Author's Note: This little fanfiction story was written probably about three years ago (2007) as I was working on a novel and found myself rewatching the Chipmunk Adventure for the first time in years. I decided to take a break from my novel and ran with this idea to help get my creative gears working while switching back and forth. The end result came out a lot better than I thought it would.

Story summary: Alvin, Simon and Theodore return from a day's rehearsal and stop by a random fortuneteller, who gives Simon and Theodore great fortunes, but gives Alvin a cryptic one. Alvin can't shake what he thinks might be a very bad feeling, and as he hears sounds in the attic of his two story home, he's convinced someone (or something) is out to get him. But he realizes that someone needs his help.

Characters are © to their respective creators. No one can touch Melina, though. She's my own creation. =)

Chapter 1: Fortunes

"All right boys, let's take it from the top one more time, and then we'll break from the studio today." David Seville adjusted his black bow tie, dressed in a formal tuxedo and newly shined loafers. Alvin, Simon and Theodore stood in the recording booths ready for his cue. They were doing a cover recording of the song "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder, and all of them were really excited about doing it. Alvin had the lead vocal (as per usual) and all three of them joined in for the choral parts for what was an energetic finish to the normal recording day. When they finished, Dave and the staff greeted them warmly.

"You boys were great - I'm really proud of you. I'm going to be in the office until this evening, so can you get home all right by yourselves? I've left some of your allowance money in your office mail boxes, so pick them up before you leave. And Alvin...don't spend it all in one place."

"Why are you getting on my case about it?" Alvin said innocently. "After all, I wasn't the one who subscribed to that uber expensive bug convention last week." Alvin glared out the corner of his eyes at Simon, who rolled his own eyes.

"It was for a good cause." Simon noted duly, adjusting his glasses.

"Yeah, I call looking at dead bugs really helpful to the environment."

"I meant in the sense that it was educational. There were a lot of rare species. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"Those poor bugs..." Theodore noted sadly.

"Okay you three." Dave said sternly, running his hand through his hair, then kneeling to put his arms around the three of them. "I just want you to realize the value of money and not to waste it. I thought the venue Simon spent his money for was fine, but it was just too expensive - and he didn't ask me about it first. Just promise me that you boys will think a bit before you use your money, and don't be afraid to talk to me if you're ever in doubt. Okay?"

"Yes sir." They all said, before leaving the room.

***

"I still think that whole bug convention was a waste of money." Alvin said as he, Simon and Theodore made their way down the usual neighborhood, careful to travel a way they knew screaming fans wouldn't trek on their way home.

"I already got a lecture about it, Alvin. I don't need to hear it from you. I'm still paying Dave back in small increments of my allowance." Simon sighed.

"Yeah, but you usually never get in trouble. Not as much as me. I buy a new Rocket Skateboard 3000, that wasn't even that expensive, and Dave yells at me before I bring it in the door!"

"That's because the Rocket Skateboard 3000 had a high safety risk. And who's the one who skinned both knees, and broke it after taking it out on a 'test drive'?"

Alvin laughed nervously. "But it was still the most awesome test drive I've been on in a long time."

"I just spent my allowance on books and a few gumballs. You want one, Alvin?" Theodore pulled out a red gumball and handed it to Alvin, who took it willingly.

"Thanks, Theodore." Alvin said, plopping it into his mouth without a second thought.

"You want one too, Simon?"

Simon shook his head. "No, thanks. I'm trying to cut down on anything that might cause cavities."

"Oh." Theodore seemed disappointed, but pulled another gumball, blue, from his pocket, and placed it in his mouth, smiling.

Alvin found his eyes wandering to a nearby alleyway, and a sign caught his eye, which he read aloud. " 'Have your fortune told today for only $1.00. Super discount!' Hey guys, we should check it out!"

"No. You heard what Dave said about us not wasting money. Fortune telling is definitely one of the things he was talking about."

"And why would it be a waste of money?" Alvin said smartly to Simon's comment. "It's a dollar, for crying out loud."

"A dollar too many! Fortune tellers aren't real."

"I wanna have my fortune told too. I don't think Dave would mind if we all did it. It would only be $3, but you don't have to get one Simon, if you don't want to." Theodore noted.

"My thoughts exactly, Theodore. If we just pay for ourselves, it's not much at all."

Alvin and Theodore started walking down the alleyway, while Simon lingered behind for a moment, sighing heavily as he followed them down the way.

***

Alvin and Theodore walked through the ragged, swing wooden door of the entrance to the fortune teller's business, Simon following not far behind as he waved away some smoke that had caught in his face. A flickering neon sign noting the business was open greeted them, as well as the strands of intricate black and gold beads lining the entrance before them.

"Enter well, young company. Melina has not had many visitors today, and you are in luck to take such a fine offer." A thickly accented, feminine voice emerged from the way beyond the beads. Theodore was startled by the sudden voice, taking refuge behind Alvin's back.

"Relax, Theodore. She can't hurt you." Alvin said, casually confident.

"I-I know, but I didn't know she was there."

"'This is stupid." Simon noted under his breath.

"Oh stupid, Melina is not, young one." The voice called out. "Melina comes from across the many seas, and knows all paths to the future."

