Chapter Twenty-One

I stood outside the Morton House where I was instructed to stay until Sam and Dean arrived, bouncing on my toes to strengthen my ankle. I was healing quickly, but the Winchester worried that I wasn't fit enough to fight lest I did great damage to the tendon. I had agreed to wait behind and rest up while they did the investigation, but I refused to stay behind on the hung. This is why I was supposed to wait, but watching as small flashes of light peaked out from the boarded up windows my patience was growing thin. They appeared from different parts of the house, some even from the second floor. I had my fingers crossed it was more hunters and not idiots trying to prove they're brave enough to spend the night, but I couldn't wait for the boys.

I took a moment to mentally prepare myself and started forward, walking through the open gate, my boots crunching over the dirt. It was a short distance to the front porch and the decaying wood creaked in protest under my weight. I made my way to the front door, turning the doorknob gingerly and the door swung open with ease. The smell of dust and mold wafted up around me, engulfing my senses and a shiver ran up my spine. Instantly I heard the soft mummer of voices, none of which I recognized. I stepped into the building, shutting the door quietly behind me.

Glancing around I found myself standing in a small entry way with stairs directly in front of me. There was a hallway next to it that led to the dark back end of the house. There was a doorway to my left that led into the dining room and to my right the living room. I'm sure at some point it was a very attractive house under the layer of dust that had settled over the furniture, but know it just held a dark and creepy feel that clung to the skin like a thick layer of doom. No wonder no one wanted to buy it. The ghost could have had something to do with that to.

I turned my attention to the voices and saw a small circle of five people standing in the living room. Each member of the group held a camera and flashlights; two even had lights strapped to their heads. One of the group members had even gone as far as attaching a harness to his upper body with a camera pointing at his face. They hadn't noticed me yet, none of them so much as glanced in my direction.

Behind them, near the back wall they had set up a table with several laptops. Cords descended from the table and snaked out across the floor in each direction, some had been laid out down the hallway and some twisted up the stairs. I remember seeing things like this on shows where groups of people go in to supposedly haunted places to get proof of ghost.

"Everybody, bring it in," one of the group said capturing my attention, the leader maybe, "We've all been here before. Standard walk-through."

Responses of yeses and head nods came from the group. I crept closer, careful not to make any noise. Tilting my head to the side to better hear what he was saying. I hid behind a small wall that made up the right side of the entryway into the living room.

"Team one, west," Leader continued, his attention focused squarely on the group, "Team two, east. Spin the tires light the fires. Ghostfacers on three."

The group closed in on each other forming a tight circle, piling their hands in the open space in front of them. In unison the begun to chant, bouncing their hands up and down.

"One, two, three," Their arms shot into the air before they brought them slowly down, palms toward them, over their faces, "Ghostfacers!"

This would be the perfect time to try and get them out of the house before Sam and Dean showed up. Or worse the clock stuck midnight and all the legends about this house came true. It wasn't safe for mere mortals such as them. I stepped out from my hiding place.

"Boo!" I shouted.

The group screamed, scattering away from me like cockroaches under light. One, a girl, dropped to the floor covering her face, while the one in the camera harness disappeared behind the table. I couldn't help laughing as a scrawny kid ran down the hall, the sound of his screams fading into the distance. I doubled over laughing.

"What the hell?" A heavy set cameraman said lifting the camera and pointing it at my face.

I clutched my side, gasping for air as I continued to giggle and fighting to straighten up, "I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. It just came out."

The one who had disappeared behind the table peaked out at me. His eyes darted around to make sure the coast was clear before he came out of hiding. Leader held out his hand to the girl, helping her back to her feet. Once he had made sure she was okay he turned his gaze to me. He stalked up to me, glaring.

"What are you doing here?" Leader demanded.

"Yeah, who are you?" The girl asked, coming to stand behind Leader and holding a handheld camera high enough to point at me. She didn't look at me, just peered at the cameras little screen.

Still smiling I said, "I was supposed to meet some friends here, but I guess they haven't shown up yet."

"They probably chickened out," Leader said, "This house is haunted."

