My Demonic Ghost #3: Hunters and Creators Read online

  When I got James on the phone it was already late afternoon, close to four o’clock. “Rachael? Hey, are you okay? You disappeared on me last night.” He answered as cheerful as always.

  “Yeah… umm, sorry about that. I suddenly got a really bad... stomach ache so I rushed home. I wanted to make it up to you, are you free for dinner?”

  “Yeah of course. Let’s meet up in town okay? At six?”

  “Yeah, okay umm… how about back at the carnival entrance?”

  “Yeah, sounds nice. I’ll see you there.”

  I don’t know why, but I felt guilty. I wasn’t doing anything untrustworthy. If anything, I was trying to recreate the perfect evening that was so rudely disrupted last night. Still, I couldn’t get rid of a sense of impending doom. I wasn’t carefree anymore. I had three angels by my side, a spirit of emotion hiding somewhere, and now a possible demon stalking my every move. I was far from feeling romantic with James.

  I hadn’t changed my clothes since last night and I was yet to have a shower. Gargoyle agreed to take me back to my place to change, yet when I arrived, I found the place empty. The car was still there, as were all their belongings inside.

  I called Kate as soon as I noticed, “Hey, where are you guys?”

  “Rach? Oh, nice of you to call us. Not too busy cuddling up to James are we?” Kate probed with gentle humour. I laughed softly, unable to bring myself to truly relax.

  “Very funny. I’m just giving you a heads up; I’ll probably be coming home late tonight or whatever. Don’t wait up for me.”

  Her laughter caused me to grimace, “Staying two nights in a row, I didn’t think you were that type of girl.” She was teasing me of course, but still I felt myself get defensive.

  “It’s not like that. We’re just catching up. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

  “Hey, you don’t have to explain anything to me. He’s a cute guy, I don’t blame you. Just so you know, we’re leaving early morning, so make sure you’re back and ready to go by 9:30. It’s a damn long drive and we’ve got Uni Monday.”

  “Umm…” I glanced up at Gargoyle. If this worked and I got the Creator to appear, would that mean I get to return to my life as normal? I was too fearful to even ask, in case the answer was no. “Yeah… of course. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I hesitated before hanging up.

  Gargoyle was the only one who followed me to the house, Chaos and Damage remained back in town to keep an eye on the activity there. It felt so empty being in this large house with just him and me. Gargoyle glanced around wearily, swallowing hard.

  “Are you okay?” I jerked him out of his daydreaming as he shook his head.

  “Just a sense of déjà vu. Did this house belong to you?”

  “To my Uncle actually, but he left here a long time ago. It now belongs to my dad. Hey, can you sense other spirits?” I asked while Gargoyle ran his hand along the mantel piece over the fire pit. He checked his fingertip for dust before wiping it against his shirt.

  “Sometimes, depending on the spirit. Other Hunters we can sense easily. Reapers, no, they are almost impossible to track. Banished, yes, but only when they are touched by sunlight. They use darkness to hide, makes it really difficult. They also can use humans to hide in as well, like hosts.” He turned to face me as his tone dropped an octave, suddenly becoming serious. “Have you ever heard of it?”

  “Demon possession? Yes but I wasn’t a believer. I mean... I don’t really know what I believe now.”

  Gargoyle drummed his fingertips along the wood debating something before disregarding his thought, “You better get ready. Don’t want to be late.”

  “Yes of course, but before I go. Can you sense if there is a demon or spirit in this house? When my friends and I arrived we witnessed dark shadows moving along the walls and heard strange noises. We’re pretty sure it was a ghost, but if you could maybe confirm it…”

  Gargoyle answered without battering an eyelid, “There are no spirits here. You can rest easy.”

  I met James as planned, outside the entrance to the Whitehaven carnival, and together we ventured into town, searching for a nice place to eat. We settled for a local pizza restaurant near the park. James had dressed nicely, smart casual with clean styled hair, and I could slowly feel myself slip into my old self. He had a white collared shirt with simple black pants and a skinny black tie that was left loose around his neck.

