A part of this chapter was inspired by the "Boy Meets World" episode, "And Then There Was Shawn".


Chapter Three:

Ghost Hunting

The next morning, Frodo washed his face and changed into a white shirt, a deep green vest, a turquoise jacket, and brown breeches. In one of the top drawers, to his surprise, Frodo found a rose brooch made from crystals. He was reminded of the dream he had at past midnight. He examined the brooch momentarily, before replacing it in the same drawer where he found it. After closing the drawer, he left the bedroom suite, double-checking to make sure no one else was there.

Climbing down the stairs, Frodo arrived on the fourth floor. When he went inside the first diner, Frodo noticed several pairs of eyes staring at him. He tried his hardest to ignore the glares as he sat down in the same booth he'd grown used to. There, he waited until the waitress came before ordering his breakfast. He was relieved that the waitresses or chefs asked for money at this diner. He wondered if the other diners in the headquarters were similar. Frodo glanced out the window, dazing off at the sun as it climbed higher in the sky. He was snapped back by the chef Husky dog that brought him his food.

"On the house, Master Baggins," said Grayson, putting the food in front of the hobbit.

"Thank you," said Frodo, courteously.

Grayson joked, "Still searching for that ghost?'

Frodo looked up, shocked, "You're skeptical, too?"

Grayson shrugged. He said, "Just a bit, but not enough to turn me into a skeptic." He ended the conversation with, "I'll leave you to your meal. Enjoy, Frodo."

Frodo nodded.

Once Grayson left him alone, Frodo dug into his food. He was halfway through his meal when he noticed Melissa enter the diner with a solemn look. Frodo guessed Nash was responsible for Melissa's mood. Deciding to lighten Melissa's spirits, Frodo wrote on a napkin: Ghost Hunting This Afternoon… Meet You on the Eighth Floor. He asked a waitress to pass the note to Melissa, which she did.

Upon receiving the note, Melissa read it silently. She perked up, before sending a reply back to Frodo, which read: Ghost Hunting Begins after Breakfast… Don't Be Late. After reading the message, Frodo understood and nodded to Melissa. The two then ate their breakfast in silence, at their respected tables.

Before breakfast ended, Frodo was met by his friends Sam, Merry, and Pippin. They seemed concerned when Frodo told them the news.

"Oh Master Frodo, you cannot mean…"

"Sam, I'm going to help Melissa find her specter," said Frodo, convinced.

Merry said, "Before Frodo, you didn't trust her. Now you're suddenly friends. What's gotten into you?"

Frodo explained, "Look, it's only until after we find this wight of hers. After that, Melissa and I go our separate ways. It's a mutual agreement."

"I hope it's just that, Master Frodo," said Sam, growing concerned.

"Don't worry, Sam. I'll make sure, after this, my ties with Melissa end. We go back to being enemies," said Frodo, faltering on his words. Once he finished his meal, Frodo stood up. "I'm sorry. I have to go now." He left the diner, but also left Sam, Merry, and Pippin in a stunned daze. He noticed Melissa was following him.

"He sure is in a hurry," said Pippin, just as his and his friends' meals came to the table.


On the eighth floor, Frodo and Melissa met up with Nash Wimble, Ronnie Buckley, and Elijah Molvaro. Ronnie seemed ready to take on anything, even a spirit. Elijah, on the other hand, was as skeptical as ever.

"Let's go find this spirit!" said Ronnie, determined.

Elijah said, "If there is a spirit wandering these halls."

"There might be one, Elijah," said Frodo. "You never know."

Elijah asked, skeptical, "Have you ever seen a spirit?"

Frodo faced the hobbit, showing all signs of seriousness. "I've seen my share of wights, while on my first journey."

Elijah grunted. "Oh. I've heard about your journey, Frodo."

Frodo said, "Who hasn't?"

"Geez, this floor sure is deserted!" Melissa cried, "Hello! Is there anyone around… besides me?"

"Yes, there are!" cried Nash to the air.

Melissa asked, "Who?"

"Are you kidding me?" asked Nash.

Elijah snapped at Melissa and Nash, "Will you two stop?"

Ronnie said in agreement, "Right. This spirit could be anywhere." He hardly noticed Elijah grimace.

The five hobbits proceeded down the first hall. By the time they reached the second hall, all the candlelight went off. Melissa screamed, before running into Nash. The two kept smacking each other in the face until Elijah stopped them. Frodo went on ahead, while Elijah kept Melissa, Nash, and apparently Ronnie in control. Melissa soon saw Frodo and stopped him:

"Hey, where are you going?" asked Melissa.

Ronnie shouted, "Oh no, my basketball's gone."

"No, it's not," said Elijah, passing Ronnie the basketball. "Here it is."

"Oh, thank you," said Ronnie, caressing the basketball.

Melissa told the two, "Would you quit fooling around?" She noticed her, Nash, Elijah, and Ronnie were present, but Frodo was missing. "Where's Frodo?"

o-o-o

Frodo entered one of the unlocked rooms. In this suite, Frodo noticed a faint child creep up on him. He looked around in silence. The suite was covered in cobwebs, while the furniture was covered in white sheets. As he made his way into the entrance room, the candles flickered to life. Before he could wander further, Frodo heard a female voice whisper in the air:

"Go away."

Frodo told the air, "I won't."

The same voice repeated, fainter, "Go away…" The voice faded away.

Frodo murmured to himself, "I'm alone again. Maybe Melissa's wrong, that there aren't any wights here."

The female voice returned, louder, "What are wights?"

"Spirits," answered Frodo.

"Oh," said the voice, fading out again.

Frodo stood, shocked. Had he really just have a conversation with the indoor air? There had to be something more behind it…

His thoughts faded as another chill entered the room. Frodo followed the chilled wind into the parlour. Before he could check out the parlour, the chilled air pressed further into the suite. Frodo continued to follow the chilled wind until he reached a sun room. There, he found sitting in front of a writing desk was a spectral figure, dressed in white. Her hair was a darkened brown with hued blonde. The specter held a book in her hands. As the spirit poured over the cover, she heard creaking. Frodo stopped where he stood, frozen in place. The spirit turned, seeing Frodo for the first time.