Riley's Excellent and Not-at-all Fake Exorcism Service

Chapter 7

That Was My Second Guess

Waking in an unfamiliar place was always a little disorienting, but waking in an unfamiliar place after being chased by a creepy Ring girl, and then making out with a sexy older guy before passing out was something out of a hallucination. How much did I drink last night? Not to mention the throbbing headache, the full-body chills or the earth-shattering realization that my life was officially crazy.

It took me a full minute to realize I was back in my in-law's house. I looked around in a panic, for a second thinking I was still in the sexy creepy man's mansion. I called out for Daniel as I stood from the king-sized bed. My legs were like jelly, but I powered through. Wobbling around, I found a robe resting on the edge of the bed. It looked like it was for me, and I was still cold, so I slipped it on.

Then the door opened, Daniel appeared with two coffees and a scowl on his face.

"Here." He handed me the black beverage, then walked out onto the balcony. I followed suit in silence, trying to gauge his mood. I wondered how much he knew, how he had brought me back to his parents home. I decided to wait for him to talk first.

He handed me a cigarette, then slipped another between his own lips. "So, what happened?" he finally asked, after lighting up both of our smokes. "You were fine. You were drinking, but it didn't seem like you had much. How did you end up passing out?"

"Okay . . ." So he didn't know I made out with the silver fox. It was understandable that he would think it was because of alcohol, but I needed to quell that thought. And I needed to tell him everything, no matter his reaction. "This might sound crazy . . . but I want you to hear me out."

"I know this has all been overwhelming. Trust me . . . I get that," he interrupted, causing my lips to tighten up. "But were you sneaking shots or something behind my back?"

"What? No, I . . ."

"Riley, is this all really so bad?" he interrupted again, the hand holding his cigarette was trembling slightly. "This is a good opportunity for us."

"Wait . . ." A lump formed in my throat. "What do you mean . . . a good opportunity?"

"Look," He said, taking a long drag. "There are lots of powerful people here, many with influence, who I could make connections with. I mean, why, Riley? Why did you have to pass out in front of Mr. Beelze? Of all people? Do you know how that makes me look? How it makes my parents look?"

"Daniel, I wasn't drunk. I . . ." I started.

"You've been acting really weird," he interrupted me yet again. "I've been trying to be understanding, but last night crossed a line."

"Would you just listen for a minute?" Heat rose in my face. "Mr. Beelze, he . . ."

"He what?" Daniel stubbed out his cigarette. "Caught you when you fell, carried you to a private room then came and got me, so I could sneak you out without everyone seeing?"

"He did more than that." I was trying very hard not to raise my voice, I knew if I started yelling, he wouldn't believe anything I said. "Daniel, there's something really strange going on here, with this whole place."

"Riley, stop." He held up his hands. "Honestly, I just want you to admit you drank too much, apologize, so we can move on."

"Please, Daniel, just listen for, like, five seconds," I reached out to touch his arm, but hesitated. "Weird things keep happening to me."

He made a face but didn't say anything.

"The first night I stayed here, I got out of bed and down the hall, there was, like, this thing. Like a person, but not. It looked like the creepy chick from the Ring. You know, the one with the long black hair? And, she was, like, coming at me. That's why I booked it, that's why I brought the priest over."