[[This story is sort of fail, due to the style of writing that I'm trying out (What! If you never try you'll never know if it works. ;A;) But I still plan on finishing. I mean, have I EVER finished a multi-chapter fic yet? No. Thought not. Plus, I have more multi-chapters fics that I want to start but I promised I'd finish Haunted first. So, taadaa! Chapter four.]]

At about eleven thirty the tapping came at my door. It came as a failed attempt at the Mario theme song, but at least I recognized what it was supposed to be. I had fallen into a half-sleep by the time Matt got to my room so the sudden noise startled me into consciousness, making me cranky.

I needed my beauty sleep, okay?

I stumbled over to the door and opened it in more-than-a-little frustrated manner. There stood a bright-eyed and bushy tailed Matt. He was obviously a night owl, unlike myself who (usually) got up at dawn to read the Bible or study Mathematics or anything I wanted to do, really. As long as it was silent and broke no rules. That is I did until this ghost child had been waking me up in the middle of the night. Matt's face suddenly broke into a smile and I moved aside to let him in.

"Soo," he started, in his usual drawl, "I did some research today. I didn't get the coffee and donuts for our stakeout but I did learn a few facts about, ya' know… ghosts." The wicked grin that adorned his face concerned me. Just a bit. This kid seemed up for the adrenaline.

"And what did you learn?"

"Uhm, just some signs, you know? Like what happens before a ghost appear and stuff like that. But I dunno. I only looked it up on the internet, and as everybody warns it can't be trusted."

I stared. "Than why'd you bother?"

"It was fun." Matt pouted a bit, scrunching his nose and folding his arms. "Why not? It was my free time not yours."

"That's stupid." I replied, getting more and more angry at nothing as my lids grew heavier with sleep.

"I was just trying to help."

His tone was now quieter and I felt guilty immediately, of course. But I wasn't going to apologize. He just needed to move on.

I began, "Anyway, I think it's best if we take shifts. So we can at least wake up for classes tomorrow." He nodded. It was a good idea, plus I needed to sleep sometime. I hadn't had a good night's sleep in two days. "So, do you want to stay awake first or should I?"

Matt obviously told me to sleep. I bet he could see the tiredness on my face. Grateful, I crawled into my bed.

"Wake me up in an hour okay? The time is right here." I pushed my alarm clock on my desk so it faced him. The LED lit numbers illuminating his skin in the darkness. "Or, if you hear anything weird wake me up."

Matt nodded and saluted me playfully. "Yes sir."

I put my head on my pillow. "And Matt?"

"Hmmm?"

"Hide if Roger is walking around."

I heard him chuckle and shift positions. "Duh, dummy."

I was drifting but I needed to tell him one more thing, "And don't fall asleep. I'll kill you, I swear."

Matt laughed again. "Are you always this bossy? Go to sleep Mello."

I scowled, but I was practically asleep already.

Before it all went black, I remembered to say, "And thanks, Matt."

A hand was on my shoulder, shaking me gently. Warm, loving.

"M-momma?" I grumbled. She was there, I knew it.

"Mello?" Mihael?

I crinkled my brow in confusion. Mellow? What did she mean by that?

"Mello." Mihael. A little harsher this time.

"Momma?" I groaned.

"Mello. Wake up." There was an abrupt, violent shake on my shoulder and this time I did wake up. I sat up with a jolt, remembering that I was Mello now. Orphanage. Wammy's House. Right…

When Matt's silhouette appeared in my vision I couldn't repress a blush. I thanked the Lord above that it was dark enough in my room that Matt wasn't able to see it. I prayed that I hadn't been calling my mother out loud. That was just… unacceptable.

"Father forgive." I whispered under my breath, "Matt you scared me to high Hell. Don't do that."

"I had to wake you up sometime." he whined, "I was dozing. Your turn to keep watch." I flung the sheets to my side and got out of the bed. It was cooler out of the sheets. I didn't want to do this anymore. My bare feet hit the cold floor. I really didn't want to do this anymore. I held in any form of sound or obnoxious whining that threatened to escape my throat. Than I would sound like Matt did right now. And that was grating on my nerves.

I sat on the wooden floor, pulling my knees to my chest. I thought I should read or something of that sort, but the thought was quickly abandoned. As if I'd be able to focus on the words with my sleep-deprived mind. Instead, I pulled my rosary out from under my shirt, clutching the small cross in my fist. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree…

Matt sat next to me and I eyed him wearily, but, keeping to the "no-noise" policy that I had just created I stayed silent. A few minutes past, the silence awkward. I turned my head and opened my mouth, words ready to fly until I noticed Matt was sleeping. On my shoulder no less.

"Father above…" I started, rolling my eyes. This kid just surprised me more and more. Maybe he could return the favor though. He'd never know. I leaned my head softly to the side, using Matt's red hair as a make-shift pillow. Not bad…

I clutched my rosary tighter, a slight sting in my palm. I had to make sure not to fall asleep. The tiny, cross-shaped pain would do it's job. I wouldn't sleep. I grinned smugly to myself. The ghost child couldn't scare me now. I had backup; I had a friend.

"Mello. C'mon. Not this again." I blinked my eyes open to the sight of Matt. It was much easier to wake up the second time. But when realization hit I nearly smacked myself.

"Matt. I fell asleep on the shift didn't I?" His lips pursed.

"It seems that way, yeah. After all that fuss about me not falling asleep you go and do it yourself."

I gave him my best glare. He looked down at his hands as if they were suddenly so interesting. That's what I thought. It's not like I meant to fall asleep. It did make me feel kind of irresponsible though, so I mentally smacked myself… again.

"Well, hear anything at all? Anything weird?" I asked, voice full of hope. I didn't want to feel crazy anymore. The boy across from me shook his head and I let out an agitated sigh. This was all my fault. The one night that I happen to sleep through the ghost-child's noises it's when I call in for backup. And fall asleep on that backup, thus making me seem crazy…er than I normally did.

"Shniza." Matt grumbled, offhandedly. Before I can ask he continues with, "It's nearly five am. I guess we slept longer than we thought. Sorry Mel, about not catching this ghostie. Maybe another time? I should get back to my room before-"

"Before Roger checks in. Yeah I know." Matt gave me an apologetic look. I wasn't sure to take it as pity or general sympathy about leaving but I decided not to swell on the thought too much. I didn't like to be pitied.

"It's alright Matt. Like you said, maybe another time."

"Okay… I'll see you later than Mel!" he grinned as he practically tiptoed out of my room. Once the door clicked silently behind him I replied.

"And don't give me nicknames, you goof."

I was smiling regardless.

[[-gags at the mush- OVERKILL, OVERKILL!

…Sorta… I couldn't help it! ;A;

Well anyway. I hope you actually got through that filler chapter of mine. Only three more to go and we're done! Hip-hip hooraayy! I'm sorta excited to A) Be finishing my first not-one-shot and B) To see how you guys like the end. ;DD…]]