Ghost Hunt (tag Taki, Vic, Ezzie, Izzy, Si, Roxy)

[Thad Cotton]

Thad bounced out of Sidra's 1931 red Ford Coupe, excitement at the coming adventure threatening to overwhelm him. He grabbed his sister about the waist, peering out at the lighthouse with wide eyes. He was grateful she had decided to come instead of turning him in to the step-monster (not that he had really thought that was a possibility) and even more grateful that she had agreed to be chauffer, as Takumi was absolutely correct in his assessment that getting to the correct location would otherwise be difficult.

"Ya really think we're gon' see ghosts?" He sounded hopeful. They had gathered quite a crew, so if the lighthouse really was haunted one of them ought to see something. He hoped he would be one of the lucky ones, but he knew every other person there hoped the same.

Now he was about to sneak into a lighthouse and search for mythical ghosts with a group of very cool older kids, which thrilled the boy beyond belief. Nothing against Ezzie or Roxy, of course; he was glad they had come, because he was sure they were the only ones who would appreciate exactly how cool it was that the older students were allowing them to tag along. "Innit so coooooool?" He whispered around Sidra to the two Hispanic girls.

He let go of Sidra, turning to Takumi and Victor, who had been so kind as to allow him to hang around them all day while they prepared for the night, with very minimal help from the Freshman, who had spent the time jumping around from one thing to the next, rambling at the two older boys at a mile a minute. He didn't appear to care whether or not they understood anything he said, as long as they tolerated him. "When we gon' get goin'?"

[Sidra Cotton]

Ghosts? Si's slow smile showed fangs in the diluted light of night. That her brother had all but disappeared for several days was nothing short of a miracle. Though the Step-Harpy had been on a rampage about it (under the guise of worry and fretting about what could have possibly happened to the boy) it was hardly in Sidra's best interest to turn her brother in. That being said, however, he’d also worried Fallon and herself. And their mother, that had hardly been fair. She’d give him an earful later, but was secretly glad to have him alive, even if he was getting her corset smudged with dirt and whatever else was on him.

Eventually they would have to deal with the fall out of his actions, but until then, why not have a bit of fun in the process?

The frock coat (yes, a frock coat) she wore over her corset and pants served to keep her warm as well as being fashionable in the way that Sidra so loved. But then everyone in their motley crew seemed to have a different idea about what fashion was.

Pushing breath out through her lips, Sidra noticed, with some disdain, that it showed against the cold night air. Still mortal. Pitty.

“Perhaps we will, Twerp,” she said flicking her brother in the back of the head, “thought be careful what you wish for. The spirits of the dead can be testy.”

Vampires were her first love, this was true, but every now and then Si could be caught watching Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters International. Things that go bump in the night… the things that make the mortals weep in fear, those were the things that Sidra craved. Wanted so very much to be a part of… and was in her own way.

“That is, perhaps we will IF you don’t scare them off.”

[Vic Webber]

Victor arrived in the black PT Cruiser which he nicknamed the "Coffin on wheels", sure it wasn't as cool as Si's Ford Coupe but it was still a fun drive. He saw the car there and parked and got out.

With Cuddles in his habitat which was securely fastened, he joined the group. "Everyone prepared for a fright tonight?" He asked doing his best Boris Karloff impression.

"Best to listen to your sister Thad, there's nothing worse than an angry spirit, just ask Tom Stewart!" He said referring to the story he said earlier in the day. The chilled air nipped at him a little, which forced him to zip up his black hoodie which featured a zombie pointing out saying, "I have no use for you!"

"Besides, keep being so noisy and this will turn into Scooby-Doo episode, all we need is a cowardly Great Dane!" He laughed a little. "I did bring someone along for the ride though." He unlocked the cage and put his hand in and soon felt the touch of what someone could mistake as a pipecleaner, then two, three, soon all eight legs were resting in his hand. "Cuddles this is a small portion of tonight's party." He introduced the arachnid as if it were a real person.

[fryn]

Earlier that evening, and with his scooter parked safely behind the Taco Bell Takumi wandered around to the front of the restaurant. He was early and so was sure to be the first to arrive. He still wasn't 100% sure who was coming - or what transport would be used - but if all else failed he could use his Vespa.

He glanced at his watch as he wandered around the side of the building... 8:50... Thad and Vic would be here soon. And Thad's sister? Perhaps... plus whoever else had decided to join the ghost-hunting party. Thad had assured him he would bring flashlights and so all Takumi had on him was his phone - complete with an inbuilt camera - and a packet of wasabi peas. Just in case... After all, a person should never go ghost-hunting without wasabi peas to snack on... right?

