Angel stood at a folding table near the end of a long hallway. The sun glared through the stained glass window, casting the vision of the Nativity on to the tiled floor. She couldn't help but stare up at the religious icons that surrounded her. Religion was something she once had small faith in, but now things were different. She wasn't even sure there was a God anymore, not with what was taken from her. She looked down at the uniform she wore, SMCC, was written on her collar. Saint Mary's Catholic College, she said to herself, who'd a thought I
would end up in a catholic school for college.
"May I help you child?" the sister at the table asked.
"Uh, yes. Today's my first day here, and I wanted to know if it is
to late to sign up for the Fast Pitch Softball team?"
"No not at all, in fact try outs are tomorrow."
"Ok, sign me up!" "Name please."
"Angelus, Angelus Spengler."
*********************************************************************
Miami, Fla.
"A dog, I ain't down wit this," a thuggish type boy said to another. "Chill man, it ain't like this is da first time you've been in a abandoned house!" The back door swung open, throwing them back a foot or two. They looked at each other with saucer size eyes. "Madre de dios! I'm gettin' outta here!" He pulled himself to his feet and started to run, but found him self face down on the concrete again, and a tentacle wrapped around his legs. Both boys were pulled into the house shrieking with horror.
*********************************************************************
Angel sat in a chair inside one of the lecture halls, busying herself with a 'YM' magazine. She hated the contents of the magazine and often asked herself why she even bought them. A group of five girls approached her. "Hi, you must be the new girl Angel," one of the girls said. Angel looked up to find the group of girls. She was shocked to discover they all looked almost exactly the same. All of them had hair some sort of shade of blonde, blue eyes, and the same plastic smile. "I'm Cindy Watson, president of the Fashion Club, and I couldn't
help but notice your sense of style. I think you're the first person at this school to successfully pull off the surfer look."
"Thanks, I think." "We're inducting new members for the start of school, and the girls
and I think you'll make a fab new member. Here's my number, call me if
you decide to join." Angel took the card held out to her. "Thanks, I'll do that."
"C'mon Angel, we'll give you a tour of the school," one of the
others said.
*********************************************************************
"Those doors lead to the chapel, and those to the band room." Cindy babbled on while Angel pretended to care, in fact Cindy's voice was down right annoying. They continued to walk down the hallways until they came upon a rather large window. "And now the site of them all," she said with a grin. "And what's that?" Angel asked.
"SPCC, better known as Saint Peter's Catholic College." Outside the window was a large building just like the one they were in. Standing around outside of it were groups of college guys, in uniforms similar to theirs.
"Nice view!" Angel exclaimed.
" It's our brother school. My brother and his friends go there.
We're meeting them after school, if you like you can come with us." "Sorry, I can't. Maybe some other time."
*********************************************************************
Miami, Fla.
A construction worker waved a wrecking ball towards the house. The mayor ordered that it be torn down due to strange occurrences. What'd a waste of a nice house! He thought. Wonder what really happened for it to get torn down. He shook the thoughts out of his head. He had a job to do. He gave the signal for the start of the demolition, but something held back the ball. He gave the signal again, but nothing happened. Fed up, he walked over to the wreaking machine. "Hey, Marty! Didn't you see the..." he trailed off, Marty wasn't
there. He looked around him. Everyone was Gone. "Ha ha ha, very funny guys we gotta a job ta do!" No one answered. He scratched his head, stupefied.
If only the constriction worker knew what was behind him at the time.
*********************************************************************
Angel slipped on her 'Girl Star' surf shorts, and the matching tank top. She walked over to her CD player and flipped on her Jimmy Buffet CD. She stretched out on her bed and stared up at the ceiling which was covered with posters and hanging action figures, along with the
occasional 'My Little Pony" and 'Care Bear'. She laid there in a daze until Egon knocked. "Sorry to bother you Angel, but Janine and I are going out to a movie, do you mind managing the phones?"
"No prob Uncle Egon." He closed the door behind him and sat down on the bed next to her.
"How was your first day of school?"
