Chapter 13

Thirteen

The group slowly prepared for the day while Cain showered, all of us surprisingly ready to head out to the cemetery once he had dressed. Ruby and Jinx each carried full duffle bags into the living room, tossing them onto the couch. "Alright, you restless spirits. Here." Ruby pointed to the open bags. "Grab your equipment." Ruby tapped Jinx's shoulder, speaking only to her. "Make sure you take everything you need. Never know what might happen out here, and I want you to be prepared." Jinx nodded.

One by one, we each reached into the bags, withdrawing flashlights, two-way radios, and our usual investigative tools. Ruby, being a witch, relied more on her gifts to feel the energy of what was around us. She would always partner up with Jinx, who had brought along a pair of Dowsing Rods. The two would work together, Ruby asking questions, provoking spirits to answer, while Jinx would hold the metal rods and patiently wait for a response. She was abnormally sensitive to energy fields, feeling the slightest shifts within them, creating a unique, yet beneficial, sixth sense. Lazarus always chose to use an instaprint camera or camcorder in hopes of capturing evidence on film. A simpler choice. He would sometimes record Cain, who always teased and provoked spirits, egging them on as Lazarus photographed and filmed anything he felt was a potential ghost. Aside from those moments, Cain usually preferred investigating by himself with a simple recorder. He would venture off alone, determined to hear and document voices of ghosts, but truthfully, all he had captured in the past were soft, faint sound disturbances. Nothing concrete. I had my own preferences, relying on weird instincts that always peeked through when investigating. I also had Alastair and, on some occasions, my magic. Despite investigating numerous known haunted locations over the years, we hadn't experienced much success with our findings, and honestly, I think we collectively just enjoyed the break from reality to run around and search the shadows for the unknown.

Cain entered the room, a brown leather sling bag across his chest. He unzipped the bag, reaching into the brown opening as he withdrew a large hunting knife. His lips curled into a grin, branching high across his face as he observed the reflective blade closely.

"What the fuck?" Lazarus verbalized what we were thinking. Our eyes were all wide, watching as Cain sheathed the enormously vicious blade to his belt. The entire interaction set me on edge.

Cain's smile grew, unphased by the uneasiness we all reflected. "You can never be too careful, especially in these woods. Don't worry, I brought one for each of you." The calmness of his answer concerned me, not to mention the idea of Cain carrying multiple large hunting knives. He reached into the bag, retrieving the blades, each unique and sheathed, handing them out to each of us, one by one as if he was simply passing out candy on Halloween. It was a disturbing exchange.

"I don't want this thing near me." Ruby dropped the knife from her hand onto the floor, disgusted by the sight of it. Jinx silently picked the blade up, handing both hers and Ruby's back to Cain, shaking her head. Her face showed her feelings, those of which were worry and panic.

Cain stared at Ruby as he held their blades in his extended palm. "Your magic can't stop everything." His flat words sent a chill down my spine.

Ruby crossed her arms, her face tightening as her fingertips began to faintly glow with her temper. "I'll take my chances," she hissed. Cain shrugged, instantly resuming his normal, arrogant demeanor. Lazarus hesitated, eyeing the knife in his hand before quietly placing it inside his own bag. I stared at the heavy blade in my mine, pondering if I wanted to bring it along or leave it behind. I didn't particularly want to pack it, but that weird instinct in my gut told me I should. Cain smiled, watching as I slid the sheathed knife into my bag.

The group slowly gathered the rest of our things, each of our bags now filled with additional items such as bottles of water and various snacks. I always carried a mini, first aid kit in my bag, just in case someone got hurt. Seeing as we were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mountains and thick woods, it wouldn't be such a bad idea to be prepared. Never know what could happen.

Once we were all ready, we gathered outside on the damp porch. The rain had finally stopped, leaving the soil drenched and the air thick with moisture. The afternoon was cooler than the day before, more so than I had anticipated. Thankfully, I was dressed in a long sleeve crop top, jeans, a green faded military jacket, and my everyday black combat boots. Perfect for this kind of weather.

"Jesus," Ruby groaned. "Why is it so cold?" She was shaking gingerly, wearing a black mini dress with long netted sleeves, her legs bare and exposed, covered in goosebumps. Not something I think anyone would prefer to wear in a place like this.

"Get used to it. The cemetery isn't too far from here, and with walking, we're going to be outside for some time," Cain spoke as he pranced down the porch steps.

"Excuse me?" Her tone reflected the annoyed expression across her face. "These shoes were not made for trampling around like some boy scout, Cain." She shook her black, knee high platform leather boots, pissed. "You should've told us we were walking so we could've packed better! And why bring your fucking car if we're just going to hike the whole way?"

Cain turned to face her. "What did you think we were doing? Look around, Ruby." He threw his arms out, motioning to the woods that surrounded us. "I'm sorry you didn't come prepared, but that's not my problem. Now, let's go." He growled the last few words, impatient and ready to head out.

"I'm not prepared because you didn't tell me!" Cain ignored her words. Jinx approached Ruby, rubbing her arms. She was dressed in a yellow jumper with a rainbow striped, long sleeve shirt and black tights underneath, the front of her hair pulled back from her face as the lower half hung just around her midriff. "At least you have decent shoes," Ruby groaned, pointing to Jinx's cherry red converse. Ruby locked eyes with me, pointing to my attire. "You didn't know about this, did you?" I shook my head, equally upset as her. I also didn't like the idea of journeying through these woods, even with Alastair at my side, especially after last night.

"None of us knew," Lazarus said from the base of the porch steps. "Come on. I know this sucks, but let's try to make the best of this." Lazarus was dressed in his usual choice of clothing: a band shirt beneath his jean jacket, tucked into his tight jeans and boots.

"Get used to my feet hurting? Yeah, I'll do just that," Ruby snapped, gripping the straps of her bag as she and Jinx stepped down the stairs.

"Oh, quit bitching." Cain whined. "The pain will be worth it once we get there." He was also dressed in his usual choice of clothing: a black t-shirt, tight jeans, and his leather jacket he always wore.

"I doubt that," Ruby mumbled as we all gathered around Cain.

"Oh, it will," he smiled. "Trust me." His words left an uneasy taste in my mouth.