First, I'm sorry this chapter took awhile. I've actually had most of it written awhile now, I moved to back to China after visiting my family seven months in America. I just unpacked my laptop, only to realize I need wifi to be able to put the story together. I've got two parts typed on my laptop and the rest of the story is written on my iPhone each part in a different note. With that said, I'm not 100% sure it'll flow like it should. Also, if anything seems off character about the characters compared to the chapters before please let me know. I have problems with my memory and I can't go back and re-read the whole story every time I write a new chapter.

Also I don't think there is many people reading this, but the hate for Joseph really gets to me. Even after his backstory people on tumblr were still hating him. I always have a soft spot for characters like this that deserve better. (Alois Trancy)

What a horrible time for her to be grounded. Maybe if I call her mom and explain she'll allow Clara to go with me? Clara did say she was grounded because she caused me to worry. Ash thought as she glanced down at the flier in her hands. She leaned back into the bench with a sigh. Maybe dad will go with me? She sighed. No, he would grumble the whole time and count down the minutes until they left. She wouldn't truly be able to enjoy it, even though Clara didn't care for it neither, at least she didn't grumble and actually acted like she cared. I could just go alone, I guess. She frowned at the flier, she really didn't want to go alone though.

"You look troubled." A familiar voice spoke.

She glanced up to see the silver haired boy. "Joseph?"

"Good morning." He smiled down at her.

"Mornin'." She replied.

"Are you interested in Ancient Egypt."

"Huh?" Joseph raised his right hand, slightly waving the same flier she had in her hands.

"Oh, yes. I love ancient history. It's my passion. Especially Ancient Egypt." Her eyes lit up as she spoke.

"Ancient Egypt is one of my interest too."

"Really?!" He nodded. "Mind if I join you?" He motioned to the bench.

"Oh go ahead." She grinned.

"Are you going to the exhibit?" He nodded towards the flier.

"Yeah, I was hoping to go with my friend but I don't think she'll be able to go. So I guess I'll be going alone, which is fine. She isn't really interested in Ancient Egypt anyway."

"Would you like to go with me?"

"Really?!" She turned towards him and grabbed his arm as she spoke. "That'd be great, I'd love to go to the exhibit with someone who is actually interested in Ancient Egypt!" After her outburst she realized she was clinging to his arm. "I'm so sorry!" She mumbled quickly turning back to look towards the path and placing her hands in her lap.

"I don't mind." He smiled causing the brunette to blush.

"What day would you like to go?" She mumbled glancing at her hands.

"Are you free Saturday?" He questioned with a smile.

"Yeah, we should get dinner after. I-" She paused eyes wide, it sounded like she was asking him out on a date! "I- mean, depending on how long we're there. We might as well get dinner too, or maybe just go to the cafe at the museum. Obviously as friends, not like a date or anything- not that I wouldn't want to go on a date you with! I just didn't want to make you uncomfortable mentioning dinner because I-" She stopped hearing the boy beside her laughing. Tears filled the corners of his eyes as he laughed.

"It's a date then." He teased giving the blushing girl a wink.

She glanced at the ground and nodded. "Want to meet here about two?"

He reached for her chin slowly lifting until their eyes met. Slowly, he moved his hand to cup her face, his hand was cool against her warm cheeks. "Perfect." He smirked, leaning forward. Her eyes widened as his lips were centimeters from her own, however, before their lips met he quickly pulled away. "I'll see you Saturday then." His smirk melted into an innocent grin.

"What?" Ash stared at her father.

"Is something wrong?" Frayne replied as he flipped through some documents on his desk.

"Can't it wait? Until Sunday or something. Anyway I thought I have an appointment Saturday." Ash frowned.

The dark haired man glanced up at the girl. "We had to cancel, something important came up for him. Anyway, I've already got our train tickets, what's wrong with leaving Friday? You got a date?" Frayne joked.

Ash didn't respond, causing the man's brows to furrow. "You have a date?"

Ash fidgeted. "I, uh, don't know." She mumbled.

"You don't know."

"I wanted Clara to go to the Egyptian exhibit with me, but she'll still be grounded. You aren't interested in history and will grumble the whole time-"

"I don't grumble." He cut in.

