Sky Forever

Chapter 10: The Friendly Ghost

I managed to catch Ryder as he fell back into my arms, so I lowered him to the floor.

I looked up towards the ghost, wondering if I was dreaming.

"I'm so sorry for the inconvenience caused," the ghost said, "I didn't realise I was damaging your engines this much."

I was speechless.

"Wha...?" I eventually got out.

"If you want, I can tell you how to fix this" The ghost suggested.

"Yeah, you should probably do that!" I replied.

"First of all, you have to get some Triamonium fluid"

"Get some what fluid?!"

"Do you have any Triamonium fluid?" The ghost asked, as if it was a normal question.

"I've no idea, it's not my ship!" I replied, "I'll go up and ask Amber."

I pointed to Ryder, "Just...watch him for a moment."

I ran back up the stairs, still in a state of disbelief and confusion.

I reached the control room, where Amber was flicking switches and pressing buttons in desperation.

“Amber!” I called, “Do we have any Triamonium fluid?”

She looked around at me, “Yeah, it’s in that safe over there” She pointed, “The combination’s 7177”

I ran to the safe and entered the code. It opened to reveal a small vial of green liquid. I picked it up.

“What do you need it for?” Amber asked.

“I don’t know!” I answered as I left the room.

I returned to the engine room.

“Got some!” I said proudly.

“Pour a little bit on the floor” The ghost said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Just do it!”

I just did it.

Immediately, a stream green smoke rose up from the blob I had poured out. It started spreading through the air. After a few seconds, it disappeared, along with the other mist, and the room was clear. The engines stopped clattering and started functioning again and the ship suddenly levelled out

“That’s incredible!” I exclaimed.

Amber appeared in the doorway.

“What happened?” She asked.

Then she saw the ghost standing next to me.

“Hello, young lady!” The ghost said, “I’m Lonely Soul.”

“Who?” She asked.

“I’m a ghost, they call me Lonely Soul” he answered, “I was hiding in your engine.”

“Did you fix this?” She asked.

“No, you’re friend here did. With my advice.”

She looked across at me.

“Am I dreaming?” She asked.

“That’s what I thought too,” I answered, “But I’m pretty sure this is real.”

Her only response was to stare around in disbelief.

A few minutes later and we were all back up in the control room. The ship was back on autopilot and was slowly cruising through the sky. We had awoken Ryder with the slap of a wet cloth.

“I was hiding in the engine,” Lonely Soul explained, “Because I needed a place for us to lay low for a while. I’m on the run, you see.”

“How can a ghost be on the run?” Amber asked.

“From other ghosts.” He answered.

“There’s more?!” Ryder squeaked.

“Yes,” Lonely said, “We can choose whether you see us or not.”

“So, why are you letting us see you if you’re on the run?” I asked.

“Well, I had to help you fix your engines, didn’t I?” He said, “When I get stressed I emit Ecto-Emission. Or Double E as we call it. That’s what was clouding up your room and affecting your engines.”

We all stood in silence for a moment, taking in the information.

“Well, that’s enough excitement for now” Ryder said, getting up, “I’m going to lie down.”

“Mr. Lonely Soul,” Amber said, “You’re welcome to stay on board the ship for a while if you want. We’re sort of runaways as well.”

“There’s no ‘sort of’ about it, we are runaways.” I added.

“Thank you ever so much, Miss Thorn.” Lonely Soul was very well-spoken for a ghost of a boy.

I returned to my room, remembering it was only morning, and got washed and dressed properly. I still didn’t quite believe that we now had a ghost hanging out with us on the ship.

I guess that’s what you get for travelling on the System Uncontrollable.