Zoey looked more confused the more they talked, "What do you mean? Superpowers? Um okay, the last thing I remember I was in the hospital...and then, I think I fell asleep I guess and...and...I don't know...then I was here. What's going on?" She paused for a moment as Jack approached, "Jack, what's happening? Jack? Jack wha-- He can't see me...why can't he see me? What is this? What did you do to me? JACK! JACK?!" Zoey was near screaming for Jack's attention, she started breathing heavily. Her hand grasped her forehead as if trying to shove the thoughts back down. Looking down at the floor she just started shaking her head as her face mixed between pain and confusion.

Jack scrunched his eyes slightly like he was mildly confused.  "Hmm. Unlimited lives?  That is different.  I just thought immortals either aged really slow or repaired injury really fast.  Kinda like Wolverine."  Jack pondered the implications a moment.

"As for meeting your friend, it sounds cool, but I think I have to have 'the sight' to be able to see spirits," Jack said with air quotes. "Either that or be really high on peyote or some other psychogenic substance.  Maybe some other time, Tom." He finished his beer.

"Well, time to go up to my apartment to change. Don't want to be labeled as the uncle that left his kin waiting at the hospital." He smiled at Tom and Krystal.  "I'll be back soon and we can continue our celebration."

Tom projected in a reassuring tone at Zoey: {Calm down girl, your powers take some getting used to, is all. Right now, you are invisible and intangible, which is why Jack and Frank aren't talking to you: they can't see you, they can't hear you, and they can't touch you. Don't worry, we'll have you talking to your friends again in no time, so, please, relax.}

He didn't quite know for a fact that Zoey would be able to manifest so soon after death, but freaking out was not going to help her. In fact, he didn't even know for sure that she was dead-dead: for all he knew, she could be having a near-death experience, or she could have acquired the ability to astral project without knowing it. Unlikely, to be sure, but stranger things had happened. Some of them because of him.

"OK, see you later then." With that, he tipped an imaginary hat at Jack and took another sip from his glass.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:58, Sat 07 June 2014.

Krystal jumped up, "NO! Jack, stop!" Leaning over she touched the tip of her finger to Tom's nose. "Bad kitty." She stopped and pointed to Zoey, "I need you to focus!"

Turning to make sure Jack hadn't left, she grabbed his arm and moved around to stop his path. "You have to remember, Jack. Tom is a cat. He doesn't think like people and so when he's trying to say something it doesn't come out the way a person would say it." She wrapped one hand into both of her's and met his eyes, "You don't need to change, Jack. It doesn't matter what you wear because... you're not going to go see Zoey. She's already here to see you." Krystal blinked back a tear and turned Jack back to Tom. She then pointed at the space next to Tom. "It's okay Zoey. I know Jack can't see you, but it's going to be okay. We're all going to be okay." she looked back at Jack, "She's scared, Jack. She hasn't had time to process this, but then... neither have you. I'm sorry." Goddess help her if she had to say the words. She could only hope one or both of them would figure out first.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Sat 07 June 2014.

Jack looked up at Krystal: "Uh, Krys? You sure you want to do that here? There's a reason I don't transform in full view of everyone..."{...and you know that the first manifestation can be a bit off. Headless ghosts, floating limbs, this one time I even saw a ghost only manifest one side of his body. Wasn't pretty.}
This message was last edited by the player at 12:51, Mon 09 June 2014.

A mix of confusing, concern, and anger flashed behind Jack's eyes as Krystal blocked his way.  "What are you talking about?  Krystal, how much have you been drinking?  You are beginning to scare me a little."  Jack rotated his head as far as it would go in both directions.

"Zoey is NOT here!  I have to pick her up at the hospital soon." Jack said forcefully. "I don't know what kind of twisted game you two are playing. But it is not funny.  Do you supernaturals get off on pranking just humans?  I, I don't have time to meet 'spirit friends'.  Or talk about centuries old ghosts.  Claiming Zoey is here by talking to the empty chair is just ... "

Jack look scared, pulled his hand away and stepped back shaking his head. "No.  NO! Your saying, ... No! It can't be true."  His eyes rimmed red as tears welled up within them.

