Chapter 15
It’s bad enough snippets of the future come at me at random moments, and now no thanks to Regina, I’ve got a poltergeist to deal with.
I’m ambivalent on how I feel about this. On one hand, it’s creepy to think there’s some dead chick roving the halls of Mortimer Manor. And, on the other hand, it’s kind of cool to know there’s some dead chick roving the halls of Mortimer Manor.
All Hallows’ Eve has finally descended on us and the manor shines in all its haunted glory. For the past few years, my Halloween nights have been spent avoiding small children begging for candy, wild parties, and slasher films, and yet tonight it feels as if it’s all three in one.
“Come on, Bowie.” Stephanie does her best to drag me toward the grand stairwell that leads upstairs to the official haunted house tour. She’s wearing a short denim skirt, a rag of a T-shirt, and her hair is purple and pink. She says she’s a punk rocker, but truthfully, I’ve seen her sporting this exact same look, hair color and all, for far more traditional holidays.
“No, thank you,” I say, trying to pull free, but Tilly catches my wrist and begins to drag me up herself.
“It’s your last chance!” Tilly just so happens to be dressed up like a cavewoman with what amounts to a leopard print string bikini top and matching ragged skirt. She’s piled her hair into a messy bun with a bone sticking through it, and right about now I’d like to take it from her and clobber her with it.
“It’s not my last chance,” I grunt as I dig my heels into the wood floors, and considering the fact I’m wearing spiked heeled boots, this is going to leave a mark. I slapped on a black leather bustier, a red poufy skirt, and the aforementioned long, black, suede boots with high heels and voila! I’m a cheeky wench. “Let go! I’ve got to check on the ballroom and make sure Mud doesn’t run out of liquor.”
“Mud’s got that covered,” Tilly grunts back as she manages to glide me forward a few good feet.
“Well, I’ve gotta check the midway and see if they still got one of those overgrown hot pink elephants,” I say. “Don’t worry, Lola. I’ll make sure you go home with one.”
Steph makes a face. “Don’t bother. I won’t be able to fit it into the cab.”
My mouth rounds out as I cease all effort to resist, and sure enough, they land me right at the foot of the stairwell.
“Lola?” I look to my wily sister. “Did you say cab? Are you really leaving?”
“Yup.” She blows out a breath. “I thought about it, and you’re right. It’s probably best I make Eddie suffer for what he’s done to me. And I have it on good authority that man is sneaking around with Nicki Giovanna. I can’t wait to pluck her extensions out one by one. And it’ll be really easy to do, too. I know where they are. I put ’em in myself.”
Tilly clucks her tongue. “Don’t do it, Lola. Who cares whose hair extensions Eddie is pulling after midnight? You’ve got Mud. And you’ve got your big sister, Bowie. She’s been a real good influence on me.” Her mouth opens and closes. “I don’t know how, but once I think of it, you’ll be the first to know. And don’t forget me. We’re binging buddies, remember?”
I cock my head to the side. “Do I want to know what the two of you are binging?”
Steph shoots Tilly a look that says don’t you dare say a word. And I happen to know firsthand that look comes with a bona fide threat.
“On second thought, don’t answer,” I say as I manage to wriggle myself free. “I’ve got other things on my mind.” I shudder as a crowd of teenagers in various stages of undress traipse up the stairs in hopes to get what’s left of their clothes scared right off of them.
“Aw, Bowie.” Tilly wraps an arm around my shoulders. “I’ve been a terrible friend, spending all my free time with your sister, having fun without you while we hit up the bars, running up and down Scooter Springs mooning all the drunks. I haven’t even asked how you and Shep are doing.”
“You went mooning without me?” There’s a twinge of a whine in my voice. I’ll admit it, I’m a bit jealous that Steph has strolled into town and gets to be the fun sister. Back in Hastings, I was the dangerous sister, and I preferred it that way, but since I’m no longer in the market to flirt with prison, I need to redefine myself. I might just have to bump Steph over a notch and join her on the fun express.
Tilly squints over at me. “Have we ever gone mooning?”
“Not officially, but I’ve driven your car back from Scooter Springs while you tried to pee out of the window.”
Steph slaps Tilly on the shoulder. “Don’t be ashamed. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. My sister’s driving has scared things out of me, too.”
I roll my eyes. “That is not what happened.”
“Never mind.” Tilly pulls us to the side. “What’s on your mind, bestie? Is it Shep? Is he moving too fast?”
Stephanie grunts, “What’s too fast?”
Tilly shrugs. “I heard it on TV once. I figured if anyone would know, it’d be Bowie.”
“It’s not Shep,” I say. “It’s my visions. They’ve been on my mind all day.”
Tilly tugs at my arm. “Don’t keep us in suspense. Did you see me taking off with a billionaire?”
“No, actually.”
Stephanie narrows her eyes over mine. “Did you see me starring in my first Hollywood movie?”
“Lola”—I lean her way— “I didn’t know you wanted to act?”
Her eyes enlarge. “Did you see it?”
“No.”
She shakes her head at Tilly. “I never want anything to do with acting again.”
Tilly links arms with my sister. “It’s rough out there, Lola. And it’s darn hard to find a casting couch in this corner of Vermont, too. How do you like that? I lose a billionaire and you’re out one acting career. How about I buy us a couple of drinks?” she asks as they start to take off without me.
“Ohh!” Steph squeals. “I’ve had my eye on tonight’s special, the witch’s brew.”
“Hey, wait,” I say, but a crowd moves between us. It’s probably for the better. I head in the direction of the library and past the dark alcove leading into the room. The haunted house for the kidlets is still in full effect, and there’s an entire herd of miniature Disney characters and superheroes. Even their parents are dressed to impress, right along with the kids, and every single family here is sporting a matching theme.
I’m not sure if my parents would have been up for it. The closest we would’ve gotten is my father handing each of us a weapon and calling it a night. It may not have been politically correct, but I’m betting I would have ended up with the best candy of the night if he did.
I step out of the stream of bodies, and those visions I’ve been having circulate through my mind. There was that vision of me in a dimly lit room. There was a seamstress form coming into view, then BAM! I saw Hazel Newton and the room burst into flames.
Which reminds me, where did I put that fire extinguisher?