Chapter 3: 12 Holy [Memories]

October thirty-first. The first night of the Day of the Dead. More commonly known as Halloween. Kids and teens ran around in costumes collecting candy. Chelsea, on the other hand, waited behind the mausoleum that belonged to Amity Park’s founder Ezra Brighton. The whole gang was there: Jacob, Danny, Sam, and Tucker. Mr. Brighton hadn’t shown up yet. It was still too early in the night for ghosts.

Cemeteries were holy places, and the Day of the Dead was a special time when ghosts visited their graves. They stayed invisible or didn’t even show up until late in the night when no one would notice them. Chelsea and her friends noticed them, though. As half ghosts, she and Danny learned secrets about ghosts and shared them with their friends. Tonight was one such secret.

Chelsea and Danny had met Mr. Brighton before. He was a kind man who cared a lot about the town. Since its settlement in 1763, Amity Park has grown into a thriving city. The technologies developed over the centuries awed Mr. Brighton.

Tucker held one such technology in his hand. He always carried around a PDA, and many other devices in his pockets and backpack.

“What do you have there?” Mr. Brighton said, appearing in the middle of the kids’ circle. Jacob and Tucker jumped in surprise.

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After recovering, Tucker said, “It’s a Personal Digital Assistant. I’m Tucker, Tucker Foley. You must be Mr. Brighton.”

Mr. Brighton smiled and clutched his suspenders proudly. “That I am. And who might this pretty young lady be?”

“Oh, me?” Sam said. “My name is Sam Manson. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Brighton.”

Mr. Brighton tipped his cap. “You as well, ma’am.” He turned to Jacob, who was pale.

“That’s my cousin, Jacob Conway,” Chelsea said for him.

Mr. Brighton chuckled. “First time meeting a ghost?”

“Uh-huh,” Jacob said, nodding.

Chelsea punched his arm. “You know me and Danny.”

“Ow,” Jacob said, rubbing his arm. He was finally knocked out of his stupor. “That’s different. You’re still half… not ghost.”

Sam changed the subject by asking, “What was life like when you were growing up?”

Mr. Brighton shared his memories with the group. Other ghosts came and went, sometimes sharing their memories as well. Everyone had a good time.