Chapter Thirteen

A/N: Last chapter, are you ready? I am. I meant for this to be a quick story, not one that would take me over a year to write. But I have enjoyed it; it was fun once it got started. Remember, I don't own clue. As promised, here is unlucky chapter 13, enjoy!

Peter pulled a drenched Madison back into the warmth of the attic. We all moved in around her, talking and asking all at once. She glanced around at us with wide eyes as if she had just woken up. And then Peter wrapped his arm around her tiny shoulder and she smiled.

"Are you alright?"

"We thought you two were dead meat out there!"

"Were you scared? Well, duh, stupid question; you aren't hurt, are you?"

"What happened?"

For a moment Peter and Madison just stared around at all of us like we were crazy. And then there was the sound of squealing tires and whining sirens and we all turned to see two police cars and an ambulance streaking down Troy road towards the mansion. The sight sobered us as we realized what major trouble we'd soon be in.

All of a sudden a thought occurred to me. I glanced down at Madison.

"Did you ever find the will?" I asked her. Her eyes widened as she turned back towards me.

"Jackson, I almost forgot!" She cried happily.

"Where did you find it? Where is it?" everyone started bursting out with questions.

Madison's face started to glow a dull red as we waited for an answer. She turned slightly away from us. Pulling the collar of her shirt away from her body where it was sticking, wet from the rain, she fumbled around in her bra, retrieving a slightly damp sheet of parchment.

As she turned back towards us, face red, we were quiet. Then Alex burst out with a laugh, and soon we all joined in. Madison smiled as she shook the paper out.

"What's it say?" David asked excitedly as we all clustered around her.

Madison carefully unfolded the will, placing it gently on top of an old steamer trunk, smoothing out the edges. It was handwritten in black ink, parts of it running from getting wet in the storm. Everyone crowded in around it, curious about what was written in it.

My dear friends,

I suppose that my untimely death may come as a shock to you, seeing as how it occurred the night of our little get-together, but let me assure you that it was my intention to have you all close at hand when the time came for me to pass on. I have found that a house, no matter how big or lavish, is only as welcoming as the quality of living souls that occupy it. I suppose that by now Jonathan has begun tapping his foot against the floor in impatience, so I will get on with it.

Let me start with my closest friend, Mrs. Blanche White. You have meant so much to me in life, and now I shall give you your reward. I have always noticed you eyeing my checkbooks and finances when I am working on them in my study. Indeed, it is you who will receive the bulk of my wealth. I leave to you the contents of a certain chest that is stored in the safe in my study. The combination is 36-24-05. Use your new-found wealth wisely, as I know you shall.

Next, Colonel Michael Mustard. How much fun we've had. I shall never forget all those wonderful stories you always told me about big-game hunting. As for your share, I leave you with a small tract of land that I purchased on a whim. The deed will be found in the same safe as the chest. The land is up in the Rocky Mountain Range and already has a nice lodge, perfect for when you need a weekend get away.

And now for Ms. Evelynne Scarlet. How your father and I got along; his death was quite a blow to me, but I promised him that I would take care of you for him. I leave you with my house (although after tonight you might be a little weary of it); I have also left $5,000 for your use. Know that your father was a great man and that he loved you very much.

I suppose that Mrs. Elizabeth Peacock should be taken care of next. Mrs. Peacock, you are so absurd at times you make me smile. I've enjoyed the time we've spent together over the years, and I know what you would want out of my possessions. In the safe, there are two brief cases. They hold various jewels and jewelry, perfect for a lady of your taste. Enjoy them, and be sure to wear them often.

And now for Peter Plum, my friend the professor. I know that you are forgetful, but for you I have left the grounds of my estate: the gardens, the zoo, and the surrounding areas. Please take care of them (and if you are lucky, perhaps Evelynne shall let you into the house, for it is so lonely at times).

Finally there is only Jonathan Green. How annoyingly persistent you have been over the years; what a brute you were to those around you! Yet you always got what you wanted. However, as I have the last say in this matter, I have decided that today you will get what you deserve. The only share you will receive of my possessions is that which any one of the other guests is willing to share with you. Let's hope someone will take pity on you, for if they don't, you shall receive nothing at all.

And now all that I ask of all of you is to find my sister and to tell her that I love her. There is a package in the safe for her, if anyone could get it to her. Inside are our letters that we exchanged over the years, as well as a large sum of money for her and my nephew to get them by.