"It was...OK. It's a little hard being the 'New Girl". I met some new people, my classes are pretty good, and I'm gonna try out for the softball team."
"When are try outs?" "Tomorrow."
"I'll try and watch you. I remember when I went to one of your games
when your dad coached." Angel looked down at her hands, afraid to look him in the eye.
"You better get going or Janine will have a titi attack."
"Behave." He said as he was leaving the room. "I'm not a little kid! Have Fun!" She yelled after him.
Seeing that there was no use in staying in her room, she walked out of the room and closed her door behind her. She slid down the banister and came to a stop at the bottom of the staircase. "Safe!" Garrett said as he wheeled into the room. "Hey what are you doing here?"
"Finishing my shift since Roland left. So where was Egon off to in such a hurry?"
"Oh, he had a hot date with Janine." "No way!"
"Yup, and it's about time to. Janine's had the hots for him since I can remember. Some times I wonder how Uncle Egon can be so blind."
"So how was your first day at Saint Mary's?"
"Well, I was attacked by a swarm of plastic yuppies, but besides that it was OK."
"Bet that was fun." "Yeah right."
"I'm headin' for the gym, beep me if there's any action," he said, and rolled out of the door.
Angel flopped down in Janine's chair, causing it to spin her around. She hated having to fill in for Janine on slow nights, and having no one to talk to made it worse. Might as well do homework, she thought, and pulled her bag on to the desk. She opened the top and the Card
Cindy gave her fell into her site. She picked it up and studied it carefully. Maybe I should call her, she thought, the group will give me a chance to meet new people. Cindy might even give me some tips on how to get Eduardo's mind off Kylie and on me. She had a crush on him.
The group could help me fit in, and help me forget about home. She picked up then phone and carefully dialed the numbers inscribed on
the card. It rang twice before a perky voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Cindy, this is Angel...the new girl." "Hi Angel! So have you decided on whether or not you wanted to join?"
"Actually I have, How soon before I'm a full member?"
"Great! I'll run it by the other girls, Oh, we're going to Rocky's Pizza after school, you're welcome to come." "Um, I have Softball try outs after school, but I'll meet up with
you guys."
"Hey, we'll come watch you, and you can meet my brother and his friends." "Ok, see ya tomorrow."
"Ta-ta." Satisfied she hung up the phone. Fitting in was going to be easier
than she thought. Now all she had to do was be accepted by the rest of
the Ghostbusters.
*********************************************************************
"Rise and shine sleeping beauty." An outside voice said. Angel opened her heavy eye lids to find Eduardo staring down at her.
She lifted her head from the desk and looked at him.
"What time is it?"
"8:00 a.m. Looks like everyone let you sleep all night there." "8:00? Oh my God, I'm gonna be so late!" she yelled and ran up the stairs.
Ed walked up the stairs and to the kitchen. Kylie was sitting at the table eating cereal. He sat down at in the chair across form her. "Want some pancakes?" he asked her.
"No thanks," she answered."Oh man, I was hopin' you'd make me some." She looked up at him with a scowl and threw a cheerio at him, hitting him between the eyes.
"Hey!" Angel ran into the room and began throwing cabinet doors open. She
grabbed a box of Pop Tarts and pulled one out. "Good thing pop tarts are just as good cold!" she said and booked it
out the room. She bumped into both Garrett and Roland on her way out. "Whoa!" Roland exclaimed as she passed by. "Sorry, I'm way late!" She kissed her uncle good bye and continued running. Man what a flake! I can't I fell a sleep on the desk AND over slept!
"Why can't today be Saturday?" she asked aloud.
*********************************************************************
Roland sat the desk upgrading the modem on the computer, Garrett intensely played his Sailor V video game, and Ed continued to harass Kylie at the table. Moments later the bell went off causing them all to jump to their feet. They ran down the stairs and stopped at
Janine's desk where Egon leaned against it, staring at a piece of paper.
"This is very bad," Egon said still studying the paper. "What have we got?" Roland asked.
