Pear and Velvet: Voltergeist

Exhausted from the intense day, it was far less difficult for Pear and Twilight to find sleep. Following the next morning’s breakfast, the pair returned to their room as at the moment all they could do was wait. Pear sat in the chair, head rolled back and eyes affixed to the ceiling; the pain of the previous day’s cuts and bruises rearing their head. Twilight laid on the bed, her mind mixed with thoughts now that their monster had a name and life behind its actions; and more so than ever did her thoughts shift to home.

“The boys will start to be worried soon…” She sighed. “We haven’t been able to check in with them at all.”

“Yep,” Pear agreed. “If we don’t find a way to end this soon, they really will come looking for us.” She thought back to what Hibiscus had told them. “Hunting down a body, desecrating it… I’d like to think my upbringing prepared me for anything but that just don’t sit right.”

“I don’t think anything could have prepared us for this.” Twilight let out a long breath. “I’ve never really considered myself a believer in the spiritual; I mean, I’ve had some weird things happen but I never once thought a spirit could really exist… much less one like this.”

“Well, think of it this way.” Pear began. “If there’s a spirit like this, good or bad, it means that there really is something beyond what we know as life after all. May not be exactly what some might believe, but it’s clearly there.”

Twilight absorbed the idea. “Kind of scary to think that a nice boy like Meadow could become something so horrific.”

“Weren’t his choice, Vel.” Pear shook her head. “Someone else made this monster.” Feeling the weight of their topic, she laughed as she changed the subject. “So, what are you planning to do first when we get home?”

Twilight smiled at the defiant positivity. “I’m going to use all the hot water in the house and take a long bath.”

“Heh,” Pear chuckled. “Now that’s a fine plan.”

Twilight laughed. “Seriously, I’m going to call my kids and tell them I love them.”

Pear nodded understandingly. “That’s an even better one.”

“I want to call our friends too,” Twilight added. “It’s been too long since we’ve even just talked on the phone; being here has really made it clear just how precious time is, tomorrow isn’t something that’s guaranteed.”

“Hate to admit it, but I’m just as guilty there.” Pear confessed.

“I think it just comes with a stable life.” Twilight noted. “We don’t mean to, we just fall into routine.”

“Well, I think one life threatening ordeal will be enough to keep that lesson with me.” Pear sat up straight, cracking her neck. “I can live without going through this again.”

“Spiritual or not, AMEN to that.” Twilight said, sending them both into laughter.

A light knock came at the door and Pear answered to find Hibiscus and Tanner on the other side, she invited them in and they settled around the room.

“Sorry if you were resting,” Hibiscus began as she sat. “Just wanted to check on you.”

“We’re alright,” Pear informed. “How about you, you’re the one that took a sledgehammer to the chest.”

Hibiscus rubbed her breast. “Yeah… surprised my sternum didn’t break; but I’m just really sore.”

“Can’t believe you got into a fight with that thing and survived.” Tanner noted. “She told me how it went down, keeping your cool like that is really something.”

“That didn’t make it any less terrifying.” Twilight assured.

“Well, the whole town is stirred up.” Tanner continued. “You two are becoming local heroes, there’s actual hope budding.”

“No pressure.” Twilight laughed.

“Any updates from Wyndham?” Pear asked.

“Nothing yet,” Tanner shook his head. “But Applewood checked on the situation earlier this morning and he really does have all hands on deck for this.”

“I hate just sitting on my hands.” Pear folded her arms. “Did y’all learn anything else from Meadow’s bag?”

“Nothing really,” Hibiscus shook her head. “Just clothes, a multi tool, a class ring from a school I don’t recognize and a state map.” She shrugged. “He really lived day to day.”

“Well, w e still have the photo of his parents.” Twilight reminded. “He reacted to it, even calmed down for a moment, maybe we can do it again.”

“As soon as he finds out what we’re up to, he’ll come at us full force.” Tanner said, slamming his fist into his opposite hand. “You’ll become a threat.”

“Well, at the least…” Twilight stopped as another knock came at the door.

“I got it.” Tanner headed over and opened to door to be greeted by one of Wyndham’s deputies.

“Excuse me,” He tipped his head as he entered. “Miss Pear, Miss Twilight, the Sheriff would like to see you right away.”

