Page 60 of Specters & Spotlights

“Still nothing,” she said, not needing to specify.

Elise’s heart dipped. “No answer?”

“Voicemail every time,” Jen replied. “I’ve asked around. No one’s seen her since we left the last city. She likes to travel solo, so no one really clocked it… but still.” She ran a hand through her hair, then gave Elise a tight smile. “I’ll keep trying. Night.”

And just like that, Jen was gone again—another shadow slipping down the hallway. Something was off. Off in a way that didn’t have a name yet.

The dressing room was winding down. Costume pieces tucked away, makeup wiped clean, and the electric buzz of performance settling into something quieter, softer. Elise was rewrapping a stubborn lacefront when she sensed someone lingering at the edge of her space.

Graham.

He leaned casually against the doorway, but his eyes betrayed the hesitance.

“I heard a rumor,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “Word is, you can see ghosts.”

Elise didn’t look up right away. “Mmm. That depends. Are you the type to run screaming, or ask for lottery numbers from beyond the grave?”

He made a face—half-grin, half-wince. “I’m more of a… huh, okay, I’ll just pretend that’s normal and reevaluate everything I thought I knew about the universe… kind of guy.”

She grinned, setting the wig down. “Good. That’s the correct answer.”

His smile softened. “You do have a talent for surprises.”

Then, after a pause, quieter: “I wasn’t there when you told the others. I just… heard people talking. I couldn’t tell if they were serious. Or if you were.”

Elise’s expression didn’t shift, but something in her posture settled. “It’s serious,” she said. “But I don’t usually explain it right away. This is… new for me. Talking to people about it, I mean.”

“Right,” he said. He ran a hand through his (perfect) hair, a little sheepish. “Sorry. I’m probably the millionth person to come in here acting clever.”

“Only the seventh,” she said, dry. “But who’s counting.”

That earned a real laugh from him, quick and low. Then his voice turned thoughtful again.

“Can I ask something?” he said, quieter now.

Elise turned fully toward him. “You can try.”

His posture shifted, the joking falling away. “That night,” he said, voice softer. “At the party. Something happened. What was it?”

“I just… had a moment,” she said, carefully.

He nodded, waiting.

She took a slow breath, as if shaping the words gave them power. “I saw a ghost. But not just any ghost. Someone I used to know. My ex.”

His expression shifted, serious now. “You saw your ex?”

“The thing is,” she continued, “he’s not… alive. Anymore.”

Graham blinked. “Wait—he’s dead?”

She nodded. “I didn’t know. Not until that night. Last I saw him… he was very much alive and very much making my life hell.”

There was a beat of silence, then:

“Wow,” he said softly. “That’s… a lot. And you’re just—back to gluing wigs like nothing happened?”

She tried to chuckle, but it came out thin. “I’m trying.”