A story about life, love, courage, and testing ultimate friendship. What happens to Beetlejuice and his friends when one of their own falls into despair and changes completely? Nothing will ever be the same. This story is an Alternate Universe set five years after Dark Shadows in the year 2008, and does not follow the intended story line. I repeat, this story does NOT follow the intended story line of the two stories (A New Beginning & Dark Shadows) included in my Beetlejuice Afterlife series, which is why it is simply titled "Mania" and not "Beetlejuice Afterlife – Mania". If I have someone ask me why I would put this as a sequel, I'll ignore them, because, right here it says: THIS STORY IS NOT A SEQUEL. This story was just bursting to be written, but I have no intention to make it part of my previous series. It just happens to use that series' events as a prelude. I hope there is no confusion.
Thank you for reviews Wanda and Maya Beebop! My two...and only...loyal readers! hugs you guys and anyone new that happens to show up Much kisses for you! MWAH MWAH!

Things begin to build in this chapter...to a breaking point... Please read on.
Mania
Spencers13 – March 2003–March 2004
R – Drama – Angst


Chapter Seven – Broken And Bleeding

It was almost a month later, and still, not much had changed in Endri's behavior. Occasionally, he would slip into a fit of hysteria, though, claiming he saw things, heard things that weren't there. Often, he would break down into tears, and several times, he tried to run away, claiming he didn't want to be a burden to his old friend or anyone else. But Kyle or Beetlejuice would always catch him as they always had one eye on the ghost. They would convince Endri that staying would be best, and that they would take care of him no matter what.

Endri's moods swung erratically, one moment placid and calm, the next angry as a hornet, shouting threats to himself and others. But always, he would immediately apologize, mostly to Kyle.

Once, as an apology, and in one of his more sweet and gentle moods, he picked a bouquet of Neitherworld oddities and gave it to his best friend, a blush on his cheeks and a thank you on his lips. Kyle had just smiled and accepted the gift, letting his friend's odd behavior slip through the cracks once more.

It was so different seeing Endri like that—sweet and almost innocent with a huge smile on his face and eyes closed happily—compared to his once normally stoic and hard attitude. It was refreshing to see such openness, so the behavior was encouraged by everyone.

The grass matted down beneath the weight of two pairs of feet as their owners walked along silently, taking in their surroundings with absent gazes. The spring weather was warm, but the breeze cooled their pale cheeks and ruffled their blonde hair into motion. Sweet fragrances drifted through the cooling breeze: wildflowers, exotic blooms from other places, and the earthy scent of bark and pine.

That recreational park was more than just for recreation, it seemed. It was a haven for countless varieties of plant life and trees—not to mention a haven for weary souls in need to get back in touch with nature.

Two such folk were now walking side by side, their hands in their pockets and eyes on what was in front of them. Neither spoke a word to the other, choosing instead to let the sounds of their surroundings fill in the gaps and break the silence. The emptiness between them was companionable, however, and easy to tolerate for the time being.

Beetlejuice looked off to his right, seeing a few kids kicking a soccer ball around in the field not far away. The urge to pull a prank on those screaming brats made him almost drool with the prospect of hearing them scream in fear and not excitement. Because he paid more attention to what his mind was cooking up for his unsuspecting prey, he tripped over an exposed root in his path and plunged for the earth face first.

Stopping beside his prone body, his son let out a chuckle at his misfortune. "You should watch where you're going, Papa. Or did that root jump out at you while you weren't looking?"

"Har–har," the ghoul grumbled, picking himself up off the grass and brushing at the green and brown stains now adorning his striped jacket and pants. He stopped after a moment, though, thinking the color suited him nicely.

They trudged onward with no more words between them until they reached the inside of a tree line. Tall timbers stood to either side of them and a rough, winding path was scraped out for them to follow. No one else seemed to be interested in that neck of the woods as there was no one on the path, so the ghost and ghoul silently decided to continue on, wondering where they would end up.

"I want to thank you for bringing me here, Papa," Endri spoke up finally, attempting to start a dialog between them. "It was getting stuffy in the Roadhouse."

"Yeah, well, I thought you could use some time away. I'm sure everybody was gettin' on your nerves."

"A little," the ghost admitted shyly, lifting one hand from his jacket pocket to run through his long hair in the back. "Not that I don't appreciate everyone's efforts, but"

"They were buggin' ya," Beetlejuice finished for his son.

Endri smiled and looked down to the ground as it passed under his feet. "You have such a way with words. I wish I was as laid back as you are."

The ghoul chuckled quietly, something he didn't do all that often. Normally, he was quite the loud one, but around his son, he seemed to "grow up" and try to be an actual father to him instead of treating him like everyone else he knew. "No, kid. I'm the product of a fucked up Neitherworld. I'm kinda glad you're so smart and have such good manners and discipline. I'da never raised you that well on my own," he said, his voice reaching a slight level of sadness.

"Don't be ridiculous, Papa. I'm sure you would've done just fine."

Again, Beetlejuice chuckled, shaking his head lightly and concentrating on the path before his feet. "Nah. I woulda screwed you up somehow."

Endri dropped his gaze to the grass and weeds growing along the edge of the path, his eyes conveying much sadness behind his black shades. "One way or the other, I would have been screwed up anyway."

Catching the tone, his father swung an arm up and wrapped it around the ghost's shoulders. "Now, don't be gettin' all depressed about it. We're out here to have a nice time, 'kay? Let's just forget about everything and relax."

"Hehyou're right. Sorry, Papa," Endri said, laughing with a bit of nerves when he began.

They continued to stroll along, each basically minding their own business. A strong breeze tossed their long hair and made the canopy above sway in time, almost dancing to a slow song. Endri swore he heard the beat of that song driving through his mind, bringing a smile to his lips. It was soft and comforting, like the breeze that danced with the canopy and his hair.

"Hey, kid," Beetlejuice spoke up, drowning out the song, "I was just wonderin' somethin'."

"What's that?"

"Uh" he hesitated, unsure if he should really ask what he had in mind. He didn't want to upset his son now that they were having such a nice time. "Is there anything you wannatell me?"

"Tell you what?" Endri asked, looking off to the side at a squirrel that caught his attention. He and the ghoul continued walking, however, never ceasing in their slow trek to an unknown destination.

"You knowabout stuff."

"Stuff?"

"Old stuff."

"Papa, I have no clue what you're trying to get at."

Beetlejuice sighed. Being subtle wasn't working, so he decided to just take the direct approach and hope for the best. "Your past, kid. I wanna know about your past."

"What do you want to know about it?" Endri asked, stooping for a quick second to scoop up an auburn and black stiped wooly worm from a rotting log along the path. He smirked when it curled into a fuzzy ball in his hand and gently prodded it with his finger, feeling the soft yet stiff hairs.

His father stifled his surprise at the ease he displayed at the usually upsetting subject. Maybe he was getting better?

"Uhanything, really. Anything you wanna say."

"There's a lot to say," the ghost answered, trying to walk as evenly as he could so his little passenger would uncurl from its tiny ball and crawl along his hand.

"Well" Beetlejuice paused, trying to think of something his son could tell him. "Thentell me about" He drifted off, a thoughtful look on his visage. His yellowed eyes and green irises drifted skyward, watching the clouds pass slowly and the birds dart among the treetops. How long had it been since he was in that sort of setting? Since he was alive, really. And that was so, so long ago, he barely even remembered what it was like—to live a rough life, hunting for food, battling disputes out with swords and knives, but living so high and free. But the thing he prized most above all other memories was the memory ofher.

"Do you remember your mother?" Beetlejuice asked quietly, lowering his eyes back to the path before him. Normally, he was never so quiet, but when the subject drifted to her, his demeanor would calm, and an almost depressed air would hang around him until he forcibly picked himself back up and put on a grinning face.

"I remember when she gave us her energy," Endri said, still waiting for the wooly worm to uncurl.

"No, I mean before that. Back when we were allalive."

