The Haunting of Spicer Manor
Part 1

Prologue

"No way…" Kimiko whispered, staring down at her phone as the walls of the Wu vault caught her voice and bounced it up and around the temple. She knew the others would find her soon, but she felt frozen to the floor, unable to tear her eyes away from the small, unassuming article, that she'd almost scrolled past moments ago.

"You're it!"

Flinching back against the cold stone, Kimiko's eyes scrambled up to find Omi perched on top of her head and shoulders. She hadn't even felt him arrive. It would've been funny any other day, but now she just felt sick.

Above her, the water-elemental poked her forehead again, but gently this time. "Aren't you supposed to chase me now…?" he asked when she didn't move. Then his eyes dragged across her pale face again, and this time he began to worry. "Kimiko?"

"You're thinking of… tag." Kimiko muttered, and then her eyes were back on the phone, scanning the article for the third time, then fourth.

"What's wrong?" Omi asked, his eyes falling to the device.

"She's just sore that you found her already!" Raimundo crowed, startling the pair of monks. Raimundo and Clay appeared at the door to the vault, grinning to one another as they descended the stairs to meet the others. But Raimundo's teasing smile fled when he finally got a look at Kimiko. "Hey, what happened?"

"It's the Spicer Mansion…" she muttered under her breath. "It burnt down."

Raimundo laughed, startling the other three, "Yeah right!" he said, snatching at the phone, but his smile sank when Kimiko let him have it. "Come on…this is Jack we're talking about. It's got to be a joke…" But Kimiko didn't look convinced, and Raimundo's stomach dropped when he turned his eyes to article; "The fire that destroyed the Spicer Manor wasn't detected until early this morning..." Raimuned read aloud, "Firefighters arrived at the scene and were able to put out the worst of the fire. Later, they were able to determine that the fire began in the down stairs basement-…" Raimundo's voice trailed off, and his face paled.

"C'mon." Clay nudged, when Raimundo didn't continue; "What about Spicer? He wasn't down there, was he?"

"He's missing." Kimiko whispered, and her eyes started to well. "They haven't found any human remains, but his parents haven't heard from him…"

Omi, who had been quiet up until that point, leapt up and snatched the phone from Raimundo unresponsive fingers. "He's alive." He snapped, squeezing the phone is his tiny fist, while making a point by not to look at it, "Raimundo is right- This is just a stupid prank... And even if there was a fire, Jack Spicer has his robots- and they would've-!" Omi's voice trembled, and he quickly shook his head. "Come on." He said, as he tossed Kimiko her phone and hurried from the vault. "Enough of this. Let us get back to our training!"

In the depths of Mount Doom, Chase Young stood from his throne and snapped his fingers. Within an instant, a dark magic raced to his aid and melted his black cloak down, so it streamlined across his body. It was making away for traditional armour, that materialized and snapped around him with a burn of furious green sparks.

The all-seeing eye that had shown the immortal the monks, moments before, winced away from its master. The image of Kimiko's phone, and the article it had zeroed in on, faded from its iris, leaving it dull and nervous.

Chase twitched at the sight of it. It was pathetic. "Why are you still here? Go!" he spat, and the eyeball squeaked and shrivelled back down into the marble floor, leaving its master in peace. This, of course, didn't make Chase feel any better, and he narrowed his eyes on the spot where the eye had vanished.

Then, without a word, the immortal vanished from the great hall and reappeared in a dark place that smelt of nothing but charred masonry and singed metal. As the sharp smell burnt its way through his nostrils, the immortal turned, and let his gold eyes scan through the darkness. The four walls of Jack's lab were streaked black with smoke, while his great machines pressed in each corner had crumpled from the heat or shattered altogether. The staircase hadn't faired any better; it was covered with debris that only let light drip down into the lab.

Some of that light splashed onto something by the immortal's feet, and he glanced down at it curiously. Despite how it had warped from the heat, it was clear that it had once been the metal claw of a Jack-Bot. Chase's gaze traced up its arm slowly, and found the rest of the bot burnt out and staring back at him with cracked optics. Its case was torn, and riddled with holes where the fire had melted through. But something was off about it, and Chase tilted his head when he noticed that it looked like it had been crawling away from the exit, its arm reaching deeper into the dark lab.

Unsettled, the dragon that resided within Chase twisted around and tried to reach out with its senses, but the immortal was quick to force it back down. "Stop it." He hissed, and then used his magic to take him to what was left of the main hall of the Spicer Manor.

A moonlit sky riddled with charred rafters greeted Chase, rather than the Manor's tall ceiling and chandelier. It must've burnt for hours before anyone was able to stop it. Now, hardly any of it remained.

