Before his death, Rufus was a cross-bearer, a believer of the grail message. Nova was not one because she didn't understand what it was all about. She tried reading some of their books but they came off as storybooks to her. Their doctrine was somewhat different from what she was accustomed to, so, she decided to face what she understood.
Other cross-bearers visited Nova and the kids as soon as they got the news of his passing on. They reassured her there is still life after death, that it was not the end for Rufus. They shared with Nova their strong belief that when a person dies, he has concluded his journey on this side of the world and must commence another long-hurdled journey. This new journey is in stages and for the departed soul to move fast there are certain things his loved ones should do to help him.
One: The family should do little or no crying or mourning. They maintained that crying would delay the spirit's journey or make him turn back if he sees his loved ones devastated. He would want to hang around and make sure they were fine before he leaves.
Two: They were asked to think positive thoughts of love towards the deceased and wish him well on his trip. This included remembering the happy memories they shared.
Three: His body will not be laid in state for everyone to see. Only those who were very close to him or who truly loved him would be allowed to see his body in the morgue just before the casket is shut. If anyone who didn't wish him well saw the body, his spirit will encounter setbacks on his journey.
They volunteered to provide the casket required for his burial as it needed to be made according to certain specifications. They would officiate the main burial ceremony including laying the body to rest. The cross-bearers also collected the phone number of some of Rufus' siblings. They called to condole with them and explain some of the things they told Nova.
A buyer called Silas and indicated an interest in the car, upon inspection, they agreed on a sum. The sum was even higher than what Nova had wanted for it. Since he already had her account number on his phone Silas transferred the money to her.
She was surprised when she received the SMS alert from her bank. She was still looking at her account balance when Silas' call interrupted her. She expressed her gratitude for his help. He asked after her kids, she told him they were fine. She, in turn, asked him how he got her account number, he told her it was from her husband's ghost.
Nova sucked in her breath, gripped her phone with both hands, and asked, "You saw him again? What did he say?"
Silas replied, "Nothing much, he just needed my help to go after someone owing him, you will soon see the outcome."
"I already have, thank you so much for all you are doing for us. I can't repay you but you will not go unrewarded," she said.
At the other end, Silas smiled and said, "You are more than welcome ma'am."
Nova quickly invested a large portion of the money she had gotten. She had a lot of work to do raising these kids so she could not afford to make careless mistakes, especially with her finances.
Silas was fast asleep in his bed that night when he suddenly woke up without knowing why. A terror gripped and paralyzed him momentarily. His intestines crawled and a cold shiver washed over him. A beautiful lady sat on a plastic chair directly opposite his bed watching him the way a hawk watches a prey. Silas had never seen her before. She was beautiful and had a lot of mystery around her.
He was hesitant, still nursing the fears in the pit of his stomach, which pumped an overdose of adrenaline into his body. Thinking fast, he wondered if robbers had gained entrance into his apartment while he dozed. But it seemed she was alone. He looked at the door, it was locked. He wiped his eyes with one hand trying to wake up in case it was a dream.
There was no way she could have gotten into his room at that ungodly hour of the night, but there she sat. He looked at the wall clock; it said 3:17 am. Silas sat up; summoning all the courage he could under such circumstance.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"What does it matter?" she replied.
"But you are in my room, disrupting my sleep. I have every right to know," he said with chagrin.
She flashed terrifying eyes at him, "Stop helping Rufus, and you will have me out of your life, or continue and have me to contend with," she said, through her clenched teeth. She clenched and unclenched her fists. Silas could feel the anger emanating from her. She got up abruptly and began pacing. Silas was thrown into confusion, he frowned. "Rufus is dead, what the hell are you talking about?" he asked.
She glared at him and lowered her voice pointing a finger at him menacingly, anger blazing out of her eyes. "Don't play that game with me. You are a Meguna, you see and interact with ghosts and spirits. Your kind is rare. The fact is, you don't even know half of the powers you possess. I repeat, stop helping Rufus' ghost, or you will have me to contend with."
Before he could utter another word, she vanished. Silas knew that falling asleep that night would be the next most difficult thing after discovering a new planet!