Things that Go Bump in the Night (Haunted Series)

by Alexie Aaron

  Charles and Mia saw Henri’s waking dead spirit. Charles put a calming arm around Audrey and gently drew her away whispering, “He just thanked you for your compassion.”

  Mia let her tears flow as she tied the final knot. “This is to bring you death again, Henri. Go to your rest, knowing you leave us better for having known you.” She leaned over and whispered, “Give my regards to Roumain.” Mia placed the medallion over where his heart was stolen and pushed it gently through the crisp shell of his body.

  She climbed quickly off and urged her father and Audrey out of the display. Ted drew her into the security of his arms. She turned and watched as a glow emanated from the body where the medallion now rested. She felt the hairs on her arms raise.

  “Careful, I sense a lot of electricity building,” she warned Burt and the cameraman from the museum. She looked down at her shoes and was somewhat comforted by the thick rubber soles. She quickly scanned the others and winced seeing Ralph’s expensive loafers.

  “Cid, Ralph,” Mia said to the investigator standing closest to Ralph.

  Cid moved quickly and picked the man up and had him stand on top of Cid’s tennis-shoed feet. Ralph looked overjoyed. Bernard wrinkled his brow.

  The electricity in the air built until there was a loud bang accompanied by a brilliant flash of light. It only took seconds, but the impact was felt throughout the museum. Even the fast food workers, in the basement preparing for their day, felt a surge of energy coursing through their bodies.

  After, Mia approached the shell that used to hold Henri and saw that it was empty. She turned to Bernard and suggested, “I would keep the medallion in the body. I have no idea why, but that’s my gut instinct.”

  He nodded and motioned for the workmen to put back the glass panels. Mia smelled the aroma of coffee and something else that nagged at her. Was it ozone from the electric discharge? She walked out into the museum and listened. Ted followed her and put a hand on her arm, causing her to jump in fright.

  “I’m sorry,” he said gently. “What is it?”

  “Something’s not right,” she stated.

  CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

  “That’s Murphy’s SOS. See if you can get Bernard to evacuate the museum. I’m afraid that the surge of electricity may have energized a few entities. A few angry entities.”

  “Don’t move. I’m coming with you, this time,” Ted ordered. He ran over and explained to Bernard what was going on.

  “Fastest way is a fire alarm. I’ll have to call the fire department and tell them it’s a drill,” he explained, picking up the phone.

  “Cid, find a fire alarm and pull it,” Ted said, running back to Mia. Part of him was amazed that she did as he asked. She was still there although she was turning slowly, taking in the feel of the whole building. She glanced up at the hall of gems and saw Bill and his girlfriend looking over the balcony at her. Bill pointed to the Ancient Americas. “Over there, doll. I saw the farmer head over there.”

  She nodded and grabbed Ted’s hand. “Come on, we’re going to have to hold them off until the building is evacuated.” Mia regretted that she didn’t have her own clothes on, cargos packed with gadgets and salt. Her hands missed the weight and security the rock salt loaded shotgun gave her. The only ace in the hole she had was Ted at her side. They entered the exhibit and saw Murphy swinging his axe, backing up slowly. Mia and Ted got behind him and saw, to their dismay, flesh and blood men wearing tribal masks, stalking the farmer and trying to gain an edge on the axe-carrying specter.

  “They’re real or parts of them are. They have sweat. Ghosts don’t sweat,” Mia hissed at Ted and Murphy.

  The shrill sound of the fire alarm pierced the air. The men put their hands to their ears, dropping their spears and bows.

  Mia heard the sound of rapid footfalls headed for the exits. “If we can keep these guys contained until the people are gone…” her words dropped off. “Effing hell, there are other ways out of the exhibit through the gift shop and the artic area.”

  “Let’s hope they don’t know that,” Ted wished.

  “Please exit the building at your nearest exit. Do not take the elevators. Take the stairs. Please exit the building at…” the announcement droned on.

  Mia watched as the warriors retreated into the hall.

