Chapter 5.

        As usual Henry woke Autumn up and left the room, she walked to her bathroom with a towel on her neck. Once she was done bathing she stepped out of the bathtub and slide open the shower curtain only for her eyes to be greeted by a handsome young teenager, a stranger about Adam's age, she was in shock and couldn't stop staring at him, he just shook his head, he knew she wasn't going to say a word until he does, so he started talking.

        "What? Would you please stop staring at me." 

       She got back from the shock of a male in her bathroom and replied, "I think I'm meant to say that to you. What are you doing here, this is my room".

      "I know. You were sleeping when I arrived and so I stepped out for a bit, then when I came back I couldn't find you so I looked everywhere and found you here." He had a calm voice like he was matured and yet he spoke like it was a natural thing between the both of them, he folded his arms and looked at her like she was confused because she was, she couldn't find the words to put together so she stammered a bit.

    "Wh..., wh..., what are you doing in my room and how did you get in I thought it was locked." She turned to the direction of the door and confirmed that it was indeed locked.

    "Well it was, so I thought something bad had happened to you, you know, suicide, murder." Autumn looked at him carefully but the only thing was she couldn't find a little bit of regret on his face, he wasn't ashamed of his behavior at all.

    "What is wrong with you?" 

    He shook his head even harder and turned her to a mirror, "Nothing, firstly, you might want to cover up that view but I'll pretend like I didn't have a picture of that one minute view."

    With a grin on his face the girl got herself immediately and remembered that her towel was hanging on the shower, "Get out." 

    "Very well my lady." He had good manners and hardly raised his voice or argued, he just walked towards the door, opened it and stepped out. She gave a sigh of relief and put on her clothes hurriedly, she came out and found the boy waiting for her.

    "Can you leave please." She pointed to the door and waited for him to leave, it took some time before he made up his mind to leave.

    "Fine." His English was ancient but it still sounded flattering, but then she noticed that her room door was yet again locked so she wandered how he got in.

    "Wait." She shouted, as she stopped him, "are you a ghost?"

    The young man tried to control his laughter but he couldn't, when he could no longer take it he said, "Geez, I was wondering how long it will take you to figure it out, you are pretty slow."

    Now she understood perfectly, "A ghost in my room." She laughed insanely before frowning and pointing at the door. "Get out, get out now."

    "Hey, you're the one who told me to wait weren't you?" He walked pass her and whispered, "crazy fool". He didn't care if she heard or not, she was the least of his problems.

    She was so mad that she tried to slap him but missed when he vanished into thin air. When he appeared again it was behind her, "Were you about to hit me." He said.

    She once again tried to hit him but he caught her hand just in time and pressed her against the door, "You had the nerve to call me a fool." She said.

    "That's because you are a fool, my dear, don't you know how to keep your hands to yourself, slapping a guy is considered inappropriate and if you were in my time, you would had been punished, get that crazy". The smile on his face was pretty annoying to Autumn as she tried to look for a suitable comeback.

    "Hey am not crazy and am definitely not stupid, actually am quite smart, bet you haven't seen anyone smarter than me". She said with a grin.

    "Well I have. ME." She didn't stand a chance against him, he always has something to reply with and he was always two steps ahead of her, they remained in their position and this was starting to get awkward so someone had to speak up.

    She turned away and murmured. "Whatever, I thought ghost can't walk into someone's house except something of theirs is in the house, you know a connection with the house, is this your house?" She removed her hand and from his grip and walked away from him.

    "Yes" he replied.

    She was amused and turned around, she felt a little embarrassed of her attitude towards the house owner. "Really?"

    "No. The owner of this house is called Arthur he's not a teenager and he's not dead. " He said as he laughed. "You really are a fool, I wonder how people can see you as awesome, from my observation Jay is ten times smarter than you, well at least on paper and paranormal stuff." Now that was an insult but the girl had had enough and was willing to end the fight.

