Chapter 8- Someone You Can Push

Chapter 8-Someone you can push

                Shortly after Katia had moved out she had eloped with her high school sweetheart Antony. Antony had never been much around the family as Katia was desperate to keep them away from him. She was sure that no one would approve of one another and thought things were best her own way. Doing research one day, Kellan had seen Antony and decided the time was ripe to get to know his new brother-in-law.

                He had begun the conversation by asking him if Katia had ever leaked any information about Hale that he could use. He knew that there was only the slightest of possibilities that Antony would have anything useable, but he just didn’t know what Katia might have told her husband. One thing led to another and eventually the real reason he was asking for information slipped out.

                Kellan was extremely pleased when Antony seemed more than willing to bring up the topic discreetly to Katia just for Kellan’s use. It couldn’t have worked better for Kellan and he had a new confidante in the bargain.

                A few weeks went by and Antony had finally called Kellan back, wanting to meet at the park to tell him what he knew.

                “You, my fiendish friend, have got to be more careful with your sister,” Antony began. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so upset, and that includes after your mom made a fool of herself at that wedding a few years ago. Do you know that she almost seemed to know what you were up to?”

                Kellan didn’t have to think very hard to know almost to a certainty that Katia could see straight through him. She had always been able to almost figure him out before even he could.

                “What Katia thinks is not my worry right now. I just want to make sure that she doesn’t blab to Hale or Whitley. She really seems to like Whitley,” said Kellan.

                “You almost sound as though my wife and I aren’t in perfect harmony,” said Antony reproachfully. “Katia is not your worry. I’ve been thinking it over. Your main worry is Whitley. She may be clueless, but you are going to have to win her over first if you want to pull anything over on Hale. Hale adores her. If he loses her to you, he might just give it all up.”

                “And that is one thing I’m completely assured of,” Kellan enthused. “Whitley adores me. She totally thinks I’m better than Hale. Worships me even! She’s quite anxious anticipating when I’ll take over. Hale is totally in the dark. He even still thinks she’s over the moon for him!”

                It gave Kellan great pleasure to finally voice those thoughts to someone else. Whitley had been floating in his brain for entirely too long. He needed to tell everyone of his secret love.

                “Right now, though, Whitley is not the focus. She is in my pocket. I need to focus on Hale. But I need to be assured that the rest of town will not think that I’m attempting a family coup. I need something that will make the rest of the town absolutely hate him. Maybe even hate Whitley too. That might crush him even further.” Kellan’s voice had become hard.

                Antony would like to believe that he was in Kellan’s corner, but his doubts about the entire arrangement began to creep up listening to Kellan say that Whitley might even need to be sacrificed for his aims. After all, if Kellan really loved Whitley wouldn’t he want to protect her in the aftermath of the scandal? And if he didn’t, why didn’t he just marry Maksi and have someone just like him beside him at the top of the Blue Empire?

                “Kell, man,” Antony interrupted Kellan in full flow. “I don’t see why you would need to try and crush Whitley if she’s already in your pocket. Why torture her if she’s on your side?”

                “It would crush Hale to see her hurt. Might even make him walk away even faster, he’s such a coward,” Kellan almost spat the words.

                “Whitley deserves so much better than him. I just hope that she doesn’t have to wait too long for me to finish toppling Hale,” Kellan said.

                “So you do have a plan then,” Antony asked. He was hoping this was not just some wild scheme that would drag on for years as Kellan dug fruitlessly against Hale.

                Antony did not realize the nerve he had inadvertently touched upon.

                “Of course I have a plan!” Kellan exploded, causing several pigeons nearby to take flight. “Didn’t I ask you to dig up dirt on by brother by asking Katia? Katia has been much closer to Hale than I have! She might even be in on a few of his secrets! But she suspects me and I had to get you to ask!”

                “No one seems to trust me,” Kellan yelled. “This has got to end so that I can take control of the businesses, and take control of this town!”

                Kellan stood taking deep breaths for a second, pushing his anger down again so others at the park would not hear what the two men were discussing. This could not leak out.

                “I’m always being pushed aside. By everyone, including my own mother,” Kellan was almost pleading with Antony to understand and take his side. “It’s my turn to show them that I’m not someone you can push. I want to show them that I push back, and hard.”

                “I can totally understand, Kell,” Antony said, attempting to smooth his faux pas over. “I just think trying to dig up something on Whitley could possibly backfire, especially if she’s already on your side. Keep her there, focus on Hale.”

                Kellan stood a moment and looked thoughtfully at Antony. He was only trying to help after all, and an outsider’s unbiased opinion might help him keep things simple.

                “So, did Katia give you anything you can tell me?” Kellan was more than willing to move on.