Simon's lip closed promptly, and he wondered how the voice heard him if he barely spoke the words in more than a whisper. The three of them moved past the beads, and saw, sitting at a small table a young woman with decorative red and gold beads over her forehead and long, curly black hair that cascaded over her shoulders. Her skin was a shade of copper, and she wore many rings on her fingers and dressed in a silk, sleeveless dress with a tight bodice. She wore no shoes, and she lightly kicked her feet in excitement beneath the table. Alvin noticed her smile and found his heartbeat quickening slightly.

"She's beautiful!" Alvin said under his breath.

"Melina likes that you find her enchanting." She said, winking at Alvin, who found himself grinning.

"So, your name is Melina? How long have you been fortunetelling?" Simon asked, dubious.

"Indeed, young one. Melina has been fortunetelling for many years, since she was a small child. Melina's mother and mother before hers were fortunetellers, too."

"Why does she talk like that?" Theodore asked under his breath.

"Probably because it's part of the act." Simon noted.

"Well, I'm playing along." Alvin said.

"Me too, she seems really nice." Theodore grinned, and walked from behind Alvin to approach the fortune teller, taking a dollar from his pocket, and sliding it to her on the table.

"I want to have my fortune told...if that's okay." Theodore said shyly.

"Of course, Melina is happy to tell Theodore's fortune today." She took the dollar and placed it in a money jar not far from where they sat. It was nearly full with change and other dollar bills.

"H-how did you know my name?"

"Melina sees all. The doubtful one is called Simon, and the charming one is called Alvin. All three of you are brothers and are exceptional performers."

"Wow..."

"She probably just saw us on TV." Simon rolled his eyes.

"She called me charming." Alvin said, wriggling his eyebrows.

"Oh, brother." Simon watched as Melina took Theodore's small hand and traced his plams with a fingernail painted in dark green with a pink rose design. All of her fingernails were painted in the same pattern. She closed her eyes and seemed to chant something under her breath. A language that none of them could understand. When she opened her eyes again, she seemed to smile.

"And the spirits have spoken - You will find much to be happy about today, young Theodore. You will find a reward that brings you to your feet, within an equally sweet treat."

"Oh boy!' Theodore exclaimed cheerfully.

"That made no sense." Simon said, shaking his head.

"Would you like to try to see for yourself, young Simon? Melina cannot make a believer out of a skeptic, but I can show you the path of fate's way."

Simon looked at Alvin as Alvin nudged him forward. "Go on, Simon, or are you too scared to do it?"

"I'm not scared."

"Prove it." Alvin said, folding his arms across his chest.

Simon narrowed his brow. "Peer pressure doesn't become you, Alvin."

"Maybe not, but I know a scaredy cat when I see one."

Simon groaned, pulling a dollar from his pocket, and walking up as Theodore took a free lollipop from Melina and walked back over to Alvin. "Fine. I'll prove to you that it's a hoax and that I'm not a scaredy cat. Though I would have preferred to use my dollar on something more valuable."

Simon gave his dollar to Melina, and she performed the same ritual she had on Theodore, chanting something slightly different under her breath before opening her eyes and smiling.

"Your tendency towards achieving balance will bring great reward for you soon, young Simon. Use your mind well, and your time will come with the ring of a single bell."

Simon looked at her incredulously, but sighed. "Well, at least it's a good fortune. Thank you, Melina."

She frowned, her berry colored lips drawing together. "Melina thinks you still don't believe her."

"Unfortunately, I don't." Simon admitted honestly, but felt a tinge of guilt at the expression crossing her beautiful features.

"Well, Melina believes you shall see truth beyond the layers, and wishes young Simon well." She noted, giving him a lollipop.

"At least I'm not coming out of this empty handed." Simon noted, as Alvin pulled out his dollar, and handed it to Melina, taking Simon's place in the chair. Melina repeated the ritual, but seemed to take a sharp breath inward when she finished the reading.

"What is it, Miss Melina?" Alvin said, confused.

"Oh, Melina does not have good news for young Alvin. And Melina doesn't want to make him frown. You are sure you wish to hear it?" She placed her free hand under Alvin's chin, her eyes glistening in the dim light of the room with sadness.

"Sure, it can't be that bad. It's not like I did anything wrong...yet."

"Yet is right." Simon said rolling his eyes.

Melina sighed, removing her hand from his chin and exhaling as she spoke the words. "I see the shadows and several strings of red. And in my cold vision, I see young Alvin walking beside the dead."

"W-What?!" Alvin's face fell.

"Okay, that's the last straw; we're getting out of here. " Simon asserted. "Come on, Alvin."

"Wait a minute..." Alvin called out to Simon and Theodore but Simon dragged Theodore past the beads before he could have a word in edgewise.

"I am very sorry, young one. I wanted to have a good fortune to tell you."

Alvin frowned, but she gave Alvin a lollipop, and pat him on the head. "Perhaps, when we meet again, Melina should have something better to tell you."

"Judging from that fortune, that's probably not gonna happen. " Alvin thanked her for the lollipop before rushing out behind Simon and Theodore.