The In-Between and After: A Ghost's Story

The First Steps

It's a strange feeling, leaving the place you called home, not knowing if you will ever return. McGregor was almost positive that he must have felt it at least once before in his old life, but now it was like feeling it for the first time again. Into the unknown. He was nervous about leaving. but at least he had someone knowledgeable around to answer any questions. Though the fear of wandering pale in comparison to the fear that he felt knowing that somewhere Bigz and possible an entire gang of spiragy stealing ghosts were after them. He was glad that Rocket and Chuck were gonna be out of the picture when they pass over and he wouldn't have to worry about them. He was looking forward to seeing what it was like on the outside, he had heard stories about wandering from the ghosts that were passing through the town. Some told him that if he ever gets up to such-and-such he simply has to check such-and-such, they tell him that it was a great time. Or they say avoid this place it sucks. All of them seemed happy, I guess a byproduct of living a carefree life, free from the burden of your purpose. As they walked through the town, away from the vortex, McGregor felt the Vortex's pull fading as well as it's warmth.

"Is it gonna be like this the whole time?" McGregor asked as he rubbed his arms for warmth. Shelby looked back and smirked.

"Afraid so, you're gonna have to get used to the cold. You're gonna have to get used to a bunch of things." He shook his head and laughed. I've never traveled with a newbie before."

"I've never traveled before." McGregor added.

"Well okay... Wandering 101. Let's see. The cold, yeah, You better get used to it because that's not gonna go away. I look at it this way though, it sucks but it'll make you appreciate the warmth when you get it."

"What about the pipelines?" McGregor asked, having talked to wanderers who say that it's the best way to stay warm.

"The pipelines are good and all, but if the Slavs are looking for us that's where they'll be looking, we have to avoid them if we can. The Pipelines are like ghost highways, we are more back road travelers."

"But nevermind that, there are other ways to fend off the cold when you aren't near any vortexes or leaks."

"How?"

"Memories," Shelby answered curtly.

"What do you mean?"

"Memories are very important to wanderers. They help in all types of situations."

"Like what?"

"Well okay, you know how you shallow step?

"Shallow step?"

"Yeah, when you walk up stairs and not phase through. It's li..."

"Wait, you can walk up stairs?" McGregor asked. Shelby stopped in his track.

"Don't tell me you don't know how to walk up stairs." Shelby looked at McGregor like he was an idiot.

"Well, yeah, you just phase through. I've heard ghosts who still remember their purpose can but I told you I don't remember mine."

"Wow... So you've been a ghost this whole time and you've never walked up stairs?" Shelby said with a big smug smile on his face.

"Hey, don't talk to me like I'm a child," McGregor exclaimed. The smile disappeared from Shelby's face. "It's not like there is an instruction manual for this crap. Explain it."

"You're right, you're right, sorry. Okay." Shelby clapped his hands and looked around. "Let's find something, it's not that hard at all." Shelby walked around searching for something. McGregor just followed behind him.