Housed and Fed

“They like to be seen.” He stood and turned on the camera. “Who likes to be seen?” Jerry pulled out the temperature sensor and set it on the table. His eyes gleamed with curiosity and mischief, “The ghosts.” He pulled up the camera view on his laptop. “Why would they care to be seen?” Jerry laughed at the comment as he peered at the laptop screen. “Madame Laurel said it’s because the soul feeds on the energy. That humans live their entire lives wanting someone to notice their most intimate part, their soul. When they die that energy carries.” Louie looked around the room of the old building. “You think we will actually see one?” Jerry typed quickly. “If you don’t chicken out this time, yes.” He looked up from the keyboard with a smile. Louie didn’t like the thought of seeing a ghost but he also didn’t like the thought of being called a coward. “I wonder if that is why you have a sixth sense.” Jerry spoke to himself as he looked up in thought. Louie turned on his flashlight and left the room to explore. The house was old, the hallway had a caved in ceiling and the walls were peeling with age. He walked until he saw a large dark wood door. He twisted the old bronze handle to reveal an empty room, all except a broken full body victorian mirror. He light gleamed off the surface and reflected his own worried face. The mirror spooked him but he wasn’t a coward. He walked up close and looked at his own reflection. His face looked tired but it also looked familiar. His beard mustache needed a shave and his hair was getting too long. Hello old friend, he thought to himself. Suddenly the room grew cold and he saw someone appear behind his shoulder standing in the doorway. In a flash he turned around and shone his flashlight to the open door. There stood Jerry with a big stupid grin on his face. “What the fuck Jerry you scared the shit out of me.” His eyes didn’t respond and neither did he. “Jerry, why do you look like that? Jerry!?” Jerry just stood there. “Jerry, stop messing with me, I will leave again.” Still he stood there with no motion, no sound. Louie walked towards him to push him out of the way as he did. He looked down for a split second to find the path with his light. When he looked back up Jerry was gone. Louie ran to the living room, “Jerry where are you?” As he exited the hallway he found Jerry or at least what was left of him. He felt the hair on his back raise and the presence of eyes.