Westerburg | Heathers AU |

Chapter 5

Her ethereal arms wrapped around me, and I felt an unexpected warmth despite her ghostly chill. It was a touch of forgiveness, of understanding, that transcended our complicated past. I leaned into her embrace, feeling the weight of our shared history and unspoken regrets.

As we pulled back from the embrace, Heather's eyes met mine, a silent agreement passing between us. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, we were facing it together. The past had left its scars, but perhaps, in the process of uncovering the truth and finding closure, we could mend what was broken between us.

The house, once a place of isolation and regret, now felt like a starting point. A place where, despite the pain and the ghosts of our past, we could begin anew. And with that thought, a small, hopeful smile crossed my face. The journey ahead would be challenging, but at least I wouldn't have to face it alone.

The day's journey had left me completely exhausted, and it was getting pretty late, so naturally, I headed to bed. My bedroom felt like a sanctuary, and my bed was my escape from the insanity consuming my life. I didn't bother to change; I just took off my shirt and laid down, my mattress taking away my sorrows.

But I was unable to sleep due to Heather sitting on the foot of my bed. Her presence was a constant reminder of the absurdity my life had fallen into. Also, it was just kinda creepy. "Yo, what are you doing?"

"Waiting for tomorrow," Heather started with a shrug.

"Why don't you just go to sleep?"

"Ghosts don't need to sleep," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Well, you might not need to, but could you?"

"I mean, I guess I could try."

"Then please go the fuck to bed. You're creeping me out."

"Where would you like me to sleep, dumbass?" Upon hearing her question, I scooted over to one side of my bed and turned away from her.

"There's room on that side," I said, the sleepiness infecting my voice.

Heather crossed her arms before speaking, "Eww, perv."

"Okay, girl who cried, pervert," I said jokingly but still tired of her attitude. "You know if you keep throwing that out, no one will believe you."

"You know if you keep being a big fat creep, you'll go to jail."

"ZZZ-zZ-ZzZz-hngGGggh-mimimimi- zZzZZ," I attempted to silence her with my fake snoring to no avail.

"Ugh, you better not actually be a snorer, or I swear to God I'll possess you," Heather added as she fell beside me on the bed with her usual over-the-top dramatics.

"Wait, could you really possess me?" I said with more fear than tiredness in my tone.

"I guess we'll find out if you keep being an annoying little pussy," Heather added before finally facing away from me, ready to sleep.

Despite the absurdity of the situation, a strange sense of peace washed over me. Heather's presence, though eerie, was a reminder that I wasn't alone. It was funny how we could go from a somber moment of weakness to playful bickering in an instant.

I drifted off into a deep sleep. But as morning came, I was plucked out of my zen state and re-awakened. The first thing I saw was Heather rifling through my closet. "You're up early," I said in a disheveled voice while rubbing my tired eyes.

"Oh my God, Al, you're finally awake. Look at this!" Heather shouted eagerly. She was focusing intensely on her movements, everything she did was slow and methodical. To my astonishment, she managed to move one of the shirts hanging up in my closet. She stared at me, mouth agape, with a proud smile.