He nodded and took out a notepad. “Could you tell me in your words what happened?”
I gave him my version but left off the part of knowing who the person was that carried me off.
Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “So, you didn’t get a good look at the person at all? Didn’t notice what he was wearing or what he even smelled like?”
Come to think of it, Ethan had smelled like butterscotch.
I rubbed my arm. “To tell you the truth, I was so scared that I didn’t notice much of anything. I do know that he was as fast as the wind.”
Duncan nodded. “He was quick. He shoved me to the ground, twice, and I didn’t see him either; just a blur of movement.”
Sheriff Caleb put away the notes he was taking and smiled wryly. “You realize how this sounds, don’t you?”
Nathan nodded. “Crazy, I know.”
“I know, show him the video,” said Duncan.
“Oh, yeah,” replied Nathan, grabbing the tape from the fireplace mantel. “We taped this yesterday after someone destroyed all the video surveillance equipment. They apparently missed this one.”
We all watched the video in silence, and when it was over, Caleb let out a long sigh.
Nathan folded his arms across his chest. “Even crazier, huh?”
He nodded. “I don’t really know what to say about it, actually. It doesn’t really make a lot of sense.”
I cleared my throat. “What should we do?”
Caleb ran a hand over his face. “Let me take this tape and I’ll show some friends who specialize in paranormal research.”
Nathan’s jaw dropped. “So you think it might be a poltergeist, too?”
He shrugged. “Even I have to admit; it’s some kind of strange phenomenon. I just have no experience with this type of thing.”
“Okay, yeah take it. Let us know what you find out,” said Nathan, giving him the tape.
Caleb stood up and started walking towards the door.
“What about Nikki?” asked Duncan. “How are we supposed to protect her against whatever this thing is?”
Caleb turned back and looked at us. “Don’t go anywhere alone, keep your doors locked, and don’t invite any strangers in.”
Chapter Sixteen
Nathan and Duncan slept on my bedroom floor that night, just in case the “specter” came back to harass me. When I woke up, it was just after nine the next morning and I was alone. I went down to the kitchen.
“Where’s Duncan?” I asked.
As usual, Nathan was stuffing his face with food. “He had to work. He’s going to pick you up after your shift again tonight. I’ll get mom’s keys and drop you off at four.”
“Did you guys ever figure out what’s wrong with the Mustang?”
He nodded. “It’s the battery. I’m picking up a new one today.”
I yawned. “Where’s mom? Still sleeping?”
He nodded. “Yeah, she’s been doing a lot of that lately. I think she should quit drinking, she just can’t handle it.”
“I agree.”
Plus, she was our mom and really not making a good impression by getting so hammered.
Two hours later, mom was still sleeping so I decided to check up on her.
“Mom?” I called, knocking softly on her door.
“Yeah,” she mumbled. “Come in.”
She had the blinds pulled shut so I turned on the light.
“You, okay?” I asked her.
She smiled, lazily. “Yeah, just tired.”
I sat down next to her on the bed. “You know, you really need to cool it on the wine, mom. The sheriff is going to think you’re some kind of lush. You never usually drink like this.”
“I didn’t drink anything last night. At least, I don’t remember,” she said with a confused look.
“Oh, come on… mom, you were trashed. I had to help you to bed last night. You had to have been drinking.”
She rubbed a hand over her forehead. “I don’t even remember.”
I sighed and changed the subject. “So, did his daughter make dinner for you?”
“I… think so.”
My eyes widened. “You don’t sound so sure.”
She rubbed her forehead. “To tell you the truth, last night was a bit of a blur.”
“I know the feeling,” I said, staring towards her bedroom window. Last night almost felt like a dream. I couldn’t explain my reaction to Ethan or the way he’d whisked me through the darkness the way he did. It didn’t make a whole lot of sense.
“What?” she asked.
I turned back to her and smiled. “Nothing.”
She stood up. “I’ve got so much to do today. I start work on Monday and have more errands than I have hours to complete them.”