This is the second chapter of Casper After Halloween night.
It picks up on a Monday of Chris' road trip with Jennifer's family heading for the fictional town of Friendship, Maine where both Jennifer and Chris will get to reunite with Casper in town.
I don't own the Casper franchise but since the story wasn't pursued further exploring the friends that Casper has made over the years, I decided to write it as a tribute.
Chapter Two.
Monday at Whipstaff Manor
Friendship, Maine.
Ever since that night on Halloween when the whole school had seen the boy Casper turn back into a ghost at Whipstaff manor, Kat had been the top of the subject as people have wondered why she was still living in that haunted house with a real live ghost.
Although the teachers weren't sure what to make of it, they told the students to dismiss the subject as a last minute party trick which Kat had explained was a sort of surprise for the whole school.
Her explanation did not have any effect on the students in class but only a few girls had decided to be friends with her anyways, Kat was happy with the new year at her new school in a new town since she found out that her crush Vic was helping Amber to ruin her first Halloween party.
After that, Amber was sent to a rehab upon saying that she saw three ghosts and for trying to sabotage Kat's party. The jerk of a pretty boy Vic had become so distant from Kat that she was glad to see him gone from town. She was more content to know that she would never see him again especially after finding out that he was in league with Amber and her crazy little scheme.
Now after about six months into the new year, Friendship Maine had become Kat's new hometown that she was happy to live in. Having turned fourteen this year, Kat enjoyed her time with her father and ghostly friend.
So she had decided to enjoy her new summer vacation at Whipstaff manor.
With the assignments she was given by her teachers for the summer she had the chance for a few breaks as she studied whilst having some time for herself to explore most of the town.
When she was not in the house, her father would be working to convert most of the laboratory belonging to Casper's late father into a private study for himself with Casper and the Ghostly trio as the helping hands. Well only Casper McFadden did most of the work whilst the Ghostly trio were on vacation for the winter and spring, going off to some odd towns to spread a little scary mischief as well as cause some trouble in different areas.
Today having finished a couple of her assignments with a little help from Casper who was a great study partner, Kat had decided to take a walk around the town in Friendship whilst she had some free time to herself. After getting dressed into some loose summer clothes for the season, Kat stepped out of the front door of her home before she went off on her own adventure in the town of Hope.
On the long road on the area between New York and Maine, Jennifer and her friend Chris were with Jennifer's family the Elliots, they were in their car driving along the roadway. Having taken an airplane from California to the East coast of new York, the Elliot family and their friend Chris Carson had rented a car to take the road all the way to Friendship Maine.
They had been driving across the road for the past two days across the long open road from the airport when they saw the sign to the town which said Welcome to Friendship, Maine. Upon seeing the town dead ahead Mr Elliot drew a small grin as he knew that they were nearing the end of their journey.
Mrs Elliot looked ahead at the distance before she turned her head to her husband to see his grin. She then turned her head to look at the kids who were sitting nicely in their seats, Jennifer was listening to some music whilst Chris was reading a book he bought at one of the gas stations along the way to Maine.
Drawing a small grin upon seeing the two are content on the road trip Mrs Elliot turned back to the road ahead with her own satisfaction.
Chris raised his head up looking at Jennifer's parents before he turned his head to look at Jennifer, seeing that she was still listening to her music he drew a grin at her.
He was about to look away when Jennifer caught his eyes as she turned her head to look at him.
She drew a grin before reaching out to take his hand, he picked up his hand.
Holding it in hers, she gave Chris' hand a small squeeze.
Chris squeezed Jennifer's hand back in response to her squeeze.
The two looked at one another and smiled before Chris turned to the window.
Seeing that the town was at a distance from them, he realized that they were nearly there.
Drawing a small grin on her face Chris turned to Jennifer to speak to her. "Jennifer, we're nearly there." Jennifer found herself drawing a smile at her boyfriend before she leaned her head against his shoulder.
Almost an hour later into town.
On the streets of the town of Hope, Kat was enjoying her little day out.
Walking past a couple of merchant shops she noticed a few book shops with loads of new books on the windows. As she walked along the first book shop, Kat ha found a few books that were intriguing but they were not worth her time to buy one or two today so she moved on to the second shop until she stopped at one of its windows and then seeing one book in particular, she decided to go inside to have a look around.
Entering the store, Kat turned her head sideways to see the dozens of books on the shelves. Taking her own time to look at the labels on the edge of each book, Kat had wondered what book to buy for herself and for her ghost friend Casper.
