Free Between the Realms by Elle Casey Page A

demon-Spike.   "I know you are my passage-maker.   I will not harm you."
    "Uhhhh, good.   Thanks, I think," said Tony, walking again.   "So we don't have far to go, but I have to give you guys some advice, or ground rules before we go much farther, okay?"
    "Sure.   Do whatever you can to keep me out of trouble," I said.   "I'll do whatever you say."
    "First, no engaging with any spirits.   Don't talk to them, don't touch them, try not to let them touch you ... and no matter what, don't let them kiss you."
    "Kiss of death," whispered Tim in a spooky voice.
    "Tim says it's the kiss of death.   Is that true?" I asked.   That would be just my luck, to escape the Underworld and run into a kiss that would send me right back.
    "Not exactly, but close enough," said Tony.   "Just keep physical contact with me somewhere, and I'll guide you out."
    I immediately grabbed Tony's hand and felt Tim's weight leave my shoulder as he switched riders.
    "Sorry, Jayne, but I'm not taking any chances."
    "No worries, pixieman.   I'd ride on Tony's shoulder too if I could fit."
    We moved along a passageway I couldn't see.   Cold things brushed by me, each one giving me a new set of goosebumps.   I shrank my body inwardly as much as I could, trying to follow Tony's instructions about not letting the Gray spirits touch me.
    Tony kept moving forward, giving no sign that he was feeling what I was.
    "I cannot imagine why any soul would choose to remain here rather than going on to the other realms," said the Spike who wasn't really Spike.   "Even the Underworld is better than this haunted dimension."
    "I agree," said Tony.   "But each soul or spirit has its reason for being tortured or restless.   I try not to get too involved in what they do here.   I found it has some bad side effects."
    "Like what?" I asked.   "Dead spots?"
    "That and a loss of purpose.   After you spend some time in here you start to forget what you even came for or what was important to you.   A person could get lost in the Gray or turned around in a very bad direction."
    "Sounds like high school to me," I said.
    Tony laughed.   "It wasn't that bad, Jayne, come on."
    "The hell it wasn't.   All those teachers sucking the life out of me, making me forget what was important to me and trying to force their agenda down our throats.   Come on ... the parallels are undeniable."
    "For you, maybe.   It wasn't that way for me."
    "Pfft.   That's because you were going to rule the world someday.   High school was made for kids like you.   I was just trying to have some fun and be myself."
    "And now look what's happened.   You're ruling the world, and I'm the one goofing around in the Gray."
    "Hardly," I said.   "If I were in charge of the world, we'd all be in some serious shit."
    "No, I can't.   That wouldn't be right," said Tim.
    I frowned, trying to figure out where that answer fit into our conversation.   "What did you just say, Tim?"
    "But if she was hurt by it, I'd never forgive myself," he said.
    "Tim, are you talking to me?"   I was so confused.
    "Tim!" said Tony sharply.   "I told you not to engage!"
    I felt up Tony's arm to his shoulder, trying to grab hold of my wayward friend.
    "Okay, if you say so," Tim continued.   "But you know, if she gets mad at me, I'm going to blame you."
    "He's talking to a spirit.   Get him, Jayne!"
    I snatched Tim's little body off Tony's shoulder, knowing it was going to piss him off; but no way was I going to lose my friend in this nasty void.
    "Unhand me, you giant beast!" he screeched.   "You're ruining my hair!"   He sounded more like my roommate already.
    "Be quiet, troublemaker.   You broke the rules.   Now you're going to pay the piper."   I turned my voice towards where I thought Tony was.   "What should I do with him?"
    "Put him somewhere he can't escape from but where he won't be hurt.   We'll be out of here soon."
    With lightning speed I considered all the possible pixie jails at my disposal.   There was