Doctor Ghost: Part V is the fifth and penultimate issue of the sixth serial of Nathaniel J. Nelson's Seventh Circle, as well as the twenty-seventh issue of season one and the twenty-seventh issue overall. It was released to Patreon subscribers on December 6, 2024.[1]Doctor Ghost: Part IV was followed by Doctor Ghost: Part VI on December 13, 2024.
Intro[]
Two down, two to go. With Sasha Belanger and Greg Lopez finally coming clean about their deep-seated resentment, their investigation seems far away. Vinny Howell and Jessi Gibson plunge ahead in their case against Reverend Macon â also known as Doctor Ghost â but can they function as a duo without two of their founding members, or even Taul Bennett to guide their way? Will the truth behind Doctor Ghost open a new chapter in the history of their team, or is this truly the end for SEVENTH CIRCLEâŠ?
Plot[]
Vinny and Jessi go by the Stillwater hospital, where they request to see Judith Macon, the terminally-ill daughter of Jacob Macon, who has been unable to heal her despite his miraculous powers. The staff refuse to let Vinny and Jessi see Judith without familial permission, but assure them that they have been praying for her. Later, Vinny and Jessi debate the future of Seventh Circle, as well as Sasha's and Greg's relationship.
Outside Holy Church of Christ, Greg and Sasha discuss their potential breakup, Greg realizing that Sasha has been smoking since her trip to Burlington. Greg pontificates on what he would do better if he could start their relationship over, and tells Sasha he didn't join Seventh Circle to protect her â he did it to prevent her from pushing him away. Greg tells Sasha she can stay in his apartment as long as she needs, regardless of the status of their relationship.
After staying the night in a different hotel, Greg goes back to Holy Church of Christ to demand a one-on-one meeting with Macon, as Jessi and Sasha were granted. Macon tells Greg this would be irrelevant: he already met with Greg and Sasha, and, according to Macon, Greg has no existence outside his relationship. Annoyed at this, Greg invites Aimee over to his hotel room, immediately trying to have sex with her, though he is forced to stop when she reveals that she made a vow of chastity.
A depressed Vinny eats alone at Arby's, thinking about Seventh Circle, and transitioning into thoughts of Reverence Macon and pontificating on the faithfulness of the biblical Job, as well as Macon and Judith. Without trying, Vinny settles on a shocking new theory about the reverend's powers. He returns to the hospital, begging to see Judith or be given some information on her, but the receptionist refuses for legal purposes, implying that she's hoping to defend Jacob Macon from Vinny. Vinny leaves, feeling defeated, but rekindles his motivation and breaks into the hospital proper.
Characters[]
Continuity[]
Pop culture references[]
- Vinny eats at Arby's â though unnamed â and is seen to order real-life menu items, including the Classic Beef N' Cheddar and the Jamocha Shake.
- Vinny considers the possibility of ending up "crucified in a corn field somewhere" if he crosses the Stillwater locals: possibly a reference to Stephen King's Children of the Corn.
References[]
</references>