Soulbound

Ch2 Encounter

2008-11-21T00:29:00.000-08:00

I was amazed to see the amount of people who had showed for this book signing, and were actually interested in what I had to say. Not only that, but the variety, from teenagers to senior citizens, all filled with questions on the supernatural. I never knew how interested the public could be on things that they cannot see.

“So when you talk about ghost, have you actually witnessed a ghost before in your life, or does this come completely from your imagination?” A middle aged woman asked as she walked up to me awaiting my signature.

“A lot of my writing comes from experience, or the stories told by others who have experienced such. I leave it open to the reader to interpret what they want to believe on the supernatural. Granted it’s only fiction.” I smiled as I scribbled my signature on the inner cover.

It never really mattered to me what others thought of the supernatural. If they believed that was a plus, and if they thought I was full of crap then that’s a pity. After my statement to the lady she gave me a puzzled yet petrified look, as if I should be in some alien autopsy for being abnormal. My guess is she was an avid church goer who had the bible shoved so far up her ass she could probably recite half the scriptures. Who was I to care really? Yeah my books going out beyond the random teenagers looking for a good ghost story. I still get paid for her purchasing the book.

Once the crowd died down I leaned back in my chair once again. I was scheduled here for another fifteen minutes then I could race out of this place. Grab a cheeseburger, that I could probably moan and complain about destroying my figure just to be annoying. Though as usual most people thought I looked too thin anyways.

“So you must be the famous Ashlyn Wood. I have read a great deal of your work, and I must say it is rather interesting.” A deep male’s voice broke me away from my cheeseburger fantasy.

“That all depends, what if I wasn’t?” I replied snidely glancing up at his shaggy jet black hair. Though what caught my attention the most was his emerald green eyes. I had never seen a pair so beautiful in my life.

“Let’s see, your sitting behind a giant stack of books that say Ashlyn Wood on them. Also there is a lovely sign right here saying Ashlyn Wood will be here today for a book signing. Ironic no?” he replied with a chuckle.

I just stared at him blankly. So he couldn’t take sarcasm to well, or enjoyed the naïve behavior of being a smart aleck. “So it seems that’s me, shall I sign a book for you? Or you going to question ghosts?”

“Your not a very big people person are you?” He asked as he pulled up a chair next to my table, as he began to thumb through my book.

“Why do you say that?” I was appalled, that some stranger could judge me that fast in talking to me for only a minute.

“It shows.” He closed the book smirking.

“And I suppose your some high and mighty doctor here to cure my anti social disposition?” That came out a bit more irritated sounding than I meant. Though I was able to get my opinion out and stated.

“No, just a fan of your work. To be able to see ghosts is amazing, wish I could do something like that.”

“It’s really not that great.” I muttered rolling my eyes and glancing down.

“Well if you say so. By the way, I was wondering if you would be interested in a possible job opportunity-” He began but I cut him off before he could even finish his sentence.

“I don’t work for anyone, sorry.” I got up from my seat grabbing my bag and walked hastily towards the door.

“Wait! You didn’t even let me finish!” I heard him shout from behind me as I continued my way out the door.

I only got about five steps outside the door before a hand grabbed my arm spinning me around to face him.

“Please hear me out? I run an online website about haunted places here in northern California, and would love the insight of a well known ghost writer.”

“So you want me to write some article for you after you insult my personality? Yet you don’t even bother to introduce yourself.” I growled as I yanked my arm free.

By now a few of the book store employee’s had gathered around glancing out the window; puzzled about whether or not I was in trouble from this stranger or not.

“Is everything okay Miss Wood?” One of the managers stepped out the door to check on the escalating situation.

“Yeah everything’s fine.” I replied giving him a smile before turning back towards the man who has yet to tell me his name, and had really hit my shit list in a matter of only minutes.

“I could really-”

“Look if you want to talk to me you better be able to keep up; I don’t have all day. Besides you have already created a big enough scene here, so it would probably be best to get away from here.” I cut him off again before he could even beg me again.

I turned away almost immediately after finishing my sentence and began to walk towards the train station. For once I actually walked a lot faster than I normally do. Usually I was sluggish and slow normally not someone in a rush to go anywhere. Was I being to hard on this guy I didn’t even know? Or was he possibly some whack job serial killer?

“Three… two… one…” I muttered under my breath without turning around to see behind me, and as I predicted he chimed in right on time.

“Wait up! Please! Will you even let me talk?” he shouted from about twenty feet away before he began to jog to catch up to me.

“What can’t talk and walk at the same time? Or is that just to hard for a guy?” I snickered as he caught up within seconds.

“Is that suppose to be some sexist comment?” He asked glaring at me.

