I made a career of exploiting people, of little intelligence,
into believing I could rid them of whatever ghosts or spirits
that haunted them or their home. Did such entities exist,
you might ask? Yes, if you're ignorant. That was my theory.

I earned a healthy income off of these people. So, I figure
why interfere with whatever their ridiculous mental state of
mind offered. You see ghosts? I'll get rid of them...for a
hefty fee.

That was how I looked at the whole 'seeing ghosts' idea. That
was until the day I was hired to extrude the child ghost of
Halston Manor.

I had all the high-tech gadgets, heat pulsator, night vision
cameras, gamma regulator, all of it. Okay, I'll admit, the
gamma regulator's just a toaster with two old CD players
crammed in the openings but hey...

I'll never forget it. On the night of October 30th, 2014, I was
set up with my makeshift rig in the kitchen. The family was
asleep in their beds. I had a long day of drinking and golf
so, I wasn't far behind in following them to sleep. Of course,
the next morning, my cameras would show nothing happened
while I stood guard all night long.

Just before I laid my head on the table, I heard a noise in
the adjacent room. I figured pet or kid. I didn't even bother
checking until I heard it again but louder. It was sort of like
a voice calling my name.

I slowly eased through the doorway and that was the moment I
finally believed. I stared in awe at the little boy that stood at the
top of the stairs. I could see him yet through him. My first
encounter of a real ghost or whatever.

I said, "What's going on, little man?" like I wasn't about to crap
my pants.

He responded, "I'm just waiting."

Seeing as how it's actually my job, I asked, "What for?"

"I'm not done here yet."

"Done?"

His voice was mesmerizing. "I don't have my wings yet. I only have
one last deed to do before I earn my wings." He smiled. "I'm almost
whole and it's you I've been waiting for."

"What good deed do you need to do for me to finally earn your wings?"

"Who said anything about 'good?"

Instantly, the child transformed into a monstrous demon. It leapt down
the stairs in one bound and grabbed me around the throat.

The earth cracked opened beneath my feet and he threw me in. Just
before I plunged into lava, he caught me, flying with his new wings.
All he did was look at me, laugh and then just let me drop.