"Megan?"

Megan blew air from her cheeks as the chauffeur drove off down the driveway, taking the Seers's with it. She'd been dreading this moment, but now she looked up at her uncle. "Yes?"

Eli frowned, eyebrows furrowed. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Megan kicked at the wooden floor. "Of course I want to."

His eyebrows went up. "Even after hearing all of that?"

"I've actually heard worse."

Her response left concern in his eyes. "I just want to make sure you're going to be in a safe position."

"Noah wouldn't hurt me," Megan insisted.

Eli shook his head. "That's not what I'm saying. He could hurt himself, which would end up hurting you in the end."

"No," nine-year-old Megan crossed her arms. "I can help him. I know I can, Uncle Eli." Hazel eyes sparkled. "I know that one day he's going to be better!"

"I certainly hope so," Eli brushed something invisible off his shoulder, "otherwise he'll just get worse."

Megan played with her long curls. "I said I can help him, and I will."

He sighed, kneeling down to hold her hands. "I know you think so, Meg." He pursed his lips, "but don't count on it. I'll let you stay friends with him, but remember he's not well, okay?"

Eli's words felt like an annoying wake-up call to Megan, but she nodded. "I'll be careful, Uncle Eli."

Green eyes shimmered uneasily. "Don't make me regret this."
...

Megan took her place at the dining room table, holding her right hand out for Eli to put the makeshift icepack on it. "Uncle Eli," she tapped her fingertips against the surface of the table as he sat next to her. "What are you afraid of?"

"Lots of things, Meg. Who isn't?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I didn't mean in general. I mean about keeping a secret from me. What are you afraid of telling me?"

He sighed, gently putting the wrapped-up bag of veggies on her knuckles and holding it there. "It's not a bad secret. I've just been afraid to tell you because I don't know how you'll react to it, that's all."

"Oh," she rolled her eyes, "that's why you look like I've stabbed you in the chest." He bit his lip. "You won't know how I'll react unless you tell me!"

"You're right, and you are fourteen; you should know about this." He pursed his lips, taking too long to speak up.

Megan groaned. "Uncle Eli, now I'm curious and won't be able to sleep if you don't tell me! I promise I won't overreact."

"You promise?"

"Yes!" She put her left hand on his hand which kept the ice pack on her right.

"You'll go to bed as soon as I'm finished?" She nodded. "Good. Okay then," he breathed in, "The reason I don't like... ghost-related things? Is because of Dad. Well, your grandfather."

"Grandfather?" Megan frowned, "you never talk about him."

"For a reason," he swallowed, "this reason, actually." Megan crossed her legs, paying close attention. "He was... well. He was a very superstitious man."

Megan's eyebrows lifted. "Grandfather was?"

Eli nodded. "The reason we even live in Parano is because Dad firmly believed the legends revolved around it. He always said he was searching for something here, but he never lived to find it. Those legends have faded away and there's no complaints from me about it." He rolled his eyes. "He tried to get me involved when I was a kid but I wouldn't believe him. Roland on the other hand?" He scoffed.

Megan frowned at the name. "Uncle Eli, I'm always hearing that name in whispers but I don't actually know who that is. W-who's Roland?"

Eli looked over at her, biting his lip. "Please don't be mad, Meg. I just didn't know how to explain all of this without talking about him. I didn't mean to keep him from you, there's just so much of the past I wanted to hide..." He started tugging on his hair again. "Roland is -was- your dad."

Megan stared ahead at the dining room wall. No thoughts were running through her head. Never in her life had Eli talked about her parents, she'd never wanted to know either; they were dead, so why did learning about them matter? But a strange ache touched her heart.

And then she was reminded of all the times the name Roland had slipped up. Must be the Roland in her. The Roland, meaning her dad.

"Was dad..." she slowly met his eyes, "was he...?" Eli nodded. She picked at the frozen veggie bag. "How bad?"

"Bad," Eli sighed, "Dad and Roland were ridiculous."

