by SJ Sanford
Tessie turned a beseeching look at Jayme, “Can you get them to leave, please? This is my room.” She stomped her foot and glared at the stoner ghosts.
Andy nudged Jayme, “What do you see?”
“Tessie, the girl from the stairs, is arguing with two stoned hippie ghosts.” Jayme blinked. “I think this is the strangest thing I've ever seen.”
“Well that's saying something, after the demon clown,” Andy muttered, holding the thermal toward where she was looking.
“We are never to speak of that,” Jayme snapped with a shiver, then turned her attention back to the spirits in the room. “What's going on, Tessie?”
“These two.” She pointed at the stoners. “Don't belong in my room.” As Tessie spoke the temperature dropped, goosebumps pricked up on Jayme's arms and her breath misted before her eyes.
Rubbing her arms Jayme looked to the guys. “Do you two think you could go to a different room?”
One of the stoners, a man in dirty jeans and t-shirt with a dark scraggly beard, took a hit then replied, “No can do, pretty lady.”
“We tried, but can't leave this room.” The other guy added. He had short blond hair, dressed in jeans and a olive drab army type coat.
“Do you want to leave?”
“Be nice to get away from that screaming banshee,” The bearded guy mumbled, pointing at Tessie.
“Do you see a light, anywhere in the room?”
“Only coming from you,” Blondie answered.
Damn she was afraid of that. Jayme had the power to cross spirits over, whether they wanted to or not, but she didn't like using it. It required dropping her guards, opening herself up to the spirits and allowing them to use her as a gateway. To be honest the process made her skin crawl a little.
“Please,” Tessie begged drawing closer, her icy presence causing Jayme to shiver. “You can make them go away. I know you can.”
Closing her eyes, Jayme gave into the ghost girl's pleas. “Step back,” She whispered. Her team and Tessie took a step back, but Chaz and Belinda ignored her. Centering herself, she opened her eyes focusing on the two male ghosts. Carefully lowering her guards, she channeled her energy into a doorway using herself as the conduit.
“Whoa, trippy...” One of the ghosts began, trailing off as he began to float toward Jayme. Sweat beaded her forehead as icy splinters pricked her skin. A sudden blast energy knocked Jayme forward. Her arms pinwheeled uselessly as she stumbled to her knees in the room, with Chaz falling beside her. The door slammed shut, behind them.
A deep menacing growl rose up from the area near the door. “Why are you disturbing my patients?”
Shaking her head, Jayme quickly pulled her guards back up, getting to her feet she faced Doctor Trent. “You again.” He snarled, anger pulsating off him in waves. Towering over her, he glared down with eyes that were just pools of darkness. A sinister black haze hung over him, worming it's way closer to her and Chaz. A blacker than black aura, which seemed to have a mind of it's own, cloaked the Doctor. Jayme backed up, bumping into Chaz and pushing him toward the far wall.
“Jay, this is great shit but that shadow thing is really starting to freak me out so you can stop at anytime.” He whispered in her ear.
“I'm not doing it. This is the real deal,” She whispered back not taking her eyes off the doctor or the shadow.
Chaz was silent for a moment then let out a strangled, “Oh fuck!”
Jayme was dimly aware of her team pounding on the door and yelling, as well as a frightened whimper from the corner Tessie huddled in. Her attention was centered on the Doctor and his aura, he was more than a simple ghost something had attached itself to him. Something dark and very dangerous. Swallowing her fear, she fingered the tiger's eye and black tourmaline bracelet on her wrist while whispering a spell of protection. The shadow recoiled at her words, roiling back to the doctor who glared at her with nothing but malice. Slowly he faded until all she could see was the black outline of the shadow aura, then even that was gone. The door popped open, to reveal a stunned looking Andy foot raised as if to kick the door in. Toppling forward he caught himself, and rushed to Jayme wrapping her in his arms.
“Are you ok?” He murmured into her hair.
“Yeah.” She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder. “Something strange is going on here.”
