Chapter 46
I glance at the clock. It’s three in the morning.
The wicked hour. I think I had just fallen into a light and fitful sleep.
But then, I was jolted awake. It was a thud, that same sound, like something heavy on the roof, followed by creaks.
Like the sound of wood slowly splitting.
There is another noise. Hugo’s growl. It’s happening again.
I hear a slow creak, this time from below, and feel the house shift.
Something is here. Hugo bolts for the door, barking ferociously.
I start, too, knocking my mug off the bedside table, brown tea exploding onto the floor.
I run down the hall and make my way down the stairs as quickly and carefully as I can, one hand on the rail, the other instinctively on my belly.
Once at the landing, I stand for a moment, bewildered in the parlor.
I hear Hugo barking. I follow his sounds to the conservatory.
The door to the conservatory is open. We usually keep it closed.
Hugo is jumping and howling by the wall that looks out onto the back meadow.
I walk on trembling limbs to stand beside him.
My stomach drops as I see the same ghostly figure I saw before.
A cloak and a pale face, illuminated by the moon.
It’s Lydia, I tell myself, wanting this to be true, the real-world incarnation of the ghost in my dreams less frightening than other possibilities.
She’s maybe ten yards out, not too far. She isn’t moving, but stands, simply looking at me.
It’s probably a matter of seconds, though they stretch on.
A roll of fog passes over and when it’s gone, she is too.
All I see is my own reflection, equally pale and ghostly, standing in my nightgown.
I check all the locks. They are secure. I double-check the alarm system.
I stare at my phone while pacing the downstairs.
Do I call Topher? Do I call the police? My thumb taps out each option, then pauses and backs out each time.
No. I’m not going to do either. If Topher doesn’t believe me, I doubt the police will.
Besides, what could they do to help in a situation like this?
Would they even see her? And while my body feels like it’s humming, with both fear and adrenaline, I don’t know if she means me harm.
I think she’s trying to get my attention. Mission accomplished.
I’m about to head back upstairs when something below catches my eye.
The gaps between the floorboards are glowing.
A shiver runs through my body. I haven’t been in the basement in days, nor has Topher as far as I know.
And he’s anal about turning off the lights.
My heart starts to thud again as I step ever so carefully over to the basement door.
Hugo has followed me, whimpering. For a moment, I don’t want to open the door.
I lean my head against the old wood, my hand gripping but not moving the old metal slide lock, staring down at the thin bars of light.
Nothing is down there. Nothing is down there.
I feel like I’m going to pass out. I take a deep breath, attempting to steady myself, and slide the lock open with a dull clank.
Before I open the door, the basement light goes out and bars of light disappear into blackness.
There is a screeching noise, and it takes me a moment to realize it’s coming from me.
I jam the lock back in place and run, breathing rapid, raggedy breaths up the stairs to The Forest of the Dead, with Hugo close behind.
I slam shut the bedroom door and fling open the wardrobe.
I quickly huddle inside, pull the door nearly closed, arms wrapped around my shuddering body.
I stare out of the crack, my eyes trained on the beam of light beneath the bedroom door.
I sit like this until the sky begins to lighten in twilight and my eyelids become leaden and sleep takes over.