Howard dragged himself up into a sitting position. Although it was Sunday he didn't want to spend half the day in bed, He just had a terrible night and felt he just wanted to get dressed and start the day.. He couldn't explain this feeling he now had. There was nothing in his life that could account for it. It was like an oppressive feeling in the air all around him.

His mom would be home from her religious retreat in two days. He smiled to himself as he poured cereal into a bowl. He actually found himself looking forward to her return. What a turn for the books that was.

Howard dropped his spoon and spun around. His dark eyes stared at the open door.

"Hello," he called out.

His heart pounded in his ears as he slowly walked to the door and peered down the hall. He had definitely heard it, it was like someone had just walked passed the open door.

"Ma?"

Howard walked slowly towards his mother's room. He pushed the door with his fingers. The musty smell of perfume assaulted his senses. He walked in and peered around its gloomy interior. The bed was left unmade and the dull grey blind hung down at an awkward angle. He bent and picked up a shawl from the floor. He ran the delicate material through his was no sound to be heard but the loud ticking of an old fashioned clock. It peeped out from under a pile of stringed beads and large gaudy rings on her bedside table.

Howard threw the shawl over the closet door and headed out of the room. He was annoyed at himself now. He had the place to himself all weekend and here he was imagining ghosts.

Howard immediately took out his phone and found his favorite play list. He soon had Beyoncé for company belting out Crazy Right Now..

He set it down on the table and brought his cereal over to eat. He told himself the music was helping and yet he found himself trying to hear over it. His senses were on high alert.

Howard quickly grabbed for the phone and turned it to silent. This time the sound came from his own room. He could hear his breathing loud in his ears as he slowly walked towards his room. He put out two fingers and nudged the door open.

Howard nearly jumped out of his skin. He actually let out a cry of alarm. It took him a full thirty seconds to realize it was only the door bell. He put a hand to his chest and tried to steady his breathing.

Kripke stood on the door step hammering a finger on the bell as he waited impatiently.

"Wolowitz there you are, I thought you was still sleepin."

Kripke reached into his messenger boy like satchel and brought out an iphone. Raj left this behind him, you two were pretty spooked last night." he grinned.

"Yeah pretty spooked." Howard repeated sarcastically.

"I'll see that he gets this."

Kripke turned to leave. Howard turned and looked down the dimly lit hall.

"Kripke,"

"What,"

"You wanna come in. Have some breakfast?"

Kripke thought on this a moment.

"I'm a busy man but I'm not adverse to the idea of free food. So what ye serving Wolowitz."

Kripke followed him into the hall.

"So what we havin to eat."

Howard wasn't listening. He bent low and picked up his mother's shawl from the floor. He held the fabric in his trembling fingers.

" You got any eggs Wolowitz. I usually like an omelette on a Sunday. You don't know how to make that I can show you."

Howard didn't answer. He came slowly into the kitchen holding the shawl in his hands.

"You like omelette? You ok Wolowitz?"

"Come on, we're eating out. I know a place that does burgers."

"I don't think I care for burgers this hour of the morning."

Kripke watched curiously as Howard took hold of his sleeve and began pulling him towards the front door. They both froze and listened as something furniture like could be heard moving in Howards mothers room. The heavy object could be heard squeaking across the floor.

"Oh you're not alone Wolowitz. I thought you were alone."

"No we're not alone." Howard muttered as he pulled Kripke outside.

~o~

Kripke and Howard had a good talk about it over a shared pizza. Howard bought the pizza and two chocolate milkshakes. Kripke thanked him for the food and promised not to divulge a word of this strange story to any of their work colleagues.

At this point Kripke wanted to go. It was getting late and Howard wasn't exactly his bestie so why hang out.

Howard looked up at him with a tinge of desperation in his eyes.
"The comic book store has a new comic out. We should go and check it out. It might be good."

"What's the comic?"

"Er, Batman..."

"Ok Wolowitz, I could hang out for another hour. But then I really gotta run."

Howard was pleasantly surprised to see Sheldon and Leonard thumbing through the just in section of comics.

"Hay guys," He grinned, patting Sheldon on the back.

Leonard grinned as he sauntered over, Sheldon stared at the spot on his back that just got patted for no good reason.

"Hay what are you two doing here at this time in the morning. I wouldn't have thought you'd be up yet Howard."

Kripke answered for both of them.

"Howard thinks theres a ghost in his house. He got scared and wanted me to hang out with him."

Howard looked directly at him but Kripke didnt seem to know he had done anything wrong there.

Kripke went on.
"You guys going to the House on Haunted Hill party next Saturday. Its gonna be a blast."

"We're thinking about it, it's kinda expensive." Leonard told him.

"I'm not going," Sheldon put in immediately.

Everyone ignored him.

"There'll be party food laid on and come on where are you going to get a hotel for 100 dollars a night."

"Practically every hotel." Leonard said.

"Yeah ok but you're going to go. You know you're going to go so..."

Leonard shrugged Kripke was right of course.

" I'll leave Wolowitz in your care I have things to do. He's had his dinner. Don't forget to put him down for his nap in the afternoon."

"I don't need a nap." Howard muttered

Kripke went on . "I put some tickets for the house thing behind the counter, just ask Stewart. I'm trying to help this guy out with his house tour."

"And bring in a little commission money for yourself."
Leonard grinned back at him.

"You have a suspicious nature Hofstadter."

With that Kripke headed out.

~o~

"So Howard what's this about. You think there is a ghost in your house?"
Leonard was again thumbing through the comics as he spoke.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"You talked to Kripke,"

"Yeah my mistake."

Howard took up position beside Sheldon and began looking through the just in section.

"We should go over there. It might be a good science study." Sheldon muttered almost to himself.

Leonard turned to him.
"You know Sheldon you're right. After all its nearly Halloween. We could collect Raj and Penny and make a night of it. It might be fun."

Leonard grinned at the prospect.

"Ohh what have I done." Sheldon moaned to himself.

"Yeah this is not a good idea. I'm telling you there is something strange going on in my house."

"Sheldon, you wanna bring Amy."

"I don't think she will want to come, it's not a scheduled date night."

"Yeah but tomorrow is a public holiday. We don't have to work. We'll stop off at the store and get some chips and dip and some wine for Penny. We can bring recording equipment. This is gonna be fun."

Leonard grinned from ear to ear as he followed Sheldon to the door.

Howard followed along behind.
"I'm telling you I don't think this is a good idea."

Nobody was listening to him.