A Whispered Darkness

by Vanessa Barger

  ***

  “Oh God.” I whispered, moving slowly inside. As if my movements could disturb the scene in front of me. I stopped next to Grant and Gabriel. “How did you find her?”

  “Haven.” Gabriel told me. His entire body looked tense, as if he were ready to catch anyone who might fall. “We barely finished the blessing on the third floor, and he was running down the stairs, calling to us about the tower.”

  “She’s breathing!” Cain called down.

  The stairs moved again, the metal releasing a haunting moan. I closed my eyes, opening myself. Despite our efforts, the barriers we’d placed were weakening. I could see faint traces of ghostly influence working on the metal. They wanted it to fail.

  “Hurry up, Haven.” I breathed the words, more to myself than to anyone else.

  Still, I saw his head come up and his eyes found mine in the shadowy light. He nodded once. He knew what was going on.

  Finally, he climbed around to lift her head, while Cain got her feet. Between the two of them, they got her downstairs and laid her on the floor. Julia rushed over, her hands moved over Mom’s limbs and pulse points with quick efficiency.

  She flashed a smile at me. “I’m an EMT in my free time. Comes in handy when we’re doing this kind of stuff.”

  I used my shirt to wipe away some of the blood from Mom’s face. Her eyelids fluttered, and she looked up for a moment. “Claire? What’s happening? I don’t feel well at all.”

  Tears sprung to my eyes. As I sat there, I looked closer, really looked, and saw only her spirit flickered before me. Confused, small, but growing stronger. Horace had left her. Whether because of the blessing or because they were regrouping, I didn’t know.

  Despite everything, a thrill moved through me and I smiled at her. “Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll get you all fixed up.”

  Tears burned my eyes. I could admit now I’d nearly convinced myself the final exorcism might damage her permanently. Or worse. Knowing she would be all right was a huge relief.

  “I’m so tired. What is wrong with me?” Her words were slurred.

  “You’re fine.” I looked up at Julia. “Just go to sleep.”

  “She could have a concussion, though I don’t think so.”

  Mom’s eyelids fluttered closed. Her hand patted my knee awkwardly. “Good girl.”

  I sniffed, watching as Mom’s breathing fell into an easy, restful pattern.

  “Look at this.” Julia pushed Mom’s hair to the side, revealing a red line, broken in places into thin cuts, disappearing around the back of her neck.

  She had ripped off the locket.

  “Whatever you do tonight,” I said. “Don’t put on any jewelry, okay?”

  The others nodded. Julia snorted. “Anything this house gives you, I’d say no to.”

  “Can we move her?” Cain asked.

  Julia nodded and Deon picked her up.

  “I think she’s stunned and weak from the possession. But we should probably take her to the ER and get her checked out.”

  “Would you two take her? If Cain doesn’t mind?” I asked.

  They exchanged a look, and Deon started toward the door. “No offense, Claire, but this is one case I’ll be fine if I don’t see the end of. No matter which way it turns out, I’ll have nightmares.”

  Grant scrubbed at his eyes and tried to cover a sniffle. I reached over and hugged him. “It’s going to be all right.”

  He nodded against my shoulder and pulled away. We all rose, following Deon and Julia downstairs. Haven fell into step beside me, and I paused at the top of the stairs to press a kiss to his cheek.

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “If you hadn’t gotten there, they’d have caused the whole thing to collapse. If you hadn’t succeeded up on the third floor, they’d have managed it. So thank you.”

  He pulled me under his arm. “I’d tell you I’d be glad to do it anytime, but the truth is, I’d like this night to never be repeated again.”

  “You and me both.”

  Even though the house felt lighter now that we’d managed to cleanse everything to the third floor, it wasn’t finished yet. I glanced upward, sensing the energy we’d shoved aside like a dense black cloud writhing in the rafters. We didn’t have much time before it crashed down and crushed us beneath the weight of its hate.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Mom and Bryan were loaded into one of the vans with Julie and Deon. Everyone was concerned at Bryan’s lack of touch with reality, and while Mom seemed to be all right, it was better to get her clear before she could wake up and argue.

