Free Deadly Decision by Regina Smeltzer

heap.
     
     
     
     

11
     
    Trina and Ted heard me struggling to carry Barbara down the narrow attic stairs. I explained that the heat, the big supper, and fatigue from her flight must have been too much. Trina found an ice pack and gently placed it on the motionless woman’s forehead while I stood helplessly at Barbara’s feet, my icy hands tucked into my armpits.
    “Are you sure we shouldn’t take her to the hospital?” Ted stared at the unconscious woman on his couch. “How do you know she just passed out? Maybe she had a heart attack or a stroke, or something.” He knew as much about medicine as I did—next to nothing.
    The thought of taking Barbara to the hospital was enough to give me a stroke. Who would Barbara be when she woke up? Would she be herself or the frightening entity from the attic? It would be hard to deal with a possessed Barbara at the house, but I sure didn’t want to have to explain her behavior to the emergency room staff. No doubt, they would send both of us to the psych unit.
    Barbara moved her head, and then lifted one arm. She rubbed her eyes, knocking off the ice pack. My muscles tightened in preparation for what might come.
    “Where am I?”
    Elated to hear her normal voice, I rushed from her feet to her head and put a trembling hand on her shoulder. I needed to keep her from saying anything about what happened in the attic. She and I would talk later.
    “Welcome back. You passed out. Too much heat, I think.” My eyes locked with hers.
    She seemed to understand, but would she keep quiet?
    “I’m so sorry. It has been a big day.”
    “Are you all right?” Ted asked. “Do you want to go to the hospital?”
    “I’m fine.” She gave Ted one of her heart-warming smiles. As she struggled to sit up, Ted moved to help her, but I was closer.
    Sitting next to her, I placed a protective arm over her shoulders. Something had happened that I couldn’t explain, and it involved a woman I was beginning to care about.
    “Can I get you a glass of water?” Trina asked.
    “No, really, I’m just fine.”
    We settled around her like vultures ready for the spoils of the kill, waiting for her to make the next move. Ted had turned the television off, and after about thirty minutes of small talk, Barbara decided it was time to go to bed.
    “Would you like me to stay in your room with you tonight?” Trina asked.
    “I’m a big girl, and used to being on my own. It’s sweet of you, Trina, but there’s no need. Maybe Bill can help me get upstairs.”
    Good for you Barbara! We need to talk.
    I took her arm and helped her up the stairs. Once in her room, I shut the door behind us. “What in the world happened to you up there?”
    “You said I passed out.”
    “That’s not what I’m talking about. That was not the voice of a small boy coming out of you.”
    “I don’t remember.” She sounded tired as she settled on the edge of the bed. “I usually don’t remember what happens when I go into a trance. My body is given willingly to whatever spirit needs to use it. I become a passenger within myself.”
    “You never acted like that before.”
    “Did Jimmy come?”
    “What I heard coming out of your mouth was about as far from the voice of Jimmy Roberts as the south is from the north.” I flung my arms to illustrate.
    She gave a tired smile at the unintended rhyme. “Whatever happened frightened you. Trust me, there’s nothing to be upset over. Most people are afraid of what they don’t—”
    “What I saw in the attic was way beyond what I don’t know. You were possessed by something, and it was evil.”
    “I wasn’t possessed. I allowed my body to be used by a spirit.”
    “What’s the difference?”
    “So I didn’t make contact with Jimmy?”
    I didn’t respond.
    “I have never gone into a trance so fast. I didn’t even have time to clear my mind. I was really successful.”
    “Successful? Is that what you call it? I have to tell you, you scared the wits out of me.