Chapter 1

Most people don't believe what I'm about to tell you, but I would greatly appreciate if you did. They immediately label me as crazy, seeking attention, or a heathen. For those who don't know, a heathen is someone who doesn't belong to a religion, or follow one if they call themselves as apart of one; like a non-practicing Christian.

My mother has called me that, before. My mom's side of the family is strictly Roman Catholic. She believes that the only spirits that can inhabit Earth are demons that are cowardly of their eternal punishment in Hell. Sadly, she's wrong, but won't go against what she believes. I should know.

My name is Kalia Crawford, and I can see them. I can hear them. They aren't all demons that fear damnation. In fact, I have a little girl following me at all times. This is like, the third kid who's been attracted to me, and wants to protect me. I have no idea why, but little dead kids like me.

My father believes me to a point, however. He can't say that because one of his closest friends is Zak Bagans. They went to high school together, apparently. My parents each being three, almost four years older than him, they were pretty young when I was born. After figuring the challenges of a young couple caring for a baby, my mother went to the church, and my dad to Zak, despite his age. When I was little, I'd call him Uncle Zak. As we got closer, he told me to drop the uncle part because it made him feel old. Each did their own part in helping. Zak would be there for mostly emotional and some physical support; the church for "spiritual" support.

Back on track. Anyway, I can see dead people. Short and sweet, ain't it? In my short life of fifteen years, I've always thought hearing other people's voices in the back of your head was normal, until I asked my mother about it. She told me that it isn't possible, and it's my imagination.

Until I was about nine or ten, I thought I was crazy. After learning about some disorders from school, I thought I was an undiagnosed schizophrenic. I told Zak about it a few times, but he didn't believe me most of the time. However, he apologized and listened after finally seeing that woman in his apartment. I've seen her plenty of times. She seemed nice, even though she was suicidal.

Right around that time, he and his two best friends, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin, started that show we all know and love: Ghost Adventures. That's when I met Nick and Aaron. I could feel they were as kind and crazy as Zak, and I liked that. So did Melanie, my little girl. I'm pretty sure Zak told them about my "gift," since they don't baby me when I mention something about the paranormal. They actually take me seriously, which is all I want; especially from my mother. I swore to myself that I'd change her mind, even if it has to shatter her beliefs.

No one should choose religion over their own child's abilities.


One day, I was sitting in my rather large living room, channel flipping. I knew Melanie was around, feeling like I wasn't alone. I'd assume it would be from my parents, but they were scheduled to return from work in about a half hour. Zak and his crew would randomly pop in every once in a while, unannounced, but they were in California at the moment. I sat at home in Trenton, Michigan.

You're chance, I heard a little girl say in the back of my head. I turned to my right out of habit, looking for someone who was talking to me. I sighed, and shook my head.

"What chance," I muttered under my breath to Melanie. They never said any real sentences, and I never had any real conversations with spirits. I'd just hear phrases and words, but it was enough to understand what they wanted. Ironically enough, the TV flipped to the Travel Channel by itself, showing my "uncle's" show. I chuckled, and looked around the room. "Very funny."

I jumped when I heard a knock at the door, my nerves always being high strung. It was a side effect of seeing dead people, I guess. I slid across the maple hardwood floor in my socks, almost face planting into the door. My dark gray eyes focused on the black distorted blob behind the foggy glass door as my chocolate hair parted. A huge, but slightly confused smile appeared on my face as I opened it.

"Zak!" I said, giving him a hug, the top of my head reaching his chest. He returned it with a very weak one. My gut told me something was very wrong. "Come in! I thought you and the crew were in California for a while?"

"I just got a feeling to come see you," he said, almost darkly as he walked in, slipping his sneakers off.

"What's going on?" I asked, trying to ignore the impending bad feeling.

"Something's off," he replied, leaning against the marble kitchen island with crossed arms.

"Like how?"

"I dunno," he said, looking at the floor, then back at me. My face must've looked serious without my knowing since his own looked concerned. I grabbed his wrist, and pulled him into the living room.

"Sit down for a sec," I said, putting him in the black leather recliner. I sat on the foot rest, looking right into his eyes. There was something dark there that shouldn't have been.

Mine, a darkly demonic voice said, popping into my head. I almost jumped, but tried to hold it in. I felt Melanie's worry for me. I told her it was okay, but she still kept her guard up, as did I. Soon after the voice appeared in my head, two red orbs appeared above Zak's left shoulder. They looked like the owner of those eyes would've been smirking at me. My stomach dropped, realizing what it was. Zak recognized the look on my face.

"What? What do you see," he asked me, worry filling his voice. I shook my head, and buried my face in my hands. I felt a large hand on my back, and a quick touch of a smaller one on my knee.

