The Ghost

Chapter 25

I wake up the next morning, to someone knocking on my door. I glance at the clock. Four in the morning. What's going on now?

I put on a shirt and answer the door. A red-faced woman stands there. What's her name? Jessabelle, I think.

"Yes?"

"There's... There's a commotion in the Training Room." She's panting heavily, indicating that she had run here.

"At four in the morning?" I ask, frowning.

"I'm just the messenger. Ms. Lorraine said to retrieve you."

"Yes, but at four in the morning? Why are people even out of their rooms if they don't have to be?"

"Honestly, your guess is as good as mine. I was just told to get you. Ms. Lorraine wants you to hurry."

"I'm going to have a long talk with her about waking me up so early..." I mutter, closing the door. I change into jeans and slip into my sneakers before walking back out.

I hadn't gotten much sleep. I ended up going to sleep at eleven, woke up at twelve for no apparent reason, and went back to sleep about thirty minutes later. To be woken up at four in the morning because of something that doesn't immediately concern me.... Well, it's annoying. Of course, Kirsten is going to make my life hell because of our blow out yesterday. So, I should really get used to this.

But, still, it doesn't make it any less annoying.

Jessabelle guides me from my office and escorts me to the Training Room, where I hear two people, presumably two men, fighting. And this is with the door shut.

A group of people had gathered, and they stand by the door, obviously too afraid to go inside. What has gotten into these people? They're Ghosts for Christ's sake! They're not supposed to be cowering in the doorway because of a petty fight.

They see me walk up, and immediately step away. Apparently, they have no problem allowing me to go inside, but they're too cowardly to enter themselves. Kirsten ought to punish them for their pettiness. Otherwise, her and I have a lot to talk about.

I walk inside and immediately understand the reason those cowardly Ghosts stayed outside. Almost as soon as I set foot inside, I'm tackled by one of the men - a guy named Carlson. He pins me to the ground, and I just observe him.

Sweaty, shirtless, his eyes wild and untamed. His buddy - a man who's name I can't remember - hauls Carlson off of me, and throws him to the ground, before jumping on top of him, and starts firing punches into his face. From what I can tell, this other Ghost is as crazed as Carlson.

I get up and sigh, assessing the situation. The Ghosts are now peeking in, watching me as I assess this. If Kayleene were here, then the whole thing would be over within seconds. But, seeing as how I can't possibly have her affect on these men, being that I'm a man, I have to address it differently.

I observe the frenzied way they attack each other. Not with the skilled and professional methods, as we are taught, but with pure, unfiltered hatred. Interesting.

Carlson is now on top of the other Ghost, firing punches that seem like they should break his knuckles. I note all of the simple mistakes they make. Not like a Ghost at all. Not like they were taught in the Organization. Curious.

By now, the observing Ghosts are telling me to do something. Telling me to break it up. Kirsten stands there, with a somewhat smug expression. She obviously sees this as a trial for me. Happy to disappoint.

"Go on, Mr. Worthington," she calls. "Break it up."

What she doesn't see is the frenzied movements in which these men are fighting with. Right now, these aren't men; these are animals. They're not the trained Ghosts they truly are.