Page 44 of See Through

“I think Coop called for me. I just heard my name.” He starts walking to the door. “Why wouldn't he use the walkie?”

“Maybe he tried, and it wasn’t working. You know how electronics get all fucked sometimes. This one has been especially active. If you want to go check on him, go ahead. I’m going to sit with my brother for a few more minutes.”

“I’m not leaving you alone, Aubs.”

“There have been no EMF spikes, no weird shit going on besides a few door slams. Things have calmed down. If you’re in a different part of this house for five minutes, I’ll be fine.”

“No—” His head whips around again, as if he heard his name. I didn’t hear anything, but I’ve been a little occupied for the last few minutes. “What the hell?”

“Go and help our friends. I can handle myself. They can’t.”

I see the struggle in his features. I can tell he doesn't want to leave, but then we hear someone scream, and he sets the camera next to me on the bed to charge downstairs. Dean, the protector. Dean, always running face first into things to save the people he loves. He’s always been like that. If someone needs help—one of his friends or not—he runs right in. He’s always been selfless, the best person I’ve had the chance to know.

I’m grateful he’s my friend, partner, and boyfriend all in one. I don’t know how I got so lucky. I don’t know how it took me so long to realize he was right in front of me. Maybe the ghosts were clouding my sight, but I somehow saw right through him all those years. Now, it’s obvious Dean has always been mine, and somehow, I’ve always been his. I just didn’t realize it until recently.

“I hope you like Dean, because he’s going to be around for a very long time,” I say to the room, and my brother, if he’s still here. “I’m certain when I see you again, Dean will be walking in right after me.”

I take a deep breath, my emotions starting to overcome me before I hear a whisper.

“Down.”

I barely have time to react before I hear footsteps pounding up the stairs.

“Aubrey!” Dean yells, but it’s no use, because the door slams shut and corners me inside. All by myself. And the door won’t budge.

“Why haven’t you guys been using the walkies? Screaming my name to get me down here is one thing, but⁠—”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Cooper stares back at me as Maven gives me the same look. They both have no idea what I’m talking about.

“You guys screamed my name from down here as if you needed my help. Why?”

“We never did that, dude. I think these spirits are messing with your head.”

“I hate to say it, but I think Cooper might be right,” Maven agrees with him. I thought she was on my side.

Now, I’m even more confused. What the hell is going on?

“Are you guys gaslighting me? This isn’t funny, I left Aubrey upstairs, so if this is some sort of stupid prank, then cut it out, because⁠—”

“We never called your name, never screamed anything because there hasn’t been any activity down here besides a few footsteps and Cooper running into a cord hanging from the ceiling.”

“Then what did I hear?” I wonder out loud before I realize something in here could have mimicked their voices to get me down here. To get me to leave Aubrey alone. Her brother would never do that, so it has to be something else.

Fuck.

“We have to go upstairs,” I say as I rush away from them, already running back up to her. I knew I shouldn't have left her alone. I knew in my gut there was something wrong, but I had to check on them, and she pushed me to do it.

If anything happens to her, it’s my fault. I left her all alone in a house that was already acting up. I’m such a fucking idiot.

“Aubrey!” I yell as I reach her, and then, the door slams shut. “Shit.”

“What’s going on?” Maven catches up. “Is she in there?”

“Yes.” I jiggle the handle, but it doesn’t budge. “Aubrey! Can you unlock the door?”

“It’s not locked.” She pushes against it from the other side. “It won’t open. I can’t open it.”

“Breathe, baby,” I say as I try to calm my own racing heart. I can’t believe this is happening. I have no idea what to do or why this door won’t open. I can’t do anything but bang on it and hope Aubrey is okay. “Aubrey?”