Reubens Trabel Journal Entry #17

Field Notes: Paris Catacombs, Day ???

Subject: An Unscheduled Incident Involbing Dougie, a Skull, and Possibly a Ghost

Today, against my better judgment, I accompanied Dougie on an underground excursion to the Paris catacombs. I know what you’re finking. Not a good idea.

At first, it was oddly peaceful—dark, yes, and a bit damp, but the air smelled like old stones and quiet stories. I tried to enjoy it. I really did.

Then we saw it. A skull. Just sitting in the middle of the floor, not tucked neatly in the wall where it should be. Suspicious.

I stared at it. Dougie poked it.

“I fink it wants to go home,” he said.

Before I could stop him, he picked it up, whispered, “Pardon, monsieur,” and insisted we put it back where it belonged. Only problem—the skull’s former slot was much higher up on the wall.

Which is how I, a mild-mannered bakery enthusiast, ended up crouched wiff Dougie standing on my shoulders, wobbling and muttering something about “good bone feng shui” while trying to wedge a skull into place.

That’s when the wall creaked. No—opened. A full-on secret passage. The kind that smells like dusty cheese and forgotten secrets.

Dougie scrambled inside like he’d been inbited. I, frozen in a state of disbelief and bad posture, remained behind. Then I heard a clack. Possibly bones. Possibly… not friendly.

So now I’m writing this from a dim alcove while Dougie explores what I can only describe as a cursed corridor. There is a skeleton muttering in the shadows. I don’t speak ghost-French, but I think he’s saying, “Respect the arrangement!”

Will update if I survive. Or if Dougie finds cheese.

—Reuben(Currently regretting eberyfing)

[Scrawled underneath in stubby pencil handwriting]
DOUGIE WAS HERE!!
I fink the ghosts are nice. They just want fings tidy. Also, I dropped a cracker and it disappeared sooo…
maybe haunted, maybe snacky.—D.