“If you think of it that way, plus why should I even do anything for you if you cant even tell me your name? Wouldn’t you consider that one of the first things you do when meeting someone new face to face for the first time?”

“Will you stop so I can properly introduce myself?”

“You already blew that time, now your working on my time. If you cant introduce yourself, then I’m sorry I can’t even possibly consider writing anything for you.” I loved being a bitch. It felt really good for some reason to just lash out at this guy.

“I’m sorry! My name is Levin Cross. I work for one of the local law firms, and on the side I host this website, and I would really love to have you write something for it, I can pay you!”

I stopped and turned to face him, as he about crashed into me. In a way he looked relieved to stop from having to jog to keep up with me and leaned forward to catch his breath.

“Was that so hard?” I asked as he stood up once again.

“I was wondering if I could talk to you over dinner about this, tonight?”

“So you insult my personality, beg for me to work for you before even introducing yourself, and now you want to go out to dinner? I think I will have to say no, but thanks for the offer.” I snorted before turning back around again and walking yet again towards the train station.

“Can I at least give you my number? So we can get a bite to eat some time? It will be my treat, and we can discuss what I was hoping to have you write for me?” Levin begged stopping me in my tracks again.

“Look I’ve already told you no, and yet you keep asking. Do you not get the fucking hint? I don’t work for anyone!” By now I was sure my face was flushed, my one free hand was balled into a fist.

“Well at least let me give you my number Ashlyn. A free meal is a free meal after all, besides I just want to talk about my idea. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to take the job.” He said calmly as he yanked his wallet out from his back pocket and fished for a business card.

I sighed. Maybe if I play nice, he will go away this time?

As he took a couple steps closer to me he handed me his business card. “I’ll be waiting…” he chuckled and walked away without saying goodbye making his way back towards the way we came from.

I watched him as he walked away before glancing back at his business card, before shoving it into my bag carelessly. If it got lost it got lost amongst all my junk. Though for some reason the way he had said ‘I’ll be waiting’ was starting to bother me deep down.

Ch1. The Return.

2008-08-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

I see you still linger, and yet you cant let go of this world. You will never cross over, and you will never move on. Eternal damnation is that of being on earth, to die, is to find nirvana. Keep your eyes pealed, I’ll be waiting, and watching….

***

For about the eighth time today I had read that same statement, and as usual my ears rang, and my heart sank. It had been months since I was able to go a night without hearing the same males voice echoing through my head. If someone asked me about it, I don’t think I could even attempt to explain who it was, or where it was coming from.

“St. Rose and 8th” a voice shouted over the loudspeaker as the train came to a stop. I grabbed my bag and headed for the exit. Upon stepping out of the train, the same smell of the K street mall in Sacramento filled my nostrils. It had been years since I had actually walked through here, but the same smell of urine and filth. Though the scent that I can really only describe as ‘eau de hobo’ was not as strong; compared to sniffing an actual hobo. Was a lot mellower due to the circulation of the stagnant air.

It was here in my home town that I noticed my true gift that I would consider more of a curse than anything. It happened back in high school when I had come here after school one day to kill some time. Back then their use to be this guy who would stand at one of the corners and preach the word of god. Until my friends and I passed by, then all of a sudden we were the children of the devil. Scorn to this world through eternal damnation, and that god should have mercy on our poor souls.

Of course being rotten teenagers, it was something of amusement, and as he preached at the top of his lungs how the children of Satan were thrown in front of him, and how his holy savior should “save us” we skipped around shouting “six-six-six” as loud as possible for probably a minute or so before walking away. It was about a month later that we returned, and no one saw him standing in his usual street corner. That is except for me.

His eyes didn’t leave mine as I passed, and though I didn’t hear exactly what he said back then, but I’m pretty sure he was calling me a devil child once more. The same thing happened today again. He was standing at his corner; bible out as he preached. I knew he wasn’t physically there when people on the street could walk right through him as if he were just a hologram.

I checked the clock on my cell phone, and noticed that It was now fifteen minutes after ten in the morning. I had agreed to meet Nova at ten on the dot. At least our usual meeting spot wasn’t that far from the train station.

To my luck Jerry was sitting in front of her as she shuffled her deck of tarot cards. I could tell she was irritated with probably both Jerry and I, but more than likely me for being late. As for Jerry, she has probably done about five different readings for him already today. Just waiting for me to show up.

“Fine just pick one card from the deck, and that’s it for today. I can’t keep giving you readings back to back like this. For one they will never be the same, and two, it changes because you have already seen what to look forward to.” Nova mumbled as her eyes met with mine, as the door closed behind me, giving its little bell a ring.

“Awe but Nova your too kind, and I like how you can memorize what all these little pictures mean.” Jerry replied as he pulled out the fool from Nova’s hand.