The ghost quieted for a few moments, staring at his hand where the fuzzy insect rested. At length, he answered, "I was too young to remember her."

"Too young" the ghoul echoed quietly, distantly.

"The only time I remember seeing Mama was when she appeared to us a few years ago. She was beautiful too. Didn't she have red hair?"

Beetlejuice blinked out of his daze and took a deep breath, nodding. "Yeah, yeah. Sunset red hair. And blue eyes." He shook his head, eyes staring ahead, but not focused on a single thing they beheld. "I can't believe you practically don't know her."

Endri finally looked away from his passenger and to his father. "I'm sorry, Papa. I wish I knew her, then, for your sake."

The ghoul looked over quickly at the barely emotional tone. "You don't care? She was your mother."

"I know," the ghost nodded, "and I feel a sort of love for her because of that. But I don't know her, soit's hard for me to feel anything deeper than what I do."

Beetlejuice shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you're so apathetic about it."

Endri shrugged and looked away, back to the wooly worm just then beginning to uncurl. "What do you want me to do? I never knew her. Now, I never will be able to, since she's gone forever. I'm not going to cry over it, you know. I've never cried for her. When I cried about it, I cried because I thought we had both been wronged by you. And when I sought revenge for my death, it was on principal that her honor was included to be justified along with mine. Other than thatI had no other emotional attachments to her. Sorry."

Beetlejuice fought to keep the bile from rising in his throat. So that's what Endri thought of his mother—that's what his son thought of his wife. To know that Endri never had a real mother, never had the love she would have given him, never even knew what she looked like except for a brief glance a few years ago—it all stung worse than 10,000 Neitherworld horn–nets. Plus, that probably would have been another thing to add to the list of things that drove Endri insane.

"I–I wish things could've been different," he whispered, not caring if his son heard—which he didn't. The ghost was too busy playing with his wooly worm to hear the crushed words of his father. But before the tears could well up in his eyes, the ghoul asked another question, trying also to deviate from the utterly depressing topic. "Soyou lived in Japan for a while?"

"Oh, yes!" Endri piped up, suddenly excited about the subject. "It's so beautiful there, Papa. The people are wonderful, and their culture is so fascinating. Even the language is beautiful. That's why I know it more fluently than most of the other languages I know."

"What languages do you know?" Beetlejuice asked, his curiosity piqued.

The ghost smirked and looked straight ahead as he spoke. "I know Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Dutch, Swedish, Norse—which is our original language of course—several other minor languages, and I understand when Doomie speaks to me, so I consider that another language as well."

Beetlejuice fought to keep his eyes in his sockets. He had no idea his son was so educated! He justnever thought about it. "NNot bad, kid. Not bad," he managed out before grinning like a madman. "That's my boy!" he shouted, clapping Endri on the back roughly. "'Least you turned out better than me, that's all I was worried about."

The ghost chuckled, closing his eyes contentedly. "Papa, you're so funny."

"You know it, kid."

Grinning, the ghoul sent a wink to his son before stumbling over an upraised rock jutting from the path they still walked along. He caught his balance that time, and cackled at his own awkwardness, throwing a hand behind his head and leaning back to let his mirth ring out through the forest.

When their laughing had died down to a mere occasional chuckle, Beetlejuice decided to try to get his son to talk more about his past again. For some reason, he wasn't being upset by it, so the ghoul figured now was the time to ask questions he always had to keep from voicing before.

"Say, kid. What would you say was the best thing that ever happened to you?"

Humming in thought, Endri twisted his hand this way and that, letting the wooly worm crawl its tickling trail from one side to the other. "I would have to say meeting Kyle."

"Oh, yeah?" the ghoul wondered with an upraised eyebrow.

"Yes. Without him, I never would have what I do now. And what I have now is far greater than anything I've ever had," Endri said calmly.

"Which would be?" his father coaxed.

"Oh, you, a permanent home, friends who care about me, and most of all him."

Beetlejuice cleared his throat awkwardly before asking, "Soyou twoya know?"

"Know what?"

"You know. To–Togetherlike that"

The ghost quirked a blonde eyebrow, taking on a contemplative look. "A lot of people keep asking me that. I don't know why."

Smirking, the ghoul cast his eyes off to the side. "Prob'ly 'cause you guys are stuck together like glue." A shocked look came over his face, and he discreetly hid one hand behind his back. His fingers were stuck together by something incredibly sticky, and it took him a moment to get rid of it. It had been a long time since he did anything like that. He was losing his touch.

"That's true," Endri admitted with a nod. "But he's more like my brother than my boyfriend." He stuck his lavender tongue out at the thought. "Yuck. I'd never want to see that side of Kyle. It would be far too strange."

Beetlejuice tried to hold his laughter in, but a light chuckle escaped his defenses. With his son in an occasional child–like mental state, his responses were following in accordance, and it was so funny to hear such things coming from him.

"Yer cute, kid," he teased, ruffling his son's hair playfully.

The young ghost just chuckled and took it in stride.

In the same instance, they spotted a woman taking snapshots of the environment up ahead. She was a vision with red hair and a white tank top with short khaki shorts. Her full body swayed this way and that looking for the best possible angle of a birch tree, and Endri had to swallow the drool.

Beetlejuice quirked his eye as he observed his son's reaction to the redhead, and also found great interest in her reaction as she turned toward them and let her mouth gape open when she caught sight of the ghost. Smirking deviously, the ghoul elbowed his son in the ribs. "She's a hotty, eh?" he asked slyly with a wink.

Endri nodded his head, not taking his eyes from her. "She's beautiful."

"Why don't you go over and talk to her?" his father suggested.

The ghost gulped. "T–Talk? To her?"

"Yeah. I think she'd like that, don't you?" Beetlejuice asked, watching the woman smile demurely and half turn away, pretending to go back to what she was doing but sending quick glances off to the side in their direction. "I think she's hot for ya."

Endri gulped again. "H–Hot for me?"

"Oh, yeah. She's on fire, don'cha think?" the ghoul asked with enthusiasm, getting his son worked up to go over and talk to her.

"Fire."

Beetlejuice rolled his eyes. None too gently, he laid his hand flat to his son's back and shoved him forward, making him stumble toward the giggling girl.

A computer monitor provided the only lighting for a medium–sized bedroom at the top of the stairs in BJ's Roadhouse. Kyle sat before the device typing into whatever program he had open at the moment. His fingers flew over the keyboard like he was writing a symphony, but that work of genius was actually a new operating system that had been kicking around his skull for weeks now. With Endri gone to the Real World with Beetlejuice, he finally had some free time to get started on it.

Upon looking over at the clock on the corner of his desk, Kyle noted the time was much later than he expected. It was past seven o'clock, and Beetlejuice and Endri should have been back from the park by then. Curious as to whether they came home and he just never heard, the human got up from his chair and saved his project before opening his bedroom door and heading downstairs.

Just as Kyle put one foot on the first floor, the front door opened and Beetlejuice meandered in, checking the cracks along the wall and doors for dinner.

"Hey, Beetle," the human called, lifting one hand in greeting. He paused then, not seeing his best friend following the ghoul in. "Where's Endri?"

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Beetlejuice did his best to shrug nonchalantly. "Well" He chuckled throatily. "He's probably scorin' big right now with some cutie he went home with," he said smugly.

"He's what?!" the human shrieked, his eyes flying wide open and body tensing.

"Eeyup. Some redhead kept eyein' him at the park, so I told 'im to go talk to her. Sparks musta flew 'cause they ended up walkin' together, then went to her place," Beetlejuice related, buffing his red nails on the lapels of his striped jacket. "My boy's a real lady–killer eh?"

"Are you insane?!" Kyle shouted, fisting his hands at his sides. "Endri's a loose canon with a short fuse! And you told him to go off with some girl?! What if she upsets him?! Who knows what he could do!"

The ghoul waved him off, rolling his eyes. "Oh, come on. He'll be fine. He was fine all day."

