Drowned

Water.

Salty ocean water was all around me. It covered me. My short auburn hair was freely moving around my face. I struggled against the harsh current but the waves crashed me under. My lungs strained to breathe again but instead they filled with the stinging liquid. I pushed to try to get to the top again though I knew it was a losing battle. " At first I just saw white specks right in front of my sea green eyes, then they turned black. They formed a mass until I was completely blinded. It felt like I had passed out, but it felt like I hadnʼt.

Suddenly my vision was clear again, though now I was on the beach somehow. I saw something going on in the evening waves. They pulled someone out of the crashing high tide. I walked over, it felt like I was almost gliding. I looked down on the person they were zipping up in a black body bag.

It was me.

I stared at, myself, for a split second. Then I gasped as a lifeguard walked through me like I was thin air. I wanted to cry but no tears came. I looked down at myself, I was pale like a sheet though I still had my dark blue swimsuit on with red flowers all over it, but it looked slightly faded.

I floated past my crying best friend, Dawn, her almost black hair and piercing blue eyes somehow down and saddened, so different. She had always been so happy.


I went over to where I had jumped into the water before I had drowned. It was a dark rock that had looked dangerous, thatʼs why I had jumped from it. Everyone knew I was a daredevil, am a daredevil.

I sat down on the black rock, though I hardly even felt it. I stared out into the dark waves that took my body. But I still loved them so much.

I couldnʼt believe that me, just an eighteen year old, orphan girl, named Ren. Drowned in my favorite place in the world.

The ocean.

I still stared at the raging yet calming waters. I stared for twenty-one years...

Kione

For twenty-one years I looked out into the sea. No one had interrupted me for all those years. The lifeguards had closed access to the rock since my death because it had been viewed as dangerous since my death. But, I guess thereʼs always a first time for everything.

I heard footsteps behind me, they sounded soft and careful. I glanced beside me as a boy sat down on a small ledge. He looked around his pre-teens, maybe his teens. He had jet black hair and piercing blue eyes that reminded me of Dawnʼs eyes. He was wearing a blackish blue sweatshirt and dark blue jeans. He stared into the ocean like he had a lot of things on his mind. I watched silently as he sighed, then he got up and left.

I didnʼt know why and still donʼt to this day, but I followed him.

I followed him away from the crashing ocean and into the town I used to live in
when my heart was still beating. It was almost the same as I remembered it, though there were a few more stores and the teens shopping on their day off of school looked different. Still I followed the boy through the back streets and into a small white one story house. I looked around, only to find pictures of a girl I used to know.

Dawn.

My best friend that was there ʻtil the day I died. We were always together in the orphanage, you couldnʼt see one without the other.

I floated down the hallway of pictures and watched as my friend grew into a woman, she got married to a young man, and had a son.

The boy that I had followed, was her son.

I stared at the last picture, it was a picture of the boyʼs twelfth birthday. Filled with red balloons and a such a white cake. “I just went down to the ocean” I heard a voice come from where I supposed was the kitchen. I went into the white and black marble room, Dawnʼs son was there with Dawn from the photos.

She sighed “I donʼt want you to go there. Itʼs dangerous” she scolded, I knew why. She didnʼt want him to end up like me.

Then the boy went down a hall to the very last room which was his room. I followed him slowly, I heard Dawn sigh behind me and I paused. “I donʼt know what to do with him. Heʼs so much like Ren. Oh, Kione” she said, and I went into the boy who was named Kioneʼs, room.

The roomʼs walls were a dark green with posters of bands, he had a t.v in his room as well as some game stations. There was a desk that had art on it, mostly pencil made, black, white, and grey figures. Even though they were made with pencils, they were still quite impressive.

He was sitting on a blue daybed with black head phones on listening to music, I listened to it too. It was a band I never heard before, they were harsh and a bit scratchy but I liked it. Then it got very loud very fast “ow!” I hissed as I covered my ears.

What I didnʼt notice is that Kione heard it, he looked around trying to see where my voice had come from. I found this very funny, I laughed at him. It was a bad choice because he was now looking around like a crazy person, I laughed until I almost felt again, then when I looked at him again he was staring straight at me. I froze ʻcan he see me?ʼ I thought worriedly. His scream answered me.

I quickly thought about becoming invisible again, when I looked down at myself, I was thankfully invisible.

Kione ran out of the room through the kitchen and right into Dawn. “Mom! I saw that girl! Ren!” He shouted out of breath. Dawn looked at him confused “what do you mean you saw Ren?” She asked, he took a deep breath “I saw Ren, in my room. She
was just like she was in the pictures!” He shouted again, she sighed “youʼre just tired, you should go to bed” she said then started making food that was probably meant for her husband. Kione was still a bit scared but went back to his room.

