Next chapter. Thanks again to all that read! I hope you continue to support this story. Also let me know of things to improve it with and give me honest opinions on how I write as always!


~Chase's POV~

My gaze fell on Molly's lip as it slowly slid out of her mouth. Her lips were smooth and natural looking. I lost my train of thought as I gaped at her. She looked up at me with light caramel eyes that shone with innocence.

"Chase? What's wrong?" She muttered timidly.

I put a hand to my mouth and averted my gaze.

"Nothing, I think I'm just a little tired is all."

She blinked at me.

"B-but it's...it's only 11:40 a.m." She stated.

"Yeah but uhh...you know the whole run in with whatever it was in the forest and such. I'm just drained is all." It wasn't exactly a lie, I was a little tired.

"Oh...I don't exactly want to leave you here alone though."

"Why's that?"

"You could be attacked in your sleep! That'd be horrible!" She suddenly exclaimed. She worried way too much.

"Attacked in my- You're paranoid!"

"It's true though! It could happen while you're asleep! Something would sneak into your house and suffocate you with a pillow, or take a knife to you or maybe even-"

"Molly, just stop! If anything you're just worrying me now..."

"So do you want me to stay?"

"No."

"But-but-"

"No but's. Now go do whatever it is you do, like gather materials or ring a bell. You know, that "saving the island" stuff you were talking about."

"Oh right...thanks for reminding me."

Molly walked to exit the house but stopped before shutting the door and turned to look at me.

"I'll be back to check on you...just in case..." She muttered and left before I could protest.

I sighed.

"That girl..." I walked to my room and flopped onto my bed.

She was really weird. One minute she's timid, the next she's overly zealous, then she's normal, then she's timid again. Maybe she only used to be full of energy and smiles before things got out of control for her.

But...

When exactly did things spin out of control for her? Was it when those guys started harassing her, or was it before that? There seemed to be something else that she wasn't telling me and it had to do with Angela. Where was Angela during that time? She wasn't mentioned in the middle school part of Molly's life, nor in the high school part. In fact, I've only heard of her twin sister when she actually came here in the flesh. You would think that family would be a constant thing in someone's life.

"Except for you Chase..." I muttered to myself, staring at the ceiling.

I couldn't talk because family was never constant for me. But then again, that was normal seeing as how most of my family was either dead or unknown to me. It was normal not to have them around from a small age, of course I couldn't feel sad over it, I didn't know the people. But maybe it was the same for Molly and Angela. No family from a young age except for each other would only mean that Molly would keep in contact with Angela and from the sounds of it she has. But they keep saying that it's been so many years since they've last seen each other...

"Why do I even care?" I turned on my side and sighed.

I've never been so interested in a person before...it was strange for me. I never wanted to get close to anyone, especially a girl. There was just so much about me that could spoil the relationship. And yet, Molly being the timid and fragile person she is, willingly goes out of her way just to tell me to keep safe and she offers to stay by me as I sleep. She's too hard to read, I can never get a full grasp on her. Maybe she feels a little closer to me now? Is that why she doesn't mind me as much as she use too? I guess saving someone's life can bring people closer together.

I was getting tired.

"Maybe she understands?" I mumbled what sounded like nonsense to my mind but made perfect sense to my heart.

Maybe she understands how it feels to be alone and isolated. To go through hard times and not being able to forget it. We have to work together to help this island survive and instead of thinking about the island I'm thinking about...her...

I thought back to all the times I've ever seen her and about all the times that we fought. The recent happenings.

Sleep was starting to fog my mind.

"When did I start...to get closer...to her?" I wondered out loud.

I felt like knowing more about her. But she was a hard shell to crack obviously. She always shied away from me, but that was only part of her charm as I would see it.

"Ah...I know what this is..." I announced to myself.

She was on my mind a lot recently, no, even before that. Molly was a klutz, I knew this from the constant mishaps during her daily bar nights with her group of friends. I'd always scold her and she would only shout back temporarily before apologizing. She second guessed her actions a lot. She was flustered easily, over-worked herself, stayed up late, didn't eat well (she only ever ate when she came to the bar I heard from Kathy), and had many other flaws.