The dragon hissed again, sensing nothing left in the remains. No living thing hiding in one of the abandoned rooms. No Jack. Twisting his hands into tight fists, Chase nodded. His dragon wouldn't lie, so he left the manor and returned to his own home, ready to forget this place, and forget Jack…

Chapter 1

Chase's dragon was furious. It had spent the last several hours squirming and nipping within the immortal's head, and knew it was being expertly ignored. While it snarled, the dark haired warrior stared sightlessly ahead. Not seeing the open garden filled with entangling plants, or feeling the steam from the hot springs. But whatever Chase was sensing, it had a hard grip on him, and his dragon couldn't stand it.

The immortal was perched on his knees, trying desperately to clear his head, when a crackle of Heylin magic sparked across his dark hair. Chase winced, stunned by his own lack of control. He'd been able to overcome such trivialities centuries ago, and yet, here he was, struggling just like he had on first becoming an immortal.

This wouldn't do, Chase thought, so he narrowed his eyes and pushed back harder against that strange feeling curling around chest. But the more he fought it, the tighter its grip got, and within another hour, his anger had sizzled around him, burning across his face until he was snarling along with his dragon.

What was wrong with him?!

Around the immortal several plants burst into flames, and Chase's golden eyes snapped to them like an eager moth.

The red of the flames reminded Chase of Jack, and that thought wiped the anger from his face. Slowly, the fires around him sizzled out.

Taking a slow breath, the immortal rolled back so he could sit properly, easing his tight muscles while he thought. Was that truly it? Was he having trouble because he still didn't know where Jack was? While those questions floored Chase, it seemed to finally settle his dragon. It must've liked the idea, because it released the pressure it had been building behind his eyes.

"Why do you care so much about him?" Chase asked, but his dragon snorted; it didn't care. But, it reasoned, Chase did, and if finding the stupid human made the immortal feel better, then that was what they needed to do.

Chase tried to deny it; he didn't care about Jack either. He never had. Jack was just a human, albeit a smart one.

Very smart, the dragon reminded him; smart enough to know Chase was worth worshipping.

Chase's lips quirked into a smile, and he rolled his eyes. But even still, he decided to go along with his dragon on this one. He'd find Jack, and he'd settle this...

When Chase appeared in Jack's lab, he discovered that a lot had changed in the past two months since the fire. There was no more rubble lying across the floor or blocking the stairs, and everything, including the Jack-Bot and all the machines Jack used to covet had been removed, leaving the place feeling cold and sterile. None of it felt right, Chase thought as he cast eyes over at the empty work tables and chairs. If Jack had been in this room since the fire, he hadn't touched it.

The stairs were rebuilt too, so Chase climbed them and scented the air, just catching the remnants of char and ash. It must've been buried under the foundations, rather than cleared away like it should've been. Whoever had rebuilt the house must've been rushed to finish it. But at the same time, Chase saw how small details had been catered for. Like the curtains he remembered for their finery had been repurchased and draped across the windows of the foyer. Even the most expensive vases and items had been repurchased or recreated.

Chase couldn't stand how desperate it all felt, so went to climb the stairs to the first floor. But something caught his eye, and he stopped to look over a table overflowing with photos, of all sizes... and all of Jack. Most of the photos were when he was small; a child playing with a toolbox, or covered in oil, or just smiling. He was an endearing child, Chase admitted as he gazed at each picture. Then, he found the only recent picture. Jack had to have been almost 20 in that one; a handsome young man even though he wasn't smiling like he usually was. He was wearing a fine suit and forcing a grin that looked like it was about to crack. He'd been crowded by a sea of faces he likely didn't know, and one of the men beside him had hooked an arm around his waist.

Chase narrowed his eyes on Jack's pale face, surprised. Whoever had framed this photo must've been a fool to think Jack was actually happy in it.

Tnk Tnk Tnk

Chase froze, and then scanned the hall carefully. A moment later, the sound stopped, but echoed around the hall, reminding Chase of a hammer against metal. Jack was here; the fool was alive and had been hiding until he thought the immortal had left.

How dare he?!

With his dragon snapping at his heels, Chase dashed for the lab and was halfway down the stairs before he thought to speak. He cracked open his mouth and snarled for the boy-

But stopped on the last step, heart staggering. The room was still empty. There weren't even any tools or metal to make the sound Chase had heard. Stepping slowly into the room, Chase turned, scanning every wall for a seam where a secret room could be hidden; somewhere for Jack to hide.

But why would Jack hide from him?

Tnk

Chase spun around, and felt the air rush out of him when he found Jack standing right behind him. Then, relief crashed against Chase, and he took a startled breath, "Spicer- Where have you been?" he hissed, reaching out to grab Jack and make the boy pay for worrying him.

His hand stopped short of grabbing Jack when he realized the redhead was staring past him, and towards the stairs. "Spicer-?" Before Chase could say another word, Jack moved towards the stairs, and in doing so, passed straight through the immortal like he wasn't even there.

A chill shivered through every molecule Jack touched, leaving Chase to stagger under the weight now digging into his chest. His frantic eyes blinked after Jack, who was now clearly translucent against the dark walls.

