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

Muscle Memory

The realization of their relative safety did seem to ease the tension. Shelby and Bell talked for a bit, catching up, discussing what they did since they had last met. Bell was currently heading across the ocean on her way to London and then to the rest of Europe. Shelby was just puttering around, no plans, which McGregor found out was kinda his thing. McGregor asked questions about places they had been and interrupted their stories more than a few times in order to ask about things they were talking about. They recounted stories about travels including some run-ins with the Slavs and all types of angels. McGregor felt a little ashamed he couldn't contribute more to the conversation, having stayed the whole time in his starter town, another term he learned from his wandering companions. At one point he was raring to talk about a time when he and Mooves-Now-Chuck and him spent the whole day phasing with the same two people - which was quite a funny story, they kept asking why it was so cold, they thought they were going crazy - but shelved the story when Bell recounted her exploits in Los Angeles, which included but was not limited to being on stage with some serious bands, rock climbing, and standing on top of the Wilshire Grand spire. About halfway to the first town, the conversation swung to McGregor. He tried answering questions as best he could but many times he had to revert to saying that he didn't remember or just guessing about things. McGregor could see that Shelby was getting restless and probably meant they were gonna get back to him trying to shallow step again, despite the time passing, he was kind of embarrassed about the boarding debacle and having to be lead onto the bus like a crazy person. Sure enough, a moment or two later, Shelby brought it up.

"You think you're good to try and walk around. I was thinking about heading topside, these people down here are boring." Shelby asked.

"I don't know, I been trying a bit while we waited and I've been doing okay," McGregor answered.

"We were kinda in a hurry back there, so I went with it, but is that what he taught you to do, just focus on a memory?" Bell asked.

"Hey, don't second guess my methods, it's worked for me for a decade now." Shelby jumped in before McGregor could answer.

"I'm just asking?" Bell shrugged.

"Is there other things to do?" McGregor asked genuinely interested.

"Yes, but my way is the best," Shelby answered arrogantly.

"He's right it's the strongest way to shallow step, but it's not easy to maintain the focus, as you know." Bell offered. McGregor nodded, his hopes that the debacle was forgotten dashed.

"You just have to keep at it," Shelby said. "It takes time to keep the memory in your head no matt..."

"How do you do it?" McGregor asked, interrupting Shelby.

"I mean, I do it Shelby's way too but..." Bell started.

"Boom, there it is, I told you, it's the best way!" Shelby boasted, raising his arms in victory.

"BUT..." Bell said loudly."That's because I've had time to get good at it, but that isn't the way I was taught at first." Bell finished, Shelby scrunched his face and shook his head teasingly.

"How were you taught, is it easier?" McGregor asked, hoping it would because Shelby's method was difficult.

"Yeah, it's not as robust but it works pretty well for the basics like walking or sitting," Bell answered.

"Show me that," McGregor demanded.

"There no need to fill his head with the inferior method, he just needs to keep working at my way," Shelby said dismissively.