The apartment in question was on the 2nd floor in between apartments 1B and 3B. The building itself was older than the most recent buildings by about 5 years but the interior looked older. As I walked through the hallways I could feel the eyes of various people squinting through the peepholes and cracks of doors to see the intruder into their little daily routines. Looking over at Lacy I saw her "myst" was up, changing her Orcish body into human features, essentially letting her blend in with humans. To the average person she was just your twenty something year old with piercings.
"Do your neighbors experience any hauntings", I asked as we approached the apartment.
"Not really they just hear the noises, nothing crazy like what's happened to me", she answered stopping in front of her door.
"Well, hopefully things won't get too crazy", I said as I began to rummage about my belts pockets for the items I'd need, "now two rules before I start working: one, no matter what happens I want you to stay out here."
"ok what is rule number 2", she responded as she began unlocking the door.
"I am not liable for any property damages", I answered as I uncorked my cane revealing the hidden sword inside.
Walking inside I found myself in the apartments walk-in kitchen, to my left lay a sparsely furnished living room with a coffee table adorned in the remnants of a finished meal and a single shabby love seat older than the Indian blankets draped over its back. To the back of the living room was a small hall that ended in a bedroom.
Moving to the middle of the room I made a gesture with my hand and pointed to the door behind me, instantly it closed and a purple sheen rippled from the center of it. It was a protective ward that denied access to all but whom the caster allowed. I then set about moving the coffee table to the side and clearing an area for me to work.
At this point a wizard would begin rubbing bones or waving a wand around, all I needed was to concentrate.
Around me the air began to turn cold, wraiths normally had that effect on the living. Opening my eyes a figure began to materialize at the end of the hall that led to the bedroom. Its body was frail if not transparent in places with pieces of dried skin, bone, and cloth floating around her as if she were underwater.
The dead don't speak, the talent of voice has all but alluded them in the afterlife, however that doesn't stop them from trying what does come forth is are screeches, wails, and sobs. I remember meeting a man who had claimed he could here them speak, he died a day later. Only those on the verge of death can hear the dead speak.
So it was comforting to know that when the wraith opened its mouth and an ear piercing wail shook the room my time wasn't up just yet. My relief was then turned to pain as the wraith rushed me with elongated fingers that ended in sharpened talons, scratching my across my shoulder.
Dodging to the side I turned on my heel to face the specter just in time to parry another blow aimed at my face. Using the second of pause the attack gave me I unleashed a burst of eldritch energy into the thing's chest, knocking it back and then followed the movement with a swing from my sword. The monster screamed at the rebuttal and attempted to whirl about for an attack at my open side, only to find my sword there blocking the strike.
I smiled at the attempted strike, only to miss the upward swing which cut across my chin and flung me back into the living room couch. Tasting blood on my lips I barely had enough time to catch my breath before the wraith wrapped its boney grasp around my throat and lifted me off my feet. Gasping for breath I lit my hand up in a blaze of fire and pressed it into its arm. The wraith wheeled away dropping me on to the couch once more, the air smelling of burnt flesh.
Struggling to my feet I leaned over and grabbed my sword as another strike landed across my back, I felt the talons bruise my flesh as my coat took the brunt of the attack.
turning around I struck out at the air trying to push the specter back to get some space between me and the onslaught of attacks, only to feel the cold grip of skeletal hands latch on to my jacket. The next second I found myself flying across the room and over the counter that separated the living room and the kitchen.
Quickly I pulled myself up and flung my arm in the direction of the wraith unleashing a bolt of eldritch lightning. The air arced with energy as a bolt of continuous lightning raced from my hand and impacted the wraith in its chest forcing it to stop in its assault against me. Using the opening I leaped over the counter and lunged at the wraith my blade cutting across its chest with a clean slash.
Just as I felt triump begin to well in my chest it was immediately snuffed out as I saw the wound I had inflicted revert back to normal as if I had never hit it. Using my confustion to its advantage the thing wrapped a hand around my arm and rag doll toss me across the room and back into the living room. I barely had time to stand before I was pinned against the wall, by an immovable weight up my back. I suddenly realized that the wraith intended to squeeze me like boa constrictor pushing me against the wall until I passed out form the pressure. Groaning under the immense weight being applied to my entire body I desperately, painstakingly flipped my hand over till it was facing palm down against the wall. The pressure tightened once more becoming unbearable, my vision began to blacken at the edges. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the things head snarling and salivating. With a grunt of intense concentration I forced a conctrated bolt of eldritch power from my hand into the wall. The result was immediate as the wall crumbled around me and I found myself falling into space.