Then, something strange happens: The ghoulish pallor of the roamer fades, and all you see is a confused and dazed looking man. He looks at your book, and says "What?! O my-" and jumps up and through the window. As you both prepare for a fight, you realize he's no longer a ghoul, but in fact is: Jake Samson!

"Wait! Wait... I... That's my book!"

Hazel looks stunned.

"How did you... O, my head..."
"Wait - you're 'J'?" asks Hazel.
"Yes! I left all those notes, and then a ghoul bit me. I escaped it, but turned into... You got my notes?"
"Yes! I've been in that house for nearly 20 years, and wouldn't have survived without them. I can't believe you were the roamer all that time!"
They exchange knowing looks, as if they fully understand what each other has been through.

"We got out because of you!" says Hazel.
"In more ways than one," you add.
"Sorry... It was the flower. Everything was a daze, but it was that flower that reminded me of how my friend-"
Just then, thundering crashes are heard from the house behind.
Hazel shouts: "we have to get away from this house! It's going to crumble!"

You all run around to the front of the house, watching it sink into itself like a sandcastle. Amidst the debris flying, and watching flames and explosions from within, you grab the chest Hazel threw out of the house, as the three of you run down the sidewalk, back to the street, for dear life. You turn back to see the front door collapse into the massive decimated hole left behind; the last vestige of the horror the three of you shared, gone like the fall breeze.

In numb awe, the three of you watch the settled wreckage, as a small child in a ghost costume runs by, somehow oblivious. Was it all a dream? you think to yourself. But it was not a dream.

Hazel and Jake talk about areas of the house you hadn't seen before; secrets you can't imagine, and ways they overcame more desperate perils than you'd encountered, like vetrans comparing war stories. But soon, a silence and calm comes over you all.

"Well. What the Hell am I going to do with my life now?" asks Jake.
"Same. I guess I missed prom," says Hazel. She then turns to you.
"Hey, kid, we'll walk you home... Holy crap. We made it out because of you! If you hadn't found us, we would've probably died in there!"
"And I'd probably have died a ghoul!"
After you thank them for their contributions to the rescue effort, the three of you decide to divide the loot in the chest up equally once they get to your home; and probably call the authorities or something, if they'll believe the story.

As you walk to your door, dead leaves rustling on the ground, Hazel looks at you with a grin: "Hey, did you forget this?"
She hands you your candy bag, which had been hidden in a pocket in her uncomfortably-sized coat.

Next.