December

Davis Mansion- outside

7:01A.M

I felt the cold metal plates in my hands through my mitts. Carved on them was the protection spell, the one that would save me from my soul getting caught while I was in the midst of astro-projecting. Naru said that I might not even have a chance of astro projecting unless I really desired it.

I followed behind Naru, like a lost puppy, holding the metal plates close to me. He carried around a thick hammer and nails.

Sure, it must've looked akward for two teens up early and out in the cold English morning, wondering around the walls with a hammer, but the workers didn't seem bothered by us.

"Mai," Naru snapped. "get your head out of the clouds."

I jumped out of my musings, and handed him one of the plates. He already had a nail driven into the wall.

"You know what, Naru?"

"Hmm?" He had hung the plate up and was already walking away from me to nail the next plate up. I ran to catch up with him.

"I really like your family."

He stopped, and began to nail another nail in the wall with no struggle.

"And why is that?"

I handed him a metal plate, and he slid it on with ease.

"Because they remind me of what my family use to be like."

He stopped and watched the metal plate swing on the nail.

"They tend to do that."

I followed him again, and this time, we were by the garden wall.

"We went shopping yesterday." I continued in hopes to drag out the conversation.

"I noticed."

I frowned at him while he took another plate, and he started to walk off.

"We ran into someone. A lady. She wasn't very nice to Madoka or Luella. Some uptight blonde."

Naru stopped, and nailed another nail in the wall, this time, his hits were more aggressive.

"That would be Belinda."

He stopped and stared at the wall, drifting off to his own musings, something he rarely did. I knew that I poached a touchy subject.

"I'm sorry; you don't have to talk about it." I quickly apologized.

Naru took a step back to admire his work.

"Belinda is an ungrateful woman, Mai. She hates us."

I bit my bottome lip, definatly confirming my suspicions. I've heard Naru getting cold before, but his reaction blew my mind.

"We're done."

And with that, Naru turned and left me alone in the cold. I furrowed my eyebrows together. Yep. Something is dark about the woman.

Davis Mansion- Livingroom

6:18P.M.

I put the final piece of tape on the present and held the brightly wrapped package up to examine it. Madoka, who was standing next to me, let out a frustrated sigh.

"What's wrong Madoka?" Luella purred from the other side of the table. Shooting a dark glare at the bright, happy lady, Madoka growled.

"The paper keeps tearing!"

Luella glided to our side of the table, and placed a hand on my back as she glanced over my shoulder.

"Madoka, dear, you don't have enough wrapping paper for your present. Here."

Luella confiscated Madoka's present from her, and moved her off to the side. When done wrapping the present, Luella presented it with triumph.

"There! All fixed!"

I stared at the massive amount of paper the Luella had thrown on there, held together with tape galore. I hid a laugh behind my hand as Madoka's glare turned into a playful smile.

"Ah! Lin will have fun opening that on Christmas!"

"Opening what?"

All three of us turned to the door of the living room to find Martin holding a box in his hand. We were stationed off to the side on top of the pool table. The warm fire plave was going, giving off the comforting smell.

There was a loud grunt behind Martin.

"Father, please move. We need to bring the tree in."

Martin looked over his shoulder, and danced out of the way of Naru and Lin as they entered, carrying a huge plastic boz. He glanced over at the table and spotted the horrendously wrapped present, and frowned.

"Madoka?"

She giggled and pranced towards him to relieve the box from him.

"Mai, look at these ornaments."

I placed a tag on my present and wandered over to Madoka. She flung the lid open, and I peeked inside. All sorts of colors gleamed in the light.

"Wow!" My eyes widened, trying to take in all of the floresent colors.

"Mai?"

I turned when Lin called out my name. His expression was puzzeld as he took a step towards me.

"Yes?"

"You have something on your back."

"Huh?"

He approached me with caution, and grabbed at the small of my back. With gentle wease, he tugged, and something came off. He read it, and a smile played on his lips as he read the Christmas tag out loud.

