Operation: Runaway

12:04 a.m. - September 20, 2003 - Alex's House

I couldn't really sleep that night, since the only thing on my mind was the HRA. I was still peeved at Nook for making me sign up, but I couldn't help but laugh at my irritation. Why was I so mad? It's only a stupid academy anyway...

I was so busy thinking that I didn't notice a flash of white pass by my window. It moved around the perimeter of my house, walking up to the front door before knocking soundly.

THUNK THUNK came the sound, startling me out of my thinking process. Who could be at my house this late? I shrugged off my thoughts just for a tad, walking over to the door to answer it. I opened, my face as pale as the ghost himself that had stood before me.

"BOO!" It yelled, making me turn tail while running back into my house, cowering behind my exotic chair. I shook with fright, slowly looking around the corner of the chair to see if it was still there. It wasn't, but I suddenly realized I left the door ajar. I stood up to close it, when suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. I shivered, turning around to see the same ghost. I fell down, unable to control myself.

"W-w-what d-do you w-want?" I managed to ask, staring into the cold looking eyes of the ghost that I had encountered. It merely smiled, staring back at me with a hint of apology in it's eyes.

"Hello, I am Wisp the Ghost," Wisp began. "Can you help me?"

I didn't respond, still too shocked from the scare I had gotten. Wisp's smile faded, and it was replaced with deep worry.

"I need you to help me find 4 spirits that are scattered around this town of yours. Please hurry, you must gather them by 2:00 a.m., or else I will be in trouble. I will be awaiting you here, in your house. Please. Hurry." Wisp said, while I was about to ask my question, before suddenly feeling my pocket jerk downwards. I reached into my pocket, finding a net I never had before.

"Use this to catch them..." Wisp added, before disappearing out of sight right before my eyes. I was stunned, and I put a hand to my chest, taking slow breaths to calm myself down. I stood up, trying to regain my composure, walking out the door as soon as I could. That ghost creeps me out.

I went two acres west, suddenly realizing that I did not know what form the spirits took on. I decided to look around to see if I could find a sign of the spirits that might be inhabiting the place. I took one step south, only to see a floating...swirly poop pile?! I put on a confused sick look on my face, taking out my net. I took a swipe at it, catching it easily. It disappeared. Some spirit that was, a poop looking pile, quite entertaining in a way. I moved on.

Walking into Acre E-2, I scanned the area carefully before walking into the following acre. I spotted yet another spirit floating above the water. It was too far out to catch, so I had to wait before it slowly floated back to land. I easily caught it in the net. Well, this was easier than I thought.

The next was conveniently placed right by Nook's shop himself. I took no time in catching the little runt, wanting to get away from anything that reminded me of that inferior raccoon. Ha!

The final one was placed behind my house. What?! I didn't see it earlier?

"I must be blind," I muttered before swiping at it with my net. I caught it and sighed deeply, walking right back into the house.

Wisp appeared before me, smiling once again.

"Thank you, for you have prevented my troubles. I shall offer you my services. I may weed your entire town for you, give you a new roof color, or a present you may like." Wisp said, actually bringing a smile to my face. I thought carefully, suddenly remembering about these weird clumps of grass that was scattered around the place. I didn't mind to examine them, so I decided to ask Wisp himself. It seems he could read my mind. Peh...psychics...

"Oh my, it seems you have a large number of weeds in your town! May I weed them for you?" Wisp asked, while I nodded my head, thinking that it might be bad if I didn't pull these "weeds" out of the ground.

"Your task is completed." Wisp said, smiling once more before disappearing. I sighed, realizing I was more tired than I thought. I fell to the floor, sleep overcoming me.

Operation: Runaway

12:19 p.m. - September 20, 2003 - Alex's House

I simply awoke, aching.

"Stupid flooring...I should get a carpet or something." I muttered under my breath, before trying to stand up. My sides cracked loudly, while I yelled. I raised my arms, while they were stiff and the joints were all screwed. I suddenly moved around in all directions, shaking myself out before yelling loudly with pain. I felt better right after the outburst, thinking that was all. But suddenly all the pain came back. I screamed and fell flat to the floor. I cursed loudly under my breath, before staggering up again. I ignored my pain, walking straight out that door. That raccoon had some explaining to do.

I arrived at Nook's place, struggling to get through the door. Nook was busy dusting his shop, but he stopped to take a glance at me.

"YOU WALK IN, SHOWING UP LATE, SEEMING TO BE AN OLD MAN! EXPLAIN!" Nook yelled at me, leaving me very irritated and confused once more.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN!" I yelled back at him, finding a chair to find comfort on. I stared up into angry eyes, glaring my own right back at him.

"YOU HAVE WORK! WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'WHAT DO YOU MEAN?'" Nook shot back. My pain seemed to go away. Anger kicked in.

"SERIOUSLY! YOU SAID I WAS ALREADY DONE WORKING! GOD!" I screamed at him, while he stood there dumbfounded for a while before clearing his throat.

"Oh yes, I knew that as soon as you walked in the door. I was testing you." Nook said, but it was obvious that he was lying. I stood up violently, suddenly sitting down since my pain came back again. Nook still glared at me, and by the look on his face, he was wondering why I was here. I took out the letter I had received from the HRA the day before, thrusting it at him while he picked it up and read it. He finished reading, glancing up at me with a blank look.

"Oh yes, I already know you wanted to join the HRA. Wise decision I must say." Nook said. He didn't get the point. I slapped my head.

"I meant that I wanted to talk to you about this! AND I DIDN'T 'WANT' TO JOIN THAT STUPID ACADEMY IN THE FIRST PLACE!" I yelled at him, Nook suddenly smarting back at me.

"Of course, I knew that too. Don't question my knowledge." Nook said, grinning his foolish little grin while I sighed with irritation.

"Anyway," I started, "what is this "Feng Shui" thing you told me about that other day?"

Nook of course, with his stupidity, did not know what I was talking about.

"Deng Wui? Is that a figurine of some sort?" Nook asked me. I could not help but laugh.

"HAHAHA Deng Wui, that's a good one, ohohoho!" I laughed, wiping a tear away from my eye. Nook suddenly snapped forth.

"Oh yes Feng Shui? It is the balance of nature or something, and you have to put green furniture in the south corner, and I forgot the rest." I was about to whack that raccoon senseless.

"Is that all you know?" I asked, while Nook nodded his head. "THEN WHY DO YOU NOT KNOW THE KNOWING OH SMART ONE?" I questioned him.

"I DO NOT KNOW THE KNOWING OF KNOWING THE KNOWLEDGE TO KNOW ABOUT THE KNOWING, YOU KNOW?" Nook retorted. I was struck dumbfounded. I shrugged the conversation off with a wave of my hand. I quickly left the shop, wanting to ask the fellow townspeople to find out what Feng Shui was. Sometimes that raccoon could be a real pain in my...(cough)

Well, it seemed that I was still left with questions about the HRA, and I wondered why Wisp was wandering with wishes to withstand whips of worldly troubles (Hey look, W's!). I guess I also had to figure out how to kick some sense into that stupid raccoon. Ha, I wish. Like he'll ever learn...