"You called me Dad, I know you did."
"Did not."
"Yes you did, I heard you."
"I swear, I didn't call you Dad."
"Charlie, admit it."
"Why would I admit to something I didn't do?"
"Seriously Charlie? Why won't you come clean?"
"I am coming clean! I didn't call you Dad. You must have thought you heard it when you were in your scary ghost coma."
He tightened his jaw and rolled his eyes. No more words were exchanged as we walked back to the bus, not until we stood before its open door.
"Ghost coma?"
I rubbed my face with my hands.
"That's what I'm calling it; if you don't like then don't say it."
Zak laughed.
"I do like it." He continued to chuckle for a few seconds before clearing his throat and returning to a more serious gaze. I huffed and walked onto the bus.
I swear I heard him mumble the word 'daughters' under his breath.
"Stop walking away from me and talk to me. Why are you so mad?"
I immediately stopped and turned around to face him. "Why am I so mad?" he nodded, waiting for me to answer his question.
"You scared me! I thought you were going to die! You didn't even know who I was when I found you, and the way you looked at me," I took a deep breath. "The last time I saw that face on someone they tried to kill me. And, not to mention they were almost successful in doing so."
Zak was taken aback. His face was immediately written with guilt. He walked over to me and hugged me.
"I get it. I really do, but this is my job, stuff happens like this all the time. Well, not this, this was definitely the first time I've gone into a ghost coma," he smiled, "But Charlie, my job is dangerous and I love it, but now that you're here I realize I just have to be extra careful. I promise I won't die, okay?"
I nodded and hugged him back.
"I'm holding you to that promise, be safe tonight please." Zak nodded and rested his head ontop of mine.
"I will."
*****************
"Okay, that's it we are ready to go." Billy smiled.
"All right, it's go time!" Aaron was pumped and ready for some action.
I put a smile on my face and Zak softly grabbed my arm.
"Okay, so no more running into the building for tonight. Stay on the bus, understand?" Zak was very clear.
I nodded. "I promise I won't, but I am allowed to go outside for some fresh air right? I mean, it might get a little stuffy" I sweetly smiled.
Zak considered my question. "Fine, but if you are far enough away that you can't reach and touch the outside of the bus, you're too far."
"Got it." I smiled and lightly pushed him toward the exit of the bus. "Now get out of here and do your job!"
Zak laughed and walked off the bus to join the rest of the guys, and left me and Jay on the bus to watch the video feed.
I watched from the windows as they faded into the night. I was still worried.
"He'll be fine." Jay blurted. "He's done this hundreds of times and he always comes out okay."
I turned around to face him, "I know, I can't help it, especially after what happened today."
"Yeah! I know right? It was so cool!" Jay was too excited about this, but he can't help it, it's his job.
I laughed at his excitement. "So what do we get to do?" I took a seat next to him and looked at all the camera feeds. I watched as Aaron and Zak made their way to the fourth floor and Billy made his way to the second.
"We get to sit here and watch all these all night. Well, unless the guys need me to go in for extra help or if a camera breaks down, but you definitely will." He smiled.
Great.
***********
It was now one a.m. and I was getting tired. On the other hand, the guys were having some seriously incredible evidence. Tons of voices were coming through the Spirit Box, they even heard a few screams, and plenty of bangs and loud noises coming from down the hallways. They were all pretty spooked. I will admit it is a little funny when you see the guys get scared at loud noises (not saying I wouldn't be as terrified) or watching their reactions to voices that come through the Spirit Box.
Out of nowhere, one of the cameras started to blur and went black, almost exactly what happened earlier today with Zak. Jay was in the mini fridge trying to find something to eat.
"Uh, Jay!"
"What's up?" He came rushing around the corner.
"Camera six just died, I think. I don't know, it went hazy and blacked out."
Jay took a look at the screen I was looking at. "Is that one on the fourth floor?" He asked.
I nodded "Yep! Have fun!" I said sarcastically.
Jay groaned and grabbed his jacket. "Do not leave this bus. I will be at least 20 minutes, just watch the cameras."
I nodded and watched as Jay picked the walkie-talkie up from the table beside me and radioed in telling Zak and the guys he was coming in to fix one of the cameras.
The first few minutes I silently watched Zak and the guys try to connect with any spirits feeling chatty. So far they weren't getting anything.
Then I watched as camera six came back to life and Jay taking up part of the screen. I watched him look at the camera to see what the problem was, then I noticed something moving behind him.
I went to reach for the walkie-talkie but realized Jay had taken it up with him. All I could do was sit, watch and hope nothing goes wrong. I wasn't going to not listen to Zak and walk into the Asylum against his wishes; again.
"You can't go into the asylum Charlie; stop thinking about it." I reminded myself.
I groaned and looked around. I was bored now and it was getting a little stuffy in the bus. So, I decided to get some fresh air and wait outside until Jay returned.
Remember what Zak told you. Arm's length away from the bus, no further.
I made sure to bring my flashlight and put on my jacket, knowing I was about to brace the cold darkness outside. The moment I opened the bus door I was greeted with freezing air. My hair was immediately pushed back by the wind; in response I tightened the jacket around my body.
As I stood outside the bus, I lightly traced its exterior with the tips of my fingers and listened to the wind as it rustled and moved through the trees. After walking around the bus a few times, I unknowingly sung a lullaby I had never heard in my life.
Now lay me down to sleep
I pray the lord my soul to keep
Should I die before I wake
I pray the lord my soul to take.
If you die before you wake
Do not cry and do not ache
Nothing's ever yours to keep
So close your eyes and go to sleep.
I had never heard this song in my life, and I knew the tune by heart. It was repeating itself in my head. My whole body was covered in chills, and not just because I was standing in the cold.
I started to walk back onto the bus, but a familiar voice called out my name.
"Charlie! Where are you? Come here I need you!" It was Zak! I could have sworn he was all the way on the fourth floor a few minutes ago, but this sounded as if he were only a few feet away.
"Zak? Is that you? Where are you I can't see you!" It was pitch black, I couldn't see shit, but I knew it was his voice.
"Zak?" I called once more.
"Charlie! Come here!" He yelled, his voice flowed with the breeze, which sounded unnatural, but I knew that voice and I knew that only one person had it. I looked back at the bus, knowing I shouldn't go back in the asylum, but it was Zak who was calling me right? I should be fine.
But why did this feel so wrong?
"I'm coming! I'll be right there!" I yelled, but there was no reply.
I turned on the flashlight which gave me a slight view of where I was going and followed the gravel pathway into the asylum. Before I passed through the main entrance, I hesitantly looked back at the bus. You could barely see it except for some light coming through one of the windows that was covered by a window shade. I took a deep breath and released.
"Here we go," I whispered and stepped into the haunted building, not thinking of the consequences to come.
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