Author's note: I'm finally posting a new chapter...I had to rethink the part I split off from the last chapter quite a bit, so that's why it took a while. I also renamed some chapters. :)

Guest - Thanks a bunch! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. :) I have some plans for Wisp, that's for sure. ;)

Vicky - Yay! Thanks, I'm glad you liked this chapter! :)

Todders17 - Thank you so very much for reviewing all the chapters! I really appreciate it! :D I hope you continue to enjoy reading Pig Pen!

Now on with the story!

Chapter 10: Misfortune teller

I guess I didn't really have a plan when I walked out the door. I think, as I gaze back at my front door regretfully.

I force myself to look the other way. No, I can't just hide in my house all day! Besides, There's a vengeful spirit in there.

I sigh as I think back to Wisp, my unlikely ghost of a roommate.

I didn't want to admit it back there, but I honestly understand why Wisp got so mad at me. I was thinking some pretty mean things.

Even if they were supposed to be my own private thoughts...that doesn't really excuse the fact that I thought that way about him. I really should have given him a chance to explain what he meant...and not been so wary of him from the start. But instead I went and judged him right off the bat.

Even though it may still surprise me, I am the one who invited him to stay. The least I can do is try to trust him.

Maybe I should go back and apologise. I hesitate, still in front of the door and find myself feeling queasy at the thought of that conversation.

I'll talk to him in a bit...after checking out Main Street. That was my original plan. And I should probably give him some time to cool off anyway.

Normally, it wouldn't have taken long to get to main street, but I definitely take my sweet time as I walk towards the train tracks.

It's later in the morning now, I think to myself as I walk, trying my best to avoid notice.

I wouldn't want to be seen... I stray away from the paths once again, walking on the other side of the trees that are lining the paths.

I suppose I've already decided that then... I don't really want to talk to anyone in this town unless I absolutely have to.

But why? I ask myself. You don't know anything about them.

Maybe not. But I've done enough damage. I remind myself.

If I can't prevent my lack of social skills from getting in the way... Maybe it's best not to get into any unnecessary situations where they're needed in the first place.

There's no point in making a fool of myself again.

Soon, I reach the train tracks and I walk over the rail road to the shopping center beyond.

The first shop in my line of sight is a big shop with a golden leaf emblem on it, similar to the one that was on the door of Nook's Homes now that I think of it.

I know I walked past it last time, but I must have hardly looked at it. If I had, I would've probably remembered this place when Timmy mentioned it back at Re-tail, due to the huge sign above the doors displaying its name.

So this is T&T Emporium, where Timmy and his brother work...

It doesn't appear to be open, as all the lights are off. I guess I should check out the other shops then. Though in the back of the mind I know they're most likely closed, I still don't want to go back just yet.

I decide to look at the shops on the left side of the street first. I walk past the post office and Nook's Homes. Then I walk past some sort of (presumably) night club called Club Lol and a tiny establishment which I assume is a shop with a rose on the door.

Past all that, there's a little shop somewhat hidden in an alleyway with a lit up sign that looks like an eye on top of the door. There's also a flashy sign pointing to it that says "Fortune Teller Shop".

Seems interesting. I think it might be open too. At least...the signs are all lit up...

I check the rest of the left side of the street first. However, there aren't any more shops and the only things I can there see are a photo booth and a little area with a bench with a great view of the sea.

I walk back towards the fortune teller shop and hesitate. Maybe I shouldn't go in... It's not like I need to have my fortune told. I don't have much money. Better not waste it.

I start to walk away, but then a thought occurs to me.

It may really just be because I have no money, but I think I must also feel inclined to walk away...because I think it's some sort of hoax. But I thought the same thing about the animals, didn't I? And I just met a ghost!

This place must be a lot different from wherever I came from. So many things have surprised me so far. So maybe I should give this 'fortune telling place' a chance. And anyway, it's the only shop that's open. I could at least check it out to pass the time.

I stand in front of the screen-like door. It must be pretty dimly lit inside. I take a deep breath, knock a couple times and pull open the door.

I step into the dim room. The decorations are all pretty, what's the word...lavish? One thing's for sure, there's a lot of purple.

In the center of the room is a table with a purple tablecloth with a few items such as the candles on it (which provide the little light in this room) and...a bowl of some sort? I'm not completely sure why. I guess it's something used for fortune telling? I feel like I expected something else.

"Keeeeeee hamo-atata... Kee haaaamo-atata... Yee heh ha ta ta!" I flinch a little in surprise.

I was so lost in thought, I hardly noticed she was there, hidden in the shadows. ...I guess she was just mumbling some magic words.

"You... are being watched by a most unfortunate star. I must admit, I have never felt anything quite like this before."

She looks serious, but she must just be saying that to scare me, right? She can't possibly know anything that would help my situation...

"I, Katrina will reveal your future and the path to avoid disaster for a mere...500 bells.

500 bells? That's quite a lot, I really should just go. But I don't move to leave.

"You seem troubled. Do not tell me...Has misfortune already struck?"

I don't say anything, but I look down at the ground.

"I see... Then it is... on the house."

I finally speak up. "What...No, i-it's fine. I'll just le-"

"I had a premonition you would arrive early today. This is why I opened the shop early."

"Y-you knew I was coming?" I exclaim in disbelief.

She looks up at me with a certain seriousness.

"I did not know WHO would turn up this morning. But it was written in the stars that it would be for a matter of great importance. I am still not sure what. But that much is certain."

Importance? I was fated to come here? She must just be saying that... But she really isn't making me pay? "Are you sure you're okay with me...not paying... I mean-"

"I believe you are coming upon difficult times. And this matter is urgent enough that I do not require it. It is merely how I make a living." She smiles and I manage to notice that as I glance at her. "You must find the right path. And I will help guide you toward it."

I nod, still feeling uncertain. "I-I'm Reina by the way... Thank you for...doing this."

Then she says, "Very well. Let me bring your star matrix into view; Have a seat."

I take a seat on the carpet.

"Keeee heh ha mo-atata... Kee ha ha mo-atatata... Eee na ro sheho-to bati... YEEEEEeeeeee!"

Suddenly, the room turns completely dark, the candles no longer bringing forth light. The objects that were previously surrounding us appear to fade away and I'm left facing Katrina with only an eerie blue light illuminating us. I don't dare to interrupt by looking around much.

"...Aha yes. It has come into view," she states mystically.

I wait apprehensively, not daring to move, lest I disturb her. I'm shocked by the sudden change of atmosphere in the room, but I don't even think to question her, having committed myself to Katrina's fortune telling.

She starts again, "A phantom looms over you. It is the shadow of your past, long forgotten."

I feel a pang of surprise at that and I shut my eyes, trying to focus only on what comes next.

"You cannot see it, blinded as you are by the lack of light."

I shiver, finding myself almost unwilling to open my eyes.

"You must find the truth. For only the truth will light your way..."

I feel cold. And suddenly faint. All of my senses...going...numb.

I can't do a thing...

"Reina! Open your eyes!"

I gasp as I snap back to reality, feeling a sense of self again. My eyes focus on the dim light of one of the candles, before I force myself up and look at Katrina.

"W-w-what happened?" I whisper to Katrina, shaken.

She shakes her head and says cryptically, "Only you know the answer to that."

"A-Alright, well...thank you for your help!"

And with that I turn and run out of the tiny shop, closing the door quickly behind me and breathing a sigh of relief as I shut it.