Chapter 2
“Nothing like this has ever happened before.” Kelly fretted as she set a cup of tea in front of Jayme.
“It's ok, Kelly, I've been through worse.” Jayme reassured her, taking a sip of tea. Setting her cup back down she added, “We just got a little scare that's all.”
Kelly looked at Ethan, worry creased her already wrinkled brow. He pushed away from where he leaned on the counter. “Hon, these kids know what they're doing it's why we let come in the first place. Things are escalating, we knew that. Come on let's get our bags and start for the airport.” He turned her gentle by the shoulders toward the foyer.
“One quick question before you two leave,” Jayme said getting to her feet. “Were there any papers, files, pictures that sort of thing laying around when you moved in?”
Kelly nodded, “I donated a bunch to the historical society. Anything left is in the storeroom, down in the basement, feel free to root around and see what you can find.”
“Thank you.” Jayme followed them to the front door. “Don't worry we know what we're doing.”
Kelly gave her a wary smile, then pulled on a jacket and picked up her suitcase. As soon as the door clicked behind them Jayme spun toward the dining room. In the doorway she called, “June I need a little help with some research.”
Otis glanced at her from where he sat glued to a monitor. “Hey come here for a minute first. You've gotta see what Chaz caught in that room.”
No she didn't she'd been there, but Jayme walked over and peered over his shoulder. On the monitor she saw the outline of the back of her head and shoulders. Otis hit a button and she started backing up, the camera moved focusing on the blackness in front of them. On the screen it had a vague shape of a man. The picture jumped, fuzzed, faded, then popped back as the door swung open.
“Awesome right?” Chaz asked from a few feet away. His eyes glittered with excitement, as he gave her a broad smile. He was actually enjoying this, probably thought he had some kind of supernatural goldmine.
“Yeah awesome,” Jayme muttered, turning and heading for the door. “June when you got a minute, I'll be in the basement.”
“Be there in a sec, Jayme,” June replied, not looking up from what she was working on.
Stepping out of the room, Jayme headed for the kitchen where the door to the basement was located. She let out a little yell when an arm wrapped around her waist.
“Easy, I didn't mean to scare you,” Andy said, as she spun to face him.
“Sorry still a little jumpy,” She sighed and eased into his embrace.
“I noticed. Did I hear you say you're going in the basement?”
“Yeah, Kelly said there were papers and stuff in the store room. I want to do a little research before we start investigating.”
“I'm not sure I want you by yourself.”
Pulling back a little to look up at him, she smiled, “I like it when you get all protective.” Giving him a kiss she added, “June's coming down to help me.”
Andy tightened his hold around her hips. “Would you wait for her before going down? You haven't been down there yet, and who knows what's down there.”
“I don't feel anything coming from the basement, if there is something it'll be a repeater. You know as well as I do that those can't hurt me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I'm sure.”
Behind them someone cleared their throat, then June chuckled. “You two really should get a room.”
Jayme rolled her eyes, and wiggled out of Andy's arms. “Come on, June. Andy have everybody meet in the dining room at nine for their assignments”
“Aye, aye Capt'n,” He muttered with a sarcastic salute.
Shaking her head, Jayme smiled and walked down to the basement with June. The lower level was finished, creating a modern living room with a small play corner to the left and a laundry room that led to the store room beyond to the right. Opening the door to the laundry room, they passed through to the store room. Inside they found stacks of files boxes mixed among the totes of various holiday decorations.
“So what exactly are we looking for?” June asked, shifting a green tote label X-mas out of her way.
“Anything from the asylum,” Jayme replied, tugging a file box off the top of a stack. “Patient files, doctors notes, basically what ever we can find that will give some insight on the good doctor.”
A half hour later, they had a small pile of files but Jayme didn't feel any closer to knowing what had attached itself to Dr Trent. The door to the store room, opened and Andy stuck his head in. “Hey June, Otis wants you to listen to something on that EVP we got earlier.”
“Ok,” She stood, stretching and left squeezing by Andy as he entered the room.
