Original prompt by @ButterFlies77Writes

'Paranormal sightings wanted, call/text Grian' followed by my phone number... That should do it.' I lower the newspaper to see at my fellow ghost-hunters across the table from me. Impulse is changing the batteries of a UV torch. Skizz is sat with his legs on the table, looking through a book on the different types of ghost.  'Unless we want to get real jobs.'

'Real jobs? No thanks.' Skizz grimaces. 'I'm perfectly happy with haunted houses and near-death experiences, Homey-buddy.' 

'Me too...' Adds Impulse, accidentally blinding himself with the torch trying to test it. 'But this town's running out of ghosts. Even pranks are rare...'

My phone buzzes. All 3 of us look. Another buzz.

2 new messages from unknown number

'Pick it up! Pick it up! We've got a mission!'

I do.

I saw your ghost thing in the newspaper

i think there's a ghost

-Scar

'Scar?! He's got ghost problems?'

'You know this guy?!' Skizz frowns at me and Impulse. 'You BOTH know him?'

'Knew him at school. A bit clumsy and chaotic, but actually really kind.' I explain. Impulse nods in agreement.

'I remember he and Cub were real pranksters... should we accept?'

'Definitely! A mission's a mission... and you two can catch up with an old friend.'

'Great!'

We're in. What time are you around, and what's the address?

It's raining the next evening as we wait under the bridge Scar said the house wasn't far from... all our ghost-hunting tools are in our pockets; the van seemed a bit dramatic for an initial check. I check the time... he's 5 minutes late. 

'Sorry! So sorry! I lost track of time...' Right then, Scar appears, running over through the rain. 'And then the journey over... anyway... you're here to find the ghost, right?'

'Yeah... I'm hoping you've got keys to the property.' Even in the dark I see it's the same old Scar Goodtimes — green eyes and the scar he always pretended was from something cooler than falling off scaffolding.

'Yeah, follow me. It's just down the road.'

I walk next to Scar as he sets off again, towards the house.

'Long time no see...' I try to start conversation with. 'How's everything going?'

'Alright... got a part time job... just a bit of money on the side.'

'Smart. Still friends with Cub? I remember you were close back in high school...'

'Yeah... we...'

'Have you got any information about the ghost at all?' Skizz interrupts.

'Do you know about the property... if anyone died there?' joins in Impulse. Scar nods. 

'Died? Yeah... obviously.'

'Do you know their name? Ghosts get mad when you say their nMe.' 

'Really mad...' We all remember the incident at Tanglewood a few months ago. Scar unlocks the door, entering.

I shine my torch at a picture on the wall of a smiling family, focussed on the child for a moment. I think they went to my old school, but don't recognise further. I continue on.

'So? Ghost name?'

'Oh- uhh... Mark... Marcusly?'

'Mark Marcusly?' Me, Skizz and Impulse share a glance. 'What happened to Mr Marcusly?'

'I... I don't know everything... But... Uhh... Can you do your ghost hunting thing? Maybe communicate with him...?'

'How do you know Mark?' I interrupt. Scar pauses. Impulse has gone to check the power's on.

'He's... Uhh... He's a... Well I didn't know him personally...'

'Any rooms with more stuff?'

'Is this the room... they died in or...'

'Evidence tends to be 1 a particular room.' I explain. 'Find that, we find the ghost.'

'Oh! I don't know.'

'Of course not... Skizz, can we talk? In private?'

I enter the nearest room - the kitchen apparently. Impulse radios in that he's got the breaker, so I can switch on the light.

'This is a hoax.' I start with. 'No one's called Mark Marcusly. And I'd definitely not forget if I knew them... I'm pretty sure I knew the kid in that picture.' Skizz is just focussed on the sink.

'Dude there's blood.' 

'...blood?'

'Or something that looks like blood...' I approach, staring at the red water, the smears on the tap. A sniff... all I smell is soap.

'Weird... we should see how Impulse and Scar are getting on. Maybe ask about this. Scar might know something... Maybe Mark Marcusly decided to wash off the blood after he died.' 

I leave the room, Skizz behind. Impulse is there, showing Scar the spirit box to talk to the ghost.

'He's getting involved?'

'Yeah, he wanted to try it out.' Explains Impulse. 'I mean... I don't wanna do it. We've put out a book. I reckon it's in the living room through here... Scar can confirm there was stuff moving around there.'

'Poltergeist?' Guesses Skizz

'Dunno... I'll put DOTs out, set up cameras... see if we can spot anything more... tangible.' Impulse knows what I mean. Scar doesn't.

'Tangible?'

'Stuff only a ghost can do. Some people just set us up and pretend there's a ghost...' Scar's eyes widen.

'No no no this isn't a set up!' He insists. 'I- I'd NEVER!'

'Sure... also there's blood in the kitchen sink.'

'And he didn't let me into the room behind the living room... for whatever reason.'

'I... I don't know about that!' Scar lies, face red. I sigh.

'Obviously...'

We enter the living room, where apparently the ghost is now possessing the non-ghost ability to slice through sofas and take strips of fabric from them. Fake blood's smeared over. I fight a laugh.

'Didn't realise ghosts had claws...' Skizz notes. Scar turns redder.

'That's... ignore that.' 

'Alrighty then... we will...' 

'GRIAN!' I duck at Skizz's scream, right as a photo flies across the room from where Scar stood, smashing against the wall behind me.

The picture falls into view.

I laugh.

'Ok... I understand.' I snatch it up, turning to Scar, who's hiding behind Impulse. I hold up the picture of Cub, laughing. 'You and Cub decided to prank us by pretending there's a ghost.'

'No... no I swear...' 

'What's going on, buddy?' Scar backs away from Skizz.

'There- there's a ghost! I promise! You don't understand!' 

'No, we understand... come on, Grian, Skizz, another dud.'

I follow Impulse and Skizz out, slamming the door in Scar's stupid face.

'Why aren't there any real ghosts any more?!' Skizz punches the wall. 'Why's everyone pranking?!'

'I don't know... people just don't take ghosts seriously.' I lean against the living-room door.

And stop.

Behind it, I hear sobbing.

Scar. 

'Wait... guys, quiet,' I whisper. They fall silent, sharing a confused glance. I open the door a crack to see Scar crouched on the floor, clutching the spirit-box in both hands.

'I- I'm sorry...' he chokes out through the tears. 'I'm so sorry.'

I creeping even closer.

Scar continues.

'I'm sorry Cub... I'm sorry I killed you...'

Did you really think I'd keep it wholesome?

:)

Happy (belated) Halloween!