On the way to my house with Jeremy following, I could not get the image of the stranger out of my head. It felt like I have seen him before, but I can't figure it out.
"How far are we? We've been walking forever." I hear Jeremy ask. I look up and realize we are 4 houses past my own. I turn around sheepishly and mutter an apology with a blush on my face.
"What were you thinking about that you've walked past your house?" he asks.
"Nothing much, you know, just wondering why this had to happen to me." I lied with a quivering voice. We arive at the door and I ask Jeremy to wait outside until mom calls him. I go inside and find mom still sitting at the kitchen counter with a fresh cup of coffee. Dad is home and I run over to mom, hugging her and putting my hand on my dad's arm. He looks up to smile at mom who is smiling at him. He frowns and then rips his arm back to his chest, clutching it tightly. Mom just shakes her head and smiles wider.
"You're back. Where did you go Casey?" mom asks while pushing the pen and paper forward on the desk. I start writing.
"I met someone who can see me and hear me. He is willing to help me. His name is Jeremy and he is waiting outside the door. Please let him in and let him help us mom!" Dad looks at the pen moving with open fear on his face, until he reads it. He smile so widely it looks like his face will tear in two. Mom got up from her chair to open the door for Jeremy.
"You must be Jeremy? Please come in. I hear you can see and hear our daughter Casey? How do you want to help?" my mom asks politely while dad looks skeptical. I roll my eyes.
"My dad does not trust you. Like you would ever hook up with a dead girl!" I say with clear sarcasm. Jeremy starts laughing softly.
"Something funny son? Are you toying with us? Can you really see my Casey or is this all a joke to you?" my dad says angrily.
"No sir! Casey just said something that made me laugh" he rambles on about what I said. Mom laughs and dad looks beyond shocked.
"That sure does sound like my little black rose!" he smiles.
"Dad! Not the nickname!" I scold. If only he could hear me.
"Oh, by the way Casey, who was that guy following you when you ran after me? He even followed us halfway here. I thought he was a ghost, since I can see you, but HE could not see you, so that means...Oh no! He was following me! Wich means he knows that I can talk to you and that might mean that he might be your killer and he will find me and kill me and then we are both screwed!" He starts panicking.
"No...no, it can't have been him! He did look familiar, but I never thought...oh gosh...he was right there and I...NO!" I start yelling and throwing stuff.
"What did he look like Jeremy?" my mom asks urgently while dialing 911.
"He had on a very dirty brown hoody with dark blue jeans full of holes and tears, also very dirty, white trainers on his feet with blue stripes. His whole outfit told me he must be a hard worker, but then again, he looked homeless" He explained to mom and she repeats to 911. They say they got the same description of a guy a few hours ago, trying to steal someones car. She will send out police to look for him and send someone to come to us. As we wait there is a knock on the door. Jeremy went to answer while telling mom to stay on the phone with 911 just incase, and she must hide. Jeremy and dad opens the door and then gasps loudly. There is a dirty man at the door, looking homeless!