The Haunting at Sebring Hotel (A Riveting Haunted House Mystery Series Book 13)
Page 26
Asher's face turned purple. He felt splinters in his throat. His heart rate skyrocketed.
The blood trickled down the knife and onto Asher’s shirt.
Suddenly, they were surrounded.
Raven, David, Rosy, Christophe, Stephen, the faceless man, the naked obese man, the couple from months ago, and Andrew Warren each stood on a black or white tile.
“You!” Cameron exclaimed, unable to comprehend what he was witnessing.
In his final breath, Asher reached out his free hand and grabbed the knife.
Cameron was in too much shock to realize what Asher had done until the weapon was no longer in his grasp. He glanced down just as the blade stabbed into his inner thigh.
Cameron yelled and stumbled backward, falling between David and Raven.
Unable to breathe, Asher’s world turned black. He listened to Cameron’s last words. “No. It can’t be. Not like this. Not like this…”
39
Closure
Snow fell over Sebring and topped its buildings with white. Club Blue stood alone in woods of leafless trees. The rising sun cast its crimson rays across the calm ocean and clear sky above.
Inside Anna’s suite, Justin sat on the rocking chair and watched Anna grab one of the few presents from below the evergreen tree. She smiled widely. “This one from you?”
“Just open it,” Justin said.
Anna ripped apart the wrapping paper and pulled out the little cardboard box. She opened the top flap and drew out the snow globe. Inside was a miniature version of Club Blue. Equally excited and horrified, she said, “You’re serious? How did you find this?”
“eBay,” Justin replied.
Anna shook it and set it on the lampstand. “I love it,” she said.
A half-smile crept up Justin’s face. His nose was healed but slightly crooked. They all had scars from that night, but some were on the inside.
“My turn,” Asher said. He blew on his hot chocolate and sat cross-legged by the Christmas tree.
Anna handed him a gift.
He tore it open, revealing the latest Call of Duty video game. “Thanks, Mom,” he said kindly and gave her a hug.
“Don’t get too excited,” Anna said sarcastically.
“I like it. I do,” Asher said, a tad bit of insincerity in his tone. He looked at the game. There was sadness in his eyes. He was thinking about someone.
“All right, Justin,” Anna said.
He got off his chair and grabbed the present. It was long and rectangular. He tore off the paper, revealing the MacBook Pro. His eyes widened. “This is expensive, Mom.”
Anna said, “You’re going to need a new computer if you’re going to be homeschooled.”
“Yeah, but this cost upwards of three grand. Take it back and get something cheaper.”
“Relax,” Anna said calmly. “It’s a tax write-off. The first of many when we re-invent this place.”
“Or we could accidentally start a fire and collect the insurance,” Justin suggested.
It was a touchy subject for Anna. She focused their attention on opening gifts. They were mostly candy and gift cards.
Anna handed Justin an envelope. It was from Sasha Grimes. He didn’t recognize the name. Perplexed, he ran his finger down the crease and pulled out the letter. It read, Thank you, Justin. You were there when I needed you most. I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye. I just wanted you to know that I’m safe and with my daughter. I hope you can visit us sometime. My address is listed below. Merry Christmas, Justin. Xoxo – Sasha Grimes “Cherry.”
Justin’s eyes watered. Joy welled up inside him knowing she was alive.
“You good, bro?” Asher asked.
“Yeah,” Justin sniffled. “Stop being so gay and let's play some of Call of Duty.”
Asher smiled ear to ear. “I don’t even play anymore and I’ll still destroy you.”
“Try me,” Justin replied.
They quickly hooked up the Xbox to the TV. None of them were annoyed that they’d all moved into the same suite. Sure, it was cramped, and sharing a single suite led to some embarrassing encounters, but they felt like a family again. One Anna was proud of.
The hotel was still in the red, there were a million little problems that always needed fixing, and the future had never been more uncertain. Yet somehow, Anna was at peace. Being strapped in that chair and almost killed put her life into perspective. Sink or swim, rich or poor, she’d have her family, and that was all that mattered.
Her boys talked smack to each other as their game loaded.
A small smile appeared on Anna’s face.
The paranormal encounters stopped the night Cameron died. Whenever Anna felt a chill or heard a strange noise, she’d think for a brief second it was one of them contacting her from the other side.
Asher went to the restroom after the first round. He put his hands on the sink and glanced in the mirror. From the other side, Raven looked at him. She smiled. He smiled back.
When the paramedics arrived that stormy night, they found Cameron on the ballroom floor, but not Asher. Raven had taken Asher’s body far away and left him in a place where no one would find him. Despite this, Asher somehow showed up to answer all the police’s questions and even led them to his mother and brother. After the police had cleared out Cameron’s corpse and the spirits of the dead passed on, Asher stayed with Raven as permanent residents of Club Blue. Since then, his mother had questioned his sudden recovery from asthma. Asher chalked it up to a miracle.
The End.
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