The Halloween Hunt

“Spending Halloween night in the genetics building? That’s your big idea?” Kevin crossed his arms, giving Jess and Leanna a skeptical look.

“C’mon, it’ll be fun,” Jess insisted, leaning forward in her chair. “The place is creepy as hell at night, and there’s an actual ghost story tied to it. We bring some snacks, tell some scary stories, and see if anything weird happens.”

“Like a haunted house, but real,” Leanna added.

Hannah and Olivia exchanged excited glances. “Okay, I’m in,” Hannah said. “That building has the best spooky vibes. And if we actually find a ghost? Even better.”

Kevin sighed. “Fine. But if this is some elaborate prank to freak me out, I’m throwing you all in the nearest dumpster.”

With everyone on board, they made their plans. They’d sneak into the building after hours, bring some flashlights, and see if they could catch a glimpse of the so-called ghost.

—---------------------------------------------

By midnight, they were huddled just outside the locked doors of the genetics building. The campus was eerily quiet, the usual buzz of students drowned out by the crisp autumn air. Dressed in hoodies and armed with flashlights, they slipped inside.

The building was different at night—silent, vast, and unsettling. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, and every footstep echoed against the tiled floors.

“Okay,” Jess whispered. “Let’s split up—”

“Nope,” Kevin cut in immediately. “We are not splitting up. That’s how people die in horror movies.”

Hannah laughed. “Fair point.”

They moved together, creeping through the empty halls, peering into dark classrooms and abandoned labs. Jess and Leanna led the way, trying to act like this was all just for fun. But deep down, Jess felt on edge.

She wasn’t looking for a ghost. She was looking for him.

After an hour of wandering, Olivia spoke up. “I don’t think we’re gonna find anything.”

Then, as if on cue, the lights in the hallway flickered. Everyone froze. A faint click echoed down the hall, followed by the slow creak of a door opening by itself.

“Okay, no,” Kevin whispered. “Nope. That was the wind. Definitely the wind.”

Jess’s heart pounded. “That came from one of the old labs.”

They crept toward the door. It was slightly ajar, revealing a darkened room.

“Who wants to go first?” Hannah asked.

No one volunteered. Finally, Jess took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The room inside was coated in dust, old research equipment scattered across metal tables. But there were fresh footprints on the floor.

“Someone’s been in here,” Leanna whispered.

Then— BANG! A cabinet door slammed shut on the other side of the room.

Olivia let out a yelp. Kevin grabbed Jess’s arm. “Okay, that’s our cue to leave.”

But Jess stepped forward, heart racing. She aimed her flashlight at the back of the room—and for just a moment, she swore she saw something move. A shadow. A figure. Then it was gone.

She swallowed hard. “We need to come back.”

Leanna nodded. “Yeah. And next time, we’re not just ghost hunting. We’re finding answers.”