A wooden chair in the corner skids across the bare concrete, making a dragging sound. “What was that?” I’m looking to Corey and Emma for an explanation, but neither of them answers.
“I thought it talked through the board.” Kate’s voice is pitched low as if she doesn’t want anyone to hear her.
“He’s too strong to need the board for anything other than an opening,” Emma informs her as if she’s dumb for even saying something.
We all look up at the ceiling when we hear heavy footsteps above our heads. “Is your dad home?” I question Corey.
“No, he’s at work until midnight.”
“Your mom?” Kate presses.
“Uh-uh,” Corey replies.
“Who’s up there, Corey?” Kate’s voice wobbles like she might be close to crying.
“Theo,” Emma answers, rising to her feet.
“Who the hell is Theo?” I question just as the pointer slows until it’s barely moving anymore, my hands get heavier on it.
“This isn’t funny, Corey!” Kate backs up, leaving my fingers alone on the board.
I jerk my hands back when I feel a jolt, like an electric shock. I watch the pointer, convinced it’s going to move on its own, until we hear another loud thump from upstairs—it’s so loud, even Corey jumps this time.
“What the hell is going on?” I demand, helping Kate up from the stupid cushion on the ground.
“He’s here.” Emma’s voice is flat yet eerie.
“Yeah, well, have fun with that. We’re leaving.” Kate is gripping my arm so hard, I’m probably going to have the imprint of her nails scored into my skin.
“You’re going to go up there with him?” Emma smirks at me.
“It’s probably Kyle or something.” I try to play it off like I’m not scared, but I am afraid to walk up those stairs, even if it is the only way out of here.
“It’s not Kyle,” Corey says, still staring at the ceiling. It looks like she’s kind of spooked now too, and she’s gone pale.
Another crash sounds, this one louder than the last. Kate actually screams and shoves both of her hands over her ears as if it will block out the sounds—at least she let go of my arm. When I look down, I can see the scratches she left behind, and one already has little dots of blood welling up to the surface.
“Emma?” Corey questions. “That was loud. My parents are going to freak if something is broken.”
“Let’s go see.” Emma gazes at the three of us.
I don’t want to see shit, but I do want out of this house and away from all this crap, and going up there is probably the best way to do that.
“Get your bag, Kate, we’re leaving,” I instruct. As I lean down to grab my own, a tiny drop of blood plops onto the board, landing in the center of the “O” in hello. A chill races up my spine at the sight.
Emma heads toward the wooden stairs. The noises above us have stopped, but I’m still on edge, waiting. Corey is right behind Emma as she plants her foot on the riser. I watch their feet, fully expecting a hand to reach out, grab their ankles, and jerk them through the steps, so I’m slow to join them, and I end up in the rear of the group when Kate scoots really close to Corey’s back.
The hair on the nape of my neck tingles, standing on end. I swear someone is behind me, but I’m too afraid to look. If there wasn’t anyone in front of me, I would be running up the damn stairs as fast as my feet would take me, but I just end up pushed up against Kate with a serious case of the heebie-jeebies.
Emma shoves the door open, and it bounces off the wall. “Chill out, Emma,” Corey chastises. “My mom will freak if you put a hole in the wall.”
Emma sneaks into the kitchen, completely ignoring Corey. The second my feet hit the tile floor, I step to the side to get my back away from the open door behind me. It takes me a few seconds to get the nerve to look into the darkness we just left. Just as I’m about to look away, convinced the feeling was all in my head, a shadow moves.
“Jesus!” I hiss.
“What?” Kate’s voice trembles.
“Did you see something?” Emma is looking all around me, and she’s not concerned the way we are, but almost hopeful.