Zoey stopped all movement for a moment at Krystal's command and she just watched with her eyes reddened by anger and confusion. Finally she shook her head violently, "I don't want superpowers Tom, just make it stop, I don't get it, I don't want this." She stopped herself short as Jack started to get loud. Stepping forward she stood right in front of him and keyed into what he was saying. "Jack...I...I am here, why can't you hear me..." tears welled in his eyes and suddenly tears were streaming down her cheek. Zoey covered her gaping mouth with her hand barely stifling the sounds of her beginning to cry. "Oh god...no...no, no, no, no, no...this can't...I'm not" Zoey buried her face into her arm as she began to sob and gasp for air. She inhaled sharply but couldn't catch her breath, clutching her stomach she tried to breath but all that was coming out was hastened short breathes. As she began to speak again she took sharp breathes between each word, "I am...aren't I...I'm...I'm dead" with those last words finally uttered, Zoey lost all control. She bent over sobbing heavily, barely breathing she lifted her head and looked right into Jack's eyes as he was staring through her, and an instant later she had blinked out of view as if she was never there.

This time Tom widened the range of his telepathic speech: {Alright, guys? Please calm down. For one, we are not sure that Zoey is actually dead, she might just be sleeping for all we know. It's rare, but there are cases where people acquire the ability to astral project after a near-death experience.}

That was technically true... It was also a bit of a white lie, in that while they didn't know for sure, they strongly suspected that Zoey's body was no longer functioning. {Zoey, like it or not, you now have some supernatural powers, and you need to learn to control them. Doing so here could be... Unadvisable. Jack, your niece could really use your help, but only if you can keep your head. Can you do that for her?}

And a beat later: {Or we could do that instead. Jack, Zoey just teleported somewhere else.}
This message was last edited by the player at 12:51, Mon 09 June 2014.

"Tom's right." Krystal said aloud. "Jack, as hard as it is to wrap you head around this, you have to know Zoey is having the same problem. She's scared because she doesn't know why you can't see her just as you're freaking out because you think this is a joke. It's all hitting us just a little too quickly so sit down, have another drink and let's let Tom here sort all this out somehow." She turned and paused at empty air, "Okay. Shes' gone... Oh, let's go! If there's a chance Tom's right she might be back in her body." Krystal knew she had better chances of winning American Idol without ever intending to addition. "I could probably win on the Voice." she said aloud by accident.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:01, Mon 09 June 2014.

"Jack, I know this may look like some kind of twisted joke from the outside, but I promise, it's not. I really, really hope that Zoey is alright, got some great new shiny superpower and will tell you all about it when you go pick her up at the hospital... But realistically, you may want to prepare for some bad news. Just remember, even if she's gone, she's not gone." Though he kept his voice calm, Tom was angry. Chances were, somebody just killed another girl he had tagged as "mine". One he was sure he had saved, no less.

Somebody was in for a universe of pain, as soon as Tom found them.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Mon 09 June 2014.

"Frank. One more, please!" Krystal waved to her glass and forced a smile.



Krystal nodded, listening to Tom and seemed to zone out singing to herself. A nervous habit he'd known her to have since he'd known her. Sometimes she didn't even seem to notice she was doing it.

"No one's ever lost forever
When they die they go away
But they will visit you occasionally
Do not be afraid
No one's ever lost forever
They are caught inside your heart
If you garden them and water them
They make you what you are..."
(source http://youtu.be/ra4zy-IZQHQ?t=2m46s)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:03, Mon 09 June 2014.

Krystal and Tom had been supportive at the bar.  The drink helped, but their combined support could only carry Jack so far.  The possibility that his niece was gone, or not, needed to be resolved.  And a faceless voice over cellular communication was not going to cut it for Jack.  Besides, apparently, he had forgotten to charge the phone.  Inwardly, he hoped and prayed that was the only thing that was dead tonight.

