The Ghost Hunters and The Familiar Strangers
The Strange Aura

Emerald couldn't get the scene out of her head. She knew talking about it to Evan was a bad idea but she didn't seem to care about that. All she needs right now is an answer and she won't stop until she gets it from him.

She walked up to Evan who was having his nap. Even though Evan was sleeping, he could hear her footsteps. "what do you want?". He asked with his eyes closed.

Emerald walked up to him, sitting right beside him with folded arms. She didn't say anything but to Evan, her silence meant a lot. "speak".

She took a breath in before letting all her complaints out. "I know I do not mean anything to you anymore, I know you do not feel the same way for me anymore, I know you do not love me anymore but did you have to do that?". She said almost shedding tears.

Evan sat up and looked at her. "what the hell are you talking about?". He asked still looking at her.

"you kissed her Evan. How could you?". It was then Evan understood what she meant.

"she kissed me first, let's not forget that part".

"did you have to kiss her in return?". She asked.

Evan has had enough of her complaint. He knew he has to make her understand that he is eligible to be with any girl he wants and so is she. It's not like their placenta was tied to the same place. "Emerald listen to me". He told her with all seriousness. "I don't love you the way you want me to. The love I have for you is a sibling kind of love.... then I was madly in love with you and I wanted more but with time I....". he paused refreshingly his memory. "... I figured I just love you as a friend and a sister. It has nothing to do with what you did. It's just feelings Emerald and they change... people change".

"you're choosing her over me isn't it?". She asked.

Evan shook his head. This was a lot tougher than he thought. "I ain't choosing her over anyone". He laid down back on his bed.

"I just hope you know exactly what you're doing. Getting her involved in your life, I hope you're ready to pay the price". And with that, she walked out on him.

Evan closed his eyes as he drifted to sleep. He was happy he had settled things with Emerald. Even though he knew Emerald would stop bugging him, he also knew he would miss her but he had to do this.

***********

"whose blood are we talking about here?". Ashley asked again, licking her ice cream.

"I was just telling your mother about a movie I watched when I was your age". Jones said as his wife smiled.

"yeah he was and it was really interesting coming from him. You know how funny your dad can be". Madeline said as her children left.

"what's the name of the movie?". Ashley asked.

Madeline and Jones looked at each other before looking at Ashley who was licking her ice cream and waiting for their answer. "It was....". Before Jones could say anything, a knock was heard at the door downstairs.

"I'll go get it". Ashley said rushing down to open the door. She opened the door and just stood there staring at the visitor.

"Ash who's at the door?". Laura asked coming downstairs. Since Ashley wasn't saying anything, Laura went straight for the door. Peeping to see who is at the door, she saw Reed standing right in front of her. She had no idea how he found out where she lives. She has no idea what he is doing here and the worst part is how is she going to explain this to her father.

"what are you doing here?". She asked.

"um.... I'm going to leave you to settle this". Ashley said as she left, leaving Laura and Reed alone.

"Aren't you going to ask me in at least?". Reed asked smiling.

Laura knew it was wrong to keep him outside but she also knew it would be wrong if she allowed him in.

"Laura, why are you keeping the young man out, let him in". Her dad said, startling the life out of her.

Reed looked at her waiting for permission to be allowed in. "well, are you going to let me in or not?". He asked as Laura gave way for him to come in.

Laura shut the door behind her as she gestured for Reed to follow her. "please have a seat". She said trying her best to put a straight face.

Reed sat down smiling at her while Ashley sat opposite him with her eyes glued to his face.

"get something for him, Ashley, stop staring at him like that". Her mom said.

"but he isn't my guest". She said as her eyes went to Laura who was already sending her lasers with her eyes. " fine". Ashley said as she stood up to get a drink for Reed.

"So who are you?". Jones asked appearing from the kitchen as he sat down on the chair in front of Reed. When their eyes met, time stopped for a while. Jones had to blink to bring himself back to reality.

"um...." Reed couldn't replace his voice anymore. He was speechless. He cleared his throat.

"here". Ashley said with a glass of fruit juice in her hand. She gave it to him and Reed collected it gulping everything in the glass in a go not because he was thirsty but because he wasn't comfortable. Something about Laura's father stirred something inside him and he knew Laura's father felt it too.

"thank you". He said placing the glass on the table. Laura and Ashley were giving each other weird stares.

"so who do you say you are?". Jones asked trying to ignore everything he felt.

"my name is Reed. Reed Fletcher". He said as Jones nodded.

"So who are you to my daughter?". Jones asked.

"A friend". Reed answered as Laura returned the stare to Reed.

Did he just say, friend? To her, he is a stranger that seems so familiar in a way she couldn't explain and now he called her friend?

"what about your parents?". Jones asked.

"come on, you shouldn't be asking him all that question on the first day. It's not like he is your daughter's boyfriend". Martina said. "I'm only trying to know the kind of friend my daughter is keeping around". Jones said.

Reed smiled. "it's not a big deal. Um... I stay with my mom... My dad... I.... Um..... Have no memory of him. I don't know if he's still alive or dead or if he's searching or if he has any idea he has a son... I don't know...". Reed said trying to stop the tears from flowing. He wanted so much to tell someone about this and he was glad he could. "I don't know if I should hate him or love him or... Just not think about him but the truth is, I feel he's a coward for leaving me and my mom alone in this world". He said as everyone felt sad.

"we're so sorry to hear that". Martina said.

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"What did your mom tell you about your dad?". Jones asked.

"Darling, not now OK? This guy has gone through a lot and it's not nice to keep reminding him about something he wants to forget". Madeline warned.

"it's fine". Reed told Martin as he turned to look at Jones. "she told me my dad abandoned her after he knew she was carrying his child. She told me that she loved him so much but he didn't love her as much as she did. Because she needed time to heal from the hurt she was feeling, she had to leave Manhattan and moved in here".

When Jones heard Manhattan, he couldn't believe his ears. The story Reed talks about remind reminds much of his ex-wife, he knew so many people who migrate from one state to another, so definitely this guy's story is just one of those stories.

"well, I'm sorry to hear that". Jones said as he pats Reed's shoulder.

"Just make yourself at home, dinner would be served soon". Madeline said as Laura looked at her mom.

"he's staying over for dinner?". Laura asked looking at Reed and then at her mom where it lingered.

"do you mind?". Madeline asked Reed.

"of course not. I'd be honored ". Reed said earning a chuckle from Laura who couldn't believe this was happening.

Just as Laura was going to follow her mom to the kitchen to prepare dinner, the light went off.

"letting him stay here clearly shows it's a bad idea". Laura whispered but Reed heard it and he smiled.

"I think it's going to rain". Ashley said when suddenly, a thunderstruck so loud that Laura gasped.

"don't tell me you're scared of thunder". Reed asked as Ashley chuckled.

"shut up". Laura said as she tried to replace her phone or touch it when her foot hit something making her lose her balance but before she could hit the ground, Reed grabbed her. Despite how dark it was, he could see. Before Laura could crawl out of his embrace, the light came back on.

Ashley was the first to burst out into laughter. Laura quickly pushed Reed as she ran into the kitchen with her mom.

"I like you". Ashley said winking at Reed. Somehow, Reed likes it here... He likes the family, their simplicity, and of course Laura.