Behind Closed Doors

6: Late Night Dessert

At about two in the morning, Skye wakes up to use the restroom and notices that Kaimi is awake.

"Oh, sorry, did I wake you up?" they whisper. Kai shakes her head.

"I haven't slept the entire time, I've been listening to you breathe."

"What? Why?" Skyler asks, concerned.

"It's complicated," Kai says, sighing.

"Well, I'm also complicated, so I'll understand. Try me," they say.

"I don't want to end up in a looney bin," Kaimi whispers.

"I promise I won't tell anyone, or send you to a looney bin," Skye whispers. She wraps her arms around Kai to hug her. Skyler wants to stay like this, with their arms around Kai, but pulls away before it gets weird.

"It has to do with the door, and I know you don't want me to bring that up," Kai says, her face stiffened.

"You can bring it up this time. I want to help, Kai. I didn't bring you over here for you to stay up all night." Skyler says. Kaimi sighs. Skyler is her best friend, it's impossible to keep a secret from her and always has been.

"Promise you won't laugh?" she asks. Skyler nods, linking their pinkies together. It takes a few deep breaths before Kaimi can find her words. "Ever since we opened the door, I've been seeing a ghost. The ghost of the person who used to live in that room."

Silence falls over them for a moment, and Kaimi's heart races as she waits for Skyler's reaction. Skyler isn't sure how to react. Sure, it sounds crazy, but they know Kai. Skye knows when she's joking or when she's not, and this time her tone was dead serious.

"A ghost? What's their name?" Skyler asks. Kaimi lets out a sigh of relief. No awkward questions, and Skyler had no doubt in her voice. Kaimi could tell that she believed her.

"I'm not sure. She won't tell me much about herself. She was the previous owner of the room and says it's hard for my parents to talk about her. But she won't tell me her name or how she knows my parents," Kai admits.

"Was it a little girl or an older girl?" Skyler asks.

"An older girl, older than us, but not like, my parents kind of old," she says.

"Well, that's a relief. At least we know it wasn't a previous kid. They're way too young for that," Skyler says. Kaimi nods.

"It doesn't make any sense. And this ghost will not leave me alone. She was the one that told me you needed help. I wouldn't have known otherwise. She's like a second voice in my head, and it gets annoying. Earlier, I wasn't on the phone, I was trying to get the ghost to leave me alone for a while."

"That doesn't sound very fun. Is the ghost here now?" Skye asks. Kaimi shakes her head.

"I got her to leave me alone for a while. I want to ask my parents about her and tell them everything, but I'm afraid they'll think I'm crazy. I was afraid you'd think the same thing," she admits, sighing.

"I'd never call you crazy," Skye says. "I believe you. I've always believed in ghosts and the paranormal. I want to say you're lucky, but I know that's not the right thing to say."

"You're right, it's not. I'm far from lucky Skye. She won't tell me anything, but she won't leave me alone, either. It's obnoxious!"

"Are you two girls awake in there?" Ashton's voice made them both jump.

"Yeah, we are," Kaimi calls out, now feeling timid. "Sorry, we'll quiet down." Ashton knocks on the door, and when there are no protests stopping him from entering, he comes in.