Sunshine's been job hunting in mid-March.

How depressing.

I mean, she guesses it's not that bad. Just babysitting. But no one wants to hire a cute 16-year-old girl for some reason. Ugh.

Sunshine also realizes that the ghosts have been around for almost four months now. At least, making themselves apparent. It's crazy. Time has passed so quickly.

Who knew she'd be making videos about terrifying spirits come next year?
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So.

Sunshine catches some footage while watching TV with her mother.

It scares her — a lot. But she still wants to share it with her followers. For the people that have always supported her. They deserve that, at least, right?

She's honestly — ugh. She can't even speak.

The video is Sunshine and Kat — sitting on the couch, a blanket wrapped around their legs, smiles on their faces. Of course, she always keeps the camera on now, but she'd never expected to catch this.

In the background, unbeknownst to both women, a tall man in a tuxedo is standing. His head moves slowly, fingers curling, and he's — he's almost transparent against the kitchen wall.

And guess what's on his head?

He seems to dissolve before reappearing closer to Sunshine, chin curved toward her.

Then, just like that, he's gone.

Sunshine is speechless.
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Sunshine is smiling at her mother.

"Should we show 'em?"

"Yes," she grins. "Well I've already talked to them about it."

Kat nods. "So they're not gonna be surprised when we go WHAAAA." They lift the Ouija board on the table.

"No," Sunshine answers.

"Can I just say, I thought this would look less cheesy." Kat raises a brow as she inspects the board box. It's painted blue and purple, with large letters spelling "OUIJA." Then, up top, it reads: "The Mysterious, Mystifying Game."

"Yeah, well, we bought it at a game store," Sunshine defends, placing a hand on the lid.

Kat pauses. "Good point."

Sunshine looks at the camera. "I mean, I was — I was there, she wasn't, so I should know. So —"

"It's just my credit card. Awesome."

"It glows in the dark though," she continues, pointing to the cover. "Still love that."

"Should we turn the lights off?" Kat smirks then laughs. She claps her hands as if the bulbs will go out just like that, then pouts. "It didn't work."

Sunshine looks over the board. "Mistifeeing — mistifeering — mystifying," she laughs, "would be the word I'm looking for."

"How's that public education workin' out for you."

"It's terrible."

Kat tilts her head. "I don't understand what's the big deal about this."

Sunshine grunts. "One two three four five six.." She turns it over to show the camera. "That's all a Ouija board is apparently, guys."

In the background the camera flickers and muffles. The man in the tuxedo walks into the frame, standing behind the kitchen counter as they sit in the living room.

"I just think this is dumb," Kat continues. Neither notice the little girl with the bag over her head sitting over the dishwasher. Both father and — most likely, daughter, — watch the duo.

"Thank you."

"I don't think it's gonna work," her mother says, raising a brow as they read the back of the box. She smirks and uses a mystic voice. "Ouija knows all the answers~"

Sunshine chuckles and mimics the voice. "It's only a game, isn't it?~" Kat throws the board down. "I don't know. We've decided, we're not gonna use it."

The spirits in the kitchen flicker away as the Ouija board is placed back inside the box. "Let's just watch Easy A!" Kat laughs.

She smiles as her mother stands up. "Apparently we're done, guys."

"That's dumb," Kat calls as she walks away.
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Sunshine is filming. She's explaining her busy weekend then sighs, scratching her head. "Another reason I'm gonna do a video is to talk about.. the picture and.. the lurking ghosts."

She looks unnerved. "They're clearly getting stronger. Much much stronger. But — ghosts can't hurt, people, right..? No? Right?"

Sunshine isn't sure if she's convinced on that yet.

"Anyways," she goes on, "I've decided that the people in the photo — the ghosts in the photo — are my ghosts that are lurking about the house trying to... do mean things. Uh, my last question is why did I have the picture? I mean, they're in my house, but why.. did I get it — like — why did they give it to me?"

