H2

Halloween was a week away. Decorations were up and had already taken over the town. People were celebrating the Harvest season. Relaxed with cider. apples and doughnuts. I could not wait for the party, I was invited to. Many of my friends would be there. Even the best of Boston. The guy all the girls wanted. Johnny. It was going to be held 10 miles into the country. An abandon house with a large yard. We had a generator so there would be lots of music. Even lighting. Although the cops did not care if we hung out. Some said, they were just chicken to even go there. The town was spooked from the hearsay hauntings. There were nights, I could not sleep. Up thinking of the strange things, I had heard. I was still excited for the party. Sure things would be just fine. This was Halloween. We were going to have a blast!

The building was off a country road. Anyone who was ever brave enough to venture there, came back with a story. many felt a presence. Seen an image. Some heard running water or cracking of sticks. Story has told. He was murdered by a rival gang. Possibly over a bad check or card game. Detectives worked long on the case. It eventually went cold. Petucchi...Sam Petucchi. An Italian merchant in New England. He owned a beautiful brick home. Few gardens, his wife loved to keep growing. Sam was a hardworking man. 40 years ago in an upstairs bathroom, the gang found their way in and shot him. His wife Emilina found him, Devastated...

Shortly after, Emilina decided to move with their 2 sons. She found a home in the East. Ocassionally driving by, to remember her sweetheart. Few families lived out on Brekenridge Road. They had not lasted long. Some thought maybe over money problems, divorce or it was actually haunted. Realtors let the property go to the bank. Since mit was such a desolate place. Just became a ghost house. Literally.

The week flew by and it was the day of the party. A couple hundred were expected. We planned to set up a campsite, despite the cold, fall weather. Some of the guys had spent time collecting wood and building the massive bonfire. Brekenridge Road stretched far off, The North Cavanaugh Turnpike. Many had started their new American lives along this region. Petucchi's nearest neighbor was 2 miles away. Listen to me...Speaking as if he still exists. Couldn;t stop thinking, of the stories I had heard. We were in highschool still. Seventeen, eighteen years old. Wasn't a little girl anymore. And who's to say the ghost is even still there?

The cars and SUVs were fully stocked. I had brought a backpack and sleeping bag with a large body pillow, Lisa and I could both share. Lisa was already drinking.

"Gimmie that girl! You don't wanna miss out on the fun!"

I'd taken the vanilla vodka she had between her and the car door. Without a fight, she handed it over. Hope this isn't too hectic I thought. No...It was going to be amazing. Couldn't wait to see Johnny. Him and I had shared a few classes together last year. I felt like he might have a crush on me. Then again. So did every other girl.

"Melanie, can you change the station?"

Lisa ,was fixing her ponytail and Greg was driving. I flipped past the gushy music. put on some rock. Loved the sound of drums and the guitar. We were about 15 minutes away. Some of them were probably already there. Claiming there campsite. 2 days of Spooktacular fun! Our parents knew we had gone. They had too, some years ago. My grandmother who knew Sam. Warned us...the stories are true and she would say a prayer. You know how grandma's can be. The road was long. Lots of trees and no streetlights. We were almost there. Up ahead was a little red sedan. Two people were on the side of the road arguing.

"See you there!"

I had stuck my head out the window and yelled to them. It was Brittney and her boyfriend Josh. They were always arguing. She smiled and waved. I could see the aggravation on her face. Josh had probably liked some girl's picture on Instagram or something.

"We're here!"

Greg pulled into the long driveway. There were about 8-9 cars there. Some guys were tossing a football around. The girls were setting up beer pong tables and unloading the cars. Only 2 tents were up. Some just planned to sleep in their cars. We had brought a tent. Greg had a nice truck, so we had lot to work with. Greg pointed over to the side of the house. Where we could start dragging our stuff. Others might camp inside the mansion. Many of the room were going to be used for sound equipment, booze and possible seances. You probably wouldn't get a wink of sleep.

"Ugh."

I grunted as I dropped the end of the tent onto the ground. It hadn't rained in a few days, the temp was mid 50's. Not ideal for outdoor sleeping, but with enough alcohol we'd most likely black out. Lisa and some guy close by came and helped us stake it into the ground. Greg was in the building helping with the sound equipment. It was becoming crowded as 7 pm approached. The sky was dark. This is exciting! There were lots of costumes goin' on. A few of the guys had dressed up as gangsters. Lol, how ironic. I'd plan to change into mine, if this guy would ever leave...

"Thanks so much! We'll see you around!"

The lights began to flicker and crashing sound in the woods behind the house. We all stood still.

"Omg, what was that?!"

Brittney and Josh were a few feet into the woods. They came out running with something. A broken airplane, ya know the remote control ones. Someone was obviously playing around. Josh had given the plane to Brittney. She came over to us.

"Look for the remote. This is weird, nobody is really in the back of the house."

I took the small silver plane from her hands. Observing what seemed to be a toy, not really from 2020. An inscription read...made in NYC 1935. A factory called Petucchi Motors. I held my breath.

"Let's take it inside. I want to change into our costumes too."

