Blurred Childhood

Visuals

Liz was smiling ear to ear, while all I could do was stare with a bewildered expression.

"H-how can I see you?" I asked, reaching out to her. By surprise, she took my hand.

"And touch me, too! You're dead, I'm dead, and we can exchange physical contact! Well, when you can see me, that is."

I considered passing out.

"How come no one else has done this before?" I got out.

"It's all a matter of proximity." Liz explained.

"Why do I feel like that's crap?" I asked.

"Back up. Tell me it's crap."

I sighed but did back up a couple steps, and Liz had nearly disappeared.

"Woah!" I cried, rushing back to the window, causing Liz to back up. "What was that? You're right there!"

"To be fair, Baby is a little farther away."

"Okay, okay, I believe you! Oh my God." Now that Liz was actually in front of me, I didn't want to look away. I moved my hand closer to her because I wanted her to hold it again, and she didn't protest when I used my other hand to move up her arm, to her face, and up to run my fingers through her hair.

"I had a bow a while ago, just to hold it back," She bantered, "But Dad took it after I died. He wore it as a bracelet for a while, but I'm not sure where it is now. How old are you now?"

"Where did that come from?" I asked, sitting back.

"Uh, I just wasn't sure."

"Mom said a while ago that I was almost twelve. Actually, I think it might be my birthday soon."

"Oh yeah! August ninth?"

I nodded.

"It's hardly the end of July, isn't it?"

"Might be," I answered. "I haven't really been keeping track of the time."

"You mark your calendar every day!" Liz laughed. "I saw you do it this morning!"

"Heh, maybe... I guess I just didn't see the day."

"Hm? Okay. So what else do you want to do down here?" Liz asked, hopping back up to her excitement.

"Is there anyone else down here?" I asked, looking for an excuse to talk to Mom.

"Nah, it's just a bunch of robots and wires and fake voices. Ballora's been acting kind of weird, though."

"Can we go check it out?" I suggested.

"Remember what Terry said?"

"I'll be fine. If Ballora is acting up, I'm sure I can do something to help."

"That's what the last guy said," Liz muttered through her teeth.

"The last guy?"

"We've gone through a hot bunch of repair people."

"So should we not?" I asked.

"Probably not." Liz raised an eyebrow. "But... where else do you think we could see people who are dead that are also-"

"Freddy's!" I cried. Liz grinned in excitement.

"Yeah!" She agreed. "And you... probably won't die!"

"We should get out of here," I said. "Wait, can you come all the way to Freddy's?"

"Sure." Liz shrugged. "You couldn't see me, though. But you could see everyone else. If they want you to."