full

“Spooklunking” by Tana Simensis (read by Greyloch)

A paranormal investigator at a convention gets more than he bargained for assisting a new friend with a ghost hunt.

Tonight’s story is “Spooklunking” by Tana Simensis, who has appeared in several anthologies including Inhuman Acts, you can find more of his work at his SoFurry page.

Read by Greyloch, your Northwoods Guide.

thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.

https://thevoice.dog/episode/spooklunking-by-tana-simensis

Transcript
Speaker:

You’re

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listening

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to

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the

Speaker:

Ghost

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of

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Dog

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on

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The

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Voice

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of

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Dog.

Speaker:

This

Speaker:

is

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Rob MacWolf,

Speaker:

your

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fellow

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traveler,

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and

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Tonight’s story

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is “Spooklunking”

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by

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Tana Simensis, who has

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appeared

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in

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several

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anthologies

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including

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Inhuman

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Acts,

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you

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can

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find

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more

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of

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his

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work

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at

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his

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SoFurry

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page.

Read

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by

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Greyloch,

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your

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Northwoods Guide.

By

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way

of introduction:

John

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Willoughby,

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who wants

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to

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see a

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ghost.

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As

of introduction:

much

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could

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be

of introduction:

said

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of

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any attendee at ScareCon 2022, but unlike any

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other

of introduction:

attendee at ScareCon 2022, John Willoughby

of introduction:

intends

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to

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do

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something

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about it.

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Please

of introduction:

hold

of introduction:

further

of introduction:

comments,

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questions, and

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proverbs

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about

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being

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careful

of introduction:

what

of introduction:

one

of introduction:

wishes

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for until

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the

of introduction:

end

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of

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the

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presentation,

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and

enjoy:




“Spooklunking” by Tana Simensis
John Willoughby let

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the

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pungent

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smell

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of

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his

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coffee

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waft

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into

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his

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nostrils

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as

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he

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leaned

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back

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into

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the

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metal

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patio

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chair

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outside

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the

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café.

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The

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black

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Lab

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was

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trying

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to

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put

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away

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the

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lingering

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effects

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of

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a

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nasty

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hangover,

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and

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felt

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like

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anyone

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who

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saw

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him

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would

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notice

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his

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tired

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eyes

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and

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catch

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a

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few

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whiffs

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of

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the

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whisky

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from

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the

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previous

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night's

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party.

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Ostensibly

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he

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was

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attending

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a

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small

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Halloween

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weekend

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convention

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to

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explore

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the

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real

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life

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possibilities

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of

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the

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supernatural,

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but--who

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was

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he

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kidding--

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it

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was

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just

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an

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excuse

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for

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a

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bunch

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of

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geeks

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to

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congregate

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together

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and

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get smashed

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telling

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each

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other

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ghost

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stories.
"Hey!"

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came

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the

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excited

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greeting

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of

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Lewis,

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one

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of

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the

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new

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friends

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he'd

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met

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the

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previous

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night.
In

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fact,

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Lewis

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was

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the

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reason

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he

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was

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even

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out

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here

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on

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the

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Sunday

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of

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the

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con

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when

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he

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should

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have

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been

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in

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bed

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sleeping

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off

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a

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hangover

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into

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the

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early

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evening.

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Lewis

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seemed

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like

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a

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nice

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guy,

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and

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it

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didn't

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hurt

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that

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he

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was

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some

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excellent

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eye-candy

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to

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go

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along

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with

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all

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the

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other

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treats

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associated

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with

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the 31st.

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Tall,

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sly,

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with

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a

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warming

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smile

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and

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constant

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smirk,

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the

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cougar

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just

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had

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a

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certain

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allure

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to

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him.

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Maybe

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it

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was

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that

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handsome

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little

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black

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mark

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that

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so

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many of his

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species were

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wont

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to

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have

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on

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their

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muzzles,

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or

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maybe

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it

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was

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those

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oh-so

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feline

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eyes,

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but

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whatever

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it

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was,

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John

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was

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hooked

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immediately.

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It

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was

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hard

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to

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even

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say

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how

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old

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the

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feline

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was.

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He

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looked

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mid-twenties,

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but

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something

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about

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him

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seemed

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more

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seasoned then

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that.

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For

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a

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while

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that

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morning

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he

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thought

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maybe

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those

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positive

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impressions

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were

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just

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alcohol-driven,

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but

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now

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that

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he

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saw

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Lewis

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again

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it

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was

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obviously

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real.

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The

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cat

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was

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well dressed,

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to

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boot,

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donning

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black

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slacks

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and

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a

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white

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button up.

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John

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felt

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somewhat

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out

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of

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sorts

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in

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his

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cargo

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pants

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and

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printed

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T-shirt

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from

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the

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con.
John

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extended

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a

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black

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canine

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paw,

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which

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was

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met

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and

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shook

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by a

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tan

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and

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white

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feline

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one. "Afternoon,

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Lewis,

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it's

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great

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to

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see

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you,

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though

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I

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suddenly

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feel

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underdressed."
The

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cougar

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took

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at

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seat

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and

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leaned

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forward,

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letting

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his

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thin

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tail

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sway

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behind

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him. "Just

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felt

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like

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looking

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good

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tonight.

