Jessica hauled a box out of a storage closet in the cafeteria and handed it to Kris, "Here you go!" She dropped the box into Kris's awaiting arms. Kris curiously read the scribbles upon the lid, "Halloween?" She gave Jessica a befuddled look, "Is it really Halloween already?" She inquired suddenly realizing how quickly time was passing them by. Jessica rummaged through the closet more, "That it would be." She pulled out a dummy in a witch's costume, "Hollow's eve is the biggest celebration in the Western Dorms and we want everything perfect for the slumber party." She handed the dummy to Kai who excitedly took the thing and was swallowed by its dress and hair. "A Halloween slumber party!" Kai exclaimed from under the folds of cloth, "That sounds cool. I wish dad would let us do that." Jessica hunted for Kai's face, "Do you celebrate any holidays in the Hall of Candles?" She asked curiously. "Not really." Kris frowned, "Father considered it as us taking sides." She remarked with a shrug. Jessica puzzled over this, finding Kai's face she smiled, "Hey, Kai? How long are you planning to stay with us?" She inquired poking the girl playfully on the nose. Kai wiggled her nose then glanced between Jessica and Kris, "I don't know. Dad doesn't really know I'm finished my duties yet." She remarked hesitantly. Kris smiled down at her sister, "I'm betting Aunt Sophia can arrange some time off for you." She offered. "You think?" Kai bounced in place causing the head of the dummy to fall onto her head and hair swallowed her up again, "I can't see!!!" Jessica laughed, "Let me help you there." She managed to free the girl's head again, "Take that to the main lobby would you?" She asked. "'Kay!" Kai spun around and carefully made her way back through the maze of tables. "She is a cute kid." Jessica commented with a grin. "She is no kid." Kris remarked, shifting the box in her arms, "She is older then you." Jessica spun around to face Kris, "What do you mean? She can't be over thirteen or fourteen!" She exclaimed. "The Sisters do not age the same as everyone when they are in the Halls." Kris explained, "I'm not sure how it works but it is as if time doesn't exist within the realm of death." Jessica blinked in disbelief, "Then just how old are you, anyway?" Jessica demanded eyeing the girl. Kris blushed and searched for an escape, "Well... uhhh... I..." She suddenly wished she had kept her mouth shut, "I spent most of my life here." ""Only the past ten years or so according to your records. They also say you are eighteen." Jessica stated, examining the girl closely, "Is that your real age or what?" She demanded. "Physically it is." Kris nervously juggled the box in her arms from one hand to the other. "What year were you born in?" Jessica continued to probe, "I am the head of the dorm. I should know these things." "It was in the nineteenth century Kris answered shyly. "So was everyone. That doesn't tell me anything." Jessica did not let her eyes move from Kris's, "When!?!" She demanded. "Umm..." Kris considered correcting her friend when the lights began to flicker and the building to began to shake, "What is going on?" Kris glanced around in confusion. A box on the top shelf of the closet tipped from its spot and started to fall, "Jessica look out!!!" Kris dropped what she held and leapt forwards to catch the others, however was a little too late to stop them from crashing down upon Jessica. When the lights returned to normal Jessica was partially buried under a pile of Christmas decorations with Kris standing over here, a look of alarm upon her face. "What happened?" Jessica moaned as Kris tried to help her out of the heap of clutter. "I don't know..." Kris glanced up at the lights, "An earthquake?" She suggested. "At Whispering Hills?" Jessica remarked rubbing her head, "I've never heard of something like that happening before." She stated as Kris pushed the box off of her, "Owww!!!" Jessica grabbed her back in pain. "Are you hurt?!?" Kris knelt to help the girl to her feet. Kai came bolting into the cafeteria, "Kris!!!" She shouted frantically, "Are you alright?" "Jessica was just mobbed by Christmas decorations, but we'll be alright." Kris remarked, "What just happened?" "Didn't you feel it?" Kai glanced worriedly at the ceiling, "It was as if the boundary between realms cracked." "Which realms?" Kris asked even more concerned, "How bad of a crack?" "I don't know." Kai searched the ceiling and sniffed at the air, "It is about two floors up. It is only a fracture now. I'll go take a look." She started towards the stairs. "Kai!!" Kris called out to her sister causing the girl to stop for a moment, "You be careful." "I am Keelia after all." Kai's right eye began to bleed black tears and the image of tattoos began to form around her eye creating a dark flame design that snaked down her neck and arm to her fingers. "Don't worry about it. I'll handle everything." She assured with a grinned and dashed up the stairs two at a time. "Will she be alright?" Jessica asked, using Kris for support. "I hope so." Kris bid a silent prayer before helping Jessica to the lobby. ***** To be Continued . . .
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