CHAPTER SIX

The smoke filled his lungs until he thought he'd simply turn to ash. His mother reached for him through the thick, black clouds, begging him to save her. She opened her mouth to scream but the flames swallowed her whole.

Arnie awoke gasping for breath. He coughed several times and tried to clear his mind, without success. "I'm sorry, Mom," he whispered. "I'm so sorry..."

As he began to think more clearly, Arnie realized that it was the middle of the night. No one else was awake, and he had only gone to bed an hour earlier after a long night of uneventful patrolling. Cursing, he pulled on some comfortable clothing and crept downstairs. He wasn't really sure where he was going, but he let his feet go on anyway.

When he arrived at his feet's chosen destination, he sighed. Of course. He was in the cemetery. His parents' badly burned bodies had been buried here, and all of his dead ex-girlfriends were there as well. And tragically, he could now count Spencer among the "residents" he knew.

"Look at that," Arnie mumbled. "I think I know more people in here than I know with pulses."

He automatically drifted toward the dead girlfriends first. He had to pay his respects to each of them. After all, he felt responsible for all of their deaths. His soul was cursed, and any girl he proclaimed his romantic love for died, usually painfully. That was why he refused to call Melissa his girlfriend, even though he spent most of his free time with her. He loved her too much to risk losing her.

After making the necessary stops at the various dead girlfriends' graves and leaving stones on each headstone, he sat down at the headstone his parents shared. BELOVED PARENTS, GONE TOO SOON, the epitaph read.

"Gone too soon... No kidding," he mumbled. "Mom, Dad... I don't even know why I'm here. I just... I miss you guys." He sighed. "That's it, Arnie? That's all you've got? Wow, I'm such a loser... I don't even have anything epic to say. You guys have been gone for so many years, and I'm still stuck on 'I miss you.' How about 'I'm lost without you'? How about 'life sucks'? How about 'everyone I love dies, and you guys were just the first on the list'? Or 'I kill everything I touch'? Or even, 'I'm going to go over the deep end'? Or maybe, just maybe I can stop whining and remember that you're the ones who died and suffered, and I need to stop thinking about myself."

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He decided to change the subject. "So, I met this amazing girl, and I really love her, but I'm terrified to actually call her my girlfriend," he said. "I can't lose this one. She's the one, Mom and Dad. You guys always told me that I'd meet her and know her immediately, and I do know her... But I can't make it official. I'm so scared... I spend so much of my time being afraid. I'm really pathetic, and I know I've probably majorly disappointed you guys. I'm sorry... I'm sorry for everything, especially for not saving you."

Arnie paused. He knew his parents weren't there in spirit. Why did he always feel drawn to come back to the cemetery when he needed them? Maybe it was to show the world that someone remembered them, remembered all of the people he loved who were buried there. Or maybe in some part of his mind, he still believed it was a bad dream that he'd wake up from, and seeing their graves made it less surreal.

He tended the grave to make it more presentable, brushing the dirt and dead leaves away. "I love you guys," he whispered. He bent down and kissed their headstone before walking away.

His feet kept walking, although he screamed at them to stop. He ended up in front of Spencer's grave. Arnie had not been to this grave since the funeral. It bothered him to see Spencer's name and birthday on a headstone, and it bothered him even more to see the date of his death. Arnie had been in a coma while his best friend was murdered, and he could do nothing about it. "Yet another person I failed," Arnie mumbled. "Spence, man, I miss you... More than I can even say, because words don't cut it with these things."

"You didn't fail me," a voice said.

Arnie was startled to see Spencer standing beside him. He was a spirit, but Arnie didn't typically see spirits, and he had certainly not expected to see one in a cemetery. Spirits didn't usually haunt their graves, but haunted places they had known in life instead. Because of these factors, all Arnie did in response to Spencer's sudden appearance was blink several times very quickly.

"I'm really here," Spencer assured him. "I felt your pain. I wanted to help."

"I don't deserve your help, Spencer," Arnie managed to say.

"Of course you do. You're like a brother to me, Arnie."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that I got you killed."

"You didn't get me killed. I made my choice."

"You wouldn't have been in that situation if I hadn't been in a coma."

"He had Jade, too," Spencer reminded him.

"Yeah, but she wouldn't have willingly walked into that trap if he didn't have me to use as bait."

"Arnie, it's not like you asked to end up in a coma."

"If I'd just died when he attacked me, instead of fighting like hell to stay alive, you'd still be here."

"That's bad logic. It was my time. It was my destiny to stop him, and the only way to do it was to sacrifice myself. I would have died either way. You and Jade need to stop blaming yourselves for what happened."

"She ran away, you know," Arnie informed him.

"She didn't run away. She has a good reason to be in New York. She may not be ready to explain it to all of you, but I promise you, it's valid."

