[Felix Golding]

rebellion is the only thing that keeps you alive

Felix didn’t really want to be here, but Riley and his cousin had dragged him along despite his protests. Caffery and Harper had other plans, and would be out all night, and he was annoyed by the fact that he didn’t actually want to be in the big house alone all night. His protests were mostly for show. Not that he was interested in the stupid ghost tour, but Riley insisted that, despite the people dressed up to scare them, the actual ghosts were real, and that his Aunt Maisy had gone on the tour every year and had confirmed it. Riley was practically vibrating with excitement at his side, and Rowan looked calm and relaxed, hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket. Felix shivered in the chilly wind that was coming off the ocean, drawing his coat tighter around him as they waited for the tour group to fill out so this thing could start. It was California, so it wasn’t that cold, but Felix had always felt the cold more keenly than most people.

✿

[Cass Harlow]

Cass was booooored. It was twilight, and it wasn’t quite Halloween yet, so there wasn’t much going on tonight except for the festival on the boardwalk. It was filled with families and kids, so it wasn’t really his scene, but he’d heard about the ghost tour beneath the docks and was intrigued. It didn’t sound like a family event, so he decided to check it out. It cost money, but maybe he’d be able to slip in without anyone noticing.

Or maybe he could even use his invisibility to mess with people and make them think they were being haunted. That could be fun.

He left his boots in a hidden alcove below the docks, triggered his invisibility, and crept toward where the ghost tour was starting. He kept back a few dozen feet, waiting for the tour to start before he integrated into the group or started messing with people.

[Katrina Wells]

Katrina really didn't want to go to the ghost tour. Admittedly she really likes Halloween as a holiday. All the dressing up and the candy and the notable buzz of excitement in the air...and the candy. But she really didn't handle scary things well. The last time Katrina had even watched a scary movie she'd been up for three days with nightmares and slept with her bedroom light on. At nineteen. So as she was, quite literally dragged, towards the waiting area for the start of the tour Katrina made sure to let her displeasure known the entire time. Through a series of whines and pleads to do something else.

But she was reprimanded for being a "big baby". Her friend Kassandra was the one pulling her along who seemed all to excited for the tour. Even as she claimed that ghosts didn't exist. Of course Katrina knew ghosts didn't exist...maybe. Okay, so she hadn't ruled that out which only made the situation more scary! Still, they finally came to a stop with a small group of people that had already gathered around. Katrina waited for Kassy to let go of her hand so she could make a run for it. But the girl seemed to know better. Rats!

So instead Katrina did her best to swallow down her fear. Even as she anxiously chewed on her bottom lip. The wind kicked up a bit. Bringing a cooler breeze that flicked her long dark hair in her face.

(I'm posting on mobile right now so forgive me lol Felix Golding )

[Felix Golding]

rebellion is the only thing that keeps you alive

Rowan, ever the social butterfly, started chatting with some of the other people in the group. Pointless small talk. He tried to draw Felix into the conversation with the strangers a couple of times, but Felix just gave him a blank look and turned away, letting his cousin make apologies for him despite how it grated on his nerves. He wouldn’t have to make apologies if he hadn’t tried to get Felix talking to random people in the first place. A few more people joined the group, and Felix moved to make room for them, not wanting to feel crowded. The tour guide decided that was enough people and started the tour, leading the group into the darkness of encroaching twilight. Felix followed Riley, and his cousin who had dropped his voice to continue talking to the people he’d latched onto, when he should probably be shutting up right about now. The first ghost the tour guide mentioned was caused by a grisly murder on the docks above, and Felix perked up in interest. The spooky aspect of this tour wasn’t for him, but he was surprised to find he was interested in the history part of it. A warbling note echoed underneath the docks, and some of the people in the group gasped or clutched each other. Felix just huffed, amused at their reactions to the obviously staged noise. ------------------- TAG: Katrina Wells

✿

[Katrina Wells]

Kassandra seemed absolutely giddy with excitement. Even as dread and anxiety twisted Katrina's stomach in ways that made her feel almost light headed. And they hadn't even started moving yet. There were a few people talking but she could hardly pay attention to them. Mostly she was paying attention to mentally reminding herself that everything was okay. That nothing bad was going to happen. They most definitely weren't going to see any ghosts because ghosts weren't real right? And even if they were, certainly there wouldn't be any angry vengeful ghosts about, right?

Kassandra busied herself chatting with a stranger but still kept a tight grip on Katrina's hand. She even tried to pull Katrina into the conversation. To which she simply offered some semblance of what was meant to be a smile and a half hearted wave. Once they started moving Katrina audibly whimpered. The talk of a murder on the docks made her stomach twist again. Though it was the sound that really got her.

Katrina jumped and her hand instinctively reached out to grab onto the first coat that it could find for safety. Which seemed to belong to the guy who was with the other man Kassy had been talking to. Wind kicked up again and howled through the space under the dock.

Tag: Felix Golding

[Cass Harlow]

Once the tour started, Cass followed the group at a short distance, waiting for the right moment to slip in. His bare feet didn’t make much noise besides the slight crunching of sand, but he noticed they were leaving faint footprints. Oh, well, he doubted anyone was going to turn around and notice them.

