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Neopia's Fill in the Blank News Source | 28th day of Running, Yr 26
The Neopian Times Week 35 > Continuing Series > Fuzzle Spirits: Part Two

Fuzzle Spirits: Part Two

by chimesjon

Zack's mind kept on coming up with scary images and theories of what the graveyard meant. He finally managed to hold on to one safe and logical theory: That Hilaia was maybe playing in the graveyard. Then again, the thoughts did sound rather weird. Just then, he noticed the sun was starting to set. Even though it started getting dark, Zack began to compare the scenery in his mind. It didn't really seem as scary and zombie-like like the ones in the terrible horror movies with scenes that took place in creepy graveyards during the dark nights.

He didn't spot anyone in the graveyard. He jumped in fright when he was tapped by the gravekeeper, an elderly Usul. She gave him an encouraging smile, and asked, "What is it that you are looking for?"

Zack wasn't sure if the Usul was someone he could trust. She was a complete stranger to him, but still gave a smile that looked so kind that Zack didn't notice that she was in rags and was rather haunting-looking. "Um... do you know the names of all of the pets here?" The Usul first paused for a while. Then, she said in a low tone, "Yes. I have kept a memory of every spirit who resides here. Tell me. Who are you seeking?"

"I seek--I mean, I'm looking for someone who's ALIVE, not... you know. Have you seen someone named Hilaia?" Zack stopped and reached into his backpack, and pulling out an old Neomail from his pen pal. He began reading the description of the appearance Hilaia tried to explain on how she looked like. "Um... oh yeah. Hilaia's a female green Kacheek... usually wears a sunflower-golden hat, and... thinks I write neat--ACK! Everything except for the last comment."

The Usul rested her elbows onto a large shovel she was carrying, lifting her head to the sky in order to think. "I am afraid I only know those who have decided to rest here. I've seen several pets playing here of different species, but never one who came and FROLICKED here. This Hilaia of yours is unknown to me if you say she is alive and well--"

"What are you even saying--" Zack broke off her sentence, quite enraged.

"Listen. Just go over to the group of tombstones and try looking for her there, where there is a large rock residing there. I am pretty sure you will find her. If you don't find her, come back here later during the ceremony."

The Jubjub walked madly, shaking his backpack furiously as his feet angrily rocked back and forth. Amy began yelping, dazed. Zack kept muttering in an enraged tone, "Who does that Usul think she is? She thinks that if she doesn't know people, she claims they aren't alive. What a weird one that one is."

Zack's rage stopped thrashing through his mind when he got to the part where the strange Usul had pointed out. He didn't pay any attention to the graves, but to a green Kacheek with a sunflower-golden hat. It was almost as if she popped out of the ground with no one looking.

She gave him a grin as if she already expected him. "I've received your Neomail"

"H-h-h..." Zack's throat wouldn't let him continue the word he was going to say. Clearing his throat, he said, "Hilaia?" The Kacheek showed a toothy grin and jumped off the rock she had been sitting on. She managed to regain her footing and land perfectly, and nodded enthusiastically at Zack's assumed question. Even though they introduced each other a long time ago by Neomail, it was like they had just met for the first time, not knowing anything at all from all the letters ever sent to each other. A slightly frigid wind gathered up several dried leaves off the ground, spinning around and around, making a rustling sound. It finally stopped.

Amy sprang out of her owner's backpack and jumped right into Hilaia's arms. She was a bit surprised at first, but was relieved of what she remembered in her letters. "Ah, is this cute monster Ammy?"

"Actually, it's Amy. I accidentally misspelled it a while ago. Sorry about that," replied Zack. At last, the graveyard was left alone, all except for the same elderly Usul. "A mischievous spirit wanders off early." She heaved a deep sigh and used her shovel to support her, and walked all the way back from the entrance.

A while ago...

Hilaia's family worried for her daughter's health greatly. She had the most serious case of Neopox they had even seen. The hospital in the village charged too much NP in order to help her feel better. To make things even worse, they weren't even able to pay the bills for their NeoHome, making it an insolvable problem. Their only chance was a mischievous and NP-scamming Techo named Frank Frowgle. He was the only one actually willing to help them out.

