Page 76 of Purrfectly Haunted

Shirley comes to give her a hug. “This is my home, too. I’m with you.”

I feel a lump in my throat, watching them. I’ve been here for less than two weeks, but the hostel also feels a little like my home. The nights spent by the fire, drinking tea, the dinners together in the kitchen, and the laughter even though we’re always dealing with paranormal activity have filled me with surprising joy.

Except it’s not my home. I’m just passing through, and as soon as we have dealt with those spirits, I’ll need to find a new job.

I clear my throat. “Don’t worry. We’re going to evict both ghosts, and everything will go back to normal. I promise.” Even if I have to drag Earl Lynch to hell myself. “Tonight. We’ll get this shit done.”

Ewan watches me, a little frown on his pretty face, and I wonder if we’re in over our heads.

sixteen

War against evil

EWAN

We're going to war, and our army is composed of the most unexpected soldiers, I think as we get prepared. Shirley and Lana have braided each other’s colourful hair back in what I'd call a Viking style. They’ve also put on their war paint—they called it that, not me. Glittery makeup and black lipstick. They made a joke out of it, but Shirley quietly admitted it made her feel bolder, and they hoped the ghost of Earl Lynch would be appalled by it.

The cats are with us, seven furry devils, eyes glowing in the dark as they patrol around us. To my surprise, James often gets on one knee to whisper reassuring words to the felines.

“We’ll make a cat person out of you yet,” I say.

He looks up with a frown and points a finger at me in warning. I laugh.

James is incredibly hot in his body armour, cargo pants, and combat boots. He has tied the top of his hair in a little ponytail to keep it out of his face.

I'm the most unexpected soldier of this army. Me, a clumsy giant who is terrified of ghosts. I can’t believe I’m doing this. But letting my friends face the monster alone terrifies me more.

The last guests finally left in the evening, and Lana locked the entrance door after putting up a handwritten sign that said: “The hostel is closed temporarily due to a family emergency. Sorry!”

Some angry guests already left scathing reviews online, but nothing can be done about it.

“It really is a family emergency,” Lana joked. “My fucking ancestor is trying to kill us all.”

To which Shirley replied, “I guess a bad rating is the least of our problems, isn’t it?”

Now we’re getting ready to kick that ancestor’s ass, and then we can focus on healing the hostel’s reputation.

Lana and Shirley made me promise earlier that when this was all over, I wouldn’t become a stranger. They said I’d always have a room here when I wanted to visit, and they could even give me a part-time job after ExorSquad. I’m thinking on taking them up on their offer.

Shirley told me they were going to extend the offer to James when the time comes, and I try not to overthink it and panic, wondering what his answer will be. I know it’ll hurt if he just moves on without a second glance.

In fact, it’ll hurt a lot.

“Well, let’s get this party started,” James says, turning the safety off his PolterPulse.

We’ve been standing in the great hall, gathering courage and making the last preparations. We’re bringing all the tools at our disposal: salt, fire, spells, herbs... We’re not sure what will work best against Earl Lynch, since we don’t have his remains. After Lana did some digging, it turned out his body was retrieved by doctors who studied syphilis at the time, then burned.

James helps me secure the mask over my face with a scarf, and I do the same for him. The toxic spores are still a problem.

“Ready?” James asks us, his voice muffled.

The three of us nod.

We make our way to the stairs leading down to the basement. I’m the one carrying the suitcase with the bones inside. Once again, we’re welcomed by the unnatural darkness, it’s evil clinging to my skin like oil. The air is thick with spores, and the mould has spread to all surfaces.

We stand back to back as we walk to the salt circle we drew the last time we were here. It’s still intact.

Without having to do anything, Agnes makes an appearance. Just like the previous times, she looks ghoulish, blood running down her eyes and chin. Now that we know her full story, she doesn’t scare me as much. She’s just a victim, rightfully angry. She groans and vomits blood, pointing an accusatory finger at us.