Zoey gazed through the spaces in the wrought iron fence at the huge, dillapidated building on the other side. So this is Arcadia. Ever since moving into town, Zoey had heard a lot of stories about this place. The aslyum had been abandoned for decades, and was now the resident haunted house. And not without good reason. Arcadia Sanitarium had quite the reputation, in part because of the hundreds of people who had died there and also because of the bizarre happenings reported. Flickering lights, shadowy figures, people going in and never coming back out.
The goth girl smiled, shifting her backpack on her shoulder.
This place was a playground for the supernatural.
And tonight, she was going to find out why, first hand.

Jake walked down the streets with a lollipop stuck in his mouth. Once again, he found himself talking to a ghost who couldnt find "peace" yet. "Hey, hey, hey, hey." the ghost chimmed. Jake sighed, "Fine.." he mumbled walking into the cake store and buying a piece. "After this you go.. ok?" he said looking at the ghost. But of course to others, it looked like he was talking to himself. "Ok!" the ghost replied happily. She dragged him over to his house and sat down on his table to eat. "Hmmm taste good!" she sqeeked. Jake looked back at the sound of silent foot steps. "Oh, hey dad.." he said sadly. His father would visit once in a while, and that would freak his mother out most of the time, so he didnt say anything. Jake sighed wondering why seeing ghosts was such a pain. "Hey, did you hear about that place... i think it's called Arcadia." the female ghost asked as his father took a seat on the couch. "Hmm? Oh yeah. I would often see.. you know ghosts.. walking around. I dont mind really. I mean, they probably have reasons right...? What I hate is the sounds I often here... Screams in pain." he said playing around with the edge of his table. "Anyways, dad, go back to where you came from. You know it makes me uncomfortable, and you. I bought you cake so go." he said. The ghost gave a shivering sigh. "Ok... thanks Jake. You're such a good guy." with that the girl disappeared, along with his head. With a loud sigh, Jake walked up into his room, and opened the window. He grabbed the edge of the roofbefore pulling himself up. From there, he can see Arcadia. And he knew for a fact.. he just saw something walk pass the window.

What would you do if you had died in a torturous place, alone, knowing you would never find peace? And then, when you finally feel safe in Arcadia, the living house of the dead, humans come, and disturb everything? Wouldn't you lash out? Attack? Terrify? He would. Shadow Man. The last of the dead. The last of the first round of hell delivered by Arcadia, before closing it's door's. He never, EVER wanted any of this. He wanted to stop the death caused by Arcadia. Oh, Arcadia! The Mother of the Damned, The keeper of spirit's! How you have saved us from hell, but kept us from heaven! Truly a mixed blessing, yes? But enough of his petty feelings. Let's go discuss his.... situation. The spirit was simply ghosting around, walking over ceilings, admiring the darkness inside. Simply a fuzzy black shadow, without a body. Sticking to the walls, 2D. Well, he can switch, Detach himself, but he chooses not to. Shadow Man was walking along the inside wall, going past a window, quickly past the light which he despised, when he saw a familiar sight: A teen, peering through the gates. This humored him. Another person to drive insane. It was day, so he couldn't flicker flashlights. Then it hit him. He stopped by the window, detached himself, and put his fist through on small pane. A satisfactory shattering noise was made. Shadow Man joined the darkness. His form recessed into the cellar. Hello there, human. The game is afoot. Have fun.

Zoey made her way back home, intent on packing the things she'd need for her little camping trip in the haunted asylum. She came home to an empty house and a note from her dad on the refrigerator.

Zoey,
Called out of town on business. Be back on Sunday. Be good and don't do anything illegal while I'm gone.
Love, Dad

The girl rolled her eyes. Of course he was away on business. He was always away on business. Maybe that was for the best, though, at least for this weekend. Her dad wasn't a big fan of her interest in the supernatural and never would've agreed to her plan to spend the night in an abandoned asylum. This way, she wouldn't have to sneak out or feel guilty about lying to him.
That out of the way, Zoey got to work packing her stuff. Flashlight? Check. Sleeping bag? Check. Digital camera/camcorder? Check. She wasn't sure if you could even catch a ghosts on film, but it never hurt to try. Packing her belongings, she happened to glance out the window. The boy next door was sitting on the roof again. She'd never talked to him, even though she and her dad had moved in a week ago. She had, however, noticed him in the hallways. He had a strange habit of talking to himself.

