Ghost Me

Sadly Solved

Dain was racing down the streets, his blonde hair flailing against the wind. Dain raced past flower markets, small grocery shops and an abundance of coffee shops. Since it had just rained, he ran into many puddles filled with foggy, gray water. 

"DAIN!?" said a small whisper.
Dain stopped in his tracks, recognizing the tenor voice.
"Finis!?" he hissed.

"Yes, dummy, it's me! Now why are you here?" Finis replied softly so passerby's wouldn't become suspicious.

"Um um um... Uhhh-" Dain stuttered, wracking his brain for an excuse as to where he was going and why Finis shouldn't come along with him.

"I'm listening," Finis pressed.

"Uh- I'm going grocery shopping for mother! You shouldn't come... It's really boring stuff. I'll meet you back at home, okay?" 

"Oh! Uh- Okay, Dain... I suppose I shall meet you back home."

Dain felt a cold breeze fly past him, which was presumably Finis. Dain couldn't be too sure that Finis had left him, but the Ghost usually kept his word.

Number 4 Charyn Drive. 
It was an even smaller cottage than Dain's, with a small gravel pathway leading to the front door. There weren't many plants or decorations at the front except for a single white bell hanging by the doorway.
Dain knocked on the door.

"Mary! Please open the front door!" called a voice from inside.

"Yes, mother!" said another.

Click.

The door opened revealing a young girl with big brown eyes and round glasses.
"Good evening, sir. I'm Mary McRay, how may I help you?" 

Dain was relieved that he had found the correct house. He cleared his throat, "May I come in?"

The girl looked at him, baffled. "I don't know if your parents ever taught you any manners, but you do not just arrive at someone's home and ask if you could come in. Especially if you are a stranger."

"My name is Dain Ortega-"

"As in the person who thinks he is much better than everyone else because of his good looks and flamboyant behaviour? No thank you, you're a waste of time. Please leave at once." Mary snapped.

Dain looked at her agape. Mary was about to close the door-
"WAIT!" Dain said a bit too loudly. He sighed, "Do you know how your brother died?"
Mary paused before gesturing him inside.

"Why on earth would you like to know how my son, Finis, died?" said Finis' mother as she put a warm cup of tea in front of Dain.

"Listen, ma'am, I do not have a lot of time... So I would prefer if this was a quick discussion. You see, Finis' death caused the students of Archmeia to be in complete shock, and none of us ever found out how your son left us. I am deeply sorry that I barged into your home demanding answers, but I suppose I want to know because-" Dain stopped.

"Because?" said Mary and Finis' mother in unison.

Dain looked up at them, tears welling in his eyes. "Because I-" his voice broke. "I just- I just feel like I missed out on such an amazing person. I did notice him- I just never- Never spoke to him." Dain wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "I apologize that you have to see me like this," he quickly said.

The two women stared at Dain in utter shock. 

"Mother, I think we should tell him," said Mary quietly.

Finis' mother sat down by the table. "My name is Jacqueline," she said whilst holding out a handkerchief for Dain to wipe his eyes with. "Since you do not have much time, I will make this quick. Please forgive me if my emotions take up the better of me."

"Don't worry," Dain replied, his voice shaky.

"Finis was a kindred spirit with a kind heart and a good soul. He loved us all equally and he managed to respect those who did not respect him in return. He was truly a wonderful person. He often liked being alone, and he would take many walks to the flower fields and the river nearby," Jacqueline said. "His father was a hunter and a shoemaker... That's how he provided us with enough money and food. One day, Finis went to the flower fields... It was early evening and my husband was still out in the woods, hunting-" Jacqueline sniffled.

"Don't worry, mother," said Mary, comforting her mother.

"It was getting dark and Finis obviously decided to stay by the fields for a bit longer. But what he did not know was that hunters would come out of the woods through the flower fields. His father thought Finis was a deer or a buck or-" she broke into sobs. 

Dain's eyes grew wider and wider, realization hitting him.

"My son was shot by his own father!" Jacqueline cried. "The last thing I remember was my husband- Hands covered in blood-" she paused, attempting to compose herself. "He was arrested even though he never did it intentionally. Finis is now buried in the graveyard of Charrault." she ended.

Dain stopped moving. This was too much to take in, but before he could mull this over any further, he realized that he needed to get back home.

"I am sorry for your loss, ma'am. And from what I know, Finis was a great man. I promise I will place flowers by his gravestone every day to honour his memory. However, I should get going." Dain said.

Mary and Jacqueline watched as the tall blonde left their home.

"See, Mary? Dain is a good man... No wonder Finis had such a liking towards that boy..."

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