The Devil's Trail

03. Differences

I could feel eyes burning the side of my face as I zipped up my hold-all and pushed down on it, trying to condense its size.

"You got everything?" The voice asks from the bedroom door.

My shoulders loosen slightly as I twist around and plunk myself on the bed. My eyes looking over to the door as I answer "Yeah, I think so."

The man with his head tilted to the side smiles slightly, his shirt was still tucked into his suit pants but his tie was hanging loosely around his neck. "You sure you're ready to do this? I don't mind you know? I can support us both. If you want to find yourself a real career?"

I tried not to wince at his words "Jack, this is my career. I want to do this."

He sighs "I just think you should be doing something more... Than running around with a camera in the dark."

Jack had been my partner for the last 2 years and although he respected me and treated me like I was gold in a miners hand. He also found my choice of career ridiculous and often vented his opinion on it.

His brown hair was slicked back on his head, his clean shaven jawline had kept the baby face essence about him.

"It's a little more than that." I reply, causing his eyes to roll. "Besides, I thought you supported me in my choices?"

He steps into the bedroom and takes a seat at my dressing table, looking at me with his crystal blue eyes.

"I do. You know I do. I just thought that the urban exploring you've done in the past was.. Well, in the past. You could be doing so much more! You could be a lawyer, a doctor, an accountant, a nurse? You love animals, so maybe a vet?"

"None of them are really me though, are they?"

"You don't know. I think you're selling yourself short.. This Zak guy seems to have riled you up before you've even started. I just think you could be doing so much more than, this." He states looking at my hold-all.

I frown "You always said you were curious about what happens after this life–"

"That doesn't mean I want to know, something's are better left a mystery. Like Bigfoot or... Or the Loch Ness Monster, in Scotland."

"They're myths."

"And ghosts aren't?" He asks, the sarcasm dripping in his voice.

"No, there's been credible evidence stating that they do exist. Ghost Adventures has provided some of that evidence." I reply.

He cocks his head and scoffs slightly "-Lilah, the show even says it's for entertainment purposes. I bet they make half of the shit up themselves."

I tried not to take that as an insult as I looked at Jack. A part of me was still holding the disappointment that he wasn't happy for me. Whilst another part of me wanted to tell him he was wrong, but I couldn't.. Because at this moment in time, I didn't know if they did, myself.

He reaches over and takes my hand in his "Look, I know I sound a little harsh.  I shouldn't be putting you or this job down. But I really do want what's best for you. You know that, right?"

I nod.

"I understand you have this need to go out and see the world, but I always thought we could do that together..."