Lies Never Sleep

Excerpt

Atlas James hesitated at the edge of the property as they crept through the rusty wrought-iron gate. His heart thundered in his chest, both from nerves and excitement. The phone shook in his hand as he captured the video.

Emmett Powell turned around, wide-eyed and grinning, though it was barely visible in the moonlight. “You ready?”

Atlas didn’t want to admit his nerves were getting the best of him. “It’s gonna be awesome.”

“Right? And best of all, we’ll finally be famous. This video is going to go viral for sure. We’d better get going before midnight strikes.” Emmett pushed aside some old vines growing up and protruding from the trees, then opened the second gate—the owners of the insane asylum had been serious about keeping the residents locked inside. It creaked in protest.

“Try to keep up.” Atlas rushed past Emmett down the uneven path. It had probably once been a perfectly-level walkway, but roots and decades had changed that.

Emmett caught up to him. “You think anyone else is here? I mean, it is the anniversary of the slayings.”

As far as Atlas knew, nobody else had ever been brave—or stupid—enough to break into the old building on this date. “I think we’re good.”

“If we don’t get killed, right?” Emmett laughed and whacked Atlas on the back.

“Right.” Atlas aimed his phone at the old asylum.

The large abandoned building loomed before them, partially blocking their view of the moon. It looked more like a mansion than a mental hospital, but rumor had it, that was how it had started… until the original owner went crazy and killed his family and servants. Then his house became a mental hospital after no potential homeowners would buy it.

Emmett held up his phone and aimed it at himself. “Atlas and I are here on the anniversary of the Ichabod slayings. We’re the first to attempt this, and we’re going to try to lure out old Dr. Ichabod himself. Or maybe even the original owner of the building. What you’re about to see is history!”

Atlas glanced over at the building. After having only walked a little way, the moon was now directly over the building.

Emmett continued speaking into the phone as they made their way closer to the towering building. It was even taller and creepier up close.

They both skidded to a stop as they reached the steps leading to the front door. Emmett turned his phone toward the building, giving more narrative before pausing the recording.

Atlas held his breath, trying to calm his pounding heart. If this kept up, it would burst through his chest. The sound echoed in his ears, drowning out everything in the night. Even Emmett’s voice. He turned toward his friend. “What?”

“You ready?”

He studied the building, and a chill ran down his back. Rumors and stories he’d heard since childhood spun through his mind. As much as he wanted a viral video, he hoped they wouldn’t actually run into any murderous spirits. Ghosts didn’t exist, right? With any luck, they’d just find some cool relics and the video would still make them famous. “Yeah, of course. Can’t wait to see what’s in there.”

Emmett marched up the steps like he owned the place.

Atlas swallowed and pulled some of his hair behind his ears.

It was the moment of truth. Everything in him screamed to run away. But he was no chicken. Not only that, they’d planned this for months. He couldn’t let Emmett down. Besides, they might actually go viral. And if they didn’t do this now, they’d have to wait another year for the anniversary of the sanitarium’s closing.

Another year for the anniversary of the massacre at Ichabod Insane Asylum.

Atlas caught up with Emmett. Each step felt like it would break under their weight. None did.

“What are we going to do if it’s locked?” Atlas stared at the enormous door with several deadbolts.

“It’s not.” Emmett spoke with the confidence of experience.

“How do you know? Have you already been here? Did you come here without me?”

“The locks were all broken when that doctor killed everyone, remember? People tried to escape, but nobody made it off the property that day alive. The police broke all the locks to get inside. The sight was so terrifying, several of them passed out.”

Atlas shuddered. What would they find? Old blood stains? Murder weapons?

“Ninety years ago tonight.” A thread of excitement ran through Emmett’s voice. “And we’re here!”

Atlas questioned his sanity, but pushed the thoughts aside. It was just an abandoned building. Ghosts weren’t real. The anniversary was no more significant than any other day.

He hoped.

Emmett reached for the doorknob.