"Just 'cause he's fine all day doesn't mean he will be in the next minute, Beetle. Or have you forgotten how easily he can switch moods?" the human grumbled, frowning and crossing his arms.

How could Beetlejuice have been so careless? Didn't he realize how many times women had hurt Endri in the past? Every time he tried to have a relationship with one—that's how many times. All of them had hurt him just because they feared him for being a ghost. The only woman he ever succeeded in being with was Claire, and even she had managed to hurt him eventually. And now, Endri was off with another one? Certainly, that wouldn't end well.

"He'll be fine." Beetlejuice growled with a scowl. "He needs to be on his own some, ya know. He's been cooped up in here for at least a month; he needs some fresh air."

"Yeah, I agree that he could use some time out. But sending him off on his own with a strange woman is a little too much for his first time away from the Roadhouse since he came down with this Mania shit! If he's thrown out there on his own all the sudden, it could shock him and send him back to where he was months ago! He needs to go slowly, one step at a time—"

"He's a big boy, he can take care of himself if he wants to! Plus, he needed to get out, Kyle! See someone new! Everybody's been breathin' down his neck since he got sick; he told me so himself. Especially you," the ghoul said, pointing a red–tipped finger at the human.

"Me?" Kyle asked in fake shock, pointing to himself. "Me?! I'm the only one around here who's taking care of him the way he needs! Of course I'm always around him! And who wanted me to do it in the first place? You! 'Pleasetake care of him.' I think those were your exact words. And believe me, they were. I have a memory like no other, Beetle."

Beetlejuice only frowned, crossing his arms and averting his eyes from Kyle's icy stare.

"And just like you asked, I've been taking care of him night and day. And what have you done for him besides a few meager words of encouragement once in a while?"

The ghoul glared back over with a quick snap of his head. "I took him out today!" he said in defense.

"One trip in over a month!" Kyle shouted, swinging his arm out to indicate a long stretch of time. "And you're his father! Hell, I'm being more of a father to him, and I'm his best friend!"

"Don't you dare stand there and tell me I'm not a good father," Beetlejuice hissed, his eyes simmering and skin flushing with anger.

Kyle closed his eyes for a moment and raised a staving hand. "I never said that. I just want you to think before letting him run off again. He's not ready to be out on his own yet. He needs more help first. I may be his caretaker, but you need to be his father. There's times when he needs you more than he does me."

Scoffing, the ghoul crossed his arms once more and faced off to the side. "I'm always here for when he needs me."

"Yeah, but most of the time, he doesn't know he needs you. He comes cryin' to me first all the time 'cause he doesn't understand that he has a father he can go to now. He's still livin' in the past where it was just me and him, and he had no father—no one else to go to but me. You gotta be there for him now, Beetle. You started this all off with good intentions. You were there for a while when he was sick and sleeping for all that time, but after he woke up, you kinda backed off from him. You knew he needed you then, and you know he needs you now, so lay down any macho bullshit you got going and help him. The Neitherworld knows I've laid a lot of shit down for his sake, so why won't you? I am always there for him, but there's gonna be a time when I can't be, and you're gonna need to help him, then."

Kyle took a deep breath to steady himself. It wasn't every day he argued with one of the most powerful beings in the Neitherworld. Trying to keep his anger in check and not insult the ghoul too much so he wouldn't get pummeled was a challenge.

Beetlejuice continued as he had been: staring off to the side with arms crossed and a frown on his visage. To all appearances, it seemed he had ignored Kyle's whole speech, but that was far from the truth. He had heard every word, and it registered all too well.

"So" he began, not quite sure where to go from that single word. "What"

The human smirked, knowing Beetlejuice had no idea what to do in order to help his son. It seemed both he and Endri were in the same boat. One didn't know he had a father to go to, and the other didn't know how to be a father for his son to come to. There was just too much of a gap in their afterlives that made adjusting to one another difficult or maybe evenimpossible. It was a shame, really.

"Tell you what. Next time you're in the same room when Endri runs to me for something, why don't you just kindabutt in and help with whatever's wrong? Don't let me get much of a word in. Take control of the situation," Kyle suggested with a light shrug.

Beetlejuice immediately looked over, a light bulb flaring to life above his blonde head. "I got the perfect idea! Next time Endri runs to you for somethin', I'll just butt in and take charge!"

Kyle rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Brilliant."

A few hours later, Beetlejuice and Kyle sat on the rickety, wooden couch watching NTV, waiting for Endri to return. Kyle wasn't exactly paying much attention to what was on the screen, but rather concentrated on his own thoughts. Beetlejuice, however, cackled insanely when one of the skeleton clowns threw a coconut–mint–cream–banana–splat pie in another skeleton's face, knocking his skull off. The human just rolled his eyes and tightened his crossed arms, trying to ignore the stupidity. He wasn't in the mood tonight.

Five minutes later, and at precisely nine–thirty, Endri Juice stepped through the front door and casually made his way across the living room floor, heading for his upstairs bedroom. Kyle was upon him in an instant, looking him over and asking a flurry of questions.

"Are you all right? Where were you? What happened? Do you feel okay?"

The ghost just smiled at him and tried to continue on his way.

"What happened with the chick, kid? I thought you'd be hangin' out at her place all night," Beetlejuice called from the couch. He hadn't moved an inch when his son finally entered. He still held true to his belief that Endri was a big boy and could take care of himself, especially when it involved a simple girl. He didn't know of his son's past troubles with relationships, or he would have been quick to worry too.

"Who?" the ghost asked, stopping and frowning. "Oh, yes. Amber. She threw me out," he stated nonchalantly with a shrug.

Beetlejuice pursed his lips and shook his head. "Ah, sorry, kid. It happens sometimes."

"YesI know," Endri said, turning and heading for the staircase once more.

Kyle was right in front of him, putting up a hand to halt his steps. "Shethrew you out? Why?"

"Oh, because she was scared."

The human swallowed nervously. He knew something like that would happen! But what confused him was why Endri didn't seem to be bothered at all by the entire situation.

"See, we started to play around some," the ghost admitted shyly, a light blush staining the color of his cheeks and nose, "but I felt bad because it felt like I was lying to her. She thought I was just a human. So I told her I was a ghost."

Kyle's head bobbed along with the ghost's explanation, but when he stopped, the human was left without completion. "And?"

"Oh, right." Endri snapped back to attention, forgetting in that split moment what he had been saying. "Well, she didn't believe me at first, so I decided to show her I was telling the truth. When she couldn't feel my heartbeat, she got scared and told me to get out. She was very rude about it too," he finished with a frown. Red–tipped fingers came down upon his shoulder and patted a bit roughly.

"Don't sweat it, kid. There's more where she came from."

Endri nodded, a smile on his lips. "Yesplenty more."

He bid his father and friend goodnight, then sidestepped them both and finally finished his trek upstairs. He closed his bedroom door behind him with a sigh, then sat on the edge of the bed and proceeded to remove his grey boots. When they were satisfactorily seated at the end of the bed, he stood and made his way over the short distance to the solitary window in the room and stared out through the slightly dingy glass.

Outside blazed the last half of a beautiful sunset, characteristic of the Neitherworld. The brilliant, fiery reds seemed to burn in the atmosphere and provided a reddish tint to everything their light touched, even the windowsill beside Endri's face. The colors were breathtaking, and the bright red reminded him of Amber's hair—the woman he met in the park.

An unexpected sob rose in the ghost's throat, and he grit his teeth against it. No, he was not weak. He would not fall victim to his emotions again. But wasn't that how he ended up in the situation he was in in the first place? Because he suppressed his emotions, he now had to live in chaos. Perhaps he should let them free for once. It wasn't like he never did so before.

Jumbled thoughtsjumbled, raging emotions swirled in his gut. A voice pierced his mind, making him quake with the hatred and fear it induced.

Freak!

Get the hell away from me!

Go back where you belong!

A new sob broke from his throat. What had he done to make her so livid? He was just being honest. Wasn't that supposed to be looked upon as honorable?

