A Whispered Darkness

by Vanessa Barger

  I blinked, the spirit retreated, and Cain looked like I’d struck him.

  Grant leaned forward and poked Cain’s shoulder. “It’s a neat party trick, right?”

  He raised his brows at him.

  Grant pointed a finger. “Hey, you’re the one who didn’t believe her.”

  “Grant, shut up.”

  “No, he’s right.” Cain rubbed the back of his neck. “I owe you an apology. I came here, having been warned off by Bryan. He said you were delusional about the house and told me a great deal about you. And it was all wrong.”

  Relief flooded me and I took a sip of my coffee. “Thanks.”

  “What exactly is your goal here?”

  “Honestly, I wanted to warn you off completely at first. But—” I took a deep breath and released it. “We need help. Even if we could get Mom back to normal, we can’t move. I couldn’t live with myself if we sold it to some other family as it is. Plus, I’m certain Mom has dropped all her money into it. So it’s us or the ghosts, but someone has to go.”

  I held his gaze. “I don’t want anyone coming in to help without being aware of the dangers first. Bryan is convinced he’s above it, and I think he’s got an ulterior motive, though I’m not entirely sure what it is.”

  Cain nodded. “He’s intense about investigating, but he’s been especially so since we started studying your case. What he and my wife fail to remember is that we have a system in place for high-risk cases. Everyone must have a buddy, and we take only experienced and willing members who have been briefed beforehand. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

  “I appreciate this. Really. And if you need to know anything else, you have my cell number now, or you can call Haven.”

  Cain glanced at his watch and mumbled a curse. “I hate to run, but I have to pick up my wife and have a talk about this with her. If anything else happens before we come on Friday, call me. According to your mom, she’s already arranged for you two to be out of school all day.”

  I rose, shaking the hand he offered. “I’ll see you on Friday, then.”

  He snagged his coat off the back of the chair, murmured a good bye again, and left. I pictured the wheels in his mind turning things over.

  “Did you know we weren’t going to school Friday?” Grant asked.

  I shook my head. “No.”

  His eyes strayed to the doorway. “That doesn’t seem good.”

  “We’ll worry about it when we get there. It’s only Tuesday. Come on, let’s go. I want to get home and see if I can get a hold of Haven.”

  “I called Carlos while I got the coffee. He’s waiting outside to give you a ride home. I did not want to walk all that way, and he and I have a group project to finish anyway. Unless you need me, I’ll go with him and work on that.”

  “Sure. You might as well get it done.” The less he was in the house, the safer he’d be.

  Grant cleared his throat. “If you don’t want to go straight home, he could drop you by Haven’s instead.”

  I slid on my coat. “No. His grandmother came home last night, and I’m a bad influence.”

  He laughed. “Of course you are! Horrible.”

  Following him outside, I tried to keep up the light-hearted banter. Grant waved to Carlos, who was waiting in his beat up sedan as promised.

  I slid into the backseat and ignored the stench of cigarettes that clung to every surface.

  “Thanks for picking us up, Carlos.”

  He waved a hand and gave me a wide grin. A cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth. “No problem. Grant and I have to get this stupid thing done, and it’s a long walk back to your house.”

  Grant was sitting in the front and they got into a discussion about some drama that had happened in class that day. I tuned them out, sitting back against the worn seats. That Mom already pulled us out of school on Friday worried me. Why? To help with the setup and interviews with the crew?

  I doubted it.

  So what did she really want? I had a hard time focusing on anything else during the ride home. Luckily, Carlos and Grant didn’t need my input in their conversation. I wanted to send Grant somewhere else, but I knew he wouldn’t go. Grant was as safe as we could make him in his room. Any attempt to get him out of the house now would be too obvious. Whatever was there seemed more interested in me anyway, for the moment. I just needed to keep it that way.

  Carlos pulled up in front of the house, and I thanked him again. He stuck his head out the window, flicking the ash from the end of his cigarette. “You two are braver than I thought. I can’t believe you actually live there.”

