Joey and Michael put on dark, hooded robes.
Joey examined himself in a cracked mirror.
"I�m dressed like a grim reaper," he commented wryly.
Michael covered his face with the hood.
"We need be convincing if we wanna look like the demon�s minions."
Joey shivered. "Are you positive the plan will succeed?"
"Don�t think I�m gonna guarantee success. We need faith, luck, and smarts."
Next, Michael instructed Joey on how to walk.
"Limp Joey. Drag your injured leg. When the Master possessed Whispers, he deformed all the villagers."
Considering Joey�s previous accident on the set of "Pop", this wasn�t a difficult task.
Michael drew up his shoulders and hunched his back. "Ready to go?"
"Definitely."
They lifted the metal hatch, exited Michael�s home, crawled through the sewer, and found the ladder leading up to the street.
Michael went first. He climbed the ladder and pushed the sewer lid away.
A flash of lightening lit the dark tunnel.
A couple of raindrops pelted Michael�s hood.
"Hurry. We don�t have a lot of time."
Joey crawled into the street. Michael closed the sewer lid. Thankfully, Juniper Street was deserted.
"Now what?"
"Now we find the forest."
"The forest?"
"I have a tale to tell you."
As the two men slinked along the walls of the buildings, Michael retold the story of Kaden James Bass, leaving Joey stunned.
"You mean this evil spirit has a grudge against Lance?"
"Very much so. What remains of Celtic River is nearby Whispers. Nobody lives there anymore, but when Kaden fled, he fled in a big hurry. Suppose we locate his house. There might be a shred of evidence that can show us how he defeated the Master."
Joey�s heart dropped to his stomach. Lance was in serious danger.
If anything happens to Lance, I�ll never forgive myself.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Justin didn�t believe his eyes. Shock froze his legs.
"What are you doing here?"
Chris stood before him, yet it wasn�t Chris.
Chris�s face was awfully mauled and twisted. His red eyes glowed. Fur covered his body. Justin almost didn�t recognize his best friend.
Chris growled.
Justin shook his head. "No," he whimpered, "No, you can�t be one of those monsters."
Another Lost Soul appeared from behind a second tree.
Justin�s knees buckled. "Oh my gosh."
JC snarled angrily.
Justin screamed as the two creatures lunged towards him, claws aimed for his face.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Joey and Michael ran through the forest. Neither one was aware of the racket they were making.
They were aware of the sudden scream that broke the terrifying silence of night in the woods.
"That sounds like Justin!" Joey shouted.
Michael listened closely.
Justin screamed again.
Michael motioned to the east. "Those screams are coming from the river!"
The two stumbled through the rough landscape of the woods.
Finally exhausted, Michael reached the bridge. Joey soon caught up with him.
"The bridge is gone!"
"What�ll we do now?"
"Keep heading south down the water!"
In the distance, Joey could see three dark figures. One figure was pinned against a tree, struggling fiercely with two large animals.
Just a second. Those weren�t merely large animals. Lost Souls!
"Hurry!" Joey hollered, picking up speed.
Michael beat him to the chase.
He tackled the shorter of the Lost Souls.
Justin curled into a ball by the trunk of the birch. Joey hurled a rock at Justin�s attacker.
An instant blow to the head silenced the monster.
Relieved, Joey helped Justin to his feet. They hugged.
"You�re okay!"
"Gosh, I�m glad you�re alive!"
Michael leaned against the birch, and with the exception of three claw marks on his cheek, was in seemingly good health.
He too had managed to put an end to his Lost Soul�s reign of terror.
Joey gave quick introductions. "Michael, Justin. Justin, Michael."
The 3 men examined the dead bodies. Justin and Joey started crying.
"C-Chris�J-JC-C�"
Michael shushed them.
"Relax folks. These aren�t your best friends."
Justin wiped away his tears. "But-but the resemblance�"
"Is a trick," Michael informed him. "Watch. Watch their mutations. Do they look anything like your missing pals?"
Fur disappeared. Claws and fangs vanished. Eyes dulling.
True, the Lost Souls became nothing more than two strangers.
Joey bit his lip. "What was the trick about?"
"I suppose the Master wanted you to believe he�d converted Chris and JC. If you figured it was too late for your buds, then you would probably steer clear of the mansion atop the beach cliff. As far as we know, they are still human."
"How�d he reshape the Lost Souls� faces?"
"Black magic, naturally. Well let�s get going. We haven�t much time. Celtic River is in the east direction."
Thunder crashed. Lightening zig-zagged the sky while raindrops increased.
Joey, Justin, and Michael trudged to the east, headed for Celtic River.
Millions of questions raced through Justin�s mind.
Why were they going to a ghost town? How was Lance involved? Would they make it in time?
