We made it outside, the cool air refreshing.

“Don’t listen to her, she doesn't know what she’s talking about.” Iridessa comforted me.

“Thanks, but I’m alright.” I looked over at Adrien who seemed to have something eating away at him inside. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry, it’s just weird that I was friends with her at one point.”

We walked Iridessa and her dad to their car in silence.

“Thanks, do you need a ride?” Iridessa hugged me by their minivan. I glanced over to Adrien who just shrugged.

“I appreciate the offer, but have to decline, I wouldn't want to bother you.”

“Okay, but know you're never a bother, see ya at the library tomorrow!” She opened the car door and sat in the seat. “Oh, one last thing, If that girl gives you any more grief, tell me and I’d gladly teach her respect.”

I gave a nervous laugh. “Thank you, but you don’t need to.”

“My offer forever stands.” Her smile full of mischief, we waved goodbye and I stood there watching them drive away for a moment before making my way to the bus stop.

It was a moment before we spoke again. “You’re thinking about Chloe, right?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry, this is going to take awhile, I grew up with her and she was always so nice to me and now I saw what she said to you and you looked like you were used to it which you shouldn’t have to be.”

“Thank you, but that reality, people change and sometimes not for the better.”

“I know, I just never expected it to happen to Chole. Everything is happening so fast and I’m not prepared for this. I mean, I’m currently a ghost, a week ago, I thought you were insane for believing in ghost’s and now I’m one myself!”

“Excuse me?”

“I said that I thought. I’ll admit that I was closed minded and insensitive towards you and ghosts. That’s on me and I want to make it up to you and change.” We stopped at the bench, waiting for the bus. “But please give me some time, I still am getting used to all this. I think that I’m taking big strides in understanding this, but I think the shock is finally starting to catch up to me and this is hard to take in.”

“Alright, I understand, just, please refrain from calling me crazy, and you need to tell nino that he can’t call me crazy either tomorrow, we’ll tell him in the morning.”

“Of course!” he gave a knee weakening smile. I wrapped my coat around me tighter. I was saved by the bus.

“Okay well, let’s go to the library.” I hurried to the open doors of the bus, trying so hard not to stummed. That failed, as I was hurrying to the back of the bus, I stumbled and fell down. I was so close and I lost focus, it also doesn't help that the driver started driving when I was close to my seat. I picked myself up and wiped the grit off my hands, I hate buses in winter, the floor is disgusting.

“Are you okay?!” Adrien asked as he walked me to the isolated seat. I could see in his eyes that he felt useless, unable to stand up to Chloe for me or help me up.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I felt bad, I wanted to comfort him and tell him it’s not his fault and that there was nothing he could have done, but I couldn’t find the words.

We sat in silence, Adrien nervously fiddling with his hair and me dozing off a bit.

“We’re here.” Adrien gently said waking me up, his ghostly hand on my shoulder, trying to get me up.

“Oh!” I exclaimed, jumping a bit as the bus pulled up to the stop, a few buildings from the library. “Thank you.” I blushed. We left and made our way to the old shop.

“So, why are we here exactly?” He asked, we stood just outside the door.

“Because you need to meet Emily, she’s like another mother to me, actually, I prefer her to my own. My mom is great and all, but thinks I’m silly and insane for ‘believing’ in ghosts. Emily listens and is comforting, I think you’ll like her and she’s been wanting to meet you.”

“She knows about me?”

“Well, yeah, I tell her everything, besides, you work where she lives.”

“Uhuh.” He trailed off, taking it in.

“Shall we go in?” I asked, reaching for the door.

“Sure.” He focused back on me. I opened the door and we entered, the library was brightly lit, there were more people than usual roaming around but as long as they stayed away from where we’re headed, it’s fine.

I took a small detour to grab a new book for me to read with Emily next. I found Moon Called by Patrica Briggs.

(Cat here [this will be fast] : I just wanted to recommend this series really quick, the covers don’t reflect the content inside, and it is a fabulous book series, if you read it, I’d love to talk with you about it, it’s super cool and the main character is the best! Okay, I’m sorry for the interruption, we can go back to the story now.)

“What are you doing?” Adrien questioned.

“Well, I need a new book to read with her.” he looked like he did really understand but chose not to ask anymore.

I found the little nook where we met and got comfortable as I waited for her to notice I’m here. I knew it wouldn't be long.

“Marinette? Are you back?” a disembodied voice called.