"Like Noah?"

"Very similar, at least," Eli winced, "but they never claimed they saw ghosts. But they did go on pretend business trips just to see some supposed scratchings on walls from an angry soul." He rolled his eyes, "when Roland got old enough to talk he ate up Dad's theories; the ones I never listened to. The traveling started in high school and when he started dating, she went with him too."

"Mom?"

Eli smiled, "I think she went on the trips out of curiosity. But she always loved your dad for his crazy ideas. I would pity her, but I don't think she ever minded."

Megan looked down at her skirt. "Could you tell me more about Dad?"

"Sorry," Eli frowned, "because Roland was always obsessed with Dad's hobby, we never really got along; in fact, we used to fight a lot. I regret that more than I can say, Meg," he sighed, "it wasn't till you were born, and Roland wanted me to watch you, that we became proper brothers. It was then that I saw more than a crazy embarrassing sibling. And it was too late to make up that lost time."

Megan saw the past swimming in her uncle's green eyes, dragging him down to a subject that wasn't comfortable. But there was still so much she wanted to know. "What did he look like?"

"A little like you," Eli answered quietly. "His hair was a darker brown than both of us, but you got your curls from him." Megan pulled on one of her honey-brown curls, trying to imagine her dad. "And he had hazel eyes that sparkled with just as much excitement."

"Was he handsome like you?"

"We Skeps have naturally good looks." Eli rolled his eyes, "he was trouble though. And dad. Like I said they were both ridiculous. Especially when they started writing that journal, that was probably the worst thing they could've done."

She raised an eyebrow. "What made it the worst thing?"

Eli's eyes dropped to the floor. "Because some lady told Roland there was danger coming to Parano when he was on a "business trip" he believed it was his job to protect our town. He said the legends in this town were fading away. Books at the library were even being destroyed. This was when you were born and he always took time in his day to meet up with Dad and write in their secret journal. Your mom worked a lot too -they preferred middle-class life- and that was when I watched you."

Megan kept playing with her curls. "And what did writing some journal have to do with saving Parano?"

"A lot according to them." Eli responded, "They said if they didn't document the legends and facts that they'd learned, someone could take over the world. I don't know," he shrugged, "it was a lot of bologna to me."

"But what did they put in it?"

"That's just it," he breathed out, "they wouldn't tell me. Roland and Dad knew I didn't approve of any of it. They always kept their journal away from me, claiming it could never reach the enemy's hands."

Megan frowned. "Enemy's hands?"

"It doesn't matter," Eli shrugged his shoulders, "Roland died before he could finish the journal, and Dad tried to." He gripped the back of his chair, gritting his teeth together, "Dad devoted the rest of his life to that pathetic thing. And after he died I took on the enterprise and looking after you. Mom died in grief soon after Dad." He pursed his lips, "I've tried to find that journal; I've searched the entire mansion for it. But it's nowhere, Megan."

"I'm surprised you don't have grey hair yet from all that stress."

Eli laughed a little. "Me too, sometimes." He ran a hand in her hair, "but I have you. When you were left to me I decided to cut off the superstitious Skep past, and raise you to think sensibly, without any stupid ghost theories to mess with your mind."

"I'm glad," she smiled, "but don't you miss him? Dad?"

He nodded. "But I see the good part of him in you every day. ...And the terrible part in your friend." Megan rolled her eyes. Suddenly her uncle frowned, "I'm really sorry I kept all this from you. Are you mad at me, Meg?"

Megan shook her head. "No, I probably would've done the same thing if I were in your place."

"I'm proud of you," his eyes sparkled, "you're handling this a lot better than I thought you would."

Now that she was thinking about her parents, something sour built up in her stomach. She bit her lip. "Uncle Eli, how did they die?"

His smile faded, and he tugged on the hair behind his ear. "Are you sure you want to hear this? You're still a little young. We can save it for a few more years."

