CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Michael studied the book.
Justin fidgeted. Joey folded his arms impatiently.
"Well? What�s it say?"
"The key to surviving soul snatching dimensions like the Fear Chamber is love. Concentrate on the people and things you cherish."
"Sounds simple."
"It�s harder than it looks, Justin. Remembering isn�t enough. You have to transport your mind to a different place. Understand?"
"I think so."
"Concentrate on your fears, and sooner rather than later the intensity will give you a heart attack. Concentrate on love, and you forget the fear."
Joey chewed his bottom lip.
"Wish there was some way we could tell it to Chris, Lance, and JC."
Justin perked up slightly.
"Maybe they figured it out already."
"Don�t kid yourself. It�s unhealthy."
"Negative thinking is unhealthy. We need to pray for the best," Justin insisted.
"And discover 3 of our brothers suffered a fate worse than death? Please!"
Justin�s chin trembled. It�s not Joey to be so pessimistic.
He�s gotta be really frightened.
We all are.
Michael flipped through a couple of pages. His face brightened.
"Here it is! In order to rescue imprisoned victims, we kill the guarding Lost Souls, find the Fear Lists, and destroy them."
"Because once they�re gone, the Master can�t complete the ritual."
"Exactly. Then we find the surviving victims and hide them."
"How? The Master reads minds."
"Don�t look at me. I don�t see where it�s written. I guess the trick is to be quick about it and keep the victims locked up."
Joey�s stomach dropped. "Guys, hate to spoil your fun, but you�re forgetting that we aren�t exorcists or Indiana Jones. Besides, the Master might be reading our minds this very second. The whole plan�s probably shot out of the water."
Justin and Michael glanced at each other.
What if?
Suddenly, the hot room dropped to freezing temperatures.
Their flashlight batteries died.
Flames sparked from the candles.
The book shut and flew against the opposite wall.
Chairs rattled. Floorboards creaked.
Justin and Joey huddled in a corner.
"There�s something with us," Michael whispered. He fingered the trigger of his gun.
Justin heard footsteps approaching from behind.
"Joey?"
No answer.
"Michael?"
No answer.
Instead, an echoing deep voice responded.
"Justin�Justin�do not be afraid�I am not a Lost Soul."
Icy fingers brushed his neck.
Justin gasped, smacking into the wall. He didn�t dare turn around.
"W-what have you done with my friends?"
"Nothing. They seem too scared to open their mouths. Look at me Justin. Look at me."
Justin slowly rotated until his back pressed against the stone.
Across from him stood a ghastly figure of a man.
Tall. Bony. Pale. Jet black hair. Sharp green eyes.
Joey and Michael shivered nearby. Justin gulped.
"Are you a ghost?"
"Yes. Please don�t run. I�m here to help you."
Justin squinted at the stranger�s face, listened to the tone of his voice.
Haven�t we met somewhere?
Michael shakily cleared his throat. "Who are you?"
The young man licked his lips. "Kaden. Kaden Bass."
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Chris stood on top of a skyscraper, 50 feet overlooking the street.
Vertigo took hold. Dizziness forced his body to sway backwards. Pure terror blocked the senses. Rationalization forgotten.
Bile rose in his stomach.
Don�t let me fall! Don�t let me fall!
The master�s voice rippled in the wind.
"Chris, you actually that scared of heights? Perhaps I should raise the building higher."
"NO!"
The building shot up another 100 feet. Chris�s knees buckled.
I�ve never felt this terrified before.
The Master magnified his fear, blew it out of proportion so that the surreal experience would be unbearable.
Chris felt a heavy throbbing inside his chest. For some reason, he was having difficulty breathing.
"What�s going on?!" He shouted frantically.
They skyscraper skyrocketed to 300 feet.
The Master�s laugh dripped with malice.
"Time to die�"
A pair of rough hands shoved Chris over the side.
Chris slowly fell�
And fell�
And fell