Haunted

by Tredick Foster

  Kyle takes his last gulp out of the three-quarters full bottle with a loud, raspy growl. “Well, guess we should get started then. What do you say, boys?” Kyle asks. Vlad shrugs, tilting his head, “If you must, you must.”

  I muster up a smirk and a nod. “It was good spending time with you, though.” Vlad freely adds. I nod, putting my free hand forward to shake his, “Good hanging out with you, man.” He nodded with a smile, “Same with you.” Vlad manages to just pat Kyle on the shoulder, considering his bloody hands.

  While I take a final sip from my glass, Vlad quickly grabs his spear. He kicks Kyle in the chest, sending him backwards and into a few bar stools. I don’t really react, still drinking from the glass as Vlad spins the pole above his head. In a complete, full body turn to pick up momentum, Vlad swings the pole at me.

  Business end forward, I manage to lean back as he slices the air centimeters from my chest. My drink still in hand, I quickly try to finish my rum and coke. He pulls the pole back and thrusts it forward while I turned to the side, avoiding his attack. I’m still drinking as Kyle gets up, roaring with fury as he leaps towards him.

  Avoiding Kyle’s tackle, Vlad spins the spear around as well as his body. Using the pole to guide the small train that is Kyle’s body, Vlad sends him hurtling towards the stairs. During this distraction, I let my glass drop from my lips. The bottom of the pole comes towards my head, so I catch it as I pulled the revolver out from the back of my pants.

  Feeling the pole caught on something, Vlad looks over. His expression goes from determined to shock as he’s met with the barrel. The hammer clicks and a bright, purple light quietly bursts from inside the gun itself. No witty one-liner is so much as uttered as Vlad’s left eye is left a smoldering hole in his skull.

  Vlad’s body stands perfectly still. No doubt, his muscles are still naturally stiff for those few seconds before Kyle comes running back up. He shoulder checks the now-dead body so hard, it’s sent flying to the other side of the bar. I’m left holding just the spear, the two of us waiting for the body to move.

  After a few moments of stillness, I simply shrug. “Well,” I quipped, “Might as well raid the bar!” I start picking out bottles of scotch, rum, bourbon and jagermeister, setting them by the pole.

  Kyle stays focused on Vlad’s body. He suddenly brings his right leg up, pausing for a second to gather up all the energy he can. He then brings his dirty and bloody tan work boot down hard onto Vlad’s head. I can hear the crack of bones; probably his neck and jaw. My buzz helps me pay no mind to it as I load up on stuff to take.

  Scooping the bottles into my arms, I hold them tight on my chest while grabbing the pike and maneuvering out from the bar. “Hey,” I say, “when you’re done there, start dumping the rest of those bottles everywhere.” Kyle stops and looks to the shelves of leftover liquor, then back to me. I follow up with “Don’t take too much, we’ve gotta be able to burn the bodies.”

  Kyle immediately hops over the bar. The next thing I hear is “Crap, crap, shit, worse shit, horse shit, whore’s shit.” Over and over again in between bottles shattering on the ground behind me. He’d been looking over the bottles and then tossing them over his shoulders. I looked back at him, chuckling before I got to the truck.

  Loading up the bed of his truck with the bottles and the pike, I noticed the bottles starting to crash around the truck. I looked back over and called out, “Having fun?” At which point Kyle grabbed a bottle by the neck and with all his might, chucked it clear across the room, over the truck and shattering it on the wall. “Home run!” I called out.

  By the time he was done, it was Kyle looking like the baby in a candy store as he started running to the truck, arms full of liquor bottles. With only slight care, Kyle dumped the bottles into the back of his truck before jumping in the cab and starting it up.

  “Good haul!” Kyle exclaimed as I chuckled. “Yeah, we better take the back roads home.” I said as I pulled my gun out from my pants again. Kyle drove forward, the tires sliding on the slick floor. I stuck my arm out the window, taking aim at Vlad again and firing one a final shot.

  Vlad’s body burst into flames as the truck caught traction once more and we headed out the doorway. I slid my gun back into my pants while asking, “So, how was the baby's first breaker case?” Kyle cackled his signature laugh before exclaiming “I could do this kinda shit all the time!” I chuckle, leaning back.