"You know she went back there and you're wasting your time on me? I'd have thought you'd be watching her like a hawk in case something happened."

"She can handle herself. Besides, you need me right now, and Jade... Well, she needs time away from thinking about me," Spencer replied sadly. "She'll never fully process that I'm dead if she can still feel, hear, and see me. I've been trying to keep my distance so she can heal without her powers as a necromancer tricking her mind into believing I'm still alive."

Arnie sighed. "I miss you, Spence."

"I know. I miss you, too. I'm keeping an eye on everyone, though."

"Even in death, you don't get to take a break?" Arnie asked.

"Never," Spencer replied solemnly. "There's still work to be done, just from the Light instead of here."

"We should get hazard pay and vacation time for all the work we do."

"We should. I'll bring it up the next time I see the Powers That Be."

"Tell them to go screw themselves for me, would you?" Arnie asked. "With love, of course," he added sweetly, making Spencer laugh for a moment before his demeanor shifted.

"Arnie, you have to be careful," Spencer said suddenly.

"Of what? Pissing them off? They can take a number-"

"No. There's something around you... A bad aura. I'm worried."

"I'll be fine."

"And please stop denying your love for Melissa. She deserves to know you love her."

"She deserves to live."

"She's not going to die, Arnie. It isn't her time."

"I might change that."

"You give yourself too much credit. You're not a Reaper, you know."

"No, I'm just a walking, talking death omen."

"Arnie-"

He sighed. "I'll think about it, okay?"

"That's all I ask. You should go home before the Berlins wake up and wonder where you are."

"I know... And Spencer?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks. For showing up, I mean."

"I'm always here for you, Arnie. I was before, and I still will be."

Arnie nodded and left the cemetery as Spencer's spirit faded away.

~*~

Bobbi's kitchen was surprisingly large for a New York City apartment, but then again, she lived in a penthouse. The twins, Jack and Jill, huddled around her as she made breakfast. Jade had heard a lot of things about Bobbi and had hardly expected her to be Holly Homemaker, but she seemed happy to cook for everyone.

Beth downed her food quickly and had seconds. "You're eating like Randy," Jade commented casually.

"I'm starving... I have no idea why," Beth replied.

"Sorry, Empathabeth," Raine mumbled. "I haven't eaten in three days."

"Why would you go so long? You're not anorexic, are you?" Beth asked in concern. "You're beautiful exactly as you are."

"No, it's nothing like that," Raine explained. "My aunt starved me so that my body would be pure for initiation."

Beth blinked as she took in Raine's words. "Gods, the more I hear about this cult, the more I want to punch all of them," she said after a minute.

"Beth punch?" Joey asked in shock.

"Not usually," Beth replied with a sad smile. "I just don't like it when people hurt other people, especially kids."

"So, Half Breed, you're coming with me back to Salem, right?" Jade asked, changing the subject as she tried again.

"I can't, Jade. Mom needs me," Austin replied once more. They'd gone back and forth over this issue repeatedly during their time together.

"Come on, Austin. You deserve a better life, and I can take you in."

"I love you for asking, Sis, but no. That's my final decision."

Jade nodded sadly. "Okay. I'll come back to see you as soon as I can, alright? And if you need anything at all, you have my number."

"I know. I'll use it."

"Good." She hugged him. "I'll miss you, Half Breed."

"I'll miss you, too, Sis." Austin turned to Beth. "It's been great getting to know you, too," he added.

"It certainly hasn't been dull," Beth agreed.

"Give me a hug, Squirt," Austin said to Joey.

"Bye Uncle Hawf Bweed. You need me, you yell. I come," Joey said solemnly.

"You got it, Little Man." He gave Joey a high five. "Give me a call when you're back in Salem so I know you guys made it safely."

"We will," Jade promised.

"And keep in touch, Raine. I'm going to miss you," Austin said with a flirtatious glint in his eyes.

Raine blushed. "Okay," she replied. "I will."

My brother and River's sister? Jade wondered. That would be weird, but cute.

"Let's get going," Jade said. "We've got to pick up the car and go home."

"Home?" Beth asked.

"I told you, Salem's my home now, no matter what."

"It's still really good to hear you call it that."

Jade nodded. "I know. Come on. We've got to get back, or you're going to end up missing another day of school and the world will end!"

~*~

Some of the Erica Vitti Society warlocks had gathered in Mr. Ko's luxurious home. His son, Chad, was expected to show himself and behave accordingly, so he stood beside his father and studied those who were in attendance.

Amos White stood nearby with his son, Arthur. The more time Chad spent around Arthur, the more he despised him. He only put up with the tacky, obnoxious boy because they were both going to be members of Bishop's E.V.S. chapter that year.

