Sunny excused himself from the room to change into more comfortable clothes. Upon his return he donned a white shirt with a black long sleeve underneath. He also changed from his slacks into a cozy pair of black sweatpants. Sunny sighed as he reentered the living room. Stella's sorrow struck a resonating chord in Sunny's heart. She may be immaterial now but her pain was tangible to Sunny.
"I'm sorry Stella," he said softly, trying to wear a warm smile.
Her green curls bounced as she nodded. Sunny's phone chimed and he pulled it out of his pocket to glance at it. His eyes widened at the display on its screen. It was a message, a series of texts in italics. The contact number glitched in and out rotating several characters from all languages. Some of which Sunny recognized a few of the characters from long "lost" languages his line of work used for various purposes.
"It's okay," the text read, "You don't have to feel pity for me."
He took a moment to process what he had just read. Sunny's head jerked up and he pinned Stella with a fierce gaze.
"Is...this you?"
Stella nodded and shrugged playfully. She retreated slightly and faded out a little. Sunny noticed the movement and tried to limit his motion. He didn't want to spook her.
"Pretty interesting, I've never met a phantom who could do that. You spoke just a moment ago though. What changed?"
His phone vibrated in his hands and he quickly used his finger to access the device.
"I don't understand it fully myself. I want to talk with you but words cannot come out of my mouth. This is a first for me too, the texts I mean. It often happens that I can't talk out of my mouth when I'm in this form. It is surprising that you're receiving texts from me...I guess."
"Interesting," Sunny said, glancing up.
He wondered what Locke would say if he knew about this. Apparently, there were things even a Vanguard operative had not yet come across. Things like this phantom who primarily spoke when she was tangible. The feeling of her body crashing into his before their bout with Glenda was fresh. He'd felt the softness of her skin and the scent of her hair when they toppled onto one another. Control yourself Alldust. Sunny pinched himself in an effort to bring his mind level.
But texting? He backed out of his conversation and looked through all his conversation logs. Ugh. Every single message he scrolled passed was from his editor and publisher. Well, there were plenty from his main job.
"No harm done, I find that I'm fast liking this town. Strange as it is turning out to be, it's homey. I do want to clarify Stella. What I feel isn't pity. It's more like…empathy. I mean no one has had the pleasure of icing me but I somehow understand."
Amber eyes stared at him and Sunny couldn't help but return the fiery glare. If anything his encounter with phantoms had taught him, it was that those from beyond the veil were dangerous. Even the most tame of spirits idly wasting away could turn on a dime. But Stella's aura was benign and Sunny could feel a healthy pulse from her gate. Everything he had been instructed fell apart little by little. I…I'm at a loss here. She isn't a run of the mill phantom obviously. There is something more to her. The Magik surrounding her tugged at his gate. I kind of enjoy her presence? Oh man…What is Locke going to make of this mess? Sunny looked at her for a moment longer, and then moved towards the boxes Locke had brought in earlier. He spoke as he rummaged through one of them.
"Oldhaven, huh?" he asked. "I haven't been here for more than four hours and I've exorcized a phantom, plus made a friend?"
He paused for a moment to watch Stella's reaction. She smiled in response to the last part.
"Who knows what the rest of my time here would be like?"
She moved closer to him and her eyes ran over his books, boxes and the bunch of knick knacks that lay on the floor close to the boxes. She stared at him warily and then reached for the box with some of the junk inside. His phone chimed and Sunny picked it up.
"It seemed easy enough for you to do the exorcism. And you used the word phantom. I'm guessing a phantom implies a ghost of some sort, like me and Glenda."
"Correct," Sunny said, running a hand through his hair. "I must unpack now. Do you really not remember how you died?"
"Of course I do."
The new message read and an angry emoji popped up with another ding.
"There are just some things that are blurry in my memory. They may have faded somewhat but I will never forget who it was that killed me."
Sunny felt a spike in Stella's gate and he glanced at her sharply. The pain had returned to her face and Sunny felt a strong urge to speak to her in an attempt to soothe her until the urge lessened. Sunny may not know her story completely but he wasn't such a monster as to feel nothing in the face of her struggle. I'm surprised she's so compliant with my questions. She could just drift off if she really wanted, Sunny thought.
He took his mind away from the amber eyed guest and began to unpack the boxes laying on the floor.
"So, Stella. I guess you make up the entire welcoming party. Good to be here in Oldhaven, thank you for having me."
That elicited a small smile from Stella and she swayed closer to Sunny. Curiosity sparkled in her eyes as she locked onto the things he pulled out of the boxes. He noted that she was closer to him and he acted as though he didn't know. In her current state she seems harmless. If I can avoid angering her, maybe Vanguard can find a way to stave off corruption, he formulated.
