Shaney suppressed his laugh at the word ‘adults.’ And what’s with the ‘Mr. Mills’ crap? Probably taught to respect his elders. Shaney crossed his arms defiantly, jutting his chin forward, building a façade to mask the freak out sieging his insides. “So talk.”
Caleb sighed heavily, no doubt realizing this was as adult-like as Shaney would get. “Todd filled me in on what he told you before the unfortunate incident.”
Shaney snorted. “Is that what they call drugging and kidnapping someone these days?”
Caleb adjusted his skewed glasses. “Again, I apologize for having to resort to such barbaric measures. I’d feared you might react negatively to the news. It was of the utmost importance that you came here today. Todd did call me about the incident at the cabin, however, I’ve been monitoring the area for a while. A colleague of mine, who lives in Tupper Lake and part of the occult community, informed me of increased energy disturbances in the area as of late. Indeed, he was correct in his assumptions. After a concerted effort by several community members, we pinpointed the area to the cabin. Recognizing the disturbance as a danger, I crafted the ward. I believe you experienced it the first time you visited the cabin.”
An icky, creeping feeling grew from Shaney’s gut with the calm, serene demeanor Caleb continued to exhibit. Detached, analytical, almost removed. It’s always the quiet ones. Suddenly, Shaney wasn’t so sure who the serial killer was in the room.
“You did that?” Shaney whispered the words in partial awe and fear.
Caleb nodded smugly.
“Was it a onetime deal? Because the ward didn’t work the second time I went there.”
Caleb nodded again. “I am quite aware of that. What was unknown to me at the time, was after the first encounter with you, the ward was blocked and rendered ineffective. Whoever neutralized the ward had to be someone very powerful.”
“Probably the same idiot who happened to think drawing a fuck load of strange ass symbols in a cabin in the middle of nowhere was a good idea.” Shaney had already decided it was a sick joke on the owner of that cabin. A very time-consuming sick joke. Unfortunately, Shaney just happened to be the punch line.
Caleb seemed to ponder the statement. “I’m still investigating the person, or persons, responsible for crafting such a dangerous ritual. In the scientific community, this is a severe ethical violation and disregards the essential oath of those in occult practices to protect others from harm. The symbols in the cabin are extremely dangerous, which you have unfortunately experienced firsthand.”
Shaney jumped from the bed, fed-up to his eyeballs with this shit. “Listen, sparky. I know you think some unknown thing has taken up residence in my body, but I can assure you that the only one in here is me,” he said, waving his hand at his body. “No spirits, no demons, no aliens, or rogue energy patterns. So tell your Mack truck to back off so I can get out of here.”
Maybe pointing a finger at a ticking time bomb wasn’t the smartest thing to do. Maximus leaned over, raised his meaty hand, and, like a hammer of the gods, knocked Shaney in the shoulder. The painful blow to his already injured shoulder collapsed him with a thud onto the hard bed. He gritted his teeth and swallowed hard, blinking back the tears burning his eyes.
“Sit down and shut it, or I’ll shut it for you,” Maximus threatened.
Message received. Shaney slumped back, biting down any words that might try to escape.
“Thank you, Max,” Caleb said. Maximus nodded in satisfaction.
Shaney almost rolled his eyes, but his captors would definitely consider that rude. As if kidnapping didn’t make the rude list.
“Now that I have your complete attention. Let’s continue.” Clasping his hands behind his back, Caleb moved within the confines of the small space. “I understand your confusion about exactly what is happening to you. What Todd told you about our practices and beliefs is just the tip of a massive iceberg. I’ve been studying ancient cultures, the occult, and religions for well over ten years.”
Shaney’s eyebrows crept up his forehead. Did he start when he was two?
“Yes, Mr. Mills.” Caleb paused, a disturbingly genuine smile stretched across his face. “May I call you Shaney?”
Shaney only nodded, afraid to make a peep as Maximus continued his death glare from hell.
“Shaney,” Caleb said and nodded in approval. “My physical appearance contradicts my actual chronological age, but that is neither here nor there. The point is, I am a leading expert—whether recognized or not”—was that a hint of resentment?—“in the science of patterns and symbols used to harness the energy, which orders the universe, and creates life, and form.”