Spectrophobia

19: Police Massacre

(Gore content/ violence)

The investigator scrambled to pick up every piece of paper and stick it back into his notebook. He threw the entire thing in his briefcase and headed to the front door.

"Hey, hey! Where are you going?"

"I'm going to check on Kyle. I want you to stay here and don't do anything. If you hear or see something - ignore it. For the love of God, do not provoke the son of a bitch!"

"You're going alone?"

The investigator spun around - almost bumping into his chest.

"You're an even bigger target. It cannot hurt you, yet. It still lives off of you. I can fight it off if it's there."

As the investigator stumbled to make his way through the door - he called back his instructions set exclusively for a distressed Ray.

"Do not answer the door no matter what. Do not answer the phone even if you know the number. Stay away from reflections and keep your thoughts hidden. Do not do any stupid investigations around the house, that's my job. If it returns in the house - call my number, if it tries to provoke you, just ignore it all. Got it?"

Ray - still in a state of bewilderment - nodded as his mind finally recorded his words.

"Stay safe, stay quiet."

Those were the last words he heard of the investigator as he fled through the front door, shutting the door securely behind him. Raymond very briefly poked his head through the boarded window - lifting the sheet to provide a hole to see through.

The investigator was gone. Vanished.

Ray huffed, moving to the couch and sitting upon it heavily. He knew his instructions were simple, but he just couldn't keep himself to himself. He wanted to move around - wanted to leave - wanted to help the investigator. But he knew he was also right. He had to stay.

Just then, his phone buzzed to life.

For a moment, he had forgotten where he had put the stupid device. Looking around the room for any sign of its presence. He founded it hidden and tucked half-hidden under the table. He must have left it there when helping the investigator.

He walked to it - crouching it down to pick it up.

The name of the caller flashed onto the screen.

'Jane Beckett.'

He gulped. He was desperate to pick up the call, desperate to hear from her again. Yet he heard the investigator's word, so placed his phone on the couch and sat down, ignoring it.

The phone soon stopped buzzing - he was left in a blissful silence.

Then it rang again.

Jane again.

Ray continued to ignore it until it stopped.

Then it rang again.

Jane again.

Was he going crazy? Was this really happening? He tried to ignore it, but now the buzzing drilled holes into his head. The buzzing rocked his core and shook his sanity to the limit. Without thinking, he grabbed the phone and pressed call.

"Hello? Jane? Is that you?"

Sobbing.

"Jane?! What's happening?"

Panicked breathing.

"I... I need help."

"Where are you? Jane, tell me, where are you?!"