A Ghost Story

Chapter 17


Gojyo awoke in his bed and saw Hakkai sitting along side of him. He sat up and looked at him, noticing the somber look on his face. Gojyo laid his hand on Hakkai’s and gripped it gently. Hakkai turned his head and looked at him, giving him a small smile. He leaned in to Gojyo who held him close. They remained like that for awhile, just enjoying each others’ company.

“Hakkai…I can’t continue to tell you how sorry I am for what has happened to you.”

“It is alright, Gojyo. There is nothing you could have done. Please, do not fret over it.”

“But I can’t help it! If I could go back in time, I would save you from all that!” Hakkai looked up at him.

“Gojyo, they would have gotten to me anyway. It was fate.”

“Still…I want to protect you. I saw how helpless and scared you were when they came after you. All those men against one little you…” Hakkai nuzzled his neck.

“Oh Gojyo…you are a wonderful person, and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. You are a good man, Gojyo. Despite all that has happened to you, you still remain good.” Gojyo smiled and hugged him tight.

“Thank you, Hakkai. You don’t know how good that makes me feel.”

“I think I have an idea. Come, lay with me for a bit. I need you.”

The two snuggled up on the bed, Hakkai’s head resting in the crook of Gojyo’s arm. Gojyo sighed in content and closed his eyes peacefully. He opened them again when he felt something small, wet, and cold drop on his chest. He brought his hand up to Hakkai’s face and felt that he was crying.

“Hakkai?”

“Oh Gojyo…I remember everything…not just the murder, but my whole past. My life. My Kanan…where is she now? Is she waiting for me? Has she forgotten too? Or has she been grieving for all these years?” Gojyo sighed heavily.

“I don’t know, Hakkai.” He did not want to tell him about what Sanzo saw, and how it could have very well been Kanan. Hakkai was too upset as it was.

“Do you think I’ll ever see her again?” He looked up at Gojyo sadly who tightened his hold around him.

“I hope so…”

Gojyo let his mind wonder as the two became quiet. He thought about Hakkai’s problem and the same thought kept showing up in his head: What will become of me if Hakkai is finally free? Gojyo remembered some television shows and movies about ghosts, and how they all ended with the ghost finally entering into a bright light. Would that happen to Hakkai if they find a way to save him? He did not want to loose Hakkai. Hakkai was the only person who understood him, who accepted him, and who he could relate to. He was a good lover as well as a good friend. Gojyo was used to his company. What would he do if Hakkai went away? It would be like loosing his father, mother, and brother all over again. He did not want that, but it was selfish to keep Hakkai here because he was lonely. Hakkai’s been stuck for over 200 years in the same place. It would not be fair if he kept Hakkai away from finding peace…but what about himself? He wanted Hakkai to stay with him…but-

“Gojyo, you are hurting me.” Hakkai sad softly and Gojyo realized he was holding him too tight.

“Oh…sorry.” Hakkai chuckled weakly

“It is alright. Do not stop holding me…hold me until I fall asleep.” Gojyo pulled him close.

“No problem…”

Downstairs, Sanzo was lounging back on the couch, watching the evening news before he had to leave for work. Goku was up on the computer, chatting and whatnot. He had just taken a sip of coffee when the top story headline came on and he spit it out.

‘Are ghosts real?’ Asked the anchor woman and she shifted her papers on the desk. Sanzo turned the volume up right away and sat forward

“Goku, look at this!” Goku pushed the computer chair back to look at the television.

‘Early this morning, we received this tape of a shocking and miraculous sight.’ A video came on the screen of their kitchen and Gojyo by the table. Hakkai was there too, and he was VISIABLE! Sanzo and Goku, eyes wide, stared at the video of Hakkai wrapping his arms around Gojyo’s neck and talking to him. ‘This video was recorded inside a local colonial house on Locust Street. Stories have told of a ghost from the 1700’s was said to haunt there after a vicious murder. Does this prove that ghosts really do exist and there is life after death? Or is this some strange illusion or phenomenon? More on this story tomorrow at 6-‘ Sanzo had shut off the television and ran to lock the door. He even closed the indoor shutters, blocking off the windows.

“Sanzo, what are you doing?”