  We laughed, we joked, and ate some disgustingly greasy pizza that only caused us to laugh some more. It was nearly nine o’clock when we started to feel the itch for food again. Dessert this time, something with chocolate.

  I excused myself to go to the bathroom once we had ordered a sticky date pudding to share. I was looking into the mirror and patting down my cheeks just as Damage stepped into view. I jumped at her soundless approach before clutching my heart. She seemed annoyed.

  “It’s not working.” She snarled as if I was deliberately trying to fail.

  I could only shrug, “Well I’m trying.”

  “Try harder.”

  “Why don’t you beckon it with feelings of love then?” I snapped.

  Damage’s voice didn’t falter, as if I was genuinely suggesting it, “Don’t be absurd. That’ll never work.”

  “This is your plan, not mine,” I told her directly before checking over myself one more time and turning to the door. She stepped over so she blocked my path.

  She stared at me long and hard for a moment and despite myself, I couldn’t stop my mind from racing. She looked amazing. No one has ever had eyes that could actually pour warmth into my body. Hers didn’t just meet mine, her golden hues melted into my skin and danced with a spark of light that I’ve never seen before. It felt alive, even though I am a living human, Damage’s iris moved as a graceful cloud made of golden lint. In a manner that didn’t match the gentle caress of her gaze she asked, “You do love him, don’t you?”

  I felt myself hesitate; I mean…love is such a powerful word… “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him in such a long time, but I’m happy with him. He’s the only boy who has ever made me feel this way.” I whispered back not sure if I understood her question correctly.

  “Is he?” She poised again, arching her perfect brow before shattering into invisibility. Damage’s words shook me up a bit, and as I returned to the table, my appetite and happiness disappeared. The moment I thought of forgetting these angels was just that, a moment. Working my way silently into my half of the pudding and returning one-worded answers to James I was slow to notice the waiter approach the table. I glanced up at the familiar warmth to see Gargoyle standing bottle of wine in hand and two glasses balanced in between his fingers.

  “A bottle of Champaign? It’s on the house,” He offered as James looked up, peachy pink in his cheeks at our good luck. I, on the other hand, stared up at Gargoyle suspiciously. His eyes met mine, and his voice, as clear and crisp as if he had actually spoken, broadcast inside my head. I jumped and my knees slapped the wood underneath the table.

  ‘Rachael. What are you doing?’ He asked, keeping fierce eye contact with me as he poured the two glasses of wine.

  ‘No way! How are you in my head?’ I questioned back, dumbfounded.

  ‘A simple telepathic skill, try and stay focused, is something wrong? You seem distracted. Did the Creator appear to you?’ I dabbed my napkin to my lips, trying to bite back the uncomfortable cough at having someone else sitting in the very personal space of my conscious.

  ‘Nothing’s wrong. Stop staring at me so sternly! You’re making it look weird.’ I chanced a glance at James, who had noticed the far too long stare between Gargoyle and I. He slowed down his chewing, switching his focus between mine and Gargoyle’s face.

  ‘You didn’t answer my question…’

  “I’m fine, go away.” I had accidently said aloud.

  “What?” James muttered.

  “Oh, no sorry. I meant this is fine, let’s go away more often.” I quickly scooped up my wine glass in cheers. I br
oke away from Gargoyle’s glare and I instantly felt his presence fade from my mind. He didn’t linger as I returned to my conversation with James, trying to pick up from before my little bump in with Damage. By the end of the night, the overwhelming feeling of butterflies in my stomach just wasn’t there. James was heading back that night and he kissed me softly on the side of the cheek. I could feel he was lingering, hoping for an invitation to kiss me more, but I turned my cheek and pulled him into a goodbye hug.

  As I made my way home, Gargoyle, Chaos and Damage all spontaneously appeared next to me. It wasn’t far from where I was staying, and a midnight walk in chilling wind was the refreshing wakeup call that I needed.

  “So, what happened?” Gargoyle asked as he fell into step next to me. Both Chaos and Damage appeared on my other side, curiously leaning forward to listen.

