It was warm in Scotland and perfect for a holiday. Many of my friends came for a visit, where we'd go out and have some fun. Whether it's just staying at their house to play on their Xbox and stream, or touring famous locations.
One owned a ranch, so I enjoyed horseback riding on the beach. My favourite pastime was when my best friend, Lucan, took me to see a soccer game. He won a couple of tickets and invited me. Nice going!
The last three days I spent at home. I wonder if that was a good idea.
"Come with me, son. I want to show you something," Dad ordered. As his only child, I had to comply. We descended the familiar flight of stairs.
He was taking me to the archives. He pointed me to an old desk. Furthermore, he browsed the cabinets while I sat down.
He pulled a file and turned to me with a stern expression. Uh oh.
"Lately, a rumour has been going around. A young woman in town claims that she's haunted by a winged creature. Her name is-" He glanced at the file. "Natalia Campbell. Or Lea."
My ears perked up at the name. It was the girl at the bar. "Hey Dad, I know that woman. I already gave her my card. Why didn't she call?" I checked my iPhone.
There were several missed calls from the same number. Oh. Ahem.
"You know her? Did she contact you?" Dad asked. I hid my phone. "Er, no. She didn't believe me when I told her about my work. I guess she threw away my business card. Sorry."
Dad eyed me in disbelief but continued. "A shame. Please find out where she lives, make contact, and remove the ghost. Take Mars with you."
"Aw. Can't you go?" I complained. Dad thrust the file at me. "Don't be ridiculous. You know, I can't activate my powers after turning fifty.
"It's times like these that I wish I had a sibling," I groaned. Dad frowned. "You shut up about that. Your mother tried her hardest. Now leave."
Yeah, I know she did. Technically, I'm the third child out of five. But only I survived. I returned to my room to get ready and force a struggling Mars to come with me.
When I reached the bar in East Renfrewshire, I returned the missed call from Lea. I prepared myself for screaming, but I needn't have worried.
"Morning, Ms. Lea. This is Nathan McNeill. I am terribly sorry for not returning your calls. I have been busy for the last few days," I apologised. Lea was quiet.
"I understand. I'm not angry. Nathan, right? If you fix my problem today, I'll forgive you," she replied softly.
I'm in deep trouble. Mars lay in his carrier, listening. "No problem. What's your address? Yes? Yes? Okay. I will be there in ten minutes. I promise you'll be spirit free by this time tomorrow. Bye."
I pocketed my phone in relief. "Mars?"
"What?"
"Which is scarier? A girl that yells at you, or one that remains polite?"
"Why should I care?" I'm throwing this cat on the highway!
Lea Campbell lives in an apartment complex in a suburban area. As someone who grew up in the country, this place felt claustrophobic to me.
I pulled up to the visitor's parking lot. Mars meowed in protest as I carried him a bit closer to the entrance. Why should I care? Ha!
I was buzzed up to Lea's apartment. I nearly collapsed from the ominous atmosphere emanating from her door. Mars hissed, clawing at his cat carrier.
"Nathan! Nathan! It's dangerous!" he rasped. I grasped the carrier handle until my fingers turned white.
"What's in there? Is it evil?" I whispered.
"Very evil. You can't handle it. Not as you are right now. Tell the girl to move out." I nodded and rang the bell.
I trembled slightly as we were invited inside. Lea had very, very long blonde hair and was of average height. Her clothes were baggy, and she appeared tired and pale.
"Sorry, Nathan. I couldn't sleep for the last few nights. I'm so tired. Furthermore, I'm afraid I don't have anything to drink. I have only bought takeaways since last week." She motioned to the sink.
There were leftover bags from convenience stores and McDonalds. What a pitiful woman.
"So, since we spoke at the bar, things have become worse. The dark figure-"
"Move out." I interrupted. Lea looked surprised. "What?"
"There's no need to think about it. Move out. Now. The thing that haunts your apartment. It's very dangerous. I'm not strong enough to handle it right now." I urged. She gave me a dirty look.
"So you are a fraud. I can't believe I expected something from you." My heart jumped.
"No, you don't understand," I said hurriedly. "Give me a day. I'll get rid of it then. But to be safe, you need to leave."
"Just like that?"
"Well, um, yes?"
"And where am I supposed to go? To your house? Because I already asked everyone I know, and they refused," she said harshly.
"Uh, um, well," I stammered. It would be awkward to send a girl to my house out of the blue. It would be very embarrassing. I don't even want to imagine my mom's reaction. As I was at a loss, Mars did something he had never done before, he spoke to a human.
"It's leave, or stay and die. I don't care, in my opinion," he said flippantly. Both Lea and I stared at him.
"Your cat! H-he talks! What the hell?" she yelled.
"Mars, you're talking to a person!" I yelled.
He sniffed, and looked away. I facepalmed and glanced at the hyperventilating girl. "Yes. He talks, but it's a special case. And anyway, he's not important. We're here because of you, right?"
"Yeah, well. You're not doing anything about it," she giggled. I sighed and stroked a hand through my hair.
"I told you, give me another day."
"Fine. If I come back, and that thing is still here, I'm going to expose you as a fraud." Hey, didn't you call the client? I'm legit!
"Sure, sure. Go to a motel or something. I'll give you a call when I'm finished," I said coldly. For once, I had no desire to flirt with this woman. She looked annoyed. "I'm not that poor. I can afford a hotel. Let me pack some things, and I'll be out of your hair."
She stormed out of her room. "Idiot," I muttered. Mars gazed curiously at me. "What?" I demanded.
"Usually you're a sucker for women. I can't believe I'm actually witnessing a miracle before me. Nathan McNeill is actually arguing with a woman."
I growled and turned my back on him. I ignored Lea as she left the apartment. "She's gone. Now, what about me? I can't stay here. Should we book into a hotel too?"
"No. We need to go to a location that is isolated." Mars disagreed. Isolated? I thought for a minute.
"An Airbnb? Or other self-service?"
"More isolated." How isolated did Mars want to be? Did he want us to go live in the woods?
"I guess a secluded lodge."
"Perfect. Can you book us one for tonight?" Mars looked anxious. I smiled and whipped out my phone. The reception on the other side was very helpful, and I booked a single night's stay.
I swore I heard disappointment in the receptionist's voice, but I guess that's just my imagination.