GUEST POST from Don: GHOST CABIN (chapter 2)

GHOST CABIN, Chapter 2

Late evening the subject of the tapping came up.  I commented that I did not believe in ghosts, but I would write a story called “Ghost Cabin” just because it was a compelling title.  I pulled out my notebook and wrote that at the top of a clean page.  I spent an easy half hour jotting down a few notes.

Soon after heading to bed the young ladies, trying to unwind and go to sleep, heard the knocking begin again.  Neither wanted to deal with that.  So, irritated and a bit brave, one knocked back.  The tapping ceased.  Then started again soon after the daughter stopped.  Together there is strength, so they turned off the light but did not close their eyes.  It was not long after that they discerned a glow not coming through the window from moonlight but originating from within the room.

After a few minutes the glow coalesced into a form and then a shape.  They could hear a faint voice that sounded both far away yet from within the room.  The apparition was crying, then angry, then back to crying.  “Why don’t you love me?  Don’t you care?  What are you doing?” the voice intoned.  Both sisters were confused.  This wraith, if they understood what they were seeing and hearing, was not behaving as they had expected.  We have all heard of angry ghosts who seek revenge.  We have all heard of ghosts mourning the loss of one they loved.  And, yes, who hasn’t heard of Casper??  But who has ever heard of a confused ghost?

They almost forgot to be afraid.  This was interesting.  This was intriguing.  Others may have run from that bedroom screaming, but they were laying there trying to understand.  Their own mother had told them many times that other people often do things not because of who you are but because of who they are.  It may have nothing to do with you.

The younger sister, Charlotte, took a chance and began to speak gently, “You sound confused and frustrated.  Maybe there’s a good reason?  We might be able to help?”

Ghost: “Help me?  You?  What do you know of my pain?”

“We know nothing of your pain,” Charlotte said, “and we don’t even know who you are.  However, we know some truths which sometimes help.  They allow the person in pain to free himself or herself from SOME of the pain, which allows a freedom that person did not have before.  Now obviously, to be as unsettled as you are so many years after the end of your earthly life, someone hurt you deeply.”

“So all you heve are words, then,” spat the ghost.

“Perspective, perhaps,” she shot back, “TIME has not soothed your soul.  Neither can anyone go back or undo the past.”

The ghost was not open, “You cannae harm me with your words.  What makes you imagine words can help?”

“Who knows!” the younger daughter responded.  “Can the truth hurt more than a lie?  Can perspective hurt more than confusion?”

The wraith focused on the younger sister and said, “If I wish, I can make you a’sorry you were here.  This hed better be good.”

Then Sedona spoke up, “You would harm someone who is trying to help?  That makes no sense.  I would think you would welcome whatever help you received.  Who else has even tried?”

“Aye, you’ve made your point.  P’raps then, I shall listen,” responded the visitor.

So the younger daughter began simply, “First, every being has choices.  I could have remained silent.  Instead, I spoke and became involved.  You, too, may have some choices.  You said a moment ago that you COULD make me wish I had not spoken.  That also means you COULD choose to listen.”

The wraith responded, “So…there be choices.  The choices I have, they cannae help me.”

Sedona spoke up again, “What my sister is trying to say is that it is possible you DO have choices which will help to a degree.  A single change may not solve everything, but it may help a little.  It is possible that with just a few steps you would experience enough peace that you could stop haunting this cabin and then you can rest.”

The second daughter continued, “That’s right.  A person who has a huge debt which they cannot pay might still be able to reduce that debt by not buying something and applying that savings toward the balance due.  That person still has a debt, but it would be a smaller debt.”

“Bah!” sneered the wraith.  “Bah!, I say!”

(Watch for Chapter 3 coming soon.)

Copyright 2024 Donald Whelpley

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