Grave Possession (Wraith 3) by Angel Lawson Page A

okay. A little moody at times.” Connor stopped at a door at the end of the hall. It had a sign that said, “Laundry,” glued at eye level. “Ready?”
    “Always.”
    Like Connor said, the basement wasn’t that scary. Painted white and brightly lit, from the steps I could see a row of washers and dryers. I held my hand up to his chest, suggesting he not follow me down. He lifted an eyebrow in question, but I nodded that I would be okay. I knew he wouldn’t go far anyway.
    “Hello,” I said at the bottom step.
    A tiny voice replied. “Who’s there?”
    “I’m Jane. Who are you?” I couldn’t see anyone yet but I heard sniffing behind the last washing machine. “Can you come out?”
    “I’m scared.”
    “I know, but I’m here to help.” A small hand wrapped around the edge of the washer. Her fingers were streaked with red. “What’s your name?”
    “Hazel.”
    “Hi, Hazel.”
    “Is that man with you? He came down here before.”
    “Man? Did he have dark hair and a red shirt on?”
    She waited a moment and then whispered from her hiding spot, “Yes.”
    “He’s my friend. His name is Connor. He won’t hurt you either. I promise.”
    I shifted and finally managed to get a look at her. She wore a white nightgown that fell to the top of her feet and had blonde hair that hung in ragged curls down her shoulders. She seemed about 4 or 5. Smears of dark red trailed along the side of her gown. Normally ghosts came to me clean – as they were before they died. But not Hazel. She still carried her wounds. “What are you doing down here, Hazel?”
    “Hiding.”
    I frowned. “From who?”
    “The bad man. Daddy said they’re coming. I thought that man was him.”
    “What kind of man?”
    “The kind with guns.”
    I looked up to the step, but only saw Connor’s feet. This place used to be a crappy motel. Who knew what this girl had seen.
    “How long have you been here, Hazel?”
    “I don’t know. I was playing with my brother, but I don’t know where he went. Have you seen him?”
    I rubbed my hands over my face. This girl was so young. I didn’t know how much information I could get out of her. “Did your Daddy tell you anything else?”
    She nodded. “He said to look out for the man with the gun, and when he comes we all need to hide.”
    “Did he ever come?” I asked.
    “Not yet, but he will. Daddy said so.”
    I felt like I was going in circles. I needed to do some research – something that would take more than me poking around on my phone. “I’m going to try to figure out what’s going on okay? Will you be all right down here?”
    “Yes. I’m fine. Sometimes I play games or sneak back upstairs.” She gave me a frightened look. “Don’t tell. I’m not supposed to leave here, but sometimes I do, because I get bored.”
    “I won’t tell.” I stood up. “I’ll be back. Be careful. Remember my friend Connor?”
    Hazel looked up to the steps. “He’s there now. I see his green shoes.”
    “He’s my friend and you can talk to him.”
    “I thought he may be the one, that’s why I was scared before.”
    I shook my head. “Don’t be scared. He’s here to help you and me. We’ll figure this out, okay?”
    Hazel nodded but the scared expression never left her face. Her body shimmered and I felt a blast of cold air. She disappeared to wherever it was ghosts went when they aren’t visible.
    “She’s gone,” I called up the staircase. Connor waited at the top of the step and I followed him back down the hallway and out the door. I ignored the questioning looks from his dorm mates. We passed an open door and I saw Tony’s familiar dreadlocks hunched over a painting. He didn’t look up.
    “Did you follow any of that?” Connor asked when we got out on the street.
    I shoved my hands into the pockets of my hoodie. “Not much.”
    “Me either.”
    “Another lost girl,” I said, meeting his eyes. Ice blue and as intense as ever.
    “You handled that really