                “Not really. I just asked for family stories. Do you know that your mother tried to set him up with Billie Imaga first? She was going for it, but it was Hale who held back. He’d had a crush on Whitley all while she was dating Oliver. He was just waiting for her.”

                “And did you hear how he blew up the junkyard that time? Sounds like your parents had to pay a hefty fine to smooth it all over. I guess he was quite keen on inventing?” Antony was digging deep trying to remember everything he’d heard from Katia about Hale.

                “I know almost all of that,” Kellan mournfully told Antony. “I remember when he blew up the junkyard. It was an absolutely foolish accident.”

                Kellan felt Antony could have done better. All that was very public information, and information that was worthless to him.

                “Look Antony,” Kellan interrupted. “That’s a great start. Keep trying to get stuff out of her. We’ll need lots to overthrow Hale. Maybe she’ll start pulling out the good stuff soon.”

                Antony pulled himself up to his full height and threw a salute at Kellan.

                “Yes, sir,” Antony barked. He was fully enjoying his role as spy. He’d always wanted to save the world.

 

Chapter 7- An Entirely Different Species

Chapter 7- An Entirely Different Species

                Kellan had moved on from hating his mother. After long hours thinking it over, he’d decided that she was merely deluded in regards to him. Catching Princess alone one day, he decided to outright tell her that he was ready for the reins of the family business, and that he would be better suited than Hale to run things. So, why didn’t she just run on over to the lawyer and sign things over to him?

                Princess blinked, and took a deep breath before beginning.

 

                “It’s a dangerous world. There are people who are monsters out there, honey,” Princess told Kellan. “You have to be on your toes. You have to realize people will manipulate you.”

                “They can sometimes masquerade as politicians, even! And you, my boy, are simply not ready for them!”

                “Why, to them, it’s like you’re from the moon! An entirely different species of being than you are is out there, and they will not understand you. They will try to make you like them!”

                Seeing his alarm and confusion, Princess attempted again to get him to understand her thought process.

 

                “The moon, sweetie. You’re from the moon. You’re just not ready for the big world out there.”

                “Your art is something special. It sets you apart, and makes you a bigger person. A better person than almost everybody else,” Princess continued.

                “I helped create the artist in you, and I simply couldn’t bear to see it crushed by the world as it is. You’re not strong enough to face the mean people and what they would do to you. I can’t let you take over from Hale. Hale is not the artist you are. He’s different. And the businesses we own need his level head. I love you, honey, but I cannot pass the reins from Hale to you.”

                Kellan was not pleased, and slightly confused, with the conversation, and as Princess walked away he considered calling her back and arguing his side again. But he did love his Mother and decided to drop it for now. Besides, there were other ways around Hale than with Princess legally signing it all over. He could get Hale to sign it all over, Whitley included. He needed no more coddling. He would do it on his own.

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                Whitley was still on edge after her encounter with Kellan. So on edge that she had a new morning routine.

                The moment she awoke, she went straight to her dresser.

                And got dressed for the day. A shower could come later, but she only went to bed in her night clothes, nowhere else. Her nerves jangled even as she walked across the floor, but she was determined not to let Kellan see her in such a state ever again. He could be as creepy as he wanted to anyone else in the house but her.

                Whitley was feeling particularly nervous that morning and decided a little music would calm her.

                Allowing the sound to wash over her, Whitley felt some of her anxiety melt away.

                Hale stirred, and began to rise. His eyes would not focus as he groggily grabbed his glasses and shoved them on.

                “Dear?” Hale asked.

                “This is nice and all,” Hale began. “But maybe next time, you could serenade my mom awake instead?”

                Whitley blushed, putting the guitar down. “I kinda forgot you were in here.”

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                Billie Imaga had been Princess’ pick for Esher’s partner in life. She was the daughter of a dear friend, as well as a dear friend herself. Billie was also a lead surgeon at St. James’ hospital in town. Princess had invited her over to tell her all the latest news, as well as hopefully introduce her to Kellan. She might still get Billie as a daughter-in-law if she could get Kellan to interest himself in her.

                Princess had welcomed her guest with a thrilling retelling of their recent burglary attempt. She also knew that Kellan was keen to not tell Hale’s part in the story and so she was attempting to get that out of the way before Kellan showed up. Her plan did not work.

                Kellan kept behind Billie, dead-panning at Princess, who hurriedly tried to wrap her story up. Unfortunately, Kellan noticed exactly what she was doing, and did his best to undo her attempts to smooth things over.

                “His mask was only over his eyes,” Kellan raved. “But I could tell exactly who it was. And I could also tell that he was terrified of me!”

                Billie listened politely, but didn’t even attempt to look interested.