  I glanced behind me at the building. Improvements had been made inside, but so far only a few repairs had been made outside.

  “Yeah. It’s…special.”

  Carlos grunted. “Yeah. Later!”

  Grant waved and tapped his cell phone, giving me a pointed look.

  In a spray of gravel, Carlos pulled out. The silence after the rumble of his engine was gone made my ears throb. There weren’t even any birds singing. The house was silent when I walked in. I had expected Mom to be here.

  A note rested on the counter, this one entirely in the curling script that didn’t belong to her.

  I’d have left you dinner, but you wouldn’t have eaten it. I’ll be back late. There’s still a search party out looking for Haven’s mother, and I insisted on helping.

  Still missing. I tossed the note in the trash and reached for the phone, dialing in Haven’s house number. The moment his grandmother heard me speak, she hung up. Frustrated, I used my cell and tried his phone. Nothing.

  Haven’s grandmother was a piece of work. What had I done to deserve her hate? I didn’t dare walk over, because she probably wouldn’t even answer the door when she saw who it was. Haven had enough problems without my adding to them.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  After I cleaned up dinner and showered, I gathered my homework in front of the television. Downstairs was more comfortable than up. Probably because here I could turn on the TV and pretend to be normal.

  A loud knock on the door made me jump, and I spilled my math assignment all over the floor. Even so, a smile hovered on my lips. I’d hoped Haven would make an appearance or call. I took a girlish moment and ran my fingers through my hair before answering the door.

  My smile died when I opened it to find Bryan instead of Haven. Inwardly, I winced. I didn’t need to deal with him right now.

  “What do you want?” I went outside.

  His face changed, his angry gaze hardening, a darkness creeping across his features that went beyond anger. The house was feeding off him. When he took a step toward me, I stumbled, and fell into the side of the door frame. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out? You had no right! Cain has put all kinds of restrictions on our ghost hunt here tomorrow night. Ridiculous things which could only have come from you. Do you know what you’ve done?”

  “I’ve done what I needed to. You know this house is more than you can handle and you choose to ignore it. I can’t help it if you’re stupid about this whole thing, but I can try to minimize the damage.”

  “This isn’t over, you know. You want our help? You’re going to have to beg me for it.”

  My temper flared and I slapped at his face. While only a few fingers actually connected as he moved faster than I thought, it made a satisfying red mark across his chin. “You’re an idiot. I won’t beg. Whether you want to help or not, Cain will. I have more faith in him than in a half-crazed teenager.” I couldn’t seem to stop the words from coming out. “I wonder, Bryan, if there isn’t a secret of your own in all this. What sin are you trying to hide?”

  He seized my arms, his grip so hard I felt like he’d snap my bones, and I cried out. His eyes were dark and hard, and my anger turned to fear.

  “Think about what you’re doing, Bryan. You may be a prick sometimes, but this isn’t you.”

  “How would you know? You’ve
played me since the beginning. Made me believe you liked me, were interested in me. The whole time you were laughing. Are you laughing now?”

  “Bryan, if I made you think we were anything more than friends, I didn’t mean to. You and I could never happen. You’re confused.”

  He blinked, shook his head. His words were less confident this time. “You led me on, made me believe there was more between us. And now—”

  I saw a blur come up the porch steps, and Haven’s fist rammed into Bryan’s jaw. He stumbled, his grip flinging me to the side as he released me and charged Haven. I dropped to my butt and slid into the railing.

  Bryan had his arms around Haven’s middle, pushing him back into the house. Haven grunted and landed an elbow into Bryan’s back.

  I pulled myself to my feet with a whimper. My arms and back throbbed, and I didn’t know whether to let them beat the crap out of each other or not. I watched them, until I realized I wasn’t the only one. I staggered, the thuds and grunts of Bryan and Haven fading as I saw the flickering images of ghosts. They were barely there. Almost completely transparent. At least three of them stood, watching, wide grins stretching their faces. They were sucking in the hate and aggression like soda up a straw.

