Chapter 10

                Kane woke to the sound of his phone ringing, “Kane Dr. Stall as arrived what time should I tell him to expect you?” Jasper asked on the other line.  “I will get there as soon as I’m ready say forty five minutes” Kane told him and hung up the phone.  Thirty minutes later he was departing the training and heading into the shop.  “Kane should I inform the doctor you have arrive? He is impatiently waiting and if I may say seems a little tense” Jasper told him.  “How to you mean tense Jasper?” Kane asked.  “Well he was not the nicest gentleman yesterday to be fair but he was calm as a monk, today he seems a little uneasy of course that may be because he is risking his soul just so he can have the chance to have a female soul mate the unappreciative prick” Jasper said.  Kane could tell Jasper really didn’t like the doctor and it was obvious why.  “Well I will go speak to Charlie and see what he thinks but thanks for the heads up Jasper” Kane said walking away while Jasper began talking to Bella. 

                Kane knocked on Charlie’s door and entered almost simultaneously.  “Well just let yourself in” Charlie said sarcastically.  “Charlie I was curious what you thought of Dr. Stall today, Jasper said he seemed a little uneasy” Kane asked.  “He was pinched for sure, looks like the church tried to use him to find us again.  Good thing we still have this entire district scrambled so all they will see on the locator we found on him is a smiley face filling the whole country.  Still they will likely also attempt to stop you so expect hunters” Charlie said concerned.  Kane had thought as much “well it won’t be the first time I’ve had to deal with them.”  Charlie nodded “well good luck anyway.”  Kane left the office with a wave and went to meet doctor stall in the holding area. 

“Good morning doctor, my name is Kane I am the splitter assigned to your case.  I trust these restraints are comfortable” Kane said.  “I still don’t understand why I must be locked up in this cell like room and strapped to a chair” Dr. Stall said.  “Doctor your soul is very near the tearing point, and while your younger soul I will be splitting likely only has one or two splits so I have little to worry about those here will have to deal with you if you suddenly lose it” Kane told him.  “That and since we found a church locator on you we don’t quite know how much we can trust that you aren’t a spy from the church to begin with” he finished sternly.  To this the doctor got concerned “I swear I am not and I didn’t tell them anything.  Not that I have anything to say since you bring me hear after knocking me out with a sedative” Kane could tell he was being honest still he enjoyed watching the doctor sweat; he didn’t care for this man either.  Most people who have too much always seek more and don’t care who it hurts to get it.  Kane also knew that the doctor may be putting him in a situation where he saves a life only to have another taken.  “Don’t worry doctor we will still do the job for you I just need your thumbprint on this scanner so we can wire the money now rather than after the job is completed.  Just in case you go mad” Kane told him while bringing the tablet with the contract over to the doctor so he could use his fingerprint to transfer his money.  “Thank you doctor please let any of our staff know if you need something for the next fifteen minutes I will be back before you know it” Kane said and left the room.

In the armory Kane grabbed himself a Webley MK IV checking it to make sure it was clean and functional.  Loading it and grabbing enough ammo for a second reload in the event he should need it he grabbed the other gear he would need and headed to get changed.  For this job he decided to bring a policeman’s uniform and a more urban outfit that was appropriate for France in the early twentieth century.  Putting the brown suit and fedora on he made his way to the time wrapping area.  From there he reached to his time device on his wrist set the time and activated it.  He watched as from the center of his view folding outwardly in both directions 1912 began to appear.  After only a few moments he was completely in the past.

