AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What’s the point?” Misty peered up from her handkerchief, her eyes puffy and red. “No one living would mourn its loss, after all…”
Zoe’s heart sank as she followed Misty’s gaze, to where her report lay on the bar. She looked at the spirits in realization, as she recalled every cutting word she’d once written.
“You… you read my report.”
“A dilapidated dump where no one living or dead would want to be seen…” Spooks read aloud from the report, before he glumly shoveled another spoonful of jelly into his mouth. “I might not know what dilapidated means, but something tells me I won’t like it.”
“Spooks, I’m sorry, I…”
“You promised you’d help save the Underworld. You said you’d be our Queen…” Spooks’ usual cheery smile faltered, until tears welled in his eyes. “But you never cared about us at all.”
A wave of sadness washed through Zoe as she gazed at the spirits. Where their eyes had once gleamed with life and joy, now they were filled with doubts. Zoe drew a breath, knowing she must find a way to reignite their spark. And to do so, she would have to use the power within her heart.
“When I first arrived here, I couldn’t see the magic in this town. I couldn’t see past my own greed…” Zoe looked at crumpled pages of the report, before she returned her gaze to the crowd. “But each of you opened my eyes to the true beauty here. You taught me the importance of taking life a little less seriously…”
She glanced at Spooks, who chuckled softly, before he looked up from his trough of jelly.
“... to enjoying life’s simple pleasures, like the first sip of a good cup of coffee in the morning…”
Misty dabbed her eyes, and peered thoughtfully from her handkerchief.
“... to dancing the night away under the stars.”
The Phantom Fiestadores let out a cheery hurrah, before their songs became filled with energy and gusto once more.
“Each of you taught me something invaluable. You showed me how to see the magic in life again.” Zoe smiled as she gazed at the crowd, before she made her final plea. “You have every right to be angry at me. And after what I’ve done, I have no right to be your Queen. But if we want to save the Underworld, then we have to work together, before it’s too late.”
As the workmen sawed through the last of the vines, a ripple of murmurs passed between the spirits. One by one, a sparkle of light grew within their eyes, until they turned to Zoe with a smile.
“She’s right. I, for one, won’t stand by and let a bunch of greedy fleshies ruin the reputation of my establishment.” Misty threw her handkerchief to the ground, and drew herself to her full height. “And I certainly won’t let a bunch of uninvited guests ruin our grand reopening.”
Despite Misty’s fearsome demeanor, Spooks peered fearfully through the windows at the workmen assembled outside.
“But how can we stop them? They’ve assembled an entire army. And we’re, well…” Spooks thrust his hand through the solid wall and waved at the crowd, to no avail. “Those fleshies won’t take any notice of us.”
“You’re right.” But Zoe felt an idea form as she gazed at the mischievous poltergeist. “Which means we’re going to put on a show that’s impossible to ignore.”
Spooks gasped, while his eyes sparkled with delight. “We are?”
“You bet.” Zoe smiled and turned to the crowd before her. “Spooks, bring the Ecto-3000. It’s time to give the performance of your afterlife.”
23
The roar of the chainsaws filled the air. As glinting blades tore through the last of the Underworld’s defenses, an army of workmen and their machines poured through the entrance to the motel. With a hearty roar, Swindleton led his troops into each room, in search of power to plunder. And yet, as Zoe watched from the darkness, a smile crossed her lips. Swindleton might have an army on his side, but he’d led them into the perfect trap.
“Now!”
One by one, the candles spluttered out, plunging the motel into darkness. Grunts of confusion drifted from the workmen, while Swindleton barked orders at Gus, who tried, and failed, to find an exit. As pandemonium erupted below, Zoe and the specters admired the chaos from the shadows.
“Okay everyone, take your places.” Zoe whispered to the assembled ghosts, before she turned to Spooks. “Is it ready?”
With a mischievous giggle, Spooks fired up the Ecto-3000. It hummed with a strange power, while its body glowed with radioactive goo.
“It’s primed to perfection! One shot from this, and there’s no way those knuckle-headed fleshies will be able to miss you…” Spooks gulped as plumes of smoke drifted haphazardly from the barrel of the gun, “... or it might strike you with enough force to send you to the moon. Well, hold on tight!”
Zoe glanced worriedly as nuts and bolts rattled within the giant contraption. “On second thoughts, perhaps this isn’t such a good idea–”
A deluge of thick goo engulfed her with a force that knocked the breath from her lungs. Zoe spluttered on the slimy substance, feeling as though she’d been doused in a vat of custard. As Spooks giggled gleefully from the darkness, she couldn’t help but wonder if partnering with a poltergeist was such a good idea after all. But as the goo began to glow in the dark, she drew a startled breath.
