A few more people were wandering around Veracruz now. Maisie and Feya checked the bathrooms and even stopped the Custodial Cast Member working in Veracruz that evening.
Feya didn't feel like talking, so Maisie took over. "Excuse me?" she asked the Cast Member in all his glory of that ugly-ass costume. "Have you seen a girl down here tonight? She's our age and has auburn hair. She may be wearing a red or white dress."
"No, young lady. I'm sorry." The Cast Member leaned on his picker. "Did you try asking Concierge?"
"We just came from there."
Feya, still a bit downhearted, glanced at the glass doors at the end of Veracruz. Something flashed in them. It was quick, but there. She nudged Maisie and pointed. A sudden lump formed in her throat, and Feya inhaled. She and Maisie wouldn't be in this situation if she hadn't tried to kill herself.
Maisie rested her palm on Feya's back and waved at the Cast Member. She led her to the glass doors and tapped on them. "Melody?" Maisie whispered. "Are you in there?"
Feya noticed the Cast Member giving them a funny look. "People are staring, May."
"Let them stare," she argued. "We must tell them Melody is just as important as them."
"You may be scaring her, May."
"She wasn't scared when we first got here yesterday."
"That was because you didn't force her to show herself." Melody was in the same boat as Feya last month—too scared to reveal her deepest secret. She had told her yesterday before Maisie crashed the party.
Maisie removed her fist from the glass and shot Feya a thoughtful look.
"Why don't we go to the seminar and let Melody show herself when she wants to?" she suggested. "As a spirit, she can move freely, unlike a ghost."
"You are bad, Fey," Maisie chuckled, giving her a quick knuckle rub. "All right, then—I trust you." She winked for emphasis, and Feya felt a small smile overtake her frown.
Yet, she still felt guilt for her actions.
***
Finding courage was difficult, but Feya remembered last month's pool party, the first time she revealed her leg. She grasped Maisie's hand upon entering Coronado Ballroom and joined the group of chairs at the front of the spacious room. A few people wore Pride Mickey ears, while others sported Pride shirts. Feya and Maisie still needed a Summit souvenir.
Feya tucked her legs under her chair and slid to the edge of her seat. "Last year, I lost my best friend—the one person who helped me realize who I was," she explained to her Summit peers. "Today, I tried to join her." Feya squeezed Maisie's hand. "However, Maisie helped me realize that wouldn't have helped me reach the Olympics, which was something Victoriya and I decided as kids. Without her and a new friend, I don't know what would have happened." Feya didn't.
Maisie remained quiet during the seminar, but she looked like she was practicing something in her head. Occasionally, she grinned at Feya. A sudden cold presence said Melody was also near—maybe closer than Maisie and Feya thought.
That evening, after the seminar, they entered a packed lawn. The Tower cast shadows over their warm backs, chilling them.
A Recreation Cast Member gestured at a fire pit behind one of the lawn's concrete paths. "Hello, friends. Meet me at the fire pit if you're here for the talk." She waited until the Guests filled the seats around it before clearing her throat. "Good evening! My name is Mackenzie, and I'm one of the Recreation Cast Members at Disney's Coronado Springs. We're gathered here tonight because we're curious about the Veracruz Ghost. Correct?"
The Guests nodded and squeezed in close. Parents set children on their laps. Others folded strollers.
While Mackenzie reviewed a few safety tips, Feya's eyes wandered. The group was small, but she expected that. What Feya did not expect was a long-haired, familiar figure appearing on the path.
Donned in her red dress, Melody nervously asked Mackenzie, "Am-Am I too late for the talk?"
Maisie and Feya's eyes widened. Melody? they mouthed. Quickly, though, they cleared their throats.
"Not at all." Mackenzie gestured at the crowd. "Take whatever space is available. We're just reviewing a few safety tips."
"Thank you." Melody pushed through the crowd and sat beside Maisie and Feya. She rubbed her dress and glimpsed at them. "Hey, girls."
"What are you doing here?" Feya whispered. Every hair on her body stood up. Melody took a colossal risk by revealing herself at the Veracruz Ghost talk.
"Well, excuse me." Melody clutched her knees. "Is a Guest not allowed to know the legend?" Looking knowingly at Feya, she added under her breath, "You said so yourself, Fey. I will show myself when I want to."
"But still!" Feya whispered back.
"Are we ready to begin?" Mackenzie friendily inquired, but Feya also heard a slight annoyance in her voice.
"Yes, ma'am," she answered, blushing. "Sorry." She broke down in sweat and noticed Daisy moving close to her left leg. She wouldn't have a panic attack. Melody was there as a Guest, not a spirit. But what would happen if the Guests figured out who she was?
Maisie beamed and said, "Welcome, Melody. We're glad you're here."
"Thank you, Maisie." Melody patted Maisie's forearm.
Mackenzie clapped and stood behind the roaring fire. "Now, without further ado, friends, it's time to learn the legend of the Veracruz Ghost!"
"Yeah!" cheered the crowd, including Maisie and Melody.
Feya could not find it in her heart to join them.
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