to come in, but I guessed I’d been wrong. My anxiety increased and I held my breath waiting for someone to answer.
“There are two people here,” I whispered to Cooper as we waited. “They don’t want to leave the home.”
After all this time, I still had nervousness and apprehension when confronting new spirits. I never knew what they’d do or say. Would they attack me or be a sweet potato like Elvis? It just never got any easier. Zach Duncan had been my mentor before he’d retired. He taught me everything I knew about demons and my spiritual talent. I’d been going on paranormal investigations for over three years since. I’d never imagined that one of those investigations would be in front of a camera crew.
The memories of the demon I’d encountered as a teenager flashed through my mind and left me on edge. Maybe the stress had finally taken its emotional toll on me. I attracted paranormal activity like a bug-zapper attracted mosquitoes. But I wouldn’t let it stop me. I had a deep-rooted need to find answers to the unknown.
Cooper could deny his apprehension all he wanted, but based on the fidgeting, I’d say he was a little nervous, unless he had to go to the bathroom, really, really bad. So much for being Mr. Tough-Guy.
With Cooper standing so close, I glanced over at him. He smiled half-heartedly, then gestured for me to knock again and puffed out his muscular chest. He wouldn’t be such a brave macho guy once he got a load of this demon. Why men always needed to prove themselves, I’d never know.
The cameraman exhaled on the back of my neck. I wanted to ask him if it was really necessary to stand that close, but refrained. The last thing I needed was to look like an ass on TV, although that was probably unavoidable. At some point in this process, I knew I’d make a fool of myself.
Just when I thought no one would answer, the door creaked open and a petite brunette stood in front of us. She glanced from me to Cooper. It looked as if she hadn’t sleep for days with the dark rings under her eyes and the mussed hair.
“Ms.—”
“Ms. Blake?” I interrupted.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Hi, I’m Larue Donavan and this is Cooper Garrett.” I gestured toward my fellow medium. “We’re with Chasing Demons.” That sounded completely strange as if I was in a dream. Was I really going to be on TV? I glanced over my shoulder and saw the big camera in my face, which answered my question.
“Please come in. Thanks for coming. Call me Jennie.” She tucked a loose strand of chestnut-colored hair behind her ear and let out a deep breath.
This was it. The reality sank in. I was on TV. The cameraman was in fact taping every word I said. Every move I made would be scrutinized. By whom, I had no idea, but scrutinized, nonetheless. The public could be brutal. I hoped I didn’t embarrass my family. Cooper probably looked like a million bucks on camera. Darn him.
Cooper stuck out his hand toward Ms. Blake. “Nice to meet you, Jennie. Thank you for having us in your home.” He flashed his million-watt smile.
I was sure the camera was getting his good side and my bad side. Not that I was sure I even had a good side. Why couldn’t my face be perfect like Mr. Male Model next to me?
Jennie led us into the living room. The room was full of new furniture, but with everyone from the show crowded into the space, it was a tight fit. The whole area was cold and uncomfortable in spite of the calming décor. A sleek gray sofa was placed against the right side of the room with splashes of fuchsia from the toss pillows and a vase of deep pink gerbera daisies on the coffee table.
“Can you tell us what made you call us to your home?” I asked as I glanced around the room.
She looked down for a second, then finally met our gaze. “I’m terrified of the strange things going on in the house. Everyone who comes into the house is being affected.”
As I stood there, a flash went through my mind. In my vision there was a dark room and in the corner a young girl sat on the floor rocking back and forth. I had no idea what it meant though. Jennie was still talking, but my mind had tuned her out