Eric rubbed at his eyes, his sight was getting a bit blurry from lack of sleep. His appraiser poked and prodded at what Serenity brought back for the day. Mrs. Houper excused herself for the day which meant he had to make his own coffee, not that it was helping.

“What’s the verdict?” He asked.

“I’d say very good.” The appraiser said, “these are in good condition, high demand, and on the higher end.”

“Don’t you dare say it.” Eric whispered, removing his glasses and sighing.

“All in all, I’d say you’ve easily got a thousand ingts here.” The appraiser said, “perfect picks.” Eric sighed, feeling a migraine building behind his eyes.

“Great,” he said. Putting his glasses back on.

“This is a little bit trickier,” the appraiser held up the jewelry box. Opening it to show a few pieces of silver jewelry. “Expensive? Yes. But moving it would be a lot more difficult. If you find a buyer you could easily sell this for twice it's worth. But you’d have to find them first.”

“Right,” Eric shook his head. “Well I appreciate you coming out on such short notice.” The appraiser put down the box and peeled off her gloves.

“No trouble at all. I’ll keep an eye out for a buyer for that box, usual deal work?” The appraiser asked, placing her gloves into her briefcase.

“Sounds good,” Eric agreed. Shaking the appraiser’s hand. She looked into his eyes with concern.

“Are you feeling alright?” She asked, “you look a bit tired.”

“I’m fine.” Eric snapped, leading the appraiser from the dining room to the front door. “Call me if you have anything.”

“I will,” she said. Eric opened the front door for her and she stepped out but paused and leaned on the frame. “You look overworked, why don’t you take the night off? I know a place?”

“Good night.” Eric said, shutting the door in the appraiser’s face. He grumbled and rubbed his temples. He went into the kitchen and brought down a bottle of aspirin. Taking three and leaving the bottle on the counter. Out the kitchen window he noticed just outside the streetlight was a moving mountain of fabric. He narrowed his eyes at it hustling down the alley outside his backyard.

“So?” Acoran appeared, sitting at the breakfast bar on the stool.

“Go away.”

“No,” Acoran said simply. He leaned on the counter. “Didja fire ‘em? Really?:

“No.” Eric snapped but he paused to think about the interactions he had with Mrs. Houper that day. “I don’t think Mrs. Houper would let me fire her.”

“Probably, but I was talking about the kid.” He said, reaching over to knock over the bottle of aspirin. Spilling it all over the floor. “Oops.” Eric’s eye started to twitch.

“You’re really making me not feel sorry about your death.” Eric snapped at the ghost and went to grab the broom. Acoran swung off the bar stool.

"That's too bad." Acoran said, following him. "You really think that kid's arrogant? Or were they right?"

"They were right." Eric said annoyed as he pulled the broom from the closet.

"You gonna apologize?" Acoran asked. "Doubt it. But you could since you neglected to pay them." Eric tossed the dustpan onto the counter.

"No I paid…" he trailed off as he realized that he did neglect to pay them. "Shit."

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"Betcha they think you fired them. They ain't coming back." Acoran snickered, hopping back onto the bar stool.

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Eric started sweeping up the mess on the floor.

"Maybe, depends." Acoran leaned the undamaged side of his face on his hand.

"On what?"

"Do you care? Kinda seems like it. If you care then, yeah let 'em rot in the snow." Acoran said with a shrug.

"Aren't you generous." Eric dumped the mess into the trash bin. "And what do you mean 'do I care?' they're my employee, I care if they do their job and do it to completion. That's it."

"Have they?" Acoran asked with a yawn.

"Yes,"

"To the standard you held me to?" Acoran narrowed his eyes.

"Tch, they do a better job on their own than you ever did when told." Eric said. Putting the broom and dustpan away again.

"Then yup. Let them freeze." Acoran said. "It's gonna suck for you to find another one like them." Eric paused, staring at his reflection in the dark window.

"Are you still awake?!" Mrs. Houper asked entering the kitchen. Eric jumped out of his skin when she did.

"Monica! I thought you went home for the night!" He thundered.

"That's it. You're going to the doctor." She said, taking off her scarf. "I'm making the appointment right now and I'm telling them it's an emergency."

"For what?" Eric walked to the counter and picked up the empty aspirin bottle to throw it in the recycling but found it full. Not a single pill missing. Out the window an orange light hit him in the eyes.

He covered his face and saw the sunlight traveling with the sunrise. Another sleepless night. Eric found the kitchen table and fell into a chair. Taking off his glasses and laying them on the table, he was losing hours, whole days.

"This is just not like you." Mrs. Houper said as she quickly walked back into the room. She took his shoulder and spun him around. Placing her wrist on his forehead before he could protest. "Not feverish."

"I'm not sick!" He snapped, batting her hand away. Her harsh look made him turn back to the table. "Maybe I should see the doctor."

"You think? This is the third night in a row you haven't slept!" Mrs. Houper pulled the chair next to him out and sat down beside him. “What’s keeping you up?”

“I don’t know.” Eric didn’t want to admit he was starting to think he really was being haunted. “Maybe it’s just my conscience.”

“Well you certainly have a few things to apologize for.” Mrs Houper said sternly. “You can start with myself and Seren. We really didn’t deserve the way you treated us.” Eric glared at her, and she glared back.

“I mean it.” She said, “And I’m waiting.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Houper.” Eric said, she stared at him but shrugged.

“I suppose that will do.” She sighed. “But you do still owe Seren an apology too.”

“Right,” he said. “When’s that appointment?”

“They’re pretty booked up with so many of the doctors off for yuletide.” Mrs. Houper sighed irritably.

“Busiest time of year,” Eric agreed. “I have seven back to back appointments of my own just today.”

“You should cancel them and sleep,” Mrs. Houper said. Eric laughed at the absurd idea.

“If I took a day off every time I was a little tired, nothing would ever get done.” Eric took his glasses and put them on.

“You are not a little tired, you haven’t slept in three days!” Mrs. Houper insisted.

“Time doesn’t stop for anyone or anything, Mrs. Houper and unfortunately. Neither do I. '' Eric said as he got up from the table. “But coffee would be amazing if you don’t mind.” Mrs. Houper sighed.

“At least try to take it easy today?” She asked. “Maybe your conscience is on your case because you’re overworked and need to rest.” Eric thought hard as he started to leave the kitchen. He didn’t get to sleep even when he tried so it likely wasn’t that he needed to sleep to fix the issue.

“Also, have Serenity brought around.” Eric called as he headed up the stairs to prepare for the day. “They left yesterday without their wages.”

“You mean you sent them away and forgot to pay them!” Mrs. Houper shouted up to him. Eric tightened his jaw.

“Maybe,” He muttered under his breath. He trudged up the stairs, stopping out of breath on the second floor where he had to sit and wonder when the last time he ate a real meal was. Eric felt dizzy. He reached over and pressed the intercom.

“Mrs. Houper?”

“Yes?”

“Have Serenity brought before my first appointment. I have other work for them today.”

“Will do,”

Eric stood back up and made it up the last flight of stairs to his study. He pulled out the files and groaned at the numbers and letters. Suddenly remembering Serenity’s reading skills were dubious. Still, he needed someone to keep the numbers straight and they at least had a good head for memory and worth.