  “Stop it!”

  They ignored me. With a prayer no one broke my nose, I stepped between them when they both paused for breath before the next round.

  “I said, enough!”

  I saw a fisted hand headed for my face and flinched, even as Haven wrapped his arms around my waist to pull me aside. Bryan managed to stop himself before his fist connected with my eye.

  “You’re nuts,” Haven said. “You could have gotten hurt.”

  I ignored him. My voice shook, but I managed to stand straight and look Bryan in the eye. “I think it’s time you left.”

  “We aren’t done,” he said. Again, he shook his head, his intensity fading a bit. One hand brushed across his forehead, as if it hurt.

  “Yes, we are. You’ll abide by Cain’s rules or you won’t come. I know the rules just as you do. Deal with it.”

  He clenched his hands over and over, but finally turned and stalked down the stairs, disappearing into the darkness.

  Haven pulled me into his arms and I buried my face in his shoulder, my sudden tears soaked into the cotton of his T-shirt. His hands rubbed wide circles on my back. I wanted nothing more than to burrow into his chest and let him deal with the world.

  “Shhh. I’m here, Claire. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “But you should. Look at me!” I pushed away from him. “I’m a mess.”

  His smile was soft. “But you’re my mess. And I love you. I’m not going anywhere.”

  I pressed my hands to my face, the tears coming again. “Why? Why do you love me? I’m not brave or strong or talented. I’m a wimp who can’t stay in her own house alone. The girl who can’t deal with a simple argument with a friend.”

  “Don’t you dare,” he said, his words sharp. “What Bryan did was nothing short of abuse. You aren’t to blame.”

  “But he said I led him on. Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t even know it!”

  “Bull shit.”

  I blinked.

  “You didn’t do anything wrong. Bryan sees what he wants, when he wants. Ignore him. Unless you want to call the cops, which I think you should.”

  “No. I don’t think—” I stopped. “I don’t think he acted alone.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think there’s something wrong with him. Maybe it’s the spirits here, but it’s definitely got to do with the house.”

  Haven shook his head and pulled me close again. “Don’t give him an out. People have made excuses for him for years. They’ll continue to do so for more. We don’t have to call the cops if you don’t want to. But if he touches you again, I promise I’ll take matters into my own hands.”

  His statement should have worried me, but instead pleasure bloomed at his words. I am one sick puppy.

  “Now let me see your arms.”

  He pulled up the sleeves of my shirt, and already purple bruises formed where Bryan had grabbed my biceps. There would be others on my back where I hit the doorframe. I knew it.

  Haven growled, his fingers caressing the spots lightly. “I don’t care what might have egged him on, this can’t happen again. I won’t allow it. You call me the next time he comes over.”

  “How? You’re grounded.”

  “I’ll get my cell phone back. Don’t worry about it.”

  “All right, I’ll call.” I nodded. “There won’t be a next time though.” There was no question. I had no intention of being within several yards of Bryan again, no matter what happened.

  “Come on, I’m not leaving until your mom and Grant get home.” He pushed the front door closed and twisted the key in the lock. “She’s not much protection, but he’ll be here, and that’s better than nothing.”

  I blinked at him. “She won’t be home. She’s out searching with the last group for your mom. Grant won’t be back until late. He’s with Carlos again. Besides, your grandma will have a fit.”

  “She’ll get over it. I’m not leaving.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  He pulled me against him. “You’re still shaking. I’m staying. Quit arguing with me.”

  I wanted him here. Staying alone in the house, with the ghosts sitting so pleased and happy at the top of the stairs did not appeal to me at all. It was silly, and very old-fashioned, but in the circle of Haven’s arms, I was safe. When he wasn’t there, I felt alone and unsure of myself. Stupid, really. I was not a weak, simpering female. At least against most things. But Bryan was bigger than me, and much stronger. He’d proven so this evening, and shaken my confidence. It was nice to have a champion. Mom would have tried, but I wasn’t even sure if she was inside there anymore. Then there was whatever lurked in the house, which fell into a whole other category. Having someone else there with similar abilities helped. Made me feel like we had a better shot.

