unseen admirer

Chapter Five: The Midnight Brainstorm

The Ghostbusters sat around the firehouse's worn but beloved central table, the remnants of dinner scattered between an assortment of P.K.E. meters, blueprints, and coffee mugs. Egon’s notebook rested open in front of him, the pages filled with detailed observations from the mysterious massage incident.

“So, let me get this straight,” Peter said, leaning back in his chair and twirling a pen between his fingers. “You’re saying someone—or something—snuck in here, gave you a back rub, and disappeared like a ghost ninja?”

Egon’s brow furrowed as he adjusted his glasses. “That’s an oversimplification, but yes, that’s essentially what happened.”

Ray leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity. “Did you get any P.K.E. readings? Anything to suggest it was a Class Five or higher?”

Egon nodded, flipping a few pages in his notebook. “The P.K.E. readings were minimal, but distinct. The energy signature was stable and consistent, unlike the erratic patterns typical of most entities we encounter. It’s… unlike anything I’ve documented before.”

Winston tapped his fingers on the table, frowning. “So, it wasn’t trying to hurt you, but it wasn’t exactly introducing itself either. That’s weird, even for us.”

“Maybe it’s a friendly ghost,” Ray suggested, his enthusiasm undimmed. “Like Casper! But, you know, with hands.”

Peter smirked. “Yeah, and a thing for Egon’s shoulders, apparently.”

Egon shot Peter a disapproving look. “This isn’t a joke, Peter. This entity displayed intelligence, purpose, and a level of interaction that suggests it’s not just a wandering spirit. It specifically targeted me.”

“Targeted,” Peter echoed, raising an eyebrow. “You make it sound like it was stalking you.”

Egon hesitated, his analytical mind grappling with the implications. “I don’t believe its intentions were malevolent. If anything, the actions suggest care—or at least an attempt at communication.”

Ray’s face lit up. “Maybe it’s trying to say something but doesn’t know how! Like a ghost reaching out across dimensions!”

“Or it’s just messing with us,” Winston said, his tone skeptical. “We’ve seen plenty of spirits that like to play games.”

Egon tapped his pen against the notebook, his mind racing. “If that were the case, I’d expect behavior aimed at disruption or chaos. This... was deliberate and helpful.”

Peter leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Okay, so let’s say we’ve got a ghost that’s got a thing for helping out. How do we figure out what it wants?”

Ray grinned. “We could set up a bait scenario! See if we can lure it out with something that might appeal to it!”

“And what, put Egon in a spa chair with a sign that says ‘free massages’?” Peter quipped.

“I’m serious, Peter,” Ray said, his voice earnest. “We’ve got to think about what we know. It’s been leaving things for Egon, right? Flowers, chocolate, that ghost in a jar… It’s clearly focused on him.”

Egon nodded slowly. “Agreed. Which means it’s likely to respond if we create conditions that encourage its interaction.”

Winston leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “So, we set a trap?”

“Not exactly,” Egon said. “We create an environment where it feels safe to engage. No aggression, no containment fields—just observation.”

Peter sighed, shaking his head. “You’re all nuts. But fine, let’s go ghost hunting with kid gloves.”

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As the team brainstormed potential setups, Harry hovered near the ceiling in his astral form, listening intently.

He couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and dread. They were getting closer to piecing things together, and while he wasn’t ready to reveal himself entirely, part of him couldn’t help but wonder what Egon would say if he did.

For now, he’d let them chase their theories. After all, it wasn’t every day the Ghostbusters got stumped—and Harry had no intention of making it too easy for them.