"Haunted?" I raised an eyebrow, forging surprise, but I couldn't lose my smile, "You don't say."

"Yes, so you better leave," the scrawny one said. He was walking back toward us from the hallway looking embarrassed but trying really hard to play it off. He squared his shoulders and buffed up his chest, "This place is dangerous for civilians."

"I'll leave if you do," I said. I looked at their cameras, "Are you guys here to document the haunting?"

"Yes," Leader said, "We are highly trained ghost hunters."

"Ghostfacers?" I asked, remembering what they had called themselves earlier.

"That's right," Scrawny said, "We face the ghost so you don't have to. So you can leave."

Someone was touchy. I'm surprise he even made it across the threshold with that scaredy cat demeanor of his.

"If this places is really as dangerous as you say then we should all leave," I said.

Scrawny laughed, "Oh, little girl. We eat danger for breakfast."

"Sure you do," I said sarcastically. I couldn't make them leave, not without whipping out my iron knife. I wasn't about to threaten them, "If you're staying so am I."

The group shared looks with the leader. Leader and Scrawny then shared a look, and Scrawny shook his head. The leader turned back to me. Clearly they group agreed with Scrawny.

I looked at the invisible watch on my wrist, "And you're wasting perfect hunting time."

Leader sighed, "Fine, but you have to do exactly what you're told."

"Yeah, sure," I said with a shrug. I glanced at Scrawny who looked disappointed. Aw, poor kid was breaking my heart. I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing at his pouting face.

"I'm Ed," Leader said. He pointed to the rest of his team, "That's Harry, Spruce, Corbett, and my adopted sister Maggie."

"I'm True," I said, rubbing my hands together, "So, what do we do first, team leader Ed?"

"You'll stay behind and watch the cameras in the Eagles Nest," Scrawny, aka Harry, said. He shot me a look full of daggers; I could practically feel them in my skin.

"Mm," I shook my head, "No, I wanna be in the thick of the battle. Get down and dirty with you grunts."

"That's the deal if you want to stay," Harry said. His tone was meant to tell me he was boss, but really he sounded like a little kid throwing a fit. "You said you would do what you where told."

"Okay, let me rephrase. I'll do whatever I'm told as long as I already going to do it. Anything else and you're screwed," I said, "I'll just fallow you around, anyway. Or see how breakable those laptops are. Maybe call the cops?"

"Then you'd just get in trouble if you call the police," Maggie so helpfully pointed out.

I nodded in agreement, "Breaking things it is."

I took a step toward the laptops, but Ed stepped in my way. He looked at his team, and then focused his eyes on me.

"Okay, okay," Ed said. He raised his arms out, spreading them between me and Harry. He looked back and forth between us like we were about to jump at each other's throats. "We don't have time to debrief you, civilian, so I think it'll just be safer for you to join my team."

I smiled, "Awesome. Lead the way."

"Okay, Ghostfacers," Ed said, "You know what to do."

Indeed they did. Like a well oiled machine the group split into its predetermined teams. I fallowed Ed and Corbett as they made their way down the hallway to the back of the house. The floor boards creaked under our weight as we pressed on, carrying our footsteps through the silent house. I reacted into one of the pockets of my cargo pants and pulled out my own flashlight, keeping close behind Ed. So far this seemed like a run of the mill haunting, but with everything Sam had told me he and Dean had found out I knew it wasn't.

I watched Ed's movements, listening to the way he spoke. I couldn't decide if this group was adorable in trying to act all ninjas and badasses or if it was all just a humorous fail with a tragic ending just under the surface. It was charming and sweet, but at the same time I felt like they were fools. Chasing some preconceived romantic notion that ghost where friends and not angry and horribly vengeful killing machines. They were in over their heads and didn't even know it. It was sad, but I'd do what I could to keep them safe.

Ed stealthily maneuvered around a corner and Corbett and I trailed after him. Even though Corbett had taken up the rear of our group I made sure to check behind us every so often to make sure nothing snuck up on us. There was never anything there, but the all too familiar feeling of being watched prickled the hairs on my arms.

