Double Down Demons (A Ghost Adventures/Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 43: Beneath the surface

I float on my back in the pool with my eyes closed relaxing after swimming some lengths, my only thought is that I would return to the room soon if Zak didn't make an appearance and enjoying the warmth of the sun on my skin. It was nice to be able to chill with the residue of the positive energy we encountered at the lockdown instead of feeling constantly on edge. I can only imagine what a change of pace it is for Zak and the crew. I smile as I think of Zak and let myself drift in the morning breeze alone in my thoughts and in the pool. The water is having the relaxing effect that I am after as I begin to feel that I might actually be able to sleep now, I stifle a yawn so as not to sallow a mouthful of water. Without warning I feel something wrap around my ankle and drag me under the water, I just manage to take a breath before I go under. I try to pull free but whatever entangles me is stuck fast, it feels rough and icy cold and digs in painfully. I reach for my ankle to try and prise it free but find there is nothing physically there for me to pull away. Panic starts to take hold as I feel the grip tighten, it almost feels like bony fingers crushing my joint. A slow burn builds in my lungs as my body begins to cry out for oxygen. I thrash and struggle to no avail. Its getting harder to resist taking the involuntary gasp that my brain is urging me to take. The terror is pure and real as my vision starts to darken around the edges as I reach in vain for the surface. Just as I can not hold on any longer and the water rushes into my mouth and nose I think I see a horrific dark figure below me clawing at my foot. I take what I think is my last look at the sunlight above me and see another black figure diving towards me, I know this is it and resign myself to the darkness. I vaguely acknowledge being lifted by my under arms and the warmth on my face as I break the surface.

"Come on Tracy breathe! Fucking breathe! I've got you honey, come on dammit breathe!"

I cough and splutter and then feel a blessed coolness as the oxygen I desperately need fills my deflated lungs. I gasp and cough, sucking the air into my chest feeling a soothing hand rubbing between my shoulder blades and listen to the sweet reassurances being whispered in my ear. I can't stop the tears of terror and relief as I turn and cling onto Zak with what little strength I have left.

"Shh, you're ok, you're ok." He whispers as he walks me to the shallow end of the pool. We stay embraced for a few minutes until my sobs calm and Zak helps me out of the water. He wraps me up in a fluffy towel sits me on the sun lounger pulling me back into his arms and kissing my forehead.

"What the hell happened?" He asks me searching my face with his eyes as he rubs warmth into my arms. I describe to him the sudden grip on my ankle and how it held me under, that there was nothing there but I could feel its fingers digging into me, the pain and panic of not being able to break free.

"But I saw it then Zak, when I thought I was gone." I tell him shuddering at the memory. "It was hideous. Its bony hand had a hold of me, it had long thin tendrils of hair and was skeletal although I didn't see its face i'm sure I saw a flash of teeth." I shiver again, fighting the nausea rising in my throat. "I don't know,maybe it was a figment of my oxygen starved brain." I dismissed it but I could tell that Zak was unnerved at my words. "Its lucky you showed up when you did." I look up at him with a small grateful smile.

"Luck had nothing to do with it, I knew something was wrong somehow, i've never run so fast as I did to get here." He shakes his head showering me with droplets and runs his hand down his face. Its only then I realise that he is fully clothed, shoes and all and my eyes grow wide.

"what the hell is happening to us Zak?" I ask as the tears begin to flow again. His face is pale and his own eyes are watery from unshod tears. He reaches for me and holds me tightly to him.

"Thank you for saving my life." I whisper to him. He lifts my face to his and my heart aches when I see the damp tear tracks on his cheeks. He says nothing, he does't have to as I am sure that the mixture of pain, fear and love that I see in his tempestuous ever changing eyes is reflected in the shimmering pools of my own. He bends and kisses me with a depth of feeling that makes me ache.