Bren!” Maggie called out.
“I don’t always have toothpaste around my mouth you know!” Brenna yelled from the bathroom.
“I was talking about this room! There’s crap everywhere.”
“Ah, well you know I’ve been occupied with other things. What room are you staying in anyway?” Brenna asked.
“The one right next door.” Brenna finished brushing her teeth, pulled on some clean clothes, and ducked back into the room.
“Room number seven?”
“Yup.” Maggie inserted a coin into the tv and sat back on the bed, flicked through channels.
“And uh, how is it?”
“How’s what?”
“The room.”
“Same as yours, except the TV has a worse picture.”
“Well, you can sleep in my room if you’d like.”
“Bren, if you’re worried about what the office guy said about the room being haunted don’t worry about it. He warned me already, offered me another room but I insisted on number seven. I figure we should be closest to the action if something spooky is gonna happen, I’m gonna be there to see it,” Maggie said without a hint of fear in her voice.
“Whatever you say.”
“I’m gonna go get changed, then you can take me to the woods and show me around.
Brenna pulled on her boots, wishing she had an ounce of Maggie’s courage. Hopefully, Maggie’s light won’t dull after visiting the woods. A shadow moved past the window.
“Mags?” She stood up and walked to the door. “Jeff?” No reply. “Maggie?” The door swung gently in the cool wind as Brenna stepped out onto the balcony. The office door was open and Brenna could see Jeff sitting behind his desk through the office window.
She went to room number seven and knocked on the door. Again, no answer. The doorknob turned and the door opened, beckoning Brenna inside. The room was dark except for a thin line of light under the bathroom door. Light spilled out of the bathroom as Brenna pushed on the door, peered into the room and screamed.
Maggie’s limp body was hanging from the shower rail, dripping blood into the bath. Stark red drops of blood against the porcelain made Brenna’s stomach constrict. She ran to Maggie and pulled her down, fighting panic. “No! Maggie!”
“What?” Maggie’s voice came from behind Brenna. She turned to see Maggie standing over her holding a can of soda.
“You’re okay…”
“Uh yeah, I just went to get a drink. What’s wrong?”
Brenna looked down at her hands. She had pulled down the shower curtain.
“I don’t know what’s going on. I saw something terrible, please stay in my room. There’s something very wrong here.”
“Well, of course, there is, that’s why I’m here.”
“I’m serious, Mags. This room is unsafe.”
“If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll stay in your room but I warn you in advance that I snore.”
Brenna laughed and stood up to hug Maggie. She held her in her arms squeezing her tightly. Although she was still shaking, feeling Maggie’s warmth calmed her. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too. Now have you got that box of herbs and stuff that I packed for you?”
“Sure do.”
“Good, we’re going to need it.”
Brenna helped Maggie transfer her bags into room six. Maggie changed into a pair of jeans and a baggy jersey. “I got us some lunch, it’s in my car. Maybe we can find a nice spot in the forest and eat it there?”
Brenna nodded in agreement, although inside she doubted a peaceful picnic would be possible on her inherited land. She had half a mind to let the creepy Mr. Hector take the land, and never step foot on it again. Problem was, the connection she felt to the land was too strong. Her ancestors had lived there. They have loved there. She couldn’t abandon that without a fight. She kept that to herself as Maggie cheerfully hummed away to the clock radio, dancing as she checked the box for ingredients they might need for the spell they intended to perform in the old cottage.
By the time they reached the forest the sun was shrouded behind clouds. Maggie pulled her coat around her neck tightly, shivering in the car. Brenna turned to Maggie and was unable to mask the concerned look on her face.
“It’s gets colder here.” Brenna turned toward the shut gate. “This is where it gets weird. The gate opens when I touch this stone.” Brenna leaned into the backseat searching for the moonstone in the wooden box. She faced the stubborn black gate and unveiled the glowing moonstone. The gate opened its steel arms, allowing access to the dirt road.
“Oh my…” Maggie’s voice was a tiny squeak.
“That’s only the