Shutting the door behind her, he clicked the lock, and started toward Jayme. Setting down the papers she'd been reading, she narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you think you're doing?”
“Forcing you to take a break.” He grinned, reaching down and pulling her to her feet. Andy pushed her back against the wall, pressing himself against her. Closing her eyes, she ran her hands through his shaggy dark hair as he pressed his lips to hers. Jayme sighed, and Andy grinned against her lips. “Ready to come upstairs?”
“Yeah.”
Andy headed for the door, as she picked up her files and followed. Stopping dead in her tracks her eyes widened at the sight that greeted them.
The living room area had disappeared, replaced by a dirty cement floor medical equipment lay scattered on various tables. In the center of the room, was a stainless steel gurney type table.
Andy grabbed her hand. “Do you see that?”
Surprised, Jayme looked up at Andy. “You see the medical equipment?”
He nodded, “Yeah. It's like out of a horror movie. Do you feel anything?”
“No, it must be some sort of repeat. Maybe something playing out...” Heavy footsteps came from the stairs and as they watched a large man in surgeon's garb from the eighteen hundreds tromped down the steps. He moved around the room as if setting up for something. They heard the door open and several people shuffled down the stairs one seemed to be struggling. Two men dragged a tiny woman down the stairs and over to the table. Lifting her up they placed her on the table and secured her. As the large man approached the table the scene faded, the living area returning.
“Was that real?” Andy asked hesitantly heading toward the stairs, tugging Jayme with him.
“Yeah, it was a residual haunting.”
“I've never seen anything like that in real life.”
Jayme snorted, “Welcome to my world.”
At the top of the stairs Andy turned and looked down at her. “I'm sorry, Babe.”
She waved him away. “Never mind, lets get the investigation started.”
Chapter 3
Jayme looked around her small group as they sat in the dining room. Chaz and his group sat on the other side of the room, huddled together. She drew a breath, then started. “Otis and Eliot will begin in the turret room with KII and ghost box. June and Andy will take some equipment up to the 2nd bedroom. We have cameras in the music room, office, main staircase and basement. I'll hang out here and monitor the screens. Anyone have problems with that?” There was a round a head shakes. “After that we'll switch thing up and try the other active rooms. I don't really want to aggravate things more tonight.”
“Sounds good.” Andy looked over to where the other group was. “Do you guys mind taking turns in the rooms?”
“Naw, we'll start in the music room, hitting the rooms Lindie said were hot spots and end in the 2nd bedroom.” Chaz replied, monkeying with his camera.
“All right then lets head out.” Jayme stood and walked to where the laptop sat. Elliot and Otis gathered their equipment and headed out. Flash lights flicked on around the room, Andy collected some equipment and June then left too. Chaz and everyone but Belinda also took off. She walked over and plopped down in a chair next to Jayme.
“So you're the real deal?”
Jayme glanced at the other woman, sighed then said, “I guess you could say that.”
“What's up with your eyes? If you don't mind my asking.”
Jayme shrugged, it always came up sooner or later. “When I was little I fell out of a tree. A branch pierced my eye. I was lucky enough to receive a transplant.” She pointed to her left eye, which was a vivid golden flecked with green. Her right eye was a pale blue with brown around the center.
Jayme left out the part about how she hadn't seen ghosts until the transplant or the little old Asian lady who had started appearing to offer advice.
“How old were you?” Belinda asked, bringing Jay back to the present.
“Nine.”
Belinda was quiet for a few moments then asked, “Why were you the researcher and not the psychic on the show? I mean you have talent, paired with those eyes and your looks you could have been a star.”
“No one knew back then and I didn't want the spotlight. Didn't Chaz tell you all this?”
“No. You really don't want to know what Chaz says about you or Andy for that matter.”
Jayme gave a sarcastic laugh. “I can imagine.” She studied the monitor for a few minutes then asked, “Shouldn't you be out there investigating with them?”
