*After a few weeks had passed by, life had quickly begun to go back to normal for some.For others, major adjustments had been made. For one, Honch, Cya, Rosario, Sev, and Fiora had finally finished moving into the apartment complex.*"Is that the last box?" Cya questioned."Yes, no thanks to you!" Rosario hissed."Hey, hey, I helped by buying the decorations for our apartment!" Cya cried out."Tacky decorations, that is," Sev frowned."If you don't like it, there's the door!" Cya shouted."Oh, Cya, relax; she's teasing," Honch reassured."Though," he frowned."That lamp is rather tacky..." He mumbled."Not you too!" Cya cried out in frustration."Well then," Honch cleared his throat."If you three are ready and moved in, I suppose I shall be taking my leave then," he said."Take it easy, Honch," Rosario said, waving goodbye."See you later!" Cya beamed."Bye," Sev said with a smile.*As he arrived back at his apartment, Honch let out a sigh."Girls, I'm home," he announced.There
Running through the streets of the bustling city of Cesa was a little girl. Despite bumping into several aggravated citizens, the girl kept running as though her life depended on how fast her feet could carry her. * "Alastair?" A woman called out, walking towards a man fast asleep at his desk. "Hey, Alastair!" She cried, smacking him on top of the head with a newspaper. "Huh...?" The man groaned in annoyance, letting out a yawn as he sat upright in his chair. "You seriously need to stop falling asleep at your desk; it's not good for your back or your posture in the long run, you know!" The woman scolded, placing a hand on her hip. "Chill out with your damn yapping, would you?" The man grumbled, stretching his arms behind his head, placing a foot on top of the desk. "Anyway," the woman continued. "Read this; it's today's paper." She smiled. "Oh, come on, Aya, you know nobody reads this garbage anymore." The man sighed. Aya huffed as she picked up the newspaper, skimming throug
* Opening her eyes as she gasped for air, the girl quickly sat up. As she looked around the unfamiliar surroundings, her head began to spin. She quickly flopped back down on the couch. Clutching her head with her tiny hands, she let out a whimper. "Ah, you're awake," a voice called out. The girl's eyes widened, panicking; the girl quickly pulled the blanket over her head. "That's no good; you'll suffocate like that." A man stepping out from another room frowned. The girl did not respond. "Not the talkative type, are you?" The man chuckled. "Listen," the man began, taking a seat on the couch as he pried the blanket off of the girl's face. The girl looked up in alarm. It was the man she had bumped into right before she lost consciousness. "W-what..." The girl whimpered. "What do you want...?" She squeaked. "Well, for starters, to make sure you don't have a concussion," the man frowned.
The man slowly began to remove the eyepatch as the girl stared in awe. Underneath the eyepatch revealed a white-ish-colored eye. Certainly different from his golden-colored right eye. "Y-you...!" The girl stammered. "I guess you could relate after all, huh?" The man laughed. "Can you..." The girl blushed, looking down at her lap. "Can you see them too...?" "Spirits?" The man asked, staring steadily at the wall. "Ah, I can see them clear as day." He said. "Do you talk to them a lot?" The girl asked, suddenly perking up. "I suppose so," the man whispered. "They ask me for help, but..." The girl quickly looked down. "I don't know how to help..." She whispered. The man turned his attention back toward the girl. "Hey," he began. "Ever hear of the odd jobs joint known as 'Spirit Force'?" "Spirit Force...?" The girl pondered for a moment. "N-no..." She frowned. "Even with your abilities?!" He cried. "Damn!" He cried. "I guess I'm more out of touch with society than I though
On top of a hill on the outskirts of Cesa sat a secluded mansion. The exterior was rather worn-down, and the interior was quite tacky. * "Is everything in order?" A woman's voice called out. "Yes, madam," a man nodded his head. "Excellent," the woman then turned her attention towards a little girl. "Why do you look so glum?" She questioned with a glare. "You should be thankful we kept you for this long!" She exclaimed. She then quickly turned her attention back towards the man. "Sebastian?!" The woman cried. "Get the car already, would you?!" She demanded. "Yes, madam," he bowed, promptly taking his leave. "Anyway..." The woman began letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Do you know where you're going?" The woman asked the girl. "N-no..." The girl whispered, looking down steadily at her lap. "Let's just say they cater to and create freaks such as yourself," the woman smirked.<