"I'm really not sure how long I have been here," said Stella tentatively. "So I don't know if you should refer to me as part of a welcome party."
"Doesn't matter," Sunny stated coolly pulling out a plush unicorn drawing Stella's attention away from him. "You were here before me."
Sunny watched as she cooed and raised a hand towards the unicorn. Her hand phased through the toy and Sunny gasped, "You want it?"
Stella stared at the unicorn and Sunny read the struggle in her face and he smiled to reassure her. His phone chimed a second later and the text he got confirmed his suspicions.
"I…Uhm…Well, yes, I do want it. I can't just take something of yours for free though. Can I?"
"I don't mind at all, here," Sunny said, extending his arm with the unicorn in hand. "All yours. Uh…Well I'll put it over here for when you can touch it again."
Sunny stood up and carefully carried the unicorn over to the back of the couch. He rested it over the middle cushion and it slumped onto its side. He tried a few more times to get it to sit upright before eventually shrugging and returning to his boxes. He's kinda awkward huh? Stella chuckled and thanked him for the gesture.
"So, how does that work? You materializing and being able to talk, I mean."
"Well, I'm able to stay tangible for about thirty minutes. I had tested it out on the man that was here. I suppose it spooked him a bit but I was really worried about him. He said he was leaving this area as soon as he could. Anyways, I can only do it once each day. Funnily enough once the clock strikes 3pm I can do it again."
"Intriguing," Sunny breathed as he read. "Does it have to be all at once? What's so special about that time?"
"No. I've found I can do it whenever throughout the day. I'd rather not discuss that right now."
Sunny's assumption about her time of death had been confirmed. Unwilling to pry he changed the subject.
"Very well," he said. He put his phone aside and stretched his arms above his head. "I might as well tell you about myself as I unpack. Is that okay?"
Stella nodded eagerly and hovered close to Sunny as he pulled out stuff from the boxes.
"Sunny Alldust, but please just call me Sunny. The use of my last name reeks of work." He mentioned his thumb jabbing into his chest. "Pleasure to meet you Stella Brightheart."
Stella inclined her head and Sunny continued,
"Struggling author, proud owner of shady apartments and collector of wondrous objects like that unicorn. Oh, and I work as an esper for The Vanguard too. In fact many would say that is my career."
"Vanguard?"
"Yes, I was getting to that," Sunny said, tossing his fiery red hair out of his eyes. "You see, there are...things like yourself. Phantoms, ghosts, demons and kinshi. They go by many names around the world."
Stella looked genuinely curious and Sunny continued,
"Phantoms are beings who have returned back from the veil, or failed to go past. It is our duty as the Vanguard to maintain the balance, make sure that phantoms return and remain past the Veil. And act as the last line of defense if the veil were to one day fold."
Stella shot him a questioning gaze and Sunny assured her.
"Relax, you're still here, aren't you? You haven't hurt anyone and you show signs…" Sunny stopped and considered his word choice. "You are highly intelligent. The ability to communicate and reason isn't something normally found within phantoms. If anything in my eyes you're just a human in inexplicable circumstances."
I don't think he realizes that isn't a compliment. I kinda like that about him. Stella grinned and leaned back, suspending herself in the air like she was laying down on a couch. Her attention was glued to Sunny as he continued rambling on.
"We are responsible for a lot of improvements in technology. We created the blu ray disc several years before one of our members leaked the tech to giants in the porn industry. From there the blu ray became the norm. Same thing happened with each new advancement in cell phones and vehicle safety. Vanguard may be hyper focused on dealing with the paranormal but that's the companies best kept secret. Everyone knows us by our other name."
What's that?
"Arthur and Merlin Technology. Or AM Tech."
"Holy shit you guys are in everything, like everywhere. I've never had a single issue with any of their products. They were quite pricey though."
Sunny nodded knowingly. He unpacked one box after the other, occasionally pausing to answer a question. A solitary lantern in the room glowed softly, lending a dim light to the interior. The tight space had become smaller now that Sunny had unpacked almost all of his things.
"There are other things that Vanguard are responsible for. The worst of all are the Kinshi. Nasty buggers, hope you never meet one."
His phone dinged and his face grew sour upon reading the text.
"You… Made them?"
"Well, yes and no. A while back before I was even born Vanguard slipped up. Thanks to that mistake it is now possible for phantoms to not only possess an esper, but also use the esper's power as their own."
Sunny sighed and noted that the light in his room had lost its luster. He got up and stretched the kinks from his body.
"I hope I wasn't boring you, Stella."
"Not at all. It is truly interesting this life you lead."