Jack strode through the hospital halls was his head upright, purposefully.  It was how you walked in Chicago, how you crossed the streets, how you didn't attract the attention of random thugs.  If you acted like you have a purpose and a mission, most people dodged around you and left you alone.  It worked for street punks, it worked for cars.  Except cabs.  Everyone gave way to the cabbies.  No one in the hospital questioned his presence as he entered the ICU and went straight to Zoey's room.

The bed was empty.  Jack kind of expected that.  She was to be released soon.  It was possible they had moved her to a regular room once her condition improved.  He turned on his heel and departed the ICU in the same manner he had entered.  He needed information and didn't want to bother the nurses at the ICU desk.  That would open a whole can of worms and would not nearly be as productive.  Jack headed down the flight of stairs and into the main lobby.  The emotions he had forced behind a thin wall were pushing against his resolve.  Jack swallowed hard as he approached the Information Desk.

"Excuse me.  I'm here to see Zoey Granger.  Can you tell me what room she is in.  I am her uncle." Jack swallowed again and blinked his eyes clear.  He held his breath as he waited for the reply.

There were two women at the Information Desk. The younger of the two was obviously a trainee. She was blonde and in her twenties. The older woman had dark hair, with gray highlights. While the trainee was all smiles, the older woman appeared a bit frazzled. She was handing paperwork off to one staff person, while accepting some forms from somebody else, all while talking on the phone. "No sir. I'm sorry, we can't help you. We don't have any control over that."

The younger woman nodded at Jack when he made his query. "Sure." She looked toward her trainer.

The older woman was just hanging up the phone. "Call up her name on the computer, the system will tell you where she currently is." As she went to replace the receiver, she knocked over a cup and spilled coffee all over her skirt. She let out a frustrated sigh. "I'll be right back." She quickly walked to the restroom.

The younger woman tacked on the keyboard. "There she is. It says Zoey Granger is in OR 2. Dr. K. Rowe is performing surgery on her." She pointed toward the elevators. "That's on the 4th floor. The nurse's station there should be able to help you further."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:53, Thu 12 June 2014.

Jack let out his held breath in a rush. "She's in surgery? That's great! Thank you, thank you very much." Jack moved quickly to the elevators and pressed the button. He bounced impatiently for it.  "Poor girl is probably confused as to why I'm so happy that Zoey is in surgery.  Damn, hospital elevators seem so slow."

Jack took a moment to get his bearings on the fourth floor.  His elation of the news in the lobby had converted into concern by the time he reached the surgery nurse's station. What had gone wrong?  She was to be released soon.  He spoke to the person behind the desk.  "Hi. I'm Jack Jennings, Zoey Granger's uncle.  I understand that Zoey is in surgery at this time.  Can you please give me an update?"

The nurse typed on her computer. "She's still in surgery with... Dr. Rowe." She paused for a moment. "You're her uncle? No one has spoken to you?" She didn't really wait for an answer. "Why don't you have a seat over there. I'll have somebody come talk to you shortly."

To Jack, the wait probably felt much longer than it actually was, but finally a woman approached him. She was in her late thirties and dressed in a suit, not hospital scrubs. "My name is  Claire Wilson," she said as she sat down next to Jack. "You said you're miss Granger's uncle? We didn't see any next of kin listed on her records. I'm very sorry. Someone should have spoken to you."

"Your niece experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Her heart was eventually artificially restarted, but I'm afraid the damage was too great. She was declared brain dead a few hours ago."

Jack shook his head no.  He started to stand, but slumped back into the chair.  "But she was to be released today.  I spoke to her.  She was to be released." 

Jack broke down sobbing and repeated that last line, over and over.

"I am very sorry. The doctors did everything they could." Ms. Wilson said softly. "While nothing can truly ease the pain of losing a loved one, perhaps you can take some small comfort in knowing that your niece was an organ donor. Her selfless act will change the lives of three other people. To think of the needs of others in that way, she must have been a very special person. I am sorry for your loss."