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I'm

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sure

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you

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won't

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mind."

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John

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didn't. "Do

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you

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have

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what

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we

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need?"
"Absolutely."

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The

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Lab

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patted

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the

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small

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duffel

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bag

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at

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his

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feet

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that

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contained

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a

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few

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cameras,

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recorders,

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and

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other

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amateur 'ghost

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hunting'

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accouterments.
Lewis

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clapped

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his

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paws

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together

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and

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flashed

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a

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toothy

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grin, "Oh,

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you

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really

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did

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bring

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them!

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One

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of

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the

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fellas

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I

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did

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this

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with

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didn't

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have

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any

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of

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the

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stuff

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he

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said

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he

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did."

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The

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cougar

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was

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all

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smiles

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and

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swishes

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just

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like

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he had

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been

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the

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night

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before.

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There

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was

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always

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the

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risk

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that

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a

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night

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of 'fun'

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at

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a

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con

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could

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become

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awkward

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the

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following

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day.

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That

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didn't

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seem

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to

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be

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the

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case

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this

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time.
Most

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folks

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were

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at ScareCon 2022 to be a

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part

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of

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the

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paranormal

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community.

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That's

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how

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John

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had

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started

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out

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with

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cons,

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back

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when

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he

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first

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began

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going

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to

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them

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a

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few

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years

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ago.

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Occasionally

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you'd

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get

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someone

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local who

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was

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looking

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for

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answers,

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like

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Lewis.

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The

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cougar

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had

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heard

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of

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the

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convention

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and

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bolted

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up

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on

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Saturday

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in

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the

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hopes

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of

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meeting

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someone

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who

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could

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come

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by

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a local

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haunt.

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They'd

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hit it

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off

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right

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away,

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in

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more

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ways

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than

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just

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the

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mutual

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interest

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in

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the

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haunted

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house

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that

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they

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were

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meeting

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to

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discuss.

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Lewis

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said

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he

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had

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a

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haunted

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house

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in

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town,

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and

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he

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was

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desperate

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to

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get

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an

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investigator

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to

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come

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take

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a

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look

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at

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things.

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Apparently

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he'd

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tried

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in

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the

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past,

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but

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hadn't

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been

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happy

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with

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the

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results.

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John

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was

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more

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than

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happy

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to

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help,

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especially

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if

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it

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led

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to

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a

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repeat

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of

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the

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previous

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night's

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activities.
John

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got

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down

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to

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business. "So,

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you've

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attempted

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this

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before

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at the

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location?"

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He

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fished

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a

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spiral

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bound

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notebook

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out

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of

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his

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pocket

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to

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jot

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down

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the

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important

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information.

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The

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paper

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on

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pen

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note

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taking

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seemed

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a

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little

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out

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of

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place

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in

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a

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side

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job

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that

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was

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so

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focused

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on

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impressive

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sounding

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gear,

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but

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the

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ghost

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hunter

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found

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that

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writing

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things

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down

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meant

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he

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remembered

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them.
"Yep,

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brought

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in two

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other

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experts.

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One

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last

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year,

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and

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one the

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year

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before.

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Halloween

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both

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of

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those

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times,

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as

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well."
The

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canine

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nodded

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dutifully,

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remembering

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from

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the

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night

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before

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that

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Lewis

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had

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said

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these

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hauntings

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only

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happened

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on

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Halloween

enjoy:

night "And

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you

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said

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the

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other

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night

enjoy:

when

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we

enjoy:

spoke

enjoy:

that

enjoy:

there

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had

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been

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activity,

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but

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that

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it

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was

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not

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properly

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documented?"

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John

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was

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surprised

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he

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could

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remember

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any

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of

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the

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conversation

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they'd

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had

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about

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this

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during

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the

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convention.
Lewis

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held

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up

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a

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finger, "Well,

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the

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first

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guy

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was

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a

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total

enjoy:

joke

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and

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didn't

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have

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any

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equipment

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and

enjoy:

I

enjoy:

told

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him

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to

enjoy:

get

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lost

enjoy:

as

enjoy:

soon

enjoy:

as

enjoy:

I

enjoy:

realized

enjoy:

I

enjoy:

wasn't

enjoy:

dealing

enjoy:

with

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a

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professional,

enjoy:

I

enjoy:

mean,

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at

enjoy:

least

enjoy:

as

enjoy:

professional as an

enjoy:

amateur

enjoy:

investigator

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can

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get,

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right?"

enjoy:

