They Know Me

HALT

I awoke with a start the second the phone rang. Still sore from the ghostly attack the night before, I slowly rolled over to pick it up and groaned, "Hello?"

"Just checking to see if Zil decided he was hungry and took a sample of your blood," Rhys said.

"Obviously not. Is that really why you called?"

"No. Not that I'm anxious for a 'Round Two' of last night, but I've psyched myself up enough to go back for the equipment. If you don't take me up on it, it'll be a lost opportunity. Meet me outside." He hung up.

I replaced the receiver and pushed aside my covers. Feeling the ache more acutely as I started to heave myself out of bed, I eventually stood and limped over to my dresser. From it, I pulled out a shirt and a pair of baggy sweatpants, and then went to look into the mirror mounted on the back of my bedroom door. My arms and knees were dotted with bruises, but none that compared with the one that almost completely covered my shoulder.

I took my time getting dressed before leaving my bedroom and slowly descended the stairwell. I walked out to the porch, eased my way down the steps, and went to where Rhys was already waiting between our yards.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Except for a slight discoloration on his left cheek, no other telltale signs of the night we had were visible. "You're hardly bruised."

"Trust me, the worst of it is hidden by my clothes. Plans have changed – my mom ambushed me. She wants me to paint the kitchen."

"Did you get caught coming in late and this is your punishment?"

"Their date nights always run late. I was home before they were. If you want, we can go to the warehouse together, or – you can take Zil. Oh, wait – won't he melt in the sunlight?" Acting like he was contemplating it as an actual option, Rhys paused. "Yeah, take him."

As difficult as it would be to go back to the warehouse, I didn't need thoughts of what Zil was capable of filling my mind when I returned. "It's daytime so I'll go, find the equipment, and then get out."

Rhys' expression became serious. "Are you sure?"

I faked a brave smile. "Absolutely. It'll give me a chance look around and see what else is in there – besides a ghost, or two."

"Let me know when you get back."

I promised I would and we parted ways; Rhys back to his house and me down my street to the dead end, intentionally ignoring Cortland Bridge and its scary unknown as I walked past it.

Unable to keep a normal pace because of my hurt leg, it took longer to get to the warehouse. Finally, I reached it and stopped a few feet from its door. As I scrutinized the old building, I recollected the night Rhys and I had inside of it and what a rush it'd been ... before the terror began.

Actively questioning what I was about to do, if instead of going in alone for my abandoned equipment, that it wouldn't be better to wait for someone else to be there, someone who could help me in case something went wrong, I hesitated. But morbid curiosity over whether I'd find the ghosts again took control of rational thinking. Slowly, I approached the door, took the handle ... and pulled it open. Except for the sound of creaking hinges, the warehouse was quiet and nothing stirred.

Distrustful of the silence, I stepped in. To prevent the door from closing and leaving me in the dark without a flashlight, I looked around for something to prop it open. Nearby, to my left, was the large metal piece that had nearly hit us. Without moving from where I stood, I stretched to reach for it, and eventually, was able to grasp it. Laboring under its weight, I pulled it to me and worked to wedge it tightly between the door and the doorframe. Then slowly, I released the door to test out how well the metal barrier would work.

It remained open.

Uncertain what to expect from the evil spirit inside, I cautiously left the doorway and set out to find the EMF and thermal detectors. Luckily, enough sunlight filtered in so that I easily spotted them.

Spooked, but determined not to let it show, I hobbled first over to the thermal and then a little further in to where the EMF lay. Having retrieved the equipment, I returned to the exit, intentionally unrushed.

The moment I stepped outside, an involuntary shiver went through me. I removed the metal piece and let the door slam shut before examining the equipment. Neither piece had been too badly damaged.

I looked back at the warehouse. "You allowed me get these, but I have a feeling you haven't forgiven us for trespassing."

I turned and limped away, headed for home.

When I reached my street, I avoided going directly to Rhys' house so his mother couldn't rope me into joining in with painting the kitchen. Instead, I went home and called him.

Rhys answered. "Hello?"

"Hi. I'm back. Free?"

"Seconds."

Moments later, Rhys knocked on the door as he opened it and walked in. "I thought I'd have to go look for you. How did it go?"

"I got the equipment. None of it was broken. How's the kitchen?"

"Yellow."

"So, tonight we're supposed to meet with Zil and Zaamee for our cleansing. Don't make plans."

His expression changed. Sensing something was wrong, I asked, "What's with the dire?"

"Listen, Ashe – I've been thinking about it. I'm not going back to the warehouse. I can't go through that again. That ghost ..." He let out a quick breath. "I'll help with the technical stuff and research, but that was too intense for me."

My heart sank. I wanted to say something to change his mind, but I knew if I pushed, it'd aggravate him. Treading lightly, I replied, "Ghost hunting isn't always cut and dry, Rhys. We may not get our questions answered, or if we do, they may not make sense, or be what we were hoping for." I paused. "I know it was rough. I was there, too. But I refuse to let it beat me. You should do the same."

"I'm not into ghost hunting like you are – and I don't like knowing Zil. He's not even supposed to exist, except in people's nightmares."

"Forget Zil. Sonny and Chelsea need our help. What if they can't escape that ... thing?"

His eyes flashed. "I don't know, but that ghost tried to kill us! Tell me the beating we took wasn't enough to convince you not to go back."

"It wasn't – and I clearly heard you say last night that you would."

"I said I didn't want to go back," he corrected firmly.

"Then you said, your idea, not mine, if Zil agreed to go with us, you'd be there. That sounded to me like another trip."

"And if he won't?"

I didn't like how hopeful Rhys sounded.

"Sorry, Ashe, but I'm out." He turned and walked out of the house.

Troubled that I couldn't convince him not to quit, I carried the devices up to my bedroom and plugged them in to charge their batteries. Then, because nightfall was hours away, and I had nothing pressing to do, I went to lie on my bed. I closed my eyes, hoping to get some sleep before I went to Cemetery Raven to meet with Zil.