She continued to wonder through the shop for a short while before she stepped out having bought a few books and then walked along the streets of Hope when she saw a car coming into the town.
At first she didn't know who they were but it carried two young children in the back as they were looking out in the windows. Seeing no point in thinking of the matter, kat decided to move along to see if there another shop to visit in town. She took her time strolling along the streets, passing by towns folk and little kids on the way until she saw a clothes store and then went inside.
A few minutes later she stepped outside with a shopping bag and she went along the streets before she decided to head home for the day. At the same time when she was walking home, the car taking Jennifer and Chris was coming into the roadway leading into the town of Hope.
After a few minutes of driving the car was entering the beginning of the town, passing a series of shops and stores, buildings and other stores where there were loads of people out shopping.
By the next few minutes after driving along the streets the car was approaching the street leading to the car park of the town's Hotel.
As soon as the car had come into the path to the car-park, Jennifer's dad drove the car past a couple of cars in the parking lot before it stopped to turn into an empty space.
Once the car parked into the empty space, Jennifer's dad then shut off the engine and then everyone started taking off their seat-belts, opening each of the doors to get out of the car.
Chris and Jennifer was soon out of the car as their parents, the two waited for Jennifer's parents to take out their suit cases before Jennifer and Chris reached into the back door and took out their luggage out as well.
The four then went off across the car park way to the reception room.
A while after arriving at the reception and collecting the key to the room upon making the payment, Chris and Jennifer and their parents went off to find the room.
It was after going up the stairs and a walk along the few doors, Jennifer's parents had found their door before they unlocked it with the keys and they opened the door to get into the room so that they can settle down for the night.
Whipstaff Manor.
Thirty Minutes later.
After walking home from town, Kat came to the front door of her house and then opened the door.
Coming inside with some bags on her arms she looked around before she shouted. "Hello Dad, its Kat I've just got home."
That was when she heard the sound of three familiar voices.
It was the ghostly trip Stretch, Stinky and Fatso, only Stinky was the first to appear in front of kat at the doorway.
"Well hello there Kitty cat. Did you have a smelly day today or something?" asked Stinky
"Oh ha ha ha, not unless you got sprayed with a bottle of mouthwash." Kat said with a sarcastic tone. The remark made Fatso and Stretch laugh before Stretch spoke. "My, the doctor's daughter really burned you there Stinky."
"Don't you guys have any bigger scares to pull off around town?" Kat said passing by the Ghostly Trio. Stretch flew up to stand in front of her. "If we did have a bigger place to scare off some people, we wouldn't be here Missy."
"Hmm, alright stretch, enough with the wise cracks. Where's my dad?" asked Kat.
"Oh he was down in the underground Lab earlier, doing some reading on Casper's dad's work. We've been down there a couple of times. But he just came back up to his study." said Stinkie. "Thanks Stinkie, and where's Casper?" Kat asked again. "That's what we've been wondering about as well. He's not been seen around the rooms for over an hour, so he probably went to his usual spot at the lighthouse. We don't know when he's coming back." said Stretch.
"Absolutely cause he's got a whole lot of chores to do on our ghostly list." Stinkie added.
"You're telling me, the little squirt was supposed to collect my dishes from Lunch. And he didn't so I had to take them in myself." Fatso added.
"Well then just wait until he comes back, and maybe I'll have a little talk with Casper myself." said Stretch. "Now hold on guys, maybe he's out giving out a few scares in the neighborhood. At least he's doing what you three guys have been doing most of the time." Kat said to Stretch, Stinky and Fatso.
The trio looked at one another in sharing the same thought before Fatso responded.
"Alright we'll let him off the hook this one time. Besides your dad has been taking some notes for us about Halloween night and using our skills for one of those Parapsychology interviews, as if we would like someone to understand a Poltergeist or a real haunting."
"You know what guys, I think I'll just go out to see what's cruising in the town and you can keep an eye out for Casper. Just come look for me when you catch him." Stretch said before he flew out through the walls, leaving the two ghosts hanging whilst Kat went off to the stairs and headed up to her room to get changed and then do her homework. Stinkie looks at Fatso before he speaks.
"Oh well if you'll excuse me, I got to go and ask Kat if she needs help with her homework."
"Hey since when did you start getting so nice with a fleshie." asked Fatso with his fists on his ghostly fat hips.