But that's what made her special. I, for some reason or other, "liked" Molly.

It wasn't like I loved her or anything. That seems impossible for me. Love is too complicated.

'But liking someone isn't...it's easy.' That's what my mind told me.

When did I start to like her? My head was too tired so I couldn't say for sure.

It would be alright for me to like her though. And she wouldn't have to know. I could hide it forever if I wanted to. I'm not the type of guy to really get into a relationship so it's not like anyone will notice. They'll just think I'm being a little friendly that day is all. I'd have to be nice to everyone if I wanted to be nice to Molly then. I could make it work. Couldn't I?

"Answering myself is tiring..." I whispered.

I suddenly heard the chiming of a bell. It sounded strong and grounded, like the earth, it was beautiful. I wondered where it was coming from, it sounded close. My eyelids were starting to get heavy and kept closing. I tried blinking rapidly but that only made it worse.

"I could definitely...hide it forever..."

~Angela's POV~

The sound of a bell chiming caught our attention as we sat in our chairs.

"Molly must have rang the bell." I muttered and Wizard nodded in agreement. We were quiet once more.

"You said you had...something to talk about..." Wizard finally said, breaking the silence between us. We had walked all the way back to his house in Harmonica Town and I was pondering over how to start my question.

"Yes...well uh. There was something that concerned me, before Molly interrupted us."

"And...?" Wizard said expectantly.

"You asked me...if what I had said was really the whole truth. You remember that right? Well of course you remember I mean you were the one who said it after all. That was a stupid question of me to ask but sometimes people forget what they say and-"

"Angela...please continue."

"Right! Sorry. But, what I wanted to ask you is what you meant by that exactly."

Wizard looked at me unfazed.

"I meant...is it really the truth? Is she really...the best sister in the world?" I blinked at Wizard and I couldn't help but to laugh in relief. I thought he found out about Molly being my half-sister.

"What is...so humorous."

"It's-hahaha-it's nothing. I thought that you-"

"Found out that you and Molly aren't exactly sisters? I've known since you first came to my door step."

I froze and a look of horror must've crossed my face because Wizard gave me a strange look.

"I'm not about...to tell anyone...if you two are half-"

"Don't say it!" I screamed.

"Huh...?"

"That word...that word doesn't exist between Molly and I...it's taboo ya' hear? Molly is my twin sister! Our birthday's are the same and we have the exact same parents! We're related in every single way!" I shouted at him through tears. He gaped at me and I averted my gaze.

"But...what's wrong with that?" I looked at him like he was crazy.

"What?"

"What is so bad...about being half-sisters?"

"It's...it's shameful isn't it? That our mothers are different, out father just...it's shameful!"

"I don't understand how...it is shameful. But...however you were...brought into the world...doesn't matter, right?"

"I still don't get what you're trying to say."

"I mean...you're sisters regardless...it doesn't matter how you are...just that you are." Wizard stared at me as if he just said the most natural thing in the world. He closed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought.

"That's why...there would be no reason to- OOF-" I had tackled him into a hug and we fell to the ground.

"Angela...?"

"No one has ever made sense of it that way before...that had to be the sweetest, and longest, thing you've ever said to me...thank you so much..." I looked at him, his eyes were wide and if I wasn't mistaken I think I could see a hint of red glowing on his tan skin.

His eyes finally softened and he reluctantly patted my head.

"You're welcome..." A very small smile crossed his lips and his entire face lit up. It was a new look for him, and I must admit I quite liked it.

"By the waaaaaaaay..." I started after we picked ourselves up.

"Yes?"

"What would you say to a little... outing tonight?" He raised one eyebrow.

"What kind of...outing?" I only gave him a devilish smirk.

~Molly's POV~

"I wonder where I can find the next bell..." I pondered as I sat on my porch steps.

"MOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLY!" Something smacked into my face.

"F-FIN?" The little orange sprite plucked himself off of my face and started to dance in front of me happily.