That

enjoy:

got

enjoy:

just

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enough

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of

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

smile

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

show

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

few

enjoy:

teeth

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from

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the

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Lab,

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and

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he went on. "So,

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the

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second

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guy

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did

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have

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some

enjoy:

gear,

enjoy:

things

enjoy:

got

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

little

enjoy:

freaky

enjoy:

that

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night,

enjoy:

too."
The

enjoy:

investigator's

enjoy:

ears

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perked up

enjoy:

as

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much

enjoy:

as

enjoy:

their

enjoy:

floppy

enjoy:

nature

enjoy:

would

enjoy:

allow. "Freaky

enjoy:

how?"
"Footsteps,

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whispering

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noises,

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and

enjoy:

just

enjoy:

unusual scents

enjoy:

in

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

air

enjoy:

at

enjoy:

first."
John

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jotted

enjoy:

furiously.

enjoy:

All

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common

enjoy:

haunting

enjoy:

signs,

enjoy:

but

enjoy:

his

enjoy:

pen

enjoy:

paused when

enjoy:

he realized that his client--if

enjoy:

Lewis

enjoy:

could

enjoy:

be

enjoy:

called

enjoy:

that--had

enjoy:

froze

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

trying

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

figure

enjoy:

out

enjoy:

how

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

word

enjoy:

something.

enjoy:

He

enjoy:

nudged

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

cougar's

enjoy:

arm

enjoy:

softly

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

gave

enjoy:

an

enjoy:

encouraging

enjoy:

nod, "It's

enjoy:

okay,

enjoy:

I

enjoy:

won't

enjoy:

think

enjoy:

you're

enjoy:

crazy."
After

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

deep

enjoy:

breath

enjoy:

Lewis

enjoy:

went

enjoy:

on, "Well,

enjoy:

fire."

enjoy:

It

enjoy:

sounded

enjoy:

absurd,

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

he

enjoy:

held

enjoy:

up

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

paw to

enjoy:

hold

enjoy:

off

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

influx

enjoy:

of

enjoy:

questions. "There

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

fire,

enjoy:

we saw it,

enjoy:

smelled

enjoy:

it,

enjoy:

felt

enjoy:

it,

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

then

enjoy:

it

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

gone."
That

enjoy:

bombshell

enjoy:

seemed

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

sober

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

Lab

enjoy:

up

enjoy:

faster

enjoy:

than

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

coffee

enjoy:

he

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

sipping

enjoy:

ever

enjoy:

could.

enjoy:

He'd

enjoy:

heard

enjoy:

of

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enjoy:

of

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thing

enjoy:

before,

enjoy:

but

enjoy:

never

enjoy:

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enjoy:

from

enjoy:

anyone

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actually

enjoy:

believed.

enjoy:

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

he

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believe

enjoy:

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

anyway?

enjoy:

Was

enjoy:

it

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

there

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

some

enjoy:

genuine

enjoy:

emotion

enjoy:

behind

enjoy:

Lewis's

enjoy:

story.

enjoy:

Those

enjoy:

alluring

enjoy:

feline

enjoy:

eyes--which

enjoy:

John

enjoy:

found

enjoy:

himself

enjoy:

constantly

enjoy:

drawn

enjoy:

to--were

enjoy:

studying

enjoy:

him

enjoy:

closely;

enjoy:

as

enjoy:

if

enjoy:

Lewis

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

looking

enjoy:

for

enjoy:

some

enjoy:

kind

enjoy:

of

enjoy:

reaction.

enjoy:

The

enjoy:

cat

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

probably

enjoy:

worried

enjoy:

that

enjoy:

he'd

enjoy:

come

enjoy:

off

enjoy:

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enjoy:

crazy.

enjoy:

Something

enjoy:

didn't

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jive,

enjoy:

though. "Tell

enjoy:

me,

enjoy:

why

enjoy:

didn't

enjoy:

he

enjoy:

report

enjoy:

that

enjoy:

to anyone, and

enjoy:

why

enjoy:

hasn't

enjoy:

this

enjoy:

place

enjoy:

become

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

ghost

enjoy:

hunting

enjoy:

mecca?"
Lewis

enjoy:

grumbled,

enjoy:

irritated

enjoy:

by

enjoy:

that

enjoy:

question. "Because,

enjoy:

Mister

enjoy:

Willoughby,

enjoy:

he

enjoy:

took

enjoy:

off

enjoy:

running

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

refused

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

ever

enjoy:

speak

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

me

enjoy:

again.

enjoy:

Moreover, the

enjoy:

locals

enjoy:

refuse

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

let

enjoy:

people

enjoy:

venture

enjoy:

into

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

house.

enjoy:

I don't know why a ghost hunter runs from

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

ghost.

enjoy:

Must

enjoy:

not

enjoy:

have

enjoy:

been

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

good

enjoy:

match."
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enjoy:

It

enjoy:

didn't

enjoy:

really

enjoy:

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

question.

enjoy:

What

enjoy:

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

hunt?

enjoy:

More

enjoy:

importantly, "Why

enjoy:

do

enjoy:

they

enjoy:

let

enjoy:

you

enjoy:

in?"
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enjoy:

my

enjoy:

canine

enjoy:

friend,"

enjoy:

