A Christmas Carol:
The First of Three
Oliver awoke to find that he had fallen asleep in his chair. Sitting up he paused, eyebrows furrowing as he began recalling the strange occurrence from just hours before. It felt as if he'd dreamt the whole thing… that was really the only logical answer he could make for his confusion. How else would he have seen the face of his dead brother other than it to have been the trickery of some subconscious thought?
Glancing at his bedroom window the detective was perplexed to see the sky still as dark as before his slumber. He was not sure how long he had slept but he was sure that daylight should have broken. Suddenly fixed on knowing the time, he fished in his pocket for his timepiece and gave it a glance. Though the motion only increased his confusion. The clock read midnight, but he was sure he had at least gone to bed at some time past two. Shoving the device back in its place, he ran a hand through his hair. The clock must have been wrong, or perhaps he himself was mistaken.
Getting up from his seat, Oliver changed into his nightclothes and slipped into bed. Thoughts of Gene's ghost still lingered on his mind and as much as he tried to convince himself that it was only a moment of delusion, he kept replaying the conversation he'd had over and over again.
It was only until a quarter past did he remember the warning of his ghostly visitors and that the first was due rather soon. The realization unnerved him. He was still skeptical that the situation could be real, but there was a chance and even if it was a small one, it put him on edge.
And so, the only thing he could do was wait. Grabbing the pocket watch he placed on his nightstand, Noll held it close, checking the time every now and then. The closer the small hand came to one, the tenser he felt himself become. It was not that he was scared of the unknown… In fact, he was rather intrigued by it. It was just that all of this was on a personal level. If he were just an observer it would be a different story, but he was part of the main plot—in a sense—and personal matters were never his cup of tea.
When the time ticked one, Noll closed his eyes and sighed, a wave of relief washing over him. "So it was a foolish dream…"
"Was it?" A sassy, amused feminine voice cooed and Oliver froze, a slight warmth burning to his right.
Slowly sitting up, he opened his eyes and turned to the source, spotting the most unusual creature laying at his side. Though, 'creature' he supposed was not fitting, for the figure seemed very human-like. She—he supposed by her shape and voice that it was a she—was dressed in a red gown, a gold sash tied around her waist, held up by two thin straps. Her feet were bare, toenails painted in a red that matched both her gown and ruby lips. Though, the most mystical feature about her was her red hair. Her locks moved like flames and crackled like a fireplace.
Taking a moment to collect himself, he soon spoke, "You are one of the spirits I was warned about, correct?"
"I am." She spoke confidently, almost vainly.
"What are you?"
"I am the Ghost of Christmas Past." The spirit sat up and leaned forward playfully, "Your past."
"Mine…?"
The woman nodded and clasped a hand around his arm. "Come, Handsome. Walk with me," her ruby lips stretched into a playful smile.
The man felt oddly compelled to comply and uttered no word of protest, though if he had he doubted it would have mattered. This phantom seemed to have her own agenda and though her voice was soft, there was an attitude to it.
Half expecting to be led toward the door, Noll frowned as he was taken toward the window. He turned to her, "You do not expect me to be able to fly? I am no spirit." There was no uneasiness in his voice, but his words hinted toward it.
The vision chuckled and placed a hand upon his heart. "Fear not. My touch is all you need."
The two soon phased through the brick and wallpaper of the old building and found themselves in another place, one very familiar to Oliver. A place of warmth and love. He took one look at the long narrow hallway and his eyes widened a fraction, "This is…"
"…your adoptive parents' home." The spirit finished correctly. Thought it wasn't just the fact that they were in his parents' home that startled him, but the fact that he spotted things that had once existed in his younger years and no longer existed in the present. "How long has it been, do you suppose, since you've seen it exactly like this?"
"Twenty years..."
At that moment, the two caught a glimpse of Luella Davis walking briskly down the hall soon followed by the similarly familiar face of Madoka Mori, who both held excited smiles. They spoke expressively, the subject going unheard by the silent spectators, but stopped as they came to the door to the spirits' left. "They cannot see or hear us." It answered an unspoken question. "Can you remember this day?"
Oliver didn't answer but instead crept closer as the door was opened and the women stepped inside. Two pajamaed identical boys were found in a far corner of the room, one of them smiled and went to greet the two while the other stayed seated, nose burred in a book.
The more lively boy—Eugene—grinned, "Is it time already?"
Luella smiled with a nod, "Yes. Martin has finally gotten up." The blond leaned over to her companion with a whisper, "It's their first real Christmas here, you know?"
The younger version of Gene turned to his silent brother in the corner, "Well, come on Noll!"
Oliver's younger self snorted and shut his book, "I don't see why you're in such a hurry… it's not like your gifts are going to get up and walk away."
"Who knows, maybe they will." Madoka chuckled, following a hyped up Gene out the door.
