Can You Handle the Heat?

Chapter 37

The soft pitter-pattering of dripping water is the only noise that accompanies the quiet breathing and soft footsteps of our group. A beam of light flashes down the long hallway, to the left then to the right. It settles back to the left and we all turn our heads to look down at the extensive hallway. Nature had overtaken most of the floor and there were vines that crawled up the walls. The once pristine floors were covered with mud from where water had been dripping from the ceiling onto the dirty floor.

The cut on my back was beginning to sting as the adrenaline rush from earlier was finally subsiding. I knew that staying for an extended time probably wouldn't work for me, but I was willing to push it as long as it could go. I watch as Erick steps ahead of the group. He crept ahead keeping a steady pace but warily looking around for anything that seemed out of place. After walking around and checking the hallway, he returns with a nod of approval.

With that we all made our way down the hall quietly, the most prominent sound was the crunching of greenery. I looked around at the dilapidated building as I walked. Gaege walked beside me though instead of paying attention to the building, he was solely focused on me. I could feel his eyes trained on me as if looking for any sign to excuse-making me go back to the van. Subconsciously, I straightened my posture.

We made it to a large room on the right side of the hall. Where there had previously been a door, now there was an open entranceway into the room. Without the flashlight illuminating the space the room was pitch black. Somehow the room felt colder than the hallway before it. I passed under the doorway following behind Josh ahead of me. Kevin entered first and Dose followed up the rear so as to film the entrance of us into the room.

I glanced around the room. Tables had been flipped and vines dangled from the ceiling. The air is thick and smells dank. I do my best to take a deep breath though doing so makes the gash on my back sting. Gaege must have noticed me wincing because he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. I reciprocate with a side hug, but soon enough I notice that Grant is setting up the stuff in the middle of the room. Quiet murmurs of conversation have broken out around the room. I sigh and make my way to sit down, joining the circle that had started forming. Gaege was about to sit next to me, but when I placed my hand down, I looked over to Gabby. At first, she seemed to want to sit next to Eddie, and he was making space for her until she saw me. She shuffled her way over to me and stole Gaege's spot. I smiled and wrapped my arms around her. I looked up to his face. He was pouting,

"Fine! I'll just go sit by Eddie!" He stuck his tongue out and huffed as he made his way over to the open spot. Gabby is conscientious of the scratch on my back as she places her arm around my waist. She leaned her head on my shoulder. This causes a sort of rebuttal across the circle with Eddie cuddling up to Gaege. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention to Mully who had started addressing the camera.

The camera pans around to all of us, as it reaches Gabby and I, I place a kiss on her head. After explanations for this section of the video are done, the lights are turned off and the room falls into silence. Josh volunteers to be blindfolded and connected to the Spirit Box. We voted for Margo to be the spokesperson. Hoping that maybe because they were in a relationship there might be some sort of connection. I try to relax, but the faint noise of the static is slowly starting to wear on me. I take a deep breath and roll my shoulders back. As I do this Josh speaks,

"Hello again." Everyone stills as we turn to Josh who hasn't been prompted a message yet. Margo shakes out of her trance and asks,

"Who are you talking to?" There's silence from Josh for a bit until he answers,

"All." I continue to try and calm myself even closing my eyes. I hope that Gabby doesn't feel the increase in my breathing, or my attempts to quell the rising fear in me. If she does, she isn't acknowledging it, which I am grateful for. For some reason, keeping my eyes closed helps to tune most of it out. I was almost in a trance-like state until Josh piped up,