Page 84 of Hot Ghost Summer

I’ve broken rule three.

I’m in deep, deep shit.

My gaze finds Brigid. The ghost herd has solidified even further, marking several cows out as distinct from the others. Of the fifty or so who surround her, one smaller and slighter heifer has pressed herself right up against Brigid’s flank and the pair seem to be soothing each other.

I need to get them out of here. They’re not safe.

While I’m wondering just how the fuck to go about that, I overhear Mr Stoker through the phone again. Someone needs to turn him off.

“Is this a prank? Russel, it’s incredibly foolish of you to run up against me. I can ruin you—”

The phone shatters instantly when Mr Bowen pulls the trigger for a second time.

Oh.

He stands there a moment, then gives the smallest and tightest nod, as if satisfied with himself. Turning, he looks first down at Henry—who plays dead—then over at his spectral herd. And at Brigid.

My heart rate spikes and my palms grow clammy.

If he killed his own cows, then he could easily take Brigid from me.

She needs to go home. Now.

He takes two clomping steps in her direction, and the ghost cows around her slowly become more transparent.

They’re resetting the cycle. Locking back into their trauma.

Panic clouds my mind.

I promised that if they helped me save Brigid, I’d save them. I have to keep my word. They have to know there’s still good in the world, or they won’t ever move on.

“Mister Bowen?” I blurt, stepping out from behind the digger. “Jim? Jim Bowen?”

He stops in his tracks and looks at me over his shoulder with the missing side of his face. Slowly, awkwardly, he ambles his whole body around to take me in.

“I um…” I lick my bloodied lips and force the words out in my best neutral tone. “I want t’ say thank you.”

Mr Bowen steps closer, and I offer him my hand to shake. “Y-you saved my Brigid’s life, just then.”

He glances between my outstretched hand, my face, and then Brigid. I don’t like his gaze on her.

“So, I um…” I begin, with no idea what to say next. “I work at an animal rescue centre. It’s actually your Old Dairy, I think. It’s about a half hour’s walk that way.”

I point south, and he tracks the motion.

“It’s where Brigid lives.” Slowly, I sidle closer until I can loosen the rope still around her neck.

Immediately, I calm a bit. She’s okay.

“I was wondering if… your herd… these are your cows, right?”

Mr Bowen nods once, definitively.

“I mean, there’s still the paddock out back, and it’d be tight what with the goats, but I wonder if maybe you’d like me t’ take ’em there too? Your herd? Could I take ’em home, Mr Bowen?”

I gesture to Plot 47 with a tilt of my head. “This isn’t exactly suitable for ’em anymore, and I think they’d really like it at the farm. It’s called Bowen’s Farm and Animal Rescue Centre. There’s a little pond for the geese and ducks, but they won’t bother your cows much. It’s just… um. It’s just… it’s been a long time for ’em now, t’ be without a home. And it’s the least I can do, really. You helped me save Brigid, and she means the world t’ me, so if… if you’re okay with my offer, can we?”

I scratch the back of my neck awkwardly. “You can come too, o’ course, if you like? See ’em well and all?”