Ghost Hunting 101

☆Twelve☆

T/W: Mentions death and mental health issues, also disembodied voices and creepy jails. Mentions minor sex, nothing explicit. Also shadow figures and mentions a gas chamber and strangling.

***
It was official. Nolan and Avery were dating. After that night Nolan took Avery back to his place, they made love to each other and that seemed to seal the bargain. Neither had any interest in losing what bond they'd created.

Also, it wasn't exactly officially mentioned, but Avery was now considered one of the team members with the paranormal society.

However, Avery didn't exactly go every place with them, but quite a few. She was beginning to see just how narrow minded she'd been before. Even though Avery still wasn't fully convinced about what Nolan, Sid, Lola and Lennox did was the real deal, she knew enough to keep those opinions to herself.

***
"So we have someone who contacted us, asking if we'd be interested in coming to an old jail," Nolan announces one afternoon when Avery is there.

"An old jail?" Lennox's face breaks into a grin. "Hell yeah!"

"Sounds ominous and creepy," Sid says.

"That's just up both of your alleys," Lola remarks, smiling at both Sid and Lennox. Sid gives her a little wink and she chuckles.

"Avery?" Nolan asks. "What's your opinion?"

"I think it sounds intriguing," Avery replies. Nolan nods.

"What about you?" Avery asks Nolan. "What do you think?"

"Don't ask him that!" Lennox groans. "He'll never shut up about it!" Avery laughs. So does Nolan, who shrugs unapologetically.

"What can I say? I enjoy old jails."

"Enjoy them? Enjoy them?" Lennox teases. "You'd live in one, if you could, dude!"

"Maybe." Nolan has this adorable little smirk on his face and Avery feels tingly in certain areas of her body. She shifts in her seat, trying to focus on what Nolan's saying instead of thinking about something more...inappropriate.

"Where's this place located?" Sid asks and Avery silently thanks him for getting her mind out of the gutter and back on track.

"About three hours from here," Nolan responds. "In Hurstville." He looks at each one, separately and everyone nods, a silent pact that they're all agreeing to go and investigate this place.

"Awesome." Nolan smiles. "I'll contact them back and let them know we're coming."

***
"Jeez Louise!" Everly frowns, watching as Avery packs herself an overnight bag.

"What?" Avery ducks into her bathroom, collecting some toiletries and her hair brush before returning to her bedroom.

"Now that you're an official ghost hunter, I practically never see you anymore. It sucks."

"I'm sorry." Avery moves to give her friend a hug. "I'm not leaving you on purpose."

"It sure seems that way," Everly says glumly. Avery releases her.

"Well, I'm not."

"Why don't you ask Nolan if I can join you sometime?" Everly asks.

"I can ask," Avery murmurs. "But I wouldn't count on it." Everly pouts prettily.

"Why not?"

"He's kinda...protective of what they do," Avery replies.

"Oh, just say it like it is," Everly snaps. "He's stuck up about who he allows on his team."