Page 39 of Malice

“I’ll do what I can.” Crash disappears through the wall.

“Do I want to know?” Hudson asks.

“No. To answer your question, I feel weird too. There’s a lot of… energy in your home. It’s old and a lot has happened.”

“I know, but except for Chester, it’s safe, right?”

“Yeah. You’re welcome here.”

He blows out a breath. “Good. Okay. You really have to go?”

I put my hands on his shoulders. “The sooner we deal with this the sooner you can get on with your life. I trust Crash to keep you safe, and time is different there. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Okay.”

Several other spirits appear, making a half circle around Hudson. I sense their protectiveness, which makes me feel a lot better.

“You’re definitely welcome here, Hudson.”

Without thinking, I brush his hair behind his ear. His breath hitches as he fixes his gaze on me. I can’t believe that on top of dealing with his dangerous ex, now I have a spirit trying to get us to hook up. Things just keep getting weirder and weirder around here.

“Crash?”

“Present,” he says, popping up right in front of me. “I’m on duty.”

“How do I get there?”

“Page four of the handbook.”

Closing my eyes, I mentally call it up, scanning the page. Oh. That’s easy.

“Request to speak with Farnsworth please.”

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I jolt backward and land on my ass. When I open my eyes, I’m back in the Below. Farnsworth is standing nearby with a clipboard in his hand. He glances down at me.

“I need help.”

He nods. “Let’s discuss.”

Chapter 15

Hudson

I’m left standing in my living room, clutching Aster’s dog and reeling from the fact that he disappeared right in front of my eyes. It’s quiet though, which is a nice change, so I sit on the couch, waiting, because I don’t know what else to do.

Remembering that Aster told me his guide is here, I squint as if that will help me see a ghost. Assuming Aster isn’t just feeding me bullshit, and based on what I’ve already experienced, I don’t think he is.

Otto wags his tail happily, staring straight in front of me.

“Um, hi, Aster’s guide. Crash, right? Thanks for being here. I hope you can hear me and I’m not just making a fool of myself right now.”

Another whoosh of cool hair flutters my hair and I laugh nervously.

“Whoa. Is there a way that I could see you too?”

Nothing happens for a few seconds, but then I’m overcome by the distinct feeling of weight on my shoulder, like a hand. I blow out a shaky breath, slowly turning my head to my left, where I catch just a glimpse of colors and a smile.

“Fuck,” I whisper. “I think I saw you.”

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