"-anyway, it turns out Joseph really likes ancient Egyptian history too! So he asked if I wanted to go with him to the exhibit, then get dinner after. But, I don't know if it's exactly a date. It might be just as friends. I mean he asked me in a way you ask a friend to go out. But he said 'it's a date' before he left, then again people tend to say that casually and don't really mean it's an actual date." Ash rambled awkwardly.

Frayne bit his lower lip, she can't be serious. Noticing the slight blush on her cheeks he folded his hands in front of his face and bit his knuckles, trying his best to hold back.

"Dad? Are you okay?"

Ash stepped towards him when she noticed his shoulders were shaking. His head was down so she couldn't see his expression.

"...Dad?"

"HAHAHAHA." He finally burst. "Of course your first date would be at a history museum to see an Egyptian exhibit." He managed to say in between his laughter.

"Anyway, who is Joseph? A classmate?" He questioned.

"What?" Ash frowned. "Dad, you're joking, right?"

"No?"

"You met him, he walked me home the night I wasn't feeling well. We had a conversation about him the other day with Clara? Dad how can you not remember that? That isn't a funny joke." She glared, assuming it was a joke. He'd never forget something like that.

"Yeah, Sorry." Frayne nodded. "I'll see if I can have the train tickets switched to another date. What do you want for dinner?"

"Clara!" Ash jogged towards the girl a few feet away. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yup." The blonde grinned. "Though I kind of wish I wasn't, I have a test today in science class."

"Did you have time to study?"

"Yeah, Mom actually helped me."

Ash grabbed the other girl's upper arm stopping her. "I have a date Saturday." She couldn't tell Clara she wasn't sure if it was actually a date.

Clara's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah? Tell me everything! Who is he?"

"Joseph."

"Joseph who?"

"The guy from the cafe."

Clara furrowed her brow. "The barista? I thought his name was Bruce." Clara spoke referring to the friendly barista that often spoke to them.

"No, the guy that I didn't speak to but you swore he was flirting with me just because he smiled at me."

"What?"

Ash froze, they both forgot him?

"We're going to be late for class, I'll tell you later."

Clara jogged after the brunette. "Wait! Tell me more about him? What does he look like? How old is he?"

"Well, he has silver hair and blue eyes. His hair is rather long. He's-" Ash sighed. "I don't know how old he is. I really should ask him."

"Silver hair?!" Her eyes widened. "What the hell? Is he at least a silver fox? Ugh, is he going to be your sugar daddy? That's so gross. Plus he has long hair? Midlife crisis? Ash you can do so much better." The blonde's outburst caught the attention of those around the two girls. A couple women looked at Ash with disgust, an older lady gave her a disappointed look, and two older men whispered to each other wondering if she had a father.

She grabbed the blonde and pulled her away trying to ignore the looks she received from those around her. "You idiot!" She hissed. "He's not an old man, he's around our age. I just haven't asked him his age yet!" As she spoke she continued pulling the girl towards their school.

"But you said he has silver hair." Clara mumbled.

"That doesn't mean he's old!"

"Why aren't you eating?" Clara questioned as she dropped her tray in from of her best friend.

The girl's nose wrinkled at the sight of the food. "Why would I get that?"

Clara rolled her eyes. "Bring your own lunch?"

"I'm fine." Ash frowned. "Umm I'm worried." She mumbled.

"About the food?"

"What? No. It's something serious. It's about my psychosis. So you know I've been seeing that shadow? Dad took me to the psychiatrist and I'm on medication for it."

Clara nodded. "Are you still seeing the shadow?"

The brunette fidgeted her in seat. "Actually, it's joseph. You really don't remember him?"

Clara shook her head. "But it's not a big deal, especially since he was just a random guy in the cafe."

"The other night you were at our house, you remember?"

"Yeah, it was kind of awkward being alone with your dad. But he's really worried about you."

"Do you remember what we were talking about?"

The blonde raised a brow. "Yeah, your dad was trying to figure out if something triggered your psychosis so he was asking me if you met anyone. Or if anything odd happened."

"You told him about Joseph. When I came home you were panicking because you didn't remember what he looked like. I told you it wasn't a big deal because you barely glanced at him. Dad also met him because he walked me home one night when I wasn't feeling well." Clara shook her head as Ash spoke. "But you don't remember him, dad doesn't remember meeting him or anything else." Ash whispered.

Clara pushed the tray away worry filled her brown eyes. "Ash, we didn't talk about anyone named Joseph."

