Lesson two: Salt and Ghosts Part 1

The scar on my chest burns every time my shirt rubs it wrong, but I know I can't have a doctor look at it without my mom finding out and I can't put her through this too. Claire told me to get some rest because tomorrow we start the real training, but thanks to the stupid burn I barely got any sleep at all. She was knocking on my window at four in the morning. "Come on Ben let’s get a move on it."

I roll my eyes as I force myself out of bed. "Claire why can't we wait till the sun comes up at least."

With a straight face she says. "Will the monsters wait for you to wake up before they eat your face?" 

I shake my head. "I guess not." I slam my door and rush to the refrigerator and I leave a note next to moms shopping list. "Mom I'm heading to Tara's house see you tonight -love Ben." Then I rush out the door locking it before I followed Claire down to the river.

She stops at a tree that has fallen across the river forming a unstable bridge. “Today you will be learning about ghosts, their strength's and their weakness." She hopped on to the tree and slowly walks across it as she tries to balance as the tree shakes. 

I chuckle. "Ghosts like in the exorcism."

Claire nods. "Yes that is one kind but they tend to be vengeful spirits, but yes they can take control of your body, but that's what the scar will prevent."

I nod. "Okay so how do you stop them?"

She smiles. "Well first line of defense is a salt line, ghosts will not cross it. The second is more of a offensive move." 

I look at her confused. "What do you mean kinda?"

Her smile seems to grow.  "These are some of the weapons of our trade, they don't kill them but it can give you the time you need to save your ass." 

I smile. "That's always a good thing, so what are these weapons."

She pulls her bag off her shoulder and unzips it showing off a small arsenal of knives and guns. "The first thing up is a buck shot shell filled with rock salt." She tosses it to me. "We will get into that once we get to the yard. Next we have iron." I begin to chuckle. "Ya idjet laugh but this iron rod will save your ass when you’re out of shells."

I nod. "Okay that's all good but how do I kill them."

She smiles. "Feisty aren't you, well to kill you have to know there are two kinds of ghost. One is tied to its bones or hair the next is tied to and item that was once theirs." I nod. "But no matter what it is you salt it and light them up, just make sure it all burns."