The Ghost Hunters and The Familiar Strangers

Amelia and her friends were brainstorming on the plans but nothing seems to be working out. "I don't think this is going to work out," Devon said as he gave up thinking.

"We need Xen. He is the brainbox of the ghosthunters, without him. We are nothing." Tamara answered.

Amelia looked around to see who else agreed to that and her surprise, everyone agreed.

She stood in front of them and said, "Listen, guy, I know this is hard for every one of us but we need to accept the fact that we don't have Xen here with us anymore. The brainbox of the ghosthunters is on a break right now but at least we still have the heart..." She pointed to Carlos. "... without Carlos, we wouldn't be able to achieve anything and Tessa said something... We need to work together, two heads are better than one and the great thing about this is that we have more than two people in the group which makes it easier for us to come up with a plan."

They all nodded. "We will come up with a plan then," Jason said as they went to thinking mode. "How about we go to the hideout, grab a plank, and hit it on Xen's head, that should bring him back to his sense," Jason suggested as everyone froze.

"What kind of suggestion is that?" Tamara asked as everyone laughed.

"I think he wants us to open Xen's head, pull out his brain and fix it on his head," Norman said as he shook his head at his brother's suggestion. "Just shut up Jay."

Jason shrugged. "It's just a suggestion."

"We don't need that kind of suggestion. We need Xen alive, not half-dead."

Amelia smiled. "Hitting Xen on the head with a plank, definitely not happening." She said.

"If we need to get Xen, then we must need to get Rose out of there. What we need to think about is how to get Rose out." Carlos said. They were brainstorming when they heard a knock at the door. "Expecting anyone?" Carlos asked Amelia. "None that I know of. I will go check it out." Amelia stood up and went to the door. "Who's that?" She asked.

"It's Xen."

The members noticed the shock on her face. Clarissa asked, "who?"

"Xen," Amelia whispered.

Carlos hid behind the sofa while Tessa disappeared. Tamara gestured for Amelia to open the door which she did as she saw Xen standing in front of her. They stared at each other for a while.

Xen had to break the silence because he was uncomfortable with the reaction from Amelia, so he said, "Hey... can I come in?" Amelia noticed that the sound of his voice was different from the one he used when he told her to leave. She opened the door wide for him to come in. Xen entered and Amelia shut the door. She grabbed a seat next to Tamara. Everyone turned to look at Xen waiting for him to say what he needed to say.

Xen scanned the room looking for Carlos and Tessa and when he had a feeling they were hiding from him, he sighed and said, "Carlos, Tessa, I know you both can hear, and um... I want you to listen to what I have to say." he paused and after taking a deep breath, he continued. "I am so sorry for hurting you guys..." He said with a sober reflection. "I was in love and I allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment and because of that I almost lost you guys. I pray you guys can find it in your heart to forgive me."

Carlos came out of his hiding and Tessa appeared.

"When I found out that Riele was Rose, I felt devastated... I felt used... I felt hurt and it made me realize that at some point you guys must have felt the same way too. I am sorry and I can't deny the fact that I have missed you guys so much. Please, I need you now... the ghosthunters need you and we are nothing without you guys... I... I am nothing without you guys."

They all looked at each other and as if having the same mind, they stood and went to meet him.

"The fact you chose a girl over us... I am angry at you for that but coming out here to apologize... is golden and for that. I forgive you." Jason said as he hugged him.

"I know you were in love bro but you fell too deeply which made you do stupid things... I forgive you but when you have kids, I am telling them how stupid their father was when he was in love." Norman said. Xen smiled and nodded. "You are our leader and we expect you to lead by examples but this you did was way out of character and to be honest, we got hurt pretty bad but seeing you here now saying all of these... I forgive you." Xen muttered, "thank you."

"Xen, Xen, Xen.. the lover boy. You hurt my feelings..." Carlos said and Xen nodded in agreement.

"I am sorry... I was stupid."

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"And now?" Carlos asked.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Xen smiled knowing Carlos was trying to tease him. "I am with my senses now."

"Good. Welcome back" Carlos hugged him.

"I hold no grudge against you 'cos I know you'd always do the right thing. Glad to have you back." Devon told him as they knuckled.

"Glad to be back," Xen said.

Clarissa moved closer to him and hugged him which he returned to her. "Don't do that again." She warned.

"I won't." Xen released her and came closer to Amelia holding her hand he looked her in the eyes and said, "Amelia... I am sorry... for every mean word I said to you on that day.... for letting you go... for..." Amelia wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him. Xen opened his eyes in shock but after some time, he pulled her close and returned the kiss.

"I forgive you," Amelia said as they went back to kissing.

Devon came forward to separate them. "We have a mission to solve." He said as the rest of them cleared their throat not expecting what they had just witnessed.

They all sat down to brainstorm as Xen shared some information he found out with them.

~~~

Riele has been waiting for a day alone with Laura and today she has finally gotten it. Laura was bringing food for the ghosthunters when she noticed Riele's presence. She tried to ignore her presence but Riele pulled her back and asked her, "why are you still here?"

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Laura looked at her and smiled. "You think I'd leave?" She asked. "Well, sorry to disappoint you... I ain't going anywhere and let me ask you, what do you intend to do anyway?"

Riele was shocked at the question. "What do you mean?" She asked.

"You think I don't know you are Rose," Laura said making Rose tremble. "The conversation you had with Dalton a few hours ago, I heard about them all. I will make sure that you leave this place." "Over my dead body," Riele said.

Laura looked at her and said, "You are already dead." She was about to leave when Riele pulled her, grabbed the table knife on the tray, and pressed it hard on Laura's chest making her fall to the ground.

"Over your dead body then," Riele said as she watched Laura bleed to death. She signaled one of the ghosts to come and take her body. "Go to Dalton and deliver the body over to him. I am sure he will need it."

The ghost nodded and took the body away. Riele signaled to another ghost. "Clear this place up." And she left.

She placed a call to Dalton. "Hey, I have a body that will be delivered to you soon. I think it will come in handy." "Who?"

"Amelia's mother."

"Good girl!" Dalton said. "Now that we have her mother's body instead of Xen, we will use Amelia instead."

Riele smirked. "This is going to be interesting." She hung up as she sighed relief. "Now all I need to do is think of a lie to tell Xen when he asks about Laura." She laughs at the sudden victory.