"Hello?" Ed called out, holding an EMP device in front of his face, "I'm speaking to the restless spirits of the Morton house!"

We came to the first door, and Ed spun around so he was on the farthest side of the doorway and shinned his flashlight into the darkness. It felt almost like a game, the way he was acting, in a weird way I found it almost fun. I took the spot on the opposite side and did the same. It was only a closet, nothing special about the room stood out. No clues. I moved on, pushing past Ed.

"Okay," Ed said breathlessly from behind me, "Hello! My names Ed."

Ed quickly passed me and did another spin to the next door. He stood in front of it in a fighting stance ready for whatever was on the other side. Corbett moved around me to get a better view with his handheld camera. I stood out of their way.

"Careful," Corbett warned Ed.

Ed turned the doorknob and pushed open the door. He jumped into the room, "Watch my back."

We all shined our flashlights inside. Again this room had nothing to offer besides useless furniture and dangling spider webs. I shivered and rubbed my arms like a spider would be crawling across my skin, and backed out into the hallway.

"Well, this is exciting," I drawled, shunning my light on the dusty wall.

"What's your name?" Ed ignored me and continued speaking with the ghost while staring down at his EMP.

"Why haven't you moved on yet?" I chimed in.

"That's a good question, civilian," Ed gave me a nod before turning back to his EMF, ".3, .29."

"Is there an entity or entities here with us now?" Corbett asked in a shaky voice, "Can you give us a sign of your presence?"

"Are you okay?" I asked him. I put my hand on his shoulder to try and help calm him down. We haven't even seen any Casper's yet. I'd hate to see what he would do if we did.

"You got to breathe, buddy," Ed said.

"I can't breathe," Corbett responded quietly.

"Corbett, you got to pull it toge- Whoa!"

A loud thud sounded from the room behind Ed. The two guys gasped and spun toward the door, the lights of their flashlights bouncing across the walls. I gritted my teeth as I stared into the seemingly empty room. I wish I had been smart enough to bring ghost hunting supplies, but other than my flashlight and an iron knife I had tucked into the back of my pants, I had left everything out it my car. Way to be prepared, Van Helsing.

I inched toward the room. A hyperventilating Corbett caught me by the elbow, "What the hell was that?"

"That's what I was going to find out," I said, shrugging of his viper grip.

"Corbett, night vision," Ed ordered.

"Okay," Corbett gulped, sounding relieved to have something else to focus on, "Okay. Yeah."

I inched around Ed, pressing myself against the wall; I tried to shine my light into the darker corners of the room. I couldn't see much from my position and I wasn't about leave the newbie's behind. I glanced at them impatiently while Corbett fiddled with the camera.

"Calm down, buddy," Ed said in calm and gently voice, "Breathe, all right? Calm the whirlwinds of your mind."

I stared at Ed, unable to help the corners of my lips from twitching with a smile, "What are you, a fortune cookie?"

Ed shot me a look and slowly moved past me, stepping into the room. Corbett moved to fallow huddling close by my side.

I pushed him away slightly, gaining a foot of space between us and said, "Wanna talk? Sometimes that helps settle the nerves."

"Um, okay. So did they dare you to spend the night?" Corbett asked.

"Who?" I glanced at him over my shoulder as I fallowed Ed.

"The friends you're supposed to be meeting," Corbett smiled at me nervously, "Isn't that why you're here? To spend the night?"

"Oh, heh," I chuckled, "No, not exactly."

"Shh," Ed hissed as he did another one of his spins into the room.

I stepped across the threshold into what appeared to be the kitchen. This room would be much more promising. Breaking away from Corbett, I wandered toward one of the counters. Carefully pulling back a drawer, I dug though old silver wear and rags, but didn't find anything. I moved on to the cabinets.

"Oh, God," Corbett blurted suddenly. I flashed my light in his direction. He was standing in front of a window. "Okay, it was just... I think it was just this tree branch in the window."

"What is this amateur hour?" I asked looking from Corbett to Ed, "You guys have done this before, right?"

"He's an intern," Ed said simply, like that explained everything.

