Worry crossed Beth’s features and Vic quickly added, “Don’t worry, Skeet went with me, and he also followed me back here—we parted when I pulled onto the road.”

Relief washed over Beth’s face. “I’m glad you didn’t go there alone. Did you find anything new?”

“Actually, I have a good amount to share, but I’d rather wait until the others get here so that we can go over everything together. Are Rhys and Darry here?”

“Not yet. Should be here soon, though.”

Her husband, Rhys, was welcomed into their friend group when he and Beth met their sophomore year of college.

“I know Dar’s excited to meet his namesake. Are you staying the night?”

Beth shook her head. “Not at this time, anyway. I’m not sure what Aaron, Sy, and Andre are doing, but Kat will be staying with us until this is done.”

That same relief that she saw on Beth’s face swam through Vic’s entire body. “Good. That makes me feel better as she isn’t gifted. How’s Darrell doing, with seeing you again?”

Beth smiled wide, and her eyes lit up. “He’s good, though he seemed a little anxious at first. I…it’s so good to see his face again, to see his smile. My heart aches, of course, knowing he can’t stay with us. That we can’t have him back like we all want. But seeing him, talking to him?” She shook her head and then briefly glanced toward the grill. “Makes my heart happy to hear and see him again. So happy, Vic.”

“I completely understand that. Come on, let’s join them.”

When the others arrived and the food was cooked, they all sat on the back deck and talked while they enjoyed the food. Vic paid close attention to Darrell and how he was handling being around everyone again. He was beaming at everyone and listening so intently and interacting as best he could with his non-gifted friends, but she could see the struggle in his gaze every so often. The pain flash over his face at knowing he couldn’t stay.

He had followed her into the house when she went in to grab something and had assured her that he was all right, but that he hoped when everything was settled, they could all gather again, one last time.

“So that I can say goodbye without the dark cloud hanging above us.

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