Page 115 of The Haunting of Lockton
Paxton
“Julian said the first episode is ready,” I told Valentina at work that afternoon. “They should be posting it soon.”
“Ah, so exciting. The anticipation thus far has been quite the ordeal, hasn’t it? Yet, it saddens me that our time with them is nearly at a close.”
The reminder that Skyler would leave soon was like lead dropping in my gut. Or maybe it was my heart that fell.
“Oh!” Val clapped her hands together once. “We should have a viewing party here at the store when they post the episode. Or would it be called a wrap party? Hmm. Regardless, I’ll ask Miguel to bake us a decadent treat to celebrate the occasion. Yes, yes, I’m adoring this idea. Cookies, cakes, and cute little sandwiches.”
“Booze?” Madison chimed in.
Val put one hand on her hip and brought the other to rest at her mouth. A dramatic pose as she pondered. It added to her outfit, which could also be described as dramatic, with a massive black bow at the small of her back where her dress fanned outward and created a small train behind her that dragged across the floor. She had to flick it around with her as she walked.
“Champagne,” she then said, snapping her fingers. “One that goes well with dessert.”
“Oh!” Madison’s excitement now matched our boss’. “We could make it a Friendsgiving slash episode-viewing party! Thanksgiving is next week. We could do it on Wednesday.”
Ever since my mom passed, I hadn’t really celebrated Thanksgiving. What was the point of cooking a big meal when I was the only one who’d be eating it? Christmas was different. Alan and I celebrated it together, and I most definitely used it as another excuse to spoil him with gifts. He gave me gifts too, which I cherished. He’d learned to crochet over the years and always made me a new scarf or sweater.
A thought hit me as Madison and Valentina dove into party-planning mode. If they’d still be in town, I could invite the twins over to my house and cook Thanksgiving dinner for us. A ham, small turkey, and homemade mac and cheese. Rolls, just like the ones my mom used to make.
“I’ll call them this evening and ask about the party,” Val said, and I tuned back in to their conversation. “Julian informed me this morning they were visiting Lockton again today and said their investigation should be wrapping up soon. It’s splendid timing.”
Customers came in and bought tickets for the museum, and another group—drawn in by the Knox brothers’ presence in town—signed up for Madison’s bus tour that night. A woman called wanting to hold a private tour for a birthday party, and Levi agreed to work the shift.
Around three o’clock, Val told me I could leave a little early. Pretty sure she wanted me to meet up with the twins and sweet-talk them into agreeing to the party. Regardless, I had no complaints as I changed my clothes in the employee bathroom and gathered my things to leave.
My good mood fell when I checked my phone. Three text messages and a missed call.
Skyler:Heading to see the ghosts! I promise I won’t get eaten. Maybe.
The next row was full of ghost emojis.
It was the next two messages that worried me, both sent two hours ago.
Skyler:I know you’re working, but something bad happened. I’m freaking the fuck out.
The third was sent five minutes later.
Skyler:Something’s wrong with Julian. Idk what the fuck to do. Please call me when you get this.
With my heart racing, I dialed his number and slapped the phone to my ear as I rushed toward the front door.
“Pax?” Skyler answered on the second ring. He sounded exhausted.
“I just saw your texts. What happened?” I wrenched my keys from my pocket and unlocked the car door, yanking it open and hurrying inside. “Is Julian okay? Where are you?”
“We’re at Redwood. Jules is okay now, I think. He’s just really tired.”
“What happened?” I left the parking lot and drove toward Redwood.
“Owen’s ghostisat Lockton. We met him down in the solitary wing. But fuck, Pax, he was full of rage and twisted. We learned a lot, but then I opened my big fucking mouth and pissed him off. He tried to attack me, and Julian grabbed him. There was this blinding light, and Owen fled. I think Julian chased him away. But then he collapsed. Just passed the fuck out. His breaths were so faint I didn’t think he was even breathing at all. God, I’m still shaking from it.”
“I’m on my way to you.”
“Okay.” His voice came out so frail.
I wasn’t one to drive recklessly or even speed, but as the call disconnected, I slammed on the gas and shot toward Redwood. His words played over in my head. He’d spoken in such a rush I wasn’t sure I’d heard everything clearly. They had encountered Owen’s ghost, and Skyler was almost attacked.
