Ghost Hunting 101

☆Twenty Three☆

Warning: Mentions disembodied voices, full bodied apparitions, some creepy music and shadow figures.

****

Avery pulls up to the society, cutting the engine. She spots the team as they're loading up everything. Today was the day that Paranormal Monthly was planning on shadowing the team. Avery would be lying if she said she wasn't feeling a little bit nervous about this particular investigation.

She quickly exits her car, locking it before shutting the door and hurrying over to Nolan. He flashed that cute grin at her and instantly, Avery's nerves calmed just a tad.

"You ready for this?" Nolan asks. Avery smiles, reaching for his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I should be asking you that." Nolan chuckles.

"I'm ready," he replies. "Or as ready as I can be."

"Hey, just think about all the free publicity you'll receive from getting featured in the magazine," Avery says softly. Nolan nods, tugging his hand away. Immediately Avery is concerned.

"You're worried, aren't you?"

"It's just, this is huge, you know? I want everything to run as smoothly as possible. I don't want to give Paranormal Monthly any more reasons to doubt us."

"Hey," Avery murmurs softly, taking Nolan's hand again. "Everything will be just fine. None of us wants to mess things up. Not with so much at stake." Nolan stares into Avery's eyes and smiles.

"You're right. I'm just overthinking." Avery gives him a quick kiss.

"You are, but I still love you anyway." Nolan chuckles. The rest of the team joins them. Avery takes note that everyone looks a little tense. Nolan clears his throat, addressing his team.

"I know everyone's on edge about this, but just remember, our main goal is assist the client."

"We're gonna rock this," Lola says, smiling. Nolan chuckles.

"Damn right we will." The Paranormal Monthly staff van pulls up. Elise rolls down her window, smiling.

"Hope you're all ready." Nolan pastes a smile on his face.

"We are."

"Super. Let's hit the road!"

***
Two hours later, everyone is pulling into the gates of the Mount Valley Lodge. Avery stares curiously at the vast building.

"Damn. This place is huge," she comments as the van rolls to a stop in the lodge. Nolan nods, cutting the engine. Everyone quickly scrambles out, heading inside as the owners greet everyone. Nolan had called ahead, making sure it was okay to have the extra staff from Paranormal Monthly tagging along.

Nolan quickly introduced his team to the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Reilly. They seemed genuinely excited to have their place getting investigated.

The Reilly's recounted several of the paranormal experiences that both they and several guests and staff had. Avery found herself getting a little excited about beginning the investigation.

After the Reilly's were finished and had shown the team several hot spots for where the paranormal activity was most prominent, they immediately began setting up the equipment and then, figuring out how to split everyone into teams.

It's decided that Nolan, Stuart, Avery and Lola will go on one team, while Elise, Sid, Lennox and some of the other staff would go on other team.

They spilt up, Avery following behind Nolan as they headed into the grand ballroom, where there had been reports of shadow figures and music playing.