Chapter 17

Warning, this story contains dark scenes with graphic detail that some readers may find distressing.

“So, Lilly your uncle as been getting a good whack a month to take care of you.” Bryce said and I nodded. That was the only reason they had taken me in.
“Do you have a bank account?” he asked, and I shook my head.
“Do you speak, or has the cat got your tongue?” Bryce joked.
“Sorry, the money was the reason why they’d took me in. I’ve never had a need for a bank account before.” I answered both questions.
“I suppose you guys will be wanting the money paid to you now.” I said with my head down. I was just a means for people to be paid. Just a job.
“Hell no, does it look like we need the money?” he asked.
“No, not really.”
“We will get you a bank account set up and the monthly allowance of two thousand and fifty will be debited to you every month. In the meantime, you can use our shared card and buy everything you need. I have no doubt Taylor will help.”
“On no, I can’t spend your money. I can wait.” I was speechless. This mean big guy was being so sweet and generous it was hard to believe that just hours ago he’d tried to kill me. Plus, he was offering to give me the money my parents had put away in the event of their death. It was more than I could have ever asked for.
“Want to watch a movie with us, little fire starter?” Carter asked. A bit taken back I nodded. “Great, you like cars, fast cars?” he winked.
“Fuck off Carter, there is no way I am watching another racing movie. Horror film.” Bryce announced and the two guys set off into an argument on what kind of movie they wanted to watch. The playful debated was kind of funny to watch.
“Being scared is a part of life, accept it walk through it and handle it.” Bryce said with a grin on his face.
“I am not scared. I am curious about the unknown, I see it as a game. I am just too tired to play.” Carter responded. In union they both said “Elijah, Kingsley” who both responded “Horror” jumping over the back of the extra-large corner suite and settling in.
“Lilly join us, I’ve saved a place right here. Ill save you if you get scared.” The other boys laughed.
“The one who will need saving is Carter. Expect the unexpected.” Bryce mocked him.
Carter leaned over Kingsley and slapped Bryce around the face, “You didn’t expect that did you dude.” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud and the join the boys, wedge between Carter and Kingsley Elijah pressed play and the movie began to play. From the corner of my eye, I could see Bryce looking over at Carter every so often. I just knew he was planning payback.
Twenty minutes into the movie Taylor walked in. She bounced happily over to the sofa and sat beside Elijah throwing her legs over his.
“What are we watching?” she asked.
“Demon Lord,” Carter replied.
“I am surprised you know with your eyes closed and all. I mean when I close my eyes I suddenly can’t see.” Bryce said and I had to laugh.
“Shut it, both of you.” Kinsley said sternly and we all returned to the movie. I was aware how close I was to Kingsley. Every time is leg or hand accidently brushed mine it left behind a tingly feeling and my stomach felt like a bunch of butterflies were dancing inside.
It was halfway into the movie when the house phone rang. We had all the lights off in the living room, with only the light from the flat-screen TV illuminating the room and the dim lights from the hallway. We were all so immersed in the thrill of the movie that when the phone rang, my heart jumped and a few of us jerked upwards as well.
“Fucking phone…” Elijah cursed, and Taylor laughed next to him.
“I’ll get it,” Bryce volunteered as he stood up and left the room, Taylor quickly pausing the movie to wait for her brother.
“Can we not wait for him? This is already the good part!” Carter whined as he tried to take the remote from Taylor, but she was quick to draw her hand away.
“No.”
“Such a good sister you are,” Elijah commented.
Bryce returned after a minute, and he had a horrified look on his face. The banter between the three quickly stopped as we looked at him.
“What is it, Bryce?” Kingsley asked.
He turned the lights on as he sat back on the couch, a confused and shocked look on his face. He seemed to be speechless.
“Bryce, talk to us.” Elijah pushed.
“It’s the sheriff’s office…” he breathed out, still looking down on the floor with a hard stare. “They’re reporting another missing body last seen near the woods.”
“Do they know who it is?” I asked worriedly.
“It’s someone from school…” he replied, still in shock. “It’s Billy Anderson, and he’s a junior.”
“No way,” Elijah commented in shock. “That kid who follows us around sometimes??”
“Yeah, that’s him,” Carter replied in a sullen tone.
“Bryce, we have to act fast. If we don’t, we might be losing more people with every hour that passes.” Kingsley said with a hint of alarm in his tone. “It’s not enough to just monitor these victims from the police and scaring people about who we are. For all, we know we could be dealing with something beyond our reach here.” What the hell was he talking about? I wondered.
“Wait, what do you mean?” Taylor asked, the look she was giving Kingsley was one that would kill if that was ever possible.
“You know…paranormal beings,” Kingsley replied.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Elijah scoffed. “We were just watching a horror movie. Don’t take it too seriously.” All eyes were on Kingsley when Taylor quickly said, “A word.” In the deadliest voice I’d ever heard her say.
“Calm down Tay. If she’s goanna be a part of our group, then we can’t keep all the things that go bump in the night from her.” Kingsley stated and my head was spinning, what was he talking about. The image of the monsters that had invaded my home came to mind and shook the images away. It wasn’t real I told myself.
“Kingsley is right. It’s not possible to…” Bryce added. He then quickly looked up, as if coming to a solution. “Guys, how do we contact ghosts??”
“You would need some experts for that. But some just go with Ouija boards or broken mirrors.” I piped in; I had seen it done before on movies.
“Where can we get a real Ouija board though? I’ve seen a few in the local charity shop and they seem to be fake.” Carter replied.
“Wait, wait,” Taylor quickly said as she held her hand out. “I think I remembered seeing one in the antique shop. I was going through some old books when I saw them just lying in the corner. It was dusty and filled with cobwebs and no one seemed to pay attention to it, not even the shop owner.”
“Oh, that does sound kind of creepy,” Elijah commented.
“Alright, so here’s what I’m thinking.” Bryce began. “We still have no clue as to what we’re dealing with here. It could be a psycho, an animal, or a paranormal being. Since we need to move faster in catching this monster, it would be great to start with what we can—and that’s contacting the dead. We can get that Ouija board tomorrow at the antique shop and try it out after school.”
“And who will we contact then?” Elijah asked.
“We’ll try as many missing victims as we can. We’ll contact them, if we can get at least one to talk to us, it would hopefully give us clues to what this is.” Bryce replied. “It’s worth a shot.”
“I’m in.” I quickly piped up. It sounded exciting and not only that when the whole contacting the dead failed, I could finally put the monsters that keep invading my mind to bed. Once and for all.
“Me too,” Taylor added. Although she held a worried look. I could tell she was mad at Kingsley; I just couldn’t work out the hidden reason why. I had no doubt that these guys were all keeping secrets. But did I really want to know what they were hiding? Who was I kidding of course I wanted to know?
Bryce glanced over to the three boys and Elijah and Carter were already nodding in agreement.
“You sure Carter? Its okay if you want to go hide under your bed.” Bryce asked with a glint in his eyes.
“I said I was in. what can a ghost do? Say boo!” Carter responded.
Kingsley smirked. “Let’s go ghost hunting then.”