  “You were there. You saw it. Nothing happened. Absolutely nothing.” I exhaled with mild frustration.

  “Maybe you needed some romantic music?” Chaos suggested, “And more candles?”

  I stopped, forcing them to stop before I turned to address them. “Listen, this isn’t going to work. I’m sorry, but I can’t do this. Whatever happened last night was a coincidence. Now you’ve had your fun, you’ve tried your little theory and it didn’t work. I’m going home; and tomorrow I’m going to go back to the city with my friends. End of story.”

  With that said, I turned my back and continued walking. They did not follow me and I heard Gargoyle speak from where they lingered.

  “You know we can’t let you do that…” He said without raising his voice.

  I only slowed so I could shout back over my shoulder, “That’s not up to you. I can’t help you anymore.”

  I never imagined I would be relieved walking back to the old Whitehaven house. As I got to the front door, I had to knock and wake up the other two. Kate opened the door, rubbing at her eyes drowsily.

  “Hey… didn’t think we would see you till tomorrow. Your date didn’t go well?” She asked mid yawn. I merely shrugged, not knowing how I could even begin to explain everything. She stepped aside to let me in before closing the door behind me. Tom was in the kitchen and poked his head around the corner when he heard us speaking.

  “Ah, Rach welcome back.” He walked out slapping the side of his laptop, “This stupid piece of crap. Come on!”

  “What’s the matter?” I stopped with my foot on the first step.

  “Oh, the internet is playing up. The net has been down since last night.” Kate murmured. Tom growled furiously, and mimed tossing his laptop out the window.

  “I can’t get onto my site to check my views. This is infuriating. I don’t know how people can survive out here with no internet, it works sometimes and the next it doesn’t. Argh, the sooner we get back to civilization the better.”

  “Naw, he’s just grumpy because nothing special happened last night.” Kate teased, perching herself upon the back of the couch and puckering out her lower lip. “And you called me the supernatural dork.”

  That’s right… they can’t remember. I almost felt myself leaning forward to tell them about the Hunters when I immediately snapped my lips shut. I was leaving that problem behind, so no point in trying to drag others into it.

  “Make sure you’re packed Rach, I’m playing drill sergeant and I want us out of here and on the road by eight sharp.”

  I chuckled into my chest, “I’ll try to remember to set my alarm.”

  “You better!” Tom ordered playfully. I got upstairs and walked into the remaining unclaimed bedroom for the night. Despite all the madness that happened, I fell sleep easily once my head hit the pillow.

  Chapter Ten:

  When my alarm buzzed and my eyes snapped open, the dream was just a fleeting image lost behind the welcome of a brown ceiling. I sat up and rubbed at my eyes, blinking focus back into them before looking down at my phone. The light was a harsh burn that I had to glance away, only peeking at it by squinting. 10:30? I tossed my phone down in my panic. Why didn’t the others wake me?

  “Ah! Crap!” I kicked my legs over, rushed to my bag and got myself dressed. Opening the door, I bolted down the hallway shouting, “Sorry! Sorry!”

  When I hit the last step at the bottom, I felt myself pull back. I could see the driveway through the dining room window, and where Tom’s van had been parked was now just an empty patch of grass. I wandered around, checking all the rooms to see everything was packed up. The hallways were silent in their absence. They left without me?

  “I told you we couldn’t let you go.” Gargoyle said, his voice, bordering arrogance. He leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed and his shoulder pressed into the wood. He looked incredibly bored. He must’ve been waiting for me to wake up for a while.

  “What… but?” I turned around myself.

  “Don’t worry they won’t come searching for you.”

  “What did you do?” I stormed up to him only to have his eyes sharpen.

  “What had to be done. We’re not letting you go until this is completed.” He commanded from where he towered above my head, arms firmly crossed and his brows tightened.

  “This is kidnapping.”

  “Think of it as doing your spiritual duty.”

  “I told you already that I can’t help!” I growled under my breath.

