As they descended the stairs, Alastair looked down at the unconscious girl lying in his arms. He let out a sigh.
"Come on!" The spirit shouted.
"Put her down, and let's get started!" She exclaimed.
"You're way too happy about this for somebody who's going to lose, you know!" Alastair shouted.
"I love confidence in a man; it turns me on, you know!" The spirit giggled from across the room.
"Shut up and play whatever song it is you want to dance to; we're limited on time!" Alastair exclaimed.
"Aw, come on now, don't be such a stick in the mud Mr. Exorcist...!" The spirit whined as she hit play and hustled to the center of the dance floor.
"Wait!" Alastair cried suddenly.
"I just realized, how will we determine who wins this ridiculous competition or not?!" He yelled.
"Eh...?" The spirit quickly turned to him.
"Ah, it seems you're right..." She mumbled.
"You...!" Alastair growled.
"Don't worry, don't wor
As the music began, Alastair gently grabbed the vessel of the spirit by the waist, causing the spirit to blush.He then proceeded to twirl her around as the soft melody continued."You chose a nice and peaceful send-off song, huh?" Alastair said."This song played at my beloved aunt's funeral, not that it matters to you, though..." The spirit muttered."Shouldn't you be happy?" Alastair questioned."Huh?" The spirit looked up at him."You'll be seeing your aunt soon then, isn't that great?" He smiled.The spirit's eyes widened."Y-you don't get it, do you..." She mumbled."She wanted me to live for her sake because she died so young, and yet here I am!" The spirit began choking up."I broke my promise to her all for some momentary bliss...!" She began shaking."What do you mean by momentary bliss...?" Alastair asked as he gently swayed her."Drinking!" She exclaimed tearfully."I coped with he
As Alastair parked his car and turned the engine off, he opened the side door to let Rachael out."Really now..." He grumbled as he was greeted with a fast asleep Rachael upon opening the door."Rach," he began, gently shaking the sleeping girl."Hey, Rachael," he called out once more, with no luck.He then let out a deep sigh. Nothing in the world was going to wake the girl up at this point. She was out cold."Guess I have no choice..." Alastair muttered, giving the girl a piggyback ride as he headed towards the apartment complex.As he entered, he was greeted by four familiar faces."Hey..." Alastair began, waving awkwardly."Do you have any idea how worried we were about you?!" Aya shrieked tearfully."Easy, babe..." Paige whispered, stroking her head. She then turned to Alastair."It's just that we heard the news about that odd lightning strike at the club, and after that, you hadn't picked up any of our calls
After explaining the situation that had occurred the night before to his friends the following day, Alastair plopped down at his desk and let out a loud yawn."Alastair?" A voice called out."Hm?" He looked up, noticing Rachael standing in the doorway of her bedroom."What is it, Rach?" He asked."N-nothing, it's just..." She began hesitantly.Alastair raised a brow."You should probably get some sleep yourself, yes?" She questioned."Nope, I'm not tired," Alastair said, brushing her off."But, Al...!" Rachael protested.Suddenly there came a knock at the door."Now what..." Alastair grumbled, walking over to the door.Upon opening it, he was greeted by Paige and Aya."Someone is complaining of a disturbance on the maintenance level of the building," Paige began."So...?" Alastair questioned with a hint of annoyance."We think it's a supernatural being causing the disturbance!" Aya crie
After a few hours had passed and no sign of Alastair returning, Rachael lay in her bed staring up at the ceiling. "Alastair..." She grumbled, rolling onto her stomach. "You called?" A voice suddenly called out. "Ah!" Rachael exclaimed, quickly falling off of her bed. "Is everything okay, kid?" Alastair smiled as he slowly began to close the door to her bedroom. "A-ah, wait, Alastair, you know I hate the dark, please don't close the door!" Rachael pleaded. "What, are you afraid of ghosts?" He laughed. No way... Is the spirit already onto me...?! Rachael thought to herself, her heart pounding. "Oh, relax, would you?" He scolded. Rachael's eyes widened. "I'm just toying with you, that's all!" He grinned, walking over to the girl. "Y-you're not..." Rachael began, her lips quivering as she began backing away. "You're not Alastair, you liar!" She cried out tearfully. A smile slowly crept across Alastair's face. "Aw, it's over already?" His voice suddenly going cold. Rachael's
