A long ghastly night

 Laughter fills the room.

Labina looks out of the window. She thinks she heard something outside, there's nobody there. She has a bad feeling about this.

We will find out later it's a ghost. Why the ethereal creature was going about making loud noises who even knows, they do as they do.

It's time to leave, no, Saket says looking at his phone, it's half past twelve already. Parents are in the house, they get no sleep until we're around, he says.

The guests mumble, the party has gone for too long, they're having fun but the fun must end. They want to stay for longer. Responsibility beckons.

Labina considers it a good time to pack up the things. Yeah, you guys think so? Seems alright, we should do this more often and the next time guys, plan to be around until later alright, we've grown into such grumbling doddering old fools since the last five years. In Berlin people well into their fourties even fifties with kids grandkids houses whatnot are out and about like they're in their early twenties. We should start the culture too, we have the right to let lose once every so often too, you know.

Nods of agreements, few words said in support, as the guests put on their shoes and jackets.

The garden has grown thick with fog, the house across the street has become invisible. The air smells like freshly cut grass, it's chilly. This is summer.

As Rohn opens the door, fog rushes in and fills the indoors, a howling gust of wind shuts the door. The air inside is thick and chilly, no visibility. This is not how fog works, everyone thinks but nobody dares say it out aloud for fear of sounding stupid.

The fog starts to clump, the door is jammed shut. It's taking humanoid forms, four of them in the living room. The guests have surrendered themselves to the mysterious fog, they know escape is impossible until whatever this is has been dealt with.

The group is back in the living room, their shoes still on. There is only mild fear. This ain't their first rodeo. They're waiting, waiting waiting, for whatever it is to manifest itself. Ghosts can't do shit, everybody knows that. The door isn't the problem, escape is complete only when the unresolved issues have been sorted out. You cannot escape your own shadow.

Seven forms. Shimmering bodies, so pale so white, transparent and solidifying.

Labina takes charge. She clears her throat. What is the issue, that you people had to come here uninvited, she says, her voice unwavering and unfazed. Our guests need to go to their houses early, please get this done quick whatever you have to do, you must already know that I have some experience in clearing these situations, so we are all for sorting this issue in a civil manner, without much drama.

Howling, grumbling, growling, static noises from far away, all so muted. The shimmers turn into liquidy blobs, they're trying. And finally, three solid human forms, black and white, translucent.

Youuuu have helped others...we need help...we need help...says an old man's voice.

Let's talk about that later, why don't you let my guests go, I'm here already, Labina says.

Screech, static noises from far away. Noo, no....we...need.everybody...'s help....from here....We have come so far....so long...we...need this..please...says a woman's voice.

Labina checks the old grandfather clock. It's stuck at 12.32. She knows it's going to be a long night. She takes a long sigh.

Please explain, she says.