  Cid ran over carrying three shields from the Roman Empire exhibit. “Here, this should keep the arrows at bay. The spears too, maybe. Ed claimed the balance was bad, but hopefully it will impede their aim. Charles has taken Burt and Mike to the other exit. The doors of the gift shop are locked. Security has a few brave souls positioned in there just in case.”

  The recording droned on. Mia heard security guards talking to each other on walkie-talkies. They were going to close the gates and lock them in. Bernard ran in from the main hall.

  “Ralph left with Amanda and Audrey. I have the gates drawn, and it’s just you PEEPs, me, and seven security guards in the building. I have issued the order for weapons to be used, so identify yourself if you’re going to run around a corner fast,” he insisted.

  A series of thuds got their attention. Murphy moved forward quickly. He returned even quicker. “Bad juju man stirring up the troops.”

  “How many?” Ted asked.

  Mia stood shocked as she saw Murphy open and close his hands three times. “Thirty? How the hell are there thirty ancient humans here with enough parts to animate?”

  “We have an extensive collection,” Bernard said. “You said thirty?”

  Murphy nodded.

  “There should be forty, forty-five maybe. Where are the other fifteen?”

  They heard rapid footfalls. Mike was shouting something they couldn’t quite make out.

  Murphy led them into the big hall. Mike, Charles and Burt passed them, heading for the stairs.

  “Down!” Ted said, pushing Mia down, tipping her shield over her as a rain of arrows pelted the Roman shields.

  They waited until the last arrow had fallen before raising their shields. The fifteen bowmen stood between them and the outside doors. Mia turned to see the other thirty flood into the hall and surround them on the other side. Murphy moved to a defensive position, but even he knew he could only be in so many places at the same time. He looked back at Mia and shook his head.

  To make matters worse, her greatest nightmare strode out of the exhibit hall. He wore fresh paint that accentuated the tattooing of his skin. He looked over at the trapped humans and smiled as he spotted Mia.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Mia’s stomach lurched. She saw no mercy in the eyes behind the mask. They would die slowly and horribly. Mia opened up her mind and called for Angelo in her mind. She promised him whatever he wanted if only he would save them. That done, she set her mind to work. Mia had an extensive knowledge of the European and Asian halls of the museum and knew where every weapon was displayed. She sought out with her mind and began calling them.

  As the leader approached, he shouted to them in a language foreign to their ears.

  “He’s saying that you must give up. You are outnumbered,” her father called down from his perch on the second floor adding, “more or less.”

  “Leave it to an academic to vacillate in his interpretation,” Bernard hissed.

  From a distance came a screeching of metal on tile and the sounds of bursting glass panels.

  “Down,” ordered Mia as she pulled her godfather under the cover of her shield. Ted and Cid did likewise.

  The leader stopped and ran back for cover as hundreds of sharp implements rained down on the hall. Mia directed them when she could, her body growing weaker as she struck warrior after warrior with the weapons from the Iron Age. Bernard, sensing her weakness, picked her up and led the others to the information booth for better cover. He shoved Mia under the counter and used the shield to aid him in checking out their defenses.

  Ted and Cid had picked up whatever had fallen in their path as they retreated. One brave security guard was discharging his weapo
n at the mass of flesh as they too moved for cover. “Mia?”

  Bernard shook his head. “She doesn’t have anymore in her. We’re on our own now.”

  “Murphy!” Ted called.

  The farmer turned around just in time to see Ted slide him an activated energon cube. He placed his axe blade in the slot and took in the energy. He raised his axe and took a defensive position.

  All was quiet as the fallen assessed their wounds. The dead were dragged to the side, and the healthy waited for their leader’s next command.

  Sensing that the onslaught was over, the high warrior priest walked back into the hall smiling. He stood facing Murphy and laughed.

  A ping sounded overhead. The entity looked up and saw a small black bird was tapping on a panel of glass in the ceiling of the atrium. Another bird landed and tapped on the glass. Soon a mass of birds covered the glass ceiling, throwing the hall into a gloom before the interior lighting adjusted itself. The thunder of their combined tapping caused confusion in the ranks of the ancients. The leader yelled something Charles would later claim was, “They’re only birds, keep your position” or “The birds are just looking for something to eat.” He wouldn’t be pinned down on it.