"Oh, it's not as glamorous as I may have made it seem. A lot of vanguard operatives have lost their lives in terrible ways. Not because they weren't good enough at their jobs mind you. It's just the nature of the job. An untimely death is a constant option we try to avoid."
"Option? You seem to be okay with it somehow?"
"Death by someone stronger than you is a choice only allowed if you have tried everything else. Once we have exhausted all options only then are we allowed to rest," Sunny said, a small smile on his lips.
Even in her phantom form, Stella shuddered. The casual note of finality in Sunny's voice made her uncomfortable.
"I think a break would suffice now. I only have a few boxes left to unpack. Do you mind if we take a walk, Stella?"
"At this hour?"
Sunny stood up from the couch and walked to one of the three windows overlooking the apartment complex. The sky was a dark dome spotted with twinkling stars that danced joyfully on the dark canvas. Only overshadowed by a large silver coin that boldly provided brilliant light against the night. Sunny lowered his eyes, noticing on the ground below two mice slamming into each other locked into mortal combat over a moldy piece of bread.
"Of course,+" Sunny said. "What's the worst that could happen?"
They left the apartment a moment after, Sunny leading in front and Stella hovering behind him. The streets of Oldhaven were almost empty at this hour. Whoever was out at this hour was looking to get robbed, or worse. But not everybody was an esper and a Vanguard like Sunny. Sunny was more likely than not exponentially more of a threat than whatever could be roaming the grimey streets of Oldhaven.
His phone chimed at that moment and he glanced down at it. It was Locke.
"I haven't found the fucker yet," Locke texted. Sunny could almost see his mentor's face contorted in frustration. "I'm going to switch gears and try out the portal trap we talked about."
Oh yeah. I did mention setting up surveillance cameras around hunting grounds so Locke could use his portal ability to attack from a safe distance.
Sunny quickly texted back, "Just make sure you get the ones that have night vision and can stream to your phone."
"Obviously kid," Locke responded within seconds.
Another text notification popped up. The contact name shimmered with foreign symbols once more.
"Who's that?" Stella wondered.
"That's my friend, Locke Errandael. He's out on a tough mission right now. I think you saw him earlier. He was the big bulky esper that came to help me move in."
"Yeah I remember he had the dark mohawk and a new shirt. Is he hunting a phantom?"
"No, a Kinshi. How did you know it was new?"
"The nasty ones? Are you worried about him? Call it an occupational talent."
"Nope. If I know of any Vanguard too stubborn to die it has to be him. Well that's a unique talent, maybe I need to bring you clothes shopping," Sunny laughed lightly.
"You speak highly of him." She ignored his quip. "You two must be really close."
"We are," Sunny said and kept silent.
I don't even know where to start unpacking that one. He raised me to be a killer at a young age? He saved my life more times than I can possibly remember? His overall lack of 'give a shit' is going to get us in deep water with The Round Table? Sunny proceeded to list off things in his mind and eventually gave up.
Most of the shops were closed up at this hour and Sunny wasn't surprised. The few that were open had their doors locked shut and sold their goods exclusively through slits on barred windows. Sunny had led them all the way to a strange road on a hill located in the outskirts of Oldhaven. He stopped for a moment then turned back.
"Are you ready to talk about your death, Stella?" Sunny asked softly.
His gate reacted to Stella's as he knew it would, this was clearly a topic she didn't want to talk about. Regardless of how special her case was, the fact remained that he was a Vanguard and she was a phantom. And if he was going to move forward with a new ridiculous plan he needed some information.
***
They were high up on a ledge in one of the hills overlooking Oldhaven. The city spread wide beneath them exposing the multi-layered architecture of the buildings. Brick seemed to be the most common material used and there was a notable gap in the city with no light shining upon its streets. One could imagine that it wasn't the filthy, Magik-infested degenerate city that it was from where they settled.
Sunny sat crossed-legged on the soft grass and Stella hovered back and forth in front of him. There was a cold draft and the wind beat against Sunny's jacket like an irate toddler. He held his phone in his hands, waiting for an influx of Stella's tale while she struggled to put her thoughts together. Sunny wanted to help her, he didn't yet know how but he was certain he would if it came to that.
Stella stopped moving for a moment and settled herself beside Sunny. He could feel the heat of her aura and he wished sorely that he could reach out to her. Then his phone chimed softly a moment later.
"I can't remember much, Sunny," the text read. "All I remember is that I was a victim of the Frankenstein Slasher. I don't know how but he got to me before I was ready."
Sunny stopped reading and looked at Stella. It must be hard to die with unfinished business. Sunny imagined. She was looking out towards the city. The rest of the message came in and Sunny continued reading.
