I take my seat at the long table of hollering dead. For ghosts they are pretty loud.
"So when are we going to do something? When are we going to make our move?" Dan bellows at Katrina, our leader.
"Soon." She says it in a voice that would be used for telling your friend something: personal and quiet. We all hear her though.
Dan I think.
What? He replies.
Shut up.
The message spreads and I rise. I walk along the table surveying a large number of silent ghosts.
"Yes, Flo? You asked for silence." A few of the ghosts laugh; they all know my signature call for silence.
"Yes, I have made some significant progress. Earlier today I accessed the archives and retrieved some useful information." I use the military-like language expected of me. After all, I am in charge of the military we have.
I then turn and speak to Maisy, "I wish to see you after our meeting. Your contribution may aid our... operations."
Maisy nods.
I turn to the rest of the crowd. "We are all impatient to take action," murmurs rise, "and I am aware of that. I have made a connection with the living. I think Matt will be able to help us, I sense something in him that is new."
"Elaborate." Commands Katrina.
"He gives off an air of selflessness and determination, the ideal combination. I don't want to hurt him, hes special." I realise that the words coming out of my mouth are dangerous and Katrina is studying me with a degree of concentration an observing scientist would have. "Please."
"If you want him safe then he is your responsibility. Understand?" I nod. "Flo, I am happy for you though." I reward her pleasantness with a smile.
We spend the rest of the meeting discussing how we would bring Matt into our world and show him how to help us.
"Maisy!" I call across the hall. She pauses and turns to look at me.
"Yes?"
"I found this." I show her the diary. She reads it and I see the tears forming in her eyes.
"I miss him, you know. You must never let Matt go. You have found something special and you must love it, love him. Understand, Flo?"
I nod. She whirls away from me holding the diary. The shaking of her shoulders show her sobs as she walks away from me. It doesn't matter, I can hear them.
