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GHOULOFMYDREAMS
Book4oftheLarueDonavanSeriesByRosePressey
LarueDonavanisa
smalltowngirlwhojust
happenstobeaworld-
renownedpsychicmedium.
Yes,shetalkstoghosts,but
notjustanyghosts...lately
she’sbecomeacelebrity
ghostwhisperer.Famous
ghostsjustwon’tleaveher
alone.Unfortunately,they’re
nottheonlyonesinterestedin
Larue.Evilentitieshavetheir
sightssetonhertoo,andthey
keeppoppinguparound
everycorner.
ThistimeLaruefinds
herselfinthepresenceof
iconicfilmstarMarilyn
Monroe.Marilynisasex
symbolintheafterlifetoo.
Alsothere’samysterious
manisintownandLarue
wonderswhatsecretshe’s
hiding.Shehasastrong
feelingheknowsaboutthe
evilspirits.Plus,ayounggirl
isinterestedinwitchcraft,and
Laruethinkshercuriosity
mightberelatedtorecent
sightingsoftheshadow
people.Onarecent
investigation,Laruemight
haveunleashedademon.
Nowshethinksit'safterher
andeveryonesheloves.But
doesthatmeanshehasto
pushherbestfriendMindy
andboyfriendCallahanaway
forever?Doesthemystery
manholdthekeytogetting
ridofthedemons?CanLarue
convincehimtohelp?Larue
mightfindtheanswersfrom
theghoulofherdreams.
"RosePressey’sbookarefun!”Janet
Evanovich
PraiseforMeandMyGhoulfriendsbyRosePressey
“RosePresseyspinsadelightfultalewithmisfitsand
romancethatmakesmecheerloudly.”
CoffeeTimeRomance
“Hercharactersarealiveandfullofquickwittedcharmandwillmakeyou
laugh.Theplottwistskeepyouturningthepagesnon-stop.”
ParaNormalRomance
“Iabsolutelylovedthisbook!Ithadmechucklingfromthe
beginning.”
FallenAngelReviews
RosePressey’sCompleteBookshelf
(clicktitletopreview/buy)
ChaseCharleySeries:
Book1:ForOldCrimesSake
Book2:SeemsLikeOldCrimes
HauntedTourGuideMystery
Series:
TheseHauntsareMadeforWalking
AWalkontheHauntedSide
HauntedVintageSeries
Book1–IfYou’veGotIt,Haunt
It
Book2–AllDressedUpandNoPlacetoHaunt(July
2015)
Book3–HauntCoutureandGhostsGalore(October
2015)
Maggie,P.I.MysterySeries:
Book1–CrimeWave
Book2–MurderisaBeach
TheHalloweenLaVeauSeries:
Book1–ForeverCharmed
Book2–CharmedAgain
Book3–ThirdTime’saCharm
Book4–Charmed,I’mSure
TheHadleyWildsSeries:
Book1:DeadGirl’sGuidetoStyle
TheRylieCruzSeries:
Book1–HowtoDateaWerewolf
Book2–HowtoDateaVampire
Book3–HowtoDateaDemon
TheLarueDonovanSeries:
Book1–MeandMyGhoulfriends
Book2–GhoulsNightOut
Book3–TheGhoulNextDoor
Book4–GhoulofMyDreams
TheMysticCaféSeries:
Book1–NoShoes,NoShirt,NoSpellsBook2–Piesand
Potions
Book3—SpellsalaCarte
TheVeronicaMasonSeries:
Book1–Rock‘n’RollisUndead
ATrashtoTreasureCrafting
Mystery:Book1–MurderatHoneysuckleHotel
Book2–HoneysuckleHomicide
TheHauntedRenovationMystery
Series:Book1–FlipthatHauntedHouseBook2–The
HauntedFixerUpper
Allrightsreserved,includingtherighttoreproducethisbookorportions
thereofinanyform,(electronic,
mechanical,photocopying,recording,or
otherwise)withoutthepriorwritten
permissionofthecopyrightowner.
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thenames,characters,
incidents,places,andbrandsaretheproduct
oftheauthor’simaginationandnottobeconstruedasreal.
Theauthoracknowledgesthe
trademarkedstatusandtrademarkownersofvariousproducts
referencedinthisworkoffiction,whichhavebeenusedwithout
permission.Thepublication/useof
thesetrademarksisnotauthorized,associatedwith,orsponsoredby
thetrademarkowners.
Dedication
Thisistoyouandyouknowwho
youare.
Acknowledgements
Tomyson,whobringsmejoyeverysingledayandistheloveofmylife.Tomy
mother,who
introducedmetotheloveofbooks.Tomy
husband,whoencouragesmeand
alwayshasfaithinme.AhugethankyoutoMarleyGibson.Andtothereaderswhomake
writingfun.
Index
Chapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7
Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14Chapter15Chapter16
Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20Chapter21Chapter22Chapter23Chapter24Chapter25
Chapter26Chapter27
Chapter1
MynameisLarue
DonavanandIseeghosts.I
talktoghosts,too.Forthis
reason,ghoststendtofollow
mewhereverIgo.Sometimes
I’mokaywiththat,butat
othertimes,itcanbeabit
frustrating.Iunderstandwhy
theywouldwanttobechatty
ifIamtheonlylivingperson
theycantalkto,especiallyif
theyaretrappedinabuilding
andallalone.Beingaghost
wouldprobablygetboring
andI’dgobonkersquickly.
So,forthatreason,I’vetried
tohelpthespiritsallthatI
can.
Recently,though,
therehasbeenanew
development…
I’vestartedseeing
celebrityghosts.Crazy,right?
Mostpeoplewouldn’tbelieve
meiftheyheardmystories.I
can’tblamethem.My
experienceswerekindoffar-
fetched.However,celebrities
arepeoplejustliketherestof
us.Theylivedanddied,too.
Therefore,ontheirtransition
totheirnextplaneof
existence,theycouldget
stuckinthewrongdimension.
Sofar,I’vehadvisitsfrom
AbrahamLincoln,Elvis
Pressley,andMaeWest.
Whatanoddcombination,
right?I’vebeenwaitingfor
thetimewhenI’dhavea
wholebandshowup.That
wouldbeawesome.Maybe
mystreakofcelebrityvisits
wasover,though.Ithasbeen
awhilesinceElvisleftthe
building.
Rumorsswirled
aroundforyearsaboutthe
hauntedhouseIwascurrently
investigating.Accordingto
thecurrentowner,the
paranormalactivityhad
recentlyincreased.Thatwas
whyIwasheretohelpher.
Theold,large,brick
housewasbuiltin1815.It
wastwo-storieswithalarge
frontporchontheFederalist
stylehome.Asemi-circular
windowwasabovetheporch
andnarrowsidewindows
flankedthesidesofthedoor.
Thestreetwaslinedwith
similaroldhomes.Theowner
wasrenovating,which
usuallystirredupactivity.
Theexperienceshadgotten
sobadthatshecouldn’tget
contactorstoworkonthe
home.IwashopingIwould
beabletohelphersoshe
couldgetherremodeling
finished.Sometimes,inorder
tohelp,itmeantbringingthe
ghostbacktomyplace.Ionly
hopedIdidn’truninto
anythingdemonicthistime.
Aloudbangcame
fromtheroomtomyleft.I
knewIhadtoinvestigate.I
easedtowardthedirectionof
thesound.Thehomeowner,
hadmovedthefurnitureout
ofthespaceinordertopaint
thewalls.Iguessedthe
ghostlyactivityhadceased
thatjob,aswell.Adark
shadowzippedaroundthe
cornerandintothedining
room.Ifrozeonthespot.
“Isawyou,”Icalled
out.“There’snoneedtohide.
I’mheretohelpyou.”
Istuckoutmyarm,
hopingtheghostwouldspeak
intothesmallrecorderIwas
holding.“Doyouseethis
device?Itcanpickupyour
voiceifyoujustsay
something.”
“Something,”amale
voicesaidinateasingtone.
Iwhippedaround
thinkingforsuretheghostly
whispershadbeenbehindme.
Great…Ihadawittyentity.
Howfun.
Icontinued.“That
wasveryclever.Now,why
don’tyoureallychatwithme
thistime?”
Ihadanarsenalof
equipmentwithme.Ifthe
ghostdidn’twantto
communicatewithmeusing
therecorder,thenIcould
bringsomethingelseoutof
mybagoftricks.
Iliftedanotherdevice
frommypileofgadgets.
“ThisSpiritBoxcanalsopick
upyourwords.Justuseyour
energytosaywhateveryou’d
like.”
TheSpiritBoxuses
radiofrequencytopickupthe
ghost’swords.Itfreakedme
outthefirsttimeIusedit.I
hadn’texpectedittoworkso
well.Iftheghostswerebeing
stubbornanddidn’twant
speaktomedirectly,thiswas
agreatwaytotricktheminto
activity.
MaybeIshouldn’t
haveinteractedwiththis
ghost.Ifhedidn’tknowthatI
couldactuallyseeandspeak
withhim,thenitwould
decreasemyoddsofhaving
himattachtome.IfIcould
gethimtoleavewithout
goingthroughallthat,it
wouldbebetterforbothof
us.Okay,mostlybetterfor
me.Chattingwithghostsused
alotofenergyandalways
leftmefeelingdrained.Not
tomentiontheyneverknew
whentoleave.
“Getlost!”The
electronicvoiceonthe
machinejabberedoutforthe
ghost.
Iplacedmyhandon
myhip.“Thatwasn’tvery
polite.”
Itlookedasifthiswas
goingtobeanotherdifficult
one.
“You’dbetterplay
nice,”Isaid,asIeasedacross
theroom.Ipeekedoutinto
thehallway.“Whereareyou
hiding?”
“I’muphere.Ibet
youcan’tfindme.”
Uhoh.Thatvoicehad
comethroughwithouttheuse
ofanyequipmentagain.I’d
hearditloudandclear.But,
sofar,Ihadn’tseenanything
otherthanthedarkshadow.
Ididn’tlikeshadow
people.Thereweresolid-
lookingmasseswithno
features.Itusuallysignaled
thatitwasanevilspirit.I
reallydidn’twanttodealwith
oneofthoserightnow.
“Iwillfindyou,”I
calledout.“Don’tthinkyou
canhidefromme.”
Ididn’tgetananswer
thistime,soIfiguredI’d
havetohunttheghostdown.
Itseemedlikethevoicehad
comefromupstairs,soI
headeduptheoldstaircase.
Themahoganybanisteraided
inmyclimbtothesecond
floor.Onceatthetoplanding,
Ipaused.Withseveraldoors
oneithersideofme,theghost
couldbehidinganywhere.
“You’regetting
warmer,”theghostteased.
Thatsentachilldown
myspine.Thisghostwas
playinggameswithme,
whichdidn’tinterestmeat
all.Ididn’twantto
participateinparanormalhide
andseek.
“Comeout,comeout
whereveryouare,”Isang
sarcastically.
Okay,maybeI
shouldn’thaveprovokedhim
withmyteasing,butI
couldn’tresist.
Theghostreleaseda
menacinglaugh.Goose
bumpsappearedonmyarms
immediately.
“I’moverhere,”the
voicesaidtauntingly.
Ithoughtthesound
hadcomefromtheroomat
theendofthehallway.AsI
slowlymademywaydown
there,Iwasn’tsurewhatto
expectwhenIopenedthe
door.Inearedthehandle,
reachingmyhandout,andI
knewIwasabouttofindout.
Ofcourse,myanxietywasat
anall-timehigh.Ihatednot
knowingwhattoexpect.I
saidaquickprayerfor
safety’ssake.
Withmyhand
wrappedaroundtheknob,I
twisted.Itwasunlocked,soI
inchedthedooropen.Ipoked
myheadinandscannedmy
surroundings.Onlyaniron
bedwithawhitespreadanda
smallnightstandoccupiedthe
space.Therewasnosignof
theghost.Unlesshewas
hidingintheclosetorunder
themattress.Itwouldn’t
surprisemeintheleastto
findhimineitheroneof
thoseplaces.
“Wrongroom,”the
ghostcalledoutwith
boisterouslaughter.
Iwhippedaroundonly
toseehewasn’tbehindme.
“Idon’thavetimeforthis.”
“Thengoaway,”he
answered.
“Ifyoushowyourself
andtalktomelikeaman,
thenIwillleave.Stopacting
likeachild,”Idemanded.
Silencefilledthe
house.Aquietnessthatsenta
chilldownmyspine.The
spiritleadingmeonthishide
andseekwasn’ttheonlyone
here.Therewasnowayto
proveit,butIjusthadthe
feeling.
“Oh,didImakeyou
mad?”Isteppedovertothe
otherbedroomandopened
thedoor.
Thisroomwas
similarlyfurnished.Ablue
comfortercoveredthetopof
thisbed.Iseriously
consideredliftingtheduvet
andlookingunderthere,butI
didn’twanttheghosttojump
outatmeincasehewas
there.Icouldn’tletmyguard
downandallowthisghostto
knowIwasinanywayscared
ofhim.Ofcourse,Iwasonly
humanandIdidget
frightenedsometimes,butit
wasalwaysabadideatolet
theghostknowthatparticular
tidbitofinformation.They
usedmyfearagainstme.
“Okay.I’llstop,”the
ghostsaid.
Ididn’ttrustthe
ghost.Whywouldhestop
teasingmenow?Ichecked
outtheothertworooms,but
sawnothing.
“Areyoustillhere?”I
calledout.
Noanswer.
Apparently,theghosthad
stoppedashesaidhewould.
Somethingtoldmehe
remained,though.Hewas
simplywaitingforthechance
topopout.Hewastoying
withme.Ihatedplayingthis
game.EspeciallysinceI
didn’tknowtherules.The
ghostwassuretowinthat
way.
Afterlookingthrough
alltheroomsupstairs,I
headedbackdownthestairs.
Theoldtreadscreakedunder
myfeet.I’donlymoveda
couplestepswhenIthought
forsuresomeonewasbehind
me.Istoppedandlooked
overmyshoulder.Noone
wasthere.
Onceatthebottom,I
peeredupthestairs.I’d
honestlyexpectedtoseethe
ghostmereinchesfrommy
facewhenIturnedaround.
Thankgoodnesshewasn’t
there.Thatoddfeelingwas
stillthere,though,soIknew
hewasn’tgoneforlong.
“Areyougoingto
playthisgameallday?”I
asked.
Thatsamesilence
filledthespace.
“Okay,I’mleaving
now.I’dbetternotgetacall
fromthehomeownersaying
you’rebotheringheragain.
Thehauntingstopshere,
buddy.”Isaid,usingmybest
sternvoice.
Aftergatheringupmy
equipment,Iheadedtoward
thefoyer.WhenIreachedthe
frontdoor,Istopped.Iturned
tofacethespiritwho
obviouslywasn’tgoingto
showhimself.
“Onelastchanceto
saysomethingbeforeI
leave,”Icalledout.
Thisghostwas
persistentandanoddone.
ThefeelingIwasbeing
watchedremainedwithme.
“I’mleavingnow.”I
twistedthedoorknob,
expectingtheghosttostop
me.
ItwasasifIwas
tellinghimIwouldgoonthe
countoften,butstartedusing
halfnumbersmidway
through.Apparently,he
wasn’tgoingtobegmeto
stay,soIneededtomoveon.
IhadtoremindmyselfthatI
couldn’tsolveeverycaseI
tookon,butIdidn’tknow
whatIwouldtellthe
homeowner.
Islippedoutofthe
houseandovertomycar
parkedinthedriveway.After
placingmyequipmentinto
thetrunk,Icloseditand
lookedbackatthehouseone
lasttime.Therewasno
spectralfacestaringatme
fromanupstairsbedroom.
Thehomeownerwouldwant
afullreport.Iwalkedoverto
thecar’sdoorandopenedit.
ThatwaswhenIsawhim
sittinginthepassengerseat.
Hehaddarkhairthatreached
tohisshoulders.Heworea
redandblueplaidshirtwith
whatappearedtobebell
bottombluejeans.Iguessed
he’dbeenlivinginthe
seventies.
Hestaredmerightin
theeyes.“Tag,you’reit.”
Okay,thatwas
creepy.
“Whoareyou?”I
asked,tryingtoremaincalm.
“TheGhostof
ChristmasPast.”
Yeah,therewasa
wiseassteenagerinmycar.
He’dbeenslightly
see-throughatfirst,butnow
hewascompletelysolid.It
hadbeenevidentrightaway
thathewasn’tofthis
dimension.Nodoubt,he’d
beentheghostplayingwith
meinthehouse.
Ididn’ttrytohidethe
frustrationinmyvoice.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
“IthoughtI’dgofora
ride.Youdon’tmind,do
you?”Hetappedhislong
fingersagainstthecar’s
leatherseat.
Iplacedmyhandson
myhips.“Actually,yes,Ido
mind.Imakeitapolicynot
toentertainparanormal
hitchhikers.”
Ofcourse,thatwasn’t
true.Ihadghostswithme
practicallyallthetime.He
didn’tneedtoknowthat,
though.Ialreadyhadasmany
ghoulfriendsasIcould
handle.I’djustgottenridofa
setofspirits,andIwas
enjoyingmydowntime.I
wasn’treadytoaddanother
entityjustyet.Thiswasmy
vacationfromthe
paranormal.Okay,ifI’d
wantedarealvacationfrom
thesupernatural,Iwouldn’t
havebeenonan
investigation.Thatwastrue,
butIfoundithardtostay
away.Especiallywhen
peopleneededmyhelp.
Hemotioned.“Getin
andtakemeforaride.”
Isighedandtossed
mybagintothecar.IknewI
mightaswelldoashesaid.It
wouldtakeforeverformeto
getridofhim.Icouldtellby
themischievouslookonhis
face,aswellasthegamehe’d
alreadybeenplaying.
Ipulledoutofthe
driveway.Ididn’thavea
ghostfollowmeeverytimeI
wentonaninvestigation,but
ithadbeenhappeningmore
andmoreoften.Ifhewas
comingwithme,thenIhada
lotofquestionsforthisghost.
Irolleduptoastop
sign.“Whatisyourname?”
Hesmirked.“Doesit
matter?”
Ohno.Thisonewas
goingtogivemealotof
attitude.Ifeltaheadache
comingonalready.
Iflickedontheturn
signalandmergedintothe
otherlane.“Igenerallyliketo
knowwhoI’mtalkingto,so,
yes,itdoesmatter.”
Hesighedandthen
said,“RogerEdwin.Areyou
happynow?”
Well,thatwasastart.
Evenifhehadamega
attitudeaboutit.
“MynameisLarue
Donavan.I’maparanormal
investigatorandIguessyou
figuredoutIspeaktothe
deadaswell.”
“Yeah,Igatheredthat
much.”Hegazedoutthe
windowatthepassing
scenery.
Weweredriving
throughthenewer
subdivisions.Iwonderedifhe
recognizedhissurroundings.
Ineverknewhowto
askthisquestion.Therewas
noeasyway.
“Howdidyou…get
there?Youknow,inthat
house.”Imadealeftturn
ontoBowlingStreet.
Heshrugged.“Ifyou
wanttoknowhowIbitthe
dust,Iwasinacaraccident.”
Well,thatwasone
waytoputit.“Wereyou
driving?”
“Yeah.Itwasraining
andIlostcontrolofthecar.I
guessIwasn’tsuchagood
driverafterall.”Hewaved
hishand.“Whenit’syour
timetogo,it’syourtimeto
go.”
Iclutchedthesteering
wheelalittletightereven
thoughitwasn’training.I
repeatedmyquestion,“How
didyouendupinthat
house?”
“Theaccidentwas
rightinfrontofit.IguessI
didn’tknowwhereelseto
go.”
Well,thatwasjust
terrible.Mycellphonerang.
“Ineedtotakethis
call,”Isaid,pullingoverto
thesideoftheroad.“It’sa
portablephone.”
Hewavedhishand.
“Whatever.Iknowwhatitis.
I’maghost,butIcanstillsee
what’sgoingonaroundme.”
“Sorry,”Isaid.
Mybestfriend,Mindy
Winters’,namewasdisplayed
onthescreen.Ihadaphoto
ofherthatpoppedupevery
timeshecalled.Itwastheone
fromourtriptothestatefair.
Shehadcottoncandyonher
facelikeapinkmustache.
Herlong,blondehairhad
beenstreakedbythesummer
sunandherbrowneyes
sparkled.
“Ihopeyou’re
finishedwiththe
investigation,”shesaid.“I
didn’twanttodisturbyou.”
Iglancedoverat
Roger.Hewassmirkingat
me.
“Ijustwrappeditup.”
IlookedawayfromRoger.
“Canyoucomebymy
house?IhavesomethingI
wanttoshowyou,”Mindy
said.
“Sure,whatisit?”I
asked.
“Oh,it’sasurprise,
butIthinkyou’llloveit,”she
saidwithenthusiasminher
voice.
“Okay,nowyouhave
meintrigued.I’llbethere
soon.”
Mindylivedashort
distanceaway,soImadeitto
herhouseinonlyafew
minutes.Herpolefitness
studiohadreallytakenoff
andshe’daddedsomenew
classesandshe’djust
purchasedanewplace.I
pulleduptoherhousewhich
wasacombinationbrickand
stonefaçadewithcutewhite
windowboxeswithbrightred
andyellowflowersspilling
overthesides.Sheevenhada
newswimmingpoolinback.
IrecognizedMindy’s
dad’sblueFordtruckinthe
driveway.Ihopedeverything
wasokay.She’dactedasif
everythingwasfine.She’d
soundedupbeat.
“Roger,youwaithere
forme,”Isaidtotheghostas
Igotoutofthecar.
AsIwalkedupthe
pathtowardthefrontdoor,I
feltapresencebehindme.
WhenIglancedback,I
realizedRogerwasrighton
myheels.
“IthoughtItoldyou
tostayinthecar,”Isaidover
myshoulder.
“Idon’twantto,”he
said.
Isupposetherewas
nothingIcoulddotogethim
tostay.Icouldhave
threatenedhimwithasage
cleansing,butIdoubtedit
wouldbeeffectiveonhim.
WhenMindyansweredthe
door,Ialmostfainted.I
hadn’texpectedtoseethe
ghostofMarilynMonroe
standingbehindher.
Chapter2
Istoodthere
speechless.Infact,Ididn’t
knowwhattodonext.It
wasn’tlikeseeingaghost
shockedme,butIhadn’t
expectedMarilynMonroe,
forheaven’ssake.Whydid
thiskeephappeningtome?
Wordmusthavegottenout
thatIwasthepsychic
mediumtothestars.Marilyn
wasjustasglamorousinthe
afterlifeasshehadbeenwhen
shewasliving.Herchin-
lengthblondehairbounced
withcurls.Herlipswere
coveredinbrightredlipstick.
Sheworetheiconicwhite
halterdressedshe’dwornin
thefilmTheSevenYearItch
whereshe’dstoodoverthe
subwaygrateandtheskirt
hadfloateduptowardthe
sky.Herappearancewas
exactlyasIwouldhave
picturedher.
“Wow.Thisisfarout.
Ican’tbelieveit’sMarilyn
Monroe.”Rogersaidashe
walkedrightthroughMindy
andintoherhouse.
Mindyfrownedasif
she’dfelthimpassthrough
her.Now,Rogerstoodnextto
Marilyn,staringwithstar-
struckeyes.
Awickedsmile
curvedhislips.“Thisis
turningouttobeaverygood
day.”
Marilynglancedat
himandfrowned.Roger
neededtobackoffandlearn
whatpersonalspacemeant.I
couldn’tbelievehe’djust
walkedrightintoMindy’s
housewithoutbeinginvited
in.Wherewerehismanners?
Justbecausehewasaghost
didn’tmeanheshouldbe
rude.
“Istheresomething
wrong?”Mindyasked.
Ididn’twanttotell
herjustyetthatMarilyn
Monroewasstandingbehind
herandthatIhadalso
broughtanowinfatuated
teenageghostintoherhome.
Iespeciallydidn’twanttotell
herwithherdadthere.He
wouldthinkhisdaughter’s
bestfriendwasaburgershort
ofacombomeal.
Mindywaswearing
herworkoutgearofblack
yogapantsandablueand
blacksportsbra.She’d
probablyjustleftherstudio.I
hadtofindoutwhatthis
excitingnewsofherswas.
“Okay,nowthat
you’rehere,getinside.”She
motionedformetoenter.
AsIsteppedintothe
foyer,Ikeptmyeyeson
Marilyn.Ontheleftwasthe
largelivingroomandjust
beyondthatwasthedining
room.Mindyhadhireda
decoratorwhohadusedlight
colorsofcreamandbeige
aroundthespace.
Mindy’sdad,Mark,
poppedoutfromthekitchen.
Hisheadwascrownedwitha
thicklayerofshort-cropped
grayhair.Hehadbeengray
foraslongasIcould
remember.Herfatherhad
alwaysbeenfitsothatmust
havebeenwhereMindygot
herloveoffitness.
“Hello,Larue.It’s
nicetoseeyouagain.You’ve
beenhidingfromme,haven’t
you?”Lineswrinkledaround
hisblueeyeswhenhesmiled.
Ilaughedandgave
himahug.“It’sgoodtosee
youagain,too,Mr.Winters.
So,whatistheexciting
news?”Iaskedglancingfrom
Mr.WinterstoMindy.
MarilynandRoger
werestandingrightnextto
Markandhehadnoclue.
Thiswasparticularlyfunny
becauseMindy’sdadwasa
hugeMarilynMonroefan.He
wouldprobablydieifhe
knew.
Mindymotionedover
hershoulder.“Comeintothe
kitchen.There’ssomething
mydadwantstoshowyou.”
Thismustbehuge
withthewaytheywere
acting.IfollowedMindyand
herdadintothekitchen.
Marilynwasrightbehindme
andRogerwasstanding
entirelytooclosetoher.
Basedonthedownward
curveofherlips,Iknewshe
wantedmetogetridofhim.
TherewaslittleIcoulddo
aboutthatrightnow.Mr.
Wintershurriedovertothe
tableandpickeduptheobject
inaglasscase.Thesmileon
hisfacewentfromeartoear.
Heheldthecaseclosetohis
chestasifitwasfragile.
“Doyouhavetostand
soclose?”Marilynasked
Roger.
Thiswasthefirsttime
she’dspoken.Hersweet
voicedidn’thideherirritation
withhim.IgaveRogerastare
thatsaid,“Backoff,buddy.”
Heheldhishandsupand
easedacouplestepsaway.
“Thankyou,”I
mouthed.
Mindyfrowned.I
thoughtshe’dcaughtme
talkingtoRoger.She
probablyhadsuspicionsthat
somethingwasgoingonwith
aparanormalnature.Iknew
she’dfreakouttodiscover
ghostswereinherhouse.The
lasttimethathadhappened
she’dwantedherhome
exorcisedimmediately.For
allIknew,thatcouldhave
beenwhyshe’dboughtanew
place.Mindydidn’thaveto
worrythough.Ihadevery
intentionoftakingtheghosts
withmewhenIleft.
“Thisissocool.You
knowyouweremyfavorite
actress.IlovedyouinSome
LikeItHot,”Rogerchatted
away.
Surprisingly,his
commenthadgottenasmile
outofMarilyn.
“Thankyou,”shesaid
inhersexywhisper.
Heracknowledgement
hadalmostmadeRogerfaint.
WhatwasIgoingtodowith
thesetwo?ThesamethingI
didwithalltheotherghosts,I
guess.Iwouldhavetoputup
withthemandhopethey
movedonsoon.However,I
hadtoadmititwasn’tthe
worstthingtohavetohang
outwithcelebrityghosts.I
waskindofexcitedtogeta
chancetospeakwithMarilyn.
Iwasn’tevensurewhatI
wouldask.
Mindygrabbedmy
arm,breakingmyattention
awayfromtheghosts.“Look
whatmyfatherbought.”
“Whatisit?”I
steppedcloser.
Ithadbetternotbe
somekindofcreepybugin
thatcontainer.AsIpeeredin,
Ispottedthesparkling
earrings.WhywasMr.
Winterssoexcitedabout
earrings?
“Yourdadboughtyou
those?”Iasked.
Mindyshookher
head.“No,theearringswere
MarilynMonroe’s.Mydad
boughtthematanauction.”
Wellnow,that
explainedeverything.I
glancedoveratMarilynand
sheflashedasweetgrin.I
wouldhavetotellMindyshe
washere.Herdadwould
neverbelieveitthough,so
thatwasn’tadetailIwas
readytosharewithhim.
“Wow,theyare
beautiful,”Isaid.
Mr.Winterssmiled
withexcitement.“Iwaslucky
Igotthem.Ithoughtyou
wouldappreciateseeing
them.”
Littledidtheyknow
thiseventhadnowledmeto
Marilyn’sghost.
“Ithinkthat’s
wonderful,Mr.Winters.They
willlookgreatwithyour
collection.”
Hehadotheritems
he’dcollectedovertheyears
ondisplayinhisbasement.
Mostly,hehadpostersand
othermoviememorabilia.
Thisitem,though,wouldbe
thehighlightofhiscollection.
AtleastnowIknew
whyMarilynwasinMindy’s
house,butIwascuriousasto
whyshewaswiththe
earrings.Didtheyhavesome
kindofspecialmeaningto
her?Obviouslythathadtobe
thecase,otherwisewhy
wouldshebehere?Mr.
Winterswrappedtheglass
caseinablackvelvetcloth.
“Well,I’dbetterget
going.”HehuggedMindy
andthenme.“Ladies,you’ll
havetocomeovertothe
houseandseetheseonceIget
thecaseforthem.”
“Wewill,Dad.”She
peeredatmeandshookher
head.
Mr.Winterscarried
hisvaluablecollector’sitem
outsecuredinbothhishands.
Oncehewasoutthedoorand
ithadclosedbehindhim,
Mindyturnedtome.Iknew
shewassuspicious.
Ihadfullyexpected
MarilyntoleavewithMr.
Winters.Afterall,hehadthe
earringsandthatwasthe
reasonshewashereinthe
firstplace.Right?But,she
didn’tgowithhim.She
watchedhimwalkoutthe
doorandthenstaredmeright
intheeyes.Ihadtoaskher
whyshehadn’tgonewith
him.First,Iwouldhaveto
tellMindyabouttheghosts.
IsupposeIhadtotell
herthetruth.Shewasmybest
friendandIdidn’twantto
hideanythingfromher.Ijust
hopedshewasunderstanding.
Iwasresponsibleforbringing
Rogertoherhouse,butwas
Marilynmyfault,too?She
wouldhavebeenthere
whetherIshowedupornot.
Mindyturnedtome
andplacedherhandsonher
hips.“What’sgoingon?”
Icringedandrushed
towardthedoor.
Shesteppedinfront
ofme.“Oh,noyoudon’t.
You’renotleavinguntilyou
tellme.”
IthoughtI’dbe
honestwithher,butnowI
washavingsecondthoughts.
Mindywasblockingmyexit.
“Tellhershehasthe
biggestsexsymbolinhistory
inherlivingroom.”Roger
wiggledhiseyebrowsat
Marilyn.
Marilyninched
furtherawayfromhim.
Ireleasedadeep
breathandsaid,“Okay,I
guessIcan’thideitfrom
you.”
“No,youcan’t,”
Mindysaid.“Thereareghosts
withyou,aren’tthere?”
InoddedatRogerand
Marilyn.“Alittlebit,yeah.”
Mindypeeredaround
theroom.“Whoarethey?”
“Youwon’tbelieve
it,”Isaid.
Shequirkedan
eyebrow.“AfterAbeLincoln,
MaeWest,andElvisPresley,
IthinkI’dbelieveanything.”
“Isupposeyouwould.
Therearetwoghosts.Oneis
famous.”Imotionedtoward
Marilynwithatiltofmy
head,eventhoughMindy
couldn’tseeher.
Marilynfluffedher
hairandcheckedherred-
polishedfingernails.
“Theotheroneisabit
ofapaininthebutt.”I
scowledatRoger.
“Rightbackatyou.”
Hesmirkedme.
“Well,whoarethey?”
Mindymotionedformeto
tellher.
“Well,youknowhow
yourdadhadtheearrings
here?”
“Yeah…”shesaid.
“MarilynMonroewas
attachedtotheearringsand
she’sherenow,”Isaid,
rushingmywords.
“Ineedtositdown.”
Mindywalkedovertothe
leathersofaintheliving
room.
Isatbesideher.“Are
youokay?”
Shepushedthehair
outofhereyesandreleaseda
deepbreath.“Whyisshe
here?”
IturnedtoMarilyn
whohadfollowedusintothe
room.“Whyareyouhere?I
thoughtyouwereattachedto
theearrings?”
“Iwasattachedtothe
earrings,butnowI’m
attachedtoyou.”Shewinked.
Ifrowned.“Why
me?”
“Becauseyoucansee
andtalktome,darling.”
“Duh,”Rogersaid.
“WhywouldIgowith
theearringswhenIcan
actuallycommunicatewith
you?”
“Whywereyou
attachedtotheearringsinthe
firstplace?”Iasked.
Shewavedherhand.
“That’salongstoryIdon’t
wanttotalkaboutrightnow.”
“Whatdidshesay?”
Mindyasked.
“Shedoesn’twantto
talkaboutit,”Isaid.
Mindyrubbedher
temples.“Thatfigures.What
abouttheotherghost?”
IgesturedatRoger.
“HecamefromthehouseI
wasjustinvestigating.Itold
himtostayinthecar,buthe
didn’tlisten.He’sateenager
andyouknowhowtheycan
be.”
Herolledhiseyes.
“Hey,don’tthinkyouknow
everythingjustbecauseyou
areolderthanme.”
“Youaren’tgoingto
leavethemhereareyou?”
Mindyasked.
“No,ofcoursenot.”I
triedtosoundreassuring.
Rogerpointedto
Marilyn.“I’mnotgoingif
she’snotgoing.”
“I’mgoingwithher,”
Marilynsaid,motioningto
me.
Well,Iguessthat
solvesthatproblem.
“They’llbothbe
comingwithme,”Isaid.
“Whew.Thank
goodness.Idon’twantghosts
inmyhouse.Nooffense,”
Mindysaid,gazingaround
theroom.
“Nonetaken,”
Marilynsaid.
Ireleasedadeep
breath.Now,Ihadtofigure
outwhatIwoulddowith
them.Iguessthefirstthing
wastogetthemoutof
Mindy’shouse.
Ipushedtomyfeet.“I
shouldgettotheshopnow.”I
motionedattheghosts.“Are
youbothreadytocomewith
me?”
Marilynsashayed
towardthefrontdoor.Roger
jumpedupandhurriedacross
theroom.
“Leaveheralone,”I
barkedoutathim.“Helikes
Marilyn.”
Mindysnorted.“What
manwouldn’t?”
Ilaughed.“True.”
Waituntilmy
boyfriend,CallahanWeiss,
foundoutMarilynwaswith
me.He’dbejealoushe
couldn’tseeghosts,too.
Mindyfollowedme
acrosstheroom.“Thanksfor
stoppingby,nowgetthe
ghostsoutofhere.”
Isteppedoutside.
“Comeon,Marilynand
Roger,Mindydoesn’twant
youhere.”
Shelaughed.“You’re
right,Idon’t.”
“Callmelater.”I
waved.
Rogermotioned
towardthecarforMarilynto
gofirst.Sure,hewaspoliteto
her.Ifhecouldhaveopened
thedoorforher,hewould
have.Wepiledintomycar
andIbackedoutofthe
driveway.IneverthoughtI’d
beridingaroundtownwith
MarilynMonroesittingnext
tome.SinceIhadsomany
ghostspoppinginandoutof
mylife,I’dhadtopreparea
sortof“orientationtalk”for
thespirits.Settingboundaries
andlettingthemknowwhat
theycouldandcouldn’tdo
wasessentialformysanity.
“Wherearewegoing?
Marilynasked.
“Ihaveabookstorein
town.Iworkthereduringthe
day.”
“Ilovebooks.”She
watchedoutthewindow,not
noticingmeasshetalked.“I
hadalmostfourhundred
books.”
“Metoo.”Roger
leanedforwardintheseat.
“Areyoujustsaying
thatbecauseMarilyndid?”I
askedasImadealeftturn.
“No,ofcoursenot.I
didn’thavefourhundred
books,butIlovebooks,”he
saiddefensively.
Silencefilledthecar.
Marilynwasquiet,soI
assumedshedidn’twantto
talk.Ihadabunchof
questionsforher,butIdidn’t
knowwheretostart.Of
course,therewasthewhole
questionastowhetherher
deathhadbeenanaccidentor
suicide,butIwasn’taboutto
askthat.Itwasnoneofmy
business.Howevershedied,
ithadbeenatragedy.Ifshe
wantedtosharethe
informationIwouldbeall
ears.Sinceshedidn’twantto
tellmewhyshewasattached
totheearringsthatleftmeat
alossforwords.
Ipulledupinfrontof
myshop.“Well,herewe
are.”
Chapter3
BookNookwasmy
bookstoreinthelittletownof
Magnolia,Kentucky.Ithad
beenmygrandparentsbefore
theyretired.Thedowntown
areaoftownhadalotofcute
storesinoldbuildings.My
placewasrightnextdoorto
FullCupCoffeeShop.My
hunkyboyfriend,Callahan
Weiss,ownedtheplace.The
coffeewasthebestI’dever
tastedandthepastrywasto
diefor.
Acharmingsign
dangledabovethedoorofmy
shopwelcomingvisitors.
BookNookhadalwaysbeen
mysafehaven.SinceIranthe
shopduringtheday,Ihadto
findtimeformy
investigating.Mosttimes,
thatmeantIeitherhadtohunt
ghostsearlyinthemorningor
lateatnight.
MarilynandRoger
followedasIgotoutofthe
carandheadedupthe
sidewalktowardtheshop.
“Thisisalovely
town,”Marilynsaidasshe
sashayedalongbesideme.
Rogerleanedcloseto
herandsaid,“We’regladyou
likeit.”
Now,hewassuddenly
Mr.Charming.Irolledmy
eyes.
“Howlonghaveyou
hadtheshop?”sheasked.
“It’sjustbeena
coupleyearsnow.Iloveit
though.”Iglancedtoward
Callahan’s,butdidn’tsee
him.
Itwasearlyand
peopleweregoinginandout
ofhisshop,soIknewhe’dbe
busy.
Thingshadfinally
startedtosettledownafter
Callahanhadbeenhitwitha
coupleofspellsthathadleft
himnotactinghimself.Thank
goodnessthatwasallbehind
us.Therewasalotof
witchcraftintown,butafter
gettingthepeoplewhowere
performingblackmagicto
leaveMagnolia,itwasall
goodmagicnow.Therefore,
wehadn’thadanyproblems
since.Plus,thespiritsthat
hadbeenaroundlatelyhad
beenquiet.Itwasoddreally,
almostlikethecalmbefore
thestorm.
AsInearedmyfront
door,Ispottedsomethingout
ofthecornerofmyeye.It
seemedlikeashadow.Kind
ofliketheoneI’dseeninthe
houseI’djustleft.But,that
hadbeenRogerandhewas
withmenow.Iglancedtomy
lefttomakesurehewasstill
there.Ofcoursehewasn’t
goinganywhereaslongas
Marilynwasstillhere.Could
ithavebeenanotherspirit?If
so,thenwherehadthespirit
comefrom?
“Didyouseethat?”
Marilynaskedandpointed.
“Yousawit?”Iasked.
Shepeeredatmewith
herlong-lashedblueeyes.
“Yes,butitmovedsoquickly
IthoughtmaybeI’dimagined
it.”
Ishookmyhead.“No,
itwasreal.”
I’dseenthemtoo
manytimesnowtothinkthey
werejustafigmentofmy
imagination.
“Didyouseeit,
Roger?”Iasked.
Hewasstaringat
Marilyn.“DidIseewhat?”
“Nevermind,”Isaid.
ThatwaswhenI
spotteditonmyleftthistime.
Afamiliarburningsensation
ranthroughme,signalingthat
thisspiritprobablywasn’t
friendly.Itfeltliketherush
whenyouateicecreamtoo
fast,onlythiswasthroughout
mybody.Thankgoodnessit
onlylastasecond.
Istopped.“Thereit
wasagain.”
Thethingwasmoving
soquicklythatIdidn’thavea
chancetogetagoodlookat
it.Iglancedbehindme,but
didn’tseemovement.Itwas
almostasifthisthingwas
toyingwithme.
IeyedRoger
suspiciously.
“What?”heasked
defensively.
“Areyouplaying
gameswithmeagain?”I
asked.
Hethrewhishands
up.“Whydoyoualways
thinkit’sme?Whydoesit
automaticallyhavetobeme
messingwithyou?”
Asawomanwalked
by,Ipeereddownatmy
whitetennisshoessoit
wouldn’tseemasifIwas
talkingtomyself.“Calm
down.Youweretheone
playingahideandseekgame
withmethismorning,socan
youblamemeforbeing
suspicious?”
Hefurrowedhisbrow.
“Whatever.”
Ihopedtohave
childrensomeday,butnowI
wasrethinkingthatbasedon
whatI’dgothroughwiththe
teenageyears.Theshadow
didn’tpopoutagain,soI
openedtheshopdoorand
headedinside.
Whateverwasout
there,Ihopeditwouldgo
away.Maybeitwasaspirit
simplypassingthrough.That
happenedsometimes.The
richsmellofbookswhirled
throughtheair,huggingme
whenImovedthroughthe
shop.Italwaysmademefeel
athomewhenIwashere.I
wasmostcomfortable
surroundedbythebooks.
Theywerelikeoldfriends
andfamily.IknewIwas
alwayssafewhenIwas
aroundthem.Acozy
fireplacewasononesideof
thestorewithleatherchairs
placedinfronttorelaxand
read.Thecheckoutwason
theoppositeside.
“Somanybooks,”
Marilynsaidassheglanced
aroundthestore.Myfavorite
bookisToKilla
Mockingbird.”
“Really?HarperLee
hasasecondbooknow.It
wasjustreleased,”Isaid.
Rogercutoffmy
conversationwhenheasked,
“Whatarewegoingtodo
here?”
“We’regoingto
work,”Isaid,movingbehind
thecountertoturnonmy
computer.
“Whydowehaveto
dothat?”heaskedwithan
annoyingwhinyvoice.
Iflashedhimaforced
smile.“BecauseIhavebills
topayandIliketoeat
occasionally.”
Herolledhiseyes
again.Ishouldhavetoldhim
ifhedidthattoooftenhis
eyeswouldfreezelikethat.
“Doyouhavethenew
book?”Marilynaskedina
sweetvoice.
Imovedovertothe
displayandgrabbedthe
hardback.“Hereitis.”
Hereyeswidened.“I
wouldlovetoreadit,but
sinceIcan’tholdthepagesit
wouldbekindofhard.”
Rogerleanedagainst
thecounter.“Youshouldread
ittoher.”
Marilynfixedher
gazeonmeandsmiled.“That
wouldbenice.”
HowcouldIsaynoto
that?“IsupposeIcoulddo
that.”
Sincetherewereno
customersatthemoment,I
openedthecoverandstarted
readingfromthefirstchapter.
Rogeryawnedasifhewas
bored,butMarilynremained
transfixedonmyeveryword.
However,muchtoMarilyn’s
disappointment,acustomer
cameinandinterruptedour
readingtime.Afterthe
womanpaidforherpurchase
andlefttheshop,Isatback
downonmystoolbehindthe
counter.
BeforeIhadachance
topickuponthepageIleft
off,Marilynasked,“Who
wasthat?”
“Whoareyoutalking
about?”Iasked.
Shepointedtoward
thefrontofthestore.“There
wasamanstaringinthe
windowjustnow.”
Ifrowned.“Ididn’t
seeanyone,butmaybeitwas
acustomerwonderingifwe
areopenyet.”
Sheshookherhead.
“Thatwasn’tacustomer.”
“Howdoyouknow?”
Iasked.
Shereleasedadeep
breath.“Hewasaspirit.I
couldseerightthroughhim.”
Imovedfrombehind
thecounterandtowardthe
frontwindow.Thiswas
startingofftobeastrange
morningandIhopeditsettled
downsoon.OnceIreached
thewindow,Ipressedmy
facecloseandpeeredoutside.
Iglancedtotheleftandthen
totheright,butdidn’tsee
anything.
“Whatdidhelook
like?”Iasked.
Marilyn’sexpression
turnedseriousashersculpted
eyebrowsfurrowed.“Hehad
onadarksuitandhe
appearedmean.”
Iturnedfromthe
window.“Thatdidn’tsound
good.Roger,wereyouthe
shadowatthehousethis
morning?Whenyouwere
playinghide-n-seek?”
“Stopsayingthat.I
wasn’tplayinghide-n-seek.
Youmakemesoundlikea
two-year-old.”Roger
scowled.
“Well…iftheshoe
fits,”Isaidwiththewaveof
myhand.
Heglaredatmeagain.
“I’veneverbeenashadow.I
don’tknowhowtodoit.”
I’dbeenafraidhe
wouldsaythat.NowIknewI
wasdealingwithsomething
farmoreserious.I’dbeen
suspiciousoftheshadow.
EventhoughRogerlikedto
playgames,Ibelievedhim
whenhesaiditwasn’thim.
Now,IthoughtImightbe
dealingwithanotherspirit…
onemoresinister.Thatwas
thelastthingIneededright
now.AssoonasImoved
awayfromthewindow,the
bellabovethedoorjingled.I
whippedaroundandstuckmy
handsoutinadefensive
stance.
Callahanheldhis
handsup.“Whoa.That’sa
heckofawaytogreet
customers.Areyouokay?
What’swrong?”
Iinhaledandtriedto
relax.AtleastCallahanwas
fullyawarethatIsawand
talkedwithghosts.Icouldbe
honestwithhimaboutwhat
I’dseen.
Chapter4
Callahanwasas
handsomeaseverwithhis
shortdarkhairandbigblue
eyes.Hisfulllipseasilyslid
intoasmile.Heworedark
jeansandabluebuttondown
shirt.Hewasmuchtallerthan
me,butthatwasn’ttough
withmyfivefootoneframe.
Hismusclesfilledouthis
clothinginalltheright
places.Hissexyvoicemade
mybodytingle.Icouldgoon
andonaboutCallahan’s
qualities.
“Whoisthisdude?”
Rogergesturedtoward
Callahan.“Idon’tthinkIlike
him.”
Rogerwasjust
worriedCallahanmighttryto
moveinonhisgirl,Marilyn.
Ofcourse,Marilynwould
havesomethingtosayabout
that.
Callahanleanedover
andpressedhiswarmlips
againstmine.
“Isn’tthatsweet,”
Marilynsaid.
“Disgusting,”Roger
said.
Callahansteppedback
andgazedintomyeyes.
“Howareyou?”
Ipushedthehairaway
frommyface.“It’sbeena
longmorning.”
“Tellmeaboutit.
Whathappened?”Callahan
asked.
“YouknowIwentby
thathousetoinvestigate,
right?”Istraightenedabook
onthenearbyshelf.