"He's still killing, Sunny. I don't know if there are others. Phantoms out there seeking for their killer like I am. But I need to find him, and stop him."
Sunny lifted his head and thought over the information his new found friend had just shared. It was a burden she had taken upon herself, and it seemed fate had brought them together. The realization crept upon Sunny like a thriving weed. It had become a shared purpose veering his destiny down a path he never considered. Their gates intertwined causing Sunny's heart to hum. They both tried their hardest to avoid sharing a glance but found themselves getting lost in the other's eyes.
Locke is going to kill me. Sunny tried to remain silent but the words swelled up within him and forced their way out.
"I'm going to help you find your killer Stella," Sunny said softly. "I know this might sound corny, but I feel like I have to. I can't explain it but I just have to."
Stella's form shimmered and just for a split second, Sunny felt the embrace of her aura. For a moment no words were needed as their energies whirled and synched. Both of them remained silent long after the moment passed. Sunny cleared his throat and stood up, dusting the bits of grass that clung to his trousers.
"I must head back now. I'm exhausted from the unpacking and I have a feeling tomorrow will be just as hectic. You coming?"
Stella nodded in acquiescence and the two began the long walk back to Sunny's new home. Although Stella was silent beside him a tugging feeling persisted. It was like an invisible tether had latched itself onto him leading back to Stella. It was oddly comforting to him and he thought it best not to question it.
He pulled out his phone and typed up a quick text, sending it promptly. It was almost midnight and the streets had emptied out completely. They reached the apartment a moment later. To Sunny's relief he saw the mover's truck parked in front of the complex once more. The shadow of a hulking form was evident from afar. Sunny knew who it was and began to explain even before he felt Stella's gate fluctuate.
"Relax, it's Locke."
Locke stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut. The wind carried the sound and it was like rumbling thunder. The beast of a man that marched toward them would strike fear in the hearts of many men. Locke Errandael's eyes flitted from his young friend to the phantom hovering just slightly behind him. The fragrance of strawberry-flavored gum reached Sunny's nostrils long before Locke stopped in front of them.
"I see you made it alive," Sunny said cheerily. "I thought this was certainly the day you bite the bullet."
"Heh," Locke scoffed, his gaze entirely centered on the phantom. She was trying to hide from his powerful glare. "It wasn't a piece of cake, that's for damn sure. Portal trap worked on that lil' cunt though. It found me but by then it had been worn down."
He held up his arm and on it was a new scar that was already healing, seemingly small compared to the plethora of healed cuts that decorated the experienced Vanguard's arm.
"Fucker put up a fight but it was over as soon as I pulled out this bad boy." he said, tossing a small solid rectangle up into the air.
It twirled and caught the moon's light, glittering before it fell straight into Locke's massive hands. Stella positioned herself behind Sunny at the sight of the box. The shine it gave off in the dead of night was unnatural.
"I got your text," Locke said gruffly. His gaze left the phantom and centered on Sunny. "This is your new friend?"
"Yes, Locke," Sunny said hesitantly. His voice shook as he addressed Locke. "Can we go in and talk?"
Locke said nothing but followed the pair closely observing their every move. He glanced suspiciously at the tore up hallway but remained silent. They went directly to Sunny's apartment and Locke sank into the sofa after taking a cursory glance around the apartment.
"I see you unboxed already," he said. "Save for a few." Noticing the handful of boxes Sunny left on the floor.
"Yep, figured I would get it done as quickly as I could. It also helped that Stella kept me company. Saved me from dying of boredom."
Stella hovered at the corner of the room. Locke lifted his arm to rest it on the couch, accidentally knocking over the unicorn. Stella moved forward slightly but Locke's gaze froze her in place. He placed his giant mitts on the back of the unicorn lifting it back onto the back of the couch.
"Okay, Sunny. Why don't you introduce us? Let's be honest there must be a good reason why she's still present. You clearly aren't possessed and the Sunny I know would want to get it done with as soon as possible."
"Relax, Locke. Wait till you hear her story."
"Is she going to tell it? I must mention that there's something different about her Sunny. She's not a Kinshi for sure, but..."
"Stella was murdered, Locke. Some time ago. But she remained on this side of the veil to seek out her killer and end his killing spree."
Locke turned to look at the phantom now hovering by the side of the sofa. She kept her eyes on the unicorn almost as though she was afraid to look directly at Locke. He watched as her aura changed as Sunny spoke. Locke had been a Vanguard for years and his instincts were fine tuned to the slightest change in phantom behavior. He took in Stella's form and Sunny noticed the moment his hands left the small glittery rectangle affixed to his belt. Sunny knew it wasn't just an accessory. It was a collapsible staff made of Chromium, a material which was used to exorcize phantoms.