  Instead, George and Grant sat with the equipment, while Laura argued with Cain on the other side of the room.

  Haven threaded his fingers with mine. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

  I shook my head. “Doesn’t matter. Its eleven forty five. We’ve got fifteen minutes for someone to make the last move. I’d rather it be me.”

  He blew out an exasperated breath. “I’d feel better if this were over already.”

  “You and everyone else.”

  Cain came closer, Laura following behind. Judging by the scowl on her face, she wasn’t done arguing.

  “Why does it have to be on Halloween?” he asked.

  “It’s because of the thinness of the barrier and the strength they have in this house. It makes it equal territory. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to make her go anywhere she didn’t want.”

  He sighed. “Just you, me, and Haven? No one else upstairs?”

  I shook my head. “If we can’t do it, then it can’t be done at all.”

  “I’m going too,” Gabriel told me, crossing his arms. “You’ll need me.”

  I nodded.

  “I should be allowed to go, Claire.” Grant crossed his arms, planting his feet. “You can’t expect me to sit here and wait.”

  “Grant, we’ve been through this. You come, and she’s got someone to use against me. Stay here. Go outside. But don’t come upstairs.”

  George draped an arm over Grant’s shoulders. “Between Laura and me, he’ll stay. No stupid heroics will be performed in our presence.”

  He jerked away, then gave me a hug. “Don’t do anything dumb, okay?”

  I squeezed and released him. “Not any more than normal.”

  I looked around the faces illuminated in the light from the lanterns. We were a grim-looking crew. Forcing a smile, I clapped my hands together. “Shall we?”

  “You’re all nuts. We should get the hell out of here and torch this place.” Laura muttered, dropping onto the couch and cradling her head in her hands. Cain leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek, whispering something in her ear.

  She flapped a hand at him. “Get going. The sooner you’re done, the better.”

  I led the way upstairs, a box-cutter in one hand, my flashlight in the other. Haven carried a crow bar. The grandfather clock in the hall ticked, and I passed the beam of the flashlight over it. Ten minutes. Not much time.

  The peace of the other floors began to lessen as we hit the third floor. The spirits weren’t through the barrier yet, but they were close. As we filed down the hallway, every door slammed shut in unison and I nearly dropped the tool in my hands.

  Gabriel uttered an oath.

  “Careful,” I called back. “You’re going to have to say a lot of Hail Marys if you keep it up.”

  Haven chuckled.

  “I told you. Not that kind of priest,” Gabriel said.

  I moved to the alcove we’d found earlier and squeezed the box cutter tight in my damp fingers. “Ready?”

  Everyone nodded.

  Finding the groove with my fingers, illuminated by Haven’s flashlight, I slid the knife into the heavy wallpaper. Just the first cut made my breath come quicker.

  “Good Lord,” Haven whispered.

  I paused.

  “Keep going. It’s like a Band-Aid. Better t
o do it all at once.”

  Sweat broke out on my upper lip as I cut through the heavy wallpaper, the blade slipping easily in the groove between the hidden door and the wall. Once I had, air flowed through, bringing the scent of age and rot with it. It almost seemed as though the house itself breathed. I coughed and Haven shoved the crowbar into the gap.

  Cain moved forward, and together they wiggled the metal into the gap. With a grunt, the door swung open with a moan.

  A shudder moved over my skin in the wake of the foul breeze that drifted down. I took a deep breath in spite of the smell and moved my flashlight beam to examine what was in front of us. A steep set of worn wooden stairs led into darkness my light couldn’t penetrate. A thick carpet of dust lay over bits of paper and dead bugs. Other lumps rested in the corners, things I didn’t examine closely. I squinted at the top of the stairs, but it was as if the shadows consumed the beam.

  “Don’t get too far ahead,” Haven whispered.

  “Definitely not going to be a problem.”

  He squeezed my hand and released it.

  I paused. “Ready?”

  Cain mumbled an affirmative. Haven lit a stick of sage, and Gabriel, pale beneath his sweat dampened locks, nodded. He pulled a bottle of holy water from the bag at his side and flipped the worn leather book open.