"A demon like entity that feeds off of human life energy. It's residing in a house at this address," he said and handed it to Roland. "What are we waiting for? Let's nail this puppy!" Garrett exclaimed. "Hold your horses Gar, I have no clue as to where this house is," he
passed it to Kylie who too didn't know the address. It was passed around, and no one knew where to go.
"Janine looked it up on the computer and the house is in Miami." "All right! Road trip!"
"Yeah, but Egon, we don't know our way around Miami," Kylie said.
"Yes I already thought about that, that's why Angel will be coming
with us."
When the car came to a stop Kylie woke up to find her self snuggled up against Eduardo. She got up and out of the car with everyone else. It felt good to stretch her legs and be out of the car. They all began to walk up to the house when the door flew open. "Angel!" The two children yelled. "Oh no, not the MAD MIDGETS!" she yelled as they ran over to hug her. "Hi uncle Egon," the little girl said as she gave him a huge hug.
"Guys I want you to meet my niece and nephew, California and Andrew.
Cal, Drew, this is Kylie, Eduardo, Roland and Garrett."
"Hi," they both said. A dark haired woman appeared in the doorway. "You just made it in time for breakfast," she said with a smile. "You just said the magic words!" Garrett exclaimed.
*********************************************************************
They all sat around the table stuffing their faces with Carmen's cooking when Angel's brother came in. He walked into the dining room on his way to the kitchen. "What's up everybody?" he asked as he walked through. "Hey Mike, where were you?" Angel asked. "'Comp USA', Break and I are trying to put together a web site," he yelled from the kitchen. When he returned he had a plate full of
scrambled eggs. "You and Break?" she asked with a giggle.
"I know, I know," he said trying not to laugh himself. "What's going to be your web topic?" Roland asked, he loved talking about technical stuff.
"If you want I can help you get started on the site," Roland offered.
"Really? Thanks man, I'm like html illiterate."
"You all surf?" Garrett asked.
"Yup, since we were kids. So what are you all doing tonight?" Mike
asked.
"Well, we have to reassemble some of our equipment, and get a few bugs out of the new weapons I made," Egon answered.
"Sounds like LOADS of fun," Carmen said.
They all suddenly stopped talking when they heard the front door open. "Hey dude, where'd ya go?" a man said as he walked into the house. "Break! How many times do I have to tell you to knock? This is Miami, I could have shot you! What if I were naked or something?" Mike
yelled from his seat. "Well dude I figure if that was true you would've already shot me,
and that's dur-day, I would NEVER come back if you walked around the
house naked," he answered as he walked into the dining room. "Teen Skipper! Welcome back babe!" "Thanks break," Angel said with a smile.
"And who's the hottie?" he asked as he slid over toward Kylie,
"wanna go to a swing party with me tonight baby?"
"Gee, let me think, when HELL freezes over!"
"Promise?"
"Leave her alone Break," Carmen called from her seat. He put his hands up signaling his defeat. "OK, OK! Here," he said and tossed a pile of papers at Mike. "What's this?" he asked.
"The 411 on the surfers you wanted.'
"Thanks bro," he said placing them on the china cabinet behind him.Not much was said after this, as they continued stuffing their faces.
*********************************************************************
Kylie tossed and turned during the dark humid night. She sat up and wiped her forehead of its sweat, then turned to pull her shirt from her sticky back when she heard the soft melody of a piano from some where in the house. Kylie got up and followed the sad soothing song
through the dark hallways. She turned one of the corners to find Angel
lightly caressing the keys. She hadn't even noticed that she wasn't in her bed.
"That's beautiful," she said startling her. Angel pulled her hands from the keys ashamed of her talent. "You don't have to stop because I'm here," she pleaded. Angel said nothing. "What's it called?"
"Its Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata," she said staring at the keys.
"I didn't know you played." "There's a lot of things you don't know about me," she replied then turned the pages of the music book in front of her, "so, why couldn't
you sleep?"
"New surroundings, you?"
"Nightmares."
"What about?" "What do you care anyway?" Angel asked sternly. "It's not like you've been very friendly to me, why now the sudden interest?" She took her eyes off of Kylie and began playing. "You want the truth?" Ky asked. "Nothing but," Angel replied.
