Hungry Ghost — Elizabeth Eagan-Cox

May, 2015. New Orleans. Gerard and Suzette Thebeau are the new owners of Cafe Cartier, once known as Cafe Pierre. Before they can open for business, they ask ghost researcher, Lily Duvernay, and clairvoyant, Tony Scot to investigate odd happenings, and hopefully put to rest rumors about the ghost that haunts the cafe: More shadows than light filled the small room.I sat with my knees bent and feet flat on the hard floor. I reached out across the table. Tony held my hands in his."You're trembling," Tony said."I'm energized, just like the Energizer Bunny, ready to hop to it and keep on going."Okay." He closed his eyes and I did the same. Silence inside. Outdoor sounds drifted in. In the distance a police siren headed away. Nearby, a car alarm beeped. In an adjacent neighborhood a dog barked. I tuned out the outside world. Here, in the shadows of this room, silence dominated my thoughts. Then…"Music. An old song. Ain't That A Shame. Fats Domino," Tony whispered.I concentrated on his voice It was his tone, but not his cadence. Definitely Creole French. Tony's hands were icy cold.I opened my eyes. Glistening beads of sweat clustered at Tony's temples. He was oblivious to it."Bad! Bad! Bad!" Tony growled in a voice that was not his own. Female voice. Angry. New Orleans accent. Whose personality can this be? I kept my eyes on Tony. Silence. Then, a boy's voice floated through the air. I watched as Tony mouthed the words."I dare ya. I double-dog dare ya!" The unseen bully mocked. Tony tightened his grip on my hands. His body flinched in violent spasms and then he lurched forward, collapsing on his arms. I jumped up, turned on the lights, and dashed into the kitchen for water. When I returned, Tony was sitting upright, wiping away the perspiration on his face and neck.I handed him a glass of water. "That was quite some session," I said."Well?"First off, you said, "Music. An old song. Ain't That A Shame. Fats Domino. The voice was male and it was French-Creole."That was one of the