    "Then how are you in my house?" She calmly asked.

    "Easy, since I need a connection to stay, its obvious that I already have a connection, see that bracelet in your hand, that's mine." He pointed to her bracelet which made Autumn confused.

    "It can't be, Melanie told me it was hers." She said.

    "After her boyfriend kissed you." He jokingly mocked her, drawing closer for a kiss, for a ghost from an early age he was rather dirty minded.

    She stopped him midair, putting her hand between their lips. "She told you that?"

    "Yes, that was the reason the young maiden woke me up." He said.

    Autumn still in shock asked. "She did that?"

    "Wow. You like repeating words don't you, anyway she summoned me to make your life a living hell for a year before she releases me, blah, blah, blah." He said circling the girl as she stood still.

    "Melanie did that, I asked her if she had a problem with the kiss and she said no, and then she sends a ghost after me the next day." Now she was disappointed at her friend.

     "Listen my lady..."

    "Stop calling me that, when where you born 1921?" She interrupted the ghost.

    "1895, thank you." She shot a glance at the teenager and recognized his dress code but he just laughed at her, "what, you didn't notice. I was right you are a fool".

    "Hmm, stupid fool."

    "Stop copying me. Anyway, since you have that bracelet on your arm, I'm going to be with you everywhere you go, except the bathroom, any attempt to take off the bracelet could lead to series of injury, broken bones and more and the bracelet won't come off, except you cut off that arm of yours which could cause loss of blood and then death, understood, I'll go check around your house Lady Autumn, see you in thirty minutes." She couldn't be more surprised, she looked at the bracelet careful then shook her head.

    "Autumn hurry up." Her mom shouted as she ran downstairs.

    "Kazu told me that we have a ghost living amongst us." Said her father, "whose ghost is it."

    "Really Kazu?" She said.

    He looked at her and relied "Don't make me sound like a liar." It was obvious she wanted to turn the situation around.

    "Yeah don't make him sound like a liar." Said the ghost as he sat next to Kazu.

    Her eyes widen as she shouted. "You..." 

    "Who?" Her father asked.

    They couldn't see the ghost and this was a great opportunity for her. She smiled and pointed and Kazu.

    "Me." He asked.

    "No." She quickly said, "I mean yes."

    "Are you sure." The ghost said with a smile.

    "It's just nobody." She said.

    "So now am nobody." The three screamed.

    Not knowing which one to pick she just blurted out a, "Yes." 

    "Why?" Asked her father, he was just ad confused as Kazu was. This game wasn't as she had hope it would be, she's was way confused than any of the three.

    She tried to make amends, but the ghost just kept laughing from a distance, "Am not talking to you." 

    He appeared next to her and touched her shoulder, "Wow, you sound crazy right now." He said.

  

     "Am not crazy. How come they don't see you." She asked.

     "Now who's she talking to?" Arthur asked.

    He walked in front of her and this was closer than before, he looked deeply into her eyes and moved back, then he began. "Easy, I am a unique ghost and very powerful, I can be seen by you, but I can also make myself visible if I want to, only those with an incredibly strong sense, ability and power can see me when I don't want to be seen." 

     "Oh yeah, like who?" She asked, suddenly the door opened and Henry walked in, he stopped on his track and looked towards the ghost.

    "Woah. Who's ghost is this?" He asked.

    "Mine." She replied, the ghost blinked twice when he realized how strong Henry's senses was, he knew the boy had answered her question but he still had to make it clear, "Him".

    "I thought you said you didn't have a ghost." Her father said, waiting for an explanation.

    "No, I mean Mel..., its mine." She gave up and finally accepted the ghost.

    "Why?" Her father asked.

    She thought for a second and replied, "I found a bracelet, turns out it belongs to a ghost and now I can't get it off."

    "Really." Her father said.

    "Yes, am sorry I never told you."