"No…" Chase said before he could check himself, and his dragon snarled, clearly not pleased with the turn of events. "Spicer…" he called after him, rushing up the stairs to follow him. "Spicer!"

If Jack heard him, he didn't show it. Instead, he stood at the edge of the hallway, peering into the foyer and nervously sucking on his lower lip. He looked back, and for a moment Chase thought the boy would see him and his heart leapt, but Jack's eyes lit on something the immortal couldn't see, and he spoke and no sound past his lips.

Whatever he was saying, it was clear the young genius was worried. He then waved his hand, like he was telling someone to leave, then the spirit walked around the corner and entered the foyer.

Chase hesitated, and regretted it when he hurried after Jack, but found he had already gone.

The relief at seeing Jack again had boiled away now, leaving Chase feeling worse than he had before. He'd assumed Jack was alive after the fire; assumed he'd escaped, but now it was clear, Jack hadn't. He'd been trapped in the house. He'd died, and Chase hadn't even noticed.

Sickened by the thought, the immortal walked to the stairs that led to the next floor and headed for Jack's door. But before he could reach it, the sound of someone opening the front door raced up the stairs. Chase stepped to the edge of the landing, and peered down into the foyer, but his hopes at finding Jack there were quickly washed away.

Instead, he found a woman in black, who was very much alive and skirting across the foyer towards the little shrine of photos. With a shaking hand, she pulled away a veil across her face, and knelt before it, sobbing quietly. Silently, Chase watched on, admittedly curious. He recognized her with ease, noting how she shared her tear streaked cheekbones and nose with her son.

Reaching for a photo, Jack's mother dragged it against her chest, whispering under her breath. "Jack… we started planning your service today…" she sniffed, bowing her head, "Your father is working with Luther now to sort all the details- He's been so helpful, Jack-"

A chill swept across Chase's spine, and he narrowed his eyes on Jack's mother. She'd broken down into a wash of tears, and didn't seem to notice how her gasps were turning into puff of cold air, and how her hot tears were beginning to steam.

Her eyes crept open to stare at the photo in her hand. It was the one of Jack holding one of his first robots. "I'm so sorry, baby. I should've been here-"

A giggle of a child rose up behind her, and she spun around to see a familiar little boy. It was like he'd leapt from the photo, and Jack's mother flinched at the sight of the pale boy, while Chase watched on curiously. Even as a five year old, Jack had wild red hair and intelligent eyes. He buzzed across the marble floor, to the window beside the front door. Then his excited smile sank when he looked out and didn't see what he'd been hoping for.

Then Jack flickered and grew in size; maybe 10 years old this time, but he still had that same disappointed gaze when he looked out the window. "Come on, Mom…" younger Jack moaned, tapping the glass, "You promised."

Then Jack, as Chase remembered him, appeared; tall and handsome, and rolling his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was dull, like he didn't care anymore. "Of course she's not coming…"

"No, Jack!" his mother gasped, her eyes widening as she struggled to her feet. She stumbled towards her son, her shaking hands reaching for Jack who was still watching the window. "No- I planned to come and see you this time- but work got so busy that I-"

For the first time since Chase had witnessed Jack's spirit, he finally seemed to sense someone. His head snapped around to face his mother, and his eyes, that had looked dull a moment before, now looked like they were on fire. "Don't lie! You never gave a shit about me!"

Jack flickered out of sight, but his voice remained, echoing over and over again, until the words merged into a piercing scream. It stung even Chase's ears, so it must've torn at Jack's mother. Not surprisingly, she buckled, trying desperately to cover her ears. But the sound only grew stronger, until it shook the house and cracked the windows. The floor was next to go, tearing where Jack had been standing. The crack rushed to where his mother screamed and stumbled back against her prized pictures and knocking them down. They shattered at her feet, but she didn't care anymore. "No!" she wailed, tearing across the foyer to the front door.

The rumbling hesitated, and Chase watched Jack reappear behind his frantic mother, now clawing at the handle and trying to escape. He looked smaller now, almost translucent like a candle flame. His hair flickered when she finally opened the door, and he hurried to reach out for her, begging her to wait.

But the door slammed back on Jack's face, and he flickered out of existence, leaving the foyer silent and in pieces.

From the landing, Chase stared at the spot Jack had been standing moments ago, and then slowly released the death grip he had had on the banister and took a staggering breath he hadn't known he'd need.

Without another thought, Chase retreated to Jack's room. It was empty now, of course. All the posters and personal items Jack had kept in the room, lost in the fire. But Chase knew this was Jack's from those brief visits he used to make to the mansion. At the back of the room, a dark king sized bed waited. It was crowded with pillows, so the immortal tossed most of them aside, until there was only one left.

Then, Chase lay down, closed his eyes and tried to think…

TBC...

Part 2 will be up for Halloween -in the US
And late halloween arvo in Aus ;D
Hope you're enjoying it!