Part 51: Ghost Dad

It looks like we're carrot farming.




There's a Bugs Bunny joke in this somewhere, but I'm not finding it.

They've finished repairing the replacement hut.



Alright, Holly. I won't... Now put the broken juice bottle down.

I mean it! I put up with a lot when you mistreated Bongo, but so help me if I have to call Hut Thatchers again, I will cut you so hard.

Um... Hey! Phanto hasn't pulled any carrots in, like, 5 minutes. We should get him back to doing that.




I think I need some more taffy.

We still have a drawer full of the stuff.

MORE! TAFFY!

_{Yes ma'am.}




Wow! Are there any side effects?

Oh, you know, the usual. _{Dizziness, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, drowsiness, sudden infant death syndrome...}

I'm sorry, did you just say that it can cause SIDS?

Only once! That's provable...

I think I'll just take the taffy.



Where's Phanto?

I don't know. I think I saw something go into the woods.

Well, go find him!

You know what, I've humored your little assertive streak enough now. I'm still the boss here, and more importantly I'm Norman Fucking Swoon. I does what I pleases...



...And I just so happen to want to go take a walk in the woods.




Oh god oh jesus save me I'm sorry I didn't mean to do all those things just don't let that thing eat my soul.

Are you crying?

If you've seen what I've seen, you would too. But since you can't, I'll just drop it.

_{Stupid crackhead.} Hey, today's a special day.

You're not going to sing, are you?




Wow, 10 years already... It feels like it's only been about 6 weeks. Say, how old are you, anyway?

I'm 25.

Jeez, really? You still look like you're 13.

I was born with a kidney disease.

Yeah, that's just super.

What about you? You act like an old man, but you don't look any more than 30.

Oh, I've been around... Let's just say I have the heart of a little girl inside me that keeps me young.

Um... Okay, that's enough reminiscing for now... We should get back to training Phanto.

Right! Send him back to the nerd. Let the demons haunt him instead.




I know I'm not the only one who sees it. Most of the staff don't, but I heard Norman mumbling about an invisible demon guiding Phanto. He sees it, too. I know I'm not crazy. There is something evil inside that mask and cape.



Every day that we send Phanto out to sea, it stares at me. That mask faces me, no matter where I am. The transparent shape of that devil pushes his boat along, and all he can do is watch me.



Please don't send him back here. I fear for my very soul.

Ha. Ha. Ha. That guy is so silly! Hey, let's go to the circus!





The next day, I read in the paper that the assistant for that show mysteriously vanished. No blood, no note, no signs of struggle or any of her possessions missing. She's just gone.



Why didn't we just do that when we were repairing the hut?

I... I'm sure I had a reason. I don't actually remember anything around that time.

You don't remember attacking me?

I did what? Norman, I think you're getting a little tired. Try some taffy.



MARY MOTHER OF GOD!

What? What is it?

You don't see the giant ghost demon holding Phanto up like a sock puppet?!

I just see Phanto floating. You know what, forget the taffy. You should just go to bed.

Maybe you're right... Maybe it's just stress. I'll go take a nap now. You can decide what to do with Phanto in the meantime.



Hmm. Well, there is an official tournament coming up...



I wonder if I should enter him in that, or continue training?