Understanding

Chapter 8

Arthur and Vivi went over the films captured from that night. As expected, they did not catch anything. The only paranormal activity that went on last night was when they encountered the ghost. And, even by then, it was from a different location than at the lake. The owner paid them, nonetheless, and thanked them for their investigation. Vivi and Arthur headed back into town as soon as they split their earnings.

During the ride back, Vivi was awfully silent. It wasn't an odd thing for her because she'd be busy with paperwork or writing things down, but she just sat there and stared out the window the whole ride. Arthur was concerned for her and Mystery was as well. When he reached a stop light, he took the chance to ask.

"Uh, V...?"

Vivi didn't blink nor did she look back at him. Staring out of the window, she asked, "Yeah, Arthur?"

His eyes darted towards her, but back to the road one things started moving again. He took a gulp and asked, "I-Is everything okay?"

"I don't know, Arthur. I just..." She took a breath and rearranged herself on the seat. "I'm still thinking about what happened with that ghost."

Arthur felt something in his chest tighten, which was more than likely his guilt coming back to him. He shook a bit before stuttering, "W-What are you th-thinking about exactly..?"

"A lot of things." She replied, and actually looked back at him this time. "I thought ghosts weren't real, Arthur....and, when he wasn't wearing a mask....it really shocked me. All our mysteries we've revealed some guy who was getting revenge or just wanted to scare people. What exactly is that ghost trying to do?"

Arthur knew exactly the answer to that question. He shrugged it off, though, and continued to shake behind the wheel. He knew Lewis was trying to kill him for what he did, but why hadn't he at this point? He was cornered back at that shack and he could have killed him right at the spot!

Shaking, he looked to the side of the road and asked, "D-Do you want to stop for breakfast, V?"

She slumped in her seat a bit. "Yeah, but go through a drive-thru. I don't feel like eating out today."

Arthur nodded and took a turn so they could get something to eat. Vivi grabbed one of her books out from the glove compartment. He watched her open the cover and started to go over what was inside the book. Finding a good restaurant to stop at, he went through the drive-thru. Taking a look at the menu, he asked, "What do you want, V?"

"Hm?" She looked up. "Oh. Get me a breakfast burrito or something. You know what I like."

He nodded, and ordered a couple of combos. It wasn't often that they'd eat food to-go in the van. Considering what happened with Vivi, though, Arthur couldn't quite blame her for wanting to. Publicity wasn't that enjoyable when you've a lot on your mind. He'd know, too. It wasn't easy shoving all this guilt down his throat. He was in the midst of wanting to tell her, but couldn't because he knew he'd get slaughtered if he did.

After taking some time to eat their breakfast, Arthur started to take the route back home. He didn't attend college, but he knew class for Vivi was tomorrow. The best thing he could do is go with whatever distracted her and hoped for the best. It wouldn't be THAT long until she forgot everything about Lewis again, right?

He glanced over to the book she'd been reading the whole ride. The title was: Paranormal Activity Explained. He refrained the urge to slam his forehead against the wheel. She'd remember him in no time!!

--

He left them in the midst of the ride.

He didn't quite want to. In fact, he didn't want to at all. His chances of bumping into Vivi and Arthur again were slim. There would be some dumb teens that would stop by the mansion from time to time, but the Mystery Skulls gang was a once-in-a-lifetime thing to happen. He'd know because he was in it.