“Rich! Camera over here! Something’s making the EMF go nuts over here!” Austin called to the camera man. 

Richard, or Rich, called him and went running to the head honcho. “Oh man… that’s insane.. Here let me zoom in on that for the viewers.” 

Austin was visibly excited. “Janette get the Paranormal Puck! I want to make contact!” 

"O-on it!" Janette scurried over to her bag and grabbed the device and gave it to him. "A-are you sure you want to make contact with this person, I mean, I get it for the viewers, but this ghost WAS a mobster in his past life. And was one of Al Capone's best hitmen. With a spirit that has that much negativity, don't you think that you should better guard yourself?" She worriedly said as she clutched her late grandmother's silver cross necklace. 

You see, Janette Daweson has well known knowledge of the paranormal and is almost considered a professional. But she's hardly given the time of day by her peers and cohorts. Heck, even her family doesn't pay much mind or attention to her. Is it the way that her petite but skinny body looked? How her brown hair framed her delicate but mischievous looking face just right? Or how her blue eyes shine the innocence in her soul? Or is it her careful, mischievous, and gentle personality that made her look harmless? Either way, nobody really paid any mind to her or put any two cents to what she said.

“The Puck, please.” For the audience, he was polite, but there was a hint of annoyance in his tone. 'She's always sassing back, thinking she knows so much more than me. I’ve been doing this for YEARS!’ He seethed silently. 

"...ok. but I warned you…" Janette handed him the device as she silently made brief eye contact with said ghost. 

You see she's also a physical medium like her late grandmother was and was taught from early childhood to always be on your guard. Or the spirits will just push you around and eventually ruin your life. Well the negative ones would. But for some reason, all she came in contact with are the evil one's. No good spirits.

 'I guess they somehow make their way to Heaven when my presence is around. Which would explain why the man looks like he's about to shoot my head off. I must've accidentally sent off his wife that he had trapped here and abused her. Well I'm not backing down!' she thought to herself strongly as she sent her strong positive energy around herself for protection and made the message clear that she wasn't scared of him. The ghost mobster was slightly surprised at her frontal attack. But his sly sneer was clear that even though she could protect herself, that didn't mean she could protect the others.

Austin typed it into the Puck while asking out loud, “Are you the hitman Kent “Frenchy” Brouillette?"

The ghost man made the device light up like a Christmas tree. “YES! That’s a yes! Are you catching this, Rich?” The guy was nodding quickly, getting all of it. “Ok, ok, back off.” Austin commanded so he could ask another question.

Kent scoffed at him but relented anyway to amuse him. And because he was gathering the energy needed.

“Alright, Is it true that you abused your wife until the day she died?” Austin asked. Rich focused on Austin and the Puck. 

One of the devices, SB7 Spirit Box, a device that puts out white noise for the spirits to use to communicate words let out a gravelly intimidating, "Watch yourself…"

“...”

“Please tell me the camera caught that! That was an intelligent response! You got that, right?!” Austin turned to Rich who’d paled at the terrifying voice. At least he had some sense. “U-uh yeah… I, uh, I got it..” 

Austin was about to ask another question when the background lights suddenly went out. Sending the three of them into darkness. Janette was trying to be strong but the two males freaked out. Then suddenly, Austin let out a pained yell.

The lights turned back on and Austin was holding himself like his back was on fire. “Ah, ah fuck. It hurts like hell. Rich?”

Rich approached fearfully, like something would jump out at him any second. He lifted Austin’s shirt, wincing at what he saw. “O-oh god.. Dude, he marked you..” 

“No shit sherlock. Damn, did you get it on camera?”

“This seriously isn’t the time, you got hurt by the thing man, it’s getting aggressive.” Rich argued.

“We need to document everything. Did you get them?” Austin demanded.

“The camera’s dead. It drained the battery when it went dark.” 

“Then replace the battery!” Austin snapped. Rich cringed and retreated to replace the battery.

Janette took her chance and grabbed some Holy Water. She knew the spirit was getting a hold of Austin and making him angry. She quietly said a few prayers and put the water in his water bottle.

"Here, Austin. Drink this. It'll help you feel better…" Janette said as she handed him his drink.

