Phantom of the Apartment

Signed XOXO

     "Wait," Rebecca said, looking concerned. Jason had just finished retelling the events that had unfolded while he was inside, and his friends had more than a few questions. "How did he know I was a ghost?" Jason opened his mouth to respond and then closed it again, concern growing.

     "Did you mention it at some point?" Thomas asked. Jason shook his head. "Huh. Weird. Maybe Rebecca did that disappear-y thing in public."

"I did not!" Rebecca snapped. Thomas shrugged.

"I was just saying it was a possibility."

"Well, that isn't it. I'm careful about where I do that."

"Ok, then maybe he's a crazy stalker."

"Alright, now you're just making fun of me."

Thomas smiled. "Or maybe he can see through walls. Maybe he's watching you right now. Maybe he hacks into surveillance cameras for fun."

"I swear to god, Thomas—"

"The joke is wearing thin, man," Jason said, stepping in before things got it of hand. Thomas rolled his eyes at him. Jason responded by sighing, grabbing a coffee, and taking a long sip. Then something that was definitely not coffee collided with his lips. He coughed and sputtered for a moment before looking into the cup and seeing a folded piece of paper. He pulled it out and held it up, watching in shock as drops of coffee rolled off of the paper, leaving it completely unharmed. Thomas frowned. "Is that waterproof paper?" he asked, the conversation with Rebecca completely forgotten.

     "And that, my good man, is why you put a lid on your drinks," Rebecca said, smirking.

     "Oh, shut up," Jason growled, examining the paper. "Did you do this?"

     "Of course not. When would I have had time?"

     Jason slowly unfolded the paper and found messy writing scrawled across the inside.

4: Yes, you can kill a ghost. Not a threat, just advice.
xoxo, Ronan

     "What does it say?" Thomas asked.

     Jason simply passed him the paper. "See for yourself." Thomas began to read it, Rebecca leaning over his shoulder.

"Wait, Ronan? Isn't that the barista?"

"Crazy barista you've got there," Thomas added.

"Do you think he's still inside?" Rebecca asked. She didn't wait for an answer, instead jumping up and racing over to the window of the café and drifting straight through.

"So much for being careful about that," Thomas said.

Rebecca came out again moments later, looking dejected. "No sign of him anywhere."

"I knew there was something off about him, but this is getting ridiculous."

     "Well, that answers one question," Rebecca muttered, motioning to the note as she sat back down. "I can die twice."

     "Think about that next time you make a joke about my hair," Jason said, raising an eyebrow. "But I think he was mainly talking about Oswald."

     "Are there any more notes?" Thomas asked. Jason pulled the coffees toward him and began to stir them with a straw. Sure enough, each turned up a folded bit of paper. He placed them on the table, lined up by number, with the exception of number four. Thomas and Rebecca moved to his side of the table.

1: Hello again. I forgot some advice about your ghost hunting trip, so here it is.
xoxo, Ronan

2: The Ghostbusters trick with the vacuum doesn't work. Don't try it. Or do. It would be funny.
xoxo, Ronan

     Thomas shorted as he read the note. "Well, there goes that idea."

3: There are multiple ways to get rid of a ghost, but in your case I would suggest killing it.
xoxo, Ronan

     "He better be talking about Oswald," Rebecca practically snarled.

5: Honestly, most methods are a bit... messy.Not to mention risky. Nine times out of ten, you will end up dead and the ghost will escape without a scratch.
xoxo, Ronan.

     "Anyone else not like those odds?" Thomas muttered. "Or find the fact he keeps signing ominous notes with 'xoxo' concerning?" The other two nodded, too busy reading to use words.

6: Your best bet is to use what you already have. I am talking about you here, Rebecca. Yes, I know what you are.
xoxo, Ronan

7: The best way to kill a ghost is with another ghost. How? However you want, so long as Rebecca holds the weapon. Gun, knife, laser, whatever you choose. Wait, do you have lasers?
xoxo, Ronan

     Thomas and Jason turned to Rebecca, who looked fairly calm, considering what she'd just learned. "Seems fair," she said. "He killed me. I kill him. Balance is restored."

     "You're fine with this?"Jason asked. She shrugged.

     "What difference does it make if I'm fine with it? It's still happening." Jason frowned, but the look Rebecca was giving him made him decide that he shouldn't pursue the topic.

8: Squeamish? Have no worries. This is the cleanest way to do it. No blood, gore, or explosions. I have heard it is painless, but obviously I have never tried it and, quite frankly, I doubt that's true.
That in mind, I would advise against test runs on random ghosts. It's very rude to murder strangers.
xoxo, Ronan

     Jason snuck another glance at Rebecca and was slightly alarmed by the grim look of satisfaction on her face as she read the last part. Something tells me she doesn't want it to be a painless experience. Part of him almost felt bad for Oswald. Almost.

9: I believe that is about all. Good luck on your journey.
xoxo, Ronan

     Jason squinted at the paper. Strange symbols were scrawled along side the final words. He couldn't tell if they were doodles or some foreign language. It certainly didn't look like anything he'd ever seen. He heald it up to the light, trying to see if there was something he was missing.

      "Jace," Thomas whispered, sounding shaken. "Look at the back." Jason turned over the paper to find more writing, this time in english.

     "What?" Rebecca asked. "That does it say?" Jason turned it back toward her so she could read, his eyes scanning the streets around them for any sign of Ronan. The three words on the back had set his nerves a bit on edge. "Oh," Rebecca whispered. "Well, that's charming."

I'll be watching.