Extracts

Extract 1

The creaking of floorboards used to scare Harlow when she was younger, but now she was older she knew it was the ghosts that haunt her home protecting her from the dangers the night brings for her. The door knob jiggled for a moment sending waves of fear through Harlow as her mind was flooded with what ifs, what if it was that thing? What if it was him? What if it was something new?

After a few moments the door swung open exposing Harlow to the dark abyss of the hallway. Her childish instincts kicked in and she pulled her quilt up to cover her more knowing the phrase: if I can't see it, it can't see me was true. She peeked over the top of the quilt after hearing the door shut quietly, too quiet for it to be one of the horrors that lurked in the dark.

"Harlow, are you awake?" A familiar child's voice echoed around the room; the voice belonged to Geralt, a young boy around five years old. He was the first ghost that introduced himself to Harlow which had caused her quite a shock. Harlow had been living in the house for about twenty days and had been attacked twice in that time, Geralt had refused to watch her get attacked again so he appeared whilst she was cooking dinner. Harlow dropped her dinner after seeing the three foot boy standing in the doorway staring at her with pale white eyes. His brown hair laying flat against his head and his duck covered pajamas had rips in places, looking as if they had been torn in a fight, Harlow found out her assumption was right later. He soon explained everything and why he had finally decided to show himself and that there were others that would take time for them to warm up to and help her.

"Yes, I am Geralt. What's up?" Harlow asked, sitting up now that she knew who had entered her room, her silk cover slid down her chest and pooled in her lap. Geralt clambered up onto the bed, reminding Harlow once again of how his life was torn away from him way before his time. After he got onto the bed he sat silently, trying to figure out the easiest way to explain the current situation.

"Wilbur and Maddeline are having problems holding him back," Geralt put emphasis on him. "We're sorry but you may have to deal with him tonight."

Harlow sighed knowing that tonight was now going to be a sleepless night filled with yelling, holy water in a spray bottle and bruises. "It's fine, he tends to get more agitated around this time of year for some reason. Will you guys be okay?"