"Honestly, I guess I felt threatened by you. I thought if I cut you
down you would go away, guess I was wrong."Angel stopped strumming the keys and looked up at her. She could see
the hurt in her eyes. "You felt threatened by me?"
"Yeah, I mean, you're like perfect and I saw the way you flirted
with Eduardo, and..." "You really like him huh?" she interrupted.
"Yes...yes I do."
"You shouldn't feel threatened by me. I don't really, truly like
Eduardo, I mean he's hot and all, but he doesn't trip my trigger."
Kylie let out a sigh of relief. There was a long pause in the
conversation until Kylie broke the silence.
"Do you wanna talk, about your nightmares?" Kylie asked awkwardly.
"You'd do that for me?"
"Yeah, if you're willing to help me in a crisis."
Angel looked down at her hands, then began her story.
"I get them now and again, and they're partly the reason why I've come to live with my uncle. I was on United Flight 900, the one that crashed in Colorado. We were on our way to Vale for our yearly ski trip. Both my parents were killed and I was left for dead with a chunk
of the wing crushing my back. I stayed there trapped for three days before I was taken to a hospital. My nightmares continue to replay the
final moments before we crashed. The words the Captain spoke, the way the Fight Attendance raced down the isle, all of it engraved in my mind."
"But why did you just now come to live at the firehouse? That crash,
it was more then three years ago."
"I was distraught after losing my mom and dad. I started hanging
around the wrong crowd, got into drugs. Then I got arrested, and my
brother put me in a rehab clinic before he sent me to Egon. So much of
perfect huh? How about you, what's your story?" Angel asked.
"My mom, she uh...thought of me as a nuisance rather than her daughter. She really didn't care much for me and she sent me to live
with my Grandma Rose. Unfortunately she died a year ago. She was my
only confidant." "Well looky there, couple of aces the two of us huh?" Angel said
with a forced smile.
*********************************************************************
"Oh man!" Eduardo exclaimed. "Why'd it have to rain the day we decide to bust this ghostie?" he asked shielding himself from the rain.
"Stop whining Eduardo," Kylie said as she stepped out of the car.
"What's up with the sky?" Garrett asked.
The sky had taken on a greenish hue, sprinkled with dark Grey clouds.
"Hurricane season," Roland began, "and it looks like a bad storm's
rolling in." "Then let's kick this ghost's butt and get back before it pours,"
Garrett exclaimed. They walked up to the massive wooden door dazzled by how beautiful the
house was even though it had been vacant for so long. Kylie's PKE sprang to life as they opened the door. They each actuated their proton guns before entering.
The inside of the house was layered with dust and grime, and the old furniture was covered with huge white sheets. It was obvious that no one had lived in the house for years as old pictures from the '20's sat on the mantle. "Let's split up. Ky you and Eduardo take the upstairs and Garrett and I will take the ground floor," Roland announced.
The floorboards moaned under their weight as they passed along the hallways. Kylie's PKE readings grew stronger as she passed by one of the doors. "It's here," she said in a whisper to her partner. The door let out a screeching sound as she opened it. The adrenaline
pumped through their bodies giving them a high they were somewhat used
to. The room they stood in was completely black only the illuminated light from Kylie's PKE could be seen. "Nothing here, what have you two got?" Garrett asked over the
walkie-talkie. "Strong emanations from the fourth room on the right," Kylie answered.
The two jumped when they heard something hit the floor. The buzzing
sound of their proton guns charging filled the room. A giant tentacle wrapped around Eduardo's leg, slamming him to the ground. Kylie shot a stream of proton juice at the monstrous ghost until it let go of him.
They ran at full speed out of the room, shooting at the massive form behind them. Garrett and Roland joined them when Ky and Ed got down the stairs. The Proton beams seemed to have no affect on the creature and they were losing the battle. Roland went outside to the car and radioed Egon.