Callahanshiftedhis
eyesaroundtheroom.“Did
youbringaghostbackwith
you?”
Inodded.“You
guessedit.”
Callahanglancedover
hisshoulder.“Whoisit?”
Rogerwasbehindhim
makingmockinggestures.
“Ateenagernamed
Rogerandheisapain.”
“Thankyou.I’lltake
thatasacompliment,”Roger
saidsarcastically.
“That’snotall,”I
added.
Callahan’seyes
widened.“There’smore?”
Inodded.“Ialso
pickeduptheghostof
MarilynMonroe.”
Callahanstaredatme
andthenlaughed.“Areyou
joking?”
Iplacedmyhandson
myhips.Therewasnoneed
toanswer.Hewouldbeable
totellbythelookinmyeyes.
“You’renotkidding?”
Callahanasked.
“No,she’srighthere.”
Ipointedtowhereshestood.
Callahanlookedof
course.“Wow,howdidthat
happen?Whathasshesaid?”
“She’skindofquiet.
It’sfunny,butImetherat
Mindy’shouse.Mindy’s
fathercollectsmemorabilia
andshewasattachedto
earringsherecentlybought.”
Callahanranhishand
throughhisthickhair.
“Iknowit’scrazy,”I
said.
“Comingfromanyone
else,Iwouldsayit’s
outlandish,but…”Callahan
said.
“Notfromme.”I
laughed.
“So,yourboyfriend
thinksyou’renutso.”Roger
chuckled.“Howsweet.”
“Hedoesn’tthinkI’m
crazy,Roger.”
Callahanshookhis
head.“Youdoleadan
excitinglife.”
Isupposethatwasone
waytolookatit.Iftherewas
arevolvingdoorofghosts,
thenmylifewasthelobby.
“Whatareyougoing
todowiththem?”Callahan
asked.
“She’sgoingtokeep
us,whatelse?”Marilyn
offered.
Thatwasn’texactly
whatIhadinmind.
“IguessIneedtofind
outwhythey’rehere,”Isaid.
“Thatdoesn’tseem
likeitwillbepossible,”
Marilynoffered.
Iwasn’tsurewhyshe
thoughtthat,butI’dhaveto
askmoreabouthercomment
later.
Callahantouchedmy
arm.“Issomethingelse
wrong?”
Hemusthavesensed
mytension.Asifhavingtwo
ghosts,onewhowasanicon,
wasn’tenough,therewasthe
othershadowI’dseen.
Somethingdefinitelyfeltoff
aboutit.
Ituckedastrandof
hairbehindmyear.“Wesaw
adarkshadowaswewere
cominginsideandthen
Marilynsawaspiritofaman
peekinginthefrontwindow.”
“Hewasprobably
star-struck.”Callahan
laughed.WhenIdidn’tlaugh
back,heclearedhisthroat,
straightened,andsaid,
“Sorry,Iknowthisisserious.
Doyouhaveanyideawhoit
is?”
Icrossedmyarmsin
frontofmychest.“Noidea.I
justgotabadvibefromhim.”
“Him?”Callahan
quirkedandeyebrow.
“Yes,Marilynsaid
shesawthemanandhewas
definitelyaspiritsinceshe
couldseerightthroughhim.”
Irushedmywords.IknewI
wasstressedbecauseIstarted
talkingfastwhenanxiety
kickedin.
Callahanreachedout
andtookmyhandinhis.For
suchashorttimetogether,we
hadbeenthroughalotandhe
hadbeensounderstanding
aboutallofit.
“IsthereanythingI
cando?”heasked.
Ismiled.“No,I’m
sureeverythingwillbefine.
Mymindisjustworking
overtimerightnow.”
“Howaboutwegoout
tonighttotakeyourmindoff
it?”hetouchedmychinwith
hisindexfinger.
“Ilovedates.Where
arewegoing?”Marilyn
asked.
Ifrownedatherand
thenaskedCallahan,“What
doyouhaveinmind?”
Heflashedhis
gorgeoussmile.“Itwillbea
surprise.”
“Isn’tthissweet,”
Marilynsaid.
“Ican’thandlethis
lovefestanylonger,”Roger
said.
“Thatsoundsgreat,”I
said,ignoringRoger’s
comment.
Foramoment,I
thoughtIspottedtheshadow
outofthecornerofmyeye.
NowthatIwasalready
paranoid,Ifigureditwas
probablynothing.Ijust
neededtorelaxandtakemy
mindoffeverything.With
anyluck,workwouldallow
metodojustthat.Books
weremystressrelievers.
“Great.I’llpickyou
upafteryouclosetonight.”
Callahanpeekedathiswatch.
“IguessIshouldgetbackto
theshop.”
Callahanhadhireda
part-timeemployeetohelp
him,whichgavehimalittle
morefreetime.
“I’llseeyoutonight,”
Isaid.
Thewordshadbarely
leftmylipswhenbooks
startedflyingofftheshelves
allaroundus.Marilyn
screamedandIducked,
coveringmyhead.Thesound
ofbookshittingthefloorand
wallsechoedthroughoutthe
store.Afterwhatseemedlike
forever,thebarrageofbooks
finallystopped.Acouple
secondspassedandIlooked
up.Hardbacksand
paperbackscoveredthefloor.
Almosteverybookatthe
frontofthestorehadbeen
knockedofftheshelves.
“Whatthehellwas
that?”Rogerasked.
Thatwasexactlywhat
Iwantedtoknow.
Callahanranoverto
me.“Areyouallright?”
Hehelpedmetomy
feet.“I’mokay,butlookat
themess.”
Hecaressedmy
cheek.“Thatcanbefixedjust
aslongasyou’reokay.”
MarilynandRoger
werestillthere.They
appearedjustasstunnedas
me.
Mylegsshookfrom
therushofadrenaline.“What
happened?”
“Doyouthinkitwas
anearthquake?”Marilyn
asked.
Itwasn’tunheardof
tohaveanearthquake.There
hadbeenoneafewyearsago,
butwe’dbarelyfeltit.
“Iguessitcouldhave
been,butonlythebooksare
offtheshelves.”Ipointed.
Callahanscannedthe
roomandsawthatpictures
werestillonthewalls.
Iknewbythelookin
hiseyesthathewasthinking
thesamethingasme.
Somethingnotofthisworld
hadmadethishappen.I
immediatelygazedatRoger,
butIreallydidn’tthinkhe’d
hadanythingtodowiththis.
Hewasapaininthebutt,but
Ifiguredhewouldn’tdo
anythingasmeanasthis.I
thoughtabouttheshadowy
figure.Ithadtohavebeen
associatedwiththis.But
why?Ihopeditdidn’t
happenedagain.
“Iwillhelpyouclean
up,”Callahansaid,picking
booksfromthefloor.
“No.”Istoppedhim.
“Itwilltakealongtimeand
youneedtoreturntowork.”
Heglancedoverhis
shoulder.“Okay,butI’ll
comebacktohelpassoonas
Ican.”
Ikissedhimgoodbye
andstartedthelongprocess
ofcleaningup.
Chapter5
Itwasalmosttimeto
closewhenIfinallyfinished
placingthebooksonthe
shelves.I’devengottenin
somereadingtimefor
Marilyn.Iploppeddownon
thestoolbehindthecounter
androlledmyshouldersinan
attempttoeasethetension.
Thecustomerswho’dcome
intotheshoptodaywerea
littleconfusedbythemess,so
IwassureI’dmissedouton
somebusiness.Rogerand
Marilynstoodinfrontofme
asiftheywerewaitingforme
tosaysomething.I’dbeen
wonderingifRogerhadseen
thedarkshadowI’dseenin
thehouseonmorethanone
occasion,sonowitwasmy
timetoask.
“Roger,didyou
noticeanotherspiritinthat
houseoften?”Iasked.
Hestaredatmeasif
hehadnocluewhatIwas
talkingabout.
Iaskedagain,“Did
younoticeotherspiritsinthe
houseyouwerehaunting?”
Icouldn’tmakemy
questionanyclearer.Istared
athim,waitingforananswer.
Heshrugged.“No,I
neversawanything.”
Ihadn’tknownRoger
long,butIcouldalreadytell
whenhewasn’tbeinghonest.
Hewasdefinitelyhiding
something.HowwouldIget
himtotellmethetruth?
Iaskedagain,“Roger,
Didyouseeanythingatthe
house?”
Heturnedandwalked
acrosstheroom.“Whenare
wegettingoutofhere?Iwant
toseesomethingelse.This
placeisboring.”
Isteppedoutfrom
behindthecounterandover
towherehestood.Hisback
wasstillturnedtome,soI
movedinfrontofhim,
placingmyhandsonmyhips.
“Whatareyou,my
motherorsomething?”he
snapped.
Ipointedmyindex
fingerathim.“Iwillkeep
askingyouuntilyoutellme
thetruth.”
DealingwithRoger
wasexhausting.
Marilynmovedover
besideus.“Youtellherthe
truthrightnow.”
Rogerseemedstunned
thatMarilynhadscoldedhim.
Shequirkedaneyebrowasif
shedaredhimtodefyher.
Hethrewhishandsup
intheair.“Okay,maybeI
sawsomething,butIdon’t
knowwhatitwas.That’sallI
know,soleavemealone,
okay?”
Iwatchedhimfora
moment,buthewouldn’t
meetmystare.Istillthought
hewashidingsomething.It
didn’tappearasifwe’dbe
abletoforcehimtotellus
morethough,evenwith
Marilyn’shelp.
Ireleasedadeep
breath.“Fine.”
Imightlethimoffthe
hookforthetimebeing,butI
wouldrevisitthistopicsoon.
Rightnow,Ineededtoclose
theshopandheadhome.I
hadadatetogetreadyfor.
Iwonderedwhere
Callahanwastakingme.
Thereweren’talotofoptions
inMagnolia.Itwasasmall
townandnotalottodo.
Maybehewastakingmeto
themovies.Thatwouldbe
fun,althoughitseemeda
littlemoremysteriousthan
that.Marilynwaswhispering
toRoger.Iwonderedwhat
shewastellinghim.Ifanyone
couldgethimtotalk,itwould
beher.I’dleavethemalone
andseeifshecouldget
throughtohim.Ishutdown
thecomputerandgrabbedmy
purse.
I’dalmostmadeitto
thefrontdoorwhentheman’s
facepoppedupatthe
window.Hehadglowing
greeneyesandhisskinwas
ashengray.Heglaredatme
andsnarledshowinghis
mouthfulloffang-liketeeth.
Iscreamedandjumpedback.
Ihadn’texpectedtoseehis
face.I’dbeentryingtoput
thethoughtoutofmymind
andnowhewasback.Roger
andMarilynstoppedtalking
andracedovertome.
“Whathappened?
Marilynasked.
AllIcoulddowas
pointtothewindow.
“Yousawtheman,”
shesaid.
Iracedoutthedoor
andontothesidewalk.Iwas
scared,butIhadtofacemy
fearsandseeifthismanwas
reallyoutthere.Iknewhe
wasaspirit,butIwantedto
confronthimtoseewhathe
wanted.Whywashelooking
intothestore?Whatdidhe
want?Ipeeredtomyleftand
tomyright,butIdidn’tsee
him.RogerandMarilynstood
besidemeasIstareddown
thesidewalk.
“Wheredidhego?”
Marilynasked.
Ishookmyhead.“I
don’tknow.”
Carsdrovebyand
peoplewalkedupanddown
thesidewalkontheotherside
ofthestreet.Nooneacted
likeanythingunusualhad
happened.Theyhadn’tseen
thespookyspecter.Itriedto
calmmynervesasIreleased
adeepbreath.
“Larue,”Mindycalled
out.
Iturnedaroundtosee
Mindycomingtowardmeon
thesidewalk.WasIeverglad
toseeher!Justthen,agrowl
soundedfrommyright.I
lookedoverandsawtheman
standingrightbesideme.My
heartspedup.Hemovedina
flashandrushedtoward
Mindy.Ididn’tknowwhatto
dotostophim.Idashed
forward,reachingouttograb
him,butImissed.Instead,I
felltotheground,catching
myselfwiththepalmofmy
hands.
WhenIglancedup,I
sawthemanflytoward
Mindyandthenmoveright
throughher.Oncehe’d
passedthroughherbody,he
disappeared.Shefellback
ontotheground.Ijumpedup
andracedovertoher.
“Areyouokay?”I
askedasIhelpedherup.
Mindyseemed
stunnedandunabletofocus
onmyface.Shedidn’tspeak
andherhandswereshaking.
Iloopedmyarm
aroundher.“Comeon,let’s
goinsideandsitdown.”
Shestaredstraight
aheadwithoutsayingaword,
butshefollowedmeintothe
shop.
“Issheokay?”
Marilynasked.
“Ithinkshe’llbe
fine,”Isaid.“Itprobably
knockedthewindoutofher.”
IhelpedMindyover
tothestool.“Areyoubetter
now?”
Shefinallylookedat
me.Hereyesweredarkand
blank,butthen,theychanged
backtothebigbrowneyes
I’dalwaysknown.
Shepushedthehair
outhereyeswithhershaky
hand.“Yeah,I’mfine.”
Apparently,she’d
snappedoutofit.
“Whathappened?”
sheasked.
Iwasn’tsureifI
shouldtellherwhatreally
occurred,butIdidn’tknow
howelsetoexplainit.
“Itwaslikethe
strongestwindI’deverfelt.”
Sheshookherheadasif
tryingtogetridofthe
thought.
Hadshenotseenthe
man?Ofcourseshehadn’t.
Hewasaghostwhichmeant
onlyI’dseenhim.Well,
Marilynandme.
IknewIhadtobe
honestwithher.Iwouldwant
hertodothesamewithme.
“Ithinkaghostran
throughyou.”Irushedthe
wordssomaybeitwouldn’t
soundsobad.
Hereyeswidened.“A
ghost?”
IhopedMindywould
stillcomearoundme.Ifshe
wasstillmyfriendafterall
this,thenIknewshe’dnever
stopbeingmyfriend.
“Istheghoststill
around?”sheasked.
Ishookmyhead.“No,
he’sgone.”
“Good,Ihopethat
neverhappensagain.”She
straightenedhershirtand
brushedoffherpants.
“Metoo,”Isaid.
Mindytuckedaloose
strandofhairbehindherear.
“Ifeelbetternow.I’llbe
fine.”
Istaredatherfora
moment.
“Ipromise,”she
added.
“So,whydidyoustop
by?”Iasked.
“Icamebytocheck
onyou.Afteryoutoldme
whathappenedwiththe
books,Iwasconcerned.
Lookslikeyougotitalltaken
careofthough.”Shepeered
aroundtheplace.“I’msorryI
didn’tgetheresoonerto
help.”
Iwavedmyhand.It
wasnobigdeal.“I’musedto
puttingthebooksup
anyway.”
“Yeah,butnotthat
manyallatonce.”Shepicked
uponeofthebooksandsetit
backdownagain.“Doyou
thinkwhathappenedtomeis
relatedtotheeventwiththe
books?”
IwishedIcouldtell
herno,butIcouldn’t.I
nodded.“Ithinktheyare
related.”
“So,youthinkitwas
thesameghost?”Mindy
asked.
Istudiedmyshoesfor
amomentandthenfinally
metherstare.“Yes,Ido.”
Shesighedandthen
asked,“Wheredoyouthink
hecamefrom?”
IglancedatRoger,
butheavoidedeyecontact.
“I’mnotsure,butplan
onfindingout.”
Mindypushedtoher
feetandgrabbedherpurse
fromthecounter.“Well,I’d
bettergetoutofhere.”
“Areyousureyou’re
okay?”Iasked.
Sheplacedthepurse
strapoverhershoulder.“You
knowI’mtough.”
Sometimesbeing
toughwasn’tenoughwhen
thesebadspiritswere
involved.
Shewalkedtoward
thedoor.“Callmewhenyou
canandletmeknowwhat
Callahan’sbigplanswere.”
Somethingwas
makingmenervousabouther
leaving.IguessIwasworried
theghostwouldbeoutthere
waitingorher.Shewaved
andthensteppedoutontothe
sidewalk.Mindypausedand
lookedtotheleftandthento
theright.Iknewshewas
searchingfortheghosttoo.
AfterIsecond,sheturnedto
theleftanddisappearedfrom
view.
“Let’sgetoutof
here,”Rogersaid.
Inodded.“Fine.We’ll
gotomyhouse.”
“Cool,”hesaidashe
followedmeoutthedoor.“I
hopetheplaceisn’tadrag.”
Marilynsatinthe
frontwithmeandRogerwas
inthemiddleofthebackseat
withhisbodyleaning
forward.
“Doyouhavetobeso
close?”Marilynasked.
Heleanedback
slightly,butnotalltheway.I
waslikethemomtryingto
makethekidsbehaveonthe
carride.Ifeltlikesaying,
“Don’tmakemeturnthiscar
around.”
Graycloudsformedin
thedistanceasifawarningof
thingsyettocome.Icouldtry
tooutrunthem,butIknew
theywouldeventuallycatch
up.Aftertheshortdrive,we
arrivedatmyhouse.
“Thisisanadorable
littleplace,”Marilynsaidas
wegotoutofthecar.
Iopenedthedoorand
motionedortheghoststo
enterfirst.“Makeyourselfat
him.”
WhatelsecouldIsay?
Theywouldmakethemselves
athomewhetherIinvited
themtoornot.Myplacewas
asmalloldfarmhouse.The
roomshadbeenredone,soI
wasproudofthehardwork
I’dputintoit.Rogerplopped
downontomyoversized
whitesofa.Ifhehadn’tbeen
aghost,Iwouldhavetold
himtotakehissneakersoff
first.Buttherewaslittle
chancehecouldgetitdirty
anyway.
“Hey,canyouturnon
theTV?”heasked.
Isighedandthen
grabbedtheremote.“Whatdo
youwanttowatch?”
“Theguyatthelast
housewatchedESPNalot.
Doyouhaveit?”
Iflippedthroughthe
channels.Ican’tbelieveI’m
turningthetelevisionfora
ghost.”
“Youneedtoget
readyforyourdate,”Marilyn
placedherhandsonherhips.
“Where’syourmakeup?”
“It’sallinmy
bedroom,”Isaidand
motionedforhertofollow
me.
WasIreallygoingto
getfashionadvicefrom
MarilynMonroe?Istepped
intotheroomandshecame
behindme.AtleastRoger
wasoccupiedwiththeTV.
Thiswaslikeagirls’night.
“Whatareyou
wearing?”sheasked,
scanningmyroom.Mybed
satonthefarwallbetween
twowindows.Ontheother
sideoftheroomwasa
fireplacewithacomfychair
nexttoit.Asunnyyellow
colorthatremindedmeof
summercoveredthewalls.
Thesmallbathroomwas
attachedtotheroom.
“IguessIhadn’t
thoughtaboutit,”Isaid.
Shemotionedtoward
theclosetdoor.“Well,let’s
seewhatyouhave.”
Iopenedthedoorand
Marilynsteppedcloser.She
wassilentforalongtimeas
shepeeredintothedepthsof
mycloset.Itookthatasabad
sign.Ihopedshedidn’tlook
inthebackwhereIhadstored
theoutdatedjeansandT-
shirts.
“Iguesswecancome
upwithsomething.Youwant
ittobesexy,butleavehim
wantingmore,too,”shesaid
inhersexkittenvoice.
Sheobviouslyknew
morethanmeaboutthis,soI
woulddoasIwastold.She’d
madeacareeroutofbeinga
sexsymbol,soIknewshe
knewwhatshewastalking
about.
“Whataboutthis?”I
asked,holdingupayellow
dressforhertoexamine.
Sheshookherhead,
blondecurlsbouncingwith
themotion.“Doyouhave
anythinginadeepblue?I
thinkthatcolorwouldlook
greatonyou.”
“Oh,Ihaveadress.”I
fishedaroundinthecloset
andpulleditout.“Hereitis.”
Sheeyedthedressup
anddown.“Thatwillbegood
fornow.Weshouldgo
shoppingthough.”
Inodded.“Okay.”
IfiguredIshouldtake
heradviceonfashionand
glamour.Soon,Ifound
myselfwearingthebluedress
thathitjustabovemyknees.
Ithadafullskirtandsmall
straps.Iworeblackstrappy
heelswithit.Marilynhad
helpedinstructmewithmy
makeup.Ofcourse,I’dbeen
wearingmakeupforyears,
butIdidn’targuewithher.I
didfeellikeImightbealittle
overdressed.Whatif
Callahanwasjusttakingme
tothemovies?Whatifhe
wantedtogotothelocalpub?
IguessI’djustbe
overdressed.
EventhoughIwas
excitedforthedate,I
couldn’tstopthinkingabout
Mindy.Ishouldhavegone
withherandmadesureshe
wasokay.
Thedoorbellrangand
mystomachdidalittledance.
“Lookslikeyourdate
ishere,”Marilynsaid.“Now,
gogethim.”
Ihurriedtowardthe
door.Rogerwasalready
standingbesideit.How
wouldIconvincethetwoof
themtostayatmyhouse
whileIwentoutwith
Callahan?
WhenIopenedthe
door,Callahan’seyes
widened.“Wow,youlook
gorgeous.Notthatyoudon’t
alwayslookgorgeous.”
Hischeeksblushed
andhegrinned.Iknewwhat
hemeant.
“Thankyou,”Isaid.
IturnedtoRogerand
Marilyn.“Okay,I’llbeback
later.”
Marilynmoved
aroundCallahanandnow
stoodonmyfrontporch.“I’m
goingwithyou.”
Iwouldn’teven
botherarguingwiththem.I
justwantedtohaveanice
evening.Thechatterofghosts
inmyearwouldbe
distracting,butIhaddealt
withitinthepast.Whatwas
onemoretime,right?
Chapter6
Westeppedoutonto
theporchandIlockedthe
doorbehindus.Atleastthe
rainhadheldoff,butIfeltthe
stormbrewingintheair.
“Areyougoingtotell
mewherewe’regoingyet?”I
askedasIwalkedwith
Callahantowardhiscar.
Heopenedthedoor
formeandIslippedinside.
“You’llseewhenweget
there.”
“Ihatesurprises,”
Marilynsaidfromtheback
seat.
Rogerwasbackthere
already,too.
Callahangotbehind
thewheel.Hepausedwithhis
handontheignitionand
studiedmyface.“Areyou
okay?Itseemslike
somethingisbotheringyou.
Isitstillwhatoccurredthis
morning?”
Ihadn’ttoldhim
aboutwhathadhappenedto
Mindyyet.Isighedandthen
recountedtheincident.
“Ifit’sbotheringyou
thatmuch,thenweshouldgo
checkonher,”Callahansaid.
“Whataboutour
plans?Idon’twanttoruinthe
eveningforyou.”
Hestartedengine.“As
longasI’mwithyou
nothing’sruinedever.”
Mystomachdida
littledance.Healwaysknew
whattosay.
Hepulledoutontothe
streetandheadedtowardher
house.“Whatkindofthings
canhappenwhenaspirit
travelsthroughyou?”
“Theiremotionscan
staywithyouforquitea
while.Insomecases,the
spiritactuallytakes
possessionofthebodyand
theyhangaroundforawhile,
waitingforachancetotake
overthemind.”Iwatched
himforareaction.
Callahanflashedmea
worriedlook.“Doyouthink
thishappenedtoMindy?”
“Ithinktheghostleft,
butIsuspectshe’sstill
feelingtheaftereffectsofthe
spirit.”Ileanedmyheadback
againsttheseat.
“Kindoflikea
hangover?”heasked.
“Exactly,”Isaid.
Aftertheshortdrive,
wepulleduptoherhouse.I
wasrelievedtoseeMindy’s
carparkedinherdriveway.
CallahanandIgotoutand
walkeduptothedoor.Afew
sprinklesofrainhadstarted
tofall.MarilynandRoger
camewithus.
“IhopeMindyis
okay,”Marilynsaid.
“Ihopeshehasthe
TVon,”Rogersaid.“Iwant
tocatchthelasthalfofthe
game.”
Iknockedonthedoor
andcalledout,“Mindy,it’s
Larue.”
Therewasalotof
noiseontheothersideofthe
door.CallahanandI
exchangedaglance.
“What’sgoingonin
there?”Rogerasked.
Ishookmyhead.“I
don’tknow.”
Iwasstartingtoreally
worrywhenshefinally
answeredthedoor.Mindy
steppedoutontotheporch
givingusafunnylook.She
haddarkcirclesunderher
eyesandablankstareinher
eyes.NowIwasmore
worriedthanever.Theattack
reallyhadaneffectonher.I
hopeditwouldn’tlastmuch
longer.Callahanlookedatme
worriedly.Hecouldtellthis
wasn’tgood.
“Mindyareyou
okay?”Iasked.
Atthesoundofmy
voice,sheseemedtosnapout
ofit.Hereyesseemedto
focusandsheacknowledged
me.
“Oh,Larue.I’mglad
you’rehere.”
“What’sgoingon?”I
asked.
“Ican’tshakethis
feeling.Ikeepgettingangry
andIdon’tknowwhy.”
Mindyrubbedherarms.
She’dbarelyfinished
thesentencewhenthefront
doorslammedshut.Theforce
hadmadethewreathfallfrom
thehanger.Mindyjumped
andmovedclosertous.With
wideeyes,shereachedout
andheldontomyarm.
“Cool,”Rogersaid.
Thiswascertainlynot
cool.Iwasn’tlikingwhatwas
goingon.
“Howdidthat
happen?”Marilynasked.
“There’sobviouslya
ghostinmyhouse,”Mindy
saidwithfearinhervoice.
“Idon’tthinkMindy
shouldbealoneuntilshe
recovers,”Callahansaid.
Hewasright,she
didn’tneedtobebyherself.
Asforaghostinherhouse,I
wasabouttofindout.
Mindywrappedher
armsinfrontofherwaistasif
thatwouldsomehowmake
hersafe.“Ireallydon’twant
tostayhererightnow.”
IlookedtoCallahan.
Callahantouchedmy
arm.“Whydon’tyouallgo
backtoyourplace,Larue?
YoucanhangoutuntilMindy
feelsbetter.”
“Areyousureyou
don’tmind?”Iasked.
Heshookhishead.“I
havealotofpaperworktodo
anyway.Wecandothis
anothernight.”
Inodded.“Ifyou’re
sure.”
“I’mpositive.”
“Wherewerewe
going,bytheway?”I
whispered.
“Ithoughtwe’dgoto
thatnewrestaurantintown,”
Callahansaid.
“Oh,Iwouldhave
lovedthat,”Isaid.
“We’llgosoon.Just
letmeknowwhenyouwant
togoandwe’rethere.”
Callahantouchedmychin
withhisindexfinger.
Rogerhurrieddown
thesteps.“Good,maybeifwe
hurryhomeIcancatchthe
lastofthegame.”
Ihadnewsforhim,
MindyandIweregoingto
watchagoodmoviesoshe
couldtakehermindoff
things.Maybehavesome
junkfoodanddrinks,too.
Mindytwistedthe
doorknobanditopened.“I
needtogetacouplethings.”
“I’llberightbehind
you,”Isaid.
Callahancradledmy
headwithhishands,leaned
down,andsoftlyplacedakiss
onmylips.Iopenedmyeyes
andlookedathim.Thewarm
imprintofhislipslingeredon
mymouth.
“Nowthat’sakiss,”
Marilynsaid.
“Doyouwantmeto
driveyoualltoyourhouse?”
Callahanasked.
“That’sokay.Wecan
takeMindy’scar.Everything
willbefine,”Isaid.
Hestudiedmyface
foramomentasifhewas
tryingtoseeifIwasbeing
honest.“Callmeifyouneed
anything.”
IwavedasCallahan
climbedintohiscarand
droveaway.Iwalkedinside
tohelpMindygatherher
things.Sheemergedfromthe
bedroomwithabigbag
packed.
“Howlongdoesshe
thinkthiswilltake?”Marilyn
asked.
Ididn’tthinkitwould
takethatlong,butifitmade
Mindyfeelbettertobring
halfofhercloset,thenthat
wasfinewithme.She
grabbedhercarkeys.
“You’renevergetting
hertoleaveyourhouse,”
Rogersaid.
Iignoredhim,and
said,“Areyouokay?Ican
driveyourcarifyouwantme
to.”
Shehandedmethe
keys.“Maybethat’sagood
idea.”
AfterMindylocked
thefrontdoor,weheadedto
hercar.Afewdropsofrain
stillsputteredfromtheskyas
ifitwastryingtodownpour,
butcouldn’tgetstarted.The
windhadpickedupmaking
thetreebranchessway.The
rustlingoftheleavessounded
likethewhisperofvoices,
onlyIcouldn’tmakeoutthe
words.Ireachedouttograb
thedoorhandlewhen
suddenlythelocksshut.
“Didyoudothat?”I
whispered.
Sheshookherhead.I
punchedthekeyfobagain.
“MaybeIaccidentally
hitit,”Isaid.
IknewthatIhadn’t
though.
Somethingwas
playingtrickswithus.
“Idon’tthinkhe
wantsyoutoleave,”Marilyn
said.
“Who?”Ilookedat
her.
Shepointedtoward
Mindy’shouse.Ipeeredup,
butdidn’tseeanythingoutof
theordinary.
“Whowasit?”I
asked.
“Itwasthesame
man,”shewhispered.
Herwordssentachill
downmyspine.Whywasthe
manhere?Ithoughtwe’dleft
himonthesidewalkinfront
ofthebookstore.Ididn’t
thinkhe’dactuallyfollow
Mindyhome.Ipushedto
unlockthedoorsagain,but
nothingwouldhappen.
“Maybeitneedsa
newbattery,”Mindysaid.
“Doyouhavethe
otherone?”Iasked.
“Ithinkit’sinthe
kitchen.”Shepeeredbackat
thehouseandIknewshe
didn’twanttogointhere
alone.
“Ifyoutellmewhere
itis,Icangogetit,”Isaid.
“It’sinthetopdrawer
bytherefrigerator.”She
pointed.
“Okay,I’llberight
back.”Ihurriedupthepath
andtothefrontdoor.
Ishovedthekeyin
andunlockedthedoor.I
wantedtogetthekeyfoband
getout.Thehousewassilent
andthesensationofbeing
watchedfollowedmewith
everystep.Icouldhave
brusheditoffasmy
imagination,butitwasnever
myimagination.Something
orsomeonewasobserving
me.
WhenIreachedthe
kitchen,IgaspedwhenIsaw
thatallthecabinetdoorsand
drawerswereopen.There
wasnowayMindyhadleft
themlikethat.Whatreason
wouldshehavetoleavethem
open?Ineededtocheckout
thedrawersasquicklyas
possibleandthengetoutof
there.Onethingwasforsure,
Ihadaspiritproblemonmy
hands.
Iinchedintothe
kitchen,prayingnothing
wouldhappenwhileIwas
there.Theroomwasalot
biggerthanIrealized.It
seemedlikeforeverbeforeI
reachedthecabinets.Peering
intotheopenedthedrawerby
therefrigerator,Ispottedthe
keyfobrightaway.Ishoved
myhandintograbit,butthe
drawerslammedshut.It
almosttookmyhandoff.
Iwhippedaround
expectingtoseethespirit
behindme,buttherewasno
onethere.Afterreleasinga
deepbreath,Igrabbedthe
drawerhandleandyankedit
openagain.I’dexpectedit
nottoopen,butmuchtomy
surpriseitdid.Now,Ihadto
stickmyhandinthereagain.
OnceI’dshovedmyhandin,
Igrabbedthekeyfob,and
thenrushedoutofthekitchen
backtothefrontdoor.
Footfallsechoedbehindme.I
didn’thavetimetoturn
aroundtoseewhoorwhat
wasthere.
PantingasifIwas
losingamarathon,Irushed
outofthehouseandoverto
thecar.Mindystaredatme
withwideeyesasIran
towardher.Isloweddown
longenoughtofinallypeek
overmyshoulder.I’dbeen
confidentsomethingwas
behindme,butnothingwas
there.
“Iseverythingokay?”
Afrownsnappedbetween
Mindy’seyebrows.
Aftercatchingmy
breath,Iheldupthekeyfob
likeitwasatrophy,andsaid,
“I’mfine.”
Notwantingtoworry
heranymorethanshealready
was,Idecidednottoshare
thecabinetdoorfiascowith
her.Ipushedthekeyfoband
itstilldidn’twork.Icursed
undermybreath,butMindy
releasedanexpletivethatthe
neighborsprobablyheard.I
didn’tknowwhattodotoget
inthecar.
“Thisoneisn’t
workingeither,”Isaid.
Thewordshadbarely
leftmylipswhensuddenly
thedoorsunlocked.Mindy
andIexchangedalookof
shock.Iwasatalossfor
words.MarilynandRoger
stoodinsilence,too.
Ididn’twanttorisk
beinglockedoutagain,sowe
hurriedintothecar.The
thoughtcrossedmymindthat
thesamethingcouldhappen
again.Whatifnexttimethe
doorswouldn’tunlockand
wewereinthecar?Whatif
thedoorswouldn’tunlock
andwewerestuckinthecar
likesardinesinatincan.
Okay,Ineededtocalmdown
andnotpanic.Ihadtobe
strongforMindy.After
startingthecar,Ibackedout
ofthedriveway.
“Whatdoyouthinkis
goingon?”Mindyasked.
“Iguesstheremight
besomethingwrongwith
yourlocks.”Ikeptmyeyes
ontheroad.
IknewifMindy
lookedinmyeyes,shewould
knowIdidn’tbelievewhat
I’djustsaid.
“IguessI’llhaveto
getitcheckedout,”shesaid.
Everyonewassilent
fortheshortdrivetomy
house.Iguesswewereall
thinkingaboutwhathad
happened.AtleastIknewwe
couldrelaxalittleatmy
place.AfterparkingMindy’s
carbehindmine,weall
climbedoutofthecarand
hurriedinsidebeforetherain
camedownharder.Thedrops
werefallingatasteadypace
now.
WhenIsteppedinto
thelivingroom,Rogerwas
alreadywaitingbytheTV.
Withoutsayingaword,I
grabbedtheremoteand
flickeditontohisfavorite
channel.Atleastitkepthim
entertained.
“ForRoger,”Isaidto
MindywhenInoticedher
surprise.
“HewatchesTV?”
Mindyasked.
Ishookmyhead.“It’s
betterthanhimtalking.”
Mindylaughed.“Is
Marilynhere?”
Igesturedbesideme.
“Shehelpedmegetreadyfor
mydate.”
Mindyeyedmeup
anddown.“Youlookgreat
bytheway.Ifeelbadabout
messingupyourevening.”
“Thankyou,anddon’t
worryaboutit.”Iwavedmy
hand.“We’llgooutanother
night.”
“WillCallahanbe
upset?”sheasked.
“YouknowCallahan
isasweetiepie.Hejustwants
toknowyou’renotupset.
Nowhowaboutwegointo
thekitchen?”Isaid,tryingto
talkoverRoger’syellingat
theTV.
“Goodidea,”Mindy
said.
Nowitwasjustthe
girlshangingout.
“Howaboutwehave
strawberrydaiquiris?”I
wiggledmyeyebrows.
“Yougetthemixand
I’llfindthevodka,”Mindy
marchedtowardthecabinet.
“Ihaven’tdonethis
foryears.”Marilynleaned
againstthecounter.
MindyandI
exchangedalook.
“I’mgoingtochange
intomysweats.I’llberight
back.Marilyn,youcankeep
Mindycompany?Whydon’t
youtellheraboutyourmovie
SomeLikeItHot,”Isaidwith
asmile.
Ihurriedintomy
roomtochangeoutofthe
bluedress.Iwouldhaveto
saveitforanotherday.When
Ipassedthroughtheliving
roomagain,Rogerwasstillin
thesamespotonthesofa.
Mindyhadalready
madethedrinksandwas
pouringthemintomyfavorite
glasses.Theoneswiththe
swirlystemsandred,yellow,
andbluesstripesaroundthe
top.Iploppeddowninthe
chairacrossfromMarilyn
andtookabiggulp.Thisday
seemedtohavetwenty-five
hoursanditwasn’tevenbed
timeyet.
Afterlickingthe
daiquirifrommylips,Iasked
Mindy,“Didanythingelse
happenatyourhouse?”
“Nothingotherthanit
feltasifIwasbeing
watched.”
Atleastitseemedasif
Mindywasfeelingbetter
now.MaybeI’dleftthespirit
atherhouse.Iwouldhaveto
getitoutoftherethough.She
hadtogohomeeventually.
“Ifanythingwas
there,it’sprobablygone
now.”Ihopedshedidn’task
whyIthoughtthatbecauseI
wouldnothavealogical
answer.Iwantedtomakeher
feelbetter.
“Can’tyoutellthe
thingthat’stheretogetout?”
Marilynasked.
Iknewshe’dseenthe
spiritI’dseen.
“Ifthereisanentity
there,thenIdon’tthinkhe
willlistensimplybyme
asking.Iwouldhavetodo
somethingmoresevere.”I
tookanotherbigdrink.
Justthenthesoundof
footstepscamefrom
overhead.
Mindypointedup.“Is
someoneupthere?”
“No,unlessRoger
wentupthere.Ijustsawhim
inthelivingroom,though.
Whywouldhebeupstairs?”I
asked.
“Weshouldgocheck
onhim,”Mindysaid.
“I’mgladhe’sleaving
mealone,”Marilynsaid.
Ipushedtomyfeet
andheadedtowardtheliving
room.MarilynandMindy
wererightbehindme.The
televisionwasstillplaying,
butRogerwasn’taround.
“Iguesshewent
upstairs,”Isaid.
Weinchedthrough
thelivingroomandintothe
hallway.Imotionedand
Mindypaused.
“I’llgoupandsee
whathe’sdoing,”I
whispered.
Mindynodded,but
sheseemedalittletense.Just
whenshe’dstartedtofeel
better,nowRogerwantedto
showoff..Iwouldtellhimto
cutitout.Ididn’twantany
moregamestonight.We’dall
hadalongdayandIwasn’tin
themoodforit.Iclimbedthe
stairstomysecondfloor
whichwasjusttwobedrooms
andasmallbathroom.
“Roger,areyouup
here?”Icalledout.
Hedidn’tanswer.It
wasjustlikewhenI’dfound
him.Apparently,hefeltlike
itwastimeforanothergame
ofhide-n-seek.
Chapter7
Onceatthetopofthe
stairs,thefootstepssounded
again.Yes,thiswasalotlike
whathadtranspiredatthe
housewithRoger.Icouldn’t
believehewasdoingthis
again.Iwouldlethimhaveit
whenIcaughthim.Imarched
downthehallwaytothe
bedroomontheright.Whena
rustlingnoisecamefromthe
othersideofthedoor,I
figuredthiswaswherehe
was.Iwasn’tevengoingto
callouttohim.Iwouldpop
inandthengivehimapiece
ofmymind.Aftergrabbing
theknob,Iswungthedoor
open.Tomysurprise,Roger
wasn’tthere.Hemustbe
hidingagain.
Itiptoedovertothe
closetsohewouldn’tknowI
wasabouttocatchhim.I
grabbedthehandleand
yankeditopen.Rogerwasn’t
thereeither.Ipushedthe
clothingIhadhangingin
theretothesidetomakesure
hewasn’tattheback.Nosign
ofhim.Hemustbeunderthe
bed.Iflungthecomforterup
fromthefloorandpeeked
underneath.StillnoRoger.
Thatmeanthemustbeeither
inthebathroomortheother
bedroom.Aftereasingoutof
theroom,Iwenttothe
bathroomfirst.Iinchedinto
thesmallspaceandgrabbed
theblueandwhitestriped
showercurtain.
Withoneswift
movement,Iyankeditback.
“Ah-ha!”
NoRoger.Hethought
hewasbeingsoclever.He
wasprobablyinonespotand
immediatelydisappearing
whenheheardmecoming.I
neededtobequieter.
Therewasonlyone
roomleft.Now,Iwasreally
angryI’dhadtochaseRoger
allaroundthehouse.Iwould
forgetaboutbeingquiet.I
stormedintotheother
bedroom.Unfortunately,
Rogerwasn’tthereeither.He
musthavealreadygoneback
downstairs.Iwastootiredto
playhisgametonight.I
massagedmytemples,trying
tokeepthedullheadache
fromgrowing.
Iwasreadytoleave
theroom,butIinstantlyhad
thatcreepyfeelingIwasn’t
alone.Therewassomeoneor
somethingtherewithme.I
wasafraidtoturnaround,yet
IknewIhadto.Iwasn’tso
surethispresencewasRoger.
Itfeltmuchmorepowerful
thanhismanifestationhad
everfelt.Istoodfrozenonthe
spot,unsureofwhattodo
next.IdecidedIwouldspin
aroundquicklybeforethe
thinghadachancetoslipup
onme.Iinhaledadeep
breath,preparingmyselffor
whatImightsee.
Onthecountofthree,
Iwouldturnaround.1…2…
3…Iturnedaround.Ispotted
itinstantly.Therewasachair
inthecorneroftheroomand
therewassomeonesittingin
it,exceptthepersonhada
sheetoverthem…likethey
werewearingitfortrickor
treating.
“Roger,isthisyour
ideaofplayinglikeyour
CaspertheFriendlyGhost?
Well,it’snotfunnyandI
don’thavetimeforgames
rightnow.Takeitoffand
let’sgo,”Isaidwithmy
handsonmyhips.
Imarchedovertothe
chair,stoppingafewsteps
away.Thatsameeeriefeeling
surroundedme.Itfeltlike
whenI’dfoundRogerat
Elisa’shouse,exceptthe
creepyfactorwasintensified
byaboutahundred.I’dnever
beenthiscreepedoutby
Roger.Whywasn’thesaying
anything?Whatifitwasn’t
himunderthere?Iswallowed
hardandinchedacouple
stepscloser.Iwasrightup
nexttothechairnow.Roger
orwhoeverwasunderthere
stillhadn’tmovedaninch.
“You’dbettercome
out.I’mstartingtogetreally
agitated,”Isaid.
Apparently,thatwas
oflittleconcerntotheperson
hidingbeneaththefabric.I
wasstalling,butIknewIhad
topullthatsheetoff.This
littlegamehadtoend.I
willedmyselftobestrong.
I’dbeendealingwiththe
paranormalforyears.Surely,
Icouldhandleaprankster
ghost.Itwasfreakingmeout
thoughthatthisghostwasn’t
evenmoving.Myheartrate
increasedandmystomach
flutteredwithanxiety.
Ireachedouttoward
thesheet.“Okay,Roger,I
gaveyouachance.I’mnot
playingniceanymore.Igave
youachance,youshould
havetakenit.”
Igrabbedthesheet
andyankedonit.Itfluttered
totheground.Igaspedand
stumbledbackward,
managingtoremainupright.
Therewasnoonethere.How
hadtheghostgottenaway
withoutmeevenseeinga
glimpseofhim?Iwasalmost
surethiswasRogeruptohis
shenanigansagain,butinthe
backofmymindIknewit
hadfeltdifferent.Ifthiswas
Rogerthenhehadalotof
explainingtodo.Inallthe
yearsI’dbeendealingthe
paranormal,I’dneverhada
spiritplaythatkindoftrick
onme.Istaredatthechairfor
amomentlongerandthen
decideditwastimetogetout
ofthere.
ThatwaswhenI
noticedthehatonthefloorby
thewindow.Wherehadthat
comefrom?Isteppedcloser,
thenreacheddownand
pickeditup.Itwasabeige
fedorastylehat.Itwasn’t
mineandRogerhadn’tworn
ahat.Iglancedaroundthe
room.Achillwentdownmy
spine.Iexaminedunderthe
bedandinthecloset,butno
onewasthere.
IknewIprobably
shouldn’ttellMindyabout
this,butIhadtotell
someone.Iclutchedthehat
andwentbackdownthe
hallwaytowardthestairs.It
feltasifsomeonewas
walkingbehindmetheentire
time.Ikeptglancingovermy
shoulder,buttherewas
nothingvisible.Ifthespirit
wasreallythere,thenhewas
hidingfromme.Thatwas
whenIrememberedwhere
I’dseenthehatbefore.The
spiritthathadattackedMindy
hadbeenwearingit.Now,
shewouldreallyfreakout
whenItoldher.
Apparentlytheentity
hadfollowedushere.
“Whydon’tyoushow
yourself?”Iasked.“Areyou
acoward?”
Withthewayithad
attackedMindy,maybeI
shouldn’tprovokeit.But,I
wasmad.Howdarehedo
thattomybestfriendand
thenmessaroundwithme.
“Iwantyououtofmy
housenow,”Idemanded.
Silencesurrounded
me.Iexpectedthespiritto
popupatanymoment.
“Larue,areyou
comingbackdown?”Mindy
calledoutfromthebottomof
thesteps.
“Coming,”Isaid,
tryingtosoundcalm.
Ihurrieddownthe
stairs.WhenIreachedthelast
step,Rogerwasstanding
behindMindy.Marilynwas
ontheothersideofher.They
allstaredatmeexpectantly.
“What’sthat?”Mindy
pointedatthehatinmyhand.
Ishowedherthe
fedora.“Ifoundthis
upstairs.”
Hereyeswidened.
“Mygosh,itlookslikethe
oneFreddyKrugerwears.”
Ihadn’tthoughtof
that,butitdid.
“Whoseisit?”she
asked.
Herecamethehard
part.
“Ithinkitbelongsto
thespiritthatattackedyou.”
Sheimmediately
tensedup.“Ohno.He’shere?
Hecamehereforme?Whyis
hedoingthis?Whydoeshe
wantme?IshelikeFreddy
Kruger?Ishecomingforme
inmydreams?”
Mindywasfreaking
out.Ihadtocalmherdown.
“WhoisFreddy
Kruger?”Marilynasked.
“It’safictional
character,”Iexplainedina
hurry.
Itriedtohidethehat
behindmybacksoMindy
couldn’tseeitagainuntilI
hadachancetostashit
somewhere.IknewI
shouldn’thavetoldherabout
it.
IledMindywithmy
otherhandtowardtheliving
room.“Here,let’sgosit
down.”
Istuffedthehatinthe
tabledraweroncewegotinto
thelivingroom.Igrabbedthe
remoteandturnedofftheTV.
Thatwasenoughsportsfor
Rogerforoneday.He
actuallyseemedconcerned
aboutMindywhichsurprised
me.
Isatbesideheronthe
sofa.“Takeacoupledeep
breaths.Thisspiritisnot
FreddyKrugerandhe’snot
comingforusinourdreams.”
Herbrowsknitted
togetherinafrown.“Areyou
sure?”
Inodded.“I’m
positive.”
Mindywasstilltense,
butitseemedasifshehad
calmeddownabit.Speaking
ofcalm,therewerenoother
footstepsandthingswere
quiet.Ihopeditstayedthat
way.
“Weneedtogetsome
sleep,”Isuggested.
Mindy’seyes
widened.“Yourealizewhat
happenswhenyougoto
sleep,right?”
“Yes…wegetrest.
Thereisnospiritcomingfor
youinyourdreams.”Ishook
myhead.
