Theo had left the bedroom out the entertainment room door, and I met him and Killie in the living room.

“Good nap?” I asked.

Theo rubbed his head. “Yeah, actually.” He let out a breath. “It has been a long time since I slept in a bed. That was nice.”

I smiled. “Good. And your stamina?”

“Got thirty percent back from that nap.”

This didn’t seem like a lot, but Theo looked a lot better. There was still bags under his eyes, and an exhaustion that was present even after waking up.

“I know it doesn’t seem like a lot,” Theo said as though reading my thoughts. “But after surviving off of five percent stamina for most of the day, this feels like a breath of fresh air.”

“Okay, good. Good.”

We fell silent, and I furrowed my brows. It was a peaceful night. The lights were on, and I realized why it was so weird. They were attacking. It shouldn’t feel this peaceful. But three of the four ghosts were gone.

“Theo…” I started to say. My brother glanced at me. I glanced at the ceiling toward the second level. “Little Theo. He should be singing by now. He’s… not.”

The wolf timer was blinking, giving a minute left. It was late.

I heard the creaking at the stairs. I glanced toward the kitchen, then my eyes shot toward Theo. Little Theo was coming down the stairs already. Maybe there was something about Theo being at the house during the night that triggered this particular haunt now.

I could see the steady rise and fall of Theo’s chest as he realized what was happening. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I did know I was here for support. I waited until I had backed into the entertainment room before my cleaning clothes jumped on me.

Theo didn’t move. He remained frozen at the spot, his face masking what he felt, except for the slow build of terror as the creaking of the stairs stopped.

I remained where I was beside the TV in the entertainment room. The silence was almost as deafening as when they arrived. I knew little Theo took small, careful steps, but it still felt like an eternity waiting for those blood covered footprints to enter the living room.

It surprised me when I saw the little boy from the memory orbs walking carefully into the living room. The little boy wore the same haunted face that matched my brother’s face right now.

Little Theo was heading for the front door but stopped when Theo’s shadow crossed him. The little boy looked up, staring at Theo with that haunted look. Both of them stared at each other for what seemed like ages, and I didn’t dare leave my spot.

“My mom… my nana…” the boy said, his voice echoing.

“I know,” Theo said. His voice cracked, black tears filling his eyes.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Once again, they fell silent. I wasn’t sure how much little Theo would speak. Despite the tears in older Theo’s eyes, little Theo remained almost emotionless, except for the horror that was clear on his face.

“Will I be okay?” little Theo asked.

This question broke something in Theo. The tears that pooled in his eyes dropped down his cheeks as he held in a sob. Theo sank to the floor, and I was afraid he would crumple into a sob, but he held it in. Theo placed a trembling hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Yeah.” It was quiet, almost a whisper. “Yeah, you’ll be okay, kid,” Theo said again.

The boy continued to stare at Theo, not believing him. Theo wrapped his arms around the little boy, a bit more of the sob breaking through as Theo pulled his younger self into a hug. “Keep walking. Go down the street. An officer will find you. You don’t have to say anything. He’ll understand. You can just point. Point where your house is and stay in the cop car. He’ll take care of everything. You’ll sleep at the station while calls are made. You’re going to be placed in a house with a couple named Brenda and Doug. They’ll take care of you and love you as deeply as if you’re their own child. You’ll meet a little girl your age who will be your sister. Her name is Quinn. She’ll already love you, because she’s just that kind of a person. She’ll talk your ear off, but you won’t have to say a word. Not until you want to. It’ll be hard, but you’ll learn how to smile again.”

Little Theo started to sob. I covered my mouth as Theo kept a hold of the little boy. The sob lasted a few minutes, where I kept my distance. I couldn’t see Theo’s face, but he held on to the sobbing boy, refusing to let go.

Once the sobbing was done, little Theo broke out of the hug. “Down the street?” Little Theo asked, his voice solid.

Theo nodded, tears racing down his cheek. “Down the street. Turn left. Stay on the sidewalk. The officer will find you.”

Little Theo nodded. Theo placed his hands on the boy’s shoulder, then leaned over and planted a kiss on his forehead. “Good luck.”

Little Theo nodded again before taking a deep breath. He then walked around Theo and out the front door.

4/4 ghosts defeated

Power of them reduced by another 10%

House is cleansed of ghosts

I remained by the wall. Theo remained on his knees, wiping the tears from his face. I waited for any more instructions from the words, but there was nothing. What did this mean? Was there anything else to do?

Theo climbed to his feet, and I rushed over to him. “Theo?” I asked.

“The second floor. Let’s go,” he said, already heading toward the stairs, not looking at me.

“Are you… sure?” I asked.

“Yes.” He still didn’t look at me as he headed toward the kitchen. “The ghosts are gone. I refuse to let this be anything more than a house.”

I wanted to ask him about his corruption, but the tears he shed while comforting his younger self were clear. Instead, I followed him through the kitchen, then into the dark hallway. Theo let out a breath, then walked up the creaking staircase. I followed behind him, still in my cleaning clothes. I wasn’t about to change out of them now.

We came to the landing. Theo wiped away a few more tears before he reached inside his shirt and pulled out the necklace with the key at the center. He braced himself as he slipped it off. It was off his neck, now. The key shivered, then zoomed into the doorknob. Theo didn’t take another step toward the door. He didn’t get his moment of preparation. The key was already turning, and the door squeaking open. Theo’s chest heaved as panic hit his eyes. I moved to his side, squeezing his hand to let him know I was here.

The door squeaked open by itself. Inside was pure white. I frowned, taking a few steps forward. What was that?

“I think we need to cross the door,” Theo said.

I squinted at the pure white light. “That’s… the same kind of light in the memory orbs. Except stretched out.” My heart lifted. “I think we’re about to get our memories back!” Theo glanced at me, then at the white light at the door. I took a hold of his hand. “Ready?”

Theo took a deep breath, then braced himself. “I think so.”

I said nothing. I didn’t think there was anything left to say. Instead, I gently led him toward the door. Toward the white light. We crossed the threshold.

And memories returned.