GHOST HOUSE

You investigate the cabinet.

Its hinges are rusty, and squeal unpleasantly as you open its drawers. There's a pen and some paper left in one of the drawers, though there's nothing on the paper. You take it out anyways to check.

LIL

Did you find somethin'?

You flinch, startled by how close she got before you'd noticed her.

MANDY

I- fuck, Lil! Don't do that!

LIL

Sorry~ I didn't mean to spook ya! Not yet, anyways.

MANDY

Right.

You turn away from her, but she stands there expectantly. Reluctantly, you look at her again.

MANDY

What?

LIL

You didn't answer my question. What'd you find?

MANDY

It's just some paper.

You offer it to her to check it out. She takes it and feels it between her fingers.

LIL

Eww, this paper's all moldy, too. Neat. Hey, Jen, come check this out.

JENNIFER

I'd rather not.

She gives you a polite smile before turning away from the two of you, leaving you again to Lil.

LIL

So, what've you been up to in the three-ish years since we last talked?

MANDY

It's been nine years and eight months. To be exact.

LIL

Geez, really? Feels like no time at all has passed!

MANDY

...Uh huh. I, uh, I've mostly just been... drifting. I moved out of town after graduation.

LIL

Yeah, I saw you dyed your hair! It surprised me! I didn't think you would do that kind of thing.

MANDY

Yeah. ...Me neither.

She doesn't pick up on your tense response.

LIL

I've mostly just been drifting, too. I sell my art in indie galleries, most of it goes to fundraisers for hungry kids around the world or whatevs.

LIL

Actually, it's funny, I just did something specifically for kids who'd lost their older--

MANDY

Hey, Lil, it was nice catching up.

You walk away from her, towards the stairs where Vince had disappeared. You can hear her squawk in confusion behind you, but you don't give a shit. What she'd started to mention left your blood boiling, and right now, you just needed to take a breath with Vince. If you can fucking find him.