“Of course.” Twilight quickly stood with Pear following after. “We’ll be back.”

“Okay.” Hibiscus nodded and she and Tanner followed them from the room, watching as the deputy escorted them away.

At the station, Pear and Twilight returned to the familiar office; Wyndham awaited them along with a recovered Chaplin.

“Chaplin, you’re all healed up?” Twilight looked him over.

“Yes ma’am,” He nodded. “And I’ll never forget how lucky I am for that; but I’m ready to get back to work.”

“Does that mean y’all have a plan?” Pear asked.

“We do,” Wyndham confirmed. “Spent the better part of the night debating and sorting it out, but we have a way to get us to Alabaster.” He laid his hand on a map of the town before him. “Basically, we’re going to have to create a diversion to draw that thing to one side of town. Once its attention is grabbed; we are going to make a move for Alabaster’s home.”

Twilight’s face soured. “That means putting creatures at risk for us.”

“We know,” Chaplin reached out and took her shoulder. “But you two have been risking yourselves for us and thanks to it we may be close to ending this; everyone here is ready to do what needs to be done, so don’t worry about us.”

“How are we going to know when to move?” Pear asked.

“Flare guns,” Wyndham answered. “Once Chaplin’s team has the operation fully under way, he’ll signal us with a flare. After that, we move and fire again when we reach our goal; that will let them know to retreat to the safe zone.”

“Okay,” Twilight followed. “But how are you going to lure Meadow away?”

“We’re going to use a transformer station to create a power surge; it always comes after areas that are using power, must assume it’s another victim to attack. Once it sees us, it won’t be a problem to hold it there.”

“Well, I don’t have any better ideas.” Pear noted. “When do we move?”

“Chaplin will be ready within the hour.” Wyndham informed. “I’ll meet you at the motel; get whatever you think you’ll need, but know that we’ll be moving quick.”

“Alright,” Twilight nodded. “We’ll see you soon.”

As they left the station and started back for the motel, Pear looked out at the looming power plant in the distance. “After all the stories, it'll be something to finally see this Alabaster for myself."

“I certainly haven’t heard many good things.” Twilight considered all the tales she had heard of his actions. "This could be more dangerous than we know, which is why I'm glad Wyndham is going to be there too."

"Well, we are going to be walking up to him with some pretty heavy accusations." Pear hummed in thought. "Probably won't be too happy about that."

"True." Twilight agreed with a light sigh.

As they made their way through the motel parking lot, they noticed Hibiscus and Tanner sitting on the worn sign that bore the motel’s name across it. Once within earshot, they were quick to be questioned.

“So, what has Wyndham got in mind?” Hibiscus asked.

“Well, he's going to have a team set up a distraction to lure Meadow to the other side of town,” Twilight began. “After a signal, we hurry across town to Alabaster.”

“Dangerous, but not a bad idea.” Tanner admitted. “It’d be almost impossible to make it all that way unharmed.”

“He’ll be here in an hour, so we need to get ready.” Pear noted as they attempted to continue on.

“Hold on, we’re coming too.” Hibiscus informed.

“Yeah, who knows what’s going to happen out there.” Tanner added with a laugh. “Never thought I’d be volunteering to be a hero or anything, but I feel like shit just sitting here while you three take this thing on.”

“Well, we certainly cant stop you.” Twilight smiled. “We appreciate the help.”

“Let’s get ready then,” Pear ushered them along. “We need to be ready when he gets here.”

Pear, Twilight and Hibiscus donned their protective clothing once again with Tanner cobbling together a similar set from what was available at the motel. As promptly as one would expect from a Sheriff, Wyndham arrived in his own set of protective gear. He found the additional members of their party and chuckled to himself.

“You two sure you want in on this?” He asked, practically rhetorically.

“I’m seeing the end of this.” Hibiscus said with a sure nod.

“Yeah, and I can’t be a benchwarmer forever.” Tanner noted. “I want to do what I can.”

Wyndham glanced over at Twilight who gave him a sure smile, he merely nodded and looked back to the horizon. “Alright, as soon as we see Chaplin’s signal we move.”

