"No. I'm sorry but I've told you before — our work is dangerous. You're like a sister to me! What if something happened to you?"

"I've told you before! I can handle myself, Vivi. Just let me come along, just this once! Please!"

"No. You're not coming. You're too young — anything could happen to you! That's all I'm saying about it, okay? Now go home, please."

I turn and storm away from my co-worker, feeling my cheeks burn. Why does she think I'm so helpless? I can look after myself! It's not like I'd steal her spell book and go ghost-hunting or—

I stop in my tracks, face breaking into a grin. That's it! That's all I need to do. I'm sure Duet would have a few books lying around — I just need to prove I can do stuff by myself, right? Just summon a ghost and Vivi will have to let me join the Mystery Skulls.

Ten minutes later I'm standing at the entrance to a cave, tome in hand. I raise a fist above my head and, reading from a crinkled page, shout the incantation at the top of my lungs. Storm clouds roll across the sky and a bolt of lightning strikes the ground right in front of me — I scream and jump backwards, dropping the book — and from the pages rises a tendril of green smoke, swirling and twisting into a hazy shape. Like a misshapen Cheshire Cat, a wide, gleaming grin comes into view first.

"I see you've come to make a deal," a voice says.

———

I stumble away from the entrance to the cave, breathing ragged and heart hammering against my ribcage. This can't be happening. How could I have been so stupid?

What have I done?

THE BEFORE TIME:

Arthur padded wearily behind Lewis, gripping his shoulders tightly. This place was creepy — it was cold and quiet and Arthur was getting goosebumps. Why had they come here? Vivi had said that the gang's Twitter page had gotten a request to check out this spooky place on the edge of town. Whispers around town said that people had broken down by this very cave in the middle of the night, each one wondering inside, lured by song. These tales were just to scare tourists, of course — but of course, the excitable bluenette had been desperate to check it out.

"This reeks of supernatural," she had cried, buckling herself into the front seat. "We have to go see what's going on — we might even see a real ghost!"

The gang had never actually seen a spirit before — they had only started up their paranormal investigations group, the Mystery Skulls, a few months before, after Vivi had suggested it might be a good idea. It would be an adventure, she had said.

As long as Arthur had known her since third grade, Vivi had been obsessed with the paranormal. Whenever they had play dates, Vivi would always cart over a bag of ghost stories or supernatural novels; and in sixth grade she did one better — when Arthur arrived at her house she presented him with all seven seasons of Ghostbusters. She had kept him awake all night with soda and lollies so he could watch it with her, and they were still there, swaddled in blankets in Vivi's living room, at six o'clock the next evening. As soon as Arthur got home he had collapsed onto his bed and slept for 19 hours.

In highschool, Arthur had met Lewis Pepper. The fifteen-year-old had been cowering in a locker after the school bullies had left him there, when the lock turned and he found himself staring into the surprised eyes of a burly boy with purple hair.

"Hey, are you alright?" The boy asked, holding out a hand to help Arthur out of the locker. "Who did this to you?"

"N-No one." Arthur stammered. "I . . . I fell in myself."

The boy gave him a strange look, but then he shrugged. "Okay, then. Hey, what class have you got next?"

"English, B3."

"Hey, I have that too! You wanna walk to class together?"

Arthur and Lewis had developed a strong friendship within a matter of days and the bullies moved on pretty quickly. Then Lewis had met Vivi, and, well . . . Let's just say they hit it off quite fast. Arthur had remained friends with both of them all through college — and with the pay Arthur was getting from his work at his Uncle Lance's shop, Kingsmen Mechanics, they had all cobbled together enough money to buy an apartment to share.

And now they were here, investigating a creepy old cave. Mystery seemed unnerved — his ears were pressed flat against his skull and he growled at every sound, but Lewis and Vivi walked on ahead, oblivious to the dog's irritated attitude.

Soon, a dim green glow lit the cave, and the gang found themselves facing a fork in the tunnel.

