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Alice flipped the screen down and pushed a button to make it stop. My heart rattled against my ribcage as Marge belly-crawled across the stone floor.
“I’m gonna catch ‘em this time,” she whispered as she slid past. “Nobody. Move!”
We squished together tighter when we heard the voices once again.
“Holy shit,” Sylvie breathed. “You weren’t joking. Voices.”
“See! I told you!”
“Shut it!” Marge barked back quietly.
The three of us pulled together into a hug while Marge quietly rose to her knees, her piercing gaze searching out the window into the gardens below.
After several long moments, I couldn’t stand the suspense anymore. “Well? Is it ghosts? Are they there?”
Marge didn’t move and remained frozen at her perch.
“Marge. What do you see?” Alice asked, stroking a hand through her hair to straighten it. “Is it Jamie? Please tell me it’s Jamie.”
Marge didn’t respond again.
Sylvie sat up straighter. “Okay, I know there are no ghosts since they don’t exist, but you’re freaking me out. What do you see, Marge?”
Finally, Marge let out a deep sigh. “Damn it. We missed them again. Nothing out there. I should have grabbed my binoculars. I can’t see a damn thing.”
I let out a sigh of relief that there wasn’t a ghost floating in my window.
“See. Nothing. No ghosts. I told you! It’s something else!” Sylvie broke apart our hug.
“If you aren’t worried about ghosts, then why did you look so scared?” Marge spun to face her, an eyebrow inching up with the question.
Sylvie shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not ghosts I’m worried about, but there were voices. Creeps me out someone is milling around down there in secret.”
“I’ve had stalkers before,” Alice said. “It’s not fun wondering if some freak is sneaking around outside your window.”
“You’ve been stalked?” I spun to face her. “Really?”
Alice’s soft chuckle preceded her answer. “Me? Of course I’ve been stalked. Comes with the territory of being beautiful and famous. Just par for the course.”
“This ain’t no stalker out there,” Marge said as she came past. “That’s ghosts. I’m certain of it. They disappear too fast for mere mortals. Move over, ladies. I’m bunking in here with you tonight.”
“Oh, is big bad Marge scared of a little fake ghost?” Sylvie challenged with a smile.
“Nah. Since this room over the garden seems to be the hot bed, I want to be right here to catch Agnes and Duncan when they sneak into the room tonight and slip into bed with you all. Their cold, dead hands pulling back your blankets while you sleep unaware.”
Alice and I quit breathing, and Sylvie stiffened.
“Then BAM! They stab you with the dagger Duncan offed himself with.”
We all jumped at her forceful word.
“Now who’s scared of the ghosts.” Marge grinned a sinister smile straight at Sylvie.
“Marge!” Sylvie grabbed a pillow and smacked her with it. “Get out!”
Marge burst into laughter and tumbled into the bed with us. “Nah. If you’re all staying to help Doris feel safe, then I’m staying with you. Move over you dirty birdies. Let’s see what all the fuss is about with this lady porn you’re watching.”
The four of us squished under the covers together, and Alice putOutlanderback on. Even though I was riveted by the show, I couldn’t help glancing toward the window every now and again, hoping there weren’t two floating figures staring back at me. The thought sent an icy shiver down my spine, but when I’d look back at the Widows sandwiching me between them, I could breathe a sigh of relief. My friends were here to keep me safe.