"Egon! The proton streams have no affect on the ghost! It's tentacles are deflecting them." "I was afraid of that. I'm on my way with weapons that should help
trap the demon." "Good, but you better hurry, I don't think we can hold it off for
much longer."
*****************************************************************************
Egon turned off the radio and grabbed a duffel bag. Inside it he placed what looked like handles, and zipped it up.
"Where are you going uncle Egon?" Angel asked.
"To take this to the ghostbusters."
"I'll do it."
"I'm sorry Angel, I can't let you..." "Look I'm not some kid off the street, I can take care of myself!"
she announced and grabbed the bag away from him.
"Angel!"
Janine grabbed Egon's arm and shook her head, telling him not to stop her.
"Mike! I'm taking Betty-Lou!" she yelled across the house.
"You're what? No you're not taking..." The door slammed before he could finish. She ran outside to the garage and grabbed her helmet. Angel sat down
on the motorcycle and slid the key into ignition. I hope I know what
I'm doing, She said to herself and flew out of the driveway.
*****************************************************************************
Angel ran several lights and stopped at none of the four way stops she came across. She looked in her mirror to see blue and red flashing lights behind her, but she couldn't stop. Soon the officer turned on his siren and she was surrounded by the ringing noise of not one but
two cop cars.
"This better be worth it!" she yelled and sped up.
*********************************************************************
"Try and Keep it in the corner until Egon gets here!" Roland yelled. "Easier said then done!" Kylie said as the creature began to move towards her. "Hey, do you guys hear that?" Garrett asked. "Hear what?" Ed asked. "Cop cars," he answered.
*********************************************************************
Angel had her very own high-speed chase going as she neared the house. She wasn't sure if she could out run them once she stopped the bike, for they were on her tail the whole time. Angel turned the bike and jumped off, sending the motorcycle rolling. Mike's gonna kill me for that! She said to herself. She ran as fast as she could with the duffel bag lagging behind her. Her head was filled with the pounding of both her heart and the officers running behind her. "Sorry sweety," said one of the officers as he grabbed her wrist. "Let me go!" she yelled struggling to free herself. She felt the familiar coolness of handcuffs on her wrists.
"No please don't, I have to help the Ghostbusters!" she yelled. "Hey frank do you think she's telling the truth? I did hear about the Ghostbusters being in town," one of the officers asked.
"She a creative one, I've dealt with her before. Isn't that right Angel?"
"Officer Hardy I'm telling the truth and I'm not high, look, look, I
can cross my eyes!" she yelled as they began to haul her off. "Fine
I'll do things the hard way!" she yelled and stamped down on both officers' feet. They let her go and grabbed their feet, trying to stop the pain.
Angel saw her chance and grabbed the bag with her cuffed hands and ran
into the house. "Kylie here!" she yelled and slid the bag to her. "Hey babe what took you so long?" Garrett asked. "Hawaii 50 out there cuffed me!"
"What's in here?" Ky asked. "Proton blades! Cut off the creature's tentacles with them! Only
then can you stop it."
They each took one out of the bag and pressed the green button on the
side, instantly a solid stream of proton energy dispersed from the
handle. "Whoa, Luke Skywalker!" Garrett announced. "C'mon, let's bag this ghost!" Kylie called out. Garrett used the blade to free Angel from the handcuffs. "Without its tentacles it has no power what so ever," Angel added. "So what are we waiting for? It's time to pop open a can of whoop ass!" Garrett yelled as he flicked the switch on once again.
The ghost screamed in pain as the team sliced off its tentacles one by one. Puddles of green slime formed on the floor as its appendages hit the ground. One of the few arms it had left wrapped around Kylie.
"Let me go!" she yelled.
"Hold on Kylie, I'm coming!" Ed yelled and sliced the off the arm
that held her. She smiled at him.
"Thanks, I owe you one," she said.
"It's time to finish this thing once and for all!" Roland announced.
"On three," Garrett said in a low voice.
"THREE!" they yelled in unison.
Blinding streams of proton energy burst from their guns and engulfed
the monster. Kylie threw the trap and the ghost was sucked down into
the dark abyss.
THE END