Jake chewed on his lower lips and looked over as a black cat jumped onto the roof. "Hey there.." he said petting the cat. It always seemed to come over, and peer at the Arcadia once in a while. "Think I should check the place out?" he asked. The cat just stared at him before climbing onto his lap. The place was dark... not as there was no light... well there really was no light, but he meant dark as in... how should he say this... like something dark and gloomy. Everything, the ghosts had some kind of feeling inside them, that seemed to spread throughout the whole building.

From the coener of his eyes, he saw someone look at him. He tilted his head just a bit, enough to get a good look. It was the girl who moved in just about a week ago. They would see each other in school sometimes, but why havent they talked? Hmm, whatever. He was probably too busy talking to a ghost or something. It was annoying when they bothered him during class. Having to be excused to the bathroom all the time. The teachers actually thought he had a problem, and wanted him to see the doctor.

Not that he didnt see a doctor. He.. had to when he was young. People thought he was going crazy. Jake too thought he was going crazy, seeing these dead people. But as he got older, he started to get used to it. It was sad having to hear the painful cries of each one, but still, he was able to learn a lot because of them.

Zoey did a quick check to make sure she had everything. Excitement was pumping through her. She was going to be spending the night in one of the most haunted places in America. With any luck she might even get to see a ghost. Eager to get going, the girl pulled on her over-stuffed backpack, filled with everything she might need for the night. Before heading out the door, she checked to make sure her necklace was still on. The cross had belonged to her mother, who had passed it down to her on her deathbed. Maybe it was just her imagination, but it always gave her a feeling of being closer to her mom's spirit. For that reason, she never took it off.
Convinced she had everything, Zoey headed outside, locked the door, and made her way down the road toward Arcadia.

Jake watched as the girl headed towards Arcadia. The cat hissed loudly before running off. Surely the animal thought whatever the girl was doing, was a really bad idea. Jake agreed. Unlike the other ghosts he often met, the things inside that building were filled with anger. Most of them wanting revenge. Jake got up, jumping towards the tree. He grabbed the branch, before swinging himself down onto the ground. "You should go there.." a voice said in a warning. "I know." Jake snapped back before running over to the girl. "You're not thinking of going in there.. are you?" he asked, his hands stuffed into his pocket. The hair on his neck stood as he had a strange feeling they were being watched. He looked over, and swore he saw something flash by.

It was already dark as Zoey started out toward the abandoned asylum. Arcadia looked even creepier at night, like if you weren't careful it would wake up and swallow you whole. Wicked. The girl stood at the gate as she had before, trying to figure out the best way to get past it and into the building.

"You're not thinking of going in there... are you?"

Zoey almost jump at the sound of a voice behind her. Almost, not quite. She didn't scare that easily. Turning around, she came face to face with the boy from the roof. He looked nervous. Probably because he knew about this place's reputation. Every kid in school had heard the stories surrounding Arcadia Sanitarium. In fact, Zoey had a feeling some of them had been made up by upperclassmen trying to scare younger students.
"Actually, yes. Id that a problem?"
This is why Zoey had trouble making friends. Her default setting was sarcasm.

"Yes it is. That place isnt a joke... in fact.. they're staring at you right now." he answered, his face serious. It was true, he could see eyes looking this way from that old building. "And all the stories about kids disappearing is true too. Oh.. right. My name's Jake. You moved in just a week ago am I right?" Jake looked at her, then at the bag. This girl seemed serious about going. He sighed, "Anyways, I suggest you dont go in there... but if you really want to, it's not my place to stop you." he said hoping she would think twice about it and change her mind.

Still she seemed like the type who would do something once she set her mind on doing it. Jake scratched his head before resting his hands behind his neck, kicking at a small pebble on the ground.

Zoey couldn't help but smirk. "Well, I'm kinda counting on the fact that the stories about this place are real." She looked up at the broken windows, trying to see if there really wer any ghosts watching her. They were empty. No matter. If there were ghosts in Arcadia, she was going to find them.
"Yeah, my name's Zoey. And sorry, but I'm not leaving that easily." She slipped her backpack off and swung it over the fence and into the overgrown lawn on the other side. It'd be easier to climb without the extra weight. "Besides, what're you scared of? You're not the one spending the night... unless you want to tag along, of course." There was no mistaking the tone of her voice. This wasn't a request; it was a challenge.

