Erasing: Shadows (The Erasing Series) by K.D. Rose Page A

out going around the circle one by one.
    Brandon pushed his baby hand out and touched each person on the face saying, “Goodnight!”
    When he got to Stu, he said, “Goodnight Stu!”
    Michael and Jonathan exchanged glances.
    When Mrs. Ross was done, she left the gang with a “You kids behave,” and closed the door to the study again.
    Properly chastised, the gang, including Stu, began to relax.
    Trina sprawled across the loveseat. Lu sat on the arm.
    “Sandwich anyone?” offered Zac, who was sitting on the floor, face level with the coffee table full of sandwiches. Stu looked at Michael who nodded. Stu took a sandwich.
    “When we’re done tonight, which shouldn’t be long as we all need some sleep before this next undertaking, Stu, can you stay behind a minute? Michael and I need to talk to you,” said Jonathan.
    “Sure,” said Stu, “as long as this doesn’t come to blows.”
    “Ever start feeling like a sidekick?” quipped Zac to no one in particular.
    “That’s not true,” said Michael. “Everyone here is invaluable.”
    “Now, tonight at the McArthur house in the astral,” Jonathan continued, “I think it best that we keep it short and sweet. Don’t try to do anything fancy. Let’s just meet then go home. That will be interesting enough for Mira, and then we can plan the next step.”
    “What if something unexpected happens?” asked Lu.
    “And remember,” said Michael, almost at the same time. “If something happens, go to the hayfields behind Mira’s home ‘there,’ and we’ll find you. And everyone,” he pleaded, “keep Mira in your thoughts.”
    After a few more logistics and sandwiches, everyone admitted they were bushed, and the rest of the High Five Gang left for home. Stu, Michael, and Jonathan were abandoned in the study. Michael got right to the point.
    “How did Brandon know your name, Stu? He’s never met you.” Michael saw that Jonathan looked interested in the answer. He obviously had no clue either.
    Stu looked at Jonathan, then Michael. “If I tell you everything, you can’t get upset. Everything I’ve done has been correct.”
    Michael looked down. Jonathan said, “Just tell us. We have to all be on the same page to move forward.”
    “For someone who brought in ‘Ed’ I find that amusing.” Michael glared at Jonathan.
    Jonathan responded, “Michael! Move forward. We are all on the same team!”
    “Sorry,” said Michael, feeling only slightly like a curmudgeon.
    “Well,” said Stu, his face red, “I’m sorry to have been part of such turmoil, but while everyone has been off living their lives, I kept up my studies of traveling and the laws and rules of the astral realm. It’s really all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
    “Hence no girlfriend,” joked Jonathan.
    Almost succeeded in lightening the mood , thought Stu.
    Michael grabbed a sandwich off the platter. It was going to be a long night.
    “So, I kinda know when things get disrupted sometimes. It’s like a day with a normal breeze against your skin, and then one day, the wind picks up with too much force. I don’t know really how to describe it.” Stu looked down, embarrassed. “It’s kind of a ‘feel’ thing.”
    However, Michael did understand; he had his own experiences. And the Stu he remembered would have been more articulate. This whole thing wasn’t usual, though. “No, I kind of know what you mean, Stu.” Stu looked up. This was the first time Michael had addressed him as an equal.
    “I feel Mira at times in my heart area. I get impressions of what’s happening, good or bad, so I guess if you expanded that and practiced you could probably sense a larger area.”
    “Exactly! You guys already understand more than I thought you would. Anyway,” Stu continued, “I perceived Brandon one day. I didn’t know him but maybe because I know Jonathan and you…I don’t know, I just recognized that something ‘moved,’ and it seemed that something was ‘off’ in the other world. So I