  I moved forward, and the instant my foot touched the top stair, it was as though a thousand needles pierced my skin. With a gasp, I stumbled, my hands slipping in the thick layer of dust on the steps. Haven reached down, helping me up.

  “I’m fine,” I said. “Just a misstep.”

  Haven shook my arm a little. “I can feel it too. Don’t lie.”

  “Doesn’t matter. We’re going.” Without waiting to hear his protest, I got back to my feet, keeping my fingertips on the wall. With careful steps, we finished our climb into the attic.

  At the top, I fell to my knees, the pressure of the ghosts in the small space a crushing weight on my skull. I pushed back and struggled to my feet. Behind me, I heard Haven cry out, his own senses working against him. He stumbled, falling into a chaise lounge which splintered under his weight. While his abilities might not lean toward active spirits, they could still see the difference in him.

  How DARE YOU!

  My flashlight had rolled away, the light going out. I took Haven’s from his shaking hand as he crawled from the broken pieces of furniture. Gritting my teeth, I took a step forward. Gabriel’s hand grabbed my arm, but I shook him off. Somewhere to my right, I was aware of Cain helping Haven.

  “My fight,” I gasped. “Just stay there.”

  “Don’t be stubborn.” Cain released Haven once he got his feet under him, but there was no force behind his words. Sweat dripped down his forehead.

  “Focus,” Gabriel hissed.

  I turned my back to them all and swept my light over the room. Three tiny windows, barred and long broken, ran along the length of the room. Barely enough to breathe from. A broken cot, moth eaten, the stuffing oozing out one side. A variety of flotsam littered the floor.

  But I choked back a startled scream as I drew the beam directly in front of me. A skeleton, mouth open in a silent scream, sat in a chair, still draped in a printed dress, with an afghan across its lap. A leg bone protruded from a giant hole in the blanket. Next to the armchair the corpse reclined in, a baby doll rested in a crib. The glass eyes glittered like a living thing, staring out into the dark.

  You found your way here. Congratulations. The voice was female, sharp, and buffeted me, body and soul, like a gale-force wind. Laughter echoed around us, and somehow I knew the others could hear her too. You can’t believe smoke and some water will keep me from what I want, do you?

  “You have no power over us.” Haven’s voice was a gargled croak. “You’ve no body. No purpose here.”

  No purpose? Oh, silly boy. Better to keep your thoughts to yourself. I can drive you to your knees and make you whimper for help in the time between one breath and the next.

  “Enough. Leave them out of this. You want me. Here I am.”

  Are they worth defending? Honestly, I can’t understand what you see in them. They quake at the sight of bones and decay. But not you.

  Her voice rang with admiration, and my lip curled in disgust. “What do you want?”

  So eager to be finished. Don’t spoil my opinion of you, my dear. Have you figured out my riddle yet? Don’t you know why I need you, Claire?

  “No. Why don’t you tell me?”

  “Don’t provoke it.” Gabriel moved a little closer. He seemed more composed than the other two. As if this is what he expected.

  He did. That one has more secrets than the both of us, you know.

  He jerked. Haven staggered to my right. Cain remained behind us. I squinted. “Why are you stalling?”

  A blast of air nearly knocked us off balance, stirring the dirt and dust to life. The skeleton moved, the bones clicking and clacking into place, the mouth closing in a parody of a smile.

  You are in my house. My domain. Show me the respect I deserve. Now, are you going to answer me, Claire?

  Swallowing, I switched the flashlight to the other hand, the plastic handle slick with my sweat. “You need me. I’m your way out. A psychic is straddling the living and the dead. So if they’re dead, they’re part of two worlds again?”

  Ah, smart and beautiful. Well, almost. You have the part the others would have me use. But it is a tiny part of what I intend to have. Through you, we could leave this house. Move on. Yet I find this place has grown on me.

  The skeleton took two steps, the afghan falling away.

  “Grown on you?” I couldn’t keep my disgust out of my voice. “You’re as twisted as the ones who put you here. Worse, actually, because you’ve tortured them far longer and far worse than Horace ever could have. They want to leave.”

