Page 4 of The Haunting of Lockton

“Let’s keep going,” he said, putting on his headphones.

We didn’t find much else, apart from what looked like an orb floating in the air—though it could’ve been a speck of dust or a glare from the moon. There was also a frame on the thermal imaging camera that showed a small section of dark blue in the corner of the screen, almost like something was crouching near a grave. That’s how we would explain it to our viewers anyway.

All in all, after Julian worked his editing magic and strung all the footage together, it would make for another great episode.

We stayed in Easton for a few more days, catching up on sleep and recharging our batteries. We’d been on the go for so long, and it felt nice to take a short breather. I recorded personalized videos for the top-tier subscribers, and we did a live Q&A one night in the hotel room. Keeping up with the business end of things while finding time to relax too.

Then, we packed up the SUV and drove to Ivy Grove. Off on another ghost-hunting adventure. More of the same. Or so I’d thought. When we arrived in the town, it feltlike a different world. I couldn’t put my finger on why.

Ivy Grove just felt special.

“Jules, look.” I pointed to a road sign. A cartoon ghost was on it with a text bubble that readWelcome to Ivy Grove.“Even the ghosts are welcoming us.”

My brother snorted, his signature noise. “Tourists are a big thing here.”

“Speaking of, did you call that Valentina chick and tell her we were on our way?”

“Yes,” he answered. “She said the store opens at 9:00 a.m., so we can go after breakfast tomorrow.”

“Look at you. Always being on top of the ball.”

“One of us has to be.”

“Oh, burn.” I clutched my chest. “Hit me right where it hurts.”

“Well, you always say you’re the beauty and I’m the brains.”

I smirked. “You aren’t wrong there.”

He returned my smirk before refocusing on the road.

“Maybe we can sign up for one of the ghost tours,” I suggested. “It’d help us get a feel for the town.”

“Our entire life is a ghost tour, Sky.”

“True. Wouldn’t want it any other way.” I peered over at him. “Just you and me against the world.”

“You, me, and the ghosts.”

I snorted and looked out the window.

A majority of the trees had changed colors, the bright orange and red leaves a stark contrast to the overcast sky. One that threatened to bring rain later that night if the forecast had been correct. Historic homes came into view, followed by Main Street, where buildings clustered together in the shopping district. Storefront windows advertised fall clothes, décor, and pumpkin-spice-flavored everything. The sidewalks bustled with activity as people went from store to store carrying shopping bags, lattes, and…is that a box of donuts?

I searched for the bakery and found it across the street from a courtyard that had a fountain, clock tower, and benches.

“Thanksgiving is coming up fast,” Julian said, drawing my attention away from the courtyard. His expression had fallen, washing away the lighthearted moment from earlier. Holidays did that to him.

“Yeah?” I shifted in my seat. “So I get an excuse to gorge myself on turkey and pie?”

He rolled his eyes. “You’d do that anyway.”

“True.”

For as long as I could remember, it had only been me and Julian. We didn’t really know what it was like to have a family. Our dad left our mom when she was pregnant with us, so we’d never met him. As for our mom, she’d been too busy popping pills and shooting up to raise us. She got busted for drugs and lost custody of us when we were six, and we’d entered the foster care system. Luckily, we hadn’t gotten separated as some siblings did.

“Maybe we could…” He shook his head. “Never mind.”

“No, tell me.”