The Unhaunted

6. The Ride Home

I was less than thrilled to find Brian Mitchell, ghost-hunter wannabe, waiting outside. He stood beside his van hunched over a camera that was mounted to a tripod.

            “Did you get some good footage?” I asked as I made my way down the stairs. “There were some awesome examples of skid marks from your sneakers in the hallway.”

            Brian jumped at the sound of my voice and took a step back. The look of guilty terror on his face almost made me feel bad.

            “You made it out! The way the house lit up, I thought—I mean…”

            “Yeah, I know what you thought,” I said wearily. I dragged myself over to his van and plopped down on the overgrown lawn.

            “Are you okay?” He swallowed and walked toward me, but stopped before he came too close.

            “No, actually, I’m not. Whatever the hell that was down there projected a lot of energy—and when the old woman got dragged away I felt it. That kind of interaction takes its toll on me.” I sighed loudly and rested my head in my hands.

            “Let’s get out of here,” Donny said, “I don’t think we’re safe outside.”

            I looked up sharply, searching Donny’s face. “Are you saying that thing can manifest that much energy outside?" Donny's expression was answer enough.

            “I don’t know what it was, Isa, but I have no doubt that it’s capable of surprising you. We have to get out of here!”

            “What’s going on?” Brian asked.

           “Donny says we have to leave. I’ve never seen him so scared. Can you give me a ride home?”

            “I’m not supposed to—”

            “Give me a break!” I snapped and rose unsteadily to my feet. “It’s the least you could do after leaving me alone with that thing.” I’d actually been glad that Brian had left before the entity came, but he didn’t need to know that.

            “Donny is your…ah…spirit friend?”

           “Yes. I’m a medium. Donny is always with me.”

        Brian swallowed and glanced nervously at the air around me, looking past Donald entirely. “Okay, get in,” he said finally.

            I hurried into the van before he could change his mind.

            Brian folded up the tripod and climbed into the driver’s seat. He twisted around and placed the equipment carefully in the cab behind him then started the van.

“So where do you live?”

            “The Five Corners,” I said, “On Crown Street.”

          He pulled away without a word. We drove in silence for a few tense minutes before Brian finally spoke.           

            “Look, I’m sorry I left you there. The spirit box was picking up something in that circle. I mean, I could actually hear something speaking and I freaked out.”

            I narrowed my eyes and looked sideways at Brian, but didn’t let him off the hook. “So what? I thought you were Montgomery Clay’s partner. Haven’t you seen hundreds of spirits?”