We have buried Arielle in our cemetery today and after looking over the other graves of team members that have been killed and buried here, we then headed back to our cars and vans. I had felt that trouble was around all through our burial time, but it didn’t seem to be too close. Jennifer also sensed danger, but not too close either. “Get ready man, get ready,” said the voice, “you only have one chance so don’t miss.”

Suddenly Jennifer yelled “DANGER!” and we all fell, but not fast enough, and Dorothy fell close to Jennifer, with blood coming from the side of her head. She had been shot, twice! Jennifer had been holding her hand all along, but their hands slipped apart as Dorothy was about to get into the car. “That tree over there,” said Kristina, and Sky shot a lightning ball directly at the top where Kristina had pointed out to her.

A man fell to the ground and 6 girls went running over to the spot to check on him. He was dead, and with no identification on him. Oddly enough, his fingerprints, on every finger, had been surgically removed. However, before that happened, the man had been able to report that he was successful. That pleased Mr. Stone very much, even though he would have preferred to have Dorothy brought back to him so that he could eliminate her himself.

But he knew that would be difficult now that we had her, so he satisfied himself with killing her this way. Two girls that came to us for protection and we were unable to protect either of them. We would be back here three days later to bury Dorothy. A week after burying Dorothy I was sitting in the library munching on a donut and Jennifer brought me a cup of coffee. That was so thoughtful of her.

However, I could see she was thinking of something, but I decided not to ask what it was about. I’m learning. She looked at me every time I took a bite of my donut until I couldn’t take it anymore. “Is something wrong?” I asked. “I’m glad you asked,” she said. Somehow I think I’m sorry I asked. “I’m a bit worried about the twins,” she continued, “they are not themselves lately, ever since they got that letter.”

Hmm, this isn’t quite what I was expecting and somehow I don’t recall being told they had received a letter, something that I should be informed about. Just then Dawn came inside after giving the girls their morning gun practice. Only some of the ghosts are better than Dawn, so I put her in charge of gun practice. “How are the two new girls doing?” I asked her. “Fantastic!” she replied, “I figured that Charlotte would be good since she has had practice before, but Kailey is also doing great.”

“How about the twins?” I asked. “Um, well, they are not their usual self lately,” she answered, “it’s like their minds are miles away somewhere in a foreign country. Maybe they want a vacation.” “I think we would all like a real vacation,” I said, sighing, “but I doubt that will ever happen. Guess this means I need to talk with them.” As I left the library Sherry was coming out of the kitchen with a plate of donuts, bringing them to the girls in the library.

“Tie your shoelace please,” I said. She looked, and sighed. “I will hold the donuts for you,” I said. “Thank you,” she said and bent down to tie her shoelace. That’s when I promptly disappeared. “Come back with my donuts, you sneaky ghost!!” she yelled. But it was too late. I knocked on the door of the twin’s den and they opened it for me. “Look what I have,” I said cheerfully, and produced the plate of donuts.

“Wow, a whole dozen,” they said together, “quick, close the door before someone looks for you.” I did so, and locked it. “So, what’s the problem with my two favorite twins?” I asked. They looked at each other and sighed. “Well, um, we would like to, um, request a month off to, um, visit a friend,” they said together. “Hmm, sounds to me like there is something more to this than a regular visit,” I said, “by the way, these are sneaked donuts.”

“YES!” they said together, “we could tell they tasted better.” “Now, about this time off to visit your friend,” I said, “where does she live and what is happening that you seem to be sort of discouraged.” They looked at each other and sighed again. So they told me the whole story. Three of their friends went to Mexico for their vacation and while there a police chief was found dead in their room, obviously put there while they were out shopping.

However, the police said the one friend lured the chief to their hotel room, then when he refused to pay her fee, she killed him while the other two were out shopping. The trial was short and her parents couldn’t afford the best lawyer, even the one they hired was very expensive and her parents had to mortgage their house to pay for everything. After their friend was convicted and sent to prison, the other two were allegedly killed by a drug gang in a case of mistaken identity.

I told them they could not go there by themselves like that or they would either end up in prison themselves, or “accidentally” killed by some gang. They looked at me, blinking like they do. Then they looked at each other and smiled. Then they said “YES!” and suddenly they were both knocking me flat on my back, hugging and kissing me and thanking me for offering to go with them. Somehow I don’t remember that last part.

“My, my,” said Jennifer, “that’s what you three do in here when I’m not along.” We were all sitting very quickly and talking at the same time trying to explain what was going on and I didn’t even know what was going on, but somehow I made the twins very happy by saying they couldn’t go. Later, when Jennifer and I were alone in our bedroom, she explained why Misty and Cristy were so happy. Apparently I had offered to go with them, at least, that’s what they heard, even though I don’t remember saying that.

Anyway, it was time for a team meeting, since this was going to require a good deal of careful planning. Tracy had spent time in that very prison, which is going to be a big help to us in breaking the twin’s friend out of prison. Okay, it’s not the most legal way of doing things, but I think it is the only way we will get her out of that prison alive. But, before we even get there, problems develop…

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.