A Ghost Story

Chapter 18

The next morning, the front lawn and street were lined with news vans and spectators. Reporters were constantly knocking on the door and tapping on the glass of the windows. They had to unplug the phone because of the constant ringing. Various flashes of camera lights were shining through the shutters, the media hoping to catch a glimpse of Hakkai’s ghostly vision in any way possible. The three of them were sitting at the kitchen table, extremely annoyed by all the ruckus. Sanzo was squeezing his coffee mug tighter with each camera flash.

“That does it! I’m going out there!”

“No Sanzo!” Goku grabbed his wrist. “They’ll swarm you!” He pulled his hand away.

“Fuck that! I’ll tell those nosy sons of bitches what they want to hear!” Sanzo stormed out the door and onto the porch, where a million voices were chatting loudly a mile a minute and the flashes grew. Goku looked at Gojyo worriedly who just shrugged his shoulders and sipped his beer.

“I bet Sanzo is on TV right now!” Goku said and ran to the room to turn on the television. Sure enough, Sanzo was standing on the top step, his language constantly being ‘bleeped’ out and well as his finger.

‘There appears to be a disgruntled resident of the house standing on the front step. He is not answering any questions about the ghost at this time-‘ Goku turned away from the television and went back to see Gojyo.

“What do we do when we need to go pick up groceries or the like? We’ll be swarmed out there and I don’t want to accidentally run anyone over!” Gojyo lit up a smoke.

“Goku, don’t worry about it. We have enough food to last us two days. Since Sanzo just told the media to go fuck themselves with their boom mics, we’ll send him as our errand boy. Besides, it’s really only me and Hakkai they’re after.”

“Why you?”

“They said it on the news last night. They’re curious about my ‘relationship’ with Hakkai.” Sanzo came back in and locked the door.

“Damn media, they still can’t take a fucking hint! Goku! Get me a beer!” Goku did so quickly, handing the can to Sanzo as he flopped down on the couch. “Get me the remote.” Goku handed him the remote and sat down next to him on the couch as Sanzo surfed through the channels. He stopped at one particular local station that had the still frame of Hakkai hugging Gojyo.

‘The Devil is taking refuge in that house! A portal opening up the demon world to let in evil spirits to devour the world and cover it in eternal darkness!’ the people listening to the preacher cheered and clapped after each sentence and Sanzo had to change the station.

“Damn bible thumpers, that’s all we need is for them to get all riled up!”

/A demon?/ Hakkai came down the steps after hearing the television /They think I am a demon? It is not my fault I am here./

“Don’t worry about it Hakkai. People are always afraid of things they don’t understand.” Said Sanzo, sipping his beer.

/Maybe I should go on the TV and talk to the people?/ Sanzo glared at him.

“Hell no! That is something you CAN’T do! People are probably already scared knowing that ghosts exist and with you actually talking you’ll send them into a panic. Just stay put.” Hakkai looked at the flashing lights sadly and floated up the steps to head to the attic. Gojyo was going to follow him but Sanzo’s voice stopped him. “Get the phonebook and call one of those mediums. I have enough money from tips last night to pay for it. The sooner we get the medium down here, the better. We have no other options. Get moving.” Gojyo opened his mouth to say something but knew Sanzo was right so against his will, he did as Sanzo told him.


Later that night, as they were all getting ready for bed, Goku peeked through the shutters of his room at the news people camping in the back yard. A few were walking around and one even threw a paper cup on the ground. Goku grumbled about how inconsiderate they were but quickly turned away when the said man looked up at his window. He heard the toilet flush and a moment later Sanzo came in, closing the door behind him.

“They’re still outside, Sanzo.”

“And they will continue to be until they get what they want.” He said angrily and shut off the light in the room. “Now go to bed.” Goku got into his sleeping bag as Sanzo got into his. Goku looked at him for a while until Sanzo felt his gaze on his back. “Now what is its?”

“Mm…nothing.” Sanzo sighed and rolled over to face him.

“It is something. Now what is it? Don’t make me hit you.”

“That’s just it!” he said and sat up “You’ve been nothing but mean to me since we got here! All you do is sit around and drink and go to work!” Sanzo narrowed his eyes at him.

“Can we have this argument tomorrow? I have my so called ‘job’ tomorrow and said job is what will keep food in your stomach and clothes on your back. Instead of complaining, be grateful!”

“I am grateful, Sanzo” he said softly “You took care of me when no one else would…but recently, I’ve been feeling like a nuisance to you. You hardly look at me anymore and you shoo me away as if I was nagging child.”

“That’s because you are. You do nothing but nag me all day and call my name.” Goku felt his cheeks puff out in anger.