More soft cries left his lips, and he closed his eyes against the pain. No, not that again. He had gone through it all so many times, he thought he would be desensitized from the whole experience. But every time he was pushed away, chased away by the terrified screams of Humans, it was like a brand new wound cutting deep and scarring raggedly.

It just—wasn't—fair!

With what was left of his barriers broken, Endri leaned his forehead to the warm glass and simply cried. He knew he had been doing that a lot lately, but who really cared anymore. He was insane, so why not go with the flow? Times changed. Things changed. People changed.

Endri had changed.

The rage he felt for himself exploded, but the only outward sign was one more tear to join the rest. He felt so pathetic. He was so useless now. A burden to others, that was what he was. He used to be someone; he used to have power and grace, but now he was a clumsy fool with only half a brain, and that brain was severely damaged. He didn't know how he could stand being himself, let alone comprehend that others still tried to stick by him. He just wasn't worth anyone's time.

Broken, useless, and beyond repair, Endri Juice parted his lips and let the loud sobs issue forth.

A light click came from the door, but he was too preoccupied in his self pity that he didn't hear. Only when a gentle hand came down upon his shoulder did he realize someone had joined him, and he jumped, startled.

"Endri" Kyle's voice whispered sadly, having a slight understanding for the ghost's tears, and he was probably the only one who did understand. He stood at his side, watching more of those tears glide down his friend's cheeks and fall, only releasing the pain they held when they splashed to the floor. He had a feeling there was more to what the ghost was feeling. That was why he followed him to his room and heard his cries.

"Why? Why? Why?! Why!!" Endri cried, balling his hands to fists and quaking all over. "Make it stop! Make it all go away, Kyle! Please!"

The human had no idea what to do, so he simply wrapped his arms around his friend and held on for dear life. If anything, he would be a rock to hold onto. He wished he could do more.

Endri's entire body shuddered and quaked in his arms, and it was all Kyle could do to keep him aloft. Tears of pain, anguish, sorrow, and despair rained from the ghost's eyes as if someone had turned on a faucet and walked away. And every cry, every wrenching sob of agony broke Kyle's heart all the more. It was almost too much to bear just listening to him, let alone feeling his knees shaking so badly that they almost gave way several times, or seeing those crystal tears pouring endlessly.

Pleas stop, Endri. You're gonna make me cry.

Very slowly, the ghost did begin to calm, his hitching breaths evening out, and his trembling subsiding bit by bit. He sniffled thickly, and Kyle released him just long enough to search out some tissues. After a good nose blow, he calmed that much more so, concentrating on his breaths to at least stop hyperventilating.

The human stood very close by, always keeping at least one hand in contact, offering silent support. Endri showed his appreciation with a weary smile and turned back to the window, trying to avoid eye contact. After that pathetic display, he figured Kyle held not even an inkling of respect for him anymore.

Sighing, the human resigned to remain silent but present, offering what support he could just by being there. It seemed to have worked in calming his friend down, so why stop there?

In a whirl of motion, Kyle's hand was thrown from Endri's shoulder, but a pair of pale ones gripped down to his own shoulders tightly. He had no idea what just happened until he blinked and realized the ghost was now facing him and looking very, very serious.

"Kyle, listen to me. I have to tell you this right now."

"'Dri, what—?"

"Listen to me!" he shouted, giving his friend a light shake. "Right now, I'm thinking clearer than I have been in months, and if I don't tell you this right now, I might never get the chance to again."

Surprised, Kyle listened for whatever Endri had to say. The look in his eyes told him the ghost really knew what he was doing for once. His eyes seemed clearer than usual, the rings of red around the iris and pupils reduced to almost nothing. In an instant, Kyle realized Endri had somehow taken control and come back to his senses!

The ghost spoke to him, then, his voice slow and precise, making sure Kyle received and understood the intensity of all the emotions he was experiencing.

"I care about you more than anyone or anything else in existence. You are my partner and my friend. You are everything to me, Kyle. You, and only you. You've been there when no one else was, you've cared about me when no one else would, you've stuck by me longer than anyone else ever has. I've never known a single person for sixteen years in a row like I have you. You mean so much to me, Kyle, that even I don't think I'll ever know. I love you." He held Kyle's shoulders tighter, giving him another light shake to help instill the meaning of his words. "I love you so damn much it hurts. I've never cared about anyone as much as I do you. Not even Claire meant as much as you do. I'm getting along fine without her, but I could never survive without you."

Endri growled to himself, becoming frustrated with trying to relay his feelings so the human would understand.

"Don't you see? All this time I've been insane—the only thing keeping me from losing it completely is you! You're holding me together just by being here for me. Without youKyle, without you, I'd fall to pieces," he said, staring into Kyle's face intensely.

Sighing, he hung his head. "I should have told you sooner. You probably think this is another mad rave of mine, but it's the truth. I mean every single word coming out of my mouth, Kyle, and I know exactly what I'm saying. You're my best friend and I love you, and I'm not afraid to admit it like I was before. I have to make sure you know what you mean to me before it's too late, before I forget I ever meant to tell you. Everything you've ever done for me means so much; you don't know," he finished with a shake of his head.

Blinking for a moment, Kyle tilted his head a bit to the side. "II really mean that much?"

Endri nodded. "Yes, absolutely."

The human exhaled nervously a few times, trying to round up his scattering thoughts. He had never heard or even expected to hear such words uttered by his friend's lips. "I–I don't know what to say," he managed out, half laughing in exasperation.

Sparkling emerald irises gazed intently into cerulean pools. "Say you're my best friendand always will be."

Kyle smiled. "Endri, you are my best friend, and you always will be no matter what."

Flooded with relief, Endri hugged his old partner tightly, a steadfast grin on his lips, exposing white teeth. "Thank you so muchfor everything."

"You're welcome," the human whispered, hugging back.

They released each other and turned to the window at the same time, content to watch another sunset together. Endri's arm draped over Kyle's shoulders, and the human's arm wrapped around the ghost's back, always touching, always offering comfort from the warm contact.

"Ne. Kyle."

"Mm?"

"We watch a lot of sunsets together, don't we."

"Yeah, I guess we do."

"Would you say that sunsets are our 'thing'?"

"Our thing?" Kyle asked, looking over.

"Aa. You know how people share something between them, and whatever that is is called their 'thing' to do? Well, would watching sunsets be our thing?"

The human chuckled. "I guess it would be, then. Why don't we set up some lawn chairs on the roof and watch 'em every night?"

Smiling, Endri continued to stare outside. "I'd love that."

Kyle persisted in staring at the ghost's eyes. He noticed they had gone back to the way they were before, the rings of red more pronounced and a sort of "glazed" look shimmered off the yellowed sclera. Endri was no longer thinking or speaking sanely like only moments ago. A wave of sadness flooded his being. The ghost probably didn't even remember telling him all those heartfelt things. Grief took Kyle over, and he wrapped his other arm around his friend and hugged him again tightly. Endri was taken by surprise at first, but soon was hugging back happily.

"'DriI'm so sorry."

"Why?"

"I didn't tell you when I had the chance. If I tell you now, it won't mean as much to you."

"Tell me what?"

Leaning back, the human sighed with a light smile. "Consider yourself lucky. You're the only guy I'd ever say this to." His hands gripped tighter to where he held his friend, and he sniffed once to push back the tears. "I—uhlove ya, Endri. A lot, and I—uhjust wanted you to know that."

Endri smiled broadly. "Oh, that's so sweet. Well, I love you too, Kyle. You're my bestest best friend! Did I ever tell you that?"

Kyle forced his face to not crumble. "Y–Yeahyou did."

"Oh, good, because you are." The ghost paused, then smiled again. "Ne. I'm hungry. Want to go get something with me?" he asked, pointing to the door.

The human shrugged one shoulder and released his friend. "Nah, not really. You go ahead. I'll–uhI'll stay here."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure. Go on. Go eat," he softly ordered, shooing Endri off while nodding exaggeratedly.

"I'll be back!" the ghost called over his shoulder, waving as he left the room.