Although Chad had eagerly accepted the position of the club's treasurer, Arthur hadn't wanted to be one of the club's four officers. Three others had been selected for those roles. They were slowly planning out the club's activities for the year before they would be sending out invitations for new members to join in October. They had to be careful. No one wanted to risk repeating what had happened the previous year.

With any luck, Arthur will be the first member we dispose of this year, Chad thought. That idea brought a sinister smile to his face.

"My friends," Gabriel Martinez began,"I have asked you all to gather here so that we may discuss the current status of the supernatural community in Salem."

"Is it true that the witches and vampires are at war?" Amos asked.

"It seems that way, yes. There have been young bodies on both sides, and the unrest is only growing."

"How do you suggest we take advantage of the situation?" Mr. Ko asked.

"For the time being, we do not involve ourselves directly," Gabriel replied. "With any luck, the vampires and witches will wipe each other out, and we will remain standing as the ruling supernatural group in Salem. This war will benefit us greatly."

Or it will wipe Salem off the map, Chad thought. He sensed that the war might very well do irreparable damage to their town, but he was smart enough to keep his concern to himself. If he said the wrong thing, he'd risk angering Gabriel or, even worse, his father. He could handle facing Gabriel's wrath, but facing his father's was another story.

"We should help the witches," Teresa Lancaster said softly.

A shocked hush fell over the room. Teresa generally hid behind her long, blonde hair, rarely making eye contact with others. She'd been born into the warlocks, and while her family had once been very powerful, they'd died out. As the sole surviving Lancaster warlock, she was included in all important meetings of the Erica Vitti Society, but her rank had been earned by the legacy of her blood, not her personality. Most of the time, people forgot she even existed.

"Why would we do that, Teresa?" Gabriel demanded. If looks could kill, Teresa would have dropped dead on the spot.

"Vampires are filthy, unnatural creatures. We should help wipe them out," Teresa replied.

Chad wondered when the rather meek Teresa had developed such courage. He watched her with mild interest for the first time since he'd known her.

"The witches will do the work for us. Our enemies will destroy each other and we will reap the benefits," Gabriel replied.

"I want to kill them," Teresa said with surprising conviction. "They should fall at our hands."

It was Amos who intervened before Gabriel could attack her. "Teresa, I understand your passion on this issue," he said. "We all remember the night that vampires wiped out the rest of the Lancaster line. We killed the ones responsible."

"I didn't," Teresa protested.

"You were eight and mortally wounded. You barely survived that night. No one expected you to avenge your parents," Amos replied gently.

"I'm twenty-four and in perfect health now."

"And we'd like you to keep your perfect health," Amos insisted. "Let the witches and vampires kill each other, Teresa. They are all beneath us anyway. I promise you, Gabriel's plan is the best course of action."

Teresa sighed before finally nodding. "I'm sorry, Gabriel... It's a sensitive issue for me," she said softly.

"I know, my dear," Gabriel replied.

Amos White should run for office, Chad thought with a slight smirk. He'd make an excellent politician. Now if only his loser son would follow his example.

As the meeting came to a close, Chad saw Ivan Lodge approaching him. "Mr. Ko, may I have a word with your son?" Ivan asked.

"Certainly, Ivan," Chad's father replied.

Chad stepped aside with Ivan. "What can I do for you, Sir?" Chad asked with the practiced politeness of one accustomed to warlock politics.

"You're going to be an officer in Bishop High School's E.V.S. this year, correct?"

"Yes, Sir," Chad replied proudly. "I'm the treasurer."

"I'd like you to consider my daughter, Kelly, for membership."

Chad knew who Kelly was, but they'd never really spoken. Her parents had elected not to involve her in the affairs of the E.V.S. until she was older. The girl had no idea that she was a warlock. She was potentially very pretty but had little sense of style, and she spent most of her free time either reading or writing. Kelly wanted to be an investigative journalist when she grew up.

"She's not aware of her heritage, right?" Chad asked.

"No, but she has tremendous power within her, and she's a very quick learner. I know she's a bit introverted, but I'm hoping the E.V.S. can pull her out of her shell and help her blossom into the brilliant warlock that she's meant to be."

Chad sensed a makeover opportunity, both physical and magickal. He couldn't resist a good challenge. He nodded thoughtfully. "I'll bring her name up to Stephanie Prescott and Gregory Holden for consideration." He didn't bother mentioning Amanda Vanderlane. No one cared about the secretary's opinion.

"Thank you, Chad," Ivan replied with a smile. "I know Kelly will be a phenomenal addition to the organization if she's given the right opportunities."

Chad supposed that anything was possible, but he wasn't entirely sure that Kelly Lodge had what it took to survive the E.V.S.

I suppose time will tell, he thought with a wicked grin. Either way, I'll have some fun.