Phantom Chained

Chapter 33. Murderer. Ingrid.

I was taken aback by the mention of Johan's father while the man who called himself Caleb continued to smile and nod. He then stepped out of the car and gallantly opened the passenger-side door. I took a step back and politely declined:

"Thank you so much but I would prefer to take a walk."

"Take a walk?" He said, looking confused. "Why?"

"Getting rid of that pesky fat, you know?" I voiced the first thing that came to mind.

"Pesky fat," Caleb repeated. "It's weird! You need actually need to have fat to get rid of it! So why?"

"Because."

"And barefoot, at that. It's cold! Do you have to do it like that?"

"I do."

"To get rid of fat better?"

'Is he making fun of me?' I thought. However, Caleb's expression seemed genuine... naive even.

"Thanks again, I'll head off now." I said but he just waved his hands in protest.

"Wait, Ingrid! I understand that you don't want to get into a car with a stranger and you're right! But I'm a priest, I really am visiting Raul, you can call him. And it's such a happy meeting. It's important! I want to talk about your friend, Johan, he told me you know him well. Please!"

"Johan is home?"

"Of course. I've been with him every day. Such a clever boy, although a bit feverish; too nervous, too hot. He needs help. You're his friend, after all. Do you want to help? I do, but he keeps shouting: 'Who are you, stranger? Why are you trying to peer into my soul, why should I trust you?' just like that. I don't know what else I can do. I feel bad for him."

I stared at him in utter shock, his wordy blabbering preventing me from concentrating on the crazy news. 'Johan, or actually the incubus, has been in his... no, Johan's house... what the hell.' I struggled to think straight. 'The incubus is with a priest. What is going on?'

"Come on, Ingrid! Please get in the car. I need to talk with you about Johan, do you want to come with me and see?"

"Wait," I begged. "Not so fast. Give me your number, I'll call you later and then we can decide. I really can't do it now."

"But why?" Caleb came really close and looked at me with scrutiny. I lowered my head, but he suddenly whispered in my ear with surprising softness and understanding:

"If you are troubled by something, just tell me. I'm a pastor, it is my duty to help those in need. What do you say, Ingrid?"

His fingers touched my chin, raising it. Our eyes met and I breathed out, almost sobbing.

"Caleb," I began "Don't..."

The glancing blow to my ear caused me to stumble backwards. Moments later, my vision was blocked by the arm in a red sleeve... bone-fingers clamped onto Caleb's neck and pushed him back, hitting him against the car's bumper in the process. The priest struggled to free himself, trying to crawl out from under her body, throwing desperate punches one after another... his heels scratched the asphalt, leaving black marks on it... and just as he managed to escape and run for the jeep's open door, Clara pounced on him like a rabid cat and he once again fell on the ground, this time face-down. Clara then mounted him like a horse, digging into his throat.

I watched with horror as Caleb grew weaker and weaker. I needed to do something, anything, but what? Run? Run where? Call for help? Who could I possibly call? Climb in the car and run Clara over? And Caleb along with her?

As if reading my mind, Clara raised her head.

"My faith in the Chance Almighty grows stronger." She said in a completely calm tone as if talking to a guest in her living room. "It's a sign that our path is true. What were the chances that we would cross paths with a person that holds such important information? Answer me, dear!"