The Ghost Hunters and The Familiar Strangers

They all arrived at the school. Amelia had gone to her new class and Xen, Tamara, Carlos, Devon, Jason, and Norman went to their class. It was five minutes in class and Carlos felt the urge to use the restroom.

"I'll be back guys. I need to use the restroom." Carlos said as he told his friends. The teacher also permitted him to leave.

Carlos got to the restroom and was urinating when suddenly someone appeared to him staring at him from head to toe. The ghost even went closer to him trying to peek at him, Carlos quickly zipped up as he turned to look at the ghost glaring at her.

"Do you mind?" Carlos asked glaring at the ghost.

Rose smirked. "I've seen quite a lot, so yours doesn't freak me a bit."

Carlos ignored her and was about to leave when Rose pulled him back. "Not so fast sunshine!" Rose said as she held Carlos's hand and immediately the two of them disappeared into thin air.

In the class, Xen and others were waiting for Carlos but he never came. The teacher looked at Xen and then at the rest. "Can someone check on Carlos? He's been gone for so long?" The teacher said as Jason volunteered.

"I'll go." He said as he carried his phone. He got to the restroom but there was no sign of Carlos. Jason waited as he went to the lady's room pretending like he was there by mistake.

"I'm sorry." He said as the ladies there kept screaming. After Jason was sure he searched everywhere, he went outside and sent a text to everyone except Amelia since he doesn't have her number yet. Everyone came out one after the other to meet him.

"Wait! What's up?" Devon asked.

"Carlos is gone," Jason said as everyone looked at him in disbelief.

"Is this some kind of a joke?" Tamara asked.

"Do you think I'll be joking about something as trivial as this?"

Everyone thought about it and they knew Jason wasn't the kind of person to joke about something this serious. "Could it be that what Tessa said is true?" Devon asked.

"We need to get Amelia here," Tamara said.

"I'll go," Clarissa said as she went to Amelia's class. She was walking to and fro and the teacher noticed that.

"Clarissa." The teacher called as Clarissa walked into the class.

"Good morning Miss Jane." Clarissa greeted sheepishly.

"What are you doing?" Miss Jane asked.

"I was just passing by," Clarissa said as she gave a sign to Amelia.

"Continue passing by." The teacher said as Clarissa left the class.

After a few minutes, Amelia told the teacher the needed to use the restroom and the teacher permitted her to leave. When Amelia came out of the class, Clarissa grabbed her and dragged her to the others. "What's going on?" Amelia asked looking at everyone. "And where's Carlos?" She asked.

"That's what we want to talk to you about..." Clarissa said as Amelia looked at her. "Carlos is gone."

"What? But how? I mean we all came to school together and you guys went to class, so how come he's gone?".

"He said he needed to use the restroom but we noticed he was taking longer than expected so I went to check on him but he wasn't there," Jason explained.

"Tessa did say he was in danger but what would the ghosts want him for?" Clarissa asked.

Everyone was in deep thought when Xen spoke up. "If they were after Carlos and not Amelia, it means only one thing."

"Which is?" Amelia asked.

"They need him to create something but what it is, I don't know," Xen said.

"This is bad," Norman said. "We need to think of a way to bring him back."

"We need her," Jason said staring at Amelia. Amelia understood.

"What if she says no? I treated her badly." Amelia said.

"I'm sure she'll understand," Clarissa said hugging Amelia's shoulders. "You both have a sweet bond if you ask me." That brought a smile to Amelia's face. "I'll try," Amelia said.

"Let's get back to class. See you when school closes." Xen said as they all went to their various classes.

***

Tessa was in her world away from Dalton and away from Amelia. She was sitting on a rock when she heard something or someone.

"Tessa." The voice said. Tessa could recognize that the voice was Amelia's so she sat and listened to her. "I'm sorry for everything I said to you. I'm sorry I chose their words over yours and I'm not trying to make excuses because no matter what, friends trust each other even when other don't... I know it's too late to make amends but I need you right now Tessa... you were right... Carlos is in danger and I can't..." She paused as she rephrased her words. "... we can't do anything without you... please Tessa... please come back... I need you." Amelia said.

Tessa stood up contemplating whether or not to help her. "If Dalton finds out about this, he'd kill me... and if I don't help Amelia, he'll kill her... what should I do?" She thought as she bit her lower lip. "Think Tessa! Think!" She said to herself. "It's Amelia or nothing." She suddenly appeared to Amelia at the hideout. Everyone was so happy to see her.

"I'm sorry." They both said as they chuckled.