After looking around and measuring the circumstances, Vivi stepped forward. "Guys, I think we should split up to cover more ground. I'll go with Mystery — and Arthur, you can go with Lewis. If the tunnels don't come to a dead end, we all have an hour for exploring and then we can make our way back to meet here. Got it?"

Arthur and Lewis nodded, but Mystery stood stock still, listening. Vivi turned and ventured down the right path while the two best friends advanced towards the left. Mystery tailed them, all the while sniffing cautiously.

After a while, the tunnel gave out to an open ledge. Lewis shrugged free of his friend's hands and took a few steps, reaching the edge of the ledge and peering down. They were in a huge cavern — stalactites dripped from the ceiling and unnervingly sharp spikes jutted up from the floor, almost thirty metres down.

Behind him, Arthur glanced around nervously, hugging himself for warmth and comfort. This place didn't feel right. The darkness seemed to creep up on him from behind, and the air tasted bitter and smelled foreboding . . . Arthur shook his head. What was he now, a dog? How could he even tell what drifted on the breeze? He certainly couldn't smell death or blood or. . .

Something rattled, sending an echo bouncing around the tunnel, and Arthur jumped. What was that? Was it a ghost? The young man turned, scouring the black tunnel. Nothing that he could make out.

He sighed, kicking a stray stone irritably. Why was he such a wimp? It was just a cave — and caves were just stone. Stone worn down by wind and water. There was nothing to be afraid of here.

Arthur felt something cold and damp brush his leg, and he glanced down. Green mist was swirling around his knees, tendrils curling and weaving like vines around his amber jeans. As he gazed at the fog, something pricked at the back of his mind.

Arthur, it hissed. It was a voice.

Look at the way Lewis is standing on top of that cliff. It would take a very small poke to push him off the ledge. Then it would go back to being just you and Vivi. Like it always has been.

Arthur started. What was this thing in his mind? And why would he ever even considering doing that?

Because you love Vivi, Arthur. You've always loved her — and then this big hulk waltzed in and stole her from right under your nose. You might just have a chance with her if you dispose of that nuisance.

Again, Arthur was shocked at the cruelty in those words. Are those my thoughts?

Yes. These are your subconscious thoughts — what you really want. Come on, Arthur. Just one small push, and you'll have everything you ever wanted.

I have everything I want right here! Arthur fought, still trying to figure out what the strange voice was doing in his head. I have my best friend, I have Vivi, I have Mystery. . .

Come on, Arthur, the voice was stronger now, forcing its way to the forefront of Arthur's thoughts. Come . . . On. . . Arthur's heart skipped a beat as he felt his arm go numb, then barely stifled a shriek as it started to go green. It felt as if it were rotting on his body! Come, pushed the voice, growing louder and more insistent all the time.

Soon enough, Arthur lost all control of his left arm, and the green appendage hung limply at his side, before twitching and lifting up. Push Lewis. . . The voice whispered, and Arthur felt tendrils winding across his chest, down to his left leg and up to his face. The whole left side of his body felt numb and foul now.

Arthur's green arm jerked forward, and his left leg moved of its own accord, forcing him along the ledge. Sweat broke out his forehead as he fought the invading spirit, but it just kept yanking him across the bleak stone until he was standing right behind his best friend. His green limb reached out and Arthur used his free right arm to grab it and hold it back, fighting to keep it in control.

"No," Arthur's whisper was hoarse. "Please, don't do this."

The voice in his mind chuckled darkly. Don't do what? Don't help you? Don't get you what you want? All you need to give is one little push. . .

The possessed arm ripped out of Arthur's grip and flew out, making a beeline for Lewis' broad back.

"NO!" Arthur shrieked, making a grab for his arm—

Lewis spun around. "Arthur, are you oka—"

The green arm planted itself flat against Lewis' chest and gave a hard shove. Lewis wobbled but did not fall.

"Arthur, what the—"

"I HATE YOU!" The words exploded from Arthur's mouth. "YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!"