They stood in silence for a deal of time until, over the dead air of the town, a massive crack and a bright flash came from the distance. Their bodies tensed as they stared at the spot for another several minutes before a red flare rose from behind the buildings. Wyndham immediately motioned for them to move out and they began jogging out of the safe zone. It was near three miles to edge of town where the road to the estate was located and they maintained their pace the whole way; shots could be heard in the distance, while having no direct effect it sounded like the second team was doing everything in their power to keep the electrical Stallion focused solely on them. Following the almost forty minutes of running, they left the town boundary and headed into the surrounding forested area. Wyndham quickly removed his own flare gun and fired, signaling that they were free from the danger zone and the second team could fall back. As he holstered the gun, the five of them caught their breath, a particularly hard task for the bookworm Hibiscus.

“You okay, sugar?” Pear rubbed her shoulder, the girl doubled over in search of air for her burning lungs.

“Ye…yeah… sure…” She muttered through gasps.

“Damn…” Tanner crouched on the ground. “Haven’t had to do that since high school.”

“We need to keep moving,” Wyndham noted as he looked up the unpaved trail. “Still a ways to his property.”

Lowering gear to a hike, they proceed through the natural landscape until coming to an iron gate attached to lengthy walls that encircled the property.

“Still unlocked,” Tanner pushed it open. “I guess he really never did leave the house.”

Twilight looked up the way at the three story, colonial home. “Come on, time to get some answers.”

Heading up the long drive, they soon passed by an overgrown rose garden; long left to the weeds since the town shut down. The gate to the front courtyard was also unlocked, a dry fountain greeting them as they passed through. Stepping up the stone stoop to the front door, Wyndham balled his talon and gave the door a strong knock. After a silent two minutes, he knocked again; soon a small metal panel on the door opened and a single eye became visible.

“Wyndham?” A feminine voice asked.

“Mayweather.” He answered with a nod.

“If you’re here, does that mean it’s safe?” She asked, voiced laced with a desperate hope.

“Unfortunately, no.” Wyndham shook his head. “But I need to speak with your father.”

The eye vanished and quickly reappeared. “You know… you know he won’t let you in, he…”

“Tell him I want to talk about Meadow.” He cut her off.

A gasp at the name followed his words and the eye again disappeared; after a long moment, the door slowly pulled open and the young mare looked up at the Sheriff wearily. “Meadow… what about Meadow?” She noticed the unfamiliar faces. “Who are all of you?”

“Mayweather, please.” Wyndham raised his talon to calm her. “I have a lot to discuss with Alabaster and not much time.”

A light panic filled the girl’s eyes, clearly struggling with what to do. “Let me tell him you’re here and…”

“Mayweather!” A older voice bellowed down from the stairwell leading to the second floor. “Who are you talking to!?” As the Stallion began hurrying down he stopped as he saw the Sheriff. “Wyndham,” His eyes narrowed, particularly at the strangers behind him. “Why did you open the door?” He asked further as he headed down.

“I’m sorry,” Mayweather apologized. “He… he said he wanted to talk about Meadow.” She noted with a concerned emphasis.

“What?” Alabaster held his pace as he headed over. “Meadow?” He stepped up the Wyndham. “What about the town? I told you not to come back until you had news that we were being rescued.”

“I know you did,” Wyndham held his ground against the cantankerous Stallion. “And we’re making some progress on that.”

“We,” He repeated, looking over the group. “Who the hell are these strangers you’ve brought to my home?”

“Well, Hibiscus and Tanner work down at the motel.” Wyndham answered, gesturing back to the two. “And these two here are Pear and Twilight, and they’ve done a lot over the past few days to help bring us some answers on what’s been happening.”

“We know what’s happening.” Alabaster snorted. “If we aren’t safe yet, then what do you want?”

“Like Mayweather said, I want to ask you about Meadow.” Wyndham explained. “He worked for you, correct?”

“I recall the name.” He responded flippantly. “What does a former employee possibly have to do with our current situation.”

“Because he’s the one out there killing everyone!” Hibiscus blurted out in anger at his attitude.

Twilight watched the old Stallion's face at the news, it didn’t change in the slightest which caught her attention greatly. “But you already know that, don’t you?” She asked, stepping up beside Wyndham.

“What?” He glared at her. "What kind of ludicrous idea are you talking about."

“Where is he, Alabaster?” Wyndham calmly asked.