“Be optimistic and open minded.” Nova said as she took the card and put it back into the deck.

“What is that suppose to mean?” Jerry asked a bit puzzled by Nova’s bored expression that had leaped across her face.

“My guess is a new experience or change of sorts, and instead of making a big deal out of it, you should be open minded to it, that’s about all I can think of, for a random card draw. Unfortunately I have to wrap it up with you. My ten o’clock decided to show.” She chuckled glancing over at me.

I just smirked nervously as I pulled up a chair next to their table

“That’s okay, I have an audit I have to do in fifteen minutes anyways, so I better head out, but I guess I will see you tomorrow same time?” Jerry asked as he pushed his chair in and grabbed his brief case.

“Oh sorry, I wont be here, I have an appointment with a client tomorrow.” Nova smirked as she tucked her cards away in a small silk bag.

“That’s fine, how bout Thursday?”

“You got it Jerry! See ya then.”

Jerry smile and nodded as he waved. I watched him walk out the door, but before I could turn to face Nova, her words hit me like a flying brick. “You’re late.”

“Blame the light rail.” I muttered as I slammed the book down in front of her.

“Why didn’t you drive?” she asked puzzled as she glanced at the book.

“Laziness I guess, that and didn’t feel like paying for gas.” I slouched back into my chair and yawned, It had been a while since I had been actually coherent at this time of morning. Usually I was passing out about three hours before this.

“That has to be the lamest excuse I have ever heard coming from you! So I guess you still are a penny pincher huh?” she scowled.

I just shrugged. “Felt like falling back to old roots, is that a better excuse?”

Nova just chuckled, probably remembering all the ranting and ravings about not being able to drive where ever you wanted to go, and having to rely on public transportation in order to go anywhere. She then pushed the book aside and reached over to the table next to us and grabbed the iced green tea that had been sitting for a while, drenched in its own sweat.

“If its watered down, I’m sorry, I thought you were going to be here at ten. So outside of this book signing today, how’s everything going?”

“Good I guess, renting an apartment for now, thinking of spending some time back home, maybe work on writing something new, not sure yet, haven’t exactly had inspiration lately.”

“You also haven’t been sleeping much lately either… it shows.”

“Thanks, I’ll remember to empty the sand out from under my eyelids next time I see you.” I chuckled as I sipped away at the tea.

“No problem, so what time is the book signing at?” Nova asked as she glanced down at her watch.

“Eleven thirty.”

“Ah, sorry I can’t be there, I have a customer at Eleven for a one hour massage.” She frowned

“That’s okay, I figured as much, that’s why I brought you a signed copy, plus you should probably get going, as so should I.” I shoved the book closer to her and opened the front cover.

“To the one pain in my ass I will never forget, thanks for keeping in touch after all these years, - Ashlyn” Nova read out loud before smiling. “Thanks, good luck with that today.”

“No problem, I’ll catch you later, maybe we should hit a bar or something tonight?” I asked as Nova was already up and halfway out the door book cradled in her arms.

“Sure sounds great, give me a call!” She shouted and ran out the door.

I returned to slouching in my chair closing my eyes. Pondering my thoughts as to why I had agreed to do this book signing. I hated speaking in front of people, because I was always afraid that I would end up tongue tied or just sounding like I some crazed being with nothing interesting to talk about.

Prologue

2008-07-21T00:56:00.001-07:00

There is no word that can explain us, no phrase that is us, and rarely a human being can see through us. Though all in all we are all the same, but some of us still linger to our past. We do not chose to be this way, but in many ways are considered gifted, yet cursed.

The things beings like us see is the soul that dwells inside of someone, sometimes they are new souls. Existing on this plain, for their very first experience at life, and then there are the souls that have been around for ages. For us it never fails to be able to walk past someone, and somehow know something about them. What is even worst, is if you know them from a past life.

For me this is the oldest body I have ever managed to in habit, since most of my lives I rarely made it past the age of fifteen. And from my knowledge, of past life’s I can only really remember what happened for two of them, though the help of a local psychic, who looked into my life, but refused to tell me more than my first time on earth was during the black plague, and died as a toddler. The second I was accused of witchcraft at the age of twelve in England, and burned at the stake.

She refused to look further, because what ever life or lives I had in between those two, was not pleasant, or as she put it, “would awaken something dark.” and stepped away from me. Maybe that’s why I consider myself cursed. Or in other words, I attract the dead, both ghosts and demons. When I’ve mentioned these experience to others who wouldn’t understand, they asked if I had ever seen angels before. Which I haven’t and end up with there disapproval, or disgust.

The way life has been, I don’t even think there really is a heaven, if so Its near impossible to find, and even harder to reach.