CH.9 Calvin's First Exorcism

The man clutched his newly bought amulet, trudging out of the shop toward the parking lot, disappointment heavy on his face. The wind picked up, making the wind chimes jingle.

A long-haired guy in a black robe stepped out from the shadows, blocking his path. His face was gaunt, eyes sharp and cold, with a creepy smirk tugging at his lips. “Having some trouble lately, huh?” His voice was low, laced with mockery.

“Who are you?” The man stopped, frowning, his grip tightening on the amulet.

“Who I am doesn’t matter,” the robed guy chuckled, his gaze piercing. “What matters is, I can help you.”

The man tried to step around him, but the guy’s next words froze him in place. “You’ve run into some paranormal stuff, right?”

“How’d you know?” The man’s eyes widened, his voice thick with suspicion.

The robed guy smirked, his stare cutting like a knife. “I can see it—you’re wrapped in bad vibes. A vengeful spirit’s got its claws in you, yeah?”

“You know what’s up with this ghost?” The man’s voice tightened, swallowing hard.

"Just a ghost, not a wraith," the robed guy scoffed "If it was a full-on wraith, you’d be toast already. Spill it—what happened? I don’t have all day."

The man felt a surge of dread—this world was full of things he didn’t understand, and this mysterious guy was making him more uneasy by the second. He hesitated, then spoke low. “A few years back, there was a murder on the old street by my house. A woman got killed by her husband. Nothing weird at the time, just another sad story. But a few days ago, things got… off. I kept hearing crying at night—thought it was the wind. Then I saw shadows, figured my eyes were playing tricks. But it’s gotten worse. A few nights ago, I saw a bleeding woman in my mirror. I know it sounds crazy, but it was her—the one from the news years ago. When I turned around, she was gone, just… some red wildflowers on the floor.”

The robed guy’s eyes narrowed, his smirk widening. “Wildflowers? That’s interesting. What else did she do?”

The man’s face paled, his voice shaking. “The crying’s every night now, getting closer. Yesterday, the lights started flickering on their own, and the door creaked like someone was pushing it. Me, my wife, and kids are holed up in a hotel—we’re too scared to go home!” He gripped his cross necklace, desperation creeping in. “Cops said I’m just stressed, seeing things. The priest gave me prayers and holy water—didn’t help. I came to this Gypsy lady for answers, but… I bet she can’t banish anything.”

The robed man nodded, speaking low. “I get it. A freshly formed wraith, type unknown, but weak. No big deal.” He held out his hand, tone casual. “A thousand bucks, and I’ll handle it.”

“You can really fix this?” The man asked, skeptical. The price was fair if it worked, but he wasn’t buying it from this sketchy guy.

“Pay after it’s done, cash only,” the robed man smirked. “Get it ready soon.”

“Can you come check it out now?”

“Hmph, a puny thing like that doesn’t deserve my time,” the robed man said.

“Then what do I do?”

The robed man glanced at him. “I’ll send someone to sort it. Leave your address and phone.”

“Okay… please hurry.” The man fumbled for paper and pen, scribbling quickly. “My wife and I haven’t slept in days because of this. Thanks!”

“It’ll be taken care of tonight. Wait at your front door,” the robed man took the note, his lips curling. With a turn, he vanished into thin air. The man froze, back chilling, the amulet feeling heavier in his hand.

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Calvin had been stressing about when that hooded guy would contact him. Suddenly, a tap-tap at his window, and there it was: a letter and a card with a magic circle drawn on it, sitting on his table.

‘Get to this location by 10 PM tonight. Exorcism. Burn the card when you arrive—don’t do it at home, buy matches. $300 after.’

What the heck? Just like that, I’m on ghost-busting duty? The spot’s far—a full hour bus ride. And what’s with this magic circle card?

Calvin scratched his head. He knew his powers were limited—barely moving small stuff like forks or spoons—but this was his only lead into the mystery world. The problem was… fighting a ghost with that? No way.

He was banking on the mystery card. Calvin flipped it over a few times, no clues, then pocketed it. He grabbed his bag, snagged a BBQ lighter from the kitchen cabinet instead of matches, and headed for the bus stop…

An hour and twenty minutes later, Calvin followed Google Maps to the spot. A middle-aged guy was standing at the door, waiting.

“You the homeowner?” Calvin asked.

The man nodded. “Yeah, who are you?”

“I’m here to deal with the ghost,” Calvin said.

“You?” The man blinked, sizing up the 17-year-old. “You kidding? A teen?”

