Buried Within
Level of Crazy

Lockwood took a deep breath, pleased that George managed to find the information needed, particularly given how Ms. Pascal kept driving George crazy with how many things she moved in their home at the agency simply because she thought this a better place, or perhaps she simply didn't realize what she was doing.

He honestly wasn't sure, but he did know George was not happy with the neatness of the house being messed with as his fellow agent lifted his hands into the air, rubber gloves on them, looking as if he wanted to strangle the woman and looking like a mad scientist.

"Which, he kind of is," Lockwood thought to himself. "But I really don't want his genius to head in the direction of evil. I don't think he'd make a good, evil scientist anyways."

"So, as the agents were saying, mother, they have the information on the house, and they're going to move forward."

"I'm not sure I agree, though, " the woman said, resulting in Lockwood letting out a deep breath and throwing his hands up in the air in frustration before walking out of the room, not wanting to hear her reasoning.

But when he walked back in, he found out, as Lucy said, "So you don't want us to do the job because you don't have any more money?"

"Of course," Lockwood thought to himself, watching the look on Maisie's face, wondering if her mother had given her the last straw only for the other teen to remain silent. He let out a sigh, closing his eyes as he did so. "It's going to be a long night?"

"Looks like it?" George said, looking at him exasperated, his eyes begging Lockwood to do something.

"Even though the people you bought the home for are being investigated?" Lockwood said.

"That's not my problem," Ms. Pascal said.

"Mom, we can't stay here, and we can't stay in the car," Maisie finally said.

"Why ever not?"

Lockwood took a deep breath, not knowing what to think of the situation. He stood behind the couch as Ms. Pascal went through, "Wait? Is that something of mine, of my parents?" She looked up at him as if she hadn't been digging through some of his parents' old things. He let out a sigh before going and taking the box and carrying it into the kitchen. He shook his head. "Can't wait until this is over."

There was still the convincing her to let her take on the job, yet in the back of his mind, Lockwood wondered if losing her son was affecting her mental state, remembering what it was like to lose family. He shook his head, heading back into the room.

"Okay."

"Don't have money."

"And I get that you feel it's not your problem, the investigation," Lockwood said while George and Maisie glared at him. "However, it is the solution to your problem."

"You've pretty much said the law doesn't protect you," Ms. Pascal said.

"I'm referring to the fact DEPRAC is paying for our expenses on this one," Lockwood said. "It's covered, we're taking on the mission, but we'll be in the kitchen planning now."

And she stared for what felt like forever before saying, "Oh. Okay."

With a sigh, he headed into the kitchen, catching sight of the box on the table. He let out a sigh, shaking his head. George piped up, following behind them. "I'm going to be so glad when they're gone."

"At least you don't have to deal with my mother after all of this is done."

Lockwood turned, his mouth twisting into a smile. "Sorry, Maisie. It looks like George stepped into it again with what he said."

"He doesn't mean to."

"Guys! I don't need you to apologize to me!" George said. "And I can tell I messed up." He stepped over to the table, setting his notes down. "It's time to start brainstorming."

"I want in."

A silence fell over the room, none of the agents saying anything.

"I want to be of help."

"You're not trained, though," Lucy said.

"I know that, but," Maisie took a deep breath.

"Hey," Lockwood said. "Do you want to become an agent?"

Maisie frowned, then shook her head. "What I want is a moot point."

"Because your mother said no?"

"It's kind of one of the things that they argued about before they left," Maisie said, sitting at the table. "My father asked me whether I wanted to, but I never got the decision to go through with it. Deciding whether I wanted to. And now, I'm not sure I could, as my mother made me spend all those nights in the car. Sometimes I think she did it on purpose, so I wouldn't be able to become an agent," Maisie said.

"Alright," Lockwood said. "What if that weren't the case? Or what if you could face that fear of yours of ghosts? What would you want to do? What do you want to do?"

"I'm not following," Maisie said.

"Do you just want to be a help in planning, or do you want to help with the house?"

Lucy's eyes blinked. "Lockwood."

"If she was allowed the option," Lockwood said, looking over at George.

"I want to," Maisie said, her head perking up. "I'm tired of living like this, but honestly—even if I couldn't be a field agent, it would still be nice to be useful in some other manner so that I could do something with this stupid gift nobody wants. But we have it because of The Problem, right?"

"Right," Lockwood said. "Then why not?"

George shook his head. "Hold on."

"Do you think the ghost will be too much on this case? That we couldn't set up a barrier made of iron chain for her, so she could see what we do?"

"Yes, well," George said, "There's that, and then there's the other issue."

"Yes. You can't employ me as an agent unless you have my mother's permission."

"But you have your father's," Lockwood said, bringing out the paper he'd gotten signed earlier.

"Wait," Lucy said. "I thought her father said he didn't fight her mother for custody."

"Her mother having sole custody," Lockwood said, pushing the paper forward, "Doesn't mean her father's lost his parental rights. Your mother was so focused on getting sole custody she—as I guessed—didn't pay attention to the divorce did lay down his parental rights, such as still being able to act as legal guardian in situations such as school, health, and," Lockwood said, "After The Problem, that extended to the ability to allow a child to decide whether they want to be an agent or not."

"Wait," Maisie swallowed. "I'll be one of your agents."

"Sort of," Lockwood said. "For starters, I wouldn't take you on as an agent if you weren't comfortable with it, and there is an allowance for you to back out of the contract."

"Such as?"

"You are getting major PTSD from this," he started saying.

"Lockwood, that isn't something to joke about!" Lucy said.

"I'm not. I know this is very serious, but we also live in a world where ghosts exist, so there is an element of cruelty to it that didn't exist before The Problem."

"It sounds reasonable," Maisie said.

"Oh, it's super reasonable for us," Lockwood said. "But, you should know it can be bad for us, given that if you want, you can always say you didn't agree, and your mother can sue us and your father for everything we have."

At that, George's head hit the table. "Why? Why do you do crazy things like this, Lockwood?" He pointed at words scribbled on the table. "This is accurate, you know."

"Yeah. I know I'm a bit of a" Lockwood said. "Not repeating the word."

"Yeah, you are," Lucy said. "Yet," she looked at Maisie. "I think it's worth the risk. Actually, we're used to the risk, but we'll be with you. We're going to get you your home."

Maisie let out a half-hearted laugh. "Don't make promises you can't keep. I already told you that."

Lockwood laugh. "I keep my promises. I'll…"

"Don't you dare say you'll die trying, Lockwood!" Lucy snapped. "What about that promise."

"Well, yes. Keeping myself alive," Lockwood said. "So?"

"I'm in," Maisie said, no hesitation in agreeing, followed by, "But I can't promise I won't be scared."

"It's actually okay to be scared," Lockwood said.

"Courage," Lucy added, "It's about doing even though you are scared."

"Got it."