Page 14 of Stalked By Shadows
By the time we were back at the gate, the sky had begun to darken. Everyone chatted excitedly and Micah repeated his head count, retrieving all the badges. He pointed out a nearby tourist and visitor center and offered to walk the crowd over. The box of books sold quickly, everyone scrambling for a copy, which was a history of the cemetery written by a local author whom Micah claimed was a good friend.
We walked the group to the nearby visitor’s center and then left them to explore the maps and gifts shops. I was starving. “Is there food close?” I asked Micah. “I’d even eat some of those sugar clouds if I have to.”
Micah smiled. “How about some gumbo? It’s a short walk but the food is good. We have to be quick and get back for the next group.”
“I’m in,” I agreed. We left the empty box with the gift shop to recycle, and he stuffed the badges in the pocket of his pants. We made our way to food with me thinking that maybe this would all work out. I’d been a little worried about these ghost tour things drumming up issues, but the cemetery tour had been nothing. Maybe the actual ghost tours would be different.
Chapter 5
Food was good and fast, taking less than twenty minutes to eat and we were headed back toward the cemetery. The sun had set, leaving a chill in the air which made me wish I’d brought a coat. Micah’s company eased the anxiety I’d begun the day with, and our conversation remained light, focused on the city and history instead of either one of our pasts. His smile, while guarded, was infectious and soothing, all at once. He had stories about everything, from each shop we passed to street signs, and every restaurant. Since I didn’t mind listening, I asked an occasional question to spur on his memories over something and tried to absorb all the knowledge as best I could. Walking with him felt natural, and he treated me like a person instead of a freak. Maybe this job would work out okay.
“Anything different happen during the night tour?” I asked. The sky was still clear, revealing a full moon which was pretty in a creepy way as it illuminated the white walls of the graveyard in the distance.
“Not really. Usually ghost hunter wannabes on the night tour. People look more for the scary stories and snap lots of pictures trying to catch ghosts,” Micah said. “No flash allowed as it messes with our night vision. I have a flashlight on my keychain if needed. Some of the corners of the cemetery are really dark.”
“Full moon tonight should help.”
“Oh yeah, it actually makes it a little more eerie. Full moons are usually booked a couple weeks in advance. Not because anything different happens, but people think it sets a spookier mood. Did you know there are three days to a full moon? My night in the cemetery doesn’t always land on one.”
“Is that why that Mark guy wanted to take your night?” I wondered out loud.
“Mark? When was he around?”
“When you stepped out for those books. He and two missionary looking ladies were in and messing with Sky. I took care of them. Sent them on their way after they insulted her.”
Micah laughed. “Missionary looking? Two wannabe voodoo queens and a guy who calls himself a voodoo priest. This is what I mean by white folks using religion to control people. At least I don’t make claims of slaughtering chickens on the full moon to bring in sales.”
“Good to know, as it would be weird to haul around chickens for you.”
“Help! Someone please help!” The cry interrupted our banter and I whipped my head around to try to find the direction. It was coming from the entrance to St. Louis Number One.
Micah jogged that way, me racing after him, instinct kicking in. Was someone hurt? When we reached the gate, I recognized the man from the shop earlier.
“Jared,” I said. “What’s wrong?” There were no guards at the table in front. Jared was sobbing and begging for help, though I could barely understand his words. I took him by the shoulders and made him focus on me. “Jared, what’s wrong? Where’s Sarah?”
“Something was there! In the dark… It took her,” he said panting like he’d been running a marathon.
“Jared, who? Where?” I asked.
He pointed into the cemetery. “That man promised a private tour to Sarah and me. Now she’s gone. One second she was there and then something was standing in the dark. Then she was gone. Please…” Tears streamed down his face and he fought for air, hands on his ribs. “Please, help.”
Micah looked at the sign-in sheet. “Mark took them in. They shouldn’t have been let in at all. It’s not their night.” He headed through the gate whipping out the little flashlight on his keychain.
“The light on my phone is brighter,” I told him, holding up my phone.
He shook his head. “Too bright. Ruins night vision. Stay here, I’ll see if I can find them.”
“Not a chance,” I told him. If there was someone in there, he was not going in alone. “You’re not going by yourself.” I opened my phone and sent Lukas a text that there was an emergency at the cemetery and to send help before shoving Jared down into one of the abandoned guards’ chairs with a firm command of “Stay here,” and followed Micah into the darkness.
He was efficient in his search, shining the flashlight down the rows and calling out. “Sarah? Mark? Fred?” He obviously knew the cemetery very well.
No one answered. In fact the entire atmosphere of the place had changed, feeling heavy, and I struggled to suck in enough air. There was no sound inside, no birds or crickets, no passing cars or wind. It wasn’t because we were moving so fast, though we were both jogging at this point, looking around tombs and down aisles. Twice I thought I saw something move and pointed it out to Micah. We’d trail down that path only to find nothing and backtrack. Why weren’t they answering? The cemetery wasn’t that big. They shouldn’t have had a hard time hearing us.
Did Micah hear that buzzing? Or was it me?
It started as a low hum, so faint I hadn’t noticed it at first. Now it drummed at my senses, like wings fluttering against my ears. My heart raced in time to the pulsing feeling like it was going to explode out of my chest.
Panic began to take hold in my gut. There was only one way in and out. Unless they climbed the walls. Had someone taken Sarah over the wall? I could barely hear Micah’s voice anymore. It was like my ears were clogged. Spots trickled into my vision making it hard to follow him.