Chapter 10: Fears in the Night

"I found it!" Nick shouted in the vicinity of the quiet library, meriting himself a few irritated glares from both students and librarians. Oblivious of his surrounding the dark haired boy ran his finger over the text for a second time. "It is right here."

"What does it say?" Kurt asked. In truth Kurt did not want to spy or test Blaine's integrity, but the pleas in Nick's eyes were too difficult to deny.

The dark haired boy straightened his back and cleared his throat. "The Dalton Gardens were first created in 1945 to celebrate the end of the terrible world war two. The vibrant colors were intended to represent new life and renewed hoped." Nick finished reading and looked up. "What do you think?" Kurt remained silent. "It wasn't designed in 1918 as Blaine said out. Blaine lied to you."

"That doesn't mean the story of Juliet and Peter is false." Kurt cautiously added. "I say this with all the kindness that I can muster." Kurt placed his hand over his heart, "but Blaine doesn't seem to be the smartest person. Maybe he got his facts and times mixed up." In order to avoid eye contact, Kurt ducked his blue eyes back to the book he was skimming. "It wouldn't be hard to do."

An audible grunt escaped Nick lips. "Kurt, you know I love you, but you're being naïve and you're also being played."

Kurt did not reply until something within the text caught his attention, "Hmm?"

Nick's eyes lit up. "What kind of 'hmm' is that? Is that a 'hmm' for me or did you find something interesting?"

"This doesn't make sense..." Kurt trailed off and hunched over the book in front of him.

A hint of a smile formed across Nick's face. "I don't know what you're reading, but I bet it makes perfect sense."

The pale skin boy picked the book up and rested his back against the black desk chair. "Juliet Dalton was born in 1909 from Eleanor and Francis Dalton. She was the first of five children and the only child who shared her father's love for education. Juliet's academic discipline included botanical sciences and philosophy. Juliet tried to convince her father to design a garden for her to study in. The request was denied after Juliet received a marriage proposal from the son of Ohio state senator, George Victor. Francis Dalton ordered his daughter to forgo botany and become a proper lady of her time. In 1927, eighteen-year old Juliet Dalton married Wilson Victor." Kurt paused. "Juliet died in 1929 while giving birth to her first born child. Wilson Victor later became headmaster of Dalton in 1947. During this time Headmaster Victor added the angelic statue of his former wife to the gardens she had always wanted. Her statue is to encourage students not to take education and beauty for granted."

Kurt stopped reading and closed the book of the Dalton family history. "Why would Blaine make up the story that he did? It is not like it mattered. The actual story is semi romantic too, not that the story needs to be romantic mind you." Kurt contemplated and crunched his eyebrows.

"It was him playing you. He plays everyone." Nick pointed out. "Now do you believe me? Will you please stay away from Blaine and Sebastian?"

Kurt did not say anything right away, "but...nothing came from it. Did he honestly think I would just throw myself at him from one story?" The pale boy huffed and waved his hands. "No, surely not. That would be ridiculous."

"Don't underestimate him." Nick warned.

"But he seems so shy." Kurt defended and Nick slowly nodded his head in disagreement. "I don't understand what he is doing or why he is going it? He made up a story. That is not 'playing someone.' I don't know what this is."

"He is not shy and he is not stupid. He knows you're a romantic and he was hoping to get to you through romance."

Kurt deeply thought and tried to understand the situation at hand. "Does he do this a lot?" This time Nick slowly nodded his head in agreement.

"You would be surprised, and don't forget, Sebastian is not any better than his brother."

The pale skin boy slowly pulled his computer from his backpack and set it on the table. Meanwhile Nick remained observant and watched his cousin logged into an email account. It was not until Kurt began to frantically type a letter when curiosity got the better of him. "What are you doing?"

Kurt shrugged his shoulders and continued to compose a letter. "You'll see."

"Should I be concerned about anything?" Nick felt obligated to ask when he noticed new fire in Kurt's otherwise serene expression.

"I'm just emailing someone from back home in Connecticut. I have a friend from my old school. She is basically a computer and internet wizard. I just got an idea, but it will require her assistance."