"Something dark is eating at you," I murmured through my hands. I slowly looked up at Zak, his face looking anxious with a small hint of fear. "It's been with you for a long time. Since you went to the Mineral Wells in Texas; it's that shadow that possessed you, remember?"

"Yeah, I do," he replied sullenly, looking down. This was definitely not the Zak Bagans I knew. I had to do something, but my mind was blank. Suddenly, Melanie gave me an idea.

"I have an idea," I said. Zak looked up, hoping for an answer. "You need to cast this demon back to Hell."

"And how can I do that? I can't see it or hear it, never mind cast it away." I crossed my arms, intolerance filling me.

"This isn't the dare devil 'No ghost can scare me!' Zak Bagans I know and love," I said. "We gotta get this thing off you, now. I'm sure you heard about the 'Gate to Hell' being found in Turkey, right?" I asked, smirking. Zak smirked back, and nodded.

I had a feeling he had the same idea I did. In that quick second, I saw the normal Zak come back.


Later that week, Zak persuaded my mother to let me come to a GAC meeting with Nick and Aaron and everyone. I explained what I felt and my idea. Nick and Aaron sided with me almost immediately. They knew something was wrong with Zak, but needed a little push in the right direction. The three of them agreed on going to Turkey, but had one major flaw in my eyes.

"What do you mean I can't go?" I yelled, throwing my arms into the air.

"If' we're dealing with a Gate to Hell, there's no way I'm putting you near that." Zak said. "You're like a daughter to me, Kalia. I'm not putting you in danger." I crossed my arms, and turned my head.

"You'll need someone to save your ass when a demon is running at you," I murmured. Nick and Aaron chuckled, making me smile. Then Aaron realized something. He pointed to me, and looked at Zak.

"She does have a point. Who knows what's coming out of a gate to Hell?" I raised my hand, standing in the middle of them.

"I do! I can actually see them." Zak rubbed his temples, eyes closed.

"No, Kalia," he said after a moment of silence. "That's the last of it. I doubt your mother would let you go if I said it was okay, anyway." I smirked, ready to strike a deal.

"If I can get my mom to say yes by the end of the week, can you bring me with you?" I asked. The three guys had a good minute of laughter, leaving me tapping my foot impatiently. "Well?"

"Sweetheart, I've met your mother a few times since I've known Zak," Nick said. He put his hands on my shoulders, a smile on his face. "No offense, but I don't see any way your mom will let you go to a Gate of Hell with a group of ghost hunters."

"Do we have a deal or not?" I asked, looking at the three of them. They each kept chuckling, and nodded.

"Alright," Zak started. "If you can get your strict Roman-Catholic mom to let you go to Turkey with us, we'll take you. Plus, we'll make you a member of the team. Deal?" He held out a hand for the deal maker shake. My face lit up. If I can do this, I'd actually be putting myself to good use! I threw my hand into his, a confident smile growing on my face.

"Deal!" I said, smiling. I chuckled, and looked at him right in the eyes. "Why you didn't hire a fifteen year old medium when you started, I'll never know."


Author's Note: God, I've had this idea stuck in my head for DAYS. Anyway, I am now obsessed with Ghost Adventures lD HOW DOES ZAK GET HIS ARMS THAT BIG WHAT THE HELL AND WHY DOES EVERYTHING BAD HAPPEN TO NICK HE'S MARRIED AND HAS A CHILD HE NEEDS TO STAY HEALTHY GOD DAMMIT

Now, on to explaining a few things. In this particular story, I'm using certain situations and things I've been in or felt, like seeing and hearing spirits, Melanie, and attracting little kid spirits. The main reason why I love these three is that it's all legit. It isn't like Ghost Hunters, where theres all kinds of camera men and shit. Zak, Nick, and Aaron are the only ones in a lockdown at all times, unless there's a special guest. Seeing what they catch and see makes me rest so much easier, knowing I'm not crazy. For a while, I did think I had some sort of disorder.

My parents aren't strictly Roman Catholic, tho. Hell, they're divorced! But my mom tries to ignore what I see and hear when I tell her. She asks me al the time if "I can turn it off, or turn them away." DAMMIT I CAN'T. She goes on about how she doesn't want me to let it "rule my life and stray me away from college." Her words exactly. Yeah, a bit bizarre, I know.

Anyway, I can see and hear them. I wrote a journal about it on Deviant Art, and I'll give the link later. So if details seem too real to be true, they really are (most of the time :P). I hope all you fans love this story! Message me if you have any ideas or reviews for me :3 Remember: Read, Review, and Enjoy!

~ Nicole

P.S. Here's the journal. Don't be afraid to message me about questions or concerns! :P

journal/Do-You-Believe-Me-397749577