"Rachael!" A voice cried out. "Rachael, please wake up!" The voice desperately pleaded. As the girl slowly began stirring, she let out a groan. Upon opening her eyes, she was met by Alastair. "R-Rachael...!" He exclaimed tearfully, embracing the girl. "Alastair..." Rachael whispered. "What's up?" Alastair questioned as he gently cradled her in his arms. "Why..." Rachael began, tearing up. "Why didn't you ask for my help...?" Her voice cracked. "R-Rachael..." Alastair sighed, stroking her head. "We are a team, yes?" She looked up at him hopefully. Alastair stared at her for a moment. Despite the near-death experiences the young girl had recently been through, she still wanted to fight by Alastair's side. How could he possibly say no to the girl after all that she had just risked? Alastair closed his eyes, smiling. "Ah, we sure are one hell of a team." He said, leaning his back agai
"Alastair?" A voice called out. "Hey, Alastair!" The voice exclaimed. As Alastair slowly opened his eyes, he was met by Aya, who had a worried expression on her face. "Goodness, you must have been exhausted..." She whispered. "Huh?" Alastair questioned, still half asleep. "Nevermind that, it's already past noon, and here you are sleeping on the floor..." Aya said, shaking her head. "Where's Rachael?" Alastair asked, letting out a yawn. "Ah, Paige took her out to the modeling agency today; she thought getting her out of the house and socializing her might help a bit!" She beamed. "Are you nuts?!" Alastair shouted. "Why, what's wrong with that?!" Aya cried out. "Aya," Alastair began, laughing nervously. "Have you forgotten that that place is searching for Rachael?" He asked, glancing up at her. "W-what place...?" Aya whispered, cocking her head. "Aya, please don't make me say it,"
Upon arriving at the modeling agency where Paige modeled, Alastair hurriedly searched for any sign of Paige or Rachael. "Alastair?" A voice called out. Alastair quickly turned around, met by Paige and Rachael, who was standing beside her. "Oh, great, there you are!" Alastair greeted. "Is everything alright, Al?" Paige asked. "M-mm, I just came to take Rachael home," Alastair said. Suddenly Rachael pinched Alastair's hand. "Ow! What was that for, Rachael?!" He cried angrily. "I just wanted to make sure you weren't still possessed, yes?" She said with a giggle. "W-why would I be-" "Paige!" A woman called out. "Hm?" Paige turned around, met by a photographer. "What's up, Marianne?" She questioned. "There's something weird going on inside your dressing room..." Marianne whispered. "Weird in what way...?" Paige raised a brow. "Well, things are randomly floating; it's to
While Aya was busy preparing dinner, there came a knock at her apartment door. "Come in," she instructed. "Hey," a voice called out. Aya quickly turned her head, greeted by Honch. "H-Honch...?" She stammered. "What are you doing here?" She questioned. "Look," he began. "Things got pretty hectic at work, and I know Kiernan's birthday is around the corner, so if you could hand her this and let her know, I said happy birthday," he rambled. Aya stared at him blankly for a moment. "Honch," she began. "Look, Aya, I really have to go; please tell her I said hi and that I'm sorr-" Before he could continue, Aya shook her head. "What would Tessa think of this situation?" She questioned. "I doubt she'd be thrilled to know that you're skipping out on your daughter's birthday," Aya frowned. Honch opened his mouth to respond but quickly shut it. "Honch..." Aya whispered. "Aya," Honch began, looking down at the floor. "I know Tessa wouldn't be happy with me, however," he paused. "I