Page 32

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called. It’s just someone’s fucking with me, or… something.”

“What do you mean? Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay! This fucking place is haunted, Kyrin. And while I don’t typically believe in that kind of shit, I’m telling you, I’m not crazy.”

His dark chuckle does nothing to calm my nerves. Instead, anger washes through me. “It’s an old house, Sera.”

“No. An old house doesn’t open doors by itself! Neither does it have footsteps. Real footsteps!”

“Excuse me? Your door was open?”

“It’s not the first time it’s opened by itself, either.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because of how you just brushed me off. I knew you wouldn’t believe me.”

“You heard footsteps?”

“In the hall, and when I ran to the door, no one was there.”

“Were you drinking before bed?”

I swallow, not wanting his logic when the ghosts in the room feel so close, even now.

They’re probably smirking at his dismissal.

“That’s not the point.”

“Alcohol is a mind-altering substance, Sera. It could play into your experience.”

“Never mind. Just let the ghosts have me. When I turn up dead or have to be institutionalized, you’ll be to blame.”

“Sera—”

I hang up the call and finally march to the bathroom to relieve myself before getting back into bed.

Leaving the bathroom light on, as if it’ll protect me, I get back into bed and stare at the bedroom door until my eyes are heavy and burning.

Waking, I find my door closed, when it had been open when I got back into bed.

I roll my eyes and get up, slipping into a robe before I make my slow descent, curiously checking other doors on my floor. None of them open.

I rush down the stairs and nearly collide with Stanley as I pivot off the final step.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.”

“No problem. Did you need anything?”

“I was looking for the kitchen.”

His time-gnarled hand lifts and points left, where I see a swinging door still settling from his exit.

“The chef will be in sometime in the next hour; until then, help yourself to anything you want.”

I nod my thanks and head away from the man, then think better of it and turn back.

“Stanley?”