Built in 1803 by pagan settlers, Krossroads Inn has been responsible for over ten thousand untimely deaths. Rated the number one haunted location in the world, according to the spirit guides. Rumor has it, that the consequences of spending one night at the Krossroads Inn will result in death or even worse.
She read the pamphlet again and again as the Greyhound bus hissed through the pre-dawn darkness.
Laura had always been obsessed with ghosts, ghost stories, and the supernatural. Growing up with that obsession made her an outcast in school and as a result, she didn't have many friends growing up. When she graduated high school she was relieved. When she moved away to college she was excited for a chance at a new start.
As she thought back to the events that lead to this trip her eyes drifted from the pamphlet to the window and she watched the road pass. It was her first week at school and she was still getting used to dorm life. He roommate Mayra was a nice girl from Texas with an accent Laura found cute. Mayra was quiet and shy, much like Laura, and they had a lot of other things in common as well. Laura imagined they would get along great and looked forward to getting to know her new friend. It was as she was lost in thoughts of the fun things she and Mayra could do together in the coming year when the bright green flyer posted on the bulletin board in the dorm hallway caught her eye.
"Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night?
Do you experience feelings of dread in your dorm room or the showers?
Have you or your roommate ever seen a spook, specter or ghost?
If the answer is "yes," then don't wait another minute. Head to the quad at 8:30 PM every Thursday and talk to the professionals...
Ghost Hunters Group!
We're ready to believe you!"
The poster made her giggle out loud. It was a parody of the Ghostbusters commercial in the original film. She was about to walk away when she read it again. "Ghost Hunters Group" a group of people that wanted to experience the supernatural just as much as she did. She giggled again and rushed to her room when she realized it was Thursday and she had about twenty minutes to get dressed and make it to the quad for the meeting. Laura rushed into her room still giggling.
"What's got you so giggly?" Mayra asked, startled at by the way Laura rushed into the room.
"I just saw a flyer for a ghost hunters group!" Laura said, "Want to come to check it out with me?"
"Ghost hunters?! I don't know that sounds terrifying!" Mayra replied, "I can't even watch horror movies. I'm too squeamish."
"Awwww come on Mayra, it will be fun." Laura said with a pout, "Think of it as a bonding experience."
Mayra reluctantly agreed and they left. When they got to the quad there was a group of 3 guys sitting at a table with camera bags and a large black Pelican case.
"Ghost hunters?" the tallest of the guys asked excitedly.
"Yeah!" Laura responded with a squeak, "This must be the place."
"That it is," another one of the guys as he walked up to the girls, "I'm Tony, I guess you can say I'm the leader of this ragtag group."
"Nice to meet you," Laura replied, "I'm Laura, this is my roommate Mayra."
Mayra waved and smiled shyly.
Tony was a cute but nerdy looking guy, thin and clean cut with blonde hair and brown eyes.
"Nice to meet you ladies," Tony said, "Let me introduce you to the rest of the guys."
Tony turned and pointed to each of the other guys in turn.
"This is Hernan," Tony said pointing to an athletic looking Hispanic guy with black hair and dark eyes.
"Oh sweet! Girls!" Hernan blurted before his eyes went wide and his face turned red.
Laura laughed, and Tony continued.
"And this is Michael," Tony said pointing to the tall boy who had greeted them earlier, as he nodded in reply.
"Welcome to ghost hunter group!" Tony said, "So, what brings you ladies to us?"
Laura explained her obsession with the supernatural growing up and her wish to have an experience with a ghost or spirit. Tony and Michael responded with similar reasons while Hernan and Mayra stayed pretty quiet.
"What about you, Hernan?" Laura asked, "What brings you to the ghost hunters?"
"The house I grew up in always had strange things happening," Hernan started, "chairs would be pulled out from the dining table when you know you'd pushed them in, things would go missing then show up in random locations, and things like that."
Laura noticed Hernan had a slight Spanish accent and she found it incredibly sexy.
"One day when I was 7 or 8 my parents sent me to my room for being bad around company," Hernan continued, "I was sitting on my bed when I looked up and I saw a figure walk out of my bathroom. He was tall and dressed like a greaser. It freaked me out and I ran out of the room screaming but my parents just yelled at me to get back in my room. When I went back he was gone and there was no sign of him. I just want to know if that was real and I wasn't just a crazy kid."
Everyone was silent for a moment taking in Hernan's story and Laura felt Mayra shudder next to her.
"What about you, Mayra?" Tony said, breaking the silence.