In the middle of the night, the gang was rudely awakened by Ben's sudden scream. "Ahhhh!" he bellowed, sitting upright in bed and startling everyone awake. Fred groaned, burying his face into his pillow, while Max peeked out from his room with raised brows.
Gwen, half-asleep and thoroughly unamused, muttered groggily, "Ben, be quiet…" before flipping onto her other side and promptly falling back asleep. The others eventually did the same, eager to put the chaotic day behind them.
Rising early the following morning, Max drove the rust bucket toward Bancroft Academy—a prestigious school that Gwen hoped to tour as part of her plan to enlist in the future. The ride was calm, though it quickly became apparent that Ben wasn't his usual mischievous self.
"Ben," Max called out from the driver's seat, glancing back at him. "You've been quiet. Everything okay?"
Ben jerked slightly, snapping out of his daze. "Huh? Oh, yeah—I'm fine, Grandpa. I'm just... weirded out by that Wildmutt dream I had."
"Look," Gwen piped up, her tone sharp. "I get that you might be going through something, but please don't mess up my tour today, okay?"
"I don't get it. Why are you so stuck up on that lame school anyway?" Fred interjected from the front seat, leaning lazily against the window.
"You wouldn't get it. Bancroft Academy is one of the top schools in the country. Who wouldn't want to get in?" Gwen replied firmly, clutching her brochure.
"Mehh. Looks like a place full of snobs and posers," Ben quipped, rolling his eyes.
"Ugh, give that back!" Gwen snapped as she reached over to snatch her brochure back from Ben's hands. "You guys wouldn't get it."
Fred shrugged. "You do you, I guess, but I'm with Ben on this one."
"Alright, you two," Max said, raising his voice just enough to quell the squabble. "Leave Gwen alone."
Max glanced out at the road ahead as the rust bucket pulled into the parking lot. "Anyway, we've arrived," he announced.
Outside the academy, Gwen paused to give Ben a lingering look. "What?" Ben asked, mildly defensive.
"Please promise me you'll be on your best behavior," Gwen said, her tone pleading.
"Hey! Why are you only asking me that? Besides, I wasn't planning on doing a thing," Ben grumbled, though he still managed to look guilty.
As the group stepped out, they were approached by a young student dressed immaculately in the school uniform. Her polished demeanor and snobbish tone immediately grated on Fred's nerves.
"Welcome to Bancroft Academy," she said, her voice dripping with forced formality. "I'll be leading your tour today. And please—do your best to keep up. Some parts of the grounds might be overwhelming for... visitors."
Fred narrowed his eyes and muttered under his breath, "What's with the attitude?" before Gwen swiftly stepped on his toes, earning a stifled grunt of pain.
"Thank you," Gwen said sweetly, practically dragging Fred along as they followed the guide.
The student led them through the pristine campus, pointing out key facilities with practiced precision. "And over here, we have our advanced sciences wing," she said, gesturing toward an imposing building with gleaming glass windows. "It houses state-of-the-art equipment you wouldn't find anywhere else—certainly not in... other schools." She threw a sideways glance at the gang, her disdain barely veiled.
"Wow, so special," Fred quipped sarcastically, earning another sharp jab from Gwen.
They continued to the next spot, where the guide showcased the student lounge—a spacious, luxurious area with plush seating and panoramic views of the surrounding gardens. "This is where Bancroft's scholars unwind after a rigorous day of study," she explained. "Only the best students have access to this space, of course."
"Fancy," Ben muttered, though his tone dripped with skepticism. "Bet all the so-called 'scholars' just use it to brag about how great they are."
Gwen shot him a glare but said nothing, clutching her brochure as though it were a lifeline.
Fred glanced at the student guide again, unimpressed. "So, let me guess," he said with a half-smirk. "You guys have some kind of exclusive cafeteria next, where only the elite eat the 'top-tier sandwiches'?"
The guide raised an eyebrow, clearly unamused. "It's called the Bancroft Bistro, and yes, it does cater exclusively to the academy's finest."
Fred threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Of course it does. My mistake."
