Chapter 17: Screams in the Dark (Excerpt)

Michael’s voice came muffled through the thick old wood, “Are you guys all right?”

“Yeah,” Alison called back. “Are you?”

“Besides my head, I think I broke my shin against the stupid bed. Other than that, I’m fine. Let me in.” His knocking sounded urgent.

Olivia hated the lonely feeling of Alison pulling away. She heard her move through the dark. There was a clunk and Alison grunted in pain.

“Now what?” Olivia asked. Her heart felt quick and shaky.

The flashlight came on blinding. “I dropped my stupid phone on my toe.” Alison shined the light down toward her feet. “Aww, man! I chipped my pedicure.”

Michael knocked again.

Stamping angrily toward the bathroom door, Alison’s bare footfalls sounded like someone was punching meat. She slid the bolt. “What do you want?”

Michael stepped in wearing black boxers covered with yellow, skull-shaped happy faces. In one hand he carried a flashlight. In the other hand, he held a fireplace poker like a sword.

Olivia gave a small squeak and ducked under the covers.

“Where did you get that flashlight?” Alison demanded. “Did Penny give you a flashlight?”

“No. I packed it.” His smiled beamed brighter than the light. “Semper paratis.”

“Did you join the Coast Guard or something?” Olivia wasn’t used to Michael quoting Latin sayings.

Michael looked confused. “Huh? It’s from Sharknado. It means always prepared.” Michael shined his light around their room like a detective. “What are you guys doing in here, anyway?”

“Nothing,” Alison sounded annoyed. “Our lamp burned out,” Alison explained. “It just scared us.”

Olivia called from under the covers, “But your underwear is scaring us more.” Olivia peeked out. Alison stood angrily with one hand on her hip, tapping her toes.

“The rule, Michael!” she snapped. “A shirt at all times!”

“Hey, I was just trying to help you,” Michael sounded dejected. “You were screaming.” He turned to leave. “And by the way, you’re in your underwear, too.”

“It’s our room. And we didn’t scream,” Alison said.

“So who did?” Michael stepped back in, bringing the little circle of pale light with him.

“How should I know?” Alison said testily. “Maybe it was a raccoon.”

Michael shook his head and looked at Alison like she was an idiot. “It was definitely a scream. A human scream. And it came from inside.”