Chapter 2

A/N: I really DID take forever to do this chapter, didn't I? _ Lo sciento, gomen nasi, so sorry and a profusion of other apologies for the delay. Thank you, all, for the kind and encouraging reviews! (Though I still fall over every time I read yours, DrM. -_-;;; *prays that she will figure it out on her own* ) I WILL finish this!!! I promise! … What? Why are all of you giving me that look for? .-.



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I topped off the glass with the evening's nightcap, readying myself for bed. Turning around, I ruefully observed Holmes staring trance-like into the fire, the Agony Columns abandoned on the floor. The search for prospective mind puzzles was futile.

I silently walked up to Holmes, and touched him gently on the shoulder, bringing him out of his hypnotic musing. He glanced at the drink I offered, and accepted it with a nod of thanks. I returned to my chair on the other side of the fireplace.

However, when I had nearly completely sunk down to the cushions, the bell started to ring with wild violence. The good Mrs. Hudson, who must have been just heading to bed herself, answered the door. We soon heard a rapid assent on the stairs, matching the panicked ringing on our doorbell moments earlier. Holmes had stood and opened the door, just as our guest rushed up the last steps.

"Good evening, sir, do come in," he drawled, "Sit down, you look quite worse for the wear."

Our guest, with a nod of thanks, did so, collapsing on the settee, panting hard. My friend sat down more calmly, keenly addressing him with his sharp gray eyes. I gazed at our visitor, before turning back to the cabinet to finish pouring him a drink. He had thinning, brown hair, wild and unkempt, a flaxen face, and weak, watery, green eyes. When I sat down again, I was surprised to see that under his overcoat, he was still clad in his pajamas and boots with the laces undone. I pondered what could have caused him to go out in the night in such attire, and waited, rapt for the story that would answer the question I mulled over.

Finally, after taking one last hurried sip from his drink, he spoke. "I'm sorry to intrude upon you gentlemen so late, but the state of affairs are so distressing-"

"We understand, and don't mind, sir. Please tell us your tale," responded Holmes with slight impatience as he sat back, steepling his fingers.

The visitor nodded and began

"My name is Jonas McKenzie. I recently inherited my uncle's house when he died from the grippe, as I am his only remaining family. It was a nice building and still recently built, so I moved in a week ago. But. in these past few days there have been…strange things occurring."

He took a breath, and gulped some of his drink down.

"I assure you, that I am not paranoid, nor do I believe in ghosts, but these past few days have begun to give me reason to think one or the other! While I was putting moving boxes into their proper rooms to unpack later, I would come back and find them either rearranged differently, one added, or missing, then it reappearing where it once was before! I made sure all the doors and windows were locked, but it continued happening.

"Even after a I finished moving in, furniture would continue to move on it's own; mind you, I never saw it move myself, but I would leave a room, come back minutes later, and find the whole room rearranged!

"But the worst was still to come. You see, I'm a restless sleeper and I'm woken up easily. Last night, I was woken up, but for what reason I did not know not. Suddenly, I heard the strangest …drumbeat coming in my room, from somewhere else in the house. Of course, I leapt up and hurried to investigate, but wherever I went in the house. As time progressed, the drumbeat was joined by the most peculiar noises.


"Noises?" My friend interrupted.

"Like music from an instrument of which I've never heard the likes of.  The only one I could best equate to is when you pluck a small spring. The rest I just simply can't describe. it was… otherworldly.

"Anyways, I searched the whole house, but the music never got louder or quieter, except when I left the house, during which it was completely silenced. I came back into the house, continued searching, and it suddenly ceased, and all was silent. The same thing started to occur tonight, and I couldn't stand it any longer. I raced here, for you are the only one who can help me, Mr. Holmes! Please aid me!" His breath had grown rapid again and his hands shook.

" Calm yourself, man!" Holmes commanded him sternly. He complied the best he could, gulping down the dregs of his drink. I took the glass from him to refill it.

"Now, Mr. McKenzie, do you have any, per say enemies, rivals for your inheritance?"

"No, I can assure you that I have no enemies, or anyone that would wish me any ill will."

Holmes stood and paced back and forth in front of the fireplace, his eyes glowing darkly with mental activity. At last, he seemed to come to a decision and turned to the visitor.

"Take us to this house of yours, I need more data."

McKenzie smiled slightly. "And to check my sanity?"

Holmes did not reply.

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"GROUP COUNCIL!"

So was the disturbance from our activities for the first time in hours. I groaned, glancing at my watch: 10:30. And here I was, ready for bed.

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO SCREAM IT!" Emeraude bellowed in retort to the retreating form of Pyro. " I'M NOT DEAF! Or at least I wasn't." she finished with a growl, rubbing an ear gingerly. With a crisp snap, she put the cover on her pen.

I rolled out of the top bunk and followed her to the living room, glancing for a second at the newest creation to grace her desk. Only a couple of lines were penned in, but I could recognize a cape or coat of some sorts. Ah, well. Better check later.

"Alright, time to take a head count of who's hitting the rave." Pyro announced in a pompous manor that seemed particularly ridiculous coming from him. "Hunter, I already know you're coming with."

"Duh, there are like, always cute boys at raves," was Etna's brilliant contribution for the night.

"Of course," replied Emeraude, leaning against the doorframe with her trademark "There-better-be-a-good-reason-for-this" look on her face.

"Uh, er- I'm in," I hurriedly spoke up when all eyes were on me.

"Alright, Pyro, why the meeting? Since when do we count heads like we're still in grade school?"

"Since the host of this thing told me that there was going to be a larger crowd than usual, I wanna know where you are all gonna be."

"Pyro, I can take care of myself just fine, cuzz," Emeraude replied, "And I'll look after Naoko." I felt like protesting, but since I really didn't have any material to retaliate with, I kept my mouth shut.

"Don't worry, Mom, I won't drive drunk," Hunter rejoined snidely, earning him a swift smack over the head by the other boy.

Etna seemed to have slowly drifted to the girls room during the argument and chase that ensued, with me following close behind. Emeraude remained in the living room, slipping to a corner, watching the boys with an amused smirk. If there was anything that she enjoyed more than working on her art, it was those two in a fight.



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A/N: Whee, almost through the plot setup and we can get some action goin here!!! @.@