Chapter 11

                “Helen get back over here and stop staring at that farmer’s daughter” Phil ordered sternly.  Troy immediately turned and joined the other members of his unit.  “Sorry boss just admiring the scenery” Troy said.  The four had been in France for a little under a week now and had located the target soul that was set to be split.  They were staying in a small lodge just outside of town and used the tavern there as a means of getting to know the land via the locals.  “Now according to the trader the main road is the quickest way into this town however my guess is the guild found the locator they placed on the good doctor.  This means our splitter likely will know we are coming and won’t use such open means.  More over I’m willing to bet he will not even arrive at the target location until the night the split is set to occur” Phil told his squad.  “What makes you so sure?” Franco asked.  “From the Intel we have it is either a suicide or a domestic dispute that is set to kill his target.  In either case showing up as a sort of savior sent by god is the easiest way to gain the targets trust.  Also in the event it is a domestic dispute the weapon may be turned on the man’s wife and used against her.  Our man likely won’t want to get to emotionally involved if he is going to be the possible cause of someone else’s murder” Phil explained.  They were in a small wooded area just outside the target’s pasture.  The farm was only four acres including the house which was a single floor and maybe 1000 square feet.  From their position they could see the target milking one of his cattle.  His wife had left for the market an hour ago and they had seen no signs of dispute from either of them yet.  Franco looked into the house and saw the targets child playing with a small wooden toy.  “Boss what happens if the child gets involved in what goes down?” he asked.  “We involve ourselves only with the splitter anything that occurs in the house or around it at the time of the split is something we don’t interfere in” Phil told him.  “Seth I want you around the back of the house just in case the splitter decides to leave through there.  Helen, you and I will approach the splitter if he uses the front door we keep him busy while Franco sneaks to his flank for an easy shot.  Understood?” they all nodded to Phil’s plan.  “What’s the plan should something go wrong?” Seth asked.  “The splitter will likely be expecting an attack during or before his split so I don’t think he will be too alert after the fact.  In the off chance he does get a jump on us you will have to move fast from the back of the house as Franco will be too far away to make a move” Phil replied. 

Done with the briefing the squad made their way back to the tavern.  “So now that we are here and ready what do we do for the next week boss?” Troy asked.  “We can take some rest for the next couple days I suspect but I don’t want to see you near that farmer’s daughter.  Go to the brothel nearby if you need to loosen up that way just remember to take your pill so you don’t get anyone pregnant” Phil told him.  With vaccines for most of the STDs of the time administered to all hunters catching disease wasn’t an issue but the birth of a child from two people originating from two different timelines creates an empty soul.  The child lives and functions like any healthy human but has no emotion.  As a result this type of reproduction, termed past birth, was outlawed by the church.

Chapter 12

                Kane took a step off the platform and headed for the door.  This particular safe house being the one connected with the guild’s HQ was quite spacious with its own armory as well as a history archive.  After leaving the platform a young man approached him and handed him a tablet with information regarding his target.  “Good morning sir, my name is Dwayne I will assist you here as best I can” Dwayne said very neutrally.  “Thanks Dwayne anything new discovered since my briefing in the present?” Kane asked.  “Yes sir it seems that your targets wife is responsible for the murder and that she was brought by a family member to a police station shortly afterwards.  No information was given as to why she killed her husband unfortunately” Dwayne replied again very neutral.  “Forgive me for asking Dwayne but are you an empty soul?” Kane hesitantly asked.  Kane was always uneasy around those without a personality.  “Yes sir I was born from one of your operatives twenty-four years ago while he was on assignment, Fred is my father’s name” Dwayne told him.  Kane unease grew more as he knew no one had told this young man about his father’s death.  “I’m sorry to tell you this Dwayne but your father was killed on assignment a week ago” Kane told him deciding it best to just get the news out quickly.  “I see well that is a shame for him he was a good man and saw to it that I obtained this position” Dwayne replied without even a twitch.  This disturbed Kane even further and felt he should begin reading the information on his tablet.  Having someone obtain data in the past was a more efficient way for the guild to prepare briefings without taking up time in the present.  A job would come up someone would wrap back to inform the liaison of that time period and they would do all the research weeks before the splitter arrived.  “We have arranged for you to take a ferry across the English Channel after that we have hidden a Mercedes 28/50 PS town car at the site located on your tablets map.  This should provide you with a comfortable ride to your target location.  Should you have any issues the safe house near that area has also been noted” Dwayne told him.  Kane knew the drill at this point and already began printing out the map.  “Thank you Dwayne I really appreciate you getting all of this work done especially arranging for transport that is a huge help” Kane told him.  “You are welcome sir and again I am sorry about the loss of your friend.  My father always spoke highly of you when he came to visit me” Dwayne said.  Giving the tablet back to Dwayne Kane left the safe house and waved for a taxi so he could get to the train station quickly.  It wasn’t long and he had boarded the train heading for the docks the trip would take several hours so decided to get some rest.