“First of all, who is she to make such an accusation?” Alabaster defended. “You’re listening to the nonsense of strangers instead of working to save us.”

“She’s someone who’s been busting her tail, running all over this dang town trying to make heads or tails of this craziness.” Pear boldly informed, coming to Twilight’s back. “And I’ve been right there with her to see it.”

“We know Meadow worked for you at the plant,” Hibiscus took over. “The Mare he was staying with is the one that sent for help which is why Pear and Twilight are even here in the first place. She herself said in a letter that Meadow disappeared one day without a trace, leaving his only possessions in her home which we have with us.”

“We also know that there was a lot of gossip about him and your daughter.” Tanner carried on, looking to the girl who bore a stricken look on her face at all that was being said.

"And another former employee said that Meadow had admitting to getting into a fight with you." Twilight added.

Alabaster’s hard face slowly began to show signs of cracking under all the accusation. “Are you here to charge me with something, Sheriff? If not, then leave.”

“I’m not here to make charges,” Wyndham noted. “Everything they’ve said, as far as I’ve seen, is true; we believe we can stop this but I need to know the truth about what happened to Meadow.”

“All those ghost stories have gotten to you, Wyndham." He said in return.

“I spoke to him, Alabaster.” Twilight came in.

“What?” Mayweather raised her hands to her mouth.

“Spoke to it?” Alabaster looked to Twilight.

“Yes,” Twilight nodded. “He responded to his name, as well as to a picture of his parents we found in his bag.” Her words brought silence to the father and daughter. “And when I said your name, he flew into a rage and attacked.” She looked up into his eyes. “Look, this isn’t about law anymore; creatures are dying and others like us are trapped here, Hibiscus believes that if we destroy what remains of his body we can stop him for good.”

“Alabaster,” Wyndham spoke up. “Just tell me the truth.”

Alabaster slowly looked over to his daughter, matching eyes with her before looking back to Wyndham with a heavy sigh of resignation. “It’s really him, is it?” He asked.

“Yes.” Wyndham nodded.

“Fine… he’s in the plant.” He quietly confessed.

“So you did kill him!?” Tanner asked fiercely.

Alabaster slowly nodded. “Yes, I did.”

“And you knew that thing was really him from the get go?” Pear asked further.

“I…. had my suspicions,” He admitted. “But I didn’t want to believe that; ghost and demons aren’t real… I thought.”

“Why?” Wyndham inquired. “He was just some drifter kid?”

“I did it for Mayweather.” He said stoutly. “I heard that ‘gossip’ and didn’t like that fact that his presence was giving her an unwarranted reputation. I spoke to him personally, instructed him to stay away from her; typical stubborn and stupid youth, he refused.”

“You bastard,” Hibiscus scowled. “You sentenced half this town to death because some guy was flirting with your daughter!?”

Alabaster looked to her. “You think I had any idea this would happen?”

“Doesn’t change the fact that you killed that poor boy for something so petty.” Twilight said in disgust.

“If we live to see the end of this,” Wyndham began. “Once life can go back to normal, you’re going to have to turn yourself in for this.”

The old Stallion merely nodded. “Fine.”

“No!” Mayweather suddenly shouted.

“I know this is hard, Mayweather.” Wyndham looked at her, seeing tears steaming down her cheeks. “But…”

“No!” She shouted again. “He didn’t…”

“Mayweather!” Alabaster commanded. “You’re hysterical, just keep quie….”

“No!” She cut him off, sobbing as she looked to Wyndham. “Please, Wyndham; he didn’t...” She balled her fists. “It was my fault!” Her body shook as she spoke. “It… it was an accident, I didn't mean to…”

“Mayweather!” Alabaster sounded again.

“What is she talking about?” Pear asked.

“You stay out of this.” He quickly stared daggers at Pear before looking back to his daughter. “She’s just trying to protect me.”

“I’m not.” Mayweather wiped her eyes. “I… I killed him...”

Wyndham and the others stared at the girl in shock. “What?” He asked.