He'd told his parents he was off to visit a new friend in Santa Monica. Not a lie persay. Ok, so it was but to Takumi it merely extended the truth a little. Extended it beyond all realms of recognition, if he was totally honest.

"Ahh... a coffee please," he said to the girl behind the counter. "No milk but some sugar... thank you." He might as well pass the time in comfort whilst waiting for the others to arrive.

He pulled a small leaflet out of his pocket and spread it across the table.

Point Dume Lighthouse... and the location of their nocturnal adventure... He leaned over his coffee and read...

'The lighthouse was situated on eight acres of land. An historical structure that was erected in 1926, in response to a petition from ship's masters who deplored this disastrous stretch of costal waters. The two million candlepower white light is developed from a fifteen-watt bulb focused through a handcrafted five-foot lens. Made in Paris in 1886, the lens saw forty years of service in Alaska before being brought to the Peninsula. The 67 foot high tower is perched on a cliff, resulting in a light source 197 feet above sea level, which can be seen twenty miles at sea.'

Most of this he'd already heard during his tour earlier that morning but Taki wanted to read about it once more, to ensure he knew all he possibly could about the lighthouse.
'Point Dume was manned by civilian lighthouse keepers until 1939, when the U.S. Coast Guard became responsible for its maintenance and operation. The light and radio station have since been automated. Addition of a radio station and helicopter service has made the lighthouse the Coast Guard's principal communications center in Southern California, as well as the base for numerous rescue operations. It is one of the biggest and brightest lights along the coast of California. Point Dume Lighthouse is open to the public each day, barring Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm. Free admission.'

He read on...

'For the romantically-inclined, there are several legends attached to the lighthouse. Most famous is that of the ghost lady who, having hurled herself into the same sea that took her sailor sweetheart, walks the tower every night awaiting his return. Explanations that the phantom is caused by reflections from the huge lens have done little to dissuade lovers from joining the lady in her somber watch.'

"Well," he said softly and beneath his breath, "... we'll find out tonight if it's the lens... or something else..."

* * *

And now there were here. Actually AT the lighthouse. Not only that but Thad's sister had agreed to come with them (and drive). His scooter was now safely parked at the Cotton house and as he peered at Sidra one more time he smiled in pleasure at her appearance. For himself he'd opted to dress down for the night, sticking to black drain-pipe jeans, a pink and apple green t-shirt topped by a long and baggy grey hoodie. Over that he wore an even longer sleeveless jacket but it was the Hello Kitty face that peered out from beneath all those layers that made his outfit all the more incongruous. Only the tip of her head, though, as the hoodie covered most of the image. Luckily he'd chosen not to wear his red tartan kilt over his jeans as that might have lifted a few eyesbrows.

A car drew up and Vic emerged... "Everyone prepared for a fright tonight?"

Takumi nodded. "Very much so!" he declared. He leaned close when Vic presented his spider. "May I touch her?" he asked and he extended a hand towards Cuddles who seemed happy enough to let him stroke her gently.

"She is very nice," he stated. Perhaps one day Vic might even let him hold her. He could hope.

"When we gon' get goin'?"

Takumi smiled at Thad. "Now, otousan," he promised. "This way..." If anyone else joined them he would show them the way inside but - for now - the quartet couldn't wait to get started.

Quartet plus one spider, of course!

[Sidra Cotton]

Eyes landed on the spider and eyebrows rose. Cuddles? Seriously? Was Vic going for the Hagrid award or something? Still, she had to admit the arachnid was gorgeous, in it’s own way. But the spiders usually were. Vic was one of those people Sidra knew she wouldn’t ever be able to scare. He was like her in so many ways, but very different at the same time.

The others of their little party were gathering around Point Dume light house and she smiled toothily at those who’d deigned to join them. A good crowd, Si mused. Nice mix of people, shame there wasn’t someone in it she could freak out easily, but then those who got freaked easily likely wouldn’t have agreed to this expedition anyway.

The Japanese youth who’d taken a liking to her brother (would wonders never cease?) seemed, to her, a very strange sort. She couldn’t quite figure him out, but then why should she be able to? He wasn’t of her ilk, at least not that she could tell, but Si was quite impressed at his willingness to pet ‘Cuddles’. How many would squeak and back away with quick steps and hands held out to ward the beastie off?

Too many.

“Just as soon as everyone’s ready. Thad, flashlights? Or are we going to grab the candles out of the car?” Candles, she’d thought, would be much better suited to the spook factor of a ghost hunt in and around a lighthouse. Candles could cast eerie shadows and set the mood in a way that the steady glow of a flashlight never would.

