Page 76 of The Haunting of Lockton

Me:How about breakfast for dinner? I get off at 4 today. Come over any time after that.

Skyler:I think I’m in love with you.

Another text followed that one, and I stifled a laugh at the three lines of pancake and heart-eye emojis.

Me:Feel free to invite Julian too.

They traveled all the time, and their meals always came from restaurants, fast-food places, and hotel kitchens. A home-cooked meal might be nice for both of them. I’d be sure to cook more than pancakes. Make a whole feast of it with eggs, bacon, sausage, and whatever else I decided to throw in.

Skyler:Thx :) he’d like that.

I didn’t know if Skyler had told Julian about Alan yet. If not, he’d find out soon enough. With his gift, Julian could sense Alan even if he hid himself. Unlike Skyler though, I doubted Julian would be quite as freaked-out.

I was just about to put away my phone when it vibrated in my hand.

Skyler:We’ve been going over footage all day and have a shit ton more to do. But we’ve found a few things that are… interesting. Is it cool if we bring some of our stuff to show you?

Me:Sure. I can help review evidence too if you want.

The hours upon hours of footage from the various cameras placed throughout the asylum, along with the EVP recordings and thermal cams, seemed way too daunting for just two people. Hell, a whole team would probably struggle to finish in a timely manner. When I went to the store after work to buy groceries for dinner, I’d be sure to stock up on more coffee too.

Skyler:Okay, I may seriously be in love with you now.

The laugh I’d stifled earlier finally broke free as he then sent a GIF of an anime girl waggling her eyebrows and blowing a kiss.

Me:I don’t have to be at work until 1pm tomorrow, so we can make a night of it.

Skyler:Can we have a sleepover too? You know you missed cuddling up to this last night.

Me:You think too highly of yourself.

But he was right. I had liked falling asleep with my arms wrapped around him when he’d stayed the night with me.Waking up to him had been nice too. Better than nice, it had felt soright. Like he had belonged there.

Yeah… definitely a problem for future-me to deal with once he left. I was already in too deep and only sinking deeper.

Skyler responded with a winking face and another line of pancake emojis behind it. He was such a dork.

I left work around four and stopped by the store on my way home. Along with groceries for dinner and coffee, I also grabbed a container of peanut butter cookies, bags of chips, and a case of soda. I then grabbed a case of beer and some wine too, just in case they wanted something stronger than Dr. Pepper. I was heading toward the register when I spotted bags of assorted candy and tossed them into the basket too.

Clearly, I didn’t have friends over often. I was a clueless mess and just started grabbing shit I thought they might like.

When I got home, Alan took some of the bags from me and carried them to the kitchen.

“Thank you,” I said, setting the case of soda on the floor and bags on the counter.

His gaze roamed the groceries. “Is Skyler coming over?”

I nodded. “And his brother. Is that okay?”

“Yes.” Alan smiled. It then fell just as quickly as it’d appeared. “Should I stay out of sight? I don’t want to make his brother uncomfortable.”

“Don’t worry about that.” I started unloading the bags. “With Julian’s gift, I’m sure he’ll feel your presence as soon as he walks through the door.”

An expression crossed Alan’s face I wasn’t used to seeing: excitement.

I put away the rest of the groceries and had just gone upstairs to freshen up when my phone vibrated.

Skyler:On our way to you, hot stuff ;)