Work Text:
"Charles, what did you do." Chrystal said.
Charles stands there stunned he knows that he had done something bad.
A few days ago a panicked women ran into the office, She was somehow out of breath even though she was a ghost. She was talking about how a wizard had taken her friend and was using him for power. The two dead boys looked at each other then to Chrystal and Niko then back to the women.
"Hey calm down, it will be ok" Charles says as he walks over to her and places a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"But what if that dumb fucking wizard kills him or whatever happens to ghost when they run out on energy." She explains.
"we will make sure that won't happen, right Edwin." Charles responds removing his hand from her shoulder.
"of course we will as long as she has something to offer." Edwin responds.
"now come on Edwin I think we can help her something or not." Chrystal says.
"I can offer something, but I'm not sure what you would want?" She responds.
"fine but we will need more info before we continue." Edwin says.
She then explains in paining detail on her and her friend and why the wizard was after him, also what he is doing to him. After she had left the office The group discussed what their plan was. They had made a plan for how they where going to take this guy down. Edwin noticed that Charles was acting odd, he wasn't talking as much as he usually does and just seemed a bit off. Then he recalls the last case they had done and he realized that Charles had gotten really mad and almost burned the ghost they where trying to save to death. He also remembered who scared he felt in that monument and how scared Niko and Chrystal looked. But right now is not the time to think about that they have a new case and needed to focus on what they had to do.
***
It's a few days later and they where standing outside of the wizards layer, ready to go in. Charles was still acting weird and Edwin was still trying to figure out why. They quietly enter the house and search the house looking for where he might be, then Charles find a door that leads to what seems like a basement and where the wizard might be. They sneak down the stairs and when they get to the bottom they are met with what seems to be a dungeon like room. Across the room there's a ghost chained to the wall with iron chains on his hand and feet.
"That must be her friend." Niko whispers pointing to the man.
"Your probably right." Charles whispers back.
"Ok me and Charles will go over to him and pick the locks. You and Chrystal will keep look out for the wizard." Edwin says
Then Edwin grabs Charles's hand and pulls him over to the ghost. Charles Grabs his lock picking kit out of his bag of tricks backpack, then he starts to pick the locks. After all the locks have been picked the ghost falls over he seems to be in a sleep like state and Edwin and Charles take him by the arms and drags him over to the girls. Then out of no where the wizard apers in the room.
"what are you doing with my energy force!" He says loudly.
Edwin and Charles pause as Niko and Chrystal run over to them and help take the ghost out of their arms so Charles can get his cricket bat. But when he was grabbing his bat the wizard zapped Edwin over to him and threatens to take use him as his new power source. Charles was not having it, he doesn't want this to be another Esther Finch situation. He runs at the wizard cricket bat in hand, the wizard is slightly surprised but he isn't quick enough. Before he knew it Charles was pushing Edwin out of his hands and pushing him out of the way. A few seconds later Charles is on top of him beating him with his bat. Charles knows he's not thinking straight but he can control it, it's like he's thinking one thing but doing something different.
"Charles stop your going to kill him!!" Niko yells.
At that moment he stops and stands up.
"Charles, what did you do." Chrystal said.
Charles stands there stunned he knows that he had done something bad. He looks down to see the wizard bleeding out on the floor, still breathing but hurt, bad. The next second he disappears.
"let's just go." Charles says dead toned.
***
They are back in the office their client is thanking them and giving them their payment but none of them are really thinking about the money. They are all thinking about Charles and what he did. After the client leaves with her friend, they all look at Charles. Chrystal is the first to talk.
"Now what the fuck was that Charles!" Chrystal said.
"I-I don't know." he stutters.
"What do you mean you don't know you nearly killed a man and sure he was a bad guy but still that was fucked up." Chrystal continues.
"look." Edwin interrupts. "I think we have had done enough today and you two should go home and get some sleep and we can continue this tomorrow."
"Fine." Chrystal says. Then her and Niko leave the office and Edwin and Charles are left to Stand in silence. Charles walks over to the couch and sits down. Edwin is first to brake the silence.
"So, what happened there Charles." he says.
Charles lets out a big sigh. "I don't know, I'm sorry." he's says.
"That's ok." Edwin says. Then he walks over to the couch and sits down next to Charles. "Can you at least try to explain." He asks.
"I-I guess I can try. I just- I mean- I just thought- I'm sorry." Charles says. He is trying but can't find the right words.
"It's ok take your time." Edwin respond. Then he places his hand on Charles's back and rubs back and fourth slowly.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I was scared, like when that guy grabbed you I thought it was going to be a another Esther Finch thing, so i got scared and attacked." Charles says, he sounds tired.
"I see." Edwin says. "Look I think I know what you need." Edwin says.
"What do you mean." Charles says. His eyes where filling up with tears.
"this." Edwin grabs Charles and lays him down on top of his chest. Charles doesn't move for a few seconds, but then he wraps his arms around Edwin's torso. Soon He stats to sob.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go that far. I-I just." Charles mumbles.
"Hey It's ok I know you where just trying to protect us." Edwin says as he runs his fingers through Charles curly hair. A few minutes later Charles falls asleep feeling safe in Edwin's arms. Edwin knows that he is hurting but at least he could help him this time.