Chapter 1
Looking through my closet of Hawaiian shirts, I thought out loud, "Which one should I wear to a house with a haunted crochet doll? Maybe the purple one with comic books sounds like boom, puff, pow! Or I could opt for a more classic look, such as this red and orange shirt featuring palm trees and hibiscus flowers.
It's 6am on a beautiful June morning in Rochester, even if it is a Monday. I was snacking on a strawberry milkshake Pop-Tart. When my phone went off.
My phone went off with "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys playing. When the song got to the chorus, just as the lyrics mentioned "getting away from it all," I picked it up, knowing it was Sarah, kind of my boss.
"Good morning." I said in a light, cherry tone, asking what was going on. I was getting ready to head out to Avon to deal with Vivi, the crochet doll.
"Sarah's voice came out in a low, tense tone. Just get here. Grab your gear and get here; no one cares what shirt you're wearing today. We have some complications. About an hour ago, Emily, the mother, called me. She mentioned something else had emerged, and she is now leaving with her kids for a relative's house in Vestal. That was all she said. I just got here. The house is a mess. Just get here ASAP. will discuss more when you're here."
Then she hung up. Well, shit, this just got serious. Well, more so than usual. Got a lot of questions. Didn't help that the family didn't give us a lot. Only got put on this case a week ago.
Anyway, thinking back to what she said, it was this other entity that Sarah mentioned that didn't feel right. It left an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. Alright, time to hustle. I grabbed the red shirt with the hibiscus flowers out of the closet and changed.
In the corner of my small room sat a bookshelf, On top of the bookcase was a few star trek novels next to what I was looking for: my pair of polarized sunglasses and a pure silver pocket knife with a light wood handle, with a symbol of a raven carved into it.
This knife was one of the few weapons I had, and a lot of things didn't seem to care for it. Plus, it was a gift from a friend who hoped it would help protect me. Given all the crazy situations I have been in, it was doing something right.
With my shades and pocketknife, I headed to the bathroom, took a big swig of mouthwash, then took a quick look in the mirror. Yeah, my wiry black hair and beard were a mess. And on my chin, slightly covered by my beard, was a scar. I hoped it would get less noticeable over the year, or maybe it was just me. Anyway, I took another second to admire the shirt, then left.
I grabbed my blue backpack from the couch. It had a sketchbook and a few other things. Then, before I forgot, I grabbed a Post-it note.
Writing a quick note, leaving for the case, be home when I can. I walked over to his room, where Nick was still passed out, and left it on the door.
We had been friends for years, and as long as I contributed to the rent and kept the fridge stocked with Blue Moon beer, and the supernatural kept its distance from him, we were fine.
As I got near the front door, I heard a deep meow from behind me. My black cat, Klaus, appeared from the kitchen. What can I say? I'm a fan of The Vampire Diaries.
Sorry, buddy, as I rubbed his chin. A gentle purr came from his long, lean frame. I got a strange feeling about this; best stay safe. Be home as soon as I can.
Walking outside on the warm June morning, I encountered a vinegar-like smell originating from the nearby processing plant. I wasn't sure if I was going to get used to it. I headed to the apartment parking lot on the left side of the greyish complex to my 1988 cherry red Jeep Wagoneer with dark wood paneling on the side.
Getting in, I placed the bag on the passenger seat and turned on the radio to a random station that was playing smooth jazz. I was about 45 minutes from Avon and needed to hurry, speeding up after leaving the city. Sarah was in a bad mood, and I had to make my way there. As I pulled out, I thought, "Same spooky shit, different day."
The journey to Avon was enjoyable and offered beautiful views. Flat land stretches out, dotted with a gorgeous display of hydrangeas, lilacs, and peonies. The house was situated beyond the town in East Avon, down a narrow side road.
Pulling up to the two-story house with stone-blue trim and a large red oak in the right corner of the yard. I noticed a dark blue Honda Equinox. That one was Sarah's; she had it for a few years.
I noticed Sarah was right in front of the opened front door. She had her phone to her ear. She saw me and gave a quick wave, then went back to her conversation, by the look on her face with deep focus and her furrowed brows.
I got out of the Jeep and walked to the front, leaning against the grille. Closing my eyes, I focused on other things.
First, I noticed that there was no breeze, just a calm, warmish morning. Second, I noticed a sweet floral smell, maybe lavender, to my left. Third, I felt a presence like a weight pressing on my eyelids.
Opening my eyes, looking straight ahead, feeling being watched seemed to come from the yard, maybe the oak tree. It felt similar in a way when someone goes to a place like Gettysburg. You're being watched, but can't quite see it.
And the flower smell was coming from my left, from the garage? As I looked at the opening, I heard a childish giggle coming from inside. Well, I can't say this job is ever dull.