    "That's alright, we all make mistakes." Her mother walked into the living room with a tray filled with muffins and offered all, the ghost seeing that the atmosphere had calmed down became visible.

    "Greetings", he says as he bows, "I am Aidan West, an Irishman born in Britain, but I am popularly known as Aidan, do not worry I am not here to frighten you all."

    "A young man with an exceptional character, surely we can make room for one more". Said Jane. There was a growling sound in the room as everyone turned to see the culprit, Kazu's stomach began to growl out of hunger, he smiled and said, "well duty calls, be back in a minute." He hurried off and was gone before they knew it.

    "I assume he's going to a grave." He said.

    "Correct. I don't know how I can live with this..., creature." She always has the situation ring in her head and then the thought of what the principal might be hiding kept playing in her head, it was obvious she needed answers.

    The sudden silence made Aidan wander about what might be wrong, he knew that for she to keep him here means something was up, if nothing was the problem she wouldn't be worried of where to hide him. "So, how long till he's hungry again." He asked.

    "Probably a month. He feeds on the corpse of dangerous criminals who were buried in a small land not too far from here." Henry watched the door and drifted off into his world of thoughts when Autumn snapped her finger in front of him, "Oh." He hung his bag and turned to Autumn, "Come on Autumn, classes begins in twenty minutes." He hated being late and made punctuality his middle name even with Autumn around. Aidan watched the way the two related and said, "You're like her dad. She's the daughter and you're the father, that's why she behaves so stubborn." 

    "I am her big brother after all." He replied, trying to dismiss the topic, Autumn was happy about this talk as it was in her favor, she waited and listened to them to find out how it might help her as Aidan continued.

    "I know, but still she's a grown kid, she should do it herself." 

    "I just like waking her up every morning, although I find it tiresome I still won't be at ease until I wake her up." She sighed but kept her hopes high, if he is successful she would wake up whenever she wanted and those childish wake up call would end, but if he gave up it would continue so she added.

    "Henry I think he's right, honestly I don't like the idea of you waking me up everyday."

    "What?" Surprised by her reply he couldn't say another word, only listen to the girl who badly wanted to get rid of him.

    "Yes, its uncomfortable and embarrassing, especially around my friends." She said.

    He could tell from her eagerness and he was disappointed at himself for been such a burden to his sister, and finally agreed to let her be. "If that is your wish, then I will let you be."

    "Thank you." She said as she climbed up the stairs, Henry drew Aidan closer and said in whisper, "take care of my baby sister for me."

    "I will, I promise." Aidan replied,

Satisified by his answer he walked away but stopped, "Oh and by the way, I know she didn't find you, I can read her like a book but you don't need to worry, I won't ask."

    "Hmm, you really are smart, nevertheless I will do my best." Aidan said

    "Thank you." For the first time Henry left for College without dropping Autumn off at school, he entrusted her into the hands of the ghost and walked away, by the time she was ready for school and came down, she found no Henry, she turned to Aidan and asked. "Where'd he go?"

    Aidan just smiled then he said, "Oh, he left."

    "I told him to stop waking me up, not leave without me." She thought about it and knew he was hurt from what she said, had it not been for him, she would have been punished countless times for her late behavior, now she felt terrible, served detention or worse. She felt worse than terrible. She decided to ditch school for the day and wandered off with Aidan following her. 

      She ran as fast as she could, not looking back, and not caring, at last she found herself at a nearby waterfall. Not long later she could hear the bushes.

       She knew she was not alone and she knew who it was, well at least she could sense him. "Go away." She shouted.

      "That would be impossible." Aidan said, she wrapped her arms around her legs and sniffed, "why are you crying?" He asked but she quickly wiped away her tears and put on a tough face.

       "Nothing."

       "Is it because you're hurt, because of your friend." Autumn was speechless. "I see, I apologize for what happened Master."

