Free Laure Donavan 2 - Ghouls Night Out by Rose Pressey Page A

of the road. Anything or anyone could
be hiding out there and we’d never know until it popped
out.
    And that’s exactly what this thing
did. It popped out from behind a tree. My vision was limited
because of the darkness, but the headlights and the full moon
provided just enough light to allow me to see this creepy dark
silhouette.
    The faint light only added to the
creepiness. What if it was a serial killer? Callahan was outside of
the car—an easy target. I’d seen that exact scenario played out one
too many times in the horror movies.
    The dark figure seemed to watch us,
but I couldn’t be sure because no facial features were
distinguishable. Somehow, I knew it was observing us.
    “ Do you all see that shadow
figure staring at us?” I asked the ghost gang.
    “ Where?” Anthony leaned up
toward the front seat.
    “ Over there by the trees.”
I pointed.
    “ Well, there’s only a
million trees over there, sweetheart, so how can we know which
trees you’re referring to?” Mae shifted in the seat.
    She did have a point. “Well, there are
no distinguishing markers, so I guess I won’t be able to point it
out. I need to go out there with Callahan.”
    “ Now, what good do you
think that will do? If it’s some crazy person, do you really think
that strong man will need your help?” Mae asked.
    “ Well, maybe. You never
know. I could cause a distraction while Callahan knocks them over
the head with the tire iron.”
    “ Or your distraction will
cause Callahan to get knocked over the head with the tire iron.”
Anthony chuckled.
    I wouldn’t even give him the
satisfaction of a response. When I glanced in the rearview mirror
again, I noticed Seth was out of the car and beside Callahan. Bless
his dead heart, he was out there ready to protect his grandson from
a would-be killer. I couldn’t let Callahan stand out there alone.
So what if I wouldn’t be strong enough to fend off an attack, I had
other methods of protecting myself. And so what if Callahan
probably would prefer to be the macho, tough guy and have me sit in
the car and wait. It just wasn’t my personality, he’d have to deal
with it.
    The dark figure had popped back behind
the tree. For all I knew, I was seeing a ghost and not a person. I
prayed it wasn’t a demon. I could handle a person or ghost, but I
didn’t want to face a demon.
    I climbed out of the car and hurried
around to the back.
    Callahan looked up. “You look like
you’ve seen a ghost.” He set the lug wrench down. “The tire was
flat. I’m going to have to change it.”
    I stepped closer to the grassy area,
but glanced over my shoulder several times.
    If one spirit was out there in the
woods, there’d be a good chance on two or twenty roaming
around.
    “ You don’t have to stand
out here with me.” He grinned.
    Should I tell him I thought I saw
something? Would he think I was being paranoid? Heck, maybe I was
being paranoid.
    “ I thought I’d see if you
needed any help. I don’t like not helping out. It’s my
nature.”
    “ Yeah, well, I like your
nature. But I wouldn’t want you to get your pretty clothes
dirty.”
    “ He’s so sweet,” Mae said.
“I love brawny men.”
    “ Yeah, he’s a real hero.
Anyone can change a tire,” Anthony said.
    “ I doubt you could. You’re
too scrawny.” Seth shot Anthony a cross look.
    Standing on the side of the road with
a flat tire, a possible crazy person in the woods and bickering
ghosts…aw, ain’t life grand.
    “ I’ll just stand out here
and keep you company,” I said, wrapping my arms in front of my
chest to fight off the chill.
    “ I don’t want you to get
too cold, but I’d love your company.” Callahan smiled again. “I
have to say, I am completely impressed with your skills. The way
you took command back there tonight. I can tell you’re passionate
about your work.” He placed the jack under the car.
    I didn’t want him to think I was
ignoring him or not paying attention while he talked, but