"Ah," I glanced at Corbett, "Okay, I guess."

"This is spooky, man," Corbett said. I tuned back to Ed. He was hunched over his EMP device as Corbett continued to freak out, "This place..."

"Yeah, kinda creepy," I admitted. I opened cabinet after cabinet door but came up empty.

Corbett spun around, heading back toward the door when suddenly he screamed, "Oh, no!"

"Freeze! Police officers!" A deep voice bellowed from down the hall, "Don't move!"

I didn't have to move to recognize the voice as Deans'. The lights of their flashlights bounced around as they rushed down the hallway, bursting into the room. I sighed with relief when they came closer and I could make out their faces in the lights. I lowered my flashlight, and scoffed. About time those two showed up. They stopped in front of Ed and Corbett.

"All right. Take it easy," Sam was saying to a hyperventilating Corbett while Dean said, "Let's see some identification."

"Come on," Dean demanded, "Let's see some I.D."

Sam flashed his light from Ed to Corbett before it landed on my face, "True?"

"Hiya, boys," I gave them my best toothy grin.

"Have you been here the whole time?" Dean asked, turning on me, "You where supposed to meet us outside."

"Yeah," I said, waiving my hand to indicate Ed and Corbett, "But there were lights."

"You're a cop?" Corbett asked me, "Like undercover? Are we under arrest?"

"Shut up," Dean said to Corbett as he turned to Ed, "ID."

"Whoa," Ed interrupted. He was looking at Dean, "I know you."

"Yeah, sure you do," Dean said, holding out his hand to Ed, "Let me see some ID."

"Hey, hold on a second," Ed stepped forward, "I know the both of you guys."

"What?" Corbett and I asked in unison.

"Holy shit," Sam said as realization dawned on his face.

"What?" Dean asked, facing Sam.

"Uh, west Texas, the tulpa we had to take out," Sam explained, "Those two goofballs that almost got us killed. The hellhounds or something?"

"You guys took out a tulpa?" I said amazed, "How?"

Sam, Dean, and Ed all starred at each other, completely forgetting me and Corbett. Dean cursed under his breath as he remembered. As awesome as it was that it really was such a small world, I was stuck on the tulpa. I hadn't heard of anyone stopping a tulpa before.

"Yeah," Ed said, "We're not hellhounds anymore, okay? It didn't test that well."

"It's Ghostfacers, now," I informed them, "Much more catchy."

"Ed, what's going on?" Corbett asked.

"They're not cops, buddy," Ed said, sounding cocky now, "No, not at all."

"Ed," Dean said smiling maliciously, "You had a partner, too, didn't you? A different guy?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah," Ed nodded.

"Is he around here somewhere?" Dean asked.

"He's running around, chasing ghost," Ed bragged.

"Okay, well, listen, you and Rambo need to get your girlfriends and get out of here," Dean said, "True, you're staying with us."

"Obviously," I said, rolling my eyes.

Ed chuckled, "All right. Listen here, chisel chest, okay? We were here first. We've already set up base camp. We beat you."

Oh, no. Not the right thing to say to Dean. I took a step back so I wouldn't be caught in the crossfire. It turned out to be a smart move on my part.

Dean looked at me and then Sam before he scoffed, "They were here first."

"Mm-hmm," Ed chuckled again as Sam rolled his eyes.

Dean grabbed hold of Ed and slammed him against the nearby wall, "Ed?"

"Yeah?" Ed grunted in pain.

"Where's your partner?" Dean asked, his voice a low growl.

"Uh, this way," Ed pointed down the hallway.

Dean released Ed from the wall and took hold of the back of his jacket. With Ed in front of him Dean walked him out of the room without. Corbett fallowed after them. Sam moved to do the same, shooting me another eye roll. I couldn't help but smile as I begun to follow him out of the room. A small clank sounded from behind me. I spun back around, shinning my light in the direction I thought I heard the noise. There was no one behind me. I stepped back into the kitchen, shinning my light around.

"Hello?" I asked. I waited but there was no response, "Entity or entities?"

