Ghost Helper's

Introduction

Most people look at our world with a feeling of disgust. How did it become this way? How did human beings become how they are today? But what if this world is meant to be the peaceful time for us? What if once we die it will only be worse, more cruel and miserable than this world?

A world similar to the one we know yet so different, knowing the cruelness of our world but somehow taking it an even impossibly higher level. This world of the dead bestows on its civilians the worse cruelness and confusion that can ever be imagined, a curse that many would dread if they only knew what it was really like. This is the pain of not knowing who you are.

Some are unlucky enough to spend all eternity unable to recognise their family from their past life. These lost souls wonder helplessly in their ghost world waiting for their memories to return. But as many will know there is only one way for ghosts to once again remember their past existence, only one ray of hope which only a lucky few achieve to find. Their soul mate; their other half. Without them a ghost can never regain what they lost, what dying in fear rips away from them.

And so, the dead begin their desperate mission to find their other half by looking on this world, our world. They come to people who need them most, helping us when we are emotionally or physically helpless. In hope of encountering their soul mate they help us living through the problems we were once forced to face alone. This is how we learnt of the other world and the ghost's existence, for they now no longer possessed people in order to help those who need it. Ten years ago they were discovered and most of the living accepted them, so they went to the world as themselves helping the ones who need it most.

But as with most missions there is a catch, if the lost souls who were searching for their soul mate did not find them within twenty years of their death then their memories would be forever lost to them. And if they have the misfortune to have their soul mate also dead when they found them they would be unable to help each other reclaim their lost memories. This conclusion would be unthinkable to those who died in fear, for the more afraid you were when you died the less memory they were able to have.

Mikey of town 8000 suffered such a fate and now had been dead for seventeen years, leaving him frantic on his desperate mission. Mikey had died in such a horrific way that the only memories he now possessed were of how his life ended. Haunted endlessly by the unknown reason why such a fate had been placed on him Mikey completed all his missions by any means necessary, except he would he never hurt anyone even if they were cold blooded murderers. As you will soon learn this is also his greatest weakness…

Chapter one

Mikey began to make his way home from his visit to the ghost therapist; someone who always tried to help some of the lost souls even though many had considered it pointless. If Mikey had been given the choice he would not attend the sessions, it had never done any good and it only gave the other ghosts the chance to point and whisper. Except from the fact that Mikey's form was clearly younger then any of the other ghosts – for if you died any younger then twenty-five you were given the chance to choose another form, Mikey was the only one in the town who had refused- there was only one other reason they did this.

Mikey had once heard the saying 'the eyes are the window to the soul', for him that phrase was reality. Anyone could look into Mikey's eyes and be able to see what he was feeling; sometimes people could even make out what he was thinking. It was this reason why many ghosts did their best to avoid him, the thought that Mikey could never keep anything from anyone, that even a complete stranger could see what he was thinking scared them.

The town in which the souls were placed to wander endlessly in between missions was a place many others would fear to live. The world was forever covered in endless darkness with not even one small star to shine hope down on them. The buildings were one which resembled places in a neighbourhood many would fear to walk in, many were covered with mould left thoughtlessly because no one was blessed with the ability to smell it. Mikey had once heard that this world used to be nothing short of paradise where the lost souls didn't need to help the living for the mere reason that there were no problems to solve. It had begun when people began war where many people died in fear becoming more lost with the more terror they felt. Within their final moments the living had begun to feel pain from the many deaths that had suddenly occurred in their life's leading to more pain and the end of peace after the struggle of life.

With every passing day the worlds grew only worse, death and pain spread like a contagious disease changing the world beyond recognition. The ghosts could do nothing but wait and hope that one day their theory of change will be listened to by the ever-growing irresponsible living. Only then could the one pure soul rid the world of the one soul developed by Evil emotions, but it had been too long for most ghosts to hold onto the myth of their saviour. It had been said he had come into being many years ago and he still he hadn't shown himself, maybe he never would.

Once again Mikey felt trapped by the reminder of the short time he had left to find his soul mate, three years had been proven not to be long time when they had already been searching for seventeen. He tried to banish the negative thought from his head as he made his way to one of the gloomy houses he waited in. Each ghost in the town had a house to wait in while their next mission was decided, Mikey was never kept waiting long for most ghosts had requested to the Ghost Council he stay in the town as little as possible.