"Since Halloween, and besides she's not too bad when you get to know her. So Chow buddy." Stinkie said and dashed off in flight before Fatso could grab hold of him.
Back in the town of Hope.
Chris and Jennifer were taking a walk into the town whilst her parents were settling into their hotel room after a long drive. As they walked along the streets seeing the shops and stores at each side of the road, Chris had almost wondered if there was a chance that he would see his old Ghostly friend Casper. Jennifer had noticed that look on his face, so she spoke.
"Hey, are you thinking of Casper?"
Chris turned his head to Jennifer before answering.
"Um, not really. I mean I was just thinking how nice this town looks." he lied to Jennifer but she didn't buy the lie. "Come on Chris, you know that I can almost tell that you're lying. I've seen that look on your face before and if you ask me, I do miss him a little bit as well. Although I couldn't get over the fact that he's a ghost." Jennifer said to Chris.
"Yeah but he did save my life when he ate the bomb in the Applegate mansion that would have killed me when I got locked in the closet." said Chris. "True but you also mentioned that you befriended him and tried to teach him to be invisible and be a scary ghost, and when it didn't work out he helped you deal with Brock lee and his gang." said Jennifer as the two stood looking at one another before Jennifer continued to walk along
"Yeah, how can I forget the fun times when Brock lee got in trouble at the library." Chris said, reminiscing about his days at school. Catching up with Jennifer, Chris continued to walk along until one of the shop doors which was a clothes shop had opened up and a flood of people came fleeing the scene as if they were scared off by something inside the ship.
Turning their heads to look at one another, both Chris and Jennifer knew that either Casper was inside or it was probably one of the three crazy ghosts who claimed to be his uncles when they first met him. So Chris went ahead of Jennifer to see what the fuss is all about.
As some of the people were fleeing the store, Chris stopped and looked in through the window to see that it was Stretch, scaring off some of the customers and staff in the store.
Chris couldn't believe that it was Stretch doing his usual funny scares but only he was doing it alone when all of a sudden, Casper had appeared from the back.
Soon Jennifer appeared at Chris' side when she saw Stretch floating in the middle of the store, he was alone until the friendly ghost she met known as Casper had appeared in the back of the store to speak to Stretch.
Stretch seemed to be telling Casper off for not doing something right as both Chris and Jennifer watched on until she decided to go inside the shop through the front door. Opening the door, Jennifer went inside to the sound of Stretch's voice. "Are you saying that you've ditched your chores at the house to look for that Fleshie kid from Deedstown?"
"Yes but he wasn't around in Deedstown so I came back here."
"Well that's because me and the boys have already been there, a few weeks ago."
"You didn't scare him off did you, Do you remember when Chris Carson's father gave us that Applegate mansion to haunt before we moved on and found Whipstaff manor as our home?" Casper asked.
"Oh yeah I remember most of the fun times in Deedstown, of course the Mansion itself was nice enough for us to hang out and frighten people off. Okay you've made a point Casper, but I gotta admit I did miss the kid, and so did the boys. Also I gotta admit that Tim Carson's girlfriend Fistergraff was a real peach of a lady. I wish she was a ghost so I can practice my charm on her." said Stretch
"I'd highly doubt that she would go out with you even if you were alive." Casper stated.
"Oh and what about that girl Jennifer that Chris Carson's started hanging out with?
Didn't you used to wonder if she would like you more as a fleshie kid? Especially after she did that project on you and your life."
Jennifer scoffed and then she spoke. "Excuse me but I'd highly doubt that I would like Casper as a human, he's a hundred years older than me. From what I read, he would prefer someone different."
The two ghosts Stretch and Casper turned their heads to Jennifer.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the former girl-bully who got spooked by my dear nephew. Its been a while since we last saw you in Deedstown, and what brings you all the way out here? You miss my tall wisecracks?"
"Cut the flattery Stretch, I'm not prone to your charms today and I can see through you."
"Woohoo, so you certainly grew some spunk along the road, Could this be an expression of hostility, Jennifer or did you finally grown a backbone after all from hanging out with Chris?
"If you must be such a nuisance, Chris and I decided to come here to see Casper."
"And in case you haven't noticed Stretch, I am here as well." Chris answered after following Jennifer into the store. He walked up to Stretch as he floated down to the floor. "Oh so you did come along Chris, nice. Are you looking for a paranormal adventure with Jenny or have you moved on to something different?"