Megan shook her head, pulling her injured hand from the melting icepack. She played with her sweatshirt cuff. "I want to know now."

"Okay," Eli breathed out, "I'll tell you then." He pulled the chair out from the table and sat down, resting his head in his hands. "When Rol and I got closer, he finally confessed that he and your mom were... are you sure, Meg?" She nodded slowly. "They were..." he closed his eyes, "they were receiving death threats."

Megan's eyes widened, but she wouldn't let her uncle know she was in shock; she didn't want him to stop, knowing the chance of bringing it up again was probably slim. "Didn't he call the police?"

"I wanted him to," Eli's hand shook into a fist, "but he wouldn't tell anyone. He only told me because I became someone he wanted to trust. He wouldn't even tell Dad. And he always insisted the police wouldn't believe him. Your mom supported him; I've never met a more supportive and perfect couple. I'm just," he groaned, "I wish I hadn't stayed silent. I was left with you on a night that I had other obligations, but Roland practically forced you into my arms."

Megan felt the sourness in her stomach grow. "They were killed?" Megan had chosen not to care about people she'd only had in her life for a year. Now it was like she wanted to know everything. She also felt guilty for bringing Eli back to those terrible memories. She couldn't keep him like that; not when it was her fault. And if her own dad caused him to hurt like that, it was better not to care about him at all. "We should finish the movie, Uncle Eli. I don't think I can wait till Friday to see how it ends."

Eli blinked glassy green eyes at her. "What?"

"The movie," she took his arm, putting on a smile. "we should watch the movie!"

He sighed, wiping at his eyes. "Meg, I told you to go to bed-"

"The movie," she repeated, "we should finish it."

Eli pursed his lips, watching her carefully. "You won't fall asleep in class?"

She giggled, "I won't make any promises."

Megan yawned, carefully running a brush through her hair. She took a quick sip of newly warmed milk, looking at her reflection in her full-bodied mirror. Leftover shock was still in her face, but she couldn't get rid of it.

Eli hadn't relaxed while they finished the movie. His leg kept bouncing up and down and he wouldn't stop tugging behind his ear.

Megan had tried to put on a cheerful act, giggling and playing with her hair, leaning against his shoulder. But none of it worked, and now seeing her expression answered why. But she couldn't help it. Her parents were killed, her dad and grandfather were crazy... it was a lot to learn in one night.

She swallowed more of her milk. "I wish they never wrote that stupid journal. If Eli finds it, I hope he gets rid of it for good." She frowned, "where would my grandfather hide something like that? Where could you put a journal where no one would think to check?" She drained her glass of milk, thinking out loud, "A journal about legends... Why does that sound so familiar?"

Suddenly, starry blue eyes flashed in her mind, causing milk to spray out of her mouth and onto her mirror, obscuring her reflection. "No..." the empty glass nearly fell out of her shaking hand, "Oh no no NO!"

There was no better place to hide a journal, than a library, in the wrong section, but the darkest part of the building. Her grandfather may have been crazy... but he was a genius. No one would find it unless by accident. And there was.

Megan slammed her empty glass on the dresser, pacing around the room furiously. "Why did he walk that way?? Why did he find that journal!!" She gasped, "And I was supposed to make sure he returned it! I told Mr. Seers that I would make him return it! But after the concussion..." she groaned, flopping down on her bed. "I can't believe I forgot all about that stupid journal!" She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs. She felt incompetent; first the phone tower, now the journal.

"But wait," she rested her hands against the blanket, "Noah might've forgotten it too. That's it!" She jumped up, suddenly enthusiastic. "I can remind Noah in the morning that we have to take it back to the library! But if I can get it afterward, I'll give it to Uncle Eli! He should get to deal with it! After all, it was dad and grandfather that wrote it... Oh gosh!" She groaned, "what if Noah does find out they were believers? He'll freak out!" She pulled on her freshly brushed curls.

