Page 17 of The Haunting of the Mountain

Wes… kid’s more trouble than he’s worth right now. Then again, he brought me Kyla.

“I’ve heard rumors. Some strange sightings. Basic stuff. Can’t speak to all of it but,” I say, swallowing. “This mountain has a history. The town too. I can’t think of a better town that might have some supernatural activity.”

“What about cults?”

“Heard about those rumors too, but there’s not much more to it.”

She hums. “Sounds like something someone who’s part of a cult might say.”

“Well, if I’m in the cult, I’m missing the meetings.”

She nods.

“I think the library will have some answers for you. There’s a historical society as well. The old cemetery’s close by and you could get one of those EVPs.”

She gapes at me, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Did a little research myself this morning while you were asleep. Interesting stuff. You guys use recorders to see if ghosts communicate with you.”

She smiles. “Yeah… yeah, we do.”

“How’s that sound, Kyla? Got ourselves a deal?”

I offer my hand to her. She stares at it and then at me.

“I think I’m the one coming out on the better end.”

I shake my head. She has no idea. She’s offering me her time. She’s offering me a chance to be near her. Touch her. And maybe, if I’m lucky, convince her to stay a little longer. There’s no price I wouldn’t pay for that.

For her.

“I don’t mind,” I say.

She grabs my hand and I pull her up. I almost hug her but I’m a sweaty, hairy mess.

“I guess you’re stuck with me a little while longer.”

Stuck with Kyla? Nothing better.

“Is it always this festive?”

I glance around downtown Whispering Winds. Can’t say I noticed any of the decorations until now. My attention has been focused entirely on Kyla. Everything about her demands it.

“Afraid so. I’m surprised they haven’t decorated for Christmas yet.” I glance around, scratching the back of my neck. “Seems they start earlier and earlier each year.”

I bend low as I step onto the sidewalk, my head barely missing the string of lights shaped like bats, pumpkins, and ghosts. And when I turn, I damn near trip over a hay bale and the random assortment of gourds strewn about.

Kyla laughs and then grabs my arm as I regain my balance. “Easy there. I see the town’s not built for a man your size.”

I try to respond but it’s lodged in my throat. Can’t think straight with Kyla’s hands on me.

“Look out!” Kyla hops to the other side of the sidewalk as a half dozen or so kids dressed as pirates, zombies, and an assortment of superheroes come barreling down past us.

I damn near take off running after them for nearly knocking my girl over, but when I see Kyla laughing, it soothes me.

“Sorry,” a stressed-looking man says, jogging after the pack of wild kids as his face paint melts down his face.

“Guess we should get inside before the next wave comes,” Kyla says.

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