I heard footsteps behind me. I swung around just as Dean walked into the room. He eyed the space around me before looking at me. He asked, "Who are you talking to?"

"No one apparently," I told him.

"Well, come on," Dean motioned for me to fallow him, "We got to get these kids outta here. I don't have time to babysit you, too."

I rushed after him and punched him in the shoulder. It was barley anything more than a love tap. Dean shot me an attempt at an irritated look but amusement lit up his eyes, which I returned. After what had happened in Colorado Dean had acted like it didn't bother him. It seemed to affect Sam just the same, but neither of them spoke about it and I didn't bring it up. It was nice to get back into a more fun routine.

"Chisel chest," I said, tapping my chin with my index finger. "That one's a keeper."

"Doesn't mean as much if someone else comes up with it," Dean informed me.

"Hm, true," I said, thinking that over, "Tight ass?"

Dean ran his hand down his face in an attempt to wipe the smile from his face but it did little good. He bowed his head, shaking it as he suppressed a laugh. I tried to do the same as we made our way toward the eagles nest. I couldn't help glancing over my shoulder to see if anything was behind us, but of course there was nothing visible.

As we walked into the eagles nest, Dean turned on Ed. All amusement drained from his voice, "What are you doing at the Morton house on leap year, Ed? What are you thinking?"

"We're here to spend the night, okay?" Ed explained, "It's for our TV show."

"What?" Sam let out a humorless laugh as he wondered off to the side of the room to begin looking around, "Great. Perfect."

"Did you know about this?" Dean asked me.

I scratched my nose nonchalantly, "Sorta. Didn't know it was for a show."

"Sorta?" Dean scoffed. He turned back to Ed, taking a deep breath to continue his lecture.

"Yeah, nobody's ever spent the night before," Corbett said before Dean could speak. He'd finally regained his courage. Good for him.

"Uh, actually, yeah, they have," Dean snapped. He glared at Corbett with an annoyed look, pursing his lips.

"We've never heard of them," Ed countered.

"Yeah, you know why?" Dean asked, creeping toward Ed. "'Cause the ones that have haven't lived to talk about it."

Ed laughed, "Oh, come on, I don't believe you."

"Look," Sam said, slamming his duffle bag onto the table. He unzipped it and pulled out a stack of papers, "Missing person's reports going back almost half a century. John Graham stayed on a dare. Gone. Julie Wilkerson, gone. There are tons more."

Ed took the list of paper from Sam, shinning his flashlight at the list of names that covered the page. I stayed right where I was, I didn't need another reminder about how many people had lost their lives in this house. When I had looked over the papers before there had been tons and tons of names on the list that last several pages.

"All of them came to just stay the night through," Sam went on, "Always on a leap year. The only body they ever found was the last owner, Freeman Daggett."

"Sounds like a creeper," I muttered.

"These look legit," Ed said.

He dropped the papers onto the table to flip through them better with his free hand. I glanced over to see him looking at one of a young girl, probably about twenty. She was pretty with blond hair and round eyes. The name on the top of the paper said Lucy Evans. She'd disappeared nearly ten years ago.

"They are legit," Sam snapped, "Look, Ed, we ain't got much time here, buddy. Starting at midnight, your friends are going to die."

As if on que we heard Harry start to scream, "Oh, my god! Oh, my god!"

We all spun around to point our flashlights at the stairs as team two rushed down them. Dean lifted his shotgun, ready for the ghost. I clenched and unclenched my fist, feeling how painfully empty they were.

"Guys! Guys!" Harry said as he rushed toward us. "We got one!"

The group rushed into the living room, all talking at one. There was a mix of fear and excitement on their faces and their words blurred together in a mass chaotic tones. Harry grabbed hold of Corbett, who was standing closest to him, and shook him in excitement.

"Corbett, we saw one," Harry bounced ecstatically, "We saw one! It was a full on apparition! It was like a class four. It was a spectral illumination. It-"

Silence descended on the group as Harry's eyes fell on Sam and Dean. He looked from one brother to the next and back again, his body frozen to the spot. I pressed my lips tightly together to hopefully cover my smile.

