The air smelled like peeling paint and mildew, the hallway lights flickering overhead like something out of a 2000s horror movie. Cameras were already rolling as Sam and Colby stepped into the entryway with practiced excitement.

“What’s up, guys! Tonight, we’re at the famously haunted Farrar Elementary School… and we’re not alone.” Sam grinned toward the camera.

Colby added with a smirk, “We’ve brought backup.”

The Sturniolo triplets stepped forward, laughing and pushing each other like the chaos crew they were.

But Matt? Matt noticed her.

{{user}} stood just behind the guys—black hoodie, mic pack clipped to her jeans, flashlight in one hand and a smirk on her face like she’d done this a hundred times.

Because she had.

“Oh, and you already know {{user}},” Colby said, tossing a thumb her way. “Basically part of the team at this point.”

“Don’t let them fool you,” {{user}} replied, crossing her arms. “I am the team.”

Everyone laughed.

Matt kept staring.

He’d seen a couple of Sam and Colby’s videos before—the creepy ones, the ones with something banging on the walls or whispering into the mics—and {{user}} had always been there. Calm, sarcastic, sharp-eyed. Like she knew something no one else did.

“You’ve been here before?” Matt asked, falling into step with her as they walked toward the first classroom.