Warmth from the October sun strokes the back of my neck as we walk.

Pumpkins, skillfully crafted into ghouls and goblins sit on the porches of the large houses Casey and I pass on the way to Toby's house. 

"What you thinking Casey?" I ask. She stops and points to a puking pumpkin. Orange fleshy vomit flecked with seeds dribbles from its gaping mouth, soiling the white fence on which it sits. "I'm trying to get my head round the fact that all this hokum's actually real." She pauses, then continues, "I feel kinda empowered by it; knowing there's something else, another dimension." 

I don't tell her how burdened I feel by it. Instead, I smile and continue walking.

A white picket fence circles the perfectly manicured lawns of Toby's all American Dream home. Nobody looking at this aspirational house would guess of the ghoulish scenes that took place in its basement; a rabid, ravenous reanimate feeding is the stuff of nightmares, believe me. 

"So, bring it Kirk, tell me how you intend to get into their basement?" asks Casey. I stop abruptly. My breathing heavy, small spasms cause my head to vibrate. Saliva collects at the corners of my mouth and oozes slowly down my chin. Casey looks at me, her expression switching from concern to horror in a blink, "Kirk, what is it? What's happening?"

It's the reaction I want, I can't help but laugh. Casey smacks my shoulder, "Kirk, don't do this to me, I've had enough head fucks already."

I apologise – "I'm pretending to be on the verge of an eating rampage, wanted to test my efforts on you, see if I'm convincing," I explain. 

"Answer my question Kirk?"

"OK – you ring the door bell. When Toby's Dad answers, I'll pretend I need to feed. Tell him My Dad's had an accident and he's told you to take me here for my medication. He'll know what you mean – medication's code for reanimate feed. He's sure to bring me down to the basement.” Casey interrupts, “What if Toby’s Mom answers?”

“She won’t, she’s dead, committed suicide, just like my Mom’s in the process of doing with her drinking,” I say, with a clarity that comes with my soul return. I continue, “If Jess is there, he won't make any effort to conceal her, he thinks I'm still an unthinking reanimate." Casey ponders, "Kirk, that makes no sense; if Jess is there, she'll see you, probably guess your secret – then you're history."

Casey's eyes lock mine, "Kirk – I need you here. I want to preserve you, not put you out. I'm not doing this," she says with firm authority. She attempts to soften her assertion, "Anyway Kirk, it's unlikely Jess is here, it's stupid to create a big scene just on a hunch."

I remove the evidence wedged in my back pocket and hand it to her. She looks at the book and reads the title "Feed – why you giving me this?"

"It's the book Jess was reading."

"How'd you get it?"

"It was in my Dad's back pocket – I took it after I shackled him up in my basement shortly after my third soul return."

Casey's mouth drops open. I smile, because I'm not quite sure what emotion I should display, "Yep Casey, I'm now a flesh-eating fugitive." She shakes her head. I'm happy to see her smile back, "And I guess I'm your vegetarian accomplice."

I talk, drip-feeding the truth of my existence to Casey, "Dad watched all my movements at school. He would’ve seen Jess's insight and interest in re-animates as a threat. My condition's destroying my parents, causing them to behave in ways far removed from how I remember them when I lived. I think Dad's had Jess abducted to stop her from finding me out. If I’m right, I'll convince her I'm mortal. That's the good thing about my soul return, I have the emotional resource to convince – I trusted you with my truth, trust me with this one Casey."

......


I'm struck by how old Toby's Dad looks, much older than mine; not quite an old man, but on the cusp of elderly. 

......

Casey's an incredible performer; he reacts perfectly to her feigned distress, making her feel at home; in fact his pretence is as good as hers. "We won't be too long Casey, wait her and I'll see to Kirk," he says, leading me towards the kitchen and the secretly concealed door that leads downwards. I follow, shaking and salivating accordingly.

It's all so cold and familiar. Toby's Dad talks as he shuffles me slowly towards the shackles, "There's no more unfortunate creature on earth than a reanimate. They cause nothing but pain and suffering." He stops, looks me up and down, his eyes eventually settle on mine, "And none of it's your fault." I see pain in his eyes; I hope he doesn't see a glimmer of life in mine.  "It's best to let our loved one's go when God takes them; let them live on in our hearts. No good comes from dealings with the Devil, I've learned my lesson." He looks past me, "Why am I talking to this thing, it's that poor girl I need to attend too."

Instinctively I look back – and blow my cover.

I read realisation on his face, "You've had third soul return, I need to let The Association know." He makes for the exit – "NO!" I grab his arm. A pained shriek blasts from him, filling the basement as he falls to his knees. He slumps sideways clutching his chest, his face contorts in a gruesome grimace.

Racing down the dark corridor, I wonder if this is the Dark Side at work. Taking the narrow stairs two at a time, I know it is. I push the door, concealed as a shelving unit that leads into the kitchen, "Casey, I need you," I holler.

I register her bewilderment as she sees me lurking behind a kitchen-shelving unit, "Welcome to my world," I say, as I take her hand and lead her down towards the labyrinthine bowels of the basement.

We pick up speed when we hear the animal like screams coming from the basement.

Casey rushes towards him, and drops to her knees. I notice his face turn grayish/blue, the same colour as mine. “He’s having a massive heart attack,” says Casey, while grappling for her phone; she gives up when she see him take his last breathe.

I become acutely aware of the emotional impact witnessing a death can have on a mortal, not to mention the other stuff Casey has had to deal with this morning. I do the human thing ­– hug her. It calms her a little.

......

The environment is all too familiar to me, but the inhumane space spooks Casey. I watch her eyes scan the room. They sweep over the heavy shackles and up towards the wooden butchers block. I notice them widen as they take in the heavy meat cleavers and other brutal apparatus used to slaughter livestock. They continue down towards the drains, which take away the stinking sludge of regurgitated animal innards. They finally come to rest on the plastic industrial curtain in the far corner of the basement.

Casey's eyes meet mine. I know what she's thinking: who or what lies behind it?

I grasp the end of the thick plastic. When Casey nods, I wrench it back. The metal rings scream as they scrape along the metal pole, causing Casey to shudder involuntarily.

Casey gasps – moves closer. Closer still – until her head is almost touching – "Thank God, she's still breathing – she's alive Kirk!"

Jess sleeps soundly on a bed. Casey grasps her shoulders and shakes her gently, "Jess, wake up, wake up." She splutters and murmurs something incomprehensible, but her eyes remain firmly closed in deep, deep sleep.

Casey notes a band-aid on her arm, gently peeling it back she observes the tiniest pinprick, "I think she's been sedated – Kirk we need to go get the Police – now!"

......

The smell of the cadaver torments me with its rotting deliciousness as we make our way back into the living quarters. I’d Love to have a bite, but I think Casey’s dealt with enough today.

The main living area is just like mine: chaotic, dirty, lacking the tidy comfort of a regular family home; it’s like all reanimate homes – a shambles.

I note the look of distaste on Casey’s face as she navigates through the detritus. She suddenly stops, “Kirk, why is there a framed picture of Dale on the wall? There’s a pause, I’m aware of her picking something from a crowded table, “And here’s that freaking brass knuckle, I knew he beat Toby, knew it!”

I ignore her, I’m distracted by what’s arrived outside: an Ambulance.

A male medic opens the door of the vehicle and helps a smiling Toby out.

“Casey – we have a problem. Toby’s home.”