“Ahhh...” J.J. said in a knowing tone. “This must be the girlfriend.”
Girlfriend? Had Trent told his friends that I was his girlfriend?
I looked to Trent who smugly smiled, confirming J.J.’s assumption. “That she is. J.J., this is Paige.” Trent turned and looked at me, “Paige, this is J.J. I mean, Jason.”
As I looked between the two men, it finally dawned on me that this was the best friend. Wow, I didn’t put two and two together while they were talking. J.J., or Jason, wasn’t exactly what I had pictured for Trent’s best friend, but nonetheless, I extended my hand to him as I said, “And, you must be the best friend.”
J.J. looked at me for a long moment, then took my hand and shook it. “Jason Jecklin. Trent’s very available, very good-looking best friend. Everyone calls me J.J., but you can call me anything you want.”
Oh, he is smooth. He winked at me. Yeah, he knows it, too.
I felt the blush warming my cheeks despite the chilly Montreal air. “It’s nice to meet you. You can just call me Paige.” I smiled at J.J. and I swear I heard Trent emit a low growl.
“Until I come up with something better.” He winked.
“Do those hurt?” I asked as I gestured to the piercings in his lip.
“My snake bites? Nah, not compared to some of my other piercings.” He smiled devilishly and I mentally counted the piercings from his neck up.
The snake bite as he called it counts as two, right? Then the one in his eyebrow and then one rather large hole in each ear. That’s five. I knew for a fact that getting your ears pierced did not hurt, and well, he didn’t appear to be the type that would have his belly button pierced. Ha-ha! So that left only a few other places… Oh…
I felt a blush rise from my neck and cover my cheeks.
J.J. raised a knowing eyebrow and shrugged. “Well, what do you say we get this show on the road?” He moved to grab the black cases of equipment. “Zoe and Riley are setting up command under the tent.”
“Okay. Let’s do this.” I said confidently, seeing as I had decided to finally put my big girl panties on.
“That’s my girl.” Trent placed a kiss upon my forehead and closed the rear door of the Yukon. “You hear that, J?! MY girl!” He hollered after J.J.
“What was that, Knox? Did you say something? I could’ve sworn all I heard was the wind.” J.J. heckled over his shoulder.
“Oh, you heard me!”
J.J. stopped and turned around. He looked at Trent with a devilish gleam in his eyes. “Let’s not forget who saw her first, Knox.” He bit his bottom lip, making the metal bars in his bottom lip stick out with the motion.
“What’s he talking about?” I pointed toward J.J.
Trent simply shrugged. “You didn’t think I was at the club alone, did you?” He rolled his eyes as he locked the car, and then grabbed my hand, dragging me off toward the trees to what would surely be my last evening on Earth.
chapter 8
3a.m. It’s now 3 a.m. and not a single thing has happened besides being introduced to another investigator, Zoe Bryant, and the tech guy of MPS, Riley Hayes. Zoe is extremely edgy with lots of metal in her ears and shoulder length brown hair which appeared to be in desperate need of a shampoo and style. The dark eye shadow around both of her brown eyes looked like she had slept with her makeup on the night before. The tank she wore over her black long sleeve top was ripped and tattered, and apparently, also in need of a good wash. She was a pretty girl, but pretty scary at the same time. When I introduced myself to her, she gave me a once over, a rough hand shake, and a “Nice to meet you, princess.” I liked her instantly.
Riley, on the other hand, was almost normal looking. He was just a bit taller than me and very slim. His hair was bleached blond and styled in a fauxhawk. When he introduced himself to me, I noticed a small metal ball on his tongue. Okay, so maybe he appeared more emo than normal.
Overall, MPS is quite an interesting group and I have enjoyed watching how they all interact. What I’ve gathered so far is Riley has a crush on Zoe, but she either likes him back and doesn’t want anyone else to know, or she just doesn’t even care about his feelings toward her. As of now, I’m leaning toward the latter.
J.J. is very much the man in charge and he pisses off Zoe multiple times a night thanks to his cockiness. And then, there’s Trent. He seems to be the cool kid that gets along with everyone.
