Truly Madly Ghostly

Chapter Twenty-seven: The Necklace That Keeps Him Away

Charlotte heard Rebecca gasp. Tearing her gaze away from Alex's form, she turned her eyes toward her in time to see Rebecca putting the mirror down on the floor.

"It will not work," Rebecca surmised with a resigned expression. She looked at Charlotte and said, "It will not."

Charlotte's brows furrowed in confusion. "Huh?"

Rebecca sighed, turning her face to look at the shadowy appearance of the unliving as he slowly melted back into the dark. Sighing, Rebecca opened a jar and sprinkled the powdery content from it across the circle. 

The dusty quality of the material made Charlotte cough and cover her nose. She was distracted enough with her coughing to notice how the atmosphere moved back to normal, and when she did, it was Alex her eyes searched for. But he was not there.

The stormy wind had ceased, and the lights were back on—there was no more supernatural turn of events.

The ritual had failed.

And it was a failure that Rebecca was incredibly confused about too.

"His life couldn't be seen in the mirror," Rebecca rubbed her forehead, recollecting the turn of events. "It is a special mirror and I was supposed to see the flashes of his life, soul, and death in it. He should have seen them too, face the truth, and find the strength to move on. But—"

"But—" Charlotte leaned forward. "Why didn't it happen?"

Rebecca shook her head. "I don't know! I've never experienced something so contradictory."

"Can you guess the reason?"

Again, Rebecca shook her head in negative. "Knowing the reason would have meant the problem is half solved. But it is not the case. I'm quite befuddled. Even spirits have some conformity but tonight I've witnessed even that conformity get disrupted too."

Charlotte lowered her head. She spoke in an even lower voice when she opened her mouth, "Are you indicating that he's truly not a spirit," she closed her eyes. "That he's truly my illusion."

"When did I ever say that, sweetness?" Rebecca raised a sharp brow up. "I did see him, too. Now, we can't have the exact same illusion, right?"

Charlotte sighed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

She felt grief and relief both together. Grief—wondering if Alex's soul will be stuck this way forever. Relief that she wouldn't lose him yet.

Later, before leaving—Rebecca stood at her doorway with her. They had cleared up all the ritual signs and returned to Charlotte's apartment through the balconies again.

"I wish I could do something for this soul," Rebecca said, looking sad. "I felt his suffering and growing apprehension. But it is not possible to undo a knot I don't understand."

Charlotte smiled sadly. " You tried to help," she said. "And that's what actually matters."

Rebecca sighed. She opened her bag and brought out a necklace with a locket.

As Rebecca held it up, Charlotte noticed the symbol on the locket with curiosity. Multiple triangles intermingled with a circle. "What is this?"

"Something to keep the living ones out of reach from who are beyond the circle of the living world."

Her heart twisted. "This will keep him away."

"I see how this entire situation has been taking a toll upon you. It is better if you concentrate on your own well-being first."

As Charlotte stood frozen, Rebecca moved closer, and reaching forward she tied the necklace around her neck. Rebecca cupped Charlotte's cheek sympathetically. "I have got a daughter I love more than myself. And you saved her. So, I want to save you too."