Chapter 7 Ghosts
556words
One moment there's a heavy downpour and icy winds that could slice you into two.
Then when you step outside, there wouldn't be a single cloud in sight. And, if the sun moved any closer, it would scorch us to ashes.
I discovered this the following morning as I strode toward the cottage, every muscle in my body aching.
Irritated by the elements' unruliness, I rid myself of my thick, woolly sweater and threw it back into the caravan.
When I walked toward the cottage for a second time, an explosion of moans and cries sounded—similar to how I would picture it to be like when a demon was having a fit.
"Mom?" I tested, pausing by the door. The commotion proceeded to screeches, and I grew more apprehensive by the second.
When the door to the cottage flung open, I jumped back so far I almost fell over.
Mom scoffed. "Your dad is testing his new spirit box. Now he thinks we live inside a haunted house."
I peered past Mom. I couldn't see Dad, but I could hear that awful-sounding box. "Is it supposed to make that much noise?"
"According to him, yes. He says a man named Benjamin is living with us."
"You believe that?" Both my brows shot up.
"Of course I do," Mom quipped. "Because you can't see something doesn't mean it's not there or doesn't exist."
"Uh-huh."
"I left out some eggs and bread on the kitchen table. Your dad and I already ate, so please help yourself."
Mom smoothed the front of her blouse. "I'm off to work. Your dad will be doing errands around town later. But, at the look of things, way later."
I snorted a laugh. Knowing Dad and his ghost business, that once he took off, there was no stopping him. He'd likely forget to go into town today altogether.
Mom planted a quick kiss on the side of my face and headed for the driveway. "Have fun today!"
"You too," I called back. My shoulders dropped the moment she was out of sight. There was nothing fun about unpacking, and I wasn't sure if Ember would come over. I could tell she wanted to, but her asshat of a brother was adamant against her sinking to my level.
Whatever that level was.
I snorted again, kicking an empty planter into the corner of the porch, and headed inside.
I was halfway through eating breakfast when the floorboards on the porch creaked, followed by rapping against the door. "Carly?" Ember called out.
"You can come in!" I stood up and cleared up the remnants of my food, dumping my used plate into the sink.
When Ember entered the kitchen, concern marred her features. "What is that?"
I paused, using my tongue to scrape out food stuck inside my teeth before I spoke. "What?"
"That noise?"
"Oh!" After an hour of Dad's spirit box's continuous booming, I'd grown so accustomed to the commotion. "That's my dad, sorry."
"Is he...okay?"
"I mean, my dad and his spirit box," I flushed. Would Ember run off if I told her the truth? She'd find out anyway.
"He's a paranormal investigator," I supplied nervously.
Both Ember's brows shot up. "That, my new friend, is so cool!"
Well, I didn't expect that.