                Instead, she turned away from Kellan with a look of disdain. Princess had turned away too, and so didn’t catch the almost pleading look on Kellan’s face. Kellan had just noticed how lovely her eyes were, and knew he had blown his chance of genuinely impressing this well-thought-of woman.

Chapter 6-No Better impression

Chapter 6- No Better Impression

                Hale had stayed out to make sure the police were able to get a full report from him, as well as arrest their would-be burglar before going inside. Afterwards, Hale and Whitley had been too wound up to go straight to sleep the night before. So they had talked, and decided, that after showing that he could take good care of his family Hale would go and apply for his dream job later today.

                When Whitley got up, she was still thinking that it might make a bigger statement to his mother if they went and got matching tattoos. After all, it is Art isn’t it?

                Kellan was still sulky and pouting the next morning; his anger going so far as to make him refuse to eat in the dining room with Hale. He’d never let his brother best him again… in anything. And he’d never let Hale close enough to see it.

                What he didn’t know was that Hale had plans very far from Kellan’s mind. Cleaning up after breakfast, Hale drove down to the Science Center to apply for a job. Not any job, either. The job he’d long dreamed of: showing the world that ghosts are real.

                The Science Center was more than happy to have him aboard. No one had ever come forward asking to freelance with them in such an endeavor.

                Hale was more than happy just to have a job. He walked out a little straighter, a little taller, and grinning like a goon. Other than marrying Whitley, this was the happiest he had ever been.

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                Whitley had not been truly awake when she had gotten out of bed. She’d thought about tattoos and had gotten side tracked when she’d thought of Art. All she had wanted to do was start a new canvas that she had spent two days prepping and should be ready that morning. As it was so close to their suite, she wandered over to it and started smearing ideas all over it.

                She’d been working when Hale had kissed her neck and whispered that he’d be back soon. It hadn’t stopped her and she was still working when Kellan came over to her. She hadn’t really had much to do with Kellan since moving in, and last night had made no better impression. But she was determined to be civil. They were all family after all.

                The first words out of his mouth were forceful enough to startle her.

                “I hope the judge that gets that asshole throws the book at him and he never gets out! I also hope that the lesson I taught him sticks, good and hard,” Kellan growled.

                Whitley was taken aback by his ferocity, as well as thinking he had done anything that might stick to the stranger. As she saw it, Hale had had to step in after Kellan’s failure to stop him. She went to her old stand-by and smiled and nodded.

                In the awkward silence that followed, Whitley was able to note where Kellan’s eyes kept darting. It was then she remembered what she was wearing. In her rush to get to her canvas she had wandered out of the shower almost exactly as she was. Whitley’s heart started to pound, as she blushed and hoped she could edge away without him noticing.

                He was adamant however and even pressed a little too close.

                “Look, Kellan,” Whitley began. “I love you like a brother, but you need to Back Off. I’m a bit picky about my personal space.”

                Kellan, however, merely smiled a glazed look in his eyes. Whitley wasn’t entirely sure he had even heard her. When she took a step back, he took one forward. It became some weird dance she didn’t want to be a part of.

                Whitley jumped when she heard the front door snap shut.

                “I think Hale is home,” Whitley said to Kellan. Kellan, who didn’t acknowledge what she had said, merely shifted his gaze to the painting she had been working on. “Hale! Is that you?” Whitley called out, feet frozen, heart pounding, wishing, hoping that it was.

                “On my way up, babe,” Hale said.

                Whitley’s feet were still frozen as Hale rounded the corner. His easy smile helped calm her, though her heart still raced.

                “I’ve got some good news,” Hale grinned to Whitley. “I’ll tell you when we’re alone, sweetheart,” he finished in a whisper.

                Kellan was furious. How could she turn from him like that? Hale wasn’t half the man he was. He would get her, and Hale would be gone. Kellan turned his back on the happy couple. Trying to forget that Hale was even alive, he flew to the other easel in the room as he heard the door of Hale and Whitley’s room close behind them.

                Hale glowed his news to Whitley, showing her his Banshee Banisher and used uniform from their labs. She, in turn, told him about Kellan. They agreed that she would go to her parents’ house while he was at work that night to make her more comfortable.

                The uniform was covered in green colored stains, but he didn’t care. It was what he had long wanted. And tonight was his biggest night, the first night on the job.

He got a call almost as soon as he sent Whitley to her folks. He jumped in his car and was on his way.

The moment he saw the spirit still here in limbo his heart leapt. Here it was. Proof. And it had happened so easily! He knew this was the right move, and would never regret it, Hale promised himself.

                The Banshee Banisher was a little more unwieldy than he had expected, but he figured practice makes perfect!

                Hale had successfully found a spirit. He had a job, and a beautiful wife. Life was good.

                Kellan did not agree.