“I know, weird, right?” Calvin shrugged.

The man shook his head. “No, no… I don’t have that guy’s number. He didn’t leave it…”

“Maybe let me give it a shot first,” Calvin said, a bit annoyed. He wasn’t sure he could do it either, but the guy dismissing him like that pissed him off.

“How are you gonna do it?” the man asked, skeptical.

“Take me inside,” Calvin said. “But before we go in, I gotta do something.”

He pulled out the card and lit it with the BBQ lighter, watching it burn.

“What are you doing?” the man asked.

“Okay, let’s go in,” Calvin said. He had no clue what that did, but he was nervous as heck, trying to play it cool.

The house looked normal. Once the door opened, the homeowner balked at going in, but Calvin glanced around—no weird vibes. He turned back. “So, sir, where’s this ghost? Or where do you usually see it?”

“Usually at night, could be living room or bedrooms. It’s not even seven yet, so I don’t know if it’ll show, or if we gotta wait.”

“Hmm…” Calvin didn’t want to hang around forever just for a ghost sighting. “Is the ghost dangerous?”

“Didn’t that guy tell you? He said it’s just a wraith—won’t kill you, but it’s creepy.”

“Really?” Calvin had never heard of ghost levels before. “If it’s not deadly, come on in. Can’t have me waiting inside while you chill out here.”

“Fine,” the man grumbled, stepping in reluctantly.

Under the man’s lead, Calvin checked the bathroom, master bedroom, and kids’ rooms. Nothing off—just regular rooms, with the silence of dusk creeping in.

“It’s getting dark—should be showtime, right?” Calvin stared out the window at the dim street. He hadn’t felt any change from burning the magic card, and it was making him uneasy.

“No idea,” the man shrugged, sounding hopeful. “Maybe the ghost’s out tonight? We stayed at a hotel last night—could’ve skipped us.”

“Uh… nothing weird?” Calvin asked, kinda bored.

“Fingers crossed… Ah!” The man suddenly yelped.

“What’s up?” Calvin spun around.

“There! A pair of women’s high heels!” The man pointed at the living room corner, voice shaking. A bright red pair of heels sat by the wall, toes facing out, like they’d been placed there on purpose.

“That’s not my wife’s. That must be the ghost’s…”

“Do you see anything else?” Calvin asked.

“Nothing else! Just the shoes, but that’s creepy enough!” The man said, his voice edgy with unease.

To Calvin, it wasn’t just shoes. They were wrapped in a blueish mist, like ghostly shadows swirling around. He swallowed hard, heart pounding. “Is this from burning that magic card? I can see this stuff now?”

Testing it, Calvin reached out with his mind. The heels slowly floated up, hovering in midair.

“Ah!” The man backed up in shock.

“Relax, it’s me doing it,” Calvin said calmly, staring at the shoes.

“You… you did that?” The man’s eyes widened, stunned. “You’ve got powers? You can really get rid of ghosts?”

The man realized he’d underestimated this kid. Calvin ignored him, focused on the floating heels. The blue mist seeped from them, flowing like it was alive.

The heels gleamed red under the light, almost like they were dripping blood.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

The room plunged into darkness, making both jump.

“You sure this ghost doesn’t kill people?” Calvin whispered.

“I didn’t say that! The robed guy did!” The man panicked. “I don’t know about this stuff!”

“Maybe we should bail,” Calvin suggested.

Just then, the lights flicked back on. Both froze—the curtains were gone, and the heels Calvin had been controlling were missing too.

Heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway—_thump, thump, thump_. They stopped.

A figure made of curtains appeared at the end of the hall. The fabric twisted into legs, slipped into the red heels, with crude arms dangling from the sides. The right arm gripped a kitchen knife, blade glinting in the light.

“You positive this ghost doesn’t kill?” Calvin stared at the monster, his mouth dry.

“I… I don’t know!” The man whimpered, face pale.

The curtain monster stepped forward, charging at them.

“Run!” Calvin yelled. The man spun, stumbling toward the upstairs bedroom door. He twisted the handle—locked!

Thump thump thump! The monster stomped up the stairs, the sound pounding in their ears.

The man yanked desperately. “It won’t open! We’re done!”

Calvin clenched his fists, eyeing the monster. The curtains seemed normal, but the heels were still oozing blue mist, like they were alive.

Maybe the heels are the real deal? The thought hit Calvin, heart racing.

The monster hit the top step, knife raised high, closing in on them.