Fractured Legacy: Aicil Paranormal Files #1

Chapter 18

Kaylyn

For a moment, I feel like I'm back in that slightly out of sync mode I'd experienced in the hospital until the blaring of police sirens fills the room. I glance over my left shoulder at Jonah, who even in the dark looks pale. "Think we're busted, boss."

"Good," he reaches for the nearest stud and braces himself. "At least it saves me the trouble of getting you two out of here. I'm not sure I can walk."

I squint at him, trying to remember everything that happened. It comes back in bursts, with missing segments, and edges that don't line up properly. Beams of light emerge from the stairwell indicating the police surveying the premises. I shield my eyes from the bright light, now aimed at my face as two officers approached the room.

"I hope you three have a good reason for being in here," one officer says.

"Well"—Jonah clutches his side as he tries to explain— "as a matter of fact, we do, but I doubt—"

"Did you find the little buggers?" says a familiar voice from the stairwell.

An officer shines his light toward the other end of the hotel. "Mr. Roarch, we told you to wait outside."

"Mr. Roarch?" Jonah perks up slightly, catching the owner's attention.

"Jonah Troyer?" Roarch scratches his eyebrow while he scans the room, "And your investigators... I wasn't aware that you would be in here tonight or...." He turns to the officers with a twitchy smile. "I'm sorry, but I know Mr. Troyer, and I can take care of this on my own. I won't be pressing charges."

The officers look around once more, then one shrugs and patted the other on the shoulder, directing him back toward the stairs.

"Sorry, Mr. Roarch," Jonah tries to take a step, but he grunts with every move. This time, it's my turn to help, I slip under his arm, helping him to the doorway.

"Are you okay?" he whispers in my ear.

I nod, "I'm more worried about you at the moment."

"I can manage, thanks." He props himself against the doorway and motions toward Cole. The room dims for a moment as Jonah's shadow blocks out most of the light from Mr. Roarch's flashlight, but I head back into the dark room to find my sister. She's sitting next to the circle, staring down at her bloodied and clenched hand.

"Cole?" I whisper, pressing my hand to her shoulder while I kneel down next to her.

"It killed Todd in my house." Cole keeps her voice low enough that Mr. Roarch won't be able to hear, but her anger is evident in every hiss that slips through her teeth. "Where is the body, Kay? What the hell am I supposed to tell Dan and his family?"

I shake my head. Even though I scream at my mouth to work. To say something, nothing comes out for a long minute. I don't have answers to any of it. "You should call Daniel."

"And say what?" Cole shakes her head and rubs her uninjured hand against her face.

"I love you?" I offer, pulling my knees up and wrapping my arm around them.

"Way to go, Kay. That's almost romantic." Cole pats her pockets, checking her coat and pants twice. "My cell is gone."

I stand, wincing as a sore muscle in her side spasmed. "I'll be back."

Jonah and Mr. Roarch both stop talking when I approach. "I need to borrow your phone, boss."

He hands it to me without question, then offers his flashlight. I shove the phone in my pocket to take the flashlight with my good hand—at least moderately good. One still bleeds from the cut, but the other burns even though I can't remember exactly why.