Horror Short Story: THE CANINE POSSESSION

Hailey stood in front of the partially glassed back door with a mug in hand. She clasped it as she watched her dog, Druid, pace back and forth and then pause to watch the house. Hailey noticed Druid acting strange about a month after they moved into the Victorian home. At first, Druid would venture by himself to each room freely and lounge around, but now he follows either Hailey or her husband, Akio; even sitting outside of the bathroom if either one of them were inside.

“You’re watching Druid?” Akio asked, behind her.

Hailey almost dropped her mug as she shook in place.

“Geez Akio, you nearly made me pee my pants,” Hailey said.

“Oh, sorry,” Akio said as he peered at her. “What’s wrong?”

“You remember I told you that Druid has been behaving really weird lately?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I think it’s getting worse.”

“What do you think it is?” Akio said as he tore a banana from a bunch hanging from a banana hanger on the kitchen counter.

Hailey took a sip of her coffee. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s the fact that we moved to this new house and he hasn’t adjusted to it?” She said.

Akio bit into the banana and shrugged. “Maybe.”

“You’re not concerned?”

“Well yeah, but if it’s what you said.”

“I don’t know if it is. I’m just guessing. Maybe we should take him to the vet?”

“They’re probably going to tell you there’s nothing wrong,” Akio said, dumping the peel into a compost bucket near the back door.

“What if there is and we decided not to bother?” Hailey said, walking past Akio and placing her mug into the farmer’s sink.

“Look,” Akio approached Hailey and embraced her. “Why don’t we wait until we have a firm budget fleshed out and then we’ll make an appointment? It won’t take long to settle that and save some money, ok?”

Hailey nodded. Barking drew her attention back to the door. She walked over and watched as Druid barked at the house.

Druid snored softly as he slept in his bed near the foot of Hailey and Akio’s bed. Akio was sound asleep, his back to Hailey while she read from her ereader with the aide of a table lamp. Hailey yawned and glanced at her phone that rested on her lap. It was twelve minutes after ten. Before turning off the lamp, she glanced at Druid. He was still sleeping but this time his back legs were twitching and his eyes fluttered.

Hailey stirred and blinked a few times; bringing her view into focus. She glanced at the side of her bed and noticed a shadow within the darkness; the streetlamp shown through the edges of the curtain; casting a gray hue to the room. Turning towards the shadow, she whispered Druid’s name. No sound came, but she could see the shadow heaving as if it was breathing deeply. Hailey slowly reached her hand out, but before she could rest her hand on the dog; Druid sniffed. She paused as she realized that it came from the foot of the bed where she last saw Druid. Her hand recoiled. The shadow began to grow as if it were standing. Hailey shrank back pushing into Akio. He woke with a groan.

“What’s going on?” Akio asked.

Hailey tried to speak but her throat squeezed as she stared at the growing mass.

There was a click and light flooded the room, where the shadow had been was only the night stand and the vanity next to it.

Akio touched Hailey’s shoulder. “Are you alright?”

Hailey trembled under his hand. “I I thought I saw something.” She said.

Akio searched the room from the bed. “I don’t see anything unusual. Maybe it was Druid?”

“That’s what I thought, but…” She began.

Akio rubbed her shoulder. “Do you want me to get you water?”

Hailey nodded. She watched Akio slip out the bedroom and down the stairs. Sighing her eyes landed on Druid who stared at her from his bed.

Having only thirty minutes before leaving for work, Hailey rushed down the stairs; being careful not to stumble down. Akio had left about forty minutes earlier to join in on the morning commute and Druid was in the living room chewing on one of his toys. She passed him on the way to the kitchen to grab her travel mug and lunch bag. Double checking the back door and the automatic feeder, she fumbled with the items in hand as she raced passed Druid. Upon reaching the door, she paused and turned back. Druid was staring at the sofa as he sat; his tail wagging on the rug. Hailey glanced at the sofa and then back at Druid. She stepped closer to the mixed terrier, who hadn’t notice her. Hailey studied the sofa and for a brief moment she could see an indentation disappearing. Dropping the travel mug and lunch bag, she staggered back. Druid turned on Hailey and began to bark.

“Dru Druid it’s me.” Hailey said as she raised her hands.

Druid approached Hailey, snarling. And as if by command, he stopped and sat.

Hailey scanned the sofa and then the living room. Druid continued to stare at her.