  Kyle guns it down the stairs, causing us to bounce wildly in the truck. I just hold onto the door and back of the seat until we’re back on the blacktop of the parking lot. Behind us, the glow of the fire is quickly growing. The reflection from the fire gleaming in the rear view mirror. Kyle peels out of the parking lot and back onto the road.

  I turn around, taking one good look at the place. The fire is starting to light the parking lot up real good. In the first painted row of spots, all the way in the back, I can see something. It’s an old, white and red two door that looks like it’s out of the 50’s. My brow narrows as I exclaim, “Is that my fucking car?”

  Chapter 15

  I slid my thumb into the neck of the green bottle of scotch I’d been gripping; flicking it out with a pop before sliding it back in again. I bring the bottle up to my lips, taking a small gulp out of it.

  I stood in the doorway to the bathroom, just staring at the bathtub. All that remained were a mess of blankets, sheets and pillows. Fiona had up and left again. Really, I shouldn’t be surprised about her not being here. After ten years of being without her, I should know by now that she’ll never stay in one spot longer than she wants to.

  Knocks at the front door interrupt my quasi-self pity. I’m in no mood to see or talk to anyone, but I head into the living room anyway. I’m sober enough to entertain whatever comes through the door at this point, but buzzed enough to actually go through with it.

  I make sure to put the bottle in the freezer, sans cap. Inside is the rest of Vlad’s booze, which takes up most of the freezer. Tossed carelessly onto the living room floor is his spear; telling myself I’ll find a place for that particular trophy later.

  On the other side of the door stood Lena White. Her brunette hair done up in a bun with two lacquered chopsticks holding it in place. She’s minus a suit jacket this time, in favor of just a white blouse modestly buttoned to its second-to-top button and a black skirt that just barely covers above her knees.

  Behind her thick framed glasses lies the same emotionless and calculative eyes that contrast with the slight, expertly placed smirk across her lips. Everything that made me so uneasy about her the last time is on display. It’s more like I’m looking at a robot’s approximation of human emotions or an apex predator stalking a meal rather than a human being.

  “May I come in?” She asks. No other words are said between us. I just step aside, opening the door wider and extending my arm to allow her to enter. She glances over to the empty living room, seeing the spear and immediately comments “I see you’re apt to taking souvenirs.” I smirk with a shrug, closing the door “I guess I am.”

  She heads back into the office, sitting down in the same chair she’d sat in two nights before. I’m not far behind her when she asks, “No bed?” I sit down in my noisy chair, explaining “Getting this place sucked up all my savings. I didn’t even own the bed I’d been sleeping on before.” She nods, silently.

  “You two did a good job.” She starts, “Although you have a rather brash and reckless way of going about things, you stayed true to your word.” I smirk with a nod, “Chalk it up to stretching my muscles. Corporate loved to micromanage.”

  She nods, simply going into her breast pocket and pulling out a folded slip of paper. She reaches over the desk, handing it to me “A bonus.” I open the paper to reveal a check for $500. My eyes widen a little and my brow lifts slightly. “For getting the job done so quickly.” She finishes.

  I take the check, folding it back up and sliding it into my right pocket. “Well, thanks for that.” Lena nods and explains,
“Cooper likes to keep his subcontractors happy, despite his reputation.” I give a small huff of amusement and quip, “Yeah, I bet.”

  On her way through the kitchen, she asks, “If you could give a message to Mr. Levine, the firm would like to hold him on retainer.” I look to her, quizzically “Retainer?” She opens the door and explains, “There will no doubt be more issues we’ll need to address. I figured you were done with the menial tasks of cleaning and clearing such things.”

  She looked back at me, giving a softer smile. Was she flirting with me? I shrugged and smirked slightly, “Well, I’m certainly not above getting my hands dirty, but I’ll pass the message on.” She doesn’t say anything more to me. We just fall silent, eyes locked to each other. The cold look in her eyes actually warms up a little bit as she looks into mine. I can actually tell there’s a human being behind her frames.

  After the beat of silence, she quips, “Maybe you should buy a bed with your bonus. Girls don't take to sleeping in a bathtub.” My brow narrows as I tilt my head, “What makes you think I’m sleeping in the bathtub?” Her smirk widens to a smile before she winks at me, turning around. She doesn’t say another word.