Ash closed her eyes, trying her best to keep the tears from falling. "H-he's not real, is he?" Placing her head on the table she covered herself with her arms. "I'm sick." She held her breath, keeping herself from sobbing. "I thought the shadow was bad, it's so much worse." Clara reached to place her hand on her best friend, only for the other girl to slap it away. Clara frowned. How can I help her? She glanced at her phone, only ten minutes left until class. Ash can't go to class like this.

You need to come pick Ash up. Clara glanced up at Ash after sending the message. Her shoulders were shaking, quiet sobs coming from her.

What's wrong?

She's really upset, can you please come pick her up? Ash needs to tell him herself.

Ten minutes.

Clara sighed, hopefully Ash will calm down enough they can walk to the office without anyone noticing her crying. Their classmates are so nosy.

"He's not real."

"Ash, it's okay. I'm going to help you. You'll be fine. I promise. Saturday we're going back to see Lydon. Until then, if you see him again don't talk to him. Don't acknowledge him." As he spoke he wrapped his arms around the girl. Her tears had dried up hours ago, the two of them sat on the sofa in silence for hours before she finally spoke up.

"I hate this."

Of course, of course her mind would do this to her. She frowned as the figure walked closer. She should turn around, leave the park. She knew she should, but her feet wouldn't move. Dad told me to stay away, don't acknowledge him, though, staring at him like she was is acknowledging him. Shouldn't her mind be the reasonable one telling her to walk away? Wait, it's my mind doing this. Her thoughts were jumbled. It was hard for her to believe this wasn't real, that he isn't real.

Does he know? Or is this just as real for him? That's not how it works. Regardless if he's aware, he's not real. Just like a character from a book or anime. They're not real and neither is he. Wait, can he be aware? No, a fictional character can't be aware because they are real. It was hard for her to understand the situation. This is different than a character in a book or anime, he's standing right before her. Well, at least her mind is making it seem like he is. As he spoke she tuned him out, instead she changed her focus to his eyes. He almost looked like he was in pain. No. He's just a character, just her imagination. She frowned at the thought. Why can't I at least change it so he truly looks happy?

"Ash?" Her eyes widened as she felt his hands on her shoulders.

"Are you okay?" Concern filled his eyes.

No. This isn't fair. I want you to be real. I need you to be real. She nodded, afraid if she opened her mouth the truth would spill out. It's so odd, how she feels about him. It's not normal. Well, nothing about this is normal.

The silver haired boy moved forward, so close she could feel his breathe on her face. So cruel this game her mind is playing. "Tell me what's wrong." He whispered as he moved to hold her waist. She tried to ignore the feeling of him massaging her sides. It feels so real, it feels so good. This disorder is a curse. She closed her eyes as his warm lips met hers. Or is it a twisted blessing? I don't want him to disappear.

He pulled away from the kiss, though as he spoke his lips brushed against hers. "Tell me the truth."

No.

If I say it aloud, will he disappear?

"Ash." He whispered before leaning in to kiss her once again. "Tell me."

Slowly she moved her hands to his biceps. "Y-you aren't real." She tightened her grip, praying that holding onto him with keep him from disappearing.

"Of course I'm real."

"Dad and Clara don't remember you. Clara wouldn't shut up about you, and you walked me home. Dad would never forget that. Clara was upset she didn't remember what you look like the other day, but now neither of them remember. This connection I feel it's not normal. It's my psychosis. But I don't care if it's not real, I don't want you to go away."

Without saying a word he pulled the girl into him, letting her rest her head in the crook of his neck. As he rubbed her back he grinned.

"I'm not going anywhere."

Frayne paced the living room, panic filled his grey eyes. She's an hour late, she's never late. Horrible scenarios filled his mind. Did the medicine stop working completely and IT did something? Was she cornered by a creep? Was she kidnapped? Did Isador do something? He isn't suppose to be in England yet. Should he call the cops? No, either IT has gotten to her or Isador has. He wasn't sure which was worse.

"Lydon, are you sure?"

"Yes, he's not in England. Pretty sure he's not even in Europe."

"So it has to be-"

"No." Lydon cut the man off. "I know it's been getting slightly worse, however, it wouldn't happen that fast."

"Slightly? You call her suddenly seeing shadows then a boy she swears I met slightly worse?!"

"I'll help you look for her. Let me see if I can find a way to track her." Lydon mumbled, while racking his brain for a solution.

