My bag is packed; I make a break for the window. I look back at my clock; it's three in the morning and when it cries out at 8 am, I would be long gone. I put my left foot on the windowsill where the window would be if it had been closed. Then, I remember my little ghost stuffed toy from when I was a kid. I stealthily move across my small room and yank the little green bugger out from under my bed. I stuff it in my bag. I don't remember who gave it to me or where it had come from. I just know I have it, and my parents hate it. Over the years, I had learned to hide it from my parents' ever prying eyes. Just then my phone rings loud, so I answer it before it could wake my parents. "Ace, you have to run.... you have to trust me... you have to get out of there... it's not sa-." The line went dead on my end, and I heard footsteps in our apartment. That is enough of that for me, I'm gone. I run to the window and quickly dart out onto the fire escape. I can hear the creaky door to my room open, so I throw my bag to the ground and take a leap of faith, literally. I launch myself off the third floor fire escape determined to escape tonight. I hit the ground and roll to deflect the impact through my whole body rather than just my feet.
I quickly snatch my bag in my free hand and take off running. I sprint as fast as I can so that I can use the cover of the night to escape. My safe place .... they would think I'd go to the University... I'll go to the library... nobody will look there. Then I'll call Grandma Katherine from the University tomorrow. Professor Morris will let me. I don't want grandma to have a heart attack. I run the half mile and then plop down tiredly on the library steps beneath the marble lion, breathing hard. Not soon after, I drift off into a pleasant dream.
It must have been an hour or so when I was awoken by two men. At first, I don't recognize them. In the city where no one gives a damn about anything these two just so happen to.... You've got to be kidding. I lie without a second thought, "You cops or something? Because I swear... I just got into town... my mother was supposed to pick me up at Grand Central... but she didn't show... so got lost and stopped here. I must have drif-"
The shorter of the two men says, "You don't have to lie... we're not law enforcement. Not even close."
I question, "CPS? Because I'm pretty sure my bachelor's degree means I can be out on my own."
The taller man says, "No... not CPS either." I recognize his voice. He is the man who called me earlier. I study his features. He seems friendly enough, but awkward. He is tall and lanky, physically awkward as well. Most likely he's an academia, like me. That's a comforting thought. His brown hair is swept up in a volumous slick back, and he has perfectly round glasses, like my own reading glasses that I brought but haven't used since... my most recent Middle Eastern Mythology class. Strangely enough, we share a resemblance. He says, "My name is Dr. Egon Spengler, this is my colleague Dr. Ray Stantz."
I reply puzzled, "Spengler? Stantz? You're the Ghostbusters?" I think for a moment then question, "Spengler? My name is Ace Spengler..."
He says, "Yes... and I know. I'm your uncle. Your mother is my older sister."
Ray mutters, "Yeah... way to be subtle Egon... that's not crazy sounding at all. Just met the girl..."
I think for a moment and then a fragment of a memory comes back to me, "Uncle Egon... it's really you. I can't believe it's really you. I remember now...."
Egon says, "Then come back to the firehouse with us... Spenglers take care of each other, my mother used to tell me. Come on, you'll be alright." He holds out his hand. I slowly and cautiously take it and stand up, aware this means a new life for me. At least he's family, at least I'll be safe. I shiver in the cold New York night. At least.... I'll be warm. I smile and before I can reach down to grab my bag, Ray picks it up for me.
