It was now the month of October and everyone was talking about Halloween. Everywhere I looked, the shops were filled with festive merchandise.
My experience dealing with real ghosts made their attempts at replicating spirits and demons laughable.
Holding the bag of groceries, I shook my head at the so-called monsters. My cell phone vibrated in my pocket. Checking to make sure it wasn't Min, I answered cheerfully; "Hey, Lucan, how's everyone?
What? Your nephew? Hold on a second I'm in a busy street right now. Can I call you back?" Hanging up I quickly rushed home. Lucan sounded very distressed on the phone.
This sounded like a good tale. I startled both animals inside my house when I stormed in. "What's the matter?" Mars responded, "Your face is red."
"No time to talk. I have to make a phone call." Upon dumping the groceries on the island, I informed him, "I'll let you know later." I dashed to the study and shut the door behind me.
I pressed redial and waited, tapping my foot impatiently. "Hi. Sorry to make you wait. Where were we?"
"My nephew," Lucan reminded me.
"Oh right. Describe to me exactly what's going on."
"You glimpsed him when you visited, right? He's your average twelve-year-old. But he started acting strangely after we visited the Sheep Heid's Inn."
"You think he got possessed?" I inquired.
"He definitely is," he affirmed anxiously.
"You went to a priest to get him exorcised?" In Scotland Catholicism was prominent and priests were always available. Once a priest had permission from a bishop, they could perform an exorcism.
"He slayed all of them." Oh wow. What a strong twelve-year-old. "Did you get him evaluated by psychics?" I prodded him. There are a lot, and I mean a lot, of psychics.
"Two went mad trying to identify what we were dealing with." I gripped the phone. "What did my dad say?"
"To contact you." Dad, you are such a (censor)! Although I'm a bit flattered. "All right," I gave up, "I'll fly out to Scotland in a few days."
"Thanks Nathan. You're a reliable friend," Lucan said thankfully. Absolutely I am. You won't have to pay too much money to me when I'm done. I'll give a three percent discount.
I went to inform Mars and Blair about our travel plans. Blair looked upset, but Mars shrugged it off as another case.
"I hope you don't expect me to aid you. I hate children and hate demons even more," Blair whined piteously.
"Don't bother protesting. This is part of your punishment," I admonished. As I ignored him further, I turned my attention to Mars.
"This is a big one, so I may need your help in this. No arguments," I said firmly. Mars nodded.
"I'm booking a plane ticket for tomorrow so we can get to Scotland as soon as possible."
"Is that friend of yours that important? Can't it wait?" Blair sniffed. I glared at him. "No it can't. I want my money."
Mars rolled his eyes, while the fox was flabbergasted. "Money?"
Two days later I was sitting comfortably in my plane seat. When Blair realised he would be flying in a compartment earlier, he made a commotion, but now that he has taken sedatives, everything is quiet.
Now let me tell you. A spectre gives off different auras depending on how strong the ghost is. So when we landed in the airport, I instantly sensed a dark presence, sending goosebumps all over me.
Whatever it was, it was unbelievably strong. I sweated as I lingered in the airport, waiting for the pets to arrive.
Blair and Mars looked stressed as they were handed to me. Naturally, they could feel it better than I could.
I directed Uber to Lucan's horse ranch instead of my own house. I didn't want to be bothered by my parents. I smiled generously as the tall, black-haired Lucan Robertson and his petite, blonde wife Isobel came into view.
Both appeared pale with circles under their eyes as they welcomed me.
"Thank you for coming so soon. Come right this way," Lucan said as he gestured. Two workers came and helped me carry my bags and the animals.
"Is it all right for them to roam around?" I asked anxiously. "They're not aggressive," I added. My hosts had no problem so I released Mars and Blair. Having planned ahead, both of them picked a place in earshot to lay down.
"Would you like some refreshments?" Isobel asked politely.
Finally, finally, I'm being offered refreshments and not the other way around. I clasped her cold hands and accepted gratefully.
While sipping my coffee, I listened to Lucan recounting the ghostly story.
"It was when we went on holiday for a weekend. We booked into the Sheep Heid's Inn, and stayed for two days. He was fine at first, but he became strange during the night.
He kept speaking to thin air, and when he was in his room, it sounded like someone answered him.
We tried prying it out of him but he refused to reveal to us who he was talking to, so we left him alone. The second day he disappeared. We searched for hours only to discover him in the evening."
Lucan clasped his shaking hands. "He was in the chicken coop, devouring their eggs raw. I can't get the look of his eyes out of my head." The man stared vacantly before him. I frowned impatiently. Well? Are you gonna speak or not?
He finally continued. "We had to drag him out. The Inn owner suggested he may be possessed. Hence, we summoned a priest, only for my nephew to stab him. It was quite a shock.
Fortunately, the inn owner understood it wasn't his fault and advised us to bring him home.
Since then we have tried several priests and psychics. All except one died. Therefore, in a last-ditch effort, I telephoned your father.
And he directed me to you." Lucan stared pleadingly at me. "Please take a look at him and help him."
Just to be on the safe side, I asked, "He doesn't have any insanity in the family does he?"
Lucan looked surprised. "Obviously not. Or we would have rushed him to the psychiatrist."
"Just making sure. Okay. This'll be a significant job, so that'll be three thousand pounds. Oh, and sign here."
Lucan smiled weakly. "Your dad warned me you would be expensive. Very well." He picked up the pen and produced his signature. As soon as I was satisfied, I said solemnly, "Take me to him." We both got up and left, followed by Mars and Blair.
Callen was strapped to his bed, chest heaving. I had a flash of The Exorcist for a moment as I perceived him.
"Where's his parents? Shouldn't they be informed of this?" I inquired curiously. Lucan shook his head. "They're both archaeologists and are mostly overseas. I don't want to frighten them needlessly."
Sure, whatever you say. "Then that's fine. I'll take over from here. You go, uh, ride a horse or something. I'll call you if anything happens." I made some shoo-ing motions.
He got the hint, and left us alone. I then spoke to the ginger cat. "Should I just perform a Demon Banishment Spell?"
"Usually yes. But there's just one problem."
"What?"
Blair answered instead. "There's no demon inside this kid." We turned to Callen. He glared at us.
"Are you pretending for attention or something?" I demanded scornfully. Callen laughed harshly.
[What a fool. I have no need to pretend. This child's body is mine. He was promised to me. Therefore, attempt what you like, you'll never separate us!]
I surveyed the chuckling kid. "Shouldn't demons speak in tongues? I heard they love to talk gibberish when confronted by the righteous," I challenged. Mars snorted when I called myself righteous.
He sneered. [Such fakery. Those humans are the ones pretending. They give us a bad name.]
"Enough chatting, Nathan. He's not faking. His consciousness is inside the child, but his body is elsewhere. We need to locate his body to banish him," Mars insisted.
The sneering demon began to panic. [You'll never find me. And even if you do, such a useless human can never defeat my true self,] he spoke frantically.
While disregarding him, I enquired, "Do you know where he is?" Blair shifted his haughty head proudly. "During my time as Master Gumiho's attendant, I chased away intruding demons. I can smell one a mile away."
"At least you're useful for something," I muttered savagely. I followed Blair outside, leaving Mars behind to guard the boy.