Kyle waved until his friend was gone, then turned dejectedly back to the window to watch the last little bit of the sunset alone.

I'm sorry, 'Driit just hurts right now. To see you suddenly turn around and know what's going on and tell me all those heartfelt things, and then forgetting a moment laterjust breaks my heart. Now I can't say the same in return without you thinking it's just some idle thing.

Is it just me, or does totally random and insane shit happen to this family all the time? Maybe it's just the Neitherworld. Maybe it is me. He sighed. I can't give up, though. Endri needs me, and I gotta be there for him. And when I help him to come back and be sane, he'll thank me again just like he did a moment ago.

People will come and go for him, but I will always be there, just like I promised, and just like he needs me to be.

Endri sat in the Roadhouse living room with stacks of books lining the coffee table and beside the couch on one side. The ghost wore a small pair of reading glasses, his nose stuck in a book, reading the words with untamable interest.

On a short visit, Faygo strode into the room from the kitchen, sat down, and stared at Endri with a mirthful smirk on her lips. Giggling, she shook her head when her presence went unnoticed.

"Hey, Uncle 'Dri."

The ghost didn't seem to hear, still staring at the words on the page.

"Uncle Endri."

On, he read.

"Eennndriii."

Still, he continued to read.

"Endriethi Juice, the house is on fire!!"

Blinking, the ghost looked over slowly, almost tearing his eyes from the last sentence. "Huh?"

Faygo laughed. "Man, you're really lost in that book, Uncle 'Dri. Daddy told me you've been reading solid for days! What's with that?" She thumbed through a few books in one stack resting on the coffee table, reading their titles.

"Ah, sorry, Faygo," Endri said sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his head before reaching up to lift the wire–frame glasses off. "Papa told me that if I read, I could occupy my mind and not think so much about being around forforever." He swallowed and looked down to the book in his lap. "So, I went to the Lie–brary and brought home a few books."

The young ghost giggled again. "A few? Looks like you brought home half of their inventory. How many have you read so far?"

Endri pointed to a medium–sized stack of about five volumes near his feet. "I've read all of those. Some are more interesting than others."

"Mm." Faygo leaned back into the couch and looked her honorary uncle over. "How've you been feeling?"

The ghost sighed. "All right, I suppose. I've been buried in these books, so I haven't had much time to think or feel anything other than what the stories want me to. It'sa nice escape."

"Well, it's good that you're being occupied, Uncle 'Dri, but it's not that good to get completely lost in those books. Maybe you should take a break from 'em for a while."

Endri swallowed. "And do what?"

Faygo shrugged, leaning forward to move some books off the table to the floor, clearing a space to see the television. "Why don't you watch some TV with me? It's a nice escape too, but at least this way, you can have some company along for the ride. You've been stuck in those books for days now, and I haven't seen you for a while. Ikinda miss your company, Uncle 'Dri."

Smiling, the ghost book–marked his page and put the tome down. "Then I'll gladly watch television with you."

With a grin, Faygo reached over and flipped the television on to a good channel. On it played a documentary about Humans. An NTV camera, along with several select ghosts and ghouls had been sent to the Real World to study the "fascinating creatures". Faygo giggled as the events unfolded, while Endri just chose to watch in silence.

Halfway through the show, Faygo laughed louder than before at something else ghosts got wrong about Humans. It drew Endri's attention to her, and he stared at the daughter of his best friend. Something about her reminded him of those Humans they showed on the TV. Moments later, the young ghost noticed and gave her elder a warm smile, patted his knee, and turned back to the TV. Sadly, Endri lowered his eyes to his lap, no longer interested in the show. The quick withdrawal of her hand from his knee seemed like some kind of rejection, like she didn't want to be bothered with him, and it hurt.

When Faygo looked back over, she swallowed, noticing the ghost's sadness. She hesitated for a moment, but a moment was long enough. Scooting over, the young ghost sat touching her honorary uncle—hips to hips, shoulder to shoulder, and leg to leg. Endri looked up, surprised, as Faygo swung her arm around his shoulders, patted his upper arm, and hugged sweetly. She returned her attention to the television once more, keeping her slim arm over Endri's broad shoulders. Smiling, the ghost again paid attention to the TV as well.

That show ended and another began, so the two friends continued watching. Endri worked his arm behind Faygo's back, hooking his hand around her slight waist there. Their eyes met, and the ghost smiled timidly. She blinked at him for a moment before smiling sweetly and turning back to the show. She had been warned Endri may act oddly, and was instructed to let it go as long as it wasn't anything major. An arm around her back wasn't exactly major.

A little into that program, Endri's eyes drifted back to Faygo, and that time, he could not look away. He swallowed heavily, taking in her pale beauty and drinking it down. Now he knew why she reminded him of the Humans on television; she looked human. And in his mind, Human equaled good feelings—pleasure. He remembered the times he spent with Claire, how thrilling it was, how addicting her warm body was beneath his. Oh, to feel something like that again.

Faygo began looking more and more human as the seconds progressed.

Endri's Mania–driven mind forgot she was so young; forgot she was Kyle's daughter; forgot she was a ghost, not a human. His mouth watered with the prospect of tasting her soft lips, and his fingers twitched with the desire to run all over her pale skin.

Faygo looked over with a quick glance, then looked back, keeping her eyes trained to Endri that time. They stared into each other's eyes for a long while, the television forgotten. Slowlyvery slowlyEndri leaned forward.

Oh, shitoh, shit. I don't believe this! Faygo swallowed. Uncle 'Drioh, shit! What should I do? What should I say? Where's Dad when I need him!

Not knowing what to do, Faygo held still as Endri leaned in and kissed her lips. His were soft and sweet on hers, but it didn't feel right—not at all. Slowly, she began to retreat, tilting back away from him, but the ghost only leaned forward, keeping them locked together. That move backfired when she fell to her back on the couch and Endri landed on top. He pressed against her lips tighter, forcing them apart to allow his tongue passage and explored her mouth as if he had done it to her countless times before.

"Mm! Mm!" she shouted against his lips, lightly smacking his shoulders with her palms, trying to get his attention. Where was her father when she really needed him! He was Endri's caretaker, so why wasn't he doing his job?!

The older ghost pulled away, trailing his lips down a slender throat to a collarbone.

"Uncle 'Dri, stop!" she yelled as soon as her lips were released, trying feebly to push her assailant away.

Endri only moaned and snaked his tongue out to taste her soft skin. "Claire" he hissed, shifting his legs to slip between Faygo's.

She gasped, both at her honorary uncle's actions and the name that slipped from his throat in passion. He thought she was someone else? Well, that certainly made her feel a little better, but not completely as he was still all over her and getting worse.

Endri slipped the shoulder strap of the young ghost's black dress down and laved the exposed skin delicately. As his mouth was occupied by her shoulder, he reached down with a free hand and pushed the hem of her dress up, exposing her grey panties underneath.

"No! Stop, Uncle 'Dri! I'm not Claire!"

He chuckled and reached up to pull the hair–band from her ponytail out, letting her long, purple hair flow all over the seat of the couch and down over the edge. "You're always wearing your hair up, Claire. You should let it down more often. I like it that way," he cooed. His hand free again, he reached down and slid it along her thigh, squeezing the soft flesh enticingly.

"Daddy! Uncle BJ! Help me, please! Someone help!!" Faygo cried at the top of her lungs as she squirmed for all she was worth beneath the blonde ghost.

Footsteps pounded down the stairs a moment later, and Kyle rounded the corner of the living room to see something he never expected to.

"Endri, what the fuck do you think you're doing?!" he almost screamed, dashing over.

"H–He thinks I'm Cl—!" the young ghost tried to explain before her lips were claimed again by a hungry mouth.

Kyle wasted no time, grabbing Endri by the shoulders and pulling him off of his daughter with a quick tug. They both fell backward onto the coffee table, books crashing to the floor on impact.

