| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
That afternoon, another strange thing happens when the four of them are back at the apartment building. Someone else moves in. It’s not surprising that they could find a spot right away because several families had move earlier today. What’s more surprising is that the person who moves in. Kevin is even more impressed with Mr. Cho’s ability to make things work out.
Yes, the newbie this time is Gallen. Gallen doesn’t really acknowledge them or seems to care. When he walks by the group, he only nods his head like normal as if just greeting the new neighbors.
Ray: Ok, we know it’s not Simon who’s suspicious. It’s probably this guy then.
Kevin: I think Simon is more suspicious. This guy doesn’t give you the sneaky air.
Ray: Simon is just Simon, man. This guy doesn’t give off that vibe, but he doesn’t look like he’s going in here for a place to stay. He’s got other motives.
Kevin: What motives? You’re trying to create some more problems around here as if we don’t have enough to worry about already?
Ray: I’m covering all the bases, okay? What if he’s involved in the ransacked from last night? And it might be easier for him to snoop around when he lives here than just randomly wait for us to leave and sneaks around?
Kevin: You’re so full of it, man.
Ray: Give me some evidence that it’s not him and it’s Simon then.
Kevin haven’t told the other three about what he found out when he went to Simon’s apartment because the girls were enjoying themselves at the mall when he met them so he didn’t want to spoil everyone’s mood. He knows that he must say it out now.
Kevin *clears his throat*: I went to Simon’s apartment to check things out earlier.
Ray: You what?!? When?
Mandy: When you said you forgot something, right?
Kevin nods at Mandy’s question and begins to tell them what he found out.
Ray *after Kevin’s done*: Even if you throw in that creepy dude, you can’t be sure Simon’s got something going on. It might be that his friend ran a marathon before so he can move fast.
Kevin: No. It’s not that part. I’m talking about how he said that Simon’s inside unpacking but I didn’t even hear any sound at all. Not even rummaging.
Ray: Maybe that guy is quiet. Not loud like us when we move stuffs around.
Kevin: It’s impossible that he didn’t even come out front to see who’s there.
Ray: Maybe he trusts his friend and doesn’t want to come out at that point. Like he was busy unpacking.
Kevin: I don’t buy it.
Ray: I don’t buy your story either. Maybe you’d been under too much stress lately that you’d imagined the part about Simon.
Someone behind them: Don’t buy what?
Everyone jumps a bit. They turn around to see a guy wearing black shirt and blue jeans. The one Kevin saw before.
Guy: Hi again, Mr. Cheng. And I guess these are your friends?
Kevin: Yes. Uh, let me introduce you.
After a round of handshakes, Gallen has found his way back down to the lobby to join them.
Gallen: As you all probably seen, I was just moving in here. My name is Tim. Nice to meet you all.
Another round of handshakes and they still didn’t know the guy in black shirt and blue jeans’ name.
Ray: Enough of these handshakes already, you guys. My hand is throbbing.
The guy in black shirt and blue jeans smiles while Gallen studies him closely. Gallen realizes that this guy looks familiar but doesn’t know where he had seen him before. He makes a note to check it out later since he’s going to be here for a while anyways. He watches the guy’s every move silently as the others continue their conversation.
Mandy: Forgive my brother. He’s a bit irritated lately. What’s with all these going on.
Guy: No problem, little lady.
Ray: Hey, don’t call my sis that.
Mandy: Ray!
Guy: It’s fine. And I apologize.
Ray: Apology accepted.
Mandy: Ray!
The guy smiles again. He has a very nice smile, but for some reason, Gallen couldn’t find himself to trust him.
Ray: By the way, man. What is your name?
Guy: Wilson.
Ray: Strange name for a guy like you.
Wilson: I don’t look like a Wilson?
Ray: No. Sounds too ordinary for you.
Wilson *thinks for a second*: Maybe...but it’s a name I like. *looks at his watch* Alright, I can’t chat long. I have a long day ahead tomorrow. See you all later.
He turns to leave. This time, he uses the elevator instead of the stairs like before.
Gallen looks after him until he enters the elevator before turning back to the group.
Gallen: So, is this place full of strange people?
Ray: Pretty much. But you’ll get use to it. *claps Gallen on the shoulder*
Gallen: I sure hope I can.
The group makes their way back upstairs in the other elevator.
When they get out of the elevator, Charmaine suddenly remembers something. She turns to Mandy.
Charmaine: Where had Wallace been? I haven’t seen him at all since yesterday.
Mandy: Wallace had to go somewhere with Kenneth and Joey. You know, the cops. Alice is still around. I asked her to join us for breakfast this morning but she told me that she was going somewhere to do research.
Charmaine: We should check on her later.
Ray: With all the things going on lately, we don’t know if it’s safe for her to walk around alone anymore.
Charmaine nods.
Ray suddenly realizes something as they’re walking down the hallway. He turns to Gallen.
Ray: Why are you still with us? I thought you said you’re going back to your apartment.
Gallen: I am.
Ray looks confused.
Gallen *explains*: I’m at apartment 7H.
Ray *shocked*: Right next to us?
Gallen: I don’t know. You guys live next door? Wow. We’re neighbors then.
Kevin has to give Gallen some credits for being so convincing.
Ray: I guess so then. But I must warn you, that apartment is sort of haunted so you better be careful.