He grumbled incoherently and took the water, chugging it. He felt better in an instantly. Rich came back uncertain. “Uh… still want me to, uh, document?” He shook his head. 

“We should get out of here. We’ve pissed him off enough..”

Janette breathed a sigh of relief. As they left to their car, Janette looked back and saw the ghost staring her down with crude eyes. And when the boys weren't looking, she promptly gave him the bird. To which his response was shock and being impressed at the same time that a little lady could do such a thing to a thing like him. He then slowly disappeared with a mild smirk on his face.

She silently shook her head in exhaustion and climbed in the car and they drove home.

**********

As Austin dropped Janette at her apartment complex, she waved goodbye to them and they immediately left the area. Her neighborhood wasn't exactly the safest place in New Orleans, Louisiana. But it was the cheapest that she could afford on a meager salary of a casino waitress. Sure, they paid her decently, but due to the location of her job and that her landlord is an ass. She couldn't move. Besides her being on an upstart television show, she also did a podcast on Spotify that she told scary stories from all across America. She even had some international stories translated and told in her radio hostess voice. She went by the name The Blue Jane Doe as her stage name. And for being an upstart, she did pretty good for herself. She had over a thousand listeners and they always complimented her story telling on her website that she designed for her podcast. 

But regardless of everything, she was currently EXHAUSTED. As she made her way to her door, there was a pink slip of paper on her door.

"Eviction Notice…. WHAT?!" 'B-but I paid last months rent! What the Hell?! Oooohhhh!!!! Jeremy is going to get an earful once I get my hands on him!' But she quickly noticed that her other neighbors had the same slip on their doorway. She decided to knock on her neighbor's door to see if he could tell her what was going on.

A gruff voice answered her. 

“Whatcha want- oh, hey Jane, what’s the matter? Did ya see the notice?”

Cory, a middle-aged factory worker, was one of the only people that respected her as a stronger person. He'd help her in times where the landlord was being a total ass to her. He was like a second father or a really close uncle to her.

"Yeah. What's up with all the Eviction Notices? I thought we all paid our rent last month." Janette inquired in worry. And what he was going to say next was something to worry about indeed. 

 He sighed heavily. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news when things were finally going decent for you, but he’s bringing this place down. As soon as we are out, it’s getting bulldozed for some business or another.” 

"Wha- And where is the fucker now?!" She hardly cursed, but this was a "special" occasion.

“Rumor has it he hightailed it to Florida.” Cory replied, slightly startled. He didn’t blame her though, he’d done the same when he heard.

"D-do you have anywhere to go?! I mean, we're not blood tied family… but I can at least convince my parents to let you stay over till you get on your feet…" Janette rambled off.

He laughed lightly and ruffled her hair. “I’ll be good, kid. Got some family in Houston who’s willing to pay for a plane and take me in, and what about you? I thought you were trying to stay independent?” 

Janette scowled at her foul luck. She had been saving up for that one apartment in the nicer neighborhood down a few blocks. Sure it was a little farther away from her job, but at least she could live by herself and without having to rely on her family. Like they always expected her to do…

"Well, I WAS saving up for that nicer neighborhood down a few blocks from here. But apparently I can't have that either." She said made a face of displeasure. 😑 

“I’m sorry Jane. Wish I could take you with me… I mean…” His tone became lighthearted and joking. “I COULD try and SMUGGLE you in, but I don’t think YOU’D enjoy the flight very much.” 

Janette slightly chuckled at his remark and how he was trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, but I doubt I'd even get past the security dog team without smelling like bourbon and swiss cut cheese." She joked.

“Ah! My poor old heart! Your words hurt, Ms. Daweson! Truly!” He replied in mock offense as he put a hand over his heart. 

She smirked. "Hey, I'm the one working in a casino as a waitress. Who said I was talking about you?" 

They laughed it off but tried to keep their voices low for the other sleeping neighbors. But eventually their laughter turned into slight giggles. And despite the unfortunate occurrence this moment with her friend was nice. But she grimaced at the thought of going back to her family for help.

"Oh well. I'm going to have to suck it up and live with my family till I save enough to move. Hopefully they won't be a pain in the rear. Much." Janette wished that she was joking. Her family tended to be very traditional and was a little….much.

