A new day arrived, and the girls were busy in their rooms, changing into comfortable clothes for their trip to CartoonLand. The concert was scheduled for the late afternoon, so they had a few hours to spare for some fun.
Meanwhile, I was already dressed and ready to go, waiting in my bedroom. "Alicia, what kind of dress do you like?" I asked, turning to the young ghost who was hovering beside me.
"Dress... ummm..." she said, her translucent form flickering slightly as she pondered the question. It was clear she hadn't given much thought to fashion in her spectral existence.
Alicia's eyes lit up, a wistful smile gracing her translucent features. "That sounds wonderful!" she exclaimed, clapping her translucent hands together in delight. The prospect of wearing such a beautiful dress filled her with childlike excitement.
"Alright, then," I said with a wink. "Imagine... Alicia is wearing a beautiful, colorful dress with sparkles and ribbons."
In an instant, Alicia's form shimmered, and a stunning dress materialized around her. It was a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, the fabric flowing and shimmering with every movement. Sparkles adorned the bodice, and delicate ribbons cascaded down the skirt, creating an aura of ethereal elegance.
Alicia gasped, her eyes wide with wonder as she admired her new attire. "It's... it's perfect!" she squealed, twirling around in delight. "Thank you, Xian!"
I chuckled, pleased with her reaction. "You're welcome, Alicia. Now, let's go have some fun!"
With a final glance in the mirror, I noticed that Alicia wasn't reflected in its surface. She couldn't be captured by ordinary mirrors, a reminder of her spectral nature.
"Alright, let's go join the others," I said, turning to her. "Do you want me to carry you?"
Alicia hesitated for a moment, a flicker of shyness crossing her face. "I... I can float on my own," she replied, her voice soft. "But... if you don't mind..."
"Of course not," I assured her, extending my hand. "Come on, let's go."
Alicia reached out, her translucent fingers intertwining with mine. A warm tingle ran through me, a sensation I had never experienced before. It was a connection, a bond formed between the living and the spectral, a bridge between two worlds.
With Alicia by my side, I left the room, a sense of excitement and anticipation filling my heart. Today was going to be a special day, a day filled with laughter, joy, and the magic of childhood wonder. And I was grateful to be able to share it with Alicia, even if only I could truly see her.
Knock knock! I rapped on Hanna's door.
Creak! The door opened, revealing Hanna inside, already dressed and ready to go, along with two other girls.
"Oh, Xian! You're ready!?" she exclaimed, her face lighting up with a bright smile.
I nodded. "Hey, umm... just letting you know, if you're wondering why my hand looks like I'm holding something, it's because I'm holding Alicia..."
Hanna walked closer, her curiosity piqued. "Ohhh... where's her head? I want to pat her..."
I pointed to where Alicia's head should be, and she smiled shyly.
Hanna reached out, trying to pat Alicia's head, but her hand passed right through the invisible form. A look of surprise crossed her face as she realized she couldn't touch her.
"Oh, right," Hanna giggled, her disappointment quickly replaced by amusement. "I forgot she's a ghost."
"But I can still talk to her, right?" Cherry asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The prospect of interacting with a ghost, even indirectly, was thrilling.
"Of course," I replied. "Just pretend she's on my hands."
Cherry and Charlotte emerged from their rooms, already dressed and ready for their adventure. "Let's go, don't waste time," Cherry said, her voice filled with excitement. "We have a concert later this afternoon."
Sophia and Annie walked towards them from another room, their smiles mirroring the anticipation in the air. "Hey, you guys ready?" Sophia asked, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
The group nodded in unison, their faces alight with a shared excitement. It was time to embark on their adventure to CartoonLand.
***
Arriving at CartoonLand, we stepped out of the black van, a wave of vibrant colors and cheerful sounds washing over us. I was still holding Alicia in my hands, her invisible presence a comforting weight. We walked together towards the gate, the entrance to a world of childhood dreams and fantastical adventures.
"Alicia, Alicia, are you happy?" Hanna asked, her face turned towards my hand, making sure she was addressing the invisible ghost.
"Yeah... I am..." Alicia replied shyly, her voice filled with a quiet joy.
The five girls smiled, their hearts warmed by Alicia's happiness. It was also their first time going somewhere with a friendly ghost.
As we passed through the gates, Alicia gasped in delight, her translucent form shimmering with excitement. "It's even more amazing than on TV!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder. The vibrant colors, the cheerful music, the sheer scale of the park - it was a sensory overload in the best possible way.
The girls chuckled, their own excitement mirroring Alicia's. They began to describe the sights and sounds around them, painting a vivid picture for their invisible companion.
"Look, Alicia, there's a giant castle!" Cherry exclaimed, pointing towards a towering structure adorned with colorful flags and banners.
