Misty sat on a chair in the kitchen with a cup of tea. Her hands shook terribly and the tea spilled whenever she'd lift the cup. Ash floated next to the chair across from her, giving at least some kind of illusion that he was sitting in it.

"I still can't believe that your dad..and your mom.." she drifted off.

Ash nodded.

"When I got home that night, I heard yelling coming from inside. I crept into the house and there I saw my dad and my mom. He looked..drunk, just as I remember him. I..I thought that I better call the police.I never thought he would.you know..."

She nodded, wishing she could comfort him.

"Well where do we go from here?"

* * *

The night was dark, and there was no moon out. The starlight alone was left to light their way. Misty drove down the road, and Ash silently floated over the passenger seat.

Everything was so familiar it hurt. They had been there countless times, but never did it feel so eerie.

Pallet Town was unnaturally quiet and dark, As if everyone was too afraid to move or even turn on the lights, fearful it might attract someone unwanted. Every shadow looked suspicious and frightening.

Misty parked a block away from the former Ketchum residence, and made sure she locked the car twice before leaving.

She briskly walked down the street and Ash kept to the shadows upon her request.

"The last thing we need is for someone to see us and spread a rumor that the ghost of Ash Ketchum haunts the streets of Pallet" she said as something that looked like a wry smile crossed her face for a moment.

As they neared the house, Misty shivered and pulled her jacket more tightly about her. The empty house seemed to have a spooky aura around it. Every shadow became darker and more suspicious and even the starlight dimmed, as if it was afraid to shine too brightly.

She had a bad feeling building up inside her. Something was pulling at her, telling her to go back. To turn around and run, as she did that night the last time she was here. To drive back to Cerulean, get rid of the ghost of Ash and forget this ever happened.

But she knew it was impossible to ever forget and pushed on, ignoring her sixth sense that screamed the sad, empty house was trouble.





A/N: ::hides:: Don't hurt me!! I know it's short! I'm so very sorry for the extreme shortness of this chapter and I promise I'll write and post the next chapter in the next few days and it will be much longer!! Happy Holidays! ^_^

Luv,

Misty