Ghost Girl in Shadow Bay: A Young Adult Haunted House Mystery Read online

  GHOST GIRL IN SHADOW BAY

  A Young Adult Haunted House Mystery

  By R. Barri Flowers

  Copyright 2011 by R. Barri Flowers at Smashwords. All rights reserved.

  Cover Image Copyright 2010 by Kimberly Palmer

  Used under license from Shutterstock.com

  Ghost Girl in Shadow Bay is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  OTHER BOOKS BY R. BARRI FLOWERS

  YOUNG ADULT FICTION

  Danger in Time

  Her Teen Dream (under the name Devon Vaughn Archer)

  TEEN RELATED NONFICTION

  Street Kids

  Kids Who Commit Adult Crimes

  Runaway Kids and Teenage Prostitution

  The Prostitution of Women and Girls

  The Victimization and Exploitation of Women and Children

  Children and Criminality

  DEDICATION

  To my young fans who enjoy a scary ghost tale.

  And to my darling wife, H. Loraine, who always pushes me to put forth my best efforts as a writer.

  PROLOGUE

  Caitlyn shivered suddenly, which was kind of weird, since she wasn't even alive. At least not in the way most breathing, talking, walking, and laughing out loud human beings were. Yet her soul was very much alive and restless. Caitlyn longed to be free of the shackles that bound her to that house like a prisoner far longer than she should have been.

  Soon she would have that freedom. And the peace Caitlyn's spirit had been denied would be hers at last.

  She looked through dark, billowy curtains out her upstairs bedroom window. Maple and mulberry trees rustled in the wind, as if they also sensed the unrest in the air. Caitlyn could see the bay she fondly remembered swimming in everyday in the summer. It was always a beautiful shade of blue. If only she could put her feet in just one more time. But that wasn't possible--at least not as things now stood. Spirits were incapable of such, no matter how strong the desire.

  Maybe there was a way, the girl thought dreamily. Her gaze turned to the road leading up to the house. She saw the tall boy passing by. He stopped suddenly and looked up at the window, seemingly right at Caitlyn. Of course he couldn't see her. Ghosts could only be seen by those who were connected to them in some way.

  It would be fun to get to know him. Too bad it wasn't possible.

  Caitlyn frowned as he resumed walking. His dog came up behind him and the boy put a leash on its collar. They passed by the house and headed toward the caretaker's cottage.

  The girl looked at the road again. Soon they would come. More specifically, she would come and rescue Caitlyn from the nightmare she had lived for so long now that it hurt to even think about.

  Then she heard her father coming and grew frightened. She tensed when he entered the room. He was tall and sturdy, with raven hair and thick sideburns. A grimace contorted his face. He nodded to her in silence and she read the sinister satisfaction in his cold eyes.

  It was about to happen all over again. She cringed at the thought.

  But deep within, Caitlyn was optimistic that the time was near when her dreams would finally come true.

  The two spirits vanished.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Peyton Delaney sat pouting in the backseat of her stepfather's Lexus LX 470. She doubted that her mother, seated in front next to the man she had married six months ago, cared. Otherwise she wouldn't have made her leave California and all Peyton's friends to move across the country to Minnesota, of all places. But when her stepfather, Vance McIntyre, was offered a new job as sales director for an advertising firm, the decision was made.

  She was about to be stuck in the middle of nowhere in the dead of summer and there was nothing Peyton could do about it, other than voice her displeasure through stone cold silence. And the occasional barrage of complaints. But even that could only last so long.

  At sixteen, this was the second major blow dealt Peyton in recent memory. Three years ago her father was killed in a car accident.

  I'll just have to find a way to deal with this unwanted move. Dad would tell me that.

  "I'm hungry," she complained, tossing back her long blonde hair. "Can't we stop at McDonald's or something?"

  "We're almost there, Peyton." Melody Delaney-McIntyre glanced back at her daughter. "After we make sure the house is still standing, we'll find a restaurant."

  Peyton rolled her green eyes. "Whatever."

  When her mother and stepfather had twice come to scout the town of Shadow Bay, Minnesota and pick out a house to purchase, Peyton had chosen to stay behind and savor every last moment of home and spend time with her friends.

  "You just might surprise yourself and like it here," Vance said. "The town has character, history, and plenty of open land one can only dream about in San Diego."

  "Yeah, right," Peyton said. "This is your dream, not mine."

  "It's our dream of a better life for all of us," her mother said. "Give it a chance, honey. Is that too much to ask?"

  Peyton sighed. "I guess not."

  She was acting like a spoiled baby instead of a girl less than two years away from adulthood. But Peyton wouldn't hide her resentment over a move she never wanted.

  As the car turned off the main road to head down a winding lane, Peyton caught sight of the bay. It was wide, sapphire blue, and very inviting. She couldn't wait to dive in, imagining the water was a perfect way to cool off in these parts. The view disappeared and it was back to open land dotted with farmhouses and livestock.