"I'm sorry for using that technique, I just didn't know how to get him off my back," Tessa said.

"I'm sorry for not believing you."

"Can I get that hug now?" Tessa asked as Amelia ran to hug her.

Tessa was staring at everyone as they stared at her in return. "So, do you guys have any plans?" She asked as everyone turned to look at Xen.

"Nothing yet because we have no idea who we are dealing with," Xen said.

"True," Tessa said. "The ghost you are dealing with is Dalton and I must tell you, the man ain't nice. He hates people disobeying his orders or stressing him out. He won't think twice of sending them to hell if needs permit... but now that he has Carlos, he will be more focused on him." She said as everyone looked concerned. "If Carlos can't endure it, there's a possibility he'll end up giving Dalton what he wants."

"I'm sure Carlos will endure it," Jason said.

Tessa scoffed. "You think so?" She asked them as her question made them rethink. "Dalton doesn't joke with what he wants and I'm not sure Carlos will risk his life to save everyone besides you guys need him... I'm pretty sure he'll give in relying on you guys to save him."

Amelia thought about it and she could tell that Tessa was right. "So what do you suggest we do?"

"I'm going to go there and see what's going on. I'll get back to you guys." Tessa said as they nodded.

***

Carlos landed on the ground hurting his hand in the process. "Ouch!" He groaned glaring at Rose who dropped him. "You couldn't see somewhere soft and comfy to throw me, uh?"

"Silence!" Dalton yelled as Carlos looked at him. He walked closer to Carlos getting a closer look at him. "Is he the one?" Dalton asked Rose.

Rose nodded. "He's the heart of the ghosthunters... without him, I don't think they can do anything.

"Aww... that's nice of you taking notice of all that," Carlos said smiling at Rose who was glaring at him.

"Quiet!" Dalton ordered. He pulled Carlos by the neck looking him dead in the eyes. "Say one word and I'll make you just like us in no time!"

Carlos coughed as he cleared his throat. "Can you put me down now? I can't stand your stench." Dalton got angry and threw him making him hit his back on the wall. "Chain his legs and hands and gagged that mouth of his..." Dalton ordered. "... and blindfold his eyes too." He left his seat as his guards did he ordered.

One of the guards was about to blindfold his eyes when Carlos threw a fit but the guard punch his face making him go unconscious.

"He's a handful," Dalton said as Rose came to meet him.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "True! But we need him." Rose reminded him.

They watched Carlos being tied up, gagged, and blindfolded. Suddenly, Tessa appeared with her knees on the floor greeting Dalton. "Long live Dalton!"

Dalton looked at her for a few seconds before looking away. "What are you doing here?!" He asked. "Have you done what I asked you to?" He returned his stare at Tessa.

"It's really hard to um... attack them all alone." She said as she noticed the image of someone being tied up. "Who's that?" She asked pretending not to know.

Rose quickly whispered something into Dalton's ear. Dalton looked at Tessa before looking back at Rose.

What on earth is this witch telling him? Tessa asked herself. I so much hate this girl... why did she have to be so smart?

"He's the heart of the ghost hunters. He's going to help up create something big that will make us win over those ghosthunters." Dalton answered.

"Something big like what?" Tessa asked.

"He's going to help us become humans again, all we need is to find the bodies and he'll do his magic," Dalton answered as Tessa gave a glance at Carlos before looking back at Dalton.

"Um... I'd be on my way now. Since we have the heart, I guess it'd be easier to penetrate." Tessa was about to disappear when Dalton commanded his guards to hold her captive, chaining her with a bracelet that makes it impossible for her to disappear. "What are you doing?" She asked struggling with the guards. One of their guards punched her in her stomach making her fall to the ground.

"I can't let you leave Tessa," Dalton said as he came to meet her.

"But you..."

"We know you are on their side Tessa," Rose said. "One of our guards caught you eavesdropping and he followed you and he saw that you told them that guy over there..." Rose said pointing at Carlos. ".. what did you say his name is again, Link?" Rose asked the guard that found him.

"Carlos." Link answered.

"... Carlos is in danger. How can we let you go when you already know what we want to use him for? You'd probably just go to them and tell them." Rose said as she grabbed Tessa's chin, she looked her in the eyes. Tessa moved her face from her hand as she glared at her.

"I hate you!" Tessa yelled.

Rose smiled. "Like loving me would help me in any way." She replied. "Finally, you're out of the way."

"Get her out of my sight!" Dalton ordered as Tessa was dragged away by the guards.

I'm sorry Amelia. I can't help you. Tessa thought as she allowed herself to be dragged away.