The low flicker of the flame, even four flames, perhaps she should have brought a candelabra to hold several candles… something to think about for next time.

[Roxy Rivera]

As annoying as Roxy's parents could be...one thing that she did love about them was that they were dense. Somehow they still believed that she was locked away in her room, upset at them for grounding her, when really she hadn't done anything of the sort. Sure she was angry about the grounding...but she'd also gone about doing her own thing...sneaking over to the Cotton's....and now ghost hunting.

Okay, Roxy didn't really believe in ghosts but the idea of going seemed like it could be scary and fun. Plus, with Sidra driving them there, it had made it way easier to make an escape. Now all she had to hope for was that her parents didn't talk to the Cotton's not that they would probably. Her parents didn't really like them because they were lesbians and they thought the Cotton kids were strange. Roxy liked the Cotton's...aside from the step-monster of course. Sure, they were a little off-beat but in Roxy's opinion, that made them more fun. Plus, Thad always seemed to have some sort of interesting thing going on and when he didn't she could usually convince him to go along with whatever she had in her head including sneaking out when they both had been grounded.

Roxy twisted a strand of her thick dark hair. Dressed in a mini-skirt and sneakers with tube socks up to her knees, she certainly wasn't conventional in anything she did. She certainly didn't look like she was ghost hunting at least but she didn't mind this. She watched as the older boy approached. She didn't really know him, but didn't really mind so much that he was there either. Roxy liked new people...well most new people, as long as they weren't snobby which she didn't really have to worry about with the Cotton's. They didn't really hang out with snobby people.

Roxy stood there, watching the exchange between the group...not really saying much. They seemed to have everything under control...flashlights...candles... "We should use candles," she agreed, when Sidra seemed a little uncertain. She liked the feel of the hot wax when it dripped and liked picking it off the table once it hardened. She wasn't really thinking out what would be more eerie or anything like that. Perhaps she should have been though. She wasn't really scared yet...but who knew what was to come...

[Ezzie Lopez]

To be able to leave, due to gang violence was a tough battle for Ezzie. Especially since it seemed to center around Compton. So Ezzie had not technically been allowed to go. Until her brother volunteered to watch her. Pepe agreed to take care of his sister. Of course he did not plan to stay. He just needed an excuse to get out and his sister provided the perfect excuse.

Ezzie finally arrived and was relieved. She ran over to her friends and immediately attacked Thad first. He was always fun to attack. Then she hugged Roxy and Sid, no matter if she liked it or not. "Hola mis amigos." Ezzie said with a smile at Take and Vic. She did not know Vic that well, but his pet was cute. She did not mind spiders. They were just misunderstood. Like a lot of gods creatures.

"Sorry to be late. My parents wanted to keep me under house arrest." She admitted. "What no Fallon? Oh come on....I would have loved to see her handle a ghost story. That would have been interesting." Ezzie said getting more excited by the minute. "So when are we going in? Anyone else coming?" ezzie loved excitement. Sure Ghost stories were scary, but just the idea was awesome in her book.

"Oh this is going to be so good." She said in her excited tone. "Good to see you again Taki." She said to him and then looked at her friends. "I feel so...included...." She said with a smirk. She was just excited that anything she said might not make sense, but that was okay. she was just ready to get this show on the rode. "I have flashlights, some water, and a cell phone and I wasn't sure what else to bring."

[Thad Cotton]

"Ow." Thad grabbed the back of his head, giving Si a reproachful look. "I ain't gon' scare 'em off." He sulked. Honestly, why would a ghost be afraid of him?! He couldn't do anything to one (as far as he was aware).

Vic seemed to agree with Si, however, and as Vic was the authority on ghosts he ceased protesting (Si was smart and she knew all about vampires, but he trusted Vic when it came to spirits).

"If we's Scooby Doo, I wanna be Scooby, then y'all gotta feed me snacks." He informed the pair of horror afficianados, crossing his arms. He would fight Cuddles for the position, by golly! But then, Cuddles would probably win. "It ain't fair!" He mumbled, glaring at the tarantula. "She's got more legs'n me."

"Candles!! Candles!!!!" He enthused once Si mentioned their light source, darting into the back seat of her car to forage for them and emerging with a box. He energetically passed the candles out to the rest of the group. "Light 'em here or wait?" He wondered, though it had yet to dawn on him that the one thing he hadn't brought was a lighter or matches. They were a group of high school delinquents, however, so it wasn't at all unlikely that someone else had something they could light the candles with.

