“Where should we start first?” I asked.
Brannon flashed his light toward the room on the right. “Why don’t we start over there?”
We moved into the room and immediately I spotted something in the middle of the floor.
“What is all of that?” I asked.
I stayed back and Brannon moved forward. He shone the light onto the floor. A pentacle was drawn on the floor and melted candles circled around it. I flashed the light over my shoulder and checked to make sure no one was in the room with us.
Based on the candles, I thought it looked like it had been used recently. Brannon looked at me, the flashlight casting an eerie glow on his handsome face.
“It’s probably some kids just goofing off,” he said.
He was probably right about that, but it was still spooky nonetheless. I moved over to the circle for a closer view, even though it probably would just spook me even more.
“Come on, we’ll go look for more stuff,” Brannon said.
I peered down at the circle, and then nodded. “Yeah, okay, let’s go.”
We’d leave this alone for now, but I still had to make sure this wasn’t something more sinister.
We had just stepped back into the foyer when a bang came from what sounded like upstairs. Brannon and I exchanged a look. He motioned upstairs and I nodded. As he moved over to the stairs, I followed close behind. After all, it could be someone who had broken in and not a ghost. Brannon started up the steps and I followed him. It might be dangerous, but I didn’t want him to go alone. Maybe I just didn’t want to be down here alone.
We reached the top of the steps and then turned to the left. Brannon motioned for me to come with him down the hallway. I guessed he was okay with the fact that I had followed him. There were several doors and only one of them was open, so of course we decided to check that one first. Brannon and I inched toward the door, trying not to make any noise on the creaking floors. I was just hoping that we wouldn’t fall through a broken spot in the beams. I didn’t want to end up plunging through the ceiling and landing on the floor below.
When we stepped into the room, I spotted Jaden tied up and sitting on the floor. By the way he was slumped over, he was passed out. I let out a gasp. Brannon ran over to him and I followed.
“Is he okay?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Help me get him turned around,” Brannon said.
“Jaden, are you okay?” I asked.
Brannon untied the rope from his hands and that was when Jaden looked up at us.
“What happened? What are you doing here?” Brannon asked.
“I must have fallen asleep. I thought no one would ever find me,”he said.
“Can you tell us how you got in this room?” Brannon asked.
Terror flashed in Jaden’s eyes as he said, “I don’t know who brought me here. They were dressed all in dark clothing and they had their faces covered with masks, like ski masks. They brought me in here and dumped me into this room tied up. Then they left. I didn’t know if they were coming back or what they were going to do with me.”
Brannon pulled out his phone and made a quick call. “I’m going to take you to the hospital, okay?”
“I don’t think I need to go to the hospital,” he said.
Brannon and I exchanged a look.
Brannon said, “Let’s go anyway and then you can leave right after if you’re okay. We just want to get you checked out.”
We helped Jaden up from the floor and made it down the long hallway and down the steps, then out to the car. He was wobbly and stumbled a lot. I couldn’t believe that we had found him here. Who had brought him here and for what reason?It was scary to think that someone had left him like that.
After getting Jaden into the car, we headed down the driveway and toward the hospital. I hadn’t expected this twist.
Brannon said, “The other officers will meet us there.”
I nodded and then looked back at Jaden. He had his head resting on the back of the seat. I didn’t know if I should bring up who he thought had brought him here, but I wanted to know as well. He had said he didn’t know, but maybe there was some clue that he could provide that would lead us to who did this. It was important that we found out so they wouldn’t do it to someone else.
“Jaden, do you have any other clues as to who might have done this to you?” I asked.
Brannon glanced back at Jaden through the rear-view mirror. Jaden had that same blank look that he always gave me.
“I don’t have a clue.” Jaden avoided eye contact.
It looked as if he knew more than he was letting on. Why was he not willing to share this with us? What kind of trouble was he in? He had been following Melissa. Melissa had obviously been interested in this house. Now we’d found him tied up in this house. So what was going on? What was the connection?
We arrived at the hospital quickly. I hadn’t expected that it would be such a short drive. Luckily, it seemed that Jaden was fine, but the doctor would check him out to make sure. I waited in the lobby as Brannon took Jaden into the ER. After a couple minutes, other officers arrived and walked back into the emergency room. I was all alone in the lobby, so I paced across the floor. I had too much nervous energy to sit. After about thirty minutes, Brannon came back out.
“They’re just waiting for the doctor,” he said. “I can give you a ride home now.”
I pushed the hair out of my eyes. “Yeah, that would be good.”
Brannon and I left the hospital and headed back toward my apartment.
“So what do you think the connection is?” I asked.
Brannon glanced over at me as he stopped at a red light. “You mean the connection between Melissa, the house, and Jaden being there?”
I pointed at him. “That’s what I mean.”
He shook his head and pushed the gas. “You make a good detective partner too.”
I looked out the side window. “I have my moments.”
After a couple minutes, Brannon pulled up to my apartment. Brannon walked me to the door. “I have to go back to the hospital.”
“I suppose you will let me know what you find out?” I smiled.
