The Hidden Corpse and the Ghost's Truth

Chapter 1

Issues with the Family Line

Issues with the family line

Ivy raised her hand and called out, "Everyone, form a line. No pushing. I'm only doing five readings today."

"What? Only five?" a middle-aged woman asked, sounding disappointed.

Ivy cleared her throat and replied solemnly, "That's just how my practice works."

The truth was, her spiritual energy was running low, and with it, her ability to make money. Making a decent day's income had become nearly impossible.

Her dream of becoming a rich woman had crashed before it even took off.

She made a mental note: once her energy was completely drained, she'd have to sneak a bite out of Ethan under cover of night.

She'd need a solid plan.

First, figure out how to knock Ethan unconscious. Then bite him, cover up the mark with some healing cream, and make sure he never found out.

Shaking her head, Ivy pushed the thought aside and turned her focus back to her readings.

Martha was the first in line.

She'd heard that a gifted psychic had set up shop on Antique Row, the same one who'd helped Mr. Turner find his missing daughter, and she'd shown up before sunrise to make sure she got a spot.

Martha had always been into spiritual readings. She knew how to tell who had the real gift.

Pulling her grandson forward, she said, "Miss Ivy, my grandson's applying to college this year. Could you take a look and see if he'll get in?"

Next to her, Xander looked skeptical. "Grandma, you know my grades. This is pointless. Dad says this stuff's all a scam."

Martha gave him a light smack on the arm. "What do you know, kid? This isn't mumbo jumbo, it's part of our cultural roots."

She straightened her back proudly. "And I'm paying for it myself. Your dad can keep his opinions to himself."

Xander sighed and shoved one hand in his pocket, standing in front of Ivy and staring up at the sky.

Martha smiled apologetically. "Please excuse him. He's just a teenager."

Ivy waved it off. "It's fine. He's young. They're always skeptical."

Xander rolled his eyes. Young? She barely looked older than him. His grandma had clearly lost her mind.

Ivy pulled out a pen and a sheet of paper. "Okay, write a word, any word that comes to mind."

Her mentor had always said: the more methods you used in a reading, the more captivating it became for the onlookers.

Word-based divination was one of them.

The elderly folks adjusted their glasses and squinted with curiosity. They'd never seen this kind of fortune-telling before, and they were fascinated.

Xander impatiently picked up the pen and scribbled the word "Grace" on the paper. "Okay, what now?" he asked gruffly.

Ivy glanced at the word and said, "You're top of your class, right? You should have no problem getting into college."

Hearing that, Martha finally let out the breath she'd been holding.

Xander raised his chin smugly. "I've always been a top student. If I can't get into college, who can? Grandma, you really spent fifty bucks just to hear this? Easiest money she's ever made..."

Martha yanked his ear and snapped, "Mind your mouth!"

"Ouch, ouch! Grandma, that hurts!" Xander yelped, quickly falling silent as he rubbed his ear and sulked off to the side.

Martha turned back with a sheepish smile. "Miss Ivy, what does the word 'Grace' mean?"

Ivy responded calmly, "It holds two meanings."

She leaned forward, her tone shifting into something more mystical. "In symbolic terms, this word reflects both elegance and promise. It's often associated with a bright, prosperous future. For a student like your grandson, it's a sign that his path will unfold smoothly-success in college, and a future lined with opportunity."

Martha beamed. "This boy might not be good for much else, but he sure knows how to hit the books."

Xander puffed up a little more, grinning. "Well, I can't argue with that. She's spot on."

The onlookers chuckled.

"Aunt Martha, are you here for a reading or just to brag about your grandson?"

She waved them off proudly. "You all hush now." Then she turned back. "What's the second meaning, Miss Ivy?"

A sly smile tugged at Ivy's lips. "It can also hint at romance. 'Grace' is typically linked with harmony and love. It could mean your grandson will be lucky in matters of the heart."

"What?!"

Martha immediately grabbed Xander's ear again. "You little rascal! You're dating someone already?!"

Xander was stunned. What the-?! How did she know? Not even his friends at school knew!

"Grandma, seriously! My ear! That hurts!" he yelped.

Martha huffed, hands on her hips. "You can barely handle algebra, but you've got time for romance? Just like your father!"

Xander muttered, "Are you yelling at me or complimenting me?"

With a pitiful look, he turned to Ivy and pleaded, "Miss Ivy, it's real love, I swear."

Martha raised a slipper, ready to swat him. "What do you know about real love, you hormonal little puppy?"

Ivy quickly intervened, "Ma'am, please-let the young ones figure it out themselves. If you interfere too much, it might affect his luck."