Frank Frowgle was the richest pet in the village, but was a greedy one, and didn't offer to help Hilaia's family in a compassionate way. Instead, he only wished that a great loan would be an everlasting burden in their hands forever, making them even more miserable. You see, Hilaia's family never got along with Frowgle, in business, in friendship, in everything. Hilaia's father was Frowgle's enemy during their entire childhood. They were against each other, competing in academics, athletics, economics, until it proved that her father was much better than the menacing Frowgle.

The Techo, enraged that everyone he knew claimed the competing had been proven, finally had a chance to take revenge. Hilaia herself didn't enjoy the company of Frowgle. Even though Hilaia's father never told any bad things about the Techo to his daughter, she already felt that she couldn't trust him in any way.

"I HAVE the NP to pay for your bills, which can leave the rest of your attention to your pitiful daughter," Frank Frowgle proudly said.

"NO! Hilaia is not a pitiful daughter, and I don't care if you don't help us!" cried Hilaia's mother, a Faerie Kacheek, with tears slightly falling down her eyes. Her father walked before Frank and said in a slight angry tone. "We DO NOT need your help, Frank. Now please, go along with your own life and try to fix the issues!" Frank, still smiling, walked slowly out the door. When the family didn't see see any sight of him, he cursed and began going on in an unstoppable rampage.

Who do they think they are, not taking MY offer? thought Frowgle, But on the other hand, the bills will finally have to destroy the house, and those proud idiots will have nothing to be proud about!

Present time...

Frank Frowgle was still the richest pet in the village, and whistled an attractive tune, with no worries of Hilaia's father and mother anymore. When he turned, walking down the next block, he passed by a poor Poogle in rags. His happy face turned into anger, saying, "Get your own NP, your fault you don't have any." The Poogle, who carried a small grin, put his head down. Frank was never eager to donate NP even to the Money Tree. When he reached the corner of the next block, he spotted Hilaia and Zack walking down, talking continuously.

It was till the last minute that Frank knew it was his enemy's daughter who just passed him shocked with surprise. "HIS DAUGHTER? I was sure I heard the news of her demise a week ago."

Suddenly, when they were walking under a patio, a shopper, carrying a bundle of groceries, she tripped over a wooden pole. The pole snapped, leaving no support for the roof of the patio. The pets and owners, who were under it quickly scattered, left only Zack and Hilaia standing there. Zack closed his eyes in fear, but Hilaia just held his hand.

WHAM! The patio, weighing more than two Grarrls, collapsed on top of the two. But strangely, none of the two were hurt in any way. Hilaia leaped out of the collapsed patio, with Zack still holding her hand. For a while, the Neopian witnesses noticed Hilaia and Zack had a transparent glow. After a few second, they (including Amy) were all safe, and didn't have any scratch marks. Hilaia looked at Zack curiously, but before anyone could say anything, she was gone.

Zack looked around, his eyes searching almost every direction. "Hilaia? Hilaia?" He couldn't find her.

It became night quickly, with everyone, including Joey and Sen, were all gathered in a crowd during the long-awaited Spirits' Return Ceremony. They never knew what it was, and how they ever came. The strangest place to have the ceremony was the very graveyard. Somehow, there were more Neopians there than he had seen in the village. He looked for Hilaia's family to see if they were attending the party. While he was walking, he was interrupted with, "Hi," from someone.

It was his pen pal. She frowned, and slowly said, "Well, it's goodbye. I came out a bit earlier than the Spirits' Return Ceremony. Bye."

Zack was confused. "What? What do you mean a bit early?" A hand landed on his shoulder. He turned and noticed it was a tall Kacheek and a Faerie Kacheek. He figured they were her parents. He gave them a look meaning his question.

Hilaia's father said, "It was a serious case of Neopox a week ago..." Hilaia's mother reached out a hand to Hilaia, and Hilaia did the same. Her hand went through, bringing a tear to her eye. Hilaia smiled the same toothy grin, and disappeared in front of a tombstone. Zack read the tombstone, with the engravings: In memory of Hilaia, Year 5.

Zack would never forget his first and best pen pal, Hilaia.

The End

Previous Episodes

Fuzzle Spirits: Part One

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