"'To Naru, from your mother. There's another reason why you brought her here, and I've figured it out: you are secretly eloping. Love, Mom.'"

Naru, who had already dragged out the branches of the tree, and was standing in the middle of it glared up at his mother. Red escaped to my cheeks as I turned back to the ornaments. Luella, Madoka and Martin had their laughs.

"Children." Naru muttered, and turned back to the tree.

10:35 P.M.

The tree stood tall against the fire place. The ornaments glistened in the light of the fire, and presents were packed under the tree already. We sat in front of the fire, weather it was chairs, couches, or on the ground, and a plate full of chocolate covered pretzels were being passed around.

Luella had dismissed all the servants to go home early, and everyone was in a bright and cheerful mood, except Naru who was kinda sorta still mad about the Christmas tag. Luella and Martin were sharing their fondest memories of ghosts that they had come across.

"…came to find out that he was a cross dresser looking for the first man he had slept with!" Luella elaborated, and giggled.

I think she had one to many egg nogs tonight, because she was extremly slap happy. Her face was a little flushed, but her spirit was wonderful.

"I think it's time we went to bed." Naru suggested.

Luella shook her head vigoursily.

"No, we need more Egg nog, that's what!"

Madoka laughed at her enthusiasm.

"Martin, it's time we all went to bed." Madoka agreed.

I stood up off the floor and stretched. Madoka tugged on my pant leg, and I held a hand out for her. She lifted herself up off the ground, and hugged me.

"Good night, my dear."

"Night Madoka."

And with that, everyone had cleared out of the room. Everyone but me and Luella. She stood up from her seat on the couch, and walked to the window.

The wind was blowing hard, and helping the snow fall. It looked like a blizzard was going on. I could hear her sniffle a little bit, and I began to wonder if I should approach her or not. I did cautiously, and set a gentle hand on her back.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She turned back to me, and her eyes were brimmed with tears.

"That story was Gene's favorite. He wanted me to tell it every Christmas. It was because he was with me on that case. It was his first one ever without his brother."

I hugged her tightly, and she took my hug.

"Noll told me that he's your dream guide."

I nodded my head.

"Yeah. He is."

She broke away from my hug, and wiped her tears clear from her eyes.

"Good. He was always so helpful towards others. I hope he and Noll can help you, Mai."

I gave her a weak smile.

"Thanks. I know they will." The moment was a little akward, so I decided to change subjects quickly. "Come on Luella, let's get you to bed."

She nodded her head faintly, and let me tug her to her room.

There was screaming and cries. Everything was dark in the hall way, and I stumbled around, looking for light. Light shone through the cracks of a door, and I opened it up.

"NO!"

There was a terrible yell, and I saw that it came from me as a dark shadow advanced on me. I was tied down to a cold metal table that looked like an operating table. The dark figure was stradling me, and I let out another blood curling scream as he grabed for my neck. I gasped when I saw who it was. Alex. I let out another scream as he did an unspeakable deed.

A/N: Hey guys. Sorry it took me for flippin' ever to get another chapter back up. Surprise family visits tend to do that, and I didn't want to be rude. Anyways, this chapter was a little rough in my opinion. But it's okay I guess. Thanks for all of your support, and I would like to remind you guys, stay safe. Good news by the way, I was supposed to go back to school today, but we got in three inches of snow the day before, so they canceled school today. And the high way is in a horrible shape, they went ahead and cancled for tomorrow as well, so I'll be using the time to my advantage, and try to get this done. :) I hope you guys don't kill anyone while you are back at school, if you are going back. And thank you for your support again, I really appreciate it! Oh, and I would like to remind you guys, even though it hasn't happened to me, please, if you write stories, don't steal other people's ideas. It's not really fun for the writer at all, and they get sooo bent out of shape and miserable. Just remember, if it's not your idea, don't use it please. I love you all! 3 I also noticed that I didn't put a disclaimer up yet, so here it is. I don't own Ghost Hunt. If I did, I'd be too giddy beyond words, and wouldn't know what to do with it. :D

Love,

Jazzy!