Page 75 of Beneath the Dirt

No more ringing of the doorbell.

There’s no one there.

Anger invades me as I step out onto the porch, scanning it without a sign of anyone there.

“Halloween is over!” I shout. “Have to wait until next year for your pranks!”

Shaking my head, I head back into the house, though as I break the threshold of the doorway, a collection of muddy footprints trails a scattered line on my flooring.

“What the—” I interrupt myself, slamming and locking the door behindme.

This is my karma.

No, Beth.

Or Tori.

Whoever you want to be called.

You don’t believe in Karma.

You’re a good Christian woman.

Well… youwerea good Christian woman until that fucking succubus of a woman tempted your moral compass.

I frantically look around the living room to see any sign of the intruder. But everything is still in place.

“Hello,” I call out, feeling like a fool.

The house is still. So silent that you can hear a pin drop.

I inch forward and the floorboards creek beneath my feet. I peer down and more of the muddy footsteps are in my view. The longer I stare down at the floorboards, the more appear.

Suddenly, all the gusto I had dissipates, as I run towards my bible I keep on the end table by my couch.

With each frantic move I make, I try not to look at the floor, but it’s impossible, as more seem to appear each time I blink my eyes.

Finally, standing in front of the end table, I extend my hand for my bible, but it slides on the wood surface. I inch forward, curling my hand this time for it, but it slides again. It continues to slide back and forth, and side to side until it is suspended midair.

A rush of faintness trickles into my head as the bible floats in front of me. Still, I try to fight through it even as a familiar voice emerges, breaking the silence.

“Looking for this,” Harlan’s voice coos in my ear.

“Har—Harlan,” I say, relieved, though I shouldn’t be.

He’s not here.

It’s impossible.

“Har—Harlan.” Another voice mocks in singsong.

Feminine.

Angry.

I turn my head to face the other voice. I make it about a half turn before the bible is no longer floating.

“Looking for this?” Araceli cackles as the bible slaps me in the face. “Yeah, me too.” She hits me again just as something is injected into my spine and the room becomes as dark as my dwindling consciousness.

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