Ghosts of Averoigne

“It was a force,” Jeremy agreed, “but it was also a person. Or at least, it was a person. A long time ago.”

They stared at the old silvered mirror for a long while. Other than sporting a really fancy Venetian frame, it seemed ordinary in every aspect. Until…

“What’s that?” asked Logan. He pointed, and Jeremy leaned in.

“What?”

“Right there. In the back of the mirror.”

It took a moment, but then Kara saw it too. There was something moving in the mirror. Like a light, pulsing. Slowing glowing brighter and then fading away.

“It’s a red light,” said Jeremy.

“Orange,” Kara corrected him.

The light pulsed again. It was barely visible. If there hadn’t been others who saw the same thing, Kara would’ve thought it to be a trick of the light.

“Maybe it’s a trick of the light,” said Logan. “Turn off your flashlights.”

Kara shook her head. “No thanks.”

They stared some more. The light glimmered, dimmed, and then faded to nothing. A full minute went by. There was nothing else there.

Logan blinked and took a step back. “So this is the room from the photo?” he asked. “Northrop performed his ceremony right here, in front of this mirror?”

“Apparently,” said Jeremy.

Still, Kara wasn’t so sure. The wall the mirror hung on just didn’t seem right. And there were no signs of the twin bookcases. In fact, the room had no bookcases at all.

She peered into the mirror one last time and saw nothing. Her hands went to her hips.

“We need to stay here,” she said. “Maybe for the night.”

No one argued.

“Not tonight though,” she added. “It’s too late. Plus, Jeremy just got pretty rattled. Better to rest up and—”

“Hey, don’t put it on me,” said Jeremy. “Other than a headache, I feel fine.”

In the end though, they agreed to head back. They’d been searching for hours, and everyone was dirty and tired. Plus, their lungs had had more than their fill of dust.

“Tomorrow,” said Kara. “We’ll set up some equipment. We’ll bring more lighting too, and be ready for whatever happens.”

“Might need to tie this one down,” said Logan. He nodded toward Jeremy. “So he doesn?

?t go all rock star on us again.”

Kara smirked wryly. “I’m pretty sure he just got caught off guard.” She looked at Jeremy and winked. “He’ll be prepared next time.”

Jeremy nodded. “I opened my mind too wide, allowed myself to be too susceptible,” he admitted. “Won’t happen again.”

It was hot again. Crazy hot.

Kara flip-flopped in her bed, trying her level best to clear her mind. Part of her wanted to strip the covers entirely, and sleep in the nude. The other half needed some kind of sheet or blanket to pull up just in case the wailing woman returned again.

I should’ve let Jeremy stay here on the couch, she thought to herself. He’d certainly offered. There was a decent chance he’d be able to communicate with the spirit if she showed up. But there was also the chance that—

KNOCK KNOCK.