Jake sighed, "This isnt a video game... but whatever. Do what you want." he said turning his back on her. It seemed like she didnt know he was the only one that could see the ghosts. He watched her before walking back into the house. With a small sigh, he went into the kitchen. The house felt empty, knowing that his mother wont be back for a few days. He got a glass of water, getting a strange feeling. "Damn I just had to be the one that saw her go in there." he muttered before walking up to his room.

He grabbed a bag, and stuffed it in with whatever he needed. With his headphones around his neck, he headed back to the gate where he last saw the girl. It looked like she didnt enter just yet. "Dont go!!" a voice hissed. Jake spun around to see a girl with long black hair. "It's not like I can let her go alone." he hissed back quietly before throwing his bag over. As soon as he jumped over the gate, the ghpst frowned. With that she faded away. Jake scratched his head before catching up with the girl, without a word.

Zoey rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'm so scared." As Jake walked off, she grabbed the top of the fence and jumped, pulling herself up and hopping off on the other side. Everything in the front yard was dead; the grass, the trees, there weren't even any weeds that weren't brown and shriveled. Grabbing her bag off the ground, the goth girl made her way to the door. The padlock did little to keep the doors closed, as someon had managed to cut it off, leaving it to rust on the ground. Probably the result of a previous visit by victims of a dare. She pushed one of the doors open, ignoring the painfully loud creak.
The girl turned at the sound of something hitting the ground behind her to see a backpack lying in the grass. It was quickly followed by none other than Jake. Zoey grinned. "Changed your mind?"

"You're such a pain.." he mumbled. "I just didnt feel comfortable letting you go alone." Jake answered swinging his bag over one shoulder. He looked at the building before walking in. The floor creeked, for it was made out of old wood. It seemed like it would break any minute now. Not that he was afriad. As soon as they were in, the door closed shut as if someone closed it for them. Though Jake didnt look back. Instead he stared ahead. "So.. what was the point of coming here?" he asked putting his hands behind his head. Waiting for an answer, Jake finally turned around and walked towards the door. "Locked.." he muttered, turning the door knob that wouldnt twist any further than 30 degrees. This was one of the pranks they were playing... the ghosts.

Zoey rolled her eyes again. "You don't have to worry about me. My dad does that enough as it is." Secretly happy that he'd decided to come with her, Zoey followed Jake into the asylum- only to have the door shut behind them. "Huh... didn't expect that."

"So... what was the point of coming here?"

The goth girl watched as Jake tried to open the suddenly locked door. "Isn't it obvious? We're here looking for ghosts. Why else do you spend the night in a haunted building?" There was another reason. Supposedly, certain places are portals to the afterlife. If Arcadia was one of them, maybe she'd be able to find spirits from other places. Maybe... she'd be able to see her mom again.

David sighed, sitting in the hall. He was waiting, waiting for a letter. In the last letter his brother had sent him, he said that as soon as the war ended, he would come and get him, take him away from the Sanatorium. So he waited, it seemed like ages since his brother had written him last, he figured it was just because he had to wait, waiting made time feel slower, right? He stood up and brushed himself off, wondering how the war was going, he didn't have any radio privileges. He turned his head toward the door, he could hear it opening. Who would be coming here? Barely anyone ever came, everyone knew what happened to the patients, no one wanted to be around that. He slowly walked towards the door, wondering who it could possibly be.

Jake almost laughed. "Really? You came here just to see ghosts? I see them all the time. Even outside of this place." he said looking at her. He sighed. "Oh great now I'm stuck here. Might as well get some information from the ghosts around here.." he mumbled. He stopped when he thought he heard foot steps. It wasnt a humans, it was a ghosts. He wanst sure if Zoey can here or not, but to him it sounded loud and clear. "Alright... something.. or someone is coming." he said lowering the volume of the music he was listening to.