  She noted a guy about her age playing in a grassy field with a German Shepherd. Beyond them was a cottage, where Peyton assumed they lived. When he heard their car, the boy looked up, seemingly in a straight line at her. Peyton thought she detected a smile on his lips and smiled back.

  He's really hot. Maybe life in Shadow Bay has promise after all.

  Vance pulled the car in the driveway of a big white Victorian that stood on a hill.

  "Well, this is it!" he said as if they had won the lottery. "Home sweet home."

  Peyton wasted no time getting out, if for no other reason than to stretch her legs after they had driven nonstop for several hours. She peeked in the direction of the guy with the dog. Both were gone.

  She hid her disappointment and turned to her parents who were patiently waiting.

  "Do you want to see inside?" her mother asked.

  "Or we could just camp out here on the lawn and make it our home," her stepfather joked.

  At six-four, he towered over Peyton's mother.

  Peyton sneered at him. She glanced at the house before zeroing in on one upstairs window in particular. Peyton saw a girl standing there. She took an involuntary step backward and shivered.

  "What is it, honey?" Melody asked.

  "There's someone looking out the window."

  "Where?"

  Peyton pointed to the bedroom window, but the girl had vanished. "I could've sworn there was so
meone--"

  "I'm sure it was only your imagination, moving to a new house and all."

  "Either that or the caretaker's inside and heard us drive up," Vance suggested, digging a key out of his pocket.

  Peyton was inclined to agree, all things considered. But she had a bad feeling about the place. For some reason it reminded her of the Amityville Horror movie that she and her friends had rented and watched one Saturday night. She'd had nightmares for a week afterwards.

  Peyton was thankful that evil spirits and wayward ghosts didn't really exist.

  * * *

  The movers arrived later that afternoon with the furniture and other household items. Suddenly the place began to look like a home someone actually lived in.

  Peyton sized up her room. It faced the front of the house and was painted a pretty shade of violet. She sat on the loft bed as if for the first time and felt a sense of comfort when looking at her computer, television, and beanbag chair. If only her best friend Erica had also relocated to Shadow Bay, it might actually be livable.

  Peyton sighed and resigned herself to having to make new friends locally.

  She stood up and looked out the window. It occurred to Peyton that this was the same window where she thought she'd seen the girl looking out at her. But when they had gone through the house, there was no one to be found, to which Peyton breathed a sigh of relief.

  Must have been the light or shadows, she thought. Or maybe it was the gothic nature of the old house and atmosphere that spooked her.

  She headed out of the room, wondering what secrets a house that was probably a hundred years old or more had buried within those walls.

  Peyton wasn't sure she wanted to find out.

  * * *

  Caitlyn watched with interest as Peyton left the room.

  She's so pretty. I wish my hair was golden like hers.

  Though wanting to follow her, Caitlyn realized she couldn't yet. Her father would be very angry if she did and make trouble for all of them.

  She drifted to the window and looked out. Peyton had sensed her there earlier, just as Caitlyn had sensed that Peyton would arrive here to save her.

  I knew you would come one day and rescue me from decades of solitude, pain, and regret.

  When that time came, she would be as light as a feather and ready to feel her spirit released and soul at ease.

  Caitlyn smiled at the mere notion, replacing the perpetual frown that had seemingly been etched on her face forever.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Peyton could hear muffled voices when she came down the stairs. She saw Vance and her mother standing in the living room with a man. They all turned her way as Peyton strode in.

  "There you are," Vance said, as if he had been expecting her at that precise moment.

  Melody took her hand. "Peyton, this is Mr. Neville. He's the caretaker for this house and the property."

  "Hi."

  "Hi, Peyton," he said in a hearty voice. "Call me Luke. Everyone else does."

  Peyton smiled at him. Vance also wanted to be called by his first name instead of dad. She was grateful for that, as Peyton could never imagine anyone ever taking her real dad's place.

  "And that's my son, Bryant," Luke said, nodding in his direction.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Peyton spotted movement. She turned and met the steady gray eyes of the guy she had seen with the dog when they first arrived. Nearly as tall as his father and Vance, he had dark hair.

  And he was even hotter up close.

  "Hey," he said, and Peyton decided that even his deep voice was appealing.

  "Hey."

  Bryant grinned and Peyton couldn't help but blush.

  Luke started to speak again. "Anyway, as I was saying, we've been doing what we could to get the place ready for you."

  "Looks like you've done a great job," Vance said.

  "Wish I could take credit for everything, but I can't. The last owners were responsible for most of the renovations. My part, with some help from Bryant, has mainly been seeing to the grounds and doing some minor repairs on the exterior and interior."

  "Think I'll go out for some fresh air," Peyton said. She hoped Bryant might get the hint and follow.

  She sat on a cedar glider and waited for maybe thirty seconds before Bryant stepped out onto the porch.

  Peyton smiled brightly. "Hi," she said again.

