Page 55 of Eldritch

“What about weapons?” Sybil said.

“Fuck the weapons,” Pauline said. “I’ll use harsh language if I have to.”

They investigated each room, staying together for safety in numbers. They checked each bathroom and even the ballroom again. Nothing. No one.

They stood at the landing once more.

“This is batshit crazy,” Letisha said.

Thumping footsteps came up the stairs, and Sybil tensed. She almost held her breath as they waited for someone to come around the bend.

Maria appeared and slowed her progress as she saw them all staring down at her. Maybe their anticipation and fear showed on their faces.

Maria topped the landing. Her brow lowered. “Hey. What’s up? You guys finished for today?”

Pauline launched into an explanation of the mysterious face. Maria’s gaze changed from interested into fearful.

“That’s insane.” Maria threw up her hands. “We should hire a paranormal investigator at this rate. I’ve never even seen this much activity on an over-hyped paranormal show.”

“Thought you didn’t believe in ghosts.” Pauline almost sneered when she said it.

Maria shrugged. “I don’t. I watched a couple to see what the big deal was.”

“Uh-huh.” Letisha sounded doubtful. “Another reason we need to finish this job.”

“Doug is coming by tomorrow to install the security system. He’s supposed to call tonight and let us know if it’s a go.”

“As if electronic security is going to work on ghosts,” Pauline said.

“In that case, who is starving?” Letisha asked. “I’m starving.”

* * *

Sybil woke up with a gasp. At first, she didn’t understand where she was. She was standing in the darkness. Where the hell...? She put both hands out, and within a few moments, her eyes adjusted to the moonlit room.

Why the hell are you standing in the middle of the room, Sybil? Stupid girl.

“Stop it,” Sybil said out loud. “Shut up, mom.”

She didn’t want these voices, these thoughts. Not at this time of the night and in this gothic bedroom, where every shape in the semi-darkness appeared like something designed to scare her. No, she needed to go to bed. She made her way in the general direction of her bed after turning around to face it. Just enough moonlight to see without running into anything. Just?—

A shape sat on her side of the bed. Fear leapt into her throat, and her breath caught.

“What...”

The shape didn’t react to her voice. She thought of demanding to know who the hell the person was. Instead, she ran for the door, hoping she didn’t trip over anything. She flicked on the light switch near the doorway. She swung around.

Chandelier light flooded the room. Her gaze swung to her bed.

Nothing. No one was sitting there. She let out the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. She glanced around, heart pounding.

“What the actual hell?”

She rushed toward her bathroom. She flipped on the light as she strode inside. No one was there.

She shivered. The bathtub curtain obscured the tub.

She stared at the paisley curtain design with its gold tassel decorations, the ornate hooks holding the curtain to the rod. Her heartbeat and pulse still thrummed away.

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