Nick's eyes widen at his cousin's response. "That actually raised more questions than answered. Why do you need a computer wizard's assistance?"

The loud sound of Kurt typing on his computer replaced the sound of the two boy's conversation. "Blaine's the lead singer of the Warblers, right?"

"Oh, uh, yes."

Kurt nodded his head and kept typing. "It's his first year at lead singer, right?"

"Yes. Again, what are you going?" Nick nervously asked.

Kurt smiled and did not answer his cousin's question. "Who was the leader singer before Blaine? Does he still go here?"

The dark haired boy gave a hesitant laugh and turned his head sideways. "Oh, uh, his name is Ted Thomas and he graduated last year. He and Blaine did not get along. Blaine messed with Ted's head and caused Ted's girlfriend to break up with him. Blaine was hoping that if he got Ted distracted then he could become led singer sooner. Please, again, why are you asking these questions?"

"Perfect. What else can you tell me? The more names and what not you tell me, then the better this will be?"

A group of people stood up from a neighboring library table, lunch hour was over.

"Hurry, class is going to start soon." The pale boy stopped typing and looked up. "If I can email her before one O'clock, then she will have her half of the project done by four this afternoon." Kurt informed.

"I'll tell you what you need, but please answer my one question. What are you doing?" Nick negotiated.

Kurt accepted the negotiation and simply replied. "I'm doing what Blaine did. I'm storytelling."

...

After class rush hour was in full swing and different sets of individuals were migrating to their respective after school club or sport. Among the madness was Blaine and Sebastian who were casually chatting next to a grand stain glass window.

Sebastian was sporting his signature smirk and Blaine was innocently shrugging his shoulders to something his brother was saying.

"Are you ready to learn an important lesson?" Blaine offered. "Just watch and learn. This is how it is done." Blaine whispered and then turned away.

Sebastian stayed silent and watched with amusement as Blaine walked away from him and against the sea of blue uniforms. Blaine blue eye school boy virgin was not difficult to miss.

Meanwhile, the intended prey was walking shoulder to shoulder and in deep conversation with Jeff. Jeff seemed overly excited about something and subtle hints of mischief were sparking from Kurt's beaming eyes. However, Blaine was too full of self-confidence to notice Kurt biting his bottom lips in desperation not to laugh.

"Hey, Kurt," Blaine ducked his head down and stuff his hands in his pocket. "How are you doing?"

Kurt closed the book he was holding and slipped it into his backpack. "I'm doing fine, and you?" Blaine nodded his head in agreement. "Jeff, could you excuse us for a moment."

"Don't try and spare my feelings. I know when I'm not welcomed," Jeff saluted and walked away.

Once Jeff was out of hearing distance Kurt turned back to Blaine. "I wanted to apologize for this weekend. I'm sorry for assuming the things that I did. I don't want there to be weird feelings between us."

"Okay," Blaine answered and stared down at his shoes. He did not have to see himself to know that he was embodiment of sympathy.

"I really am sorry about all of this." Kurt tried again with intentional pain.

"I just love the sound of guilt in his voice."Blaine looked up with puppy dog eyes. "I wouldn't deny that I'm a little embarrassed that you would think that way."

"I'm sorry."

"Come with me." Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand and together they began to walk towards the choir room. They did not get very far before Kurt pulled his hand away and stopped walking.

"What is wrong?" Blaine asked with genuine confusion. "I have something special planned for you in the choir room." Well, that last part was not as genuine. Blaine just pulled a random song from his playlist and intended to give Kurt a cheap serenade.

Kurt's cheeks turned a shade of pink. "That is very kind of you, but I'm not sure if that is a very good idea."

Blaine felt his heart skip a beat. "Excuse me?"

"What the hell. He should want my forgiveness, not declining a romantic act."

"Please don't be mad," Kurt begged. "I just...never mind, it's embarrassing. I haven't told Wes yet, but I decided against joining the Warblers."

The dark haired boy had to still himself and try to understand the situation. How did their conversation change topics so fast? "W-why would you do that?"

"If I tell you my reasoning, will you promise that you will not laugh at me?"