“No, I'm just the T 'n A. Chaz lets me know when he needs me, and I pop in to do that voodoo I do.” Belinda scoffed, “I probably won't get any airtime this show with all the crap you set in motion today.”
“Sorry.” Jayme offered, still studying the computer.
“Eh, that's what I get for being the producer's girlfriend and not having any talent beyond my boobs.”
“So you and Chaz are together?”
“Until the next 'psychic' comes along. Although if they are psychic they'll run before they sign up with this circus.”
Jayme glanced at Belinda, her attitude toward the other woman changing slightly. “If you aren't happy you can leave.”
Belinda smiled, “Who says I'm not happy? I'm just a realist, I know the forest for the trees, and I know Chaz's type. So I'll enjoy the sex and the limelight while I got it.”
Jayme grinned looking back at the monitors. “Just so you know there's better sex out there.”
Belinda giggled, and they lapsed into silence.
****
Glancing at the clock, Jayme keyed the mic on her walkie, “Guys let's call it a night. I don't think anything going to happen. Come on down, we'll shut everything off and try again tomorrow night.”
“Copy that. I'll check with Chaz and see if they're ready to shut down too, so we can turn on some lights.” Otis replied.
“Good idea.”
A few minutes later Andy and June entered the dining room. As they began putting things away, Chaz and his group entered the room, with Elliot.
“So, um, has anyone thought about where everybody going to sleep?” June asked, hesitantly addressing the room.
“Jay and I are taking the bridal suite, because it's had the least experiences.” Andy stated not looking up from what he was doing.
“Lindie and I will take the turret room.” Chaz spoke up, with a quick glare at Andy.
“Elliot, Otis and I can take the loft, that will leave the second and third bedroom for you guys.” June said, looking at Elliot and Otis for confirmation. They nodded and went back to what they were doing.
After the equipment was put in the cases, Andy said, “Ok so after a few hours shut eye we'll review everything with fresh eyes and see what's what.”
“Sounds good,” Elliot muttered, yawning and putting his arm around June's
shoulders. “We're heading to bed then.” Elliot steered June toward the stairs with Otis in tow.
Grabbing Andy's hand Jayme tugged him toward the stairs as well. Leading him up to their room she entered and flopped down on the bed with a sigh. The energy in this room was much calmer than the rest of the house. Jayme propped her head up looking at Andy. “Did you cleanse this room already?”
He nodded,“I smudge it and laid down salt line. I wanted to make sure you were comfortable.”
She gave him a weak smile. “I’ll go draw you a warm bath.” Andy ducked into the adjoining bathroom and Jayme heard the water turn on. Toeing off her shoes, she forced herself off the bed. Entering the bathroom she tossed her shirt to the side, and then removed her jeans. Jayme shrugged out of her underwear as well.
The large claw footed tub was filling with water and lavender scented bubbles. Climbing in she sighed, settling in the warm water.
Andy's strong hands moved over her tense muscles pressing, kneading and massaging. Jayme fairly purred as her muscles relaxed. Andy kissed her shoulder and then the base of her neck, before going back to running his hands over her skin. “That thing hit you hard.” His fingers moved over a tender spot on her shoulder blade. “There’s some bruising back here.”
She sighed, “wanna get a picture?”
“No. Just relax.”
Closing her eyes Jayme took his advice, letting the soothing scent over lavender and hot water draw the stress out of her body.
Chapter 4
Jayme tugged against the restraints holding her wrists and ankles to the cold metal table. Goosebumps covered her body as the cool damp air seeped through the light gown she wore. The smell of copper and damp earth invaded her nose as she tried to steady her panicked breathing. A single light bulb hung from a cord over head. To her left came the sound of metal rattling against metal. Closing her eyes, she told herself it was just a dream.
“Don't worry, it will only hurt for a moment,” A gruff voice muttered.
Jayme's eyes flew open and she jerked up, back in her room with Andy sound asleep beside her. Blinking, she drew in air through her nose and let it out her mouth, until her breathing evened out.
“Jay, you ok?” Andy asked, looking up at her.