Sunny breathed a little easier after that. He finished explaining the situation and waited while Locke mulled it over.
"Intriguing," Locke said finally.
"I thought so too. And get this, she communicates by text in her phantom form. Do you think there has ever been a phantom like her?"
"I can't say, Sunny. The Vanguard have been around for long, as long as there have been phantoms in existence. But I should probably check the history books."
Stella had come closer when it was evident Locke wasn't going to reach for her with his massive hands. He was looking at her presently and the kindness emanating from his fiery orange eyes threw her off.
"I'm sorry, Stella," he said softly.
She nodded stiffly and his phone chimed. Her gaze shot to Sunny and Sunny smiled. "Told ya," he said.
Locke pulled out this phone and his eyes widened as he read the text.
"It's okay Locke."
"This is...amazing!" Locke said.
"I know," Sunny replied
"How does she do it?"
"She doesn't know herself, but she'd explained to me how she thinks it works."
"Those at the headquarters would go crazy if they knew this," Locke said almost to himself. "That brings up a good point Sunny. We have to take her to the HQ immediately."
Sunny sat up immediately. "Why, Locke? I planned on doing it just not so soon."
"Well, think of it this way. Imagine if one of the Vanguards came across Stella, I'm not certain their first reaction is to listen to her story. She'll get a first class ticket to the other side of the veil faster than she can spell Kinshi."
"Shit, you have a point, Locke."
"Right."
"So, how do we go about it?" Sunny said.
"I'll make some calls, Sunny. But I need to head home now. We can deal with all of…whatever this is tomorrow."
Sunny's phone chimed and he broke off of conversation excitedly to check it.
"Can't he stay here?" Stella questioned.
Sunny smiled and Locke caught on.
"What's going on Sunny? Who's that? Stella?"
"Stella's worried about you. She thinks you should stay here."
"Pfft," Locke scoffed, standing up from the sofa and made for the door. "I'll be fine, Stella."
He turned around just at the door and said, "Take care, I'll be in touch shortly. By the looks of it you'll definitely have your phone handy so don't you even think about ignoring me."
The door closed softly and the both of them were alone once again.
"He seems nice. Are you going to bed, Sunny?"
"It definitely went better than I had expected," Sunny sighed. "No, I don't think so. I think I'm going to write for a bit. Today has been…invigorating."
"Okay, I'll...hang around, I guess."
Sunny nodded and stood up from the sofa.
"If I don't see you, have a good night Stella," He said as he walked slowly to his new bedroom
***
The next morning, Sunny looked at his reflection in the mirror and a pair of sunken eyes glared back at him. He had never been one to get enough sleep, he simply wasn't wired that way. Especially since his job as a Vanguard demanded that he stayed up at odd hours of the night to vanquish demons or exercise a phantom. He lifted a finger to his eyes and ran it over the dark circles that had almost become a permanent feature of his.
He washed his face quickly and made his way to the living room. He could feel that Stella was in the house, even though he couldn't see her. He recalled that he was aware of her while he lay in bed the previous night. It was almost as if she were laying right next to him. A thrill went through him as his thoughts spurred up images in his mind. He shook himself and just in time too. Stella phased into the living room and Sunny's phone chimed immediately.
"Good morning, Sunny."
"'Mornin, Stella," Sunny said, a blush almost the color of his hair rising to his cheeks.
He was about to say something else but his phone rang. He looks so dejected. Stella chuckled lightly. I wonder if that's Locke. Stella floated over to Sunny looking at the contact name as he answered the phone. It is, I wonder what The Vanguard HQ is like. She thought excitedly.
Sunny's breath was short when he picked up the phone,
"Hey Locke."
"Sunny, listen. You need to head over to HQ as soon as you can. The higher-ups want to meet Stella."
"Oh man."
"Calm down kid. Nothing's going to happen to her… probably."
"Uh-huh." Sunny was less than impressed. He chose to remain optimistic regardless. "If you aren't busy will you go to The Fool's Remedy afterwards with us? I haven't been in a little while and we haven't gone anywhere since the fire."
"Alright, son. See you soon. Say hi to Stella for me."
Sunny cut the call and glanced at Stella. Her face was filled with adventurous energy. "Locke says 'Hi' Stella. Ready to visit my workplace?"
Why did I bother asking? Look at that face. Sunny happily took in the sight of Stella binging around the room. It was clear to him she was interested in his work and his HQ. Oh…the realization hit Sunny like a ton of bricks. His face quickly turned grim. She's going to be walking into a lion's den.
***