Page 62 of Phobia

“What do you mean?”

“If that ritual didn’t work then maybe it’s becauseyouare not what this spirit is attached to. There has to be someone—or something—else keeping it here.”

My thoughts went straight to Larkin. “So if the other person does the ritual, he’ll go away?”

“Yes. So long as that other person is the anchor holding him here and it’s not some obscure location. Otherwise, I suggest you go with the gruesome option. That will sever any tie that might remain.”

“That’s not really an option though. I don’t know where the body is,” I whispered, stealing a cautious glance around the hallway. “He wasn’t exactly buried.”

“Then hopefully the other bath works.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

He patted my shoulder with a gentle, fatherly sort of smile. “Believe that it will. Believe in the power of Halloween. If the bath doesn’t work today, tomorrow is the last chance, while the veil between realms is at its thinnest. Otherwise, you’ll need to go on a scavenger hunt and do the gruesome ritual I know you’d rather avoid.”

“Can’t you help? Tell the ghost to go away, like you said you would?”

“It’s a bit more complicated than that, I’m afraid.”

“Why?”

“Because of the link it has to you and the other person. Even if I were to step in, there’s no guarantee it wouldn’t find its way back to you. If that happens, there’s a chance it could come back as something even worse.”

“What could be worse than the ghost of a serial killer?”

“A demon.” He said it with such solemnity that all I could do was blink. Even though I knew about the existence of ghosts, I never considered the possibility of otherthingsbeing out there in the world. I could barely handle ghosts leering at me, so I definitely didn’t want to take my chances with a demon. “That’s why it’s important for you to be the one to handle it,” Dr. Corbin continued. “To ensure it’s gone for good. And in the process, you’ll strengthen your abilities, which will serve you long after you’ve left Tennebrose.”

“What if I’m not able to do it?”

“You will. Believe in yourself, Jamie. You have the magic of Halloween on your side. It’s why this is a fortuitous time of year, not something to be feared.”

I scoffed. “Halloween is what got me into this shit show in the first place.”

“Do you know much about the history of Halloween?”

“Not really.”

“Well, it wasn’t always candy and pumpkins. It was the Celtic new year, a time for renewal. Despite entering the darkest half of the year, it wasn’t doom and gloom for our ancient ancestors, it was part of life’s cycle and they embraced it. It was a chance to reunite with relatives who had passed on and secure their blessing for the year ahead.”

It didn’t feel like the time for a fresh beginning, but I was inclined to take Dr. Corbin at his word. He hadn’t steered me wrong so far, though I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed he wouldn’t swoop in and take care of the ghost himself.

Handing me a business card, Dr. Corbin gave me a reassuring smile. “Call me if the bath doesn’t work on Larkin.”

“I will.” He was a few steps away when I spun, mouth agape. “I never said he was the other person!”

Dr. Corbin chuckled, never slowing his stride. “You didn’t have to.”

***

“You want me to take a bath in the same tub you nearly drowned in, doing the same thing that you were doing when you nearly drowned?” Larkin asked slowly, both eyebrows raised so high they were nearly in his hairline.

I nodded. “Yeah. You have to.”

“Why?”

“Dr. Corbin said so.”

“No offense to the good doctor, but his little ritual didn’t work on you so why the hell would I do it?”