Ten watched as Bellamy came into view. His spirit stood outside his cell. He began to run toward Ten. Toward the light. Toward Magnolia Anne.
“No!” Everly screamed, as Bellamy’s spirit was steps away from the light. “Leave him alone! Let Bellamy go!”
Bellamy was jerked backward, as if someone grabbed him from behind and was dragging him away. “Magnolia Anne!”
Ten couldn’t see who or what was attacking Bellamy, but he could hear a scuffle going on.
“No! Stop!” Everly shouted, running toward Bellamy’s spirit and whatever he was fighting with.
Ronan grabbed Everly, keeping her from running toward danger.
“You do the crime. You do the time, sailor.” Malevolent laughter followed. “Never forget you’re mine. They are all mine!”
Bellamy vanished before Ten’s eyes. Everly broke free from Ronan and ran toward Bellamy’s cell.
“Stop right there, unless you want to join Mr. Blackwell in hell.”
Everly stopped running. Her hands fisted on her lips, like Ten had seen Ronan do a million times since they’d met. “You can’t do this. I won’t let you.”
“You’re gonna stop me?” A shadow shimmered in front of Everly.
Ten caught a glimpse of a blue jacket with ribbons and medals. “Lay one hand on my daughter, Benedict and you’ll be sorry you were ever born.”
More laughter sounded. “You? You pathetic little man. You’re going to stop me? You’re not fit to shine my shoes.”
“Release Bellamy now!” Ten commanded.
“Mr. Blackwell hasn’t finished serving his sentence! If you know what’s good for you, leave now. Never return.” With those words, the shadow vanished, as did the white light.
“Okay, everyone out.” Fitz grabbed Aurora, while Ronan scooped up Ezra. He reached for Everly with his other hand.
“Daddy, we can’t leave. I have to help Bellamy and the others.”
“Let’s talk about this outside, okay?” Ronan moved toward the cellblock door.
Everly looked as if she were going to argue again, but stayed silent and let Ronan lead her outside.
When Tennyson stepped out into the sunshine, he took a deep breath.
“I saw that,” Tin Cup said, his voice full of awe. “I saw a ghost. The ghost of Bellamy Blackwell. How come I could see him this time, when before all I caught were glimpses?”
“I’m not absolutely sure, but I’m guessing he used mine and Everly’s energy to make himself visible and to attempt to escape from whoever his holding his spirit against his will.
“It’s the warden. Gotta be. Who else would want to keep Bellamy Blackwell prisoner?” Tin Cup asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“Is there anything you and Everly can do to help him?”
“I’m not sure about that either.” Ten shook his head. To be honest, he wasn’t sure of very much at the moment. “Let me do some research on this and I’ll be back in touch. Ronan’s got your phone number.”
Tin Cup nodded. “Damndest thing I ever saw,” he muttered, walking back toward the boat.
“I’ve had about all the fun I can handle for one day,” Cope said, with Lizzie in his arms. “Let’s get the hell off this rock.”
“I’m right behind you.” Ten followed Cope and boarded the boat. As it pulled away from the prison, Ten took one last look. The waving hands he’d seen earlier were gone, in their place, maniacal laughter.
The last thing Ten wanted was for Bellamy and the others to remain prisoners for all eternity, but he wasn’t quite sure how to set them free. If Tin Cup was right and the malevolent force holding Bellamy was the warden, that meant Bellamy had been a prisoner for the last eighty-three years. It wasn’t going to be easy to break that kind of hold.