They honestly could be a band. Zoe, with her audaciousness, would be the badass, often moody, lead singer. J.J., with his ostentatious displays of arrogance, would be the hot lead guitarist whose charm and street cred makes up for the posers in the band. Trent, with his gorgeous long locks, would undoubtedly be the sexy, albeit overly sensitive, drummer. And Riley, with his laid-back attitude, would be the bass player who hates himself for being the poser of the band. And clearly, I would be Trent’s devoted groupie.
Two hours ago, Trent and I performed a preliminary walkthrough of the Fort and since then, we’ve been camped out under the blue pop-up canopy that is serving as command central. Riley, with a headset on, was watching the screens intently as Zoe and J.J. moved across them conducting their part of the investigation. Trent caught my attention as he got up from his seat beside me and started digging around in a black messenger bag.
“Whatcha searchin’ for, Ghostbuster?” My voice chorused.
“Got it!” He raised a package triumphantly over his head. He strutted his way back to the seat beside mine and smiled arrogantly. “She loves me.”
I raised an eyebrow at his comment. “Ummm... Excuse me?” I asked. “Have something you care to share?” Like this business of another woman loving you.
He held up a package of black licorice and waved it in front of my face. “Zoe got it for me since I ran out on the last investigation. And, I will share with you. After all, you are my girlfriend. Consider yourself lucky though, I don’t share my black licorice with just anyone.”
So, this is why he tasted of licorice on our first date. I thought back to our amazing first kiss and my heart skipped a beat. I shrugged, reaching for a swirled stick. “I’ve had red before, but I’ve never tried the black licorice.”
“You’re kidding?! It’s only the best thing...” Trent paused. “Ok, well maybe it’s the second-best thing in the world.” He smirked and eyed me suggestively.
I rolled my eyes at his innuendo and took a bite of the candy. Gagging, I spit it right back out. “Yuck! This is terrible!” The taste was bitter and way too strong, completely different from the delicious taste of Trent’s kiss. “I wish you hadn’t shared.” I frowned, handing him the rest of my uneaten piece.
“Fine, more for me.” He seemed wounded that I didn’t share his affection for the candy. “Are you sure you don’t want to try some more? I’ve heard it’s an acquired taste, kind of like beer. And, I know you like beer.”
“I like REAL beer, the kind that’ll put hair on your chest. Not that weak, American beer you drink. And, I’m sure, thanks.” I breathed into my hands and rubbed them together, trying to warm them up. I swear the temperature had dropped about 20 degrees in the last half hour.
“The kind that’ll put hair on your chest, eh?” Trent shoved the rest of my piece of licorice in his mouth, successfully grossing me out. Leaning into me, he grabbed my hands in one of his and placed them in my lap. He reached up and gently touched my face with his other hand. As his face got closer to mine, I noticed the playful look in his eyes.
“Trent...” I warned. “Don’t even think...” I tried to squirm away, but was unsuccessful, as Trent placed a big, black licorice-filled kiss on my lips. He pulled away chuckling, as I wiped at my mouth. “Gross, Knox!”
“Low blow, Tremblay.” Trent emphasized my last name. “J.J. only calls me that to get under my skin.” He said, leaning back and settling into his chair.
“Why does it get under your skin?” I asked.
Trent eyed me cautiously, clearly debating on whether or not he wanted to tell me. “He
says I’m like Fort Knox.” Trent rubbed his hand along his jaw. Seeing my questioning gaze, he elaborated, “Because I’m so heavily guarded.” He turned his eyes back toward the monitors, implying the conversation was over.
I felt the sting of tears behind my eyes, so I quickly blinked them away. It truly pained me to see the apprehension written so clearly on his face. But most of all, I just couldn’t believe that he and I could be so alike. “Not with me you’re not.” I said quietly.
A ghost of a smile appeared as Trent skimmed a finger across his lips. He shook his head. “No. With you, I’m practically an open book.”
The sound of Trent’s walkie-talkie coming to life broke through the night air.
“Hey, Knox. We should be in your line of sight soon. You and P.K. can try your luck inside now.”