"Endri, knock it off!" the human yelled, throwing him to the floor and straddling his waist. He fisted the ghost's shirt into one hand and reared his other back, ready to punch him if need be.

Endri blinked up at him, surprised to find himself on the floor with his best friend ready to hit him. "Kyle? Whawhat's wrong? I—"

"What the fuck were you doing to my daughter?!" Kyle shouted, anger blowing all concern he could have had for his friend's mental condition out of the water.

"Your—?" The ghost looked over, seeing Faygo in the process of sitting up on the couch. She sniffled as she pulled the strap of her dress back over her shoulder and pushed the hem back down over her thighs.

His eyes widened, but the gravity of the situation never hit him. "Is she okay? What happened to her?"

"What happened?!" Kyle yelled in shock. "You fuckin' tried to rape my daughter, you bastard! Whether you have the Mania or not, I'm not tolerating that shit from you!"

Endri gasped and shook his head weakly. "N–No, I–I'd never do that to her! I swear! I was just having a daydream about Claire, and then you're pinning me to the floor! I never touched her, honestly! I was just day–d–dreaming," he stuttered, tears springing to his eyes suddenly.

A slender hand came down upon Kyle's poised fist, and he looked back at the owner. His daughter knelt beside him and smiled reassuringly.

"He's telling the truth, Dad. He kept calling me Claire. I tried to tell you before, but he kinda cut me off." She pressed on his fist, lowering it from its threatening position. "He didn't know what he was doing. You can't punish him for it."

Slowly, Kyle eyed his pinned friend, watching the tears glisten in his eyes and the confused expression pull at his brows and lips. He really didn't seem to know what had happened.

"You sure, Faygo?"

"Yes. It's not his fault. He really didn't know what he was doing," she answered beside him.

With a grunt, the human released Endri's shirt and stood up, reaching a hand down to help his friend up as well. The ghost took it hesitantly and allowed his body to be tugged up to stand. Kyle eyed him as he fidgeted with his shirt and jeans, not making eye contact with anyone. It seemed like he was almost afraid of his human friend now that he had thrown him down and threatened him.

"'Dri."

Endri looked up at his nickname, but still avoided all eye contact.

"Next timewatch what you daydream about. Got it?" Kyle grumbled none too friendly.

The ghost swallowed and nodded, hunching into himself and running shaking fingers over his neck and shoulder.

Faygo stepped up to him after giving a goodbye hug and kiss to her father. "I have to go now, Uncle 'Dri. I hope you get better soon." He nodded, and she reached up to pat him tenderly on the arm. A large, pale hand clasped gently over hers, and she looked up into Endri's swirling eyes.

"Faygodid I really do that?" he whispered to her, tears still glistening in those eyes.

She parted her lips to speak but only nodded a few times in answer.

The blonde exhaled loudly as one tear escaped down his cheek. "I–I'm so sorry. I"

Faygo silenced him with a finger to his lips and a smile. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his once strong form and held tightly, listening to him whimper into her hair, still free from the ponytail. "It's okay, Uncle 'Dri. It's not your fault. You're just notfeeling well right now. I don't blame you at all," she told him truthfully. Another squeeze later, and she released him. "I gotta go. I'll try to come back soon. Daddy"

"Yeah, honey?"

"Take care of Uncle 'Dri for me."

Kyle nodded after his daughter, catching the kiss she blew and waving goodbye. When she was out the door, he turned to see his friend sitting on the couch—sweat on his brow and hunched over, holding his head in one hand and wincing as if in pain.

Kyle stepped over quickly and laid a hand to his shoulder as he bent over sideways, trying to see into his friend's face. "'Dri? You okay?"

"I didn't meant–to do that." The ghost huffed, wrapping his arms around his middle and hunching over them, rocking just a bit.

"I know you didn't. I'm sorry I threatened like that; I was justconcerned for my little girl."

He shook his head. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have thought about Claire like that. I didn't realize I wasa–acting it out." Spotting the book he had been reading on the floor, Endri snatched it up and opened it, trying to get lost in the words again. Before he realized it, Kyle had reached down and taken it from him.

"You can't hide in books forever, Endri."

Desperately, the ghost reached out for it, his body beginning to tremble almost violently. "P–PleaseI need that! I–I can't hold on!"

Determined, Kyle threw the book across the room, not blinking as it clopped against the far wall. "You don't need it. You have to control the Mania yourself!"

Endri gripped his head, his fair hair spilling out between his fingers. "NOOO!!" he screamed, shaking his head back and forth.

Reaching over, Kyle grabbed the ghost's shirt and shook him. "Snap out of it, Endri! You're better than this!" Dammit, what's going on?! Why is he flipping out like this? It happened so quick! He slammed Endri back against the couch, trying to get through to him. He's not listening to me. Any longer, and he's gonna have a seizure! What should I do now?!

His eyes widening, Kyle realized what exactly he had to do, and he wasted no time.

With abnormal strength, the human pinned Endri back against the couch. Tears streaked the ghost's cheeks, and his head thrashed about. Kyle held his hands to either side of Endri's head to hold it still, then shouted in a loud, commanding voice, "Atteeen–tion, soldier!"

Immediately, the ghost ceased thrashing, standing up to full attention and knocking Kyle back against the arm of the couch. "Yes, sir!"

Kyle stood slowly, straightening his shirt and twisting his neck to crack it after he had been tossed rather roughly. Stepping before his friend who stood at rigid attention, he acted out a part of the ghost's past with ease. He had been forced to do so once before, and knew what to do and say. Deliberately, he paced back and forth in front of his friend, arms clasped behind his back and a thoughtful expression on his countenance.

"What is your name, soldier?"

"Endri McNeill, sir!"

"What is your rank?"

"Lieutenant, sir!"

"When was the last time you gave me some pushups, Lieutenant?"

"Yesterday morning, sir!"

"All right," Kyle smirked, "drop and give mefifty."

"Yes, sir!" Without another word, Endri dropped to the floor and threw his body into the simple workout, counting out loud in a strong, almost shouting voice.

Kyle stood before him and crossed his arms, the smirk still on his lips. Works every time.

"Pssst!"

A hiss caught the human's attention, and he followed a waving hand into the kitchen. Beetlejuice was waiting for him, leaning through the doorway discreetly to watch his son count his pushups.

"Hey. What the hell was all that?" the ghoul asked quietly, eyeing his son as he reached twenty–five already.

"Oh, the military thing?" Kyle wondered, chuckling. "A couple weeks ago, he told me he once served in the Army." He nodded toward Endri, still counting his pushups. "Believe it or not, he's a World War I veteran. He said he wanted to 'join the battle' or something. He just wanted to fight in a war, so he made up some phony last name and other technical crap and enlisted." He took another look at his friend. "All he really told me was that it was intense, and it made hishow did he say itit made his 'blood sing'."

The ghoul nodded, understanding. Their heritage was from a people who loved to do battle, and it seemed Endri still felt the need to wage wars. Beetlejuice had been able to forget and push away many of his instincts, making himself more of a "modern man", but his son still seemed to be existing in the past. Of course, he was a hotheadand a little on the tipsy side of sane.

"Well," the ghoul sighed, patting Kyle on the back, "keep 'im on his toes." He turned to leave, thrusting one hand into the air to wave goodbye. He vanished out through the back door, leaving Kyle to sigh and return to the living room to find his best friend standing at full attention, waiting.

Kyle lay in bed on his stomach, his arms propped on his elbows, one hand supporting under his chin. Before him fluttered his little blue energy butterfly—a gift from his best friend. It flitted about, obeying the commands from its new owner. The human would move the forefinger of his free hand up and down, twirl it around, and other such motions, and the small creature would follow mindlessly.

It landed on Kyle's pillow and crawled around, almost as if it was alive. He reached out to touch the wings, loving the way the energy made his fingers tingle and hum. The little insect took advantage of the poking fingers, crawling onto them and tiptoeing around with its teeny legs.

Kyle smirked. It was exactly what he wanted.

