dougy123456789
Selected Mon, Dec 26, 2022
It had been a life well lived. For me at least. I was at peace with all I had accomplished. Maybe there were opportunities I had missed out on, and sure there were some, like children, but that didn’t bother me.
I was known as the lonely old codger of 78 Hayview road. I knew the rumours. People talking about me behind my back. It used to get to me. Especially when I tried to help pass on messages and such. You see, I can talk to the dead. Sometimes they had something to say to the living and once upon a time I tried to ensure that message would be shared. The issue came in the belief of others. Some, a very rare few, believed me and thanked me but many others would scoff or laugh me away. Their loss.
Anyway, all that to say I didn’t meet many people while alive. Apart from Dorothee. She was a gem amongst the dirt. She loved my spiritual tales of woe and wonder. She didn’t bat an eye, or talk behind my back, she was enraptured in my stories. It wasn’t simply because of that that I loved her though. She was kind to everyone, and clever in a special logical way, one that I could never grasp. She was perfect, except for one fatal flaw. Cancer.
It wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t anyone’s really. It’s just the universe being the universe. I could have been angry and resentful, but I could talk to her spirit. I was still with her. In a sense. And while I could no longer enjoy our warm embraces, or feel her physically, emotionally, she was stronger than ever.
So while I aged, she remained a young spirit by my side and refusing to leave. And so I refused to move on. We were intertwined. While I dreamt of kids while young, I never had the opportunity to raise them alone. At least, not providing as well as I would want, and maybe I’d get the chance after death.
It was nice having all these spirits around me since I was young. Even if it wasn’t easy at first. And downright terrifying when the first malicious spirit appeared. But luckily, the kind ones helped defend me from any future trickery and spiteful beings. And now, as I approached death, I didn’t fear it either.
Dorothee nodded at me. Her hand in mine. I closed my eyes and felt her squeeze. My time had come.
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Submitted by dougy123456789 on Sat, Dec 24, 2022 to /r/WritingPrompts/
Full submission hereThe prompt
The hallucinations of people you see aren't Schizophrenia, but spirits who have latched onto you. After they agree to glow green for easy differentiation, life has been rather fun. They are nice, give free conseling, free classes, and defend their turf (you) well against evil spirits.
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