In reply to most of the reviews that suggested Glitch's pranks backfiring on him again, that actually had be considering a very special plot twist. I'll see what I can do ;)
This chapter is still told in third person, but it follows Rasa and notes his thoughts, feelings and what he knows of.
Rasa, unsure of what to do at the moment, hesitantly followed the others to the room. Lima, who was about a foot in front of him, purposely slowed down so that he could catch up. Like the usual, she had this questioning look on her face. Rasa dismissed her by staying mute.
He took a look at the ghost that was behind him. Even now, the sight sent chills down his spine. Seeing the protégé made him feel like there was still things that humans just couldn't solve yet. Why Glitch? Why a ghost? Rasa shook his head as Glitch took off and hung a metre above Angel. The Latino was still unaware of Glitch's presence. Now Rasa hoped that the others found things alright. Impossible.
When they had finally reached the room at last, Aubrey was screaming again. Let's see what the kid got in store for us, Rasa sighed mentally. Hopefully we won't find chicken guts under the pillows. But what really was there was definitely not what he expected.
The first thing that unnerved him was the odd scent that hit his senses. When he looked inside, he saw the horror in front of the door.
A fish.
A freaking fish.
Sure, Rasa was a self-controlled guy with nerves, but it was a fish they were facing. And the freaking fish smelled like hell. And Rasa in particular hated fish.
So what in the name of hell is he supposed to do when his nightmare was right in front of him?!
Well, Glitch knew. He flung the cursed thing into Rasa's face. The fish hit Rasa squarely in the face, and Rasa almost fell over before he found the nerve to gripped the disgusting thing with a hand. Calm down. Rasa thought the thing would come up and sink its teeth into his hand.
It's just a fish.
He watched as the living creature struggled to free itself.
It won't hurt you.
It stopped moving.
It won't bite you.
Rasa thought it was dead.
Breathe.
It moved again. Rasa's mind went into overdrive.
It's just a fish.
It's just a fish.
It's just a FISH!
The slime had gone all over his face. Grimacing, Rasa tried not to show his fear of the creature while he picked it up and hurled it right into Glitch's face. "What the–?!" the prodigy snuffled when the finned item slammed into his chest.
Of course, only Rasa saw that happen. Lil'T, who had been standing in the front row, slowly backed away when she saw the fish crash into thin air. It was just a fish... it was just a fish... Rasa tried his best to calm down. He still hated fish. He had ichthyphobia. He was absolutely scared of them.
Icy fingers ran down his spine, making him shiver while everyone else did too, but because they saw the fish crash into some invisible barrier.
"...C-come on," Angel finally stammered, breaking the intense silence. He reached for the doorknob, even though the door was already open. He stepped through the dim room.
Rasa saw Glitch swivel around and, suddenly, the lights were on. Then off. On. Off. And then on, but dimly. Lil'T let out a surprised, terrified squeak. Dare leaped back a mile. Bodie leaned forward, still cautious. Rasa could only stare at the entire floor.
Correction, Rasa could only stare at the entire floor – which was covered in sardines.
Living and struggling for life, the fishes were moving. And Rasa could barely breathe. His breath stuck in his throat, he backed away in pure terror until he finally calmed down. They... they're just fish. He carefully moved forward, terrified. And then, with an evil grin on his face, Glitch picked one up, and slammed it into Bodie's face. Rasa almost screamed. When the prodigy threw more and more of them, the DCI leader quickly took cover. Like the others, he took a couple steps back, until Glitch had finally grown tired of his fish-throwing.
Rasa still had the smell of sardines all over him and his friends, and that unpleasant taste in his mouth. He and the others ran away, stumbling blindly like ants. Bodie tripped over something, just to push himself up and run twice as fast as if his hair was on fire.
The dancers pretty much forgot the fact that they were on a boat. What's the little sneak going to do next, set the entire place on fire or use a bazooka and blow up the ship or get an iceberg and re-enact the Titanic?! Rasa thought as he barely dodged a screaming Dare.
About ten minutes later, the group were all in a different room, a clean one, and a hopefully ghost-proof one at that. Rasa didn't see Glitch anywhere, and that was a relief. Unless the pipsqueak was planning on something else, that was.
Aubrey ordered for the yacht to return to the docks immediately or she would fire the captain. They would be back in a long while, however, considering the time consumed to get to where they were.
It was such a relief for Rasa. He probably needed time to cure his phobia. Hopefully sushi and tuna sandwiches weren't on the menu the next time he went anywhere. He didn't mind food with fish in it, really, but all the past goings-on were enough to make him gag at the sight of another fish.
He reflected the fact that he had been lucky. In the panic attacks, no one had realized that he in particular had a fear of fish. But perhaps Glitch would use it against him next time? Rasa prayed that it wouldn't. He sighed. If he hadn't promised Glitch that he would be discreet, he would have revealed everything in a heartbeat. Mo in particular wouldn't be pleased.
In the room they waited, most of them too shocked to even speak. Poor Lil'T was breathing fast, her face white as a sheet. Only Lima wasn't as horrified as the others. Rasa wanted to yell, 'Glitch did it!' but then things would go much worse. He wondered how he was supposed to survive all this.
Rasa, what are you here for again?
He facepalmed.
Next chapter, back to Glitch's point of view.
Review? Rasa's ichthyphobia was randomized, by the way XD