Ghost Tale - Part 02

 

As the others file into the house, Kado pulls Tanner aside.

"Thanks for taking such good care of things here, Tanner. There are a lot of moving parts and the trouble...in the cellar...was a lot. Now all of this." He smiles warmly, their history together a long one.

"Ya mean takin' care of yer coat? Not a problem, though I still think it looks better on me." She winks and smiles.

Kado looks at the coat and laughs. The agreement to not talk about the past dealings is clearly still in effect. "You know what I mean."

"Aye. Well...if it weren't for you hookin' me up with Olivia...well...I'd be in a different space right now, yeah?" She smirks.

Kado nods. "Well...should we go deal with this ghost? If that's what it truly is."

_____

A general feeling of unbalance fills the space. The new energy of the new folks mixed with the holiday absence of Kim, Jinny, and Min throws the balance of the house off for Olivia.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you all. I wish it was under different circumstances." Kado smiles.

Hiroto grins. "This isn't our first time doing this. Hopefully it goes easily. This key is the only variant." Her accent is slight and adds a hint of elegance to her words.

"It would be lovely to roll into the holiday...without her around." Claire smiles, but a large bang on the flooring wipes the smile from her face. She shouts, "SENDING YOU TO A BETTER PLACE THAN THE BASEMENT! Jeez...we're just trying to help!"

"Let's not stir her up too much." Olivia whispers.

Tanner takes in the scene and remains at the ready.

"I'll be right down," Cindy calls from upstairs as Tanner places the bundle on the table.

Kado says, "Hiroto deals with spirits of this nature. Lost souls."

Hiroto starts chanting something over the bundle after lighting some incense.

Cindy comes down the stairs and sees Kado looming larger than life. Something fills her mind. Something familiar. When she hears his voice, it's all clear to her.

"Hello, I'm Kado Durrant." He smiles and takes her hand.

"Cindy...Slater." She smiles. Her crystal ball man. "A pleasure to meet you...in person." She narrows her eyes. "Maybe we could chat later?"

Hiroto clears her throat. "I'm ready whenever you are, Kado."

Tanner huffs out a small laugh.

"Let's begin."

They all circle the bundle.

The group focuses on the bundle as Kado directs them.

Hiroto focuses and whispers, "We're here to help you move on. We're here to help."

Kado unwraps the bundle carefully. He places the key on the table and binds it with the chain they've brought. He places the cross on the table for good measure seeing as it seemed to help.

Cindy has a flash of concern for Kim's family cross, but tries to let it go.

Hiroto continues her chanting and whispering in Japanese. The words seem to flow from her as if she's done this many times before.

Kado hands Cindy an old looking...weapon? "Cindy, the ghost has a strong connection to you. I think we should have you do the next part."

Kado explains, "This will break the spell of the key and the holds it has. The binding will release our friend in the basement...and we can help her move on."

Hiroto continues her chanting.

Kado continues. "Just touch the end of the Shanto to the key."

Cindy touches her necklace, then touches the end of the Shanto to the key. She watches as a soft glow surrounds the key.

Hiroto chants louder and with passion. The words become faster and more charged.

The group watches and the key starts to rattle and the light changes and becomes more intense. The key cracks and the light fades.

Suddenly, the ghost girl appears behind Hiroto and clutches her neck. "That's enough of THAT sh!t!"

Hiroto goes quiet and still as the ghost grips her neck. She knows now that she's made a huge mistake. This is not the entity she felt. This is something far more vile.