Page 30 of Malice

“Nothing,” Jocelyn says. “But yeah, the energy is off.”

The Horror cranks his head to the side, pulsing with the red light that I recall from my reading means he’s very agitated and dangerous.

“What’s your name?” I ask, bravely puffing my chest out, despite the fear spreading through me. “Tell me your name.”

The Horror’s expression morphs into one of deadly amusement, but it doesn’t take me long to realize it can’t speak yet.

“Are you… Chester?”

I’m met with another surge of light. That could mean yes, but I’m not sure. Where the hell is Crash?

“You don’t belong here.” I step forward, in spite of my concern. “I’m taking you back to the Below.”

The Horror disappears right before my eyes, but then I see it, splayed across the ceiling in an unnatural pose, its legs and arms stretched and bent backward, its head twisted around 180 degrees. It begins to vibrate, rattling the windows. Hudson yelps, moving closer to me.

“Fuck you, Chester,” Jocelyn says, defiantly aiming her venom at the spot on the ceiling where I’m focused. “I won’t let you hurt my brother again.”

I turn just in time to see Jocelyn get slammed backward into the wall. She coughs as Hudson and I rush to her side.

“I’m fine,” she says, rubbing her sternum.

I shift my gaze to the Horror, who’s not on the ceiling anymore. He’s perched on the counter by the stove, and I watch in terror as knives from the carving block rise and point in our direction.

“Shit. Duck.”

I throw myself over Jocelyn and Hudson as knives fly through the air and stick into the wall just above our heads. I try to grab for Otto, but he yelps and flies out of the room, and I follow his lead.

“Let’s get out of here.”

The three of us crawl into the dining room and lean against the wall while the Horror continues to destroy the kitchen.

“What the actual fuck?” Hudson’s voice is shaky. “It’s trying to kill us.”

The faint figure of a woman dressed in Victorian clothing appears before me, cupping my cheek with her ghostly hand. Otto is right next to her, surprisingly calm and wagging his tail.

It’s contained to the kitchen for now.

I nod, understanding the words she puts in my head. “Thank you.”

She dissipates, and as Otto crawls into my lap, Jocelyn and Hudson look to me for answers.

“The spirit is trapped in the kitchen for now.”

“Who were you talking to just now?” Hudson asks. “You said thank you.”

“A spirit,” I answer truthfully. “A harmless one.”

“You can interact with the spirit world?” Jocelyn asks. “Are you a medium?”

“Something like that.” Oh, shoot. That’s my cover story. “I mean, yes.”

Before I can continue, another spirit, a man this time, appears beside Jocelyn.

She has to go. The Horror hates her presence.

“Isn’t that good? Make him mad so he leaves?”

The man shakes his head.He’s more violent. The more violent, the more powerful.

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