"'Ghouls, although traditionally classified among the ranks of undead, these strange creatures are actually alive, albeit only technically.'" Scott read aloud. Amber huffed and blew some hair out of her face in annoyance, while Leo was dutifully taking notes.

"'Ghouls can come in many distinct shapes and sizes, due to a varied phenotype. Some are small, pale, skeletal individuals, some are bizarre, misshapen dog-men, while others are outwardly indistinguishable form humans, among others.'"

"I see." Leo said, brow furrowed in concentration. "You learn something every day. Please, continue." Amber sighed and shook her head. Scott cleared his throat and settled back into the chair even more.

"Alrighty.’Despite whatever the ghoul may look like, they are all members of the same species, and can interbreed with one another freely. There are little outward signs of a ghoul save the extreme physical variance; however, they are all characterized by an insatiable, ravenous hunger. Typically, a ghoul will consume twice its' own body weight when allowed.'"

"Hang on, there hasn't been any sign of that." Amber said, frowning.

"I know. But think back to when the Necronomicon was written. Food was harder to come by for regular humans; the food supply for a ghoul would have been much scarcer. Nowadays the necessary nutrition is available in abundance." Scott said, looking up from the text. "'The type of meals that the ghoul favors are fresh, uncooked meat from any animal, although human meat is preferred. Along with carrion meat, the ghoul consumes any other food that has become rotten or spoiled.

"'This is because of the ghoul's curious biology. Though still technically alive, the ghoul and the ghoul alone lives yet is empowered by necrotic energy, rather than the life energy that flows through all organisms on the mortal plane. Therefore, fresh, healthy foods will render a ghoul sick just as rotten foods are poisonous to humans, while they draw strength from decay.'"

"Fascinating." Leo said, scribbling away. Amber scowled and grunted.

"'A ghoul's behavior is determined by where it lives. Usually the ghouls underground, normally dog-like, are pack hunters, awaiting the time when the stars are right to rise up and invade the world of men. The guiding star is Betelgeuse, beware when it shines red and bright.

"'Those ghouls who originate on the surface however, are typically solitary scavengers, creeping and skulking in old graveyards and abandoned mansions. While the ghoulish denizens belowground burrow up to devour fresh corpses, aboveground individuals often pose as humans and turn to grave robbing for their meal, selling any possessions to help keep suspicion away from their foul true nature.' What? That's what it says." Scott said defensively, noting the look Amber was giving him.

"No need to translate that part." she said, steel in her voice.

"Fine, fine. Where was I...ahh, 'though a ghoul may pass as human, they are pale and thin and cannot withstand sunlight for long periods..." He, along with Amber and Leo looked at the window, which was bathing the entire room in sunlight. "'Unless they are exceptionally healthy and filled with necrotic energy.'" he coughed. "'They most often come out at night or overcast and rainy days.

"'Let not their disdain for the sun and cowardly temperament be mistaken for weakness, however. Indeed, ghouls are among the most dangerous of undead, boasting similar strength to the kings of undead, with none of their debilitating weaknesses. Driven by madness, hunger, and greed, a ghoul will attempt to attack anything and consume it, provided it does not establish itself dominant. And in the case of belowground types, one may have an entire nest descend upon them. Ghouls can also recover from debilitating injury extraordinarily quickly, though traditionally these undead harvest limbs and organs from other species and implant them within themselves to speed functionality. Therefore, should you find yourself facing a ghoul, it is best to reduce the creature to ashes, instead of execution by dismemberment. '" Scott finished, snapping the book closed. “There. Now you know just about everything we do about ghouls.”

“Mm-hmm. I see.” Leo mumbled, putting the finishing touches on his notes. “Fascinating. Very educational. So, what happens now?”

“What do you mean?” Amber asked.

“Well, you’re a ghoul now.”

“Thanks to a certain someone’s botched resurrection spell.” Amber muttered, looking at Scott.

“I said I was sorry! The instructions for raising a human and creating a ghoul are similar, anyone would have gotten it mixed up if the page sticks together.” Scott grumbled, going into the kitchen.

“Anyhow, what are you going to do next, Amber? Is there any way to turn you back into a human?” Leo asked. Amber sighed and shrugged.

“If there is, we haven’t found it yet. I’ve had him pour over that book for days now, and there’s nothing that says anything about turning a ghoul into a human.” she said.

“That’s because that’s transformative magic, which isn’t necromancy and about which I know very little. Unless you count turning someone into a corpse.” Scott said, popping a soda open and taking a swig. “Of course, there’s one easy solution, but miss too-ghoul-for-school over here doesn’t wanna go for it.” At the mention of the ‘easy solution’, Amber began to shake.

“I told you before, I’m not going through that again! Not for at least seventy more years!” Amber practically screeched, leaving Leo confused.

“I’m sorry? There’s an easy solution? What is it?” Scott grinned while Amber snorted.

“It’s simple, really. All we have to do is off her again and I do the spell over. You got a nice shiny sword, feel like helping out?” he explained, and laughed at Amber’s “eep!” but Leo smiled uncomfortably and put his hand on his charm bracelet.

Two inches long, the golden charm felt warm in his hand. It was given to him by Lagdinras, emissary of Zet-Mathaig, a god who had chosen Leo to uphold justice. It transformed into a magical sword nearly three feet long.

“Sorry, I don’t believe that that’s a good use for what I’ve been entrusted with.” he said warmly, giving a winning, disarming smile. Scott shrugged.

“Fair enough. I can do it myself, or you can if you want, Amber.”

