The Ghost Hunters and The Familiar Strangers
Ashley Is Missing

"How's she?". Evan asked as he sat down on the bed beside Emerald touching her forehead to check her temperature.

"She's fine". Chloe said.

"For now". Sophia added.

Evan looked at the two ladies wondering what they meant. "Can you shed more light 'cos I'm lost here?". Then he looked around. "And where the hell is Adam, shouldn't he be here with her?". He looked around and there was no sight of Jim. "Where's Jim?".

"it's kind of a long story". Chloe said putting on a sad face.

"A tragic long story". Sophia added.

Evan folded his arms and gestured for them to explain whatsoever they meant.

Sophia and Chloe explained the story to him. "he was so angry, jealous, sad". Chloe said.

"A mixed feeling of someone who's hurting ". Sophia concluded.

"I better go check up on him". Evan said as he stood up to leave when the door flashed open revealing Jim and Adam. "Are you OK?". Evan asked Adam as Adam nodded but his facial expression showed he wasn't. Evan pulled him in a hug just to make him feel a lot better.

Emerald finally woke up when everyone except Adam rushed to meet her. "Are you OK?".

"Does anywhere hurt?"

"How do you feel?".

They all questioned her but she was too tired to answer any questions and the person, she needed to see was far away from her and he wasn't even looking in her direction.

She tried to get up and was assisted by Evan. She sat up as she stared at Adam who was still in great pain. The moment Adam's eyes met hers, they stared at each other for a long period. When Evan saw it, he decided the two of them needed to talk.

"Guys, let's leave them both to talk". Evan said as they all nodded and left.

Ashley bade her family goodbye as she set out for school. Laura came downstairs to have breakfast. Unknown to her that her parents knew about the breakfast, she tried her best to hide it. "Surprisingly, you came for breakfast". Her dad said as they burst into laughter.

"I feel like I haven't eaten for ages". Laura said as she grabbed some slices of bread and added jam to them.

"I'm off to the shop". Martina said.

Laura stopped eating as she walked to meet her mom. "Why don't I go today?". She asked as her mom looked at her.

"But you're not fully recovered yet". Her mom said.

"I'll call Evan to stay with me if that would make you less worried".

"but...".

"come on mom, please". Laura said as she held her mom's hand.

Her mom stared at her daughter thinking of what to do.

"Just let her go sweetheart". Jones said as Laura smiled at her dad.

"you see, even dad agrees to it". She said turning back to her mom. "please mom". She pleaded.

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"OK but on one condition". Her mom said.

Laura nodded as she listened to her mom's condition. "You have to call me in case anything happens, deal?".

"I will". Laura said as she quickly prepared herself for work.

"She'll be fine". Jones said hugging his wife.

"I'm scared Jones". she said as she hugged her husband tight.

"I understand but she's strong besides, she has Evan". Jones told her as she nodded.

*************

Emerald walked up to Adam while Adam just stood there looking at her, his eyes not leaving hers. "Adam".

Adam looked at Emerald when the scene of Reed touching her flashed before his eyes. He quickly shook the thought away as he gave her a bittersweet smile. "How do you feel?". He asked.

"I don't know. It's hard to explain". Emerald said.

"Do you....". he paused. "... Do you remember anything?". He continued.

Emerald remembered everything that happened so she nodded. "And I'm sorry". She apologized. "I don't know what came over me. It was like he was the only one in control of me. I don't know if it's because he claimed me but Adam, you're the one I am in love with". She said as tears rolled down her cheek. She tried to touch his face but he moved his face away.

"That's going to change Emerald. Very soon, you're going to start aching for him and if you don't see him, you're going to start throwing a tantrum, also, you won't be able to live without him". Adam said as he tried so hard to hold back his tears. "I don't see myself in the picture Emerald". And with that Adam moved away from her towards the door.

"I want to try". She said as Adam halted. Emerald moved closer to him as she hugged him from behind. " but the thing is..." she said as Adam turned to face her. She looked him eyeball to eyeball as her eyes searched his eyes for something and when she found it she continued. "I need you. I can't get over him on my own but with you, I know... I know I can". And with that said, Adam kissed her. He broke the kiss as he looked at her, touching her cheeks.

"I'll help you".

"You do know it's not going to be easy, right?". She asked then Adam nodded. Of course, he didn't think it would be easy but if she is willing, they can together overcome it.

This time it was Emerald that kissed him and Adam returned the kiss with the same passion.

Chloe opened the door and when she saw them, she smiled and then left them to tell the others. Everyone was happy, especially Evan. Now that Emerald is with Adam, he can focus more on Laura. Just as he was thinking about Laura his phone rang and surprisingly it was Laura.

He excused himself and went somewhere private to receive the call.

"Laura, what a pleasant surprise!". He said,

"Hi, Evan. I called because I need your help".

"Is everything alright?".

"Yes... Um... I'm working at the shop today but with my own thing going about my health my mom is kind of worried, so she asked me to have you around just in case I get sick. So I um... want to ask if you can come around but if you can't I'll understand". Laura said.

Evan smiled. "I'll be there in the next five minutes". He said as he hung up. He told his friends he was leaving.

"Just don't claim her". Chloe yelled as they all burst into laughter.

It was eight in the evening and Ashley wasn't back home from school. Martina was so worried, that Jones tried her best to calm her down. "This is after eight Jones and she isn't back home. This is unlike her". Martina said as she paced the

room.

"Calm down. Let's call her teacher. Who knows, they might be having extra lessons". Jones said as he called the teacher but he was told the students had all gone home since seven in the evening. "Well, what did she say?". His wife asked. "She said all the students were dismissed from school since around seven". Jones told her as Martina felt her feet failing her, she quickly grabbed the handle of the chair for support as her husband came to support her. He sat her down on the chair.

"let's call Laura. She might have gone to the shop". Jones said as he called Laura.