                Suddenly from behind him a ghost appeared and startled the young man.  He fell to his back and cowered.  After some time he opened his eyes and saw the ghost staring at him it gestured for him to followed and floated down a hall in the tomb.  The Egyptian got to his feet and moved to start leaving but curiosity compelled him to turn and follow the ghost.  As he reached the end of the hall he turned and saw the sarcophagus of the tomb.  The writing around the coffin illustrated that this was the tomb of the strange man that taught his ancestors about the soul.  As he got closer to it the ghost rose from it and dashed towards him.

                Startled awake Kane got to his feet and went to ask how long till they reached the docks.  He got his answer when the train came to a halt and he looked outside to see the water.  This was the first time he had one of those dreams while in the past he was irritated and hoped that the next several days didn’t consist of being woken like that. 

                Departing the train he headed for the ferry and boarded it.  He had work to do now since he didn’t yet know the route he would take to get to his destination.  As the ferry departed he got to work with examining the map and figuring out the best way there.  The ferry ride was uneventful and before long Kane was getting off in France.  Parked where the map said it would be with the key hidden under the tire was his car.  The trip he had plotted out would take him the rest of the day.

                Once he arrived at the small town Kane found the local lodge and rented a room for a week.  Bringing in his gear he unpacked and went to bed till the morning.  At dawn he decided to scout out his target.  The farm was only a few minutes walking distance from the lodge.  This explains why the family that was there managed to bring the wife to the police with little trouble.  At the moment all Kane saw was his target, the target’s wife and what he assumed was their son.  The couple seemed perfectly happy while the child, maybe 6 or 7 Kane thought, was playing near a hay stack.  Kane wondered what could cause this man’s wife to murder him in only 6 days.  Likely he thought the man was sleeping with another woman and she catches him in the act.  Kane decided to move around the farm when he looked down and saw four sets of prints in the ground.  From what he could tell four men were huddled in this general area with one of them moving towards the group from the direction of other farm nearby.  Kane knew this had to be a unit of hunters no doubt scouting the target location themselves.  Kane looked around to make sure none were still in the area however the tracks looked at least a day or so old.  He now went to the task of trying to figure out their plan of attack.  Depending on the weapons they brought one could be in the trees ready to kill him as he exited however he decided this was unlikely.  Someone bringing in that kind of rifle would raise suspicion and most often hunters prefer to keep a low profile to try and get the jump on their targets.  All were probably armed with a pistol of some kind likely the Lebel model used by the French of this time.  What concerned him now was whether they would try to strike at him before or after the split.  If they follow the usual MO they will be attempting to identify him and will kill him before the split.  He hoped this would be the case because those hunters are easier to recognize.  They tend to ask a lot of questions to the locals and weed out who is new to town and who isn’t.  He hadn’t been in town long enough to learn if this was the case. 

In his thinking he hadn’t noticed that the wife had begun to leave likely for town.  Kane figured he would stay and watch to see if the husband had a lover arrive.  From what he could tell he simply got to work with his cattle.  Just as he decided to go back to the lodge to record his finding and plan his next move he saw the child still playing in the hay.  From his new position he saw a pitchfork stuck into the hay stack.  He watched in horror as the child jumped off a tree stump directly into tool.  With a scream from the child his father ran to the hay stack and moved all the hay out of the way.  The pitchfork had penetrated the young boy’s abdomen and was sticking out the other end.  Immediately he pulled it out and ran with the boy towards town.  Kane knew he would be heading to the town doctor but also knew that the boy was likely doomed.  Without penicillin or a tetanus antitoxin if the injury doesn’t kill him infection would.  Infection seemed likely since that would put the boy’s death around the same time as his father’s murder who the wife would no doubt blame.  Kane thought for a moment that saving the boy’s life could also save his target’s as well.  Unfortunately, it is against guild rules to interfere in history save for your target’s and he didn’t bring the necessary equipment anyway. 