“Druid is a healthy three year old.” Dr. Acosta said as he pushed his lens up his nose. He sat on a short stool across from Hailey and Akio.

“Well, that’s good news.” Akio said, glancing at Hailey.

Hailey peered at Druid who sat on the waiting table, his tail twitching. “Are you sure?” She asked.

“Yes, his blood work from last week came back fine and his exam didn’t turn up anything.” Dr. Acosta said as he peered at his paperwork.

“Well, he is still acting strange after our last visit,” Hailey said as she glanced down. “And I think it’s affecting me cause I…” She stopped as she peered at Dr. Acosta and then at Akio.

Dr. Acosta cleared his throat. “Yes, well, Druid is fine. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Hailey trudged along Akio as he held Druid by the leash. After Druid jumped into the back seat of their SUV, Akio and Hailey got in.

Akio was about to start the car and stopped. “What were you going to say to the doctor?” He asked.

Hailey peered at Akio, who wore a deep frown on his tanned face. “Nothing, really.” She said.

“It didn’t seem like nothing.” Akio said, shrugging.

Hailey sighed. “I’m still seeing things.”

“You mean the shadow?”

“No, there’s been other things that have happened.”

“Like what?”

“You’re either going to laugh at me or think I’m crazy.”

“Try me.” Akio said as he turned towards her.

“I think there’s something or someone in the house.”

Akio frowned, waiting for her to continue.

“Like some kind of presence.”

“Like a ghost?”

Hailey stared out the windshield. “I don’t know.”

“I thought you don’t believe in that stuff?”

“I don’t.” Hailey said, pulling at her brown hair. “I don’t know anymore. I just know that there’s something going on. Haven’t you seen it?”

Akio shook his head. From the back Druid whimpered.

“Sorry, boy. We’ll get going.” Akio said and started up the car.

The sun rays hit Hailey’s body relentlessly as she lay on her patio lounger with a library book in hand. Akio was preparing the grill for some hamburgers and Druid was yanking a rope across the lawn. Hailey had checked out a book from the public library on the history of the neighborhood. She was hoping to narrow her research to at least the block that they lived in and find out who the previous owners of their house were; nothing of interest had materialized. The book in Hailey’s hand was promising since it explained the start of the neighborhood and the prominent people that helped.

There was a sizzle and then the scent of meat as the hamburger touched the scorching grill; Hailey’s stomach grumbled in response. She turned a page and saw the image of a stern figure. He wore a trim mustache and clean cut suit, set in sepia. The caption read that he was Willard Bolger and he was a mine mogul that owned various properties in the area back in the 1800s. Hailey scanned the paragraphs below and noticed a copy of an old newspaper clipping. The headline read that he was exonerated for the murder of a family; whose remains were never found. Hailey’s eyes widened as she read the end. According to the article the family lived on her street. A nudge on her leg drew her away from the article she was reading.

“Druid, let me finish this article first and then we can play with the rope.” Hailey said without looking.

“Hailey…” Akio said.

Hailey sighed. “What?” She said as she glanced at Akio and then at Druid.

Druid sat next to her with something dirty in his mouth. It was about a foot long, white, and had splintered edges. Akio approached Druid slowly. As Hailey studied the object, it became increasingly clear what it was that Druid had in his mouth and she screamed.

After a series of questions were asked, the forensics team got to work on digging a hole in Hailey and Akio’s backyard. They waited in the dining room area with Druid, who laid in his bed with some annoyance in having the bone taken from him. Hailey stared at him. It took almost a whole bag of treats to get him to release the bone. Druid had raised his hackles and snarled at them and had continued to do so well after the forensics team arrived. Druid eventually let it go on his own, dropping it on the wooden floor with a clatter and trodding into the guest room; as if called in.

The back door opened and one of the forensics walked in. “So far we have only located one more. Of course there might be more and they might be scattered across the yard. Do you have friends or family to stay with? Or maybe you all can check into a hotel for a short while?” He asked as his paper beard bobbed.

“We don’t know anyone else here and we don’t really have the budget to stay at a hotel,” Akio said and Hailey noticed his ears turning red.

“Well, we’ll try to keep the disturbance at a minimal,” The forensic said and went out the back door.