  The leader looked at Murphy and laughed again.

  Murphy raised his axe, knowing it was only him between the mass of ancient warriors and Mia.

  Burt saw the first crack in the glass and shouted, “The ceiling’s coming down. Cover yourself!”

  Seconds after his voice echoed through the hall, the glass exploded and rained down on the warriors. The Roman shields kept the shards and pebbles from injuring Bernard, Cid and Ted. Mia, who had exhausted all her energy, was curled into a ball under the counter. She kept her face away from Ted so he wouldn’t see the blood that oozed from her nose, eyes and ears.

  After the last shard of glass fell, there was a rush of wind as a dozen birdmen and women landed. They began to battle the remaining warriors. Murphy challenged the Aztec priest, and they faced off.

  “Go get’em, Murphy!” Cid yelled, lowering his shield.

  Ted noticed the blood on the floor before he picked Mia up to make a run for it. She was conscious but very weak. “The weapons were you, Mighty Mouse?”

  She closed her eyes slowly and tried to nod. She motioned for Ted to put his ear to her lips and she whispered, “I called for Angelo. Tell Murphy not to fight him. I made a bargain.”

  “Oh, Mia,” Ted cried. “No.”

  “All of this is my fault. I love you, Ted, I always will,” she said and closed her eyes and passed out.

  He held her tight to his chest, feeling some comfort in the steady beat of her heart against his.

  The battle continued, birdmen against the ancient warriors, Murphy against the leading entity. Each giving and receiving blows draining their power. At one point, Murphy backed into a birdman, turned and saw the arrogant eyes of Angelo Michaels stare back at him. Angelo turned back around and continued to fight the warriors that had made it closest to the kiosk and were threatening the humans inside. They stood back to back as Murphy and Mia had stood many a time before. Murphy continued to take hits, and his power was waning.

  “Listen, I’m going to pick you up and throw you over the bastard,” Angelo said, not giving Murphy a chance to protest.

  Burt watched through the camera lens as the largest birdman, he assumed was Angelo, picked Murphy up and tossed him in the air. Murphy twisted around, and as his feet hit the floor, he swung with all his might. The leader’s head was separated neatly at the shoulders, his head hitting the ground moments before his knees buckled and he fell. When he did, the others did too. Soon the hall was quiet with the exception of the heavy breathing of the bird people. Another flutter of wings was heard above them as Elizabeth and Idra floated down and began ministering to the fallen.

  The remains of the animated corpses of the ancient warriors turned to ash, leaving only the masks and weapons behind them.

  Murphy exhausted the last of his energy and drifted in the breeze caused by the flapping of wings as all but one of the bird people rose upward and left the museum.

  Angelo walked over towards Ted. Ted reluctantly let Angelo take Mia from him. He walked a few feet away and lifted Mia’s chin. “Little bird, what have you done to yourself?”

  Mia opened her eyes and looked into the dark Italian face and said, “I used my mind to bring the Iron Age to these bastards. I’ve got nothing left.”

  Angelo took in the amount of weapons on the floor and sighed. “Too much, too soon.” He folded his wings around them and sat with her on the ground. He connected his mind with hers and patched the bleeding spots. He willed some of his energy into her. He opened his wings and called to Ted, “Come take her. Let her sleep. If she doesn’t wake in the next three days, call Refugia.”

  Ted, stunned, approached Angelo. “She said she made a bargain with you. You save us and…”

  “I could have anything I wanted,” he finished. “I want Mia to reach her full potential. She certainly impressed me with this. She forgave me when I overstepped myself. She fought me for her independence, yet she gives herself freely to you. She is a complex person, a human. She needs no wings to fly, Ted.”

  Angelo turned to see Murphy had regained some composure. He reached out a hand and felt the farmer’s in his. “You’re a pain in the ass, my friend, and should be in heaven. If you change your mind, call on Father Santos. Until then, I would be proud to fight beside you any day.”