  Lena heads down the concrete stairs and into her coup. I watch her back out of the parking spot and leave just as the sheriff’s SUV parks right where Lena’s coup had been. My chest tightens as I take a deep breath in, trying to calm myself. “Shit…” I mumble under my breath as two people exit. From one problem to the next.

  Their both dressed in the normal, khaki uniform you’d expect a sheriff and deputy to be dressed in. I smirk at the guy, firing off a smartass remark “Good lord, the new sheriff in town isn’t wearing his hat? Ain't that a scandal!” The guy smiles up at me, quipping “The only private detective in Potton and you look like you’re ready to herd some goats!”

  Despite the crew cut brunette hair, tan white skin and moderate muscular build, Brendan Brown has always been one of the good ones. I’d known him since high school; curse of a small town. He makes his way up the stairs, immediately shaking my hand and pulling me in for a hug. I pat him on the back, my heart beginning to settle only a little bit.

  “Rick,” Brendan starts, “this is my deputy Sarah Campbell.” Brendan steps to the side and Sarah holds her hand out. I quickly shake it, her gripping mine pretty hard. She’s a tough one with broad shoulders and a build that says she could kick my ass all day. Her long brunette hair is tied back into a ponytail and her eyes are hard and locked on mine. No doubt, she’s got a marine background.

  I think about letting them in, then I remember the spear on the floor and I step outside, closing the door behind me. I smile and explain, “Everything’s a mess in there. Getting everything situated and all that.” Brendan chuckles a little, shaking his head “No problem.”

  “We wanted to ask you if you knew anything about the nightclub just outside of town.” My brow narrows, “Which way outside of town?” Brendan points west as he explains “Out on 11, headed out towards Toms Brook. On the old Brill cornfield, like you’re going towards the campground.” My brow lifts with false surprise, “They put a nightclub next to the campground?” Brendan shakes his head, “Not no more. Seems someone went and burned it down. Killed the owner, too.”

  Fuck. Do they like me for this? I even have motive, being a former Darkbreaker. “Ok, so what’s that got to do with me? Trying to outsource cases or something?” I ask with a smartass smirk. Brendan shakes his head, “No, but let’s put a pin in that for now.” My brow lifts in actual surprise for a second. That’s when Brendan comes out and asks “Have you heard from Fiona lately?”

  I sigh heavily. My smirk falling along with my gaze down to the stoop. They both notice. “The other shoe drops.” I quip. Brendan nods, “We’re gonna need to talk to her about this whole thing.” I look back up at Brendan, commenting “Look, I can tell now you’re on the wrong track if you like her for murder.” Brendan shakes his head, “It’s not like that. We turned up evidence that the guy was a vampire.” I try to look shocked, not saying anything.

  “We like her for something else though.” Deputy Campbell starts. I look over to her and ask with my eyes. Brendan follows up with “Looks like someone broke into the guy’s library and stole some stuff.” I look back at Brendan and ask “What kind of stuff?”

  Brendan sighs as Sarah finishes, “Black magic stuff.” My heart sinks. I slide my hands in my pockets as I go to look down again. Possession of Black Magic Paraphernalia is bad, jail time bad. Depending if she does anything with it, she’s looking at 5 to 10 years, easy. I shake my head while I sigh again. This whole thing just started to make sense.

  Chapter 16

  Fiona walks out of the gas station corner store; cigarettes and packaged snacks in hand. Sliding a few of the decadent cupcakes into the pocket of the pajama pants she’s wearing, she takes out a lighter from the other pocket. She opens a pack of cigarettes and pulls one out, lighting it while still standing in front of the store.

  “So let me get this straight,” I suddenly say, standing beside the door with my back to the wall. Fiona jumps, taking in a sharp breath with the cigarette in her mouth. She looks back at me with wide eyes, clearly expecting something worse than me. Once she sees me, she quickly calms.

  She takes a step towards me, slapping my arm with her free hand. “Asshole!” She barks at me, cigarette still in her mouth. I can’t help but chuckle, shaking my head. She and I both start walking towards the sidewalk. It’s pretty late in the night by now. The streets are empty and quiet, lit only by either the overhead lights from the gas pumps or the orange street lights. It’s calm and quiet as it's always been. A gentle breeze breaking the late summer heat.