“It’s family, kid. They are always much.” Cory pointed out. 

She made a scowling face. "Yeah but said family doesn't try to set you up in an arranged marriage every other Tuesday." She said with disdain.

“Oh, they are THAT type of family, huh? Ouch.” He winced. 

"Yeah, tell me about it. Apparently my grandfather had too much influence on my father and married my mother mostly out of business obligations. They love each other. They just share similar ideals… and my three oldest brothers and two older sisters apparently have been influenced that way too. Thankfully, my grandmother was bold enough to defy my grandfather and be her own woman. And that she managed to raise me the right way. God rest that poor woman's soul… Anyways, I gotta get ready for the move. Thanks for everything Cory." She said as she gave him a hug.

He squeezed her back. “Yeah… me too. Good luck and I hope you get out of there as fast as possible….. I’m gonna miss you, Jane..”

"I'll miss you too…" they gave one last squeeze in the hug and Janette reluctantly let go and went in her soon to be demoed home. 

She picked up today's mail and went over what she had to pay or get rid of.

"Junk, junk, junk, bill, bill, bill, and more junk." Just as she was about to throw all of it away, she noticed a letter that looked important and that it was addressed to her by a law firm.

'I wonder what this is… well, only one way to find out!'

She ripped the top off and looked over the letter.

"Dear Ms. Janette Daweson, it has come to our attention that you have been listed as the few remaining heirs to Mrs. Elenore's Stone's will. She had unfortunately passed a week ago and as her beneficiary it is my obligation that I give you what she has passed on to you. Meet me at my office on January 13th at 8 to 9 a.m. 

Once everyone is there we can proceed to business matters. Thank you and have a good day.

John Warrance."

Huh. Wait… WHAT?! "AUNT ELENORE DIED AND NO ONE TOLD ME?! OOOOHHHH, THOSE SELFISH VULTURES JUST WANTED EVERYTHING THAT SHE HAD! WELL SURPRISE! I'M COMING! And that's tomorrow? Well… fortunately I don't have work. So yeah! I'm definitely going!" 

Aunt Elenore was her grandmother's and unfortunately, her family's good friend. She of course had family herself, but they were always busy doing their own things to ever bother visiting her much. So Janette was like a niece that she never had. To hear that she passed… a little bit of her heart broke and.what little faith that she had in her family was immediately shattered.

She got ready for bed and turned in early for the night.

*****

It was almost 8 a.m. and for once, she was early; already almost to the office in her small blue Toyota. Once she saw a parking space, she pulled in and parked like a pro. She gathered her things and promptly got out of her car and walked towards the firm.

Once she was inside, she went up to the lobby desk and asked the receptionist where Mr. Warrance's office was. The bespectacled lady pointed down the hall to the right. She thanked her and quickly found the office and gave it a firm knock.

A tall older looking man answered the door.

“Ah, you must be Ms. Janette Daweson, you’re just in time.”

"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Warrance. Although I wish it was under different circumstances." Janette said as she saw the shocked and scowling faces of her family and what appears to be Elenore's family. Her two older sons and younger daughter with their spouses and a few children. Her brothers and sisters all had fiance's and one of her brothers, Lukas, was to be married on the 14th on Valentine's day next month. Janette was apparently the only single lady in the family. And until she felt comfortable with the right guy, she was staying that way. No matter how much her mother pushes her.

She sat on an open seat and ignored the glares she received.

“What are YOU doing here?” Lukas demanded.

“Have you landed yourself a man yet?” Her mom questioned.

“Who tattled?” her older sister Jeanne asked around in what she tried to be a "whisper".

Janette didn't look in their direction. Choosing to ignore them and not feed into their behavior. "Mr. Warrance, I think we're all here. Can we start the proceedings?" Janette asked with a firm voice.

Mr. Warrance couldn’t blame her, in the few minutes that they’d been waiting for Janette, he’d grown very annoyed with these people. Janette seemed like the most sensible person to him. “Yes, quite right. Mrs. Stone’s will was quite long, so I copied down the important bits, that being what each of you inherited.” He passed papers around the table for everyone to see for themselves.

Apparently Elenore's oldest son inherited her vineyard and wine business, her other son her collection of vintage cars and some of the family heirlooms, and her daughter, three of her villas in Italy. And for the little ones, aimless amounts of toys that she bought them for the upcoming next Christmas.

