Bee
" I do not understand why humans are always panicking like this ." Olibia said next to me .
" A body gets ill , then dies and the soul ascends . So if someone gets sick , humans should celebrate ." she said and Nymph frowned at her .
" That is horrible . If someone gets sick , you should never celebrate . No one wants anyone to die . " Nymph said in a soft voice .
We were in the lobby at the hospital . We had arrived a few minutes ago . Doctor Fishyton had told me and Nymph to stay behind .
" I'll call you in a short while . " He had said .
" Is mom okay ? " Nymph had asked and the doctor had nodded his head .
" Yes , she's fine . Just a bit of dehydration and little bit of poor dieting but nothing we can't fix . " he had said , " I'll be talking to that uncle of yours in the meantime . "
So we had stayed behind and sat down by the blue chairs next to the wall . I was seated between Nymph and Olibia , listening to them talk .
" Not true . I want everyone here to die . " Olibia said and Nymph gasped , " What ? Don't look at me like that . I'm not saying I want you all to be destroyed but just to die . "
" To some people there is little difference between the two . People don't want to die . " Nymph said .
" Well , they do . Case in point is sitting right next to us ." Olibia said pointing at me .
" Bee didn't want to die . He was stabbed to death . " Nymph said defensively .
" So true , " She said folding her arms , " Now here he is , half alive and half dead . What does he want now , to be alive completely or to be dead completely ? Eh , soul - Bee I mean , what do you want ? "
" I want to be with Nymph . " I answered , " And to complete my unfinished business . "
" You can't have both , unless he's willing to die . " she said with a smile , " Do you want to die after we finish his unfinished business ? Eh Beloved ? "
" I ... I ... that's playing on my words and with my mind . I know what you want me to say ; That I'll want to die to be with Bee . " Nymph said and looked at me , " I would if I could , but my life has alot on it . There is so much I want to do before I die . "
" So no , you won't ." Olibia said tsking her tongue , " Humans , so fickle . "
" Do you we have to talk about death ? Isn't there any subject we can talk about that won't give me a bad feeling ? " Nymph asked and Olibia tilted her head .
" I don't know . Death and the processing of souls is literally my job , so it's my main topic of discussion . " she said , " But I could humour you . What do you want to talk about ? "
" I want ... to talk about ghosts . " Nymph said and I turned to him . Was he speaking of who I thought he was speaking of ?
" Lingering ghosts ? A slightly different direction but this also encompasses death aswell , you know ? " Olibia said and Nymph nodded his head.
" Yes, I know but I wanted to ask you some things about ghosts . Like how come they aren't in the spiritual plane ? " Nymph asked .
" It's spiritual realm not plane and the reason for that is the same reason this soul is sitting next to us ." She said , " They're just souls who didn't or who can't finish their unfinished business . So they're stranded here . Unable to leave the physical realm at all. "
" If they finished their unfinished business would they be able to leave ? " Nymph asked and Olibia tilted her again .
" Yes but only if a daughter of Life absolved them . It's a process , not magical willy-nilly . " She said , " If a lingering ghost does manage to finish it's unfinished business then they need only find a daughter of Life and poof - they're gone to the other side ."
" So if we helped a lingering ghost ... would you absolve them ? " Nymph asked and Olibia tsked her tongue .
" Of course , I'm bound by law to . " She said and narrowed her eyes, " But it depends on the ghost in question . If they are too incoherent , then not even I can help them . "
" What do you mean incoherent ? " Nymph asked her .
" Lingering ghosts are not meant to last forever . They're essence isn't eternal like us celestial spirits . If they're not strong enough , they just fade after a few years . " She said softly , " But by the look on your face , I can tell you have a lingering ghost in mind . Well who is it ? Where is this spirit ? "
" She's here . " I answered for him , " Her name is Misty ."
" Misty ? Nice name , now why don't you ... huh ? " Olibia swayed to the side and turned her head around as if looking for something . I frowned confused until I smelt something . It was a pungent odor and seemed to be getting stronger .
" Do you sense that ? " she said looking at me , " Something burnt ... like ash . It's in the air on planes two and three ."
" I smell it . What is this smell ? " I asked but she didn't answer ,instead she looked around once again and paused her head . She looked down the eastern corridor , and me and Nymph looked that way aswell .
At first we saw nothing but humans walking around . Then I saw a bird , it was black and smoke seemed to trail behind it . It landed on the floor and looked at us and then it started squeaking .
" Get up , now ! Get up and run ! " Olibia shouted at us and I was momentarily confused . Why should we run from a bird ? I wondered , then I heard it , more birds . They swooped down from the corridor two and three .
Two birds joined the one on floor and when they touched each other , a hand emerged from between them . It was long , bony and black . The skin seemed to be smoking and red like ash and amber .
" Corpse run ! " Olibia shouted and Nymph grabbed my hand and we began to run down the western corridor .
" What was that ? " Nymph asked Olibia as we ran .