Zoey looked at Jake, surprised. It didn't sound like he was joking, and he definitely didn't seem the type to see things. Which could only mean he was telling the truth. "What a second, you can see ghosts? Just like that?" Well, that explained why he seems to talk to himself. "That's so cool! I've waited my whole life to see a ghost, and you see them all the time!?" He wasn't really listening to her, though. He was listening for somehting else. Zoey stopped her ranting, trying to hear what he was referring to. All she could hear was the creaking of the boards beneath her feet. "I don't hear anything. You sure someone's here?"

"Trust me.. sing ghosts isnt that cool as you think it is.." he said remembering the time he had to go all the way to the beach just cause one of them always wanted to go there. "They are stubborn.." he mumbled. Jake looked over at her. Looked like she couldnt hear after all. "Yes something's coming." he answered. "Though... I dont feel anything dangerous about it. It should be fine. Most of the ghosts I saw were ones that couldnt do what they wished for. Like some always wanted to play the piano, but died before getting a chance to. I'm pretty much the one that sends them off to heaven." he said still waiting.

David peaked around the corner, seeing two kids about his age. He stood up straight and walked out, not really sure what to do. He looked between the two of them, they where dressed so...Strangely. He raised his eyebrow and crossed his arms, content with just standing there for a moment. He wondered why they would come to the hell-hole he was stuck in, didn't they know that the only people here where insane? He scowled slightly, not because he was angry, or even unhappy. It was the scowl people make when their thinking deeply, he wondered if they knew how the war was going, was it close to ending? He hoped so, he missed his brother like crazy.

Zoey nodded, understanding what he was saying. "So basically, you're like that girl in the Ghost Whisperer. Helping ghosts see the light, all that stuff?" Who knew those shows were actually accurate? "How long has that been going on?" Before she got her answer, a dark... something passed her line of sight. It was gone before she could make out what is was. Okay, now things are getting weird. "Ever meet any... dangerous ones?"

"It started ever since I was young. My mom thought I was going crazy. She found out when my dad died. I saw him come in the house with my mom. She comes every now and then, but of course, my mom gets stressed over it." Jake answered. At the same time, his eyes caught someone peeking over. "Hmm... I see.." he mumbled. "And well... yeah kind of.." he said when she referred to Ghost Whisperer. "Well.. no I didnt, but here yes I have. I often see them from my roof. This building feels dark and angry... it feels like everything in here wants revenge." he answered. "Which was why I told you not to come in."

David sighed, curiosity was getting the better of him. He stepped closer to the two, "Hello, I have a question for you." he stated, waiting a moment before continuing, "How's the war going? My brother hasn't written me in awhile, and I'm a little worried." Even as he asked, he was afraid that he would head something along the lines of, 'We lost, almost all of our soldiers where killed. Your brother was probably one of them.' He blinked several times, more nervous than he would care to admit.

Despite the tension in the situation, Zoey scoffed. "I told you, I'm not giving up that easily." She needed to find out if Arcadia was one of the portals she'd read about. And even if it wasn't, she wasn't leaving just yet. She wasn't wasting a perfectly good chance to check out a haunted asylum.
SHe caught sight of another shape. This one didn't move, though. It was standing near a corner, and, in all honesty, didn't have much of a form. It was just a shimmer in the air, like what you see on the pavement when it's really hot out. There was a strange whispering sound, too, it almost sounded like static.
"There wouldn't happen to be a ghost over there, would there?"

"There's one in front of us." he answered before looking over at the boy. "The war ended a long time ago. Your brother's probably dead. It's not the same year that you think it is." Jake explained. "Which explains this.." he said pulling out his ipod. "You never had this device back when you lived.. right? Nobody comes here anymore. You're dead." he said. Maybe he sounded too harsh, but he needed to know the truth. "If you want to see your brother, then you should go where you belong." he said referring to heaven.

Zach walked out of his house not to far from the asylum." Well tonights the night." He said as he locked the door ans headed off to the asylum. When he got closer to the asylum he became happy." Yep tonights the night to prove that ghost dont exist." He then started to run to the asylum. His backpack almost fell but he grabbed it just in time and continued to run to the asylum

He made it there in about a 5 minuites. He was out of breath so he stoped in front of the doors to rest for a little while. He looked a the door and opened it. The door opened with a loud screeching noise. He then walked in hoping no one saw him. He then turned around and saw two people or ..... maybe even two ghost. Zach shrilled like a girl. " Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ghost are real." Zach screamed. He couldnt move he was paralyzed from fright.