Hailey had her thumb suspended over the call button on her phone. She double checked the number she dialed and sighed. Her coworker, Lulu, had recommended calling this number after she had told her what had been happening. Hailey trusted her, yet she had doubts as to whether what she was about to do would work. She glanced at Druid who ate ravenously, lapping up the dry food in gulps from the back of the kitchen. Above, Akio was playing with his video game, his usual Friday night ritual. She can hear the sounds of gunfire and sci-fi sound effects throbbing down the stairs. Her thumb landed on the button and she wasn’t sure if she had wanted to or because her thumb got tired. Someone picked up after the fourth ring.

“Hello.” A dry, papery voice answered.

“Hi, I’m Hailey calling for Ms. Vesper.” Hailey said, using her work tone, she shook her head realizing it was unnecessary.

“This is she. Did Lulu give you my number?”

“Yes, yes she did. You knew that from just me calling?” Hailey asked.

“No, no Lulu told me you were calling.” Ms. Vesper said.

“Oh.”

“So I guess, Lulu told you that I’m not only a Santero, but a clairvoyant.”

“Yes.” Hailey said, feeling her cheeks burn.

“Do you understand what I do?”

“Yes, Lulu explained some of it to me.”

“I need you to truly understand what Santeria is, Ms. Hailey.” Ms. Vesper coughed. “All of your senses will be overloaded with strange things and I don’t want you to panic.”

“I won't, I promise. I just need help for my dog.”

“I’ve never had to cure a dog, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be done.”

“Thank you, Ms, Vesper.” Hailey said, turning to watch Druid who had snuck up behind to stare at her.

Except for the squirting sounds of urine hitting the bowl that Hailey held underneath Druid, it was a quiet Sunday morning. Hailey hoped that by the end of the day after the ritual that Ms. Vesper was going to perform, that afterwards it would all stay quiet and normal.

“Hail, I’m going to start setting up for the uh woman that’s coming over,” Akio said from the back door.

Hailey smiled and nodded. She was relieved that Akio was onboard even though he seemed to feel uncomfortable. He had also started seeing things recently, things he tried to explain to Hailey. She didn’t feel alone anymore, yet she wished she could spare him of the stress of it.

With the urine sloshing around in the small bowl, Hailey left Druid to play outside. She noticed that he sprinted to the spot towards the back where the bones were retrieved. In all, the forensics team gathered close to 75 bones, most of which were cracked and splintered. They spared Akio and Hailey the details, only mentioning that they would keep in touch as they do an investigation. She had revealed the article that she read from the library book and they had agreed that they would consult a historian. Hailey was almost positive that they were the murdered family, it was too much of a coincidence, even though she didn’t believe in such things.

As she poured the urine into a disposable plastic container with a zip bag in hand, she thought about when she was twelve and was invited to a slumber party where they played with a Quija board. She had seen plenty of movies on ghosts and possessions; she believed every bit of it until that night. Her friends tricked her by using a magnet underneath the metal table and a magnetized Ouija glass. Hailey recalled how deeply mortified she was when they all laughed at her; she truly thought that she was speaking to a spirit. She avoided looking over at the dug out corner of the yard and she swiftly entered the house with Druid at her heels.

Hailey couldn’t stop staring at Ms. Vesper as she let her in. She was not what she had expected. Ms. Vesper wore a chic blouse with razor slacks and wore her hair in a clip bob. Hailey noticed her glancing about the living room and then the dining room where Akio had set up everything that Ms. Vesper had asked for. Along with the plastic container of urine, there were three red scarfs, seven candles, a box of matches, and a small knife. Hailey watched as Ms. Vesper pulled out from her tote bag seven figures and placed them in a circle along with the figures on the table. Akio came down the stairs and greeted Ms. Vesper, who only nodded.

“I need you both to sit at the table. Where is your dog, Druid?” Ms. Vesper said.

Hailey and Akio sat. “Druid!” Hailey called.

Druid sauntered in from the guest room, he stared at Ms. Vesper and raised his hackles without growling. Ms. Vesper grabbed one of the red scarfs from the table.

“Ms. Hailey, would you please wrap this around my hand and Druid’s paw?” Ms. Vesper said as she knelt and took Druid’s paw into hers. At first, Druid pulled away, but when Ms. Vesper took his paw again; he didn’t resist. Hailey looked at Druid and it appeared to her that he was curious. It was the same expression he would have when he saw a stray cat. With their limbs connected, Hailey returned to her seat. She glanced at Akio who sat across from her; he was staring at the objects on the table.

