the lost ones

Ch1 Unearthed Secrets

"Hey, can I share a story with you?" Melia glimpse "I hope it's not one of those downer tales," Carlos replied.

Melia began diving right into it. "When my body was not possessed, I walked down a dark alleyway. Out of nowhere, they appeared before me. They took my body, claiming I was too dangerous-whatever that meant. Then they told me that to continue existing in the afterlife, I'd have to let go of my memories."

"You're kidding, right?" Carlos exclaimed.

"No! Why would I make up my life story? You silly goose!"

"Okay, but who are they?"

"Oh, I almost forgot! Their name is #%$$^$."

"What?!"

"I said @#$%^&*! Are you deaf, you goofball?"

"No..." Carlos replied, feeling confused. "And I also mentioned that I wanted to avoid depressing stories. That was super depressing and didn't go anywhere."

"Well, I'm sorry I don't remember much," Melia said, teasingly smiling.

"Disagreeing with you is unbearable," Carlos responded with a deep sigh.

"Thank you!" she chirped.

He continued, "So why did they choose you to be my guardian spirit?"

"I don't know; do I look like them?" Melia quipped.

Carlos thought carefully. "I need to choose my next words wisely."

"It's okay! As your guardian spirit, I can read your thoughts, so no need to worry, my friend!"

"That's pretty weird and not exactly okay," he replied.

"Womp womp!"

"Did you just-"

"Yes, sir!" Melia said, sticking her tongue out playfully.

Three years earlier, Melia had been strolling through a dimly lit alley after dining at a nearby restaurant, making her way to her car. Suddenly, she was confronted by an otherworldly apparition-a ghost. Paralyzed by fear, she could barely utter a word as she beheld its chilling presence. In an instant, the ghost siphoned her very soul and, in a haunting twist, infused its essence into her body. During the unsettling transformation, Melia's car keys slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground and triggering the alarm. Fortunately, the police were nearby and responded swiftly to the commotion. By the time they arrived, the chilling metamorphosis had already taken place, leaving Melia forever altered. The police interrogated the ghost.

"Did you trigger the alarm?"

"Apologies, officer. A raccoon attacked me, causing me to drop my keys and accidentally set off the alarm."

Fast forward six years. The year is 2066. Melia and Carlos were strolling down the streets when they passed an alleyway. Melia glanced down the alley and felt an odd sense of familiarity. Suddenly, she noticed a figure lurking in the shadows. Turning to Carlos, she said, "You need to leave. I have unfinished business. I'll be right behind you."

"OK," Carlos replied and walked away. Melia stepped into the alley. There, she noticed that the figure resembled her younger self.

As the figure turned to face her, Melia was shocked to realize it was her own body, but with its eyes replaced by a pink goo. She stood her ground and asked, "Why did you take my body?" The ghost replied calmly, limping and stumbling as if it had no full control, "Well, nice to see you too."

"You still didn't answer my question, did you?" Melia said, feeling frustrated.

"Are you still friends with that boy?" the ghost asked.