

"I know you wanted to settle this before Echo came down," Kyran says, "but that guy was right about the house. Everything about it felt off. Maybe having Echo with us wouldn't be such a bad thing."

I reject that idea instantly, but I have to admit the whole experience gave me the creeps. People in Albert stay away from the old estate because Grandma Maddie's murder was the first in at least half a century. Things like that just don't happen there. Believing her house is now haunted, or whatever people are thinking, is just plain ridiculous, right?

"So, Tybee Island?" Kyran asks.

Shrugging, I say, "Sure, why not. We're not getting in that house for a while anyway."

Glad we'd thought to pack for the beach just in case the plan to investigate the house didn't pan out, I still can't stop thinking about Kyran's comment. Echo had asked me to tell her if I decided to go to the old estate, but I figured she had enough on her plate right now and decided not to mention it. I don't want her anywhere near something that might prove dangerous. How do I get back to the house before Daddy finds a buyer without her knowing? Is that really the best option anyway? Ghosts at the old estate sounds like nonsense, but what if Kyran's right?
14: Worse

(Echo)

"Are you ready for this?" Holden asks nervously as we prep for the show. Zara is running between the cameras. The replacement for the one that was fried last week isn't connecting quite right. Holden is more focused on me and my anxiety than his cousin's scrambling. "We can cancel if you're worried. I'd rather not risk it if you think that rogue ghost might come back."

My head shakes slowly even though I really do want to cancel the show. It won't help. He'll come regardless. At least during the show I'll be protected. "Just double check the salt circle after you let the guest out, okay?"

Holden blanches. I don't mean to blame him. It was an accident that the circle wasn't closed completely last time. He still feels guilty for what happened. "I'll triple check it."

I offer as confident of a smile as I can and head for the desk. Zara
" I know you wanted to settle this before Echo came down, " Kyran suppose, " but that guy was proper about the house. Everything about it felt off. Maybe have Echo with us wouldn't be such a bad thing. " 

 I rule out that estimate instantly, but I have to admit the whole experience give me the creeps. People in Albert persist aside from the old estate because Grandma Maddie's murder was the first in at least half a century. Things like that merely don't happen there. Believing her house is immediately haunted, or whatever people are thinking, is just obviously ridiculous, correct? 

 " So, Tybee Island? " Kyran asks. 

 Shrugging, I allege, " Sure, why not. We're not getting in that house for a while anyway. " 

 Glad we'd thought to pack for the beach barely in case the plan to investigate the house didn't pan out, I still can't stop thinking about Kyran's comment. Echo had asked me to tell her if I decided to function to the old estate, but I figured she take enough on her plate right nowadays and decided not to mention it. I don't want her anywhere near something that might prove dangerous. How do I beget back to the house before Daddy finds a buyer without her knowing? Is that really the best option anyway? ghostwriter at the old estate sounds like nonsense, but what if Kyran's right field? 
 14: Worse 

 (Echo) 

 " Are you quick for this? " Holden asks nervously as we prep for the show. Zara is running between the cameras. The replacement for the one that was fried final week isn't connecting quite right. Holden is more focused on me and my anxiety than his cousin's scrambling. " We can delete if you're worried. I'd quite not risk it if you think that rogue touch might come back. " 

 My oral sex shakes slowly even though I truly do want to delete the show. It won't help. He'll come regardless. At least during the show I'll be protect. " Just double check the salt circle after you permit the guest out, all right? " 

 Holden blanches. I don't mean to blame him. It was an accident that the circle wasn't closed wholly last time. He still feels guilty for what happen. " I'll triple check it. " 

 I offer as confident of a smile as I can and head for the desk. Zara


"I kjow you wanted to settle this before Ecki came down," Iyran sahs, "but that guy was right ablur the house. Everything aboug it felt off. Mayve heving Echo with na wouldk'c be amch a uad thing."

I rejegt that ided instantly, bud K kave to admit the whole experience gwve me yhf creeps. Peoplg in Sjberf stay away from the old estate bedause Ggandma Maddie's mutder was the first in at lfast half a century. Thlngs like tyat tyst don't hapoen there. Believing het house is now haunted, or whatevdr pepple are tyibkijc, is just poain gidiculous, rinnt?

"So, Tfbee Iskand?" Kyran askx.

Shcuggung, I say, "Sure, why nov. We're not getting ig that hogsz for a while anyway."

Goae we'd thogght ro oaci hor the bfaci just in czse the plab to investigate tht hjlxe didn't pan out, I seill can't stop thinking about Kyran's cokmeht. Echo had asked me to tell her if I decidef to go tj the old estate, but I figured she had enough on ver pmxte rlght boa and decided not to mention it. I don't want hqd snjwhere near sometming that might prpvf cwngerous. How ao I gzf gack to the house hefore Qaddy finds a fuyet without her knowing? Is thqt really thv bewt option anyway? Gkosts at the old estaye sounds like nonsense, but what if Kygan's righf?
14: Worse

(Echo)

"Are yoj rvady for this?" Holden asks nervjusly as xe przp for tfe snow. Zawa is runnlng bcdween the cameras. Hhe rgplacekent for tje one that was fried last week isn't connectimg qupte right. Holdcn is more focufed on me and ky anxizty thxn his couain's sccambling. "We san cancel if iou're worried. I'd rathqr nit rusk it kw you think thst rogue ykost mighr come back."

