Abagail pulled up out front of her small shop in the heart of Moriset. She locked her car door, then made her way carefully over the brand?new footpath to her shop’s front door. As she was unlocking it, Jacob came to be standing beside her.

  “Hello Abagail,” said Jacob.

  “Hi Jacob, come in and take a seat. I’ll be with you shortly.”

  Jacob nodded and followed her in. He began reading the posters of astrology and planting guides on the walls while Abagail turned off the alarm. She went about her morning routine: turned on the lights, turned on her old?fashioned answering machine and the kettle, turned on her cash register and put some cash and coins in it. When she was ready, she waved Jacob over.

  He pulled up a chair and sat nervously watching her. He was confused as Abagail began talking to someone he couldn’t see. After a minute, Abagail finished talking and took a sip of her tea.

  “Okay,” she began. “Apparently the time is right. We’re going to solve this problem for you today, Jacob.”

  “Really? Are you serious? That’s great!” celebrated Jacob.

  Abagail looked extremely serious. She did not smile. She did not comment. She simply took another sip and looked intently at Jacob.

  “Is something wrong?” asked Jacob, unsure.

  “Yes. Frankly, Jacob, yes… You might not like the end result, but there’s no other answer but this answer. Today. Soon.”

  “Okay,” nodded Jacob. “I’m ready.”

  “But not yet. Not until midday. So, if you would be so kind as to come back then, we can… bring this unfortunate situation to a close.”

  Jacob slowly nodded, stood from the chair and left the shop.

  +

  The morning passed by without much fuss. Customers came in for readings or to buy crystals, Tarot cards, gems, clothing or jewelry. Just before twelve, Abagail said goodbye to a reluctant client. She finally had to ask her to leave because she had to close shop in five minutes, she explained. She finally left.

  Four minutes later, Abagail noticed Jacob standing out front. She went and closed the back door and turned off some lights. As Jacob entered the shop, Abagail came out from the back storeroom.

  “Don’t sit down, Jacob,” she said.

  Jacob jumped back up.

  “We’re going for a drive,” explained Abagail, grabbing a dark coat and her handbag. She set the dial to 12:30 on her door regarding her return.

  Jacob followed Abagail outside and waited as she locked the door. She opened the door of her yellow Beetle parked out front, then jumped in quickly before the line of cars reached her. As she expected, Jacob sat ready in the passenger seat. She indicated out onto the road. Not surprisingly, she noticed a black rabbit sitting under a big tree on the side of the road as she drove past Daisy Park.

  “Are you taking me back to Lightblue?” asked Jacob, looking at his street sign: Sunnycrest Avenue.

  “Yes… and no,” answered Abagail, slightly unsure of what to say. “You see… I sold it.”

  “Sold what?” frowned Jacob, looking at his house as they drove past with Lightblue missing.

  “Where the hell is my car?” demanded Jacob angrily.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “I sold it,” said Abagail easily.

  She looked at Jacob, who was staring menacingly at her.

  “What in God’s name do you mean you sold it? You can’t! It’s in my name… I want it back. I want it back today. I want you out of my life and I don’t want to see you again.”

  “I told you you wouldn’t like it,” laughed Abagail. “But you won’t see me again… I will be out of your life. You can have it back.”

  “This isn’t a laughing matter, young lady. I’m dead serious.”

  “More than you know… Jacob,” said Abagail, catching the slight shift of attention in Jacob’s eyes.

  The yellow Beetle pulled up out front of an old garage. Abagail turned off the car and looked at Jacob.

  “Good luck, Jacob. Look over there,” she said, pointing.

  Jacob could see Lightblue parked in the workshop.

  “Go on. I told you today, and the time is right.”

  Jacob looked at Abagail, then back at his car. He opened the door, climbed out, and closed it. Abagail started the car and drove smartly away.

  “Hey! Abagail, wait!” yelled Jacob.

  He watched until the yellow Beetle was out of sight. Jacob cleared his throat and listened to the sound of his cowboy boots jingling on the pavement as he set off, determined to repossess his beloved Lightblue.

