“Man, a town drowning a family to be rid of them? That’s dark,” Ryker said with a shudder. “If we have to deal with ghost kids again I’m staying six towns over.”
“It is dark, but back then they probably blamed it on heretics and used that to justify the murder,” Ben said as if Ry hadn’t just been dramatic. “History in general is dark. That’s how we have a job, honestly.” I couldn’t argue with that logic.
“So how do you guys do this? I mean, I see the hunts live but what goes on behind the scenes?” Sully asked.
“Ryker handles the equipment, cameras, our comms, the works,” I started. “He bosses us around until everything is set up. We have a command center we set up for these long haul trips. Probably in the museum this time since it’ll be the best for our equipment.”
“Oh good idea,” Ryker agreed. “Beats an old abandoned sheriff’s office.” My cheeks warmed at the memory of the office that he cuffed me to the bars and fucked me against. But with Sully along, there’d be no sex-capades for us this time I guess.
“I usually do the first look for the Darklings which is just a quick intro to the place, a bit of history, and this time around you’ll join me so they know who you are going forward. Also, prepare for the comments, they’re going to all be thirsting after you.”
“Or questioning if Brea found herself a new man,” Ben teased, but I definitely picked up the hint of accusation. I stiffened at his words and glanced at Sully who was rolling his eyes.
“Ah, the boyfriend’s jealousy. I wondered when it would rear its ugly head,” Sully said. He’d never been one to hold back so it was kind of refreshing to see him giving them shit back without flinching. “I’m not interested in Brea. She’s adorable and awesome… but she doesn’t have a dick.”
Ben laughed and shook his head. “Sorry, it kind of slipped out. But that’s a relief.”
“Or you could just trust your woman,” Sully shot back. He kind of had a point. This was the part that was holding the guys back from fully accepting him and instead of just coming out and saying it they all got frustrated. Despite me saying he wasn’t interested, I wasn’t going to out him for two reasons. One, it wasn’t my place. And two, I didn’t want to get it wrong if things had changed. He could have figured out he was bisexual or asexual, it had been too long for me to be positive. That’s not exactly a question you come out with at the start of reacquainting yourself with someone.
“We do,” Ben said solemnly. “But we don’t trust others. She was kidnapped last year in case you missed that. Nearly lost her forever.”
Sully winced. “Now I’m the dick. That’s a good point. I did see that Brea. Olivia told me all about it and how he’d weaseled his way in with her.” I was just glad he didn’t bring up the killing him part. It wasn’t something I liked to talk about or think about, hell it took quite a few sessions of therapy before I could even begin to work through it.
“Back to the hunt,” I said pointedly to divert the conversation. “We did a quick sketch from what we could see in images. The ship and museum rest at the center of the beach. They’ve built up the landscaping around the museum and it also attaches to the dock where the ship is. To the left is the boat graveyard. Then on a hill overlooking the beach is the lighthouse keeper’s home and lighthouse. All of which we have full access to.”
“This will be some amazing PR for the location,” Lincoln said through the walkie app. I’d almost forgotten he could hear us but out of habit we had them going at all times. “A first ‘inside look’ of the museum and other buildings. They’re smart.”
“Oh I bet. I’m sure Finley Lodge is thriving. Those were some terrifying lives, Brea,” Sully said with a shudder.
“They were,” I agreed. “We got a ton of really good evidence that run.”
“We always get good evidence when she’s around; she’s a beacon for ghosts,” Ryker added. There was no teasing in his tone. They one hundred percent believed that, and have since our first ghost hunt together.
“I know what you mean.” Sully’s words were spoken so quietly that even I wasn’t sure I heard him right. I didn’t press for more, but I wondered what the horrors of war had done to make him so interested in the dead.Did he have his own ghostly encounters since we last spoke?
As the highway stretched on we all fell into a comfortable vibe. Ryker had his favorite playlist going strong, singing along in his raspy tone as he drove. And Ben, Sully, and I each had a phone or laptop in front of us as we scoured the internet for anything we could on the case.
It went on like that for hours, only stopping to fill the gas tanks. The next day was more of the same except Ryker and I switched on and off driving the RV. Driving like this with Ethan and Lincoln in the next car always made me feel a bit disconnected with them. At least there were meals and stops in between the long stretches of road, and when we got there it wouldn't be an issue. Though the two of them might fight over who got to snuggle with me that night.
When we finally reached the coast mid morning a few days after we left, I was ready to jump out of my skin. It’s easier to drive with all of our equipment, but I hated being stuck inside for so damn long. It’s exhausting and I got stir crazy far too easily.
The first look of our temporary home had my jaw dropping. Seeing pictures never did these locations justice and this was no exception to that rule. It was huge. The museum itself towered over the boat with the entire front made of windows. The breathtaking structure was an architectural marvel with dark metal lines and a curved roof that almost resembled the bow of a boat. I noticed now that the museum had a walkway that connected it to the boat so we could enter from there or outside on the dock.
The ship graveyard was just as I expected. Bits and pieces of washed up boats, ranging from all sizes and time periods littered the beach. I wasn’t sure if they brought out the older ones for dramatic effect or if it was some sort of local superstition to leave them there as a memorial of sorts. Either way, I could feel the melancholy vibe of it from here.
Overlooking it all was the lighthouse that was still functioning. That was the only exception to the “having the place to ourselves” rule. Someone would be in from time to time to ensure it was functioning properly. If we got lucky, we might even score an interview with them. No way someone was coming out here at night with zero strange occurrences.
“This place is amazing,” Ben breathed out. Sully was standing next to him as he stared out at the place. His eyes were scrunched and his face red with frustration.Shit… he can’t even see it.Taking out my phone I took a video, starting at one side and slowly sweeping to the other to make sure I captured every detail. Without making a scene I stepped up next to him and handed over my phone.
“Here,” I offered quietly. He glanced down at it for a second before taking it and pressing play. A small smile formed on his lips as he watched. His cheeks tinted pink but he seemed relieved to focus in on it.
“This place is badass. Where do we start tonight?”
“Splitting up is our only option. We have an even number for once, so we can do three teams of two,” Lincoln said. “Ryker. Do we have time to get the place set up with live feeds and overnight cameras?”
Ryker pulled out a piece of paper before answering. “Ben got me a list of hot spots. The galley on the ship as well as a maintenance room. Then the museum foyer. The living room of the keeper’s home, then the top of the tower, though we definitely can’t do thermal with those lights up there. Then if we can rig it up somehow, I’d like to get one facing the boat graveyard. We might have to go get some kind of awning for that though.”
“There’s an information overhang right there. Is the distance too far?” I asked. They followed my pointed finger just inside some overgrown bushes. It once held a map and a pamphlet box, but it had long since faded and broken down. The wooden awning over it might just be enough to handle an outdoor camera though.