Lewis

enjoy:

produced

enjoy:

an

enjoy:

old

enjoy:

skeleton

enjoy:

key

enjoy:

from

enjoy:

his

enjoy:

pocket

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

waggled

enjoy:

it tauntingly, "I

enjoy:

own

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

place."
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enjoy:

that

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

mood

enjoy:

had

enjoy:

lightened,

enjoy:

John

enjoy:

finished

enjoy:

his

enjoy:

coffee

enjoy:

off

enjoy:

with

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

confident swig and

enjoy:

stood

enjoy:

up;

enjoy:

giving

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

big

enjoy:

swish

enjoy:

of

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

tail

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

add

enjoy:

dramatic

enjoy:

effect. "Well

enjoy:

then,

enjoy:

Mister

enjoy:

Lewis,

enjoy:

let's

enjoy:

go

enjoy:

Spooklunking!"
The cougar

enjoy:

snorted

enjoy:

and sighed at

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

awful

enjoy:

pun,

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

two

enjoy:

shared

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

moment

enjoy:

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enjoy:

at

enjoy:

each

enjoy:

other.
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enjoy:

John

enjoy:

inquired.
"No,"

enjoy:

Lewis

enjoy:

confirmed, "never

enjoy:

call it

enjoy:

that

enjoy:

again."

enjoy:

The

enjoy:

cat

enjoy:

looked

enjoy:

unamused

enjoy:

as

enjoy:

hell

enjoy:

for

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

few

enjoy:

seconds,

enjoy:

which

enjoy:

felt

enjoy:

like

enjoy:

an

enjoy:

eternity,

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

then

enjoy:

finally

enjoy:

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enjoy:

and

enjoy:

they

enjoy:

both

enjoy:

laughed, "But really,

enjoy:

that's

enjoy:

awful."
*
Fresh

enjoy:

autumn

enjoy:

air

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

smell

enjoy:

of

enjoy:

fallen

enjoy:

leaves

enjoy:

had

enjoy:

done

enjoy:

worlds

enjoy:

of

enjoy:

good

enjoy:

for

enjoy:

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enjoy:

hangover.

enjoy:

He

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

glad

enjoy:

his

enjoy:

Spooklunking

enjoy:

buddy--he

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

still

enjoy:

going

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

call

enjoy:

it

enjoy:

that

enjoy:

in

enjoy:

his

enjoy:

head--had

enjoy:

insisted

enjoy:

on

enjoy:

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enjoy:

to

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

house.

enjoy:

It

enjoy:

wasn't

enjoy:

too

enjoy:

far,

enjoy:

really,

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

they'd

enjoy:

timed

enjoy:

their

enjoy:

walk

enjoy:

perfectly

enjoy:

so

enjoy:

that they

enjoy:

were

enjoy:

getting

enjoy:

near

enjoy:

just

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

starting

enjoy:

to

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fall.

enjoy:

Costumed

enjoy:

kids

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enjoy:

slowly,

enjoy:

but

enjoy:

steadily

enjoy:

starting

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

fill

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

sidewalks

enjoy:

of

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

neighborhoods.
John

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

glad

enjoy:

he'd

enjoy:

made

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

trip

enjoy:

up

enjoy:

north for Berrysville ScareCon

enjoy:

this year.

enjoy:

He

enjoy:

almost

enjoy:

called

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

trip

enjoy:

off,

enjoy:

seeing

enjoy:

as

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

last

enjoy:

few

enjoy:

years

enjoy:

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enjoy:

just

enjoy:

been

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excuses

enjoy:

to

enjoy:

get

enjoy:

hammered

enjoy:

with

enjoy:

a

enjoy:

bunch

enjoy:

of

enjoy:

paranormal,

enjoy:

likeminded

enjoy:

geeks.

enjoy:

Not

enjoy:

that

enjoy:

he

enjoy:

had

enjoy:

any

enjoy:

problem

enjoy:

with

enjoy:

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enjoy:

just

enjoy:

that,

enjoy:

as

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

weekend

enjoy:

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enjoy:

displayed

enjoy:

in

enjoy:

epic

enjoy:

fashion.

enjoy:

His

enjoy:

hesitation

enjoy:

came

enjoy:

at

enjoy:

the

enjoy:

fact

enjoy:

that for the 2022 year the

enjoy:

con

enjoy:

was

enjoy:

actually

enjoy:

on

enjoy:

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enjoy:

weekend,

enjoy:

and

enjoy:

not

enjoy:

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enjoy:

week

enjoy:

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enjoy:

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enjoy:

it

enjoy:

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enjoy:

was.