  They think they will. Can you feel them? They practically salivate for your soul. Only I stand between you and them. They think I’m playing with you. I promised them you.

  “But?”

  I lied.

  My heart rate rose. “What else could you possibly want Maggie?”

  She paused, the skull tilting slightly.

  Figured it out, did you? So much the better. I’ve been nameless for too long.

  I could feel her push back the others. She seemed to have formed her own barrier between them and us. Outside, they panted like a pack of starving wolves, ready to rend and tear anything in their way.

  You are my stepping stone to something better. Something more.

  She pushed at us with all her malice. The barriers on my mind dissolved into nothing and I winced, tears escaping. Haven groaned behind me. Even Gabriel made a whimper of distress. I felt exposed, set out naked in a blizzard and attacked by knives of ice.

  “You don’t intend on setting any of us free, do you?”

  Of course not. Crushed dreams, the hopeless, despair. These are the dishes I dine on now. So go on and fight me, Claire Mallory. It will make the winning sweeter.

  “No.” I stepped forward, despite the pain radiating through my body and soul. “You want me to fight you. A willing sacrifice isn’t what you want. No one here has come willingly, especially not you.”

  A whisper of concern moved through Maggie. I could see it in the way the skeleton balked suddenly, the lessening of the storm raging around and inside me. Inside my head I could see her as she once was. Lovely, but the time spent locked in this attic had turned her cruel, then in her madness into something worse.

  Her eyes lit on me, and shadows covered them, turned them black. Her smile was more a grimace of bared teeth. She took another step toward me and I whimpered. The time I spent in the psych ward, the days of endless thoughts from those around me—all those were nothing compared to this. I could barely distinguish between the tangible world and the intangible.

  Vaguely, I was aware of Haven falling beside me, his fingers brushed my le
g. Cain was long since gone. Gabriel was on his knees, his holy water in one hand, his book in the other. Their images blurred, and I was close enough to Maggie to smell the stench of death and darkness on her bones. Dust tickled my nose, and I think I sneezed.

  I reached out, physically and mentally. My arms wrapped around the moldy bones, clutching them against me. My eyes stared into the hollow sockets, filled with spider webs. But in my mind I saw the rage twist her features. She locked mental arms around me as well, and black, shadow flames licked at our feet. The mingled with red, and Maggie’s eyes blazed into mine until I screamed.

  You think this will work? Wrong. Your last mistake.

  It burned like nothing I’d ever experienced before, but I held on. I ground my teeth together. “If you’re going to take me, Maggie, you’ll do it because I allow you to. You’ll take me in front of your grandson, kill his love as yours was killed. You’ll do it, and you’ll know exactly what you’ve made of yourself. Revenge came for you a long time ago. Now you’re worse than the monster who kept you here.”

  You can’t do this. He is not my grandson! My child died! Horace took him from me and he died!

  “No, he didn’t. He took him, yes. The child lived, and there, hurting because of you, is proof.”

  NO! She struggled, the flames leaping higher. Around us, her hold on the other spirits slipped. They crowded close before she could catch them again.

  “Not what you planned?” I dropped to my knees, taking her with me. The bones began to fall apart. Gabriel moved forward, his actual features lost. I could only see the gold flame of him, and the blue blaze of Haven as they ripped away pieces of Maggie’s body.

  You and yours will suffer for this and your lies. Many times over.

  I didn’t understand how I knew what to do. But I did. I kept my grip on her skull as the ribs slid away from me. My body was almost an afterthought, and it took much concentration to feel my hands. Pain was becoming a part of me.

  “I’m going to win, even if it means I lose.”

  I could feel her struggles lessening. She was gathering herself for a final blow. Somehow, even though I was only half aware of myself, I knew midnight was beginning to strike. With one hand, I reached out. Part of speaking with the dead was being able to see them, and to see those doorways leading to places they wanted to go. Maggie’s hold on those gateways, kept so tight over the years, relaxed. She threw herself at me, her energy, her soul, merging with mine, latching onto me in ways I never dreamed possible.