Grave Obsession / Chapter 5

Chapter 5
Small Talk

Bryn handed Michael a steaming cup of hot tea, “This should help get the chill out of our bones.” She cradled her own tea between her frigid hands and soaked up the warmth. While Michael sat on the couch, Bryn nestled herself in the rocker recliner and wrapped her favorite blue fleece blanket around her lower body. “Looks like it's going to be a cold one tonight,” she said trying to make small talk, although she knew ignoring the pink elephant in the room wasn't going to make it go away.

Michael sat his tea down and turned toward Bryn, “I don't think you should be involved in this anymore. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to you.”

Bryn was startled and confused by Michael's words. His concern touched her to her very core, but there was no way that she could let him deal with this on his own. He had always been there when she needed him. She remembered how crushed she was when her date bailed on her two hours before junior prom. Michael showed up on her door-step wearing his Sunday button down, Levi's, and a pair of dusty old cowboy boots. In his hands, he held a single white rose. He wiped the tear-streaked mascara from her cheeks, and escorted her to the prom that night.

Michael was her anchor when life turned into an angry sea, threatening to drown her. She couldn't imagine abandoning him when he needed her the most. There was a bond between them that could never be broken. “No, Michael,” she said shaking her head . “We are in this together whether you like it or not.”

Michael blew out a frustrated sigh, “Bryn, this is not your battle to fight. You heard what Mrs. Morales said. No one can help me, and something about the wrath of the witch, although I'm not sure what that means. It can't be good though.”

Bryn crossed and positioned herself beside him, then placed her hands on either side of his face, “I'm in this one hundred percent. We are stronger together than apart. I don't care about all that mumbo-jumbo Mrs. Morales was spewing.” She took a deep breath before continuing, “Yeah, I'm scared, but not for myself. I'm scared for you, Michael.”

Michael's heart swelled with Bryn's pronounced devotion. He had no words to express what he felt at that moment. He simply pulled her into a warm embrace and brushed his lips across the top of her blond head. He just hoped that she really understood what she was getting into.

Several minutes had passed before Michael finally let his arms slide from Bryn. “Well, it looks like we are back at square one. I don't think we will be getting any help from your neighbor.”

“Not exactly. We know more now than we did before talking to Mrs. Morales. She said that Lila was a witch. You had no idea, did you?”

“No,” he simply stated. He had no idea.

“You never seen her do anything weird, or seen anything strange at her apartment?”

Michael furrowed his brow and tried to think, but came up empty. “No, never.”

Bryn sighed, “You really didn't know much about her did you?”

Michael didn't answer, he didn't need to. Lila's life before coming to Memphis was a mystery to both Michael and Bryn. Neither knew anything about witchcraft or ghosts. One thing was clear to Bryn-- they were on borrowed time. Things would only get worse from here out.

“I think we need to find out more about Lila's past. The more we know about her, the better our chances will be of getting rid of her.”

Michael gave a grunt in agreement, “What are you thinking, Bryn?”

Bryn flashed a toothy grin, “Get packed, Cowboy. We are going to Louisiana.”