Page 22 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part Two

In fact, he’d told his children, and favorite nephew, that if they were so moved, appearing to sadistic humans for the purpose of intervention would be overlooked. That was reflected in periods in Europe where rampant and absolute belief in the physical presence of demons was accepted.

“That Gorgon doesn’t play fair,”Bulent answered.

So far, Jeff was finding Bulent surprising in multiple ways. Ignoring the comment about fairness, he thought,“So, you’re pretty sure it is Medusa?”

“That’s the theory for now.”

If it was Medusa causing this torment, she’d devised a game to make even the strongest of minds succumb to delirium quickly. He needed to find a way to get the magistrate out before the psychic injury was resistant to healing. What did humans call it? Post-traumatic stress disorder?

He listened to her repeat the same word, “No. No. No. No. No. No,” until her breathing and heartrate began to calm.

If he was right about the intermittent appearance of light, he’d be ready for the next occurrence.

“Rita,” he said, as quietly as possible. He’d hoped to somehow avoid startling her. When he heard her clothes rustle, he knew he’d failed. She’d jumped and was looking around, probably thinking his voice was an auditory hallucination. “It’s Jeff. I’m here with you. Don’t be afraid.”

I heard myself laugh and it sounded both hoarse and bitter. “Don’t be afraid?” I repeated to the voice in the darkness. “What new torment is this?”

“I’m here. I’m real.”

Of course, it was a trick. Like the vanishing light. “No, you’re not. Leave me alone.”

“I’m real, Magistrate. Here to help you.”

It was a good trick because it sounded exactly like Jeff. I decided to play along and devised a test. “How?”

He didn’t answer my question. Instead, he said, “I’m going to tell you how to get out of here.”

“How to go home?”

“Yes. How to go home.”

“Why didn’t Keir come? Why didn’t Evie come?”

“They sent me because I’m the only one who knows the way here.”

“Liar,”Bulent said. Since only Jeff could hear the gargoyle, it was easy to ignore him.

“They sent you?” I said, not liking the telltale quiver in my voice.

“They’re waiting for you. At home.”

“At home?” The repetition made me sound stupid. At least I had enough presence of mind left to know when I sounded stupid.

“Do you trust me?”

He must be kidding. “To do what?”

Jeff was glad to hear the question because it sounded a little more like the Rita he knew. “To tell you how to get out of here.”

I couldn’t help myself. I had to ask. “You know how?”

“Ninety-nine percent sure.”

“Those are decent odds, but I don’t like blanket trust commitments.” I’d pretty much felt that way ever since my ex-husband had kicked me to the local residence motel in favor of a younger model.

“Understood.”

“Understood?”

---