"Its none of your business Stretch, we just came here for a vacation with Jennifer's parents; also since you and Fatso mentioned Kat Harvey the last time we spoke I wanted to meet her at Whipstaff Manor and maybe collect some of those news papers for extra credit on our project." Chris explained to Stretch.
"Oh doing' some digging to further your education." Stretch said before he chuckled at him.
"Well you did mention that she was residing in Hope." Chris explained.
Stretch gawked in realizing that he just baited Chris and Jennifer into coming here, he lowered his head down in utter defeat before he looked at Chris and Jennifer who stood by his side, holding his hand.
Stretch gave a sigh and spoke. "Okay I admit defeat for this time. You won this round since you mentioned what I said to you. Anyways you can tell dad that we said Hi and that he was a reasonable fleshie to have given us the Applegate mansion as a vacation place for me and my brothers. And Casper, your friend Kat was asking for you at home."
With that, Stretch flew up to the Ceiling leaving Casper to get acquainted with his paranormal loving friend. Casper was the one to speak. "Hi guys, I'm sorry about my uncle Stretch. He thought I ran away to float at the lighthouse."
"Aw, that's okay it was nice to see a familiar ghost who was most helpful to my dad's money making gimmick on Halloween." Chris replied.
"Hi Jennifer, its very nice to see you again since the last time we met." Casper said looking at Jennifer who was a little shy at first before she finally got the courage to speak out, so she replied.
"Well you did frighten me, sending me into Chris' arms."
"Yeah, I get that affect from others sometimes. But look at you, you look fantastic." Casper stated, looking up and down at Jennifer whose face blushed at the compliment. "Well thanks." she replied.
"And there's one thing. I'm sorry." said Casper.
"For what?" asked Jennifer. "For scaring you when we first met." Casper answered.
"Well thanks again for the apology, but I have a question. Who is Kat?" asked Jennifer. Hearing the name spoken had brought rose cheeks on Casper's ghostly face which looked as if he was blushing.
"Well she's the new girl living in my house." Casper answered.
"Yeah, your uncles did mention her when they came to Deedstown for a visit. So did you get a crush on her?" Chris teased his former ghost fiend who then spoke.
"Hey Kat's thirteen year old girl and she was fantastic, just like her mom."
"Ah, well its good to hear that you got a new friend who helped you find who you were. Is she into the paranormal as well?" Chris asked, crossing his arms.
Casper drew a small grin as he spoke.
"Actually her dad Doctor James Harvey was a psychiatrist who became an afterlife therapists searching for his wife Amelia. In fact, I got to dance with her in human form on Halloween night after I brought Doctor Harvey back to life." Casper said, explaining James Harvey's resurrection to Chris as the three stood.
But before Casper could explain further, Jennifer stepped in to intervene.
"Guys, do you think that we could go someplace private? I don't think this store is a place for us to converse to a ghost, especially when the cops might be here any minute." Casper nodded as he spoke. "Jennifer's right Chris, I might know a place where we could hang out."
"Where is that Casper?" asked Chris.
"I could take you to my household and you can get to meet Kat. She's home anyways" Casper said before he flew out the doorway with Chris and Jennifer following after the ghost who led them through the door and along the street to a taxi rank in the streets.
At Deedstown. On the same day.
Whilst Casper and his two human friends were heading to the Lighthouse, Tim Carson was enjoying a day out to himself having received a day off from his perspective workplace.
As he took a slow walk around in the park all by himself, Tim was having a lot in his mind like there was at least one thought that had him feeling hesitant.
Reaching into his jacket pocket he pulled out a box and he opened it to find a ring inside. Since things had started to turn around in Deedstown and the economy starting to improve, Tim had found himself free to spend time with his son as well as falling for Sheila.
And now as he looked at the ring, Tim felt in between minds on whether or not he should ask Sheila if she would marry him but as Sheila was also Chris' teacher, he wasn't sure if it was right. He had been a widow for so long and for some time whilst he stood on the spot, he wished that he could have a talk with his wife or something.
Suddenly Tim felt a sudden bust of wind in his hair, followed by a bright light that was shining down behind him, when he turned himself around he found himself standing frozen as if a ghost was coming down from heaven. When the ghost had become clear, it turned out to be a man who was well dressed in a suit, his hair was combed out and he wore a moustache. He was floating in front of an astonished Tim Carson who stood on the spot.
Although he was scared, Tim spoke out. "Who are you?"