"How am I supposed to relax if Noah finds out? He would say something like, 'I knew you and I were the same, Megan! We have even more proof of our special destiny!'" She rolled her eyes, "What am I supposed to do if Noah finds out-?!"

"Megan?" Eli whispered, opening the door to poke his head out. He frowned at her. "What are you doing up? It's really late, you have school tomorrow."

She winced, sliding off of the bed. "I know, Uncle Eli. I was about to go to bed."

"It's really really late. Go to bed now, okay?" He walked into the room. "Please?"

"I will," she grumbled, "I was just practicing my speech for tomorrow."

Eli raised an eyebrow. "You have a speech tomorrow?"

Oops, she clamped her mouth shut, maybe I should've picked a different excuse. "A-actually, I..." she looked away.

"Megan," the other eyebrow went up, "are you lying to me? After everything I told you about how honesty is important?"

If there was one thing she hated, it was getting scolded for something she'd already learned about. "I'm sorry, I panicked."

"And why are you panicking?" Eli asked.

I can't tell him, she thought to herself, I'll tell him everything when I get the journal to him. But not now, not while Noah still has it. Eli would probably freak out... she bit her lip. "After everything you told me? About Mom and Dad being murdered?" Saying the word murder out loud made the pain in her stomach and heart re-surface. Her lips started to tremble. "I promised you I wouldn't overreact but I-I..." Tears started to fall onto her cheeks.

Uncle Eli sighed, pulling her into a tight hug. "I know it's hard. I'm still proud of you for listening to it, but I don't want you to think you have to lie to me. It's okay to cry," He kissed her head, "Megan you are so young. And I should've waited to tell you."

"No," she sobbed into his shirt, soaking it with splotches of her tears. "I wanted to know! I hate that I wanted to know that! But I did! Why were they murdered, Uncle Eli??" She closed her eyes as her tears continued to burn against them.

"I never said they were murdered," he mumbled into her hair, "this is all too much for you. Don't think about this anymore, okay? Promise me you'll let this all go?"

Megan nodded. "I hate that I didn't know them, Uncle Eli! It's not fair!"

"I know, baby..." his breaths shook, "I know." He let her go, wiping at her wet cheeks. "You should get to bed."

"I need to turn off the light first." She hiccuped.

"I'll get it." He gave her shoulders a comforting squeeze, "Go ahead and climb into bed. Did you drink your milk?" Megan nodded. "You brushed your teeth?" She gave another reluctant nod, making him sigh. "Stop growing, please? I don't know what I'll do when you're able to take care of yourself."

She started to laugh, realizing that while she'd failed to cheer her uncle up, he was returning the favor. Except he was an expert at it. It was almost not fair, but the last thing she wanted on her mind was the death of her parents, so she gave into the smile spreading on her lips. "I love you, Uncle Eli." She ran over to her bed, working her way under the blankets.

Eli returned the smile, leaning down to plant a kiss on her forehead. "You still haven't promised you'll stop growing."

"I can't do that," she grinned. "But I could try if you really want me to."

"No," he chuckled, "you go ahead and grow."

She sat up to give his cheek a quick peck, then flopped her head into her pillow. "See you in the morning?"

He nodded. "Now go to sleep."

"I love you," she repeated, giggling as he raised an eyebrow at her. "You didn't say it back yet!"

He sighed, walking to the light switch by her door. "You're the world to me, Meg."

"I guess that's close enough," she teased as he turned off the light.

Megan watched the door close and heard her uncle's footsteps as they faded away from her room.

With him gone, a part of her still wanted to cry. But that wasn't going to do any good; her parents were still dead.

She rubbed her cheeks, focusing her thoughts on how she would get the journal from Noah. Once they got it back in the library, she would get ice cream with him to lessen the blow, and then when they parted ways... that's when she would return to the library and take it.

She blinked sleepy eyes, yawning loudly. "Top goal: make sure he doesn't know...anything...about...dad..."

Her eyelids slid shut.