  Alone, I wasn’t sure I would survive this.

  ***

  When I got up in the morning, I had a moment of total confusion. A large hand, not my own, was draped over my stomach. I turned my head, and Haven smiled. “I think we fell asleep.”

  Daylight filtered through the windows. Mom would have come home a long time ago. I was surprised she hadn’t woke us and then read me the riot act.

  “Thank you,” I whispered.

  “For what?”

  I wrapped an arm around him and wriggled closer to his warmth. “Best night’s sleep I’ve had in months.”

  He laughed. “Glad I could be accommodating.”

  Footsteps thudded overhead, and I sighed. “That would be Mom. I’m surprised we’re both still alive.”

  “We didn’t do anything wrong, Claire.”

  “Didn’t you know?” I said, bitterness creeping into my smile. “Everything I do these days is wrong. Mom isn’t herself anymore.”

  Saying the words aloud made me shiver. Telling someone else made it more real. Haven’s arm tightened around me, and his mouth drew into a tight line. “You think she’s really gone?”

  “Yes. At first, it was like there was someone else whispering in her ear all the time. Like she couldn’t make any decisions without listening to what it had to say first.” I paused. “But now I can’t see her at all. Her face isn’t the same. I’m afraid if we try to force it out, it will kill her.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It isn’t your fault. I’m scared of what Friday will bring.”

  “About that,” Haven said. “You should know I’ve been having dreams again.”

  “What kind of dreams?” I looked up into his eyes, and the concern I saw there made my blood run cold.

  “Yes, Haven. Do tell us about your dreams. Especially why you’re having them wrapped around my daughter on my couch.”

  Mom’s words cracked in the
air around us. I jumped, almost falling off the couch. Untangling ourselves from each other and the afghan took longer than it should have.

  “Nothing happened.” The flush heating my face didn’t help my argument.

  A snide comment about her not being my mother anyway died on my lips. For the first time, she looked more herself. Like whatever held her had relaxed its grip for a time.

  She cradled a mug of coffee in her hands. “At what point did it become okay for you to have your boyfriend over when I’m not here to supervise?”

  I stood. “It isn’t what you think.”

  “Then enlighten me. I’d love to hear an explanation of why when I was out hunting for his mother, he was here sleeping with my child.”

  I winced. She made it sound like a crime. “Bryan came over last night and got upset. He…pushed me around and he scared me. Haven came to my rescue.”

  She snorted. “That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. Do you have any kind of proof?”

  I lifted my sleeve to reveal my bruises. Haven stood silently behind me. Mom looked them over then flipped a hand. Tears burned the corners of my eyes. Behind me, Haven drew in a quick breath. Before our eyes, her features blurred. They grew more cut and hard. The cruel gleam was back in them, and I knew Mom had gone again.

  “That could be from anything. I don’t know what to do with you, young lady.” Her gaze flicked to Haven. It flickered with coldness and excitement. “You, though, can leave now and not come back. A call to your grandmother might be in order as well.”

  Without thinking, I grabbed Mom’s hands, pressing them into the hot ceramic of her mug, and opened my mind. Instead of one flickering spirit, two fluttered where my mother stood, one smaller and weaker than the other, but fighting.

  She’s not yours to control. Let go of her.

  A faint voice laughed and I heard the echo of a faint whisper. Not mine? See what happens when I release her but a little.

  Pain pricked my hand, and I blinked, pulled back into myself. Hot coffee trickled down my arm, and Mom blinked, squinted at me as if seeing me for the first time. She smiled, her confusion receding. My heart beat double time when I saw the edge of suspicion bloom in her gaze.