Ghost

Chapter 20

"While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die."
- Leonardo Da Vinci
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"I can't go."

The words leave my lips before I've even realised I've spoken them.

I'm staring at Adele. I can't leave her. I don't want too. If I could wait for on the other side it would be different, but I can't stand existing for eternity knowing that she exists and I'll never see her again.

"Louis, if you don't then Lola will become a rogue, she'll be trapped in this house forever!" Harry urges.

"No, you can take her... I'm staying with Adele." I say firmly.

"I can't take her." Harry's stressed, pushing his fingers through his hair. "It's different with children, they cling to reality, they want to stay near their parents."

"Children die all the time! Are you saying they all become rogues?"

"No! Usually we have someone waiting, a ghost like you waiting to take the to the other side, a grandparent or something, an energy that they'll recognise! Every now and then it doesn't quite work and you have a child rogue ghost, spending eternity looking for their parents-"

"But I'm not related to Lola, I'm not connected to her in any way!" I almost shout.

"I bloody know!" Harry shouts back. "I don't have time to explain it Louis! It was meant to be so simple, it's all because of her!" He points to Adele angrily. "If you hadn't of turned into some bloody zombie Casanova then you'd have just done what you're meant to do and-"

"It's not Adele's fault!" I shout back angrily. "If you'd have prepared me then I could have-"

"If I'd have prepared you then you would have stopped Lola from falling and-"

"And none if this would have happened! What's the point of it all? Why the hell have I been sat in a house for centuries waiting for a kid to die, except she's not really dead because I'm now expected to just bloody leave on your whim, now that I've finally found some happiness... What's the point? Why make her die if she's not supposed to?"

"It's in the divine plan!" I've never seen Harry so stressed or angry.

"Oh, stick your divine plan up your arse Harry." I spit.

He stares at me, open mouthed.

"How... How dare you! I'm an archangel!" He splutters indignantly.

I look away from him, towards Adele. Lola is still crying bewilderedly. I'm trying to ignore it but I can't. The atmosphere is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"I have a question." Nialls voice makes both me and Harry jump. I'd forgotten he was there. "What the bloody hell is going on?"

Harry sighs and stares at me.

"Louis... There's so little time..."

I ignore everyone as I focus on Adele.

I concentrate everything I have on making her feel warm.

I know it's selfish, but it'll be ok. If Lola is stuck here I will be too and I can look after her, I'll stay with her and Adele and keep them both safe.

Adele looks up as the warm feeling surrounds her.

"Louis." She whispers. "Something terrible has happened. I need your help. A little girl..." She sobs and tried to calm herself. "A little girl has died! Is she here? Please Louis, it can't be her time yet!"