She kept her tone calm, though inwardly she guessed the girl's name probably had something similar to "Grace" in it. Still, she chose to keep it to herself to save the poor boy some dignity.

But Martha had years of experience with fortune readings and cut straight to the point. "Miss Ivy, tell me the truth. This girl-she's his soulmate, isn't she?"

Ivy gave a slow nod. "Yes. Your grandson has a strong fortune when it comes to love."

Xander looked like he might cry from relief. "Thank God. And thank you, Miss Ivy, for saving my ear."

Martha laughed and dragged the boy home, still muttering about grades and girlfriends.

In the crowd, a young man with shifty eyes watched the scene closely. Sensing an opportunity, he stepped forward and confidently wrote the same word-"Grace"-on the paper.

"I want to know if I'll get into college too," he said with a smirk.

The man, whose name was Decker, was hoping to trip Ivy up. After all, it was the same word. If she gave him the same reading, he'd catch her bluff and complete the task Master Casey had assigned him.

Ivy looked at the word, then at Decker's face, smiling faintly. "Are you sure you want me to read your future using this word?"

Decker crossed his arms. "Of course I am. Hurry. Or can't you figure it out?"

Ivy replied coolly, "As you wish-payment first, please."

Decker tossed a hundred-dollar bill onto the table and scoffed, "You're not going to fool me that easily. I'm not that gullible."

Ivy gave a small shake of the head and sighed. "You've never had a gift for academics. You've always ranked at the bottom of your class, and you dropped out before even finishing middle school."

Decker bristled. "Why? It's the same word-'Grace.' When you discuss other people, it's all good news. But when it comes to me, suddenly everything's bad? That's pretty insulting."

Ivy looked at the paper and said flatly, "The word you wrote is slanted. The last person wrote it straight and balanced. Yours is twisted, off-center-almost like you added another mark to the side. When that happens, you know what it becomes?"

The onlookers, catching on, responded together, "Hardship."

Only Decker looked confused.

Ivy gave a satisfied nod. "Exactly. It turns into the word 'hardship.'"

Decker frowned. "So what does that even mean for me?"

Ivy's tone was calm, but firm. "It means life won't be easy-not just your education, but your entire path. I can see it in your face. You lost your dad when you were three, your mom at six. Your grandfather passed when you were sixteen, and you had to leave school to work."

"You've scraped by doing whatever you could-odd jobs, cutting corners, bullying weaker kids, even stealing from your neighbors. You've drifted through life, never really settling down. You're headed for a lonely end, with no roots and no support."

Decker's expression cracked. "Stop... I would rather not hear anymore."

It was all true. He'd been a petty thief, working dead-end jobs-hauling bricks, tightening screws, picking through junk for anything worth selling.

Was that really how it all ended? So, bleak?

Decker forgot all about the job Casey Dalton had given him. He stared at Ivy, desperate. "Is there anything I can do to change this? I would rather not live like that."

Ivy nodded. "Fate might be fixed, but your choices shape your future. The bad things you've done have chipped away at your luck. Turn it around. Live honestly. Do right by others. That's how you change direction."

Decker swallowed hard and whispered, "I'll remember that."

He ran off in tears.

The master hadn't tried to sell him a charm or a cure-just told him the truth and pointed him toward something better. To hell with Casey Dalton and all his assignments.

Decker decided then and there: he'd start over. From now on, he'd be Wade Forsythe-a new man with nothing to hide.

As the sun dipped lower, Ivy read a few more fortunes before finally packing up for the day.

The older folks hanging around were reluctant to leave.

"That master doesn't just tell your fortune," one man chuckled. "Even his peanuts and sunflower seeds taste better. I could eat three bowls of rice after a visit here."

"Will you be back tomorrow, Master?" someone asked.

Ivy laughed and waved. "Don't worry-I'll be here bright and early."

"Great! See you tomorrow."

When the crowd finally dispersed, Ivy tidied up his stall and wandered off searching for something good to eat.

He followed the rich, savory smell drifting through the street and stopped at a small deli cart.

"Give me a little of everything-jerky, pickled eggs, roasted veggies, and about three pounds of smoked ribs."

The owner, Jude, grinned and packed up the order. "You don't have to pay today, Master. Business has picked up a lot since you started setting up nearby. People pass through now on their way home, thanks to you."

Ivy glanced at the man's broad face, honest eyes, and sturdy hands. A good man, through and through. But something about his family line gave him pause.

He frowned slightly and said, "Jude, you'd better pack up and head home right away. Something's not right... I think your kid might be in trouble."