With Gwen now visibly annoyed at Fred and Ben's antics, and the guide's snobbish attitude only adding to the tension, the tour took a pause up near the library—a grand structure that served as the centerpiece of Bancroft's sprawling grounds. Gwen, despite the bickering, couldn't help but marvel at its impressive architecture and seemingly infinite rows of bookshelves.
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**Chapter 53: Library Haunts and Heroic Turns**
While Gwen marveled at the grandeur of the library, Ben wandered off, trying to find something—anything—entertaining to pass the time. He ambled through rows of towering bookshelves, his curiosity diminishing as the quiet hum of the library lulled him into boredom. Just as he was about to turn back, something strange caught his eye—the books on the shelves began to shake violently, almost as if they were preparing to take flight.
Ben let out a startled scream and bolted, his sneakers squeaking against the polished floor. As he turned the corner, he collided with the librarian—a stern woman with sharp glasses and an expression that could wither even the bravest of souls.
"Young man!" she snapped, her voice slicing through the library's sacred silence. "No running, and keep your voice down! This is a library, not a playground."
Ben chuckled awkwardly, brushing himself off as he scrambled to his feet. "S-sorry," he muttered, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. But as he turned to leave, something sent a chill down his spine. He froze, his eyes catching sight of his shadow, which briefly twisted into the unmistakable shape of Ghostfreak.
He gasped, stumbling back as his pulse quickened. "No way," he whispered, blinking hard. When he looked again, his shadow was normal. The librarian, observing his strange behavior, pointed firmly to the door. "Out. Now."
Ben nodded silently, his earlier confidence shattered. His heart raced as he exited the library, his mind replaying the unsettling sight of Ghostfreak's silhouette. He felt a knot forming in his stomach—was he just imagining things, or was something truly wrong? The once-cocky boy now looked troubled, his usual swagger replaced by an uneasy silence.
Outside the library, snide whispers from a group of students filled the air. "Did you see that kid? So unclassy," one sneered.
"I heard he ran screaming like a little kid," another added with a haughty laugh.
"Not surprising. He doesn't seem like he belongs here anyway," a third chimed in, her voice dripping with disdain.
Fred, Gwen, and Max overheard the remarks and exchanged knowing glances. "What has he done now?" Gwen sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as they stepped out to investigate.
"Now that I think of it," Fred mused, "does this mean that if I had the original Ghostfreak, I'd also be his vessel? Or would there be two of them?" He trailed off, half-joking but clearly thoughtful as they exited the library.
However, to their surprise, Ben wasn't anywhere in sight. Instead, the snobby guide returned, her disapproving glare fixed on the group. "We'll continue the tour now," she declared in a clipped tone. "And I do hope you'll behave yourselves this time."
Fred rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "Behave? Maybe she should take her own advice."
Suddenly, a loud explosion rocked the campus, accompanied by the distant sound of panicked screams. Gwen sighed deeply, her irritation momentarily outweighing her concern. She muttered an incantation under her breath, her tone steady but tired. A faint glow enveloped the guide as she slumped forward, fast asleep. A magic circle appeared at her feet, rising upward like an ethereal scanner. In an instant, Gwen's outfit transformed into her Lucky Girl costume.
"Looks like someone's come a long way," Fred remarked, a hint of pride in his voice. "I hope you don't lose to blow torches in the future," he added teasingly.
Gwen shot him a confused look but took off without hesitation.
Fred smirked. "Can't help it. Nostalgia hits hard sometimes."
When the group reached the source of the chaos, the scene was nothing short of horrifying. Ben, transformed into Ghostfreak, was in the middle of a brutal fight with Zombozo's clown henchmen. However, his attacks were anything but typical—they were ferocious, almost cruel. His sharp laughter echoed eerily as he loomed over the cowering clowns, his claws raised.
"If this keeps up, he's going to kill them," Gwen whispered, a mix of fear and urgency in her voice.
Fred stepped forward, his expression equal parts serious and excited. "I'm going Ghost!" he declared enthusiastically, before pausing and grinning. "Did I just say that? Awesome. Been waiting for that moment."
With a shimmer, Fred transformed into his half-Ghost form.
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