He leaned down and planted a long kiss on my lips. His touch made me hyper-aware of every tingling inch of my body.
“I’ll see you soon,” he whispered and then turned away.
I quirked an eyebrow. “Don’t forget to ask about why he was following her.”
Brannon smiled and then walked toward his car. He might be talking to Jaden tonight, but I would do my own research about the words I’d found on the paper that Krista Meyer had dropped. That strange feeling that someone was watching me returned, so I hurried inside.
Chapter 12
I settled onto the sofa with my laptop. The evening hadn’t turned out like I’d expected, but I hoped that I could still make some progress with the case now that I was home.
The TV played in the background. I’d left it on a rerun of Ghost Adventures. I typed the words I’d found written on the paper into a search engine. I wasn’t sure if I would find anything. I clicked on the first link that appeared. I crossed my fingers as the page popped open.
I scrolled down the page. About midway down, the words were typed out just as they had been printed on the paper. Apparently, this was some kind of spell. Exactly what it was for I wasn’t sure, but I did have my suspicions. Somehow, the haunted books and the spell had to be related. What was Krista Meyer doing with this spell written down? Obviously she was using it for something.
After further reading, I realized that this spell was to summon ghosts. Why would she want to do this? Was she trying to summon the ghost of Melissa? Had she missed her opportunity to confront Melissa while Melissa was alive, so now she thought she would do it in the afterlife? I certainly had heard of crazier things. I scrolled down the page for more information, but that was all that was listed. I had to find out if she had used this spell yet. Was this related to the strange text I had receiv
ed? It had to be, right?
Just then the lights flickered. I froze on the spot. I didn’t think that it was storming out. Although there had been rainclouds and the temperature was unseasonably warm, I didn’t hear any thunder or see lightning. I focused on the laptop. I would do a little more research and then head for bed. At least I had tomorrow off and could focus more on researching.
Sound came from the hallway. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard this sound, and probably wouldn’t be the last. I should be used to it, but it was still unsettling to know that a ghost could be in my house. This was my domain and I liked to think I was safe here. Maybe that was far from the truth.
I placed my laptop down on the table in front of me and decided to take a look in the hallway. Honestly, I hoped that I didn’t find anything. I eased up from the sofa and tiptoed over to the hallway. As if I really thought I was going to sneak up on a ghost. They were much sneakier than me.
After inching my way over I finally reached the hallway. I looked to the left and then to the right, but didn’t see anything. I eased into the hallway. Now I was standing right in the middle. For some reason, I felt more vulnerable at this spot. The footsteps sounded again and honestly it sounded like it came from my bedroom. I wouldn’t be able to sleep with the thought of a ghost in there with me. I supposed I needed to check it out. I took a couple steps forward and that was when the lights went out.
I froze, unable to see anything in front of me. My heart rate increased and I hoped that I didn’t hear the footsteps again. I still didn’t see any sign of a thunderstorm. So there must be something wrong with the power. Luckily, I had my cell phone and could use the flashlight on it. Good thing I’d remembered to charge it. I just had to get outside and check the fuse box.
The little glow from my flashlight illuminated a small spot in front of me. That was when I heard the footsteps again. My skin prickled at the mere sound. It sent a shiver down my spine.
I was ready to run out of there. But I needed to remain calm, although I did quicken my step as I headed toward the door. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do once I got outside.
I’d almost reached the door when my phone alerted me to a text message. Maybe it was Brannon. I prayed that he was on his way to my place. Though he hadn’t mentioned coming back. When I glanced down at the screen, I realized that the text was from an unknown caller. I knew what that meant right away.
It’s not safe.
Not safe in the house? Not safe outside? Or not safe anywhere? What did this mean? Annie was at the library, so which ghost was sending a message? I tried to remain calm, but after getting that message it was impossible. I was kind of freaking out. Okay, not kind of, I really was freaking out. It was time for me to get out of the house. I just needed a little distance from the situation to figure out what to do. First thing was to get the lights back.
I hurried out the door and down the main steps. When I reached the second floor, I paused. What was I thinking? The lights were on in the hallway, so it was only my apartment that was in the dark. It had to be paranormal, right? That was when the thought hit me: maybe this wasn’t ghosts, but the killer. The murderer could have cut the power to my place. Maybe running outside was just what the killer wanted me to do. I would be falling right into a trap. I should go back upstairs. But what would I do then?
As I climbed the steps to go back to my apartment, my phone alerted me that I had another text. I was almost afraid to see what it said this time, but I pulled the phone back out of my pocket and peered down at the screen.
You’ll find it outside.
What was that supposed to mean? What was I going to find outside? I knew that I shouldn’t look, but I also knew that I had to. I shoved the phone back in my pocket and slowly turned around.
For a moment, I paused and had second thoughts about going outside. I looked around as if I would see the spirit of whoever was sending these text messages.
“What are you trying to tell me?” I whispered.
Of course there was no answer to my question. I made it a policy not to talk to bad ghosts if I could help it. But this time, I didn’t know if this was a good ghost, a bad ghost, or neither. There was little way to know if the spirit was good or bad to begin with. They were good at hiding their intentions. That meant that I would have to go outside and find out what this ghost was talking about.