For Janette's family, she gave her sugarcane business to her parents. For her triplet brothers, starting from the oldest brother, Lukas, a country club on the shores of the Caribbean. For Louis and Lawrence the second and third oldest, each of large mansion-like homes on the coast of California that had everything essential in it. For Jeanne the older twin sister, her chain of jewelry stores in New York. And for Jasmine, the other twin, her chain of restaurants in Los Angeles. And finally for Janette….. everyone was shocked to see the list. Janette had her own file for Pete's sake! Apparently she had inherited the rest of her possessions and her prized Victorian styled mansion in the bayous of Louisiana. But there came a clause. An option.

"Uhhh, why is there a waiver with this file?" Janette asked. 

“That… is for this.” Mr. Warrance walked over to a box that had an old radio in the corner of the room. “Her prized 1920 radio. It was her absolute prized possession, you have to sign that waver or none of that list goes to you.” He explained.

Both families held their breath but at the same time, whispering about the "rumors" about that radio.

“Would you like to see it?” Mr. Warrance offered, seeing the unease of the families. He was enjoying it too.

Janette remembered that old radio. Her Aunt Elenore showed it to her when she was small. Janette remembered that, even though it was so outdated, it still crackled with life. That was around the same time where she would not only visit her but to her imaginary friend that always seemed to smile genuinely at her. When her siblings picked on her or when her parents tried to harshly "punish" her for no reason. He was there to scare them away and protect her. Ever since she grew older and couldn't spend as much time with her Aunt, it seemed as though the only thing that she remembered about her imaginary friend was a dark shadow with an impossibly wide smile. And lots of red for some reason. She was only six at the time, so she can't remember everything. But seeing the old radio again after so long…

"Yes please." Janette warmly smiled.

He gently picked up the box, moving it over to the table before removing the radio from said box. 

The old radio looked worse for wear. But Janette saw potential in it. She looked at it like it was looking at an old friend.

"Can I borrow a pen?" She asked politely. A series of gasps erupted throughout the room. Some even yelled in protest and had to be escorted out by security. It was a relief to both Janette and Mr. Warrance who kindly handed over a pen. 

“Here you go, ma’am.”

She signed the waiver and handed him the document. "So when do I move in?"

“Whenever you want.” He replied. “It’s all yours now.”

The gravity of the situation finally seemed to settle on her shoulders. Her Aunt, who was the one of Louisiana's--- no! The country's most wealthy business women to ever live. And now the rest of her businesses, property, and possessions, are now hers…

Le time skip

It took over a week to get all of Janette's stuff packed and ready to move to her new "house". When the movers finally arrived at the place, they were a bit nervous and skeptical. But the lawyer that held the box at the door who called for Janette when she arrived, reassured their feelings. At least most of them. Now it was just moving the furniture in without breaking anything expensive that got their fears riled up.

"Mr. Warrance! How're you today? I'm assuming the radio is in the box?" Janette asked.

“Indeed it is, moving in already?” Mr. Warrance asked with a smile. It’d been a bad work day and he was glad to see the sensible woman.

She let out a light chuckle. "Yeah… My apartment complex is being bulldozed in a few days due to my "landlord" selling it without notifying anyone till last minute and then hightailing it somewhere in Florida with both our money and our pride." She gestured that she wanted to see and hold her now beloved treasure.

He passed her the box. “How unfortunate. Good thing you got the estate when you did, hm?”

"Yeah, the luck is incredible. Now I just have to explain all this to my boss, coworkers, and whatever friends I have in this town so they don't think I'm dead. Heheh." She opened the box and saw her radio. The nostalgia and happiness that seemed to ooze out of her was contagious.

He smiled more. “Maybe there’s an Angel watching you… or something else..” He muttered the last bit under his breath. 

"Hmm? Did you say something?" Janette not hearing what he totally said.

“I remembered that I have an appointment later.” He sighed heavily. “What fun..”

"Ohh, I'm sure it is. What is it about? Or is that private? Because it sounds draining from the way you talk about it." She then turned her attention to the moving guys who were moving her podcast and paranormal equipment. 

