Haunted States of America: The Dead Below

Haunted States of America: The Dead Below — page 3

Haunted States of America: The Dead Below — page 4 — She could hear him curse as he likely mashed his hand against a doorframe You okay Dad Treva asked The sound of boxes dropping to the ground was followed by her dad’s tired exhale Oh yeah he gasped from his own bedroom Couldn’t be better The floor creaked as her dad crossed the hallway to check out her room He looked around at all of the cardboard and nodded Wow he said That’s a lot of boxes Yeah Treva said Same number we loaded onto the truck He smirked as if he wasn’t sure if she was joking or making a crack at their new place Almost instantly Treva felt bad I was just kidding she said But I really did bring too much here I’ll probably get rid of a bunch of the books I don’t need anymore Downsizing Dad said It’s not easy to do but necessary I guess

Haunted States of America: The Dead Below — page 5 — I know Treva said There are just some things I’m not ready to let go of yet you know Dad nodded and Treva could see he was fighting back some tears Sorry Dad she said and gave him a hug I just miss her No need to be sorry Dad said hugging Treva back I miss her too After a moment they broke off the hug She and her dad each wiped their eyes Well he said If we leave that truck wide open for much longer we’re not going to have anything left to move in here It’s not a bad neighborhood is it Treva asked Nah Dad said Philadelphia is pretty much crime-free They outlawed crime back in 1986 Treva laughed and looked outside There parked right in front of their building was the midsized moving truck they’d rented

Haunted States of America: The Dead Below — page 6 — The hazard lights were flashing and the back door was wide open exposing what they had left from their old house in Ardore I think we’re okay Treva said Well I’m going to keep working Dad announced and left She heard the creak of the stairs as he made his way down to the first floor A moment later she peered out the window Dad came down the front steps and headed into the truck Just throw the boxes up here and I’ll catch them Treva joked Right Dad said Then you can call the ambulance when my back snaps in two Treva took a look at the view from her bedroom window Being on the second floor of their small brick apartment building she could see over the trees Spread out in front of her was a large park with a baseball diamond tucked into the

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