If not before, Blaine's interests were much higher now. "Your secret is safe with me."

Kurt pretended as if he was really weighing his options. Once enough time had passed Kurt leaned forward and whispered, "I am kind of afraid of ghosts."

The lead singer laughed, "I'm sorry, but what are you talking about?"

"You now...the ghost..." Kurt trailed off.

Again the message was not received. "I'm not following."

The sea of blue uniforms had thinned out and the atmosphere became more at rest. "Please don't make me tell you the story. I was freaked out enough having to read the story in the first place."

"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about."

Kurt looked around the hallway. With the exception of a two boys hanging up fliers on the bulletin board and Sebastian who was less than secretly hiding behind a door, Kurt and Blaine were alone. Nonetheless Kurt asked, "Ghost's make me nervous. Can we talk about this somewhere private, preferably somewhere far away from the choir room?"

Blaine casually smiled, "Sure, we can talk in my room."

"Okay, as long as your dorm is not in Beckman's Hall."

Blaine stopped listening to Kurt after he agreed to go to his dorm. In truth Blaine was living in Beckman's hall, a fact that Nick had informed Kurt earlier that morning.

Blaine motioned for Kurt to follow him and the two boys began to walk in the opposite direction. Before they had gone too far, Blaine looked over his shoulder and winked at Sebastian. Unable to have heard the conversation Sebastian came out of hiding with a horrified and terribly confused expression.

"What?" Sebastian silently mouth and lifted his hands upwards.

Blaine just smiled.

The conversation between Kurt and Blaine was relatively quiet as they journeyed towards Blaine's dorm. Once they arrived to it and closed the door behind them, Blaine loosened his tie and kicked off his shoes. He motioned for Kurt to make his shoes off.

"Sorry, I don't like people wearing shoes in my room." Blaine lied."And make yourself very-very comfortable."

Suddenly Kurt's idea no longer sounded fun. Said idea had trapped him alone with a completely handsome boy and a prank that may not hold up. Of course he had been alone with Sebastian, but that was different. Sebastian was himself, Kurt knew what to expect. Blaine was a different case. Maybe he is meaner then he appeared to be, maybe he is nicer then Nick is letting on. Blaine may have missed told one story, but this is still the same boy who was having a bad hair day and nervous breakdown when they first met.

"What is this story about ghosts?" Because Blaine is the perfect gentlemen he set on the corner of his bed and motioned for Kurt to set on his desk chair.

"It is the story of Billy Rivers." Kurt replied as if the name 'Billy Rivers' would tell the story alone.

"Never heard of him before," Blaine honestly answered. How could Blaine know? Billy Rivers was not and never has been a real person.

"Well, someone from back home was messing around on the internet and they found this article about the top ten most haunted schools in the country. Dalton was ranked number four."

Blaine's raised his eyebrows, but his internal monologue was too difficult for Kurt to read.

"I was skeptical at first, and then I did some research. There seems to be a universal agreement that there is something...unsettling within Dalton." Kurt hesitated.

"No," Blaine spoke up. "This place isn't haunted."

"Are you sure?" Wide blue eyes asked. "So you are not familiar with the story of Billy Rivers?"

"No." Blaine nervously tapped his knee. In an ideal world Kurt would be underneath him and there would be less talking. "Patience's will pay off. I just need to humor hottie Hummel for a little longer."

"Would you like to know the story? I don't want to scare you."

Blaine laughed at the accusation. "I really doubt thatyoucan scare me."

"Of course I couldn't." Kurt leaned forward in his chair and moved closer to the edge of the chair. Blaine did not miss Kurt's subtle acts and he too moved closer to the edge of the bed. Soon both boys were eye to eye and their faces were less than a foot apart. "As the story goes Billy Rivers was a student of Dalton in 1902 and he was also the residential bully victim. Not much is known about him, but it is said that he really wanted to audition for school choir - the choir equivalent to the Warblers today. Billy's few friends said that he was a very talented singer. He was such a great singer that it unnerved Gregory James - the lead singer at the time."

Blaine was too busy picturing Kurt in compromising positions to care to listen to what Kurt was saying.

