r/Writingprompts

Written September 12, 2019

[WP] Rather than work as an exorcist, you have decided to use your skills to be a ghost therapist by helping the dead cohabitate with the new owners of their homes and items they are tied to.

It was a dog this time and I didn't like dogs. My assistant and I stood in front of the client's house; burning embers beneath my shoe as I stubbed out the cigarette.

"Nero why the hell did you take this request" I berated my assistant

"It's just a dog man, come on."

"If it bites me it's your fault."

"Yeah, yeah."

Finishing up our little conversation he rang the bell and we waited. An old lady answered the door: drooping jowls, aged wrinkles and gold-rimmed spectacles. She looked a bit like my grandma and my heart softened a little. I still wasn't pleased about meeting the dog however.

"Good morning ma'am, soothing spirits and co." Nero bowed, ever the gentleman. The old lady beckoned us to enter and I did so begrudgingly. Almost as soon as I entered I heard it. A low growl shook the core of my being. I saw it walk into the hallway: half the height of a human being and menacing with its presence. It seemed to have been a German Shepherd in its time, just like mine, tendrils of red pulsed through its fur and its drool dripped onto the floor. I never liked dogs. It stood next to the old lady as she spoke to Nero. She was completely oblivious to the aberration standing by her side.

"Fuck, Nero stop talking and ask her what she wants to do with this mutt." Being in the same room as that thing gave me the shivers.

"Julian don't call it a mutt, have some respect." my assistant retorted. The old lady looked at him in confusion, and glanced all around the room. My assistant told me that she wanted to see the ghost of her dog and wanted it to stay by her side until she left this world. A job like this doesn't exactly require specialists, but a job's a job.

"Nero give her the shades."

My assistant produced a pair of stickers from his fanny pack (Yes, he was that kind of person) and put it on the old lady's spectacles. The moment the old lady put those spectacles back on she howled. For a moment I wondered if she was possessed and assumed my fighting stance, but that wasn't the case. She was just surprised to see her dog. I was surprised that she could even recognize it but the bond some people share with their pets is a thing to behold. I watched as she tried to hug it. I watched as her hands fell right through it. I was lying if I said it didn't make me chuckle. Even after all this time it still cracked me up to see first-timers trying to touch spirits.

"That'll be 50$ ma'am." She gave him the money and profusely thanked him. My assistant wished her goodbye and parted ways while I stayed behind. Looking at their tearful reunion, I reminisced about my own dog. His spirit had passed on before I could bind him. Oh well, the past is the past, no use grieving.

I stood watching my client, satisfied that her wish was granted; burning embers beneath my shoe as I stubbed out the cigarette. I floated through the walls and went back to HQ.