"Hey," Harry said, "Aren't those the assholes from Texas?"

"Yes," Ed confirmed.

Sam and Dean shared a look. Dean stepped forward, "All right, let's have this reunion across the street, guys."

"Crap," Harry said, not moving a muscle, "What are you guys doing here?"

"Come on," Dean ignored him and attempted to usher them toward the door, "We'll get you ice cream. Our treat. What do you say?"

"Yeah, I say no," Harry said, marching toward the laptops. He turned his attention away from Dean, "Look at this. Ed, look at this."

Ghostfacers all gathered around the computers and were fiddling with the papers Sam had brought while Harry updated them. Maggie was seated in one of the chairs and was pulling up a playback of the cameras from the upstairs bedroom.

I turned to Dean, "You would have had me with the ice cream offer."

Dean glared at me, "Shut up."

"I love mint chocolate," I told him.

Dean shot me a look. He was so clearly telling me we didn't have time for my shit that I smiled brightly at him. Dean rolled his eyes, his resolve lessoning and walked to join his brother who was already standing behind the group of Ghostfacers. He towered over them like a giant about to grind their bones to make some bread. Snickering at the image in my head I joined my boys.

"Look at this!" Maggie said, grabbing everyone's attention. She pointed to the screen of the laptops in front of her, "Okay, honest-to-God proof, all right?"

We all gathered around behind Maggie and watched as team two stood around in one of the upstairs bedrooms. Suddenly static messed with the camera and when it cleared a fifties gangster looking dude appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the room. His lips where moving as if he were talking to someone, and he was making gestures with his hands.

"Shit," I mumbled under my breath. I looked at Sam and Dean who had come to the same conclusion I had.

"What kind of reading did you get?" Ed was asking Harry.

"It was a 10.9," Harry said, pointing to the gangster.

Harry went on to tell the story of how the ghost had appeared, making himself sound much cooler then the video suggested, but I tuned him out. I leaned closer to get a better view of the ghost. Near the end of the loop, the gangster body whipped backwards as if he had been shot. The video was disrupted with static and then he was gone.

Dean grabbed me by the arm and pulled me around the table with Sam. We walked into the hallway outside of the living room. Forming a tight circle we kept our voices lower as we discussed what we had just seen.

"You think we were off on this?" Sam asked, "That was a death echo."

"Yeah, but what's it doing here? Did anybody get shot here?" Dean asked.

"Nothing in the police records said anything about it," I shrugged, thinking back to the files upon flies I had head on the place.

Sam turned to me, "Have you ever seen anything like this?"

I shook my head, "A death echo outside of its comfort zone is weird. Something is definitely going on. I keep getting this feeling-" I trailed off- "Something isn't right here."

"Why didn't you tell them to get the hell out of this house?" Dean snapped, running his hand down his face.

"Well, excuse me, sir, but how do you expect me to do that?" I snapped, "It was five against one."

"I've seen you take on five demons at once," Sam mumbled.

I narrowed my eyes at him and he shot me an apologizing look, "Yeah demons I could threaten, not a grip of kids. I'd rather not be arrested for assault, thanks."

"These guys will get themselves killed," Dean muttered rubbing his forehead. He let out a slow, deep breath.

"They mean well," I said, glancing over at the group who were still hurtled around the computers, chattering excited, "Team Leaders kinda cute."

Dean shot me an unbelieving look, "Let's just focus on the death echo."

"What's a death echo?" Spruce asked suddenly as he moved toward us, pointing the camera over at our faces.

"We got a problem here," Sam informed the cameraman, his tone dripping with irony, "That ghost ain't it."

"What's a death echo?" Spruce repeated, this time with more force.

"They are like memories put on repeat," I said simply.

"Echoes are trapped in a loop, okay," Dean explained further, "They keep replaying how they died over and over and over again, usually in the place they were ganked. It about as dangerous as a scary movie."

"Maybe the echo's isn't dangerous, but maybe something else is," Sam said.

"Some of us shouldn't stick around to find out," I said, tilting my head toward the Ghostfacers.

