The Grey Girl, The Van Tassel Murders

In what once had been a brightly painted room containing several moldy stuffed animals and toys, a figure sat motionless and cloaked in the middle of a pentagram circle. In the shadows, floating in a ghastly green haze, was the figure of a woman. The face was impossibly elongated. Black pools replaced the eyes, while the mouth hung open in a silent scream. Nothing moved save for the ripple of the woman’s shroud, although no breeze permeated the room. A distant thud from above brought a voice to the ever-open mouth. An unearthly howl erupted. The figure moved closer to the cloaked figure.

The hood fell free, revealing blonde ringlets. The childish face of Emily Van Tassel twisted in disgust. “She’s free,” Emily snarled, turning. Her face contorted in rage as she screamed at the apparition. “Bring me the Fox! I want this handled!” The apparition nodded and moaned in understanding as it faded into nothingness. Emily stormed around the playroom. Dust flew as toys were knocked from shelves. The bed smashed against the wall while the desk exploded into splinters. Razor-sharp talons shredded the mattress as Emily screamed out frustrated oaths of vengeance.

***

“I’ve waited too long,” Emily screeched. “This is what as I was promised!” She pointed accusingly at Alistair Fox, who wore a bemused expression.

“How did I get here?” he asked.

“I sent for you and you were brought. Simple as that,” she growled, the figure of the banshee slowly materializing behind her.

“Ah, so you had your pet bring me.” Alistair surveyed the room in disgust. “Had ourselves a little tantrum, I see.”

The form in front of him was no longer that of a little girl. “I grow weary of the delays,” the figure spat. Its long, bony fingers wrapped around his neck as he looked up into pitiless eyes. The face as large, wrinkled, and lacking any kindness. The nose was a beak-like hook, the lips large, gray, and cracked. The eyes were shiny black pools of hate. “I want that girl’s body.” Alistair’s feet left the floor, blood pounded in his ears as his lungs screamed for air. She drew him closer to the monstrous face. “You said you found something special. You said she had made the return to flesh.” She shook him, not noticing his fingers clawing at the back of her hand. “You said all I had to do was push out her spirit and I could inhabit her.” She flung him away into the detritus of the room. Coughing and gasping, he rolled bruised from the wreckage.

With an angry flip of his hand, Emily was pinned to the ceiling. “You forget who you are dealing with,” Fox shouted. “You would not even have this opportunity if not for me!” He waved again and Emily crashed against the wall, sending plaster chips scattering to lie with the rest of the destroyed room. Seeing her in trouble, her guardian moved to attack, but Fox’s other hand splayed, exploding the apparition into dust.

“That won’t keep him for long,” rasped Emily. She snapped her fingers. Alistair flew back several inches but was able to keep his footing. Emily drifted to the floor, landing silently. The two glared at each other. “This will help neither of us get what we want.” Emily’s shape returned to that of a little girl. “And matters are worse. Amelia has been freed.” She shook her head. “Your solution has become more of a problem than an answer.”

Keeping his guard up, Alistair spun toward the screeching horror bursting through the wall. Emily raised a hand and the apparition stopped. It floated slowly behind the girl, its presence emanating malice toward Alistair. “I have been working on the problem,” Alistair said. He returned the gaze with one of equal dislike. “We need to find where Henry hid her remains.” He began to pace. “If we cannot reconfigure her body, we can at least destroy her utterly.”

“You will find me a suitable vessel.” Emily spat, pointing accusingly. She moved to the window. Her small fingers tapped against the sill. “Unless you want me to take control of you.” She paused, keeping her back to him.

Alistair stared at her ringlets, bouncing as she spoke. God, how he hated those curls. He longed to strangle the annoying little creature.

Slowly, she half turned to him. “You will stay here until I have her body or she is destroyed.”

“You do not have the power to keep me here.” Fox laughed and walked toward the door. It did not open. He tried again. Magic flew against the old wood, but it showed no signs of his attack. He kicked at it, drove a shoulder, threw spells, all to no avail.

“I welcome your company.” Emily giggled in her little girl voice. The door clicked and swung open. “Why don’t you see if you can find our other guests?” She took the emaciated hand of the apparition and disappeared through the wall.

Alistair glared at the spot for several seconds. “Careful I don’t decide to destroy you,” he growled.

“I can assist in making that happen.”

Alistair jumped at the sound. Gazing all around, he finally looked down when he heard the clearing of a throat somewhere near his ankles.

“My name is Simon, and I believe we have business to discuss.”