"You did it, Molly! You rang the Yellow Bell! I knew you could do it!" I smiled and laughed at his quirky behavior. But I quickly became serious.

"But the Purple Bell...where could it be...?"

"Oh Yeah! The Harvest Goddess said that his signal was coming from somewhere very high on the island!"

"A high point on the island eh?" My stomach churned.

"You don't mean...The mountain top...do you?" Fin started to ponder.

"That just might be where it-OH DEAR! Molly!" Fin said in realization. He knew that I was slightly afraid to go to the top of the mountain due to how I was supposed to climb and the blistering cold the high mountain was sure to have at the point of atmosphere. I could barely stand this Autumn chill!

"W-well...If it's for the Harvest Goddess..." I muttered. Fin gasped.

"Molly, you're so brave!" I shook my head.

"Determined, yes, Brave, well Fin, you know better than anyone else that I'm anything but." Fin patted my cheek.

"You are brave Molly. After everything you've been through I know you're brave enough to take on anything!"

Fin had known about what happened to me when he came to me as I ventured onto the island. It unsettling at first, but when I would wake up in the middle of the night, screaming from past memories. It was good to have Fin there to comfort me and he didn't have to ask about the dream so I didn't have to say unnecessary things. Granted that I yelled at him a lot, he was always there for me.

I smiled at him.

"Well...looks like we're in for an eventful rest of the d-"

"Molly!" Kathy's distinct voice yelled a few yards away. I looked from Fin and saw Kathy running up the path way towards my house. She stopped and panted.

"H-hey! Luke and Calvin just told me about what happened over Fugue Forest. They said that you and Angela had came while Jin was treating Chase. How is he? Is he okay?" I suppressed a laugh. As much as Kathy likes to pretend that she hated Chase, she really thought of him as a good friend, whether he returned the feeling or not.

"He's going to be okay Kathy. I was planning on stopping by his place later...do you want to come?" Kathy shook her head.

"It's already pretty late in the day and I have to help dad set up. Thanks to your shipping we've upgraded our menu again!" Kathy gave me a hug. Ever since I came, many people had been relying on me to help make things better. Now that I have, people have become a little more thankful to me, and I'm sure they'll become even more thankful to Angela as time passes.

"Oh! Have you heard about the church?" Kathy pulled away and now looked into my eyes, horrified.

"What about it?"

"People say there might be..." Kathy gulped.

"A ghost."

"A...ghost?"

"Yeah. I'm staying away from there!"

I secretly glanced at Fin. Could it be a ghost...or the rogue sprite?

"That's probably a good idea..." I said.

"Yeah...but poor Perry! He has to sleep there and everything! Shoot! I've gotta go help dad set up now. I'll catch you later!" Kathy spun on her heel and bolted back down the path to Harmonica Town.

"You think we should go investigate some more?" I ask Fin as soon as she's out of ear shot.

"Definitely! I think Edge is just going to have to wait."

We started up the path to Garmon Mine and I ran into Luke, swinging away at the air.

"Hi Lu-GAH!" I dunked as Luke brought his axe around him in a strong swing. His whole body in motion, I just barely dodged the blade by a hair. (Literally!)

"HOLY SHIZ MOLLY! Don't get in the way of my axe!"

"I-it's my fault?" I mumbled, shocked.

Luke put his axe down and helped me up, giving me one of his infamous smiles.

"So...how's Chase doing?" He said more seriously now.

"He's good. I'm going back later to check on him."

"So you're going to help him out with his pains?"

"Well if he has any I'll-" I stared at Luke momentarily and then my face grew red, he started to laugh.

"What are you implying, Luke?"

"pff-Nu-ha-Nuthin." Luke said shielding himself for the onslaught of hits and slaps I was about to give to him.

"Wa-wait a second! Did you hear about what's going on at the church?" I stopped abruptly and looked at him.

"Yeah. Kathy told me about it. Why?"

"Don't you think it's cool to have a real live ghost here on Castanet? It's totally awesome!" Luke smiled like a fool.

