In this chapter possession is nine tenths of the law~ -thinks she's funny-

Mild fanservice in this chapter

The search party was tense as it made its way through the downstairs room by room, the mood only made worse when Gilbert tried to lighten things up with some inappropriately sarcastic or humorous comments. Much of the house was stripped of anything but old furniture and things left by any who had dared break into it perhaps on a dare or hoping for shelter. Though there were plenty of books, vases, broken picture frames, and overturned drawers there didn't seem to be much hope of a crowbar. It didn't exactly help that they hadn't come across an alternative exit.

Matthew was starting to get anxious. He wanted to be back with Alfred. "Old houses like this... didn't they usually have some sort of skeleton key?"

"Yes, well unfortunately keys don't do much good against supernatural forces," Arthur said.

"Well then who's to say a crowbar or something will do us anymore good? Please, just let me go back up and stay with Al! He needs me. He's so frightened, don't you understand?" Matthew didn't just know this based on Alfred's behavior, he felt it. Stronger than almost any other emotion he had ever sensed from his twin; a paralyzing state of terror.

Kiku gently touched Matthew's shoulder. "We are all concerned for Alfred. It is not wise for you to go back. If possible it would be best for you to get out of here as quickly as possible."

Matthew shrugged his hand off impatiently. "As if I would leave without him!"

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Can you stop it with the return to witch mountain shit? Ludwig is taking care of him, he couldn't be in safer hands."

"Oh, would you just shut up you-!" Matthew started towards Gilbert and Kiku grabbed his arm. "Stop talking about things you don't understand!"

Gilbert cupped his ear. "Speak up, I can't hear that tiny voice of yours."

Arthur cut in sharply before another fight could start. "Please, this is hardly the time for us to be fighting one another! If you must do so, wait until we've gotten out of this!"

Matthew glared at Gilbert then turned away. Kiku gently released his arm and started to support his own again. It ached terribly but it was probably not that badly injured. "Where shall we look next?"

Arthur rubbed his forehead as he thought. "We should be close to the kitchen. That might be a useful place to look."

He lead the way, everyone falling into silence. They reached the kitchen quickly. It had no door, opening immediately into a wide space that was dusty and dingy with disuse and neglect. Arthur swept the flashlight over it and paused. There was a side door. He was almost afraid to move, as if it would alert Josephine.

"Awesome, a door!" Arthur glared pointedly at Gilbert, who seemed oblivious to it as he walked forward.

Arthur's annoyance grew. "Have you never heard of subtlety? Do you have to broadcast for everyone and everything to hear?"

"Look, a door is a door! Bitch would've blocked it already if she was going to, now wouldn't she? So let's try it and see, mm?" Without even the slightest hint of fear Gilbert strode across the kitchen, grasping the door handle. Expecting at least some resistance, he turned the doorknob a little too hard. It moved easily in his hand and the door came open. "Jackpot! My car isn't very far. I always keep random stuff in there that might randomly come in handy. Always good to be prepared right? I'm sure I should have something that can open the door upstairs."

Kiku and Arthur both felt a wave of relief. "If we can get out of the house then Matthew and I can give up our protective charms for whoever goes back as well as to give to Ludwig."

Matthew shook his head stubbornly. "Go ahead and get something but I won't leave until Alfred is with me."

Arthur sighed. "Don't you understand how dangerous it could be for you? It's irresponsible to allow you to stay in here if you don't have to be. Now let's-"

"I said I won't!"

Kiku tried to reason with him as Gilbert tapped his foot impatiently. "Your brother will be fine. You can stand outside the house and wait so long as you are not in it."

Matthew continued to shake his head and Gilbert tsked. "Then we'll just have to force you out!" He crossed the room, grabbing Matthew's wrist and starting to drag him forward. "Stop resisting and let's just leave already!"

The kitchen door suddenly slammed shut and a heavy cupboard started rocking dangerously, eventually being dragged to block their exit. "Shit!"

Arthur scowled. "Now look what you've done!"

Kiku tilted his head. "Josephine was going to let him leave. She only cared once he started taking Matthew away."

There was a slight rattling sound and everyone glanced warily towards the counter. Old cupboard doors squealed and drawers pulled themselves open. They all took a step back. For a moment there was quiet again. Arthur spoke softly, not moving. "I think we should leave this room now."

Gilbert scoffed. "Why? We should drag that thing out of the way and get out! I doubt there's that much left in this place anyway that can be used against us."

An old discolored butcher knife raised from one of the drawers and the other three glared at Gilbert. "Well don't look at me, someone should have cleaned this place out proper-"

"Get down!" Arthur shouted suddenly, knocking Gilbert over as the other two dropped. A moment later the knife had lodged itself deep into the wall.