Enjoy your spoils,

Mr. Reginald Boddy

As their eyes trailed to the swirly signature at the bottom, a hushed excitement came over the group. And then, with a single glance at each other, everyone burst out laughing and hugging and jumping.

"Can you guys believe it?!" David cried out, a huge smile on his face.

"The house… a house, I own a house!" Heather laughed.

"Oh, I'm so happy!" Alex cried, picking me up in a tight hug and swinging me around. All at once she stopped, her eyes large at what she had just done. I smiled at her, a modest blush creeping onto my face. Setting me back down, the group returned to silence as Alex and I stared at each other.

"Hey, Alex?" I asked, my voice almost squeaking.

"Y-Yeah?" she asked, looking more embarrassed than I had ever seen her before.

"Want to be my date for the homecoming dance?" I asked with a shrug.

Everyone burst out laughing, David even clapped me on the back heavily, as Alex laughed with a nod, giving me another hug.

Peter and I were shut in the back of the police car as they were finishing up. I exhaled, shivering as my breath hung on the dark air. Peter pulled a stray blanket over my shoulders, smiling at me nervously.

"That was one way to spend a Friday night," he smiled. I gave a sudden laugh, still shivering.

"I think I'd rather just go to the football game next week; at least there they have hot chocolate." I chattered. Peter leaned in, staring at me as he paused by my nose, before finishing his kiss on my lips. I let my shoulders relax as his hands found mine.

"Hey, cut it out back there; I have to ride back with you guys and I do not want to be watching that in the rearview mirror the entire time!" David sighed as he crawled into the front seat, his voice tired from the cold.

Peter and I gave a tired laugh at him before wrapping the blanket back around ourselves, still clutching each other's hands beneath it.

As the last of the police cars faded away, a fine mist slowly gathered itself into six groups, eventually solidifying into the forms of six people. One of them, a man who once had unkempt hair and thick glasses, paused to stare at the receding tail lights longingly.

"I wonder if she'll ever find out…" he spoke with a voice that sounded like a strong wind through the tree tops.

"What? That her father was adopted, and that his original last name was Green?" finished a young-looking lady next to him, her voice much like the hushed tone of a light rain. The two found each other's hands and smiles.

"I should hope not!" burst out a voice with the sound of an angry, crackling fire. A man solidified in the form of a determined businessman. "She's a disgrace to my name! Better that she never knows!"

"Oh, you and your temper! She's a perfectly sweet girl." An older woman replied with the sound of chirping crickets, smelling of late summer mist. She was followed by a rather large hunter who stood particularly close to her.

"Speak for yourself; that boy of yours is more of a coward than you ever were!" The businessman retorted before sulking off to the dead hedge maze where he liked to wander at times.

"Don't listen to him; that chap of yours was quite brave there at the end!" The hunter boomed encouragingly to the woman with a thunderclap voice.

"Why thank you Michael," The woman batted her eyelashes at the ghost man, "Shall we go on a walk through the woods?"

The hunter held out his arm for the woman, who took it at once.

"We shall," he replied with a smile as the two disappeared through the iron bars of the gate.

"I'm glad they finally got this all sorted out; Maybe now they could take proper care of the estate!" A misty maid stated, seated on a nearby tree-branch. Her sharp voice held the texture of owl wings in it. The couple on the ground turned to look up at her in annoyance.

"Is that all you've been worried about this whole time?" The girl asked, her rainy voice sounding like silk.

"What else would she worry about? It's not as if she had any other things in life to look after." The young professor smiled at the young lady. The two laughed, an eerie sound with their voices together, as the maid sniffed, turning her head upward. She had soon enough faded away, leaving the two alone.

"Now, where were we?" The man asked, an evil grin on his face.

"Oh Peter, must you always do that to me? You know perfectly well that I can hardly stand it when you look at me like that!" the girl giggled as the young man leaned over to plant a kiss on her cheek.

The two faded from view before their lips ever touched.

A/N: Yea! I'm Done! And Happy Halloween to everyone! I was trying hard to get this finished before Friday, if only to give everyone a chance to finish this spooky story. You have to admit, it's pretty halloweenish. Anyways, please review! Also, look for one last one-shot that I'll try posting shortly based on this story. Thanks for reading and happy Halloween again! (p.s. did you know that my last name is treat? As in trick-or-treat? Ha ha!).