Paranormal Stories of Warren High

Chapter One

 As Laura continued down the hall, she silently mouthed each number printed on the doors before glancing back to the hastily scribbled note that rested in her paw. When she'd asked about it at the front office, the desk clerk seemed surprised that she was inquiring into something so strange. However, he quickly wrote the information down and handed it to her before wishing her the best of luck. She thought it was an odd sentiment at the time, but as she entered the room the understanding soon became evident.

Sitting at the front desk in the otherwise empty class room was a prairie dog, his feet propped up and a comic book in front of his face. "Paranormal Investigation club meets here. Sorry you'll have to find somewhere else." He called without looking up from his book. Emblazoned on the cover was a picture of a UFO and the title "Sci-Fi Hunters." She shifted nervously, hoping that this was the one who could help her.

"I-I'm looking for the Paranormal Investigation Club." She replied meekly, my paws clutching on to my skirt. Lowering the comic, his eyes glanced up in a look of semi-interest. "Am I in the right place?"

"I just said that." He answered, slowly closing the comic and placing it on the table. He watched me as she fiddled with my skirt. "Are you here to mess with me?" His eyes glared at me sharply, trying to size up my intentions.

"N-no, not at all! I need help. Please." At this point she was desperate. The rabbit couldn't trust anyone else with this problem, so she needed him to help her.

He sighed, standing from the desk. "Alright, fine. You're pretty cute, so I'll humor you. Let's get this over with. What's the problem? Goblins? Demons? Monsters? Aliens? Kelpies?"

"Ghost." She whispered. "I'm looking for a ghost."

That was a first for the club president. "You're looking for a ghost?"

"Yes."

He scratched his cheek with his paw, unsure of how to respond to such a strange request. "I'll be honest..." He began, but she interrupted him.

"I'm Laura." She offered quickly, walking towards him and reaching out with a trembling paw to shake. His eyes went to her paw then her face. She was biting her lip so hard he thought she may even draw blood.

"Listen Laura," He corrected himself before she interrupted again.

"You're Ned right? You help find ghosts and stuff don't you? Isn't that what you do?" She begged, her eyes desperate for any sort of acceptance.

"Laura," he began before she once more began to talk.

"Please! You have to help me!"

"Will you shut up and let me talk?!" He shouted causing her to let out a surprised squeak before falling silent. "Thank you." He sighed, taking a deep breath. "Listen Laura, I'd love to help you. Really I would, but I'm more in the exorcising business. Understand?" She solemnly nodded, her eyes falling to the floor before she covered her face with her paws. As she began to sniffle, she could see Ned frown from between her fingers. Great, now she was crying. She couldn't even begin to describe the embarrassment she felt. "Please...stop crying." He grunted.

"I'm sorry." She whimpered through her paws. Her muffled apology only served to bother him more.

He sighed, pulling a chair up for the girl and gently urging her to sit before getting a chair for himself. "Fine," he surrendered, "why don't you start from the beginning? Why are you so desperate to find a ghost?"

"Well..." She began, her voice regaining its stability. "I was always the shy and quiet type. Even in Middle School, I kept to myself, mostly because of the way the other kids picked on me. They always teased me for how I dressed or for being so quiet. I never really had any friends and I always felt like if I were to disappear I'd simply fade from their memories. They wouldn't even realize I was gone until they didn't have someone to pick on anymore.