Skull's POV

"I can't believe it!" Lucy says. "We knew Bickerstaff was a horrible person but he was..." she trails off and shudders.

"He wanted to see if his bone mirror worked. So he forced me to look in it. I was seventeen. That's how I died. I remember the day clearly." I tell them how it happened while the flashback plays in my mind.

~Flashback~

"Boy! Get over here! I have a task for you. It will help with securing our fortune."

"Yes, sir! What is the task?"

"Oh, you'll see. Don't worry. Now follow me." He led me to the room where they had been constructing the bone glass. "Sit down in that chair over there." I did as he asked. Then, before I could get up, ropes were bound around me. Bickerstaff grabbed the mirror. He walked up to me while holding it. He said how I was going to shape the future in that single moment. I tried to look away from the mirror. I tried closing my eyes, pleading with him not to do it, turning my head away. But it didn't work. He ignored my pleas. They held my head to make me look at the glass and pried my eyes open. Eventually they had me staring into the glass and a gut wrenching pain shot through me. I was begging for death, but it took several minutes before relief came. When all my feelings were gone and so was I.

~End of Flashback~

"That's so sad." Lucy says. I can see the pity in her eyes. Lockwood and George look equally sad.

"Did Bickerstaff ever call you by your real name?" George asked curiously.

"He did a couple times but he didn't want to acknowledge our relation. Since he was my father's brother we had the same last name. I just realized I never told you my name! It William. William Bickerstaff." I can see George trying not to laugh.

"And just what is so funny George?" Lucy asks angry at him for laughing.

"It's... just...," he says between laughs "he... was... a... powerful... ghost... named... William! Its just really funny!" Lucy glares at him.

"Anyway, I was wondering two things." I say.

"What are they?" Lockwood asks.

"Well, first off can I get some food, I haven't eaten in years and I'm starving."

"Of course." Lucy laughs. "What's he second thing?"

"Is there any chance I can possibly become an official agent? I would be great at tracking down sources, if I do say so myself."

"Sure, you're hired!" Lockwood says. "Now let's go get some biscuits."

Lucy's POV

We all go into the kitchen, talking on and on. I've found out so much about the sk- I mean, William, today. I can't believe what Bickerstaff did to him. It's terrible, who could do that? I'm so glad Lockwood hired him. He'll be a great addition to the company. I look over to the sink where Lockwood is placing some dishes. He looks deep in thought.

"Hey Lockwood. You okay?" I ask him casually.

"Lucy- do you think, that just maybe, if Jessica came back as a ghost, we could bring her back? I know it's silly to ask but-"

"Lockwood, listen to me. It's not silly to ask that at all. Think about it though, ok Lockwood? Would Jessica really want to be brought back? Would she want you to risk your life to bring her back?"

"No, she wouldn't. I just, I just miss her. So much." Then I see something I thought I would never see. A tear, falling out of the corner of Lockwood's eye. "Lucy, thank you. For being here for me."

"Always, Lockwood. Always." All of sudden there's a knock at the door. George answers it.

"Oh, hello Inspector Barnes, how are-"

"Stop your yammering Cubbins. I need Lucy to come with me immediately."

"What's going on?!" William asks. "And why does Lucy need to go with you immediately? What's the emergency?"

"I'll tell you what the emergency is!" Barnes says, enraged by someone standing up to him. "Lucy's mother is dying in the hospital and says she needs to tell her something immediately. So if Miss Carlyle will kindly come with me." He walks out the door when Lockwood calls out.

"Can we go with her? Please Inspector!"

"Oh fine! Hurry up!" I just stand there in shock. It's not that my mother was ever that great to me, it's just, she's my mom and I can't believe I'll lose her. I feel someone cautiously put their hand on my shoulder.

"Lucy, it will be okay, come on. We'll all be right by your side." William says to me. I feel a tear slip out of the corner of my eye.

"Thank you, William."

"It's okay, now are you ready to go find out what the big secret is?"

"Yes," I say a smile creeping onto my face. "Let's go." We finally make it to the hospital and we rush to my mothers' room.

"Lucy... I'm not... your real mother." She says between breaths. "You were adopted. Your real parents are unknown. Lucy, no matter what happens know that I'm sorry, and that I..." I take her hand in mine. "I.. love you..."

"I love you to mom." I say, tears in my eyes. She smiles at me one last time. Then her hand goes limp and I know she's gone. I feel the tears flowing out of my eyes like a waterfall. My mom was gone forever. I'm numb, this was all a dream, even though I know it wasn't. What was that she said though? Her and dad weren't my real parents? But then who is? That explains where my Talent comes from. In part anyway.

"Luce, are you okay?" George asks me.

"Yeah- yeah I'm fine. It- it just doesn't feel real. I start crying again.

"Lucy, if it will make you feel any better maybe we can do a DNA test." William says.

"It will tell you who you're parents are. It's worth a shot Luce. If you're up to it that is." Lockwood says.

"Okay, let's go do that. We're in a hospital anyway, might as well find out my heritage.

~Time skip brought to you by Inspector Barnes~

"Lucy," the nurse who took my test says. "this may come as a huge shock to you but your parents are..."