Spirited Away To You

Chapter-52

I walked back home defeated. There was no way I would go and trouble the family anymore. Also, I wouldn't know how to act seeing him lying so still and not breathing.

What would I say to Britney now? That I'm sorry for the loss of her dear brother who had been here living as a Spirit for about two years to find me, and when he did-

He died because of me.

I couldn't feel anything. My phone blew up with calls and messages but I couldn't hear. The all too similar numb feeling hit me as I recalled the times of my parents' funeral. How I just stood there on the small stage but no words came out. I regretted that now.

I should have spoken. Spoken about how great parents they were, how happy we all had been and how perfect my life was but- now I know they were not perfect. My life wasn't perfect. Not anyone's life is perfect. The word perfect has no meaning. It is different in everyone's perspective. Some might think Britney's life is perfect while others might think theirs is. Mine was before I lost my parents.

Now I think life would be perfect with William.

The same William who I had misunderstood at first. The same William who I had shared all my stupid secrets. Who I had grown to love, to cherish. But as always, life had other plans.

What hurt more was, how I could never share my feelings and memories about William as in others' eyes he wasn't there ever. There was Xander but not William.

                            ☆☆☆

"Oh my, Abigail!"

Aunt sprang from the couch as she saw me and made her way. She flung her arms around me tightly. It felt a bit relieving to see her back.

"Dear, you look so ill," she said parting a bit and taking my form, "Did you even eat anything since I left?"

"Jeff, please tell me you made her eat something," Aunt continued but I just stared at Aristotle, who laid on the couch seeming to wait for someone. How would I tell him that William wouldn't return?

"Kelly, she's just tired, her friend was in the hospital, cut her some slack, will you," Uncle Jeff spoke as he made his way to the kitchen.

"Sweetie, is your friend okay now?" Aunt asked softly.

I couldn't help but hug her at that moment, knowing I couldn't stop the stream of tears as I remembered the events.

William was dead.

"Oh dear God, Abby, sweetie-" Aunt started but I just parted and took off to my room.

"I will be okay Aunt, don't worry," I said grimly, taking Aristotle and making my way to the stairs.

"I'm so sorry, buddy," I sniffed into Aristotle who was whimpering as I hugged him tightly.

I sat there with Aristotle, Trixie accompanying us after a while as she made herself comfortable among my cushions.

I stared at the stars that shone up high in the sky, thinking of William being one of them now. I had no idea of the time or how long I sat there just looking around before Aunt knocked and got in the room.

She slowly came by my side with a small bowl of cereal in her hand.

"Aunt, I can't-" I croaked out but she cut me off.

"Shh, I know you need some alone time, just think I'm not here," she said sliding next to me.

I slowly placed my head on her lap, feeling the warmth seeping in me.

"Aunt, did you ever know how mom and dad died?" I questioned after a while.

"No dear, why do you ask?"

"They were drunk and drove into someone else," I blurted and felt so awful to say it aloud like that.

Aunt remained silent as I continued,

"There was another person in the crash, he-he died today," I cried, the warm tears rolling down as I mewled.

I poured my heart out saying her about my encounter with William, the spirit of Xander and our moments. The times she thought I was eating all the popcorn while it was William. How he was the one who broke Uncle's wine then bought a new one. That he was there the night I had an anxiety attack, he was there for me all those times.

How I told him to burn in hell when he confessed that he killed my parents.

"Now that I know the truth, I don't know how to feel," I admitted, feeling so relieved to get this off my chest.

Aunt was silent the whole time, kneading my hair as I blabbered about all my pent up anger and secrets. She didn't ever question me about William or visiting a mental hospital.

"You must be feeling angry at your parents, Abby," Aunt said something I wouldn't ever accept.

"And that's very logical, but God always has His plans fixed for a reason," she continued.

"Why would God do this?" I asked, more to myself.

"Think it this way, if your parents hadn't met such a fate, would you ever have met your friendly spirit, William? Or spent times with him?"

I stayed silent at this.

"But, Aunt that doesn't ever justify-"

"I know, silly, and I also know you can't ever change what's already done. Just know whatever happens, it happens for a reason and that God always has a plan."

All this while, Aunt managed to make me eat the soggy cereal and then kiss me softly before leaving me alone to ponder over my thoughts. I thought for a long time but just couldn't get it.

What was the plan now that they all left me?