Slowly old dishes and silverware, cracked and aged, shivered from their rightful places and hung in the air before hurtling towards them. The four scattered, trying to find shelter. It wasn't as difficult to dodge as earlier when there had been all the heavier furniture to contend with but it was just as dangerous. Maybe more so with all the glass and sharp objects.

For a few minutes the assault was ruthless. Gilbert had crawled into a cupboard, wincing every time something slammed against it. Arthur was tucked into a corner, trying to cover his eyes and hoping nothing came smashing down on his head. Kiku and Matthew had taken refuge under a table. The dust was so thick against the floor it made Matthew wheeze. The flashlight sat in the middle of the floor, illuminating the room well enough to see what was happening without it being perfectly clear. Half the time they seemed to be attacked by shadows.

Everything became still again after a while. Matthew almost screamed when the hiss of his cellphone shattered the silence. "Jonathon, don't leave me! You can't... not that you've come home. Don't leave!"

A heavy skillet suddenly lifted from the air and came flying under the table. Kiku and Matthew both gasped, hitting the former in the chest and knocking him back against the ground. Matthew cried out and tried grabbing the pan. "J-Josephine stop! Stop this! I- I won't leave!"

There was an uncertain crackle and the skillet rested in Matthew's hands without resistance. "No, of course you will not beloved... I knew you wouldn't. And now... now we can be together."

With that the hiss fell once more into silence. Matthew swallowed back a sob as Arthur and Gilbert slowly crawled from their hiding places.

Kiku sat up, wincing. "You should not have promised such a thing..."

"There was nothing else I could do. I can't let people get hurt on my account." He set down the skillet, hands trembling violently.

Arthur sighed and looked around the wrecked kitchen. "We should move on. There are other places to look."

Gilbert spat on the floor. "I hate this place! You don't think she's harassing Ludwig, too?"

"Probably not. Alfred is pretty well secured in that room. And can I just say, no matter what, don't let the same thing happen to Matthew." Arthur stared at the blond as he crawled out from under the table. "Then she'll have them both right where she wants them."

"Is it wise to speak like that when she might be listening?" Kiku asked, wincing again as he stood.

Matthew touched the pocket where his cellphone was, feeling a growing sense of dread that he didn't understand. "I don't know why...but I have the feeling Josephine isn't listening to us anymore."

There was an heavy tension and Gilbert finally grunted. "Well, let's get a move on then. Useful items don't find themselves."

Arthur grabbed the flashlight and the four of them left the kitchen feeling a deep unease they couldn't place.

~.

Ludwig was starting to feel painfully tense, his back stiff as he crossed his arms. There had been some strange sounds from downstairs but there was no way he could abandon Alfred. As it was he couldn't let more than a minute of silence fall between them before Alfred asked for a reassurance of his presence.

Alfred sat on the floor on the other side of the door, cheek pressed to the worn wood. His fingers traced over the charm around his neck, clutching it from time to time. His stomach felt queasy and he was shaky from all of the rushes of adrenaline and fear. "Ludwig, do you think they'll be back soon?"

"I'm sure they will be. It hasn't been that long." Not that Ludwig actually knew. There was no way to track the time as he had neither a watch nor a cellphone on him. Really, shouldn't they have been back already? It would be soon. It had to be.

There was a creaking sound and the grandfather clock that had been tilted at an askew angle against the wall abruptly toppled over, falling at Ludwig's feet with a startling clang that reverberated through him. His heart pounded painfully from the surprise and he swallowed thickly, trying to calm it.

"Ludwig? Ludwig!" Alfred smacked the door repeatedly with his palm. "Are you alright? What happened?"

Ludwig opened his mouth and nothing came out but the smallest squeak. Dust floated into the air from the impact and threatened to choke him further. He cleared his throat impatiently. "I-I'm fine. The clock fell over is all. It didn't hit me."

"God, this place is going to kill me with fright!" Alfred slammed his palm against the door again.

Ludwig decided not to mention that he was the one who was lucky not to have had a grandfather clock collapse onto him. He sought out more words of comfort to offer the other boy when he picked up a faint sound. Was that...sobbing? Straining his ears, he tried to determine where it was from. It wasn't from Alfred's cellphone. In fact, it wasn't an unearthly sobbing in the least but heartbreakingly human and it was coming from a nearby room.

Uncertainty went through Ludwig. It wasn't like it was particularly far from where Alfred was but he wasn't supposed to leave him. At the same time, there could easily be another person that had broken in for the fun of it only to find themselves trapped. He couldn't stand the thought of ignoring someone who might be injured or if nothing else horribly frightened.

Debating it back and forth, Ludwig made up his mind. "Alfred, there's something I want to check. It's just a door or two down from here. If something happens, yell and I'll be back in a second. I promise it will only take me a moment, do you understand?"

