Purpose

1200 word short story.

I don’t know how I died, or why it happened. All I know is I walk this eternal road on a continuous loop. I watch people veer off the side of the road and then vanish from sight. One by one the crowd of people before me begins to thin out.

Only moments later to be joined by others. All walking, silence fills the air. As I watch the man before me veer off I catch sight of someone waving. I pass on by curious but not wanting to know more.

Still the road goes on, people come, and people go. The person is waving again, beckoning me over. This time I veer off the road, wondering if I would vanish like all the others.

‘There you are. Did you not see me waving at you boy?’ The woman looked like a gypsy, adorned with a long flowing shawl.

‘Me?’ I said.

‘Yes you, Jasper. I have been waiting for you.’

‘How do you know my name?’

‘I know everything about you. I know why you are here and where you are going next.’

‘How did I die?’

‘That is a question you will find the answer for in time. For now you have a greater job to do.’

I frown at her.

‘Take this.’

She handed me a small purple pouch, tied at the top with a golden coloured rope.

‘And this.’

She held out a necklace, the round disc of silver sitting in the palm of her wrinkled, calloused hand. I took it from her.

‘Put it on, put it on then,’ she said. I hesitated, unsure of what this all meant.

‘Why?’

‘It is your purpose in death. To save those trapped in the living world, free the spirits so they can find eternal rest.’

‘How?’

‘Put on the pendant, all will become clear,’ she smiled a toothless smile at me, her eyes twinkled in the strange light. Somehow I felt a compulsion to put the necklace one, was she doing that?

I tie the black shoelace like chain around my neck.

“Tuck it in, let it touch your skin.”

I tuck the silver pendant inside my shirt. The chill was instant, followed by a warmth I had not felt for a long time.

The light around me seem to change, things became clearer.  I turned to look back at the road, the people there were lost in their steps, walking like soldiers.

Then I saw a bright light across the other side.

‘Go, someone needs your help.’

‘How do I help them?’ I asked.

‘You will know when you get there.’ She smiled at me again.  I soon found myself walking towards the light, I did question the irony of it.

Once through on the other side I felt the chill of the cloudy day, the sky was grey and heavy with rain. People moved around me, I was afraid they would touch me, what would it feel like?

Somehow, with no control of my own I found myself standing outside a large manor house, the for-sale sign leaning against the wall next to me. I navigated my way up the path unsure how my form would work in the world. Would I be able to walk through doors?

I got my chance to find out, seeing no open window or door to enter the house I tried my luck.

What a yucky feeling, the wood tickled my skin and innards. I was sure I felt woodworms nibbling at my skin. On the other side I felt the need to brush down my clothes.

The house had a stale smell, it had been closed up for many years.

‘Hello,’ I called out.

‘Are you here for me,’ the woman appeared at my side, she made me jump. Her clothes were old, moth bitten and falling apart. On her head she wore an maid style hat.

‘I think so,’ I say.

‘Good, about time. I want out of this place. My name is Amy.’

‘I don’t know how?’ I say.

She sighed, the her eyes lock onto the pendant.

‘That is how? She says pointing at it. I look down and see the silver disc is glowing, untying it from my neck I hold it  out in the palm of my hand. A warmth begins to spread.

‘Do you have the lavender,’ she asks. I then remember the pouch, retrieving it from my pocket I hold it out.

‘Do I have to tell you everything,’ she says.

I lower my head, then as if  light comes on I open the pouch and sprinkle some of the lavender on the floor. Amy steps onto it.

‘Now say it.’

I frown at her.

‘Say what? I ask. She reaches over and turns the pendant over in my hand. I look down and see the inscription.

‘Bound no more by time’s tether, rise with the celestial winds. Echoes of stardust carry you to luminous light, forever free.

As I speak the words Amy looks to the sky, she lowers her head and smiles at me.

‘Thank you.’

A bright light begins and soon she is gone, leaving behind a glowing ball of pink light. It is then I hear the gasp from behind me. I turn and see a red haired girl staring, eyes wide at the light.

‘Who’s there?’ she asks.

‘My name is Jasper,’ I say. She moves to the light, I took a step back as she approached, her hand moves into the now fading glow.

‘I need your help,’ she says.

I move before her, she does not see me. Before I can do anything more I am back on the eternal road. Soon I find the gypsy woman, she waves me over.

I begin by telling her about the red haired girl.

‘Not possible, there hasn’t been a medium on earth in a long time.’

‘She saw the light, and she heard me.’

The gypsy woman looked thoughtful for a short time, before she walked away. I waited, not sure why but it felt like the right thing to do.

‘Take this, if she is real she will hear you. If you can trust her, then you can let her see you.’

I take the new pouch of stuff from her.

‘Now go, let me think.’

I leave her and begin the walk again, a new light appears and I feel the pull. This time rain is pouring, I feel it but am relieved to be spared the soaking. The lighthouse beckons me.

Stepping inside I find the old fisherman sitting in a chair, he turns and looks at me.

‘It’s time?’ he asks.

‘Yes.’ I follow the same ritual as before and watch his spirit leave the earth, the bright green light the only thing left of him.

‘Wow.’ I hear her voice again.

Taking the new pouch from my pocket I sprinkle some of the stuff on the floor and step into the circle.

‘Who are you?’ I ask.

She turns her mouth wide open

‘I’m Kate and I need your help.’

‘With what? I ask.

‘I’m being haunted by an evil spirit. I need you to help me get rid of him.’