Everything that's been happening—it's all so bizarre. I can't make heads or tails about what to do now. Things have changed so much from when this all started outfrom when we first met. I don't even really remember much about that night, I was so drunk. He frowned, not really liking to remember those particular events of his past. Those had to be the hardest two years of his life, and every time he thought about them, a sour feeling rose in his stomach. If only he had known the way things would have turned out back then; he would have kicked Endri out of his bathroom and bled to death. Maybe then his absence wouldn't have sent his wife to another man's arms. He would have been with her, and their relationship could have been saved.

But now, everything was turned upside down.

The human sighed wearily, gazing blankly at the butterfly on his fingers. I wish I knew what to do. Things are so much more complicated than they used to be. My best friend is a Neitherworld Nutcase. He chuckled emptily. Dammit.

Kyle lifted his finger and touched it to the tip of his nose, allowing the butterfly to walk onto it. Its legs tickled, and its wings made his cheeks tingle when they came close. A lighter chuckle came from a tired throat.

So neat—that this is Endri's power. I've only ever seen him make something like this once beforewhen he fought the Limbo Drinker. He made swords and arrows and ropes. I oughta get him to do other stuff with it. He paused to think for a while. I remember Claire telling me he did somethingwhat was it? He thought more, going cross–eyed at the butterfly on his nose. The tiny animal reminded him, and he snapped his fingers. Right! A tiger! Endri turned into a tiger for her. I've seen Beetle change into creatures, but never Endri. I'm gonna have to guilt him into doing it for me. He snickered to himself. I'm so mean.

Gently, Kyle lifted the butterfly from his nose and let it walk along the pillow again. But what should I do about all this? I still don't know. Endri's only concern is to be my best friend, and he's so obsessed with it, it's to the point where he fights with himself and splits apart. Wellit's only happened that once, but it's still enough to cause real concern. I never knewI meant so much to him. He sighed, his eyes half lidded. Night was beginning to settle over the land, and fatigue was beginning to settle over him.

This is so weird. When he's aroundI feelI feel happier. I feel like I'm not alone and never will be. Honestly, the only one that ever made me feel like that was Pepper, but now she's gone too. Hashas Endri replaced her in some way? Kyle tapped the pillow, getting the butterfly to walk over to his hand. ActuallyI think 'Dri replaced a lot of people, not just her. He's everybody I ever needed all rolled up into one personand all showing themselves at different times. Poor schizo. He paused for a few moments, just listening to his own breathing and the silence ringing in his ears.

All this time, I've had other people to take care of me: my parents, some of my friends, he paused, Peppereven Endri took care of me, whether I admitted it or not. And now, I'm taking care of him. It's like he's been reduced to a four–year–old who has occasional spurts of adulthood. At least he still knows how to go to the bathroom on his own. Or does he even do that? Fuck, I have no clue. I can't remember a time I've seen him disappear for fifteen minutes or tell me he has to use the can. Maybe it's some ghost thing that he doesn't have to. Heh–heh! he chuckled in his mind. Maybe I'll ask him about it someday.

Kyle smiled down at his gift and ran a tender fingertip along its wings, tracing the edges and feeling his digit tingle with a static–like hum. He sighed and let the smile fade from his lips and sadness to take its stead.

I feel so sorry for him. He doesn't deserve to have all this happening to him. I only know a little about his past, but from what I do know so far, he's done nothing to deserve this. Well, I can't say thatbut over time, he has made up for his misdeeds. So something else had to happen; something had to throw him over the edge. Maybe it was Claire dumping him? NoI think that was just the catalyst. He kept talking about the rest of his past and how horrible it was to live through, not just her. So, what was it? It must have been pretty damn terrible, and I bet he won't tell me willingly. I just hope I find out someday.

I feel the need to understand him. Of all the people he's ever known, he needs to have at least one understand him. No one has to be alone, especially not him, and especially not now. He's about the only one who understands me now too. We have a certain connection that I don't think either of us has found anywhere else. Butwill he ever be the same? Will I ever? Will things eventually be the way they used to again? A deep sigh pushed through his lips, brought from the very tips of his toes. So many questions only time can answer. Damn.

A light tap sounded on the closed door, and Kyle looked over. "Yeah?"

"May I come in?" a quiet voice asked from the other side.

The human sat up, dangling his legs over the edge of his bed at the knees, his bare feet just grazing the floorboards. "Sure."

The door opened with a long creek, and Endri stepped inside. He looked relatively normal save his slightly disheveled hair and the darker than normal rings under his eyes. Sleep had apparently become his enemy as of late.

"I'm not disturbing you, am I?"

"Nope, come on in," Kyle chirped, lifting the butterfly into his palm and "putting it away".

The ghost pointed back out the door. "I–I can go if I'm bothering you, really."

Sighing exasperatedly, the human grumbled a reprimanding "Endri"

The ghost fidgeted with his hands, looking as though he was being scolded by a parent.

"What did you want?"

He swallowed. "M–May I come in?"

"You are in."

Endri looked around in surprise. "Ohright."

Kyle widened his eyes a little. "Are you feeling all right?"

Fidgeting more, the ghost ran a hand through his hair, feebly trying to comb out some of the tangles. "Uhyeah—yeah, I'm fine."

Kyle quirked a white eyebrow. 'Yeah'? Uh–huhsomething is wrong. Of course I don't know why I'm surprised. "What's up, then?"

Endri tried to smirk, supposedly one of the easiest things that came to him, but it turned into a quirky curl of his upper lip. He couldn't even do that right anymore, and he knew it, but even still, he tried to not let on that he felt as though he was falling apart. He was supposed to be the strong one—he had always been. But he knew; he wasn't a fool. He knew he was the weaker one now, and Kyle was the stronger.

Existing could be so cruel.

"AhI just thought I'd pop insay hello." His attention was caught by the sunset outside the solitary window in the room, and he walked over to stare out quietly. His attention span was getting shorter and shorter. Things were not looking good for the son of Beetlejuice.

He's nervous about something. Though, I could be wrong. I mean, he is insane. My poor best friend Kyle stared over at Endri's profile looking out the window, what's happened to you? How can I ever help you? Will you ever be like the man I met so long ago? The urge to get up and hug his best friend became almost overwhelming, but the human stayed put on the bed. He was wary of touching him for fear he would suddenly want him just for being a humanlike Pepperand tackle him like he had Faygo when he thought she was Claire—who was also human. Kyle didn't think he would be able to deal with that.

Endri just continued to gaze out the window, looking like a lost little boy. Kyle remembered how the ghost transformed into a little boy so many weeks ago when he recounted how he had discovered he was a ghost. He had never been really curious about how the ghost looked in the past, but after that episode, Kyle found himself wishing he could have known Endri even longer than he had. He wished he could have even grown up alongside his best friend, helping him through tough times and laughing with him through good times. It would have been nice.

"Icame toapologize, Kyle. For the other day," Endri clarified, speaking without looking. "I don't know what came over me. II just didn't know what I was doing." His breath picked up a few notches, his gut tingling with nerves. "I'm sorry. Please, forgive me. I would h–hate to think you were angry with me."

Kyle only smiled. "Endri, I'm not mad. I was at first, but then I realized you really didn't know."

The ghost visibly calmed, but tensed again just as quickly. "KyleI care so much for you and everyone else, butI'm afraid I'm going to hurt you. I get so scared when I feelfeel that tingling wave of hysteria wash over me. I can't stop it when it starts. And I'm afraid that one of these days, I'm going to hurt you and not realize it. I don't want to deal with that kind of pain."

Standing, Kyle slowly made his way over to his friend and stood behind him as the ghost took a shaking breath.

"DDo I frighten you?" he asked quietly.

The human smirked, but his friend could not see. "No, 'Dri, you don't."

Endri looked to the ground outside the window. "But I frighten myself."

Kyle's smirk fell. Dammit, now was not the time to be worried about being "touchy–feely" with his friend. Endri needed his support! Reaching up, he laid a hand to the ghost's shoulder and took a step closer, hooking the arm up along his upper back, and letting it rest there. A tremor of tension rippled through the already bunched muscles beneath the human's fingers.