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enjoy:

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check

the dates:

October 31st 2021, October 31st 2020, and October 31st 2019. It went on

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like

the dates:

that

the dates:

from

the dates:

what

the dates:

he

the dates:

could

the dates:

see.
And

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The

the dates:

wood

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the dates:

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the dates:

scorched,

the dates:

as

the dates:

though

the dates:

there

the dates:

had

the dates:

been

the dates:

a

the dates:

fire.

the dates:

John

the dates:

remembered

the dates:

his

the dates:

client's

the dates:

earlier

the dates:

words

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about

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seeing

the dates:

and

the dates:

smelling

the dates:

fire.

the dates:

It

the dates:

couldn't

the dates:

be

the dates:

coincidence.

the dates:

The

the dates:

bed

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itself

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wasn't

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Something

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could

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sense

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anger

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and

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desperation

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in

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the

the dates:

air.

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His

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fur

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bristled.
"You

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you?"

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The

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Lewis

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be

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seemed. "If

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entire

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been

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by

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me."
Impossible. "Except

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for

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newspapers?"

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John

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smirked

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in

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triumph.

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lie.

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The

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cat had owned

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house

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years,

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recent

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year

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prior.

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smirking, though,

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when

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them

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eyes

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topmost

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newspaper. "Tomorrow

the dates:

morning

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will

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paper

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today.

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is."
John

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scratched at

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whiskers.

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Client

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states

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newspapers

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appear

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after

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every

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Halloween.
"If

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then

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one

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of

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old

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books. "Open a

the dates:

page,

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any

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page,

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read."
John

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picked

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one

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the beginning
October 27th, 1919. Some days I am

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certain

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that

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I

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can

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has.
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creepy,"

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John

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muttered

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quietly

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as

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he

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deeper

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into

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the pages.
October 31st 1988. Found this old

the dates:

journal

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awhile

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back.

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it

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*
John

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the dates:

a

the dates:

girl

the dates:

you

the dates:

hadn't

the dates:

seen

the dates:

in

the dates:

awhile

the dates:

how

the dates:

far

the dates:

along

the dates:

she

the dates:

was?"

the dates:

He

the dates:

had

the dates:

to

the dates:

pause

the dates:

for

the dates:

a

the dates:

moment

the dates:

as

the dates:

the

the dates:

burn

the dates:

of

the dates:

the

the dates:

whiskey

the dates:

hit

the dates:

his

the dates:

mouth.

the dates:

It

the dates:

was

the dates:

pretty

the dates:

good

the dates:

stuff,

the dates:

and

the dates:

while

the dates:

sitting

the dates:

on

the dates:

a

the dates:

hard

the dates:

floor

the dates:

against

the dates:

a

the dates:

hard

the dates:

wall

the dates:

wasn't

the dates:

exactly

the dates:

comfortable

the dates:

the

the dates:

company

the dates:

was

the dates:

nice. "You

the dates:

know

the dates:

you

the dates:

can't

the dates:

ask

the dates:

that."
"I

the dates:

know,

the dates:

I

the dates:

know.

the dates:

Well,

the dates:

I

the dates:

mean, I

the dates:

do

the dates:

now."
"So,

the dates:

was

the dates:

she?

the dates:

Or

the dates:

had

the dates:

she

the dates:

just

the dates:

packed

the dates:

on

the dates:

some

the dates:

pounds?"

the dates:

The

the dates:

Lab

the dates:

gave

the dates:

his

the dates:

client

the dates:

a

the dates:

playful

the dates:

elbow

the dates:

nudge

the dates:

and

the dates:

waggled

the dates:

his

the dates:

brows.
"The

the dates:

latter."

the dates:

The

the dates:

pair

the dates:

chuckled

the dates:

and

the dates:

clinked

the dates:

glasses

the dates:

together.
The

the dates:

investigator

the dates:

finished

the dates:

off

the dates:

his

the dates:

drink

the dates:

like

the dates:

the

the dates:

borderline

the dates:

alcoholic

the dates:

that

the dates:

he

the dates:

was.

the dates:

Truth

the dates:

be

the dates:

told,

the dates:

this

the dates:

was

the dates:

how

the dates:

most

the dates:

of

the dates:

his ghost hunts

went:

went:

drinking

went:

the

went:

night

went:

away

went:

with

went:

the

went:

client

went:

or

went:

fellow

went:

hunters.
Beep.
John

went:

felt

went:

as

went:

if

went:

his

went:

heart

went:

skipped

went:

a

went:

beat.

went:

His

went:

eyes

went:

narrowed

went:

and

went:

fixated

went:

on

went:

his

went:

tablet;

went:

which

went:

had

went:

a

went:

live

went:

feed

went:

from

went:

the

went:

upstairs

went:

bedroom.

went:

Again,

went:

there

went:

was

went:

a

went:

beep

went:

as

went:

the

went:

cool

went:

blues

went:

and

went:

blacks

went:

from

went:

the

went:

thermal

went:

camera

went:

turned

went:

to

went:

hot

went:

reds

went:

and

went:

yellows.

went:

The

went:

EMF

went:

reader

went:

was

went:

going

went:

nuts.

went:

This

went:

was

went:

it.
"Shit!

went:

I'm

went:

getting

went:

some..." The

went:

