by David Falchi
«Master», that’s how Lerner used to greet me with his customary sarcastic tone. «We never rest, uh? »
Once again, the temptation to speak loudly was very strong.
I was quite sure that this urge of mine was the result of one of my assistant’s usual mind game. He has been living such a miserable existence so he likes to spice things up with jokes of dubious taste. Some time ago, he even managed to get away with it. But I suppose that day he succeeded because he saw how exhausted I was after I finished to work.
Oh, shut up! This is convenient for you too, so stop complaining about it. Did you hear what my last phone call was about?
Lerner raised his white gloved hand and removed his sunglasses. He looked pensive, but I guess he was just trying to imitate me. The man’s lifeless grey iris reflected the dying sunlight that came from the broken window.
«If only you had kept me out of that crappy suitcase I am sure I would have heard everything. It is so full of disgusting tools that I honestly don’t know how I am going to take it any longer. »
Up until now he had been tolerant but only because he knew that suitcase could offer him protection. In fact, the hard case had the purpose to protect him from physical damages. The piece of fabric covered in magical symbols that wrapped the mirror instead, functioned as a barrier against dark forces who might have tried to control him. He was well aware of the suitcase’s benefits, but his wish for freedom was too strong.
What do you think about the new case?
We had just passed the clouds, and the world outside the mirror was now being illuminated by the sunrays. Lerner’s universe, on the other hand, still looked dark and lifeless, especially now that the sun had set.
Even better. At least I had been spared from seeing all the grim details of my assistant’s dimension.
«I think that it might be dangerous. The air is filled with weird vibes. The words that you heard from that man were not entirely true. But it’s not his fault. Maybe, he didn’t even know that he was lying. I don’t think you should take the case. »
What else did you see?
Lerner shrugged his shoulders. «Not much. I didn’t have the chance to walk through the astral trails. I’ll do it while you are travelling on this silly mechanical bird. But let me tell you something: what I’m feeling is not good». Then, he laughed and his lips cracked. A drop of blood slipped down his chin.
Now it looked like he was wearing some sort of lipstick. «Master, don’t get me wrong, the entities that we often meet could rarely be considered good ones. But, in this case, I’m sensing something even worst. So, before rushing into that house, you might want to reconsider this whole thing. Actually, if I were you, I wouldn’t even go meet the guy. Why don’t we go find some abandoned building? It’ll be just like the old times. Besides, the spirits that hide inside these places are generally more collaborative and can be easily tamed».
I couldn’t help but snigger at him, and his face immediately grew serious. He was aware of the fact that his words were never able to hold sway over my decisions.
Alright then, ask for advises, if you can. Walk through those trails and try to understand what those vibes truly mean. We can’t turn down a job offer just because you are having bad feelings about it.
I knew that I was partly wrong. Perhaps, the way my assistant was able to perceive reality was unique, and no human being could ever develop such a sensory awareness. The truth was something entirely different though, and Lerner would have never supported me on this. I could have never refused a case just because there might have been dangers, because they were a part of me, of who I’ve always been.
If I had backed down, I would have acted like a cop who had refused to intervene in a robbery just because the criminals were armed. I often had to face dangerous situations, but those were the ones who actually helped me growing up, and made me the person that I’ve become.
« You’re about to sleep, aren’t you? If only I could be able to do the same. Do you think at least there’ll be enough energy? »
You should be the one to know that. But if you truly want to know my opinion, I think there’s not that much left. Soon, this mirror will only reflect images of the real world.
My assistant burst into laughter.
«Oh, I don’t think so, my friend. I violated this object in every possible way, and if I ever had to get out of here, I’m sure this mirror will turn into a pile of dust».
I ignored Lerner’s complaints and I wrapped the mirror in the piece of fabric. The other passengers must have thought that I was crazy. And, as a matter of fact, I’d been staring at that mirror for quite a long time. Well, maybe they thought I was just being a narcissist, even though my aspect seemed to indicate the exact opposite. In fact, up until now, I had been working at a case in the countryside, and last time I had the chance to shave was before I got there.
I placed the object in its box and I secured it inside the suitcase. I put it down on the floor, and I made myself comfortable on the seat. I was sure that no one would have dared to touch my luggage, because if that had happened, that person would have had lots of troubles falling asleep in the following days.
I decided to take advantage of the journey to get some sleep. Once I had been in Rome, I would have stopped by my apartment for a modest meal and a shower, and then I would have worked on my last intervention. I was almost asleep when I realized that I was already taking for granted that I had accepted the case. My assistant’s words had convinced me. However, I was afraid that if he had managed to earn his freedom things would have become difficult for me, for I might have had to do everything by myself.
2
I arrived at 4 pm. I had my usual suitcase with me and another luggage that had been stored with the other passengers’ baggage inside the bus trunk.
When I got out of the bus, I immediately recognized Mr. Guidi by the dark circles under his eyes and by his haunted gaze. I had no doubt now: that man believed every single word that he said. With a gesture of my head I made myself noticeable, and then I patiently waited in line to pick up my luggage.
