Spirit Vibe Inc. Chronicles

Randy stayed behind to finish the roofing job on the old school, having sent his crew home about an hour ago along with most of the faculty. Finally done, he stood and stretched, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his arm. That's when he spotted her.His son's girlfriend was racing toward the school, her tight curly hair bouncing with each step. This was his chance to catch that pervert and get proof for his son. Randy wasn't trying to hurt his boy—just the opposite. He needed to protect him by exposing this scumbag for who he really was. With evidence, he could stop him from preying on young girls. A man like that had no business in education.Randy stowed his tools carefully before climbing down the ladder. After grabbing his camera from his truck, he entered the school, which seemed unnaturally dark despite the bright sunshine outside. The building felt cold and unwelcoming.The deeper he ventured, the darker and colder it grew until he couldn't take it anymore. Randy pull

"Hey new-girl, wait up!"I kept walking even as I recognized Daniel's voice. He caught up anyway, turning me to face him."Why... didn't... you wait?" he asked between breaths."Because I didn't feel like it," I answered, crossing my arms and looking up at him—he had to be at least a foot taller than me—with my best bored expression."Hey, sorry about the bus. Bobby's just an ass," Daniel said."Hmm... I couldn't tell," I replied, sarcasm dripping from every word.Daniel smiled. "By the way, I'm Daniel Barns," he said, holding out his hand.I stared at his outstretched hand, mentally repeating: Don't befriend the hot guy. Don't befriend the hot guy."Don't waste your time trying to befriend me," I finally said. "I won't be here long enough for it to matter." I turned and continued walking toward the school.He matched my pace effortlessly. "How long are you staying?"Any other time, I would've told him to get lost, but something made me answer. "Four to six months, probably.""That's

I slumped against the gym wall, waiting for Daniel to show up for our ghost tour. After a few minutes, a pink wannabe Barbie doll strutted over to me. Just what I needed."Stay away from Daniel or you'll regret it," Nancy warned, eyes flashing, fists clenched at her sides."Don't you have a boyfriend? Wonder what he'd think about your little crush on his friend," I shot back."You wouldn't dare," she shrieked, knuckles whitening."Try me. Keep threatening me and find out. I don't do well with threats," I said, staring her down despite my height disadvantage."You don't deserve him," Nancy muttered, her fists loosening slightly."Neither do you. You're not even his type," I fired back. Her face flushed red and those fists balled up again."How would you know what his type is?" she hissed, stepping forward. Daniel appeared behind her, silent and watching."Because he told me you weren't it," I replied. Daniel's presence made me feel safe—maybe even bold."Liar," she spat. "He loves me.

Once we were safely outside and had walked a few blocks in silence away from the school, I was the first to break the silence, again. I always seem to be the one doing that."What is it that nearly got you killed Bobby?" I asked. "Or, what exactly can you do?""First off, I can do magic. Secondly, I can perform a spell that lets me speak with the dead," Bobby said, his voice dropping. "The last time I tried it, I went so deep into the darkness that I almost didn't come back. Annabella had Daniel break the circle I'd made. He severed the connection to the spell. All I really remember is falling through endless darkness." He shuddered visibly."Wow," I breathed, my mind reeling."Yeah," Bobby exhaled. Then he suddenly clapped his hands together. "Well, I've had enough excitement for one day. Later, lovebirds!" He bounded off laughing."Is he always like that?" I asked, watching him disappear around the corner."Pretty much. Whenever things get too heavy, he cracks a joke and runs," Dani

I noticed Bert's car was gone as we pulled up. I bolted into the house with Daniel right behind me. Mom was slumped at the kitchen table, head buried in her arms."Mom," I called softly.She looked up, and my stomach dropped. A dark purple bruise bloomed around her left eye, marring her beautiful face. Guilt and rage crashed through me simultaneously—guilt that this was my fault, rage at what Bert had done."Oh, thank God he didn't hurt you," she sighed with relief, standing to hug me."Mom, I'm so sorry. What did he do to you?" I asked, guiding her back to the chair."Nothing," she mumbled, not meeting my eyes."Nothing?" I half-shouted. "You've got a black eye! That's not nothing. I'm making tea, and you're telling me exactly what happened."I went to the sink and splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm down. I was about to fill the kettle when I felt a hand on my shoulder."I'll handle the tea," Daniel said quietly. "Go talk to your mom."I looked up at his concerned face. "