“Yep! And I have a new book and a new friend.” I glanced at Adrien who looked like he believed his ears.

Emily appeared and Adrien looked like if he could burst into tears, he would right now. She gave a warm smile to the both of us.

“I know you.” I heard Adrien mutter before repeating it louder. I felt confused, what’s going on?

“Mom?” I heard his voice crack.

“Yes sweetie, it’s me.” he rushed to her and them both being ghosts, they were able to embrace. I felt awkward, not exactly having a part in this reunion, I left to let them reconnect.

As soon as I left, I saw a familiar person approach me, no, it was a ghost. I was confused, I’ve never seen them before but I recognized them. I didn’t have a chance to say anything when I was possessed? I’ve never experienced something like this, I usually black out, but right now I’m awake and fully aware of what’s happening, the only thing is, I don’t have any control of my body.

My legs moved on their own towards the back room, staff only but I saw no one in there with me.

I was forced to the coat closet, the door swung open and I got on my knees, my hands feeling the edge of the floor inside of the closet. In the far corner, there was a hidden latch. I don’t want to know what happens if I pull it but my fingers moved against my will and the floor there fell in, like a trap door.

There was a ladder there and I descended into the pitch black room. I was still at the top when I heard footsteps approach the room. I wanted more than anything to call out for help but the spirit possessing me forced my mouth shut. My hand reached up to close and lock the door.

Doing that made the ladder wobble. I took another unwanted step down and felt the weak wood crack beneath my foot before giving in and letting me fall the rest of the way in the dark.

The floor of the room was deep, far from the trap door. I landed on my stomach, I heard a loud crack when my head bounced upon what I assumed to be concrete.

I could feel the spirit leave me and I could see their faint blue light just barely illuminating the room. They whispered something, it sounded like latin. Almost instantly, the room was a glow with fire lighting the torches on the walls. The spirit gave a warm smile, said something I couldn’t make out and disappeared.

I groaned as I pushed myself into an upright position, I felt something warm and sticky where I hit my head, I looked down to find a small pool of my blood glistening in the light.

I like to think I’ve got a strong stomach after being around dead people all my life, but nope, as soon as I saw my blood, felt it trickling down my face, I vomited. I couldn’t hold it in, I started to cry, the pain fully setting in, my throat burning as I puke up more stomach acid. I wipe my lips and look around at my surroundings. There were books everywhere. I couldn’t figure out their titles, they were in a different language. I ignored them for now, my eyes settled on bandages, they were right next to a ceremonial knife and other witchy herbs.

I grabbed the bandages and started pressing them to my head. I stood up, I needed to get out of here, I wobbled and my legs collapsed under me. Or I could stay, I guess.

How long will it be until someone rescues me? The only people who know I’m here are ghosts and with how unused the ladder felt, I doubt anyone knows about this place. I’m gonna die here, aren't I?

I collected myself. Don’t think that way Marinette! We’ll be saved, just because no one comes down here, doesn't mean that they don’t know about this place. I need to stay awake, someone must have heard me fall, right?

I need to stay awake, I repeated that to myself. After a while of no one coming, I started screaming, my voice echoing off the walls until my voice felt raw. This is useless. With nothing left to do, I crawled over to the nearest book shelf and started flipping through it. It was entirely written in latin, but there were notes scrawled in the margones that I could understand, it’s about ghosts and death.

If this book is correct, I could possibly save my friends and stop scarlet moth. The problem being that not only do I not understand it and can’t do magic, but I can’t do anything trapped down here.

I’m sorry Adrien, I failed you. I’m sorry Emily and Alya, I can’t help you anymore. I’m sorry mom and dad, I should've listened to you when you told me to ignore ghosts.

Goodbye everyone, I’m sorry I can’t come back. That was my last thought before blacking out.

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-Hi, it’s Cat, I’m sorry it’s been awhile, last week was the busiest week for my interning and it was all online so but the end of it, I was tired of being online so I’d just catch up on my other story Wolves because I’m falling behind on writing it. I also need to continue my ASL course and I want to spend more time with my family. So what I’m really trying to say is, thank you so much for your patience, I know there are big gaps in between the chapters and those can be annoying, but thank you for sticking with me, I’m trying really hard. I’m also really sorry about the quick author's note in the middle talking about the book mentioned. I’m sincere in saying that I love that series even though the covers don’t really reflect it, their really good books, I highly recommend them. Again thank you for reading and for being patient and I can’t wait to see you in the next chapter.