My camera didn’t pick them up, except for a very quick light anomaly that appeared on the screen and flashed for less than half a second. But when I looked up from the screen of the camera, the distinct shadows of two children were bright grey to my eyes, even in the darkness. I grew still, Erin pausing behind me. He was long used to my habits and he picked up that I was getting a reading just from my body language.

The pros of working with someone who’d been with me so long. He knew to remain silent, still, and keep his mind as clear as possible.

Closing my eyes, I reached out mentally, holding the camera in my right hand steadily out of long practice. When we’d first started this show, I’d often forget myself in my reading, letting my hand lower automatically. But after thirty hours of practice over the course of the first two seasons, I’d learned to keep my camera screen up.

Sometimes it was the small victories in life that helped you stay positive.

Back to the children!

Forcing my mind to stop it’s wandering, I returned my focus to the two spirits in fro—No, there was three. A woman, younger than twenty-five or so, as well as two children younger than ten, though I couldn’t get an exact read on their ages.

“Hello,” I cleared my throat, keeping my voice carefully calm. "My name is Jay, and this is my friend Erin. I do not wish you any harm, I wish only to talk with you. Would you be willing to come closer so I can hear your names? Uh, you as well, Miss," I quickly added, realizing not fully addressing her might be seen as rude. 

The quiet sound of a woman's voice was audible to our ears, but Erin kept his excited reaction in tight control. His camera remained trained on my face, which I in turn only flinched slightly at hearing the woman speak. "I apologize, I wasn't able to quite make that out-"

The woman's spirit grew brighter and clearer, startling me as she drew closer. The two grey shadows of children remained where they were, but the woman was light a soft creme color in the darkness. Her voice was clearer to me, much more distinguishable. Whether our audio would be able to pick it up later would just depend on luck. But that wasn't what kept my attention. It was instead her intense words.

"Sir, you shouldn't be here. Oh, why couldn't you Living have waited a few days? You don't know...You don't know what that vile creature turned him into. Addy doesn't realize either. But I do...We'll never be safe again."

My mind was blown away by this. How long had it been since I'd come to a place with a spirit strong enough for me to make out so much of their words? In fact, that I could fully hear and process those words was deeply intriguing. Normally, it was more like analyzing and digesting the emotions and intentions behind the spirits, as most didn't have the strength to speak full sentences to me very often. Swallowing, I turned my head slightly to glance at Erin over my shoulder. I couldn't see his face clearly, only parts of it brighten from the shadows by the light of his camera screen. 

"She...she says we shouldn't be here," I cleared my throat, forcing my voice to come out steadier. 

The fear and apprehension I'd experienced outside the house were quickly returning. But by this point, the investigation had begun and nothing was going to stop West from doing this. Not considering he'd been waiting since a month after the Hemming House Murder had taken place. With the scale of violence that had taken place in the house, anyone who knew anything about the paranormal would be able to guess this place would become haunted. Waiting for three years had been the longest West had ever had to wait for approval on a location and the man wasn't very patient, put nicely.

Erin let out a nervous chuckle. "Everyone seems to be saying that tonight, huh?"

Turning back to the spirit, I wasn't surprised to no longer see her. I'd felt all three of them fade away a few seconds after I had turned to speak to Erin. "...Yeah," I agreed quietly. Continuing forward, shaking off the gooseflesh rising along my arms, I started toward the children's room.

But as I started to pass by the third-floor staircase, a presence made me pause. Turning my camera and head up the stairs, I stayed quiet.

...I was almost sure...Yes, it was very faint, but—

"We're going up to the attic," I broke the silence abruptly.

Erin made a confused noise behind me. "If you say so. I thought you wanted to try and make contact with the children though."

"Plans change," I replied, not glancing back as I started up the stairs.

Something was drawing me higher, further and further from the dark presence below. Away from the innocence and concern of the spirits on this floor.

No...It was a bizarre twisting of melancholy and fear that drew me closer. I wasn't sure, but I had a good idea who this might be. If it was...My curiosity spiked as I climbed closer and closer to the attic.

Would I meet the infamous Adria?