       She flared up and turned around looking vexed. "Stop calling me that. I hate that name, my name's Autumn so use it. Look move around a bit, take a stroll just leave me alone for a while." She said as she returned to her former position. The ghost obeyed, and took off. It wasn't even a minute when there was another movement in the bushes. "I thought I told you to take a stroll." She yelled, but as she turned around she saw someone different.

        "I think you have the wrong guy." He laughed.

        She put on a faint smile. "Kazu." She gently said.

        "May I?" She made a gesture for him to join her, he sat right next to her, he couldn't help but take a peek at the height of the waterfall and where they were sitted. "You sure are brave, I don't think I was a fan of heights when I was alive." He said.

      "Tell me, what where you like, how did you die? Or are you still alive?" She asked but he kept quiet. Once she noticed that, she stopped asking her questions. "Am sorry." She said. But he just smiled.

        "That's okay." 

        The two looked below while they remained awkwardly quiet.

"How did you find me?" She asked.

        "You're Autumn, predictable as always." She giggled a little and became quiet once again. "Well, since you're okay, I better get going." Kazu said. He stood up to leave but she grabbed his sleeve. He looked at her with confusion and she looked at him with loneliness, she didn't realize how swift she was when she grabbed his sleeve.

        "Hold on a sec, could you stay here a bit longer. I just feel safe whenever you're around." He didn't know how his presence could be of use but he sat down anyway. She rested her head on his shoulders, and soon she was asleep, he took her away from the edge of the cliff but he could feel someone watching him far away.

       He stood up and spoke aloud so whoever it was could hear him."Don't worry, you're not gonna die, not on my watch." He said, he carried her in his arms, and head straight for home, and along the way she awoke.

      She thought she was floating and sensed the height, fear struck. "What are you doing?" She asked as she clung tightly to him.

      "You were asleep, and it was getting cold, I couldn't let you sleep outside so am taking you home." He responded, she looked at their position and said,

       "You could had at least woken me up, they'll see us."

        "Do not worry, am taking the safest route its a little far but once we get there I will leave you to walk alone so please, stay still." He said, she was quiet the entire time before they finally reached their destination, he put her down and they walked separately.

      She returned in the evening only to find Melanie and her friends waiting for her, once the two girls saw each other Autumn was filled with anger, but Melanie had a different look, like she was the one hurting. With anger in her eyes she asked the girl, "What do you want?"

    Melanie bowed her head, she couldn't find the right words to say but she had to speak up, "To say am sorry, am sure you've met Aidan, I acted without thinking and now you're stuck with him am so sorry". 

    Jay joined his hands together and begged, "Please Autumn, give her this one chance."

    "Why should I trust you."

    "Because we're your friends." Said Adam.

    "Yeah and you betrayed me, some friends you are, Melanie it was an accident and I told you, he told you." Autumn said almost in tears.

    Sincerity was the only thing Autumn saw in her eyes. "I know and am sorry, please forgive me." There was silence for a minutes after which Autumn smiled.

    "Fine, alright, but do you have any idea of how to get this ghost off my back".

    Melanie scratched the back of her head and murmured, "About that, when I woke him, and I threw the key to the lock away, I kinda bonded the both of you." Aidan came out of the bushes and stood in the middle of the friends.

    "So am stuck with this freak." Shouted Autumn, but judging from Aidan's look it was certain that he didn't like that name at all.

    "Mind your tongue girl, the fact that you're my master doesn't mean you can use such words on me. I do not appreciate such words used on me." He said.

    "Well it will be over in a year, then the bracelet will fall off and you will be free. It happens every time and then after that a new key will appear but I won't use it, never." Melanie said,

    Autumn came closer and stretched out her hand, "Promise." All Melanie did was respond to the handshake, "Promise."

   "Then you are forgiven." She said.

   Melanie held her chest and breathed out a sigh of relief, "Thank you." 

    Autumn looked around and noticed one was missing, "Just one more question. Where's Emily?"