Page 112 of Squad Ghouls

I lowered the Pulser fully. “I deserve an explanation. A damn good one.”

Owain nodded like a bobblehead and we made our way downstairs while Andrew continued to rage.

The rest of the gang were already present, Popty hiding in a shadowy corner like he was poking his forefingers together sheepishly. I wasn’t really too mad with him. It wasn’t like he could have told me with any series of pings that I would understand.

The rest though…

“So he knows,” Bronwyn said.

“And we didn’t even spill the beans,” Harri said smugly.

Larri nodded. “I told you we could be trusted.”

“What type of ghost is he?” I asked bluntly. “I assume you all know. He probably did the research himself.”

“Because of the circumstances of his death, he came back as a vengeful spirit,” Owain said sadly.

I sucked in a sharp breath. Vengeful spirits were no joke—their unfinished business was usually bloody.

“How did he die?”

“On the job.” Owain said. “His boss sent him into a dangerous situation unprepared, knowing it probably wouldn’t turn out well.”

“So he has it in for the boss? Wants revenge?”

“Very much so,” Bronwyn said.

“So why isn’t he roaming around all bloodthirsty all the time?”

“He’s been able to get some form of control over it. It’s also why he spends so much time alone. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone,” Owain said.

“But things clearly set off the rampage.”

“Specific things trigger it.”

“The only correlation both times has been me, which isn’t exactly comforting, love.”

“It’s not you,” Harri said, and got an elbow from Larri.

“What is it, then?”

“Andrew used to work for the ExorSquad.”

My mind spun.

twenty-one

Dead silence

Ryan

“Can you repeat that?” I asked. “Because I could have sworn you just said Andrew worked for ExorSquad!”

Owain smiled sadly, leaning his back against the wall next to Andrew’s door and sliding down until he was sitting on the floor. He looked so tired and dejected, and I hated every moment of it.

I held on to the anger I was feeling, and the fear that was still rushing through me, but I also wanted to hold him. I wanted to take away his worries and make everything easier. Andrew was his friend. Owain loved these ghosts like they were still living people.

And as I stood there, looking at the squad gathered around him, I realised that somewhere along the way, I’d started sharing those feelings.