She shakes her head and looks around. "I don't know. A bunch of mysteries. Anyways. Blah!"
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"Mommy, I have a question for you," Sunshine begins, turning the camera to her mother in the kitchen. She's sitting in the dining room, looking especially happy today.

"No."

"Why, Mom?" Sunshine's voice grows annoyed.

Kat sighs and puts her phone down. "What."

"It's important, it's about the stuff," she points out, blood bubbling in her ears when her mother looks out the window and stuffs her hands in her jacket pockets. She's not even listening!

Kat turns her head, glaring at Sunshine. "About your homework?"

"No." She makes a face.

"T — turn it off," her mother snaps, waving her hand in exasperation.

"Why?!"

"Why do you need it on?"

"Because I —" Sunshine's voice cracks in disbelief, "I'm asking you a question that relates!"

"I'm tired of it." Kat's face falls blank.

"Mom..!"

"Just.. turn it off." Her mother turns and begins walking toward the fridge.

"Mom! What is your problem? You're like, freaking out!"

Kat ignores her.

"Mom!"

She turns, clearly aggravated. "What?"

Sunshine stammers. She's not even sure what to say.

"You need to focus on your homework," Kat says, filling the drawn silence and facing her daughter.

"Why?"

"This is taking up too much time."

"It is not." Sunshine curls her fingers.

"Yes it is." Kat's voice becomes clipped.

"Mom."

"Your English teacher called me today and said you did not turn in that project. The one that you spent all that time on is what you said. Were you really just on YouTube?"

"No!"

"Then why did you not turn it in?" Her mother sounds tired. Very, very tired.

"I did."

"Why would he say that?"

"Mom! You're gonna believe the English teacher, not me?"

"At this point," Kat growls, "yes."

"Excuse me?"

Silence. "I don't — I just — I don't want you doing.." Sunshine gets up to return to her room. "What — where are you going?"

"Yeah, whatever," Sunshine spits.
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So. Her mother is pissed. Like, really pissed. Shocker. But.. well, Sunshine made the mistake of showing her the video — the Ouija board one — and well, she was already kind of cranky. Bad idea.

Her mom's planning something. Sunshine's not sure what it is, exactly. Probably something about moving. That being said, she's cutting Mom out of the deal. They won't be talking about this, she won't show her any more damn videos, they're done. Done.

Well. She's not sure she can keep her mother off YouTube.

Oh. Hiding her computer. Not sure how she'll do that. It'll be interesting, though.

She's gonna find Creepy Lady. Mom doesn't need to know now, though. Nope. It's all a big secret.

Shh.
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"Alright, so I talked to the landlord."

Sunshine is sitting on the couch, iPad in her hands. She looks confused and turns her head up towards her mother. "Why?"

"I gave her our notice." Kat sits beside Sunshine, whose jaw promptly drops.

"E — excuse me?"

"They — they agreed to let us out of the lease." She looks like she's struggling to find the right words. "And.. I gave her our notice. I think we need to move."

Sunshine shakes her head. "Why?!"

Kat looks suddenly annoyed. "Why? I don't know, hmm, let me think, why.. There's not enough room for us~"

Sunshine can't help but laugh, then grows serious as her mother continues. "I — I'm so tired, aren't you tired?"

"Yeah, but we're not done," she insists, inclining her head.

"I think we are done."

"We're not done."

"I think we are."

"Mom!"

(Don't tell her about the nightmares. Don't tell her about the nightmares.)

"Sweetie," Kat begins in that pompous way of hers, "I know that we're a team and... we always make decisions together. But, I think in this case, I'm gonna have to pull the mom card."

"Mom! You never pull the mom card." Sunshine sounds irked.

"Well, guess what?" Her mother furrows her brows. "You're 16. It might be time. It — there's too much, you're not focusing enough, there's just not — it's too much."

Silence.

Kat pats Sunshine's leg and stands. "Sorry babe."

She watches her mother leave. She's never been so angry.

shit. we got like. 2 or 3 more chapters before part 2

fuck yeah nolan and le master grow closer and closer each day