I followed him then laid down on a chair, I closed my eyes and for the first time since I died, I slept.

I woke up as light streamed in on me. I looked around, Kione wasnʼt there anymore. I hovered out of the room and into the living room, Kione was on the couch watching t.v and eating cereal.

I sat down next to him, he glanced over to where I was sitting. I saw that I had made a small dent like I was actually sitting, he tried to ignore me and watch the show. The show was weird, it wasnʼt like the cartoons I used to watch.

“Iʼm going to the library mom, bye!” Kione shouted after he ate his cereal, and he was out of the door before his mom could say anything.

I followed Kione out, I knew where the library was but he wasnʼt going towards it.

He was going to the beach.

I followed him to the very same spot on where I jumped, he just sat there, looking into the ocean. I sat down next to him, then I tried something.

I jumped.

I jumped into the sea like I did a long time ago. I didnʼt feel the water as I hit it but I knew I had made a small splash.

I then floated back onto the rock, Kione was staring at where I had jumped. “Ren? Is that you?” He asked carefully, I smiled “yes, itʼs me” I whispered in his ear. He gasped loud enough for me to hear. “Donʼt worry, Iʼm just a ghost” I whispered again, he
was scared stiff. I laughed and turned visible “Iʼm completely harmless” I said smiling at him. I was worried he would pass out he was so pale. He tried to talk but couldnʼt “y- youʼre, R-R-Ren” he finely stuttered out. I rolled my eyes “yeah, Iʼm Ren. The one who died twenty-one years ago” I stated.

He passed out.

I caught him right before his head hit the rock, then with all my strength, dragged him off the rock.

I stopped every time someone looked towards me, not wanting them to see a boy seemingly being dragged by air off a rock.

He woke up on the beach, about ten minutes after I stopped dragging him. I was invisible.

He looked around then spotted my writing on the sand, I had written ʻif youʼre okay, tell me if I can become visible again.ʼ He looked around again “okay, you can become visible again” he said carefully. I became visible on a small rock. It was obvious he was trying to keep it together “I donʼt bite” I said slightly annoyed. He chuckled still nervous, I sighed “well, since youʼre scared stiff. I think Iʼll go” I said slowly floating away. “No!” He shouted suddenly, I turned around with a raised eyebrow “well, I donʼt really have any friends. And I thought maybe, you could be my friend?” He asked carefully, I smirked “sure, why not?” I said while hovering back to him.

And we started talking.

Kione was very nice, he was twelve years old and liked some of the things I liked. He liked the water like me, he liked music like me, and he also liked ocean life. We talked for a while then we both went to his house. I fell asleep on his chair.

The next few months we did almost the same thing. On school days I went to school with him sometimes giving him answers. On other days we just went to the beach.

Then one day while I was taking a small nap his chair and he was getting some food, I heard something from the living room.

I floated through the walls and into the room. Kione was having some argument with Dawn and his father I knew as Joey.

“But I donʼt want to go to a stupid boarding school!” Kione shouted at his parents “but itʼs for your education” Dawn tried to reason with him. But Kione just started to get angrier “I canʼt, I just canʼt!” He yelled then stormed to his room.

I followed him quickly.

He was lying on his bed face down into the pillow. I went over to him quietly.

“Kione. Kione, what happened?” I asked sitting down next to him. He rolled over bumping into me though he just went right through “theyʼre going to send me to boarding school. Itʼs all the way out in Michigan” he explained sadly, I was sad too. That was a long way away from Florida, at least, to us. “How long are you going to be gone?” I asked carefully “practically seven years, except for holidays. And theyʼre going to be crowded with people” he said depressingly. I wanted to cry but couldnʼt, I knew that with all those people something would go wrong if I went there. I sighed “Iʼll just wait for you then” I said confidently, he smiled “okay, lets just hope seven years isn't that long” he said more to himself then me.

The next few days Kione and I packed for the boarding school.

Then, just like that, he was gone.

I tried to follow him in the car that was taking him to the airport but since I wasnʼt actually in the car, I just went straight through the back.

I got an idea.

I followed the car. Then the plane.

