Book Five: Chapter 78

“What are you doing?” Beth asked, voice echoing slightly against the cold walls of the kitchen. Her fingers rested on the doorframe as she tried to gauge whether Lily was serious or just messing with her.

Lily stuck out her tongue, tilting her head playfully. “Isn’t this what you wear to fight the monster in the basement?” she said, her eyes twinkling mischievously. Beth laughed, a short, sharp burst that eased some of the tension in her shoulders. The absurdity of the situation—facing an unknown threat with a succubus in a colander helmet—was almost enough to make her forget how unnerving the rest of the house had been.

Beth reached for her phone and snapped a picture of Lily. She imagined one day making a photo book of her week—chaotic, terrifying, and yet oddly hilarious—and looking at it fondly while completely tanked on wine. Maybe she’d laugh instead of shiver from the memory.