Rancor: Unrestrained, Book 2 (Haunted)

EIGHT

Then a loud thump vibrated through the ceiling. Both Ethel and Claudia jumped. 

"That came from Maggie's apartment," Ethel said, looking up at the ceiling. "They are definitely angry with us."

"I'm mad, too," Claudia said, walking to the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" Ethel said, closing the curtain.

Claudia opened and closed cabinet doors until she found what she was looking for, a bottle of bourbon whiskey. She poured a shot into a glass and drank it down as if it were a magic potion. "Want some?"

"Yeah, I do want some," Ethel said. "But we need to keep our wits about us while we do this. I don't wish to make any mistakes."

"The mistake is already done. I'm here helping you with this." She began opening drawers. "Where is your flashlight?"

Ethel walked into the spare room filled with Maggie's belongings. She pushed aside Maggie's suitcase and took a flashlight and a candlestick from a dresser drawer. Then she took the candle from the center of the table and placed it in the candlestick's cup. She turned to Claudia and handed her the flashlight. There was no way her wobbly body could safely handle a candle. "I appreciate your help; I couldn't do this without you."

Claudia walked to the door, raised her cane, and shouted a battle cry. "It's time to send the demon and its accomplices back to Hell."

"I'm glad you're all in," Ethel said, smiling as she walked to the door.

"I'm under the influence of false courage," Claudia said, returning to her unsteady gait. "We'd better hurry and get this done before I change my mind."

Ethel turned the deadbolt and then rested her hand on the doorknob. She looked at Claudia's tired, wrinkled face. She felt sorry for talking Claudia into helping her cast out the spirits, but she knew she was not strong enough to do it herself. She hoped her spell of protection was strong enough to protect them while they searched for what they needed. But when she looked at Claudia's thick cataract glasses, and fluid bloated body, supported by one wooden cane, she knew that simply falling down a staircase would be enough to likely kill Claudia or at least cripple her more than she already was. Nevertheless, she turned the knob and opened the door.

Icy air rushed into their faces, both refreshing and frightening at the same time.

Claudia sighed and followed Ethel out the door.

Ethel took the apartment key from her skirt pocket and locked the door behind them. They stood there a moment, watching shadows dance on the walls and ceiling. Some shadows were obviously cast from the candle's flames, but others seemed to move against the grain, or not move at all.

"I hope your ghosts didn't recruit help," Claudia said, shining her flashlight toward the lobby. "And why don't the lights work around here?"

Ethel held the candle and walked ahead, leading Claudia past Mr. Zimmerman's office and toward the stairway. "They used to, but this place has been having electrical problems."

Claudia shined her light toward the steps leading to the basement and then at the elevator and its open door. "Do you think it's safe to take the elevator?"

"Not really," Ethel said, looking at the black box. "But considering your condition I think we should use it."

"What do you mean, my condition?" Claudia said, shining the flashlight into Ethel's eyes.

"Okay, then, we'll take the stairs. Let's go," Ethel said walking to the lip of the open staircase, leading down into the basement. "Why do you have to be so contrary?"