The Ghost Hunters and The Familiar Strangers

Tessa was summoned by the leader, Dalton. Rose and Mrs. Walton reported her to the boss and that was why she was summoned. Tessa on her knees felt the hair at her back stand, this is what the presence of the leader can do to you. He is heartless and aggressive, he has sent many ghosts straight to hell and it was no surprise that this was her turn. "is it true?" Dalton asked Tessa biting his fingernails.

Tessa thought for a while about what to reply to him but no idea was coming forth, only God knows what sort of rumors they spread about her at least then she would know what to say. She coughed before speaking out. "I have no idea what you mean."

Dalton stood up and walked toward Tessa making her shiver in fear. "Did you try to save Amelia?" he asked her.

Tessa looked in the direction of Rose and Mrs. Walton who were sticking out their tongues at her and making funny faces.

"Um, that's not true Dalton... It was only part of my scheme."

"Your scheme?" Dalton asked. "And what is this scheme of yours that I haven't heard about?" He looked at Tessa straight into her eyes.

Tessa knew Dalton can tell if one is lying just by looking into their eyes and if he notices she was fidgeting he would tell she was lying so she mustered up every courage she had in her and told him.

"I was only doing that so she can trust me that way it would be a lot easier to get rid of her," Tessa said.

Dalton studied her for a while. "what do you mean?"

"you don't suspect who you trust... that's the technique I'm using," said Tessa as she waited for the boss to judge her.

Dalton thought about it and he could see some sense in what she was saying. "I like that," he answered her with a smile and a nod. "You may leave."

Tessa bowed her head and disappeared.

"Watch her! I don't trust her." He told Rose and Mrs. Walton. The two ghosts bowed their heads and disappeared.

Amelia was on her bed when she felt someone touch her. She turned and she saw it was Tessa, although she planned to get angry at her, she couldn't instead she hugged her. "I'm sorry," Tessa told her. Amelia shook her head. "You don't need to be. You did your best to save me... even if you are a ghost, I don't think you'd be able to handle those two all by yourself."

"I could... just that I wasn't quick enough."

Amelia agreed.

"What did your parents say?"

"Which part would you love to hear 'cos they said quite a lot to me."

Tessa looked at her confused. "What do you mean?"

"Is it the part where they called me crazy or the part where they called me a disgrace and an embarrassment or the part where they told me I'll be moving to Texas?" "Texas?" Tessa asked. "Why?"

"What other reason do you think it is for them to send me over there?" Amelia asked.

"So, are you going?"

"I have no other choice. I'm old enough to take care of myself." Amelia told her.

Tessa sighed. "I'm going to miss you though."

"I'm not even gone yet and besides, you can come over there, can't you?" Amelia asked.

"I don't know." Tessa said. "but if you need me, I might." She added.

Amelia laid down on her bed when she remembered something. "Right! Where were you?"

Tessa heard her but pretended not to. "Uh?" She asked.

"I didn't see you here when I came in and I thought maybe you'd left but here you are... so where did you go?"

"Um... I... uh... I... went.."

"Let me guess..." Amelia cuts in. "... You went to see him, didn't you?"

"Him who?" Tessa asked.

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"You know, your ghost sweetheart," Amelia said.

Tessa looked at her. Well, she should think I went to see my imaginary ghost boyfriend than for her to know I went to meet some ghosts that are planning her death.

"I knew it!" Amelia said when Tessa didn't reply. "Who is he?" Amelia asked. "Is he cute? How did he die? did he tell you romantic things?"

Tessa glanced at Amelia for a while wondering why she was still active and happy with everything her parents did to her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Amelia asked.

"I'm just..." Tessa paused. "... I'm just surprised to see you all happy as if nothing happened."

"what would sulking or crying do for me? besides, I'll be leaving tomorrow... I don't want to leave with bad memories rather I want to leave with happy ones." Amelia replied.

"Can you promise me one thing?" Tessa asked as Amelia stared at her wondering why her voice suddenly sounded down.

"What promise?" Amelia asked.

Tessa sat down next to her and held her hand. "I want you to promise me that you will do everything you can to protect humanity even if that includes letting me go."

Amelia was dumbfounded. Where is all this coming from? What does she mean by letting her go? Amelia asked herself. "I'd be lying if I say I understand a bit of what you just said and I've found out that you've been using words like, 'when the time comes, you will know when it's time, you will find out soon' like I don't get... what is coming that I should know?" Amelia asked.

"Listen, I can't tell you all the details but promise that when the time comes, you'll do as I've said."

Amelia nodded. "No problem. Anything you say... are you happy? Can we go back to your sweetheart?" Amelia said as Tessa grabbed the pillow and threw it on her face.

"Go to bed. You have a big day tomorrow."

Amelia sighed. For a few minutes, she had forgotten her dilemma. Having someone to talk to is effective sometimes.

"Goodnight Tessa," Amelia said as Tessa nodded.

The following day Amelia was disturbed by the loud noise she heard at the door. She grudgingly stood up and opened the door only for her to see her father standing in front of her fully dressed in his suit and tie.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

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"Don't tell me you're still sleeping?" He asked Amelia. Before Amelia could reply, her father barged into her room, got her suitcase ready, and pack in some clothes. "I give you just twenty minutes to prepare yourself and come downstairs," Andrea said moving towards the exit.

Amelia looked at Tessa who was also staring at her father. She grabbed a chair and was about to throw it at her father but Amelia gestured for her to put the chair down. After Andrea left, Amelia went into the bathroom, got dressed, and packed some of her things inside her suitcase. She glanced at her room and her ghost friend. "I'm going to miss you," Amelia said as she hugged Tessa who received her with open arms. "I've started missing you already," Tessa told her.

After a few minutes of hugging and saying a few farewell words, Amelia waved to Tessa. "Take care of my parents for me."

Tessa nodded. "And don't do anything to harm them..." Amelia said giving her a-you-know-what-I'm-talking-about look. Tessa smiled and nodded. Your mission is about to start Amelia. Tessa said to herself as she watched Amelia leave.

Amelia got downstairs where she saw her mom and dad, she looked at her mom and she could tell her mom didn't sleep well but why her mom didn't come to check up on her last night is what she doesn't understand. After their heated discussion, she expected her mom to come to her room and some how-to apologizes or makes her feel OK but she didn't and now she looks very pale. Is she supposed to care? She asked herself. She sighed and mustered up the courage to hug her mom.

"Amelia," Laura called but Amelia wasn't interested in whatsoever she has to say. She's leaving, what's there to say?

"Your ride is outside," Andrea told Amelia.

Amelia turned to look at her parents. Why are they fully dressed and not seeing her off? Is that not why they are dressed? She asked herself. "I thought you...."

"We are going for an adoption," Andrea told his daughter.

"What?" Amelia asked. "Wait.... an adoption? Like you're trying to get another child?" She asked almost tearing up. "But what about me?"

"We've thought it through... if we have a daughter that is insane and abnormal, we need another one that is sane and normal and you can't be both." "But..."

The car horn made their discussion come to an end. "That's your ride." Her father told her while tugging his wife's arms and leaving Amelia alone.

Amelia watched her parents leave as the car kept honking. She tried her best to hold back her tears. "It's not worth crying over spilled milk." She told herself before walking to the vehicle. She entered the vehicle and watch the driver start the engine and drove off. Even though Amelia tried her best not to cry, she couldn't ignore the pain she felt in her chest. She looked at her phone her parents got her on her birthday and smiled. She turned on the music on her phone watching her emotions flow with the music.

↑ Baby don't worry, about a thing,

Cos every little thing

Is gonna be alright¶