Estate

Chapter 5- The Break

Five empty chairs spaced through the table. Two girls and one guy had left. The guys were outnumbering the girls, but I knew Tasha and Macy would never go without a fight. I was right there with them. Macy had helped me down to the table this morning. It had been two days, and I hadn't heard from Chandler about our talk. I reasoned that if he were going to kick me out, it would have happened already. I was on edge about my spot in the running. We had thinned out faster than I had originally thought. I expected the first person to leave after the first month. Maybe multiple people would leave at the same time. It had only been a week and a half. We were down five people. 

Yesterday, one of the guys had left because he didn't want to deal with the crazy things that were happening. When Chandler tried to convince him to stay, the guy raved on and on about how the girl was almost murdered and then ghost kids wanted to kill him. We had broken a few spirits, leaving more fear and mistrust in our wake. 

On a positive note, Tony hadn't been glaring at me all morning. Something in his face seemed a bit more relaxed. He didn't seem as tense or angry. I nudged Tasha and mumbled, "Twelve." She snickered. 

"He hasn't looked up all morning." 

"I know. He looks like he's up to something. I wonder what he has up his sleeve." 

Greg observed us, undoubtedly trying to find out why we were whispering without him. I nudged Tasha and glanced up at Greg. She leaned over to whisper to him. He nodded, a slight smirk twitching on his face. He and I shared a look of pride. 

"I have an announcement." Tony stood to catch everyone's attention. "Now that we know who is here to stay, I have to clear something off of my chest. We have a rat in our midst. We are letting it run under our noses." 

"What is this?" Tasha stood, matching his power, if not surpassing it. "Are you telling us you are trash?" 

"Oh, no. Not me. Anthony, you thought you could fool us all, but I saw right through it. There is no ghost, people! He jumped from the balcony! He had help!" 

"I was outside getting some air. I forgot my medicine, so I am not feeling the greatest." I didn't raise my voice, but I let it out with my diaphragm, trying to make myself seem more confident. 

"No, you didn't. You and Greg were outside. You jumped from the balcony. That's why you're having trouble walking. You had the girls usher us into a trap. You did well, but I saw right through it." 

"As a medical student, I can assure you that his nerve disorder is a very real thing. It's painful. It causes him to have trouble walking." 

"Oh, okay. We will let that slide for now. What were you and Greg doing outside? How did you not hear everything that went on? After all, there was a lot of screaming. Surely, you heard something." 

"We didn't hear a thing." Greg put down his cup. "We were talking and getting to know each other. Did any of you know that Anthony was engaged last year? Sorry, buddy. I know you didn't want anyone to know about it, but I think it's a good time to tell them." 

"There it is, then." I faked a sad expression. "Some people just can't see past disorders, and it hurt, sure, but it's fine. I've moved on." 

"I don't buy it. What was her name?" 

"Joy Almer." I spit out the name easily, although it wasn't a good one. "She went to school with me, we got to know each other. We thought we were ready for a commitment, but we are just kids, you know?" 

"Have you had your fun?" Tasha pointed a glare at Tony. 

"I suppose I have. Only until I find something new."