Patty walked down the aisle between two large bookcases, her proton gun raised. She was murmuring quietly to herself. She knew the other two were nearby but she still hated whenever they decided to split up.
The library was poorly lit, which immediately had put her on edge. In Patty's mind libraries should always be filled with light and warmth.
A giggle made her jump, she spun around but there was nothing there.
"Don't play with me ghost." she muttered.
It was their first mission just the three of them. They had spent just over a week in a perpetual gloom barely speaking but trying to pretend everything was fine. When the phone call had come in they had all looked at Holtzmann's lab automatically expecting some new invention.
None of them acknowledged they had of course, and headed off no sirens blaring.
Erin too heard a giggle as she looked around the narrow aisle. It seemed to be getting narrower the further she headed down. She nearly got jammed as she turned around.
"Allll... By myself." a voice echoed through the room, giving Erin chills.
"Guys?" she called. She started to make her way back towards the main area quickly.
"I thought you were the ghost girl, don't you want to stay and play." the voice continued, freezing Erin in her steps.
Suddenly the bookcase in front of her came crashing down, blocking her path.
Erin pulled out her gun, spinning it round looking for the apparition.
"Oh sorry, I suppose that was actually the other one." it laughed.
"Shut up!" Erin shouted, "Come out here and fight like a real ghost."
It laughed again.
Books started flying at Erin's head.
"Abby! Patty!" she shouted.
Patty had heard the bookcase fall and had been running towards the sound when she too was attacked by flying books.
Patty was always reluctant to destroy belongings but especially books and antiques.
"Stop it!" she shouted, batting them away as opposed to firing at them.
"The dead one said you liked books." it chuckled.
"What?" Patty gasped.
Patty froze for an awful moment she thought one of her friends was lying dead in the library, but then she realized it must be talking about Holtzmann.
The voice again chuckled.
Patty started running, she had to find the others.
Erin felt a book strike the back of her head hard, and she fell onto her knees.
"Don't worry she's in lots of pain." the ghost whispered in her ear.
Erin closed her eyes, turning her head away.
"That's what happens to traitors." it hissed.
Erin tried to fumble with the pulling her gun from her back, but her fingers were fuzzy as was the room.
She heard a roar and covered her head, only to hear the sound of Patty's wood chipper.
"Take that ghost." she shouted.
Patty then saw Erin, and immediately rushed to her, fussing over her.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just a little muddled, I'll be fine."
Patty sat down beside her with a sigh.
"Was it taunting you to?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah." Erin sighed, rubbing her head, and her nausea faded and the world focused around her.
Patty put her arm around her and gave her a quick squeeze.
"Come on, let's go find Abby."
"Kind of hurt I'm just an after thought guys." Abby joked as she approached them carrying a a ghost trap.
"I was going to ask where the hell were you, but I guess we had more than one ghost." she continued looking around the mess of books.
Patty helped Erin up, and smiled at Abby.
"Naw, just slacking off and doing some research." she smiled.
The three of them headed towards the door. Patty and Abby chatting away. Erin following behind.
She gave one last look out over the library before closing the door.
She knew it was probably just ghost taunting , but it had claimed to have seen Holtzmann. She hated that it filled her with joy, she knew Holtzmann had always loved libraries, so it would make sense she might run in with that ghost.
Don't do she said to herself as she closed the door. Holtzmann is gone, Jillian is safe and sound. That's all that matters.
Erin caught up with the others, who were standing watching Agent Hawkin and Agent Rourke get out a large black land-rover.
"Hello Agents." Abby sighed, as they approached.
"Ladies." Agent Hawkin sighed.
"The Mayor wishes to meet with you." Agent Rourke continued.
"Can we get changed and drop off this ghost first?" Abby replied raising the trap.
Hawkin folded his arms.
"Considering how much the Mayor pays you, you think you would be less difficult."
"Come on, the trap is could for at least 3 hours." Erin sighed, touching Abby's back gently.
"One of our agents will drop your car back." Rourke said, putting out his hand for the keys.
Patty dropped them in his hand.
"A single scratch and they'll be hell to pay." she said, as she followed the others into a black car.
Patty sat down with a hmph. She hated being driven by the mayors goonies.
As she suspected the car crawled through the streets of New York. The three of them whispered amongst each other, mainly bemoaning the fact they were being summoned. Meetings with the Mayor were always tedious at best.
The three of them settled down into their usual chairs, as the Mayor stood welcoming them.
"I'm glad you have come." he smiled.
"We were summoned." Patty added.
"Ah yes." He forced a smile.
"We have some matters to discuss." Jennifer Lynch prompted gently.
"Of course, we have much to discuss in light of recent events."
Erin and Patty looked at each other, Erin raising her eyebrows.
"Excuse me?" Erin asked.
Both of them knew that no one except the ghostbusters knew about the Holtzmann situation. They were trying to keep it quiet at least for the now, to give everyone time to prepare.
