"Arthur, stop being ridiculous. Your analytical skills are required. The more heads we can put together on this, the better! Vivi, please stop staring out the window and help me get him out of the bathroom!"

"Kay texted. She's almost here."

"I didn't ask Kay, I asked you."

"And I said Kay's almost here."

The cracked tile shower wall chilled Arthur's already clammy skin as he pressed against it, staring vacantly at the locked bathroom door. Any second, now, Lewis would come bursting through in all his flaming glory.

Oh gods. The flames.

The second they'd stepped into the mansion there had been candles lit with tongues of pink flame, like the inferno that Vivi claimed almost killed him. Then those scary little ghosts he'd seen Duet summon chased them down the hall. Vivi had been thrilled, sure they were on the right trail.

And then…

But he would never be angry at me! He had to know! Why? Lewis would never… unless it really was my…

He wrapped his arms around his head, hunching over his knees on the shower floor. The shower head leaked a steady drip-drip-drip at the tip of his sneakers. He watched the drops smash into the hard tile after falling from a dizzying height-

He wrenched his eyes away, giving a gutteral cry. Lewis was dead, but he wasn't gone, and he blamed Arthur.

How could you blame me? You know I always had your back!

Those flames. The pink fireball that nearly killed them-would have killed them if Vivi and Arthur hadn't been carrying their talismans-was the same shade of pink that had engulfed him at Lewis' grave.

The Shiker hadn't tried to kill him that night. Lewis had. His best friend had tried, twice now, to murder him.

But then, I actually did kill him.

"I d-d-d-didn't want!" He choked, his throat closing up as demonic memories crowded his mind. "N-N-N!" He clung to the memory of Kay's voice calling his name. He was Arthur, and nobody else.

Imagination, milked from the mind of a broken child, to give the curse adjustment.

It wasn't working.

Unicorn's horn to give the curse longevity and the cruelest kind of hope.

He dragged his nails down his left arm to snap himself free, but was only rewarded with a screech of metal.

A corrupted hoshi no tama to incubate the curse from planting to harvest.

He slammed his head against the wall, pulling himself back to the present.

"Arthur, please come out." Mystery was scratching at the door. How long had he been doing that? "I know it's distressing, but no good will come of you…" he trailed off as a knock sounded from beyond the bathroom door.

"Why don't you let her in, Mystery?" Vivi asked tonelessly.

"She's not alone," Mystery hissed. "You get the door! I'm a dog, remember?"

After a long pause and a few more knocks, footsteps crossed to the door. Arthur put his fingers in his ears, blocking out the sounds. If Kay was here, she'd probably tell him to open the door and he wasn't ready to come out.

Wasn't ready to tell her about Lewis.

I don't have to. Vivi will. Or Mystery.

They won't be able to tell Kay why he's angry.

Arthur shut his eyes. It was remotely possible he was at fault, and if it was even remotely possible, then Lewis had every right to want him dead.

No! It's not right! He denied me what he was perfectly happy to enjoy and wouldn't tell me anything! He never talked to me, never let Kay or I make a choice about it! Never told us what he was up against! It's HIS fault!

A glint drew his eye to the crack under the bathroom door. Something colorful and flashy wiggled there. It almost looked like…

One of the hairclips he'd sent over for Dulcie to lift her spirits.

Hesitantly, he took his hands away from his ears. Vivi was whispering to someone, probably Kay. If Dulcie was here, Mr. Pepper probably was too. Maybe even Mrs. Pepper.

The hairclip wiggled more insistently. Vivi probably didn't want Dulcie in on the conversation. Arthur unfolded himself from the shower, crawling toward the door. He wasn't ready to trust his legs yet. He clicked the lock open, cracking the door.

He could just make out Mr. Pepper's form sagging against the far wall, and now Kay's whispering overlapped Vivi's. A large tangle of pink curls blocked the rest of his view. He scooted back, allowing Dulcie to slip in with him.

She shut the door behind her, shoving the hairclip back in her hair and turning to him. She touched his arm anxiously, peering up and down it. She put her hand over his heart, then pulled at his eyelids. Grimacing, he pulled back with a grunt.

She lifted her hands, moving them with concentrated effort. Aji hurt you?

Arthur gaped, lifting his hands in reply. You sign? When did you learn? Who taught you?

Slow. Please.

Arthur adjusted his speed, mouthing words along with his gestures. You sign?

Done talking.

Forever?

Dulcie nodded emphatically. Found Lewis' sign book. Videos.

Arthur blinked, bewildered. Why done talking?

Mom said no. But I sang. Then Lewis died.

Arthur shook his head vehemently. You didn't kill Lewis.

Yes.

No.

Yes.

Arthur's gestures swept wider, his mouth stretching to exaggerate the words. Don't you dare. This has nothing to do with you singing.

Mom said songs kill.

Arthur grunted in frustration. Yeah well Lewis doesn't think it's you. Neither do I.

Dulcie's eyes went round. Lewis died.

He swallowed. "L-Lew-"

This one doesn't break, he is not useful. Leave, then. Survive out there, if you can. I have my beauties to tend, but I'm always watching.

Hands worked through his hair, jarring him back with a gasp. Dulcie was next to him, sliding something into his hair. When he reached up he could feel hairclips pinning two sections of his hair back.