" Ashers . They are amber djinn , bloodthirsty and vicious . " She said floating beside us , " We have to flee and escape ."
" Can't I fight them ? " I asked her and she swapped my head .
" You're powerful but not invincible . " She said with a scowl , " When it comes to Ashers , It takes atleast three Corpses to defeat one of them . "
A loud scream sounded behind us but it wasn't human . As we turned a corner I paused to look behind us .
Five creatures charged from behind the corridor we had just come through . They were tall , with long claw like hands and feet . Their bodies glowed black and red with smoke trailing behind them .
" Keep running . This is no time to stare ! " Olibia said and I continued to run .
" Dead end , straight ahead . " Nymph said and I looked to see a door infront of us . It was not locked but inside we found ourselves trapped .
There was nothing but drawers and cupboards in the room . And three solid walls blocking our path .
" Oh , light this is bad . " Olibia said looking around us , " Isn't there a way out ? "
" No , this is a stockroom. We're trapped ." Nymph said looking around afraid and I stood infront of him. I would not let the creatures get Nymph , I would fight .
" You'll be torn apart in minutes . " Olibia said , " These are not Corrose or some Pestilence . These are direct children of one of the three great Djinn . Their power is beyond yours alone . "
" Well , why don't you fight too ? " Nymph demanded .
" Because I know when I can't win a fight . Even if we fought , we'd still be over run. They're just too many of them . " she said and a scream resounded again outside the door . I grew tense , ready to defend Nymph and Olibia too .
" Close your eyes ." A voice said and I looked around .
" Did you hear that ? " Olibia said looking around , " A voice like a child's ."
" Misty ! Is that you ? " Nymph said frantically looking around .
" Close your eyes ." the voice said again and I felt it was Misty speaking .
" Let's close our eyes , maybe she wishes to help . " I suggested and Nymph nodded his head and closed his eyes .
" Ugh , relying on a lingering ghost ...I'll never live this down . " Olibia said but she closed her eyes aswell .
I closed my eyes aswell and heard a loud scream but just as it reached me , I felt a weightlessness take over . As if I was hovering and my feet were no longer on the ground .
A moment passed where I felt like this but then I felt my feet touch the ground .
" Mommy , where are you ? " a voice said and I opened my eyes .
I was in a corridor , different from the one we had taken before . Nymph held my arm and I linked our hands .
" Where are we ? " Olibia asked looking around , " I sense the Ashers still , but they're like in another part of the room . Close but not too close . "
" Misty ? Are you here ? " Nymph asked and infront of us she appeared. Misty stood in her blue dress , with her legs bare and her head tilted . She was looking at us slowly and she smiled when she saw Olibia .
" Hello Silvia . Did you finally come back for me ? She never came back for me ." Misty said smiling at Olibia .
" Umm lingering ghost girl , I am not Silvia . I am Olibia ." She said looking down at the girl , " You must be Misty . We were just talking about you before we had to run for our life essence . "
" From the smelly things ? I helped you didn't I ? " She asked us , " I can help you get far away from them . You can then leave . "
" Thank you , Misty ." Nymph said reaching down and pulling the girl into his arms .
" Oh my light , you can touch lingering ghosts aswell ? " Olibia said , " Well , there you have it . The powers of a Beloved . "
" Are you now his Beloved ? " Misty asked excitedly , " I knew it ! I knew it ! I knew it ! I told Madin he was wrong . You did love each other . "
" Thanks for believing in us . " Nymph said with a smile , " Now can you help us leave ? "
" Yes but we'll have to take the long way or they'll find you ." She said turning around , " Close your eyes when I say so and we'll move step by step , step by step , step by step . Ready , close your eyes ."
We closed our eyes and I felt the weightlessness return . It lifted me up and I felt like I was drifting in the air . A moment passed and I felt my feet touch the ground .
" Oh Misty , I'm so sorry ."
I opened my eyes at the same time everyone else did . We were in a hospital room much like the one Nymph had been in . There was a woman sitting on a chair , her back to us . She was looking at a little girl sleeping on the bed .
" I'm so sorry . I just ... can't see you like this ." The woman said rubbing the girls hair .
" Where are we ? Hello ? " Nymph called out to the woman but she didn't look at us .
" Oh , now understand by what she meant by long way . " Olibia said frowning at the woman , " This is her memory of life . She's taking us backwards in her consciousness until it's safe to leave . I can sense the Ashers still but they're further away now , in the next room really ."
" You mean ... this her memories ? So the girl over there is - " Nymph asked softly .
" Yes , yes . It's her alright , notice the hair . " Olibia said waving her hand ," Don't take to much notice from this , it has already happened . We can't change anything . "
" I am sorry , my little baby . " The woman said getting up and turning around , I finally saw her face and felt a twinge in my head . Nymph held my arm and gasped softly .
" Oh my gosh . " he said and I frowned at this confused .
