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

the
shadow that roamed from tree to tree was freaking me out. If I told
him, he might want to check it out and see if anyone was out there.
By the looks of it though, this was no living person. The spirit
was watching us from just beyond the trees, and it wasn’t a nice
spirit—definitely not Casper the friendly ghost.
    The bad vibe was strong, shooting off
this thing and flying all the way across the road. As long as it
stayed over there away from us, we’d be fine, but if it came close,
I’d have to tell Callahan. I couldn’t risk the consequences, just
to keep my little secret.
    “ That’s very sweet of you
to say.” I looked over his head and straight at the figure standing
behind the tree. Callahan didn’t notice my distraction as he took
the wheel off the tire. “I love helping people. It’s a good thing
this happened after the investigation instead of on the way,
huh?”
    I’d keep him distracted by keeping the
conversation going.
    “ Yes, that wouldn’t have
been good for Mark and Dallas. I’d love to hear about how you all
met sometime.”
    “ Sure, I’ll tell you all
about it.”
    The figure darted to a tree that was
just a little closer to us. One more move this way and I’d have to
say something. The thing hovered a couple inches off the ground. It
was completely black, but a white glow ringed the outer edge of its
form. It didn’t have eyes that I could see, but if it had, I knew
they’d be focused on us. If it hadn’t been for that glowing ring, I
don’t think I would have been able to see the shadow the further
away from the headlights I went. But I would have sensed the creepy
thing’s presence.
    Callahan continued working on the
flat. “You know, I've read some books on the
paranormal.”
    “ You have?” I quirked an
eyebrow.
    “ Actually, they were mainly
spooky ghost stories.” His lips tilted at the corners.
    “ I like spooky stories.” I
fidgeted from one foot to the other.
    Little did he know we were in the
middle of our own real-life, spooky story.
    “ I could give him a
real-life spooky ghost story.” Anthony walked to the other side of
Callahan, staring at him intently.
    “ Do it and I'll punch your
lights out.” Seth shook his fist at Anthony.
    “ I'm already dead, old man,
in case you forgot.”
    I was so going to let them have it
later.
    “ Shut up, both of you,” Mae
yelled.
    You tell 'em, Mae.

Chapter Fourteen
    The smell of mossy earth and crisp
leaves permeated the air. No other cars passed us on the isolated
road. The sounds of crickets filled the night air. It was like
being cut off from the world. In spite of how hard I tried, I still
had fear…I was only human. But I wouldn’t let this thing know I had
any fear because demons fed on it. That was something I’d learned a
long time ago. I needed to suck it up. Toughen up. I wasn’t some
helpless damsel in distress. I hunted ghosts, for Pete's sake. Life
was not always bright, shiny, and perfect.
    I wasn’t sure what this thing wanted.
Could it have been the demon Mark talked about at the home we had
left earlier that evening? Had it followed us here? Had it attached
itself to me? Cooper had now planted that idea in my head. Great.
Having ghosts attached to me was one thing, but a demon was an
entirely different level that I wanted no part of…been there, done
that. Still have the T-shirt to prove it.
    I shifted from foot to foot
again.
    “ I’m getting a bad feeling
about being out here. Something is giving me the creeps. Must be
that shadow you saw. Is it still out there, Larue?” Mae
asked.
    I nodded when I thought Callahan
wouldn’t look up. She moved closer to me. “I hope he hurries up,”
Mae said as she looked around.
    Callahan looked over toward the trees,
but didn’t say anything as he turned his attention back to the
tire. Did he see the spirit? Did the other ghosts see the spirit
too? I couldn’t ask them, and they didn’t volunteer
information.
    Just then, Seth said, “I’m