Page 71 of A Haunting at Keystone Manor

“Good, good.”

Sasha stands over Danil, staring down at him with his head cocked. He gives him a light kick, but he doesn’t wake, so he hauls Danil over his shoulder, and we all head out of the basement. Back in the lobby, Sasha tosses Danil down next to Mr. Covington, his body landing with a loud thud. He’ll feel that when he wakes up.

“I will get this cleaned up, take him out of here,” he says, motioning to Jake, who is standing there still looking shell shocked. Brandon heads back behind the desk like nothing happened.

“Are you gonna kill him?” I point to Danil.

Sasha shrugs. “Depends on him.”

“You should be happy. I know this kind of stuff is better than Christmas morning for you. Go to town. Just remember, burn the bones when you’re done and bury whatever is left off of this property. We’ll also need to dispose of their car. Find a local crackhead to donate it to, or something.”

“I understand.”

I nod. “Okay well, we’ll leave you to it then. Come on Jake.” I look over to him and see he’s still rooted in place. “Jake,” I repeat softly. He jumps like he hadn’t heard me. I nod my head towards the front door. He eyes Sasha for a minute before skirting around him. To his credit, Sasha backs up and gives him space. I send Sasha a small smile of gratitude before walking up to Mr. Covington and giving his body a kick in the ribs. For a split second I think he moves a hand towards me, and I let out a super manly squeak as I rush backward. He’s still dead though.

Mr. Covington’s words replay in my head as Jake and I head out the front door. What kind of freak blames his own son for being raped? I feel like I’m crawling out of my skin. I wish we could resurrect him and kill him again. Maybe I can go back and help Sasha dismember his body. Ew, no. I’m starting to realize that a life of crime is not for me. I’ll leave it to Sasha. Jake walks beside me, listless.

“Do I invite the things that happen to me?” he asks.

“No, never! Nobody has the right to do anything to you that you don’t want, ever. Under any circumstances. It’s not your fault, babe. Your dad’s a psychotic freak for saying what he did, and none of it was true. You’re such a good man. You’re kind, sometimes…” I smile when he eyes me. “You’re gentle, and thoughtful, and you have a big—” He cuts me off with a hand over my mouth. I nip at his fingers.

“Thank you, brat. You always know just what to say to make me feel better. I think I want to be alone for a few minutes, if that’s okay. Process.”

“Oh, okay. That sounds like a good idea.” I lean in on tiptoes and give him a peck on the lips. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

He pulls me back in with a hand on my neck and kisses me until I’m little more than a puddle in front of him. “See you later.”

***

Jake

I’m pulled out of my spiraling thoughts when a taxi pulls up in front of the manor, parking next to Sasha’s truck, and Seth steps out. I put down my rake and wave. He wasn’t here. Thank god he wasn’t here. I’d never forgive myself if Seth got hurt again because of me.

“Hey man. Are you okay?” Seth asks, voice laced with concern.

“Not really.” I don’t know what else to say. He nods.

Just then, the front door opens and Danil comes running out like a madman. I take a step back, thinking he’s coming at me, but he flies right past me and Seth, chasing the taxi down the driveway.

“Wait!” he screams after it as he runs. I’m a little surprised Sasha didn’t kill him, but I trust Sasha. If he allowed him to walk away from this place, he had good reason.

Seth watches him for a minute, before turning to me. “What the hell is going on here, man?” he asks. I give him a brief rundown, watching his eyes go wide as I speak.

“Sounds like you guys have had quite the day, holy shit. You think any more about talking to someone?”

“Alex is my therapist. It’s going well.” He laughs at that.

“Sounds good, man. I’m glad you’re all still in one piece. I’m almost sad I missed all the action. Sounds like quite the show.”

“Sorry you missed it. Sasha’s still in there doing god knows what to his corpse, so you’re more than welcome to help with that.”

As if summoned, Sasha walks out the front door with a large black trash bag in hand. His sweaty hair is pushed back off his face, and his dark shirt is sticking to his chest and stomach. The taser marks are still visible on his neck, but he looks like he’s holding up okay.

Seth gapes at him, and I nudge him in the side. “You’re blushing, dude.”

“What?! No, I’m not. I don’t blush.” He clears his throat and bites his lip ring. “Do, um… do you need help with anything?” he asks Sasha and scuffs his shoe along the gravel, staring at the tattoos along his arms.

Sasha doesn’t say anything as he walks up to us and gives Seth a once over. “Can you lift heavy things?”