Shesighed.“Well,
justthesame,thereisnoway
Iamsleepingupstairsby
myself.”
IguessIcouldn’t
blameherforthat.
“Youcansleepwith
me.”Ipointedmyfingerat
Roger.“Keepthecomments
toyourself.”
Heheldhishandsup.
“Iwasn’tgoingtosay
anything.”
Iknewthatwasalie.
“Larue,Icankeepa
watchoutwhileyouallsleep.
WillthatmakeMindyfeel
better?”Marilynasked.
Inodded.“Thatis
verysweet.Thankyou,
Marilyn.Marilynisgoingto
watchforthespirit.Shewill
wakemeifhecomesaround.
Doesthatmakeyoufeel
better?”
Mindywrappedher
armsinfrontofherwaistasif
givingherselfacomforting
hug.“Yes,thathelps.Thank
you,Marilyn.”
“You’rewelcome,
darling,”shesaid.
MindyandIwentto
myroom.“Thisiskindof
likeaweirdslumberparty,”
shesaid.
“Yes,it’slike
Halloweenyouspentthe
nightbecausesomeonetold
yougirlswerebeing
sacrificedthatnight.”Ipulled
pajamasfrommydresser
drawer.
“Thesourcehad
seemedcreditableatthe
time,”shesaidasshe
removedthepillowsfrommy
bed.
Afterbrushingmy
teethandchangingintomy
pinkpajamaswiththelittle
whitebunnies,Iclimbedinto
bed.WhileMindywasinthe
bathroom,Ilaidtherestaring
attheceiling.Great,nowallI
couldthinkaboutwasFreddy
Kruger.Marilynappeared
nexttome.Iknewwhatshe
wanted.Themattressmoved
downasshesatbymyfeet.
Thenovelwasonthe
nightstandbymybed.When
Mindycameoutofthe
bathroomandcaughtme
readingaloud,Ihadto
explaintoherwhatIwas
doing.Mindysmiledand
climbedunderthecovers.
NowIwasreadingtobothof
them.Iwasn’tsureatwhat
pointI’ddozedofftosleep.
Thedarkshadow
appearedtofloatright
throughthedoorway.The
lightcomingfromunderthe
bathroomdoorgavejust
enoughglowtohighlightthe
shadow’ssilhouette.Itglided
acrosstheroomtowardthe
bed.Thiswasdefinitelythe
manfromearlier.Hewasn’t
wearingthehatnowthough.
Hadhecomebackforthe
hat?
Eventhoughitwas
darkIknewhewasstaring
rightatme…hisgreeneyes
glowedinthedark.Mybody
wasfrozenasifIwas
paralyzed.Hemovedcloser
andcloserandnowhewas
rightbesideme.Thesmellof
rottenleavesassaultedmy
nostrils.Heleaneddownand
puthisfacerightinfrontof
mine,yetIstillcouldn’t
move.Whatdidhewant?
Ihadtoscreamor
move.Therehadtobeaway
togetawayfromhim.
Willingallmystrength,I
finallyjumpedupinbed.The
manwasgoneandMindy
wasasleepbesideme.How
hadthathappened?How
muchtimehadpassed?HadI
fallenasleep?ThebookI’d
beenreadingtoMarilynand
Mindywasstillonmylap.
Myheartbeatfastand
sweattrickleddownmy
forehead.Apparently,ithad
allbeenadream.Itwasall
thattalkofFreddyKruger.
Surprisingly,I’drarelyhada
ghostcometomeinadream.
Iespeciallydidn’twantitto
happenifthatghostwas
goingtobemean.Ipeeredat
theclock.Itwasfoura.m.
Therewerestillacoupleof
hoursuntiltimetogetup.
Ilaidbackinthebed
andtriedtotakemymindoff
everything.Ineededtothink
ofsomethingelse.Happy
things.Callahanpoppedinto
mymind.Thoughtsofhim
alwaysmademehappy.I
triedtothinkofthe
bookstore,butthatmademe
rememberthespiritpeeking
inthewindow.Ididn’tknow
whenIfinallydriftedoff
again,butIwokewhenthe
suncamestreaminginthe
windowandsplashingacross
myface.Movementcaught
myattentiontomyleftandI
thoughtforsureIspotted
Rogerdriftoutthedoor.Had
hebeenintheroom?
Iwouldbeextremely
angryifIfoundouthe’d
comeinhere.Wherewas
Marilyn?Iguessshecouldn’t
keepaneyeonhimallthe
time.Mindywasstillasleep,
soIeasedupandheadedfor
thebathroom.Iwantedto
finishmyshowerbeforeshe
neededit.WhenIwas
finished,Mindywasalready
awake.
“Hey.Areyoufeeling
better?”Iasked.
Shesatonthesideof
thebed.“Aslongasthat
ghostisn’there.”
Imovedovertothe
closettopickoutmyoutfit.
“Nosignofhim.Ibethe’s
longgonenow.”
Shequirkedan
eyebrow.“Yeah,we’llsee
aboutthat.”
Ipulledoutanavy
bluepencilskirtandawhite
short-sleevedblousewitha
fittedwaist.
Mindyshuffled
towardthebathroom.“I’m
takingashower.”
“I’llstartbreakfast,”I
said.
Shepeekedaroundthe
door.“Oh,canyoumake
Frenchtoast?”
Ismiled.“Sure.”
OnceMindywasin
thebathroom,Islippedoutof
myrobeandintomy
clothing.Navyblueflats
wouldcompletemyoutfit.
Usually,Iworejeans,but
sinceIwassurroundedmy
Marilyn’sglamorallday,I
decidedtodressupabit.I
rushedthroughputtingon
makeupandpulledmyhair
backintosomesemblanceof
astyle.BeforeImade
breakfast,Ineededtofind
RogerandMarilyn.Imoved
throughthehallwayandover
tothelivingroom.
Theyweresittingat
oppositeendsofthesofa.As
shestudiedherred
fingernails,sheseemed
extremelyboredwithhis
conversation.Hestopped
talkingandglaredatme
“Goodmorning,”
Marilynsaidasshejumped
up.“Boy,amIgladtosee
you.”
“Goodmorning.”I
smiledather.
Iplacedmyhandson
myhipsandstaredatRoger.
“Wereyouinmybedroom?”
Heglancedatme.
“No.”
Ismirked.“Isawyou
leaving.”
Irritationpinched
betweenhisdarkbrows..“I
saidIwasn’tthere.Now,get
offmyback.”
Helookedaway.I
guessstaringathimwasn’t
goingtogethimtoconfess.
“Justdon’tletit
happenagain,”Iwarned.
“Whatever,”he
mumbled.
Imovedintothe
kitchentostartbreakfast.
Marilynfollowedme.
“Ineversawthespiritagain
lastnight.”
“Well,Idid.Hecame
tomeinmydream.”I
glancedovermyshoulderto
makesureMindywasn’t
there.
Marilyn’seyes
widened.“JustlikeMindy
said.”
Ipulledthebread
fromthecabinet.“No,it
wasn’tlikethatatall.Itwas
onlyadreamandI’mnot
goingtotellMindy.”
“TellMindywhat?”
Iwhippedaroundto
findMindystandingatthe
kitchendoorway.
Uh-oh.HowwasI
goingtogetoutofthisone?
Chapter8
Ihadtothinkquickly.
“Iwasn’tgoingtotellyou
thatI’malloutofpowdered
sugar.Iknowhowyoulikeit
onyourtoast.”Myvoice
wavered.Ihadneverbeena
goodliar.
Mindystaredatme.I
knewshewassuspicious.
“Quickthinking,”
Marilynsaid.
Yeah.Ithoughtitwas
prettygood,too.Mindy
movedovertotherefrigerator
togetorangejuicewhileI
finishedtheFrenchtoast.Of
course,Mindykeptaskingme
iftherewassomethingI
wasn’ttellingherthewhole
timethroughbreakfast.I
woulddenyituntiltheend.
MarilynandMindyhad
talkedmeintoreadingmore
ofthebookwhilewesatat
thetable.Notthatithadtaken
muchpersuading.Afterwe
finished,Mindyhelpedme
putthedishesinthewasher.
Shewipedherhands
onthedishtowel.“IguessI
shouldgetoutofhere.”
Iknewshewasstill
nervous.“Thingswillbejust
fine.Okay?”
Mindyfidgetedwith
herpursestrap.Sheshifted
fromonefoottotheother.
Herexpressionwasfilled
withuneasyworry.
“Okay,I’mgoing
now.”Sheturnedandwalked
towardthefrontdoor.
“Callmeifyouneed
anythingthough,”Istood
withher.
Shewavedand
climbedintohercar.I
watchedasshepulledoutof
thedriveway.Forasplit
second,IthoughtIsawthe
shadowinthebackseat.
WhenIblinked,itwasn’t
there.Thehaironthebackof
myneckrose.Thiswasreally
startingtofreakmeout.
“Willshebeokay?”
Marilynasked.
“Ihopeso,”IsaidasI
watchedMindydriveoff.
“Okay,it’stimeformetoget
tothebookstore.”
Rogerinstantly
poppedupbesideme.
“What’shappening?”
“Willyoustopdoing
that,”IsaidasIclutchedmy
chest.
“Sorry,”hesaid
sarcastically.
RogerandMarilyn
hurriedouttothecarasI
lockedthedoor.
IthoughtIheard
movementasIturnedthe
key,butIwasn’tgoingto
openthedooragaintoeven
look.Ihadafeelingtheghost
wasnowinmyhouse.That
wasbetterthanbeingat
Mindy’s,though.Istartedthe
carandpulledoutontothe
street.
Iglancedintherear-
viewmirroratRoger.“If
thereisanythingyoucan
rememberaboutthathouse,it
wouldbereallyhelpful.”
Heshookhishead.“I
toldyouIcan’tthinkof
anything.”
Isighed.“Iknowyou
did,butifyouhappento
thinkofsomething.”
“IwilltellyouifI
do,”hesnapped.
Ihadtofindoutmore
aboutthathouse.Iftherewas
anotherghostinthere,thenI
neededtoknow.Thatcould
bethecluetofindingoutwho
thisspiritwasandwhathe
wanted.Iwouldhavetocall
thehomeownerthefirst
chanceIgot.
WhenIpulledupin
frontofBookNook,Inoticed
Callahan’scarparkedatthe
curb.Ismiledatthethought
ofhimbehindthecounter
makingadrink.Helookedso
sexyinthatapron.Iglanced
atthetimeonmyphone.I
hadjustenoughtimetopop
informymorningcaffeine.
Ofcourse,thatwasmy
excusetogetachancetosee
Callahan.NotthatIneeded
one.
TheFullCupCoffee
Shopsignhungabovethe
door.Isteppedinwith
MarilynandRogertrailing
rightonmyheels.
“Oh,thisguyagain,”
Rogersaidaroundasigh.
Igavehimastern
look,butheignoredme.
“Don’tpayattention
tohim,Larue.Ithink
Callahanisasweetiepie.”
Marilynflashedhergorgeous
smile.
Callahanwashelping
acustomerandhadn’tnoticed
meyet.Hisshopwasquaint
withexposedbrickwalls,the
perfectmixtureofoldand
new.Printsofdifferentstyle
cupsandmugsdecoratedthe
walls.Oversizedleather
chairswereplacedinto
groupingswithcherry-wood
coffeetablesinfront.The
intoxicatingaromaofroasting
beansswirledthroughtheair.
ItookabigwhiffasIstepped
furtherintothespace.
MaybeIneededa
pastryforlater.Afterall,
Mindyhadmademepromise
toattendhernewZumba
classshewasteachingthis
evening.AsbadasI’dbeenat
polefitness,IhadafeelingI
wouldbeequallyterribleat
thisclass.IwasprettysureI
hadtwoleftfeet.
Callahanglancedup
andwaved.Hisbig,white
smilemademystomach
dance.Ihadnoproblemwith
thatkindofdancing.Justa
couplemorecustomersandI
wouldhaveCallahanallto
myself.Ihopednooneelse
cameinforacoupleminutes
soIwouldhaveachanceto
talktohim.
“Doyoufeelthat?”
Marilynaskedwithafrown.
“DoIfeelwhat?”I
asked.
Thewordshadbarely
leftmylipswhenIknew
whatshemeant.Itwasthe
sameeeriefeelingI’dhad
beforewhentheshadowhad
appearedandnowsurrounded
me.Ihopedthatspiritwasn’t
aroundagain,butIknewit
was.Ishouldn’tbesurprised
ithadfoundmeagain.It
seemedasifthisthingwas
followingmeeverywhere.
WhenIglancedtomy
right,Ispottedthedark
shadowonthewallbehind
Callahan.Ithadn’tappeared
asthecreepy-lookingman,
buttheywereoneinthe
same.Ididn’twantthisthing
tobenearCallahan,butIfelt
powerlesstostopit.Ihadto
dosomething.Obviously,it
wasn’tgoingtoleaveme
alone.And,evenworse,it
seemedtobearound
everyoneIcaredabout.
Ididn’twanttoget
theminvolvedwiththisdark
entity.Myfriendsshouldn’t
havetodealwiththisthing
justbecauseIhadattractedit.
Ihadtofindoutwhereitwas
comingfromandwhatit
wanted.Thatmightnotbeso
easy.
Nooneelseinthe
shopseemedtonoticethis
thing,onlymeandtheghosts.
Ifthecustomershadseenit,I
wassuretheywouldhaverun
outofthecafewithouteven
lookingback.Thething
movedclosertoCallahan.I
wantedtoyelloutforitto
leavehimalone,butIknew
thatwasn’tpossibleright
now.
Iwatchedthething,
hopingitwouldgoaway
soon.Nosuchluckthough
becauseitrushedforwardand
movedrightintoCallahan’s
body.
“Ohno!What’sit
doing?”Marilynaskedwith
panicinhervoice.
Callahanstopped
makingthecoffeefora
momentasifhe’dforgotten
whathewasdoing.Hehada
blankstareandhiseyes
turneddark.Thiswasthe
samethingthathadhappened
toMindy.Whywasthisspirit
attackingthem?Iwantedto
screamout,butthecustomers
wouldprobablythinkIwas
crazy.Iwantedtotellthe
spirittoattackme,butto
leavethemalone.
Ithinkthespirit
wantedformetoseethis
assaultonCallahan.Asifit
enjoyedtargetingthepeopleI
caredabout.Ihadtodo
somethingtogetthespiritto
leaveCallahanalone.But
what?Ididn’twantthe
customerstothinkIwas
crazy,buttheywerealready
lookingatCallahanstrangely.
Ineededtocausea
distraction,soImovedcloser
tothedisplayofbiscottion
thecounter.Whenthe
customersweren’twatching,
Ireachedoutandknockedthe
packagesontothefloorwitha
loudcrash.
Everyonelookedmy
way.Thatseemedtocapture
thespirit’sattention,too.At
thatmoment,thedarkshadow
zippedfromCallahan’sbody.
Itmovedswiftlyacrossthe
coffeeshoptothefront
windows.Asifitpushedthe
fastforwardbutton,the
shadowzoomedouttheglass.
Itwasgonefornow,
butwoulditbeback?Iknew
itwould.Whateverthisthing
wantedithadn’tgottenyet.
AsIwatchedthefrontofthe
shop,Inoticedsomething
odd.Themaninthecornerof
theroomhadbeenobserving
thespiritasitleft,too.He
hadseenit;Iwassureofit.
Howcouldheseeitwhenno
oneelsecould?Theman
focusedhisattentiononthe
newspaperagain.
WhenIglancedback
atCallahan,hewasacting
completelynormal.Hiseyes
hadchangedbacktothe
stunningblue.Hefinished
withthecustomersandthen
turnedtome.
“Goodmorning,
gorgeous,”hesaid.
“Gag,”Rogersaid
fromovermyshoulder.
“Bequiet,Roger,”
Marilynscoldedhim.
“Areyoufeeling
okay?”Iasked,asIpickedup
thepackagesI’dknocked
ontothefloor.
Hegrabbedatowelto
wipehishands.“Well,Iwas
fine,butaminuteagoIhada
strangefeeling.LikemaybeI
wascomingdownwith
something.I’mallrightnow
though.Howareyou?”
Itracedthelittlecrack
inthewoodcounterwithmy
indexfinger.“I’mfine…”
Iwasn’tabouttotell
Callahanwhathadhappened.
Notyet.First,Ineededto
wrapmymindaround
everythingbeforeIshared
thisnewswithanyone.I
wouldhavetokeepthespirit
awayfromMindyand
CallahanuntilIfiguredout
howtogetridofit.Callahan
grabbedacupandpouredmy
favoritecoffee,chocolate
coveredcherry.Hemadeit
withlove,whichmadeittaste
evenbetter.
Hehandedmethe
papercup.“Hereyougo.”
Iimmediatelytooka
sipandresistedtheurgeto
spitouttheliquid.
Callahan’sbrows
liftedquestioningly.“What’s
wrong?Doesittastebad?”
Icouldn’ttellhimthe
truth…itwasawful.This
wasthefirsttimethishad
happened.
Iforcedasmile.“No,
it’sperfectasusual.”
“Icanmakeyou
anotherone.”Callahan
gestured.
“I’dbettergettothe
store.”Imotionedwiththe
cupinmyhand.
Iwantedtogetoutof
therebeforethespirit
returned.And,soIcouldtoss
thecoffeeinthetrash.
“I’llcomebyandsee
youinabit,”Callahansaid
withasmile.
Iinchedawayfrom
thecounter.“Imightbetoo
busy.I’llcallyousoon,
okay?”
Thesparkleof
happinessfadedfromhiseyes
andhislipscurved
downward.“Yeah,okay.”
Iturnedandheaded
towardthedoor.Thedark-
hairedmanwhohadseenthe
spiritwasgone.Itwastoo
bad,becauseIwantedtoask
himwhathe’dseen.Fornow,
Ineededtokeepthespirit
away.ThatmeantIwould
havetostayawayfrom
CallahanandMindy.That
wouldn’tbeeasy,butitwas
forthebest.
Chapter9
I’djuststeppedoutof
thecoffeeshopwhenI
spottedthemanwhohadseen
thespirit.Heworejeansand
afadedblueT-shirt.A
newspaperwastuckedunder
hisarmandhehadhiscoffee
cupinhisrighthandashe
walkeddownthesidewalkon
theoppositesideofthestreet.
“Whoareyou?”I
askedundermybreath.
“Youshouldgoout
afterhim,”Marilynsaid.
“You’reabsolutely
correct.”Isteppedcloserto
thestreet,waitingfortraffic
topass.
Themanhadstopped
infrontoftheantiqueshop.
Afteracoupleseconds,he
startedwalkingdownthe
sidewalkagain.Ineededto
hurrybeforehegotaway.
Morningrushhourtrafficwas
heavy.Okay,notManhattan
styletrafficjam,butIstill
hadtowaitforachanceto
crossthestreet.
“You’regoingtolose
him.”Rogerpointed.
“Thanksfor
remindingme,Roger,”Isaid.
Finally,therewasa
breakintraffic,soIran
acrossthestreet.
“You’regoingtohave
topickupyourstepifyou
wanttocatchhim.”Roger
movedwitheasebesideme.
“Ihaveshortlegs,”I
saidbreathlessly.
“I’lltakecareofthis.”
Marilyntookoffdownthe
sidewalk.Theskirtofher
dressgentlyswayedbackand
forthasshemoved.
“Whatisshedoing?”
Rogerasked.
Ishrugged.“Your
guessisasgoodasmine.”
WhenMarilynfinally
caughtuptotheman,she
lungedinfrontofhim.He
immediatelystopped.
“Hecanseeher,”I
whispered.
“She’stalkingto
him,”Rogersaid.
Irandownthe
sidewalk,gettingmorethana
fewstrangelooksinthe
process.BeforeIcouldreach
theman,hestartedmoving
again.Marilynrushedback
overtome.Themanducked
insideanotherbuilding.
“Whathappened?”I
asked,stoppingbrieflyto
catchmybreath.“Whydidhe
leave?”
Sheplacedherhand
onherhip.“Hedoesn’tthink
I’mreal.”
“Whatdoesthat
mean?”Iasked.
Shetossedherhands
up.“Idon’tknow.That’sjust
whathesaid.”
“Buthecouldseeyou,
right?”
Shenodded.“He
spoketomewhenIaddressed
him.”
“Ihavetofindhim,”I
saidcontinuingtowardthe
boutique.
Thismanwasodd.
Howcouldheseethespirits
yetnotbelievetheywere
real?
Isteppedinsidethe
clothingshop.Theplacewas
decoratedwithturquoiseand
whitewithwallspaintedin
stripesandracksofexpensive
clothingdottedthespace.
Dressingroomswereonthe
leftmiddlewaydownthe
roomandthecheckout
counterwasacrossfromthem
ontheright.CooperGarrett
ownedtheplace,buthewas
out-of-townonvacation.A
fewpeoplewereshopping
aroundthespace,butIdidn’t
seetheman.Wherehadhe
gone?Hecouldn’thave
simplydisappeared.
Thepetiteblonde
workingtheshoptoday
approached.“Hi,Larue.CanI
helpyoufindsomething?”
“Didamanjustcome
inhere?”Iscannedthespace
again.
“No,Ididn’tseea
man.”Shelookedaroundthe
shop,too.
“Isthereaback
door?”Icouldn’tremember.
Someofthebuildingshad
rearentranceswithparking.
Shegestured.“Yes,
wedohaveabackdoor.”
“Oh,thanks.”I
weavedaroundracksof
clothingandrushedtoward
therear.
She’dprobablytell
everyoneintownhow
strangelyI’dacted.Ohwell,
nothingnewthere.WhenI
reachedthedoor,Ishovedit
openandsteppedoutintothe
brightsunshine.Ispottedthe
managainrightaway.
“Heyyou,”Icalled
out.“Ineedtospeakwith
you.”
“Isheaghost?”
Marilynasked.
Iglancedather.“I
don’tthinkso.”
Whatwouldmakeher
thinkthat?Themanglanced
myway,butkeptwalking.I
ranacrosstheparkinglotand
finallycaughtupwithhim.
“Excuseme,”Isaid
whenIwasnexttohim.“I
needtospeakwithyou.”
Hestoppedandstared
rightatme.“Yes?”
Mymotherwouldcall
hisdarkeyes“bedroom
eyes.”Hismessyblackhair
seemedasifhehadn’tspent
muchtimestylingitthis
morning.Ashestaredatme,
therewasnosignthathe
wouldoffertheslightestof
smiles.Hisfulllipswere
pressedtogetherintoa
straightline.Hetowered
abovemyfivefootone
height.Iguessedhimtobe
aboutsixfoottwoorthree.
I’dneverseenthisguyin
townbefore.Ofcourse,that
didn’tmeanhewasn’tfrom
aroundhere,butIthoughtI
knewjustabouteveryone.
“Isawyouatthe
coffeeshop,”Isaid.
“Isawyou,too,”he
saidandthentookasipfrom
hiscup.
Callahanusually
wrotetheperson’snameon
thecup.Itriedtoreadwhat
waswritten,buttheman’s
handwascoveringmostof
theblackmarking.
Iglancedovermy
shoulder.MarilynandRoger
stoodbehindmetakinginthe
conversationwithevery
ounceoftheirattention.
“AmItheonlyone
yousaw?”Istudiedhisface
forareaction.
Ididn’tknowhow
elsetoaskthequestion.He
regardedmeforamoment.It
wasasifwewereina
standofftoseewhowould
speakfirst.
“Someonesay
something,”Roger
demanded.
“Yes.Isawother
peoplethere,”theman
answered.
ItlookedasifIwas
goingtohavetogetrightto
thepoint.
“Iknowyousawthe
darkshadow,aswell.I
watchedyouwatchit.”I
crossedmyarmsinfrontof
mychestandwaitedforan
answer.
“Ireallyneedtogo
now.”Hegesturedoverhis
shoulderandthenturned
away.
“Please,behonest
withme.”Ijumpedoutin
frontofhim.
Whywashebeing
secretive?
Hemovedacouple
stepsbackasifhewasready
tosprint.
“MynameisLarue
Donavan.Iownthebookstore
nexttothecoffeeshop.”I
searchedhiseyes,wondering
whyhewasavoiding
answeringme.
Hestartedtowalk
away.“Itwasnicemeeting
you,Ms.Donavan.”
“Youcan’tlethimget
away,Larue,”Marilynsaid.
Irushedtocatchupto
him.“Iknowyoucansee
MarilynMonroebehindme.”
Hestoppedand
peeredbackatMarilyn.
“Okay,IguessIhaveto
knowwhyyouhavetheghost
ofMarilynMonroewithyou.
ItoldmyselfIwouldn’ttalk
toghostsanymore,butnowI
guesscuriosityisgettingthe
betterofme.”
“Iknewyoucouldsee
theghosts,”Ipointedathim.
“Areyouamedium,too?”
Hestaredforabeat
andthensaid,“Yes,Iam.
Thename’sStoneWatkins.”
“You’renotfrom
Magnolia,areyou?”Iasked.
Heflashedtheteeniest
ofsmiles.“IliveinNew
York.”
“Hefinallysmiled,”
Marilynsaid.
Rogerrolledhiseyes.
“Bigdeal.”
Stoneignoredtheir
comments.
“Whatareyoudoing
here?”Iasked.
Hedidn’tmeetmy
gazewhenheanswered.“Just
visiting.”
MaybeIwasalittle
toosuspicious,butthatmade
mewonderifhewasbeing
honest.Whywouldhelie?
Therehadtobemoretoit
thanthat.Rightnow,Imerely
wantedtoknowaboutwhat
he’dseen.
“So,yousawthespirit
inthecoffeeshop?”Iasked
again.
Hereleasedadeep
breathandsaid,“Yes,Isaw
it.Idon’teverwanttoseeit
againeither.”
“Doyouknow
anythingaboutthespirit?”I
asked.
Hisgazemetmine.
Therewassomethingalmost
hypnoticabouthiseyes.“I
knowit’snotgoodandI
don’twantanythingtodo
withit.Ifyouarewise,Ms.
Donavan,youwilldothe
same.”
“Idon’thavea
choice,”Isaid.
Hisexpression
darkened.“Why?”
“Ithinkthethingis
attachedtome,”Isaidand
didn’tblink.Iwantedhimto
knowIwasdeadserious.No
punintended.
“Goodluck,Ms.
Donavan,butIreallyhaveto
go.”Heturnedandwalked
overtotheblackcar.
Iwatchedashe
climbedbehindthewheelof
hisMercedesanddroveoff.
MarilynandRogerstoodnext
tome.Graycloudsrolledin
coveringthesunasifStone
hadcausedthemtodosoin
hiswake.
“Whydoyouthinkhe
wasactingthatway?”
Marilyn’slipscurved
downward.
“Becausehe’sahead
case,”Rogersaid.
“Heactedasifhe
knewmorethanheleton,”I
said.
“Youhavehisname,
doyouthinkyoucanfindout
moreabouthim?”Marilyn
asked.
“Idon’tknow,butI’m
certainlygoingtogiveita
shot.”Imotionedforthe
ghoststofollowme.
Chapter10
Iclosedthecoverof
thebook.“Okay,IguessI’ve
readenoughfortheday.”
“Ah,Iwasjustgetting
intoit,”Rogersaid.
Nowevenhewas
enjoyingthestory.Ilookedat
theclock.Itwasalmost
closingtime.Thelaststreaks
ofdaylightfellacrossthesky.
Atleastthecloudshadmoved
out.Aftersuchanexciting
morning,nothingmuchhad
happenedtherestoftheday.I
stillcouldn’tstopthinking
aboutStone.Wasitwrong
thatIthoughtaboutchecking
thehotelsintowntoseeifI
couldfindhim?Itwasn’t
oftenImetanothermedium.
And,itwasevenrarertomeet
oneinMagnolia.Itwas
almostlikefate.Ididn’t
believeincoincidences.
I’dmanagedtoavoid
Callahanallday,butIknew
thatwouldn’tlastforlong.I
wouldhavetobehonestwith
himsoon.Plus,Ididn’twant
toavoidhim.Thethoughtof
notseeinghimmademesick
tomystomach.
MarilynandRoger
wereroamingaroundthe
store.Iwasenjoyingthequiet
whileIfinishedmy
paperwork.Whenmyphone
rangandIsawitwasMindy,
dreadwashedoverme.I
knewIwouldhavetodeal
withthiscallsoonerorlater.I
thoughtaboutlettingitgoto
voicemail,butIknewMindy
wouldcomelookingforme.
Plus,whatifthespirithad
returnedandsheneededmy
help.No,Ihadtopickup.
“Areyoureadyfor
class?”MindyaskedwhenI
answered.
Ipausedandinstantly
sheknewsomethingwas
wrong.
“Youarenotgetting
outofthis.You’vebeen
puttingmeofffortoolong.”
“No,it’snotthat,”I
said.
“Well,thenwhatis
it?”Hervoicewasfullof
frustration.
“It’sjustthatafter
whathappenedwiththespirit,
I’mnotsureIshouldbe
aroundyou.”
Mycommentwasmet
withsilence.
Finally,shesaid,
“Whatisthatsupposedto
mean?Youdon’twanttobe
aroundme?”
Myshoulders
slumped.Isighedandthen
said,“No,Ido.Iloveyou,
andthat’swhyIfiguredI
shouldn’tbearound.I
broughtthespirit.Icaused
theproblem.IfIdon’tcome
around,thenthespiritwill
leaveyoualone.”
Shepausedagain.
“It’smyfault,Larue,fornot
beingtougher.You’remy
friendandIknowthatmeans
sometimesIwillhavetoface
spiritsandotherspooky
things.Iwouldn’twantitany
otherway.So,Irefusetolet
youstayaway.”
Iknewshemeantit,
too.Shewasstubborn.
“So,getyourbutt
overhereforclass.Thereis
nowayI’mlettingyououtof
thisone.”
Mymusclesached
justthinkingaboutthetorture
Iwasabouttoinflictupon
myself.
Isighedandsaid,
“OkayI’llbetheresoon,but
thisistotallyagainstmy
betterjudgment.”
“Larue,honey,
sometimesyourbetter
judgmentisn’tsomuch
better.”
“Youhaveapoint
there.Okay,seeyousoon.”I
hungupandstraightenedmy
workarea.
RogerandMarilyn
appearedinfrontofme.It
wasliketurningontheTV.
Oneminutetherewasablank
screenandthenextwasa
perfectpicture.
“Wherearewe
going?”Marilynasked.
Ishookmyhead.“I’m
goingtoMindy’sfitness
studio.”
Rogersnorted.“I
can’twaittoseethis.”
Rogerwaslikethe
youngerbrotherInever
had…MaybeI’dbeenlucky
tobeanonlychild.
Iraisedaneyebrow.
“Ifyouaregoingtomakefun
ofme,thenIwon’tletyou
comeinside.”
“Asifyouhavea
choice,”hesaid.
Ihateddealingwith
defiantghosts.Igrabbedmy
purseandheadedforthefront
door.
“Contrarytowhatyou
believe,youcan’tdo
whateveryouwant.Ihave
waystogetridofyou,”Isaid
asIsteppedoutontothe
sidewalk.
Rogerscoffed.“Yeah,
right.”
“Pleasedon’tfight
youtwo.Itmakesme
nervous,”Marilynsaid.
Ilockedthedoorand
peereddownthesidewalk.Of
courseIwasonedge
expectingthespirittopop
backup.Forabriefmoment,
IthoughtIcaughtaglimpse
ofsomeonewatchingme.It
wasn’tthespiritIthoughtI
saw…itwasStone.
However,hehadducked
behindagroupofpeople
whenhethoughtI’dcaught
him.Maybeithadbeenmy
imaginationbecausehe’d
disappearedsoquickly.Or
hadhereallybeenspyingon
me?
Iclimbedintothecar
withtheghostsandtraveled
theshortdistancetoMindy’s
studio,FitnessWorld.She’d
justinstalledthebigsign
recently.Theplacewasdoing
reallywellandshe’dadded
evenmoreclasses.Iparkedin
thelotandshutoffthecar.
Igrabbedmybag.
“Okay,I’llbebacksoon.”
RogerandMarilyn
werestandingbythedoor
whenIentered.Somuchfor
tryingtogetthemtostayin
thecar.IknewMarilyn
comingwouldn’tbea
problem,butIdidn’twant
Rogertotagalong.He’d
inevitablyhaveasnarky
comment.
Afterchanginginto
myworkoutgear,Imademy
waytothefloor.Mindy
smiledandthenstartedthe
music.Ofcourse,shealways
mademetakeaplaceatthe
front.Itriedtokeepupwith
thefastpace,butwithtwo
leftfeet,itwasreally
difficult.Insteadofdancing,
itlookedmorelikeIwas
havingamedicalemergency.
Mindywasagood
instructor,butIdidn’tfollow
instructionswell.Mybrain
saidmovetotheright,butmy
feetwenttotheleft.Marilyn
wasstandingtotheside
hidinghereyes.Shedidn’t
wanttoseethetrainwreck.
Roger,ontheotherhand,was
laughinghisbuttoff.Iwasso
gladhefoundmytorture
amusing.
Afterstumbling,I
managedtopushbacktomy
feet.Itriedtofocusonwhat
Mindywassayinganddoing,
butwhenIspottedthedark
shadowoutofthecornerof
myeye,itwasimpossibleto
continue.Iknewthesilence
hadbeentoogoodtobetrue.
Thethinglookedlikea
silhouettenow.Iwasn’tsure
whyithaddecidednottotake
ontheothercreepyimage.
Maybebecauseithadlostthe
fedora?
Theshadowrushed
fromthecorner,butitmoved
rightpastMindy.Whodid
thisthinghaveitssightsset
onthistime?Ihopedit
wasn’taninnocentstranger
fromclass.Thewomen
continueddancing,unaware
thatthisdarkentitywas
invadingourspace.Itweaved
aroundtheroom.Ifollowedit
withmystare.Thenextthing
Iknew,thedarkmasswason
topofme.
Isensedthispresence
wasmale.Ifelltotheground
withathud.Atthatsecond,
thelightswentoutandthe
musicstopped.
“Holdon,everyone.It
seemswe’velostpower,”
Mindysaidwithstraininher
voice.
Becauseitwasdark,
noonecouldseeIwas
fightingtogetthisentityoff
me.Thethinghadmepinned
totheground.Itfeltasifa
tonofrockswassittingon
topofme.Hishandswere
wrappedaroundmyneckand
Istruggledtobreath.How
wouldIgetawayfromhim?I
couldn’tevenscreamoutfor
help.Iwrappedmyhands
aroundwhatIthoughtwas
thething’sarmsandpushed.
Ishovedwithallmy
strength,butI’dneverfelt
thiskindofforcebefore.
Surely,someonewouldbe
abletohelpmesoon…before
itwastoolate.Lightflooded
theroomonceagainandinan
instanttheshadowwasgone.
Icoughedandtriedtocatch
mybreath.Thankgoodness
thethinghadleft.AllIcould
thinkaboutwaswhenhe
wouldreturn.I’dgottenaway
withmylife,butnexttimeI
probablywouldn’tbeso
lucky.WhenIlookedaround,
Isaweveryonewasstaringat
me.IsupposetheythoughtI
wasnutssincetheyhadn’t
seenwhatwasattackingme.
DidnoonecareIwas
choking?
Mindyrushedoverto
me.“Larue,whathappened?”
Itriedtospeak,butI
couldonlycough.Isatupand
finallystoppedhacking.Fear
shoneinMindy’seyes.
“Thespiritattacked
me.”
Sheheldmyarm.“Do
youneedtogotothe
hospital?”
Iwavedoffher
comment.“I’llbefine.”
Itoldherthis,butI
wasn’tsureitwasthetruth.
“Thisspiritisgetting
worse,”shesaid.
Icouldn’targuewith
her.Iwasthankfulithad
attackedmeandnother.
“Canyoustandup
now?”sheasked.
Ireleasedadeep
breathandthensaid,“Ithink
so.”
“Larue,Isawthe
spiritcomingafteryou,but
therewasnothingIcould
do,”Marilynsaid.
Ismiledather,but
didn’tanswersincethe
peoplearoundmewere
listening.Inthecornerofthe
room,IspottedRoger.He
waswatchingme,too.He
glancedawaywhenoureyes
met.Didheknowsomething
hewasn’ttellingme?There
hadtobeawaytomakehim
talk.MaybeIcouldscareit
outofhim.
Mindyheldmyarmas
Ipushedtomyfeet.“Areyou
sureyoucanyoustand?”
“I’masgoodasnew,”
Isaid.
Istumbledovertoa
chairatthesideoftheroom.
Mindyfollowedme,handing
meabottleofwater.
Itookabiggulpand
thensaid,“Iamgoingtogo.I
don’twanttointerruptthe
classanymore.It’snotfairto
theothers.”
“I’msurethey
understand,”Mindysaid.
“Yes,Larue,I’msure
theyunderstand,”Marilyn
added.
Alltheysawwasa
womanonthefloorkicking
andscreaming.
“TheythinkI’mone
crayonshortofafullbox.”I
stoodfromthechair.“I’llcall
youlater.”
Mindy’sperfectly
sculptedeyebrowspinched
together.“Larue,areyousure
you’reokaytodrive?”
Igrabbedmybagand
threwitovermyshoulder.
“Yes,I’llbefine.”
Rogerspottedme
leavingandhurriedoversoI
wouldn’tdriveoffwithout
him.Ifithadn’tbeenfor
stickinghimatMindy’s
place,Iwouldn’thave
mindedatallifhestayed
behind.Onceoutside,I
climbedintothecarand
pulledoutoftheparkinglot.I
brieflyworriedIhadleftthe
spiritwithMindy,butIknew
hewouldmuchprefertobe
withme.Hewouldattack
anyoneIwaswith.He
wouldn’tgetthemwhenI
wasn’taround.No,hewanted
metoseetheattack.
Ihadtogobacktothe
housewhereI’dgotten
Roger.
“Larue,doyouhave
anycluewhothisspiritisor
whathewants?”Marilyn
asked.
Inavigatedaturn.
“No,butIwilldomybestto
findoutrightnow.”
“Larue,youlooked
likeyouwerehavinga
seizurebackthere.Dancingis
notyourforte,”Rogersaid
fromthebackseat.
“Thanksfor
remindingme,Roger.”
“Noproblem.Where
arewegoing?”Rogerasked.
AsInearedthestreet,
Ifiguredhewouldrecognize
it.
“Areyoutakingme
back?”heaskedwithpanicin
hisvoice.“Idon’twanttogo
back.It’sboringthere.”
Iglancedoverat
Marilynandsheflasheda
widesmile.
“Areyougoingtobe
nicefromnowon?”Iasked,
lookingathimintherear-
viewmirror.
Rogerscowledand
thenfinallysaid,“Yes,Iwill
benice.”
Ipulledupinfrontof
thehouse.
Hehuffed.“Itoldyou
Iwouldbenice.”
Iturnedoffthe
ignition.“Relax.Imerely
wanttotalkwiththe
homeowneraboutthe
previousowners.Sinceyou
won’tgivemeany
information.”
“I’mstayinginthe
car,”hesaid,foldinghisarms
infrontofhischest.
“Oh,don’tpout,”I
said.
“I’mnotpouting,”he
snapped.“Ijustdon’twantto
goinside.”
Ishrugged.“Suit
yourself.Comeon,Marilyn.”
“Gladly,”shesaidas
shegotoutofthecar.
AsMarilynandI
madeourwayupthe
sidewalktowardthehouse,I
noticedamanwalkingaway.
AllIsawwasthebackof
him,butIthoughtforsureI
recognizedhim.
“IsthatStone?”I
asked.
Marilynfollowedmy
pointingfinger.“Itlookslike
him.”
Icalledouttohim,
buthewastoofarawayandI
wassurehehadn’theardme.
Well,Ithoughthehadn’t.
Whatwashedoingover
here?Didheknowsomeone
inthearea?Thiswasthe
secondtimeI’dseenhim
sincemeetinghim.LikeI
said,I’veneverbelievedin
coincidences.
MarilynandImadeit
tothefrontdoor.Myclient
answeredrightaway.Elisa
Castle’sdarkhairwasstyled
inanupdotoday.WhenI’d
seenherlast,shewas
disheveledandfearwas
evidentinhereyes.She’d
wornhersweatsanda
wrinkledT-shirt.Now,she
wasdressedinblackslacks
andabeautifulemeraldgreen
silkblouse.
“Larue,I’msogladto
seeyou.”Elisareachedout
andhuggedme.
Sheseemedmuch
happierthanwhenI’dseen
herlast.Thatmustmeanthe
hauntingwasgone.More
thanlikelybecauseitwas
withmenow.
“Pleasecomeinside.”
“Thankyou,Elisa.”I
followedthewomanintothe
house.
Ilookedaroundthe
spaceanditseemedsomuch
brighterthanthelasttimeI’d
beenthere.Thesunshone
throughthewindowscasting
ayellowglowaroundthe
room.Thecolorsseemed
morevibrantandthesmellof
flowerslingeredintheair.
“Comeintothe
kitchen.Iwasjustmaking
tea.”Elisamotionedtome.
Ifollowedherthrough
thehouse,keepingonhigh
alertthewholetimeincaseI
spottedtheshadow.Iknewit
wasn’tstayinghereany
longer,though.Theheaviness
ofhispresencewasgone.He
wasnowwithmefulltime.I
knewthefullscopeofwhat
Elisahadbeendealingwith
beforeshehadcalledme.
Thereprobablyhadn’tbeen
anyhauntingsinceI’dbeen
there.
“Pleasehaveaseat.”
Isatattheendofthe
oaktable.Elisapulledouta
cupandpouredwaterand
thendippedtheteabag.
Sheplacedthecupin
frontofmeonthetable.
“Wouldyoulikesugar?”
“Yes,please,”Isaid.
Marilynsatinthe
chairnexttomeandwatched
thehomeownerasshepoured
acupforherself.
“Larue,Ican’tthank
youenoughforeverything
youdid.”Elisapattedmy
hand.“It’sevenlighterin
here,don’tyouthink?”
Icouldn’tgetover
howpeacefulthehouse
seemednow.IfonlyIcould
getridofthisdarkshadow
forgood.
Ilookedaroundthe
room.“Yes,itismuch
lighter.”
Icouldonlyimagine
howbadithadbeenforherif
thatdarkshadowhadtrulyset
upresidenceinherhome.
“So,nothinghas
happenedsinceIleft?”I
asked.
Shetookasipoftea
andsetthecupdown.“No,I
haven’tsleptthiswellin
years.IfeellikeIoweyou
mylife.”
“Larue,you’rea
hero,”Marilynsaid.
Itookadrinkandthen
asked,“Doyouknowanyof
thehistoryofthehome?”
Sheheldaplateof
lemoncookiesinfrontofme.
“Wouldyoulikeone?”
Itookoneandplaced
itonmyplate.“Thankyou.”
“Notmuchreally.The
neighbortoldmeafamily
usedtolivehereandthatthe
fatherleft.So,themotherand
herteenagesonmovedout
soonafterthat.Iguessthey
couldn’taffordtostay.”
“Howlongagowas
that?”Iasked.
Shetookasipoftea,
andthensaid,“Aboutten
yearsago,Iguess.We’ve
beenhereforthreemonths.I
thinkalotofpeoplelived
herewhenitwasrentedout,
buttheyneverstayedlong.”
“Didyouhearstories
fromanyoneelse?”Inibbled
onthecookie.
Sheshookherhead.
“No,Iguesstheywantedto
keepthestoriestothemselves
andjustgetout.”
Isighed.“Sometimes
itwouldbebetterifthey
sharedsotheproblemcould
havebeenaddressedyears
ago.”
Sheplacedhercup
down.“Thatwouldhavebeen
goodforme.Ihadnoidea
whatweweregettinginto
whenweboughtthehouse.”
“Doyouknowwhat
happenedtothemotherand
sonwhomoved?”Iasked.
Shetookabiteofher
cookie.“No,Ineverheard
anything.”Shestudiedmy
face.“Iseverythingokay,
Larue?Youseemstressed.I
canimaginewhatyoudoputs
alotofpressureonyou.”
Isupposeshewas
rightaboutthat,butIhadno
choice.ThiswaswhatIdid.
Itwasapparentlymylife’s
calling.
“I’mfine.Ijustliketo
getanswersforthehomes
I’vebeenin.”Ipickedatthe
edgeofmynapkin.
“That’s
understandable,butatany
rate,I’mthankfulforwhat
youdid.EvenifIneverknow
whatitwas.I’mjustgladit’s
gone.”
Ihopedforhersake
thatitneverfounditsway
backtoherhome.Iwouldtry
mybesttogetridofthe
shadowspiritbeforeithada
chancetoterrorizeanyone
else.
Itookthelastsipof
mytea.“Thankyoufor
everything.Ireallyshouldbe
goingnow.”
Ipushedtomyfeet
andElisafollowedmetoward
thedoor.Marilynwas
directlybehindher.
“Larue,ifthereisever
anythingIcandoforyou,
pleasedon’thesitatetoask.”
Elisapausedwiththedoor
open.
Ismiled.“Thankyou,
Iwill.Callmeifyouneed
anythingelse.”
Thesunshinebathed
meinwarmthwhenIstepped
outside.Iwasamazedathow
brightandhappythehome
hadappeared.Elisahadbeen
right.Iscannedthearea,
wonderingifIwouldsee
Stoneagain.Apparently,he
waslonggone.
Ineededtofindout
moreaboutthefamilieswho
hadlivedinthehousebefore
Elisa.IfIcouldtrackdown
thepreviousrentersthat
mightgivememore
informationaboutthisdark
spirit.Wherehaditcome
from?Someonefromthe
home’spasthadtoknow
something.EvenifIfound
theformeroccupants,getting
themtotalkmightbe
difficult.Sometimes,if
peoplehadadramatic
experiencetheydidn’twant
todiscussit.Thatwas
understandable,butthiswas
kindofaparanormal
emergency.
“Sheseemedreally
happy,”Marilynsaidaswe
walkeddownthesidewalk.
“Youhelpalotofpeople,
don’tyou?”
Igrinned.“Itry.”
OnceImadeittothe
car,IfoundRogerwaitingin
thefrontseat.Islipped
behindthewheel.Marilyn
motionedforhimtomoveto
thebackseat.Ofcourse,he
immediatelycomplied.IfI’d
askedhim,Iwouldhave
gottennothingbutgrief.
“Whattookyouso
long?Ididn’tknowyouwere
goingtostayallday,”hesaid
inahuffedbreath.
Istartedtheignition.
“Iwasonlyintherefor
fifteenminutes.”
“Whileyouwerein
therehavingfun,IwassureI
sawthatshadowagain.”He
gesturedtowardthesidewalk.
Iwhippedaroundto
lookathim.“Wheredidyou
seeit?Diditgoinsidethe
house?”Icouldn’tletthat
thinggetbackintoElisa’s
again.
“No,itwasrighthere
bythecar,asifitwaswaiting
foryou.”Rogershookhis
head,clearlyexasperated
withme.