The tour guide started talking about a murder that had happened, and Cass drew a bit closer in curiosity. He noticed a dark shape out of the corner of his eye and looked to see a person dressed similarly to the tour guide ducking out of sight. A moment later an eerie hooting noise sounded, and Cass wasn’t able to stifle his snicker in time, though he doubted anyone heard it as the group reacted to the noise.

Well, most of them reacted. Some seemed entirely unaffected.

[Felix Golding]

rebellion is the only thing that keeps you alive

One of the girls Rowan had been talking to seemed much more terrified than the other one, and Felix would have found it amusing, except that, in her fright, she grabbed at his jacket. He gave her a brief but dirty look and gripped his jacket above her hand, jerking the material from her grip and stepping away to put more space between them. “You’re playing right into their hands,” he told her, tone flat and unaffected. “That noise was clearly staged to frighten you.” He didn’t bother lowering his voice, and a good portion of the group heard him. Someone muttered about him ruining the fun, but he ignored them, as well as the dirty look the tour guide was sending his way. “And keep your hands to yourself,” he added for good measure before turning away and dismissing her. Riley moved between her and Felix, giving the girl an apologetic look and a smile. “Ignore him, he’s just a grump.” Felix snorted, the noise more disdainful than amused. Rowan elbowed him lightly and he elbowed his cousin back much harder. ----------- TAG: Katrina Wells

✿

[Katrina Wells]

As soon as that strangers look of irritation turned to her Katrina realized her mistake. She quickly let go of his jacket and pulled her hand against her chest. Her voice was soft as she let out a quiet apology. But he seemed more intent on reprimanding her. Which was fair. Katrina's face flushed red with hot embarrassment as she stepped further back. Almost bumping into someone who was behind her. Kassandra squeezed her hand softly and looked down at Katrina with a sort of empathetic smile.

This had been exactly what Katrina was trying to avoid. She knew little scares like that shouldn't get her. She shouldn't be gripping onto people like a startled child. And she really tried not to. As the group started moving again the tour guide went on more in detail about the murder. Of who had been murdered, why. Apparently some jilted lover had stalked down a man who cheated on her and left her at the alter. The guide went on to explain how sometimes men were still known to feel scratches or be pushed. As if the woman were still trying to enact her revenge.

Katrina grit her teeth and tried her best not to imagine it. To block the image of a woman in a wedding dress with a knife in hand running after a terrified man in the night.

Tag: Felix Golding

[Cass Harlow]

One of the unaffected members of the tour group audibly announced that the noise was fake and meant to scare everyone, and Cass grinned, amused at the reactions of the rest of the group. But the man wasn’t saying it like he was trying to spoil their good time, he was saying it like they were stupid for believing it. It was almost a statement meant to comfort, from Cass’ point of view.

The tour moved on and the tour guide went more into detail about the murder. She mentioned the ghost pushing men, and Cass’ grin turned mischievous. Yes, he was going to mess with people rather than merging with the group, it was decided.

He crept forward as quietly as he could and pushed the taller man who was walking beside the short dude who’d spoken up a moment ago. The man stumbled into his friend with a curse. Cass tried to stifle his giggle at the look of shock on the man’s face and scurried forward to push another man further up in the group. The woman he was with let out a startled yelp, and some of the members of the group started to panic.

Well, Cass wasn’t bored anymore, that was for sure.

[Felix Golding]

rebellion is the only thing that keeps you alive

As the group moved on, and the tour guide relayed more information, Felix almost rolled his eyes. He knew better than to think a ghost could touch the living. His Aunt Maisy had been a medium, and she had told him plenty about ghosts when he was a kid. He’d been scared of ghosts then, but his aunt had reassured him there was nothing to be afraid of, and he’d believed her. As soon as the guide started to move on to the next topic, his cousin suddenly stumbled sideways, knocking into him roughly. “What the fuck?” he snapped, pushing Rowan off of him a little too hard so that he was forced to grab the back of his cousin’s jacket to keep him from falling. As soon as Rowan righted himself, Felix released him, and he turned to glare at Felix. “Someone pushed me,” he murmured, expression annoyed but eyes alarmed. “Yeah, me idiot.” “No, before that,” Rowan said, rolling his eyes. A woman further up in the group practically shrieked a moment later as the man she was holding hands with stumbled as well. “What the fuck,” Felix repeated, under his breath this time as he scowled and glanced around curiously. Something weird was going on, and he knew better than to think it was ghosts. Even the tour guide looked startled. ------------ TAG: Katrina Wells

✿

[Katrina Wells]

Katrina was doing her best to keep close to Kassandra as to avoid anymore unintentional grabbing of strangers. However, as the man that stepped between her and the grumpy one suddenly stumbled forward her whole body felt cold. It didn't look like he'd just tripped over something. It looked like he'd been shoved. Then as the other woman squealed upfront of her partner being shoved as well Katrina felt her heart drop into her stomach. But Kassy seemed only to snort in amusement.