“Then let me get a job.” He said slowly, keeping an even tone when he felt his anger start to rise.

“Yeah right. You can’t even read the funny pages in the newspaper for more than three minutes. You can’t handle a job because you’re stupid and you can’t go to school because you’re hyperactive and can’t sit still.” Goku’s face turned red

“You can’t stop me from doing what I want!”

“Yes I can.”

“Fuck you, Sanzo!” he hit him with his pillow before grabbing his sleeping back and stomping out of the room. He went downstairs to the couch and sat on it heavily, unzipping his bag to make it into a large blanket. “Stupid Sanzo…that bastard is just so-“ he growled and wiped his eyes with his sleeve before laying down. He pulled the blanket over his head and turned his face into the couch


The next morning, Sanzo was the last one downstairs for breakfast. Gojyo was already on his third cup of coffee and Goku had just eaten his plate bare. Hakkai was floating behind Gojyo, talking to him softly about the mob outside. Goku was reading the paper intently and did not notice Sanzo come into the kitchen. Sanzo figured Goku was purposefully ignoring him after their little fight last night. He poured himself a cup of coffee and went to the front window, peeking through the blinds. Sure enough, every film crew was there.

“This is perfect!” Goku suddenly said, circling something in the paper with a red pen. Sanzo lifted an eyebrow but said nothing as Goku held up the paper in front of Gojyo and Hakkai. “It won’t be hard at all!”

/Waiter wanted? That is a very demanding job, Goku./ Hakkai pointed out /Unless it has changed?/ Hakkai looked at Gojyo who shook his head.

“But it’s something anybody can do! I don’t need any background experience or recommendations!”

“Go for it, monkey” Gojyo said with a smirk, sipping his coffee. He did not have to look at Sanzo to know the man was probably furious.

“What’s all this about a job?” Sanzo asked firmly, narrowing his eyes at Goku. Goku just looked at him and put his nose up. “Being a waiter is tough work, Goku. You’re on your feet a lot. There is a lot to remember, you have to learn everything on the menu, you have to deal with people who can be real pains in the ass and lousy tips.”

“But it’s a job at least!” Sanzo grabbed the paper and read the ad.

“Goku, this says full time for the evening, and it’s a diner. They’re opened until at least 2:00 am.” He read more “Preferably, they want you to work from 5:00 pm to 2:00 am. That’s just ridiculous, Goku. I’m giving you the pleasure of staying home and playing your video games or chatting on the computer or whatever it is you do!”

“Hey Sanzo, let him do what he wants. If he doesn’t like it, then he’ll quit.”

“Yeah! What Gojyo said!” Goku seconded him and took the paper back. Sanzo ripped the paper right back.

“The days they want fall on days I work at the bar. And we only have one car. Ours is completely useless as you know. We barely got here. And there is no way in all of Hell that you are walking there and back for a stupid little job!”

“Damn it, Sanzo! It’s what I want to do so let me do it!” Goku hollered at him, slamming his fists on the table. Hakkai flew between them, floating inside the center of the table.

/Sanzo, you should let Goku do something on his own. This may be a way for him to start to grow up, like you are always telling him to./ Sanzo said nothing. /I think Goku should do what he wants and Goku,/ He turned to him /I support you in your decision./

“Thanks Hakkai.” He smiled then frowned at Sanzo.

“Need I remind you, Goku, that you have VERY poor taste in job searching? Don’t make me bring you PREVIOUS job before I met you.” Goku’s eyes widened and his face turned beet red in anger. Gojyo’s brows went up in surprised curiosity and he looked at Goku suspiciously.

“Give me the fucking keys!” Goku cursed loudly as he took the paper and stormed to the hallway, picking up the truck keys that lay on the small table.

“Uh Goku? The truck is dead” Gojyo reminded him. Goku growled and threw the keys on the floor.

“Then I’ll walk!”

“Don’t you DARE go out that door, Goku!” Sanzo warned him, but his words fell on deaf ears as Goku quickly slipped through the door, the voices of the news reporters growing louder. Hakkai looked at Gojyo worriedly and then to Sanzo. “Stupid monkey!” Sanzo hissed under his breath and took his coffee upstairs with him and Gojyo flinched at the sound of the door slamming.

“Damn, he’s pissed. Goku’s finally growing balls though, standing up to a guy like him. Now he can stand up to anybody.” Hakkai hugged him from behind.

/Do you have any work to do?/

“Not really, it can wait.” he smirked “Why?” He looked back at him and Hakkai returned the smirk, moving his head down lower to Gojyo’s cheek.

/I think we need to get our minds off everything that is going on. Are you feeling…tired?/ Gojyo grinned.

“I’m always tired!”