Trent stood and offered his hand to me. I smiled, placing my fingers in his warm palm, rising to stand in front of him. He brushed a stray hair out of my face and gently cradled my cheek in his hand. I leaned into his caress and closed my eyes, enjoying his touch.
“Maybe you two shouldn’t go in there alone.” J.J.’s voice sounded in my ear, and I opened my eyes to see the pair had returned.
I smiled uncomfortably, stepping out of Trent’s embrace and stuffing my hands in my coat pockets.
“I have an idea. You stay out here, Knox. I’ll go back in and P.K. can come with me.” J.J. wagged his eyebrows as he shrugged off his jacket, unveiling tattoos covering both arms.
“Wow! Nice sleeves!” I admired.
“You like tattoos, huh?” J.J. turned both his arms slightly, so I could see all the artwork. And artwork it was; beautiful black and grey skulls, demons, and angels covered both arms. “Can’t say mine are as meaningful as Knox’s, but I like them just the same. His were done by a much better artist.” He laughed.
“Dick!” Riley shoved J.J. in the shoulder as he walked up to him to grab the walkie out of J.J.’s hand.
My eyebrows furrowed slightly in response to J.J.’s comment. My boyfriend has tattoos? I turned to look at Trent. “You have tattoos?”
Before Trent could answer, J.J. chimed in, “Wait...? Aaaahhh! That means you two haven’t...” He wagged his eyebrows again. “Man, I’m impressed, Knox. You’re usually not one for such self-control.”
Trent flexed his hand and clenched his jaw. “Watch it, man.” He spat out before turning and stalking away from the tent.
“Knox, c’mon! C’mon, man! I was just kidding!” J.J. yelled after him, but Trent just kept walking.
I chastised J.J. with a sideways glance.
“Sorry, P.K. I was just joking. Honestly! I didn’t know he would get his panties in a twist over it or else I wouldn’t have said it.” J.J. apologized.
“I know in the past Trent hasn’t been interested in anything else other than a physical relationship, but things are… well, things are different with us. And, I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.” I rebuffed and grabbed Trent’s walkie-talkie.
I took off across the field in a light jog, trying to catch up with Trent. “Slow down, Ghostbuster!” I yelled after him.
I noticed Trent slowed his pace and watched as he ran a hand through his hair in exasperation.
“You okay?” I asked as I joined him in stride.
“Yeah, sorry. It’s no big deal. We’re like brothers. We fight like it too.” Trent glanced toward the tent. “He likes to push my buttons is all, knows exactly what to say to do it. I’m sorry he was being a dick. He knows that’s not how it is between us.”
“I know, Trent.” I said, slipping my hand in his. “And, it’s okay. J.J. already apologized. He didn’t mean to upset you.”
Trent smiled and planted a kiss on the top of my head. “Wow, you’ve already got Jason Jecklin gravelling at your feet. You really are the perfect woman.”
“Ha! Far from it!” I dismissed his compliment.
“Okay, well maybe just perfect for me.” He gave my hand a gentle squeeze and my heart raced in response.
We made it to the Fort a little too quickly for my liking, and I stopped abruptly when we reached the steps in front of a door.
“Here we go.” Trent said, climbing the steps and opening the wide, white door. “Hope you’re not afraid of the dark.” He taunted.
I took a deep breath as I walked past Trent and into the dark building. “Do you know why J.J. calls me P.K.?” I stopped walking and turned, trying to search for Trent’s face in the darkness. I was blinded when he turned on the light on the video camera he was holding.
“No clue. But, then again, I don’t understand why J.J. does a lot of the things he does. He’s sort of a rare breed, if you haven’t noticed.” He held out his hand and I saw something silver in it. “Now, here’s a digital recorder. If you can hang on to that so I can film with this, we should be good to go.”
Trent handed me the small, silver, digital voice recorder. He had explained earlier that whenever they investigate, they do recording sessions and then they listen to the playback in hopes of finding a captured EVP, or electronic voice phenomena. I placed the small device in my jacket pocket for safe keeping. Trent turned off the video camera light and we began to walk down a long hallway in complete darkness.
“Okay, so let me get this straight... There’s a mass grave on this island for 800 soldiers who were purposely put in the line of fire of enemy sharpshooters by their own General?” I whispered.