“Wherediditgo?”I
asked.
Heshrugged.“How
shouldIknow?Idon’twant
thethingaroundme.”
Istaredathim.“Well,
Ithoughtyoumighthave
watchedtoseewhereit
went.”
RogersighedasifI’d
toldhimtogotohisroom.
“Thethingjust
disappeared,okay?Icouldn’t
watchwhereitwent,”he
snapped.
Isighedandlooked
aroundforanysignofthe
darkspirit.ThankgoodnessI
didn’tseeit,butIwasstill
worriedtheevilentitymight
trytogettoElisaagaineven
thoughIwasalmostcertain
thedarkspiritwantedme
now.Thatwasfine.Iwasa
lotmorecapableofhandling
thisthing.Ihadyearsof
experience.
Isteeredthecaraway
fromthecurbandtookoff
downtheroad.WhenI
passedthestreetwhereI’d
spottedStone,IwonderedifI
wouldeverfindhimagain.
MycellrangandIpulled
oversoIcouldanswer.
“Hey,honey.Just
wantedtoseehowyou’re
doing.”Callahan’ssexyvoice
reverberatedthroughmelike
alingeringkiss.“Howabout
lunch?”
Icouldn’triskseeing
himrightnow,butithurtto
tellhimno.
“Actually,Ihavea
fewappointments.”
“Oh.Iunderstand.
We’llcatchuplater?”
Disappointmentsoundedin
hisvoice.
“I’llcallyousoon,”I
saidandthenhungup
quickly.
“Youcan’tavoidhim
forever.”Marilynwarned
withawaveofherhand.
“He’llthinkyou’re
dumpinghim,”Rogersaid
withlaughterinhisvoice.
Iknewalltoowell
whatCallahanwouldthink.I
didn’tneedtobereminded.I
wouldhavetothinkof
somethingtotellhimsoon.If
Itoldhimthetruth,hewould
insisthewasstrongenoughto
fightoffthisdarkshadow.
Soon,Imighthavenochoice
buttodivulgethetruthto
him,butuntilthen,Iwould
trytosolvethisproblemon
myown.
“Everythingwillbe
fine,Larue,”Marilynsaid.
“Don’tworry.”
Notworryingwas
impossible.
Chapter11
Darknesssurrounded
me.Starstwinkledinthe
velvetysky.Thesilvery
mooncastaglowoverthe
gravestonesthatdottedthe
landscape.Alargehouse
loomedinthedistance.It
lookedexactlylikethehouse
thatallthekidswoulddare
eachothertostepfootin…
abandonedlongago.But,was
itreallyempty?Thelights
illuminatingfromthe
windowsservedasbeaconsin
thenightandmademethink
someonemustlivethere.
WherewasI?I’d
neverbeenherebeforeand
hadnoideahowI’dgotten
here.Abatflutteredfroma
nearbytreeandIduckedin
ordertomissit.Stepping
throughthecreakyoldiron
gate,Iwalkedintothe
graveyard.Iweavedaround
headstonesandheaded
towardtheoldhouse.SinceI
hadnoideawhereIwas,I
hadtofindhelp.The
cemeterywasagooddistance
fromthehouse,butitwasmy
onlyhopeatthemoment.
WhenIfinally
reachedthebrickthree-story,
Isteppeduptotheold
weatheredfrontdoor.My
knockechoedacrossthenight
air.Nooneanswered.
Steadyingmyshakyhand,I
managedtowrapmy
knucklesonthetarnished
brassdoorknob.WhenI
twistedit,itimmediately
opened.Nervesdancedinmy
stomach.Iinchedthedoor
widerandthensteppedinside
thefoyer.Instarkcontrastto
thedarknessoutside,the
roomswerebrightlylit.There
wasnofurniture,nothing.
Thecrackedwallshad
peelingpaintandfalling
wallpaper.Cobwebshungin
thecornersoftherooms.I
movedtowardtheroomtothe
right.Beforereachingthe
threshold,thelightswentout.
Ifrozeonthespot.What
wouldIdonow?
SinceIcouldn’tsee
myhandinfrontofmyface,I
calledout.“Hello?”
Ofcourse,noone
answered.WhathadI
expected?
Afterturningaround
inthedirectionwhereI
thoughtthedoorhadbeen,I
inchedmywayforward,one
babystepatatime.Anoise
camefrommyleft.Itwas
rightbesidemyearand
soundedasifsomeonewas
breathingheavily.Panic
surgedthroughme.Iraced
forwardsoIcouldgetaway
fromwhoeverorwhatever
wasintheroomwithme.
Beforemakingittothedoor,
Istumbledandfelltothe
ground,landingonmyface.
Theheavybreathingwas
rightbesidemyearagain.
Terrorrushedthroughmy
body.Iwantedtoscream,but
thesoundwaslodgedinmy
throat.Ifumbledtogetup
fromthefloor,butIcouldn’t
getmyfooting.Thesoundof
thebreathinggreweven
louderinmyear.
Afterfinallymakingit
tomyfeet,Iranforward,
hopingIwouldmakeittothe
doorandoutofthehouse.I
glancedback.WhyIwasn’t
sure,sinceIcouldn’tsee
anything.IguessIwantedto
knowwhatwastherewith
me.Itwasprobablyforthe
bestthatIcouldn’tseewho
orwhatthisthingwas.I
didn’tknowifIwasgoingto
beattackedbyalivingperson
oraghost.Ihadtogetoutof
thereandgethome.
Irantowardthedoor
whenthethinggraspedmy
shoulderfrombehind.It
yankedmebackandIlanded
onthegroundagain.The
thingwasontopofmenow.I
knewitwasthedarkshadow
thathadbeenfollowingme
around.Iwasn’tsurehowI’d
gottenherethough.HadI
fallenasleepandthisthing
luredmehere?HadIbeen
sleepwalking?Thathadtobe
it.Rightnow,Ijusthadto
worryaboutgettingawayand
nothowthisoccurred.The
spirithaditslongarms
stretchedforwardwithhis
handswrappedtightlyaround
myneck.IgaspedforairasI
putmyhandsarounditsarms.
Iwasn’tsureiftherewas
reallyskin,butitfeltcoldand
clammytothetouch,which
mademystomachturn.
Tryingtobreakfree,Ipushed
ashardasIcould.
Sincethethinghadits
handswrappedaroundmy
neck,Icouldn’tscream.
Nothingcameoutofmy
mouth.IfIdidn’tgetaway
soon,itwouldbetoolatefor
me.Istruggled,pushingas
hardasIcould.ThemoreI
foughtit,thestrongerit
seemedtoget.Itfeltasif
therewasnohopeingetting
awayfromthisthing.
Remainingpositivewouldbe
hard,butIwouldtryhard.I
fearedIwaslosingthebattle.
ItriedtoscreamagainasI
kicked.Thethingstartedto
cacklenow,amenacingand
terrifyingnoise.Itreallyfelt
asifithadtheupper-hand.
Iwasstrongerthan
this.Iwouldn’tlethimwin.I
hadtofightharder.Usingall
mystrength,Ishovedthe
thing.Tomysurprise,itflew
throughtheair.Iscreamedas
loudlyasIcouldandgasped
forairnowthatithad
looseneditsgrip.
Thatwaswhenthe
sunlightstreamedthroughthe
roomandIopenedmyeyes.
Itwasn’ttheoldhouseandit
wasnolongerdark.Daylight
floodedthespaceandIwas
inthesanctuaryofmy
bedroom.Well,itusedtobe
mysafehaven.Now,itwas
beinginvadedmydemons
thatcameformeinmy
dreams.Thisthinghadtobe
demonic.Whyelsewouldit
attackmelikethat?Iwas
wideawakeandknewthatit
hadbeenadream.Atooreal
dream.
ThebookthatI’d
beenreadingtoMarilyn
droppedtothefloor.Ithad
beenonmylapstillfromthe
nightbefore.Ihadatendency
offallingasleepwhile
reading.MarilynandRoger
ranintotheroomwith
panickedlooksontheirfaces.
“Iseverythingokay,
Larue?Weheardyouscream
anditscaredmetodeath…
well,itscaredme,”Marilyn
said.
“Areyouallright?”
Rogeraskedwithmore
concerninhisvoicethanI
hadeverheard.
WasIokay?Iglanced
downatmybody.Everything
seemedtobefine.
Itossedtheblanket
offmybodyandkickedmy
legsoverthesideofthebed.
“I’mokay,”IsaidasI
pushedtomyfeet.“SorryifI
scaredyou.Iwashavinga
baddream.”
Ididn’twanttotell
themjusthowrealthatdream
hadbeen.Marilynfurrowed
herbrowandstaredatme.By
thelookonherface,Iknew
sheprobablydidn’tbelieve
me.Withtheghosts
followingbehindme,I
shuffledacrossthefloor
towardthekitchen.Even
thoughitwasabrightand
sunnymorning,Ifoundit
difficulttoshakeoffthe
terriblefeelingofwhathad
gonedowninthedream.Itall
seemedsoreal.Withany
luck,somecoffeeand
breakfastwouldmakemefeel
muchbetter.
AsImovedthrough
thehouse,MarilynandRoger
continuedtofollowme.I
knewtheywerewatchingme
withsuspicion.They
wouldn’tletmegetoffwith
thesimpleexplanationofa
dream.
“What’sonyour
neck?”Rogeraskedashe
pointed.
Igraspedmythroat.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Oh,Larue,it’s
bruised,”Marilynleaned
closer.
Iranovertothe
mirrorhangingontheliving
roomwindow.WhenIsaw
thedarkblackandblue
bruises,Igasped.Hadn’tit
beenadream?Ithadseemed
soreal,buthowelsewouldI
explainthemarks?Thisthing
wasgettingthroughtomein
mysleepandthatwasabad
thing.
***
Afterbreakfastanda
shower,Idressedinmy
favoritepairofblackpants
andpinkandwhiteblouse.
Tocoverthebruises,Iadded
apinkfloralscarfaroundmy
neck.Iwasstilltryingforthe
glamorouslook.
Unfortunately,Ididn’tthink
itwasworking.Withthe
ghostsinthecarwithme,I
headedtowardthebookstore.
Ididn’tknowwhatIhad
plannedfortheday,butit
involvedsomekindof
detectivework.Ihadalong
listofthingsIneededtolook
into.
WhenIpulledupto
BookNook,Iglancedover
andsawCallahanhadalready
openedthecoffeeshop.Of
course,healwaysopeneda
lotearlierthanme.IfIdidn’t
stopin,hewouldbeoverto
checkonme.However,Iwas
afraidthedarkshadowwould
showupagain.Forthat
reason,Iwalkedrightpasthis
shop,avoidingpeepinginthe
windowathishandsomeface.
AsMarilynandRoger
wanderedaroundmystore,I
settledintomywork.Withall
thedistraction,Iwasbehind
witheverythingbookstore
related.
Acoupleminuteshad
passedwhenMarilynsaid,
“Larue,thereisamanstaring
inthewindow.”
Ilookeduptoseeifit
wasthecreepyshadowagain.
Marilynpointedattheman
withhishandscuppedaround
hiseyesandfacepressedto
theglass.
Iwalkedtowardthe
door.“Itmustbeacustomer
whowondersifweareopen
yet.”
Ihadtheopensign
displayedinthedoor,butI
guesshemissedit.
“I’llgoseeifheneeds
help,”Isaid.
Isteppedoutontothe
sidewalk.Traffichadpicked
upsinceitwasnowrushhour
sothestreetwasnoisier.I
didn’tthinkthemanhad
heardmecomeout.Hehad
turnedandwaswalkingdown
thesidewalkawayfromthe
store.Heworetanpants,a
white,short-sleeveshirt,and
abeigeFedora.Whatwas
withallthehats?
“Excuseme,sir.Did
youneedhelp?”Icalledout.
AsIsuspected,he
didn’thearme.
Iwalkedoverandwas
justabouttotaphimonthe
shoulderwhenheturned
aroundandeyedmeupand
down.“Wereyoucheckingto
seeifthebookstoreisopen?”
“Ijustwantedtoseeif
youneededanyhelp,”I
added.
“Oh,good,it’syou,”
hesaid.
DidIknowthisman?
Hepointedatthe
BookNooksignabovethe
door.“Ithoughtthiswasthe
placeyouwentinto.I’ve
beentryingtofindyou,”he
said.
Ismiled.“Well,hereI
am.Thebookstoreisopen.”
Iassumedhemeant
thathehadbeentryingtofind
thebookstore.
Heshookhishead.
“No,it’snotthebookstore
I’vebeentryingtofind,it’s
you.I’vebeensearchingfor
you.”
Iquirkedaneyebrow.
Whywashelookingforme?
“Thisguyiskindof
weird,”Rogersaid.
Iwouldn’tsayweird.
Hewasjustalittleeccentric.
“Ifollowedyoulast
night,”hesaid.
Ishookmyhead.“I’m
confused.Wheredidyou
followmefrom?”
“Thebetterquestionis
whyhefollowedyou,Larue,”
Marilynsaid.“Youcannever
betoocareful.”
Shewasright,butthis
littleoldmansurelycouldn’t
bedangerous.Ieyedhim
expectantly.Ihadn’tbeen
anywherelastnightother
thanaroundtown.
Helookedmeinthe
eyes.“Iwasatthecemetery
lastnightandsawyou.”
Istaredathim,
speechless.Mystomach
twistedintoknots.
Rogerwalkedcloser
totheman.“Whatishe
talkingabout?”
Iwasfearfulofwhat
hewastalkingabout.Sure,
I’dsuspectedwhathadreally
happened,butnowIwas
findingoutforsure.That
wasn’tpossible.Ithadbeen
inmydream.WasIstill
dreaming?
Ichucklednervously.
“Iwasn’tatacemeterylast
night.”
Headjustedhishat.
“Yes,youwere.Ifollowed
you.”
“Yes,youalreadysaid
that,butitcan’tbepossible.”
Iglancedovermyshoulder,
planninghowtogetaway
fromhim.
Themancontinued,
“Youwentintothathouse.I
waitedforyoutocomeout
andthenfollowedyou
home.”
Isearchedhisface.He
seemedasifhewasbeing
completelyserious.Iwas
confusedanddidn’tknow
whattothink.HeknewI’d
beeninthehouse.Thank
goodnessacustomerwalked
intothebookstore,soIhadto
getbackinside.
“Ihavetogo.”I
motionedasIwalkedtoward
thedoor.
“I’llgowithyou.”He
trailedalongrightbehindme.
“Whoisthisguy?”
RogerwhisperedtoMarilyn.
AsIhelpedthe
customer,Inoticedtheman
wastalkingtoMarilyn.So,he
wasaghost,tooIhad
suspectedthat,which
explainedwhyhewasatthe
cemetery.Butitdidn’t
explainhowhe’dfoundme.I
thoughtforsureithadbeena
dream.I’dwokenupinmy
bed,socouldIhavebeenat
thehouseinsomekindof
sleepwalkingstate?Thatwas
possibleandascarythought
atthesametime.WhenI
finishedwiththecustomer,I
headedovertotheghosts.
Theyhadbecomeacquainted
quickly.
Themanwassmiling
andtalkingtoMarilyn.I
couldtellhewasshockedand
excitedtoseeher.WhenI
walkedup,theystopped
chattingandpeeredmyway.
“I’mgladyou’re
back.Isupposeyouwantto
knowwhyIamhere?”he
saidasheeyedmeupand
down.
Ihadalotof
questions,butthatwas
certainlyagoodplacetostart.
“Whydidyoufollow
me?”Iasked.
“Iknewyoucouldsee
andcommunicatewithspirits,
soIthoughtwhynotfollow
youandhavesomeonetotalk
to.”Thelinesaroundhiseyes
deepenedwhenhesmiled.
“HowdidyouknowI
couldtalktospirits?”Iasked.
Heexchangedalook
withMarilynandRogerand
thenbacktome.“Youwere
speakingtothedarkshadow.
Iknewyouhadtotalkto
spirits.”
“Iwasn’texactly
talkingtohim,”Isaid
nervously.
“Whatdoeshemean,
Larue?”Marilynasked.
Isighed.“Lastnight,
inmydream,Iwenttoa
cemeteryandahouse.The
darkshadowwasthere,butI
guessmaybeitwasn’ta
dreamafterall.Whoare
you?”
“MynameisJames
Hagerman.”Hetippedhishat
inafriendlygesture.
Bythewayhewas
dressed,Ifiguredhewas
fromthe1960s.Thestyleof
hisshirtandpantsseemed
fromprobablyaround1961
or1962.
“MynameisLarue
Donavan.Iguessyouknow
Marilyn,”Isaid.
Marilynwavedand
winked.Jamesswooned.
Rogermadeagaggingnoise.
Irolledmyeyes.
“That’sRoger.”
“Nicetomeetyou,”
Jamessaid,stickinghishand
outtowardRoger.
Rogerfoldedhisarms
infrontofhischestand
staredatJames.James
seemedabituncomfortable
bytheglare,soheturnedhis
attentionbacktome.There
wasnoreasonorRogertoact
soimmature.
“I’msorryifI
botheredyou,”Jamesadded.
“I’mjusttryingto
figureoutwhathappened,”I
said.“Idon’tknowhowIgot
tothecemetery.”
“Oh,that’snotgood,”
Jamessaid.
“Iwouldn’thavegone
thereonmyown,”Isaid.“I
definitelywouldn’thave
talkedwiththedarkshadow.”
Jamesshruggedhis
slendershoulders.“Iknow
whatIsaw.”
“Doyouknow
anythingaboutthisdark
shadow?”Iasked.
Heshookhishead.
“Ohno,Iwouldn’twant
anythingtodowithit.”
Thatwas
understandable.Ididn’twant
tobeinvolvedwithiteither.
WhatwouldIdoyouwith
anotherghost?Itwashard
keepingupwhenitgotto
overtwo.
“Idon’tknowabout
this,”Rogersaidasheeyed
Jamesupanddown.
“Whatistheproblem,
youngman?”Jamesuseda
sternvoice.
Rogerstormedaway
withoutanswering.
“He’smoody,”Isaid.
Jamesnodded.“Ican
seethat.”
IgotthefeelingRoger
didn’tlikeanotherghost
comingaround.
“Canyoutakeme
backtotheplacewhereyou
foundmelastnight?”Iasked.
“Isthatagoodidea,
Larue?”Marilynasked.
“It’llbeokay.”I
wavedmyhand.
“IsupposeIcould
takeyoutothehouse.When
wouldyouliketogo?”he
asked.
“RightafterIclose
theshopthisevening,”Isaid.
Henodded.“Okay,
it’sadate.”
I’dneverseenthis
cemeterybeforeandIhadno
ideawherethishousewas.I
thoughtIknewaboutallthe
placeslikethataroundhere.I
couldn’twaittogetalookat
it.Ihopedwecouldmakeit
beforeitwasdark.
Thebellabovethe
doorannouncedthatsomeone
hadentered.WhenIturned
around,IsawCallahan
walkingtowardme.Histan
cargopantsandnavybluet-
shirthuggedhismuscular
bodyinalltherightplaces.
Hislipsslippedintoa
charminggrin.
“Talkingto
someone?”heasked.
IglancedatJames.I
didn’tthinkitwasagood
ideatotellCallahanabout
thisghostjustyet.
“Notrightnow,”I
said.
Jamesstaredat
Callahan.Icouldn’tgaugehis
thoughts.
“Oh,thisguyagain,”
Rogersaid.
Callahanleanedin
andkissedme.Hesearched
myeyesandIknewhewas
suspiciousthatsomething
wasgoingon.WhatwouldI
tellhimwhenheaskedme
thequestion?
Hetookmyhands
intohis.“Haveyoubeen
avoidingme?”
Itriedtoactinnocent,
likeIhadnoideawhathe
meant.“Avoidingyou?Why
wouldIdothat?”Iasked.
“Youmissedlunch
andthenIdidn’ttalktoyou
lastnight.Ifeellike
somethingisgoingon.”He
touchedmycheek.
Ihatedthispart.I
couldn’tkeepthisup.Iwould
havetotellhimthetruth.
“Oh,lookathissad
eyes.Youcan’tkeepasecret
fromhimanylonger,”
Marilynsaid.
Ididn’tneedtobe
remindedofhissadeyes
becauseIwaslookinginto
themrightnow.
“IguessIhavebeen
workingtoohard,”Ioffered.
Thatwasn’talie.
Callahanwasreadytosay
somethingwhenthedark
shadowappearedoutof
nowhereandrushedhim,just
likeinthecoffeeshop.He
felltotheground.Marilyn
screamed.Theshadowhad
attackedandthen
disappeared.
“Wherediditcome
from?”Rogerasked.
Iranovertomy
boyfriend.“Callahan,areyou
okay?”
Hewascompletely
outofitwhenIgazedintohis
eyes.Hehadthatsameblank
stare.Ishookhimandhe
finallysawme.
“Oh,thankgoodness
he’sawake,”Marilynsaid.
Callahansatup.
Ihopedthethinghad
gone.Itseemedtoswoop
throughquicklyandbackout
thedoor.Itwasasifitsimply
wantedtoletmeknowitwas
stillaround.Ihadnever
doubtedthatmuch.For
severalsecondsinitswake,
I’dsmelledthestenchof
rottenleavesandmusky
earth.
Callahanrubbedhis
head.“Whatwasthat?”
IguessIhadtotell
himnow.
Isighedandthensaid,
“Itwasadarkshadowspirit.”
“Whatisthat?”
Callahanasked.
“It’sanot-so-nice
spirit,”Isaid.
Callahanpushedtohis
feet.Itwastoughtoseeabig,
strongguylikehimbe
attackedbythisthing.“What
wasitdoinghere?”
Hisguesswasasgood
asmine.
Outoffrustration,I
huffedalongbreath,which
movedthebangsonmy
forehead.“Ireallydon’t
know.”
“Doesthathappen
often?”Callahanasked.
Ishookmyhead.“No,
notreally.”
Hiseyebrows
furrowed.“I’mworriedabout
you,Larue.Howcanyouget
ridofthisthing?”
“ThatiswhatIhave
tofindout.”Itriedtohidethe
concernonmyface,butI
knewitwasn’tworking.
Hetouchedmyarm.
“Idon’twanttoleaveyou
hereifitiscomingback.”
“Youhaveto,”Isaid.
“I’llbefine.Ithinkitonly
wantstoattackpeoplewho
arearoundme.”
Callahanstudiedmy
face.“Whatdoesthatmean?”
Ishrugged.“It’s
playinggames.”
Hewatchedmefora
momentlonger.
Iforcedasmileonmy
face.“Iwillbefine,I
promise.”
Theconcernin
Callahan’seyesdeepened.“I
reallydon’tthinkIshould
leave.”
“Youhaveto,”Isaid
inamoresternvoicethis
time.
Hefinallynodded.
“Okay,butbereadytonight.
Wearegoingout.Youneed
sometimetorelax.”
Inodded.“That
soundslovely.”
EventhoughI’d
agreed,itwouldhavetobe
afterJamestookmetothe
cemetery.Callahan
reluctantlyleftandIfinished
upworkingfortheday.
Iclosedupandthen
askedJames.“Areyou
ready?”
Heheadedtowardthe
door.“Yes,areyoudriving?”
“Well,Icertainly
don’twantanyofyouallto
drive,”IsaidasIgrabbedmy
bag.
Afterlockingthe
door,Iclimbedintomycar.
IfIpickedupanymore
ghostswantingtotagalongI
wouldneedaminivan.
Marilynsatupfrontand
Jamessatinthebackwith
Roger.Ofcourse,Roger
wasn’thappywiththis
arrangement.Mycar,my
rules.
Ipulledoutontothe
street.“WhereamIgoing?”
“Turnleftatthelight
andheadoutoftown,”James
saidashepointed.
“Howfaristhis?”I
asked.
Suddenly,Istartedto
worryalittle.WasJames
reallywhohesaidhewas?It
wasoddhehadjustshownup
likethat.Therewasonlyone
waytofindout.
Chapter12
Iinchedthecardown
thegravelroad.Ihadnoidea
thisareawasevenbackhere.
Wehaddrivenaboutten
milesoutsideoftownand
nowwewereoutinthe
country.Talloaktreeslined
thelaneandanoldgraveyard
wassettotheright.Ipulled
thecarovertothesideofthe
roadandshoveditintopark.I
doubtedIhadtoworryabout
anyothercarscomingalong.
Ibetnoonehardlyevercame
outhere.Thatwasascary
thought…beingsoisolated.I
turnedofftheignitionand
glancedintherear-view
mirror.
Theghostshad
alreadygottenoutofthecar.
Somuchforwaitingforme.I
climbedoutandwalkedover
tothegraveyard’sentrance.I
wascarefulwhenIwentto
cemeteriesbecauseIknew
howeasilyIcouldpickupa
spirit.ThatwaswhyIknewI
wasn’tvoluntarilyatthis
placelastnight.Notto
mentionIwouldhave
rememberedcominghere.I
stillcouldn’texplainwhat
hadhappenedthoughandthat
wastroubling.
“Thisplaceis
hauntinglybeautiful,”
Marilynsaid.
Thestonesdatedback
totheeighteenhundreds.
Oak,magnolia,andweeping
willowtreesshadedthearea.
Birdschirpinghighabovein
thebrancheswastheonly
noise,exceptforthe
occasionaltreebranch
rustlinginthewind.Ilooked
aroundtoseeiftherewere
remnantsofanoldchurchor
ifthiswasafamilycemetery.
Jamesshouldbeable
totellmethisinformation.I
steppedintotheburial
ground.Thelastraysof
sunshinestreakedthroughthe
trees.Ihadtohurrybecauseit
wouldbedarksoon.When
darknessfell,itopenedthe
veiltotheothersideand
madeiteasierforthingsto
reachme.
“James,isthisa
familygraveyard?”Iasked.
Hemotionedacross
theway.“Thereusedtobea
churchthere.Itburneddown
manyyearsago.Allthat’s
leftnowarethegraves.”He
peeredaroundasiflostin
thought.
“Canwegetoutof
herenow?”Rogerasked.
“Whydon’tyouwait
inthecar,”Ioffered.
Hescoffed,but
remainedbymyside.
Iwalkedthroughthe
plotsuntilIcametotheother
sideoftheyard.Thatwas
whenIspottedtheoldhouse
inthedistance.Itwastheone
frommydream.
“Thereitis,”James
said.“That’sthehousewhere
youwerelastnight.”
“Itappearstobe
abandoned,”Marilynsaid.
Pushingmynervesto
thebackofmymind,Istarted
towardtheoldhouse.Ididn’t
knowwhatIwouldfindonce
Igotthere,butIhadtocheck
itout.Ireachedthebuilding
andcranedmyneckupatit
toweringoverme.Theplace
hadaporchthatwrappedall
thewayaroundthefront.
“Areyougoing
inside?”Rogerasked.
“Well,IhavetoifI
wanttolookforany
answers,”Isaid.
Iinchedupontothe
porch,carefulofmystep.It
seemedasifsomeofthe
boardscouldgivewayatany
time.Ipushedontheold
frontdoorjustasIhadinmy
dream.ThiswaslikeDéjàvu.
IhopedIdidn’thavethe
shadowattackingmeagain.
Ofcourse,mynerveswereon
edgejustthinkingaboutit.
RogerandMarilynfollowed
meintothehouse.
Jamespacedacross
thefrontyard.“I’llstayout
here.”
Whatwasheafraid
of?Iftheshadowwasinthis
placelastnightthentherehad
tobeaconnection.But,what
wasit?Didtheshadowwant
meinthishouse?Maybethat
waswhyhehadsentJamesto
me?Now,Iwasbeginningto
havemysuspicionsabout
James.Demonscouldtakeon
otherforms.Maybeithad
takenontheformofasweet,
littleoldmantofoolme.
Plus,therewasthefedora.I
steppedfurtherintothehouse
andspottedtheroomIhad
enteredlastnight.Atleastit
wasstilllightout.
Ididn’tthinkIwas
braveenoughtocomeinhere
inthedark.Iwouldhaveto
findoutwhatJamesknew
aboutthishouse.Whatwas
thereasonhedidn’twantto
comeinside?Ifhewasthe
demonthenhewouldn’thave
anyproblemcominginside.
Infact,itwouldgivehimthe
perfectchancetoattackme
again.Ithoughtitwasmore
likelythatthedemonhad
recruitedJamestobringme
here.MaybeJamesdidn’t
evenrealizewhatwas
happening.
“There’snothinghere,
howmuchlongerareyou
goingtostay?”Roger’svoice
wasfullofanxiety.
“Stopbeingso
impatient,”Isaid.
Justthen,Ispotted
somethingmoveoutofthe
cornerofmyeye.
“Didyouseethat?”
Marilynasked.
Herawarenesswas
highlysensitive.Sheusually
sawthingslongbeforeIdid.
“Ididseeit,”Isaidas
Imovedovertowardthe
othersideoftheroom.
Itlookedasifithad
disappearedrightoutthe
wall.Itseemedalittle
differentthantheshadowthat
hadbeenattackingme,
though.Ithadtakenona
differentshape.Almostasif
itwasintheformofaperson,
butdifferentfromthemale
withthehat.Theotherwas
moreofamistyform.I
walkedovertothewindowto
seeifIspottedtheshadow.
WhenIlookedoutbythetree
line,Icaughtsightofnotonly
thatshadow,butseveral
others.
Igasped.“Therearea
bunchofthem.”
Thiswasmakingme
verynervous.Ididn’twantto
besooutnumberedbythem.I
wouldn’tbeabletofight
themoff.Theywouldalsotry
totakemyenergyandI
didn’thavethatmuchto
spare.
“Ithinkit’stimefor
metogetoutofhere,”Isaid.
“Well,it’sabouttime.
Ithoughtyou’dneversay
that,”Rogermotionedforus
toleave.
AsIwasreadytoturn
toleave,theshadows
disappeared.Itwasasifthey
hadneverbeenthere.
“Wheredidtheygo
to?”Marilynasked.
“I’mnotsure,butI
thinkIshouldgetoutofhere
beforetheycomeback.”I
turnedandrushedtowardthe
door.
Iwantedtocheckout
therestofthehouse,butit
wastoorisky.Flashbacksof
lastnightcamerushingtomy
mind.Icouldn’tshakethe
imageofthatshadow
attackingmeandhavingme
pinedtothefloor.Noise
soundedfrombehindme,but
Iwastooafraidtoturn
aroundandlook.Thank
goodnessIgotoutofthere
withoutanythingattacking
me.
Thesunhadsetwhile
Iwasinside.Shadesofnavy
bluestreakedacrossthepink
sky.Thecarcameintosight
asIrushedawayfromtheold
house.Ihadtohurrybefore
darkcompletelyconsumed
myview.Halfwaythrough
waswhentheghosts
appearedaroundus.Ididn’t
knowwhotheywere.There
werewomenandmen.The
spiritsofthepeopleburied
there?ForamomentIwas
frozen.Thereweresomany
ofthem.Ifeltoverwhelmed
andIknewifIdidn’tgetout
oftheresoon,theywould
takeeveryounceofmy
energy.Iwasn’tsureIcould
recoverfromthat.Irushed
forwardanddidn’tlookat
them.WhenIlookedback,
theyhaddisappeared.
Imadeitthroughthe
graveyardagainwithout
seeingthespiritsagain.Iwas
alsogladthatnootherghosts
hadattachedtomeonthis
trip.Oncebackinthecar,I
turnedaroundandheadedfor
home.
“Whathappenedback
there?”Jamesaskedaswe
drovehome.
Maybethiswasmy
chancetofindoutjusthow
muchheknewaboutthis
spirit.
“Isawothershadows
inthehouse,”Isaid.
“Really,”Jamessaid,
soundingsurprised.“There
wasmorethanone?”
Ifocusedmyattention
onthecurvesoftheroad.
“Yes,several.Theydidn’t
attackmeliketheotherone,
though.”
“That’sgoodnews,”
hesaid.
“Exactlyhowmuch
doyouknowaboutthis
spirit?”Iasked.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Jamesasked.
Iglancedinthe
mirror.“Iwashopingyou
couldshedsomelightonthis
forme.Sinceyousawthe
shadowandall.”
“Isawit,butIdon’t
knowanythingaboutit,”he
saiddefensively.
WhenIpulledupto
myhouse,IsawCallahan’s
carinthedriveway.Iwould
havetoquestionJamesmore
later.WhatwouldIsayto
Callahan?Hewasstanding
onmyfrontporchwaitingfor
me.
Isteppedoutfrom
behindthewheel.
Callahansmiledand
heldupabag.“Ibrought
dinner.”
“Idon’tthinkhe’s
goingtoletyougetawayso
easily,”Marilynsaid.
Well,Ididn’twantto
getaway.Imerelywantedto
keepthedarkspiritaway
fromhim.Therewasabig
difference.
Isteppedupontothe
porch.“Youshouldn’thave.”
“Shereallymeans
that,”Rogersaid.
Callahanleaneddown
andkissedme.Hissoftlips
mademybodytingle.“You
needtoeat.”
“Whatdidyou
bring?”IaskedasIopened
thedoor.
“Chinese.Ihope
that’sokay.”Heheldupthe
bags.
“Soundsperfect.”
Callahanwalked
aheadofmetowardthe
diningroomtable.“Youtake
aseatandIwilldo
everything.”
“Howgreatis
Callahan?”Marilynasked.
“He’sapeach,”Roger
saidsarcasticallyunderhis
breath.
Itwasalwayshardto
beromanticwithghosts
hangingaround.Ihopedthey
wouldtakeahintandgiveus
someprivacy.Isatatthe
tableandwatchedCallahan
gatherplatesandutensils
fromthekitchen.Hesmiled
ashesetthetableandtook
thefoodoutofthebags.
“Nowforsomething
todrink.Ibroughtyour
favorite.”Hepulledthesoda
outofthebag.
Ilaughed.“You
thoughtofeverything.”
Hetookacandleout
fromanotherbagandthen
matches.“Yes,Idid,”hesaid
withawink.
Aftersettingthetable
andpouringthedrink,
Callahansatnexttome.I’d
missedhavingthistimewith
him.CallahanandIhadalot
incommon.Themainthing
wasthatwehadbothleft
nine-to-fivejobstopursue
ourdreams.Itwasasiffate
hadbroughtustogether.
Maybethatwasjustme
romanticizingthingsthough.
HowelsecouldIexplainmy
goodfortuneofhaving
Callahanopenhiscoffeeshop
rightnexttomyplace?
“Youdidn’thaveto
doallthis.”Ipickedupmy
glass.
“Iwantedto,”
Callahansaid.
Iglancedovermy
shoulderandspottedMarilyn
motioningforJamesand
Rogertofollowher.They
walkedlikezombiesbehind
herasshesashayedoutofthe
room.Sheknewweneeded
alonetime.Howeasilyshe
couldgetthementofollow
her.
Somehow,Imanaged
toavoidthetopicofghosts
andevilspiritsthrough
dinner.IknewIwouldn’tbe
abletogetaroundthesubject
forever,though.We’dhada
relaxingdinnerandchatted
aboutthefutureandthings
we’dplanned.Ihopedthese
thingswouldcometrue,but
sinceI’dbeenonguardfor
thedarkshadow’snext
appearance,Iknewourfuture
wasinjeopardy.
Afterdinner,Callahan
andIsnuggleduptogetheron
thesofa.Callahanturnedto
mewithdesireinhiseyes.He
leanedcloserandpressedhis
lipsagainstmine.Myeyelids
flutteredshutandIgaveinto
thepleasureofCallahan’s
kiss.Hismouthwasfirmand
strong,butthekisswasgentle
andpassionate.Callahan
madehiswaytomyneck.His
lipsglidedovermyskin,and
thenhemoveduptomyear.
Henippedlightlyatmy
earlobe,makingmeshudder.
Iwassavoringthesubtle
variationsofhispassion
whenmypleasurewas
interruptedbythesensation
thatwewerebeingwatched.
Thistimeitdidn’tfeelasif
thedarkshadowwasthere.I
glancedovermyshoulderand
spottedRogerwatchingus.
Hegrinnedand
chuckled.“Makingout,I
see.”
“Getoutofhere,”I
demanded.
Rogerchuckledand
thenwalkedaway.Whata
waytokillthevibe.
“Sorryaboutthat.The
ghostwaswatching.”
Callahangrimaced.“I
guesshewascurious.”
IlayinCallahan’s
arms,tryingtotellmyself
everythingwouldbeokay.
ThenextthingIknew,
darknesssurroundedme.It
wasanotherdream.Iwasstill
onthesofa,butwhenI
lookedover,thedarkshadow
wasattackingCallahan.I
screamedatthething,butit
didn’tstop.Ireachedover
andtriedtograbthething,
butIwasunsuccessful.
“Getoffhim,”I
yelled.
Callahanpushedand
shoveduntiltheshadow
brokeaway.Thethingflew
outthewindow,butIknewit
wouldbeback.Iwokeup
withagasp.WhenIglanced
atCallahan,hewasstill
sleeping.
Ishookhim.“Areyou
okay?”
Heturnedtome,
dazedatfirst.“I’mfine.”He
rubbedhishead.“What’s
wrong?”
Ipeeredaroundfor
thedarkshadow.“IguessI
wasdreaming.”
Atleasthehadn’t
reallybeenattacked.Ithad
beenadream.Icouldn’ttell
whatwasrealoradream.
Thisthingwasplaying
seriousmindgameswithme
andithadgoneonlong
enough.Therehadtobea
waytostopit.
Callahanstretched
andyawned.“Wemusthave
fallenasleep.”
Marilyn,Roger,and
Jameswerenowhereinsight.
Itwasunusuallyquietinthe
housewithouttheghost
chatter.Whatweretheyup
to?
Sunlightfloodedthe
roomandIrealizedwe’d
sleptclearthroughtothe
morning.Imassagedmyneck
totrytogetthecrickout.
Callahanjumpedup.
“I’mgoingtobelatetoopen
theshop.”
I’dtotallyforgotten
aboutthetime.
Heshovedhisfeet
intohisshoesandthenkissed
meonthelips.“I’llseeyou
later,okay?”
Iwasstillinabitofa
dazefromthedreamas
Callahanracedtowardthe
door.Somethingmademe
uneasyabouthimleaving,but
Iwroteitoffastheafter
effectsofmydream.Ithad
seemedsorealandIfiguredI
wasonlyworriedbecauseof
that.
Callahankissedme
againandthenracedoutthe
door.Iwatchedhimdriveoff
downthestreet,butthe
anxietyremained.Whilethe
ghostsweren’taround,I
decidedtocheckthedrawer
forthehatthatI’dhidden
fromMindy.Jamesstillwore
hishat,sowastheoneI
foundtheevilentity’s?I
pulledopenthedrawer.The
fedorawasgone.
“Goodmorning,”
Jamessaidfromovermy
shoulder.
Iwhippedaroundand
sawthattheghostswereall
standinginthelivingroom
behindme.
“Ithoughtmaybeyou
allhadleftforgood,”Isaid
asIhurriedtowardmy
bedroom.
Rogersnorted.“You
wish.”
“Shedoesn’twantus
toleave,doyou,Larue?”
Marilynsaid.
Ididn’tknowhowto
answerthatonesoI
pretendedIhadn’theardher.
Afterdressinginmyfavorite
jeansandT-shirt,Ihurriedto
mycar.Yes,I’dgivenupon
thewholeglamorousthing
thismorning.Mysteriously,
thebruisesonmyneckhad
alreadydisappeared.There
hadbeennotimetoselecta
fashionableoutfitorworry
withabunchofmakeup.Lip
glossandmascarawould
havetodo.IfiguredI’dstop
bythecoffeeshopfor
breakfast.
Ijustwantedtomake
sureCallahanwasokay.
“Youguysleadan
excitinglife,”Rogersaid
fromthebackseatasIdrove
towardtown.
“Whatdoesthat
mean?”Iasked.
“Youfellasleepon
thecouch.”
“Yeah,well,wewere
tired,”Isaid.
Callahan’scarwas
parkedinfrontwhenI
arrived.AtleastIknewhe’d
madeittowork.Iparked
behindhimandheaded
towardtheshop.Theplace
waspackedandCallahanwas
behindthecounter,soI
decidednottobotherhim.I
couldskipbreakfastaslong
asIknewhewasokay.
Chapter13
Iunlockedthedoor,
turnedonthelights,and
flippedthesigntoOPEN.At
leastbeingintheshopmade
mefeelbetter,althoughI
wasn’tsafeanywherefrom
thisdarkshadow.OnceI
settledintoworkthatwould
helptakemymindoffthings.
WhenIhadtime,Iwould
lookintofindingoutmore
abouttheoldhousefrommy
dream.Plus,Ineededtofind
thepreviousoccupantsof
Elisa’shouse.
AsIrearrangeda
displayofthelatestfiction
titles,Stonepoppedintomy
mind.Iwonderedwhathad
happenedtohim.Iwishedhe
wouldhavetoldmemore
aboutspeakingtospirits.Had
somethingterribleoccurred
thatmadehimneverwantto
speakofitagain?Ifthatwas
thecase,thenIcould
understandwhyhewouldn’t
wanttotalkaboutit.
Igrabbedastackof
paperbacksandbeganplacing
themontheshelf.Iwasina
zoneasIstraightenedthe
volumes.I’dalwaysfound
thispartofmyjobsoothing.
Ahandwrappedaroundmy
shoulderandItossedthe
booksintotheairasIspun
around.Mindyscreamedand
thenMarilynfollowedwith
thesamescreech.Iwaspretty
sureMarilyndidn’teven
knowwhyshewas
screaming.Icouldn’tbelieve
thatIhadn’theardthebell
jinglewhenMindyhad
openedthedoor.SometimesI
slippedintoatrancewhile
working,butneverthatbad.
Iclutchedmychest.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
Mindyblewouta
deepbreath.“Wow.Youare
onedge.”
Darkcircleslined
underMindy’seyesasifshe
hadn’tsleptawink.
Ipickedthebooksup
fromthefloor.“Areyou
okay?”
“Whydoyouask?”
Sheforcedasmile.
Iwasn’tsureifI
shouldtellherwhyIasked,
butwewerebestfriendsandI
wouldwanthertosharewhat
sheknewwithme.ExceptI
wasn’ttellinghereverything.
Ihadn’tdivulgedthenews
thatIhadbeenavoidingher
becauseoftheevilspirit.
“Youjustlookalittle
tired,”Ioffered.
Mindyshrugged.“I
guessIdidn’tsleepwell.”
Afteralltheseyears,I
knewMindywasn’tbeing
completelyhonestwithme.I
guesswewerebothhiding
things.
Sheheldupabagof
doughnuts.“Ibroughtyour
favorite.”
Blueberrydoughnuts
fromDad’sBakeryweremy
absoluteweakness.Theglaze
thattrickleddownthesidesof
themelt-in-your-mouthcake
mademytastebudsdance.A
burstofblueberryfilledmy
mouthwitheverybite.
Callahanknewhispastries
couldn’tcompetewithmy
loveforthedoughnuts.
Itriednottostareat
thebag.“Youshouldn’t
have.”
“Idon’tcareifyou’ve
hadbreakfastalready,you
cantreatyourselfandthen
cometoclasstonight.”
“Iknewtherewasa
reasonyoubroughtthe
doughnuts,”IsaidasImoved
overtotheregister.
Mindywas
determinedtokeepmein
tiptopshape.
“Youknowyouwant
one.”Sherattledthebag.
“Mindy,Ihavetwo
leftfeet.”
Shegrimaced.
“Actually,Ithinksayingyou
havetwoleftfeetwouldbea
compliment.You’reeven
worsethanthat.”
“Thanks,”Isaiddrily.
Rogerlaughed.“You
dosuck.”
Igrabbedadoughnut
fromthebag.“Afterthe
insults,Ineedthis.”Itooka
bite.
Mindynibbledona
doughnutandthenasked,
“So,wherehaveyoubeen?”
Iquirkedaneyebrow,
tryingtoplayinnocent.
“Whatdoyoumean?I’ve
beenhere.”
“You’vebeen
avoidingmycalls.Iknow
you,Larue,andIknow
somethingiswrong.”
“Youshouldjusttell
herthetruth,”Marilynsaid.
“Trustme,youwillregretnot
doingit.”
“IguessI’vebeen
dealingwithalotofghost
issues,”Ioffered.
Ihadavoidedbeing
completelyhonestforthe
timebeing,butIwasn’tsure
howlongthatwouldlast.
“Whataretheghost
issues?”sheaskedasshebit
offabiggerpieceofthe
doughnut.
Iglancedoverat
Jameswho’dbeenstaring.“I
haveanewghost.”
Mindycasually
glancedaroundthestore.
“Anotherone,huh?Where
didthisonecomefrom?”
Ipaused,tryingto
figureouttheanswertoher
question.“I’mnotsure.”
Jamesmovedcloser.
“Whatdoyoumeanyou’re
notsure?Itoldyouwhere
I’mfrom.”
“Youhaven’tgiven
mealotofdetails,James,”I
said.
Mindylookedinthe
directionwhereIwastalking.
“HisnameisJames?”
Ishrugged.“That’s
aboutallIknowabouthim.”
Jamescrossedhis
armsinfrontofhischest.“If
youwanttoknowmore,
Larue,Iwouldbehappyto
giveyoutheinformation.”
“Yes,laterwouldbe
nice,”Isaid.“Hesayshe’ll
tellmeadditionalinformation
abouthimself.”
Shenoddedand
flashedahalfsmileinhis
direction.
Jameswinked.“Pretty
girl.”
“Hethinksyou’re
pretty.”Iwiggledmy
eyebrows.
Mindytwirledtheend
ofherponytailaroundher
indexfingerandgiggled.
“Thanks.”
Iwavedmyhand.
“Enoughaboutmethough,
youseemstressed.”
Shelookeddownand
pickedatthedoughnut
crumbs.“I’mfine.”
Iknewshefeltmy
stare.BeforeIhadachance
toaskhermorequestions,the
bellchimedannouncinga
customer.Icouldn’tbelieve
I’dbeensozonedoutbefore
thatIhadn’theardMindy
comein.
Atleastthistime,I
hadarealcustomer.The
youngwomanworealong,
blackdressthatreachedto
heranklesandblacksandals.
Herdarkhairwasupina
ponytail.Sheseemedasifshe
wasaboutRoger’sage,
maybeseventeen.
Sheglancedourway,
andIsaid,“Welcometo
BookNook.Pleaseletme
knowifyouneedhelp.”
Shestaredatmefor
severalsecondswithherbig,
blackeyeliner-rimmedbrown
eyes.Finally,shegaveahalf-
heartedsmileandthen
headedtowardthenon-fiction
section.MindyandI
exchangedalook.
“Weird,”Mindy
mouthed.
Yes,theyoung
womanhadeyeballedus
oddly,butmaybeshethought
wewerestrange,too.Mindy
andIwatchedherasshe
moveddowntheaisle,
perusingthebooks.Shedid
seemtoputoffanoddvibe,
butIwasonedgeandright
now,Imightthinkeveryone
gaveoffanoddvibe.
