Page 126 of Love at First Fright

The door remained stubbornly locked.

“Just let him out,” I said, looking around at the seemingly empty hall. “Come on. He’s had enough.”

Brad whirled on me. “You’re talking to them?”

I shrugged. “It’s worth a try?”

Dave abandoned the door, wild-eyed, and sprinted down the corridor towards the back of the manor.

Brad cursed, chasing after him. “Sir! Please remain calm!”

I jogged behind, Bat drifting alongside me like we were on a pleasant countryside stroll rather than pursuing a terrified electrician through a haunted manor.

Dave burst into the kitchen, making a beeline for the back door.

Every cupboard door flew open at once.

The crack of wood against wood echoed like gunfire. Crockery floated out—teacups, saucers, plates, all lifting in perfect synchronisation. They circled the room, spinning lazily, catching the light.

“Tea, anyone?” Molly’s voice drifted from nowhere and everywhere. “Tea?”

A delicate porcelain cup floated directly towards me, hovering expectantly at chest height.

I reached for it automatically. Steam rose from tea that absolutely hadn’t been there seconds ago.

“Charlie! Put that down! Don’t encourage them!” Brad bellowed, eyes fixed on the floating crockery.

Dave pressed himself against the counter, tool bag still clutched to his chest like a shield. “This is mental. Harrison put you up to this, didn’t he? This is all some sick joke! You’ve got tricks everywhere, projectors, special effects—”

A plate shot forward, smashing against the wall centimetres from Dave’s head. Porcelain fragments rained onto the counter.

Dave screamed.

Bat leaned against the kitchen island, watching the chaos with obvious satisfaction. “Remember that this is pretty much our only entertainment. Though, maybe if we had a television…”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

Brad caught the movement immediately. Stepped closer, EMF reader forgotten in his grip. “Charlie. What’s going on? Can you see something? Someone?”

“No. Just processing the insanity.”

Lady Grimthorne’s imperious voice cut through the chaos, though I saw no sign of her. “What is this racket? Some of us are trying to read!”

The lights flickered violently—on, off, on, off. Shadows jumped across the walls.

Dave let out a strangled yelp, kicking out at something near his ankle. “Something bit me! Jesus Christ, something bit me!”

Rosemary’s giggle echoed from beneath the table.

Dave staggered forward, collided with the table edge. His arms windmilled. He crashed sideways, hip slamming against wood.

Henry’s laughter joined his sister’s.

Brad finally snapped. Yanked the PolterPulse V2.1 from his belt, thumbing the activation switch. The device hummed to life, neon blue light pulsing along its barrel.

“Everyone DOWN!”

He fired wildly.