Caroleen had just made it past the range of hearing before the pent up gas escaped. Her stomach cramped violently.<br/>The voice hissed,<br/>“I told you that I would make you fart if you revealed my presence.”<br/><br/>Teresa’s body sagged with relief and Caroleen snapped.<br/>“He is a good man who loves you and I will not allow him to be tortured more than necessary. He deserves to know you can hear him. And that I can relay messages to him.”<br/><br/>The voice wailed.<br/>“But I can’t feel my body. I’m here, floating, but not attached. I can see Ivan through Your eyes and hear him through Your ears, but I can’t touch him with my fingers or feel him in my flesh. I can’t bear it.”<br/><br/>Caroleen was moved to compassion by the sound of weeping.<br/>“I will let you talk to him through me, if you wish.”<br/><br/>Instead of an answer, the sound of crying became fainter and Caroleen felt a lifting of tension. She finished her business and hurried back to find Ivan by a tree. He looked relaxed so she sat down close by him.  The silence was comforting and peaceful.<br/><br/>“I talked to her again.” She said quietly. “Teresa, I mean. She doesn’t like me telling you about her. I don’t really know how to tell you about her. She is a voice in my head and she says she can see you through my eyes and hear you through my ears but has no ability to be in touch with this flesh. She can’t feel the touch of your hands and can’t taste the food that I eat. And Ivan, sometimes her presence grows faint as if she is moving far away. Maybe she does and then is drawn back. She is sad and angry but above all she is hopeless. I am sure that you will find a way to bring her back fully into this body. I have this sense that you are a powerful man. I am also resigned to the fact that I may walk this world as a disembodied spirit and not lie quietly in my grave. I only ask that you return to my town before you release me that I may watch my children from the spiritworld as they grow up. Her love for you is great, Ivan, and I’m so sorry that she is lost to you.”<br/>Ivan began to ask her questions and Caroleen looked thoughtful,<br/><br/>“I’m tired and this body needs rest. I will lay down in the wagon so that if you should decide to leave, I will not hold you up. I know you are in a hurry to travel and I find that I do not wish for this body to know the pain of death again. For all of our sakes, Ivan, get us away safely and I swear I will do my best to not hinder our progress.”<br/><br/>Caroleen stood, brushing off the back of her dress, her movements bespoke of a strong, self-a assured woman.<br/><br/>“Let me think on those questions and I will answer then in the morning.” She replied simply.<br/><br/>She walked briskly to the wagon and climbed in. Settling among the bags and boxes, Caroleen covered herself with her cloak and closed her eyes.<br/><br/>Sometime later, she woke to the swaying of the wagon and the far off smell of the sea.