Angelica made a fist, preparing to invite the Midnight Man in. The girls huddled together as each ominous thud broke twenty-five years of silence. To think that a family once lived here. Once cried and laughed within these walls … Knock … knock … knock … Libby counted each thud as they echoed in the darkness. Eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one … She shuddered as a cool breeze curled around the back of her neck.

With one eye on her watch, Angelica knocked for the last time. There was no going back now.

The girls stood in quiet reverence as Angelica explained the rest of the game which was played only by the bravest of teenagers in Slayton every Halloween. They were to wander around the house in silence, avoiding capture until 3.33 a.m. It was a simple concept, but players had reported experiences from hallucinations to full-blown paranormal encounters. That’s if they could be believed. As nervous as Libby was about coming here, she wasn’t so sure that the stories were all true.

Solemnly, Jahmelia blew out the flame. Flicking her lighter, Angelica relit it. As per the rules of the game, they each had a candle to guide their way.

‘Remember,’ Libby said, her stomach churning with anticipation. ‘If your candle goes out, it means the Midnight Man is near. Either relight it or step inside a salt circle for protection – but you’ve got to be quick.’

‘OK, freaks,’ Angelica said. ‘I’m off to explore.’

‘Don’t leave me!’ Isobel called out, almost extinguishing her candle as she trotted after her in the dark. Bethany looked from Libby and Jahmelia back to Angelica before chasing after her twin.

‘Eww.’ Jahmelia pointed at a dead rat in the corner of the room. A splatter of blood rose up the skirting board. Its neck was snapped in a trap. ‘Do you really want to do this?’

‘You know what Angelica’s like.’ Libby picked at a piece of wax on her candle. ‘We’ll never live it down if we don’t.’

‘But if Angelica didn’t shove those invites in our bag, then who did?’

‘It’s her. She’s trying to frighten us, that’s all. I bet they’re laughing their heads off, wondering if we’ve fallen for it.’

‘Yeah,’ Jahmelia said, relaxing a little. ‘Where did she get the weed from?’

‘Her mum’s herb rack,’ Libby snorted. ‘She’s probably at home now, wondering where her rosemary has gone.’

Libby was glad she was able to put Jahmelia’s mind at rest. They had bonded through study group. The two of them had some of the highest IQs in the school, but Angelica’s grades were slipping. It wouldn’t have surprised her if she had brought drugs to the house. Libby wouldn’t have any part of it, but neither would she tell. A floorboard creaked from overhead and Libby held her breath.