Well I got bored so I might as well write for my adoring fans. All 7 of you. Onward.
THE hotel roomGhost woke up to the pretty sight of an orbo gun barrel.
"What do you want?" he asked irritably.
"You're coming with me," Amon said.
"I'd really rather not. I'm kind of comfy where I am," Ghost said.
"She's not dead yet."
Ghost sat upright. "What?"
"Rainalia's not dead yet. And there's a way she might remain that way," Amon said levelly.
"Well, tell me then. I'm listening."
"Become our hunting dog."
"So to keep her alive, I need to work for the STN-J? What's the catch?"
"We determine every move you make. By working for us, you have no freedom and Rainalia lives. Don't accept, we shall continue to hunt you and your girlfriend becomes the orbo we kill you with. If you accept, come to Raven's Flat tomorrow at six. If not, well, it's up to you," Amon said as he turned to leave.
"So tell me. Why do you work for them?"
"I have reasons. That's all you need know."
"That's all I need know or all you want to tell me?"
"I could shoot you now and get this over with you know," Amon said.
"Point taken. You'll find out my decision tomorrow," Ghost said.
Harry's"Life sucks," Ghost said.
"Oh really? Well Mr. Ghost, what's on your mind tonight?" Master said.
"As I'm sure you know, I'm a witch."
"Yes, continue."
"My girlfriend, also a witch, was taken in last night by the hunters."
"That's not good."
"Well, she's still alive, and the only way to keep her alive is to become a hunting dog for the hunters."
"Is there something wrong with that?"
"The fact that it will be a pain in the ass charging in first after a witch. That is, assuming the hunters are good for their word and she's still alive."
"I can see how that's a drawback," Master said.
"A rather large one. Having witches fling whatever craft they possess may sound fun, but I think I'd rather sit back and let the hunters take care of it."
"So you're refusing the offer?"
"I don't know, maybe."
"It's better to have the hope that she might be alive rather than know she's dead," Master said.
"I think I might as well do it. Wonder what the pay for a hunter is. Probably nothing for me. Oh well, I've got until six tomorrow to decide. Although he didn't specify AM or PM. Well, I had wanted to sleep in tomorrow, so I'll just show up at six PM. Be a great way to start off work," Ghost said with an amused smile on his face.
"Just don't make it a habit. They'll probably get mad at you after the third time and Robin might fry you."
"Heh, that would be bad. I'd just kind of melt all of a sudden. She is kind of cute though," Ghost said.
"Don't you have a girlfriend?"
"Sort of. Besides, it's only wrong if I get caught. And that is not very likely given Rayna's current state."
"You have an interesting view of life Mr. Ghost."
"Please, don't call me mister. It sounds funny. And can I get a drink?"
"Sure. What would you like?"
"Well, what's good?"
"You're not old enough to drink the good stuff yet, I'm afraid. Perhaps an espresso?"
"Maybe some other time. How about hot chocolate? Got that?"
"I do. Would you like anything in it?"
"Loads of sugar."
"And how much is that?"
"Just start pouring sugar in and I'll tell you when to stop."
Master got a strange look on his face after having put one half of a cup of sugar in a 12-ounce drink. "Are going to be all right?" he asked.
Ghost cooled his drink down then chugged it. "Quite fine," he said, "Eventually."
"Well, why don't you go get some sleep? It's getting late," Master said as the look got even weirder.
"Why not? Got any place to sleep here? I don't really want to go back to my room at the hotel," Ghost said.
"You could sleep in that booth over there if you want to," he said jokingly.
"Ok," Ghost said as he walked into the booth and laid down.
"I was kidding," Master said.
But Ghost was already asleep.
"How does somebody fall asleep that quickly after drinking that much sugar?" he wondered to himself.
6 a.m. the next day
Ghost rolled over in the booth and fell off the seat. "Dammit," he muttered to himself as he climbed back in and fell back asleep.
6:30 a.m. same day
Raven's Flat"I guess he's not coming," Amon said.
Robin looked over at him. "I think he'll show up. In the meantime, I'm going to Harry's. I need some food. Would you like anything Amon?"
"No."
"Alright. I'll be back soon."
"Will you get me some donuts?" Michael called from across the room, music still blaring in his ears.
Robin smiled as she left.
"So do you actually think he'll come?" Michael asked Amon.
"I don't know."
6:45 a.m.
Harry's
Robin walked into Harry's and found a strange sight in one of the booths. It appeared to be a man who had passed out. She walked over to the bar. "So who passed out over there?"
"Mr. Ghost did. He was awful tired last night and he asked if he could stay here for the night," Master said calmly.
"Well, he was supposed to show up at the STN-J about 45 minutes ago if he didn't want to get hunted," Robin said.
"Last night he told me Amon didn't specify whether he was supposed to show up at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m., so he decided to sleep in a bit. I hope this doesn't get him in trouble with your boss," Master said.
"So he's going to work with us? If he is, I should wake him up before he gets added to the hunted list again," Robin said thoughtfully.
"I wouldn't suggest trying to touch him right now."
"Why not?"
"He'll think you're attacking him and try to kill you."
"How do you know that?"
"Experience."
"Oh, OK," Robin said as she cast a glance at Ghost's sleeping form.
She watched as his body seemed to shift slightly and he fell out of the booth again. Muttering to himself, he began to climb back into the booth.
"Um, Ghost?" Robin called.
He turned at the sound of his name. "Yes?"
"I think if you're going to work with us, you should leave now and get to Raven's Flat," Robin said.
Ghost shrugged. A 'maybe' was heard as he lay back down on the seat.
"Amon figured you would think he meant a.m. and not p.m. when he said six. At the moment, you're almost an hour late."
"I wanted to be about twelve hours late, but whatever," Ghost said as got up.
"Just wait until I'm done here and I'll walk with you. They won't let you in otherwise," Robin said.
"Whatever," Ghost said as he walked over the bar and sat down next to Robin.
After a few seconds, Master put a drink down in front of both of them. Robin accepted the drink and Ghost just sat there, staring at the hot liquid inside the cup. "The hell is this?" he asked bluntly.
"It's an espresso. Try it," Master said.
"Whatever," Ghost said as he cooled the drink and downed it.
Again, Master just stared. Robin continued sipping her drink. When she finished, got up to pay. Ghost just watched her lazily, having almost fallen asleep again. He was brought back to consciousness by Robin asking him if he was ready to leave. He nodded and slowly stood up. Sticking his hands in his pockets, he began walking. Robin fell into step beside him. After walking for a few minutes in silence, Robin looked at Ghost.
"I'm sorry," she said.
Ghost didn't reply.
"Look, I know I can't change what happened but-"
"Just drop it," Ghost said in his usual cold voice.
The pair continued walking until they reached Raven's Flat. "We're here," Robin said.
Ghost looked at the building. Shrugging he walked into the gate. After hitting the metal, Ghost decided to wait until it opened to try walking through it again. Robin and Ghost passed the reception guy (don't know his name. Does he have one?).
"Who's this?" the guy asked.
"He's a new hunter," Robin said.
'More of a hound than a hunter' Ghost thought to himself.
"Oh, OK. Have a good day."
"Ghost and Robin walked passed the well and into the elevator. The elevator reached the top and the doors opened.
"Welcome to the STN-J," Robin said.