  “You’re not bad for a tweedy bird,” Murphy said and put his axe on his back confidently. “Mia?”

  “She stays here.”

  “Good decision, birdman.”

  Angelo smiled at the arrogance of the dirt farmer. He sensed a wisdom inside the entity that would benefit Mia in times of need. He knew he was leaving her in good hands. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again. Goodbye, my friend,” Angelo said and rocketed upward, morphing into a large black bird as he did. Murphy watched as he joined his flock and flew away.

  “I suppose you want us to clean all of this up?” Mike asked Burt, walking down the stairs.

  “Not it!” Cid said as he shuffled through the glass. “Is that a jeweled dagger?” he asked, not expecting an answer as he stooped to pick it up.

  “Careful, the blade could be poisonous,” Bernard warned. He picked up his cell phone and called his secretary. “Mary, you better pull an inventory of the weapons of the Iron Age on forward. Yes, all of them. Let me see. Remember those new glass panels we ordered from… yes… those are the ones. Tell them to deliver them pronto. No, they won’t have to remove the old glass. Anything else? Pray for dry weather,” Bernard said and closed the phone.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Mia snuggled under the sheet. It was a cool morning, and after two days of fitful dreams, she woke to the familiar sights and smells of the farmhouse.

  “Well if it isn’t Miss get-out-of-cleanup,” Mike said, feigning irritation.

  She looked over at the handsome male and said, “Nice to see you too, am I in topsy-turvy world?”

  “No, you awoke on my watch. If you’re mind’s a bit fuzzy, I’ll give you the highlights. The spell to release Henri was so powerful that it woke up old shit-eating-grin-mask in your favorite area of the museum, along with forty-five reanimated corpses that the museum had stored in it for God knows what purpose. They decided to kill us, but I think they were going for you. You put in a SOS with the birdman before you blew your brains out attacking them with anything sharp.”

  “How’d that work?”

  “You sliced them, but they were tough buggers, not letting things like losing eyes and bleeding get the best of them. Then came the raining glass…” Mike went on to describe the war between the bird people and the ancient Americans.

  “I have to admit to being ecstatic that I’m still here,” Mia said as Mike raised her head and fluffed her pillow.

  “He didn’t want you,” Ted said from the doorway. H
is face was flushed. Mia could tell that he’d been running. “He said he wanted you to reach your full potential but said you didn’t need wings in order to do that.”

  “Well that’s a relief,” Mia said, looking up at Ted.

  “This telekinesis isn’t something you should be doing on a massive scale, evidently.”

  “Who knew?” Mia played the innocent.

  “You bought us time, though. Next time we decide to send a zombie back, we should choose an isolated spot away from, let’s say, corpses of marauding Aztecs.”

  “I think that’s a great suggestion. Have Burt put it in our operations manual,” Mia said, directing the comment to Mike. “Now would be good.”

  Mike smiled. “Ah, so you’re kicking me out of the bedroom again. Gee, Mia, I think you should take advantage of this situation,” he teased. “After, when you’re a fat married lady, my offers of sex will diminish, some.”

  “Out!” ordered Ted.

  Mike got up and saluted Mia before walking out and closing the bedroom door after him.

  Ted clicked the lock and rushed to Mia’s side. “Don’t you ever do that again.”

  “Do what?”

  “Let’s see, use yourself as a bargaining chip with Angelo. Do you know how much trouble we all went through rescuing you from him in the first place?”

  Mia wanted to tell him it wasn’t a fun fest for her either but held her tongue. She listened to the growing list of things he’d rather her not do, knowing that she’d probably do them anyway. She felt uncomfortable having slept so long without a bathroom break. She eased out of bed and let Ted continue to lecture her as she ran into the master bathroom. She closed the door but left it open a crack as Ted had worked himself down the list but was not finished. As she washed her hands and splashed water on her face, he was winding up. Mia looked in the mirror and noticed her moss-green eyes had flecks of gold in them. Maybe they had been there all along, maybe not. She couldn’t remember.