  “You’re just not trying.” I threw my hands up in frustration. “Rachael…” Gargoyle took hold of my shoulders before I had the chance to storm off, and dug his eyes fiercely into my blue hues. A familiar itch pressed against me, like an invasion of foreign fingers pulling at my strings, and I heard Gargoyle’s low muttering inside my head. Calm down. Don’t fight me.

  I wrenched my shoulders away from him harshly as a child scurries away from a spoon of bitter medicine. “Don’t try to mind control me.”

  Gargoyle stepped back in his own frustration, “Typical. Stop being so difficult.”

  “How can you say that to me?”

  “This is much bigger than you and I. You have a responsibility now.”

  “A responsibility?” I felt my voice rise, “Unlike you, I didn’t sign up for this. You don’t even have a plan.”

  He stepped forward and jutted his index into my face much like a scolding older sibling, “I do have a plan. We’re going to capture the Creator by using your irrational and wild emotions as bait.”

  “Well I’m definitely ‘irrational’ and ‘wild’ now aren’t I? Where’s the spirit?” I turned my back and stormed away, going in any direction to create some distance between us. Like a mosquito buzzing around my earlobe Gargoyle teleported in front of me, slamming his palms on each side of the narrow hall and barred me from walking forward.

  “You’re coming with us and that’s final.” He snarled and a spark of light punched him in the shoulder, throwing him off balance before pinning him to the wall. The dust formed into Damage’s lean physique as she kept a strong grip on Gargoyle’s shoulder.

  “Cut it out, the both of you. We don’t have time for you to be bickering.”

  Gargoyle wretched himself out and composed his clothing, “We’re not bickering. We’re just about to leave. Come Rachael.”

  “Didn’t you hear anything that I just said?”

  “I heard you and I’m choosing to ignore it.” Gargoyle turned his gaze back to me.

  “You know what? For an angel you’re a real jerk.” I growled.

  “What you think of me is irrelevant.”

  “Gargoyle, just let me handle this.” Damage tried to intervene but Gargoyle waved her off with a dismissively.

  “It’s fine, I can handle this. I just need to talk some sense into her.”

  “Go, Gargoyle,” She ordered again, and after a moment of silence Gargoyle fixed his collar and disappeared.

  “God… he’s so condescending.” I complained under my breath.

  “He’s also correct,” Damage shifted her gaze and I felt myself shrivel under her stare. “For five years we’ve b
een hunting relentlessly for this spirit, hoping it’ll be able to lead us to the stolen Staff. Two nights ago it appeared to you, we can’t just ignore that.”

  I lowered my head sourly, “I understand, but it’s not working.”

  “We’ve only tried it with anger and love, or whatever you call that attempt of love was last night. Maybe something else will trigger it. You don’t understand exactly the dire situation that we are in. Come with me.” Damage pushed off the wall and signalled for me to follow. As she got to the front door, she walked briskly out into the gloomy morning with long purposeful strides, causing me to jog just to keep pace. She spoke without turning her head.

  “There is something within the spirit world called a connection. Reapers use this connection to be able to transport from spirit world into the physical world. It allows them to disappear and move through material objects, but at the same time it can interact with earthly things and people as well. Banished demons can also use this connection to remain in the physical world and summon dark powers. Usually, Banished attach themselves onto either stationary objects or living beings. Living things allow them to use dark powers; nonliving things just let them stay hidden in the physical realm. There have been incidents, though, when a Banished demon can restore their body from minerals of this earth so they can interact with a human world; this is rare and incredibly dangerous. Similarly, there are also ways for a human to transport between the two worlds too, where the living can go to where the dead are; we call this the Forbidden Act. It’s extremely dangerous for both demon and host. It’s where the demon creates a human capsule, sacrificing half of their power so the host can survive longer and be able to switch into spiritual body. It’s an unhealthy practise that corrupts the human’s way of thinking. You should never trust these demons; they can control minds with just a simple look.”

  “Like Gargoyle?” I panted.

  Damage twitched her lips, “Yes… like Gargoyle.”

  We hit the main road and took a sharp left, Damage not slowing her steps and I struggled to keep up with her incredible pace. “Why are you telling me all this?”