Episode 1
In Which We are Introduced to Our Protagonists
_ _ _ _ _In Which We are Introduced to Our Protagonists
A knock on the door. Pete rose from the old, creaky bed, unlatched the rusted lock and opened the cracked door.
“Ah. Mister Klaus. How’s it going, sir?”
The man wiped his sweaty face with a grimy handkerchief that was once upon a time white. “Actually, not so well.”
Pete stuck his head out and saw the lodger in the room across from him drag his suitcase down the steps, swearing at no one in particular.
“That man’s in a bad mood.”
Mr. Klaus managed a dry croak from his throat. “Yes. That’s because the hotel is being evacuated.”
Pete raised his eyebrows. “What for?”
“We have had disturbances from a spirit of some kind. The town chief is ordering us to destroy the ghost, or they will burn down the building.”
“Oh.”
“Yes. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I know you work long hours on that building project, so I came to your room last. It’s- here’s the money you paid for the next ten days.” Mr. Klaus took out a purse of coins and shoved them into Pete’s tunic.
Pete pushed the purse back into Mr. Klaus’s hands. “Don’t worry about that. I don’t need the money.”
“No, but-”
“It was very kind of you, but seriously. You need the money more than I do.”
Mr. Klaus shook his head. “I can’t take it. It wouldn’t be right.”
“Would it be right if you were starving to death?”
Mr. Klaus shook his head and looked Pete in the eyes. “No.”
“And if your daughter were starving to death also?”
Mr. Klaus looked surprised. “I-”
“Never mind. Don’t answer that.” Pete took the purse and placed it back into Mr. Klaus’s pocket. “I’ll be out in five minutes.”
_ _ _ _ _
Pete grabbed his jacket from the bed and his staff from the rotting, dirty floor of the room.
This is your fault, Sid.
I know.
You shouldn’t have messed with that conman in the hotel.
I know.
Well, we’ve got to do something about this.
I know.
Pete paced up and down the cramped room, pausing only to allow a cockroach to shuffle by.
Any suggestions?
Yeah. Fight me.
_ _ _ _ _
“Aaaaaagh!”
Pete crashed through the second story banister and landed in the reception area. The man who had been cursing and dragging his suitcase down the stairs took a look at the squall of dust that resembled a man on the second floor landing, screamed like a little girl, and ran out of the hotel.
Pete jumped up, bending his back to test for broken ribs. The squall of dust swirled furiously around the shape of a seemingly invisible man’s body. Like a river’s surface, the dust never paused, circling so quickly that it became a blur to the naked eye. The apparition walked down the stairs and pointed to the dilapidated reception counter. Pete turned, and saw Mr. Klaus cowering behind it.
“Mr. Klaus! Get out of here!”
Mr. Klaus turned his fear into determination and grabbed a mop. “No. I’ll fight with you, Pete.”
Aww, crap, Pete thought. Why do the good ones always cause more trouble?
But they’re worth it.
Of course they’re worth it.
“Get me a pail of water!” Pete yelled.
“What? No! I won’t let you take on this- thing- alone!”
“What if I told you that pail of water could save out lives?”
“Oh.” Mr. Klaus scurried out of the reception desk and ran through a side door.
Pete scratched his head and spit. Finally.
Yeah.
Try not to make me bleed too much.
Okee dokee.
And try not to break any bones. We don’t want anyone asking questions about how-
Pete.
What?
Shut up and fight me.
_ _ _ _ _
“Aaaaaagh!”
Pete crashed through the front door of the hotel and landed on the dirt walkway outside. A girl standing outside dropped the glass milk bottles she was carrying.
And screamed.
Jen.
I bet she likes you, Pete.
I bet she does.
I bet you like her, too.
You know why it would never work out, Sid.
Indeed.
“Pete!” Mr. Klaus came sprinting from the side of the hotel, carrying a rusted, metallic pail full of water.
“Leave it on the ground and run!” This time Mr. Klaus obeyed. He dropped the pail and ran beside the girl that dropped the milk bottles, ushering her back.
She’s like her dad.
Sid-.
It’s so sad to think her life will always be hinged on trying to make enough money so you can live another day just to make more money. Goodness only gets you so far.
Yeah.
She’ll be heartbroken when you leave.
I know.
Because you know she’ll work up the courage to ask you.
Sid.
What?
Shut up and fight me.
_ _ _ _ _
The squall of dust followed Pete as he ran towards the pail. He grabbed the pail with two hands and splashed it over the apparition’s body.
It punched him in the face.
Oww! Sid. This is where you die.
Oh. Right. Sorry.
The squall abruptly stopped, and the dust harmlessly fell to the ground. Pete got up and wiped his bloody nose on his sleeve.
Hey, Pete.
Oww, my nose.
I love how I threw you out of the front door.
Heh.
It was like something out of a novel.
Except the heroes doesn’t kill spirits by pouring water on them.
Pete.
What?
This is where you go over to the girl and ask if she’s OK.