"You're both right," Dean agreed. The brothers and I headed back into the living room, "All right, we need to get out of here, guys. Come one. Let's go."

"Pack it up," Sam ordered.

I took the stack of papers out of Harry's hands and drop them on the table, "You can all come back tomorrow."

Everyone begun complaining at once, arguing with each other, but Sam and Dean weren't taking no for an answer this time. They rounded up the group like sheep, herding them toward the door. With their height and broad shoulders it was easy for just the two of them to build a wall as they moved toward the door. I stayed slightly behind; making sure no straggler could break away.

"What about all of our equipment?" Maggie demanded.

"Tomorrow," I repeated, "It'll still be there tomorrow. But you might not be."

"We got more material," Harry insisted. He looked from Dean and Sam to me, "We got all kinds of stuff. We'll make you guys recurring guest stars."

"That's one hell of an offer, kid, maybe next time," I said as I pushed his shoulder so he turned back around, heading for the front door.

"Wait!" Ed yelled suddenly, tossing up his hands even as Dean shoved him at the front door. We all paused as he looked around at the group. "Where's Corbett?"

Dean pushed Ed against the door, ordering them to leave. I took a step down the hall away from the group, "Don't worry, guys. We'll get Corbett."

"No man left behind," Ed argued.

I opened my mouth to respond when somewhere from deep in the house someone screamed. It echoed around through the empty house sounding loud and horrifying. I didn't hesitate, I took the stairs two at a time and I charged toward where the screams where coming from.

"That was Corbett," Ed yelled, his footsteps fallowing after me.

Calling for their lost comrade, I heard the pounding of the rest of the Ghostfacers as they fallowed. I was slightly impressed with their loyalty and bravery, but I didn't look back to see who all had come.

"She'll get him," Dean called after us, "Come back!"

"Guys?" Sam said, his voice seeming distant as I made it to the top of the stairs and bolted down the hallway.

I quickly scanned each room, making sure it was empty before moving on. There was no sign of Corbett, no clue to what had happened to him. It was pretty safe to assume that the ghost had somehow gotten around us or hid him somewhere, because I made it to the room at the end without seeing anything. I skidded to a stop as the others joined me, grouping in the center of the room we listened helplessly to Corbett's screams.

"He's not here," Sam said, "Let's go."

The Ghostfacers objected and we had to drag them back down the hallway. Once again I lagged behind, listening closely. Maybe I'd hear another voice, one that would lead me to Corbett. I checked every room again as I passed just in case I missed something before, but again there was no sign of him.

"Here we go," Dean said, "Keep it moving."

We rushed back down the stairs. The Ghostfacers gathering in the base while Sam and Dean gathered at the foot of the stairs in front of the door. I remained on them to make sure no one could get pasted me and watched the group like a hawk. Corbett could die, and I wasn't going to let another one wander off.

"Oh, God," Ed's voice drifted toward me as he and his team gathered around the computer table, checking the screens, "He's gone."

I collapsed, half watching as Sam and Dean struggled to open the door and windows. I could already feel the shift in the air, the trapped feeling. Midnight must have passed, and the ghost had claimed his first victim. There was no getting out over here until dawn.

"It's 12:04, Dean," Sam said, pulling at the doorknob, "You good? You happy?"

"Yeah, I am happy," Dean retorted, focusing on the small window by the door.

"'Let's go hunt the Morton house,' you said, 'It's our Grand Canyon,'" Sam mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Sam, I don't wanna hear this," Dean waved off his little brother and begun groaning with exertion as he tried to push the window open.

"You got two months left, Dean," Sam grabbed an overturned chair off the floor, "Instead, we're gonna die tonight."

Sam slammed the chair against the door. It shattered, the splintered pieces raining to the floor. He tossed the leg that had snapped off in his hand over his shoulder. I turned my head as it clattered to the floor, sliding a foot before it was stopped by a rug on the floor of the next room.

"Whoa!" Spruce yelled, dragging my attention to him, "What the hell is going on here?"

"Sam has slain a chair," I said, giving Sam a look I hope told him that that was pointless and uncalled for. All he was going to do was freak everyone out more.