I followed them all the way to that boarding school and then followed Kione to his room. He put his suitcase on his bed and he sat on it pouting, I went over to him smiling though I was invisible. “Kione” I said in his ear, his face lit up and he grinned “Ren, you followed us!” He said trying not to make more noise “yes, I made it. But Iʼm not staying, I want you to make some friends” I said making my decision, he was a very bright boy but it was a bit depressing that his only friend was the dead friend of his mother. He looked sad “but youʼre my friend” he said unsightly on the verge of tears “alive friends” I countered, then hugged him though I hardly felt it and I knew he hardly did too. “Donʼt worry, Iʼll see you in seven years” I said faking a smile on the sake of his tears on the corners of his eyes. He nodded and I disappeared.

Then I went and followed another plane back to Florida.

Seven Years Later

Edris

I was sitting on the rock at the beach like usual. I looked out into the crashing ocean as I heard footsteps behind me.

It wasnʼt abnormal for someone to come here, the lifeguard had opened it up to the public again.

Then the person sat down next to me, I glanced over at the person then did a double take.

He looked so familiar.

Then I noticed his eyes.

They were piercing blue.

I gasped, Kione smiled. “I knew you were here” he whispered, his voice had gotten much deeper. He was also more, adult-like. I became visible and he looked at me “not much change” he said looking me up and down. I rolled my eyes “yeah, I know. But look at you, how old are you now? Nineteen?” I asked smiling. He laughed “yep, and you died when? Age eighteen?” He asked, I nodded

“so, got a girlfriend?” I asked slyly, he rolled his eyes like he was thinking “her nameʼs Bailey” I grinned “oh really? Whatʼs she like? How does she look? How much do you like her?” I asked loading him with questions, he laughed. “Yes I do have a girlfriend, sheʼs in a word, sweet. She has sandy hair and I like her like a sweet nice girlfriend” he answered truthfully. “Aw, thatʼs so sweet” I cooed, he chuckled “yeah, itʼs funny. She loves ghosts for some reason too, and I know a ghost so, itʼs a perfect match” he said, I nodded


“perfect. When can I meet her?” I asked. He was a bit surprised “you wanna meet Bailey?” He asked, I rolled my eyes again “no, I just wanna hover around you two love birds like a dead stalker” I said sarcastically. He sighed “okay, I guess you can meet her. She does like ghosts” he said, I nodded for him to go on. “Alright, come on” he said getting up and going towards town. I followed him wanting to meet this girl, Bailey.

We had been walking for a while in the busy town, I followed Kione into a small cafe. He went to a table where a girl that looked around Kioneʼs age but maybe a bit younger. She had sandy hair and green eyes ʻSo this is Baileyʼ I thought as I floated up behind Kione as he sat down.

They kissed hello “do you like being back in your home town?” Bailey asked, Kione nodded “yeah, and I have a little surprise for you” he said mysteriously. She perked up “what is it?” She asked excited “I brought a friend.” He said smiling, she raised an eyebrow “where?” She asked looking around. Then without a word he stood up grabbed her hand gently then pulled her out of the shop and towards the beach.

She asked where they were going a few times but went along with him, soon they were on the rock.

I sat down on the other side of Kione with Bailey on the other, then he smiled giving me the signal.

I became visible.

Bailey was a bit shocked but got over it quickly “I didnʼt know Kione knew a ghost” she said smiling brightly at me “yep, Iʼm Ren” I said extending a hand, she took it and shockingly her hand grasped mine. “Bailey” she said afterwards. “Well, Iʼm sure you
have a lot of questions about ghosts and death, ya know. So” I said trailing off looking over at Kione, he got the hint and left leaving me and Bailey.

“Okay. Look, Ren was it?" She started seriously her smile now gone, I nodded a bit confused "I want you to do something for me, okay?" She said, I slowly nodded again.

She grinned almost evilly, her eyes turned blood red and her face pale white “oh little Ren. Iʼm not Bailey, Iʼm Edris! Princess to the underworld!” She said her voice now scratched from years of ware “and I need you to stay out of my way little girl, I think you should say goodbye to Kione, for soon he will be by my side as the king of the underworld! I have no idea how you escaped the ghost patrols, but just stay away and Iʼll let you wander for the rest of eternity.” She hissed icily. I was shocked, confused, and my mind was wandering, who was this Edris? King? Underworld? Ghost patrol? I didnʼt know any of this stuff, but I knew it was bad.

She turned normal again then went back to Kione.
I stared after them realizing what had happened, then I laid down on the rock right before I fell asleep, thinking of a plan to get this, Edris, away from Kione.

My Friend. Who I loved


I was sitting on the rock. I had figured out a plan though it might be a bit dangerous, even for a ghost.

I hovered quickly to where I thought Edris and Kione might be.

I was soon in front of Kione's house, I drifted through the walls invisible, I heard
the t.v on and went towards the room.

