Tucker

The house had that kind of silence that Tucker had never liked. It wasn't simply that it was abandoned; it was the feeling that someone was waiting for them to make a mistake.

Elise walked a few steps ahead of them, holding the flashlight in one hand and wearing that calm expression which, to Tucker, always meant that the situation was much worse than she wanted to admit.

"Well..." Tucker raised his own flashlight, pointing it down the long hallway. "I'm just saying, if something horrible shows up, I officially vote for running."

He waited for Specs' usual response. Some complaint, some correction about how unprofessional his behavior was, or simply a sarcastic comment.

Nothing.

Tucker turned his head.

—Specs.

Elise stopped.

—What's happening?

Tucker frowned and looked behind him. The hallway was empty.

—He was... literally here a second ago.

Elise remained silent. That reaction was enough to make Tucker stop joking.

—Oh, no. No, no, no. He can't have disappeared. Elise, we're supposed to be together.

Then, from somewhere on the second floor, a voice pierced the silence.

—Tucker!

It was Specs.

Tucker took a step towards the stairs.

—Specs! What the hell are you doing up there?!

Elise grabbed his arm before he could move forward.

—Tucker. Wait.

—Wait? Didn't you hear that? It was Specs!

Elise stared at him.

—I heard a voice that sounded like Specs.

Tucker's heart began to beat rapidly.

—...What's the difference?

For a moment, no one answered.

Then the voice was heard again.

—Tucker...

This time it didn't come from the second floor.

He was coming directly behind them.