"Ezzieeeeee!! Don' worry 'bout it, I ain't supposed to be out, either," He returned her hug eagerly, and handed her a candle. "We got candles! They're better'n flashlights, unless, like, the ghostly aura blows 'em out an' we can't relight 'em." He sounded more hopeful than concerned about this possibility, however, as that would be, in his mind, undeniable proof that the spirits were nearby.

"Ez, you know Taxi?" He beamed. They certainly acted as though they had met, which bumped the Japanese boy higher in his opinion. "Roxy, you met Taxi?" He motioned to Takumi, "Taxi, this is Roxy, she's the awesomest." He looped his arms around Roxy from behind as he made this pronouncement. "No offense, y'all are awesome, too. We're like the group of awesome."

He looked around at the group, feeling a surge of affection for each and every person there. This really was his favorite group of people, sans Fallon. "Ehhhh," He answered Ezmeralda's question, "She didn' answer my call an' I was afraid ta leave a message in case it got in'ercepted."

[Izzy Chen]

Izzy usually was very on time, but this time she was late Mostly because she was scared. Going on a ghost hunt...the idea just sounded creepy. Oh why had she told Taki it was haunted. Although it was true. Izzy heard the story many times and each time it scared her. Part of Izzy wondered if ghosts could really possess people. It would be kind of awesome for someone to be possessed. Then again Izzy did not really think like all the time. This was recent.

Jett did not want her to go. Mostly because of the gang violence. But what could you do. Izzy promised and the idea was kind of thrilling. Izzy parked her car and made her way. When she saw the group for a moment Izzy wondered if she was in the right place. But then she saw Taki and Si and she knew she was in the right place.

Izzy walked up to the group in her meek and quiet manor. She walked around the group to Taki's side. "Hi everyone. I am Izzy. Sorry if I am late. I was not sure what to wear on a ghost hunt." Then again since when did Izzy care about what she wore. It just sounded better then saying her brother had tried to ground her like she was a child. Although saying you were late because of your wardrobe was probably even more stupid.

"So we ready? Candles....ohhh I did not think of that. Hand one over? Good to see you Si, Taki...." She smiled. She recognized Thad, Ezzie and Roxy from school, but she could not think of their names. Which probably sounded very bad for her.

[Fallon Cotton]

Fallon had locked herself in her room and decided to spend the day there. She was having fun. Fal put on music and started her work. She left her room for the occasional bathroom use and to get a drink. As Fal was going back to her rooms he over heard Si and Thad talking. A ghost hunt...nice. Fal had gotten a missed call from Thad and that must have been what it was about. Fal shrugged. She would leave the ghost hunting up to the siblings. The idea of ghosts creeped Fal out. Besides Si and Thad could always use some bonding time.

Fal went back to her room. She had no idea how long she was there for until the music all the sudden shut off. Fal turned around thinking it might be Thad and instead saw Sandra looking at her. "Where is your brother?" Sandra demanded to know.

Fal just shrugged. "I haven't seen him. I have been in here all day." Which was kind of the truth. She had only heard him...not seen him. Fal turned back around.

"Do not turn away from me young lady. Where is your brother? and Your sister? I know you know where they are....how could you not....Now tell me...or you can tell your mother." Sandra said beyond irritated.

Fal turned back around, "Look I told you. I don't know. I have not seen or talked to Thad or Si today. I can't help you. Now please...leave..." Fal said trying to be sweet.

Sandra just shook her head and eyed Fal, "That's it you are grounded too."

Fal eyed her stupid step mother, "What...why I did nothing to you...I am sorry I can't help, but I did nothing to you..." Sure Fal could tell Sandra that she heard Thad and Si talking about a ghost hunt, but she had not heard where this Ghost hunt was going to be, although she could take a guess. Everyone knew about the lighthouse.

"Because you are a liar and I said so. Grounded. And you can thank your brother and sister for that." Sandra said and walked out.

Fal sighed and got pissed. That's it she was done. Fal threw something against the wall and then proceeded to throw more things against the wall and the floor until her room was trashed. Then she opened her window and climbed down. If Thad could sneak out then so could she. Perhaps she was stupid for taking the bus to the lighthouse, but she did. Fal got off the bus and approached the group of kids. Fal had done nothing to Sandra but be nice this time and she went off the deep end. Fal walked up behind the group, "Room for one more." The bitterness in Fal's voice was unmistakable. Her siblings had to know she was pissed. But she was not pissed at them. She was pissed at Sandra.