  He grinned. "Mind if I sit?"

  She scooted over a bit in response, nerves giving way to enthusiasm.

  Bryant joined her on the glider. "So you're from California, huh?"

  "Yup," Peyton said proudly.

  "What city?"

  "San Diego."

  "I've never been there before."

  "I'll bet you'd like it."

  "Why do you say that?"

  "Year round gorgeous weather, the beach, ocean, laidback lifestyle, fun things to do; oh and did I mention the beach?"

  Bryant laughed. "I think so. I get the picture. You're probably right, that would be a cool place to live. Not to say that Shadow Bay doesn't have some good things going for it."

  Peyton wrinkled her nose. "Like what?"

  "Me, for one." He chuckled, sticking his chest out.

  She couldn't argue the point. "What else?"

  "Lots of things. Tennis, sailing, hiking, swimming in the bay, dances, plays, concerts--you name it."

  Peyton had to admit it sounded like fun, starting off with getting to know him. "Okay, so maybe I shouldn't prejudge without giving the place a try."

  "Exactly."

  "Guess I just wish I'd had more say in moving here."

  "Did your dad get a job transfer or what?"

  "More like what. He got a better job. And Vance is my stepfather." Peyton wanted to make that perfectly clear. "My dad died three years ago."

  Bryant cocked a brow. "Oh, sorry."

  That's what everyone always said. No one was sorrier than she was. Especially since this had pretty much ruined her life.

  She changed the subject. "So how long has your father worked here?"

  "About a year. We moved to Shadow Bay from Minneapolis, two hundred miles away. After my parents divorced, they sold the house and went their separate ways. I decided I was better off staying with my dad till I graduate next year."

  "From Shadow Bay High?" Peyton hoped he would say yes.

  "Yeah."

  "I'll be going there in the fall." She was suddenly excited about it.

  "As a junior...?"

  Peyton hesitated, as if it was a bad thing to be a year behind him. "Yeah, afraid so."

  "It's cool." Bryant laughed. "I'm seventeen and had fun being a junior last year. You will, too."

  "I'll take your word for it." Peyton found herself laughing with him. Already she liked Bryant Neville.

  "Anyone ever call you Bry?"

  "Never. But you can if you want."

  "Are you sure?"

  He shrugged. "Why not? At least if I heard the name from behind, I'd know it was you."

  "True." Peyton grinned.

  The door opened and Luke came out. He smiled at Peyton before nodding at his son.

  "Gotta go," Bryant said, getting to his feet.

  Peyton stood also, wishing they could have talked longer. "Nice meeting you, Bry."

  He smiled crookedly. "You, too. See you around."

  You can count on that.

  Peyton wondered if he had a girlfriend. Or was he single like her, waiting for that special person to enter his life?

  * * *

  That night Peyton used her iPhone to video call her best friend, Erica Reed.

  "Miss me?" Peyton asked, gazing at Erica's attractive caramel face bordered by thick, curly brown hair.

  "What do you think?" Erica asked. "It's just not the same here without you, Peyton."

  "Same here." She was lying on her bed staring at the ceiling.

  "So what's it like there anyway?"

  "Kind of creepy--at least the house is," Peyton said, though
not sure why it made her uneasy other than the girl who wasn't really there.

  "You mean like Amityville Horror type creepiness?"

  "Don't remind me." Peyton gazed at shadows on the wall. "It's not that bad really, but definitely not a place I'd want to live for the rest of my life."

  "Have you met any of the neighbors yet?"

  Peyton sat up, folding her legs beneath her. "As a matter of fact, I met the caretaker and his very good looking son, Bryant."

  "Oh really? Tell me more--"

  Peyton refrained from getting too carried away after only one meeting, but couldn't hold back her enthusiasm over wanting to get to know Bryant better.

  "Sounds interesting," Erica said. "Send me a video of him and I'll give you my honest assessment."

  "I'll do that," Peyton promised. She was sure Erica would agree that he was definitely a hottie.

  Erica warned Peyton against getting her hopes up about Bryant till she knew his full story and if he was open to dating the new girl in town.

  Peyton was more than willing to see how things went with Bryant before getting too excited. She had a feeling, though, that he was just as much taken by her as she was by him. Only time would tell if that was true and, if so, what they would do about it.

  * * *

  Caitlyn watched as Peyton slept soundly. Even in the darkness, she could see her clearly as though a ray of light were shining down. So pretty and sleeping like an angel.

  Moving forward, Caitlyn touched her cheek. Or tried to, but her hand went right through. Peyton reacted as if someone had disturbed her, frowning before she rolled over and into a fetal position.

  Caitlyn floated to the other side of the bed for another look at the girl who had moved into her house and bedroom. She knew Peyton had taken a liking to the caretaker's son. Caitlyn liked him, too, but he was not hers to have.

  She only wanted to be released from her captivity and Peyton would be the one to make that happen.