"Luke...it's crazy to like ghosts..." I simply said.

"Aw c'mon Molls! Isn't it freakishly cool?" He said wrapping an arm around my shoulder but then quickly jumped away.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah no...I forgot that you were afraid of guys already. Sorry..." Luke scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"It's okay Luke. I've known you for a while. I know you're a good guy, you won't hurt me." I told him, reassuringly.

"That's true. What are you scared of them for anyways?"

"OH! Ummm...I'm not going to lie to you Luke, I really don't want to talk about it. It's...sensitive..." Luke's face dropped at this but he nodded.

"Oh. It's okay. Something you can't tell until you're ready. No big." He smiled a little less energetic now. I felt my stomach churn from guilt now. I had told Chase just about everything and he was a guy, yet I'm leaving both of my closest guy friends in the dark. Maybe I was afraid they'd blow it out of proportion?

"Ummm...Luke. I won't make a promise as to when...but I will tell you the reason. Soon enough I'll tell you, alright? Just not now, it's not the right time." I said quickly to salvage his good mood. I got the results I wanted when Luke pumped a fist in the air with new gusto.

"It's okay Molly. You just tell me when you're ready. I'll be hear to listen!" I couldn't help but chuckle at my friend's display of joy.

"What's all the commotion about?" Luke turned and I peered over his shoulder to see Calvin walking towards us.

"Oh! Molly! I take it that Chase is doing well now?" I nodded in answer.

"I was going to go see him in a bit." I let Calvin know. The reason why I'm letting them know is so that they wouldn't make anymore wild theories again.

"Give him my regards then. I hope he heals up soon."

"Of course." I replied.

"Hey, Calvin! Did you hear about the ghost in the Church?"

"A ghost? Now that you mention it, I did over hear Jake and Colleen talking about some weird stuff happening to Perry over at the church."

"Creepy, huh?" Luke said but Calvin disregarded it.

"First there was something wrong with the elements of the land. Now there's something strange going on at the church. There's never a dull moment here." Calvin finished with a smile which made Luke sprang behind me.

"Molly...I think Calvin likes ghosts..." I rolled my eyes.

"You still coming tonight?" Calvin asked me.

"I'll be there. I'm pretty sure Angela will be there too, you'll have to find her and ask though. She went off somewhere with Wizard."

"You mean the fortune-teller? I hear he is actually spot-on accurate all the time!" Luke said and Calvin now intrigued.

"Come to think of it...I see him with some very interesting looking tomes whenever he comes out of his house. They appear to be ancient from where I can see. Maybe...I'll ask him next time I see him." Calvin and Luke continued to talk as I waved good-bye to them. They jump from one topic to the next so quickly it's unbelievable!

"One more stop to make before I head back to Chase's house." I told Fin.

"Perry?" He questioned.

"Yes."

We rode down to the Church Grounds on the mine cart and walked into Celesta Church. Perry was standing on the alter looking sleep deprived and fearful. He was nodding off, very un-priest like.

"Umm...Perry?" I nudged him and he jumped.

"AHHHHHH!...Oh Molly! It's you." He sighed with relief.

"I'm sure you've heard the gossip about this place from all over. I guess someone over heard me talking to Candace about it and now no one but her has come by as of late."

"I'm sorry to hear that...what's been going on here?"

Perry shook his head in dismay.

"I've been hearing sounds in the middle of the night, keeping me up at all hours. It's been coming from the other room."

He put a palm to his forehead.

"But I've been back there to check, there isn't anything there but a bell. It's pretty spooky."

I gasped and Fin jumped wildly around on my shoulder.

"A bell?"

Perry nodded.

"If I were you, I'd stay away from the church when it's close to 2 AM!" He said sternly.

"Why's that?"

"It's worse around 2 in the morning. You don't want to be near here around then!"

"I see." I give Perry some herbal tea I had packed for some easy gift giving that I sometimes do.

"I hope this helps to perk you up." I said. He smiles and takes it gleefully.