* "Y-you can't tell anybody!" The girl exclaimed. "Rachael," he began. "I'm a wanted criminal...!" Rachael cried, putting her head in her hands. "Rachael," Alastair said once more. "I don't want to go back there, so please...!" "Rachael!" Alastair shouted, startling the girl. "Did they tattoo you?" He asked. "Huh?" She sniffled. "Didn't think so," he smiled. "W-what do you mean...?" Rachael asked cocking her head. "Christ, been meaning to get this thing removed for a while now..." Alastair mumbled as he slowly began to pull down the bandages covering his neck. As he pulled them down, they revealed the number '367' in red ink. "Man," he frowned. "I wonder what I should replace this with anyway, much to think about..." He muttered, losing himself in thought. "Y-you..." Rachael whispered. "You were there too...?" "Huh?" Alastair asked, quickly snapping
A few days had passed since Rachael had moved into Alastair's apartment. Things were going relatively smoothly, much to Alastair's surprise. "Hey," Alastair called out from the kitchen. "I contacted the person who wants to hire an exorcist," Rachael, who was sitting on the couch quickly sprang up. "Really?!" She exclaimed. "But," Alastair continued. "I have some competition..." He frowned. "See, they're looking for the best of the best." He said. He then noticed Rachael giving him an annoyed look. "Hey, what's that look for?" Alastair asked, giving an annoyed smile. "You're so full of yourself!" Rachael huffed. "H-how?!" Alastair cried. "I'm coming with you!" Rachael exclaimed. "R-Rachael, I don't think that's a good idea-" "Why not?" She questioned. "The job sounds pretty dangerous and," "That's fine!" Rachael exclaimed, giving a big smile. Wha
As the two pulled up and stepped out of the car, Alastair's eyes narrowed. "You feel it too?" He questioned, turning to Rachael. "M-mm!" Rachael nodded her head. * Stepping into the worn-down mansion, Alastair slowly began to remove his eyepatch. "H-hold on...!" A voice cried out. Alastair quickly spun around, met by an older-looking woman. "O-oh, sorry, didn't mean to barge in; it's just..." "Can you save her?!" The woman cried desperately. "No one else has had any luck; some are plain frauds and-" Alastair placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "We'll be glad to assist, lady, but it'll cost you," He said with a smirk. "A-anything...!" The woman agreed. "Oi, Rachael," Alastair called out. "Eh?" He said, noticing the girl was nowhere to be found. "J-just a second, miss...!" Alastair chuckled nervously. "Please be careful it's dangerous up there!" The woman
*After a few weeks had passed by, life had quickly begun to go back to normal for some.For others, major adjustments had been made. For one, Honch, Cya, Rosario, Sev, and Fiora had finally finished moving into the apartment complex.*"Is that the last box?" Cya questioned."Yes, no thanks to you!" Rosario hissed."Hey, hey, I helped by buying the decorations for our apartment!" Cya cried out."Tacky decorations, that is," Sev frowned."If you don't like it, there's the door!" Cya shouted."Oh, Cya, relax; she's teasing," Honch reassured."Though," he frowned."That lamp is rather tacky..." He mumbled."Not you too!" Cya cried out in frustration."Well then," Honch cleared his throat."If you three are ready and moved in, I suppose I shall be taking my leave then," he said."Take it easy, Honch," Rosario said, waving goodbye."See you later!" Cya beamed."Bye," Sev said with a smile.*As he arrived back at his apartment, Honch let out a sigh."Girls, I'm home," he announced.There
"Does anyone see them...?" Aya questioned nervously."The whole building looks like it's about to collapse, and yet..." Paige whispered.Alastair... Rachael thought to herself.*"Ugh..." Alastair groaned, rolling over onto his back.As he opened his eyes, he saw nothing but white."Where am I...?" He whispered.He then remembered what was happening just a minute prior."H-Honch...!" He cried out frantically, quickly sitting up.Looking around, he noticed the silhouette of a woman in the distance. However, it was too foggy to make out her appearance."E-excuse me...!" Alastair began, rising from the ground."Do you happen to know where I am by any chance...?" He questioned, taking a step forward."My dear sweet boy," the woman began."You're in the gap." She said, smiling softly.The gap...? Alastair thought to himself in confusion."There must be some sort of mistake..." Alastair began."I'm not dead; I'm-""Well, you're not alive either," the woman frowned.Alastair's eyes widened.
"T-Tessa..." Honch stammered.Before him stood the love of his life, whom he had lost thirteen years prior.All anybody could do was stare at the spirit in complete awe.As Honch opened his mouth to speak, Tessa shot him a look."This was quite careless, you know." She frowned."Honch, my love, look at me..." She continued, smiling sadly."I think you know deep down what's gone is gone, and yet...""B-but you're not gone, see?" He interrupted."Darling, you're standing right before me, talking to me; that's all I've been yearning for, for the past thirteen years...!" He exclaimed."Honch," Tessa shook her head."You and I both know that this was not the full purpose of this experiment..." She frowned.Honch looked at her in shock."Now," she paused."Before I go, I would like to say a few words..." She said, smiling softly."Aya..." She began."My, what a lovely woman you've turned into..." She spoke.Aya's eyes widened."T-Tessa..." She sniffled, swallowing hard to fight back tears.