Lab

went:

winced and brought his fingers against

went:

his

went:

temples

went:

as

went:

his

went:

brain

went:

froze

went:

up.

went:

No

went:

way

went:

that

went:

booze

went:

was

went:

hitting

went:

him

went:

that

went:

hard,

went:

especially

went:

not

went:

at

went:

such

went:

a

went:

momentous

went:

moment. "I'm."

went:

He

went:

felt

went:

the

went:

wall

went:

start

went:

to

went:

slide

went:

away

went:

from

went:

his

went:

back,

went:

or

went:

so

went:

he

went:

imagined.

went:

In

went:

truth he

went:

was

went:

sliding

went:

down

went:

to

went:

the

went:

ground.
The

went:

cougar

went:

who

went:

had

went:

been

went:

so

went:

charming

went:

had

went:

a

went:

completely

went:

different

went:

look

went:

to

went:

him

went:

as

went:

he

went:

stood

went:

up

went:

and

went:

glared

went:

down

went:

at

went:

the

went:

dog.

went:

Those

went:

eyes

went:

that

went:

were

went:

so

went:

beckoning

went:

now

went:

seemed

went:

venomous.

went:

He

went:

gave

went:

John

went:

a

went:

gentle

went:

kick,

went:

and

went:

nodded

went:

proudly

went:

when

went:

there

went:

was

went:

no

went:

reaction. "God,

went:

finally

went:

some

went:

peace

went:

and

went:

quiet.

went:

I

went:

thought

went:

you'd

went:

never

went:

shut

went:

the

went:

fuck

went:

up."

went:

He

went:

tapped

went:

the

went:

empty

went:

glass

went:

with

went:

his

went:

foot. "Drugs

went:

in

went:

the

whiskey:

whiskey:

works every time."
Lewis's

whiskey:

words

whiskey:

seemed

whiskey:

miles

whiskey:

away, and

whiskey:

they

whiskey:

made

whiskey:

no

whiskey:

sense.

whiskey:

John

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

lying

whiskey:

sideways

whiskey:

on

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

ground,

whiskey:

and

whiskey:

trying

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

move

whiskey:

just

whiskey:

resulted

whiskey:

in

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

weak

whiskey:

twitch

whiskey:

of

whiskey:

his

whiskey:

paw.

whiskey:

Whatever

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

going

whiskey:

on

whiskey:

upstairs

whiskey:

didn't

whiskey:

even

whiskey:

matter

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

Lab,

whiskey:

anymore.

whiskey:

His

whiskey:

heart

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

beating

whiskey:

fast

whiskey:

though;

whiskey:

faster

whiskey:

than

whiskey:

it

whiskey:

ever

whiskey:

had.

whiskey:

Was

whiskey:

he being

whiskey:

roofied? No,

whiskey:

something

whiskey:

else.
He

whiskey:

smelled

whiskey:

smoke

whiskey:

as

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

world

whiskey:

around

whiskey:

him

whiskey:

went

whiskey:

dark.
That

whiskey:

same

whiskey:

smell

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

in

whiskey:

his

whiskey:

nostrils

whiskey:

as

whiskey:

he

whiskey:

came

whiskey:

to.

whiskey:

He

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

on

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

bed.

whiskey:

Just

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

simple

whiskey:

mattress

whiskey:

on

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

rusty

whiskey:

frame.

whiskey:

With

whiskey:

some

whiskey:

great

whiskey:

effort

whiskey:

John

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

able

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

move

whiskey:

his

whiskey:

head

whiskey:

towards

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

scents

whiskey:

he

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

picking

whiskey:

up.

whiskey:

Whatever

whiskey:

he'd

whiskey:

been

whiskey:

drugged

whiskey:

with

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

wrecking

whiskey:

havoc

whiskey:

because

whiskey:

everything

whiskey:

beyond

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

few

whiskey:

feet

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

total

whiskey:

blur,

whiskey:

but

whiskey:

he

whiskey:

could

whiskey:

smell

whiskey:

two

whiskey:

people

whiskey:

in

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

room.

whiskey:

One

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

Lewis, for

whiskey:

sure.

whiskey:

The other

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

canine,

whiskey:

male,

whiskey:

and

whiskey:

unfamiliar.
Lewis

whiskey:

spoke,

whiskey:

and

whiskey:

that

whiskey:

voice

whiskey:

that

whiskey:

John

whiskey:

had

whiskey:

started

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

love

whiskey:

so

whiskey:

much

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

now

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

thing

whiskey:

of

whiskey:

torment. "You're

whiskey:

awake,

whiskey:

good.

whiskey:

I'd

whiskey:

like

whiskey:

you

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

meet

whiskey:

my

whiskey:

partner,

whiskey:

George.

whiskey:

I

whiskey:

believe

whiskey:

I've

whiskey:

mentioned

whiskey:

him?"
John

whiskey:

would

whiskey:

have

whiskey:

growled

whiskey:

if

whiskey:

he'd

whiskey:

had

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

energy.

whiskey:

This

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

all

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

sick

whiskey:

joke.