The air seemed fresh and clean, so I took a deep breath, knowing that shortly afterwards I would have had to throw myself in an unhealthy environment where all humans would have struggled to fit.
Once I retrieved my stuff I headed towards the client. He must have been in his early forties, even though his scruffy beard and his messy-hair made him look older than he was. He was slightly shorter than me, maybe around six feet tall, and with a small pot belly, which was protruding under his shirt. He extended his trembling hand.
«I thought you were coming with your vehicle».
«I don’t own a car» I answered, while I shook his hand. Lerner was right. Even with a glove on that man was giving me terrible vibes. I guessed he must have been that kind of person that everyone avoided, so I wondered what kind of woman his wife must have been. The fact that he had been able to trigger the awakening of a spirit didn’t surprise me at all.
«If I had a car I’d have to drive it in an altered state of mind and that wouldn’t be good for my health. I usually prefer being driven by my clients wherever my services are required».
«Thank you for coming», he continued. «I took the liberty of booking you a room in our hotel. Should you need to rest before...»
It seemed like he was having trouble finding the right words. Judging by his look, for the past two days he must have been expecting some sort of savior. And now that he was finally standing before him, the man didn’t seem to know how to act around him.
«I’m fine» I replied. «I took advantage of my return flight to rest a little. This is also another reason why I don’t like driving. When I reach the place of the intervention I need to be able to think straight. My senses cannot be clouded by tiredness. I can’t afford it».
«Alright. Follow me then» said Mr. Guidi. «My car is just around the corner. If you think you are ready, I’ll drive you to the estate».
&
nbsp; «That’s why I’m here».
While I followed him, I realized people would instinctively avoid him. The negative aura that surrounded him was so evident that any person could have seen it. I couldn’t help but wonder if that was a peculiarity of the man or if the process had started when he had set foot into the new house.
He had a big well-kept car. Before his certainties were shaken by the dreadful experience that he just lived in the mountain house he must have been very attached to his possessions. But I bet that if he had managed to get through what happened that would have changed. In fact, knowing that an afterlife does exist, can be a life-changing experience. Especially if this can prevent someone from going crazy.
«My wife apologizes for not being here, but she couldn’t bear the thought of coming back to the mountain house». He whispered, while he opened the trunk. «To be honest, I’m having trouble getting her out of the hotel. But I count on your support in regard to this matter».
I placed the luggage in the trunk, while I kept the suitcase with me. I was sure that I was going to need it shortly afterwards. «Let’s try to restore the natural order of things, first. After all, that’s why I’m here ».
«And what about your fee...? »
«I’m sure my colleague has already mentioned it but in case he forgot you should know that we’ll be able to talk about it once the job is done. As for now, you should just think about staying calm for as long as you can. I’m going to need your help on everyday matters, or at least before I get to the bottom of this whole situation».
«Of course, I understand. You can count on me. Money isn’t an issue».
I’ve always been paid for my jobs, and there are only two reasons for that: gratitude and fear. In the first case, the commonest, people simply want to express gratitude to the person who solved their problems. In the second case, they are terrified by the idea that I could bring back into their lives the entities that they have just gotten rid of.
In any case, there was no need to talk about my professional fee right now. At least, not until I finished the job.
«I was referring to something way more practical» I replied. «But I suppose money could be useful. Are you ready to escort me to the place? »
«I’m not sure», he admitted.
I looked him in the eyes and I added: «Don’t worry. You only need to drop me nearby the house. You don’t even have to see it, if you don’t feel like it. This is no longer your problem. You don’t even have to think about it».
«It’s not easy, though».
He unlocked the car’s door and I sat in the passenger’s seat. The smell of nicotine immediately caught my attention. I never saw Mr. Guidi smoking, so I guessed his wife must have been the heavy smoker here. And given the circumstances, I couldn’t blame her.
«I know it’s not easy but in cases like these the less you think the better ».
The man drove the car along the highway. I’ve never seen that part of Tuscany but I immediately found it gorgeous. All the houses, even the tiniest ones were well kept, and they were all surrounded by flowers and plants. For a moment, I even thought this was a welcoming place where any sign of darkness seemed out of the picture. The sun was hot so I rolled down the car window, and suddenly the cockpit filled up with fresh air and a light scent of spring. Years ago, I had learnt to take advantage as much as I could of these little moments of positivity. If I had let myself be overwhelmed by what I did for a living, I would have seen the world in the same way that Lerner did from inside his mirror: a dark, barren and mournful place. Another lesson that I had learnt was that a heart ruled by shadows stood no chances against the darkness.
«This is our hotel», said Mr. Guidi, while pointing at a door on the left. «Are you sure that you don’t want to make a quick stop? »
«I’m absolutely positive».
It was an old building, probably from the Fifties. I could only imagine how many people must have slept in there. That place was probably full of psychic and spiritual imprints and I was sure that I would have hardly slept in there. At least, not without precautions.
«I wonder how you could be so calm», continued the man. Once I reassured him that I just wanted to have a first look at the house he suddenly seemed more willing to engage in a conversation. «Do you often deal with cases like these? »
«Questions like these are meaningless, if you think about it. Imagine to ask the same thing to a surgeon or to a counterterrorism agent. We are talking about professional figures here who deal with extreme situations, therefore the answer is yes. My job is just a little more in the shadows, and that’s why there aren’t a lot of people that work in my area of expertise».
