The Black Heart Crypt

Zack was feeling pretty good as the van headed up Stonebriar Road for home.

He’d hang on to his ghost-seeing gift, at least until Halloween was over. He’d protect his friends and family.

They’d already dropped off Malik and Azalea.

“Sorry we had to cut Halloween a little short,” said his dad, turning into the driveway in front of their house.

“That’s okay.”

“If you like, Zack,” said Aunt Ginny, “we can go to the grocery store tomorrow. I suspect all the Halloween candy will be half price.”

He chuckled.

But then he saw Judy and his dad’s other two aunts up on the porch. All three were waving their arms over their heads the way people do when they’ve just witnessed a car wreck on the highway. Zipper shot his ears up, sensing trouble.

“Oh, my,” muttered Aunt Ginny.

Zack’s dad jammed on the parking brake, jumped out of the van, and raced up to the porch. Zack and Zipper were right behind him. Aunt Ginny was bringing up the rear.

“What happened?” Zack’s dad asked.

“Another one of those Ickleby ghosts,” said Judy. “This one looked like he was from the 1950s.”

“Aha,” said Aunt Ginny after she caught her breath. “Little Paulie. The next-youngest man in the mausoleum.”

“What?” said Zack’s dad. “Who’s Little Paulie?”

“Eddie Boy’s father,” said Ginny.

“Who’s Eddie Boy?” asked Judy.

“The ghost Aunt Ginny smoke-bombed in the hardware store,” said Zack.

“Virginia?” said Aunt Hannah, her hands on her hips. “What have you done?”

“Me? Why, nothing, sister.”

“How would you explain this sudden influx of evil Icklebys?”

“We three agreed,” mumbled Aunt Sophie somewhat sheepishly. “I remember. We did.”

“Did you use my sage candles, sisters?” Aunt Ginny asked very sweetly.

“Yes,” said Hannah. She looked like she was so mad she might turn into a smoke bomb, too.

“Wonderful,” said Aunt Ginny. “Two down, ten to go.”

“You seem very pleased,” said Hannah.

“Me? Hardly. But now that the cats are out of the bag, so to speak, perhaps we three should go inside and discuss this matter further?”

“What matter?” asked Judy.

“Oh, we’re not to speak of it,” said Sophie. “It’s a triple-pinky secret.”

Aunt Ginny winked at Judy. “I’ll clue you in later, dear.” She gestured toward the front door. “Sisters? Shall we?”

Hannah harrumphed into the house. Sophie followed her.

“Oh, Georgie?” said Aunt Ginny.

“Yes?”

“We may need to stay in town a bit longer than originally planned.”