whiskey:

If

whiskey:

they'd

whiskey:

wanted

whiskey:

some

whiskey:

kinky

whiskey:

threesome

whiskey:

they

whiskey:

should

whiskey:

have

whiskey:

asked.

whiskey:

He

whiskey:

heard

whiskey:

footsteps,

whiskey:

and

whiskey:

then

whiskey:

saw

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

cougar

whiskey:

and

whiskey:

his

whiskey:

undoubtedly

whiskey:

better

whiskey:

half.

whiskey:

George

whiskey:

looked

whiskey:

familiar,

whiskey:

not

whiskey:

because

whiskey:

John

whiskey:

knew

whiskey:

him,

whiskey:

but

whiskey:

because

whiskey:

he,

whiskey:

too

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

Black

whiskey:

Lab.

whiskey:

There

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

something

whiskey:

wrong

whiskey:

about

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

stranger,

whiskey:

though.

whiskey:

It

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

almost

whiskey:

as

whiskey:

if

whiskey:

he

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

glowing--not

whiskey:

enough

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

be

whiskey:

obvious,

whiskey:

but

whiskey:

just

whiskey:

enough

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

be

whiskey:

perceptible.

whiskey:

Then

whiskey:

there

whiskey:

were

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

eyes.

whiskey:

Those

whiskey:

eyes

whiskey:

were

whiskey:

inviting,

whiskey:

alluring,

whiskey:

and

whiskey:

John

whiskey:

found

whiskey:

it

whiskey:

hard

whiskey:

to wrest

whiskey:

his

whiskey:

attention

whiskey:

away

whiskey:

from

whiskey:

them.

whiskey:

Lewis's

whiskey:

eyes

whiskey:

were

whiskey:

like

whiskey:

that

whiskey:

too,

whiskey:

but

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

lesser

whiskey:

degree.
"I've

whiskey:

waited

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

long

whiskey:

time

whiskey:

for

whiskey:

this."

whiskey:

George

whiskey:

spoke

whiskey:

oddly.

whiskey:

There

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

an

whiskey:

accent

whiskey:

on

whiskey:

his

whiskey:

words

whiskey:

that

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

hard

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

place. "One

whiskey:

would

whiskey:

be

whiskey:

surprised

whiskey:

how

whiskey:

difficult

whiskey:

it

whiskey:

is

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

lure

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

compatible

whiskey:

match."
"It

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

easy,

whiskey:

love,"

whiskey:

Lewis

whiskey:

rejoined. "All

whiskey:

I

whiskey:

had

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

do

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

tell

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

truth."

whiskey:

Those

whiskey:

sinister

whiskey:

feline

whiskey:

eyes

whiskey:

glared

whiskey:

at

whiskey:

their

whiskey:

paralyzed

whiskey:

prey. "This

whiskey:

fool

whiskey:

wanted

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

find

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

ghost."
What

whiskey:

John

whiskey:

intended

whiskey:

as

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

shout

whiskey:

came out

whiskey:

barely

whiskey:

as

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

whisper, "I

whiskey:

don't

whiskey:

understand

whiskey:

what

whiskey:

you

whiskey:

want."
Lewis

whiskey:

kissed

whiskey:

his

whiskey:

lover

whiskey:

gently,

whiskey:

lost

whiskey:

in

whiskey:

George's

whiskey:

eyes

whiskey:

in

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

way

whiskey:

that

whiskey:

seemed

whiskey:

unnatural. "What

whiskey:

I

whiskey:

want

whiskey:

is

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

see

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

man

whiskey:

I

whiskey:

love

whiskey:

more

whiskey:

than

whiskey:

once

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

year, and

whiskey:

what

whiskey:

he wants is to exist in this world for more than once a year. What you

whiskey:

wanted

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

explore

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

unknown.

whiskey:

Seems

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

fair

whiskey:

deal,

whiskey:

no?"
It

whiskey:

didn't

whiskey:

seem

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

fair

whiskey:

deal

whiskey:

at

whiskey:

all,

whiskey:

if

whiskey:

what

whiskey:

he

whiskey:

thought

whiskey:

the 'deal'

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

actually

whiskey:

what

whiskey:

he

whiskey:

feared

whiskey:

it

whiskey:

was.

whiskey:

Those

whiskey:

journals!

whiskey:

George

whiskey:

must

whiskey:

be

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

man

whiskey:

that

whiskey:

appeared

whiskey:

every

whiskey:

year,

whiskey:

but

whiskey:

what

whiskey:

did

whiskey:

any

whiskey:

of

whiskey:

this

whiskey:

have

whiskey:

to

whiskey:

do

whiskey:

with

whiskey:

him?

whiskey:

How

whiskey:

did

whiskey:

Lewis

whiskey:

fall

whiskey:

in

whiskey:

love

whiskey:

with

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

spirit

whiskey:

that he'd

whiskey:

only

whiskey:

seen

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

few

whiskey:

times,

whiskey:

if

whiskey:

