“You seem remarkably affected by the house,” she noted, a tinge of amusement in her hushed voice. Taissa took a slow, calculated step forward, her boots finding the exact spots on the floorboards that wouldn't betray their position. She tilted her head slightly, as if she were profiling his discomfort. “Do you actually believe in ghosts, Detective?”

it was unexpected. far too unexpected to bump into her again after all of these years. they’d gone the majority of their adult lives without somehow seeing each other . . . and yet ? she had to be there the night he was attempting to pull off the impossible. regardless he didn’t allow it to throw him off. one little slip up here and his cover was blown.

thankfully he spent the beginning of the night with giles looking around the manner, pretending to inspect each individual room all while collecting his non existent clues on the rather strange group of guests that had booked to stay for the week.

eventually the time rolled around where he had to talk to melodie. and properly. no off handed comments infront of a room full of people throwing the blame of a murder on each other, but to talk to her one on one. george had changed a lot since they were kids. his hair was slightly darker now, and his entire personality had flipped like a switch. he was far from recognisable besides a few little twitches and nicks of habits that you could eventually see. that and he now currently lived under a completely different identity.

❝ i just think they're trying too hard to be normal. ❞ and you're not, sergeant. but it's too soon to say things like that. ❝ and they're not very good at it. ❞ her phrasing is not an insult; it works much more as a diagnosis. while everyone inside that house was trying to come off as a beacon of ordinariness, only the both of them remained contempt with their usual forms rather than feeling the need to perform. a normal person doesn't know how to act normal while under pressure. they never needed to do that before, simply because they already have mental stability. but someone who's not ? oh, they're brilliant at being the wolf in sheep's clothing.

melodie knows that because she always wore wool over the harsher parts of herself. now she's looking close at the detective, eyes naturally wide; naturally searching for what's the real deal with others. with him.

❝ oh, is it my turn to be thoroughly interrogated now ? ❞ a smile decorates her lips, undoubtedly honest despite the creepiness that surround the action, of how easily melodie smiles in the middle of a murder mystery. ❝ i was starting to think you were avoiding me, detective. ❞ a tease that rolls off her tongue while she adjusts herself in the lovely couch she decided to get comfortable at. georgie could recognize how melodie didn't change at all. still confident in her actions, still talking like she knows about things nobody else does. still observant of his actions.

“ hm. . . that’s a fair observation i suppose. they’re all so busy blaming one another and trying to seem — well normal ” it was interesting being on this end of things. george of course knew that it was him, and all of these people were completely innocent. and yet, the further the night went on the further some of them dug themselves into a hole and genuinely seemed guilty. “ strange isn’t it? how you can try to be normal and only look like you’re turning yourself in ”

he smiles a little. almost letting out a small nervous laugh at how calm she seemed, as if none of this was bothering her in the slightest. georgie was fine until now. he managed to keep his cool and remain confident under his fake persona of the detective who was just trying to save the day “ mhm ” gives a nod along with his mumble of agreement, eyes finally moving up from his notes “ no, no. just making sure i get to know everyone the best that i can. some of the others are a little tougher to crack. . . you won’t give me that kind of trouble, will you? ” it’s the absolute first thing that he expects.

despite the fact that he does indeed know her very well. he still feels as if this could be the most long and gruelling conversation possible. “ no— it’s my job to ask these questions. wouldn’t matter if i got tired or not ” georgie takes in a sharp breath at her words. of course. of course this had to turn into a game and make the evening twice as hard than it needed to be

Taissa went rigid at the question, the single wooden floorboard beneath her boot letting out a protesting groan that was deafening in the silence of the hallway. She shifted her grip on her pistol as she strained her ears; there was nothing but a heavy stillness in the house that felt almost predatory. She turned her gaze toward the detective, eyes wide and searching his face for an answer. “Nothing but the house settling,” Taissa whispered, voice low. “What exactly did you hear?"

mixed bag of sentence starters/dialogue prompts. taken from reedsy.

“i love you.”

“do i know you?”

“do you remember?”

“this section is off limits.”

“we’re closing in ten minutes.”

“this isn’t what i signed up for.”

“this is all my fault.”

“that’s not what i meant.”

“have we met before?”

