Page 78 of Real Fake Hauntings

I gasped for air. “Bagley’s gone.”

“Gone?”

“I think… I think someone put her into Crane’s body.”

“Boss?” Shane called, trotting up from the house, Rufus by his side. Alex followed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. I must’ve interrupted their breakfast.

Fluffy kept barking from inside.

“Fluffy,” Ian shouted. “Quiet.”

Fluffy let out a loud whine, then fell silent.

“I’m sorry, Fluffy,” I said, even if there was no way she could’ve heard me.

“What is it, boss?” Shane asked.

Ian rubbed my upper arms. “Go check where we buried Crane,” he told Shane.

“What?” Alex asked, alarmed.

“Where is it?” I asked, fortifying myself. “Take me there.”

Shane and Alex exchanged a look.

“This way,” Shane said, starting toward the cemetery.

We followed, Ian by my side and Rufus falling into step by my other. Being surrounded by their strength helped push back the panic.

“We put him there,” Shane said, pointing to a grassy clearing hidden behind a few trees. It was a short distance away from the graves proper, and the trees created somewhat of a wall against the fence and the street.

I examined the ground. You could tell where Shane and Alex had dug up the grass and tried to put it back to normal after.

“Did it look like this when you finished yesterday?” I asked.

Alex rubbed his chin. “Maybe?”

“I’m not sure,” Shane admitted. “We were in a bit of a hurry.”

I scowled at the ground. “We need to see if he’s still there.”

Alex and Shane exchanged another look.

“You, uhm, think he’s a zombie now?” Alex asked cautiously.

“I need to make sure he’s still in there,” I answered, firm in my convictions.

Alex groaned. “It’s going to take forever to dig him back up.”

“There is another way,” Ian said, giving me a meaningful look.

“Let’s call Key,” Shane said.

“Oh, yeah.” Alex brightened. “Key will be able to sense if he’s in there.”

I bit my lip, considering my options. Having to dig up the hole was going to take a long time, and if I was right… Time might be of the essence.

“Okay,” I agreed. “Call Key.”

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