CHAPTER 50: Sixteen Scandals

"Hiya, potentially interested reader," Harriet says while practically making me crawl out of my skin with such chirpiness. Gah! "I got some hot new scoop for you. Luna Baker, you know, the cheer captain, guess what?"

"What?" I sigh.

"She has been caught in a huge sex scandal! Apparently, she has been sleeping with people for money and good grades!"

"Really? That seems so outlandish."

"What do you mean?"

"It just seems like tabloid material to me. I honestly hope you fact-checked that thing."

"I did, I swear! Also, Lyle Lancer, the leader of the male cheerleading squad, ya know, has been taking part in an illegal D and D gambling ring!"

"A what?! Hahahahaha! This is glorious! Please, continue."

"Are you just going to make fun of me? I strive to be a legitimate journalist! Don't you dare try to ruin my reputation, Masters!"

"Let me guess, a ghost attacked?" Too close! I can't believe I let that slip!

"Actually, yes. Apparently, a football player at our school saw two ghosts fighting."

"Two?!"

"Yeah! Why is that so suspicious to you? I mean, geez, if you're gonna let someone talk, you might as well respect them!"

"Well, respect has terms and conditions."

"Respect is common decency."

"Whatever. What's next on the laundry list?"

"Well, there's one about you, but I doubt you care."

"Really? That makes me all the more curious."

"Do you really think you can sweet talk a journalist?"

"Maybe?"

"Well, if you must know, apparently people are blaming you for the death of Techwin Giles as well as many safety violations."

"Give me that!" I snatch a copy of the newspaper from her hands and scan it for incriminating evidence. "I am solely responsible. Wow, just wow… Who wrote that?"

"I did, but-"

"Oh, puh-lease! You know damn well I was the victim of an experiment gone wrong. Why are you blaming me?"

"Because the past means nothing! You have ghost weapons, ghost portals and ghost equipment that have all had the use of radioactivity fuel them! You are the one who came up with the basis of your research project for the portal as well as the new ghost weaponry which is somehow allowed! Your name is on all of the designs your group comes up with regardless of whether or not the Fenton label is! You are responsible!"

"The accident was out of my control. We had safety equipment and no clue Techwin was recording us. The radiation from the portal has been decreasing dramatically! I don't think I should have the blame."

"Did you say that Techwin recorded something?"

"Uh…"

"This is important! I need to hear it!"

"No, you don't. Besides, the tape has been damaged beyond repair. It's not like it could be of any use to you…"

"I got to get that tape!"

"Do you really want to go into a place known for its radiation problems?"

"So you admit it! There is a radiation problem at the parapsychology building."

"I never said there wasn't."

"This is perfect! How would you like to be my op-ed opinion piece?"

"No."