Ghosted by Accident 5
Chapter 5: Shadows of Doubt
Jake's curiosity about Calm Horizons continued to gnaw at him, even as he tried to focus on his daily life. He found himself increasingly drawn to the idea that there was something more to the company than simple emotional support.
The following week, he returned to Mrs. Turner's house for a follow-up visit. He was determined to find a logical explanation for the disturbances, but a part of him was starting to wonder if there was something more to the strange occurrences.
---
As Jake approached the Turner home, he couldn't shake the feeling that the atmosphere around the house was colder than usual. The sun had just set, casting long shadows across the yard. He knocked on the door, and Mrs. Turner greeted him with a look of both relief and anxiety.
"Thank you for coming back," Mrs. Turner said, ushering him inside. "Things have gotten worse since you were last here."
Jake followed her into the living room, where the family was gathered. The room felt unusually chilly, despite the warmth of the day. The children—two girls, aged 8 and 10—sat huddled on the couch, their eyes wide with fear.
Mrs. Turner began to explain the recent developments: "Last night, the noises were louder, and we saw something in the hallway. It was like a shadow moving, but it wasn't any of us."
Jake tried to maintain his professional demeanor. "Okay, let's see if we can figure out what's causing these disturbances. I'll look around and try to find any potential sources for the noises."
He started his investigation by checking the attic, where the family reported hearing the most noise. The space was cluttered with old boxes and dusty furniture. As Jake moved around, he noticed nothing unusual—just the expected creaks and groans of an old house.
Yet, as he descended the attic stairs, the cold draft seemed to follow him. He felt a chill that wasn't just from the temperature but from something more inexplicable. He tried to rationalize it as a draft from a loose window or a poorly insulated wall, but the feeling of unease was persistent.
Back downstairs, Jake noticed the shadowy areas that Mrs. Turner had mentioned. The hallway lights flickered intermittently, casting erratic shadows. The house's old wiring might explain the flickering, but the shadows seemed oddly distinct, like they were moving on their own.
He returned to the living room, where Mrs. Turner and her daughters awaited anxiously.
"I've checked the attic and the rest of the house," Jake said, trying to sound reassuring. "It's possible that the noises could be due to old piping or drafts. I'll have a professional come in to inspect the house thoroughly."
Mrs. Turner's eyes showed a flicker of hope. "Thank you, Jake. We just want to feel safe again."
---
Later that evening, Jake went back to Calm Horizons. He hoped to discuss the case with Winchester, but the office was once again unusually quiet. Jake spotted Beth at the front desk and approached her.
"Hey, Beth," Jake said. "Is Winchester around? I'd like to talk to him about the Turner case."
Beth looked up, a bit surprised. "Actually, he's out on a case right now. He should be back later tonight."
Jake sighed, feeling a bit disappointed. "Alright, thanks. I'll just wait around then."
As Jake waited, he noticed a door marked "Private" in the hallway—a door he hadn't paid much attention to before. Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to investigate. He walked down the hall and carefully tried the handle. To his surprise, the door was unlocked.
Inside was a small room filled with filing cabinets and boxes of papers. The walls were lined with old photos and documents, many of which had strange symbols and handwritten notes. Jake's heart raced as he glanced through some of the files. The documents were filled with reports of strange occurrences, eerie photographs, and descriptions of various cases that seemed to go beyond simple counseling.
He was startled when he heard footsteps approaching. Panicking, Jake quickly closed the door and hurried back to the front desk, hoping he hadn't been seen. As he reached the lobby, Winchester appeared, looking serious.
"Jake," Winchester said, his gaze sharp. "I'm glad I caught you before you left. How did the Turner case go?"
Jake tried to mask his unease. "It's... still ongoing. I've suggested they have a professional check the house for any physical issues."
Winchester nodded. "Good. Sometimes, what seems like paranormal activity can be traced back to simple, explainable causes. But sometimes, it's not that simple."
Jake studied Winchester's expression. "Yeah, I guess. I just wish I could find a clear explanation for what's happening."
Winchester's eyes seemed to evaluate Jake for a moment before he said, "We all wish for that. Just keep doing your best, and remember, not everything is as it seems."
---
Jake returned to his dorm that night, his mind racing with the details of the case and the strange room he had discovered at Calm Horizons. He had learned more than he had intended, but now he was more determined than ever to uncover the truth about the company.
As he lay in bed, the shadows in his room seemed to move with an unsettling familiarity. He wondered if he was starting to see ghosts where none existed or if there was something genuinely sinister about the cases he was dealing with.
But whatever the truth, Jake knew one thing for certain: his job at *Calm Horizons* was about to get a lot more complicated.