"And there's a roller coaster that goes upside down!" Hanna added, her voice filled with glee.
"And a carousel with all sorts of magical creatures!" Sophia chimed in, her eyes sparkling with childlike wonder.
Alicia's laughter echoed in my mind, a sweet melody that warmed my heart. It was a beautiful sound, one that I hadn't heard in a long time. The joy in her voice was infectious, reminding me of the simple pleasures of life, the kind that often get lost in the midst of superhero duties and battles against evil.
We spent the afternoon exploring the park, riding the rides, and indulging in all the sugary treats CartoonLand had to offer. The girls made sure to include Alicia in every activity, describing the sights, sounds, and sensations in vivid detail. I could feel Alicia's joy radiating from her, her spectral form practically glowing with happiness.
As the day drew to a close, we gathered near the park's iconic Ferris wheel, the setting sun painting the sky in a breathtaking array of colors. We were all sitting on a bench, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Alicia stood beside me, her translucent hand gripping my shirt lightly. The five girls noticed my shirt being pulled slightly, a subtle reminder of Alicia's presence.
"How was it, Alicia?" Hanna asked, her voice soft and caring.
"Thank you, everyone," Alicia's voice, though faint, was clear and filled with gratitude. "I had so much fun today."
A collective smile spread across the girls' faces, their hearts warmed by Alicia's sincere gratitude. They had successfully included her in their day, making her feel seen and appreciated, even if they couldn't physically interact with her. It was a testament to the power of empathy and imagination, a reminder that true connection transcended the boundaries of the physical world.
"We're glad you had fun, Alicia," Cherry said, her voice gentle. "It was our pleasure to have you with us."
Just then, a butterfly fluttered down from the sky, landing gracefully on Alicia's head.
The idols' eyes widened in surprise as they saw the butterfly seemingly hover in mid-air, its wings brushing against an invisible surface. They knew it had to be Alicia, and a sense of wonder filled their hearts.
Alicia looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of confusion and delight. "Is this yours...?" she asked, her voice soft.
I shook my head. "No, it's not," I replied, a gentle smile playing on my lips.
"Then... whose is it?" Alicia asked, tilting her head slightly, the butterfly mirroring her movement in an almost magical dance.
"Whose is what...?" Charlotte asked, confused, her gaze fixed on the butterfly that seemed to be resting on thin air.
As if on cue, more butterflies began to appear, fluttering around Alicia in a mesmerizing dance of colors and light. The air shimmered with their delicate wings, creating an ethereal spectacle that captivated everyone's attention. The girls gasped in awe, their eyes wide with wonder.
"Why are there so many butterflies...?" Annie of them whispered.
Suddenly, one of the butterflies spoke in a clear, elderly male voice, "Finally, we found you..."
I raised an eyebrow, surprised to hear the old man's voice emanating from the butterfly. I glanced at the idols, but they seemed oblivious to the voice, their attention solely captured by the visual spectacle.
So they can't hear him... Interesting, I thought to myself.
Alicia's eyes widened in surprise, and she instinctively gripped my shirt tighter, her translucent form trembling slightly. The sudden voice, coupled with the unexpected appearance of the butterflies, seemed to have startled her. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and fear.
"Xian... what's happening?" she whispered, her voice barely audible above the gentle fluttering of wings.
I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, my touch sending a comforting warmth through her spectral form. "It's okay, Alicia," I said softly.
"We've been wondering why you became a ghost. We've been waiting for you in heaven..." Now it was a woman's voice, gentle and soothing, emanating from another butterfly.
These butterflies might be her mother... or father... I thought, a sense of understanding dawning on me.
"X-Xian... why are the butterflies talking..." Alicia stammered, her confusion growing.
Hanna, puzzled by Alicia's words about the butterflies talking, turned to me with a furrowed brow. "What does that mean, Xian?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
"The butterflies are talking to her," I replied simply, my gaze fixed on the ethereal spectacle unfolding before us.
Hanna's eyes widened in disbelief. "They're... talking?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. The other girls shared her astonishment, their gazes locked on the butterflies that danced around Alicia, their wings shimmering with a light.
"But... how?" Cherry stammered, her voice filled with a mix of awe and confusion. The impossible was happening right before their eyes, and they struggled to comprehend it.
"I'm not entirely sure," I admitted, my own curiosity piqued. "But it seems they're connected to Alicia in some way. Perhaps they're guiding her, helping her find peace."
Alicia, who had been listening intently to the conversation, suddenly spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "They... they say they're my parents. They've been looking for me all this time."
Here we go... the final farewell... I thought, a bittersweet feeling settling in my chest. I knew this moment was inevitable, the culmination of Alicia's journey towards peace and closure.
< Chapter 173 > Fin.