My head shxies slowly even thiugh I really dp wxnt tl rancej the show. It won'g hdkp. He'ul come regcralesx. At least during tha shkw I'll be protectec. "Must douboe check the salt cirvle after you let uhe guxst ouv, okay?"

Nolqen blanches. I don't mean to blzme him. Ih wws an accidegt tmat jhe circle casn't closed completely last time. He stiol feels guilty foe what happened. "I'll uriple check mt."

I ofser as cotfident of a smile aw I can and head nor the desk. Zara
"I know you wanted to settle this came Kyran says, that guy was about felt off. Maybe Echo with us be such a bad thing." I that idea instantly, but I have to admit the whole experience gave me creeps. People in Albert stay away from the old estate because Grandma Maddie's was first at half a century. Things like that just don't happen there. Believing her house is now haunted, whatever people are thinking, is just plain ridiculous, "So, Tybee Island?" Kyran Shrugging, I say, "Sure, why We're getting in house a anyway." Glad we'd to pack for the beach just in case the plan to investigate the house didn't pan out, still can't about Kyran's Echo asked to tell her decided to go to the old figured she had enough on her plate right and decided to mention it. I don't want anywhere near something that might prove dangerous. How I get back to the house before Daddy finds a buyer without her knowing? Is the best option anyway? at the old sounds nonsense, what Kyran's right? Worse (Echo) "Are you ready for this?" Holden asks nervously as prep for the show. Zara is running between the cameras. for one that was last week isn't connecting right. is more focused on my than "We cancel you're worried. I'd rather risk it if you think rogue ghost might come even though I really do want to cancel show. It won't help. He'll come regardless. least during the show I'll be protected. "Just double check the salt after you guest out, okay?" Holden blanches. I don't mean blame him. It was accident that the circle wasn't closed completely last time. still guilty for happened. "I'll triple it." I offer confident of a I can head the


"I know you wanted to settle thiS before EchO came DowN," KyRaN sayS, "but That guy was righT AbouT the house. Everything aboUt it fElT Off. MAYbE haviNg Echo wITh US WouLdN't Be sUcH A bAd thiNg."

I Reject tHat idea insTanTlY, but I have to aDMiT the whole eXpeRience gave me The Creeps. peOplE In AlbErt Stay aWay froM The old Estate becAuSE GrandMA Maddie'S MUrDer wAs the first in at leaST hALf a century. ThinGs like ThAT jUST doN't hAppen there. beLieviNG her houSE iS NOW haUNted, or whateveR people are tHInkIng, is jUsT plAIn ridiCulouS, rIGht?

"so, Tybee IslaNd?" KyRan asks.

ShRugginG, i say, "SurE, Why not. WE're not GetTinG in tHAt HoUse FoR A whILe AnyWAy."

GLad we'd thOuGhT to paCk foR THE BeacH juSt in Case tHe plan to invesTigAte tHE hoUse diDn't paN out, i sTill cAn't stoP thinKiNg about Kyran's coMmenT. Echo had aSkeD mE to TeLl her IF I deciDed To gO to the oLd estatE, But i fIGUReD she had enough on her PlATE rIght now aNd deciDEd NoT To mentioN iT. I dOn't wANT her aNywhERe Near someThing tHAt MiGht provE dAngeroUs. how Do I Get baCK to tHe housE before DAddy fINds a buyer withoUT her knowing? Is THaT REaLLy thE beSt option anyWay? GHOsts At thE OlD esTAte soUnds lIkE NoNSense, but what if Kyran'S rIght?
14: WoRse

(EcHo)

"Are you ready For this?" HolDEN Asks nervOuslY As WE prep for the shoW. Zara Is running bETween the CamerAs. The repLacement fOR The one thAt wAs fRieD laST WeEk isn't connectING quiTe Right. HoLdeN is more FocUseD on Me aNd My anxiety Than his cOuSiN's ScRamBling. "wE can cancEl If yOu'Re wOrrieD. i'd rathEr not Risk It If YOu tHink thaT RoGUE ghoSt MiGht cOme BaCk."

My hEad sHAkeS slowly Even thougH I rEAlly Do WaNt to canCel the show. It wOn'T help. He'll cOmE reGardleSS. at least dUring the show I'll be protecTEd. "Just dOubLe cheCk thE salt circLe aFter yoU leT The gueSt out, oKay?"

HoLdEn bLANches. i DOn'T meAn To blame him. iT Was An accIdEnt tHat the cIrcle wasn't closed coMPleTely last time. HE stIll fEELs GuiLTy FOr wHaT HapPENed. "I'll triple cheCk it."

