Page 8 of Ghost in the Night

I roll my eyes, annoyed that I wasted money on his ticket, even though Dad will pay me back.

“You know ghosts aren’t real, right?” Robby adds.

That’s the thing. I don’t know. Or I don’t know for sure, for sure. All I know is something happened back in my apartment. And it’s hard to ignore all the evidence that says ghosts are real. Well, at least the evidence I’ve seen on these tours. I just need something … a sign … to make me believe for real.

“It’s people making up stories,” Robby continues.

I wipe my glasses clean. “Pfft. Your mom told you that?”

“Yes. Plus, it’s a scientific fact. I’ve done the research.”

“I bet you have,” I laugh.

Robby scowls. “If I told you this bench was haunted, would you believe me?”

“It’s funny you should say that,” says a voice behind us.

We spin around. A skinny young guy stands there with a thick black binder under his arm.

“There’ve been reports of a woman,” the guy goes on. “Dressed in Victorian garb, seen weeping on that very bench. But when people look away for even a split second, she disappears.”

I jump to my feet, grabbing Robby up with me.

“Ow,” he hisses, snatching his arm back.

The guy smiles. “I’m Asher. Are you two here for tonight’s walk?”

“Wait, you’re our tour guide?” Robby asks in disbelief, and I don’t blame him. I’m used to old men leading these tours, some dressed in capes with top hats or carrying old-timey lanterns. Asher has on a T-shirt and cargo shorts with a backward baseball cap. He’s maybe college age, with a mop of dark curly hair and bushy eyebrows. If it wasn’t for his bright green vest that saysORBS AND MORE, I wouldn’t believe him.

“The one and only,” Asher says. “But! Are you two sure you’re old enough to do this?”

“I’ve skipped two grades,” Robby says with a huff. “I think I can handle a little story time at the park.”

I roll my eyes and pull out a folded note. “I have a permission slip.”

Asher waves his hand. “No need for that. I invite all people to learn about the paranormal. Including little ones.”

Robby grumbles under his breath and I hold in a snicker.

“Hey, are we gonna get this party started or what?” a scruffy voice barks behind us.

I turn to see the group of adults waiting for the tour to start. I always check out the people on these tours, hoping to see someone who looks like me. Tonight, it’s about fifteen people, some old, some college age, some Daddy’s age … all white. You don’t see many Black people on ghost tours. As Aunt Peggy says, “We don’t mess with that spirit stuff.” We don’t go investigating strange sounds in horror movies, fool around with witchcraft, or conjure things. So, I’m pretty much like an alien sighting on these tours.

Asher clears his throat and hops up onto the bench.

“If you’re here for the ghost tour, please gather around!” he calls. The group forms a semicircle as he begins his intro. “My name is Asher Livingston, and WELCOME to Orbsand More, the leading ghost tour experience in Savannah! You could have been anywhere in the city, but you’re with us and we thank you!”

Asher talks all hyped up like he ate ten Pixy Stix for dinner and he can’t seem to stand still.

“Tonight! During our two-hour walking tour, we’ll pass by some historic haunts, including a cemetery and legendary squares like this one.”

“Um, kid, no offense,” the scruffy voice man says, “but you seem a little young to be doing this.”

At first, I thought he was talking to me, but he’s looking straight at Asher with a skeptical eyebrow raised. Glad Robby and I weren’t the only ones doubting his skills.

Asher laughs. “Well, you can never be too young or old to be into ghosts.” He gives me a wink. “But a little about me. I’m a recent graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, otherwise known as SCAD. I’ve been into the paranormal for the majority of my life, and I started Orbs and More two years ago.”

A woman on the tour snickers. “I didn’t know SCAD had ghost as a major.”