Page 93 of Haunted Hearts

“Wish you had told me that small detail,” Kai says.

“Did you? You idiot.” Alok smiles, slapping Kai’s shoulder, and then he laughs.

“Are you saying you can possess Jack without taking him over?” I ask, trying to get back to the subject.

“Yep,” Alok says, putting his hands behind his head as he attempts to stretch out.

I look over to Jack. “That work for you?”

He sighs, hanging his head.

“Doesn’t really feel like I have a choice in the matter.” Then he stares out the window, avoiding eye contact.

“Unless you have a better option, not really.”

“All right.” Alok slaps his hands together. “We’re gonna do what’s called a parasitic possession. You still have your consciousness, and your body. I’ll just be tucked into the back of your mind. Questions? Concerns?”

“Many. Let’s just get this over with.” Jack leans back as he stares at the roof of the truck.

I glance in the rearview to look back at Alok; he smiles before he fades into a swirl of smoke, surrounding Jack’s body and seeming to seep into his skin.

Chills run down my arms. Fuck, that’s creepy.

My eyes fight between watching the road and looking at Jack, his body frozen as his eyes seem to roll into the back of his head.

“Jack?” My hand moves to his arm as I tug at his shirt.

“Hey! Are you okay?” My heart begins to race and I slow down to pull over when his head shoots up and he gasps. I jump in my seat.

“Fuck! Are you okay?” My hands clench his shirt.

“Yeah, I feel okay actually.” He stares at his own hands.

“You’re still you, right?” My voice is apprehensive as I see the entrance to the airport.

I switch my blinker on, turning right at the massive gates.

“Yes, I’m me. Go around to the back; the pilot will be waiting for us near the runway.”

I follow Jack’s direction and soon we all three step out of the vehicle.

“I owe you one, Billy. Really appreciate you doing this,” Jack says, shaking Billy’s hand as he follows the man into the jet. Kai and I follow suit as we all walk up the steps into the plane.

I cross the threshold and my anxiety immediately comes to the surface. I’m already nervous as hell, I hate flying. Something about being in a giant metal container thousands of miles above the earth just doesn’t sit right with me. I scan my surroundings, trying to ground myself. It’s pretty nice—white curtains, tan seats spread out in pairs, and champagne sits in a chilled bucket near one of the windows. There even appears to be a TV.

“Damn, this is nice!” Jack says in awe.

“Make yourselves comfortable, my stewardess is very discreet, and we have a full stock if you need anything,” Billy states before going into the cockpit.

I go to place my bag in the compartment above the seats and the whispering begins again.

Not now.

I attempt to push it from my mind and sit down, my body relaxing into the chair as I buckle my seat belt.

“Hey, Blondie, can I get a whiskey?” Jack asks flirtatiously.

“Yes, of course, and would you other gentlemen like anything?” the stewardess asks.