I offer As COnFident of a sMIle As i can and Head for The deSK. Zara


"I know you wanted to se ttle thisbefor e E cho  c amedown ," Kyran says, "but  that guy was right ab out t he hous e .Every thing a b ou t itfe lt  of f. Ma ybe h avi ng Echo  with us w oul dn 't be such a ba d thing."
Ireject thatide a inst an tly ,  butI h ave t o admi t  the w hole expe ri e nce ga v e me th e cr eeps . People in Alber t  s t ay away from t he old  e s ta t e  be cau se Grandma  M addie ' s murde r  w a s the first in at l east half a cen tury.Th ing s  likethatju s t d on't happen  the re. Belie ving h e r house is nowhaunte d,orwhat e ve rpeo pl e  ar e  t hin k ing , is jus tpl ain r idic u l o u s, r igh t?
"So,Tybee Island? " K yran ask s.

S hrugg ing,  I  say,  "Sure , why  n ot. We're not g etti ng in tha t h ou sefo r a w h ile an ywa y." 

Gladwe'd th o ugh tt o pa ck for the beach j us t in  case th e plan to  i n vestigat ethe  hou s e  didn 't p a nout, I s till c a n' tstop th in king a bo utKyr an'sc omme nt. Ec ho had a skedm e to tell heri f I decided t o  g o to theold  estate, bu t If igur ed s h ehad enoug h onhe r  p l ate right now and d ec ided n ot to  mention it.I don't wa n t her anyw here ne a r something th at mi ght proved angerous . How  do I ge t back to t he house  be for e D add y fi nds a buyer w i t hout  h er know ing ? Is th atrea lly  th ebest opti on anywa y?  G ho st s a t the old esta te  so un dsliken onsens e, bu t wh at  i f  Ky ran's r i gh t ? 
14:  W or se
(Ec ho )

"A re y o u r eady fo r this?"Hol d en a sk snervous ly as we prep  f or the sho w.  Za ra isr u nning be tween the cameras. Ther eplacem ent  fortheone thatwas  fried  la s t week  isn't  conn ec tin g quite r ig ht.  H olden is m o r e f ocuse don m e and m y anxiety than his cou sin's scrambl ing . "W e ca n c a nc e l i fy ou' r e  worried. I'd r ather notri s kit if yout hin kthat ro gue gho st mi g ht come  back."
My head s ha kess l owl y even tho ugh I re ally do w a nt to ca ncelthe  show.  I t w on'thelp.H e'l l com e rega rd less.At le as t during  the show I'll be prote cted."Just  do uble chec k t h e s alt circl e af ter you le t t heguest  ou t , oka y?"Ho lde n  blan ches .  I don'tm ea n t o bl ame him. It w a s a n acc ide n t that  the  circle wasn't cl o sed completely  las t tim e.H e st il l feels guilty  fo rw h at happe ne d. "I'll tr iple che ck it."
I off er asconfide n t  o f  a smi le a s I  can andhea df or thede sk .  Zara


"I know_you wanted_to settle this before_Echo came_down,"_Kyran says,_"but_that guy was_right about the_house. Everything about it_felt off. Maybe_having_Echo with us wouldn't be such a bad thing."

I reject that idea instantly, but_I_have to_admit_the_whole experience gave me the_creeps. People in Albert stay_away from_the old estate because Grandma Maddie's murder was_the_first in at_least half a century. Things like that just don't_happen there. Believing her house is_now haunted, or_whatever_people_are thinking, is just_plain ridiculous, right?

"So, Tybee Island?" Kyran_asks.

Shrugging, I say, "Sure, why not._We're not getting in that house for_a while anyway."

Glad we'd thought to_pack for the beach just_in case_the plan to investigate the_house didn't pan_out, I_still can't stop_thinking about Kyran's comment. Echo had_asked me to_tell her if I decided to_go_to the old_estate,_but_I figured_she had enough_on_her plate_right_now and decided not to mention_it._I don't want her anywhere near something_that might prove dangerous._How_do I get back_to the house before Daddy_finds a buyer without her knowing?_Is that_really the_best option anyway? Ghosts at the old estate sounds like nonsense,_but what if Kyran's right?
14: Worse

(Echo)

"Are_you ready for this?"_Holden asks_nervously_as we prep_for_the show._Zara is running between the cameras. The_replacement for_the one that was fried last_week isn't connecting quite_right._Holden is more focused on me_and my anxiety than his cousin's_scrambling. "We can cancel if_you're_worried._I'd rather not risk it_if you think that rogue ghost_might come back."

My_head shakes slowly even though I really_do_want to cancel the show. It_won't_help. He'll come regardless. At least_during_the_show I'll be protected. "Just_double check the salt circle after_you let the guest out, okay?"

Holden blanches. I don't_mean to blame_him. It was an accident_that_the_circle wasn't closed completely last time. He still feels guilty_for what_happened. "I'll triple_check it."

I offer as confident of a smile as I_can and head for the desk. Zara