                Back at the lodge Kane decided to go to the local tavern to see what information he could drum up.  The room was abuzz with news of the boy’s accident.  It seems the man made it to the doctor and while the wound was bandaged the doctor didn’t give a good prognosis.  This wasn’t news to Kane what he needed here was information about the hunters.  “I will take a beer please” Kane asked the bartender.  “It’s horrible what happened to that man’s boy” the bartender told him.  Kane nodded in agreement.  “Was the family close with this village?” Kane asked.  “Yeah Eugene and Clara have been here for the past ten years, had Christopher not seven years ago” the bartender told him.  “I sure hope that boy pulls through” he finished.  “I was curious have there been any other new men passing through like me.  Probably been here may a week or so?” Kane asked.  “As a matter of fact yes, they kept to themselves mostly except for a few conversations with traders and others who don’t frequent this area often.  Friends of yours?” the bartender asked.  “Not exactly opposing tradesmen let’s say” Kane replied.  Kane finished his beer and went back to his room.  The next week would be slow going now as he waited for the boy to die and the wife to lose it.

                Not much happened until the fifth day when the boy finally died from an infection of tetanus as well as likely other bacteria.  Kane was glad he didn’t have to see the boy’s final days.  Knowing he would need to somewhat get to know the parents so he could get close the next day Kane set out to meet with them.  Reaching the farm he knocked on the door to the house.  Clara answered the door “Yes can I help you?” she asked.  “Forgive me ma’am but I have been staying at the lodge the past few days and I had heard about the loss of your son.  I’ve simply come to give my sympathies to you and your husband” Kane told her.  “I appreciate that sir.  My husband is with him in his room currently” she replied.  “May I speak with him as well, I don’t mean to seem intrusive I realize I’m a stranger to you but the loss of a child hits home with me and I know how helpful a friendly voice of empathy can be” Kane told her not lying.  Tears starting to form in her eyes she gestured for Kane to come in and have a seat in their foyer.  “My name is Kane by the way ma’am” he said.  “Clara” she said while walking towards what Kane assumed was the child’s room.  Not a few moments later she returned with her husband who shook Kane’s hand “My wife told me why you are here.  My name is Eugene, I appreciate your sympathies sir” he said to Kane.  “Is there anything you two could use I’m a simple trader but I have some provisions and supplies that may make this time easier for you” Kane told them.  “Thank you sir but no we have all that we should need to get through this.  We are simply waiting for what few members of our family will make it tomorrow for the funeral” Eugene told Kane.  Clara was now breaking down completely, when Eugene attempted to comfort her she jerked away from him.  Afterwards getting up and walking into another room.  “Forgive my wife sir she is having a great deal of trouble dealing with this” Eugene told Kane.  “I understand this is something no one should have to deal with in their life” Kane said empathetically.  “I don’t mean to be rude, we really appreciate the sentiment, however for the moment we would like to spend what time we have left alone with our son before the family arrives.  Please if it isn’t much trouble come to the funeral tomorrow most of the town will be here and we welcome any wishing to honor our son’s life, even if they never knew him” he told Kane.  “Of course sir I understand and will try my best to make it here tomorrow, when does the service begin?” Kane asked.  “We will be starting at nine in the morning at the church with the wake starting here at the house at eleven” Eugene said himself becoming more upset.  With that Kane got up shook Eugene’s hand and left the house.  Unsure why he suddenly felt a great deal of emotional pain he went back to his room at the lodge.

                Kane always felt this way whenever around the death of a child as if he had himself lost one before.  He never understood why since he never had any children.  Back at his room Kane broke down crying at the foot of his bed feeling heartache which he had no explanation for.  Images flashed through his head of people he did not recognize causing the emotions to increase.  This wasn’t the first time this had happened of course and Kane was accustomed to this routine during events such as these.  Much like his dreams the guild psychiatrist related it to a past life bleeding into his current psyche.  Unfortunately an explanation didn’t take the pain away.  All it did was tell him his soul had suffered a great deal in the past and he could still feel the remnants of those lost memories.  After several minutes he gathered himself and headed to the tavern for a few drinks. 

