Freefall (Jaspar)

Chapter Twelve

If it were possible for stairs to be imposing beyond the fear of exercise, then Caspar was definitely experiencing it. At first, it'd been just a displaced sense of normalcy, like everything leading to this very moment had been a lie, and he was only returning after a normal happening; a long overseas trip perhaps. As they'd progressed further up the stairs, though, the calm had been washed away in favour of a deep-seated anxiety, a dull tremor constricting his chest until he couldn't breathe.

Never could he have imagined the apartment would give him such an array of panic. Once upon a time, not so long ago, the apartment acted as a safe haven from his less-than-perfect days, usually resulting in Caspar curled up under a blanket on the couch, watching a movie so rehearsed, he could repeat every line back.

That wasn't now, though. Although he would've taken a stab at that first night, Caspar couldn't actually pin down the exact moment the apartment became so hostile. He also had lingering doubts that it was all due to the supernatural presences, either.

Not that the apartment would be so dark and foreboding without, but Caspar had to admit that his friends certainly played a major role in creating such a carefree environment. Not just Joe, but the other members of their bedraggled gang too. He hadn't seen the boys in so long, it was hard to imagine how careless their lives had been earlier.

Cam was leading the small procession, and Dan brought up the rear, sandwiching Caspar between in an unspoken agreement. Caspar had already guessed their intentions though; the glances shared over Caspar's head were less than subtle. They wanted to ensure Caspar didn't do something stupid before they'd taken a hold of the situation.

They probably had the right idea, anyway.

They passed the crime-scene door, covered in yellow tape, with a piece of paper slipped inside a plastic pocket stuck to the door, detailing that the apartment within was, in fact, a crime scene, and unauthorised entry would be considered trespassing.

Liam had already told the others that the investigation had been filed away, as there had been no leads, or any kind of evidence. If it weren't for the autopsy's inconclusive report, and the harrowing scream reported by several other residents, the mysterious death of a woman probably would've been written off as unsuspicious circumstances.

Cam stopped on the next floor up, turning to the Dan and Caspar below him. Looming over them, his face wiped clean of expression, he began.

"Tonight could be dangerous, tonight could be messy. You'll both be in the direct path of harm, Caspar in particular with the obsession they seem to show." Cam paused, throwing Caspar a pitying glance, to which Caspar only crossed his arms and lifted his chin in stark defiance.

"We couldn't leave you behind at Dan's flat, though, seeing as this could all easily be a trap. So, we had no choice but to let you follow. Which is why I'll need you both to vow you won't make any movements, you'll follow every instruction either Sean or myself give, or you risk your own life. Yes?"

Dan made a humming noise from behind, halfway between acceptance and denial. It seemed to satiate Cam, however, as he turned his narrowed eyes to his next victim. "Caspar?"

Caspar huffed, turning his head away. "Yeah," he agreed begrudgingly, already knowing that he'd probably end up breaking one of those rules tonight anyway. Cam had to know it too, he wasn't clueless, but he gave no sign of awareness.

Twisting back to face the door, Cam gave three sharp raps. The wood slab swung inwards on silent hinges, revealing the dark internal room.

"You couldn't turn on some lights?" Caspar muttered, following Cam through the door.