Mandy: Ray, don’t scare him.
Ray: I’m just telling the truth.
Gallen: Don’t worry, I’ll manage.
They continue down toward the hallway.
Charmaine walks ahead and goes toward Wallace and Alice’s apartment. Before Charmaine could knock, the door flies open.
Alice: Hi!
Charmaine: Hi, when did you get in?
Alice: About an hour ago. Wallace is still out.
Charmaine: Want to eat with us tonight?
Alice: Sounds like fun since you seemed to have emptied out the store.
Charmaine smiles and looks down at the grocery bags that she’s carrying at the moment.
Alice turns around to lock her door before joining Charmaine and the others next door.
Alice *handing a small tan envelope to Kevin*: Your aunt came by earlier and dropped these off.
Kevin reaches out for it and he finds a pair of keys inside. He hands one to Ray and the other he uses to open his apartment.
Kevin *turns around to the girls*: We’ll be right over.
The girls go inside to prepare the food. When Charmaine unlocks the door, she’s about to turn around to say goodbye to Gallen when she discovers that he’s already gone. He’s not so normal himself either, she thought.
While all seems to be back to normal routine, they hear a loud scream across the hallway fifteen minutes later.
Mandy runs out the door faster than anything with a knife still in her right hand. On the other side of the hallway, Ray’s also running out the door.
Ray *sees Mandy with knife in hand*: Whoa! *puts his hands up in protection* Take it easy, sis.
Mandy: Ray?
Ray: Who else?
Mandy: No. I thought I heard a scream in your apartment.
Ray: No, it’s not us. It seems to come from next door. I told that guy it’s haunted but he won’t believe me.
By that time, Kevin, Charmaine, and Alice have joined them in the hallway. They walk slowly toward Gallen’s apartment. Mandy had lower her right hand already. Mandy takes the lead and knocks the door.
Mandy: Tim? Is everything alright in there?
A second later, the door flings open. Gallen comes running out of it. Mandy has to step aside quickly and makes sure that the knife isn’t sticking out. They see Gallen, covering his face and slams into the wall by accident. Charmaine steps up to him slowly.
Charmaine: Tim, are you alright?
Gallen recovers a moment later, taking his hands away from his face. He seems to be embarrassed by the current situation.
Gallen: Uh….there are….*mumbles too low for others to hear*….in my apatment.
Ray: What? Ghosts?
Gallen: No. It’s worst.
Ray: There are worst things in there than ghosts? Unbelievable.
Mandy: Ray!
Gallen turns a bit red, but tries to remain calm.
Gallen: Can ummm…Kevin come with me into my apartment for a few minutes?
Ray: What for? He’s not a ghost-buster. I’ll go with you. ’Cause I swear Kevin’s the big chicken here.
Gallen: No. I already told you it’s not ghost. Something else.
Kevin: It’s ok, Ray. I’ll go with him. I’ll be back in five minutes. You all can go on without me.
Ray pulls Kevin aside before he could step inside Gallen’s apartment.
Ray *whispers*: Are you kidding me?
Kevin *whispers back*: What?
Ray: It could be a trap.
Kevin: You’re all here, aren’t you? What I meant was if I’m not back in five minutes or so, you guys can call the cops.
Ray *rubs his forehead*: Oh. Right! How could I be so dumb and not get your hint?
Ray, pats Kevin on the shoulder, then both guys head back to the group.
Ray *to Gallen*: He’s all yours. *to the others* Let’s go, guys.
Mandy looks at Kevin one last time before following Ray and the others to Charmaine’s apartment. Ray slams his door shut before joining the girls inside the other apartment.
Gallen slams the door as soon as Kevin’s inside with him.
Kevin: What is going on here?
Gallen doesn’t respond right away, but goes to the stereo system and turns it on before explaining.
Gallen: I have to tell you the plan and couldn’t find a better way.
Kevin: Go ahead.
Gallen: Ok, that guy Wilson is making me uneasy so you all should be careful when you’re around him.
Kevin knows that he should tell Gallen what he discovered before. He summarizes quickly since his five minute is up soon.
Gallen: Ok, I’ll follow him for now. But you guys must be very careful. Don’t separate from Ray whatever you do. I’m sure you can ask Charmaine to help with Mandy since she’s been with Mandy for a long time now. Twenty seconds. Can’t talk much now, so you can go back and I’ll tell you what I find out later.
Kevin: What should I tell them about your breakdown though?
Gallen: Rats!
Kevin: What?
Gallen: I’m scared of rats.
Kevin: Ok.
Gallen: They’ll believe since it seemed impossible but I put on a convincing show. We’re over a minute already. Go!
Kevin opens the door and steps out in the hallway. As he’s about to open the door to Charmaine’s apartment, the door opens at that moment when he reaches his right hand out. Ray’s so jumpy, he thought. But he’s wrong. It’s not Ray, it’s Mandy. Kevin looks at Mandy’s worried expression. He suddenly wants to hug Mandy. Although she probably got freaked out from Ray’s exaggerated version of the story, but it’s good to know that Kevin himself is the reason for her worries.
Kevin: It’s ok, little one. I’m fine now.
Mandy smiles at him. He smiles back. She steps aside for him to come inside. They join the others in the kitchen.