                Kane took a seat at the bar away from other people and ordered himself a drink.  A younger man he didn’t recognize approached him and sat near him clearly a bit inebriated.  “Did you hear what happened to that farmer’s boy?” he asked.  “Yes and if you don’t mind I’d like to not think about it” Kane told him trying to get some space.  “I’m sorry I’m just trying to be friendly you seemed upset and I wanted to see if there was anything I could do” the young man said.  “No thank you I’m fine” he said now realizing the man was somewhat flirting with him.  Kane found this odd as homosexuality wasn’t something widely accepted during this time period as it was in the present.  The hair on the back of his neck raised as it dawned on him that he was likely speaking with a hunter.  “Well if you need anything I will be over there with my friends…” he was cut off when and older gentleman he was with grabbed him and dragged him back to the booth they were all sitting at.  “I apologize for my colleague he is a little too friendly after one to many rounds” the older man said.  “It’s no problem though he did get a little too close to me then I would have preferred” Kane said hoping to appear uncomfortable by the advance made by the younger man.  It never bothered Kane when a man flirted with him he just didn’t view men as a sexual object.  Kane watched as the older man rejoined his group and took a note of each of their faces.  It was clear that the younger man who had approached him was the newest of the unit judging by the way the others were treating him.  The older man had the respect of all the other men and was clearly their leader.  As he watched them he also noted the older man observing him in a suspicious manner.  As calmly as he could Kane got up and left the bar heading to the lodge checking behind him to try and make sure he wasn’t followed.  Kane knew he would need to set a trap on his door tonight or he wouldn’t get any sleep.  Once he arrived he broke some glass and set it above his door held by a sheet and taped it to the ceiling.  It wouldn’t kill anyone but it would make a decent amount of noise and possibly fall into an intruder’s eye’s if they look up to view the origin of the sound.  Satisfied he went over his map again to try and figure out a plan of attack that the hunters may take on him.  He studied the layout of the farm for a few hours and determined that they would likely approach him and initiate conversation at the front door while another man sneaks around and attempts to flank him from the side.  Tired and satisfied that he at least had an idea of what to expect tomorrow he got into bed and quickly fell asleep.

Chapter 13

                The next morning Phil woke up and walked outside.  It was still several hours before the time of the incident and he wanted to enjoy the fresh air of early 20th century Earth possibly one last time.  Seth joined him a few minutes later “You ready for this old man?” Seth joked.  He knew Phil did this on every mission it helped clear his mind and centered him for the day.  “We just stick with the plan and hope that we aren’t found out already.  Troy’s shenanigans last night may have blown our cover if the splitter was in the bar and saw that” Phil said.  “Worse he may have flirted with the splitter himself I hadn’t seen much of that gentleman before a little over a week ago” he continued.  “Well Franco said he saw the man enter the targets house yesterday so it seems unlikely” Seth said.  “We need to start getting ready the funeral is in one hour and the time of the incident is three hours away” Phil said turning back to the lodge.

                The four put on their vests underneath their outfits doing their best to hide them.  Checking their revolvers and loading them they huddled around the table in Phil’s room.  “Just so we are clear we do not kill anyone but the splitter this includes his target.  I know we are used to killing the target so the soul doesn’t split but orders from the top are to ignore this and let it happen.  My guess is it has something to do with splitters getting away due to being able to react after the target is killed.  If anything happens we keep cool and rely on one another understood?” Phil told them.  “Helen you stick close to me I don’t want you mucking up the plan like you possibly did last night” he said staring at Troy.  Troy scoffed but nodded in agreement as he followed the rest of the unit out of the lodge.

                Kane woke up the next morning still a little uneasy and upset from the day before. He’d had a dream of a woman and a child that night but it was quickly fading away from his memory and he attributed it to his current situation.  At least he now knew what the hunters looked like and hoped that they didn’t have the same information.  Getting dressed and gathering his things he left the lodge to head to the funeral.    