“are you real?”

“i didn’t mean that.”

“i’ve said too much.”

“i didn’t see that one coming.”

“is nobody going to say it?”

“i wish we could stay here forever.”

“it’s all fun and games.”

“i can’t say it.”

“you can’t run forever.”

“we have all the time in the world.”

“you’ve got this.”

“that shouldn’t be there.”

“i think someone’s listening.”

“i think someone’s watching.”

“we’re not alone.”

“i’m free!”

“maybe in another life.”

“rome wasn’t built in a day.”

“it’s the thought that counts.”

“i feel alive.”

“speak now.”

“so, what’s the catch?”

“it’s mine, and you can’t have it!”

“houston, we have a problem.”

“let’s go for a walk.”

“thank you for that.”

“i’ve got a plan.”

“move aside.”

“i’m here to investigate a crime.”

“you didn’t come to the funeral. why?”

“oh my god. don’t say that!”

“quick! act surprised!”

“are you absolutely sure that your plan is foolproof?”

“come here.”

“truth or dare.”

“tell me something i don’t know.”

“is that… is that blood all over you?”

“right, i’m leaving now.”

“when has listening to you EVER worked out well for me?”

“don’t do that.”

“no, you can’t have my number.”

“i’d rather you just tell me.”

“did you also hear a knock on the door?”

“you’re not looking your best today. what happened?”

“[he/she/they] did it first.”

“well, don’t just stand there! do something!”

“run! run now!”

“hey. someone’s on the phone for you.”

“you’ll never know unless you try.”

“thank you, god. thanks an awful lot.”

“this is my worst nightmare.”

The city is full of beautiful surprises.

I dreamt you killed me.

Are the police after me?

Let's see who was killed today.

How do I know this isn't the usual swindle?

I don't know what's happened to me. I've got to get away.

Why do you buy my paintings?

I don't feel very well. I must get some air.

It was an air raid during the war.

Only death could be quieter than this.

Listen, I don't exist to make profits. I'm not a stockbroker.

You can't kill me with that. Come to bed.

Hey, what're you doing? Leave me alone!

Didn't you hear anything?

When I cleaned up today they weren't there!

It's over 25 years since I last stepped inside that villa.

Do you believe in spirits?

I believe in spirits, there's no question in my mind.

I suppose you heard the girl died near the wall of the villa.

Stop, you're making me dizzy.

What's the matter with you? Are you crazy or something?

Why do you have to behave like this?

Why did you cry out just then?

Look out, look out! The roof is falling!

I felt as if someone were pulling me down!

It was as if it wanted to hurt me deliberately.

I don't like the house, and the house obviously doesn't like me.

I find that your wit, as usual, is tasteless.

May I ask just why you're so interested in the house's story?

Don't listen to that! They don't know the truth about her.

We have a very gifted medium in the town, you should to them!

Why don't you come with me tonight?

Spirit, don't you want me in your house?

You want me all to yourself, don't you? Is that why you tried to kill [name]?

If some madman is going around putting flowers under your walls, I couldn't care less.

Your questions reminded me of an old story. A doomed love story.

Nobody, nobody would ever believe me.

You didn't care? Why not?

Come in, come in. What do you want to know?

Don't go. Please, don't go.

You'll kill it like that. Better dead and red.

Have you gone crazy? What are you doing?

Why did you run off the other day?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't want to.

I wouldn't like the people in the village to know about it.

No, I don't. I only know she was killed here.

This house was abandoned.

I'm going to tell you something that I've never told anyone.

What are you looking for?

I don't know who I'm fighting. I can't find an explanation!

What is there to explain?

A girl who died here in this house. Now she haunts this house.

I suppose you are the normal one.

What do you do with yourself here all day, since you're obviously not doing much work?

Who are you betraying me with?

Everything I do and am annoys you, doesn't it?

We have guests tonight. They're all quite mad.

Why do these things keep happening?

It's like, someone in the house doesn't want me here.

It's your imagination, [name]. There's no one else in this house but me.

You're going to call the spirit?

Please stay. You mustn't leave now. At least stay for the séance.

Sometimes the spirit shows its presence by playing on it.

Bring your chair and sit around the table, please.

