Ethan stared at the old cemetery gate, its iron bars twisted and rusted with age.
As the new caretaker of the cemetery, Ethan was supposed to take over the cleaning duties and keep watch at night.
He took a deep breath as he recalled several stories the villagers told him about the cemetery. About the screams they had heard echo in the night. Ethan was terrified but helpless. He needed this job.
As midnight approached, Ethan walked around the old cemetery with tensed shoulders. Chills continued to run down his spine at every small sound that echoed. Shadows stretched long and the air grew still.
And then in the haunting silence, a mere whisper echoed.
“Please help us.”
Ethan froze, the hair on the back of his neck standing up. He looked around frantically, trying to find the source of that whisper. But when nothing else followed that plea, Ethan shook his head and continued to walk forward. He was just being crazy. Nothing else.
Ethan reached the last grave in the cemetery and suddenly mist began to rise around the stone. Ethan watched horrified as it coalesced to form the figure of an old man. It was barely a shadow, with eyes that reflected an eternity of sorrow.
Ethan would later learn it was a man named James, who died twenty years ago because of a heart attack. James was supposed to give a family heirloom to his daughter, but he passed away before they could meet.
James was now tethered to the Earth, that one unfulfilled wish making it impossible for him to fade away.
There was something about his sorrowful eyes that made it impossible for Ethan to run away. He decided to help the old man, although unsure how he would be able to do it.
Ethan spent the next several weeks trying to find the address James gave him and locating the heirloom. He eventually managed to drop it off to Luna, James’ granddaughter.
Later when he returned to the cemetery, Ethan explained what he had done to James.
“Thank you.”
The old spirit whispered with grateful eyes and faded away. Ethan smiled, finally finding a purpose.
The cemetery became a place of solace for Ethan, who in turn became a savior for several spirits. He spent years helping spirit after spirit to fulfill their wishes and allowing them to find peace.
He conveyed messages from the spirits to their loved ones and helped family members find things that the spirits left behind for them. One after another, Ethan helped the spirits resolve their unfinished business in the mortal world.
When Ethan grew older, the man smiled as the spirits gathered around him in the cemetery. Through this weird journey, Ethan managed to find comfort in the cemetery. A happiness like he had never known before.
When his time finally came, he was guided to the afterlife gently with his ghost friends surrounding him.
Did this story give you chills or leave you feeling hopeful? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👻
If you enjoy paranormal tales, check out more of my flash fiction!
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