Emily's Seams
Chapter 21: Lonely Ghost

I sat on the rusted bed closest to the magically disappearing wall and waited. I had nothing to do but wait. The day was so lovely that it almost made the hospital look nice. The only thing, however, that could truly save it was a book of matches and some gasoline but I hadn’t even remembered to bring cookies.

After more than an hour of waiting, the wall started to peel away. Angus stepped out and sighed. He didn’t know I was there.

“Hey cowboy.”

He jumped. “Jesus!”

I stood up and held by hands out in mock surrender. “Easy! It’s just me!”

His hand had gone to his heart and he was breathing heavy.

“It doesn’t work anymore, remember?” I said, nodding to his chest.

He nodded. “I just didn’t think you’d come back. Thought I was alone now.”

“What are you talking about?”

“They’re gone, Em. All three of them. I’ve been alone since you left.”

My stomach twisted into an uncomfortable knot. “What? Where?”

He smiled but it was a tired smile. Like he’d given up. “They just kind of changed once you told them how they died. I don’t see what the point of it all was but it did something to them.”

I nodded as I pictured Francine and Doug after I’d told them about their deaths. They had become angelic. “I would’ve come back sooner. I’m sorry, Angus, I didn’t know.”

He shrugged. “I dunno, maybe that was the key. Maybe that’s what I need to get out of this hell hole. Each minute is stretching out to hours and then days, and I’m all alone. And...well, you know.”

“No, I don’t. What were you gonna say?”

Angus sat down on the closest rusted bed and it squealed in protest beneath him. “I feel old. I’ve never felt like that, ever. It’s just not right the way I’m feeling.”

Something was nagging at me. Something about this wasn’t right. Sure, I felt like crap because he felt so badly but there was something else.

Just then a noise made us both turn to the room’s doorway. Two boys were standing there.

“Sorry. We didn’t think anyone was here.”

They wheeled around and started down the hall but I could just hear them.

Lucky gramps! I’d come here with her anytime!

My heart started pounding. I turned to look at Angus but I don’t think he’d heard them.

I reached out and that human instinct to reach out in return overtook Angus. The skin of his hand was rough and cool and his bones were like knobbed twigs.

I met his eyes and they were just as wide as I think mine must have been.

“What the fuck?” was all that came out. I’m not sure who said it.

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