“Akio, please light up each of the candles.” Ms. Vesper said.

Akio grabbed the box of matches and almost dropped them in his haste. He lit each candle slowly. Hailey couldn’t help watching Druid, who remained as still as a praying mantis waiting for its prey to get close.

“Now I need you both to wear the red scarfs. As soon as you put them on I will start,” Ms. Vesper said.

Akio frowned at Hailey. They helped each other place the scarfs around their wrists. Ms. Vesper began to chant, while Druid continued to stare at her. Almost five minutes passed, when Hailey noticed that the dimmer in the dining room began to brighten, she glanced at the wall switch and then up at the lights. Ms. Vesper continued to chant without realizing what had happened. The brightness dimmed down to almost no light. Hailey’s gaze rested upon the corner of the living room. Her breath caught in her throat. The shadowy mass clung to the wall, expanding.

“What is that?” Akio asked, having noticed it too.

Hailey couldn’t answer as she gripped the edge of the table. Ms. Vesper didn’t stop chanting. Scraping yanked Hailey’s attention towards the empty chair next to Akio. It was pulled out as if someone was about to sit down. Above Ms. Vesper’s chanting, there was a deep breathing sound. Hailey’s skin rippled in goosebumps as she realized that it was coming from the chair. Druid began to cough. Hailey wanted to see if Druid was alright, but she couldn’t take her eyes from the empty chair. Ms. Vesper stopped chanting. Hailey jumped as Ms. Vesper took the knife from the table. Hailey glanced at Akio who was leaning away from the chair, yet staring at the space. Druid whimpered and then growled. Hailey turned to see both Ms. Vesper and Druid were bleeding from their limbs. Druid tried to snatch his paw back, but Ms. Vesper held on. She peered at the empty chair and spoke. Hailey didn’t understand what she had said and assumed that it was part of the chanting. The chair slammed into the dining table and Hailey screamed.

“Ms. Hailey I need you to remove the lid from the container,” Ms. Vesper said, her voice a whisper.

With trembling hands, Hailey removed the lid. An acrid stench wafted into the dining room and Hailey’s nose crinkled. Druid had stopped growling and had turned to look to the side. Ms. Vesper’s hand that was linked to Druid’s paw snapped up in the air. Ms. Vesper groaned and tried to pull back without letting go of Druid.

“It’s trying to break the connection!” Ms. Vesper said.

Hailey watched as the tug of war ensued.

“We need to do something,” Akio said as he gradually stood.

Hailey scanned the room and her eyes came across the container. As she stood she took the container and tossed the contents towards the area between Ms. Vesper and Druid. There was a splash as it hit the space. Urine dribbled down, taking the shape of a person. The tug of war stopped as the figure stood there. Ms. Vesper released Druid’s paw. Druid crouched and barked at the dripping figure. What remained of the urine rained down onto the floor. The figure was gone.

Hailey and Akio laid in bed with Druid cuddled in between them. The midmorning light shown in through the crack of their bedroom curtains. Hailey sighed. They were starting to forget the ordeal with Druid, a month having gone by without a trace of the figure; though they still used a nightlight to sleep. Hailey’s phone rang. She listened for some time with Akio watching her expression change. She lowered the phone.

“Who was that?” Akio asked.

“It was the forensic team.” Hailey said as she bit her lower lip. “They had finished their investigation. You remember I told you about the mine mogul, Willard Bolger?”

Akio nodded.

“One of those bones was of him.”

“But I thought he was the one who was possibly the murderer?”

“Yes, that’s true. The other bones were slightly older and belonged to the family members that lived in this house in the late 1800s. It was a family of five, a mother, a father, and their three daughters.”

“I don’t understand how Willard ended up with their remains if he was the one that might have killed them.”

“Not all of the family members were buried. The forensics found the mother and the three daughters.”

Akio frowned and then his eyes widened.

“The father is missing. Did he…”

Hailey nodded. “I don’t think Willard was the killer, his exoneration holds up. I remember reading that he was known for having mistresses and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was having an affair with the mother.”

“You think the father killed them?” Akio asked, blinking rapidly. “But why kill the three daughters?”

Hailey shrugged. “Maybe he hated his wife and thought that his daughters wouldn’t be any different from her?”

Druid raised his head and stared at Hailey.