"You shouldn't fear yourself. A ghost like you? You shouldn't fear anything. You're so strong, Endri. Sometimes, I envy you." Kyle spoke softly, his voice calm and melodic.

"But I'm different now. I can never be the same again; I know that. I'm not who I used to be and never will be again." His shoulders trembled beneath the human's hand. "It's justit's just" His breath hitched, and Kyle closed the space between them, hugging his friend's arm. "Kyle, I'm so scared!" Endri's entire body trembled like a dry leaf ready to crumble in someone's powerful grip. His friend reached around quickly to turn the ghost toward him, and the blonde's eyes stared blankly, his mouth slightly agape, panting ragged breaths.

Kyle touched Endri's cheek and was rewarded by sparkling green eyes snapping toward his blue ones. "Don't be scared. I'm here for you, always."

The ghost just whimpered.

What can I do for you? What can I do to make you see it's not so bad? Endri, you poor thing! He leaned in, cupping the back of Endri's head and pulled him into a hug.

The ghost whimpered again, and Kyle closed all space between them, holding his friend close. The hug lasted for a long time, and all the while, the human held his friend close and wouldn't let go, trying, with that simple act, to give the blonde the strength and support he desperately needed.

Endri wrapped his arms around Kyle, locking clinging hands around his back. He sighed lightly, feeling everything slip away but that one, warm feeling. It was all he felt—all he could focus on. Right then, his universe revolved around a pair of gentle hands slowly caressing his hair and shoulders. To stay just like that forever would be sweet eternal bliss. No thoughts of the future—no thoughts of the past—no thoughts at all—just one, long, everlasting, sinfully perfect hug.

Time ticked by, and after a minute, Kyle slowly pulled away, swiping his fingers through long but greasy hair one last time. Endri looked much calmer, but he still trembled lightly.

The human smiled at his friend and squeezed his shoulder in reassurance one more time. He parted his lips to say something, but was silenced by another pair clamping over his. His eyes bulged, and he struggled immediately, pushing Endri away and stumbling back to knock his heels against the foot of his bed. Both stared at each other in the silence between them, and Kyle gaped in disbelief at his friend.

I can't believe he just did that! Hehe kissed me! "E–Endri" he managed to get out after finding his voice. "I don't know what you were thinking right then, but I did not want that. What the hell is wrong with you?! The other day you attack my daughter and now you try to kiss me? What is going through that head of yours?!"

The ghost's hands began to shake, and he took a step back further from his friend. "F–Forgive me."

Kyle stared at him, shaking his head. "No, 'Dri. Ya know what? It's not your fault. I shouldn't have even agreed to stick with you so much by being your caretaker. I think you're thinking way too much into the care I'm giving you day in and day out."

Endri shook his head. "N–No, really. We're best friends, aren't we? Friends kiss, don't they?"

"Yeah, friends can kiss, but not like that!" the human shouted, waving his hand toward the ghost.

Endri bit his lip. "ButI thought that since you hugged me that way, you wouldn't mind if I kissed you too. I kissed you before, and you didn't mind so much."

"You kissed my forehead, Endri. Not my lips! If you wanna kiss me, that's okay, I guess, but leave my fuckin' lips out of it! Men don't kiss each other on the lips, even if they're friends. It's just not the way they act."

The ghost nodded quickly, fast to understand and accept what Kyle told him. "Okay. I'm sorry, Ikind of got confused." He chuckled nervously, running a hand back through his hair.

With a frustrated sigh, the human shook his head and crossed his arms. "You're always confused now, Endri. I just don't know what to do with you anymore. There's always something wrong, something upsetting you, something going on with you, and every time, I have to deal with it! Do you know how difficult it is to deal with you when you have one of your episodes? I'm surprised I get through to you half the time," he grumbled. Kyle looked up, then, hearing a strained noise come from his friend.

The ghost stood rigid a few feet away, fists clenched at his sides, lips pursed tightly together, and tears brimming his eyes.

The human swallowed at the sight, suddenly regretting his choice of words. He could smack himself in the forehead for being so stupid! Endri wasn't at fault, not really. All he was trying to do was be friendly and caring, and there Kyle was, putting the blame on him and his weak mental stability. He felt like such an ass.

"D–Dammit, Kyle!" Endri burst out suddenly. "If you don't want to be around me because of my 'insanity', just fucking say so! I never asked you to take care of me to begin with!" he shouted, fisting his hands so tight, the veins in his arms and neck stood out. His body trembled in anger.

Kyle swallowed nervously. He had seriously screwed that one up. "'Dri, II'm sorry—"

Growling, the ghost turned and stormed from the room before his friend could even finish.

Kyle reached for the half open doorway with outstretched fingers, whispering, "I'm sorry I hurt you."

Endri bounded into the living room almost plowing his father over. Tears covered his cheeks, and he could barely keep his balance. Beetlejuice held his son by the shoulders, preventing him from leaving or falling.

"Endri? What's wrong?"

The ghost just shook his head, biting his lip to keep the sobs from escaping. It was too late for the tears.

"Tell me," his father coaxed gently.

"K–Kyleh–he—" A sob cut his speech off. Embarrassed, he dropped his head forward, letting his long hair cover his face, his shoulders lurching from hushed cries. It was as if everything in his world had been blown away in one instant.

Beetlejuice hugged his son tightly, rubbing the back of his head. "What'd he do?"

Endri hugged back so hard, he almost broke a few of his father's ribs. "H–Hem–me."

The ghoul patted the boy's back, looking a little confused. "Wellisn't that a good thing?"

"B–But heh–he—" he sobbed, "he d–doesn't care about me! He yelled at me! H–He said he shouldn't have agreed to take care of me, Papa!"

Beetlejuice glared up the staircase. "I'm sure he didn't mean it, kid."

Endri shook his head against a striped shoulder. "Nohe said he was sick of dealing with my episodes. I–I thought he at least cared about me."

"Sure he does, kid. There's just a lot goin' on for him right now. His wife only left him about two months ago. He's still prob'ly stressed over that."

"But he said he'd try. H–He said he'd try to stick with me. Now—Now he yells at me? I can't help what's wrong with me; he knows that!"

"Kyle's not used to taking care of someone fulltime, ya know? I'm sure if he was the one sick, you'd get frustrated with him sometimes too. Just give it a little time, kid." The ghoul tilted his son's chin to make him look up. "Okay? Is that okay with you?"

Endri sniffed and nodded slowly, pulling away. His lower lip quivered and another tear dripped down, not to be left behind. "Papa"

"Mm?"

He looked down to the floor. "Things will never be the same again, will they?" he asked, looking back up. "Not my afterlifenot menot my friendship with Kyle. Nothing will ever be the same."

Sadness crept over Beetlejuice's pale visage. "Kidthings and people change, sometimes for no reason. Ya gotta roll with the punches and take things as they come. Ya gotta be strong and fight for what you believe in. And you'll eventually realize that it's the struggle that countsnot getting to your goal. That's why ya gotta keep creating new goals for yourself, so you'll keep havin' somthin' to look forward to." He paused to gauge his son's reaction to the advice. It sounded pretty damn good to him.

Endri stared at the floor, his entire being calmed and collected. Slowly, his head rose to look at his father. "You're right, Papa," he said, his voice slow, almost monotone. "You're absolutely right. Thank you." Turning, he headed back upstairs and to his bedroom, moving lethargically.

Beetlejuice shook his head. I just hope I got through to him.
Japanese / pronunciation / English Translation:

None this time! (I think...)

Poor Endri. Had a fight with his best friend, and now he's all depressed. :( I know this chapter was pretty long, but just bear with me. Personally, I like long chapters. It makes it worth reading it. I dislike those wimpy little updates of only like...500 words. rolls eyes Make the update worth it!!

Anyway...do come back next time. There's some more CRAZY stuff next chapter! Trust me...because I'm insane in the membrane...yo.