I made my way down the rest of the steps expecting that I would possibly get another text. I just wanted answers. I slowly opened the main door of the house and peeked out onto the porch. There was no one there. I thought about calling Brannon, but he was busy and I couldn’t call him every time something like this happened. I had to take care of it myself. I was probably just being a little too paranoid. After releasing a deep breath, I stepped out onto the porch and pulled the door closed behind me.
The night was quiet and the rustling of leaves on the branches was the only sound. The quiet was eerie and it reminded me that I was all alone out there. What was I supposed to do now? The text had just told me that ‘it’ was ‘outside.’ I peered around into the darkness and then stepped off of the porch. The further I moved away from the house, the more scared I was. If I was by the house at least I had a place to run to, but if the ghost was in there, it probably wouldn’t matter.
As I stood on the pathway, my phone received another text. My heart jumped in my chest as I pulled it out to see what this one said.
Go to graveyard. You’ll find it there.
What kind of game was this ghost playing? It had said I would find it if I went outside, now the ghost wanted me to go to the graveyard? But of course I was going to go anyway.
I must have been crazy to be walking around in the night like this with a killer possibly on the loose. I headed down the sidewalk across the street and over toward the cemetery.
There was no traffic out, which made it even eerier to be walking around town alone. I kept looking over my shoulder to see if anyone was back there. I hoped Brannon didn’t drive down the street and see me walking out here. Although I supposed not being alone would be a good thing.
When I looked up ahead, a shadow darted around the nearest building. I paused, not sure what to do next. The thing had moved down the alleyway that led toward the graveyard. I had to go that way too.
I slowed my pace, but continued toward the alleyway. Just then my phone alerted me to another text. I continued around the building and down the alleyway, then pulled my phone from my pocket.
You’ll find it at the cemetery.
That was great. I just didn’t know what ‘it’ was.
“It would help a whole bunch if you could give me a little hint here,” I said.
My phone remained silent and no ghosts appeared. I made it to the cemetery’s entrance. I didn’t see Mrs. Clatterbuck anywhere, but that owl was in the treetop again, watching me. The wind had picked up and a chill whirled in the air.
I didn’t know if I should go in the graveyard and look for whatever the ghost wanted me to find, or stay out here and wait for another text. I decided on the graveyard option. I moved through the gate and slowly made my way around some of the gravestones toward the middle of the graveyard. Suddenly, it felt as if I wasn’t alone. Was the ghost who had sent the text messages with me now? I scanned the graveyard again, trying to adjust my eyes to the dark. Nothing appeared at first, but then when I looked out across the graveyard I saw the shadows.
At first, I couldn’t make out any details other than silhouettes. But as they moved closer their faces came into view. They didn’t look happy. At a slow pace they moved toward me. The vibe they gave off made me think they were menacing.
Fear gripped me. I needed to get out of there. I turned and ran toward the gate, almost slipping and falling face first onto the ground. Had Mrs. Clatterbuck warned me about the spirits? Was the ghost sending me here on purpose so that the shadows could get me?
I rushed out of the gate and toward the alleyway. I had to know if the shadows we
re following me, so I turned around and looked back. Then I bumped into someone and fell backwards. I looked up and saw Bryce Hawkins, Melissa’s boyfriend.
“I’m sorry,” Bryce said, reaching down to help me up.
What was he doing here? I got to my feet.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
I looked back one last time, then breathlessly said, “Yes, I’m fine.”
“You probably shouldn’t be back here in the dark.”
His words gave me the creeps.
Chapter 13
“Do you want me to take you home? I have my car just around the corner.” Bryce motioned toward the street.
I moved around him and said, “No, thank you. I’ll walk.”
He started walking along with me. He had to know that I knew he was a suspect. I should ask him questions about the murder, but he was creeping me out. I just wanted to get away from him. Too bad he couldn’t take the hint. I hurried my steps, but he kept up with me easily. How could I get him to understand that I wanted him to go away? Sometimes politeness wasn’t possible. This might be one of those times.
I glanced over at him. “Look, I don’t need a ride home, okay?”
“Well, it’s really dark out and kind of spooky, so I just thought you might want a ride home.”
That sounded exactly like something a serial killer would say. Either this guy was clueless or he really was a crazy killer. People just didn’t offer to give women rides home like that. If I could just hurry up and get out of the alleyway and back to the street, maybe other people might see me. I’d feel safer then. Although then I would probably be closer to his car and it would be easier for him to shove me in it and take off.
Bryce continued to keep up with my pace as we moved down the alleyway. Finally, I reached the end of the alley and turned to the right, heading down the sidewalk. Of course he followed beside me. There was no way I was going to walk all the way home with this guy following me. I didn’t want him to know where I lived. Where were the shadow people when I needed them? Maybe seeing them would scare him away. Although I doubted a killer would be scared of anything.
Haunt the Haunt, Walk the Walk (Haunted Tour Guide Mystery Book 3) Page 9
