The Sexton House

Episode 29

“Who?” Anna questions, as I grab her
hand. I laugh to myself, as I take her
hand in mine. It’s not till we are near
the doorway that I realize I am holding a
dead girls hand. I jolt to a stop and turn
towards her.

“I have a question before we precede
on.” I state, loosely letting go of her
hand.

“And what might that be?” She questions
back.
“If you’re a ghost then how on earth am I
touching you?” My eyebrows raise,
obviously wondering how in the hell this
is possible.

“Oh, Harry you’re so naïve.” Anna
laughs, throwing her head back slightly.

“Ghost aren’t like they are in stories, not
at all. We aren’t transparent nor are we
sheeted beings.” My eyebrows seem to
raise a notch higher at her words.
“Sheeted beings?” I question with a
confused look.
She huffs before saying, “we don’t run
around with sheets over ourselves trying
to scare poor innocent people like
yourself.” Well that explains a lot.
“Then what makes us different?”
“I am dead. I have no heartbeat. I am
numb, I can not feel anything.” She
admits, looking back towards the
window. I knew Anna was dead, but I
didn’t realize how similar we are yet we
are also like total opposites.

“So you can’t feel this?” I say, as I reach
for her hand and inclose it in mine.
Slowly rubbing my thumb against the
back of hers.
“Not at all.” I’m sadden to know that
Anna is literally numb to the world and
will be forever. It’s honestly a tragedy
that such a intelligent, young women like
herself will never feel again.
“Well that’s unfair.” I admit dropping her
hand. Anna’s eyebrows raise.
” I lead her towards the doorframe
and walk through, leaving her standing
on the other side.

“It’s been years.” She softly speaks,
gazing at the frame. “I don’t know if I
can do it. I haven’t left this room in so
long, Harry.”
“I know you can, Anna.”
“Change is good, correct?” She ask,
looking hesitantly at the door. I can tell
she’s scared, and I guess I would be to if
I haven’t left a room in years, but she
must face this fear if she is ever going to
overcome it.
“Remember what I promised you?” I say,
entering back into the room.
“Yes, I remember. You said you would
protect me even if it meant you getting
hurt in the process.” I nod my head,
staying true to my word.
Anna takes a deep breath, before slowly
walking towards the door. I follow suit,
taking small steps that match hers. When
she is right at the frame, she raises her
chin and steps forward looking ready to
take on the world.

“You did it.” I congratulate her. She
smiles big before saying, “That felt so
good! I haven’t been able to leave that
room in years. I was actually scared I
might not be able to.” I take her hand in
mine and lead her down the stairs. Her
big blue eyes scan every inch of the
room. I can tell she is just trying to soak
it all up before she has to go back to that
small space.
“Wow. I like what you did with the
place.” I shake my head, ” I actually
haven’t done anything.” She turns her
head towards me. “Really? It looks
different. Then again it could be because
I haven’t been down here in so many
years.” I nod my head, agreeing it’s
probably the latter one. We maneuver
through the house and out to the front
porch.

“This will be your first bit of fresh air in
awhile too.” I laugh, knowing she’ll
make a big deal out of this too, which
she should. I mean she is finally leaving
a tiny room after years of being stuck up
in it.
” Yes, I know.” We head outside, I watch
as she takes in the night sky. Even
though it’s pouring rain out, she still
looks amazed at the view.
“Wow…” Her ocean blue eyes glance in
every direction trying to absorb all of
God’s great creation. It is truly beautiful,
even though I can see it anytime I want,
but there will come a day when that is
no longer possible. One day I will be
gone. Dead, that is. I won’t be able to
walk outside and enjoy a lovely day, and
I guess that is what sU-Cks about life, you
never know when will be your last.
Enjoy your time here, for one day you
won’t be able to.

“This is nothing compared to what I want
to show you.” I whisper to Anna, who
seems deep in thought.
“Really? Let’s go.” I take her hand we
start running down the road. We could
have taken my old truck, but I think
skipping through the wet streets in the
middle of the night is much more fun.
We both run as if we are running from
our life. And I guess in a way we are. No
we’re not being chased by men who
want to harm us, but we are running
from our problems and the reality of life
and death. Anna may be dead, but that
doesn’t mean she can’t have fun and
enjoy her earth life. I know I’m crazy for
running off with a ghost, but if you got
the chance to do the same, wouldn’t you
run away to? You wouldn’t pass up a
once in a life-time opportunity.
“I’ve never felt more alive!” Anna
screams into the night. Joy and pure glee
is laced within her words. I agree with
her, it feels good just to run away, even
if it is only for a little while.

After running through the streets we
finally make it to the park, the same one
Jane brought me to. I lead Anna over to
where the duck pond is located at and
motion for her to sit on the ground. Soft
thunder booms in the background along
with strikes of lightning.
“Wow this is beautiful.” Even though the
storm kind of frightens me I know Anna
is enjoying herself, so I don’t let on that
I’m actually scared shitless.
“I thought you might like it.” I say,
looking over towards her only to see a
wide smiles stretching across her
features. I knew at that very moment
with the moon shining on the water
which reflects a glow on her fare skin,
that I was slowly falling for a dead girl,
and there was no way for me to stop the
feelings I felt for her.