Prologue.
Sunny -April 2025.
“What’s up?”
“You owe me,” Levi stated, and I sighed.
My gut told me this would be a painful request; I almost didn’t want to ask. “What do you need?”
“Callie’s got a new series starting, and Madi is desperate to be on a live ghost hunt,” Levi said.
Amused, I laughed at the disgruntlement in Levi’s tone. Levi didn’t want to attend any investigation whatsoever.
“Yeah,” I confirmed, “Callie’s got several big places coming up. They start with a week-long investigation to longer.”
“Get Madi on one. You owe me, brother. I’ve got scars.” Levi laid the guilt trip on.
“Fuck me, I thought we were over this,” I retorted as Levi’s plan worked, and I felt as guilty as hell.
“Yeah, we are unless I need to blackmail you for my woman.” Levi grinned cheerfully.
“Fine. You and Madi will have to sign some paperwork and get your asses to Philadelphia.” Then I warned, “You’re going to be on TV, brother!”
“What? No, I wasn’t asking that,” Levi exclaimed.
“Dude, everything Callie and the GSI do is filmed for the TV series. Callie’s ranked top out of all ghost hunting shows. If you’re joining us, get ready, because you’re about to become famous!” I teased, and Levi groaned.
“See you soon,” Levi moaned.
“Yeah, pack for a week.”
“Fine! When do we need to be there?” Levi asked.
“Next Saturday, we start on Sunday and leave the following Monday. You can drive, but it might be quicker to fly.”
“I’ll book flights. Madi will flip over this! She’ll be so excited.”
“See you soon!” I said and grinned. Levi was going to get the shock of his life. The stories about the penitentiary were crazy, and I’d seen enough now that I knew the paranormal existed. Levi and Madi were about to get a crash course in it!
Chapter One.
Sunny – Sunday evening.
“Callie!” I yelled. My boots hit the ground hard as I raced down the narrow walkway. “I hope the fuck you’re getting this!”
Levi stomped behind me with Phil chasing him. Fear coursed through me in no small amount as we headed for the stairs. My boots pounded the metal under them as the doors of the cellblock we’d been setting up in slammed shut one after another.
I grabbed the edge of the wall at the top and, gripping it, swung around and jumped down several steps. I landed securely as ghostly laughter cackled in the distance and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
Levi shrieked—no other word for the noise he emitted and landed beside me. For a moment, we swapped terrified glances and moved as Phil caught us up.
“Fuck this!” Levi muttered clearly and raced down the stairs. Behind me, Phil squeaked as a loud bang came from the upper level we’d just left. The three of us were running from whateverhad awakened. And we seriously had no intention of hanging around.
“Here,” Callie’s voice said calmly over the radio. Blasted woman, did anything bother my old lady?
Rushing, I raced towards the central hub, where Callie had set up protection. As we entered, I felt a cold hand grab my neck, and I yelped. I stumbled as something grabbed my cut and I was violently shoved, straight over the salt circle that Callie insisted would protect us.
“Damn, that’s some activity!” Phil crowed, rubbing his hands together.
