I Never Close the Door When Showing Haunted Houses

When showing clients haunted houses, I never close that door. Clients ask me why. I tell them, “If you close it, it’ll think you’ve come to take its place.” Nobody believes me. Not until that day, when the wind blew the door shut. The lights went out inside. The client’s phone rang. The caller ID showed his own number. I stood outside the door and heard his voice from within: “Come on in and sit down. The door’s open.” When showing clients haunted houses, I never close that door. Clients ask me why. I tell them, “If you close it, it’ll think you’ve come to take its place.” Nobody believes me. Not until that day, when the wind blew the door shut. The lights went out inside. The client’s phone rang. The caller ID showed his own number. I stood outside the door and heard his voice from within: “Come on in and sit down. The door’s open.” This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.