I don’t know why exploring an empty house excited me so much since I would likely never know who had lived there or any of its history. But I could make up all kinds of stories of a macabre nature to make the kids squeal in fright and even frighten myself to a point when we’d all turn and run out the door. At the time, it was a silly yet fun moment.

As I sat, I kept watching the wall where I had seen the cloudy spectral disappear, and tried to hurry and be gone. Finished, I hopped up, pulled my clothes back into place and hurried out of the small space, and walked to the sink. As I washed my hands, I glanced into the mirror to see my white face and the fear in my eyes, but I also saw movement behind me. When I focused on the distraction, the same black-clad figure sat on one of the chairs behind me. I gasped and turned.

The chair was empty.