"N-no! Oh please, please don't leave me alone Ludwig!" There was the faint sound of Alfred clawing at the door and then the startling sound of the doorknob rattling. "Don't leave me!"

"It won't take me long, I just have to make sure of something." It seemed the sobbing became louder and Ludwig's sense of urgency increased.

"B-but the ghost-!" Alfred pleaded.

"There is no such things as ghosts!" Ludwig snapped, voice dangerously edging on a hysterical note. Whatever this was, there was some sort of rational explanation and that was all there was to it! "I will be right back, now be quiet and wait!"

Alfred let out a whimper that almost made Ludwig change his mind. In that moment there was a low moan from the other room and his resolve firmed again. "I'll be right back."

"Don't- Please... oh, please?" Alfred sounded close to tears.

Rather than responding, Ludwig stepped over the clock and started walking down the hall. Alfred pressed his forehead against the door until it hurt, shaking his head slowly. The fallen clock suddenly made a clang, a dying creature letting out one last cry of the time. It made Alfred cry out and backpedal away from the door, hiding in a far corner and hugging himself as he awaited Ludwig's return.

Ludwig glanced back at the clock as it let out the noise then paid it no mind. He checked the closest room first and found nothing. The sound of crying became more audible and he quickly walked to the next room down. The hair on the back of his neck prickled as he stood at the door, already partially ajar. The crying was certainly from this room. He pushed at the wood and it slowly creaked open, the hinges screaming their protest. As the door finally came to a stop Ludwig took a step in.

There, against the far wall, was a woman with long blond hair falling in her face like a veil. There was a moment of relief. This was no specter but a person of flesh and blood. Emboldened, Ludwig came closer. "Miss? Are you alright?"

The woman made no move to respond and the sobbing persisted, such a sound of deep lament. It reminded him of Josephine's distorted cry and he quickly brushed the thought away. Ludwig crouched down in front of her, afraid she might be hurt. "Miss?"

As he tentatively reached out to touch her a small, pale hand closed around his wrist. It was so cold it sent a shiver through his entire body. Like marble... or a tombstone. He tried to pull his hand away instinctively but she refused to let go. "I- Er, Miss-"

"I have waited such a long time... I love him so very much, you understand? My sweet, sweet Jonathon..." The woman raised her face and Ludwig's blood seemed to freeze. What had once probably been a very sweet, lovely face was marred by obvious signs of asphyxiation; Burst blood vessels adorned overly-bright green eyes, red and purple splotches started near her eyes and traveled randomly down to her throat, where there was the unmistakable discoloration of a dark bruise that could only have been left by a rope digging into the flesh.

Ludwig desperately tried to pull his wrist from her grip, his body suddenly refusing to cooperate. He shook his head as she straightened up, her other hand coming to rest on his shoulder where her frayed nails immediately bit in like small pins. "All I want is for him to stay with me... And he will this time. I just know he will. He promised me forever, you see? Because Jonathon loves me. He loves me... You will help me, won't you Ludwig?"

The use of his name startled him worse than anything and a strangled cry escaped his throat. Josephine leaned in closer, the chill of her skin almost burning him now. "You're the only one who can help me, Ludwig... Won't you please?"

Now her face was close to his and he could see in horrific detail each burst blood vessel, but even more terrifying the look within her eyes. It was one of desperation deep enough to kill for. Ludwig tried to cry out again as Josephine tilted her head, abruptly closing in as if to embrace him.

The next thing Ludwig knew he was on his back, lungs gasping for breath until they burned. Pain flared up from the center of his head, his limbs becoming heavy. He fought it hard, back arching up sharply and legs thrashing until that feeling of lead weighed them down completely. Slowly all the strength left him and he found himself on the ground, eyelids feeling drugged to the point he could no longer lift them. And then he became very still.

A minute passed, two, as a further struggle took place somewhere deeper inside, and then blue eyes opened slowly. There was a distant look to them, something almost unearthly. With only a little resistance, Josephine made the body stand. It was strange to once more experience the weight of flesh along with the steady rhythm of a heartbeat and the rush of blood. There was no real warmth so much as a shadow of it and physical sensation. How long since she had felt anything at all but her own heartbreak. Slowly, very slowly limbs moved, were tested and flexed. The body sat up and one hand was raised, clenching into a fist then extending back out again.

It was time to retrieve her beloved Jonathon.

~.

Miserable and scared out of his wits, Alfred rested his cheek against one knee as he strained his ears awaiting Ludwig's return. It wouldn't take long, he had promised... He had promised hadn't he? His entire body tensed as he heard something—a small clang suggested that it was the clock—sliding across the floor. Oversensitive ears pricked at the slight rattle of the doorknob and then the click as it turned.

