Paranormal Agency BOOK 2 : THE FUNERAL HOME.

It was late in the evening. Joshua Hunter and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Kraigs, had spent the afternoon having lunch with Alison McCarthy and were now sitting silently on their couch in front of the television.

Awkward.

The air was tense. Both of them were miserable and they knew it. They were both guilty of putting on a happy face in front of others, but lately, when it was just the two of them alone, they could hardly stand to be around each other.

“It was great seeing Alison again,” Elizabeth commented, her voice lacking enthusiasm.

“Yeah. It was.”

“I bet you were happy,” Elizabeth continued. She turned her attention from the television to his face. “Well, were you? Were you happy to see her, Josh?”

Josh sighed out loud. He and Elizabeth had been having problems in their relationship lately. They disagreed on everything and argued constantly. It was driving him crazy.

When they had first started dating, he had never felt more in love. Being with Elizabeth had been the happiest time in his life. But now… things were different. Ever since he had met Alison, he had felt confused and uncertain about his life with Elizabeth. He was attracted to Alison, and it was no secret to Elizabeth that he was attracted to the paranormal specialist. “It wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“You do realize seeing her is optional,” Elizabeth snapped. “Right?”

“She’s our friend.”

“No, she’s your friend. Actually, she was supposed to be Emily’s exorcist. That’s all. And look how great that turned out. So, why are you still talking to that woman?”

Josh felt his breath catch in his chest. His eyes narrowed angrily. Emily Burt was his younger sister. She had died a few weeks earlier. The police had found her dead in her house. She had hung herself. Before she had died, she had ranted and raved about being stalked by a poltergeist, and told stories of a little girl no one else could see that she called her daughter. Josh had hired Alison to investigate the phenomenon, convinced an expert would be able to put Emily’s fears to rest and convince her that she was not being haunted. “You’d bring Emily into this?”

“Well, it’s true. Isn’t it? If it wasn’t for Alison’s stupid ‘help’, Emily might not have killed herself.”

“I’m leaving.” He couldn’t take it anymore. He couldn’t listen to this bullshit anymore. Josh stood up, trying to control his anger. His crushed his eyes shut, realizing that his hands were shaking at his sides. His mind flashed back to the moment he had found out that his little sister was dead, and all at once, everything in his head hurt. His chest was aching with grief.

“Josh, where are you going?” Elizabeth snapped.

“Out.” He grabbed a red hoodie and threw it on over the white t-shirt he was wearing.

“Josh, come back. I’m sorry I brought up Emily.”

Ignoring her, Josh left the house, the door slamming shut behind him. He let out a breath of air, fresh tears falling down his face as a light evening breeze caressed his damp cheeks. He missed her so much. Poor Emily. He went to his car and climbed into the driver’s seat. He decided to go visit Emily at the cemetery. After stopping for some Lilies on the way, he drove to the cemetery Emily was buried at and got out of the car. Lilies were her favorite flower. Had been ever since she was a kid. He never forgot that.

Carrying the flowers in his hands, Josh approached Emily’s grave. He kneeled down, setting the flowers beside the tombstone with his sister’s name on it. He bowed his head in prayer and closed his eyes, his hands pressing together in front of him. “Oh God,” he whispered to himself. “Please protect my sister in heaven.” He opened his eyes, looking up at the sky. “I hope you’re happy Emily. Wherever you are. I hope you’re doing okay. Your big brother loves you very much and he always will.”