Two young women stumbled clumsily down the streets of Little Rockwell. They had had a few too many drinks at a party and couldn’t quite remember which way their motel was. Their feet had become so sore from walking that they had to remove their heels, though the gravel wasn't too friendly either.

They had passed some oddly coloured shops a while ago; teal, lime-green, and apricot orange, but it was hard to distinguish in the dark. Grey cumulus clouds engulfed the sky, vanquishing any light that attempted to weasel through.

“Mars, are you sure we were supposed to go this way?” asked the brunette with a braided ponytail, clutching her friend’s arm. “This place doesn’t look familiar at all …”

“What?! I was just walking in this direction because you were!” Mars retorted. She was also brunette except with a pixie cut flowing into long side-swept bangs. Both wore skinny jeans and a tank top.

“Should we call a taxi?”

“No way! Cabs are expensive!”

“But it's a long walk back, and it’s dangerous for us to be out this late at night.”

“What are you so scared about? I have a black belt in karate. Any idiot who tries to attack us is dead!” Mars asserted. It was obvious that she was a bit tipsy.

“Even if it isn’t Human—”

“There you go again! I told you a million times, Trish, there’s no such thing as ghosts!”

A sudden rustling sound could be heard from within the alleyway ahead, causing both women to jolt in surprise.

“Haha!” Mars chuckled. “You silly goose, that was probably just an alley cat—”

“Wait, did you hear that?!”

“Hear what? The alley cat?”

“No! It sounded like a woman!”

“Well, there’s two standing right here.”

“Stop that!” snapped Trish. “I’m serious!”

“Look, I’ll prove to you that there’s nothing there — besides the cat I mean,” Mars assured her as she staggered towards the alleyway. Trish was forced to go as well; she was still tugging on her friend’s arm. Mars peered inside but stopped in her tracks when she heard a mumbling voice say, “Wheeeere aaaaare yoooou? I know you’re heeeere …”

“Mars, tell me you didn’t hear that. Please.”

Mars responded with silence. The two shivered from the cold chill that swept by.

“You did, didn’t you?” whispered Trish. She tugged harder on Mars’ arm, trying to steer her away from the danger zone. “Come on, let’s go! I don’t want to know what’s in there …”

“HAHAHAHAHA! I fooooound yoooooou …” a figure exclaimed as it shot up in the darkness, laughing hysterically.

Trish screamed, “GHOST!!” as she bolted away, dragging Mars with her.

Pamela Moszkowicz readjusted her round-rimmed glasses. She thought she had heard screaming from the entryway but was unsure as she had been too excited about her find: a needle. It wasn’t any ordinary needle — oh no — it was proof that supernatural beings existed in this world. Although how it would prove it, she didn’t know yet. Pamela would have to return to her laboratory to conduct some much-needed experiments.