"Hey, fellas?! Be careful with those ok? It's very sensitive equipment!" She called out to them, receiving a few grunts and "okay's" in response. 'Well at least they're being somewhat considerate…'

“Just some rich snob with a superiority complex… Most of my work is rather draining, but is good work.”

"So that narrows down to my brother Lukas or my mother…" she said in mock thought.

“I never said anything.” He replied, realizing that he WAS talking to Ms. Daweson about her family.

She giggled. "Let me guess, one of them thinks they deserve more out of the will and wants something out of what I got?" She said with a raised brow and a sassy hand on her hip.

“Well, yes actually. You seem to know your family quite well… I suppose you should, you’ve lived with them for 18 years of your life.” 

"Nineteen if you count my mother slashing my tires before New Year's so that I'd insist on staying and meeting up with a guy that she had set up with me for the party." She said with disdain.

“... Isn’t that illegal?” Mr. Warrance asked. 

"It's legal if you don't have any evidence that it was that person. And it's true. I don't. But I know it was her. Judging how smug she seemed when I went to my car to get the essentials for my apartment." She said with displeasure.

“Damn..” He really didn’t like that woman, she was a pain in his ass that thought since she raised Janette, she deserved more from her. The will had been clear though, and he believed, due to how much more Janette got then the rest, that Elenore had favored Janette over the others. He didn’t know why, he didn’t really care either. She deserved it. 

"So now one of them is throwing a tantrum and if my assumption is right, if they can't get their way with you, then they'll either bribe me with either affection or through worldly gains. Or they'll threaten me in some way, shape, or form. It usually comes down to the last one when it comes to getting what they want. The only time where my mother backed off was when she threatened to disown me if I didn't get a man soon. I countered with my own threat. And she seemed shocked? But didn't say anything more after that." 

“Good for you. I won’t be giving in, so I do hope you're prepared.” He informed, with slight regret. 

She sighed. "I will be as soon as everything is put away. You don't need to perform the "Be Prepared" song by Scar in order for me to know that a tidal wave of a headache is coming my way."

He laughed. “How did you know I was preparing my singing voice? Are you a psychic or something?” He mused in amusement.

She looked back and forth to see if people were listening in. "I'm gonna let you in on something. I actually am."

He blinked. “Really?” He was startled. She didn’t seem like the lying type though. 

"Yep. I'm what the psychic community calls a "physical medium". It's where we feel, see, and hear the ghost or any supernatural phenomenon is going on. My grandma, who was my father's mother, was one too. She mostly raised me when I was young, teaching me the ins and outs of how to deal with the "other world". I might've been too young to remember, but I may have caught a conversation between my grandmother and aunt Elenore mentioning my "gift". But they immediately changed the subject just as quickly. I think my grandma sensed that I was near. But like I said, the memory feels more like a dream to me. So I'm not exactly sure if that or not."

“I see. That is quite curious..” Now he could see why Elenore favored Janette over the others. Especially with that radio..

"Yeah. But lucky me that I was able to keep it from the rest of my family. If they knew, Heaven knows what they would've done. It would've been like a witch-hunt crossed with a freak show. Not anything good." She then noticed how the house looked so worn down. "I just realized. Why is the house so worn down? Didn't Aunt Elenore have anyone to help her out with the uptake?" Janette said with confusion.

“No she did not, it was just her and her things.” ‘And the spirits attached to those.’

"Huh. You'd think that with all that money, she would hire some help…" The place was basically falling apart. Shingles were coming loose, paint peeling on the outside walls, overgrown ivy trying to take over the house. And…. Was that an alligator in the backyard pond?!

“She’s tried, but it’s never worked out. Usually quit within the week.” Mr. Warrance admitted, looking at the old place. “You’ll likely see why soon. I hear they are quite talkative.” He checked his watch. “I must be going, have fun with the house! I’ll be checking in in about a week!” He called as he walked to his car. 

Janette wanted to ask him about what he meant but he already drove off. 'That was quick… tooootallly nothing suspicious…. Right?'

She looked to the house and saw that the movers were done. She quickly paid them and they left in a hurry for some reason. "Ooookaaaayyy…." She turned around to face the house with the radio in hand. "Well… time to see what Elenore has in store for me…"