Page 86 of Mack's Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town
My phone lit up with a call and I tapped Accept on the SUV’s screen. Why was the mayor calling me? “Mayor, hi?”
“I need a Medium and an exorcism. Now,” she informed me, her tone beyond grim. Frantic, although she was clearly striving to sound calm. “Where are you?”
“Middle of town, where are you?”
Brandon was already quickly backing out.
“I’m at the main bridge, the one next to the pharmacy.”
“We’re two minutes from there. You said exorcism, so I assume someone’s possessed?”
“We think so. Thomas. He’s one of our recent graduates, a sweet kid. Normally works at the pharmacy, and he was acting weird this morning. They say he grabbed two canes from thepharmacy’s display and started attacking people. He’s being weirdly silent, not saying anything, just chasing everyone out. He’s still in the pharmacy. I’ve got everyone else out.”
Ah, why she was at the bridge instead of inside, got it. I had to wonder if this was Joey. A ghost had to have a certain amount of power to be able to possess the living, and Joey fit the bill. If it wasn’t, then we still needed to deal with this ghost, as we couldn’t just leave him in some poor kid’s body. “Do not move. Keep people out. I’ll be there in a second.”
I disconnected, then called Eli immediately. “Eli, meet me at the pharmacy now. A kid’s gotten possessed.”
“Fuck. On our way.”
We were literally thirty seconds out, as Brandon was driving there as fast as the car could go, but I took those thirty seconds. “Gwyn, stick to Beau and Hannah. This isn’t something you know how to guard against yet.”
She looked unnerved but nodded. “Okay.”
“We’ll put down safeguards outside,” Beau promised me.
He knew what to do, so I wasn’t about to stop him. “We’ve got gear in the back of the SUV to help.”
“I know, don’t worry about it. You’ve got to help Eli.”
Possession wasn’t a fun time for anyone, least of all the one possessed. I’d dealt with exactly one possession so far in my career, and honestly, I dreaded this one. Getting a ghost out was not an easy exercise and was painful for the host. Adrenaline started coursing through me. I was still of two minds on whether I wanted this to be Joey. It could be one of his minions. I kinda wanted it to be him just so I could finally put his threat to rest.
Brandon almost hopped the curb. He pulled in regardless of whether this was a parking spot or not, and I was out of the vehicle as fast as I could manage it. I spotted the mayor and jogged over. The relief on her face was blatant and she met me halfway. I took in the spectators—there were many—butshe already had two people holding the crowd back. Of course everyone had phones out, recording, but I ignored them for now. PR wasn’t my department or my concern.
“Mayor Hernandez,” I greeted. “You’re sure he’s the only one inside?”
“Yes, we’re sure. How fast can you fix this?”
“Hopefully fast. The longer a ghost is in a body, the harder it is to get them out. Eli’s on her way. She’ll be more effective, but I’ll do all I can. You said the kid’s name is Thomas?”
“Right. He’s not a troublemaker, one of the studious types. I don’t think he did anything to pull this ghost in.”
“That’s usually the case.” He might be just sensitive enough to be open to ghost energies. If so, living here was the worst possible idea. I’d address that later, though. First, we had to rescue the poor kid. “Beau’s going to do some work out here, make sure protections are in place so the ghost can’t jump into anyone else. Do whatever he asks.”
“Got it.”
I parted from her, turning for the pharmacy. A white historical building, it was two stories, lovingly maintained, with a wide porch. It was built right at the edge of the bridge and likely had been something else entirely at one point, but it had a large black-and-white sign now proclaiming it as Clark’s Pharmacy. All of the lights were on inside, but I didn’t see a single soul.
I did, however, see a charcoal grey trail leading right into the building. Fuuuuck, odds were itwasJoey.
Now, what was that asshole trying to do, getting this kid? Why stay holed up inside the building and not try to run for it?
I didn’t like this. My gut said this was serious trouble.
Fortunately, I recognized the other black SUV joining Brandon’s bad parking job, and not going to lie, my inner child cried with relief when Eli popped out of the car. I wasn’t tooproud to say Eli was often my adultier adult. Especially in cases like this one.
I jogged to meet up with her, both of us now standing one step down from the porch. “To sum up, there’s a barely adult in there named Thomas, and he’s been possessed by someone. He’s the only one still in the store. He’s been acting off all morning, apparently.”
“So he’s likely been possessed for a few hours, at least.” Eli’s mouth flattened into an aggravated line. “Great. This won’t be easy. I see the dark grey trail, too, so this motherfucker’s on a whole other level. Joey?”