The music was playing. Lots of people were drinking, cooking burgers and getting changed right in the open. The house was huge with 3 living rooms on the first floor. There was vandalism throughout the house, the plumbing did not work, but the generators gave us sound and light.

"Which bathroom do you think it was?".

Lisa asked as we entered the first bedroom. There was a bunch of lanterns around.

"Girl I don't know haha. There's probably 5 bathrooms in this place."

Brittney had slipped a black turtleneck on and a pair of wolf ears. I was Snow White and Lisa a vampire.

"I heard it was the one in the master bedroom." Brittney whispered.

"Why are you whispering?' I asked

We all giggled, blew out the lanterns and back outside the room. Halfway through the house, I noticed Lisa wasn’t behind us.

“Oh’ brother, Brit…Do you know where she went?”

“I do not. Lisaaaaa!” She had to of heard her.

“Okay, I’m going to look for her. I’ll see you later.”

We embraced. I then turned around to see where my friend had gone. Some guys were playing spin the bottle in the dining room.

“Did you see that?!” Johnny pointed to the circle.

“I know I didn’t spin it that much.”

The bottle was spinning non stop in the middle of the floor. Oh’ dear please do not stop on me. Well, in a way I wanted it to. If it ever stopped…The room became cold and you could hear tapping on the windows. Johnny cackled.

“Oh’ Sammy, we are here to play!”

A bunch of guys chanted him on. I went to look out the window and the bottle stopped.

“Hey, Melanie. Get back to your spot.”

Suddenly feeling a lot warmer. Not how I wanted our first kiss to be, but did not want to be known as a wuss. Johnny walked towards me. Dressed all in black he put his hands on my hips. Leaned in and kissed me! Tried to pull away, but he held the back of my head. After a few hoots n hollers. We released. His smile was so cute.

“Text me later.”

He’d given me a piece of paper with his cell number on it.

“I will, but hey my friend sorta disappeared upstairs. Do you want to go look for her with me?”

“Sure, let’s grab a drink in the garage real quick.”

Johnny grabbed a tall Budweiser and I took a cup of punch.

“Wow, this is potent.”

“I know.”

He smirked.

The party was going great, but I was ready to find my girl. We went up the side staircase, I looked out the window. Seeing the huge bonfire. Hearing music. Maybe she was out there, with Greg by now.

“Lisaaa!”

I yelled and Johnny did too. We had passed 2 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms. No sign of her.

“Probably on the 3rd floor.”

“Wait, Melanie. I’m a little scared. Isn’t this where the…Ya know. Happened?”

“C’mon, we’re just gonna look, then we can go outside. Thank you for coming with me. Besides, I think we’re here.”

I pushed open the door and saw about 5 people in the room. 3 of them were the guys who dressed up like mobsters. There was Lisa, lying in the middle of the room. They had candles and beer bottles scattered on the floor.

“Lord, what are you doing?”

She laid still. Her arms across her chest. Eyes open.

“Get up Lisa! This isn’t funny.”

“We think it is.” Ryan interrupted.

“What’s going on?” I asked them.

“Well, we have been researching the hauntings of this place all week. Found a book on how to envoke the spirit. Your little friend here. Offered to be the soul.”

“Lisa, get up. I’m not leaving without you.”

Johnny then tried to lift her into his arms and was thrown into the wall. The guys laughed.

“We tried that too. Guess since we’re all here. Might as well invite Sam Petucchi to our party.”

“Give me the book.”

Ryan tossed it to Johnny.

“Page 54.”

“Okay, it says to uncross your arms. Blow out the lights and say Sam’s name 3xs.”

“Well, get your flashlights ready. Mel, uncross her arms.”

The room was dark.

“On the count of 3, start chanting his name. 1-2-3.”

“Sam Petucchi, Sam Petucchi, Sam Petucchi.”

We quickly turned on our flashlights. Lisa was now standing up.

“I am with Sam. He welcomed you to his home. He says do not be afraid, but to know he is here. He wants justice. The man who hurt him was “Friends” with the family. Knew well of his motor and merchant business. The man was Drew Murphy. An Irishman. Envious of Italians. Sam says to close the circle and leave this room. As there is bad energy.”

“How do we do that?!”

Ryan took the book and read the contents.

“Page 73. To close the circle. Hold Lisa’s hand and chant. “Be free Spirit, disappear into your world. Okay, let’s go guys. Count of 3 again.”

I held Lisa and Johnny’s hands. He was so brave to of helped me. I should have thanked Sammy for setting up that kiss. Who knows what others have experienced this night.

“Man, I don’t really wanna hold hands, Ryan.”

Tyler and Nick were obviously very drunk.

“We have to, c’mon my little gangsters.”

They agreed and on the count of 3, we set Sammy free. Lisa instantly became herself again. So relieved. It was now almost 10 pm. I was ready to go outside and dance.

“Thank you, Johnny.”

I kissed him on the cheek, he took my hand. We made our way downstairs.

“Text me.”

Johnny left out the garage. Lisa and I went into the field. We saw Greg playing beer pong with some girls. I went to the DJ table. Requested some reggaeton hip- hop. I loved the energy. Lisa and I spent most of the night dancing under the moonlight. Johnny came out later and joined us. Happy Halloween!