Haunted

Thirteen

*Trigger Warning* 

This chapter might be triggering for some readers.

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I think everyone holds their breath with me as we eye the area warily, looking for any sign of the spirit.

"What the fuck is that?" Myka suddenly asks in a quiet voice.

I look over at her and realize she's staring at the space inside of the circle. As I follow her gaze, I see a small dark spot floating in the air. While I watch it in the flickering light, the spot grows larger as black tendrils stretch out. The dark mass widens, and the smoky darkness writhes and spins, continuing to increase in size at a significant rate.

I'm stunned that Myka can see the spirt now, but also grateful. I'm also happy to see that the thing appeared in the circle.

Maybe this will work after all.

To my left, Caleb's soft smile is completely gone. Replacing it is a look of terror. He can't hide his fear anymore.

None of us can.

Better than anyone, Sam and I know exactly what malicious spirits are capable of. Across from me the ghost has gone pale, and I feel the blood drain from my own face. While I watch the mass thicken, my back twinges as I remember the pain of the claws on my spine.

"We have to say it," Sam says shakily. "We have to say the words. Right now."

"The chant," I remind the others urgently. "We have to say it."

All three of us hold up our slip of paper, and as one we speak the words I wrote.

"Nunc erit destructi vos. Relinqua. Discede. Nunc erit destructi vos. Relinqua. Discede."

We begin to repeat the words a third time, but another gust of wind rushes through the circle. Caleb's piece of paper flies from his fingers and disappears between the trees, into the increasing darkness. He stares down at his empty fingers in shock before taking a step backward.

"No!" Sam and I yell, but he takes a second step back.

"Caleb," I say loudly over the wind, trying to sound calm. "We have to remain around the circle. Don't move."

"Stay still," Myka urges him.

Maybe he doesn't hear us. Or maybe he doesn't think it's working. He could be in shock. I don't know. But he takes another step back, and as he does so, the salt in front of him begins to roll away and separate, breaking the link of the circle.

"Caleb!" Sam warns.

But his son doesn't hear him. I'm the only one.

The whispers begin, and decaying hands reach from the floating mass, clawing their way towards Caleb's shaking form. The malicious spirit moves closer, crossing over the broken edge of the circle like the barrier doesn't even exist.

Sam curses and rushes forward, but one of the decaying hands claws at his shoulder and his appearance begins to fade. His arms and legs slow, and his eyes widen as he sinks to his knees, like all the energy has left him. He gasps, grasping at his shoulder as he turns to me.

"Help him," he begs softly.

I watch in shock as the trees behind him become visible through his body. For the first time since I've met him, Sam actually looks like a ghost.

The sight makes me sick.

From the corner of my eye, I see Myka staring wide-eyed at the malicious spirit.