Page 65 of Ghost in the Night

“Did you have your father rush the demolition of this house?” I demand. “Why?”

“Well … once the producers passed on my show idea, I realized I had to erase any evidence of what happened here.” She looks at Jabari. “Or any witnesses.”

Jabari whimpers into Myah, and she holds him tight.

“I knew you were interested in this house,” Britney says to me with a tight smile. “Asher tried to throw you off the scent. But then I had lunch with Maverick. He told me he had met with some kids who were trying to get into ghost hunting. I asked him if you showed him a picture of this house and he got reallll nosy about it. But I swear, I didn’t mean to kill Tim Truman. He just tripped. I think. Or maybe a ghost pushed him.”

Britney isfor real, for real crazy. There’s no denying it now. And with crazy people, you gotta take it slow and play their game.

“Well. You can just tell everyone it was an accident,” I say, trying to keep her talking, to buy us time. “What happened with Tim Truman. They’ll believe you. We’ll back you up.”

Myah looks at me like I got two heads.

“It’s too late for that,” Britney huffs. “And I’m not going to jail.”

“What are you going to do?” Myah spit out.

Britney sighs and pulls a roll of  black duct tape out of her bag. “This building is coming down tomorrow. You four will be in the basement when it happens. No one will be able to hear you scream.”

Robby squeezes tighter to me, a whimper escaping him. This is it. There’s no way out. We’re all going to die in here. Just more ghosts added to Calhoun Square.

With the ancestors …

But the ancestors wouldn’t give up so easy. They fought to the end and passed that down to all of us. That’s whywe’re all fighters and protectors. Myah never gave up on wanting to help Tim Truman and his family. Jabari did everything to protect his family, including living in this run-down house. And Robby ran all the way from the gala just to help me.

“Now come on,” Britney says. “We’re going down to the basement. And no one try anything funny. I mean it!”

Trust your gut.

It’s my gut that knows what to do. My gut that tells me how to stay safe. My gut is my ancestors. Grandma, Mom, they’ve always had my back … they’ve been with me this entire time. Every time something happens, my gut is the first thing I feel. Maybe it’s not a ghost I’m feeling. Maybe it’s them.

Trust your gut.

I look down at the camera hanging around my neck as a plan forms. One side of me thinks it’s crazy, but the other side, the side that’s kept me safe, thinks it’ll work.

“Close your eyes,” I whisper to Myah.

“What?”

“Trust me. And when I tell you to, grab the boys and run.”

Myah swallows hard but gives a subtle nod.

“All right. Let’s go,” Britney orders, then points the knife at me. “You first.”

I take a deep breath and step toward her, prying myself out of  Robby’s fingers. I don’t know if  I can pull this off, but I’m gonna try.

Trust your gut.

Another step. Then another. Britney gives me a sly smile. A smile that says she’s won. When I’m a foot away from her, I quickly grab my camera, point, and shoot. The room turns blinding white.

“Ah!” Britney hollers, shutting her eyes tight.

“Now!” I scream at Myah, and shove Britney with both hands. She stumbles, tripping over a chair and falling to the floor.

Myah pushes Jabari and Robby toward the door. “Go! Go! Go!” she yells.

The boys hesitate but run out into the hall, sneakers squeaking.