                Arriving at the church he was greeted by Eugene who shook his hand and thanked him for coming.  The service was somber though not memorable for Kane; he had attended others whose sermons rang more true to him.  Still it was clear this town was close with every member of the community and almost the whole population was attending.  Kane saw some people he didn’t recognize at the front and assumed they were the family members that had traveled to attend.  The graveyard was off to the side of the church and before long the coffin had been lowered and the congregation headed to Eugene’s house for the wake.   

                Kane checked his watch and saw that this incident was only thirty minutes away.  He checked outside the window and saw only the cattle as far as living organisms outside.  He knew the hunters were watching though and would be making their move very soon.  For the moment he had to focus on the Clara as she had gone to her room for a minute, likely to obtain the weapon she intends to use on Eugene.  Throughout the service it was clear Clara was upset however anger seemed to be more of what was being expressed from her than sorrow.  Eugene had kept his distance from his wife the whole morning thus far.  Kane wondered if she had threatened him the day before or perhaps this morning.  Having an idea of where Clara was Kane went to find Eugene and saw him speaking with the preacher.  He moved in a bit to try and hear what was being discussed.  “I understand father but she has been filled with rage and blames me for this whole thing.  I just want to mourn the loss of my son and try and move on from this” Eugene told the preacher.  “Anger is a very common emotion when someone we love is taken from us my son.  Clara must get through this in her own way and right now all she can do to survive and rationalize what happened is blame someone.  I would direct her towards the lord for solace however I’m afraid that likely would backfire and she would simply denounce him for letting this happen” the preacher told him.  Clara appeared from around the corner tears running through her eyes which seemed almost filled with hate.  Kane noticed as she lifted the revolver that was in her hands towards her husband.  “You did this to our baby boy, you left the pitchfork in the hay stack you didn’t stop him from playing in it.  You were supposed to be keeping an eye on him while I was gone this is all your fault and you don’t deserve to live after what you did” She said.  “Clara I was working…” Eugene started.  “Shut up I don’t want to hear your excuses or reasons if it wasn’t for you Christopher would still be with us” Clara yelled interrupting him.  “Please my child lower the weapon you don’t want to kill the man that god has given you because of an accident” the preacher said in a calm voice.  “God… God gave me a child and then decided to use the man he gave me to take this child away.  God has nothing to offer me” she said weeping.  Kane knew he would have to interject as the time of incident was now only a few seconds away.  “Clara I know you want to do this but what will it accomplish?  It won’t bring Christopher back.  All it will do is ensure you live the rest of your life in a cell mourning the loss of not only your son but eventually your husband” Kane said.  Clara turned the gun on Kane who took a few steps back.  The incident time had now passed but Kane was more concerned for his own life to see if he had split Eugene’s soul.  A few seconds later as if realizing the truth in Kane’s words Clara slowly lowered the gun.  Eugene began to approach his wife as slowly and calmly as possible “Please honey just give me the gun” he said.  She turned to him anger in her eyes put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger.  “Noo” shouted Eugene as he watched his wife collapse on the ground.  Kane immediately checked to see Eugene’s soul amidst the confusion and saw it create a split.  With his mission accomplished and not wanting to be here once everything began to calm down he headed for the front door.  Reaching it he looked through the window and saw two men approaching.  Kane could do nothing to avoid this confrontation and stepped outside.

                The hunters gathered in the trees outside of the farm.  “We have about 2 hours until time of the incident.  As we planned Seth you will be around back; don’t make any moves unless you hear one of us” Phil told them.  Seth was a bit upset with this as it meant he may not see any action but that would also mean the mission was a success and no one got hurt.  “Franco, don’t begin making your way to the side of the house until we have the splitter occupied.  Helen you’re with me we are to approach and converse with the splitter keeping him distracted.  Understood?” Phil said looking to his unit.  They all nodded and Seth left making his way to the rear of the house.  Franco checked his watched, saw it was ninety minutes to incident and moved to his position just west of Phil and Troy.  “So what do we do now boss?” Troy asked.  “We sit here and wait.  Once everyone returns for the wake we will watch to identify the splitter.  After his job is done we make our move” Phil replied.

