"Casper, get back here!" Fatso called only to hear the response,
"You guys can argue all you want, I'm going to help Uncle Stretch. He protected me, even though he's sick. You said before that you don't think he can do this right now. So I'm-"
"Newsflash, you're not gonna be able to do it either." Stinkie shouted. Everyone watched as Casper ignored the warning and disappeared into the house.
Once inside, Casper began his search, evidence of the fight lay before him. There was a sudden crash as if someone had broken a large glass object and the young ghost sped down the halltoward the sound. When he arrived, he raised his hands to his mouth to prevent Cathal hearing his surprised gasp.
The shadow creature laughed as he took one large hand, sliding it across the book case causing the books to fall with a thud onto the floor. Casper watched in silent horror as Cathal reached his other arm to the floor behind the desk lifting Stretch off the floor, He lifted Stretch, his eyes closed and his form limp in Cathal's grasp.
"Uncle Stretch!" Casper shouted, unable to stop himself. Cathal turned toward him an evil grin once again visible.
" how touching, come to help your uncle boy, you're too late as you can see."
"L-leave him alone, I won't let you hurt him anymore." Casper said his voice showed his fear.
"What could an insignificant thing like you do to stop me, it's over. You belong to me now" He casually releast the ghost and started toward Casper.
"It's time you learned who's in charge here boy." Casper backed away.
"Uncle Stretch, Uncle Stretch please, I need you.!" He cried out . Stretch didn't move. The realization hit casper suddenly, if he had shouted for his uncle as if his afterlife had depended on it and the older ghost didn't come, there was only one explaination. Stretch really was- Tears ran down his cheeks.
"No. Y-you can't be." He whispered.
"What the hell?" Cathal cried in surprise as he felt a tug at his tail.
"I thought I told ya to stay away from my family!" Stretch said pulling him back. Cathal landed next to Stretch with a growl. He held Stretch down.
"You've annoyed me for the very last time. I bet you think it's pretty amusing don't you, anymore tricks up your sleeve?" He said angrily. Stretch smirked.
"Just one." A soft whirling sound filled the room briefly and Cathl's shrieking became muffled. Casper heard a small click and tge room was silent. Casper was able to gather enough courage to float toaed the desk. Behind it on the floor he found his uncle and just within reach lay the small hand held vaccum. He rushed over and laid next to his Uncle.
"Uncle Stretch,?' He sobbed
"h-hey Short Sheet." the weak reply was barely another moment he spoke again.
"W-what the hell were ya thinkin' Casper, told ya ta leave."
"I didn't want him to hurt you. I'm sorry. I just couldn't leave you. Are you mad?"
"Nah, I ain't got room ta be mad, yer too much like me." Casper chuckled.
"Are you going to leave us Uncle Stretch?" Casper noticed the difficulty the older ghost was having keeping his eyes open.
"Yeah Short Sheet, 'M sorry."
"T-Thank you Uncle Stretch, for always being there for us, for protecting us and everything"
"I love ya Casper, never forget that. Don't let the bous forget either. "
"I love you too uncle stretch, none of us will ever forget you." A faint smile form on the older ghost's face.
"Go on back outside now, ya don't need ta see this" Casper shook his head.
"I'll stay with you, so you won't have to be alone." he sobbed. He lightly touched Stretch's hand.
"Yer a great kid Casper, I'm proud ta say yer my nephew. Don't ever change." Stretch closed his eyes and was silent.
"Casper!" Fatso and Stinkie shouted rushing in closely followed by Dr. Harvey and Kat.
The group froze at the sight.
"No, he- he's gotta" Fatso placed an arm around his brother. Kat found herself wrapped in her father's arms.
"How can this happen?" She sobbed.
The room filled with an almost blinding light, a sence of comfort came over them.
"You've all done well, I can take over now." The soft voice said as a dark haired woman emerged crossing the room and bending to pick up the device now holding Cathal.
"Amelia" Dr. Harvey whispered. She gently touched Casper's shoulder.
"I know right now you're hurting Casper, you've been through more than a twelve year old should . It's going to be okay."
She walked to the two remaining ghosts.
"boys, Words could never take away the pain you feel, he loves you all very much. be strong for each other. He'll need you to be.
Then turning to her family, she embraced them both.
"He may not have really said it, but having met the trio, even for a moment it was clear to me that you two became family to him. That's something that I will always be grateful for. As for what he did, protecting you two, I can't thank him enough. I know you both loved him too." Kat nodded.
"I promise, it will be alright. You won't have to worry about Cathal ever again. I'm taking him to a place where he can't hurt anyone else." she smiled sadly and disappeared leaving the group alone again.