"From Abigail's phone call I knew this was a serious matter."
Erin and Patty turned to look at her aghast, her face was flushing red in embarrassment.
"Having discussed it with my agents we need to do a full investigation into the pratices, equipment..."
"What?" Patty int erupted. "After all we've done for this city."
"Exactly after all you've done." Lynch butted in, seeing the Mayor getting worked up.
"You were breached for years by a ghost. Who knows what damage it could have implanted into your weapons, your facilities." the Mayor continued.
"She wouldn't have hurt us." Erin argued back.
"You don't know that. I pay for you, if it turns out I'm putting the city in danger, I will have hell to pay." He started shouting.
"Calm, calm." Jennifer said quietly.
"We also have to do a full work up on Jillian Holtzmann." The Mayor added.
"A work-up?" Abby queried.
"She needs to be medically checked over, every mark noted, make sure there is no permanent damage." Jennifer explained.
"Why?" Patty argued.
"Because if there is anything wrong with her, I am accountable," the mayor argued back.
"You said you would leave her alone for a while." Abby asked quietly.
Erin and Patty glowered at her.
"She is already being picked up by agents." The mayor sighed, sitting down.
"Let us go to her." Erin begged. "She won't know what is happening."
"Fine." The mayor waved his hand, signalling them to go.
The three of them left silently. However the moment the door closed Erin and Patty turned on Abby.
"Why would you call him?" Patty said.
"I had to!" Abby defended herself, her eyes averted.
"If you thought you were doing the right thing, why didn't you tell us?" Erin sighed.
Abby couldn't answer.
"Come on, we need to be there for Jillian." Patty interrupted the two of them.
Jillian was sitting in a hospital waiting room. Flanking her were two large solemn looking men in all black.
"Why am I here?" She asked again.
"We are not authorised to give you that information Miss."
Jillian nodded and continued to fidget in her seat.
"Let me past!" Patty's voice broke through the silence.
The three ghostbusters appeared in the quiet waiting room.
Jillian's face lit up at seeing them.
Patty pulled her into a hug without thinking, but Jillian hugged her back.
"What is going?"
"The mayor wants to make sure you weren't hurt during your time possessed." Erin explained.
Jillian looked with concern at the men.
"Will you stay with me?" she asked looking back at the three of them.
"Of course." Patty smiled.
"Jillian Holtzmann?" a doctor appeared from the door.
"That's me." she smiled, heading towards him, followed by the other three.
"I'm sorry I only require Dr Holtzmann." he sighed at the three.
"Can at least one of us come, just as support." Erin asked.
He rolled his eyes.
"Fine." he sighed, going back into the room.
The four of them looked amongst each other.
"You go Erin." Abby said, sitting down and picking up a magazine.
"Okay, I'll go." Erin smiled at Jillian, and the two of them headed in.
"Abby, I know this hard, but this is not you." Patty whispered over, not wanting to attracted the attention of the agents.
"I'm not in the mood to talk about it, Patty." she said, not looking up from her magazine.
After at least an hour of waiting, the mayor appeared in the waiting room.
The agents saluted him, Patty saw a look of contempt on both of their faces though.
He blanked the two women, and headed into the doctors room, before either of them could contest him.
"Hello Dr. Holtzmann," he smiled, as he entered, taking her hand gently in his.
"It is an honour to meet the real you at last."
Jillian smiled, blushing slightly.
"Hi."
"Mayor." Erin said coldly.
He gave her a quick smile before turning back to Jillian.
"How are you? Was everything found to be in order?" he smiled at her.
The Doctor coughed loudly.
"Dr Holtzmann has sustained only minor injuries in her time possessed. Cuts and bruises but no serious permanent damage." He sighed, handing the file over to the mayor.
"I'm glad to hear it," he smiled at her.
"Now that this has all been sorted, I hope to see a lot more of you."
Jillian blushed, "I'm not sure I am going to join the ghostbusters, Sir."
"Sir." he scoffed, "Call me Mayor."
Erin rolled her eyes and sighed, she couldn't believe Jillian was falling for his charm offensive.
"I want to assure you that there are many highly regarded scientific institutions that would be honoured to have you as a colleague. I will help you get a job where ever you desire."
"Thank you." Jillian smiled.
"Keep in touch." he smiled, kissing her hand, he handed her his card.
Before turning and leaving.
"What a nice man." Jillian smiled, looking at Erin, who couldn't help but laugh.
The mayor arrived back in the waiting room, he paused for a moment before turning to Patty and Abby.
"I want the ghost caught." he harshly said.
"Mayor Bradley.." Abby began.
"I don't want to hear it. I pay you and I want to be able to assure the citizens of this city, they are safe." The mayor said turning on his heel, and leaving before they could argue further.
"Yeah, you're right telling him was totally the right call." Patty huffed.