“Maybeyoushould
gooverandaskifsheneeds
help.Thatwayyoucanfind
outwhatmightbecausing
thatspookyfeeling,”Marilyn
said,asisshewasreadingmy
mind.
Goodidea.Afterall,it
wasmyjobtohelpmy
customers.Ineverwantedto
actasifIwashoveringover
them,though.Peoplewanted
achancetoperusethetitles
withoutaworkerbothering
themeveryfewseconds.
Imovedaroundthe
counterandovertoher.“Are
youfindingeverything
okay?”
Shestaredatthe
booksforamomentwithout
answering.Finally,sheeyed
meupanddownandthen
said,“I’mlookingforany
booksyouhaveon
witchcraft.”
Aftermyhistorywith
thewitchcraft,justtheword
mademepause.I’dbeen
askedtobetheleaderofthe
localcoven,buthadturned
downtheoffer.I’dfoundout
throughaflukethatIwas
actuallykindofgoodwith
spells.Thatdidn’tmakeme
qualifiedenoughforthe
leaderposition,though.
Thegirlglancedover
atmeandIknewIhadto
answersoon.
“Whatkindof
witchcraftbookareyou
lookingfor?”
“Um,Iwant
somethingthatcanhelpme
reversenegativespells.”She
avertedhereyes.
I’dgottenalotof
practicewithspellsrecently.
I’dalsohadmyfairshareof
badonesdirectedatme.I
knewshe’dthinkIwas
meddlingifIaskedtoomany
questions,soIhadtotryto
remaincasual.
Iscannedtheshelf
andpulleddownahardback.
“Thisonewouldprobablybe
agoodplacetostart.”
Shetookitfromme
andimmediatelyopenedit.
Whatkindofnegativeenergy
wasshetryingtogetridof?
Imotioned.“Iknow
ofsomeothersIcouldorder
foryouandtheywouldbe
herewithinafewdays.”
Sheleafedthroughthe
pagesforabitandthen
clutchedthebooktoher
chest.“Yeah,howmany
otherscanyouget?”
“Well,Icanthinkof
aboutthreeoffhand.”The
mentionofspellbookswas
bringingbacksomepainful
memoriesofthewitchwho
hadownedtheshopacross
thestreet.Thankgoodness,
shewasnolongerinmylife.
“Okay,I’lltakethose,
too.”Sheadjustedthetote
bagstraponhershoulderand
thenstartedgazingatthe
othertitlesontheshelves.
“I’llgoorderthosefor
you.”Igesturedovermy
shoulder.
Shenodded,but
didn’tlookatme.Iheaded
backovertowhereMindy
stood.Ofcourse,Mindyand
theghostshadbeenwatching
thewholeexchange.
WhenIsteppedup,
Mindywhispered,“What
happened?”
Ileanedcloseso
Mindycouldhearme.“I’m
orderingmorewitchcraft
booksforher.Idon’tknow
whysheneedssomany.With
thehistoryhereinMagnolia,
thatmakesmenervous.”
Mindylethergaze
wanderovertothegirl.“I
thinkshe’suptosomething.”
Itappedonmy
keyboard,findingthetitlesI
thoughtshe’dlike.Theghosts
stoodspeechlessasthey
watchedthissceneplayout.
Unknowingly,Mindywas
doingtheexactsamething
withhermouthhangingopen.
Whenthegirlturnedand
headedtowardtheregister,
theyalltriedtopretendthey
hadn’tbeenstaring.Of
course,thegirlcouldonlysee
Mindy.
Whenshereachedthe
counter,Isaid,“Iorderedthe
booksforyou.”
“Thisonewilldofor
now.”Sheplacedthe
hardbackshewaspurchasing
ontothecounter.“Howmuch
doIoweyou?”
Iglancedatthe
screen.“That’llbetwenty
foursixtyfive.”
Shepulledthecredit
cardfromherpocketand
handedittome.Itookitand
rangupthepurchase.Of
courseImadesuretocheck
outthenameonthecard.
BethanyMcCarthy.I
wonderedifshewasnewin
town.
WhenIpulledouta
bagtoputthebookin,she
grabbeditfromthecounter.
“Idon’tneedthat.”
“Oh,okay,”Isaid,
stickingitbackunderthe
counter.“CanIcallyouwhen
thebooksarein?”
“I’llbebacktopick
themup.”Sheglaredatmeas
ifshedidn’twantmetoask
again.
Ihandedherthecredit
card.Withoutanotherword,
sheturnedandheadedforthe
door.Weallstoodinsilence
andwatchedherwalkout.I
wasn’tsurewhatitwasabout
her.Maybethestrangeaura?
Maybeitwasjusttheinterest
inthewitchcraftbooks.
“Comeon,let’ssee
whereshegoes.”Mindy
motionedassherushed
acrosstheroomtowardthe
frontwindow.
Ihurriedafterher,
weavingaroundanon-fiction
displaytableandarackof
paperbacks.Oncewereached
thewindow,MindyandI
pressedourfacesuptothe
glass.Ifeltkindofridiculous
spyingonacustomerlike
that,andIwassureIlooked
morethanalittleridiculous,
too.Thatwasn’tgoingtostop
mefromdoingit.
“Doyouseeher?”
Mindyaskedwithhernose
practicallytouchingtheglass.
Iwatchedinthe
directionwherethegirlhad
walked.“Idon’tseeher.She
mustmovereallyfast.Maybe
shewentinastore.”
“Howcanwefindout
whereshewent?”Mindy
asked.
“Idon’tknow,”Isaid
withmyfacestillpressed
againsttheglass.“Wait,I
thinkIseeher.”
Mindymovedcloser
towhereIstood.“Where?”
Ipointed.“Shewas
downthereattheendofthe
sidewalk.”
“Didshegointoa
shop?”Mindyasked.
“Ican’tbelieveyou
two,”Rogersaidfromover
myshoulder.
“Leavethemalone,”
Marilynwavedherhand.
“Iseeher,”Mindy
shouted.
Justthen,movement
caughtmyattention.Stone
wasgettingintohiscar
parkedneartheshop.He
staredrightatme,whichwas
embarrassingsinceIstillhad
myfacesmashedupagainst
theglass.Heprobably
alreadythoughtIwasweird,
nowhesawmedoingthis.
Mindydidn’tevenrealize
someonewaswatchingus.I
wantedtomotionforhimto
stopsoIcouldtalktohim,
buthewouldprobablyrunthe
otherdirection.
“Theresheisagain.
Shejustcameoutofthat
store,”Mindyyelledagain,
takingmyattentionaway
fromStone.
Theyoungwoman
disappearedaroundthe
corner.Hermovementsdidn’t
tellusmuch,shejustseemed
asifshewasenjoyingaday
ofshopping.Nothing
mysteriousaboutthat.I
lookedbackintheother
directionandspottedStone
pullingawayfromthecurb.
“Darnit,hegot
away,”Isaid.
“Don’tyoumean
she?”Mindyaskedasshe
quirkedaneyebrow.
“Nother.Him.”I
indicatedtowardhiscar.
Mindyfollowedmy
finger.“Who?”
“Stone,thepsychic.
Hewasstandingthere
watchinguslooklikefools.”
Isighed.“I’vebeenwanting
totalktohim.”
“So,youneedtotrack
downtwopeoplenow,”
Mindysaid.
Myshoulders
slumped.“Morethantwo.”
“Well,thewitchcraft
stuffwasprobablynothing
anyway,”Mindysaidwitha
flickofherwrist.
“Ihopeyou’reright.”
Imovedacrossthestorewith
myfriendbehindme.
Shepickedupher
purse.“Okay,Ihavetogo.
I’llseeyoutonight.”
NotifIcouldfinda
waytogetoutofit.
“Goodbye,ghosts.”
Mindywavedoverher
shoulder.
Iwouldn’tbeableto
forgetaboutthewitchcraft
stuff.Plus,Ihadthegirl’s
namefromthecreditcard.At
leastIthoughtitwasher
name.Technically,itwas
probablywrongformetotry
tofindherwiththeinfoIhad,
butwhatifIaccidentally
bumpedintoherintown?I
couldwaituntilshecame
backinforthebooks,but
maybeIdidn’thavethatlong
towait.ItwouldbebetterifI
searchedforherrightaway.
AssoonasIfinishedwith
worktoday,Iwouldtryto
trackherdown.
“Idon’tthinkIlike
what’sgoingonaround
here.”Jamesscowled.
Whatwasthat
supposedtomean?
Chapter14
Mypart-time
employeeGinahadagreedto
workthestoreforawhilesoI
couldrunerrands.Sheliked
togetallthehoursshecould
whenshewasn’tinschool.
ThefirstthingIwantedtodo
washitthecourthouseand
researchthenamesof
previousownersofElisa’s
house.Thecourthousewasa
shortdistancefromBook
Nooksotherewasnoneedto
drive.Withghostsoneach
sideofme,Imoveddownthe
sidewalktowardthelargeold
brickbuilding.Wouldn’tthe
peoplewalkinganddriving
aroundtownbeshockedif
theycouldseetheghosts?
EspeciallytoseeMarilyn
Monroe.
Afterreachingthe
courthouse,Iwenttothearea
whereIcouldfindtheland
deeds.Sinceitwassucha
smalltown,therewasnoone
elseintheroomwaitingtobe
helped.Thebrown-haired
womanbehindthecounter
peeredoverherglassesatme
whenIwalkedin.I
recognizedherfromcoming
intothebookstore,butI
couldn’trememberhername.
“Howareyou?”she
askedwithasmile.“CanI
helpyoufindsomething?”
Shelookedeagerto
help,butbytheexpressionon
herfaceIfiguredshecouldn’t
remembermynameeither.
Ourconversationcouldbe
awkwardifwedidn’tknow
whattocalleachother.
“Ineedtolookup
informationfor121Heritage
Street,”Isaid.
Shestudiedmyface
foramomentandthen
smiled.“Whatacoincidence.
Igrewupin122.”
“Oh,maybeshecan
giveyouinformation,”
Marilynsaidfromovermy
shoulder.
“It’sasmallworld,”I
said.
Shewenttothefiles
andpulledoutthe
informationIneeded.“I’ll
makecopiesofthisforyou.
Areyouplanningonbuying
thehome?”
“Actually,I’mjust
doingsuchresearchforthe
currentowners.”Itappedmy
fingersagainstthecounter
whileIwaited.
Shebroughtthepages
overtome.“Really?What
kindofresearch?”
“That’satricky
question,”Jamessaid.
Ijumpedalittle
becauseI’dmomentarily
forgottenabouttheghosts
standingbehindme.That
didn’thappenoften,but
occasionallyIdidforgetthey
werewithme.Luckily,I
didn’tthinkthewomanhad
seenmejump.“Well,my
researchisreallyonthe
previousowners.”
Shestaredfora
momentandthensaid,“I
rememberthewomanandher
sonwholivedthere.”
“Bingo,”Rogersaid.
ThiswaswhatIhad
hopedshewouldsay.Finally,
maybeIwouldgetgoodinfo.
“Theymusthave
madeanimpressionifshe
remembersthem,”Marilyn
said.
“Hernamewas
KatherineWatkins.Herson’s
namewasStone.”
Thebloodmusthave
drainedfrommyface.
Marilyngasped.
“Hey,that’sthat
dude’sname,”Rogersaid.
“Whatdude?”James
asked.
“Thepsychicdude
Laruejustmet,”Roger
answered.
Thenamescouldn’t
beacoincidence.Now,more
thanever,IhadtofindStone.
NowonderIhadseenhim
walkingaroundthathouse.
Whywasheback?He’dsaid
hewasfromNewYork.
“Thankyou,”Isaidas
Iclutchedthepapersand
hurriedforthedoor.
“You’rewelcome,”
shecalledoutasIrandown
thehall.
“Shemustthink
you’renuts,”Rogersaid.
“That’snothingnew.
HalfofMagnoliaprobably
thinksI’mbonkers,”Isaid.
“Howareyougoing
tofindhim?”Marilynasked.
“Idon’tknow,but
therehastobeaway,”Isaid
asIstormedoutofthe
courthouse.
AsIrusheddownthe
sidewalk,IspottedCallahan
headedmyway.Hewasn’t
lookingatme,soIdidn’t
thinkhehadseenmeyet.I
couldn’ttalktohimright
now.BesidesthefactthatI
hadtofindStone,Ialsofelt
thatintenseenergyaroundme
again.Iknewthedark
shadowwouldpopupsoon.
TherewasnowayIwantedto
putCallahanindangeragain.
Iduckedbehindthenearby
buildingandwaiteduntilhe
walkedby.
“That’snotverynice
toignorehimlikethat,”
Rogersaidinateasingtone.
“Oh,mindyourown
business,”Isaid.
Rogerheldhishands
up.“Touchy.Touchy.”
WhenIthought
Callahanwasgone,Ipeeked
outagain.ThatwaswhenI
spottedtheteenagegirlwith
thewitchcraftbook.Wow,
everyonewasshowingup.I
steppedoutfromthebuilding
soIcouldfollowher.With
anyluck,shewouldn’tnotice
me.IfsheknewIwastrailing
her,shewouldprobably
cancelherbookorder.
“Don’tlethersee
you,”Marilynwhispered,as
ifthegirlwouldhearher.
Itwouldbekindof
hardformetohidefromher
ifshehappenedtoturn
around.Nottomentionthe
girlwasalotfasterwalker
thanme.
Shecontinueddown
thesidewalkandpastthe
bookstore.Howfarwasshe
going?Maybeshewas
headedtothepark.What
wouldIdoifshestopped
there?IcouldactasifIwas
goingthere,too,andIjustby
chancehadrunintoher.That
wouldgivemeanopportunity
totalktoher.Iwantedtofind
outmoreaboutherinterestin
witchcraft.Apparently,she
feltasifsheneededtogetrid
ofanegativespell.Had
someoneplacedoneonher?I
wishedshewouldslowdown.
ItwasasifsheknewIwas
backthereandhadspedup
onpurpose.
Shehadn’tnoticed
me.Justthen,sheturnedto
theleftandheadedacrossthe
street.Whenshepractically
walkedoutinfrontofacar,
theyhadtoslowdown.I
lookedbothwaysandthen
headedacrossthestreetafter
her.Shetookoffrunningand
Ithoughtforsurenowshe
knewIhadbeenfollowing
her.Thiswouldn’tbegood
forbusiness.Stalking
customerswasprobablynot
thebestbusinessplan.Maybe
Ishouldn’thavefollowedher
atall.Icouldhavewaited
untilwhenthebooksshe’d
orderedhadcomein.Ifthat
hadn’tbeentoolate.
“Larue,watchout,”
Marilynyelled.
WhenIturnedtolook
ather,someonepushedme.I
landednexttothecurbin
frontofacar.Myfacewas
pressedagainstthepavement.
Apebblepokedmeinthe
cheek.Icouldn’tbelieveI’d
almostbeenhitbyacar.It
wasn’tthefirsttimeacarhad
comeoutofnowhereand
almostrunoverme.
“Thatwasaclose
one,”Jamessaid.
“Larue,areyou
okay?”Marilynleanedin
closetome.
“Whatthehellis
wrongwithyou,Larue?
Didn’tyouseethatcar?”
RogerscoldedmeasifIwas
theteenager.
Wherehaditcome
from?I’dcheckedbothways
tomakesuretherewereno
cars.Thecarpausedafter
narrowlymissingme,but
thenthedrivertookoff.The
personhadn’tevenstoppedto
makesureIwasokay.Icould
havebeenkilledforallthey
knew.Noothercarsseemed
tocarethatIwaslyingonmy
facenexttothecurbeither.
Couldn’tanyoneseeme?
Someonehadcared
enoughtohelpme,though.
Whohadpushedmeoutof
theway?Igazedup,stillina
bitofadazefromwhathad
happened.ThatwaswhenI
sawthefaceoftheperson
whohadsavedme.Iblinked,
tryingtomakesuremyeyes
weren’tdeceivingme.WasI
reallyseeingthisperson?Had
thisreallytakenplace?Stone
waskneelingnexttome.He
smelledgood,likeapplesand
vanilla.MaybeIwas
delirious.
“Areyouokay?”He
staredatmewithhishaunting
eyes.
Ifrowned,but
managedtonod.“I’mokay.”
“Here,letmehelpyou
up.”Hegraspedmyarmand
helpedmetomyfeet.
Iwipedoffmypants
andadjustedmyshirt.It
reallywasamiracleIhadn’t
beenhurt.
“Yousavedmylife,”I
said.
Hisfaceeased,the
tenseexpressiondisappearing
slightly.
“Heisabashfulone,
isn’the?”Marilynsaid.
“Iwasintheright
placeattherighttime,”he
said.
“Apparently,Iwasin
thewrongplaceatthewrong
time.”Ireleasedalong,tired
breath.SuddenlyIwas
exhausted.
“Ortherighttime,”
Jamesadded.
“Well,isthere
anythingIcandoforyou?Do
youneedaridesomewhere?”
Stoneasked.
“Now’syourchance,
Larue,”Marilynsaid.
Wasshetellingme
nottoscrewthischanceup?
Iattemptedtomake
eyecontact.“Asamatterof
fact,you’rethepersonI
wantedtosee.”
Hestaredatme,but
didn’tseemsurprisedatwhat
I’dsaid.
Whenhedidn’t
respond,Isaid,“Iwanttoask
youafewquestions.”
“Ifthishasanything
todowiththeotherdayand
whatIsaw…”Therewasan
edgeofhauntedsorrowinhis
voice.
Iheldmyhandupto
stophim.“It’snotthat.”
Well,notrightnow
anyway.I’dgetaroundto
askinghimmoreaboutthat
later.Iwasn’tevensurehow
toapproachthetopic.
“I’mresearchinga
houseandIwastoldyoumay
havelivedtherewithyour
motherwhenyouwerea
teenager.It’sthehouseon
HeritageStreet.”Istaredat
him,waitingforhisreaction.
Hisexpression
changedbacktothetense
versionI’dseenwhenI’dfirst
methim.“I’mafraidIdon’t
knowwhatyou’retalking
about.”
“Idon’tbelievehim
fortwoseconds,”Rogersaid.
“Larue,Ihaveto
agreewithRoger.Thismanis
notbeinghonest.”Marilyn
glaredatStone.
“Don’tbesoquickto
judge.Maybehe’stellingthe
truth,”Jamessaid.
“Ifyou’resureyou’re
okaynow…”Heglanced
overhisshoulderasifhe
couldn’twaittogetaway
fromme.
Ishowedhimthe
deed.“So,youdon’tknow
anythingaboutthehouse?”
Hewouldn’teven
lookatit.
“Here’sthenameon
thedeed.Thewomanatthe
courthousesaidthislady
livedthereandhersonwas
namedStone.That’snota
commonnameandIknowI
sawyouatthathouse
yesterday.Doyouwanttotell
mewhatisgoingon?”I
placedmyhandsonmyhips.
“That’sthewaytotell
him.”Marilyngestured
towardStone.
“Youprobablyjust
scaredhim,”Rogersaid.
“LikeIsaid,Idon’t
knowwhatyou’retalking
about.Anyway,doyouneed
help?Idon’twanttoleave
youhereifyou’rehurt.Are
yousureyou’reokay?”he
askedagain.
Ihatedtolie,butifit
wouldgethimtostickaround
longerI’dhavetogiveita
try.
“Actually,Imayhave
insuredmylegalittle.Do
youthinkyoucouldhelpme
acrossthestreettomy
bookstore?”Iflashedhimmy
bestsmile.
“That’sthewayto
workhim,”Marilynsaid.
“Useyoursexappeal.”
MarilynandRoger
stoodsomedistancebehind
me.Iftheyweren’tcareful,
Stonewouldhearthemand
thenhe’dknowwhatIwas
doing.
Rogerthrewhishands
up.“That’sterrible.Ican’t
believeyou’redoingthatto
thispoorschmuck.”
Stonepeeredaround
andthensaid,“Yeah,sureI
willhelpyou.”Hewrapped
hisarmaroundmyshoulders
andthencheckedbothways.
“Areyouready?Justtakeit
easyonthatleg.”
Igrinned.“Thank
you.”
“Makesuretouse
moreofawhisperinyour
voicewhenyoutalktohim,”
Marilynwhisperedinmyear.
Stoneloopedhisarm
throughmineandguidedme
crossthestreet.Luckily,this
timeweweren’talmostrun
downbyacar.
Hehelpedmestepup
ontothesidewalk.“Areyou
feelingokay?”
“He’ssocaring,”
Marilynsaid.
“I’msureitwillbe
okayonceIrest.”Irubbed
myleg.
“Don’tlethimofftoo
soon,”Marilynsaidasshe
wavedherhandthroughthe
air.
Iftheykepttalkingso
loudlyhewouldbesureto
hearthem.StoneandIhad
justreachedBookNook’s
doorwhenIfeltsomeone
watchingus.Iglancedtomy
rightandspottedCallahan.
Hewasstaringrightatus.Of
course,itdidn’thelpthat
Stonehadhisarmwrapped
aroundmyshouldersnow.
Surely,Callahanwould
understandwhenItoldhim
whathadhappened.It
appearedasifhewasn’t
goingtogivemeachanceto
explainrightnowthough.He
turnedandwalkedinthe
oppositeway.
“Itlookslikesomeone
isn’thappywithyou.”
Roger’stonewasfullof
mockinglaughter.
Rogerseemedhappy
aboutmypredicament.I
wouldhavetotalkwith
Callahanlaterandexplain
whathadhappened.Ifhe
thoughtIwasavoidinghim
andnowhesawmeinthe
armsoftheotherman,I
supposeIcouldseewherehe
wouldgetthewrongidea.
Stonepushedthedooropen
andhelpedmeinside.
Ginaspottedusand
rushedover.“Areyou
okay?”
“I’mokay,justhada
littlemishaponthe
sidewalk.”Igesturedovermy
shoulder.
“Acaralmosthither,”
Stonedadded.
Iwishedhehadleft
thatpartout.
Hereyeswidened.
“That’sterrible.CanIhelp
youtothestool?”
“That’sokay.Iknow
youneedtogethome.”I
wavedoffheroffer.
Itriedtogivehereye
contactsoshewouldgetthe
hint.
Shecaughton
quickly.“Ithinkthisstrong
guywouldprobablybeof
morehelp.I’llgrabmythings
andheadout.”
“Thankyou,Gina.”
“Noproblem,”she
saidoverhershoulder.
“Thestoolisright
overthere.”Ipointedand
smiledatStoneagain.
“Maybeyoushould
haveadoctorcheckyouout,”
hesaidasheguidedme
towardthecounter.
Hehelpedmeoverto
thestool.
“Thankyou,”Isaid.
“Youaresobad,
Larue,”Rogersaid.
“Goodwork.”
Marilynwinked.
Stoneregardedthe
ghosts.“Whatarethey
talkingabout?”
Iknewhewould
eventuallyhearthem.
Ilookedhimrightin
theeyes.“Ihavenoidea.”
Iwasprettysurehe
didn’tbelieveme.
“Bye,Larue.Youtoo,
handsomestranger.”Gina
smiledatStoneandwalked
outthedoor.
“Sorryagainabout
thatrecklessdriver.”Stone
glancedoverhisshoulder
towardthefrontoftheshop.
“Letthepoorman
leave,”Jamessaid.
Notwithoutasking
againIwouldn’t.
“It’sokay,Iwantto
helpher,”Stonesaid.
Stonehadnoidea
whatJameswasreallytalking
about.Theghostshadbetter
nottellhimeither.
IleanedforwardsoI
wasclosertoStone.Iwanted
himtolistentowhatIhadto
say.“Isenseyoudon’twant
totalkaboutthehouseandI
cansympathize,butIreally
needtoknowmore.It’sfor
thecurrentowners.Surely,
youwanttohelpsomeone
elseifyoucan.”
Heshookhishead.“I
wishIcouldhelpyou.”He
searchedmyeyesasifhe
wantedtosaymore.“Ihave
togo.”Heturnedaround,and
thenextthingIknew,hehad
walkedoutthedoor.
Isighed.“Thatdidn’t
gowell.”
“MaybeMarilyn
shouldhaveaskedhim,”
Rogersaid.
MaybeRogerwas
right.Marilynwouldhave
probablyhadbetterresults.
Chapter15
Afterclosingupthe
bookstore,Iimmediately
walkedtothecoffeeshop.Of
course,itwasclosed,butI
peeredinthewindowtoseeif
Callahanwasstillinside.The
lightswereoff,soIassumed
he’dgonefortheday.IfI’d
wantedtoavoidhim,Ihad
nowofficiallyfiguredoutthe
bestwaytodoit.He’dseen
mewithanothermanandI
wassureheassumedthe
worst.Ididn’twantittobe
thisway,though.
Iwouldhavetogoto
hishouse,althoughthat
openedupthechanceforthe
darkshadowtoattack
Callahanonhisownterritory,
whichwasevenworse.I
climbedintomycarwiththe
ghostsintow.I’djuststarted
theignitionwhenmycell
rang.Ididn’trecognizethe
number,butIpickedup
anyway.
“LarueDonavan,”I
said.
“IhopeIhavethe
rightnumber,”thewoman
said.“Areyoutheparanormal
investigator?”
“Yes,that’sme.”
Shesighed.“Oh,
good.Ineedyourhelp.My
nameisBonnieMcCarthy.”
WherehadIheard
thatnamerecently?
“What’sthe
problem?”Iasked.
“Thereisalotofstuff
goingoninmyhouse.Idon’t
knowwhattodoanymore.”
Hervoicewasfullofanxiety
andherfearcamethroughthe
phone.
“Icouldcomeby
tomorrow.Areyouintown?”
Iasked.
“No.Ineedhelpright
away.Couldn’tyoucomeany
sooner?”Shepleaded.
I’dreallyhopedtogo
byCallahan’splacenow,but
itsoundedasifBonniewas
desperate.
Ishiftedthephoneto
myotherear.“Yeah,Ican
comenow.Whereareyou?”
“Thankyousomuch.”
Aslightreliefsoundedinher
voice.
Shegavemethe
addressandIpointedthecar
inthatdirection.Itwasonly
aboutafiveminutedrive.
“What’sthe
problem?”Marilynasked.
Ipulledoutontothe
road.“Anotherghost
dilemma.”
“Ihopeyoudon’tpick
upanymore.There’sno
roomleftinthecar,”Roger
said.
Hewastellingme.
“I’lltrymybestnotto
attractanynewones,”Isaid.
“Irefusetorideinthe
trunk.”Frustrationlaced
Roger’svoice.
Ichuckled.“Idon’t
thinkthatwillbenecessary.”
Afterlocatingthe
house,Ipulledupinfrontand
shovedthecarintopark.It
wasatwo-story,redbrick,
newerhome.Ithadablack
frontdoorandsmallporch
withnodecorations,flowers,
oranysignthatsomeone
livedthere.
“It’sprobablybetterif
Igoinalone.”Iturnedoffthe
car.
IfiguredMarilyn
wouldlistentome,butI
wasn’tsureaboutJamesor
Roger.Oh,whowasI
kidding?Iknewthey
wouldn’tstayput.Iclimbed
outofthecarandheadedto
thefrontdoor.WhenIlooked
back,theghostswerestill
sittinginthecar.Theysmiled
andwaved.Theywereupto
something.Onceinfrontof
thedoor,Iknocked.
Thewomananswered
rightaway.“Youmustbe
Larue.”
“AreyouBonnie?”I
asked.
Sheseemedfrazzled
asshenodded.Herbrown
hairwasloosedowntoher
shouldersandshewore
wrinklednavypantsandan
evenmorewrinkledblue
shirt.
“Won’tyouplease
comein?”Sheopenedthe
doorwider.
Isteppedinsidethe
house.Atelevisionplayedin
thedistance.
“Wecantalkinthe
kitchenifyou’dlike.”She
gestured.
Inodded.“Thatwould
begreat.Thanks.”
Wemovedthrough
thelivingroom.Theshades
weredrawn,makingthe
spacedim.Boxeswere
stackedinthecornerofthe
room,asifshewaseither
movingoutorin.Asofa,
chairs,andcoffeetablefilled
thespace,soIassumed
maybeshewaspackingto
leave.Ifollowedherthrough
thediningareaandintothe
kitchen.Thekitchenwas
largeandsincetheshadewas
uponthewindow,thespace
wasmuchbrighter.Thewalls
werepaintedalightbeige
color.Dark-coloredcabinets
andmodernstainlesssteel
appliancesmadetheroom
seemnotasforebodingasthe
restofthehouse.
“Ispendmostofmy
timeinhere.”Bonnieglanced
overhershoulder,asif
someoneshedidn’twantto
hearhermightberight
behindher.
Therewasasmall
tablebythepicturewindow
atthebackoftheroom.
Shegesturedtoward
thetableandchairs.“Please
haveaseat.Wouldyoulike
somethingtodrink?”
“No,I’mfine,thank
you.”Ipulledoutthewhite
woodenchairandsat.“Can
youtellmeaboutwhat’s
goingoninthehouse?”
“Itstartedoutaslittle
things.”Shepickedatthe
edgeoftheyellowfloral-
patternedplacematinfront
ofher.“Doorsshuttingon
theirownorthingsmoving.
Butnow,it’sloudfootsteps
withadarkshadowfigure
appearing.”
Ifrozewhenshe
mentionedthedarkshadow.I
neverlikedtohearthat
descriptionwhensomeone
wasdescribingahaunting.It
neverwentwell.Footsteps
soundedfromtheotherroom
andIturnedtoseewhowas
walking.
“That’sprobablymy
daughter,”Bonniesaid.
Justthen,theyoung
womanwalkedintothe
kitchen.Ialmostfellontothe
floor.Itwasthegirlwhohad
orderedthebooks.Theone
I’dalmostgottenkilled
followingjustashorttime
ago.
Hereyeswidened
whenshesawme.
“Whatareyou
doing?”sheaskedangrily.
“Sweetie,Icalledthis
ladytohelpwiththe
paranormalactivityinour
house.”Bonnieforcedasmile
ontoherface.
“Whydidyoudo
somethingstupidlikethat?”
shesnapped.
“Bethany,don’ttalk
thatway.”Bonnienarrowed
hereyes.
“Whatisshesoangry
about?”Rogersaid.
Ilookedtomyleft
anddiscoveredtheghosts
werenowintheroomwith
me.Iknewtheywouldn’t
listen.Bethanyturnedaround
andstompedoutoftheroom.
Bonniefrowned.“I’m
sorryaboutthat.Shedoesn’t
liketotalkaboutwhat’s
happeningheremuch.It
makeshernervousandIcan
understandthat.I’mjust
tryingtohelp.I’mtryingto
dosomethingtomakeour
livesbetter.”
Thefrontdoor
slammedshut.Silencefilled
thehouseonceagain.
“Lookslikesheleft,”
Marilynsaid.
“Teenagers.”Roger
scoffed.
“She’llbeback,”
Jamesadded.
Inthemeantime,Ihad
tofigureoutwhatallthis
meant.Thehauntinghadto
berelatedtothewitchcraft
booksshehadordered,right?
Obviously,shewas
tryingtogetridofthe
negativespiritwiththe
witchcraft.Iwasgladthe
womanhadcalledmewhen
shedid.
“Hasthespiritbeen
harassingyourdaughter?”I
asked.
Bonnietappedher
fingersnervouslyonthe
table.“Yes,Ibelieveitis
afterherthemost.Although,
itdoesn’texactlyleaveme
aloneeither.Mydaughterhas
becomemoreandmore
withdrawnastheactivity
increases.”
“Doyouknowifshe
hasusedaOuijaboard?”
Bonnieshookher
head.“NotthatIknowof.”
ItwasimportantI
foundoutforsureifshehad
usedone.
“Ijustwantthingsto
bebacktonormal,”Bonnie
said.“Iwantquietinthe
houseagain.”
“Whendidallofthis
start?”Iasked.
Shesighed.“About
twomonthsago.Itwasfast
whenitstarted,too.LikeI
said,itwasthelittlethingsat
first,butitquicklygot
worse.”
“Ibroughtsomeof
myequipment.Icantakea
lookaroundyourhouseand
seeifIcangatherany
evidence,”Isaid.“Thatmay
helpmefigureoutthesource
ofthehaunting.ThesoonerI
knowwhereit’scoming
from,thefasterIcangetrid
ofitforyou.”
Shepushedtoher
feet.“Thatwouldbe
wonderful.”
Igrabbedmybagof
equipmentandpulledouta
couplepieces.“It’lltakemea
minutetosetup.”
“I’llleaveyoutoyour
workthen.Ifyouneedme,
I’llbeinthelivingroom.”
Thelookonherfaceletme
knowshewasn’tthrilled
aboutgoinginthere.
“Youdon’thaveto
leave,”Isaid.
“I’llgolookoutthe
windowandseeifIspot
Bethany.”Bonnieheadedfor
thefrontofthehouse.
“Isitreallynecessary
touseallofthose?”James
asked.
Ipulledoutmydigital
recorder.“IfIwanttoprove
topeoplethatghostsarereal,
yes.”
SinceBonniehad
steppedintotheotherroom,
theghostswerenowextra
chatty.
“IthoughtItoldyou
alltostayinthecar,”Isaid.
“Thatisjusttoo
boring,”Rogersaid.
Marilyngavemea
lookasiftosay,“Sorry,but
it’strue.”
Bonniewalkedback
intothekitchen.“What
shouldIdonow?Doyou
needmyhelp?”
“Youcanstaydown
here.Trytorelax.Iwon’tbe
long.Thisisformetogetan
initialfeelforwhat’s
happeninginyourhouse.”
Shenodded.“Thanks
again.”
Isteppedoutofthe
kitchenandthroughtheliving
room.TheplaceIwantedto
startwasupstairs.Ifeltlike
mostoftheactivitywas
takingplaceupthere.The
ghostswererightbehindme.
“Doyouallhaveto
followsoclose?”Iasked.
HowwasIsupposed
toinvestigatewiththeghosts
actingthisway?Ireachedthe
staircaseandheadedup.Of
course,theghostswerestill
righttherewithme.James
didn’tactquiteasconcerned
asRogerandMarilyn.They
werepracticallyholdingonto
thebackofmyshirt.Ifthey
couldhaveclimbedintomy
clothingwithme,theywould
have.
“Youallactasifyou
arescared.What’sthe
matter?”Iasked.
“Ghostsarescary,”
Rogersaid.
“But…”Istudiedhis
face.“Youdorealizeyou’re
ghosts,right?”Ilookedfrom
RogertoMarilynandthento
James.
“Yes,butthatstill
doesn’tmeanwe’renot
scaredofghosts,”Marilyn
said.
Icouldn’tunderstand,
butIdidn’thavetimeto
discussitrightnow.
Sofar,noneofthe
equipmenthadshownany
activity.Ihadtherecorderon,
somaybeitwaspickingupa
voiceorotherunexplained
soundIcouldn’thearatthe
moment.Notallghosts
wantedtotalktomeright
away.Iwouldn’tfindoutif
I’dcaughtanythinguntilI
playeditbacklater.
Italwaysfeltstrange
goingthroughpeople’s
homes,butIfocusedonmy
jobandtriedmybestneverto
accidentallybreakanything.I
spottedthatadooronthe
rightwasslightlyajar.Ithad
soundedasifsomeonewas
shufflingaroundintheroom.
“Didyouhearthat?”
Marilynasked.
“Idid,”Iwhispered.
“Ineverhear
anything,”Rogersaidfrom
rightnexttomyear.
AsInearedtheroom,
Ispottedthatithadtobe
Bethany’sbedroom.Iglanced
overmyshoulderasifI
wouldseeherstandingthere
watchingme.Ihadn’theard
hercomeback,soIsupposeit
wouldbeokaytogoinand
havealookaround.Afterall,
Iwasinvestigatingthe
paranormalandithad
soundedasiftheremightbe
activityintheroom.Ieased
thedooropenandinched
inside.
“Ifshefindsyouin
herroom,shewillkillyou,”
Rogersaid.
“Well,Ihopetoget
outofherebeforeshecomes
back,”Iwhispered.
Theroomlooked
femininewithapink
comforterandpinkwalls.
NothinglikethewayBethany
dressednow.Herfavorite
colorseemedtobeblackat
themoment.Theonlything
thatstoodoutwasthecandles
onasmalltableinthecorner
oftheroom.Imovedcloser
forabetterlook.
“Whatisallthat?”
Marilynasked.
Ipickeduponeofthe
meltedcandles“She’sbeen
practicingwitchcraft.”
“Whatdoesthat
mean?Doesithaveanything
todowiththeparanormal
activityinthehouse?”
Marilynasked.
“Itmighthave
somethingtodowithwhyshe
wantedspellstogetridof
negativity,buthowshegot
thenegativestufftobegin
withisthequestionIwant
answered.”
“Whatwillyoudoif
shecomesbackandcatches
youinherroom?”Worry
filledRoger’svoice.
IfiguredIcouldsneak
outbeforesheevenknewI’d
beenthere.Thewindownext
towhereIstoodwasopen.I
steppedoverandpeered
downintothebackyard.
Treeslinedtheedgeofthe
propertywithalargegrassy
areainthemiddle.
“Look,”Marilynsaid,
directingmyattentionoutthe
window.
Ifollowedher
pointingfingerandspotted
whatshewastalkingabout.
Thesilhouetteslooked
exactlyliketheshadowsI’d
seenatthehouseIhadvisited
inmydream.Werethey
hauntingthishouse?How
couldtheyhavebeeninmy
dream,too?
Maybeitwasmy
imagination,butitseemedas
ifthespiritswerestanding
outtherelookingupatme.
Sincetheyhadnofacial
features,Icouldn’ttellfor
sureiftheywerewatching
me,butitseemedthatway.I
turnedawayfromthe
window.Icouldn’twatch
themanylonger.Itwastoo
spooky.Thatwassayingalot
consideringIhadghosts
standingrightbehindme.The
spiritsseemedmenacing,
though.NotliketheghostsI
hadwithme.Thishousewas
goingtotakemore
investigating.Iwouldhaveto
spendmoretimehere,butfor
now,itwastimeformeto
leave.
Imademywayoutof
theroom,andthank
goodness,Ihadn’tbeen
caught.Orcourse,Ihadan
excuse,butIdoubted
Bethanywouldwanttohear
it.Basedonherreaction
whenshesawme,Iknewshe
didn’twantmehereandI
wasn’tsurewhy.Wouldn’t
shewanthelptogetridofthe
spirits?WhenIreachedthe
bottomofthestairs,Bonnie
waswaitingforme.
Shefidgetedher
hands.“Didyoufind
anything?”
Ididn’twanttoscare
herwithwhatI‘dseenjust
yet.
“Notreally.Ineedto
comeback,ifthat’sokay.
Wouldyourdaughterbe
availabletotalkwithme?”I
asked.
“I’llmakesureshe
is,”shesaid.
“Thankyou.”Iplaced
myequipmentbackinmy
bag.“Inthemeantime,please
callmeifanythingworse
happens.Itseemslikethings
arecalmrightnow.”
Thefactthatit
seemedcalmwasalittleodd.
UsuallywhenIcameintothe
hauntedlocationstheghosts
weresuretoactup.
“Thankyou,Larue.”
Shefollowedmetothedoor.
Imovedoutontothe
porch.“I’llbeintouch.”
AfterIsteppedoffthe
porch,Islippedaroundfora
peekintothebackyard.
“We’llwaitover
here,”Rogercalledoutfrom
thesidewalk.
Theghostsdidn’t
wanttocomeanywherenear
thebackyard.WhenIpeered
backthere,Isawnothing
unusual.Nospirits.Where
hadtheygone?
Chapter16
Lastnight,Ihad
explainedtoCallahanwhat
happenedwithStone.Hesaid
hebelievedmeandfeltbad
aboutnotbeingtheretohelp
mewhenthecarhadalmost
hitme.Iknewhewasstill
unhappywiththeamountof
timewe’dspenttogether
lately,orthelackthereof,but
Ihadnootheroptionsright
now.
Thedarkshadow
didn’tcometomeinmy
dreamslastnight.Maybeit
wasfalsehope,butI
wonderedifithaddecidedto
leavemealone.Itcouldhave
gottenboredandmovedon.
Maybeitfoundsomeoneelse
toharass?Thatwouldmake
mefeelbadsinceIwouldn’t
beabletohelpthatperson.
AfriendofGina’shad
foundtheaddressforStone’s
mother,soIwasheadedover
therethismorning.Iwasn’t
surewhatIwouldsaytoher,
butIhadtotrytofindout
moreabouthim.Maybehis
motherwouldbemore
helpful.Shecouldtellme
whathadhappenedinthat
house.Eventhoughthedark
shadowhadleftmealonefor
thepastday,itdidn’tmeanI
wouldletmyguarddownjust
yet.Ihadtobepreparedfor
itsreturn.Ialsohadtofind
outwheretheothershadow
spiritshadcomefromand
whattheywanted.
Theghostswerewith
meagainthismorning.
Marilynwasintheseatnext
tomeandJamesandRoger
wereintheback.Theywere
allquietastheylookedout
thecar’swindowsatthe
passinglandscape.
“Thiswasallfarm
landwhenIwasayoung
man,”Jamessaidfromthe
backseat
“Ohno,herewithgo
withthe‘whenIwasyoung’
stories,”Rogersaid.
“Don’tberude,
Roger,ifJameswantsto
reminisce,hecan,”Isaid.
“Iwishwewerein
Hollywood,”Marilynsaid.“I
misstheglitzandglamour.”
Rogerleanedforward
fromthebackseat.“You
shoulddriveusto
Hollywood,Larue.Road
trip!”
Ishookmyhead.“I
can’tgotoHollywoodright
now.Ihaveresponsibilities
here.Ihaveabusiness.”
“ShehasaCallahan,”
Marilynsaidwithasmile.
“ThatStoneguyishandsome,
too,”sheadded.
Finally,wearrivedat
thehouse.Atleasttheghostly
chit-chatwouldstopnow.
WhowasIkidding?They
wouldfollowmetothe
house.Aftershovingthecar
intoparkandcuttingthe
engine,Iclimbedoutand
headedtowardthedoor.
Shiftingfromfoottofoot,I
knockedandwaitedforan
answer.
“Whyareyouso
nervous?”Rogerasked.
“Ijusthopehetalksto
menow,”Isaid.
Ihadnoreasonto
believethistimewouldbe
anydifferentthantheothers.
Stonewasjustbeingplain
weird.Whatwasthebig
secrethecouldn’ttalktome
about?Thedooropened,
breakingmefrommy
thoughts.Awoman,whomI
assumedwasStone’smother,
stoodinfrontofme.With
shortgrayhair,shewasalot
olderthanI’dexpected.
Maybeitwasn’therafterall.
“AreyouSabrina?”I
asked.
Shenarrowedher
lightblueeyes.“Yes.”
“I’mlookingforyour
son,Stone.Ishehere?”I
triedleaningoverforaview
intothedarkenedhouse.
Shefurrowedher
browatmeasifI’daskedher
aboutaliens.OrmaybeIwas
aderangedkiller.
“Isthisajoke?Why
wouldyouaskmesucha
thing?”Sheslammedthe
doorinmyface.
“Wow,thatwas
rude,”Rogersaid.
WhathadIdonethat
wassobad?
“I’mguessingStone
isn’there,”Jamessaid.
“Apparently,Stone
doesn’thaveagood
relationshipwithhismother,”
Marilynadded.
“Thenwhywashein
Magnoliaifnottoseehis
mother?Iguessthere’sno
senseinknockingonthedoor
again.”
“Goaway,”the
womanyelledfromtheother
sideofthedoor.
“You’dbetterdowhat
shesaysbeforeshecallsthe
policeonyou.”Roger
motioned.
Yeah,hewasright.I
hadtofindoutwhatwas
goingonbetweenStoneand
hismother.Isteppedoffthe
porchandheadedtowardmy
car.WhenIlookedbackat
thehouse,Isawherwatching
mefromthewindow.
“She’smakingsure
youleave,”Marilynsaid.
Istartedthecarand
pulledaway.“IfStoneisn’tat
hismother’s,thenwhereis
he?”
“Howcanyoufind
out?”Marilynasked.
Inavigatedthestreets
headingtowardtown.“He’s
probablyslightlyolderthan
me.Howolddoyouthinkhe
is?”Iasked.
“Probablyabout
sixty,”Rogersaid.
Mymouthdropped
open.“Oh,shutup,Roger.
I’monlytwenty-eight.”
Rogershrugged.I
knewhestillthoughtIwas
old.
“Helooksaboutlate
thirties,”Jamessaid.“Maybe
thirtyeight.”
“Thatwouldmake
himtenyearsolderthanme,”
Isaid.
“You’reold,”Roger
said.
Iwasn’tevengoingto
acknowledgehiscomment.
“Ididn’tgotoschool
withStoneorIwould
remember.”Ipulleduptothe
gasstationtofillupthecar.
“IbetIcanfindsomeonein
townwhodid.”
BeforeIhadachance
togetoutofthecar,mycell
rang.Ipulleditoutofmybag
andswipedthescreenwhenI
sawMindy’spicture.
“Youmissedclasslast
nightandIamnothappy,”
Mindysaid.
Hearinghervoice
remindedmethatshehadan
olderbrother.Hewouldhave
gonetoschoolwithStone.
Theywerethesameage.
“Haveyoutalkedto
yourbrotherlately?”Iasked.
“Okay,youcomeup
withthemostrandom
questionstoavoidtalking
aboutclass,”shesaid.
“Ineedtofindoutif
yourbrotherwenttoschool
withStoneWatkins.”
Shesighed.“I
supposeIcouldaskhim,but
don’tthinkthatgetsyouout
ofcomingtoclass.”
“Ofcoursenot,”I
said.“Areyougoingtobribe
mewithdoughnutsagainthis
morning?”Iasked.
“Obviously,my
briberydoesn’twork,so
what’sthepoint?”sheasked.
Nowshewastryingto
makemefeelbad.
“Iwillcometoclass,
butI’dratherdothepole
fitness,”Isaid.
Icouldn’tbelieveI
hadsaidthat.Iwasterribleat
both.Makingmedothe
Zumbawasprobablyherway
oftrickingmeintothepole
fitnessclassesagain.Iwould
besobadatonethattheother
wouldstarttolookgood.
“I’mgoingtohold
youtothat,”Mindywarned.
“Iknowyouwill,”I
said.
“I’llcallyouwhenI
findoutanything.”
“Talktoyousoon.”I
tossedthephonebackinto
mybag.
Ifilledthegastankup
andthenheadedtothestore.I
wouldbeanxiousuntilI
heardfromMindyagain.
Whentherewasapuzzlelike
thisinmylife,Ihadtosolve
it.Mymindwouldn’tletme
forgetaboutthesekindsof
things.
“There’sastopsign,”
Rogeryelledout.“AndI
thoughtmydrivingwasbad.”
Iglaredathiminthe
rear-viewmirror.“Isawthe
sign.”
“You’reagreat
driver,Larue,don’tlistento
him,”Marilynsaid.
Roger’sexpression
changedtoadroopypout.
