Puckett - Ours

Ours

Regina Puckett

Ours

Regina Puckett

Copyright Regina Puckett 2013

Photography @Chainat/Dreamstime.com

Editor The Pro Book Editor

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Evil returns

In a fit of disgust, Sheriff Wilson threw the handful of bright orange and black pamphlets on the front visitors desk.

Do you believe this shit?

The deputy had been blowing on his coffee to cool it down, but the sheriffs tone made him lower the cup to see what all the fuss was about. It was common knowledge in the department that the sheriff was short tempered on a good day, so instead of saying anything, he sat the cup down and picked up a pamphlet to see what had set the sheriff off into a tizzy this time. He quickly scanned it before flinging it back onto the desk with the others.

There was the barest hint of whats the big deal in the tone of his voice when he finally asked, A haunted house?

The sheriff could actually feel the blood surging through the vein in the side of his neck. Since there wasnt any point in having a stroke out in the front lobby, he tried to calm down, but the moment he began talking a rush of adrenaline hit him. Not just any old haunted house. Look where the idiots are having it!

He pointed at the pamphlets just in case there was any doubt where the deputy needed to focus his attention. The fools are setting up a haunted house in one of the buildings in the old mental hospital complex! Twelve people were killed there last year! Who are these people and what the hell are they thinking?!

Deputy Worley stood and pulled the chair around toward the sheriff. Maybe you should sit. Youre just now getting back to your old self since all of that happened last year.

Deputy Worley would have said more, but stopped dead cold, when the sheriff leveled an icy stare on him. He usually reserved that particular look for criminals, but every now and then when one of his men did or said something out of line, he would pull it out of his armory to remind them just who their superior was.

The deputy stammered, I can see why youre worried. Its just. You know, er,er...

Sheriff Wilson stood straighter and focused every ounce of his attention onto his deputy, I know what?! Spit it out. He grabbed a pamphlet from the desk and held it mere inches from Deputy Worleys face, I know a girl hung herself under my watch. Is that what youre trying to say? He leaned forward and was now eye to eye with the younger man, Do you think Im ever going to forget that, Son? Why do you think Im so damn mad? Its not going to happen again, here, in my town!

Innocently going to the slaughter

Is this your first paranormal investigation, Sheriff?

Sheriff Wilson was heading down from the fourth floor, after dropping off a huge roll of electrical cord, when a little wisp of a girl stopped him about midway down the stairwell. The box she was balancing on one shoulder appeared to be filled with cameras and recorders. He wasnt the social type, but since he had all but forced his way into the groups investigation, he figured he had already made enough enemies. So, he smiled and tried to be as charming as possible.

He normally would have offered to take the box from her, but everyone had been instructed to carry their own weight. It didnt matter if they were a man or a woman, so he dampened all of his good manners and chauvinist tendencies.

It is. How about you? Do you do this sort of thing very often? As hard as he tried to put himself in the right frame of mind to go ghost hunting with the group, he still couldnt understand why anyone would want to sit around in the dark and wait for a dead person to make contact.

The girl couldnt have been much older than eighteen. She had at least five different types of piercings in her right eyebrow and her hair was shaved to the scalp. She was dressed in black from head to toe and every time she shifted her weight a forked tongue of some type of creature peeked out from the edge of her tee shirt neckline. Ive been doing this for about eight years.

She laughed at his surprised expression, I know. I look a lot younger than I really am. Im sure Im going to love that one day, but right now, its a real pain in the ass. In a few months Ill be thirty. She nodded toward the box she was holding, Lugging this shit around all the time keeps me in shape. It takes hours to set everything up, and even longer running from floor to floor trying to catch EVPs or something on film. This isnt for the lazy or the faint of heart. She lowered the box and placed it under one arm so she could lean an elbow on the stair railing, I know why Im here, but what I dont understand is why you are.

This section of stairway was too unnerving for Sheriff Wilson to stand around and chit chat like nothing bad had ever happened here. He tried not focusing on the landing a few steps away, but even though the deaths had happened months before, he could still see the expression of terror on James Farrars face when they had lowered him down from where hed been hanging. That night still haunted his dreams.

Unable to stand it any longer, Sheriff Wilson took the box from her and said, Come on. Well talk and walk at the same time. Im already on Normas bad side. I dont want to get you in trouble too. Shell think Im keeping you from your job. Im sorry but I dont remember your name.

The girl didnt protest, but fell in step behind him. I dont think we were ever introduced. I only knew your name because I heard some of the others talking about how you were going to be joining us for the next three days. Im Rhonda. Rhonda Byrd.

Sheriff Wilson turned so she could see him smile but never missed a beat in climbing the narrow steps. Why dont you just call me by my first name, Alan? Maybe if everyone starts calling me that, theyll forget Im the sheriff. This weekend will go better for everyone if I can just fade into the background. Im just here to make certain nothing bad happens to anyone. You do realize twelve people were killed here, right?

When they finally reached the fourth floor landing he handed Rhonda the box and turned to head down again. He stopped on the step below her so they were eye level, Ill just let you know right up front that I dont believe in this ghost bullshit. Someone killed those people and for all we know that someone is looking for just the right time to come back and kill a few more people. You be careful while youre here and watch your back. Find a buddy and stay with that person.

When she laughed at his suggestion, he held up both hands, I know you think Im just a crazy old coot, but what will it hurt to humor me a little? You might just live through this ghost hunting adventure of yours.

She at least made the effort to look serious but her eyes betrayed just how unnecessary she found his warnings to be.

Okay. Ill partner up with the strongest guy here and not go off by myself. She made a large slashing gesture across her chest, Cross my heart and hope to die.

Whispering taunts

Mark this spot and discard that last sound. The sheriff just huffed again.