GHOST 👻 (A Paranormal Romance)

The Plan

All through history class I'm distracted by the appearance of Dylan's, sister. I have the uncomfortable feeling that she is haunting him. Nor do I like any of the other explanations entering my mind to explain her full body apparition.

First, is she an innocent being. Or perhaps a benign ghost? Does she need help? Maybe she's trying to communicate with her brother because she's worried and trying to look out for him? I swallow as I consider the worst possibility. The dark side of the afterlife. Is she trying to possess his body?  I don't have much experience with the third scenario, but I know enough to have a healthy fear of possession.

Hauntings and possessions happen when the dead don't want to move on. Instead, they determinedly search for an unwitting host to keep living through them. When you die you aren't automatically angelic, altruistic, or a better person. All ghosts retain their core personality traits, whether they're kind, insecure, or menacing. The challenge they face is accepting their lack of physical presence in this world and then leaving this realm. When spirits can no longer affect or even get the attention of the living, some don't accept their new limitations. That's when they become a problem for the living. I know this because my mother used to help people rid their homes of unwelcome spirits. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar how to protect myself, much less someone else from a parasitic entity. This is why spirit possession frightens me so much.

Whatever Lindsay's reason for being here, I'm not going to confide in Dylan about what I believe I've seen. I have to determine if his sister's intentions are malevolent. She's a strong spirit to enter my dreams and then manifest in the middle of a crowded hallway in broad daylight. I don't know what it is, but I sense she wants something from me.

At lunch, Dylan approaches me in the cafeteria. He gestures to the empty seat across from me. "Do you mind if I sit with you, Elizabeth?"

"No, not at all. I'd enjoy the company." He has the most arresting smile. I'm surprised how safe I feel with him. It's as if we've known each other forever. "Hey, I wanted to thank you for what you did for me today...with Donna and my locker."

"Yeah, she can be a beast." He looks at me, eagerly. "Have you given any thought to what we talked about?"

Obviously, he wants to remain vague when discussing the psychic thing in school. I nod, grateful for his discretion. Looking at him, my heart melts a bit. I don't know why, but I feel like he's the lion offering me his paw, while I'm the mouse able to pluck his thorn out. According to Julia, this is a bad dynamic.

"Mmm. All right, yes. I'll do as much as I can to help you. I just can't promise you anything concrete." His eyes light up, causing my heart to involuntarily skip a beat.

"Elizabeth, that's all I'm asking. I was thinking about how we need to go about this. We'll have to return to the cemetery so you can communicate with the last known murder victim, Katherine Stanford. Maybe she knows something."

"Murder victim? Cemetery? What are you talking about?" I quickly snap out of my reverie of being a clever, courageous, mouse. I'm still having chills from seeing his sister's phantom parading around in the hallway. Involuntarily, I look over my shoulder. I've allowed the bustling school cafeteria with the familiar smell of hot dogs and grilled cheese wafting in the air to lull me into a false sense of security.

As I'm beginning to doubt my better judgement in dealing with him, Dylan continues enlightening me about his crazy plan to contact a ghost. "Don't worry, we'll go at night when the cemetery's empty."

"What? That's even worse than daytime." I balk at the idea. "Are you insane? After what's happened I'm not going anywhere near that creepy cemetery again. Especially at nigh."

"Come on, Elizabeth. I'll be with you." He puts his hand over mine. "I promise, I won't let anything hurt you."

"That's easy for you to say. You wouldn't see or feel a ghost if it floated up and bit you on the ass."

Ignoring my alarm, he gives me a winning smile as if we're going to a Great Adventure Theme Park instead of ghost hunting. "No one's going to bite anyone's ass. I'll pick you up tonight. You can tell your grandmother you're going to a study group or the movies."

I ruminate for a minute. Do I want stay at home with my grandmother who's probably going to watch reruns of Mystery Theater? Or should I go with Dylan to the creepy, deserted cemetery? I imagine we'll spend some time walking around aimlessly while I try to commune with the departed. Thinking of Dylan's tight tush, my reluctance to help him slowly evaporates in the presence of his warm aura. Deep down, I'm kind of curious to see what happens when I try to initiate contact with the dead. I've always considered The Sight as a dangerous impediment. Something weird that I overlook in my genetic makeup, but perhaps there's a purpose to my having this psychic ability. One my mother never mastered. "All right, how about you come by around dusk. Use your stealthy guy skills and park at the end of the street. That way Julia won't see you."

When he gives me one of his broad grins, my heart skips a beat again. "Good, it's a date!" He winks at me as he dumps his tray, preparing to head off to his next class.

"Wait, Dylan." I call him back over. "I want to ask you something. Did your sister, Lindsay, own a long black duster and a western black hat?"

He looks at me strangely. "Yes, that's what she was wearing the last time I saw her."

I get a cold chill, like a sheet of ice passing through my body. It's the strongest psychic hit I've ever received. It gives me goosebumps. I'm positive Dylan's sister is dead, but I don't want to say that to him without being absolutely sure. Again, I wonder what is it she wants here? What's her unfinished business?

As the final bell starts ringing, I grab my books and head to my next class. I'm simultaneously excited and fearful. What will come of me dabbling with the psychic powers that destroyed my mother?

Thank you for reading!👻