Ipulledupinfrontof
BookNook,parked,and
jumpedout.Callahanwas
busyagainthismorning,soI
skippedvisitingAtleastthat
wouldbemyexcuseofwhyI
didn’tstoptoseehimwhen
heasked.
Iwasbusystacking
bookswhenmycellphone
rang.Dashingovertothe
counter,Igrabbedthephone,
hopingitwouldbeMindy.
“I’mgladit’syou,”I
saidwhenIanswered.“What
didyoufindout?”
“Aren’tyougoingto
tellmewhatagreatfriendI
am?Howluckyyouareto
havesuchagreatfriend?”she
teased.
“Okay,youmusthave
goodinfoifyou’regoing
throughallthat.Sospillit.
Whatdidyoufindout?”
“Somegratitude,”she
saidinahuff.“Yes,Ididtalk
tomybrother.”
“And?Stoptorturing
meandtellmewhatyou
foundout.”Iwavedmy
handsasifshewouldsee.
“Well,youguessedit.
Mybrotherdidgotoschool
withStoneWatkins.”
“Thesuspenseis
gettingtome.Whatisshe
saying?”Marilynasked.
“Whatdidhesay?”I
asked.
“Hesaidhewas
weird.”
Iwasn’tsurprisedby
that.Mindy’sbrotherthought
everyonewasweird,sothat
didn’ttellmemuch.
“Whatelse?”I
pressed.
“Heclaimedheleft
schoolsuddenly.”
“Thatmusthavebeen
whentheymoved,”Isaid.
“Whatelse?”
“HesaidStonetold
somepeoplehecouldsee
ghosts.”
“Well,Ialreadyknew
thatmuch.”Thiswasn’t
givingmeanynewdetails.
“WhenIpushedmy
brotherformoreinformation
abouttheparanormal,hesaid
herememberedStonehad
usedtheOuijaboardinthe
past.Apparently,hetalked
aboutitinschool.”
Ileanedagainstthe
counter.“Hemusthaveused
itinthehouse.Whatifhehad
unleashedadarkspirit?That
mightexplainwhyhedidn’t
wanttotalkaboutit.”
I’dhadnoidea
Magnoliahadanother
medium.
“Isthatall?”Iasked.
“Ican’twaituntilshe
getsoffthephonesoIcan
hearthedetails.”Marilyn
pacedbackinforthinfrontof
me.
“That’sallhetoldme.
Hedidn’tknowmuchelse.
Ohwait,therewasonemore
thing.”Mindy’svoicewasa
bitmoreexcited.
“What’sthat?”I
asked.
“HesaidStone’sbest
friendstilllivesintown.Over
onLelandStreet.”
“Maybethat’showI
canfinallytrackdownStone.
Ibethe’sstayingwithhis
friend,”Isaid.
“Orattheveryleast,
thefriendhasseenhim.”
“Ihopehisfriendis
moretalkativethanStone’s
mother.MaybeIshouldgo
paythefriendavisit,”Isaid.
“Ihaveafeelingyou
willdoexactlythat,”Mindy
said.
“Doyouwanttocome
withme?”Iasked.
Ididn’twanttogo
aloneandtheghostsdidn’t
count.
“YouknowIwill
comewithyou.Whendoyou
wanttogo?”
“Assoonas
possible?”Icheckedthetime
ontheclock.“Whendoyou
haveaclass?”
“Well,youcould
comebyandtaketheclass
andwecouldgofromthere.”
IknewMindywasgivingme
hersad-eyedlookthroughthe
phone.
Ugh.Icouldn’tsayno
tothat.Shewasdoingmea
favorandtheleastIcoulddo
wasgotoclass.Mindywas
alwaysafraidnoonewould
showupforherclasses.I
reallydidn’tthinkshehadto
worryaboutthatnow.Her
businesswasasuccess.
Peoplearoundtownloved
whatsheoffered.
Isighed.“Sure,I’llbe
there.”
“You’dbetterget
morepepthanthatbeforeyou
gethereoryou’llnever
survive,”shesaid.
“Yeah,whateveryou
say.”Ihungupandfoundthe
ghostswerestandingright
behindme.
“Whatdidshesay?”
Marilynaskedexcitedly.
“StoneusedaOuija
boardandIthinkheprobably
diditinthathouse.That’s
probablywherethedarkspirit
camefrom.”Igrabbedastack
ofbooks.
“That’snotcool,”
Rogersaid.
“Hestillhasabest
friendintown.IfStoneisn’t
athismother’sthenmaybe
he’sathisfriend’shouse,”I
said.
“Goodthinking,
Larue,”Jamessaid.
Ihadtogetmywork
finishedandcloseupsoI
couldmaketheclassontime.
AsmuchasIwouldenjoy
beinglate,Iwouldn’tdothat
toMindy.Now,ifIcouldget
theghoststostayoutofthe
studio.Thatwouldnever
happen,though.Theincident
withthedarkshadowduring
thelastclasscameflooding
backtomymind.Ihopedit
didn’thappenagain.Istill
thoughtitwasstrangethe
shadowhadn’tappeared
recently.Insteadof
questioningit,Iwouldjust
enjoythetimeawayfromthe
shadowbeforeitdidcome
back.
Iwasturningmy
computeroffwhenthe
strangefeelingcameoverme.
Itwasn’texactlylikewhen
thedarkshadowhad
appeared,butitwassimilar.I
scannedtheroomexpecting
toseeit,buttherewas
nothing.Iwentbacktomy
work,butthesensationonly
increased.Forsomereason,
myattentionwasdrawntothe
frontofthestore.
“What’swrong,
Larue?Doyousee
something?”Marilynwaved
herhandinfrontofmyface
tograbmyattention.
“No,notyet.Ihopeit
staysthatway,too,”Isaid.
NosoonerhadI
spokenthewordsthenI
noticedher.Bethanywasn’t
lookinginthestore,though.
Whatwasshedoing?I
watchedherwalkbyandI
hurriedtothedoortoseeifI
couldfindoutwhereshewas
headed.Idashedoutthedoor
andpeereddownthe
sidewalk.Ispottedher,but
Bethanydidn’tglanceback.I
gotthesensethatsheknewI
waswatchingher.Itwas
almostasifshehadwanted
metoseeher.Didshewant
metofollowher?Icouldn’t
rightnowbecauseIhadn’t
evenlockedthestoreyet.
And,I’dleftthekeyonthe
counter.Bythetime,Igotthe
keyandlockedthedoor,
she’dbegone.
Suddenly,Ispotted
shadowsformingbehindher.
Iwasalmostsuretheywere
theshadowsI’dseenather
home.Theywerefollowing
herdownthestreet,floating
slightlyabovethepavement.
“Wow,lookatthat,”
Marilyngesturedwithatiltof
herhead.
“That’stoocreepy,”
Rogersaid.
“Idon’teventhink
sheknowsthey’rewithher,”
Iwhisperedasifthespirits
couldhearme.
“Ifshedid,shewould
probablyruntotrytoget
awayfromthem,”Marilyn
said.
“Idon’tthinkthereis
anygettingawayfromthem,”
Isaid.
Bethanyturnedthe
cornerandthespiritsglided
withher.Itwascreepyto
watchthemfollowherlike
that.ThankgoodnesswhenI
glancedovermyshoulderI
didn’tseeanyadditional
shadows.Ihadtohelp
Bethanybeforeitwastoo
late.
Chapter17
Onemoretwirl
aroundthemetalpoleandI’d
befinished.Theotherwomen
intheclassmovedwithease,
likerainglidingdownthe
sideofawindow.My
movementsweremorelikea
carrunningoutofgas,
chuggingalongtheroad
tryingtomakeittothe
station.Theghostswere
watchingme,buttheonly
wayIcouldgetthroughclass
wastoignorethem.Iwas
prettysureI’dheardRoger
laughing.Atthispoint,I
shouldhavebeenalotbetter
atthis,butIwasn’tmuch
bettersincethefirsttimeI’d
evertrieditwhenMindyhad
firstopenedherstudio.
HadMindyadded
versestothissong?Ithought
forsurewewerealmost
finished,butshekeptgoing.
Timeseemedtostandstill.I
wasn’tsurehowmuchlonger
IcouldholdonbeforeI
wouldcompletelycollapse
ontothefloor.Sweattrickled
downintomyeyesandmy
hairwhippedaroundand
stucktomyface.Iseriously
neededtotalktoMindyabout
addinganeasierkindofclass
toherschedule.Wasthere
suchathing?Iftherewas,I
wasgoingtofindit.Maybe
sheshouldaddmeditation
wherewesatquietly.Now
thatIcouldhandle.Iwasn’t
againstexercise,perse,but
walkingorridingabikewas
moremystyle.
Themusicstopped
andIinstantlytumbledtothe
floor.MindythoughtIwas
beingdramatic,butseriously,
Ineededanambulanceor
something.Sheshouldinvest
inoxygentanks.I’dpaygood
moneyforonerightnow.
Maybeadoughnutwould
help.ForamomentIclosed
myeyes,wishingIcouldnap
rightthere.Ifeltsomeone
staringatme.WhenIopened
myeyelids,Marilyn,Roger,
andJameswerehovering
overme.
“Thatwas…that
was…well,don’teverquit
yourjobandbecomea
dancer,”Rogersaidarounda
laugh.
“Yougaveityourbest
shot.”Marilyngavemea
pityinglook.
Jamesstaredbut
remainedspeechless.That
wasprobablyforthebest.I
finallystumbledupfromthe
floor,adjustingmypantsand
workoutbra.
“Thankyou,
Marilyn,”Isaidbreathlessly.
Icouldalwayscount
onhertohavesomethingnice
tosay.Evenifshehadto
makeitup.
Peopleslowlyfiled
outoftheroomandMindy
walkedovertome.“Good
job,Larue.”
Iwipedmyforehead
withthetowelI’dpulledfrom
mybag.“Oh,don’tlie.You
knowIsucked.”
Sheshookherhead
andthennodded.“Okay,you
did,butyougotexerciseand
that’sthemostimportant
thing.”
“Great,nowI’m
starving.”
“Well,goodnewsisI
foundoutwherethisguy
worksanditjustsohappens
tobethatnewrestaurantover
onPotterStreet.He’sthe
managerthere.”
“Pleasetellmethat
meanswegettogothereand
eat.”Iclaspedmyhands
togetherasifpraying.
Sheshrugged.“Idon’t
seewhynot.Grabyourbag
andlet’sgo.”
Shedidn’thavetoask
metwice.MindyandI
climbedintothefrontseatof
mycar.Withherinthe
passengerseat,thatleftthe
ghostsoutsidestaringatthe
backseat.Rogerscowledand
Marilynjustappeared
confused.
“Youwillallhaveto
sitbacktheretogether,”Isaid
asIstartedthecar.
Jamesmotionedfor
Marilyntogofirst.WhenI
glancedintherearview
mirror,theyhadallfiledin
withMarilyninthemiddle.
Jamessatonherleftand
Rogeronherright.Rogerhad
asmileonhisfacefromear
toear.Marilynscootedtothe
left.Shedidn’tseemas
thrilled.
“It’sreallycramped
backhere,Larue.Youneeda
biggercar,”Rogersaid.
“MaybeIshouldgeta
bus?”Ishiftedintodrive.
“Yes,thatwouldbe
perfect,”Rogersaid
excitedly.
“Iwasbeing
sarcastic,”Isaid.
Heshrugged.“It’s
stillagoodidea.”
Ipulledoutontothe
roadandheadedforthenew
restaurant.IfeltbadbecauseI
knewCallahanhadplanned
totakemethere,butitwasa
casualplace,somaybehe
wouldn’tmindifIwentwith
Mindyfirst.
“Ihatethatwe’reso
underdressed,”Isaid.
MindyandIstillhad
onourworkoutgear.Of
course,shewasalwayssoput
together.Myhairlookedlike
I’dbeeninatornadoandmy
cheekswerestillflushedfrom
theworkout.
Aftertheshortdrive,I
pulledintotherestaurant’s
parkinglot.MagnoliaGrille
wasinanewbuildingthat
wasmadeupofmostly
windows.Theyweretinteda
darkblacksowecouldn’tsee
inside.Theplacewasvery
modern,buttheadded
flowersanddelicatepatio
furniturehadaSouthernflare.
Iadjustedmywhite
T-shirtasIgotoutofthecar.
“Ihopetheydon’tkickusout
forbeingsocasual.”
Mindywavedher
hand.“Welookfabulous.”
Wewalkedthrough
thedoorandthehostess
greetedusrightaway.The
petiteblondedidn’teven
seemtonoticehowwewere
dressed.Sheledustothe
tableinthecornerofthe
room.Theplacewasso
packedIdidn’tthinkanyone
elsepaidattentiontous
either.
“Yourserverwillbe
heresoon,”thehostesssaid,
leavingthemenusonthe
table.
MindyandIsatdown
andimmediatelyperusedthe
dinnerchoices.Iwasjust
gladwewerefinallygetting
food.Iwantedoneof
everything.
Withinaminute,the
servercameover.Thetall
brunetteplasteredahuge
smileonherface.“Hello,
ladies.Areyoureadyto
order?”
Mindydidn’twaste
anytimeaskingforthe
manager.Thewaitress
probablythoughtshe’ddone
somethingwrong.
“Sure,I’llgetthe
manager”shesaidwitha
forcedsmile.
MindyandIstudied
thefoodchoicesagainwhile
wewaitedforthemanagerto
comeover.
“I’malittlenervous.I
wanttofindoutmoreabout
Stone.”Isaid,peekingover
thetopofthemenu.
“Wellhere’syour
chance,Ithinktheguyis
headedourway.”Mindy
gesturedwithatiltofher
head.
Themanapproached
ourtable.Heworeablack
suitandblueshirt.Hisdark
hairwascombedtotheside.
“Hello,ladies,how
mayIhelpyou?”
“Ithinkyouknowmy
brother,AdamWinters?”
Mindyasked.
Heshookherhand.
“Ohyes,youmustbe
Mindy.”
Mindygestured
towardme.“Thisismy
friend,LarueDonavan.”
Hesmiledandstuck
outhishand.“Nicetomeet
you.MynameisMike
McLaughlin.”
Bythequirkedbushy
eyebrow,Iknewhestill
wonderedwhywehadasked
forhim.
“We’reactually
lookingforsomeoneyou
mightknow,”Isaid.“His
nameisStone.Watkins”
Heeyedmestrangely.
“Yes,areyoufriendswith
Stone?”
“Wemetbriefly,”I
said.
Hefoldedhisarmsin
frontofhischest.“Oh,well,
yesheisstayingwithme
whilehe’sintown.
MindyandI
exchangedalook.
“Bingo,”Rogersaid
fromovermyshoulder.
Thatwasexactlywhat
Ihadwantedtohear.Now,if
Stonewouldjustgiveus
moreinformation.
“I’msureStonewould
lovetotalktoyou.”Mike
smiledwidely.
Hemusthavethought
IwashuntingStonefor
romanticreasons.
Whateverworked.
“Icangivehimacall
andseeifhecancomeright
over.Idon’tlivefarfrom
here.”Hemotionedoverhis
shoulder.
Ididn’tknowwhatto
say.Iwantedtotalkwith
Stone,butIwasn’tsurehe
wouldcomeoverherewhen
hefoundoutitwasme
searchingforhim.Now,I
probablyseemedlikesome
kindofcrazedstalker.
“I’llgocallhim,”
Mikesaidandturnedaround
beforeIhadachancetostop
him.
“Doyouthinkhe’ll
comeoverhere?”Mindy
asked.
“Notachance,”Isaid.
Whilewewaited,
MindyandIorderedfood.I
gotagrilledchicken
sandwichandMindygottuna
salad.Iwasn’tsureifIwould
beabletoeat,though.Iwas
toonervousovertheprospect
ofmeetingStoneagain.
Wouldheevenshowup?
Evenifhedid,hewould
probablyleaveassoonashe
sawitwasme.Ididn’t
understandwhathehadto
hide.
Soon,thefoodarrived
andItriedtoeat,butIended
uppushingitaroundthe
plate.Ihadbeensohungry
before.Itwasunlikemeto
losemyappetite.
Mindygesturedwith
herfork.“It’simportanttoeat
afteryouworkouttogetyour
energyback.Thisiswhen
you’reburningthemost
calories.”
Itookabiteand
forcedmyselftochew.Once
Iswallowed,Isaid,“Happy
now?”
Shesmirked.“Yes.
Don’tworry,everythingwill
beokay.”
“Yes,Larue,trynotto
worry,”Marilynsaid.
Ikeptglancingatthe
doorwaitingforanysignof
Stone.Agroupofpeople
enteredandIsighed.Ihad
hopeditwasStone.
“Watchingthedoor
won’tmakehimgethereany
sooner,”Mindysaid.
“He’sprobablynot
coming,”Rogersaid.
Whydidhehavetobe
suchajerk?
Ilookedatmywatch.
“It’sbeenlongenoughfor
himtogethere.”
“Whoa,checkhim
out.”Mindygesturedtoward
thedoor.“He’satallglassof
water.”
Iturnedaroundinmy
chair.Stonewasstanding
therescanningtherestaurant
asifhewaslost.
“He’shandsome,
huh?”Mindysaid.
“That’sStone,”I
whisperedasifhewouldhear
me.
“Really?He’sgood-
looking.Whydidn’tyoutell
mehe’sgorgeous?”she
pretendedtodrinkwater
whilestaring.
“IguessIdidn’tthink
aboutit.”
Hehadn’tlookedour
wayyet.Iturnedbackaround
sohewouldn’tseeme
staring.
“Letmeknowwhat
he’sdoing,”Isaid.
Mindytookanother
bite,butkepthereyesonthe
door.“He’stalkingtothe
managerrightnow.Hejust
pointedoverhere.”
“Don’tmakeeye
contactwiththem.”Ihunched
downinmychair.
“Ifhecomesover
here,thenhewillknowit’s
you,”Rogersaid.
“Shedoesn’twant
himtothinkshewastoo
anxioustotalktohim,”
Marilynsaid.
“Exactly.Thankyou,
Marilyn,”Isaid.
Mindyappearedtobe
confusedaboutmycomment,
butdidn’taskmetorepeat
whatwassaid.Theghosts
werestandingbehindthe
partitionthatledbacktothe
bathrooms.Stoneprobably
couldn’tseethemfromwhere
hestood.
“Whataretheydoing
now?”Iasked.
“They’restillstanding
theretalking.Itappearslike
themanageristryingto
convinceStonetocome
over.”Mindypretendedto
takeabiteoffood.
“I’mreallybeginning
tothinkhedoesn’tlikeme,”I
said.
“Beginningtothink?
It’sliketheguybelievesyou
haveacontagiousdisease,”
Rogersaid.
“Thanks,”Isaiddrily.
“Oh,they’recoming
thisway.”Mindypeered
downatherplate.
“Justactcasual.”I
tookadrinkofwater.
“Heretheycome,”
Rogermovedaroundtothe
othersideofthetablefora
betterview.
“Hello,ladies,”Mike
said.
EventhoughIdidn’t
wantto,IfinallymetStone’s
gaze.
“Wouldyouliketosit
down?”Mindygesturedat
thechairbesideme.
Mikemotioned
towardthekitchen.“Ihaveto
getbacktowork,butI’msure
Stonewouldloveto.”
Stonepulledouta
chairandsatdown.He
stretchedhishandacrossthe
table.“Myname’sStone.”
“Mindy,”shesaid,
shakinghishand.
Heshiftedhisfocusto
me.“Howareyou?”
“I’mokay.”Itook
anotherdrink,tryingtoact
casual.
“How’syourankle?”
Hestudiedmyface.
“Muchbetter.”I
wonderedifIsounded
convincing.
“Iwasn’tgoingto
comeheretonight.WhenI
sawyouatthetable,Ithought
aboutturningaroundand
leaving.”
“Wow,Larue,he
reallylikesyou.”Roger
laughed.
“Sowhatchanged
yourmind?”Iasked.
Helookedasifthere
wassomethinghedidn’twant
totellme.“Thedarkshadow
washerebesideyou.”
Ihadn’texpected
Stonetosaythat.Iscanned
theroom.“Idon’tsee
anything.”
Whyhadn’ttheghosts
seentheshadow?
Stonemotionedwitha
nodofhishead.“Itwas
standingbehindyou.I
couldn’tleaveyouhereto
dealwithit.”
“I’vebeendealing
withitforsometime.I’m
gettingusedtoitbynow,”I
said.
“Nonetheless,Ijust
couldn’tleave.”
“Well,I’mgladyou
didn’t.”
Hepeeredatmeover
thetopofhisdarkeyelashes.
“IthoughtIcouldignorethe
shadowwhenIsawit,but
nowIrealizeIcan’t.Wehave
togetridofit.”
Iquirkedaneyebrow.
“We?”
“Obviously,Ican’tdo
itbymyself,”Stonesaid.
Mystomachflipped.
“Whatdowedotogetridof
it?”
Hestudiedhisshoes
foramomentbeforemaking
eyecontact.“Wehavetoget
theshadowbacktothe
portal.”
“Whoa,whatdoes
thatmean?”Rogerasked.
“Idon’tlikethesound
ofit,”Marilynsaid.
“Theportal?Whereis
thisportal?”Iasked.
Heranhishand
throughhisthickhair.“Atthe
housewhereIgrewup.”
Thiswasgetting
serious.
“Iknewtherewas
somethingwronginthat
house,”Rogersaid.
StoneandIlookedat
Roger.
“Whydidn’tyousay
somethingthen?”Iasked.
Rogershrugged.
“Howdoyouknow
there’saportalthere?”I
glaredatRoger,asifthat
wouldmakehimtalk.
Hewasn’tbudging
thoughandremainedtight-
lipped.
Stonewavedoff
Roger’ssilence.“Nevermind
that.Justmeetmelater,
okay?”
Iexchangedalook
withMindy.Iexpectedherto
tellmenottogoortotellme
thiswasalltoostrange.
However,bytheexpression
inhereyes,shewastelling
metogoforit.
“WhereshouldImeet
you?”Iasked.
Stonestoodfromthe
table.“Meetmeattheparkat
ten.Ihavetogonow.”
Hewalkedawayand
outthedoor.
“Iwonderwhyhe
wantstomeetyou?”Marilyn
asked.
I’dfindoutsoon
enough.
Mindyrubbedher
armsasiffightingoffgoose
bumps.“Thisiskindof
scary…knowingthisevil
spiritisaroundandyouhave
togotoahousewitha
portal.”
Yes,itwasscary,but
nowthatIknewthisportal
wasthere,Ihadtohelpthe
homeowner.Itwouldonlybe
amatteroftimeuntilanother
spiritpoppedthrough.Elisa
wouldbedealingwitha
hauntingalloveragain.Ionly
hopedIcouldgetridofthe
spiritsandtheportal.I
neededtoforceStonetotell
mehowheknewofthis
gatewaytotheotherside.
Whathadoccurredwhenhe
livedthere?Thathadtobe
thereasontheyhadmoved.
Hecouldhavetoldmeabout
theportalthefirsttimehe
sawthedarkshadowat
Callahan’s.
“Idon’tthinkIwant
togobackintothathouse,
Larue.”Rogerpacedaround
thetable.
“Ihaveabonetopick
withyou,”Isaid.
Heheldhishandsup.
“WhatdidIdo?”
“Youdidn’ttellme
abouttheportal.Youdidn’t
tellmetherewereother
ghostsinthehouse.”
“Whatdiditmatter?I
justwantedoutofthere,”he
said.
“ItmattersbecauseI
neededtohelpthe
homeowner,”Isaid.
Hetossedhishands
up.“You’repsychic,Ifigured
you’dknow.”
Chapter18
Afterweleftthe
restaurant,Mindywent
straighthome.SheaskedifI
wantedhertogowithmeto
meetStone,butjustincase
thingsgotcrazywiththe
wholeportalthing,Itoldher
itwasn’tnecessary.Ihadno
ideawhatIwoulddountilI
methim,though.Therereally
wasn’tenoughtimetogoall
thewayhome,soIfigured
I’djusthangoutatthe
bookstore.Mindyhad
droppedmeoffandIwas
browsinginthewindows
alongMainStreetwhile
walkingtowardBookNook.
Callahanhadcalledand
wantedtogoout,butof
course,IhadtotellhimIhad
plans.
Whenmycellrang,I
figureditwashimcalling
back.Isawthenumber
displayedandrealizedit
wasn’thim.I’dseenthe
numberbefore,butcouldn’t
placewhoitwas.
“LarueDonavan,”I
saidwhenIanswered.
“Larue,thisis
Bonnie.”
Iknewbythetoneof
hervoicethatsomethingwas
wrong.
“Hastheactivity
increased?”Iasked.
“It’saboutthesame,
butIfoundsomethingI
thoughtIshouldtellyou
about.”
Istoppedinfrontof
theantiquestorewindow.
“Oh,what’sthat?”
“IfoundaOuijaboard
inmydaughter’sroom.”
Thiswasn’tgood.I
wasgettingabetterpictureof
whythedarkshadowswere
inthehouse.
“Doyouthinkshe’s
beenusingitforalong
time?”Iasked.
Bonniesighedand
thensaid,“Idon’tknow.
She’salwaysbeenagood
kid,butnowIdon’tknow
what’sshe’sdoing.”
“Lotsofkidsplay
withtheboards,butitcan
turnbadquickly.”
“Doyouthinkyou
canstillhelpus?”sheasked.
“IwilldoeverythingI
cantohelpyou.”
“Youdon’tknowhow
muchthismeanstome.”
Myvoicehadsounded
confident,butIwasanything
butconfident.IhopedIcould
help.Iwasn’tsurewhatIwas
dealingwith.Maybeitwould
betoomuchformetohandle.
“Ineedtotalkwith
her,”Isaid.
“Ihaven’tseenher
sincethisafternoon.I’m
beginningtoworry.”
“Haveyoucalledher
friends?”Iasked.
“Yes,buttheyhaven’t
seenhereither.”
Iwasn’tsurewhatto
do.ShouldBonniecallthe
police?Ididn’twantherto
freakout.
“I’msuresheisfine
andwillbehomesoon.Can
youcallmewhenshedoes
returnsoIcanaskherafew
questions?”
Bonniesighedagain.I
knewshewasfullofworry.
“Yes,I’llcallyou.
Thanksagain,Larue.”
“You’rewelcome,”I
said.“Oh,waitaminute.I
justsawyourdaughter.”
“Whereareyou?”
Bonnieasked.
“I’mdowntownby
mystore.I’llgoafterherand
callyouback,”Isaidand
thenhungupmyphone.
“Wecan’tletherget
awaythistime,”Marilyn
said.
Ipracticallyrandown
thesidewalkafterBethany.“I
don’tintendto.”
Icalledout,butif
Bethanyheardme,shedidn’t
turnaround.
“Teenagers,”Roger
saidashehurriedalong
besideme.
Shewasn’trunning,
butshewaswalkingalot
fasterthanIcould.Itwas
hardtokeepupwithmyshort
strides.
“Youhavetospeed
up,”Rogersaid.
“Shecan’twalkany
faster,”Jamesremindedhim.
“Thankyou,”Isaid.
Iwasgettingstrange
looksasIrusheddownthe
sidewalk.
“Wheredoyouthink
she’sgoing?”Marilynasked.
“Idon’tknow,butshe
isn’tslowingdown.”
Shewasmovingaway
fromthebusiersectionof
town;awayfromtheshops.
“Ibetshe’sgoingto
thepark.Thatplacewas
alwaysspooky,”Rogersaid.
“IfsheismaybeIcan
finallycatchher,”IsaidasI
pantedforbreath.
IhadtohurryorI’d
missher.Onceshegotinto
theparkshecouldgoinany
directionandI’dloseher.As
muchasIhatedit,Ihadto
run.Anythingmorethana
briskwalkandIlookedlikeI
wasdoingabadimpression
ofthewayawoundedspider
wouldwalk.However,itwas
theonlywayIwouldcatch
her.Aftertheclasswith
Mindy,Iwasinnoshapeto
exertthatmuchenergy,butI
hadtodoitanyway.Iforced
mylegstomovefaster.They
protestedinpain,butI
managedtopushthrough.
EventhoughIwasgetting
close,Bethanystillhadn’t
turnedaroundtoseeme.
“Doyouthinkshe
sensesyou’rehere?”Marilyn
asked.
“Iguessnot,”I
answeredbreathlessly.
Iheldmysidetoease
thecramp.Iprobablylooked
likethewalkingdeadasI
scuttleddownthesidewalk.
Finally,Iwaswithin
reach.Igrabbedhershoulder.
Shespunaroundwithher
eyeswideandmouthopen,as
ifshe’djustencounteredthe
grimreaper.
“Shealmostpeedher
pants,”Rogersaid.
AtleastI’dfinally
beenabletostopher.
“Ididn’tmeanto
scareyou,”Isaidstilltrying
tocatchmybreath.
Bethanyseemedasif
shewasscaredofjustabout
everythingrightnow.Her
handsshookandherlegs
trembled.Shedartedher
eyes.“Theyarefollowing
me.”
Ididn’tevenneedto
askwhotheywere.Iknew
whotheywere.
“Ineedtoaskyou
abouttheOuijaboard,”Isaid.
Hereyeswidened.
“Howdidyouknow?”
Iwasn’tsureIshould
tellBethanythathermother
hadbeeninherroom,soI
said,“Ijustknowthese
things.”
Thatmademeseema
lotsmarterthanIreallywas.
Shewouldprobablyfindout
thetruthsoonerorlater
though.
Shehuggedherbag
closertoherbodyasifthat
wouldofferprotection.“I
usedthething.Itwasjustfun
atfirst,butthenthingsturned
badwhenthedarkshadows
showedup.”
“Howlonghavethey
beenaround?”Iasked.
Shetuckedaloose
strandofhairbehindherear.
“Foracoupleweeksnow.
Theyjustcamealittleatfirst,
butnowtheyarefollowing
meallthetime.”
Iglancedaround.“I
don’tseethemnow.”
“Youcanseethem?”
sheasked.
Inodded.“Mostofthe
time.Ihaveonefollowing
me,too.Havetheytriedto
attackyou?”
Hermouthdroppeda
little.“Notyet.Youmean
theycanreallyattack?”
Isighed.“I’mafraid
so.”
Jamespacedaround
Bethany.“Shereally
shouldn’thaveusedthat
board.”
Rogerglaredat
James.“She’sjustakid.
Leaveheralone.”
Bethanypickedatthe
hemofhershirt.“Iwasonly
doingthewitchcraftforgood
spells.Whenthedarkspirits
came,Itriedtouseittoget
ridofthem.”
“So,thatwaswhyyou
wantedtheotherbooks?”I
asked.
“Sofar,ithasn’t
worked,ofcourse.Doyou
thinkyoucanhelpme?”Dark
circleslinedunderhereyes.
“I’mgoingtotrymy
best,”Isaid.
Sheattemptedasmile.
“Thatwouldbesogreat.
Thankyou.”
IhopedIreallycould
helpher.IfIcouldn’twhat
wouldshedo?WhatwouldI
do?
Ineededtoknow
something.“Ihaveaquestion
foryou.”
Shenodded.“I’lltry
toanswerthebestIcan.”
“Whowereyoutrying
tocontactwiththeOuija
board?”Iasked.
Sheshrugged.“No
oneinparticularreally,Iwas
justcallingouttoanyspirits
whomightbeinthehouse.I
thoughtitwouldbefun.”
“That’sneveragood
idea,”Isaid.“Thereare
alwaysbadspiritswaitingfor
someonetocallonthemand
assoonastheyfindaperson
whomightbevulnerableat
thetime,they’llslipright
through.”
“So,Ireallyscrewed
up.”
“Don’tbesohardon
yourself.”Ipattedher
shoulder.
“Yeah,butIputmy
momthroughalotandshe’ll
neverletmeliveitdown.”
“Theyneverdo.”
Rogershookhishead.“They
neverdo.”
Oh,hewasso
dramatic.
“I’msureshedoesn't
feelthatway,”Isaid.“We
willbeabletoworkitout
somehow.Idon’tknowwhat
willdo,butI’llfigureout
something.”
Shesighed.“Ihope
you’reright.”
“First,wewillhaveto
findoutaboutthespirits.”
“Howwillwedo
that?”sheasked.
“Imayactuallyhave
tousetheboard.It’llbeable
toletmecommunicatewith
thedemonsincethat’s
obviouslyhowitcame
through.”
Hereyeswidened.
“Idon’trecommendit
atallandItrytoavoidit.But
nowthatIknowthat’show
yougotthatspirithereto
beginwith,thenthat’show
we’llcommunicatewiththem
fromnowon.”
Sheglancedoverher
shoulder.“Whendowedo
this?”
Icheckedthetimeon
myphone.Itwasalmosttime
tomeetStone.“Ihave
anotherappointmentright
now.Wouldyouliketocome
totheparkwithme?I’m
meetingsomeonewhomight
haveinformationaboutthe
shadowwho’sfollowingme.”
“Yeah,sureIdon’t
haveanythingelsetodo.”
Sheshiftedthebagonher
shoulder.
“Well,onethingwe
havetodoiscallyourmom
andletherknowyou’re
okay.”
Shewavedherhands.
Thebraceletsonherwrists
jingledwiththemovement.“I
don'twanttofaceherafter
whatI’vedone.”
“Yourmomlovesyou
andshe’sworriedaboutyou,
soyoureallyneedtopickup
thephoneandgivehera
call.”
Ihandedhermy
phoneandshedialedher
mom’snumber.Shestepped
awayforasecondsothey
couldtalk.
“Wow,thisispretty
heavystuff.”Rogershoved
hishandsinhispockets.
“Ihopethisallworks
outwithStone.I’mso
worried.”Marilyntwistedher
handstogether.
“Laruewillfigureit
out,”Jamessaid.“Shehasa
littlehelpthatsheprobably
doesn’tevenknowabout.”
IeyedJames,buthe
avoidedmystare.Whatwas
hetalkingabout?
Afteracouple
minutes,Bethanystepped
backoverandhandedmethe
phone.
“Everythingokay?”I
asked.
Sheblewoutadeep
breath.“Yeah,everything’s
goingtobeallright.Atleast,
Ihopeso.”
Imotionedforherto
followme.“Comeon.Let’s
go.”
Wewalkedtheshort
distancetothepark.Itwasa
gatedentrancewitha
walkwayleadingtoabig
bubblingfountaininthe
middle.Aroundthepark
wherebenches,sowewalked
overtothenearestone.I
wonderedwhatStonewould
beabletodo?Nighthad
settledallaroundus,sothe
shadowswouldbealot
hardertoseelurkinginthe
dark.Atleastwehadabitof
lightfromthefullmoon
castingawhiteglowallover
thepark.
“Allwecandoright
nowistositandwait,”Isaid.
Sheshiftednexttome
onthebench.Iknewshewas
nervousaboutseeingthe
shadowsagain.
“Don’tworry,Iwon’t
letthemgetyou.”Myvoice
soundedalotmoreconfident
thanIfelt.
“Icankeepwatch,”
Marilynoffered.
“Youlookonthatside
andI’lllookontheother
side.”Rogergesturedto
Marilyn.
Ismiledtomyself
knowingtheghostswere
keepinganeyeonmeand
hadmyback.
“So,youdothe
witchcraft?”Bethanyasked
aswesatonthebench.
Iwavedmyhand
dismissively.“Idoalittlebit,
butnotalot.Ihavetoworry
mostabouttheparanormal
investigating.Ittakesupmost
ofmytime.”
“IthinkIsaw
something.”Marilyn’svoice
rose.
“Whereisit?”Roger
asked.
MarilynpointedandI
lookedoutacrossthepark,
pastthebubblingfountain.
ThatwaswhenIsawthe
shadows,too.Theymoved
closerandBethanyscooted
nexttomeonthebench.She
hadseenthematthatpoint,as
well.Theshadowsfloated
justabovetheground.Their
silhouetteshighlightedbythe
moonlightanddistantstreet
lights.
“Whatdowedo
now?”sheaskedwitha
tremblingvoice.
Ipattedherhand.
“Trytostaycalm.Wedon’t
wantthemtoknowwe’re
scaredofthem.”
“But,Iamscaredof
them,”shewhispered.
Ikeptmyeyesonthe
shadows.“Wecan’tletthem
knowthat.Theyfeedoffof
fear.That’swhytheyhave
gottenstronger.”
Bethanyheldmyarm.
“Idon’tknowwhattodoso
thattheydon’tsensemy
fear.”
“Takeadeepbreath,”
Isaid.
Weshouldn’thave
watchedthespirits,butatthe
sametime,Iwantedtoknow
whattheyweredoing.Ifthey
movedcloser,Iwantedto
knowaboutit.Relyingon
RogerorMarilyntotellme
wasn’tgoodenough.Ihad
toldBethanynottobescared,
butdeepdownIwas
frightened,too.Therewasno
waytoencountersomething
likethisandnotbeatleast
slightlyscared.
BethanyandIsaton
thebenchmotionless,well,
exceptfortheslighttwitching
ofherlegs.Thespiritshad
movedcloser,butsuddenly
theyhadstartedtofadeaway
asiftheenergytheyneeded
toappearwasbeingdepleted.
Whytheyhaddecidedto
leaveIwasn’tsure,butI
wasn’tabouttoquestionit.I
wasgladtheyweregoing.
“Ithinkthey’re
leaving,”shewhispered.
“Ithinkyou’reright,”
Isaid.
Wespokeinhushed
tones,asifthespiritsheardus
thentheywouldreturn,sowe
hadtobequiet.
“They’regone,”
Marilynsaid.
“Yeah,butforhow
long?”Rogerasked.
Hewasright,Iknew
theywouldn’tstayawayfor
long.Themoreenergythey
got,themoretheywouldbe
abletocomeback.Iftheyhad
enough,thentheywouldstay
forgood.Ididn’tknowwhat
wouldhappeniftheystayed
aroundpermanently.I
checkedthetimeagain,
hopingStonewouldappear
soon.Whatifhedidn’tshow
up?Whatwouldwedothen?
Chapter19
Stoneappeared
walkingfromaroundthe
fountain.Howhadhebeen
backthere?Thatwaswhere
theshadowshadbeen.He
hadsteppedoutofthenight
likehehadbeenapartofthe
darkness.Hisgazesettled
rightonus.Ihopedhedidn’t
leavewhenherealizedI
wasn’talone.Hehadn’ttold
menottobringanyoneelse,
buthewassomewhatstrange,
soIfiguredhemaynotlike
thatBethanywashere.
BethanyandIsatin
silenceaswewatchedStone
cometowardus.Icouldn’t
waittohearwhathehadto
say.Hadheseentheshadows
thathadjustbeenhere?They
haddisappearedalmost
exactlywherehehad
appeared.Itwasalmostasif
thespiritshadleftwhenthey
sawStone.Iknewthatwasn’t
possible,though.Whywould
hispresencemakethem
disappear?Thedarkshadow
followingmedidn’tseemto
mindwhenStonecame
around.Thatdarkshadow
wasn’tafraidofanything.
Stonewasdressedin
blackpantsandablackshirt,
sohekindofblendedinwith
thenight.Hehadchanged
sinceI’dseenhimatthe
restaurant.Iwantedtoask
himabouthisabilitytosee
andtalktospiritssobadly.I
hopedhewashonestwithme.
Stonesteppedupto
us.“Iwaswonderingifyou’d
showup.”
HewonderedifI
wouldshowup?Ihad
expectedhimnottoshow.
“Heseemsasifheis
reallytroubledby
something,”Marilynsaid.
Stoneacknowledged
Marilynwithanod,but
didn’trespond.
“Hecouldjustbe
weird.Ineverlikedtheguy,”
Rogersaid.
Amuscleflickedin
Stone’sjawandhiswhole
bodytensed.“Well,Ididn’t
likeyoueither.”
“Roger,youactedas
ifyoudidn’tknowhim,”I
said.
Rogerwavedhis
hand.“OfcourseIknowhim.
HewaslivinginthehouseI
washaunting.”
Ididn’tliketheway
Rogerkeptsecrets.Whatelse
washenottellingme?
Stonedirectedhis
attentiontoBethany.
“Ihopeyoudon’t
mindthatIbroughtsomeone
along.ThisisBethany
McCarthy.She’shavingabit
ofaproblemwithspirits
followingher.”Iquirkedan
eyebrow.“They’resimilarto
theoneIhave.Sheuseda
Ouijaboard.”
Bethanystareddown
athersneakers,avoidingeye
contact.
Stonenodded.“Nice
tomeetyou.”
“Nicetomeetyou,
too,”shemumbled.
Istoodfromthe
bench.“I’mgoingtohaveto
usetheOuijaboardtocontact
thespiritsshebrought
through.”
Theexpressionon
Stone’sfacewasshadowed
withdeepconcern.“I’mnot
surethatissuchawise
decision.”
“Iagreewithhim,
Larue,”Marilynsaid.
“Whatotherchoicedo
Ihave?”Iasked.
“Youruntheriskof
bringingotherspirits
through.”Trepidation
thickenedhisvoice.
“Oh,thatisthelast
thingyouneed,Larue,”
Rogersaid.
“Iunderstandthe
risks,butIdon’tknowofany
otherway.Doyouhave
suggestions?”
Ifheknewsomuch
aboutit,thenheneededto
offerupsomeadviceinstead
oftellingmewhatnottodo.
“Imighthaveanother
idea.Ifyouarewilling.”He
studiedmyface.
Iwatchedhim.
“Dependsonwhatitis.”
Ifitwassomething
completelyweird,thenI
wasn’tgameforthat.
“Itinvolvesgettingrid
oftheportal,”hesaid.
Thatsoundeddifficult
andIwasn’tsureitwouldbe
possible.
“Wesawtheshadows
rightbeforeyoushowedup.”
Imotionedtowardthe
fountain.
Henodded.“Isaw
them,too.”
“Didyoumakethem
goaway?”Marilynasked.
Heturnedtoher.“I
askedthemtoleave.”
Thatwasallittook?I
wasn’tsureifIbelievedhim.
“Justlikethatthey
left?”IeyedStoneupand
down.
Heshrugged.“Just
likethat.”
Iscoffed.“Something
doesn’tseemrightaboutthis
wholething.”
“IsaidIwouldnever
gobacktothathouse.”Stone
peeredoutacrosstheparkas
iflostinthought.
Whathadhappenedin
thathousewhenhelived
there?
“Whydoyousay
that?”Ipushedforananswer.
Heshovedhishands
intohispockets.“Needlessto
say,itwasn’tagoodtimefor
me.OnceIgotaway,Ididn’t
wanttogothroughthatagain.
I’vetriedmybesttoblock
outthespiritseversince.”
“That’simpossible.
Whywouldyoueventrysuch
athing?”Iasked.
“It’swhatIhadtodo
forme,”hesaid.
“Whathappenedin
thathouse?”Itriedtohide
theanxietyinmyvoice.
Heranhishand
throughhishair.“Iinvited
thespiritin.”
Itsoundedfamiliarto
whatBethanyhaddone.
“Didyouusethe
Ouijaboard,too?”Iasked
her.
Ifhehadbeena
teenageratthetime,thenthat
wasapossibility.Stone
turnedandwalkedtowardthe
fountain.
“Isheleaving?”
Marilynwhispered.
Stoneturnedtoward
meandwalkedback.“Ijust
invitedthespiritin,okay?It’s
notsomethingIshouldhave
done.”
“Well,duh,”Roger
said.
Jamespacedinfront
ofthefountain.Heappeared
asifhewasgrowingtiredof
ourconversation.Icouldn’t
worryaboutkeepingthe
ghostsentertainedatthe
moment.
“Whatwentonafter
youinviteditin?”Iasked.
“Alotofbadthings
happenedandthenweleft.I
gotoutofthereandIsaidI
wouldnevergoback.I
shouldn’thaveleftitthere,
though;notknowingwhatI
know,”hesaid.
Jameswalkeduptous
asifhewasgoingtosay
something,butturnedaway.
Hewasactingawfully
strange.
“That’swhyIcame
backnow,”Stonesaid.
“Youcameback
becauseofthespirit?”
Hereleasedadeep
breath.“Iwantedtoknow
whathadtakenplacesince
I’dleft.Then,Imetyouand
sawthethingagain.”
“Iguessyouweren’t
expectingthat,wereyou?”I
asked.
Heshookhishead.
“No,notintheleast.Ifelt
guiltyfornottryingtogetrid
ofitwhenIhadthechance.”
“So,youcameback
nowtogetridofit?”Iasked.
Heshrugged.“Ifit’s
possible.”
“Whatdowedo
now?”
IknewwhatIwould
do,butIwasn’tsurewhat
wasonStone’smind.Hesaid
hehadn’tusedtheOuija
board,butIfeltforsurehe
had.Heprobablydidn’twant
toadmitit.
“Weshouldgoback
tothehouse,”Stonesaid.
“Idon’tthinkIlike
thesoundofthis,”Marilyn
said.
IrepeatedMarilyn’s
sentiment.“Idon’tlikethe
soundofthiseither.”
Stonemovedtoward
theentranceandthenturned
tomeagain.“Wehavetogo
backthere.LikeIsaid,we
willtrytogetridofthe
portal.”
Imovedafewsteps
andpaused.“Youknow,
that’snotagoodideaifwe
don’tgetridofthespirits
first.Wedon’twantthe
spiritsstuckhereforever.”
“No,Iknow,butI
thinkwecangetridofthe
spiritsfirst.”
“Getittoreturnwhere
itcamefrom?”Iasked.
Henodded.“Yes,
exactly.”
Hemadeitsoundso
easy,butIknewitwas
anythingbut.Itwouldbeone
ofthehardestthingswe’d
everdone.
Stonemusthave
noticedthesuspicioninmy
eyes,sohesaid,“It’sprobablytoolatetogotothe
housetonight.”
“You’reright.We’ll
havetowaituntilthe
morning.”
Bethanywalkedafter
us.“Whataboutme?”
“Yes,weshouldhelp
herfirst,”Isaid.“Your
motherwillbeokaywith
that?”
Bethanyhurriedahead
ofus.“Sheshouldbemore
thanokaywithit.Shejust
wantsthingsbacktonormal
andsodoI.”
“Icandriveusthereif
youtellmewheretogo.”
Stonemotionedtowardthe
street.
Icouldn’tbelieve
Stonewasofferingtohelp.
Whatmadehimchangehis
mindsoabruptly?Something
hadtohavehappened.
Wewalkedtherestof
thewaythroughthepark
towardthestreet.Iwason
highalertthewholetime,
waitingtoseethedark
shadowsagain.Itfeltasif
theywerewatchingus,soI
knew,beyondtheedgesof
thepark,theyhadtobethere
waiting.Iftheycameforus
wouldStonesimplytellthem
toleave?Afterall,hesaidhe
simplytoldthemtoleaveand
ithadworked.Grayclouds
hadquicklymadetheirway
overthemoon,blockingout
whatlittlelightwehadover
thepark.Atleasttheclouds
hadwaiteduntilwewere
leavingtomakean
appearance.
