Chapter 42 - The Hunt is On

The next day she decided she had to go to the Elixir store. She hated going there because she thought they were all suspicious of her.  But for Alex, she must.  She bundled him up and once again off they went. 

There was a new clerk there.  He was quite the charmer and made her feel very comfortable, much more than the previous one that sold her the recipe. In fact there were quite a few people just sort of hanging out in the store. She felt like they were there just to check out her and her strange child. 

She could feel their eyes on her the whole time she was in the store. But the new clerk was very nice and helpful. When she asked him about the Death Fish he didn't freak out or look at her like she had three eyeballs. He simply and calmly told her how to find this “Death Fish”.  It seems everything she needed was in the graveyard. How convenient - and spooky. 

She was so grateful she impulsively gave him a big hug. It was nice to hug someone warm for a change. He didn’t seem to mind but she was quite embarrassed, so she quickly scooped up Alex and turned to leave.

Goodwin Goode

On their way out, a young man - one of the watchers – stopped her before she could get out the door.  He asked her why she wanted the Death Fish because he only knew of one reason one might want that: Ambrosia and ghost resurrection. She was shocked that he knew so much because she hadn't been able to find out anything. When he looked at Alex,she pulled him closer to her. But he just smiled knowingly at her, patted Alex's head and said he understood - not to worry. He introduced himself as Goodwin Goode and handed her a card with his phone number on it.  He told her to call if she had any questions or needed any help, turned and left the store.

Delia’s heart was pounding.  Goodwin was not her type, but she was ‘interested’ in seeing him again if for no other reason than he seemed to realize exactly what Alex was and was okay with it - or at least not put off by his appearance. Well, whatever, she had a lot of work to do.  And most of it would have to be at night, under the cover of darkness and at the town cemetery no less!

Delia wasted no time. That very night she took Alex with her to the graveyard.  The fish she needed could only be caught after midnight – or so the clerk told her - and she was beginning to believe everything she learned from the folks at the Elixir store.







She had to work quickly.  Winter was looming and the ponds would freeze over.  She arrived before midnight so she could find the special seeds for the fruit.  She actually managed to find several of them.  How did Francisco know?

Soon it was midnight and poor Alex was getting tired, but he was growing up fast and would soon be in school so they had to tough it out.   She gave him a bottle to pacify him and began to fish.

Not long after midnight she had sweet success!  She caught the mysterious death fish very quickly. In fact she caught 3 of them. Yes you nasty fish!  You will make my Alex real! 

Alex began to cry and it was time to get home.  It would be daybreak soon and Delia was feeling mighty grungy after a long hard day and she needed to get Alex to bed.  

Pumped up at her success, she picked up Alex and hugged him.  “Yes, Alex, you will soon be real!  So don’t cry anymore little one.  Mommy loves you!” she said.  Then she whispered as if someone was listening and added “And Daddy does too.”  Yes. Francisco loved Alex – it was apparent.  She wondered if Alex would be able to see him anymore once he was no longer a ghost child. Sadly she hoped he wouldn't.  He already had enough to deal with, but not much longer.

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