The Guest House Hauntings Boxset by Hazel Holmes (novel books to read txt) 📕

he stepped out from behind the door and into the hallway. He closed the door almost all the way, leaving just a crack for him to sneak back through if he saw anyone.

He walked towards the kitchen, where he imagined Ezra would be. He paused at the dining room. A bag was on the table, its contents laid out. They didn’t look good. Matches, lighter fluid, knives, needles, chemicals, gags, binds. They were all professionally organized, like an experienced serial killer’s tool kit.

Nathaniel realized all his father’s warnings were true. Brittany and Sam were dangerous, and they were methodical about it. It was clear a lot of thought had been put into this attack. Nathaniel wasn’t sure he was a match for them. He didn’t know how to face such a threat, and he thought about turning back.

His thoughts froze as a scream fell from the attic and rang through the house.

53

The scream terrified Clara and Ezra, but not as much as it did Brittany and Sam. It sounded like it was coming from a young girl, and Clara and Ezra were both confused at first of where it could be coming from. Why would a little girl be in their house? Was someone harming her? It sounded like it. They were helpless to stop it and it was the worst feeling.

Brittany and Sam’s expressions explained it though, defusing some of Ezra and Clara’s fear. Their eyes widened; cheeks went white. They looked at each other in horror, disbelief.

“It can’t be,” Brittany whispered.

“It’s not,” Sam replied with more confidence in his voice than Brittany had. Still, he didn’t sound quite as sure of himself as usual. He looked over at Clara and Ezra. “I’m not impressed. If you think that’s going to scare us, you’re going to have to try harder than that.”

“Olivia,” Clara whispered. The scream had sounded slightly familiar. It had to be Olivia. That had to be why they were so upset by it.

“She’s dead,” Brittany hissed, her words shaky and unsure. Tears begged her eyes to show some empathy.

“She is,” Sam assured her. He took her hands and kissed them. “We went to her funeral. Olivia’s not in the house.”

Brittany nodded, but then the scream rang out again, this time from the opposite direction. This time it sounded like she was in the attic with them. Close.

“I’m going to see what’s up,” Sam promised her. He glared at Ezra and Clara. “When I get back, we’ll deal with them. You’ll see how far your little trick gets you.”

Clara and Ezra were curious to see how far the help of a ghost could get them. They weren’t too hopeful. So far, the ghosts hadn’t been able to physically do a lot in the world of the living. They doubted they’d be able to undo their binds or subdue Brittany and Sam. Still, hearing Olivia’s voice made them feel a little less alone. If Olivia was here, the rest of her family had to be close by too.

“At least if we die, we have good company,” Ezra said.

Clara surprised herself by laughing, just a little. It was a needed sound among all the awful tension that had built up over the last few weeks. She was forced to face her fears now and there was nothing she could do about it. It made sense to laugh if she could. These might be the last moments she ever shared with her husband.

“It’s not funny,” Brittany hissed. She drew a knife out of her pocket. “This isn’t a joke. Maybe I need to prove that to you.”

Ezra noticed movement in the corner, on the opposite side of the attic of where Sam had taken off to. In the shadows, color flickered followed by a familiar smile. It was a smile that turned into a frown as he noticed the knife in Brittany’s hand. Nathaniel was at a loss of what to do, though he knew he needed to act quickly before this could get even more out of hand.

The lights went out.

Complete darkness fell over the attic. Or at least, almost complete.

Billy had taught Nathaniel a lot about survival. It was necessary when living in such an unforgiving region, especially since they continued their hikes through the winter. Among these trainings, Nathaniel had learned how to sharpen his night vision. There was just enough light in the attic for him to see by. He kept a knife at his side as he darted to Ezra and Clara.

“Sam!” Brittany shrieked. “What’s going on?”

Under the cover of darkness, Nathaniel handed Ezra and Clara each a weapon. “You can do this,” he whispered. “You’ll be able to get close enough to Brittany to stop her. I won’t leave you.”

Yet that’s what he did moments later. Clara and Ezra couldn’t see where he was going, but he was out of sight by the time the lights flickered back on.

It wasn’t enough time for Ezra to finish cutting through the binds with the knife Nathaniel had given him. He hoped Brittany wouldn’t notice as he worked his way through the ropes quicker.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Brittany asked as she walked over with her own knife in hand.

Ezra panicked. Her knife was bigger than his, and though he was close to freeing himself, he wasn’t free yet. He and his wife were bound and totally vulnerable to being completely slaughtered, and he hated himself for it. He hated himself for not protecting Clara.

Brittany lifted the knife and lunged at Ezra.

Lyla appeared, catching Brittany off-guard.

“It can’t be,” she whispered.

Ezra moved out of the way just in time, all the while knowing he couldn’t keep avoiding her. He was playing a dangerous game with time that he wouldn’t win if he couldn’t free himself quick enough.

Brittany was too distracted to stop herself from falling on the floor, giving Clara the perfect chance to wiggle closer. Before Brittany could get up, Clara plunged the needle into her neck.

“Sam!” Brittany screamed before the tranquilizer could sedate