“Jack?” Merrick called.
“Up here, the door’s jammed,” I yelled back.
“Stand back,” Merrick shouted.
Everyone moved backward, and the doorframe shuddered as Merrick crashed into it. It didn’t open, and he slammed into it again. The damn thing didn’t move.
“Jack, search for something to pry it open from your side,” Merrick called. “I’ll be back.”
“This doesn’t feel too good,” Connor said, glancing around warily.
“What are you sensing?” Michelle asked.
“A trap.” As we began searching, I sensed what Connor was feeling. Something was biding its time.
“There’s nothing here,” I replied after a few minutes.
Connor yanked on the doorknob again. He gasped, quickly let go, and looked down.
“What is it?” I demanded, hurrying over.
Connor held his hand up, and I peered closely at it. “Ectoplasm is a bad sign,” he said.
From Connor’s fingers dripped a milky white, mucus substance. Better known as goo, as Callie called it.
“Is it coming from outside or in here?” Michelle demanded, peering at the door.
“The handle’s coated with it, but I can’t see any… wait—there!” Connor exclaimed, pointing to the corner of the doorframe. Slowly, it grew larger as the ectoplasm dripped downwards. It was spreading slowly, but still too fast for my liking.
“Get back,” Merrick called.
“Merrick, is there anything odd on your side?” I yelled.
“Like what?”
“Ectoplasm?”
Merrick went quiet, and I knew what he’d say before he spoke. “What?”
“We’ve got ectoplasm here,” I replied.
“Out of my way, we need samples,” Connor said and nudged me aside. He had a bowl in his hand and a jug which he’d taken from the vanity table. Connor carefully scooped some up and stepped back.
“All clear,” I called to Merrick.
“Stand back,” Merrick ordered.
Michelle and Connor were peering over the bowl, and Connor was poking it with the end of a pen. I shook my head as Phil and I moved away.
Something hit hard, and we heard Merrick straining to open it. There was a loud snapping noise and a yelp from Merrick.
“What the hell was that?” I demanded.
“Shit, I don’t believe it,” Merrick’s voice filtered through.
“What?”
“I was using a shovel, and it snapped in half,” Merrick replied.