"That's cute I didn't know they'd have actors in the crowd this year," Kassandra commented. Which did help Katrina calm a little bit. Until she noticed how startled even the tour guide looked. Still the guide cleared her throat and went on about how they were getting close to another grizzly sight of murder. Where a local woman years ago had been accused of being a witch.

People in the town had claimed they'd seen her able to conjure fire with her own hands or how she would torment innocent souls at night. Laughing her wicked witches laugh and chasing them into the forest to eat them. She explained how the woman had been drowned in the ocean for her witch craft and had come back as a vengeful spirit. One that would lure people to the waves to try and drown them just as they did her.

And how on some nights people claimed they could still hear the screams of those who were dragged into the ocean. In Katrina's fear the waves picked up. Pushing and pulling, crashing harder against the shore as the wind whipped around the group.

Tag: Felix Golding

[Cass Harlow]

The next ghost on the tour was apparently a woman who had been drowned in the ocean for being a witch, and liked to drag people into the ocean to their own deaths. That wasn’t something he could replicate, but maybe there was something else he could do.

There were a few fist-sized rocks that littered the ground under the docks, and he picked a couple of them up. They went invisible as they touched his skin, and he threw them toward the waves, behind the backs of the people at the back of the group. When they hit the water they made big splashes, loud and unmistakable, and splashed those closest to the water with seafoam.

Someone screamed, another staged noise, and the sound echoed under the docks at the perfect moment to complement his own efforts. He had to clamp and hand over his mouth to keep from laughing out loud at the terrified reactions of the group.

Maybe he should get yearly holiday employment as a ghost tour staff member. This was so much fun.

[Felix Golding]

rebellion is the only thing that keeps you alive

“Oh my god this is so exciting. Are the spirits actually playing along this year?” Riley piped up from her place on the other side of Felix, her eyes sparkling with delight when Felix turned to look at her. He gave her a bored stare, but his gaze was drawn over her head, to the tiny girl behind her who had grabbed him. The girl looked terrified, and one corner of his mouth quirked in amusement. “The dead can’t touch the living,” he murmured under his breath to Riley. “I would’ve thought Maisy had told you that.” Riley shrugged. “Maybe they figured out how and they wanted to have some fun. It could be possible.” “Uh huh,” Felix said, dismissing the comment. He looked over at Rowan, who still looked uneasy, glancing around like Felix had done as they followed the guide on to the next location. He took another glance around, too, which is how he saw the rock sailing through the air toward the water. He took a few instinctive steps away from the water, just missing the splash zone. Another rock followed soon after, and Felix whipped around to glare at where he thought the rocks had come from, but there was nothing there. “I told you!” Riley squeaked, still sounding excited, but also a bit unsettled now. Felix and Rowan shared a baffled look. ------------ Katrina Wells

✿

[Katrina Wells]

Katrina could feel her heart pounding in her chest. The wind whipped her hair around her face making it hard to see. But as she tried to brush it from her face she caught Kassandra looking around more curiously. Kassy was a tall woman. Standing over six feet tall even without her heels so she easily saw over the heads of most people in the group. Katrina watched her eyes scan from somewhere in particular as the first splash of something hit the rough waves. It was as if she knew something was in that area but couldn't pinpoint where.

"Kat, I think I might believe in ghosts now," Kassy's voice was quiet as she leaned down to whisper to Katrina. Who then whined and shook her head quickly. "Don't say that!" She insisted as she felt her stomach flip. Kassandra made a playfully spooky noise that made Katrina squirm as she tried to pull away from her friend again. "Stop it!" She tried to sound firm but the words came out hitched and panicked.

"C'mon Katrina, don't be such a baby." If she heard Kassandra call her a baby one more time...well she wasn't really sure what she'd do. Katrina tried to turn her eyes to the tour guide as she kept working to pull her hand away from Kassy. The guide was talking about the witch trials that happened ages ago and how hard they'd hit even los Eurosia.

Tag: Felix Golding

[Cass Harlow]

The next stop on the ghost tour was the ghost of a man who had, supposedly, been skinned alive and then hung, and Cass was starting to get a bit skeptical as the deaths got more and more extreme. There was no way so many horrific deaths had happened in this part of Los Eurosia. It just didn’t make any sense.

The tour group was eating it up, though, gasping in horror at the tale the tour guide told, no doubt riled up from all the “encounters” they’d been having. This time there no stories of things this ghost did to people, so he didn’t have much to work with, but there was echoing moan of faked pain from deep under the docks anyway. Cass rolled his eyes.

The area they were in now was covered in a thing layer of sand, so he decided to add a little something to the terrible performance of the tour staff member. He slowly walked through the sand in a straight line beside the group, taking each step carefully and digging his socked feet into the granules to produce a scratching sound and make obvious footprints.

The tour guide trailed off of what she was saying, eyes widening and breath catching in a gasp as she stared at the emerging footprints. The group grew silent other than a few gasps as they, too, watched the trail of footprints. Cass clenched his teeth together hard to keep from laughing.