Ghost of the Past

Eyelids

Ghost and I were currently situated on his windowsill, the window cracked open. It was midnight and we faced each other, looking out across the streets of our hometown.

A cigarette dangled from Ghost's tattooed fingers, his lips occasionally taking a drag from it before releasing the smoke into the crisp night air. I clicked my fingers at him, gesturing him to pass the cigarette over, taking a drag of it myself.

We sat like this in comfortable silence, exactly like the day he returned home from the army.

Ghost's mum, Negomi, came in to check on us a couple of times, happy to see us still as close as ever. Negomi was sweet and like my second mum.

I put out the cigarette, flicking it out of the window before swinging my legs off of the windowsill. I felt Ghost's eyes on me as I walked to his ensuite bathroom and brushed my teeth. When I exited the bathroom, Ghost was already in bed, sat waiting for me.

I crawled in beside him and he wrapped his arm around me as I rested my head on his chest. Ghost's thumping heartbeat lulled me into a slumber.

* * *

I was awoken by someone thrashing around next to me. I shot upright before looking over to see Ghost writhing around in the bed. A layer of sweat shone on his face and torso, expressing his distress. He let out little cries and whimpers, his hands gripping the bedsheet furiously.

"Ghost!" I pleaded, desperate to pull him out of his nightmare, "Ghost, wake up!"

I shook his shoulder in an attempt to wake him up. He thrashed even more, squirming away from my touch.

"Ghost, it's me, Lexi." I tried, urging my voice to get through to him. As if by magic, he stopped and his eyelids snapped open.

His breaths were ragged and his hair stuck up like an electrocuted hedgehog. His eyes betrayed his feelings; shock, fear, anger. His face was red and blotchy, what I thought to be sweat was actually tears. His chest rose and fell rapidly, matching his breaths.

And the worst part? It scared me. Never had I ever seen Ghost like this. He was always the strong one. His emotions never got the better of him. To witness how his emotions controlled him then, not slackening their grip; it terrified me.

What the hell happened to him out there?

Ghost fixed his gaze on me, recognition flashing in his eyes as he registered who woke him. I stared right back, speechless. So instead of speaking, I let my actions do the talking. I hugged him. I hugged him close, pulling his head into my chest and gripping the back of his dark hair.

He embraced me back, his arms enveloping me, attempting to bring me closer. Not a single breath of air lay between us. Our bodies moulded together, fitting into each other perfectly. I felt a wetness on my chest and realised he was crying. Sobs shook Ghost's body, vibrating it against me. He silently cried until he couldn't anymore.

"Shh," I soothed him, rocking us gently, "I'm here, nothing will get you. I promise."

Ghost sat up, his gaze penetrating mine. He brought his lips to by forehead, his gratitude shown in that simple gesture. I smiled sadly at him before letting him go. We sat back in the bed, backs against the headboard, legs tucked under the quilt.

"You don't have to explain if you don't want to," I said, "tell me when you're ready." I felt him nod beside me.

After a short time, Ghost's head had ended up in my lap and I played with his hair, stroking it in a comforting manner. His eyes had closed and his deep, steady breaths told me he was sleeping soundly.

That night I stayed up, keeping watch over my precious friend. I continued to play with his hair, soothing him even whilst he slept.

Anything to keep him from the inevitable nightmare.