Arc II, Chapter 52: The Séance Part Two

Arc II, Chapter 52: The Séance Part Two

Were not here to trap you, Kimberly said. Honest. We know something strange is happening here, and we think that you do too.

Geists face didnt budge.

Strange? he said. This isnt strange. I suspect that things have always been this way. The only people who know for sure are conspirators. Are you with them?" he paused only for a moment. "Dont answer. Dont tell me youre on my side. Ill forego that reassurance if it spares me another round of lies. Do you want to know what is strange about Carousel and my family? Ill never stop telling that story as long as I live. To silence me, they'll have to kill me.

He scratched his forehead, right next to the gash where Lillian Geist had beat his brains in.

Now, get on with your questions. Before you ask, I will not be going with you to the supposed Centennial, he said.

Kimberly took a breath. You think were here to bring you to the Centennial?

He sat down on the broken bed in the room and leaned against the headboard for support. I am not a fool. I read in the paper that the Centennial has returned. I knew it would only be a matter of time before you all tried to pry me down the hill. You are nothing if not predictable.

No, were not Kimberly started to say, but Antoine put his hand on her shoulder.

You said supposed Centennial, Antoine said softly. Is this not the real Centennial?

Jedediah began to laugh heartily.

My father was successful as long as I knew him and for many years before I was born, but I doubt even he could have founded the town before he even knew his letters. They reported it would be the Centennial three years ago, too. I guess they didnt expect me to lock myself in my house the whole week through. Thought they would try that trap again." He let loose another round of laughs. "They could never pull this sort of nonsense when my family was alive. My relatives were a bit slow on the uptake, but even they knew basic math. A Centennial in 1989, and again in 1992. They must think they are hilarious. No, no, they throw their Centennial Celebrations to twist the knife. They know I am their prisoner, and now they flaunt it.

He was aware that the Centennial date was off in some manner. It didnt sound like he knew about the continuity loop, but he did know they had thrown it before. I had the strongest urge to ask who he meant when he said, They, but I didnt want to derail the conversation just yet. I would save that question.

You say your family wasnt aware of the strange nature of Carousel? I asked.

Jedediah thought for a moment.

What they knew and what they chose to believe, I couldnt say. You spend your life having the red carpet rolled out for you; you might be afraid to stray from it, too. Even if the carpet leads somewhere horrifying, you push the thought away. You want to believe that you are just that capable, that well-loved, that beautiful, that lucky. Youll walk the red carpet until it leads you off a cliff. I dont blame them. As much as I tried to convince them that there was something wrong, that we were playthings to some conspiratorial oppressor, to Dyrkon, I never did have proof. We Geists were larger than life but not larger than death.

Jedediah was aware. Lillian was aware that something was wrong, but she coped by going along with it and playing her role as the beauty queen that the town of Carousel had laid out for her. It sounded like Jedediah took a different route.

Lets start from the beginning, Antoine said. Can you tell us about growing up as a Geist?

Jedediah chuckled.

I had an ordinary childhood, he said. I know that is hard to believe, but its true. My family was successful, and no one had breathed a word of any Geist Curse until I was already grown. We summered in the Carousel Hills on Lake Crescent. We took ski trips to Snowblind in the winter. My father worked incessantly, but I thought all fathers did that, so I was content. My mother was my best friend back then. She was quite pleased with that. Carlyle and Steven wanted to grow up so fast, but I agreed to be her little boy. She was the one who taught me to ride my bicycle and how to dress my scraped elbows. My brothers were older than me by a decade. They wanted little to do with me at that age, so I was socialized with the helps children. Nothing untoward happened until until I was twelve.

As he spoke, images appeared on the red wallpaper. Flashbacks. I saw him dressed up all proper, chasing frogs by a pond next to one of the Geist Mansions, though it was too small to be the one that burned down. I saw him watching his brothers talk to girls through an ornate glass window. At the end, I saw him sneaking through a hallway in darkness.

He paused. I wanted him to continue, but before I could ask him to, Kimberly spoke.

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Bartholomew sighed, beaten.

What kind of partner? The partners you have suggested in the past have been

I assure you, Dyrkon said. The man I have in mind is nothing if not a professional. He even cleans up his messes. All he needs is a home in the Carousel Hills and a lot for his hospital to be constructed on.

I assume. I hope my family will be exempt from whatever eccentricities he brings?

Dyrkon laughed. Ill tell you what. I give you my personal guarantee that Dr. Halle will use his skills in support of the health of you and yours.

Dr. Halle Bartholomew said. If he will never touch my kin with murderous intent or effect, then I agree.

Silas and Bartholomew shook hands.

Jedediah had been talking this whole time, but I was devoting all of my attention to the flashback.

Thats when the man appeared. I thought he was an ordinary man. Perhaps he had been hiding in the corner, but I had not yet realized what I had seen.

In the flashback, I saw Dr. Howard Halle step nervously into view from the direction of the fireplace. He observed his surroundings cautiously.

Silas introduced the two men. They shook hands. Bartholomew looked defeated.

Onto another matter, Silas said. You asked about bringing in new citizens. Lets start with these.

He handed Bartholomew a folder like the kind a lawyer might use.

Bartholomew looked at it intensely, leafing through it.

Spouses? he asked. My children are far too young for this. I thank you for your consideration, but this is too much. Thank you.

You asked for abundance for your line. This is what I have provided: perfect additions to the Geist family tree, perfect families to populate Carousel. Its been done. I assure you that these matches are superb. I guarantee that given a free choice, these are the matches your sons would choose for themselves.

Bartholomew read the page aloud. Carlyle Steven Jedediah. Jedediah is too young even to think about girls. Is he supposed to wed this Harriet girl at his age? I really must obje- This really is too much.

You dont object, Silas said, putting his hand on Bartholomews shoulder. I assure you, you do not object. You asked for this. Ive brought it to you. Be grateful, as your sons will be. Besides, look at their families. All competent, industrious lines. Well-bred, as you would say. As good as if you had picked them yourself.

Bartholomew didnt answer for a time, but then he said softly, Thank you.

Young Jedediah had a curious look on his face as if he didnt quite understand what he had just seen.

He scampered back down the hall in the shadows.

My father had just gotten home from a long trip. I thought if I caught him before he went to sleep, Jedediah Geist said, Maybe he would have a treat for me before my brothers showed up to take it. I didnt understand what I had heard. I forgot it. I simply told myself it was all a dream. It had to be. It had to be a dream until I met her: Harriet, the girl of my dreams. Long auburn hair, a smile so beautiful, so discreet, you thought she was sharing it only with you. Harriet, the love of my life. Harriet, the woman they sent just for me.