“Locking up the house. The fucking media will be all over us tomorrow! We’re really fucked now!”

“It must have been that priest kid! He had the camera! He must have saw them!”

“Go tell Gojyo and Hakkai, I’ll finish blocking everything up.” Goku ran up and burst into Gojyo’s room, turning on the light.

“GOJYO! GOJYO WAKE UP!” Gojyo shot awake right away.

“WHAT THE HELL MONKEY?!” Goku ran to him and jumped on the bed, grabbing his shoulders.

“You wont’ believe this! We just watched the evening news, and you and Hakkai were on it!”

“What?”

“That priest kid filmed you and Hakkai! They showed it on TV! You can even see Hakkai! Sanzo’s blocking up the windows and locking the doors because he says the media will be here tomorrow!”

“SHIT!!” he threw the covers off. “HAKKAI!! HAKKAI GET OUT HERE!” Hakkai came out of the attic door.

/What is it, Gojyo?/

“You’re in trouble!” Hakkai blinked at him.

/What kind of trouble?/

“We were caught on, well, never mind! You don’t understand it! But just know that you’ve been seen, as ghosts really do exist. There will be a news mob here tomorrow!”

/A mob? What are we going to do?/ Hakkai asked worriedly. Gojyo looked at Goku who shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

“Not that kind of mob. The house will surrounded by people trying to capture you and take pictures of you. Whatever you do tomorrow, DON’T come out at ALL!” Sanzo came up the steps and went into Gojyo’s room, passing Hakkai to close the curtains Gojyo had put up.

“We need to hide. We’ll be stuck in here for awhile. I’m not going into work tonight.”

/Sanzo….what is going to happen to me?/ Hakkai asked him since Sanzo seemed to know more. Sanzo took a few minutes to explain to Hakkai about the media and how they worked. He had to be honest with the fact that he could not predict what they would do now that they had a real ghost sighting tape on their hands.

“Sanzo look!” Goku was peeking through the window and saw a television van drive up in front of the house. “News Time 3 is here.” Sanzo pushed Goku away and looked out the window.

“Shit! It’s starting already! The door is locked so they can’t barge in.” The television crew were setting up various pieces of equipment while a newscaster was already standing in front of a camera and speaking. “Hurry! Run downstairs and turn the television on to channel three!” Goku nodded and ran down to do so, with Gojyo following close behind him. Hakkai looked outside at the people and shook his head.

/In my day, news like this was nothing more than children’s stories and folklore. We did not gather outside homes and take those picture things! Does no one in your time have respect for others private lives?/ Sanzo smirked at that.

“Hell no. The more dirt and gossip you can find on someone, the happier the world is.” He closed the curtains. “Whatever you do, don’t show yourself through windows or anything. They’ll be taking pictures of this place left and right trying to catch a frame of you. Don’t go by the windows, not even to peek. If you want to know what’s going on, just watch the TV. But stay away from the windows.”

/Yes, I will do that. I will be with Goku and Gojyo now./ Hakkai flew out of the room and downstairs to where the television sat. Gojyo and Goku were sitting on the couch watching it and Hakkai could see the image of his house behind the man speaking.

‘Old documents have been resurrected from the city’s library, telling of the 200 year old resident who used to or still does, remain in this house’ The man said in humor ‘The house was built in the late 1600’s to the early 1700’s. The ghost is known by the papers as Hakkai, a servant to the time. It was also said, that he fought in the battle of Lexington against the British army. Right where I am standing is where Paul Revere made his famous midnight ride through the streets and towns, shouting the famous words, “The British are coming!”- “ Hakkai scoffed at that.

/ “The British are coming? What a fool. We were still mostly British at the time, and Paul Revere never said those words./ Goku looked back at him

“You know what he said?”

/Well, maybe he did not say the same for every town, but I was woken from my slumber to the sound of “To arms! To arms!” I left with my master that night to fight./

“I think you’re in danger, Hakkai.” Gojyo said and turned around to look at him. “They know an awful lot about you. It’s only a matter of time before the true masses start showing up. We’ll hold them off for as long as we can, but if they get the law and police involved, we’ll have trouble.” Hakkai looked down sadly.

/What will become of me now?/

TBC