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This was much better than being chased by ghosts all night.

ChapterSixteen

Brea

“Alright Darklings, another night in Serenity Harbor. We have backup coming and I can’t wait until you see who it is! Drive Ryker crazy with all of your suggestions!”

“Cute,” Ryker laughed in my ear. “It’s already blowing up.”

“You’re welcome, Ryker,” I said as I led the way down the dark halls of the ship. The rain was pouring outside and it was as if the spirits were amplifying the sound until it was nearly deafening. There was no way to doubt the validity that water was a conduit for their energy, this storm held something paranormal within it.

“Our goal tonight is to stick to the living quarters. We had a few visitors during our first night here and every night after, so what better way to spend this storm—” Lincoln’s words cut off as the boat pitched with a harsh wave. The glasses flew off my face as it rocked back, none of us used to the crazy sway a ship could have in this kind of weather.

“You guys okay?” Sully asked as Lincoln helped him to his feet. “Brea?”

“I’m go—” It was my turn to cut off words as I caught my glove on a sharp piece of metal around the door. They’d clearly done renovations on this part but hadn’t been as careful as they thought. The sting was followed by a rush of blood coating the inside of my glove and I cursed. “I was. Cut myself on something. Shit.”

“There’s an infirmary, we can head there,” Ben said as he came over. He took my glove off gingerly before putting pressure on the wound with a piece of his shirt..

Walking was something out of a comedy show as we tried and failed to keep from falling on our asses. Poor Ethan was the first to fall and Sully was the only reason Lincoln didn’t go down next.

“Guys, Brea’s glasses are back there,” Ryker reminded us through the comms. “Holy shit. Nevermind for now. Leave them.”

“Why?” I asked out loud and Ethan had to repeat it since I couldn’t hit the comm to ask it myself.

“There’s something following you. This is fucking crazy. The Darklings see it.”

“We’ll go back after we get Brea’s hand fixed up,” Lincoln told him. “Keep us posted.”

“I will,” he promised. Just from the excitement in his voice I knew he was watching it like a hawk and I couldn’t wait to review the tapes tomorrow. They were much more manageable now that we hunted together.

“You sure you’re okay alone?” Lincoln asked Ryker for the millionth time.

“I’ve got my witchy charms, I’m good. Thanks, Lincoln,” Ryker reassured him.

“Guys, we need to hurry,” Ben warned. “She’s bleeding through this fabric too.”

“Keep pressure,” Lincoln barked out as we picked up the pace. By the time we reached the infirmary my head was swimming. I prayed I didn’t need stitches, there wasn’t exactly a hospital nearby.

I barely kept focused as they got me seated. Sully sat down and put his hands on either side of my face, forcing me to focus on him.

“Hey, look at me. They’re going to take care of it and you’re going to talk to me,” he said firmly.

I couldn’t tell if it was the blood loss or the sway of the ship in the storm, but it took a moment to lock my eyes on him still, even while he held my head. “What was your first ghost encounter? I feel like I haven’t heard the true story.” I grasped on the first topic I could think of while the others got to work on my hand.

He laughed. “You would ask about ghosts at a time like this.”

“Well, go on,” I urged through gritted teeth. With his hands on my face still I couldn’t look away. But whatever they were doing hurt like fucking hell.

“Funny enough, you were there,” he admitted. “Remember my grandmother?”

“Lucille, right?” He nodded in answer. There was sadness in his eyes but also love. They were close, that much I did remember.

“Yes. You came over and were staying the night. She’d stayed up baking cookies, but went to bed while mom finished up,” he started.

“Wait no, she gave me the cookies. We sat down and talked about you and Olivia while I ate a few,” I argued. “She didn’t go to bed until after Liv and I did.”

“No,” he said sadly, shaking his head. “Mom helped her to bed and pulled out the last batch herself. Grandma Lucy never got back up.”


Tags: Jarica James Paranormal