"I'll tell you wants going on," Sam said as the Ghostfacers gathered around, "Every door, every window- I'm guessing every exit out of this house- they're all sealed."

"But why are the sealed?" Maggie asked with fear edged into her voice.

"It's a supernatural lockdown, okay," Dean said, "Whatever took Corbett doesn't want us to leave, and it's no death echo. It's just a bad mother, and it wants us scared."

"Or it just wants us," Maggie said.

"That's helpful," I said just as Dean's EMF device started going off. I stood up, reading myself for what was to come.

"Uh, guys, the camera's fritzing again," Spruce said.

"Whoa, guys," Ed said, "The EMF's starting to spike."

I launched off of the stairs. I walked to Dean in two long strides and stood beside him. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my iron blade just in case, gripping it tight in my hand. It wouldn't injure the ghost, but it would be enough to make it think twice about messing with me.

"Everyone stay close," Sam said while the Ghostfacers huddled together. I wasn't sure if he meant to but Sam somehow had me pinned between him and Dean. "There's something coming."

Dean glanced behind him, his green eyes flickering to the stairs. When he realized I wasn't there his eyes swerved to find me stand beside him. Our eyes met for a second before he turned back to the main area of the living room. Beeping and static filled the air around us like white noise.

"Whoa!" Spruce yelled. I looked around Dean in the direction his camera was pointing and saw another death echo, a chubby guy, wobbling around as if he were drunk.

"Is this the same echo you guys saw earlier?" Dean asked.

"No," Spruce answered, "It's a different guy."

"Multiple echoes?" Dean asked, "What the hell is going on?"

"Beats me," Sam said.

"I have no clue," I mumbled.

"Okay," Dean stepped forward. He ran at the death echo getting in front of it, waving his hands and yelling in his face, "Hey, buddy! Wake up! You're dead!"

The echo glitches, but didn't seem to respond to Dean's shouts. He continued to wobble around, oblivious to his surroundings. He glanced around a bit, his glossy eyes scanning around like they were seeing but not seeing. It was sad that this soul was bound to this world, not knowing that his life had ended and that it would end over and over again. Forever.

"What's he doing?" Harry asked, watching Dean with a confused look on his face.

"It's rare, but sometimes you can shock an echo out of its loop," Sam explained, "If you can talk to the part of the ghost that's still human."

"Nine times outta ten though you gotta have a connection to it," I continued, "Something for it to remember."

"Come on!" Dean continued shouting, getting close and personal with the ghost, "Wake up! Be dead!"

The ghost glitches again and turned around at the sound of a train horn blaring from behind us. It sounded as if it were inside the house. I whipped around but saw nothing. Slowly I turned back to the ghost.

"You guys hear that?" Ed said, "What's that sound?"

"What is that?" Sam asked.

"It's a train," I said.

"Snap out of it, buddy, huh?" Dean yelled at the ghost, "Come on, what're you waiting for?"

The death echo's face and torso lit up with a bright light as the sound of a train rushing by drew closer and closer. The trains whistle blew again, the sound loud enough to causing my ears to ring when it stopped. Realization spread across the face of the ghost, then fear as the invisible train sped ever closer. The ghost threw up his arms in reflex but the train hit him full on, blasting him away. I flinched back and the ghost and train vanished into the far wall.

"Where the hell did it go?" Harry asked.

"I think the right question is what the hell is going on?" I said.

Like Dean said, two echoes in one place was highly unusual. One killed by a gunshot, one by a train. The gun shot hadn't been reported, and I doubt anyone was killed by a train in this house, so what where they doing here?

Dean, looking rather shocked about being so close to the splatter of the ghost, walked back over to us. He looked at each of us in turn before he slipped back into his take charge attitude. He squared his shoulders and set his jaw.

"We need to look for clues, try to find your friend," Dean informed us, "Stick together and watch you back."

With that Dean led our little group off, deeper into the house. The temperature seemed to be steadily dropping and everyone was on edge. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end but there was never anything larking around in any of the corners when I glanced around. I sighed, staying as close to the Winchesters as I could.