Page 15 of Ghost Hunters 2

“What would he need time for?” Jillian asked.

Matthew shook his head. “She didn’t say. What could she have ever done to George to warrant this treatment? Tilly was the gentlest soul I ever knew.”

Jillian sighed and shook her head. “I don’t think it was anything Tilly did. I think it was something Claire did.”

Matthew looked confused. “Something Claire did? Claire might have been a pain in the ass at times but she couldn’t hurt anyone, well not really.”

“I think Claire lusted after you and she didn’t want Tilly to get you. She went out of her way to put road blocks up so Tilly wouldn’t run away with you.”

Matthew shook his head. “But she wasn’t a bad person. She was just jealous. She thought she wanted me but I only had eyes for Tilly. I kept trying to tell Claire that I couldn’t love her the way she wanted. Poor Tilly. I wish that I had found her the few times I searched for her before.”

“We’ll find her, I promise,” Jillian told him.

Matthew patted her hand. “I know we will. I can feel it in my bones. Maybe once we do we can end this curse.”

Jillian thought for a moment then added, “Matthew, you do realize that if we end the curse, you might die, don’t you?”

Matthew smiled. “Yes. I realize that my dear. That is exactly what I hope will happen. I know that I was never meant to live this long. We have to right the wrong that’s being played out here. The night of the fire three people died but some kind of magic is keeping everyone alive long after their time on earth was up.”

They were interrupted by Dino opening yet another room in the basement. This one was empty too. Dino looked back at them and shook his head. He moved to the last room on the right side. He tried the door handle first but it wouldn’t budge. He grabbed the hammer and chisel to remove the hinges.

With the first bang he heard something odd. He thought he heard someone calling his name. He dropped the hammer and backed away from the door. He quickly glanced at Matthew and Jillian then back to the door. “What the hell?”

Matthew struggled to his feet and approached the door. “Tilly, are you in there?” he whispered.

There was some movement behind the door. Someone banged on it from the other side and all three could hear a female voice call out, “Matthew, is that you? Please help me get out of here.”

Dino bent over to pick up the hammer. He began tapping the hinges, first one then the other. The door slid out of its opening slightly.

Dino and Jillian moved the door completely out.

When Jillian shined her flashlight in the dark they all found Tilly’s final resting place.

Matthew stumbled back and came to rest against the table in the corner. “Tilly?”

Something stirred in the corner.

A ghostly spirit rose and floated toward Matthew. She stopped when she got close to him. She reached out and grasped his hands. “I have waited so long for this day.”

“Tilly, I have missed you girl.” Matthew’s tears spilled from his eyes and rolled down his face.

Chapter Eight

Tilly turned to look at Jillian and Dino. “Thank you for finding me after all this time.” She looked back at Matthew and said, “For bringing my Matthew back to me.”

“What happens now?” Matthew asked. “How do I join you?”

“NO!” they all heard someone shout. “This will not happen.”

Everyone turned to the door to find a black aura blocking out the light.

Matthew stood and moved to stand between the black aura and Tilly. “I don’t know who you are but you aren’t going to get Tilly again.”

The black aura throbbed with rage and everyone could feel it pulsating in the small room. “This time, I shall enjoy killing you, old man. I should have done it years ago.” The black aura reached out and took Matthew by the throat.

“Grandpa!” Dino called out as he tossed his body toward the black spot, trying to stop it from hurting Matthew.

Dino was immediately lifted off the floor and something threw him back.