Older Oliver's eyes stayed trained on the woman as she left the room. "That woman..."
"Your Aunt, Luella's sister, and the only one who had the skill and nerve to counter your remarks, wasn't she?" The spirit asked and was answered with a nod, "Had she children?"
"One…" He explained, eyes shifting back over to his former self. "Yasuhara."
"I see." The spirit glanced at his troubled expression, only noticeable by the knit of his eyebrows and his tightly pressed lips. "Something the matter?"
"It's nothing." He told her, tuning back in to the situation in front of them.
Luella glanced toward her son, "Coming?"
The child nodded, "In a minute."
Walking over, the woman planted a light kiss on young Noll's forehead, "Well, be quick about it. I'm not sure how long Gene is willing to wait."
The onlookers watched as the lady left the room and brought their attention to the young boy who turned to gaze out the window.
"He's wondering how long this will last…" The older Oliver explained to the creature next to him. "…being here with Luella and Martin."
"Oh?" The spirit commented her gaze not leaving the younger boy. "And does it last?"
"…It does."
"Is that a good thing?" She questioned wistfully.
"It is."
"I see." The creature placed a hand back on his forearm. "Come. There is another Christmas you must see."
At these words, the scenery around them changed. The two soon found themselves in a much earlier version of a Davis Inc. Christmas. The room was bright and inviting, decorations were hung with care, and the light melody of music was heard over the chatter of figures mingling and dancing, a faint smell of perfume and liquor mixed in the air.
A now twenty year old Eugene and Oliver Davis stood side by side off to the side of the party, the former looking a bit merrier than the latter. The older twin nudged his brother and discreetly pointed in the direction of a fair woman that gave the resemblance of a doll and who seemed to be sneaking a peek in their direction every now and then, a cheeky grin prominent on his face. "Looks like Masako has her eye on you, brother."
"Is that so?" The amateur detective commented dully before taking a sip of tea, obviously not interested in the topic.
"You should go and dance with her."
"I do not wish to dance." He retorted, eyes fixated on the liquid in his cup.
"And why not?" Gene questioned taking the glass from his brother and setting it down, "Its Christmas Eve for God's sake. Just dance with someone. It doesn't have to be with Masako…" His eyes scanned the room before falling on a familiar brunette turning down a dance from Yasuhara for the umpteenth time. "How about Mai?"
Former Oliver followed his gaze, "What about Mai?"
"Dance with her." He said simply, "Won't you?"
"Isn't it you who wants to dance with her, Gene?" The man observed, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
A surprised blush flushed onto the elder brother's face. "I-I can't dance, Noll." He cleared his throat, "Besides, it is you who she wishes to dance with."
"Oh? Has she told you this?"
"Aha… well… no…" Gene scratched the back of his head.
"Well then? What are you wasting my time for? Go dance." Taking his cup back, Oliver shoved him lightly.
Eugene scoffed and straightened his shirt, "How did this become about me, I wonder…" He muttered before waving his way through the guests and over to their assistant.
Taking another sip of tea, Former Oliver watched as his brother and employee exchanged a few words before joining each other in a dance. It was obvious that neither knew what they were doing. Feet were stepped on and people were bumped into, but the two of them just chuckled about it and gave embarrassed glances of apology for being so horrible.
Older Oliver pursed his lips slightly, "My brother… he grew to love that woman very much."
"He was not the only one." The ghost commented pointedly, but he didn't want to think of what she meant by it.
The music died down and the tapping of a wine glass was heard. All attention went to a slightly tipsy Madoka standing up on a desk chair. "Attention everyone!" She slurred slightly, a smiled forming on her lips. "Let's all give a great big thank you to Eugene and Oliver for throwing such a wonderful Christmas party!" She cooed and everyone cheered.
Eugene scratched the back of his head in modesty and chuckled an amused "Someone get her down from there before she hurts herself!"
It was former Oliver that helped her down, as it was his chair she'd chosen to stand on. Yasuhara was soon by her side to persuade her to stop drinking for a bit. Madoka merely pated both boys on the cheek and gave them a mischievous smile.
"She was fighting cancer." Older Oliver stated, taking in the woman's sickly appearance.
"She is quite the fighter." The fiery spirit commented.
"She was…" He agreed, correcting her, and added an almost solemn, "She dies before the New Year."
The party continued on with much cheer and merriment. Faces of people he hadn't spoken to in years passed by his vision, everyone laughing and having a wonderful time. Eugene always knew how to throw a good party…
This soon died down and people began to leave. Goodbyes were given and soon it was just Gene, Mai, and Former Oliver left to clean up the mess, the merrier two of the three deciding to play rather than clean. The ghostly onlookers watched as they danced to nonexistent music around in a circle, arms linked. Grabbing Former Oliver they brought him in to the middle of the circle, unwillingly, and trapped him there. He glared. They laughed.
