Page 9 of Eldritch

Letisha popped into the enclosed foyer, and Sybil heard the echo of their voices, almost like they were in a mall. “Girl, come on.”

Sybil stepped into the space beyond the foyer and noted the large reception living area. The Great Hall.

Sybil had seen photos of the house’s interior. In fact, she’d obsessed over the layout. The rooms still had all the items inside. The only thing Clarice hadn’t sent her were photos of the attic and basement. Clarice explained when she sent the photos to Sybil’s cloud account that she’d never thought of taking photos of the attic or basement.

But was she going to ignore the fact she’d looked in the mirror and her own image had shifted? Had smiled at her. Her skin prickled.

Oh, places like this, they make you cray cray, don’t they?

“Hey.” Letisha stood next to her. “We need to see if someone is in here.”

Sybil snapped out of it.

Letisha walked over to the huge two-story stone fireplace. The opening was large enough for someone to stand upright inside it.

Letisha snagged a fireplace implement. “I’m not hunting for some old white lady ghost without serious weaponry.”

Sybil also took a fireplace implement. “Come on.”

To their right, a staircase angled up and to the right. Before they could move, a commotion came from a doorway to their left and in walked Pauline and Maria. Both of them were soggy from the rain. Maria didn’t look happy, but when she saw Sybil and Letisha, her expression brightened.

“There you are,” Maria said. “Why are we in here without the cops?”

“Did you see anyone out back?” Letisha asked.

“Not a soul.” Pauline sauntered farther into the room. She slicked a hand through her wet hair. “Have you seen anyone?”

“Not yet. I’m not sure there was really anyone here,” Letisha said.

“We’ll go upstairs.” Sybil gestured to Letisha. “You guys stay here.”

“No way.” Pauline stepped forward. “Safety in numbers.”

They all followed Pauline, the steps creaking as they made their way up the staircase.

“You know where you’re going?” Letisha said in a low tone.

Pauline stopped on the stairway, frozen. “No.”

“When you get to the third floor, it’s two doors down on the right. That’s the window,” Sybil said”

“You’re sure?” Pauline said, her voice dripping with doubt.

Letisha made an impatient sound in her throat. “Yeah, we’re sure.”

Irritation heightened inside Sybil. “We’re making enough noise.”

Pauline nodded, and to Sybil’s surprise, she didn’t argue. They made it to the second-floor landing when Sybil heard it. Unless she was imagining it all? She recognized the song.

“Oh my God,” Maria said as she came up the stairs behind Sybil. “What is that song? That guy’s voice.”

It was loud enough Sybil could hear the lyrics. “Forsaken. David Draiman.”

“Where’s it coming from?” Letisha asked from her position behind Pauline.

“This floor.” Sybil could tell it was here, not one floor up where they intended to go. “Come on, we’re getting out of here. We’re calling the cops.”

They headed down the steps as quickly as they could and back to the van.

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