“My dad did talk to him, but he didn’t do anything to Meadow.” Mayweather went to the Sheriff, taking his sleeves in her hands and staring up at him. “I liked Meadow, I really did; and we… we did sleep together.” She confessed. “But dad told me what he said to Meadow so I kept him at a distance, I didn’t want him to get in trouble or fired because of me." Her face hardened as memories returned. "Meadow met me on the walks after that, he said he wanted me to leave with him; that what I was saying was my father talking and that he shouldn’t keep us apart.” She started crying again. “I told him no, that it was over; but he got really angry and he grabbed me.” She shook her head vehemently. “I know he wasn’t trying to hurt me, but he scared me and I… I pushed him away and he fell down the stairs to the walk.” She fully broke down in Wyndham’s arms. “I'm sorry! This is all my fault!”

Wyndham stood stunned, laying his arms over her and looking to Alabaster. “What happened to his body?”

Alabaster’s eyes watered as he watched his daughter pour out repressed emotion from the tragic event. “She came to me before anyone found him and told me what happened.” He shook his head longingly. “I knew if it got out it would ruin her life so I panicked and hid his body inside the backup turbine. It never gets used so I knew no one would find him.” A genuine frown washed over him. “She was so distraught and traumatized, I had to protect her first and foremost.” He confessed.

“My god.” Twilight looked at the crying girl, not knowing what to say.

Hibiscus held the side of her head in thought. “Well, that explains how his spirit bound to the electrical system of the plant.” She looked to Alabaster with regret. “I’m… sorry, all the evidence…”

“It’s fine.” Alabaster nodded. “I’m old, I don’t care who thinks I’m a monster.” He looked to Mayweather. “But not her; it was an accident… and she didn’t deserve to pay the rest of her life for an accident.” He glanced up at Wyndham. “But I guess the cost wound up being even higher, and that’s something I am guilty of I suppose.” He gently took his daughter from Wyndham, holding her as she wept. “I can get you into the plant, if that's the only way to end all of this.”

“How?” Tanner asked. “Unless you have a secret passage or something, we’re nowhere near having a route to the plant.”

“I do,” Alabaster said plainly. “My office here leads to an underground path that meets up with my office at the plant. I had it put in as an emergency exit for my daughter and I if there was ever a severe compromise at the plant.”

“Oh,” Tanner looked to the others. “Well, what do we do then?”

“We know what we need to do,” Pear stated. “I say we go do it.”

“I’ll come with you.” Alabaster sighed.

“That thing blames you most of all,” Wyndham reminded. “It’ll go wild if it sees you.”

“Perhaps, but you don’t know the plant.” Alabaster countered.

With a deep sniffle, Mayweather backed away from her father and looked back at Wyndham. “I… I’ll come too.”

“Absolutely not.” Alabaster took her cheek and looked into her eyes sternly. “That monster will kill you without hesitation, just as it did everyone else.”

“Maybe not,” Hibiscus considered. “It seems to be capable of very base reactions to emotional stimuli; Meadow recognized his parents, there’s no reason he won’t recognize Mayweather. He clearly loved her, that strong emotion that was linked to his death may have some kind of sway over him.”

“She’s right, dad.” Mayweather reached up and took his hand. “It’s my fault he’s become this thing; if I can help put him to rest, I will… I owe him that.”

“That’s not…” Alabaster lowered his head as he saw the look in her eyes. “Alright.” He turned his attention back to Wyndham. “Once we get to my work office, there is a station nearby with plant grade protective equipment.”

“Sounds good,” Tanner nodded. “We need all the help we can get, we’ll be surrounded by metal and other conductive material.”

“He’s definitely got home field advantage.” Pear concurred. “But as long as we stay smart, we can keep ourselves safe.”

“How far is the turbine from your office?” Twilight asked.

“My office is three floors above the main generator hall,” Alabaster informed. “The backup turbine is the final one in the line.”

“As soon as we step into in that place, he’ll know.” Wyndham let out a hard breath. “We won’t have much time before he’s on us.”

“And the elevator is out of the question.” Tanner added. “Going to have to use the stairs.”

“We’ll make it happen,” Twilight rallied. “We have to, this is the only shot we’re going to have.”

“Then let’s make it count.” Pear grabbed her shoulder with a brave grin. “I’ve got chores piling up on the farm.”

Alabaster nodded and motioned for them to follow. “My office is this way, let’s go.” With his daughter under his arm he started towards the rear hall. Pear, Twilight and the others quietly followed as they attempted to mentally prepare for what would be, one way or the other, their last stand against Meadow.