Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt #2

It wasn't the leather jacket or dark eyes that sent a chill down my spine. It was the sly smile that crept onto her face when she looked in my direction. No one was supposed to be able to see me.

Slowly, I turned to look behind me. Maybe there was someone standing back there and that was who she was really looking at.

"I'm looking at you," an amused voice said from in front of me.

I turned to find the woman standing right in front of me. There could be no mistake now. She could definitely see me. And she was definitely talking to me.

"Bet you're wondering how that's possible, huh?" She asked.

She was right. I was wondering just that. It had been months, maybe years. Honestly, I'm not sure how long it's been since someone had been able to see me. Time had been a little weird since the day I had woke up like this. I've been losing time. A lot, in fact.

Sometimes, days pass and I'm not sure what happened or where I'd gone during the missing time. It's happened so many times now that it almost feels normal.

"I know you're probably confused," the woman says before holding out her hand. "I'm Cleo."

I stare at her hand really confused now. Not only have I not been able to talk to people in a while, but I also haven't been able to touch them. I've tried multiple times. Especially at first when I was trying to figure out what was happening and why everyone was ignoring me. It didn't take me long to realize that they weren't ignoring me. They just couldn't see or hear me.

"Here," the women, er, Cleo, reached forward and grabbed my hand.

She actually grabbed it, and her hand didn't pass right through mine! My hand tightened briefly around hers and when I felt her solid hand undermine, I jerked away.

"H-how is this possible?" I asked.

"I know this is confusing and you're maybe a little scared, but everything is going to be okay."

"Do you know what's going on?" I asked. "Do you know why no one can see or hear me?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me, please, because everything has been really weird for a while now. Time has been a little crazy." I was babbling, trying to get it all out. "Sometimes a lot of time passes and I'm not sure where I go, but I know I'm not here. Is that even possible?"

Cleo reached forward, taking my hand into hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Don't worry. It's possible and I'm here to help you," she told me.

"Help me? What do you mean?"

She gave me a cautious look before it turned to a sympathetic look. I'm not sure what she was about to tell me, but it wasn't going to be good.

"Well, you see, you've been stuck."

My brow furrowed. "Stuck?

"Yes. Stuck," she took a deep breath, then continued. "Between life and death."

I bulked. "What?"

"You were in an accident, of course. You should have died, but you didn't and now you're stuck in the shadowland, but your body is finally reached its end. Which is why your time keeps getting messed up."

I couldn't wrap my head around what she was saying. I mean, it seemed far fetched, but given everything that was going on right now, could it possible? Maybe.

"Shadowland?" I asked.

"This is the dead pass through before they reach the afterlife. Sometimes, they stay just long enough to see loved ones one last time. They're usually here an hour tops. You've been here for months."

Months? I couldn't help but feel relieved. I worried that more time had passed.

"So, my body is dying. I'm dying. Then why are you here?" She gave me a look that said I knew the answer to that question. It didn't take me long to figure it out. I raised one eyebrow, giving her a once over. "You are not what I expected."

Her laugh filled the air.

"You know, I get that a lot. Everyone's expectations are different. Tell me, what did you expect?"

"A hooded figure holding a scythe," I admit.

She smirked. "How unoriginal."

I shrugged. "Sorry to disappoint."

She sighed, then smiled. "You know, you're taking this all very well."

I shrugged again. "I can't do anything about it or change it so why freak. Besides," a grin stretched across my face, "maybe this is all a dream."

"Maybe." Her grin matched mine. "We should get going." She reached her hand out to me.

I eyed it but didn't take it.

"Come on," she shook her hand at me, "this is the best part. Trust me."

Taking a deep breath, I take one last look around before reaching out and taking her hand. 

*Prompt found on Pinterest