I told you, I’m not going back to being dead again. Not for a very long time, if I can help it.” she said, shuddering. Her month-long torture as a ghost had given her a new zeal for life. Or unlife, as it were, but at least this time she could breathe and touch things. “And there’s no guarantee I’d end up as a ghost again anyway. You said yourself that you need both the body and the soul for a resurrection, and if I die again my soul might move on and that’ll be that.” she pointed out. Scott tapped his finger on his chin.

“Meh. ‘S a fair point, but personally I don’t think you got anything to worry about. Your call, though. I owe you one free resurrection, so just let me know when you wanna do it.”

“We’re exploring other options first.” she said dryly, tossing back her blonde hair. Scott merely shrugged again.

“Whatever. It’s not like wizards grow on trees around here. I know there should be a spell to do it somewhere, but who knows how long that’ll take to find. Oh.” He got up and retrieved a plastic container from behind the radiator. “Your spare lunch is ready. Want to have some now?”

“What is it?” Leo said, peering over.

“Spaghetti-Os that’ve spent four days behind a radiator. It’s got some green stuff growing on it, and getting pretty fuzzy. Want a taste?” He offered it to Leo, who reared back, and laughed. “Here.” He gave it to Amber.

“You really eat that stuff?” Leo asked, horrified and fascinated at the same time.

“You heard the man, ghouls have to eat rotten food.” she said dejectedly, unable to stop licking her lips and a growl rumbling from her stomach. She turned red. “The worst part is, it tastes fantastic. I’m talking five-star quality here. The way the mold tastes…so fluffy and thick…and with some brown lettuce, the mere aroma of shriveled fruit…heavenly.” she sighed dreamily.

“But…you’re the same otherwise, right?” Leo asked cautiously, remembering the ravenous hunger Scott had mentioned.

“Oh, yeah.” Amber dismissed with a wave of her hand. “It’s just my diet. I don’t have to drink water now, either.”

“Or sweat. And don’t forget your strength, the teacher’s still puzzled about that broken desk.” Scott added. She blushed again.

“So, a little different.” Leo said dryly. Amber giggled nervously.

“How about things on your end?” she asked brightly, trying to draw attention away from the previous topic. “Did that eyeball guy say anything about how to change me back?”

“Lagdinras, not eyeball guy. And apparently we’re supposed to figure out most of the whole defender of justice thing on our own. Although he did manage to get someone to train me to fight. They’re supposed to come tomorrow, but I haven’t been told when, where, or who. I suppose he’ll find me. So, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ll be much help either.” he said contritely, scratching his head.

“Ahh, it’s alright. And it’s good to hear you’re getting a trainer.” Amber said, but couldn’t help but feel a little crestfallen.

“Yes, yes, very stimulating. Well then,” Scott clapped his hands together and stood up. “If that’s all for today, everyone out of my house. Shoo, shoo.” He started urging them out, only pausing to grab their coats.

“Huh? Is there something wrong?” Leo said, confused again.

“Yeah, it’s cold out there!” Amber protested. “And I’m still hungry!”

“What? But I thought that’s what the rotten Spaghetti-Os were for.” Leo said. Scott smacked his forehead.

“Duh, almost forgot. Here.” He placed a hand on her back and intoned, “Sekh.” A pulse of toxic green necrotic energy shot into her, and she gave a jolt like being startled awake.

“Oh yeah!” she said, smiling. The energy from the spell tingled all over, refreshing her with its’ familiar raspberry-lemonade sensation. “That hit the spot.”

“Huh?” Leo was very confused right now. On seeing his face, she chuckled.

“Ghouls have necrotic energy instead of the regular life. So if I don’t feel like eating rotten food, which I don’t, no matter how…delicious, all he has to do is use the spell that injects someone with necrojuice and presto! Instant 24-hour energy, no food required!”

“And she’s been stopping by every day for a fill-up. It gets tiresome. But it’s necessary, and I give her rotten food to keep as a backup in case I’m not available. We don’t want her going cannibal on anyone.” Scott said, zipping up his own coat, and Amber flinched. “Now begone, all of you!” He pushed them out of the house and locked the door behind him. “It’ll be dark soon, and I must away to my secret lab!” he said dramatically, pointing into the air.

“You mean my dad’s warehouse?” Amber deadpanned.

“Not your dad’s warehouse, my secret lab! There’s work to be done. I’m experimenting with adding different parts to zombies and rearranging their internal structures, see how far I can push it before they collapse. Is anyone joining me?” In unison, both Leo and Amber stepped back.

“Uh…no thank you.” Leo said, shivering. He remembered all those zombies Scott had unleashed on Halloween two weeks ago. It had saved the town from the daemon army, sure, but it was still creepy. “Besides, didn’t Officer Cross make you promise not to dig up any more bodies from the cemetery?”

“She didn’t say anything about the pet cemetery.” Scott said cheerfully. Amber sighed.

“Yeah, I’ll pass too. I’ve had enough of undead stuff for awhile. All I have to do is look in a mirror.” she said, slightly down.

“Alright.” Scott shrugged. “I’ll be there tonight and all day tomorrow if you need me. Wanna come over and be my lovely assistant tomorrow Amber? I could use an extra pair of hands.”

“I might stop by sometime tomorrow for a refill, but you’re on your own for anything else.” she said.

“Oh. Leo, would you like to be my lovely assistant?” he asked the football captain.

“Forgive me, but I have a previous engagement, and I’m supposed to meet my trainer at some point.” he said, quite relieved he already had plans.

“Okay. I’ll just dig out Bones then. See you later.”

“Later.”

“Goodbye.” The trio broke up and went their separate ways, shivering in the late fall air, the sinking sun doing nothing to warm them.