Page 25 of A Haunting at Keystone Manor

I continue to watch them, drunk on my newfound power, and debate how far to push this. I still have a few items on my check list that I’m dying to try. I stand there for a few hours thinking, until I see light just starting to peek through the window. I’m running out of time. Okay, we’re doing the foot tickle, I decide. I’ve been torturing Derek all night, so decide it’s time to give Barbara a little taste. I walk towards the foot of the bed. Summoning my energy, I lift up the comforter and slip my hand under it. My finger grazes her heel, but she doesn’t so much as twitch. Emboldened, I attack her arch with a vigorous tickle, and she wakes up shrieking.

“DEREK! Something just touched my foot!” she shrieks, hysterical. I laugh as they both jump out of bed and frantically run around the room, gathering all their belongings.

“That’s it, we’re getting the hell out of here. KIDS! Pack your shit, we’re leaving! NOW!” Derek yells, and they run out of the room like they’ve just seen a ghost.

I follow them down the corridor and into the lobby. Kayla looks up in shock from her place behind the desk as they run up to her.

“Is something wrong?” she asks, looking confused.

“Yes. This hotel is haunted, we are leaving immediately.” Derek explains.

Kayla looks even more confused now. “Haunted? I’m sorry, sir, I don’t understand—”

“This. Hotel. Is. Haunted. We were terrorized all night. Loud noises, doors slamming. Something violated my wife this morning. We’re checking out immediately.”

“I’m so sorry for your experience, sir. We’ve never had this kind of issue before. Give me a second to get you checked out.” Derek impatiently taps his fingers on the desk as she works.

“We’ll be leaving a review on the google, as well. I don’t know if one of your employees just has a sick sense of humor, or a foot fetish, but they should be fired immediately,” Barbara says haughtily.

“I appreciate you letting me know about this, I will be looking into it, and appropriate action will be taken immediately, I assure you. I’d like to offer you a coupon for a free night stay, for your troubles.”

Derek huffs. “Oh no, we are never coming back here again.” With that they hurry out the door and drive away.

I look at Kayla, who rolls her eyes, and I wince. “I may have gone a little bit overboard…”

Just then Jake appears beside me, giving me the look. “What did I tell you, brat? You can’t drive away all our business. Do you want to haunt an empty hotel?”

“Honestly, this may be good for business. If they leave a review saying this place is haunted, all those ghost hunting freaks will be dying to come stay here. I know I’ve explained this to you. So, you’re welcome for that. The girl saw me, just so you know. I'm getting stronger. Soon, I'll be unstoppable!” He rolls his eyes, fondly.

Chapter seventeen

An Unwanted Visitor

Jake

After Alex’s haunting misadventures, things return to normal at the hotel. Well, as normal as things can be with a pair of ghosts running around, a stoner assistant manager and the equally stoned psychic who’s been increasingly present. And Kayla. We’re an interesting bunch. I’d never tell Alex this, but I’m starting to appreciate this place, despite my best efforts to stay indifferent.

I’m lounging in the lobby by myself today. Alex is in his room brainstorming ways to haunt the guests. He doesn’t want the experience to get stale, he said.

The front door suddenly swings open, and in walks the last person I ever expected to see again. My breath catches in my throat as he walks up to the front desk like he owns the place. Andrei. I stop breathing, frozen in place. He has nerve, showing back up here after what he did.

He sets a duffel bag he was carrying onto the desk and says, “We have business to discuss. There have been a few complications since I was here last. Elder Covington is trying to renegotiate our deal. We need to discuss options.”

Kayla looks at him with hatred in her eyes. That surprises me, because I know she’s been working with him for a while apparently, laundering my father’s blood money through this hotel. “Did you kill him?”

“Who?”

“Jake,” she draws out his name, glaring at him.

“I didn’t hurt the boy.”

“Bullshit! I saw the way you left him. How are you not dead? I’m surprised Mr. Covington hasn’t had you killed for what you did,” she says hotly.

Andrei raises his hand and points a finger at her. “Careful how you talk to me, girl. Covington and I are partners. Coming after me would start a war.” Kayla looks away, chagrined. “Why do you care anyway, were you in love with him?”

I swear I see her blush. “No, nothing like that.” She pulls the duffel bag off the front desk. “Let’s take this to the office.” Andrei follows her out of the lobby. I stand there, rooted to the spot in disbelief. I feel myself start to shake. I know Andrei can’t see me, can’t hurt me, but my body is not getting the memo.

Fuck, I need Alex. I back out of the lobby, not wanting to turn my back to Andrei, realizing how stupid I’m being as I do it. He can’t see me. I repeat it over and over in my head, trying to convince myself. I run up to Alex’s room and open the door without knocking. He’s lounging on his bed, writing in his notebook. I sit down on the bed next to him and drop my head into my hands. He sets his notebook to the side and turns to face me.