"On the day of Billy's audition he mysteriously died. There was never any evidence to suggest foul play, but Gregory Thomas did not look surprised when the news was released." Kurt took a deep breath and Blaine watched Kurt's chest rise and fall. "Regardless to what the police reported, rumors said otherwise. It was around the time when Billy's death was said to be an accident, when strange things began to happen. The majority of the school was not affected, but members of the Warbles complained left and right of nightmares and things being flung around. One of the boys on the counsel documented that he had a dream where all his teeth fell out and he swallowed own his tongue while performing at a concert." Kurt touched his mouth with his fingers and stood up. "One night two months after Billy's death, Gregory's bed was set on fire." Blaine silently watched Kurt walk towards the window. "In fact all the Warblers living in Beckman Hall curtains were set on fire. How the fires got started is a mystery." Kurt walked away from the window curtains and set next to Blaine on the bed. "Dalton, in all glory, just ignored the matter and renovated Beckman Hall. I don't know where Beckman Hall is, but I refuse to ever set foot in there."

Kurt stopped talking and briefly allowed Blaine the opportunity to inform him that they were currently chatting in Beckman Hall. Unfortunately Blaine's mind was elsewhere.

"I'll just tell him I seen a ghost, and it will be the spider incident all over again."

"Don't worry, if there is ever a ghost I'll protect you." Blaine wrapped his hands around Kurt. "I'm not afraid a ghost."

Kurt had to steady himself. So far his plan was not working. Earlier that day Jeff told him that Blaine was afraid of the supernatural. Why wasn't Blaine afraid now?

The closer Blaine leaned into Kurt the more the prank seemed to be slipping out of Kurt's control.

"The story is not over." Kurt tried to pull away, but Blaine followed with the motion. Soon the pale boy was balancing his weight with his palm behind his back. Kurt's finger tips were barely avoiding Blaine's pillow.

"Do continue," Blaine order and Kurt shiver at the command.

"I-in 1933 the Warblers were established. For the most part things were fine, but two week into the school year the lead singer started to experience mysterious events. From 1933 to today, the lead singer of the Warblers has been the target of supernatural events. The most recent report," Kurt was starting to breath heavy. Blaine was not moving, yet he seemed to be getting closer to Kurt. "The most recent report was by Ted Thomas. Last year Ted reported that his violin burnt his hands; and before that Patrick Mann said that he every morning at 1:42 his bedroom temperature would drop to zero."

Blaine pulled away from Kurt when he heard the names of his Warbler predecessors. "How do you know Ted and Patrick?"

Kurt felt like he could breathe again. "I read their statements on the internet. Patrick refused to elaborate, but something happened one day in the choir room and after that he refused to come back to Dalton. His parents had to transfer him."

Blaine's previous seductive stare was gone and now replaced with forced control. "I was a freshman when Patrick still went here. I thought he transferred because his father got a new job."

"I don't know. Maybe it was all just one big coincidence. I do know that Patrick claims to have seen something disturbing in the choir room." Kurt was not sure how he felt when he noticed Blaine turn a little pale.

"I remember Ted burning his hand. He told everyone it was a cooking accident." Blaine quickly stated.

Kurt was slightly confused when some of the pieces of his story had substance. No doubt his friend back in Connecticut did some extra research. It would not even surprise Kurt if his friend called Ted and Patrick personally.

"Are you sure he goes after the lead singer?" Blaine whimpered.

"Yes, it was the lead singer who destroyed Billy's dreams. Maybe he thinks all the lead singers are the same person."

Blaine jumped off the bed and starting pacing the floor. "But I'm the lead singer now." He replied as if Kurt did not already know. "No, I mean. I should be fine. Nothing has happened to me yet. If there was a ghost, then I would know by now."

"Not necessarily," Kurt interrupted and Blaine made a squeaking noise. "There seems to be a trend where Billy-"

"Stop saying his name." Blaine interrupted. "I don't want him getting the wrong idea and think that we are talking about him." The dark haired boy was nervously holding the curtains next to his window.

"Then what should I call him?"