Zoey stood in the halls of the hospital, she could see the back of Jack as he left. She stepped forward to go after him but stopped short, "Not like he can see me..." She let out a grunt of frustration and just started walking, aimlessly but quickly. "So it's true, I'm really dea--I can't-- Not yet, I don't know, how did this happen? Alright, alright, I've read about this stuff, it's not so bad, right? Is it? I don't know, now I wish I'd read more. Tom and Krystal know stuff, maybe I can see them again, I don't even know how I got here, how the hell am I supposed to get there...Maybe this is all just one big screwed up dream, well guess what, I'M READY TO WAKE UP NOW!!" Zoey collapsed into a chair. As she clutched her head, tears started slowly running down her cheeks again. "I don't get it..." She looked up to see someone sitting next to her, completely unaware of her presence. Zoey gazed into the woman's eyes and waved her hand in front of her face, "This is insane" she shook her head in disbelief when suddenly she realized another woman was approaching to sit where Zoey was "sitting", she shot up out of the seat quickly and evaded the woman, terrified of what almost happened.

"Good news honey, he's out of surgery, they said he's gonna be okay"

Zoey watched as the two women celebrated and hugged and cried, all Zoey could do was run in the opposite direction. Her whole body was so full of emotions she was practically shaking as she started to wander the halls again.

Zoey walked past another room in the ICU. An elderly man was standing over someone in the bed. He looked up to see Zoey wandering aimlessly in the hallway. After watching her for a moment, he moved to the doorway. "You don't want to stay here, hon."

Zoey wiped a few tears from her face and turned around, she stared for a second trying to confirm if the man was really looking at her. "You can see me? What are you, another cat person or something?"

The man gave her a puzzled look. "No. I preferred dogs, but I don't think that matters. I can see you and you can see me, because we're alike."

Zoey thought for a moment, "We're alike? You mean like?...oh umm so what does this mean? Is this it? This is our whole existence now? I mean really? No pearly gates, or burning fire we just continue to be stuck here unseen?"

"No, this is in-between. Just a stop along the way. Most people move on almost immediately. Some have a reason to linger. For me, that's Annie." He pointed to the elderly woman sleeping in the bed. "I passed on five years ago, but I decided to wait for her. I don't know where we go from here, but we're going to go together." His face was full of adoration as he gazed at the woman.

He returned his attention to Zoey. "Others get stuck. They're confused. Some of them don't even realize they've died. It's sad."

"There's a reason you're still here. If you can figure out what that is, and resolve it, then you can move on. In the meantime, you need to find an anchor. For me it was my wife but, most spirits prefer to anchor themselves to a place. It's easier. Just... don't linger at the hospital too long. You can get stuck here. Hospitals are full of unhappy and addled spirits. It's a miserable existence."

Zoey peered into the room and looked at Annie, she smiled as most of the anger faded away from her face. She just imagined his little love story and for a moment forgot about her predicament. As he continued on she turned back to him, "But I don't know why I'm here, literally I don't even know how I got to the hospital, I was first in a bar talking to my friends and then poof I'm here. You make it sound like these are all choices. I didn't decide to linger, I didn't choose to be in the hospital I can't imagine how I'd 'anchor' myself and I don't have anything to resolve. All of this is just happening to me, I don't seem to have any control over anything" Zoey looked frustrated again the more she thought about it.

"It can be like that sometimes, especially when death comes suddenly." He gave her a sympathetic smile. "You're very young. I'm sure you weren't expecting this. For people our age," he gestured towards himself and his wife. "Not only is death expected and planned for, but it can sometimes be a relief."

"Your spirit is getting pulled to places against your wishes, because you haven't taken control. It's really just a matter of your strength of will. He wrinkled his brow as he paused to think for a moment. "What makes you feel safe or happy? Is it a person, a place, or an object?"

