Seeing Ghosts

Final Battle

  The calm before the storm. Mark told me that on my twenty third birthday. He and I both knew that the Ghosters would be back. And that we would have to fight the biggest, hardest, and most dangerous battle. He didn't want me to worry, but he couldn't let me keep pretending that everything would stay good.

  Of course, I knew it was coming. But I needed his reminder. Just like after Herm had died the second time. Mark is a voice of reason, I suppose. He tells it as it is. Rather than just saying everything will be alright, and that we will live on. He reminded me I have more people still. After Herm came back, I wanted to pretend like it was all good now. But the time to fight is coming.

  "Ghost Queen, we have gathered everyone." I look at the Ghost Army spread out around me. "Thank you." I take a deep breath, then let it out.

  "I wanted to say, we must be ready at all times. The Ghosters have been laying low for a while now. I fear it is because they too are recruiting reinforcements. They have a plan. I need some of you to guard the town. Keep an eye out. If you see them, send word. Some of you, I need to go out. Continue to recruit as many ghosts as are willing to fight with us. Keep an eye out for Ghosters though."

  Two groups break off. "We will go." I nod and they vanish. Turning to the remaining ghosts, I smile. "I want every human in town to have a ghost to guard them constantly. When the Ghosters come, you will have the job of protecting that person." Several bow and vanish. There is only a line of about twenty or so ghosts left. One is the ghost who seems to lead the others.

  "The remaining will be at the ready for the fight. Once the others return, they too with fight beside me." I smile. "I know it's not much of a plan. I hope that we can use our numbers to our advantage. I want you all to know something though. I am going to be going in, and I will be fighting to win, at all costs. So long as it does not harm the people I care about."

  The lead nods. "We too are willing to win at all costs." I set a hand on the tree. "Then I guess that is all. You are dismissed." They vanish. I look out at the horizon. A storm is coming. We must be ready for it. No matter what.

A week of silence. It is beginning to get to me. I know they are coming, yet I don't know when. They are messing with my mind without even being here. I wonder is the man knows this?

"Are you okay, Eres?" I sigh and look at Herm. We are in our room. Everyone else is asleep. "Not really. The Ghosters could attack at any time. I know this. But without knowing when, it is stressful. I've got the army keeping watch. Nothing." He moves his blanket.

I get up and lay on his bed. "It will be fine. You have an army, literally. Plus, everyone else is ready to fight beside you. The Moon Spirits, the Shadow, and the people. You aren't alone anymore. You don't have to fight by yourself. I'm back too. I promise to stay with you."

He lays down. I close my eyes. "I know. But sometimes, it's knowing that all of you are here that scares me the most. I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you. Or that something will happen." He squeezes my hand. "Sleep. You can think more in the morning." I nod and let myself sleep.

"Alright, I'm off to visit Hermina. She said that we can talk about my new state of being." I look up from my seat on the couch. I've got a book out, not the book. The only other person I've shown that book to, is Magus. Mom walks in from the kitchen. "Alright, be careful." Herm nods. "I'll go with you. I want to ask her some things. Like if she knows more about how I could see you before."

Graden walks over to him. "Lets go." They walk out. I stand and watch through the window. Following behind then, are two ghosts from the army. I smile. They'll be fine this time.