Kay said talking hurts you, Dulcie signed. Don't. She patted the hairclips. Feel better.

Arthur stared at Dulcie. She was sweet, but wouldn't be able to tell him if it was his fault or not. Lewis, or whatever was left of Lewis, was driven by rage. Vivi was probably a wreck. If anybody could tell him if it really was his fault or not, it would be Kay.

He turned to stare at the doorknob. If he went out there, he'd have to tell Kay who hurt him and why.

Lewis barely stopped when Vivi got in the way. What if I'm putting Kay in danger?

His spine stiffened. Lewis had kept all kinds of secrets, some of them probably for really well meant reasons. Now they were all dealing with the fallout. Kay deserved to know and decide for herself, then they would deal with the rest together.

Struggling to stand on shaky legs, he tweaked one of Dulcie's pigtails fondly, mouthing Thank you. Then he opened the bathroom door.

Across the room, Kay swung around to face him. "Is it true?" she demanded. "Is Lewis a ghost?"

Wincing, Arthur glanced down at Dulcie, frozen in place just behind him. He lifted his head, giving a small nod.

"We have to find him." Kay took a step toward the room door. "I have to talk to him."

Vivi grabbed Kay's arm, snarling, "Not on your defenestrated wristwatch. Last time we were near him, he tried to fry Arthur medium-rare. Again. He's a monster, and we can't-"

Kay ripped her arm away, rounding on Vivi. "Don't you dare say that. Don't you dare use that word in the same sentence as my brother! Just because you don't remember doesn't change who he is! Lewis is kind! He's protective! He only ever wanted what was best for us, and if he attacked anybody, it's because something's wrong!"

"Or maybe he's not the hero you built him up to be, did you think of that?" Vivi snapped.

"If you hadn't lost your brain in the cave, you wouldn't be talking like that about him!" Kay shouted.

"And if you'd actually seen what he did to Squire in the graveyard you would! Not only that, he's working with the Shiker!"

"What? You're lying! He would never!"

"Oh yeah? So why are the Shiker's little minions at his beck and call? They chased us all through his haunted house. So if you're such an expert, you tell me!"

BANG.

Kay and Vivi jumped as Arthur slammed the flat of his mechanical hand against the wall, leaving a small dent. Knock it off. Scaring Dulcie.

Kay blinked. "What's he saying?"

Vivi hunched her shoulders, turning back to the window. "We should stop. Dulcie."

Arthur put a hand on Dulcie's shoulder, guiding her out into the room with him. Mr. Pepper took one of the two chairs, pulling Dulcie into his lap.

Kay's fingers curled and uncurled, and she couldn't meet Arthur's gaze. "Did. Did he really… do that? Try to… to hurt you?"

Arthur nudged Vivi's arm, pointing to his hands.

Sighing, Vivi pushed her glasses up. "Fine. I'll translate." Her voice had gone flat again. Arthur hesitated, putting a hand on her shoulder. She batted it away, growling, "I'm not swung, Arthur. I'm angry, and that's different. Start talking."

As Arthur's hands moved, Vivi translated. "He says yes. Lewis would have killed him. But he's not sure Lewis knows he was possessed. Arthur also says he wants you to tell him if it was his fault-Squire, we've already been through this!"

Arthur held up a hand, shaking his head. He signed something to Vivi, and she sighed. "Fine. Keep going. He says they had a fight right before the cave."

"You already told us that," Kay rubbed her arm. "You said you two had a fight, and that was how the demon got in."

"He says he didn't tell you what it was about. He finally told Lewis that you two were dating."

Kay went rigid.

"Lewis told him he couldn't date you and wouldn't say why. Told him to back off. Squire wants to know… oh." Vivi's voice picked up a tremor. "He wants to know from you if it was his fault."

"You know, it's all well and good to ask Kay, but I'd appreciate it if everyone would stop treating me like I'm not a part of the conversation."

Arthur turned to Mr. Pepper, who was studying the carpet. "I know I'm just the human who's married to the siren around here, but it's not like I don't have things to say. For one, it isn't your fault. Teles said it wasn't when you first gave us your letter, and she knows a lot more than she consciously lets on. I wouldn't be shocked if she knew exactly whose fault it was and why, not that she'll ever tell, but she said from the start that it wasn't Arthur and I wouldn't doubt it."

Arthur frowned, signing at him.

"Consciously?" Vivi echoed.

"All sorts of things slip in her sleep." He lifted his head, pulling Dulcie close. "My family is falling apart, and from what I hear, it's only going to get worse. If I tell you what I know, will you help?"

Arthur glanced at Vivi, who sighed. "This thing with Lewis is a lot bigger than we thought. If it involves figuring out what else is happening with the Peppers, fine. We'll officially add it to the list, along with team Tome Tomb."

Mr. Pepper nodded. "I'll need a laptop."

"What for?" Vivi asked, flipping open her suitcase.

"I've been ordered not to tell anyone what I've seen and heard. So I'll just have to type it out and leave it here." He glanced at Arthur, a wry quirk at the corner of his mouth. "And if anyone happens to come by and read it, that's just too bad, now, isn't it?"