The spirit smiled and glanced at Older Oliver whose eyes stayed trained on the scene. Placing a hand on his forearm she gained his attention, "Come. My time is dwindling. There is more to see."
Their surroundings morphed yet again, the walls of the office changing into trees covered with the snow that now fell down all around them. They were outside now, the benches and gas lamps suggesting a park. Oliver felt no chill, but his mouth let out puffs of smoke as he breathed.
"Naru!" The voice of Mai rang out sounding panicked and hurt as she ran passed Older Oliver and the Christmas Spirit to catch up to the retreating back of Former Oliver. The younger man paused at the sound of his name, stopping but not turning around. Mai halted a few feet away from him. "Didn't you hear me?" She questioned. "I just said 'I love you'… How can you walk away without even a word?"
The Oliver next to the spirit tensed, immediately recognizing this moment in time.
"Me or Gene?" Former Oliver questioned, back still facing the girl.
Mai was a taken back. "…Excuse me?"
"Are your ears not working today, or are you just so daft you can't understand three little words?" He questioned, turning slightly on his heel to face her. He seemed much harsher than usual.
"How could you ask that?" She huffed, voice cracking.
Former Oliver slid his hands into his pockets. "Ponder it. Two men, same face, same occupation, same income. One has a terrible personality and the other a charming one… Which would you choose? Logically the charming one."
Mai laughed bitterly at this. "Logically the charming one?" She echoed with a scoff. "Why, then, have I come to you? Why have a declared my love for you?"
"Perhaps because you are confused."
"Confused you say!" She seemed to find this terribly funny, tears were falling now. "I speak from the heart. There is no need for the logical in the domain in which emotions rule. My choice has always been you. Have I not already turned down your brother's affections? Why, pray tell, do you think that was?" He didn't answer so she continued. "Because my affections are for you and no one else. Terrible personality and all."
"…Then you are a masochist."
"And you a cynical sadist."
"Perhaps…" Former Oliver agreed, turning away. "Then, you should know that I have no need for your affections. You're wasting your time." With that he walked away, leaving Mai to her tears.
"Poor girl." The sprite cooed in either pity or sympathy.
"No more." Older Oliver spoke, voice soft as his head lowered so that his bangs covered his eyes. "Take me home."
"I can't. Not yet. There is more to see."
"No. No more." He said firmly, turning to her. His eyes showed something, but whether it be sorrow or anger she did not know.
The spirit ignored his words and took him by both arms to see the next shadow of his past.
Their surroundings changed yet again, this time taking them to the side of a river. Though no longer snowing, a white blanket covered the ground, dirty and deformed from being disturbed. A crowd gathered around a part of the bank that had not frozen in the winter's chill, though most (some easyily recognizable as reporters) stood back behind a makeshift barricade. The closest to the river were a few police and the same two figures from the precious vision of his past.
Mai was crying again this time too, but much more hysterically as she clung to one of the officers for support, unable to stand upright on her own. Her loud sobs caught the attention of most of the people around them, and no doubt broke more than a few hearts from the sight.
Former Oliver stood closer to the river in front of a wet and pale body hidden under a tarp. His face, though solemn, gave nothing away to his thoughts. But the hands clenched at his sides betrayed him as his knuckles turned white. His stare stayed intense as he nodded once to the officer beside him, allowing the man to knell down in front of the body and pull back the tarp.
Eyes devoid of any of the lively spark they'd once held stared back up at them. Lips tinted blue, his expression held one of both pain and surprise. His clothes were soaked to the bone and torn from what looked like a struggle and though skin now deathly pale and blue eyes dimmed, it was without a doubt the body of his brother. Eugene Davis.
Former Oliver confirmed the body's identity and, after exchanging a few more words with the officer, he walked away. His pace brisk and mechanical, he didn't even double back to check on Mai, who had now fully collapsed to her knees at the sight of the body. He headed toward Older Oliver and the Christmas Spirit, passing right through them with a ridged demeanor and glossy eyes with unshed tears that no one else could see.
The spirit touched her silent passenger on the shoulder and he turned to her with harsh eyes. His lips pressed together, forming a thin line. "Did I not say no more, Spirit?!" He questioned harshly and pushed her away from him with unnerving force that surprised even him.
The fiery Spector stumbled, eyes looking in slight surprise. He reached out to grab her on instinct, however she slipped right through his fingers. Smiling, she closed her eyes and let herself fall into the river. Her fire extinguished, body dispersing into steam as soon as the waters touched her.
As she disappeared, the vision of his past faded into blackness and he grew extremely tired.
Oliver felt himself sway and he fell into a deep sleep as he collapsed onto something rather soft.