"I really love this. Thanks Molly." Perry says with a yawn.

"I'll be off now, try not to sleep while standing up." Perry nodded lazily and waved before I left.

"You respond quite well to him." Fin said, patting me on the shoulder.

"Perry is a priest. Priests are holy and therefore are safe be they women or men." I could tolerate Perry fine. He didn't get flustered by women easily and he never had wandering eyes. An all around good guy.

"So...this might not be the rogue sprite after all." Fin said.

"Right. But it could still be close by, if it is the last bell up there then it's not going to give up without a fight, right?"

"When do you plan on going?"

"Well, if 2 AM is when it's worse I'll have to plan to go there at around 2. Which also means I'm going to have to lose some sleep time..." I sighed. The things I do for this place.

"On to Chase's then!" Fin floated happily in front of me as I walked back to the mine cart station.

X

X

X

I had talked with some more of the residents and it seems the only topic of the day was the church. I was crossing the bridge to Flute Fields to get to Chase's house.

"Hey, Molly. You seem to get along well with Chase now." Fin suddenly piped up.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I suppose. We still fight. We fought this morning too." I said, remembering my argument with Chase.

"Oh? About what?"

"Well...the rogue sprite or something like it hurt him this morning. Last night Angela, Wizard, and I told Chase about everything..." I mumbled and Fin looked like he would have a heart attack.

"Oy! You told him? He was hurt?"

"Of course I did! After he saved me, Wizard said that he was being seen as an interference so the rogue sprite would be after him too! He had to know so he could at least keep an eye open for himself! But instead he went right into the forest to look for the thing and it ends up not only hurting him but threatening him as well! He's...so stubborn" I finally finish and Fin only shook his head in dismay.

"I can hear you, you know." I jumped and saw that I was standing in front of Chase's house with a very bored looking Chase, sitting on the porch.

"Oh...Chase...HI!" I said very chipper.

"Uh-huh...who we're you just talking to?" I glanced at Fin who was on my shoulder, apparently glaring at Chase.

"Long story short. It's a harvest sprite named Fin. You can't see him I guess but I can."

"No, I can't see him per say but I can see a little tiny speck of light on your shoulder." Chase announced.

"R-Really? That's where Fin is." I walked on to his porch.

"I wonder...can you hear him?" I asked Chase.

"Let's see. Ask him to say something to me."

"Fin?" Fin glared at Chase again.

"You're a big stupid head! Worrying Molly! You jerk! I hate you, leave Molly alone!" Fin dashed around wildly and I flinched and looked at Chase who was following (in his eyes) a ball of light flicker here and there.

"He seems crazed...what's he saying?"

"Ah...He's saying that his name is Fin and it's very nice to meet you. He also says he hopes you're feeling better." I chuckled nervously.

"I did not!" Fin then zoomed above Chase and gave him a bonk on the head.

"OW!...Somehow I highly doubt that's what he said." Chase seemed very mellowed right now or else he would've screamed at Fin.

"Fin!" I scolded him. I rushed to Chase and inspected his head.

"Oooooh! You're so lucky you didn't open that wound Fin!" I told the orange sprite that now sat on the porch banister.

"Hmph!" He replied.

"What has gotten into yo-"

"Ahem..." Chase lightly coughed and I realized I had taken his forehead in my hands and we were pretty close. I immediately freaked out.

"WAAAAAAH! S-s-soo sorry!" I managed to stammer out as I retreated to the other side of the porch. A sudden wind swept by us and I shivered.

"Why don't you come inside for a bit?" Chase suggested and held his door open for me.

"And you're little friend too...that is...unless he likes sitting out in the cold.

Fin rushed into Chase's house so fast that we felt the breeze. We stared at each other blank-faced for a second before Chase chuckled and I walked in. I felt my face grow hot again. I had to stop getting so flustered all the time!


A little bit of fluff in the beginning I suppose. Has he really come to terms with it? I wonder don't you? And what's Angela got in store for Wizard? And will Fin EVER like Chase? Continue to read and you might just find out! ;P

R.&.R 3