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“Can’t you see?” The trumpeter from the Phantom Fiestadores released a toot of excitement. “It’s an enchanted mirror, bewitched to show the sights of these lands!”
“Actually, it’s a website. Specifically, your website.“ Zoe clicked on the windows, stifling a chuckle as the ghosts shrieked with excitement. “These pages show each of the guest rooms. And here’s a map with directions for lost souls to find you. And over here, people can book their stay.”
“What kind of wonderful witchcraft is this?” Misty yelped with excitement as a photograph appeared on the website. “My saloon! And look at what it says. Visit Misty’s Saloon, for ghoulishly delightful cakes and out of this Underworld coffee - guaranteed to raise your spirits!”
“And look here!” Spooks appeared before the screen, his eyes filled with wonder. “Prepare yourself for a performance like no other, with our in-house entertainer, Spooks. Goosebumps guaranteed! Plus, we’re pet-friendly too. Oh, look, it’s a photo of you, Cerberus!”
Cerberus barked with excitement, his tail wagging like an over-excited windshield wiper, while the Phantom Fiestadores cheered with delight as their songs played in the background of the website. But despite the excitement, all grew silent as a lone figure approached the laptop. Shadow’s eyes narrowed as he studied the website, until he read the words aloud.
“Experience the magic of the Underworld Motel, open to all lost souls. The must-visit pit-stop on your journey to the beyond! This is...“ Shadow drew a breath, while his eyes gleamed with light. “This is perfect.”
Zoe breathed out in relief. “Do you really think so?”
Shadow drew himself closer, and held Zoe’s gaze. “You might be a mortal, Zoe. But you’ve worked real magic here.”
With a smile, Shadow pressed his lips to hers. Zoe’s cheeks colored as Misty hooted in delight at the sight, while the Phantom Fiestadores let loose a lively medley from their instruments. The kiss was as light as air, nothing more than the touch of a cool breeze. And yet, as Shadow’s eyes gleamed, she knew it was a kiss of magic. A kiss of hope.
“Well then...” Zoe drew a breath as their lips parted, and turned to the will-ó-wisp beside her. “Would you mind doing the honors?”
The will-ó-wisp fluttered to the laptop screen, before its wings fluttered in anticipation. Its body flickered with a kaleidoscope of light, infusing the laptop with an otherworldly aura as it worked its magic. Zoe watched in awe as the screen flashed with a glorious golden light, until the tiny creature let out a triumphant buzz, it’s magic done.
Zoe turned to the assembled crowd and broke into a smile.
“Well, I guess the Underworld Motel is officially open for business!”
17
The sound of hammering and sawing filled the motel. Zoe watched as the Phantom Fiestadores repaired the rotten woodwork, as Misty wallpapered freshly plastered walls, and Cerberus swept layers of dust away with his tail. Little by little, each of the spirits breathed new life into the Underworld Motel. And as the only human in a household of ghosts, Zoe did the one chore that broke every specter into a cold sweat. The vacuuming.
Despite the tedious task, Zoe couldn’t help but smile as she caught Shadow’s gaze from afar. As his eyes sparkled with a golden light, she realized it wasn’t just the motel that was changing for the better. Everything in the Underworld seemed to sparkle with an inner magic that had been missing before. And as her work belongings sat untouched for the first time in years, Zoe couldn’t help but think that she’d changed for the better, too.
“Afternoon, fleshie!”
Spooks burst out of thin air with a gleeful cackle. But his joy soon turned to fear as his coat-tails fluttered into the vacuum, until he was sucked into the nozzle with a sharp cry.
“Dammit, Spooks!” Zoe groaned as she pulled him free from the vacuum bag, only to curse as dust exploded the freshly-cleaned floors. “Haven’t we been over this?”
“Yeah, yeah. No bursting out of thin air, no appearing through walls, and no using you as a fleshie guinea pig for my inventions. But this time it’s different.” The poltergeist plucked Zoe’s laptop from thin air, and gestured to the screen. “Look!”
“Huh...” Zoe peered at the screen, before her breath caught in her throat. “We’ve had visitors to the website!”
“That’s right, fleshie!” Spooks chuckled merrily, before he began juggling Zoe’s laptop through the air. “Soon this place will be filled with spirits, specters and gaggles of ghouls. And finally, I can perform for great crowds once more!”
“I just wish we could know for sure it’s working. I’ve never made a website for ghosts before...”
“Oh, it’s working, fleshie. And I have proof.” Spooks broke into a grin, before he took her hand. “All aboard!”
“Oh, no...”
With a yelp, Zoe was propelled from the motel, before they rocketed towards the maze. A shrill beeping blasted from Spooks’ tunic as they approached Persephone’s Tree, until Zoe turned to him knowingly.
“Is that my tracker?” She narrowed her eyes as the jester plucked the device from his pocket. “I thought I told you to keep your hands off my things?”
“But it’s so much fun to go snooping where I’m not supposed to. Besides, this might be just the thing I need to perfect the Ecto-3000.” Spooks cackled gleefully as they sped towards Persephone’s Tree. “Finally, no audience, living or dead, will be able to ignore me!”
With a merry toot, Spooks deposited Zoe at the foot of the tree, before he soared through its branches, giggling gleefully at every shrill bleep of the tracker. She sighed, and turned to see Misty and the Phantom Fiestadores gather nearby, their attention focused on a small spot on the earth.
“What’s going on?” Zoe approached the group curiously. “I trust there’s a good reason Spooks dragged me halfway across a frozen tundra?”
