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But he was exhausted, and after taking the last bite of his tasty dinner, he stretched out and promptly dozed off.
* * *
When a loud ringing startled Noah from a deep sleep, he raised his arm and squinted at his watch. The dial told him it was just past 11 p.m. Assuming it was Cody and there was a problem in the barn, he quickly rolled on his side and picked up his phone. But it was Eleanor’s name on the screen and he quickly accepted the call.
“Ellie…?”
“Noah, sorry it’s so late. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“No, actually, I’m glad you called. I fell asleep on the couch and I need to let Sherlock out then get to bed. What’s up?”
“I realize we don’t know each other very well, but, uh, the thing is, you said I could call any time…and…uh…I feel I can trust you.”
“You can, absolutely,” he declared, suddenly wide awake. “What’s goin’ on?”
“I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but I’m scared.“
“Scared?” he repeated. “Where are you?”
“At this horrible house I have to call home. I swear it’s haunted.”
“Take a deep breath and tell me what’s goin’ on.”
“I was going to explain all this when I saw you again, except, I can hear the noises right now,” she replied, virtually whispering into the phone. “I swear I’m not crazy, and I have proof. This time I managed to record them. Sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself. Every now and then I hear sounds at night, creepy sounds, like soft banging on the walls, and I’m hearing them now.”
“It’s probably the house settlin’.”
“When I told my dad that’s what he said, but it’s not, I know it’s not.”
“Okay, let’s say for a moment you’re right and the noises are bein’ made by something else,” he said calmly. “Let’s think about this. You’re surrounded by forest. An animal may have found a way in and is movin’ through the walls trying to escape.”
“An animal…I hadn’t thought about that…but wouldn’t an animal make more of a rustling sound?”
“That would depend on what kind of animal it is.”
“Huh, I suppose you’re right.”
“Does the sound always scare you like this?”
“Yes, but tonight it’s really freaking me out because it’s clearer, like it’s closer to my room. This may sound silly, but all I can think about is the murder that happened here.”
“Ellie, I have a suggestion. Go and wake up your father, tell him what’s goin’ on, and take him back there so he can hear these sounds for himself.”
“It’s late, and I’m not sure I should knock on his door. I mean, Bethany could be there. It would be weird.”
“Bethany?”
“The Bitch From Hell.”
“Ah, of course. Can you text or call him?”
“Shit, I hate this,” she muttered. “That woman will find a way to use it against me. She’ll tell him I’m crazy, I know she will. Hold on. Noah, I think it stopped.”
“But now you have the recordin’! Next time you’re alone with him and you know you won’t be interrupted, play it for him.”
“Yes! That’s exactly what I’ll do! Thank you, and I’m really sorry to have bothered you. This has been so…uh…upsetting.”
“You didn’t bother me, not a bit. Are you still comin’ tomorrow?”