Frayne tossed the phone across the room in frustration.

"So you lost her." A voice casually spoke as if they were talking about the weather.

They had been there throughout the whole conversation, though in Frayne's panicked state he never felt their presence.

Fear struck the black haired man. There sitting on the couch was a demonic looking figure, large black bat like wings were folded on his back, his long black hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. Though his comment sounded casual and almost uncaring, red eyes glared into Frayne's grey eyes.

"What have you done with my daughter?"

The demon on the couch scoffed. "Your daughter?"

"Yes, my daughter."

"I haven't touched her. I came here because her presence disappeared a few hours ago. I was hoping you had something to do with, unfortunately it's much worse."

Before Frayne could question him, he disappeared.

Much worse? What could be worse? Is she- No. she's okay.

"Stay away from the witch's child!" A woman stood over a young brunette girl, knocking her to the floor. "Do you want him to curse our family?" She kicked the young girl as she continued. "They will think we are associated with the witch and that we're witches!" Another kick. The young girl held her breath, trying to keep quite. Yelling out in pain will only make it worse.

An older man with greying hair barely glanced up from the dough he was kneading. "Not so loud Dear, we don't want others to know."

The woman huffed, giving the girl one last kick to her ribs.

"Joseph?" The girl whispered as she glanced at the boy by a newly dug grave.

"What happened to your face?!" He stumbled up the small hill to the girl. Gently he placed his finger tips on her right cheek. A green colored bruise sat below her right eye.

"Mom."

He knew he should tell the girl before him that she needs to stay away. That they shouldn't speak to each other. The blonde boy turned away from her stare. The kindness in her eyes filled his heart with warmth. It's selfish. Clinging to her kindness, clinging to their friendship. They could leave together. Run away and create a new life, just the two of them.

Instead of voicing his thoughts, he pulled her into his arms. Biting his lip as she laid her head in the crook of his neck. He refused to cry, she can't see him cry. He held his breathe as she pulled him closer, trying his best to swallow his sobs. He failed.

The woman glared down at the young girl. "I told you to pack."

"I-I don't want to leave."

The woman raised her hand, harshly slapping her daughter. "You have ruined our life. You're lucky your father saved enough money over the years so we can move to a new town and open shop." She slapped her again.

"We will leave everything of yours here and have you tied to the cart if you don't do as I say." It wasn't an empty threat.

Slowly the girl made her way to the small corner of the house. As she grabbed the few dresses she owned and a couple books she avoided looking at her mother, trying to ignore the woman's glare burning into her back.

The girl sobbed as she was shoved in the cart. "He doesn't know!" She coughed between the words and sobs. "Please! Let me tell him. I need to tell him goodbye!'Her parent's ignored her sobs, embarrassed by stares they were receiving from those around them.

"Joseph!" She screamed, hoping the boy would hear her. He didn't.

The girl shot up, soaked in sweat and panting, tears running down her face.

What was that? She glanced down, noticing she was in a bed. A dream? It felt so real. She wiped the tears from her eyes, her heart clinched in pain. She took deep breaths to keep from crying more. It was just a dream. She repeatedly told herself. It's okay, by the end of the day I'll forget.

Wait, where am I?

It wasn't her bed. Glancing around the room she noticed it was rather bare. Even the bed itself was bland, everything was white other than the brown dresser to her left and the wooden floors.

"You're awake." The silver haired boy smiled at her from the doorway.

"Joseph? Where am I?"

He stepped into the room, standing by her bed he ran a hand through her shoulder length brown hair.

"Home."

So I wanted to give a better idea of what the characters look like

Ash has shoulder length brown hair, with auburn mixed in that shows clearly in the has hazel green eyes, that have more green in them than brown. She's a bit on the shorter side. (I rather her not awkwardly tower over Joseph so they are around the same height.)

Frayne has black hair and grey eyes, his hair is medium length parted on the right. I'm trying to think of a character it's similar too. I'll get back to you on that.

Clara has long dirty blonde hair to her mid back, its naturally wavy but she doesn't do much with it, it's doesn't look horribly frizzy but it isn't like a model.

Lydon long light red hair and light green eyes. He sometimes has it pulled back into a braid.

Demon thing - I think I described him okay in this chapter? Bat wings (Like Kuronue in yu yu hakusho if you want a better idea of the wings) long black hair pulled into a low pony tail. Red eyes.

Isador - who knows