This was what Theodore and Wilbur didn’t understand. Dash and Slate worked seamlessly. They weren’t like any mediums the ghosts had met before.
Dash shaped their combined energy into the now familiar barn door. Normally, Slate just invited the spirits to step through, but for these crossings, he expected a fight.
The air shimmered, and the door slid open. Light poured from the opening, bright and welcoming. Well, welcoming for most souls.
Theodore’s eyes went wide, and the last of his confidence evaporated. “No. You can’t. We don’t want to go.”
“Be glad the boys are compassionate,” Morten said. “Clifford and I wanted to banish you.”
While Dash held the portal steady, Slate used their combined energy to pull Wilbur toward the opening. The struggle started immediately. Wilbur tried to back away, but Slate held him fast. Theodore proved the extent of his loyalty by trying to flee.
“Theo?” Wilbur stared at his friend with disbelief.
A second later, Theodore jerked to a halt. Slate’s father and Morten locked the taller ghost in a grip so tight he could barely move.
“I told you we were different,” Clifford said.
With Theodore secured, Slate focused his attention on Wilbur. The spirit resisted with the desperate strength of someone who had nothing to lose.
“I won’t go!” Wilbur braced his legs, making it hard to drag him. “Let me go. I’ll do whatever you ask.”
Slate didn’t believe him. Cornered, Wilbur would promise anything to escape with no intention of honoring his word. An icy wave swirled around the room as the two ghosts pulled any energy they could find into their struggle. Slate’s hands shook as he fought to pull the spirit closer.
Thomas stepped forward, hands raised to push Wilbur through.
“Thomas! No!” Dash yelled, and Thomas jumped back as if an electric shock had struck him. “They might drag you through with them.”
This wasn’t working. Their combined power was formidable, but the pace was too slow. Unlike ghosts who didn’t tire, Slate doubted they’d last long enough to get one of them into the portal, much less both. Dash gave Slate as much energy as he could spare and still keep the door stable. His breathing was ragged, and his hand trembled.
Slate readied himself for a renewed effort, but Dash tightened his grip. “If we can’t get him to the portal, let’s take the portal to him.”
The barn door slowly moved forward. Dash’s face tightened with the effort, but he inched the opening closer to the struggling ghost. Slate made sure Wilbur couldn’t flee, but he wasn’t sure bringing the portal closer would force the ghost through.
Light filled the ballroom, illuminating the far corners of the space. In the center of the brightness, male and female figures took shape. Recognition bloomed on Dash’s face, but he didn’t falter. When the portal almost touched Wilbur, the light pushed out to meet the ghost.
A moment later, Wilbur was gone, pulled into the afterlife.
Slate redirected his energy to Theodore, still held rigid by Morten and his father. He continued to struggle, but even he knew it was hopeless.
Now that Slate had help, Dash pulled back some of his energy, and the portal moved smoothly toward Theodore. As the barrier moved closer, his form stretched forward.
“No!” Theodore screamed as light engulfed him.
A second later, he was gone.
The brightness eased, and in the center, now clearly visible, Ezra and Esmerelda smiled into the room. Ezra looked at Dash and nodded. Just once. Esmerelda put her hand to her lips and blew a kiss to Slate.
Before Slate could react, the barn door snapped closed.
Slate’s legs nearly gave out. Dash, breathing hard, sagged against him. The room quickly warmed, and the air felt lighter.
“That was exceptional,” Oliver said. “You rid us of those two despicable spirits, but humanely. I’m proud to be your friend.”
“Me too!” Gary said. “You’re righteous, dudes.”
“Can we agree, no more problems before tomorrow’s party?” Dash asked. “That takes a lot out of me and I want to stay awake and enjoy the celebration.”
Slate smiled and pulled Dash into a hug. They’d just done something unprecedented and his boyfriend was worried about a party. “No promises, but I’ll see what I can do.”