"Well good sir. As you are wondering who I am, Allow me to introduce myself. My name is John Thomas McFadden, "J.T. for short and I believe that you're familiar with my son Casper." said the well dressed ghost who turned out to be Casper's father
"Wait, you're Casper's father, the inventor that my son did a project on?" asked Tim.
"That's right Mr Carson." said Mr McFadden, approaching Tim and stopped at arms length from him.
"I have to say that its an honor to meet you officially, when I read upon my son's project I didn't think that you were real until I looked up your name as an inventor of sorts." Tim said.
"I've been known to be eccentric at times, but what happened to me is not important.
I came here as I wanted to talk to you about what your son Chris did for my son.
A noble thing which was befriending and accepting my deceased son as a friend even though he was a ghost. He needed a friend in this world as your son needed a friend too, and I know that you have also made the right choice in spending time with Chris, even listening to him as well."
Mr McFadden stated to Tim who was surprised to hear him mention his son's name.
"My son, how did you know my son's name?" asked Tim.
JT McFadden drew a small grin as he raised his eyebrows in a sly look and he answered.
"Let's just say you know a beautiful Mrs Carson who misses you."
Tim gave a giggle in disbelief on hearing that JT McFadden knew his wife.
"Mr Carson I know that you think she's gone and never coming back but there's something you must know; she is watching down on you and your son every day and I know that your wife will want you to be happy in sharing a life with Sheila Fistergraff. So if you're still planning to marry her, I can assure you that you have her blessing."
Tim couldn't help but smile at that assurance even it was from a deceased father, looking up at McFadden he spoke. "Thank you Mr McFadden, but can I ask you is it true that you were sent to the insane asylum due to grief?"
"Alas it is true, the society members in Friendship had declared me insane because I spoke about my son haunting me to all of the newspapers there.
I once tried to do something out of love for my boy as you would have done the same.
And so you should be proud of your son for telling my son's story and my story as well. Cause thanks to your boy Chris and his girlfriend Jennifer Elliot, my son Casper had fulfilled my greatest dream and I couldn't be more proud of him than I am now." said McFadden.
"Oh, and what was this dream of yours?" asked Tim.
"Well all I can say was to give a dead person another chance at life beside their loved ones." Mr McFadden answered. "Oh, and how did he do that?" asked Tim.
"I'm sorry sir but I can't tell you." Mr McFadden.
"What, if the claim in those newspaper articles say that you have built a machine that could bring ghosts back to life is true, I would have gave your son Casper a second chance." said Tim.
"Maybe you would have, however I cannot confirm the fact of that story or even give you the formula to make the machine work, I allowed it to die with me. I just don't want you to end up getting lock away for telling my secrets like what happened to me when I tried to bring my son back and I don't want my work to fall into any wrong hands.
So from one dad to another please done ask anything further about my work when I was alive, it just causes too many problems and makes things worse." John McFadden explained with a firm tone to Tim who then nodded thinking that its best not to know.
So Mr McFadden spoke on. "But if you keep it a secret for the sake of your son Chris, I might arrange a meeting with your wife to say goodbye to her" Mr McFadden advised Tim.
Realizing that he might have the chance to say his final word to his former wife, Tim then spoke.
"You won't have to answer me anymore Mr McFadden, you've already given me what I needed to know. And if you can make good on that promise, I will keep to my promise to you"
"I thank you for your understanding Mr Carson. But It will have to just be on this Halloween night to come, as sort of a Cinderella deal with the powers that be."
"So you're saying that I can't speak to her until Halloween? Why?"
"The rules of the universe do not allow spirits to walk the earth unless they have unfinished business, And All hallows eve is the only night you can connect with the dead. So you can take it or leave it." said Mr McFadden. Seeing that there was no way to negotiate around it, Tim decided to answer. "I'll take the Deal John Thomas McFadden."
"Good,then I bid you goodbye." said Mr McFadden who then turned away from Tim Carson, walking away into the distance as Tim then spoke.
"Goodbye John McFadden." With that the spirit of JT McFadden vanished into the distance, leaving Tim Carson once again alone in the park. Soon after that Tim left the park to do his own business.
That's chapter two done. I decided to bring out the ghost of JT McFadden as an angel for Tim. So now I'll be working on Chapter three where Kat Harvey will get to meet Chris Carson and his girlfriend Jennifer for the first time at the Whipstaff manor and thus develop the start of a friendship between the three of them. So be sure to keep a look out as this story progresses.