Dr. Tan was startled by the sight of this intruder. The only thing visible was their black cloak, no features could be identified under their hood. This spirit did not speak, though their hand was outstretched towards him.

"Let me guess, you're the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come? Here to show me visions of my future and what not?" Dr. Tan tried to sound calm, but his voice wavered. The spirit nodded in response. This Ghost was certainly not what he expected. They seemed to exude this aura of negativity that was almost suffocating. Dr. Tan tried to regain his composure. "Well, carry on then. I'll be right behind you." The Ghost led him towards the city, though it hardly looked like the one he called home. The setting was dark and gloomy, seemingly endless shadows covered the landscape. Their first stop was a luxurious penthouse, own by a man and woman with platinum-blonde hair. Dr. Tan recognized some of his robots within the residence.

"It would seem that these piles of scrap are good for something after all Kerith," the woman remarked.

"Indeed sister. They're certainly much more agreeable than our old butlers," the man replied.

"And the view is much nicer up here without that garish building in the way."

"Yes, good things come to those who wait, wouldn't you say?"

"Quite. I say we have a toast to this good fortune." One of the robots walks up to them, carrying a tray with two wine glasses. They each took one, their condescending laughter breaking the silence. Dr. Tan was left to ponder the implications on his own, for the Ghost continued to say nothing. Instead they prompted the doctor that they were moving on, and so he followed.

They found themselves at a familiar manor... wasn't it his? Perhaps, but a look inside revealed a couple residing in it, the interior not being what he was acquainted with. The current residents were seated in front of the fireplace, having a chat.

"I didn't expect you to actually buy this place up Aubrey," said the male.

"I couldn't let this space go to waste. It'd make a great venue for our performances," the woman responded.

"Yeah, I can see that. Can't help but think this place might be a little haunted though."

"Please, that geezer was hardly intimidating when he was alive. What can a dead man do to me?" The male chuckled to himself.

"True. I'll protect you if something does happen though."

"As if I need your help Angel." Dr. Tan tuned out the rest of the conversation as questions upon questions formed in his mind. But- how- why?! He wanted to ask the spirit many things, but he did not expect an answer from the shadowy figure. The Ghost proceeded to take him to a new area, what he hoped would be the final destination of this ghostly journey.

It was a graveyard, with a man standing in front of one of the gravestones. As Dr. Tan and the spirit arrived, the man turned to leave. It was Rasa, though at this point his age was quite visible on his face. Taking the previous Ghost's words to heart, Dr. Tan rushed over to the grave Rasa was just in front of. His fears were confirmed, it was the grave of Rasa's boy Glitch, beloved son, brother, and friend, as inscribed on his headstone. A twinge of grief washed over him, though surely it could not compare to that of the boy's family. The grave was still decorated with flowers, wreaths, and other trinkets.

"Is this truly what my future holds?" he asked, mostly to himself. He then felt a hand on his shoulder. The Ghost was pointing to a far corner of the graveyard. "You want me to go there?" The spirit continued to point in that direction. Dr. Tan made his way over, dreading what he would soon discover. At last he made it to a grave, one that seemed more lonelier than the others. The headstone was slightly chipped in places, and the withered remains of a single bouquet were all that was there beside dirt and weeds. He read the name on the headstone, but he could not force his mind to accept its truth.

Here Lies Doctor Richard Tan

"It can't end this way..." He turned towards the spirit, who had been idly standing by during the whole ordeal. Dr. Tan grabbed at their cloak, barely stopping himself from groveling in submission. "Alright, I understand! I do not wish to claim this future as my own, I can change! The others said it's not too late right? I need to go back, take me back this instant!" The Ghost remained as stoic as ever throughout the doctor's shouting. "At least answer me you blasted specter!" Dr. Tan pulled off their hood, only to find a void of blackness staring back at him. There was no face to be seen, the shape only vaguely human. The Ghost began to flicker, the face flashing between black and white faster and faster. It was the last thing Dr. Tan saw before waking up with a shock within his bedroom once again.

End of chapter four. We're at the home stretch, thanks for hanging in there!