George

whiskey:

actually

whiskey:

only

whiskey:

appeared

whiskey:

once

whiskey:

a

whiskey:

year? The

whiskey:

elaborate

whiskey:

deception,

whiskey:

the unnatural

whiskey:

kiss,

whiskey:

and

whiskey:

the

whiskey:

whole

whiskey:

creepy

whiskey:

feeling

whiskey:

that

whiskey:

everything

whiskey:

gave

whiskey:

off

whiskey:

just

whiskey:

wasn't

whiskey:

right.

whiskey:

Maybe

whiskey:

this

whiskey:

spirit

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

using

whiskey:

Lewis

whiskey:

just

whiskey:

as

whiskey:

Lewis

whiskey:

was

whiskey:

apparently

whiskey:

using

whiskey:

John.

whiskey:

That's

whiskey:

it!

whiskey:

Those

whiskey:

eyes

whiskey:

that

whiskey:

they

whiskey:

both

shared:

shared:

so

shared:

entrancing!

shared:

He

shared:

was

shared:

afraid.

shared:

It

shared:

would

shared:

have

shared:

just

shared:

been

shared:

better

shared:

if

shared:

the

shared:

drug

shared:

that had

shared:

knocked

shared:

him

shared:

out

shared:

for

shared:

a

shared:

short

shared:

while

shared:

had

shared:

kept

shared:

him

shared:

out

shared:

for forever.
John

shared:

felt

shared:

a

shared:

tender

shared:

touch

shared:

on

shared:

his

shared:

head.

shared:

Lewis

shared:

was

shared:

petting

shared:

him. "I'm

shared:

sorry,

shared:

I

shared:

really

shared:

am,

shared:

dear.

shared:

I've

shared:

spent

shared:

years

shared:

trying

shared:

to

shared:

find

shared:

an

shared:

alternative

shared:

way

shared:

to

shared:

bring

shared:

George

shared:

into

shared:

the

shared:

real

shared:

world,

shared:

but

shared:

there

shared:

isn't

shared:

any."

shared:

The

shared:

cat

shared:

lifted

shared:

John's

shared:

head

shared:

by

shared:

the

shared:

jaw

shared:

tenderly

shared:

and

shared:

pointed

shared:

towards

shared:

all

shared:

the

shared:

books. "We've

shared:

scoured

shared:

every

shared:

mystical

shared:

and

shared:

spiritual

shared:

text

shared:

out

shared:

there

shared:

about

shared:

this.

shared:

There's

shared:

just

shared:

no

shared:

other

shared:

way."

shared:

Lewis

shared:

had

shared:

tears

shared:

coming

shared:

from

shared:

his

shared:

eyes,

shared:

though

shared:

whether

shared:

they

shared:

were

shared:

tears

shared:

of

shared:

regret

shared:

or

shared:

tears

shared:

of

shared:

joy

shared:

John couldn't

shared:

tell. "I

shared:

lied

shared:

to

shared:

you

shared:

every

shared:

step

shared:

of

shared:

the

shared:

way.

shared:

We

shared:

couldn't

shared:

risk

shared:

you

shared:

getting

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point."

shared:

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chest

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fell.
*
The

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canine's

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than

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bedframe.
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shared:

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book.

shared:

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by

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Whatever

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shared:

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shared:

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for

shared:

ages.

shared:

Frustrated,

shared:

he

shared:

stabbed

shared:

repeatedly

shared:

at

shared:

the

shared:

power

shared:

button

shared:

to

shared:

no

shared:

avail.
He

shared:

got

shared:

back

shared:

up

shared:

slowly

shared:

and

shared:

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shared:

around

shared:

for

shared:

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shared:

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shared:

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shared:

as

shared:

to

shared:

what

shared:

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shared:

There

shared:

was

shared:

a

shared:

stack

shared:

of

shared:

newspapers.

shared:

The

shared:

one

shared:

on

shared:

top

shared:

made

shared:

his stomach drop.
October 31st 2023.



This was “Spooklunking” by Tana Simensis, read for you by Greyloch,

shared:

your

shared:

Northwoods

shared:

Guide.

shared:

You

shared:

can

shared:

find

shared:

more

shared:

stories

shared:

on

shared:

the

shared:

web

shared:

at

shared:

thevoice.dog,

shared:

or

shared:

find

shared:

the

shared:

show

shared:

wherever

shared:

you

shared:

get

shared:

your

shared:

podcasts.

shared:

Thank

shared:

you

shared:

for

shared:

listening

shared:

to

shared:

The

shared:

Ghost

shared:

of

shared:

Dog.

About the Podcast

Show artwork for The Voice of Dog
The Voice of Dog
Furry stories to warm the ol' cockles, read by Rob MacWolf and guests. If you have a story that would suit the show, you can get in touch with @VoiceOfDog@meow.social on Mastodon, @voiceofdog.bsky.social on Blue Sky, or @Theodwulf on Telegram.

About your host

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Khaki