«But jobs like these are not even comparable to yours» he replied. He was pressing his hands on the steering wheel as if it was his only anchor to reality. «I’m aware that performing an open heart surgery might be difficult but at least it makes sense. That, I can understand. You can go back home and justify your actions. And the same thing applies to the counterterrorism agent. Men have always had an evil side and I think it’s only fair that there are people that can stop destructive behaviors. Your job, on the other hand...»
Mr. Guidi was just venting but I knew what he was going through. All the certainties that he had built in his life were now falling apart. Maybe he and his wife had worked for years on securing themselves a safe nest. From what I understood, they didn’t have any child, but from his words they seemed like a close-knit couple. They had just inherited the perfect house to relax, but instead, they had fallen into an inconceivable trap.
Mr. Guidi’s existence had bumped into a cliff made of darkness that had destroyed all his certainties. Besides the fear, what was truly butchering his mind was the incapacity to understand what just happened.
«To make up for it, in my field of expertise there’s no competition», I replied, to sugar the pill.
He looked at me out of the corner of his eye and then he laughed. At least, I had managed to defuse the tension.
«Well, I’m glad to hear that this is your bread and butter», continued the man while we were crossing the borders of the country. When we got to a road surrounded by trees, he added: «Hearing this truly reassures me».
I didn’t answer. I preferred not to say that in my field of expertise one could hardly talk about habits. Some cases might even looked alike at first, but there were so many other aspects involved that only a fool could have approached the problem with such a shallow attitude.
«We are almost there», he finally said. He used the blinker and then he ventured into the wood.
The temperature suddenly decreased. I wished this was due to some sort of suggestion or to the shadows created by the tree leaves, but deep down I knew this wasn’t the reason.
* * *
Mr. Guidi parked the vehicle nearby the gate. He didn’t dare shutting the engine off. The fence was wrecked and rusty. In some points the net bended forward, as if the weight of time had started to loom over it. The gate wasn’t that different either, while the only item there that seemed to be brand-new was the lock that kept it close.
The two-story house was in the middle of a plot that had been literally invaded by uncultivated grass. It had a sloping roof, and it looked like a house that could resist to cold and snowy winters. Probably, some time ago, the walls must have had a sunny and cheerful shade, but now the plaster was completely ruined. Ivy had grown along the walls, and now the property looked more like a giant cocoon made of plants.
The shutters of the main floor were closed while they were wide open at the top floors. It’s likely that the spouses, who had been forced to run away from the mountain house, didn’t have enough time to close them. There was a little porch in front of the doorway, with a wood bench and some empty vase. There seem to be a shirt stuck on the pole but since the wind was fluttering somehow it could easily be taken for a white flag.
But deep down I knew that the house – or the entity that had taken possession of
it – wasn’t going to give up that easily.
I got out of the car. I was expecting to be welcomed by silence but I was wrong. Birds were twitting on the branches above me, and the entire wood seemed to throb with life. Probably, the house was only able to influence its own walls. No doubt this was a positive aspect: no matter how scary it might be, the spiritual presence probably wasn’t that strong if it couldn’t cross such delicate physical borders. I took another peep into the cockpit and I grabbed the suitcase. I had no intention to set foot inside the property without the right protections. Therefore, I looked at my chaperon and I asked: Could you turn off the engine? I think this could take a while». Then I extended my hand. «I’m going to need the keys of the lock».
«Don’t worry», mumbled Mr. Guidi, keeping his eyes nailed on the mountain house façade. «I, at least, want to come near the gate. I can’t let fear get the best of me».
I snapped my fingers, and I finally got his attention. «There’s no need for you to test your mettle. It’s ok to be scared of the unknown. Just give me the key. I’d prefer to go solo without putting your life at risk. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of occasions in which you’ll have the chance to test your bravery. But as for now, I need to analyze the situation without having to worry about you too». Once I told him that he didn’t need to get out of the car, he immediately felt relieved. He lowered his hand and grabbed a little metal key. Then, silently, he handed it to me. Good. His fear would have just fed the spirits.
I was back outside, ready for my first inspection. I could almost feel Lerner chomping at the bit from inside the mirror. He must have been craving to test his skills.
I made sure that my gloves didn’t have any hole and then I approached the gate: I didn’t want my naked skin to brush against anything in that house. I could feel Mr. Guidi’s scared eyes on me. I was sure that for the everlasting minutes that I was going to spend inside the house he would have felt like a death row inmate. I pushed the gate forward but shortly afterwards it got stuck. The hinges must have been pretty worn out. However, despite this little hitch, I found a way to trespass into the big garden. I took a few steps and then I stopped. I needed to listen to all the vibrations that the place could give me. It was weird though, because so far I’d heard nothing. The spirits inside the house should have reacted to my arrival, but everything seem to indicate that the house was empty. I looked back at my customer. He was still staring at me. For a moment, I suspected that he was the one who had been possessed.