"L-Ludwig, is that you?" Alfred jumped as the door opened, getting up on his knees and squinting into the dark. He made out Ludwig's broad form and felt a wave of relief. "Thank God! How did you get the door open?"

There was no proper answer from Ludwig, only hurried words. "Give me your necklace. Quickly."

Alfred's eyes widened and he looked at him uncertainly. "B-but if I do, then... I mean I'm not supposed to or-"

"Quickly! It will only be a moment. Please. It's very important." The voice gained an edge of desperation that was unheard of for Ludwig.

The insistence was so strong that it gave Alfred pause. Ludwig must really need it if he was asking. After all, Ludwig didn't believe in ghosts. Something really bad must be happening. A part of him wanted to ask what but the overwhelming majority of his being didn't even want to know. He whimpered softly and pulled the necklace off with great reluctance. "O-okay but give it back as soon as you can."

Alfred threw the protection amulet and it it clacked as it hit the floor, skittering closer to Ludwig. He began to move forward and Alfred expected him to scoop it up. Instead he walked right past it, towards Alfred. "L-Ludwig? What-"

Ludwig's hand came to rest lightly on Alfred's cheek. "Oh, Jonathon... There's nothing standing between us now."

A chill went through Alfred and his mouth was suddenly dry. When he spoke his voice was soft. "Wh-what? Th-that's not funny."

Ludwig smiled sweetly at him. "Oh Jonathon, it's been such a long time... I missed you. I just missed you so..." The expression on Ludwig's face suddenly crumpled into one of deep pain. "Why did you leave me, darling? Was it because I kept losing the babies? That wasn't my fault! You know I wanted children so very much. Just as much as you!"

Alfred pushed up against the wall to escape his touch, body trembling. He cried out as Ludwig abruptly took his hands. "P-please stop, Ludwig, it's not f-funny!"

Ludwig suddenly looked perplexed, blinking away the pain. He clutched Alfred's hands more tightly. "Don't you know me, beloved? Jonathon... it's me. It's me, your Josephine! You must forgive me, I know I don't look like myself but this was the only way... Oh don't you see, now I can make sure the two of us can be together, my love."

Alfred shook his head, eyes growing huge. "No... no please!"

"Shh, darling, it will be alright. Soon we'll always be together as we once were..."

Ludwig reached up and touched his cheek, stroking it tenderly this time. Alfred recoiled but he was as flat against the wall as he could get. His sense of claustrophobia in no way improved as Ludwig began to lean in, ripping through the thin layers of space left between them.

Alfred's trembling increased as Ludwig got closer, breathing so quickly he felt lightheaded. He was starting to hyperventilate. What was going on? And then it hit him; Ludwig had been possessed. Alfred opened his mouth to scream, not even the slightest sound coming out. And in that moment Ludwig pressed their lips together, kissing him as a long parted lover would.

Alfred's spine stiffened, almost each of his vertebrae popping. Ludwig—no, Josephine—clamped onto him more firmly as he tried to pull back, pinning him to the wall. Didn't it just figure that Alfred's first kiss would be from a guy possessed by a ghost who thought he was her dead husband. If he wasn't being kissed he would have started laughing in hysteria over that. He couldn't catch his breath. Panic was pressing in like a dark, suffocating cloud.

Something within Alfred couldn't take it anymore. This whole thing had reached a point that was too much for him to cope with anymore. Alfred's vision seemed to go like an old television set switching off and his body slumped as he fainted. Even while his body was now in peril his mind had shut itself off into ignorant bliss.

Josephine supported the sudden shift in weight as Alfred faded. Yes, this body was perfect. It held Jonathon easily. "Were you overwhelmed with bliss at our reunion, beloved?"

She tenderly kissed his forehead then scooped him up in a twisted parody of the day he had carried her as a new bride over the threshold of this house. Tonight she would carry him over a threshold of sorts and their existence together would begin anew. A fresh beginning, a chance to wipe clean what had been written by history's hand.

As Josephine turned she glared at the necklace on the ground, the awful thing that had prevented her from reaching out to her Jonathon. With a great deal of concentration she willed a broken piece of glass to shred the talisman. As it was cut she felt the power go from it with a sense of satisfaction. That done she walked towards the door, her long awaited prize firmly in borrowed arms.

Already there was a slight strain in keeping this body under her control but Josephine didn't mind. She only needed it for a little while. Soon neither she nor Alfred would have use for flesh and bone.

Josephine began to sing, the song taking on an unfamiliar feeling in Ludwig's low voice, as they began to ascend into the attic, "Well the tide it shall cease to beat the shore And stars shall fall from the sky, Yet I will love thee more and more, Until the day I die, my dear, Until the day I die."