“Thisismycar,”
Stonesaidwhenwereached
theMercedes.
Iremembereditfrom
thatfirstdayintheparking
lot.
“Niceride,”Roger
said.
“Whereareweall
goingtosit?”Marilynasked.
“You’llhavetoride
somewhereintheback,”I
said.
“There’snoroom,”
Rogerproclaimed.
Bethanyclimbedin
thebackseatandIgotinthe
frontpassengerside.The
ghostsstoodonthecurb
lookingconfused.
“Can’tyoujustzoom
andbethere?”Imotioned
withawaveofmyhand.
“No,weneedto
followyou.”Jamescrossed
hisarmsinfrontofhischest.
Isighed.“Okay,
Marilyncansitupherewith
meandtheothertwocan
squeezeintheback.”
Theghostsnodded,
satisfiedwithmysolution.I
didn’tfeelher,ofcourse,but
Iscootedovertogiveher
roomanyway.I’dnever
thoughtI’dbesittingthat
closetoMarilynMonroeina
carasIwasheadedtofight
offdemons.Suchwasmylife
withghosts.
AftergivingStone
directions,withinafew
minuteswehadarrivedat
Bethany’shouse.Weall
headedtowardthefrontdoor,
eventheghosts.I’dfigured
thismightbetheonetime
they’dstayinthecarsince
theyhadn’tseemedtookeen
onfacingthedarkshadows.
Bethanypausedwhen
shereachedthedoor.“Ihope
mymomisn’tmad.”
“Youtalkedtoher.
She’sfinenow.”Iputmy
armaroundhershoulders.
BeforeBethanyhada
chancetograbthedoorknob,
hermotherpulleditopenand
thenembracedBethanyina
hug.
Bonnielookedatme
andsaid,“Thankyou.”
“Iseverythingquiet
now?”Iasked.
“Iheardsome
footstepsafewminutesago.”
Shemotionedoverher
shoulder.
BonnieeyedStoneup
anddown.
“Thisis…”Ipaused
unsureofwhattocallhim.
“Acolleague…Stone
Watkins.Isitallrightthathe
camealong?Weneedto
comeinandcheckoutafew
things.Maybewecangetrid
oftheproblem.”
Shewavedherhand.
“It’sperfectlyfine.Please
anythingyoucando.”
Bethanyeasedintothe
house.StoneandIfollowed
herintothedimlylitliving
room.
“Icangogetthe
boardifyou’dlike?”Bethany
scannedtheroomwhile
asking.
“You’regoingtouse
theOuijanow?”Bonnie
asked.
Inodded.“Yes,I’m
afraidit’ssomethingwehave
todo.”
Shesighed.“Well,I
guessyouknowbest.”
Rogersnorted.“I
wouldn’tbesosureabout
that.”
Igavehimadirty
look.Bethanyboundupthe
stairstoretrievetheboard
whileStoneandIarranged
chairsinacircle.Aftera
coupleseconds,Bethany
returnedwiththeboard
clutchedinherhands.
Anxietydancedinmy
stomachatthethoughtof
usingthething,butIhadused
oneinthepast,sowejusthad
tobecareful.
Igesturedtowardthe
chairs.“BethanyandBonnie,
whydon’tyousitthere,and
StoneandIwilltakethetwo
chairsacrossfromyou.”
Oncewe’dformedour
circle,weplacedtheboardon
thesmalltableinfrontofus.
Bethanyknewhowtousethe
board,butBonnieseemed
confused.
“Weplaceourfingers
ontheplanchette.”I
motionedtowardtheplastic
pointer.Itookadeepbreath.
“Ihopethisworks.”Turning
toBethany,Iaskedher,“Did
thisdemongiveyoua
name?”Iasked.
Bethanynodded.
“Yes,hedid.”
MuchasIdidn’twant
toknow,Ihadtofindout.
“What’sthename?”I
asked.
“Itsaiditsnamewas
Hilson.”
SinceI’dneverheard
ofthisdemonbefore,Iwasn’t
surewhatIwasdealingwith.
“Ifyou’rehere,can
youtalktous?”Icalledout.
Wewatchedthe
board,waitingforthe
planchettetomove.Nothing
occurred.Thistime,Stone
calledouttothedemon.Still
therewasnoanswer.Itfeltas
ifsomethingwaswatching
us,though.
“Ithinktheboardis
broken,”Rogersaidashe
pacedacrossthefloor.
IstaredatRoger.
“Thethingismessingwith
us,youshouldknowthat
Roger.”
Heheldhishandsup.
“Hey,I’mnotademon.”
Ismirked.“No,you
justactlikeonesometimes.”
Thatshuthimup.He
didn’tsayanotherword.Of
coursenowBonnieand
Bethanywereeyeingmeasif
Iwasasandwichshortofa
picnic.
“Ihaveacouple
ghoststhatfollowedme,but
they’renice,Ipromise.”I
attemptedasmile,asifthat
wouldmakewhatIsaid
soundcompletelynormal.
BonnieandBethany’s
eyeswidened.Theydidn’t
sayanything,butIwassure
theywantedtorunawayfrom
menow.Theyreallywould
beshockediftheyknewone
oftheghostswasMarilyn
Monroe.
AnervousMarilyn
fidgetedonthesofa.The
ghostsweren’tparticipating
intheOuijaboardsession,
butshewasuneasyjustthe
same.Still,weweren’t
gettingaresponsefromthis
thing.Ididn’tknowwhatwe
couldtrynextifthisdidn’t
work.Iwasalloutofideas
andIwasn’tsureifItrusted
Stone’sideaofclosingthe
portal.Imightnothavea
choicebuttogiveitatry.
“Weneedtotalkto
you,”Isaidagain,hopingI
wouldgetananswerthis
time.
Suddenly,the
planchettestartedtomove.
Weexchangedalookof
excitementaboutwhatwe
mightfindout.Well,
excitementblendedwith
terror.
“Weneedtoknow
whyyouarehere.”Iscanned
theroomasifsomething
wouldappear.
Ofcourse,itwas
neverthateasy.The
planchettemovedtotheletter
F.Itcontinuedonuntilit
reachedtheletterO.Next
wasR.Afterafewmore
timesofmovingtodifferent
letters,ithadspelledout
YOU.
“Foryou,”Isaid,
almostatawhisper.
SinceIhadaskedthe
question,didthatmeanthe
demonwasthereforme?
Thathadtobeit,asmuchasI
didn’twanttoadmitit.It
wouldn’tbeunheardoffora
demontogetmebyother
means.Theywouldhave
someoneelseseekmeout
unknowingly.
“Whydoyouwant
me?”Iyelled.
Tobehonest,Iwas
afraidtofindoutwhatthe
answerwas.Ihadtopush
forward,though.Weplaced
ourfingersontheplanchette
again.Thethingmoved
aroundtheboardlikeaship
lostatseaduringastorm.
Thistimeithadspelledout
FORYOURSOUL.The
wordssentashiverdownmy
spine.Marilyngaspedwhen
sherealizedwhatthedemon
hadsaid.Inspiteofthe
message,Ihadtobetough.
Thisthingwasjustplaying
gameswithme.Yes,thatwas
whatIkepttellingmyself.IfI
gaveintothefear,itwouldall
beover.Itwouldbeableto
trulygetmysoul.
Chapter20
Therewasanother
questionIwantedtoaskthis
darkshadow.
Imotionedfor
everyonetoplacetheir
fingersontotheplanchette
again.“Istheremorethanone
demonhere?”
Theobjectmoved
acrosstheboardtotheyes.
“Oh,that’sit.We
shouldgetoutofhere.”
Rogermotionedformetoget
up.
“Juststaycalm,”I
said.
“Yeah,right.”Roger
pacedacrosstheroom.
“Howmanymoreare
here?”Iasked.
“Idon’tevenwantto
knowtheanswertothat
question.”Marilyncrossed
herarmsinfrontofherwaist,
givingherselfahug.
Theplanchettemoved
acrosstheboardandstopped
onthe“2.”
“Well,thankheavens
forsmallfavors,”Rogersaid.
“Whatisthenameof
theotherdemonwhois
here?”Icalledout.
Wewatchedtheboard
andnothingmaterialized.The
tricksthatthesethingsplayed
wasfrustrating.JustwhenI
wasabouttogiveup,the
thingstartedtomovearound
theboard.However,it
appearedasifitwasn’treally
goingtostoponanything.
Finally,theplanchettehalted
onlettersagain.Sofar,ithad
pausedontheLandtheA.I
feltStonetenseupashesat
nexttome.Wecontinuedto
watchthelettersuntilithad
spelledoutaname.LASME
wasthenameithadgivenus.
Stonejumpedupfrom
hischairandbackedaway
fromthetable.Healmost
stumbled,butmanagedto
keephimselfupright.His
facedturnedpale.
“What’swrong?”I
askedasIranovertohim.
Stonelookedasif
he’dseenaghost.Well,what
apersonwhodidn’tsee
ghostsonaregularbasis
wouldlooklike.Ithad
somethingtodowiththe
nametheOuijaboardhadjust
givenus.Heswayedabitas
ifhemightpassout.Bonnie
andIledhimbackovertothe
chair.
“Here,sit,”Ipushed
onhisarm,forcinghim
down.
Stonedidashewas
told,buthestillhadn’t
spoken.Itwasasifhehad
beenstunnedintosilence.
“Talktome,Stone.
Tellmewhat’swrong,”I
said.
Hestaredmeinthe
eyes.“That’sthesameone.”
“Thesameoneas
what?”Iasked.
Hisexpression
darkened.“Thedemonfrom
thehouse.Theonethathas
beenfollowingyouaround.”
ThatwaswhatIwas
afraidhewastalkingabout.
Ofcourse,I’dknownthe
demonwasstillaround.At
leastnow,Ihadanameand
maybewiththatknowledgeI
couldfigureouthowtoget
ridofit.
Apparently,hearing
thenamehadbroughtbacka
lotofemotionforStone.I
reallywantedtoknowmore
aboutwhathadhappenedto
him,butrightnowitseemed
asifhewantedawayfromthe
room.
“Doyouthinkthe
demonsareconnected?”
Bethanyasked.
“Idon’tknow,butI
thinkthere’sagoodchanceof
it,”Isaid.
HowhadStone
invitedthisspiritin?Hadit
beenwiththeOuijaboardand
hewasn’ttellingme?
Whateveritwas,heneededto
behonestsowecouldfigure
outhowtogetridofit.
ItouchedStone’sarm.
“Doyouthinkyoucanask
morequestions?”
Heappearedtohave
calmeddownsome,buthe
said,“Idon’tthinkIwantto
talktoitanymore.”
Wecouldtrytogetrid
ofthedemonswithouthim,
butitwouldbestrongerifwe
hadhim.Ididn’twantto
seemweaktothedemon.
Thatwashowthethingswere
abletocomethroughinthe
firstplace.
“Ithinktheremustbe
aportalinthishouse,too,”
Stonesaid.
“Whatisthat?What
doesthatmean?”Bonnie
askedwithabitofpanicin
hervoice.
“It’slikeaholeinthis
dimensionforspiritstocome
throughfromtheirworld,”I
explained.
Shefrowned.“How
doesthathappen?”
Anoisesoundedfrom
thehallwayandIturned
around.Nothingwasthere.I
focusedonBonnieagain.
“Well,itcouldhaveoccurred
naturallyorsomeonecould
havecausedit.”
BonnieandIfocused
onBethany.Bethanystudied
hershoes,butdidn’tofferan
explanation.
“Howcanwegetrid
ofit?”Bonnieasked.
“LikeIsaid,IthinkI
haveawaytocloseit,”
Stone’svoicewaslow,asif
hebarelyhadtheenergyto
speak.
“Yeah,butbeforewe
dothat,wehavetogetthe
demonsintotheportal.”
Everymuscleinmybodyfelt
asifitwascoiledwith
tension.
“Thatsounds
impossible.”Marilyn
sashayedacrosstheroom.
Stonewatchedher.
“It’snotimpossible,butit
isn’teasyeither.”
“Howsooncanyou
dothis?”Bonnieasked.
“Wecantrynow,but
Ican’tguaranteeitwill
work,”Isaid.
Ireallyneeded
Stone’shelp.Isensedthathe
justwantedtoclosetheportal
andbedonewithit.Without
gettingridofthespirits
though,itwouldbeabad
idea.IlookedtoStoneforan
answer.
Finally,henodded
andsaid,“IwillhelpallI
can.”
Justthen,alargeglass
vaseflewoffthemanteland
throughtheair.Thething
landedatmyfeetbreaking
intoamillionpieces.Weall
gaspedinshock.Apparently
thisevilspiritwantedmy
attentionand,worstofall,to
possiblyhurtme,aswell.The
roomfellsilentaswestared
attheshardsofglass.
“I’mscared,”Bethany
whispered.
Itouchedherarm.
“RememberwhatIsaid.You
can’tbescared.Youcan’tlet
themknowyouareafraid.
That’showtheygettheir
energy.”
Bonniesteppedover
toherdaughterandhugged
her.Itwaseasiersaidthan
donewhenItoldthemnotto
befrightened.Iwasfighting
itwithallthepowerinme.
Thedemonswantedthat
power,too.Theywantedus
tobetiredbecausewewere
morevulnerablethen.Things
wereonlygoingtogetworse
beforetheygotbetter.Ididn’t
wanttotellBonnieand
Bethanythat,though.Wehad
toprepareourselvesfora
battle.
“Whereshouldwe
start?”Moreuneasecame
intohiseyes.
IhopedIhadtoright
answerforhim.Everyone
waswaitingformyanswer
expectantly.
“First,wehavetolet
itknowitcan’thavemysoul.
Oranyoneelse’sforthat
matter.Weshouldgather
aroundandgivethedemon
themessage.”Imotionedfor
everyonetojoinmeinthe
middleoftheroom.
Weclaspedhandsand
movedintoacircle.The
energyweavedaroundusand
achargeshotupmyarm
whenIheldStone’shand.I’d
neverfeltanyonehavethat
muchenergybefore.I’donly
feltitwithinmyownbody.
“Wehaveamessage
foryou,”Isaidintheloudest
voiceIcouldmuster.I
wantedmyintentionstobe
loudandclear.“Youarenot
welcomehere.”Ipausedfor
amomentandthenadded,
“Youcan'thavemysoul,”I
saidevenlouder.
Imademyintent
perfectlyclearnow.There
wasnowayIwouldallow
thistohappen.Wecontinued
toholdhandsandthen,
suddenly,onebyone,the
picturesfellfromthewalls.
Theyflewacrosstheroom
ontothefloor,landingbyour
feet.Bonnieheldmyhand
tighterononesideandStone
tensedupevenmoreonmy
other.Iwasn’tsurehowlong
wecouldcontinueifthings
escalated.Ididn’twanttoput
everyoneindanger.
Ihadtostopthis
beforeitgotoutofcontrol.I
releasedtheirhandsand
steppedback.“Weshouldgo
searchforthespotwherethe
portalislocated.”
“You’resurethere’sa
portalhereinthehouse?”
Bonnieasked.
“Wethinkthereis.Do
youthinkyoucanfindit?”I
askedStone.
Henodded,but
lookednervous.“Icantry.”
ThatwasaboutallI
couldhopeforatthemoment.
StoneclosedhiseyesandI
knewhewastryingtogetin
tunewiththesupernatural
aroundus.Thatinitselfwasa
dangerousthing.
Afteracoupleof
seconds,heopenedhiseyes
andreleasedadeepbreath.“I
thinkIknowwhereitis.”
Iexchangedalook
withBonnieandBethany.
“Youshouldn’tdo
this,”Jamessaidinastern
voice.
He’dbeenquietas
he’dwatchedusfromthe
corneroftheroom.Now,
JamesglaredatmewhenI
focusedmyattentiononhim.
Iwasn’tabouttoletaghost
tellmewhattodo.
Stonestartedwalking
towardthehallwayandwe
followedhim.Whenthe
ghostsdidn’tcomealong
withus,Ifiguredthey
decidedtostaybehind.I
wasn’tsosureitwasany
saferintherethanitwasout
inthehallway.Jamescastan
agitatedexpressionmyway
whenIwalkedby.
Stonemoveddownto
theendofthehall,pastthe
staircase,andintoasmall
areathatledtotherear
entranceofthehouse.Onthe
leftwasasmalllaundry
room.Hepausedandlooked
aroundforamomentandthen
peeredupattheceiling.
Hepointed.“Thereit
is,rightthere.”
Weallgazedup,but
therewasnothingthere.Of
course,itwouldn’tbe
somethingwecouldseewith
thenakedeye.Istepped
closertoStone.Now,Iwas
supposedlystandingright
underthespotwherethe
portalwaslocated.Instantly,
thepulloftheenergycame
downonme.
Inodded.“Thisisit.I
canfeelit.”
“Oh,Larue,don’t
standunderit.Getoutof
there.”Marilynstoodatthe
endofthehallwaywhilethe
otherspeekedoutfromthe
room.
EventhoughIwas
nervous,Ineededtofeelwhat
itwaslike.IsupposeIwas
inspectingit.Wasthereaway
totrulyclosethisthing?
Then,anotherthought
crossedmymind.
“Doyouthinkit’s
connectedtotheotherportal
thatwasinthehouseon
HeritageStreet?”Iasked.
Stonestudiedmyface
foramoment.Finally,he
nodded.“Yes,Ithinkthey
couldberelated.”
“Ifeellikeyoucould
enteroneandthenendupat
theotherhouseontheother
side.Idon’tthinkthisistwo
separateportals.Ithinkit’s
onethat’sconnected,”Isaid.
“Thisistooheavyfor
me,”Rogersaid.
“Youshouldleavethe
portalalone,”Jamessaid.
Theghostsnowstood
closertous.Theyhadn’tbeen
abletostayaway.Therewas
nowayIwouldleavethe
portalalone.Ithadtobedealt
with.Stoneturnedand
walkedtowardthefrontdoor.
“Whereyougoing?”I
chasedafterhim.
Hetossedhishandup.
“Ican’tdothis.”
“Whatdoyoumean
youcan’tdothis?”Iasked.
Hehadtodothis.My
lifedependedonit.Didn’the
care?
“Wait.Stop,”Isaidas
Iranoutthedoorafterhim.
Stonepausedathis
carandleanedagainstthe
hood.
“Areyouokay?”I
asked,touchinghisarm.
Heranhishand
throughhishair.“Yeah,Ilost
itthereforaminute.”
“Maybeyouhada
panicattack,”Isuggested.
Itwasobvioushe
couldn’treturnrightnow.We
neededaresttimetofigure
outwhatwewoulddonext.It
wasgettinglateanywayandI
wantedtogohomeandwrap
mymindaroundwhatwas
happening.Myphonebeeped
andIpulleditoutofmy
pockettoseeamissedcall.
Icheckedthe
message.Itwasfrom
Callahanandhesounded
evenworsethanIthoughthe
would.HewasconvincedI
wasavoidinghimonpurpose.
Ineededtocallhimbackand
explain,onceandforall,why
Ihadn’tbeentalkingtohim.
Itwasn’tfairformetoleave
himinthedarklikethis.
However,Iwastornabout
alsowantingtosavehim
fromdealingwiththedark
shadows.
“Weshouldgohome
forthenight,”ItoldStone.
Heappeareddefeated,
butnoddedinagreement.
“Yeah,you’reright.We
shouldcallitanight.”
Theghostshadmoved
outofthehouseandwere
standingbythedoor.Itwas
niceofthemtogivemesome
timealonewithStone.
“Weshouldplanto
meetinthemorning.Wecan
gotothehouseandcheckout
theportalthere.”Ididn’t
wanttogivehimtheoption
ofbackingoutofdoingthis.
Hewouldhavetohandleit.
Hestudiedhisshoes
forafewseconds,andthen
metmystare.“Okay,we’ll
checkouttheportalinthe
morning.”
Afterheadingbackto
theporch,ItoldBonnieand
Bethanywewereleavingfor
theevening.Ihatedto
abandonthemaloneinthe
house,butIdidn’tknowwhat
elsetodo.
“We’llbegoing
now.”Imotionedovermy
shoulder.
“Ithinkwe’llstayat
myfriend’shouse,”Bonnie’s
voicewaveredasifshewas
abouttobreakdown.
Itouchedherarm.
“That’sprobablybestfor
now.I’llcallyoutomorrow.”
AfterhuggingBonnie
andBethany,theghosts
followedmebacktoStone’s
Mercedes.
“Ishegoingtobe
okay?”Marilynwhispered.
“Icertainlyhopeso,”
Isaid.
Wehoppedinso
Stonecoulddrivemebackto
mycar.Afterridingin
silence,wefinallypulledup
infrontofBookNook.
Stoneglancedatme.
“Icanpickyouupinthe
morning,ifyou’dlike.”
“That’llbegreat.”I
openedthedoor.
Beforethatmeeting,I
hadsomeoneelseIneededto
see.
Chapter21
KarynBentleyhad
beenthecovenleaderfor
Magnolia.She’dmovedaway
andwantedmetotakeover
thattitle.LikeIsaid,just
becauseIshowedatalentfor
spells,didn’tmeanIcould
takeonsuchabigjob.Aftera
longsearch,thecovenfinally
foundsomeonetoreplace
Karyn.IthoughtI’dmadethe
rightdecisionbynottaking
theposition.Theyneeded
someonewithmuchmore
experiencethanme.Plus,
withthebookstoreandthe
ghosthunting,Ididn’tknow
whenIwouldhavehadtime
foranythingelse.
Thenewleaderofthe
covenwasMelanieBlack.
She’dbeenpartofthecoven
foranumberofyearsandI
knewwhenhernamewas
firstmentionedthatshe
wouldmakeagreatcoven
leader.Afterthevotebythe
covenboardmembers,she
waspickedtotakeoverfor
Karyn.Now,Ihadtoconsult
withheraboutthedark
shadows.Iftherewasaspell
thatwouldhelpgetridof
them,thenIneededtoknow
aboutit.Ifanyonecouldgive
methatinformation,itwould
beMelanie.AsfarasIcould
tell,sheknewjustaboutany
spellthatwasoutthere.
Ipulledupto
Melanie’scondobuildingand
parkedinthefirstspot
available.
“Wherearewegoing
now?”Rogerasked.
“Youaresoimpatient.
Itoldyouwherewe’regoing.
Youcanalwayswaitinthe
car,”Isaid.
“Asif,”hesaidashe
floatedrightoutthecardoor.
Iheadedtowardthe
frontdoorwiththeghosts
behindmeagain.They
weren’tabouttoletmegoin
bymyself.Irangthedoorbell
andwaitedforMelanieto
answer.Icalledaheadoftime
tomakesureshewouldbe
home.
Sheansweredthedoor
andmotionedformetocome
in.“Larue,it’ssogoodtosee
you.”
Melaniehadshort,
blackhairandbigbrown
eyes.Withherflawlessskin,
sheappearedmuchyounger
thanherforty-fiveyears.I
wouldhaveguessedhertobe
twenty-five.Sheworeblack
pantsandablackandwhite
blouse.Isteppedinsideher
home.Thespacehadlarge
ceilingsandmanywindows
allowinginamplelight.
Melaniehadalotoffurniture
inasmallspace,though.
Straightaheadwasthedining
roomwiththekitchen
attachedtotheleft.
“So,tellmewhat
bringsyouheretoseeme
today.Iknowit’snotbecause
youmissme.”
Ilaughed.“Well,Ido
enjoytalkingtoyou,but
you’reright,Ihaveareason
forcomingby.”
Sheleanedbackinthe
chair.“Okay,I’mallears.
HowcanIhelpyou?”
“IthinkI’vegota
darkshadowattachedtome
andthereareotherones
followingaclientaround
town,basicallyeverywhere
shegoes.Shetriedtousea
spelltogetridofthem,butit
didn’twork.Iwaswondering
ifthere’saspellthatcanhelp
togetthemtomoveonfrom
thisdimension.”
“Didsheuse
witchcrafttogetthespirits
here?”Melanieasked.
“Youmeandidshe
callthemwithaspell?”I
asked.
Melanienodded.
“Yes,that’swhatImean.”
“Shesaysno,butshe
usedaOuijaboardandI
thinkthatwashowtheygot
through.”
Shetappedherfingers
onthetableforamomentand
thensaid,“IthinkIknow
exactlywhatwillhelp.Ihave
abookwithaspell.”
“Oh,that’swonderful
news,”Marilynsaid.
Iwasthankfultohear
that.Iwasworriedshewould
tellmeshecouldn’thelp.
Melaniegotupfrom
thetable.“I’llberightback
withtheinformation.”
Melaniewalkeddown
thehallwayandleftme
sittingwiththeghostsall
aroundme.Ofcourse,she
didn’tknowtheywerethere.
Marilynstoodbeside
mewithherhandsonher
hips.“Isurehopethisworks,
Larue.”
“Soundslikeabunch
ofhocus-pocustome,”James
said.
Ifiguredhewouldsay
asmuch.“It’snothocus-
pocus,”Iwhispered.
“Didyousay
something,Larue?”Melanie
asked.
“Um,no,wasn’tme,”
Isaid.
NowMelaniewould
thinkshewashearingvoices.
Afteracoupleofminutes,she
returnedwithasmallbookin
hand.Itwasbrownleather
withgoldtrimandwords
etchedonthecover.
Sheplaceditonthe
tableandturnedtoapagein
themiddle.“ThisisthespellI
thinkwillwork.Youcould
tweakthewordsabit,butI
thinkitwillbefine.”
Ipeereddownatthe
pageandreadoverthespell.I
reallydidn’tknowifwhatshe
saidwastrue,butIhadto
trustheronthisone.I
couldn’tjustseeaspelland
knowifitwouldworkornot.
ThatwaswhyIknewthey
hadpickedtherightcoven
leader.Isurehopedthespell
worked.
“Youcantakethe
bookwithyou,butIdoneed
itback.Iknowyouofall
peoplewilltakecareofit.”
Ipickedupthesmall
hardcoverandclutcheditto
mychest.“Ofcourse.Ican
makeacopyofthespelland
thenreturnthebooktoyou.”
“Takeyourtime,it’s
nohurry,”shesaid.
“Ireallyappreciate
it.”Istoodfromthetable.“I
shouldgoandtrythespell
beforesomethingbad
happens.”
Herexpressionturned
serious.“Youdon’thave
muchtime,doyou?”
Iwouldn’tevenask
howsheknewthat.She
probablysensedmyfear.She
wasrightthough.Ireally
didn’tthinkIhadmuchtime.
“Thankyouagainfor
everything,”IsaidasI
walkedtowardthedoor.
“Letmeknowifyou
needanymorehelpwiththe
spell.”
Ididn’twanttoput
herinthemiddleofthis.I
hadneededthehelpofthe
entirecovenbeforetobreak
thespellthathadbeenplaced
onCallahan.Ihopeditdidn’t
cometothatthistime.With
anyluckmyskillshad
developedenoughsoIcould
handlethisonmyown.
Iwavedandheaded
formycarwiththebook
undermyarm.
“Youhavetogetthis
right,Larue,oritwillbe
bad,”Rogersaid.
“Thanksfor
remindingmethatalotisat
stake,Roger.Iwouldhave
neverknownifnotforyou.”
Herolledhiseyes.
“Justtryingtohelp.”
Ipulledthecaraway
fromthecurb.“Iappreciate
it.”
“She’sbeing
sarcastic,”Jamessaidto
Roger.
Ibitmyliptokeep
fromlaughingattheghosts.
Atleasttheykeptme
entertainedandthatwasabit
ofastressreliever,Isuppose.
Chapter22
ItwaslatesoIfigured
IwouldcallCallahaninthe
morning.Althoughitwould
probablyhavetobeafterwe
wenttoElisa’shouse.Ifthat
portalwasliketheotherone,
thenIhadafeelingIwas
rightaboutthembeing
connected.Ilayinbedstaring
attheceilingwonderinghow
Icouldfindoutforsure.
Sincetheportalwasmeant
forghoststotravelthrough,
thenitwouldmakesensethat
aghostcouldgoinandhave
alookaround.But,wouldI
beabletoconvinceoneofthe
ghoststodothatforme?
Theywerescaredof
theirownshadows,soI
figuredtherewouldbeno
wayIcouldgetthemtogo
intoit.Iftherewassomeway
formetoentertheportal
myself,Iwould.Sure,I
wouldbescared,butIwould
giveitatryanyway.Ihadto
getridofthesedemons.I
stayedawakeforhourstrying
todeviseaplanthatwould
allowmeawayintothe
portal.Ifthedemonwas
attachedtomeandIwentin,
perhapsIcouldleavehim
there.Icouldpossiblyoutrun
him.
OnceIwasoutofthe
otherside,Stonecouldclose
uptheportalentryononeend
andIcoulddoitontheother.
Maybethewholeideawas
crazy,butitwasallIhad
comeupwithasasolution.I
doubtedtheghostswouldgo
fortheidea.Stoneprobably
wouldn’teither.Theproblem
wouldbetofindawayforme
togainentry.Sincetheportal
hadbeenontheceilingat
Bonnie’shouse,Iassumed
thisonewas,too.Itwouldbe
impossibletogetinsidethe
portalifitwasontheceiling.
I’dsettledintothe
normalroutineofreadingto
Marilynbeforebed.Of
courseI’dfallenasleepwith
thebookinmyhandagain.
AtleastIhadn’tdreamed
again,notthatIremembered
anyway.Whenthesun
poppedupthenextmorning,
I’donlygottenafewhoursof
sleep.I’dplacedacallto
makesureitwasokaythatwe
stoppedbytheElisa’shouse.
Ididn’ttellherwewere
lookingforaportaltoanother
dimension,though.That
crazykindofinfowasbetter
lefttoldinperson.I’dquickly
showeredandhadcoffee.I
wastoonervoustohave
breakfast.
“Youshouldeat
something,”Rogersaidashe
trailedalongbehindme.
“Youneedyourenergy.”
“Lookatyoubeingall
grownup.”Ilaughed.
Hesmirked.
“Now,there’sthe
RogerIknow.”Iwiggledmy
fingerathim.
Marilynlaughed.I
hadnoideawhereJameswas.
Ihadn’tseenhimyetthis
morning.Maybehewasstill
madatme.I’djustfinished
mycoffeewhenmycell
phonerang.Ireallyhopedit
wasn’tStonecallingto
cancel.ThatwasablowI
didn’tthinkIcouldhandle.
“I’mgladit’syou,”I
saidwhenIanswered
Mindy’scall.
“Well,that’swhatI
liketohear.Howdidthings
golastnight?”
Isighedandsatdown
atthekitchentable.“Weran
intothegirlwhoboughtthe
witchcraftbooks.Wewentto
herhouseandfounda
portal…it’salongstory.”
“Allthisparanormal
stuffiswaybeyondme,”
Mindysaid.“Isthere
anythingIcandotohelp?”
ThelastthingI
wantedwastoputherin
danger.Thedoorbellrang.
“Listen,Ihavetogo.
Stoneishere.IfIneed
anythingI’llcall.”
Iwouldn’t,butit
madeMindyfeelbetter.
“Justbecareful,”she
saidbeforeshehungup.
Ihurriedtothedoor
withtheghostsfollowingme.
Jameshadfinallyappeared.
Wherehadhebeen?Stone
wasstandingonmyporch
whenIopenedthedoor.His
hairwasabitdisheveledasif
hehadn’tsleepawink.He
worejeanswithholesinthe
kneesandawrinkledwhite
T-shirt.
“Whathappenedto
him?”Rogerasked.
“Goodmorning,”
Stonesaidwithahalf-smile.
Ifiguredthatwas
aboutascheerfulashecould
sound.
“Letmegrabmy
purseandwecango,”Isaid.
Isnatchedmypink
walletthathadjustmy
essentials.Ididn’twantto
takeafullpurse,butIalso
hatedtoleavehomewithout
mylicense…and,I’lladmit
it,somelipbalm.Softlips
wereimportantinfighting
demonsandother
supernaturalpowers,didn’t
youknow?Iclimbedinthe
frontseatofStone’scarand
theghostsgotintheback,as
usual.
“Areyounervous?”
Stoneaskedasweheaded
towardElisa’shouse.
“I’mokay.What
aboutyou?”
Hewatchedtheroad
aheadofus.“I’dbelyingifI
saidIwasn’t.”
Atleasthewas
honest.Hewasn’ttryingtobe
atoughguywhoshowedno
fear.Sometimesitwasokay
tobeafraid.Wepulledupin
frontofthehouseandhecut
theengine.Hestaredatthe
house.Wouldhegoinortry
todriveoff?
Finally,heopenedthe
cardoor.“Okay,let’sdo
this.”
Ifollowedhimtothe
frontdoor.Elisaansweredon
thefirstknock,asifshehad
beenwaitingforusright
there.
“Pleasecomeinside.”
Shegestured.
FollowingElisainto
herhome,westeppedintothe
livingroom.Sunshine
streamedthroughthe
windows.Thingsseemed
peaceful,buthowlongwould
thatlast?
Shefoldedherarmsin
frontofherwaist.“Things
havebeenquietthis
morning.”
Ihatedtotellher,but
thatwasprobablyaboutto
change.
“Didyoufind
somethingnew?”sheasked.
“Actually,wethink
thereisanentryareaforthe
spirits.Stoneisgoingtolook
forit,ifthat’sokay?”
Hereyeswidened,but
shenodded.“Sure.But,what
willyoudoifyoufindit?”
Elisaactuallyseemed
prettycalmaboutthenews.
Ipaused,andthen
said,“Wehopetogetridand
thespiritforgood,aswell.
They’llbenochancethatit
willeverreturn.”
Ididn’twanttotell
herhowdangerousthisspirit
was.Stonestartedwalking
aroundthehouse,hopingto
pickupontheportal.
“Ican’tremember
exactlywhereitwas.It’s
beenalongtime.”Hestepped
intothehallwayandmoved
towardthebackofthehouse.
WatchingStoneashe
stoppedattheendofthe
hallway,Ithoughtitmightbe
inthesamelocationasthe
otherone.Ipeeredup,
wonderingifIwouldfeelit,
too.
WhenIlookedat
Stone,hewasstaringdownat
thefloor.“Hereitis.”
Ifrowned.“It’snoton
theceiling.”
Heshookhishead.
“No,thisonewillbeonthe
floor.Theyenterhereand
comeoutattheotherone.”
Ididn’tunderstand
whytheyweretravelingfrom
onehousetotheother
anyway.
“Whatdotheywant?”
Elisainchedalittlecloser.
“Ithinktheywant
souls.”
Elisa’seyeswidened.
“Rightnow,theywant
mysoul.”Itriedtosound
casual.Honestly,howblasé
couldIsoundwhen
discussingsoul-sucking
demons?NotexactlyasifI
wastalkingaboutapicnicin
thepark.
“Whatwillyoudo?”
Elisaasked.
She’dhandledthe
newssurprisinglywell.No
runningandscreamingoutof
thehouse.
“Well,IthinkIhavea
plan,”Isaid.
Stoneraisedan
eyebrow.“Really?Whatis
it?”
“IfiguredIcan
somehowgetinsidethe
portal.Thedemonwillcome
withmeandthenIcanleave
itthere.WhenIcomeout,
we’llcloseuptheentry.”
“That’sthecraziest
ideaI’veeverheard,”Stone
said.
“ Doyouhaveany
otherideas?”Iasked,placing
myhandsonmyhips.
Hestudiedmyface.
“No,IguessIdon’t.”
“That’swhyyouhave
totrymine,”Isaid.
Stonewavedhishand.
“No.Besidethefact,Idon’t
thinkitwillwork,Ialsothink
itistoodangerous.”
IglancedatElisa.
“Sometimeswehavetotake
risks.”
“Larue,Idon’twant
youtotakethatkindofrisk,”
Elisasaid.
“Yes,Larue,thisisn’t
agoodidea,”Marilynsaid.
“Idon’tthinkyou
shoulddoit,”Rogersaid.
“Ithinkyoushouldgo
forit,”Jamessaid.
Everyonegapedat
himlikehewascrazy.
“Weshouldn’teven
bedebatingthis.Getting
insideisimpossible,”Stone
said.
Ididn’twanttothink
thatway.Iwantedtokeepa
positiveattitude.Aswestood
theredebatingwhattodo,I
felttheairturncold.Itwasa
bitterchillthatwentdownto
thebone.
“Whereisthatcoming
from?”Elisaasked.
“Idon’tfeelthecold,
butIcanseeyourbreath,”
Marilynsaid.
Justthen,thedark
massappearedattheendof
thehall.Ithadbeensome
timesinceI’dseenit.Ihad
beenstupidtothinkithad
goneorthatitwasgoingto
leavemealone.Theshadow
hadstartedoutsmall,butit
grewinsizerapidly.Silence
filledtheroom.Stoneturned
tofacethedarkshadow,
placinghimselfinfrontof
Elisaandme.Idoubtedthis
thingwasgoingtoletStone
comebetweenus.Ifitwanted
me,thenitwasgoingtoget
tomeanywayitcould.The
thingrushedforward.Elisa
gaspedasitwentthrough
Stoneandattackedme.Ifell
backandhitthefloor.The
nextthingIknew,theghosts
werestandingoverme
peeringdown.Stonewasnext
tome.Itdidn’tregisterwhat
hewassayingforaminute.
Hepulledmeup.“We
needtoleave.”
“Whatareyoutalking
about?”Irubbedmyhead.
“Untilwefigureout
whatwe’redoing,thenwe
needtoleave.”
Igottomyfeet.
“Whataboutthething
thatjustattackedyou?What
ifitattacksme?”Elisa
soundedmorepanickednow.
“Itwon’t,”Isaid.“I
knowthat’shardtobelieve,
butitjustwantsme.”
“Howcanyoube
sure?”Elisaasked.
“I’vebeendoingthis
alongtimeandIknow,”I
said.
Shesighed.“Iguess
youdoknowwhatyou’re
doing.”
AfterpromisingElisa
wewouldbeback,Stoneled
metothecarandweheaded
towardthestore.
OncethereStone
asked,“Areyoufeelingbetter
now?”
Igazedoutthe
window.SinceIwasusually
driving,itwasn’toftenIgot
totakeinthescenery.The
viewwascomfortingata
timewhenIneededitthe
most.“Yes,I’llbeokay,but
pleasethinkaboutwhatI
proposed.”
“It’snotpossible,”he
said.
“YouknowI’mgoing
totryitanyway.”Istaredhim
straightintheeyes.
Hedidn’ttakehis
attentionawayfromme.
“Yes,Iknowthatnow.”
“So,areyougoingto
helpme?Ireallyneedit,”I
said.
Hereleasedadeep
breathandthensaid,“Okay,
I’llhelp.”
Iopenedthedoorand
gotoutofthecar.“I’llcall
youwhenIhaveasolid
plan.”
AsIheadeddownthe
sidewalk,IspottedCallahan
waitingatthedoorforme.I
hopedhehadn’tseenmein
thecarwithStone.Itwasbad
enoughhealreadythoughtI
wasavoidinghim.DidI
reallyneedtoaddcheatingto
that,aswell?Hisgorgeous
smilemademystomach
dance.Heleaneddownand
plantedakissonmethat
mademywholebodytingle.
TherewouldbenowayI
couldavoidCallahan’s
questionsforlong.Hemoved
insidetheshopwithme.
“Hedoesn’tlook
happy,”Marilynsaid.
Shewasright.He
didn’tseemcheerfulandit
wasallmyfault.Sofar,
CallahanandIweretalking
abouttheusualthings.What
hadbeengoingonwithhis
businessthismorningand
otherchit-chat.Hewas
gettingreadytoaskaboutthe
moreseriousquestions,
though.Thesamecoldfell
overusandIstartedtosee
mybreath.
“Istheairconditioner
broken?”Callahanasked.
BeforeIhadachance
toanswer,thedarkshadow
appeared.Thethingdidn’t
givemeachancetoeven
issueawarning.Itrushed
towardmeandknocked
Callahandownintheprocess.
Thiswasgettingworse.
WhenIclimbedtomy
feet,Callahangotupand
rushedovertome.“Areyou
okay?”
“Thatthingattacked
me.”Irantothefrontdoor
knowingthathewouldfollow
me.
“Larue,whatareyou
doing?”FearfilledCallahan’s
voice.
Ihadtogethimoutof
here.Thedarkshadow
wantedmysoul,butitwould
wantthesoulsofthepeopleI
caredaboutthemost,too.For
thatreason,Callahanhadto
leave.Iopenedthedooras
Callahanapproached.
“Youhavetogo.”I
gestured.
“Larue,whatareyou
saying?Yousaidthatthing
attackedyou.”Hisvoicewas
morepanickedthanI’dever
heard.
Ipushedhimandhe
stumbledoutthedoor.Just
thenMindywalkedup.
Hereyeswidened.
“What’sgoingon?”
Iclosedthedoorand
lockedit.Theyweretalking
tome,butIcouldn’thear
whattheyweresaying.Tears
filledmyeyes,runningdown
mycheeks.Irantotheback
ofthestoresoIcouldn’tsee
them.Ihadtothinkofwhat
todonext.Mycellphone
rangwithMindy’sname
poppingup.Tearsrolledeven
fasterwhenIsawherpicture
onthescreen.Now,Iwas
stuckinthestorewiththe
darkshadow.Itcouldattack
meagainatanytimeandI
wasalonewithnoonetohelp
me.
Iclutchedmysweater
andwrappedittighteraround
mybody.Itwastheonly
thingIhadtooffermeahug
atthemoment.Islippedto
thefloor,overwhelmedwith
emotion.I’djustkickedmy
boyfriendandbestfriendout.
Wouldtheyeverforgiveme?
Whatwouldhappenifthis
thingreallygotholdofmy
soul?WhenIsteppedout
fromthebackroomafteran
hour,MindyandCallahan
weregone.WhatdidI
expect?I’dtoldthemtogo
away.Icouldn’tblamethem
forreallydoingit.Ireached
formyphone.Ihadtocall
Stoneandsetinmotionthe
plantogetridofthedemon.
Mylifedependedon
it.
Chapter23
Theghostsstood
besideme.
“Larue,whatareyou
goingtodo?”Marilynasked
inherpanickedvoice.“I’m
sonervous.”
Iscannedmy
surroundingstoseeifthe
shadowwasgettingreadyto
strikeagain.Itwaswatching
andwaitingfortheright
moment.Itwouldtoywith
meandmakemefeel
somewhatsafeagainandthen
itwouldpounce.
“Thenexttimeittries
something,Iamgoingtoget
it.”Rogerpumpedhisfistin
theair.
Iwavedmyhands.
“Everyonetrytostaycalm.
I’mcallingStonesowecan
gobacktoElisa’shouseand
dothis.”
Aftertalkingwith
Stoneandconvincinghimwe
hadtodothisrightaway,I
calledElisaandarranged
anothermeeting.Itwasa
goodthingshewasso
understanding.Iwalkedover
tothewindowtocheck
outside.Therewasstillno
signofMindyorCallahan.I
hadreallymadethemmad
thistime.IwatchedforStone
andhopedthedarkshadow
didn’ttacklemefrombehind.
Everyfewminutes,Ipeeked
overmyshoulder.Thenot
knowingwhenitwouldstrike
wastheworst.
JustwhenIwasready
togiveuponStone,Isawhis
carpullupinfrontofthe
store.Iunlockedthedoor,
hurriedout,andlockedit
backbehindme.Aftera
quickglancearoundfor
CallahanorMindy,Iranto
hiscarandjumpedin.
“Youlooklikehell,”
hesaid.
“Thanks,”Isaidand
motionedahead.“Let’sget
outofhere.”
“Whathappened?”he
asked,ashepulledaway
fromthecurb.
Iexplainedwhathad
transpiredwithCallahanand
theshadowattackingme.
“Ishouldhaveknown
nottoleaveyoualone.This
thingisgettingworse.”Stone
madeaturn.
“Idon’twanttosee
whatit’sfullycapableof,”
Marilynsaidfromtheback
seat.
Weheadedoutofthe
downtownsectiontowardthe
house.Cloudsformedinthe
distance,asifanomenof
whatwastocome.
EverythingIsawintown
remindedmeofeither
MindyorCallahan.HadI
ruinedourfriendships?
“Youknow,Ithink
thatcarmightbefollowing
us?”Stonesaid.
Iadjustedtheside
mirrorforabetterview.“The
blackone?”
“Yeah,that’sthe
one.”
“I’llkeepaneyeon
it.”Rogerleanedforwardin
theseat.
“Idon’tthinkso,”I
said.“Whywouldanyonebe
followingus?It’snotlikethe
demoncandrive.”
“Itcan’tdrive,can
it?”Rogerasked.
“No,ofcoursenot.
Unlessithastakenover
someone’sbody.”
“Youmeanpossessed
them?”Marilyn’svoiceshot
up.
Inodded.“Yeah.
Somethinglikethat.”
Thatgotmethinking,
butIshookoffthethought.
Wefinallyarrivedat
Elisa’shouse.StoneandI
hurriedtothefrontdoorwith
theghostsrightbehindus.I
halfwayhadthoughtthey
mightstayinthecar.Ikept
thinkingthat,butitnever
happened.WhydidIkeep
thinkingthat?NowthatI
thoughtaboutitthathadbeen
asillythought.ButIknew
theydidn’twanttoencounter
thespiritagain.IfidgetedasI
waitedforElisatoanswer.A
breezepickedupand
whisperedacrossmyskin.A
restlessnessfoldedoverme.
Wasthisasignofwhatwas
tocome?Finally,sheopened
andletusin.
Whenshesawthe
expressiononmyfaceshe
said,“Diditgetworse?”
“Yes,itattackedme
again.Ihavetodothisnow.I
can’twaitanylonger.”
“Itriedtoexplainshe
shouldhaveagoodplanfirst,
butshewon’tlisten.”Stone’s
mouthtwisteddownatthe
corners.
“Thereisn’ttime,”I
said.
“Larueneverlistens,”
Rogersaid.
“That’strue,”James
addedsarcastically.
Irushedovertothe
spotwheretheportalwas
located.
“Isitstillthere?”
Marilynasked.
“Ifeelit.Doyoufeel
it?”IaskedStonewhenhe
walkedover.
Henodded.“Yes,it’s
stillthereandevenmore
powerfulthanever.It’s
feedingoffsomething.”
Itookadeepbreath
forcourage.“Ithinkit’sus.”
Hetouchedmyarm
gently,justwhenI’dneeded
itthemost.“You’reprobably
right.”
“Well,it’stimetoget
started.”Imovedovertothe
spotonthefloorandstood
rightontopofit.Ihopedthe
darkshadowwasstill
attachedtome.
Rogerreachedformy
arm,but,ofcourse,he
couldn’tactuallytouchme.
“Larue,Idon’twantyouto
dothis.”
“It’llbeokay,”Isaid,
tryingtoreassurehim.
Ihadnoideahe
wouldcaresomuch.Maybe
hewasn’tsuchanannoying
teenagerafterall.
“Yes,Larue,Idon’t
wantyoutodothis.”Marilyn
frowned.Shedidn’tdothat
often.