Zoey thought for a moment, "Hmmn I don't know, I mean I don't have a lot of friends or family but I had recently started getting close to my uncle, there's my music and computer work but I don't think that's what you mean." Zoey scrunched her face as she pondered some more, "Yknow what, there is this bar...uh that's not what it sounds like, I DJ there, all my friends and even my uncle frequent there, its always felt homey in a weird way. When I play my music and watch the people go, my mind can just get lost in the crowd, I love it. That's actually where I was before I was suddenly here..."

"A place where everybody knows your name?" He smiled at his little joke, oblivious to the fact that Zoey was probably too young to have seen the television show he was quoting. "You were there before you came here? Is that where you passed on? Many spirits anchor to their place of death. Some by choice, others get stuck. The place of death can create a powerful bond. If you focus on the moment of your passing, you will be drawn to where you died. If you dwell on your death too much, there is a risk of getting caught in a loop where you keep reliving it. I don't recommend that. However, if yours was a happy place for you, that won't happen. I suggest you use it. "

"Close your eyes and concentrate. Remember, it depends on your strength of will. Think of your happy place. Just like in Peter Pan - think of a wonderful thought!" He chuckled to himself.

Zoey smiled and listened closely as the man spoke, she nodded calmly and took a deep breath."If you say so..." she closed her eyes and concentrated. Slowly the man's laughter began to sound distant, when she couldn't hear it anymore she opened her eyes and saw the inside of the Liar's Club.

"Whoa, I can't believe that worked. I shoulda gotten that guy's name..." Frank was the only one inside, his face was full of sadness, as Zoey looked at him her smile faded. "Oh Frank...you were always good to me, I can't believe that that was it, my whole journey...the last time I'll ever play here, the last time I get to snarkily make you listen to pop music." she smirked slightly as she got closer. He was writing on a piece of paper that he then crossed the room to attach to the door. Zoey strained her neck but managed to glimpse the right side, it read "Closed due to a death in the family" Zoey lowered her head and couldn't help but walk away.

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in a river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

If I Die Young ~ The Band Perry

It was a small, intimate funeral. A few casual friends of Zoey's had shown up, along with some of the Liar's Club regulars. Most of the employees from the bar had come. Zoey's last foster family was also there. They sat near the front. Jack's ex-wife, Carly, sat near the back.

The service was kept brief. Jack could not bring himself to speak, so Frank said a few words. It was the first time anyone could recall seeing Frank in a suit. He had his hair neatly pulled back into a ponytail and was wearing dark sunglasses. Frank spoke of Zoey with great affection. After sharing a couple of amusing stories about her, Frank performed a song with his guitar.

"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right,
I hope you had the time of your life."

Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) ~ Green Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjH3Jaohij8

Frank, Jack, and some other guys who worked at the Liar's Club were the pallbearers. Most of the young people left right after the service, so it was an even smaller crowd at the cemetery. When the graveside service was done, Zoey's former foster family politely shook Jack's hand. As they headed to their car, the woman said to her husband. "I wish I could say I was surprised, but I kind of always knew she'd end up this way."

Frank gave Jack a nod as he left. "I'll see you at the bar." Frank had offered to host a gathering at Liar's after the service.

"Thanks Frank. I'll be there in a bit." Jack said as Frank left.  Jack paced back and forth slowly along the length of the grave.  He tried to control his anger.  "...'I knew she would end up this way,'" he mocked the foster female. To label her a foster mother was an insult to mothers everywhere.  "Bitch! You better not show up to the bar for free drinks," he said under his breath.

Jack stopped pacing and knelt down near the grave's temporary marker.  The actual headstone was ordered, but it would be a couple of weeks before it was ready.  He blew out a deep breath to center himself as the gently smoothed the edge of the hole.  Zoey's wood coffin looked nice in it's final placement.  Grave diggers would cover her later today.

"I will get to the bottom of this Zoey.  I will find out what happened to you.  And if there is someone or something responsable, I will get justice for you.  This I vow." Jack said solemnly.