"Ah," Blaine quickly pulled his hand away when he remembered the story of curtains being set on fire. "I don't want to talk about him anymore."

Mission accomplished.

"What do you want to talk about? Or do you need to get back to rehearsal. Thanks to me you probably missed half of the lesson. I hope Wes doesn't attack you later. I should probably go."

"No!" Blaine shouted. "I mean, you can stay here for a bit. I wouldn't mind, and it is too late to go back to the choir room anyway."

"I didn't scare you. Did I?" Kurt innocently asked.

Blaine gave a weak laugh. "Of course I'm not scared."

...

"So... you and Blaine..." Sebastian tried to act casual later that evening. "What were you two doing?"

Kurt closed his calculus book for the evening. "We were just chatting."

Sebastian nodded his head and reached for his cell phone and sent a quick message to his brother."What happened with you and Kurt?"

Blaine's response what practically instantaneously,"Shit, don't try and scare me again. We just talked."

Unhappy with the response Sebastian tried again."Shame-shame is someone losing his touch?"

Kurt cautiously watched Sebastian type on his phone.

"Do you have a thermometer? My room feels a little cold."

Sebastian read the message on his phone a couple of times."What?"

"How do you stop curtains from spontaneously combusting?"

"Excuse me?"

Sebastian waited for his phone to beep again. Instead of his phone ringing, Kurt's did.

This time Sebastian watched Kurt.

"Hey Kurt, its Blaine, Jeff gave me your cell phone number. So, I just did an internet search for...what we were talking about earlier. There are actually websites about this! It says that most of the lead singers don't start experiencing things until two months into the school year. Does this mean that I have less than one month of peace left?"

Kurt quickly replied."I'm sure everything will be fine. Billy was a bully victim. I imagine that if you apologize to him and apologize to everyone you tricked or did wrong, then he would leave you alone."

"We agreed not to call him that."Blaine replied.

Meanwhile Sebastian was glaring from his side of the room. "Hey Kurt, I'm done with my homework. Do you need help with anything?"

Kurt looked up and smile. "No thanks, I'm done for the night too." Without much else to say Kurt composed his next message to Blaine."If you follow my advice, then maybe Billy won't harm you."

"I'm reading on the internet that this has been going on since 1903. This one guy said that he dreamed that his teeth fell out while he was singing and he swallowed his tongue. I'm fond of my teeth and tongue. I don't want to lose them."

Kurt pretended as if he did not already tell Blaine that story earlier."Maybe he was a bad singer and Billy was trying to put everyone else at ease."

"Don't you dare make light of my health and safety."

"Who are you texting," Sebastian was still holding his phone and waiting for his brother to remember him.

"Blaine."

"Oh," the green eyed boy straightened his back to act as if he was not annoyed. "He is boring. If you're done for with your homework for the night, then let's watch a movie. I'll even agree to watch one of your musicals."

"That sounds fun." Kurt answered to Sebastian. The message from Kurt to Blaine was sent."I'm not making light of your health. Just follow my advice. Correct your wrongs and maybe things will be better for you."

Kurt tossed his phone onto his bed and walked over to his movie collection. "Which movie would you like to watch more...Hey what are you doing?"

When Kurt's back was turned Sebastian walked over to Kurt's bed and retrieved the mobile device off of Kurt's bed. "I'm turning it off. If I'm going to set through one of your movies, then you will have to set through it without your phone."

Kurt frown his eyebrows. "If I knew what your least favorite movie was, then I'd put it in right now."

"I'd rather putitin." The older boy winked. "Don't worry about Blaine. I'll send Blaine a message and tell him to stop texting you."

"Don't," Kurt scolded. "That is sounds mean."

Sebastian laughed. "Too late," and dropped his phone onto the bed."Hey it's me, Sebastian - your brother - the person you stop texting with. Anyway stop texting Kurt. It is my time with him and I don't want you to screw it up."