Thepresencecircled
methen.Iknewthatthedark
shadowwasaroundme.As
muchasIhatedtoadmitit,
thiswasagoodthingthis
timebecauseIcouldtakeit
intotheportal.
“Itwantstokeepyou
intheportalonceyouget
there.”Stone’sbrowwrinkled
withworry..
“That’swhyIhaveto
makesurethatdoesn’t
happen.”Ipushedmy
shouldersback.
Heshookhishead.“I
hopeitworkslikeyouhave
planned.”
Didn’tanyonehave
anyfaithinmyabilities?
Okay,soIhadabitofdoubt,
too,butifIletthathesitation
stopmeeverytimeIwanted
todosomething,Imightnot
evergetanythingdone.
“Okay,thisisit.Wish
meluck,everyone,”Isaid,
tryingtoofferasmile.
Icalledouttothe
spirittoguidemeintothe
portal.“Comeandgetme.
Takemewithyou.”Nothing
washappening,though.
Ifthisdidn’twork,I
didn’tknowwhatIwoulddo.
“Okay,I’mcoming
withyou,”Rogersaidashe
movedovernexttome.
Hewasnowstanding
withmeintheportal’s
entrance.
“LetRogergowith
you.Idon’twantyoutodo
thisalone,”Stonesaid.
“Whatareyou
doing?”Iasked.
“Ican’tletyoudothis
byyourself.”Rogerwinkedat
meandsmiled.
“Oh,Idon’tknowifI
canwatchthis.”Marilyn
coveredhereyeswithher
hand.
Ismiled.“Thankyou,
Roger.”
Ireallyhadn’twanted
togointherealone.Itwas
nicetoknowIwouldhave
someonewithme.Evenifit
wasRoger.Nomatter,my
stomachwastwistedinto
knots.
Stonerushedoverto
me.Hegrabbedmyarmsand
pulledmeclosetohisbody.
BeforeIknewwhatwas
happeninghe’dplacedhis
lipshardagainstmine.With
anurgency,hekissedme.It
wasafullcontact,wet-lipped,
tongue-probingkiss.Theway
hismouthmovedacrossmine
wasrawandunapologetic.
Nottomentionsexy.When
hefinallyreleasedme,Istood
thereinadaze.Whatjust
happened?Whyhadhedone
that?Wasitlikesomekindof
lastkiss,asifIwasgoing
awayandhewouldneversee
meagain?Iwasfreakedout
morethanevernow.
“Whydidyoudo
that?”Iasked.
Stoneshrugged.“I
justfeltlikeitwassomething
Iwantedtodo.”
He’dseemedso
reservedandenigmatic.Isaw
himinadifferentlightnow.
“Thisreallyisn’tthe
timeforyoualltohavethis
conversation,”Rogersaid.
Thekidhadapoint.
I’dhavetoaskStoneabout
thislater.Withthewayhe
kissedmethough,Iwasn’t
suretherewouldbealater.I
hadtopushthatthoughtout
ofmymind.Nowwasnotthe
timetoreflectonthoughtsor
feelings.
“We’llseeyouonthe
otherside,”Rogersaidto
everyoneashepulledmeinto
theportal.
Thesuckingmotion
pulledonmeandthena
swooshsoundaswewent
inside.Darknessencircledus
atfirstandIdidn’tsee
anything.Then,abrightlight
suddenlyappeared.Justas
quicklyasitappeared,it
dimmed.Icouldsee,but
everythingwasmurky.It
wouldbehardtofindour
wayaroundinthere.I
couldn’tbelieveIwasdoing
this.
“Wheredowego
now?”Rogerasked.
Iwashopinghe
wouldhaveasuggestion,but
thenagain,thiswasmyidea.
Outfromtheshadows,Isaw
theotherspirits.Theywere
allaroundus.Icouldn’tmake
outanyfeatures.Theywere
justshadows,unlikewhatI
sawwiththeghostswho
lookedlikelivingpeople.
“Doyouseethem?”I
askedRoger.
“Iseewhateverthey
are,”hewhispered.
“They’rethedark
shadows.Ithinkthey’rethe
onesIsawattheother
house.”
“Howdoyouknow?”
heasked.
“Becausetheyallput
offadifferentenergyand
withthatcomesandimagein
mymind.Theyallhavea
uniqueimage.”
“Aretheyallevil?”he
asked.
Hisvoicewassosoft,
itwasalmostasifhedidn’t
wanttoknow.Itwasunlike
Rogertobesosubdued.He
wouldneveradmittobeing
scared,though.Ithoughtit
wasprettytoughofhimto
volunteertocomewithme.
Hedidn’thavetodothat.
“Yes,theyareallevil
ones.Somemoresothan
others.”
“Canyoupointout
thereallybadonessoIcan
avoidthem?”
“Let’sjusthurryup
andgetoutofhere,”Isaid.
“Actasifyoudon’tsee
them.”
“It’skindofhardto
dothat,”hesaidoutofthe
cornerofhismouth.
Wemovedfurther
intotheportal.Myfearwas
quicklyrising.Themore
shadowsthatappeared,the
morefearfulIbecame.I
didn’tevenknowifwewere
goingintherightdirection.I
assumedifIwalkedina
straightlinewhenIentered,I
wouldmakeittotheexit.
However,withthedark,it
washardtoknowwhereI
was.Itwasdisorienting.
“Howwillweknow
whenwereachtheexit?”
Rogerasked.
Iwasafraidhewas
goingtoaskthat.
“Ireallydon’tknow,”
Isaid,keepingmyeyeson
thespirits.
Sofar,theywere
simplywatchingus.
Sincetheyhadno
faces,wecouldn’tseethem
watchingusdirectly,butI
knewthatwaswhattheywere
doing.
“Whatdoyoumean?
Larue,Ithoughtyouhada
plan.”
“Well,itwasn’texact.
IknewIwouldhaveto
improviseonceIgotinhere.
Beforeweworryabout
gettingoutofhere,Ihaveto
makesurethespiritishere
withus.Sofar,Idon’tsense
it.Ifit’snothere,thenwe
haveaproblem.Allofthis
willbefornothing.Andwe
mightbetrappedinherefor
good.”
“Larue,stoptelling
methebadstuffplease.So,
whatdrawsthespirittoyou?”
Rogerasked.
“TheonlywayIknow
todothatisforittothinkI
amscared.Itfeedsoffthe
fear.”
RogerandItalkedas
wewalked.
“So,youneedtoact
likeyou’reterrified?”
Thespiritswere
inchingclosertousnow,soI
figureditwouldn’tbetoo
difficulttoactafraid.They
weremakingmeterrified.I’d
triedtoactasifIwasn’t,but
nowIneededforthespiritto
sensemyfear.Iletdownmy
guardandgaveintothe
alarmandpanic.Myheart
rateincreasedandmylegs
andhandsshook.
ThatwaswhenI
sensedthespirit.Itsdark
emotionssurroundedme.
Suddenly,hopelessness
overwhelmedmeandthen
thatfeelingturnedtofear.
“It’shere,”I
whispered.
“Where?”Roger
asked.
“Ithinkit’sbehind
me.”
Heslowlylookedover
myshoulder,bythe
expressiononhisfaceI
figureditwasdefinitelyback
there.
“Justkeepwalking,”I
said.“WhenItellyoutorun,
thendoit,okay?”
Henodded.“Gotit.”
HowwouldIever
outrunthedarkshadow?
Wouldtheothershadows
stopme?WouldIevenreach
theexit?Ididn’tknowifI
wasgoingintheright
direction.
Sincetheshadows
wereclosinginonus,Iknew
itwastimeforustorun.
“Go,”Iyelledto
Roger.
Imovedmylegsas
fastasIcould.Weranfor
whatseemedlikeforever.
“What’shappening?
Whereistheexit?”Roger
asked.
Hesoundedas
panickedasIfelt.Icouldn’t
eventhinkstraight.Thedark
shadowwasrightbehindme
now.NottomentionIwas
beginningtofeellight
headed.
“Ithinkwe’rein
trouble,”Rogersaid.
Hewasright,butI
couldn’tallowmyselfto
admitit.Thisdarkshadow
wasgoingtogetmysoul
afterall.Ihadbroughtmy
soultohim.Hedidn’teven
havetoworktogetit.When
theexitdidn’tcomeinto
view,Iknewwewerelost.I
couldn’tstoptochecknow.I
glancedtomyleftandthento
myright.Ihadtomakea
decision.DidIkeeprunning
forwardordidIturntoeither
side?Imadeadecisionto
keeprunningforward.At
leastforalittlewhilelonger.
Rogerdidn’taskwhatIwas
doing,hejustkeepfollowing
me.Ididn’twanttobealone
rightnow.
“Howwillwefindthe
wayoutofhere?”Roger
asked.
“We’llhavetofinda
way.”
Ididn’thavean
answerforRoger.Rogermust
haverealizedthatIdidn’t
knowwhatIwasdoing.Ifelt
theshadowonme.Itwould
probablyreachoutandgrab
meatanymoment.MaybeI
shouldhavelistenedtoStone,
butwhatotherchoicedidI
have?HowlongwouldStone
waitbeforehestartedto
realizeIcouldn’tfindmy
way?Wouldhetrytorescue
us?Ihopedhedidn’ttryto
comeinhere,too.Hewould
onlygetlost.
ThatwaswhenIsaw
thelight.Oh,thankgoodness!
Maybethiswasthewayout.
Now,Ijusthadtokeepup
mystrengthlongenoughto
makeittotheexit.Mylegs
werestartingtoshakeeven
moreandIdidn’tknowhow
muchlongerIcouldpresson.
Iwasalreadystartingtoslow
down.
“Roger,areyoudoing
okay?”Iasked.
“I’mokay.What
aboutyou?”Hisvoicewas
strained.
Ilied.“I’mfine.”The
lightgrewbrighteruntilit
washardtoseeanythingelse
aroundus.Ididn’tknowif
thiswastrulythewayout.
Chapter24
EventhoughI
couldn’tseetheother
shadowsanymore,thedark
onewasbehindmestill.My
sixthsensewarnedmeofthe
approachingdanger,butIfelt
helplesstostopit.Icouldn’t
gooutifitwasstillfollowing
me.Yet,Ididn’tknowwhat
todotomakethethingstop.
Thiswasn’tworkingoutlike
Ihadplanned.BeforeIhad
timetothinkofwhattodo
next,ablowtomyback
forcedmeforward.I
stumbledasagroanescaped
mylips.I’dbeenkickedin
theback.Agrowlechoed
aroundme.Theshadowhad
attackedmefrombehind.Its
icypresencewasallaround
me.Itwasovertakingme,no
doubttotakemysoul.I
swungmyarms,onlyhitting
theair.Iwasdefenselessto
stopit.AllIcouldthinkabout
rightnowwasmyfamilyand
friendsandparticularlythe
wayI’dleftthingswith
CallahanandMindy.
WouldIeverseethem
again?
Rogercalledoutmy
name.Iwasn’tevensure
wherehewasnow.The
darknesssurroundedme,
blockingoutthelight.Roger
calledmynameagain.That
waswhenIspottedpopsof
lightbreakingthroughthe
dark.Washetryingtohelp?I
didn’tthinktherewas
anythinghecoulddo.The
darkshadowwasalotmore
powerfulthanhim.I
shouldn’thaveletRoger
comeinherewithme.Itwas
toolatenow,though.I
wantedtotellRogerifhesaw
thewayouttogoforit.He
didn’twanttogettrappedin
hereforeverwithme.
Thefaceofthedark
shadowflashedbeforeme.I
recognizeditastheoneI’d
seenatthebookstore.This
wasnomanthough.Itwasa
demonicmonster,tryingto
taketheimageofahuman.It
wouldn’tworkthough.Its
eyesglowedgreenandits
blacklipscurledback
revealingfangs.Itshands
weremorelikeclawsandthe
facewaselongated,makingit
lookasifthisthingwas
melting.Therewasnowayit
couldgetridofthedarkness.
Justlookingatitmakemy
skincrawl.
Thingsweregetting
fuzzierthelongerthisthing
attackedme.Itfeltasificy
handshadgrippedmyarms.
Thegrowlingcontinuedand
thenitfeltasifclawsran
acrossmyskin.Anotherhit
struckme.Thisonewasa
blowtothestomach.Ithad
knockedthewindoutofme
andrattledmywholebody.It
washardtoeventhink
straight.Someonecalledout
mynameagain.But,thistime
Ididn’tthinkitwasRoger.It
wasdefinitelymale,butit
wassofarawayIcouldn’t
tellwhoitwas.Maybeitwas
thedarkshadowscallingout
myname.Iwasonthe
groundofthisportal
whereverthatwas.Italmost
feltasifIwasfloating.I
couldn’tletitendthisway.I
hadtoatleasttrytofight
untiltheveryend.
Imovedmyarms
forwardandpushedonthe
shadow,tryingtobreakfree.
IfIcouldgetthrough,then
maybetherewasachanceto
getawayfromthisthing.I
pushedwithmyfeetand
somehowmanagedtogetup.
Itriedtomovetowardwhere
Ithoughttheexitwas,butit
wasasifthisthingwas
suckingmeback.Iwas
consumedbythedark
shadow.Usingallthe
strengththatIcouldmuster,I
pushedforward,butstumbled
andthenthelightappeared
onceagain.
“Roger,areyou
there?”Icalledout.
“Larue,Ithoughtyou
weregoneforgood.I’mright
here,”hesaid.
Roger’sfaintoutline
appearedtomyright.
“Wehavetokeep
movingandgetoutofhere,”I
said.
Themissionwasn’t
workingandIneededtoget
outoftherebeforeitwastoo
late.I’donlygottenashort
distancewhenthedark
shadowsurroundedmeagain.
Thechillofitspresenceslid
overmybody.
“No!”Rogeryelled
out.
Icouldn’tbelievethis
thinghadgottenmeagain.I
wasn’tsurewhyIhadn’t
realizedIwasmakingit
easierforthedarkshadowto
continuetoattackmeby
showingmyfear.Ihadtobe
toughagain.Itwastimefor
metoshowthisthingwhatI
wasmadeof.
“Neverunderestimate
me,demon,”Isaid.
Ifloodedmymind
withpositivethoughtsand
toldmyselftherewasnothing
tobeafraidof.Thisthing
couldn’tcontrolmeandthere
wasnothingitcoulddoto
me.Ipushedforwardagain,
butsomeonegrabbedme
frombehind.Thisfeltlikea
livingpersonwithasolid
touch.Iknewbythesizethis
wasaman,butIstillcouldn’t
see.Thebrightlight
surroundedusagain.Without
sayingaword,werushed
ahead.Ionlyhopedthiswas
therightdirection.Butwhat
ifthiswasn’tarealperson
whohadme.Ithadtobe,
right?
Nospiritcoulddo
that.Wemovedintothelight.
Thebrightglowgrewdimmer
andsmalleraswemoved.It
feltasifwewerefalling.This
personhadatightholdon
me.Thetouchfeltfamiliar,
butIcouldn’tsee.Iwasstill
groggyfromthefightwith
thedarkshadow.Thewind
whippedarounduslikea
tornadoanditfeltasifwe
werefallingevenfasternow.
WherewasRoger?Hadhe
cometoo?
“Roger,whereare
you?”Itriedtocallout.
ItwassoloudthatI
knewhewouldn’thearme.
Thelightgrewdim
untilitwastotallygonenow.
Thespacewasclosinginon
us.Thenoisewasdeafening
andsuddenly,Ihitsomething
hard.Igroanedandopened
myeyes.Iwasonthefloor
againlookingupatthe
ceiling.
BonnieandBethany
racedovertome.“Larue,are
youokay?”
Actually,Ididn’t
knowifIwasornot.Aslong
asIwasoutoftheportal,
thenIwasbetterthanIhad
been.Whohadhelpedmeout
oftherethough?Iremained
onmybackonthefloor.
“I’mfine.”Isatup
andlookedtomyright.
Callahansawmeand
pushedtohisfeet.
“Whatareyoudoing
here?”Iasked.
“Icametogetyou
out.”Herushedoverand
huggedme.“Areyouokay?”
Tearsformedinthe
cornersofmyeyes.Nowwas
notthetimetocry.“I’m
fine,”Imumbledintohis
chestasheheldmetight.I
leanedbackandpeeredupat
him.“Ican’tbelieveyou
wentinthere.”
“Stonedidn’twantme
to.Hewasgoinginafteryou,
butItoldhimhehadtobe
theretoclosetheportal.”
“Youknowaboutthe
portal?”Iasked.
Callahannodded.
“Hewasn’tsupposed
todothat,”Isaid.“Howdid
youknowwherewewere?”
“MindyandI
followedyou,”Callahansaid.
“Thatwasyouinthe
blackcar?Whosecarwas
that?”
“Iborrowedmy
employee’scar,”hesaid.“I
didn’twantyoualltoknowit
wasmebehindyou.”
“WhereisMindy?”I
askedinapanic.“Shedidn’t
gointhere,didshe?”
Hepushedthehair
awayfrommyface.“Don’t
worry,she’swithStone.”
“Thatremindsme,I
havetoclosetheportal.
WhereisRoger?”Ilookedto
myleft.
Rogerwavedashe
stoodtheresmiling.“I’m
righthere.”
“Thankgoodness
you’reokay,”Isaid.
AsIgottomyfeet,I
wasneverhappiertoseea
ghost.
“Bethany,doyou
wanttohelpmedothespell
toclosetheportal?”Iasked.
“I’mnotsureIknow
whattodo.I’mnewtoallof
this…remember?”sheasked.
“Don’tworry,I’lltell
youeverythingwehaveto
do.”
Shestaredatmefora
moment,hereyeswide,and
thenshefinallysaid,“Yes,
I’lldoit.Justgiveme
instructions.”
“Youneedtostand
withmeundertheportal.We
havetoholdhands.Callahan
canhelp,too.”Imotionedfor
themtocomeclose.
“Youwillhaveto
instructme,”Callahansaid.
Wejoinedhands
underneaththeportalsowe
couldcastthespellthat
wouldhopefullycloseoffthis
exitforgood.
“Doingthespell
won’tbeeasy.Youhaveto
concentrateonthewordsI’m
saying.”
Ihopedthiswas
correctandthespellMelanie
hadgivenmewouldwork.
Usually,thespellsinthepast
hadrequiredcandlesand
herbs.Thisonewasjustwith
wordsandourenergy.The
mostimportantthingwasfor
metoremainincontrol.I
couldn’tshowfear.
“Closetheentryinto
thisworld,nevertobe
openedagain.Spiritsgo
away,thisentryissealed
forever.”Irepeatedthis
severaltimeswithCallahan
andBethanysayingthewords
withme.
Astheincantationleft
mylips,theenergyzoomed
throughtheair.Ithadtobe
working.Thepowerfeltso
strongIthoughtImightfall
tothefloor.JustasIthoughtI
couldn’tstanditanylonger,
thefeelingstartedtofade.
Soon,ithadevaporatedand
theairreturnedtonormal.At
leasttheheavinessI’dfelt
beforehaddissipated.That
hadtomeansomething,
right?
“Doyouthinkit
worked?”Bethanywhispered.
“Idon’tthinkwewill
knowforsometime.”Istared
atthespotwheretheportal
hadbeen.
Theenergysubsided
oncewestoppedthespelland
thefeelingIhadgottenabout
theportalwasn’tthereany
longer.Itookthatasagood
sign.
“Fingerscrossedthat
we’resafenow,”Isaidsoftly.
“We’lljusthavetowaitto
seewhathappensandkeepon
alerttoseeifthedarkshadow
comesback.”
Callahankissedmy
cheek.“Youdidagreatjob,
Larue.”
“Ineedtoseewhat’s
happeningontheotherside
becauseiftheydon’tgetthat
closed,thenthiscouldcause
abigproblem.They’llall
comeoutontheotherside.I
wouldhatetodothatto
Elisa.”
Callahanhandedme
hiscellphone.“Here,give
himacall.”
Ismiled.“Thank
you.”
Hewinked.“Anything
foryou.”
IdialedStone’s
number.Icouldn’tbelieveI
actuallyrememberedit.
Unfortunately,Stonedidn’t
answerthecall.
“Ileftamessage,”I
saidasIhandedthephone
backtoCallahan.
“Whatdowedo
now?”Bonnieasked.
“Wehavetodrive
overthereandseewhat’s
happening.But,Idon’thave
acar.Callahandoesn’thave
hiseither.”
“I’lldriveyou,”
Bonniesaid.“Comeon,let’s
go.”
“Thankyoufor
everything,Bonnie,”Isaidas
wegotintohercar.
Shestartedtheengine.
“Ishouldthankyou.”
Callahan’sstrong
presencebesidemeinthe
backseatwascomforting.We
madetheshortdriveoverto
theotherhouse.Stone’scar
wasstillinthedriveway.We
gotoutandwalkedtothe
door.Iknocked,butIwas
reallyimpatienttoseewhat
wasgoingoninthere.Itwas
kindofstrangelyquiet.My
anxietywasatanall-time
high.Nooneansweredthe
doorandthathadme
terrified.WherewasStone?
WherewasMindy?Where
weretheotherghostsforthat
matter?Whennoone
responded,Itwistedtheknob.
Surprisingly,itwasunlocked,
soIturnedandpushedthe
dooropen.
Westeppedintothe
houseandimmediatelyI
peereddownthehallway,but
didn’tseeanyone.
“Theywereherewhen
youleft,right,Callahan?”I
asked.
Heheadedtowardthe
endofthehallway.“Yes,we
weredownthereatthe
entrancetotheportal.”
Irushedovertothe
spot.Itfeltdifferentthanit
hadwhenwewerefirsthere;
asifitwasnolongeraportal.
Stonemusthavecompletedit
andclosedtheportal,but
whereiseveryone?Even
Elisawasn’taround.
“Youcheckoutthe
houseonthatsideandI’llgo
overhere.”Callahan
gestured.
BethanyandBonnie
walkedtowardtheupstairs.
“We’llcheckup
there,”Bonniesaid.
Iwasn’tsureif
separatingwassuchagreat
idea,butitwastheonlyway.
Aftersearchingaroundthe
insidethehouse,Icouldn’t
findanyone,noteven
MarilynorJames.Thathad
mereallyconcerned.Imet
Callahanatthefrontofthe
houseagain.Bonnieand
Bethanycamedownthe
stairs.
“Wheredowelook
now?”Iasked.
SinceIcouldn’tsense
theportal,Ididn’tknowwhat
exactlyhadhappened.What
ifthey’dgottenclosetoitor
ifsomethinghadhappened
whenIclosedtheotherside.
“Weshouldgo
outsideandlookforthem,”
Callahansaid.
Ididn’thaveany
otherideasastowhattodo,
soIwouldhavetogivethata
try.Ihadnocluewhythey
would’vegoneoutside.We
filedoutthedoorandthen
wentaroundthehouse.
Unfortunately,wedidn’tsee
anysignofthem.Evenmore
puzzlingwasStone’scarwas
stillinthedriveway.
Wecamebackaround
tothefront.
“Whatdowedo
now?”Bonnieasked.
Ireleasedadeep
breathandthensaid,“Idon’t
know.Ihavetofigureout
wheretheywent.”
“Callahan,canIuse
yourphoneagain?Iwantto
dialMindy’snumberandsee
ifIcanreachher.”
Callahanhandedme
thephoneandIimmediately
dialedMindy’snumber.
Mindydidn’tanswerthe
phoneeither,andnowIreally
waspanicking.
“Juststaycalm,”
Callahansaid.
Iwouldtry,butthat
waseasiersaidthandone.
Chapter25
“Didyouhearthat?”I
asked.
BethanyandBonnie
shooktheirheads.
Callahanasked,
“Whatdiditsoundlike?”
“IthoughtIheard
someonecallmyname.”
Wemovedaroundto
thesideofthehouseagain.I
spottedMarilynandJames
standinginthemiddleofthe
backyard.Theydidn’tnotice
wewerewatchingthem.Iran
overtothem.WhenMarilyn
spottedmeahugesmile
spreadacrossherface,but
worryfilledhereyes.
“Wethoughtwehad
lostyouforever,”shesaid
whenIreachedher.
“It’sokay,I’mhere
now.Iwouldn’tleaveyouall
forgood,”Isaid.
“Thankgoodnessyou
cameback,”Marilynsaid.
“WhereisStoneand
Mindy?”Iasked.
Jamesshrugged.“We
don’tknow.Wehaven’tseen
them.Idon’tthinkit’svery
niceofthemtoleaveus
here.”
Theycould’vegone
withStone.Iwasn’tsurewhy
Jameswassoupset.
“Doyouknowwhich
directiontheywent?”Iasked.
Marilynwavedher
hand.“Theygotinthecar
andtookoff.”
Yeah,thatstilldidn’t
tellmemuchofwherethey
wentto.“Butwhosecardid
theytake?”
“Theyleftinthe
Elisa’scar.”
“Wastheresomething
wrongwithStonethathe
couldn’tdrive?”Iasked.
“Iguesshewastoo
groggyanddazedfrom
whateverhewastryingto
do.”
ApparentlyIwasn’t
goingtogetmuchmore
informationoutofthem.I
didn’tknowifheactually
closeduptheportalorwhat.
“Istillcan’tbelieve
theyleftushere,”Jamessaid,
obviouslystillupset.
“What’simportantis
I’mherenowandwe’re
togetheragain.”
Icouldn’tbelieveI’d
justsaidthat.GladIwaswith
ghosts?WhatwasIthinking?
Iwonderedwhatwas
wrongthatmadeStone,
Mindy,andElisatakeofflike
that.Hadtheybeensoscared
thattheywantedtogetoutof
thehouseimmediately?
“Canyoutellmewhat
happened?”IaskedMarilyn.
“Didthedarkshadowscome
outoftheportal?”
“Idon’tthinkso,”she
said.“HowwouldIknow?”
“I’mprettysureyou
wouldhaveseenthem,”I
said.
“Don’tworry,Larue,
I’msurethey’reokay,”
Callahanreassuredme.
“Yes,trynottothink
theworst,”Bonniesaid.
Ialwaysthoughtthe
worst.Itwasmynatural
instincttodothat.Ihopedit
wasn’tanythingbad,butI
wasalmostafraidtofindout
whathadtranspiredtomake
themleave.Standinghere
wasn’tgoingtohelp,soI
neededtofindoutwherethey
went.Ihadtogoafterthem
andseeiftheyneededmy
help.DidStonejustgetsick
ofallofthisandtakeoff?
WhywouldMindyandElisa
gowithhim?
“Areyousurethey
didn’tsaywheretheywere
going?Anyhintofwhere
theymayhavetakenoffto?”
Iasked.
“No,wewenttothe
frontroombecauseIcouldn’t
standwatchingeverything.It
wastoostressful,sowhenwe
wentbackintothehallway
wesawtheyhadgone.We
cameoutsidetolookfor
them,buttheywerelong
gone.”
“Whatshouldwedo
now?”Bonnieasked.
“Wehavetogofind
them.”Iturnedaroundand
headedtowardthefrontofthe
house,motioningfor
everyonetofollowme.
“Comeon,let’sgo.Bonnie,
doyouminddrivingbackto
yourhouse?Maybetheywent
there.”
IwassureBonnie
wouldbemorethanhappyto
gethomeandprobablyaway
fromme.
“Sure,wecango
whereveryouneedtogoto,
Larue.”
CallahanandIgot
intothebackseat,while
BonnieandBethanywerein
thefront.Rogerwassitting
betweenCallahanandme.
JamesandMarilynwere
standingonthesidewalkwith
scowlsontheirfaces.
“Whataboutus?”
Jamesasked.“Wealwaysget
leftbehind.”
Marilynplacedher
handsonherhips.“Yeah,
whataboutus?Weare
comingwithyou.Yousaid
youweren’tgoingtoleaveus
here.”
Thisthingwiththe
carswithmakingitvery
inconvenient.
“There’snotroom
enough,”Isaid.
Theirunwillingnessto
useanyoftheirsupernatural
powerswasastonishingto
me.Iknewtheyweren’t
goingtostaybehindthough,
soIknewIhadbetterfigure
outsomethingquickly.Then,
theroarofanenginepulling
upcaughtmyattention.I
lookedovermyshoulderand
said,“Thankgoodness.”
“You’renotgoingto
beabletoleaveusbehind
now,”Jamessaid.
Ijumpedoutofthe
caralongwitheveryoneelse.
StoneandMindyracedoutof
thecartowardus.
Mindyreachedout
andhuggedmetightly.
“Larue,Iamsogladtosee
you.Ithoughtyouweregone
forgoodinthere.”
“I’mfine.Imadeit
out.Callahansavedme.”
Shemovedoverand
huggedhim,too.“I’msoglad
toseebothofyou.”
ImetStone’sgaze.
“Didyougetachanceto
closetheportal?”
Iheldmybreath
waitingforhimtospeak,
prayinghehadtheright
answer.Icouldn’ttellbythe
expressiononhisface.
Heranhishand
throughhishair.“Yes,Ithink
Iclosedit.Whathappenedon
yourside?”
Inodded.“Callahan
gotusoutofthere.Ifithadn’t
beenforhimIdon’tknow
whatwouldhavehappened.
Hesaidyouwantedtocome
inafterme?Thankyou.”
“Iwasjustdoingwhat
neededtobedone.”Asmall
grintwistedthecornerofhis
mouth.
“Justthesame,thanks
forhelpingmewiththis.I
couldn’thavedoneanything
withoutyou.Doyouthinkwe
stoppedthem?”
“Aslongasthey
didn’tgetoutwhenyoudid,
thenIthinkwedid.Iwas
worriedaboutclosingmy
sidewithoutknowingwhat
wasgoingonwithyourend,”
hesaid.
Isawthestrainof
stressonhisface.Nowallwe
coulddowaswaittoseeif
thedemonseverreturned.
Chapter26
Thesunshonebright
thenextday.Therewasn’ta
cloudinthesky.Everything
seemedalotbrighternow
thatthedarkshadowswere
gone.Well,atleastIthought
theywere.Iwasalreadyat
thebookstoreandtheghosts
werestillwithme.Sofar,I
hadn’tseenanysignofthe
darkshadow.And,theones
followingBethanyaround
seemedtohavegoneaway,
too.Itlookedasifourplan
hadworked.Stonehad
doubtedme,butIhadproved
himwrong.Now,Iwondered
whattheghostswoulddo?
Wouldtheystickaround?
Iwasn’ttakingany
chanceswiththedark
shadowsthough.Ihadtodo
somethingtoatleastkeep
themawayfrommyhome
andbookstore.After
encounteringtheevilentity
andknowingwhatitwas
capableof,Idecidedtousea
bitofmagic.Ineededaward
aroundtheplacetokeepthe
badthingsaway.I’ddoneit
severaltimes,butthespells
potencyfadedwithtime.I’d
justgivetheplacealittle
refresher.Ididthespellby
myself,somaybeIwasn’t
evendoingitcorrectly,
althoughitdidseemtohelp
forawhile.
“Whatareyoudoing,
Larue?Tryingtoburnthe
placedown?”Rogerwaved
hishandsacrossthe
flickeringflameofthecandle.
Surprisingly,hewas
abletoproduceanicesize
windforaghost.Theflame
dancedabit,butdidn’tgo
out.
“I’mcastingaspellto
keepthebadspiritsaway.”
“It’salittlelatefor
that,don’tyouthink?”He
smirked.
Iflashedhimoneof
thosesmirkshe’dbeengiving
mefordays.“Thespirits
couldcomeback.Duh.”
Hismouthtwistedto
oneside,asifhecouldn’t
believeI’dtalkedtohimthat
way.Isprinkledtheginger
intothewater.Thiswas
supposedtobanishtheevil.
“Protectthisspace
fromevilspirits.Oneswith
badintentionsmaynotenter.
Stopthematthedoor.Protect
thisspacefromevilspirits.
Somoteitbe.”Irepeatedthe
wordsseveraltimes.
Marilynsighed.“I
hopeitworks,Larue.You’ve
dealtwithenoughbadfora
lifetime.”
Iknewthespell
wouldn’tlastforever,butit
wasbetterthannothing.Ijust
neverknewwhenanotherbad
onewouldbewaitingforme.
Mindybreezed
throughthedoorwiththe
usualspringinherstep,
poisedtoaskmetocometo
classtonight.Sheworeher
workoutgearofblacktank
andblackyogapantswith
brightpinksneakers.Ineeded
abreakafterwhatI’dbeen
doingwiththeportal.Istill
didn’thaveallmyenergy
back.IdoubtedMindywould
buythatexcuseandallowme
toskipZumbathough.Mindy
heldupthebagofblueberry
doughnuts.Thatwasusually
thesignthatmeantIwas
headedforclassthatnight.
“Ibroughtyou
doughnuts,”shesaidina
sing-songyvoice.
Iimmediatelypulled
oneoutofthebagandsunk
myteethintoit,acceptingher
bribeofsweets.
“Wow,takingonthe
demonsmust’vereally
increasedyourappetite.You
needatroughorsomething.”
Ilaughed.“Hey,you
bringmemyfavorite
doughnuts,whatdoyou
expect?And,yes,fighting
evilisalotofwork.Ineed
myenergy.”
Mindygesturedwitha
tiltofherhead.“So,arethey
stillhere?”
“We’rerightbehind
you,babe,”Rogersaid.
Hewasfeelingreally
machosincehe’dgoneinto
theportalwithme.
Imotionedtothem
withatiltofmyhead.
Mindyglancedover
hershoulder.Marilynwaved
andRogerwinked.Jamesjust
lookedlikehisusualgrumpy
oldself.
“Whataboutthedark
spirits?Haveyouseenanyof
them?”Mindyasked.
“No,thankgoodness,
Ithinkthey’regonefor
good.”
“Whatabout
Callahan?Isheokay?”
Mindyasked.
“Thingsarebackto
normalwithhim,too.”I
smiled.
“Hewasreallyupset
afterwhathappened.”She
pickedattheedgeofher
doughnut.
“Idon’tevenwantto
thinkaboutit.I’mgladit’sin
thepastnow.”
“Aretheystillbehind
me?”Mindywhisperedasshe
glancedovershoulder.
“No,they’reoverby
thewindowtalking.It
appearsthey’reinadeep
conversation.Idon’tknow
whatthey’replanning.”I
narrowedmyeyes.“Yes,
they’redefinitelyplanning
something.”
“Youdon’tknow
whatthey’regoingtodo
aboutgoingintothelight?”
Mindyasked.
Ishookmyhead.“No.
Theyactasiftheyaren’t
readytogoanywhere.”
Marilynwasnolonger
wearinghericonicdress.
WhenIaskedherwhy,she
saidshedecidedshewanted
tobeherself,whichmeant
casualjeansandababyblue
sweater.Shelookedmore
relaxedandatease.
“Whatwillyoudo
withthem?”Mindyasked.
Ilookedtowardthe
frontoftheroomtomake
suretheyweren’tlistening.
Theghostswerestill
engrossedintheirown
conversation. “Well,I
usuallywaitforthemto
decidewhentheywantto
leave.That’sworkedinthe
past.Now,I’mnotsosure.If
theydon’tdecidetogo,I’ll
havetotrytopersuadethem
toleave.”
“Or,youcouldlet
themstayaround,”Mindy
saidandthentookanother
biteofdoughnut.
“Great,butwhatwillI
dowhenmoreghosts
enviablyshowup?”Iasked.
Mindychewedand
thensaid,“Youhaveapoint.
Maybetheycouldhangout
hereinthebookstorewhen
thenewghostsappear.”
“So,they’dbe
hauntingthebookstore?”I
asked.
Mindyshrugged.
“Yeah,whynot?Theywere
hauntingotherlocations
beforetheymetyou.Whynot
justhaunthere?”
Itookanotherbite
whileIponderedthethought.
“Thatwouldbetoomany
ghostsformetotalkto.They
takealotofenergy.Plus,
theywouldneverstayhere.
Theyfollowmehome.
Insteadofthecrazycatlady,
I’mthecrazyghostlady.”
“Yeah,Iguessyou’re
rightaboutthat.”Sheglanced
atthemagain.“But,theydo
actasifthey’restaying,don’t
they?”
Thedooropenedand
grabbedourattention.
Mindy’sdadwalked
in.“Hey,ladies!Guess
what?”
MindyandI
exchangedalook.
“Heseemsexcited,”I
said.“What’sgoingon?”
Sheshrugged.“Ihave
noidea.”
Heapproachedthe
counter.Theghostscame
over,too,wantingtoknow
whathehadtosay.
“What’sthebignews,
Dad?”Mindyasked.
“I’mgoingtothe
MarilynMonroemuseumin
Hollywood.Ican’twaitto
seeeverything.”
Marilynmovedcloser
tohim.Hereyeswidened.
“You’regoingtoamuseum
forme?”sheaskedasifhe
couldhearher.
“That’scool.When
doyouleave?”Mindyasked.
“Yes,whendowe
leave?”Marilynasked.
Myeyeswidened.
Mindynoticed,butdidn’task
sinceherfatherwasthere.
“I’mleavingthis
afternoon.”
“Sosoon?Whendid
thishappen?”Mindyasked.
“Afriendofmine
wonacoupleticketsto
Hollywoodwhenheentereda
contest.Someoneelsebacked
out,soheaskedifIwantedto
comealong.Ofcourse,Isaid,
‘yes.’”
“Ofcourse,”Mindy
said.
“IthoughtI’dstopby
andtellyou.”Heleanedover
andkissedMindyonthe
cheek.“I’llbringyoubotha
souvenir.”
“Thanks,Dad.Have
fun.”Mindyseemed
surprisedathissuddentrip.
“Thanks,Mr.
Winters,”Isaid.
“Thanksfor
everything,Larue,butIhave
togowithhim.I’llseeyou
later.”Marilynwaved.
“Marilyn,westill
haveafewchaptersleftinthe
book.”Ipointedtothenovel
onthecounterbesideme.
Aluminoussmilelit
herface.“I’llbearound,
Larue.”
Iwasn’tsurewhat
thatmeant.
“Bye,kid.”Marilyn
winkedatRoger.
“But,Marilyn,you
can’tleaveme.”Heran
towardher.
Shewavedoverher
shoulderasshefollowed
Mindy’sdadoutofthestore.
“Ihavetogo.”
Rogerrushedback
overtomeandwavedhis
handsinfrontofmyface.
“Youhavetostopher.”
“Ican’tdothat,”I
said.“You’llbefinewithout
her.”
“Shewasthegirlof
mydreams,”hesaidina
poutyvoice.
“You’llmetsomeone
else,”Isaid.
Heslumpedhis
shoulders.“Yeah,right.”
JamespattedRogeron
theback.“Larue’sright.
You’llfindsomeoneelse.”
“MarilynMonroejust
leftwithyourdad.”Ibrought
Mindyuptodateonthe
ghostlyactivity.
“You’rekidding?”
Iquirkedaneyebrow.
“WouldIkidabout
somethinglikethat?”
Mindylaughed.“No,I
guessnot.Whydidshego
withhim?”
“Shesaidshewanted
toseethemuseumandgo
backtoHollywood.”
“Well,thatisher
home.Iwonderifshewill
stay.”
“Ihaveafeelingshe
will.”
Mindypickedupher
canofDietCoke.“I’moffto
class.So…I’llseeyou
tonight?”
“What’stonight?”I
frowned.
“Anewclassthatwill
reallyhelpfirmyourbutt.”
Shepattedherbackside.
RogerlaughedandI
glaredathim.
Mindywaved.“See
youthen.”
Ifellbackontothe
stoolbehindme.Butt
firming?Ididn’tlikethat
soundofthat.
Chapter27
Iwasplacingbooks
ontheshelfwhenInoticeda
brightlight.Theglowwasso
intensethatitbouncedoffthe
wallinfrontofme.Iturned
aroundandsawthatthelight
wascomingfromtheceiling.
I’dseenitbeforewiththe
otherghosts.Abeamcame
downtothefloor,growing
wideratthebottom.Whowas
thelightfor?Wasitfor
RogerorJames?Neitherone
hadmentionedanything
aboutleaving.Ithoughtthey
wouldhavetoldmebefore
theyleft.Iwalkedovertothe
counterwhichwascloserto
wherethelighthadappeared.
Jamesturnedtome.In
thatmomentIknewthenthat
itwashimwhohadintentions
ofleaving.
Henodded.“Thanks
foreverything,Larue,it’s
beenfun,butit’stimeforme
togo.”
“I’mconfused,”
Rogersaid.“Whereareyou
going?”
“It’stimetogotothe
nextdimension.”James
motioned.“And,you’re
comingwithme.”
“Iam?”Rogerasked.
Jamesnodded.“Yes,
youare.You’llloveit.I
promiseyouwillmeetagirl
whoyou’lllikeevenbetter
thanMarilynMonroe.”
“Idon’tknowifthat’s
possible,”Rogersaid.
“Justtrustme.”James
placedhisarmaround
Roger’sshoulders.
Rogerfrownedand
said,“I’llmissyou,Larue.”
Iwipedawayatear.
“I’llmissyou,too,Roger.”
Sayinggoodbyewas
alwaysthehardestparteven
thoughIneededthemto
moveon.Igotattachedtothe
ghostswhiletheywerehere.
ThatwaswhenIremembered
Ihadafewunanswered
questionsbeforetheyleft.
“Wait,James.You
nevertoldmewhyyouwere
reallyhere,”Icalledout.
I’dalwaysthought
he’deventuallyreveal
somethingtome,butnowhe
wasleavingwithoutsayinga
word.Didn’thehave
unfinishedbusinesshe
wantedhelpwith?What
aboutRoger?He’dnever
reallysaidwhyhewas
hangingaroundeither.Wasit
tofindthegirlofhisdreams?
Aslysmilespread
acrossJames’face.“I’myour
spiritguide,Larue.”
Iquirkedaneyebrow.
“Whydidn’tyousay
something?”
JameseyedRoger.
“Rogerwassupposedtobe
Stone’sspiritguide,buthe
wasn’tdoingthejob.Now
he’sgoingbackformore
trainingbeforehereturns.”
Mymouthdropped.I
hadn’texpectedthatbitof
information.Rogerstoodby
Jamesandthentheystarted
walkingtowardthelight.It
didn’ttakelonguntilthey
werecompletelyimmersed
withinitandthenthey
disappeared.Withinseconds,
thelightgrewsmallerand
wascompletelygone.Ididn’t
getthealltheanswersthatI
hadwanted.DidStoneknow
Rogerwashisspiritguide?I
knewIhadseveral,butI’d
neverhadoneshowuplike
James.
Thestorewasquiet.
Nocustomershadcomein
yet.Itwasstillearly.Iwasall
aloneonceagain,butthat
probablywouldn’tlastlong.
Itneverdid.Therewas
alwaysaghostnotfaraway
waitingforachancetotalkto
me.Theyjustneeded
someonewhocouldhear
them.Iwasthatperson.Who
knewwhichghostwould
showupnext.Wouldanother
celebrityghostcomeby?
Thathadtostopatsome
point.NotthatImindedatall
becauseitwaskindoffun
andreallycool.
***
Iwaskindofsad
whenIdidn’thaveanyoneto
talktowhileIworked.A
coupleofcustomershad
comeandgoneandIwas
finishinguppaperworkatthe
registerwhenthedoor
announcedanotherarrival.
WhenIglancedup,Ispotted
Stonecomingtowardme.I
knewsomethingwasupby
thelookonhisface.It
seemedlikeeveryonewas
pickingtodaytoleavetown.
Nowthattheparanormaljob
wasover,therewasnoneed
forhimtostay.
“IthoughtIwould
stopbyandthankyoufor
everything.”Stone’ssmile
seemedtocomealoteasier
now.Hisexpressionseemed
somuchlighternowthatthis
wasallbehindus.
“Whydoyouwantto
thankme?Ishouldbe
thankingyou.You’retheone
whohelpedmegetridofthe
darkshadows.”
“Well,technically,
I’mtheonewhocausedthe
darkshadowstobeginwith,”
hesaid.
“I’mnotgoingto
arguewiththat.Youdohave
apointthere.”
Helaughed.“You
aren'tgoingtofightmeon
thatone?Seriously,thanks
foreverything.”
Ismiled.“I’mjust
doingmyjob.”
“Oneyou’regoodat,”
hesaid.“Ifyoueverneed
anything,justletmeknow,
okay?”
Inodded.“Ipromise
I’llgiveyouacall.Ihope
theynevercomeback.WillI
everseeyouagain?”
Hereachedoutand
touchedmyhand,which
caughtmeoffguardbecause
he’dneverdoneanythinglike
thatbefore.Well,otherthan
thewhooperofakisshe’d
plantedonme.
“You’llmost
definitelyseemeagain.I
havesomebusinesstotake
careof,orIwouldn’tleave
now.”
Iwonderedifhis
businesshadanythingtodo
withmoredarkshadows.
“Areyougoingtotalk
toyourmotherbeforeyou
leave?”Iasked.
Itwasnoneofmy
business,butIreallywanted
toknow.
“There’snotimefor
thatnow.I’llhavetodoit
someotherday,”hesaid.
Ireallyhopethathe
meantthatbecauseIfeltlike
heshouldworkoutwhatever
problemstheyhad.
Ipickedatapieceof
paperonthecounter,
wonderingifIshouldbring
upthetopic.
Finally,Isaid,“Why
didyoukissme?”
Hischeeksturned
slightlypink.“Aboutthat…
I’msorry.Ishouldn’thave
donethat.Itwasthesituation.
Iwasn’tthinkingclearly.”
Iwasn’tsureI
believedhim,butwhatelse
couldIsay?
Inodded.“Whereare
yougoing?”
Hestudiedmyface
foramoment,andthensaid,
“Anothersmalltown.”
Itdidn’tseemasifhe
reallywantedtosharethose
details.
Isteppedoutfrom
behindthecounter.“You
havetogivemeahugbefore
yougo.”
Iwrappedmyarms
aroundhim.Hewastenseat
first,butthenherelaxed.He
heldontomeforawhile,as
ifhehadn’thuggedanyonein
alongtime.
Finally,hebrokefree.
“Ihavetogonow.”
WiththatStone
walkedoutthedoor.
IwonderedifIreally
wouldeverseehimagain.
Theend.
AbouttheAuthor
RosePresseyisa
USATodaybestselling
author.Sheenjoyswriting
quirkyandfunnovelswitha
paranormaltwist.The
paranormalhasalways
capturedherinterest.The
thoughtoffindinganswersto
theunexplainedfascinates
her.
Whenshe’snot
writingaboutwerewolves,
vampiresandeveryother
supernaturalcreature,she
loveseatingcupcakeswith
sprinkles,reading,spending
timewithfamily,and
listeningtooldiesfromthe
fifties.
Rosesuffersfrom
PsoriaticArthritisandhas
kneereplacements.Shemight
justsettheworldrecordfor
jointreplacements.She’s
soonhavingherhips
replaced,elbows,andatleast
oneshoulder.
Roselivesinthe
beautifulcommonwealthof
Kentuckywithherhusband,
son,andtwosassy
Chihuahuas.
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