Disturbia ♦︎ Ghorror AU [✔️]

8: In Which Devin Watches Ricky Sleep

"So, he just showed up in here yesterday?" Chris asked. He had stopped by Balz's shop for the afternoon to hang out for a bit.

"Yeah," Balz nodded. "Ryan thinks he showed up because Ricky was here."

"I mean, I suppose that makes sense," Chris shrugged.

"Yeah, considering Ghost started becoming more active once Ricky moved here," Balz agreed.

"What do you think we're gonna do to try to stop him from, I don't know, annihilating Ricky?" Chris inquired.

"I'm not sure yet," Balz said. "We still don't even know his motives for haunting Ricky."

"Well, Ricky obviously never messed with Ghost's family or anything, so it couldn't be for revenge," Chris responded. "Ricky couldn't have done anything wrong to Ghost, as a matter of fact. He never knew him when he was alive, and he's only been here for about three weeks."

"But what other motives could Ghost have?" Balz questioned.

"Maybe he felt that Ricky was trespassing onto his land?" Chris suggested.

"I doubt it," Balz scoffed. "If that was the case, he would be haunting all of us. He gave up on trying to really freak us out years ago."

"Uh... Maybe he just missed having a partner?" Chris spoke.

"Do you really think that's a valid reason to haunt someone?" Balz asked.

"I mean, not really," Chris said. "But it's a possibility. I mean, think about it for a second. Ghost has been dead since we were little kids. So that means it's been twenty years, maybe more, since he's had someone to love. He could just be lonely, and think that Ricky's cute or something."

"I guess you have a point," Balz shrugged. "I just hope that if that's the case, Ghost will stop fucking around with his mind and just say something."

"Like that'll happen," Chris laughed. "We've dealt with Ghost before. We both know that's not how he works."

----------------------------------------------

Ricky awoke to Devin staring at him from the ceiling.

"What the fuck are you doing in my bedroom?" Ricky exclaimed. "Especially this early?"

"Watching you sleep," Devin shrugged. "You're pretty cute when you're sleeping, you know."

"Yeah, thanks," Ricky said, rolling his eyes. "Now I'd appreciate it if you'd leave. At least while I get changed."

"I'm afraid that's not gonna happen," Devin smirked.

"Fine, whatever," Ricky scoffed. "I don't have to get dressed right away."

"Oh, you're no fun," Devin chuckled. "And do you really want me to watch you walk around in those lame-ass plaid pajama pants?"

"Who said you had to watch me?" Ricky retorted.

"I did," Devin replied.

"Not a valid answer," Ricky said, shaking his head. "You don't have anyone else you want to stalk?"

"Have we not been over the fact that I've been stuck here for years?" Devin sighed. "I've already gotten bored with everybody else around here. You're a fresh new face. I haven't seen a new face around here for years."

"Funny, that's just what my neighbor said when he first met me," Ricky said.

"He's been here all his life, too," Devin explained. "Of course he hasn't seen any new faces, either."

"Why doesn't anyone come here, anyway?" Ricky asked.

"Mostly because of things like me," Devin smirked. "Plus, have you seen this town? What reason would anyone have to come here?"

"Maybe to get away from society," Ricky shrugged.

"Not everyone is you, Rick," Devin chuckled.

"Look," Ricky started, turning to face Devin again. "Why exactly did you choose to haunt me?"

"I already told you, you're a fresh new face," Devin shrugged. "It's pretty fun to mess with people who don't fully understand what you're capable of."

"Should I be concerned about that?" Ricky asked.

"I mean, probably," Devin laughed.

---------------------------------------------

"Did he follow me here?" Ricky questioned as he walked into Balz's shop.

"Who?" Balz asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ghost," Ricky responded.

"I don't see him anywhere," Balz said.

"Good," Ricky exhaled, walking further into the shop.

"Why?" Balz inquired. "Was he around earlier this morning?"

"You could say that," Ricky nodded. "He was watching me fucking sleep. And then he wouldn't leave after I woke up. I had to change in my car before I came here to get away from him."

"You do realize that he still could've been watching you, right?" Balz pointed out. "With that whole vanishing into thin air thing he does."

"Yeah, yeah, but at least I didn't know whether he was there or not," Ricky said. "I think I would've felt much more uncomfortable knowing he was watching me taking my clothes off."

"I guess you've got a point," Balz chuckled.

"But, considering he can do that, do you think he actually did follow me here?" Ricky asked. "Do you think he's in here right now?"

"I mean, it's possible," Balz shrugged. "But I honestly doubt it. It would've gotten noticeably colder in here if he came with you."

"Okay," Ricky nodded. "Good."

"Well, I'm sure you can guess that we don't get too many visitors here, but my family's got enough money tucked away to keep us up and running," Balz started. "You can stay up here and take care of the cash register. I'll be taking care of the stock room if you need anything."

"Alright, I think I'll be fine up here," Ricky responded. "As long as Ghost doesn't show up out of nowhere again," he continued under his breath.

He took care of all he needed to do on his shift, and Ghost didn't show up once, as far as he knew. He didn't see Ghost in the shop at all, nor did the air get colder.

"Hey, do you want me to let Ange and Ryan know that Ghost has been lurking around you more often?" Balz asked at the end of his shift. "I mean, he did watch you sleep and all. That's more than a bit stalker-ish."

"No, I think I'll be fine," Ricky replied. "I mean, I haven't seen him at all since I left my house today. Maybe that's a good sign."

"But what if he's still there?" Balz questioned.

"I'll figure something out if he is," Ricky said. "I'm heading out now."

"Alright, see you," Balz responded. "And, hey, let me know if Ghost sticks around."

But by the time Ricky returned home, Ghost was nowhere to be found. He didn't seem to be anywhere inside, and Ricky didn't feel that familiar chill in the air. For once, Ghost was actually gone, nowhere in sight.

Ricky should've been relieved about this, happy even. But, the house just felt a bit more empty without Ghost around. Even if he was a bit of a creep, Ricky did enjoy his company for the most part. And for some unknown reason, Ricky hoped that Ghost would return when he woke up the next morning.