Apart from Sebastian occasionally sneaking his arm around Kurt, the first fifteen minutes of the movie were quiet. Before the movie began, however there was a brief debacle over who would sit where. Sebastian claimed that his bed offered a better view of the television and that Kurt should join him. Kurt argued that both beds offered sufficient vantage points to the screen. Little did Kurt suspect that Sebastian would respond by joining him in bed. The pale boy decided against fighting the manner and instead compromised in slapping Sebastian's hands if they ever got lost.

Before the plot of the film started to heat up there was a knock on the door.

"Ugh," Sebastian growled and got off Kurt's bed. "What?" Sebastian whined and opened the door.

On the other side of the door was a nervous Blaine holding a blue and white pillow and dressed in his pajamas. "I think my dorm is haunted." Blaine said. "It is all over the internet that Beckman Hall is haunted, but I think my specific dorm is haunted too. Just before I got here I was reading and I heard this sound..."

The dark haired boy jumped when the bedroom door opened wider and Kurt joined Sebastian.

"It is not just the sound. The lamp next to my bed started flickering." Blaine made a flickering motion with his fingers. "Long story short, my room is haunted and the ghost wants to set me on fire and steal my teeth." Kurt wished he could step away from the door and hide. He wanted to playfully tease Blaine. He did not intend to terrify the poor boy. "Can I sleep in here tonight?"

Sebastian pretended as if the question was a challenge to answer. "No. Even if I would allow it, there isn't anywhere for you. I mean, if Kurt wouldn't mind me joining him in his bed, then I would give you my bed...but I'm not sure if Kurt is ready for that." Sebastian playfully wrapped his arm around Kurt's shoulders. "Kurt, what do you say?"

Kurt slapped Sebastian's arm away.

Blaine lifted his pillow to his chin and stared with big eyes to Kurt. "Please Kurt."

Unlike Sebastian, Kurt did not know how to respond. The last time he tried comforting one of the brothers it was a trap. Who's to say this time the other brother would be different.

"Blaine I don't think this website was very factional. I mean the design of the website looked pretty amateur. I think you're allowing your imagination to get the best of you."

"I'm not!" Blaine shouted. "Please at least let me in. I don't like standing in the hallway dressed in my pajamas."

Sebastian unwelcomely invited Blaine into the room. The younger brother did not waste a second. "Okay, so I called Patrick and Ted." Blaine began as if he was sharing first class gossip. "Yes I still have their contact information." Blaine clarified. "And they confirmed everything that the internet said. In addition, they told me to be careful and to avoid wearing shinning things because ghosts are attracted to shinning objects. Ted told me that I should stop wearing hair gel, because the gel reflects too much light. I really don't want to irritate the ghost."

Sebastian huffed. "What are your feels about irritating me, because you're doing a great job at it?" Blaine said nothing. "Not just that, but what in the world are you talking about?"

"Ted and Patrick knew what you were talking about?" Kurt panicked. Yes, his friend definitely did a thorough job on her half of the project - she called Ted and Patrick and told them to play along with the prank.

"Can we please talk about this more tomorrow? I'm exhaustive and scared." Blaine was almost shaking.

"Blaine," Kurt gently replied. He could not do this any longer. "It is not real. It was just a joke. It was a silly prank. You lied about the gardens and I decided to make up a silly story in retaliation. It wasn't supposed to actually scare you."

Blaine tightened his pillow. "What story?" Blaine told too many fictional stories to keep track of all of them. "Thanks for trying to make me feel better, but can I still sleep in here tonight. I'll even sleep on the floor. I just don't want to be alone."

Kurt did not know whether or not he could believe a word Blaine was saying. Heavy with guilt Kurt allowed his heart to answer instead of his mind.

"Don't be ridiculous. My bed is big enough for the two of us."

Blaine instantly relaxed at the news and Sebastian was completely taken aback.

"There will be no funny business." Kurt loudly order to Blaine, "And keep your hands to yourself at all times."

Sebastian stayed silent and watched his brother get comfortable in Kurt's bed. He should be in Kurt's bed or Blaine should be in his. The current situation was making his stomach alternate between two unique feelings that he has never felt before, jealousy and protectiveness. Which emotion belonged to which boy, Sebastian did not know and he did not like it one bit.

"Where is this game heading?"More than one boy thought that night.