Page 37 of Brax

“Compassion,” said Nathan, the ghost.

“Oh, Nathan, you startled me.”

“I’m sorry, little one,” he smirked. She nodded at him, taking a seat beneath the gazebo. The rain was still coming down but now just a dull, constant sprinkle. “What did you mean by that? Compassion.”

“You will convince her to allow you to help her by using compassion. I would suspect that she has never had anyone show her compassion in her entire life.”

“That’s probably true,” said Stephanie, nodding at the handsome ghost. “She was lovely when she went to work at the school for Dr. Rubenstein. She had a pretty face, nice figure. She was a brilliant scientist in her own right. How could he have been so cruel and single-minded of his own intentions?”

“Lack of compassion,” said Nathan. “Do you know the story of my grandson? Trak?”

“No. Not really. He’s kind of scary,” she said, staring at him. Nathan chuckled, nodding his head.

“His job was a job that required that he be scary. But he was scary even before then. His mother and my daughter were sick. Here. In the head,” he said, tapping his temple. Stephanie frowned, swallowing hard. “She was beyond cruel. Angry that her husband left her and her brother left as well. She would beat Joseph with wire hangers or anything she could get her hands on. She was an addict, and if she could sell something for her alcohol or drugs, she would.

“When Joseph was old enough, he decided he would join the Army and return for his little sister so that he could take care of her. By the time he returned, it was too late. She’d taken her own life. As it turned out, her mother truly had no limits as to what she would sell for her addiction.”

“Oh, dear heavens,” sniffed Stephanie.

“Yes. The heavens. I prayed to the heavens and to the Creator and anyone who would listen. I prayed that someone could make her mind right, change her, make her good. I pitied her, had empathy for her because I knew she was sick.

“In the end, there was no amount of prayers that would change her. Joseph was – angry. He was angry for a long time. I believe that anger made him good at what he did. But he lost a piece of himself in that anger, and it wasn’t until we found one another, and he discovered that Erin was his uncle’s daughter, that he softened.”

“Softened? I’m not sure anyone could say that he is soft,” said Stephanie.

“No, I suppose not,” smirked Nathan. “But he has. He has learned to show compassion when it’s needed. He has discovered that for some, it’s all they pray for. Including himself. Lauren showed him that. Not pity. Not sorrow. Compassion.”

“And love,” said the baritone voice behind them.

“I knew you were there,” said Nathan, smiling at his grandson.

“You knew because you’re a ghost. And you’re the best hunter on the planet. You taught me everything I know.” He turned to face Stephanie. “I’m sorry if you believe me to be scary. I don’t mean to scare you or anyone here. Ever.”

“I know. I apologize for saying that,” she said, shaking her head.

“No. It was the truth, and you should never be sorry for telling the truth. Grandfather is right. This woman deserves our compassion. I only hope she is in the proper frame of mind to accept it.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Ines was exhausted and in pain. It was too early for the pharmacy to be open, but she needed a refill on her medications. Unable to do anything else, she pulled into a twenty-four-hour clinic, making sure there were no other patients inside.

The moment she walked in, she knew it was a mistake.

“Oh my goodness,” said the receptionist. “Doctor!”

“What in the world are you yelling about?” he said, scowling at her. She pointed to the woman standing in their waiting room, and the doctor looked shocked as well. He swallowed and nodded.

“I just need some pain medication,” she said. “I’m not an addict. You can clearly see why I need it.”

“Yes. Yes, I can see why you would need it,” he whispered. “I can’t help you. I don’t have anything here.”

“Can you give me an injection? Or give me a syringe and a vial of morphine. I can give myself the shots. I do it all the time.”

He stared at her for what seemed like an eternity and then nodded.

“I’ll be right back,” he said quietly.

“Y-you can have a seat,” said the receptionist.

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