The t.v was on and Edris was on the couch leaning on Kione like she loved him, and didn't just want him to be king of the ghosts.

I followed them all day, they went to some stores and then Edris led him somewhere, I could only guess that this was where she would bring him to the underworld.

She led him to some empty warehouses at the end of town, they went inside and she closed the door, I went right through it. “Now close your eyes” Edrisʼ said thick with fake sweetness, I knew she didnʼt want him freaking out when she took him. she then did something with her hands, suddenly on the wall was a circular door, through the door was a hallway that was black and white striped.

At the very end of the hall was a dark masculine figure, I was transfixed, I could hear a voice inside my head that I somehow knew belonged to the figure.

“Ren. Ren, come here. You belong here”

The voice faded out. What did it mean? What did it mean I belonged there? I didnʼt know but I couldnʼt worry about it then, and I focused back on Edris.

I saw her as she went out of Bailey's body and the poor girl fell unconscious, Edris was now a pale, long black haired, bloodshot eyed girl.

I went and dragged Bailey away in a corner, Edris was busy with the hallway that seemed to be the door to the underworld.

She went over to Kione who still had his eyes closed unaware of what was happening, but before she could grab him I went between her and him. She looked surprised and backed away "Ren, I told you to stay out of my way!" She shouted at me quite angry, but I thought for a second I could see a hint of pride. Kione opened his eyes and saw what was happening though I doubt he understood any of it "get Bailey out of here!" I shouted at him, he nodded and went over to Bailey, he picked her up and went out of the warehouse leaving me with Edris.

She really looked mad "you stubborn girl! I told you, but you didn't listen! And now you'll pay the price." She growled, then she brought out a knife, it was glowing a pulsing green like the portal. I couldnʼt help myself, I laughed "sorry, but I'm already dead" I said thinking how stupid she was, she smiled evilly "oh, but this knife won't kill you" I stopped laughing and my smile faded "it will banish you straight to my cells, where you'll be for the rest of eternity!" She hissed, then she came at me with it about to stab me.

I dodged her attack but she came at me again, she pinned me against the wall next to the portal trying to plunge her knife into my throat. I held her back, it was obvious I was physically stronger.

She backed off then pulled out another knife, this one not pulsing. "Fine, this is more then I had thought it would be. I guess I'll have to find another king. If I can't banish you then I'll just kill the most important person to you" she said, then threw the knife in a corner.

I looked to find Kione there, a look of shock, pain, and confusion on his already pale face.

Edris chuckled cruelly then disappeared, the portal closed more slowly but I hardly noticed.

I rushed over to Kione who was bleeding, the knife had hit his chest.

"Kione! Oh. Kione" I said as I saw the wound up close, his breathing was strained and he soon was coughing up blood. "Ren" he barely whispered, I leaned closer encouraging him "you've always been my one true friend. You never let me down" he managed to choke out, it hurt me in the pit of my gut, though I didnʼt have a gut anymore. It felt like I was crying, but I knew that was impossible. Yet, a few tears fell from my eyes, they were only steam. I heard him draw and release his very last breath.

I knew he was gone.

I laid down next to his body, my only friend in this world. And he was dead, he was just a year older then me, or at least the age I died at. But at least he wasn't suffering anymore, and at least he went to heaven and wasn't a ghost like me stuck here until who knows when.

"Kione. I love you" I whispered into the blood soaked shirt, for it was true. It was ironic that I was in love with him, he was my only and best friend but I had somehow along the way fallen for him. I looked up and away from his body. "

Sirens.

Bailey had probably told the police about him, and now they were going to come here and take him away from me.

But now I wouldn't have to watch him turn to dust in this empty warehouse.

Cops opened the door and found Kione's body, they brought out machines and checked to see if there was any life in his body, but I knew they would find none. They recorded the estimated time of death then wrapped him in a body bag and took him away in an ambulance, the sirens on the white truck off like a silent spoken word.

Death.

I followed the police to Dawn's house.

She cried like any mother would when they told her, I wished I could have hugged her. To comfort her. But all I could do was watch and mourn silently with her.

Eventually I went to my rock, I stood there and looked out into the open sea with distant green eyes.

"Edris, wherever you are out there looking for another king. I will find you, and when I do I will banish you. I may not know anything about it but I'll do something. Because no one kills my friend and gets away with it." I said rather dramatically, but it was the pure truth. It may be an over acted truth, but it was still the truth. I would find her and do something horrible to her, though I didn't know what. I would. I would.

And that's how I started my journey to find Edris, the ghost princess who murdered my friend.

Who I loved. "

I was unaware of the journey ahead of me that would change me forever.....