Page 35 of Haunting Salem

“You saw what Gaspar could do?” I whispered the question so no one else could hear us.

Owen nodded. “He is terrifying, but he saved me too.” He swallowed hard. “I thought... I thought you were dead the way everyone appeared so fast. You didn’t move either. You were so still.”

A knock came at the door and Zane poked his head inside the room. “Heard you were awake. Want to answer some questions for me?”

“Sure. I mean I guess I’m okay, just sore.” I situated myself in the bed a little more, making room for the guys to sit with me.

“I brought you something for the pain.” Zane held up a pouch. “Lore said this will cure all your aches and breaks.”

“Wait, I have a broken leg?” Made sense with the pain I was in.

“No.” Jack gave a tired chuckle. “It’s a severe sprain. Nothing’s broken. You have tons of bruises of course, since you fell into a hole.”

I took the pouch from Zane. “Thank you. Thank Lore for me too.”

“I will,” Zane said. “So can you tell me what happened?”

I recounted every bit of what I could remember while in the Witch House. There were gaps though, things either the guys, Kael, Ember, and Gaspar didn’t want me to remember, or I couldn’t put together because I was disorientated. I knew without having to see it, Gaspar threw Chase, but I didn’t know why. What had Chase done, besides set the trap? Had he pushed me? “Have you ever felt those oily tendrils, Sheriff? Around town or specifically in that building?”

He gave me a contemplative glance then nodded. “I have. I believe it’s the works of our serial killer.”

I tilted my head. “What is he?”

"That, I can't answer, because I don't know. My guess is a dark practitioner. Someone who can not only manipulate the atmosphere but also spirits. I think his cycle is about to begin again."

I swallowed hard. The idea of a man or being having the ability to control humans and spirits scared me more than I could annunciate. No one was safe around this practitioner. “The trap?”

“Manipulation. I think he saw an easy target with Chase. The guy is easily influenced. Doesn’t mean he still won’t be charged with destruction of property or assault and battery for that crazy little stunt.”

“The same for the witch near Proctor’s Ledge?” I hedged.

“Heard about that too.” Zane rubbed his brow. “I believe so, yes. Our suspect can control the dead.”

"Never thought I'd see a necromancer, especially since they're fictional." I laughed then regretted it as my body tensed as a wave of pain hit me. "Ow."

“Easy there,” Zane said. “Not a necromancer, per se, because the ghosts of Salem can’t be resurrected now, but more like manipulator of the spirits.”

The door to my room opened and the doctor along with Lucy and Henry stepped into the room. Zane tipped his chin to the doc. “Well, that’s my cue to get the hell out of your hair for now. Use the herbs as a tea. Might taste like shit, but everything is made better with sugar.” Zane winked at me before exiting my room.

For the next twenty minutes, the doctors explained how my ribs were bruised my ankle was sprained and the millions of other tiny contusions I had all over me. He wanted to keep me there for overnight and considering what we'd all experienced, I agreed. I needed to take a moment to gather my wits and try to understand what happened. Plus, since Kael comforted me, I hadn't seen any of the guys, and I wanted to.

When the doctor left, Henry stood in front of me. Shit. The channel had to be pissed. We ended up cutting the feed before the hour was up. People were probably proclaiming us fakes and frauds. All the good I’d done was gone now. “Hey, I’m so sorry, Henry.”

He held up his hands. "First, I am glad you're okay. Second, don't worry about a thing. All of your medical bills will be covered by the studio. Third, you're a hit. My phone has been ringing off the hook since the feed got cut. You're even trending on Twitter. People have cut and spliced the film off right when you were falling and swear they see two spirits surrounding you while another was seen shoving Chase. This... This is all so real for everyone. The site has shut down a couple of times because we've been overcapacity. I know I shouldn't be hyping you up because you are injured. But, I wanted to let you know, you've done everything right. We're excited for what's to come with your show and your new adventures."

I shook my head, trying to process what Henry was saying. “I’m not in trouble then?”

He chuckled. "I tell you how excited we are to have you with us, and you're worried about being in trouble." Henry sighed. "No, you're not in trouble. Though I might be a little spastic right now, we're very glad you're okay." He touched my hand. "Chase has been fired though. We found out a few suspicious things about him tonight after you were both rushed to the hospital. He is now a liability for the channel."

I stared at Henry for a moment. “Wow.” I didn’t know what else to say.

Henry handed me, my phone. “Why don’t you take a moment to decompress and check out all the comments and well wishes for you. You and your team will be given a couple of extra days here in Salem to rest and recover, then you’ll be off to your next assignments. In the meantime, if you need anything—” his gaze bore into mine— “anything, please call me. I will do my best to get it to you.”

“Thanks,” I murmured. “I think.”

“Get some rest, Simone. You deserve it.” Henry squeezed my hand then exited the room, leaving me with my team.

“That’s our cue to get out of here too,” Nolan said. “Sleep as much as you want Simone. We’ll be back later to check on you.”

---