Page 70 of Malice

“Ketamine or meditation?”

“Ketamine is the quick way. Meditation takes a little longer but I’ve heard it’s a lot more pleasant.”

“I’m not taking drugs, so I guess meditation is the way.”

“Practice makes perfect. Once you’re able to project yourself to a different plane, you can physically interact with the Horror.”

“That sounds fun.”

“It’s dangerous though. The Horror will know what you’re doing and try to harm your physical body or trap your spiritual one so you can’t return.”

“Super.”

“There are a few other things you can try too. My Chaser friend Madeline has a spell that temporarily stuns the Horror but keeps it sentient. Not sure it’ll work, but you can try.”

“I’ll take everything you’ve got.”

“Make it fast, Chaser. The house spirits don’t have a lot of juice left to hold it back.”

“I know.” I rub my forehead.

A knock at the door makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. How is someone knocking with the spell on the house, and even more worrisome, who the hell is here at this time of morning?

Crash stands normally, staring at the closed front door with wide eyes. I walk over slowly, glancing back at Crash when the second knock comes, before carefully opening the door. A man is standing there, dressed in a black trench coat despite the warm weather. He’s got dark red hair and a beard, with piercing green eyes. His gaze is so intense, it’s like he can see inside me.

“Wilder!” Crash says, peering over my shoulder. “What are you doing here?”

“May I come in?”

His voice reverberates, like heavy bass through a speaker. “You’re Wilder?”

He nods. “I’ll explain why I came.”

“How did you get past the spell?”

A slight smirk pulls at his lips. “There isn’t much I can’t get past anymore.” He gestures toward the house. “May I?”

“Yeah. Sorry. Come in.” I step to the side to let the man enter, noting his height and incredible presence. If I didn’t know who he was, I’d be intimidated as fuck, and I’m not a small guy myself.

“I followed Crash’s ghost trail.”

“What the hell is a ghost trail?” The definition pops into my head. “Oh. Spirits leave remnants of their presence behind. Did you do that? Make the meaning flash in my mind?”

Wilder nods. “After Crash visited me I was hit with visions of your situation. I came to assist. Where is the Horror now?”

“Attic. He’s being held at bay by the house spirits.”

Wilder tilts his head back, gazing upward. “That explains the energy in this house. Lots of activity. And the mortal?”

“In bed still.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m sure Crash told you that I’m new to this.”

“He did, and your first assignment is the worst kind. Most Horrors want to cause general chaos and rarely have a specific target, but as I understand it, yours is particularly tenacious.”

“To say the least. Crash told me about your strangle technique. I need to practice though. I’ve never done astral projection before.”

“I thought about that. I come bearing something that will help.” He reaches into his coat and produces a small pouch.

“I don’t really want to do hallucinogenic drugs.”

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