Celt
“Should I be worried?” I asked Sunny.
He turned to me and held my eyes. “Yes. Be watchful and alert. This shit isn’t a joke, no matter what you think. I’ve experienced events I can’t explain and would never have believed. Celt, whatever doubts you have, discard them. Any preconceptions you have, get rid of them. If there is a haunting at the house, we’ll find it.”
“You’re serious,” I said after a few moments.
“Deadly. I’ve witnessed things nobody should have. Evil exists, but it’s balanced by the innocence out there. Demons, spirits, possessed items, I’ve experienced it all and more. My wife stands in the middle of this, and she’s not out for glory. Callie wants to prove there’s life after death and stop mistreatment happening,” Sunny stated.
“Abuse?” I asked incredulously. “How did you mistreat ghosts?”
“Yes. You haven’t seen the episode yet, but in the Asylum, were you told about it?”
“Yeah.”
“That is a fine case of abuse. People were allowed to investigate repeatedly, regardless of whether the spirits became upset. Lookat the Penn; the historical verbal abuse heaped on the ghosts there to make them react was unbelievable. There’re too many investigators who shout and scream abusive language for likes and views, such as Tack Zoggins. Ghosts have feelings; they may not be in a living body, but they still feel. That’s where poltergeists come from.
“Callie and the team treat them with respect and courtesy. They listen to what they’re told. Sure, they might challenge evil, but they don’t resort to threats and abusive language to do so. That only strengthens the entity they’re challenging. There are too many bad investigators.”
“Has Callie been harmed?”
“Yes. She’s been pushed, scratched, bitten, and slapped. Has she been seriously hurt? No. Could she be? Most definitely. But would you stop Chey singing because of her more fucked-up fans?”
“No, Chey would hand me my balls,” I admitted.
“Exactly. Imagine telling Callie she can’t do something she loves,” Sunny said.
“But this isn’t a physical danger we can fight,” I argued.
“Nope, and that’s an issue I really struggled with. How can I protect her when I can’t physically punch or shoot it?” Sunny chuckled.
“Brother, that has to be hard.”
“You’ve no idea. But I guarantee every precaution is taken during an investigation. This stuff is real, and it’s not easy. But for Callie, it’s worthwhile, and if she’s happy, then I’ll keep breaking my back to secure that happens,” Sunny said.
It made me think. Each Hellfire member with a woman would say the same. But Hellfire was fractured. There was no doubt about it. Sunny had hidden for years before returning and then leaving again for Callie. Sunny seemed happier away from Hellfire, but remained a huge part of it.
Shotgun’s secret had proven that the club was even more broken. This generation was doing its best to fix what was wrong. But the damage was too deeply ingrained in those of us who’d lived through Zeus. If this was what Sunny needed to do to be happy, then I’d support my brother, no matter what. And if keeping close meant I’d have to stay in a haunted house with him, then so be it. Bring it fuckin’ on!
Chapter Two.
Callie
“Cameras are perfect,” Harry called over the radio. “I’ve got a clear signal because of the booster. The earlier interference has cleared up.”
“Thanks,” I radioed in return.
“This place gives me the fuckin’ creeps,” Celt said, squeezing my shoulder. He offered a smile, and I grinned back at him.
“It’s atmospheric. Although you have to wonder how much is due to what we’ve seen, as in the movies.”
“True, honey. But bearing in mind the brief Harry gave us, stay close to Sunny and me,” Celt ordered.
“Okay, Celt,” I replied. I didn’t need to tell him that I wouldn’t let him impede me. Celt wasn’t mistaken; the house was giving off some serious vibes. I thought they might have worsened when Michelle arrived. But either she hadn’t been recognised as a priest, or whatever lived here didn’t consider her a threat. The house was wrong on that account. Michelle was a tremendous danger to it. It would soon learn that.
Solace entered, looking uncomfortable. “I’ve stowed my gear; I’ll guard during the day, and Sunny and Celt have agreed to take turns during the evening.”
“I don’t know if you’ll be able to sleep if activity happens,” I replied.