Before anyone could utter another word, the machine churned loudly, emitting a strong red glow."What on earth..." Alastair muttered in disbelief."That machine seems a little unstable..." Aya whispered, reaching for Paige's hand.Suddenly, a bright white light shot out of the middle of the machine. A sudden force swept across the room."Ah!" Aya cried, clinging onto Paige's arm."Don't worry, babe; I've got you!" Paige reassured, pulling her closer."Papa!" Fiora shrieked, taking a step forward."Wait, be careful!" Kiernan shouted, grabbing her by her wrist."Rachael, you too, take a step back!" Alastair exclaimed, grabbing her and pulling her into him."Al, what is happening?!" Rachael cried.Before he had a chance to speak, the light quickly faded."It worked..." Honch mumbled, amazed."It really worked...!" He cried out, clapping his hands together.Swirling around above the machine was a ghastly white circle.Kacie's eyes widened."Don't tell me..." She whispered under her breath
As Alastair, Paige, and Kacie made their way into the building, there stood Aya, Kiernan, and an unfamiliar little girl who was blocking the way."Please, you have to let us through!" Kiernan pleaded desperately."Nope!" The little girl exclaimed, puffing her cheeks."What's going on here?" Alastair called out."Al!" Aya quickly spun around."This little girl is refusing to let us go any further!" She cried."I won't let you ruin papas dream!" The girl shouted."Papa?" Paige questioned."Dream?" Kacie raised a brow."Listen, kid," Alastair began, slowly walking towards the girl."I don't care about your papa or his dreams; I'm here for one thing and one thing only," he paused."That being said, we can do this the easy way or the hard way; which do you prefer?" He questioned, towering over the little girl.The little girl gulped nervously."E-easy way..." She mumbled."Great choice!" Alastair exclaimed, patting the girl roughly on the head."Tell me, have you seen another little girl a
"Get them!" Rosario cried out.At his command, the guards quickly rushed past Rosario and towards Alastair and the group."My, my, not much of a turnout on guards, huh?" Alastair grinned as he quickly dodged a punch from one of the guards.As a guard went to attack Aya, Paige quickly jumped in front of her, bashing him on the head with a hammer."P-Paige...!" Aya cried out."Nobody lays so much as a finger on my girlfriend!" Paige roared."Easy, easy, try not to kill anyone, Paige!" Alastair shouted.As he said that, he noticed a guard charging at Kiernan."K-Kiernan, look out!" He cried out.Before he could spring into action, however, Kacie landed a hard kick to the guard's chest."Where the hell did you learn how to do that?!" Alastair cried out in awe."I took some classes way back in the day!" Kacie beamed."K-Kacie, thank you...!" Kiernan stammered."Don't just stand there, Kiernan; try to make a run for it!" Alastair exclaimed."A run for it...?!" Aya cried out, kicking a guard
*“Are you really serious about starting up your own business?” Aya questioned.“Why not?” Alastair replied.“It’s just,” Aya paused.“Don’t take this the wrong way; you’re just not all that great when it comes to people.” She frowned.“I’ll manage,” Alastair said, closing his eyes as he leaned back in his desk chair.“Did you pick a name for your business yet?” Aya asked.“Spirit Force,” Alastair said, turning to her with a grin.*“Alastair!” a voice cried out.“Hey, Alastair!”Alastair’s eyes widened as he was suddenly snapped back into reality.“We need to hurry; those two bozos ran in to get back up while your head was stuck in the clouds!” Aya shouted.“R-right…” Alastair mumbled.“Al?!” Aya cried out.“Everyone,” Alastair began, lifting his head.“Either turn back while you still have the opportunity, or…” He paused.“Fight like hell.” He said as he pulled out his lighter.“Is now really the time to have a smoke?” Aya frowned.“They’ll be here any minute….” She mumbled.“Relax,
Honch slowly lifted his head, looking over toward Alastair and Aya."Children, I'm sorry..." He paused, clearing his throat."Unfortunately, it seems you were too late..." He whispered, looking back down as he gently stroked his freshly deceased lover's hand."Is she..." Aya mumbled."Pardon?" Honch questioned."Is she okay...?" Aya questioned.Honch stared at her for a moment with a puzzled look on his face."Aya, Tessa is dea-""Not her, the baby!" She snapped angrily."Is her baby okay or not?!" Aya cried out as tears streamed down her face.Honch's eyes widened. He opened his mouth as if to say something but quickly shut it."A-Aya, please calm down..." Alastair whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder."Not until he answers the question!" She shrieked."It's fine..." Honch mumbled."W-what is...?" Alastair whispered."That thing, it came out just fine..." He said, keeping his gaze focused on the floor."That thing?!" Aya roared, shoving Alastair aside as she angrily raced toward
Alastair and Aya hopped out from either side of the backseat as the taxi doors slammed shut. Upon entering the hospital, there was a whirlwind of sounds as the two ran frantically to the help desk. Alastair, panting and trying to catch his breath, slammed a fist onto the desk. "What room is Tessa Holbrooke in?!" He cried out. "I'm sorry, however-" Before the help desk employee could continue, however, Alastair slammed his fist down yet again. "What room?!" He shrieked tearfully. "R-room 246...!" The employee yelped. "Come on!" Alastair shouted, grabbing a sobbing Aya by the wrist as the two ran hurriedly down the hallway. "Excuse me, please, no running!" A nurse cried out. "Shut it!" Alastair screamed. As the two arrived at room 246, they stopped to catch their breath. "Tessa, please be okay..." Aya whimpered. Whispers were coming from inside the room, along with the sound of an infant's cry. Alastair swallowed hard, firmly taking hold of Aya's hand; he slowly raised a knu