‘They must be in the bedroom,’ Jahmelia said, inching a little closer to her. ‘That’s where it started, isn’t it? With the little boy.’
Libby nodded grimly. She didn’t want to think about the family that died here. She wanted to get to 3.33 a.m. and leave. But the darkness beyond her candle felt alive. A low, whistling sound echoed throughout the building as a rush of icy wind shot past.
‘You know what the worst part is?’ Jahmelia nervously cupped the pale flame. ‘We can’t turn on the lights. I mean, I know we’re not meant to but … what happens if our candles go out? We won’t be able to see.’
‘Then don’t blow out your candle,’ Libby said, as they entered the kitchen. A scratching noise from the corner of the room made her jump, the candle wax burning her fingers.
‘It’s a mouse,’ Jahmelia said. ‘I hate mice. But we’re in a house where a family were murdered, on Halloween night. I’m barely scared of that sucker.’
All the same, they edged out of the kitchen, huddling over their candles as they entered each room. The air was sour with mould; damp spores blossoming up every wall. Their voices low, they talked and joked, occasionally hearing murmurs from upstairs.
‘Is it OK to eat?’ Jahmelia said, sliding a Twix from her jacket pocket. Libby waved it away as she offered her half.
‘Not my little girl …’
‘What did you say?’ Libby said, as she walked towards the window.
‘I asked if you wanted some chocolate.’
‘No, after that.’ Libby frowned. ‘You whispered something about a girl.’
Jahmelia shook her head. ‘Wasn’t me.’
‘C’mon, keep moving.’ Goosebumps prickled on Libby’s skin as they shuffled out of the room. Jahmelia felt as tense as a mousetrap as they linked arms and made their way to the hall.
‘Not my little girl …’
‘Did you hear that?’ Libby said, her throat tight. She glanced around the room. The mist seemed to have followed them in.
‘Hear what?’ Jahmelia spluttered, her mouth full. Libby was about to respond when a scream rose from upstairs. It was Isobel. Libby stared up at the expansive stairwell. She did not want to climb those stairs. A flicker of candlelight illuminated sudden movement on the landing as Bethany and Isobel flew out of one of the rooms.
‘I’ve only got ten seconds, I’ve only got ten seconds!’ Isobel whimpered from the top of the stairs as she tried to light her candle. She rasped the flint lighter, the flame flickering in her shaking hands.
‘What happened?’ Libby watched Isobel and her twin descend, their eyes wide with fear.
‘There’s someone up there,’ Isobel panted. ‘I swear, I saw a man next to the bed.’
‘I heard whispering!’ Bethany piped up. ‘And there’re huge white moths flapping everywhere!’
Libby remained silent. They had two hours to go before they could leave. She wasn’t going to chicken out first.
‘Where’s Angelica?’
‘We lost her.’ Bethany looked as if she was about to burst into tears.
‘Maybe she gave up playing and went home,’ Isobel added.
‘You’re kidding,’ Jahmelia’s voice echoed in wonderment. ‘I didn’t see her leave.’
‘Must have been when we were in the kitchen.’ Libby’s grip on her candle tightened. If she could make it through the next couple of hours, then she could lord this over Angelica for years. She smiled. There would be no more smart remarks about being a loser, or taunting of Jahmelia. Angelica would answer to her.
‘What are we doing? Are we going home?’ Jahmelia said hopefully. All eyes were on Libby as they awaited a response. She licked the dryness from her lips. Set her jaw firm.
‘Make a circle with some salt. We’ll sit back-to-back.’ She gazed at the pallid faces before her. ‘We came here to play a game. I’m not leaving until we win.’
3
Friday, 1st November 2019