“That’s what they say. Why are you whispering?” Trent snickered at my behavior.
“Well, I just... Feel like I should be quiet.” I said a little louder.
“Why? Afraid you’ll wake the dead?” Trent ridiculed. Even though it was pitch black and my eyes had only adjusted enough for me to see the outline of his body, I knew that Trent was rolling his eyes at me.
“Trent. That’s not even...” I wasn’t able to finish my sentence because we heard a loud bang come from further down the hall.
“Come on, we gotta go check it out.” Trent said, taking off in the direction of the noise.
“I’m good.” I said nervously. There’s absolutely no way I’m going towards the noise. I’m perfectly fine right here.
“Your choice. Have fun all by yourself, though.” Trent bellowed from down the hallway.
Oh, I don’t think so!
I turned on my small pen light and took off running after Trent. I grabbed hold of his arm when I caught up to him and turned the light back off.
“That’s what I thought.” He said smugly. I knew he wouldn’t be able to see me in the dark, so I rolled my eyes in annoyance as we trekked further down the hall.
The entire building was silent, except for the soft inhale and exhale of our breaths, and we slowed our pace as we neared the area where the noise had come from.
A shiver ran down my spine as we crossed the threshold of a doorway and entered a small room. “Trent.” I whispered, gripping his arm tighter. My feet suddenly felt like lead, practically impossible to move another step forward. I swayed on feet, feeling light-headed. “This doesn’t feel right.”
“I’m right here, babe.” Trent spoke in my ear, his hand sliding down my arm and gripping my palm tightly. “Come on. We’ll go back into the hallway.”
We turned to leave the suffocating room, but I came face-to-face with a cobweb. Pausing, I reached up to try and brush it off my face. I frowned, noticing a slight dampness to my skin, but also noticing there was no stickiness on my fingers. The spider web seemed to have just melted away.
“Trent, will you make sure I don’t have a spider on me? I just got attacked by a cobweb.” I turned on my pen light and placed it into his hand, once we were out in the hallway.
Trent directed the light toward me and looked me over quickly. “I don’t see anything, babe. Are you sure you walked through something?” He asked.
“Yes, Trent. I’m sure. It was right on my face when I turned around, but then it was gone.” The small light illuminated Trent’s face enough wh
ere I could see his sober expression clearly. My heart rate kicked up. “What is it?” I inquired.
“Okay, don’t freak out but...”
“What?!” I demanded. My heart was pounding against the wall of my chest, threatening to burst through at any moment.
“The only reason I’m even bringing this up is because of your comment about this not feeling right. Were you feeling sick?”
“Yes...” I said quietly.
“Spirits leave this web like substance behind them or in front of them when they move through an area or when they pass through someone. It’s ectoplasmic residue.” Trent explained.
“So, what exactly are you saying?” I trembled with fear.
“Paige, I think there’s something here. We should turn on the digital recorder.” Trent’s voice was calm and collected, ever the professional.
Tears welled in my eyes and I just stood, frozen in place. Something is here. My lip began to quiver and then I heard a child’s laugh come from inside the room directly behind me. The room we had just left. I quickly turned around, trying to see if there was anybody in the room, but of course it was empty. A chill ran through my bones, freezing me to my very core. Goosebumps rose across my flesh and I struggled to swallow as the first tear sprang free.
“What’s wrong?” Trent moved toward me quickly, voice full of concern.
“You didn’t hear that?” I asked as another tear fell.
“Hear what?” Trent’s hand went to face, his thumb wiping away the drops from my cheek.
How could he not hear that? It was clear as day.
“I heard a little kid laughing.” I whispered. I shivered and tried to wrap my jacket tighter around my body as I trembled, terrified of the activity around me.
“Turn on the recorder, Paige. We need to do an EVP session.” Trent said hurriedly. “Paige, listen,” he grabbed me on my shoulders, “I need you to go back into that room.”
“Trent... no.” I whimpered.
“Paige, you are the one experiencing everything. You can do this. You are strong enough to do this. I’m going to be right here across from you, just in the hallway.”
When Darkness Comes Page 8