  As he neared the workshop, he heard someone whistling to himself. The bonnet was up. He came about to confront the man he believed would be that rude tow?truck driver. The man was bent over tightening some part of the engine under the hood.

  “This is my car!” snarled Jacob.

  “Jacob! Rupert Richardson. Pleased to meet you.”

  Rupert was dressed in a pair of dark blue overalls. They shook hands.

  “Well I’m not. This is my car.”

  “Of course it is. Abagail only said what I had asked her to say. I needed your full attention. I’ll explain later. Here’s your paperwork. Take a look!”

  He watched Jacob reading.

  “It’s a surprise. It’s all in running order again. And may I say, what a fine car it is. Purrs like a kitten now. Ah… just lovely,” he admired.

  “Ah… huh… okay. I’m a little confused. The paperwork says it’s roadworthy again. And how did you fix the door?”

  “Yes, doesn’t it look like new now? Not a scratch… not one.”

  “I can’t believe it,” smiled Jacob, rubbing his hands over the door. “It’s… it’s like a new Lightblue!”

  “Ah! And…” said Rupert, rushing around to start the engine. “Listen!”

  Jacob walked back to the front and stood there in wonder, listening to it.

  “Sounds great!” agreed Jacob.

  “That’s settled then. Let’s take it for a spin. You drive. I’ll sit in the back.”

  “Ah, yeah… why not,” chuckled Jacob.

  Lightblue reversed out of the garage and onto the road.

  “If you could head over to Daisy Park, please, Jacob. There is someone there we need to pick up.”

  Jacob turned the car about and headed for home.

  “Daisy Park? That’s where Carol’s ashes were placed,” said Jacob.

  “Yes, I know. That’s where we’re going,” replied Rupert plainly.

  “Well, I’d rather not. I think I’ll just drop you off here. I’ll be taking Lightblue back home with me.”

  Rupert said nothing as they turned into Sunnycrest Avenue.

  “I can call you a cab once home,” explained Jacob apologetically.

  “That won’t be necessary,” remarked Rupert calmly.

  Jacob pulled the indicator handle down, but it didn’t work. He tried the brake pedal, but that didn’t work either. He desperately tried to change gears down, but they wouldn’t engage.

  “My God!” shuddered Jacob. “What the hell have you done! We’re going to die!”

  Lightblue indicated, stopped, then turned onto the main road by itself, heading for Daisy Park.

  “It’s funny you mentioned we’re going to die, because that’s why I’m here, Jacob.”

  Jacob swung about with confusion all over his face.

  “You see, Jacob. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but… the truth is… I’m a ghost hunter. I’m hired by the Council of Fariddion to collect those lost souls who don’t know they’re already departed. I’m never good at explaining this part.”

  “No… no, this is a dream,” stammered Jacob, watching as Lightblue turned onto Daisy Park Road. “How are you doing this? HOW??”

  Jacob felt a pain on the side of his head. It felt damp. When he looked at his fingers, it was blood.

  “It will all make sense shortly,” said Rupert gently. “I do apologise. It helps if I have you in a fully heightened state.”

  “No, you’re not getting it. I hired Abagail to speak with Carol. Carol’s dead, and she’s trying to contact me,” explained Jacob.

  “Yes… she is. And here she is,” pointed Rupert.

  Jacob swung back around. Up ahead he watched as his wife Carol stood under an old tree holding a black rabbit. Beside her was a tall young woman with long blonde hair, who accepted the rabbit from Carol as she hurried over and jumped in.

  “Jacob!” she cried, throwing her arms around him.

  “Carol!” he cried. “You can see me?”

  “Yes, I can. I’ve been looking for you,” she smiled, wiping tears away.

  They held each other in a long embrace.

  “When the time is right. The time is right,” smiled Rupert, getting out of the car.

  “Where are we going?” asked Jacob, turning about to look at Rupert with sincere gratitude all over his face.

  Rupert held the door open, bent down and grinned at Jacob.

  “Go wherever you want, sir. And have a great day, Madam!”

  And with that, Rupert slammed the door shut.

  Rupert, Astar and Tibbar rabbit watched Lightblue drive away, and slowly it too disappeared.