Dr. Tan awoke with a start, as if by instinct. He glanced around the room and found he was just in time to catch the next spirit making their entrance. This time it was in the form of a young man with short blond hair and a cheery disposition.

"Hello Dr. Tan, I'm the Ghost of Christmas Present. Nice to meet you."

"Wish I could say the same," the doctor replied dryly. The Ghost seemed to ignore his comment.

"I take it you already know why I'm here. Shall we go then?" The spirit offered his hand to him. With no other real options, Dr. Tan took it and began another spiritual journey. This time they found themselves above the city, in the midst of Christmas day. All around them people were reveling in the holiday spirit, carols filled the air and families were celebrating the festivities in their homes. The two of them came upon one home in particular, belonging to none other than Rasa and his family. Rasa had been getting dinner on the table when through the door came a woman dragging along a young boy. They were soon followed by two older teenagers, a boy and a girl.

"Mom, come on, I said I was sorry!" the young boy whined.

"What's going on here Lima?" Rasa asked.

"Glitch was overexerting himself again," the woman responded.

"It was just a little dancing, wasn't gonna do nothin'."

"Glitch, I can't have you taking risks with your heart condition." She then looked towards the two teenagers. "Mo, Emilia, I told you to watch your little brother."

"Sorry mom." They answered simultaneously. Glitch simply stood there pouting, arms crossed.

"It's not fair, I didn't ask to be born like this." Lima ruffled his hair.

"I know sweetheart, but as soon as we can afford that surgery everything will be just fine. Just be patient."

"You've been saying that for years," Glitch noted despondently. His mother gave him a quick hug and told her children to have a seat at the table as she went to the kitchen. Rasa was still gathering the last of the food for dinner.

"So how's work dear?" Lima asked her husband.

"Same as usual. It seems I'll be heading back to the office tomorrow."

"Already? But it's still the holiday."

"Not to the old man. I have to go in or else I'm not getting that raise."

"That stingy old fool. It's not as if he needs the money."

"Believe me, if I could work anywhere else, I would. Blasted economy."

"I swear one of these days I'm giving that man a piece of my mind. Even with me, Mo, and Emilia working we barely have anything saved up."

"Yeah. Come on, let's not spoil the holiday with this talk. Dinner's gonna get cold." They both returned to the dining room and began their feast. Dr. Tan looked upon the scene with a hint of regret. He turned towards the spirit.

"Say, do you think the boy will be alright?" The Ghost spent a moment thinking.

"If things keep going the way the are, I'm sorry to say there's going to be an empty seat at that table by next year. Didn't Rasa mention what he needed the money for?"

"I've never been one to delve into my employee's personal lives."

"I suppose it was just a matter of whether they were working hard enough, huh?" Dr. Tan felt the sting of having his words thrown back at him. He mentally shook it off and asked to move on. They proceeded to another home where they managed to find Oblio at the Christmas dinner Taye invited him to. Her family was quite large, and her house was abuzz with activity. Oblio and Taye had managed to find some space for themselves to talk.

"I appreciate you inviting me over Taye."

"Of course, you didn't think I'd let you spend Christmas alone? Especially considering that old man of yours." Oblio laughed to himself, quite subtly.

"It's a shame that he declined to come as well." Taye simply tsk'd and shook her head.

"No offense boo, but you should forget about him. I mean, it's your birthday and your pops won't even say nothin' about it?"

"I had expected as much. He did send me a gift however."

"More money? Seems cash is the only language he understands."

"Quite. I already donated most of it, let it be of use to someone who needs it." Dr. Tan sighed, though it wasn't as if anyone else would hear it.

"Why do even waste your time on him? I swear he's more attached to those robots he makes than you." Oblio took a moment to gather his thoughts.

"I suppose it's mostly out of pity, though he would loathe hearing me say so. I would like to think that if I kept reaching out to him, that he wouldn't feel that he has to resign himself to being alone in his manor day after day."

"I swear, you're too good to him. C'mon, I think dinner's ready." With that, the two of them left, leaving Dr. Tan and the Ghost as lone witnesses.

"Oblio's a good son, isn't he?" the spirit remarked.

"Yes, I suppose he is."

"You know, it's not too late. This is just a vision of the Christmas that will be. After the third spirit is finished, time will resume normally as if we were never there." Dr. Tan nodded in acknowledgment.

"Are we done here?"

"Yeah, just about. I'll take you back now." With that said, it was back to Dr. Tan's bedroom where they had started. The Ghost then began to fade out of existence. "Good luck to you, and happy holidays Dr. Tan." Dr. Tan simply watched him disappear, somewhat anxious about what was to come. Just when he thought he was alone, he felt himself being watched. A sense of dread fell upon him that he could not contain. He turned around to find a hooded figure looming over him.

End of chapter three. What visions will the final spirit bring to Dr. Tan?