Chapter Text
“Otto Octavius,” Otto reached his hand out towards the stranger confidently.
“DOCTOR Otto Octavius,” Otto’s business partner, and good friend, Norman corrected him as he pulled the final briefcase out of the car’s trunk before slamming it shut. The stranger hummed, impressed. He shook Otto’s hand, before glancing over his shoulder at the smaller man, approaching while smoothing his suit.
“You must be Dr. Norman Osborn I suppose. William Prince. It’s truly a pleasure,” William replied with a slow, Southern drawl. Norman supposed it made sense - they were in Texas after all - and shook the man’s hand. “I appreciate y’all coming out this far. All the way from New York, can’t imagine that would be an easy journey.” The pair nodded, Otto shifting the case he was holding into his other hand.
“It’s no problem, truly,” Otto gave a small smile, “Could you inform us of the situation here?”
“Sure, sure! Here, let’s go inside. It’s much too hot out here for that kind of discussion,” Otto couldn’t help but notice the slight change in William’s demeanor. He seemed shifty, almost paranoid. The bespeckled man shot a glance towards Norman, and the look he received in return told Otto his partner had noticed the change as well. William turned to enter the sprawling estate behind him, and the two gentlemen followed, falling in pace with one another.
“I wonder who he doesn’t trust,” Norman whispered quietly to Otto, who simply shrugged in response. They had reached the front stoop and ascended the stairs, side by side. William was standing in the open doorway; Otto peered into the house and noted the expansive foyer. Norman nervously tapped his foot as he too glanced around the large house. The house felt off, as if it would swallow him whole if he took a step inside. His uneasiness preoccupied his thoughts, so much that he didn’t feel his foot slip through the porch. He instinctively grabbed onto Otto’s sweater, attempting to keep himself steading.
“Shit, sorry pal. That’s been happening a lot recently,” William scratched at his neck anxiously while Otto helped Norman out of the hole.
“Are you alright, dear?” Otto had an affinity for pet names, but Norman still felt heat rising in his cheeks. Norman simply nodded, yet kept his hand firmly on Otto’s shoulder. Otto looked down at the shorter man who avoided his gaze. Perhaps Mr. Prince has his attention. Otto thought, knowing this was likely untrue but he did not want to preoccupy his mind with other reasons.
“It’s been happening recently, you say? What’s that about?” Norman inquired, tilting his head slightly.
“We’ll discuss further inside,” William beckoned impatiently for the men to enter the house. Norman hesitated; he still felt uneasy about the house.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Osborn?” Otto looked down at the man once again, who thankfully looked him in the eyes this time.
“I’m fine, Otto, thank you,” Norman released his friend’s shoulder, entering the house before him. Otto couldn’t help but smile a little at Norman. He had a deep appreciation for his partner, even if he was a little skittish at times.
~~~~
“So..” William began as he settled on an armchair adjacent to the couch Otto and Norman had sat on, “Me and my wife bought this house nearly ten years ago, but the bizarre events haven’t started until about six months ago.” Otto nodded as he took notes.
“Has anything happened in your life that would cause this change?” William pondered Otto’s question.
“Well…my daughter moved out. She lives up in Austin now.” Williams nodded as he finished his thought.
“Interesting, now what events have you experienced in these six months?” Otto continued as he scrawled into his notebook. Norman began to set up their equipment as the soft glow of the sunset seeped in through the curtained windows.
“Well, there’s been the issue with the patio. There’s no sign of termites. I checked every time the first few times it happened. Mindy, my wife, and I often hear the door to my daughter’s old room slam at night. She insisted that I check every time it happens. She was the one who told me to call you boys. All these things have been terrifying her. Hell, she rarely sleeps here anymore.” Otto noticed a hint of a smile as he mentioned the last bit, “Anyways, we’ve also heard footsteps pacing in the hall outside our room at night. Mindy even insists that she’s seen eyes peering into our room at night. I, for one, have not seen eyes but she is steadfast in her belief.”
“Why hasn’t she shut the door?” Norman suggested.
“She does,” William rubbed his face, “There’s just a draft up there that keeps it open.”
“Okay, well I think we have a good start. Don’t you think, Norman?” Norman nodded with a small smile, rising from the couch. In his hand lay an EMF detector. Otto traded his notebook for a small box. It crackled to life. He slipped the spirit box into the pocket of his slacks.
“I believe we’re going to mainly investigate the hallway with your bedroom and your daughter’s bedroom.” Norman stated and William simply nodded, looking slightly hesitant. Norman took the first step on the stairs. It greeted him with a loud creak. The man winced, but continued up the steps, with Otto following closely behind. Williams followed the two, keeping his distance. Once they all reached the top, Otto pulled the spirit box out of his pocket.
“We are here to speak with the spirit or spirits who haunt this hall.” He was met with the low hum of the spirit box. Nothing. William rubbed his face once again. “I ask again, we are here to speak with the spirit or spirits who haunt this hall.” The trio waited some time, about thirty seconds. Still nothing. Otto shrugged and turned the box off. “The spirits do not always like to cooperate with our little box.” He chuckled slightly, but William just looked nervous.
“Well, try that other contraption.” William motioned towards the EMF detector in Norman’s hand. He complied and turned it on. Norman took the place of the ghost in pacing down the hall, still receiving no feedback. It had gotten almost completely dark by this point. After a few minutes of full attention on the EMF, Norman shook his head.
“Nothing,” William sighed.
“May we investigate your daughter’s bedroom?” Otto asked the older gentleman, adjusting his glasses.
“Ah… sure,” He nodded and opened the door the three had congregated in front of. Norman was the first to enter the room. He took in the appearance of it. There was a bed situated in the corner of the room. A nightstand lay next to it. Norman noticed the walk-in closet to the left of the door.
“Did your daughter leave anything in her closet?” Norman questioned William, who still waited in the entryway.
“I-I’m not sure…do you really have to check?” He looked truly uncomfortable, and the other men noticed.
“We don’t have to, but I have reason to believe your issue is coming from this closet.” Otto explained in that perfect, matter-of-fact tone that Norman had always loved. When Otto used that tone, it was if Norman could not keep his eyes off his friend. He was never sure why, but he never complained. Except now was not the time to be ogling his business partner, and he snapped out of the slight trance.
“Well, if you truly believe that, I guess it’s okay.” William gave Otto a short nod, giving him the all-clear to open the closet. He pulled open the doors with ease. It was quite a vast closet. Norman stood next to the taller man. Otto suddenly crouched and saw a rolled up sleeping bag tucked in the corner. He lifted it up, and it reeked of cigarette smoke. Norman could smell it too, and shot his partner a knowing look. Otto stood back, sleeping bag in hand.
“Is your daughter a smoker?” Otto’s looked down at William. He paused, before shaking his head. Something seemed almost guilty about his response. “Do you know any smokers?”
“My-uh…one of my good friends is a smoker.” William replied, his face flushed a reddish color.
“Is this friend, for any reason, staying in your daughter’s closet?” Otto’s inquiry continued. William sighed again, his face reflecting both anger and guilt.
“Yes...he is…please don’t tell my wife,” His eyes were glued to the floor.
“Are you two, perhaps, romantically involved?” It was Norman’s turn to ask the questions.
“And what if we are? Why’s it your fucking business?” William snapped.
“Because I’m starting to think this ghost story is a cover up so you can meet with your friend.” Norman emphasized the word friend with purpose and slowness. William glared daggers at both men. Norman sighed slightly. Maybe this was a mistake after all.