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Ghosted
GRAVE INVESTIGATIONS BOOK ONE
Raven
“Okay, whose fucked-up idea was this? A ghost tour on Halloween,” Jayce complains. He turns a fake glare on me, knowing damn well that I’m the likely culprit.
Grinning, I bump my shoulder into his. “Oh, you big baby. Eli and I won’t let anything happen to you. Besides, have you never heard that the veil between the living and dead is thinner tonight? What if we really got to see a ghost? All these years of friendship and I’ve yet to be able to prove this stuff to you.” How a logical, literal guy and a spook-loving girl managed to become best friends was beyond me. Even our looks were opposites. He had a nerdy but well-dressed vibe going, pairing jackets with button-downs and khakis. His carmel eyes were always so serious behind his glasses and his brown hair was short and styled. My own wardrobe consisted of black, black, and more black. My hazel eyes always got me in trouble for being too expressive and giving me away. And my hair was a dark blue that definitely stood out. But none of that mattered to us, we just worked as best friends.
“That’s what I’m afraid of. I did some research on this place and it’s got a murderish history you wouldn’t believe,” Jayce states, pushing up his black-rimmed glasses. “It’s just begging for activity, and I, for one, am not sure I’m ready.” I’m more shocked he’s even considering it. Most of the time, I get a speech on how paranormal activity can all be linked back to some scientific explanation.
“Oh, I believe it,” Eli laughs, glancing at the building with a glimmer of morbid satisfaction in his gaze. My boyfriend is enthusiastically ready for something to happen. I think he likes the thrill of the hunt and the unknown. His hazel eyes are full of mischief and I can already see him concocting ways to scare Jayce. When he turns a cocky grin my way, I melt a little. My boyfriend is sexy as hell with his shaggy, brown hair and flirty personality. He’s a mix of me and Jayce. He’s the gamer of our group and even his style is more neutral with dark jeans and vintage tees. “I bet it’s full of things that will make you scream.” Jayce swallows hard at that and glares at Eli.
“Poor Jayce, ever the worrywart. Tonight is supposed to be fun and mysterious,” I tease. Ahead of us, the tour guide starts waving around, calling out for stragglers. “Come on, the tour is starting.” Grabbing both Eli and Jayce’s hands, we hurry to catch up to the group before it’s too late. It’s the only tour running tonight and I’m not missing it for anything. I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks.
The old building looms ahead of us as we walk closer. It’s set on the outskirts of campus and definitely stands out against the mostly modern buildings of the rest of the university. The night is overcast but the moon still shines through in some parts, giving the night an eerie glow. As far as ‘creepy mood lighting’ goes, nature is on point tonight. Poor Jayce looks ready to tuck tail and run but I keep my hand firmly in his, refusing to let him back out now. You’d think being friends with us, he’d be desensitized by now.
The building itself is a typical collegiate structure, from the faded bricks to the ivy creeping up the wall and hiding the windows from view. It’s old, years of disuse letting the bricks crumble and the masonry start to weaken. There aren’t many lights on, but one of the upper floors has a light flickering in the background. It’s likely an attempt at aesthetics, but I’m not upset about it. That’s the whole point of going on a Halloween-night tour. Over the top and cheesy lighting and stories are what makes it.
“Tonight we will commune with the dead,” the guide starts in an ominous, wavering tone. She’s a goth woman, maybe in her late twenties. Her face is solemn as she speaks and just from the way she talks about the place, I know she loves it. She’s the type of tour guide who will give you the real history. Her black attire helps her hide in the shadows that the candle light doesn’t illuminate.
“They say this college has a bloody history. More than a handful of deaths are tied to this place and that doesn’t include the fire that ravaged the main hall, consuming one famed professor that died trying to get students and faculty out.”
She pauses for dramatic effect and then continues on. “Take care with each step and keep up with the group. We are not responsible if you yourself become a ghost roaming these halls. We collect liability waivers when you purchase tickets for a reason.” There’s a murmur of nervous laughter following her statement.
“That’s kinda ominous,” Eli whispers, in my ear, his warm breath fanning my neck. I shiver at the feeling of him being so close. Not now, Raven… we’ve got things to do. Down girl.
“Don’t you start, too.” I sigh dramatically. “This was your idea, don’t tell me you’re scared already, we haven’t even gone inside yet.” If there’s one thing Eli can’t ignore, it’s a direct challenge.
“Why else do you think I brought you? It was an excuse so I could wrap my arms around you.” Eli smiles. “You can hold me every time I feel scared.”
“Like you needed an excuse for that,” Jayce pipes in. There’s a hint of jealousy in his tone and I swallow hard, hating even a hint of a rift between us.
“Why did we bring you again?” Eli asks. His voice is playful but there’s a sharp undertone. Even after years, these two act more like rivals than tentative friends.
“To be the third wheel that you love to hate,” I remind him.
“You know, I only put up with him for you.”
“Come on, stop this lovey-dovey crap, the tour is moving,” Jayce complains. He’s used to Eli by now, but from the moment we started dating, there’s been a bit of animosity that I can’t quite figure out and neither one will just tell me. Men are ridiculous.
Eli removes his arm from around my back but keeps one around my waist as we start walking into the main building of the college. I’m glad because she wasn’t kidding about the mottled stone at our feet.
In the dim light, you can tell the brick is still intact but as we cross the threshold, the faint hint of charred wood hits my nose. They’ve cleaned up the debris and shored up the structure but it is still in ruins. There are chunks of sheetrock missing and dangling wires can be seen in the holes. Yup, those waivers might be necessary.
“This building was one of the newer ones, built about eighty years ago. It was also one of the first to have electricity run in the walls. They say that’s what caused the fire. A shoddy patch job in the wiring and this place lit up like a Roman candle. Professor Lucien Wolf was a true hero that day. He saved a dozen or so students before the roof collapsed on top of him and the remaining people inside. They say that his spirit still roams the halls in search of his love that perished in the fire as well. Let’s listen closely and see if we hear him now.”
Dead silence fills the night as we all listen for the ghost.
There is a cheesy “ooooo” that is little more than a whisper.
The rest of the people in the tour let out a laugh, but Jayce just huffs. I don’t miss the hint of relief in his eyes, though. The goofy noise eases some of the spookiness.
“Lighten up, this is supposed to be fun. Don’t ruin it for us,” Eli says, playfully hitting his shoulder into Jayce’s.
“I’ll try, as long as they don’t have any more lame ghost noises.” He smirks back in a rare moment of camaraderie. I swear they like each other most of the time but the little spats still make me worry.
“Quiet in the back. You’ll miss the instructions on how to safely navigate the building. Everyone did sign a waiver before we started but let’s not add to the body count this building already has,” the tour guide states curtly.
“Was that a threat?” Eli asks. “Because it sounded like a threat.”
