I didn’t dig heading back to the Manor like nothing out of the ordinary was happening, but I did it anyway. Not that I couldn’t suffer being away from Haunter charming. It had more to do with that cold spot in my belly that advised against leaving them without supervision.We found Trisha having breakfast still in her pajamas, sharing the kitchen table with the twins, who were trying to use their drawing boards to practice their writing under Lizzie’s supervision. My friend welcomed us with a bright grin, mug and waffle in her hands and a spot of cherry jam on the tip of her nose.“I’m so totally moving in,” she said as soon as we walked in, merry like Christmas. “I’m gonna spend the rest of my life spoiling these lovely brats and chatting with Lizzie. And if you have any problem, find yourself a new place.”I smiled, truly happy to see my friend adjusted and fit in so much better than I’d ever

Needless to say Susan was still in the Manor when we got back, giggling and commenting on the last hour at the guesthouse. She insisted on serving our dinner, and I almost had to push her out the backdoor to get her to leave.As soon as I was done eating, I went down to the basement to check on Kujo. I didn’t know why. I just felt I needed to make sure he was okay.“Do I still smell of sage?”“Stink.”“You mean thing!” I protested, laughing.Joseph was still there, and I lingered with them, telling them about the cleansing. Back to the first floor, I was surprised I wasn’t tired, but wide awake and ready to spend the whole night up.Amy and Trisha were still at the kitchen table, watching something on TV, and Amy flashed a little smile when I told them I didn’t feel like going to bed at all.“What have you done to me, Amy Taylor?” I asked.“When yo

my eyes, narrowing his, and his face hardened in a calculating expression for a long moment. Until he set his jaw, breathed deep and finally rolled his eyes with a curt nod.“Okay, okay,” he grumbled.“Then get a shower and a bite and go to sleep,” said Amy. “We’ll be back at four.”Trisha and I had already put everything away, and headed to the front door after Amy in complete silence.Back to the Manor, Amy sent us both upstairs for a shower and stayed in the kitchen, instructing Susan about what we needed for lunch. I don’t know if it was because of our face-off the week before or because Amy was almost her age and gave orders like a five-star general, but Susan did as she said without any questions.I was startled when I heard Amy knock on my bathroom door to check on me. She seemed worried after seeing the state I was in when we’d finished the cleansing a while earlier.“Mind t

I didn’t feel cold down in the basement. The burns hurt nonstop, no matter how many painkillers I swallowed, so Kujo soon was able to keep me warm alright. I slept in the next morning, waking up only when Amy came down to bring me my meds, something to eat and check on us both. I took the pills, wolfed down the food, gulped up the water and went back to sleep. Trisha woke me up in the afternoon with another tray of meds/food/water. I noticed somebody had been down there cleaning while I was sleeping. Whatever. Just like before, I polished the tray and went back to sleep.I only left the corner to go up to the restroom by the kitchen. And on my way in and out of the basement, I would go up to the camera and give the finger to whoever was watching. Hopefully that Price son of a bitch.That night, Amy brought my phone along with dinner.“They’re worried about you,” she said softly. “Poor Joseph’s been here all day, unable to get

A golden glow of morning light flooded the basement when I opened my eyes. Amy and Trisha were there, crouching down by my side.“Shit,” I grunted. “Already?”“You said sunrise, not us,” replied Trisha, showing off her bulletproof good mood even if she was dying to sleep three or four hours longer.“C’mon, you need to get as ready for this as you can,” said Amy.“Take care Fran.”“Thank you, my boy.”I followed them all the way up to the second floor. Amy had everything ready in her room. She’d gone to town the day before, to get the healing cream and all she needed to change my bandages, and that was the first thing we did after Trisha helped me wash from head to toe and get dressed with clean clothes. The burns still looked awful, but according to the pictures Trisha was taking from night one, they were a tiny bit better than the day before. They d