  “So,” I start again, “I don’t see you for over 10 years… I pull you out of a vamp nest, half dead. You then fuck me… then up and disappear on me with a pair of my pajama pants?” She smirks, rolling her eyes as she leans into me to shove me over a bit.

  She takes a drag of her cigarette and huffs it out, “I was coming back, you know.” I chuckle, looking sideways at her “Yeah, when?” Her shoulders lift, her brow high and eyes wide, “After a while!” I can’t help but smirk, nodding as I sarcastically nod, “Mhm, Ok.”

  “I heard you burned Vlad’s down?” Fiona asks. I look sideways at her, again with a smirk. “Jesus, that was last night, when the fuck did you hear that?” She rolls her eyes again, “You know I have more friends that just vampires.” I huff sarcastically, “You better. They’re all pretty much gone now.” She sighs with almost exaggerated sorrow, “How’d they…?” Fiona trailed off. I just shake my head, silently telling her it’s best she didn’t know.

  “So what’d you get paid for this again?” Fiona asks. I nod, looking down at the sidewalk as we slowly made our way up the street towards the center of town. “Four months no rent.” Fiona nods, “That’s impressive, even for a greedy little shit like Cooper Bowman.” I smile at her, but don’t say anything. She knew Bowman owned the buildings. Even I didn’t know that. Then again, she does have a closer ear to the ground than I do.

  “Picked up a $500 bonus too.” With a little glee, she says “That’s good! What do you plan on doing with that?” I shrugged, sighing “Well, I thought about saving it. Maybe getting a bed with it. Honestly, what I need to do is go to the Dawnbrite Corporate online store and get some warded clothings. Maybe a hat and coat for the winter.”

  She looks to me, quizzically “They make warded stuff?” I nod, “Yeah, they initially made the Darkbreakers a line of work wear to keep us from getting possessed and shit. They’ve sold the stuff to the public for a few years now. They call it Breaker Wear.” She nods in agreement, “Probably for the best.”

  “This kind of reminds me of the last night I saw you.” She smiles, reminiscing “It was colder, then. I had to stick close to you.” She pushes against me, letting me wrap my arm around her shoulders. I gently rub her arm over my lost hoodie.

  “You stayed true to what you said you were g
oing to do.” She remarks, “I’m proud of you.” I smirk, humbly tilting my head down. “Yeah,” I say, “For a while, at least” She finishes her cigarette and flicked it out into the street, “You gave it all you could. Be proud of that.”

  “You know, I really wish you were there with me then.” I admit to her, gently gripping her shoulders. She leans into me as we keep going down the sidewalk, this time at a slower pace. “I know.” She starts, “I just… you know how I am.” She can’t explain herself away. It’s just how she is; this gypsy woman I’ve always loved. “It could’ve been better for you, though.” I say, rather depressingly. She puts her head on my shoulder, nuzzling it a little “I know. We all need to figure things out for ourselves, though.”

  I take a breath like I’m going to say something, but I can’t find any words. All I can think about is how she’s always disappeared before things got tough. She was with me every day until the Necronomicon. Back then, I could’ve used her help. She was always good at picking me up when I was down. However, that was the first time I had to pick myself up and get back on my feet. She was nowhere to be found for three years… at least, nowhere I could reach out to her.

  I stop in front of an empty storefront; run down and caked in dust from the ages. It’s second floor extended over the sidewalk. I looked deep into her eyes when I said, “I need you to tell me the truth.” I go quiet for a second. Her eyes are reflecting regret. I sigh, already knowing what the answer is going to be. “Did you give my name to Lena White?” Her brow narrows as she asks, “What?” I roll my eyes, letting go of her and taking a step back, “Please, just be honest with me. Just this once.”

  Fiona’s eyes close. She sighs heavily as she slides both her hands into the hoodie pocket. She leans against one of the metal posts on the edge of the sidewalk that’s supporting the upper floor of the store. “They were going to get Kyle to do it all, but I knew he’d make it out alive if he had you with him.”