Beyond The Grave

(2) Beyond The Grave

There's This Guy. He Lives In My Room. Oh, Yeah, And He's A Ghost.

Chapter 2

"You need my help?" I ask. "How?"

"Let's just start at the beginning, okay?" Miles sighs. "My name is Miles Lott. I'm 16 years old. Last week, older brother by one year, Finn, took me out on his boat. He's never done it before, mom and dad don't like me going on it without them. But last weekend, they went away, and Finn thought 'what the hell, they'll never find out.'" Miles paused. "Except they did, obviously. Anyway, you know that storm we got last week? It was totally unpredicted, and it came whilst we were out in the middle of the sea. Finn was desperately trying to get us back, and I wasn't much help. He wanted me to go below deck, where I would be safe, but I wouldn't listen. I thought I could do it." His voice started to sound choked. "So when Finn was messing with the sails, I went to the wheel. I turned it at the wrong moment, when a massive wave was coming in."

He stops, overcome with tears.

My heart goes out to him.

I shuffle over, and take his hand. "And then?" I ask.

"And then the boat went over. I drowned. Finn was, is, a better swimmer than me. He survived." Miles Shrugs. "I didn't."

I feel like I might cry. "Miles. I'm so, so sorry for what happened to you. But why didn't Finn save you, if he was such a good swimmer?"

Anger welled up in his eyes. "Don't say it like that!" He yelled. "Don't blame him! He tried to save me, he did, but those waves were too strong, even for him. It wasn't his fault."

His outburst shocked me. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. What do you want me to help you with?"

"Well, just like you said. You wondered why Finn didn't save me. That's what he's thinking, too. He thinks that it's his fault. But it ISN'T." He said the last part so fiercely that I nearly recoiled.

"So what do you expect me to do about it?" A rather logical question, in my opinion.

"Talk to him."

"And say what?! That it isn't his fault you died? And then, when he asks how I know this, I can say 'Oh, Miles is a ghost, and he told me this?'?"

"Well, yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking." I can NOT believe this guy.

"But Miles, 1), he wouldn't believe me, and 2) he'd probably call the police!"

But there was not budging him. "He might not believe us, at first. But we'll win him round"

I am suddenly really, really mad. "And you're so sure I'm going to agree to this?"

He nods, infuriatingly. "I am."

My teeth are gritted. "And why would you think that?"

"Because your choices are this: A) Talk to Finn, or B) Have me live in your room for the rest of eternity. Which is it?" Man, he can be stubborn when he wants to. And annoying.

I sigh.

"Fine! Whatever! Just tell me what you want me to do."

~~~

An hour later, Miles and I are sitting on the bus, travelling to Miles's house.

I'm staring out the window, refusing to talk to him.

I might have agreed to do this, but I'm certainly not happy about it!

We don't have a plan. Miles said that Finn has different moods ever since he died, so there's not point having a plan, as it might be messed up. It's easier to just go with the flow, he said. I made him promise he'll be there the whole time, just in case I need his help, or something.

Even though we've only been on the bus for 20 minutes, I have no idea where we are. Well, I do, but I've never been there before, as it's a place for the rich, and sometimes famous.

Ever since I was a kid, I've wanted to live here. Everyone I know does. If only we could afford it.

I should have guessed that Miles would live here. He has a BOAT, for goodness sake! Anyone with enough money for a boat should have enough money to live here. Also, it's right by the ocean, so it's a perfect location for boat-owners.

I gaze into the distant sparkling water, almost hypnotised.

I feel I tap on my shoulder. I jump, then turn my head. Miles. Of course. He grins at me, and jerks his head in the direction of the door.

"Our stop," He says.

I stand, making my way to the door. "Thanks, Miss," The driver says, as I pass. He ignores Miles completely. I nearly wonder why, but then I remember.

I keep forgetting, keep thinking this is some crazy dream.

No such luck.

This is completely real.

I follow Miles. He leads me down a road with big, beautiful houses, houses I could only wish to live in.

Miles stops in front of one of the houses. "This is it," He says.

I stare, my mouth hanging open.

It's beautiful. It's white, with brown window frames. The yard is green and freshly cut, with a cute tree hanging off to the side.

It has big, sparkling windows, and if I look closely, I can see the ocean distantly, through the other windows. (a/n sorry If that didn't make any sense!)

Miles interrupts my inspection. He looks almost as nervous as me.

"Wait," I say suddenly, remembering something. "This is random, but you know this morning?"

Miles looks at me as If I'm crazy. "Uh, yeah. Duh."

"Well, when you woke me up, why were you wailing like that?"

Miles looks confused, and then his face clears, and he laughs. "Oh, that. Isn't that what ghosts are meant to do? I wanted to fit in. And I wanted to wake you up."

"Okay, okay."

"You ready?" He asks.

"Yeah." I take a deep breath, and then slowly walk up the path.

I hesitate before ringing the doorbell.

After about 30 seconds, the door is opened.

Standing in the doorway, is a guy, maybe a year or so older than Miles and me. He has blond hair, seemingly bleached even lighter by the sun. In comparison to Miles, he is much taller, with more pronounced muscles. He has gorgeous, chocolate-brown eyes, which are surrounded by thick dark lashes.

His eyes are unmistakably tired, and dark bags are resting under them. He looks terrible, but I guess that is to be expected.

He clears his throat, and I realise he is waiting for me to speak.

Oh.

"Um, hello," I begin. "I'm looking for Finn Lott."

"This is he," He says. Wow. Miles has one hot brother.

"Oh. Okay. Well, I have something to tell you, please can I come in?" I ask, using my 'polite' voice.

Finn's voice is careful. "What's this about?"

"Miles."