                An hour later the town arrives and starts moving about the house.  Phil watched through a pair of binoculars and saw the target’s wife move into their room.  He saw her grab a revolver and check to see if it was loaded.  For a moment it looked like she was thinking about shooting herself.  Several minutes went by of her weeping on the bed staring at the pistol before she looked up and out the window her eyes filled with rage.  She quickly stood up and purposefully walked out of the room towards the crowd.  Phil panned and found the target who was talking with the preacher.  Not too far from them was a man Phil recognized but couldn’t place from where.  The target’s wife walked into the room and raised her weapon.  A minute or so later the man seemed to be speaking to her and she turned the gun on him.  Phil checked his watch the time of the incident had passed and he knew now this man must have been the splitter.  A few moments later the woman lowered the weapon tears streaming down her face.  As the target approached her she looked up and shot herself.  “Time to go Helen the soul has been split” Phil told Troy.  They both began walking towards the front door.  “The splitter is an older man with a few scars on his face I’m sure I’ve seen him before but I can’t place it” Phil said.  As they approach the door it opened and a man came outside lighting a cigarette.  Phil gestured to Troy that he was their target.  “Afternoon sir, we heard a gunshot is everything ok in there?” Phil asked.  “A woman shot herself.  She had just lost her child and couldn’t live with the pain” the man told him.  “I see what brings you outside does the family not need you?” Phil asked.  “I’m not a member simply a man that was passing through and was invited to the funeral” he said.  “Kane, Kane Ashforth” he said offering his hand to Phil.  Phil took it “Phil Curt, pleasure sir though I wish on better circumstances” he said.  “It really is a shame” Kane said Phil noticed his eyes moving in the direction of Troy’s side arm.  “It wasn’t her time to die she will likely haunt this place for a few years” Kane said grabbing Troy’s jacket and removing his revolver before Phil had a chance to react.  “Ok so here is how this is going to go down.  The man who is on the west side of the house is going to come out where I can see him” Kane said.  His revolver already out and leveled towards Troy and Kane “You know I can’t do that” Phil said.  “Well then this little guy is going to haunt this place too” Kane said pressing the pistol against Troy.  “Please boss don’t let him turn me into a ghost” Troy begged fear beginning to take hold of him.  “Don’t worry Helen you will be fine” Phil said though he knew himself Troy was likely dead already.  Suddenly from inside the house they heard a scream.  “Looks like she has come out of her body, a little sooner than I thought” Kane said.  Phil could tell Kane took no pleasure in the position he was in.  He saw the sweat on his hands and the look of regret in his eyes.  “We have about I would say a minute maybe two before she starts terrorizing the house, she died with a lot of anger and hate I’m sure you know what that can do to a soul who isn’t meant to move on” Kane said now backing away from the house.  Phil knew it was only a matter of time before the soul began manipulating the environment and all hell would break loose.  Franco had now appeared from around the house weapon drawn and directed at Kane.  “You have a fourth man I saw him last night at the bar” Kane said.  Phil then realized where he had recognized him.  Cursing himself he nodded “He is making his way around the other side of the house” Phil said.  “That’s unlikely he is probably waiting in the back for me to either exit or for the sound of gun fire from us” Kane replied.  A crashing sound was heard and the front window broke outward glass flying towards Phil. He covered his face and felt the pain of shards slicing through his hands and arms. Before he could recover Kane had pulled the trigger and Troy lay dead on the ground.  Franco was now in pursuit but he wasn’t quite in range yet and Kane had a decent lead.  Phil grabbed Troy and dragged him behind a hay stack.  He watched the house as the soul of the woman tore through it like a poltergeist.  All the windows were now shattered and the townsfolk were all running out of the house many with cuts and glass stuck in them.  Phil took off Troy’s tags and waited for Seth who had begun approaching.  “What the hell happened?” Seth asked in a stressful tone.  “He knew who we were, our cover was blown last night when Troy flirted with him” Phil said.  “I don’t have time to explain everything Franco is in pursuit and we can’t let this bastard get away” he said getting up.  They both began running following the trail left by Franco’s boot prints.