Zoey reflexively stood very quiet during the services and just watched from a safe distance. As people dispersed she approached behind Jack, "Hey...it's okay, yeah they're not great people but I got out of that life and I found you, you've been more family than I'd had in a long time..." Zoey walked up to Jack as he was kneeling down, she reached her hand out in comfort to touch his shoulder before stopping herself just short. She sighed in frustration and backed away from him. "It'll be okay, I'm okay" she said in attempts to give some reassurance but she hesitated for a moment and realized she wasn't reassuring him, with a slightly different tone she spoke to herself now, "I'm okay" but even Zoey didn't know if she believed herself yet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:53, Sat 12 July 2014.

{Yes, dear, it will be okay.} Tom's telepathic voice sounded reassuring in Zoey's mind. {My race has been doing this for millennia, and Krys has helped her share of the... Vitally challenged, I supposed is the PC term.}

He was still in human form, though he expected to be able to revert soon enough. "Jack? I would like to talk you for a moment?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:27, Sun 13 July 2014.

During Frank's song, Krystal couldn't help but quietly sing along. While many were wearing black, she'd actually worn an white summer dress with a silver belt. It was a stark contrast to what she normally wore so anyone who'd seen her more than once would know this was a dramatic change. She didn't have white rimmed sunglasses so those and her hair would have to remain dark.

When the service was over and everyone had finally cleared out, Krystal went through her own small ritual. A few silent prayers later she approached the open space and knelt ignoring any potential grass stains, grabbed a hand full of Earth and scattered it across the coffin's surface. Next one of her rings was removed and added. Finally a small metal flask was pulled from a simple white clutch and a few sprinkles added to complete her own rites.

"There's usually a white candle but I forgot it." she said, as if muttering to herself. "Sorry." Walking up next to Tom, but behind Jack she said, "You were her family, Jack. Her real family." She touched the shoulder Joey had been reaching for, gave him a slight squeeze of reassurance and then slipped away by taking a large step back and folding her hands in reverence.

Krystal finished her ritual and gently squeezed Jack's shoulder.  "Thank you Krystal. That means a lot to me."

Tom pulled his glasses out of his pocket, and handed them to Jack: "First, I would like you to wear these. I am not entirely sure they will work for you, since you are not a mage, but they might. It will make things easier if they do."

Jack accepted the glasses from Tom. They just seemed to be normal glasses to him. "These are those magic, see someone's aura, glasses you used at the club. I expected them to shock me or feel warm to the touch."

He fiddled with the spectacles a bit. "So all I have to do it put them on and I can see your life force. Well, here goes nothing" Jack slipped the glasses on and looked intently at both Tom and Krystal. Jack took his time. He moved his head slowly,  between the both of them pausing to focus on them directly and just at the edge of their bodies. "Wow," he said. Jack looked at his own hands and arms. He looked at the space where no one was standing as well.

"Wow, that confirms it, I believe.  I am 100% normal human." Jack took the glasses off and handed them back to Tom. "I got nothing Tom, but thanks for trying to help. But I appear to not have a single supernatural element in me. That's okay. I don't need to see auras or magical energy. I know it exists and that is enough for me."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:16, Mon 14 July 2014.

Zoey turned back around and wiped a tear from her face as Tom "spoke" to her, she looked slightly surprised. She managed a small smile and nodded. "I forgot for a moment that you guys could still see me..."

She watched Krystal speak the words she had tried to, "Thank you Krys, both of you" she added as she looked at Tom as well. "I don't know what mess I'd be in if I hadn't just met you guys before -- It's easier with you here" She said firmly. She stood there silent for a moment as Tom gave Jack the glasses. She waited as he put them on and for a moment as he looked around she smiled, full of hope, "I'm right here Jack" his eyes met hers for a moment and she just stood there smiling back, she opened her mouth to speak again as he took them off, she looked defeated but she mustered up the strength to remain standing among them with a few deep breaths.