" Close your eyes ." Misty's voice sounded again and we repeated the process again . I felt weightless for a moment and then felt the ground again .When we opened our eyes we were inside the hospital room again but this time the girl was awake .
She was crying softly and wiping her nose .
" Mommy where are you ? Aren't you going to come back ? " she said softly and I felt Nymph hold my hand tightly again . When I looked at him , he had his eyes closed and his head turned away .
" Well , this is just grand . This lingering ghost is incoherent . Her memories seem to be jumbled up . " Olibia said folding her arms , " We're getting further away from the Ashers but it appears were hoping around in her head now ."
" Misty , why are you crying ? " We heard a voice behind us and a man raced into the room . " He wore a black coat and black pants . His hair was grey black .
" Mommy isn't coming back Madin . She's not coming back . She's not coming back ." Misty said on the bed and I frowned at the man . This was Madin ? He had been alive with Misty ?
" Remember what she said last time . Say it with me . " Madin said to the little girl .
" You always have love , when you have nobody else . And love will set you free . " They said together and I remembered Misty saying such similar words before .
" Close your eyes . " Misty said and we closed them again after Olibia grumbled about being trapped in Limbo .
After the same process , we found ourselves outside in a corridor . Madin was talking to a young man dressed as a doctor .
" That's doctor Fishyton . He's so young ." Nymph said and Olibia nodded her head .
" True , very true . An improvement , this is one more flaw of humans . Aging ruins what was very nice ." She said moving next to the two men . They didn't look at her as she looked into Dr Fishyton's face with a smile .
" We can't help her . She'll fall into coma soon and when she does ... it will be a sad journey downhill . " Dr Fishyton said .
" But can't you keep her awake for a few more days ? Her mother has to be here to talk to her . " Madin said , " She's busy now but she'll be back soon."
" I'm sorry but if we keep her awake the infection will eat at her spine and she'll be screaming with agony . " Dr Fishyton said , " I can offer two days . That's all I can give ."
" Alright , I'll talk to her mother . Try to get her here in those two days , I promise." Madin said but Dr Fishyton gave a sad smile .
" I'm not the one who needs that promise . " He said and turned around but Madin placed a hand on his shoulder .
" Please ... wait for her mother ... please wait until then . Don't break your word ." Madin said and Dr Fishyton sighed .
" I had a brother once you know . He taught me to always keep my promises , so you have my word . I'll wait for you to give us the go ahead ." Dr Fishyton said patting the hand on his shoulder and walking away .
" Close your eyes ." Misty said and this time Olibia seemed happy to leave .
When we opened our eyes we were in the lobby this time . Nurses walked around and I saw Madin first . He was sitting by a chair talking on a phone .
" But you have to come soon , now infact . " He was saying loud enough for everyone in the memory to hear , " You have to Izzy . She's going through alot already and she needs you here . "
He paused as the other person spoke .
" Work won't matter when you're daughters gone six feet under , Izzy ! Don't tell me to calm down . " He said angrily , " You're not here , watching her crumble day by day . She just wants you to come back once . The doctors were talking about putting her under . Of course I told them to postpone that , but just so you could come and talk to her . I can't make it longer , she's suffering already as it is . Her medication won't stop the pain from cutting her in two . Just come , please , I'm begging you . Your daughter needs you . I already called Laz , he should be here soon . Atleast he can come from his job but what about you ? Don't say I didn't warn you , Izzy . When you come here too late , don't say I didn't warn you ." He cut the call and ruffled his hair making it stand up like feathers .
" Damn you , Izzy . You'll regret this till the day you die and I will too ." Madin said softly , he turned around as he heard his name " Laz , is that you ? "
" Close your eyes ." Misty said but I waited a moment . Something about that name brought back feeling in me .
Laz ? I thought looking at the person outside of the hospital doors who was taking off his hat , Laz ... Laze-
" Corpse , close your eyes , we're almost out of here . " Olibia said coming infront of me and blocking my view . I nodded my head and closed my eyes .
This time I didn't feel a weightlessness take over but a rushing wind blew on my face and I heard new voices .
" Come back , please . " Misty's voice said and i opened my eyes .
We were outside the hospital doors and it was dark outside . I knew we were back in reality then because all the other times had been midday .
" Ok , we're outside but we still need to escape . They're far away from us . Fools must've kept looking when we disappeared. " Olibia said , " Now , let's leave . Quickly too and I can find us a safe place to hide ."
" But my mom is still - " Nymph started but Olibia cut him off .
" Is still alive but if we stay here , you'll be dead and we'll be destroyed ." She said and I opened my mouth to speak but then I smelt something .
I quickly grabbed Olibia's hand threw here away . An instant later a hand reached out and swiped at the air .
" Oh my gosh ! "
I turned around to see Nymph being grabbed by long clawed hands and I jumped to free him . Then I felt myself being grabbed aswell .
" Minions , bring them to me ! " A dark voice said and I felt darkness cloud around me . The last thing I saw was Olibia lifting her hand and waving it in a circle .