Feed Duh Fire

“Got everythin’ yuh need, Paige. Even set duh clock back half an hour, give yuh more time, but don’t shake your own hand. I’m guessin’ it’s against duh rules.”

Justin and Allison gathered around Paige as Vincent removed his jacket and covered up the female clone. Picking up the jammed revolver, he checked the chamber and aimed for his cottage. A lone shot rang out.

“It’s okay,” he said, turning around, “Ain’t gonna shoot nobody, but I’ll tell yuh somethin, dose spirits, dey still helpin me out.”

Michael scoffed and rolled his eyes while motioning for Ashley to stand down. “You think the spirits jammed the gun?” he asked. “Get a grip. It’s an old gun that needs a good cleaning, when Ashley chunked it, it un-jammed.”

“Perhaps,” Vincent replied. “Talked tuh Alain, by duh way, he’s also tryin tuh make things right, but duh others, dey wise tuh duh plan. Alain gonna do what he can.”

“Alain’s dead,” Michael said, “and no one’s bringing him back.”

Vincent shrugged and puffed his cigar. “Dat’s true,” he said, “but duh spirits, dey move between realms, an duh others, dey mimic duh spirits. Ain’t dat right, Justin?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Justin sighed and nodded, “Yeah, so I’ve been told.”

Paige bugged her eyes and glared at her father as he offered his hand to Vincent. “Welcome back, old friend,” he said.

Vincent exhaled a cloud of smoke and stared at Justin. Popping the cigar in his mouth, he wiped his hand on his jacket and finally honored his old friend’s grip. “You an Allison gonna need tuh take shelter soon,” he said. “Never mind duh useless eaters, duh others, dey comin for all of us.”

Justin nodded, “Thanks for the warning. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Vincent grinned and drew back his hand. “Dat’s Justin for yuh,” he said, tipping his hat. “Listen here, my clones, what’s left of em, dey gonna feed duh fire, dispose duh dead. Gotta clean up duh grounds. As for me, I reckon I’m done here.”

Apprehension drenched Michael’s face as he studied his father. Dropping his eyes, he wrapped his arms around his sisters and guided them to the van. Regan and Kendal peered back at their father and laughed as he removed his hat and tossed it into the air. Kendal blew him a kiss; Regan waved goodbye. Michael stood beside the van and sent Paige a private message before climbing into the driver’s seat. Gripping the gold pocket watch, she nodded and headed for her parent’s car. Before climbing into the backseat, she hesitated, turned around and attempted to read Vincent’s mind. His thoughts came through crystal clear and his muddy red shield diminished into a pale white glow. Tears clouded her eyes. With the gun dangling by his side, Vincent shuffled off, his gold-handled walking cane leading him into the flames.

“Meet us at Gabriel’s place,” the professor yelled before jumping into the back with Kendal and Regan. They peeled out of the courtyard with Michael at the wheel and Justin following behind, the long gravel road leading them away from the tall fields of sugarcane. Paige peered through the back window at the dying fire. A single shot rang out. The full moon trembled and closed his eyes.