It's modeling clay, in case the spirit wishes to leave an imprint.

During a séance, anything can happen.

I want you all to put your hands on the table. Let your fingers touch, forming a chain.

Oh, my god, the ghost!

There's something very unusual in the air tonight.

Before we make contact, one word of warning. Do not ask personal questions or mention the subject death.

From now on, nobody breaks the circle.

Give us a sign of your presence.

Spirit, give us a sign!

How did you die? Who killed you?

Turn on the light quickly! Something's fallen on the table!

Break the chain. Turn on the light, please!

It's an omen of some kind.

Is there anything you wish to tell us?

Stop it, all of you! I know what you're doing!

Do you think I'm so stupid I'd believe this?

The spirit wants to leave.

Who is that? My chair's shaking!

Someone tried to strangle me! Get out of here!

❛  nothing's going to happen to us, right?  ❜ ❛  i'm ... scared.  ❜ ❛  i don't like where this is going.  ❜ ❛  did i ever tell you i'm actually terrified of [the dark / heights / spiders / etc.]?  ❜ ❛  you hear me? we're not going to die today!  ❜ ❛  did you hear that? it sounded like screams.  ❜ ❛  i really, really don't like this.  ❜ ❛  we're completely alone here, nothing's going to happen to us.  ❜ ❛  this place has been abandoned for centuries.  ❜ ❛  whatever happens, keep the lights on.  ❜ ❛  you're not scared, are you?  ❜ ❛  this is like straight out of my worst nightmare.  ❜ ❛  do you believe in ghosts?  ❜ ❛  what are you afraid?  ❜ ❛  what was that?!  ❜ ❛  see, i told you there's nothing to be afraid of.  ❜ ❛  go on, no one will hear your screams.  ❜ ❛  it was a foolish idea to come here alone.  ❜ ❛  no one is going to save you now.  ❜ ❛  don't be afraid, i'm not going to hurt you.  ❜ ❛  you really think you can run from me?  ❜ ❛  it's a shame i'll have to kill you when we're done with this.  ❜ ❛  want to make a deal with the devil?  ❜ ❛  i'm not afraid of you. not anymore.  ❜ ❛  there are figures hiding in the shadows, waiting to strike.  ❜ ❛  this wasn't so bad now, was it?  ❜ ❛  what could possibly go wrong - it's just an old abandoned meaning, it doesn't mean it's haunted, right?  ❜ ❛  face it, we won't make it out of here alive.  ❜ ❛  i'll even give you a choice - it's either you or them. who's going to die tonight?  ❜ ❛  i will haunt you for the rest of your days.  ❜ ❛  don't scream, it will only make this worse.  ❜ ❛  you look so pretty when you're scared of me.  ❜ ❛  i won't kill you ... yet.  ❜ ❛  ghosts and monsters aren't real.  ❜ ❛  i'm not afraid of anything!  ❜ ❛  you! you're sick! you sent me here to die, didn't you?  ❜ ❛  close your eyes. it'll make it easier if you don't see it coming.  ❜ ❛  no matter where you hide, i'll always find you. so you better give up now.  ❜ ❛  i promise i'm gonna be your worst nightmare.  ❜ ❛  it's only over when i say it is.  ❜

Can you touch me like that again?

Can I touch your face again?

Can you hold me just a little longer?

Don't put your hand in front of my face.

Speak softer, please.

Here, hold my hand.

Stop, please. Make it stop.

I know you're hurt.

It was real. It seemed so real.

I know it seemed real but it wasn't.

What are you doing there sitting in the dark?

Your heart is beating so fast.

Can you count down to ten for me?

I don't know how to be soft.

Punch me if it helps you.

Hey, it's just me.

Did you have a nightmare?

You're bathed in sweat! Here, let me help.

I didn't mean to startle you.

You can trust me, you know? I'm not (pronoun)

Are you having a panic/anxiety attack?

Softness is weakness. I cannot be weak again.

Stop moving and let me help.

Don't shut the door, please.

When I said scars are hot, I didn't mean get one.

I'm not going to leave you.

I hate seeing you like this.

Breathe, just breathe.

If the room is too silent, I can hear my heart pounding.

You fell asleep in my arms.