Mikey was relieved to never be staying in the town long, especially now his time was running out. Out of all the ghosts Mikey had met only three of them didn't treat him as if he were a plague, they all had been lucky enough to find their soul mate. Mikey was thankful they had been lucky enough to find each other, no matter what happened to him he was thankful enough knowing his friends were out of harms way. Even as Mikey was thinking this he noticed a letter pinned to one of the houses wall, no time had been wasted to get him out of the town. He read it not having to wonder what it was,

Name: Tanya Wood

Problem: Brother has been kidnapped, she needs emotional support. Comfort her and make sure

her brother returns safely to his family.

Key: 2044

There was nothing else written for nothing else was needed, Mikey immediately turned around and headed for the main building and most precious in the town. Mikey had learnt that the living had a building with similar uses called a 'Post Office', except of course from the vital fact that the ghosts didn't use it to send letters and boxes. Also the living entered by using a door, this building had never been introduced by such a thing. Mikey went around to one of the side walls and without the slightest hesitation walked right through it.

The room Mikey entered was completely empty except for a small desk pressed up to the wall on the far side; a woman was sat there calmly reading a book. The woman had long brown hair delicately plaited into a long french plait while she wore a blouse top and skirt, she was the one assigned to look after the keys. Whenever anyone requested a key they came to Sandra and Andy, they were two of the ghosts Mikey spent most of his time with when he waited in the town.

"Hi Sandra," Mikey called as he walked across the room towards her, she immediately glanced up from her book and smiled up at him. Sandra was one of those lucky ghosts who could touch anything when they wanted to, only those who had retrieved their memory's and had found their soul mate could experience such a sensation. It was something Mikey longed for, just too once again be able to touch and smell and taste.

Sandra and Andy had decided to stay in the town for a while after they had found each other; Mikey didn't know why they would want to stay unless they were watching over a loved one from their previous life. Adam, Mikey's other friend, had only recently found his soul mate a few years earlier. He too seemed to have something holding him back from moving forward towards his peace. Mikey didn't know for sure what happened after anyone moved on, but he knew it was a time in which you could finally rest from the chaos of helping the two worlds.

"So," Sandra said snapping Mikey from his thoughts, "is this just a visit or do you need a key?"

"2044." Mikey replied and waited as Sandra got to her feet and slipped through the wall into the back room. When she came back through with the key she used a hole in the wall to get the key through, another thing Mikey admired about being able to have a body. No matter weather you were using your body you could touch objects, Mikey knew Sandra could just use her powers to bring the key to her but she liked showing off. She smiled smugly at Mikey, he laughed.

Mikey followed Sandra through the other wall into a room filled with lockers, very different lockers from the living's ones who opened them merely to put objects inside. They were used as a simpler way of transporting ghosts to earth, inside the lockers was a portal each leading to a different location. Each one led to a different person who was in need of their help. The lockers were small and grey covering every available wall space except a space big enough for ghosts to enter the room. Just the sight of the lockers sent a chill through Mikey, he decided to concentrate on Sandra rather then think of what he had to do next.

"Let's hope this is the one." Sandra said, ever since Mikey had described his death to her she had been almost as desperate as he had become to remember. Mikey smiled sadly,

"The last time someone found their soul mate was Adam five years ago, if no one else can find there soul mate I doubt I will be granted such a blessing."

"But you deserve it more." Sandra whispered turning away to insert the key in the lock of '2044' which she had to float off the ground to reach. "It's so cruel that you were only a child when you died, and in such an awful way too."

"You must have died when you were only twenty-five." Mikey argued.

"Twenty-six." Sandra corrected suddenly looking uncomfortable, "Ready?" She asked looking down at him, for a moment Mikey could have sworn she had tears in her eyes. He nodded and Sandra slowly turned the key moving out of the way as it sprang open, a few seconds later Mikey had been sucked in.

*****************************************************

Someone was following her, Tanya could feel it. She twisted round and found no one there, yet she could still feel someone watching her. The wind began to blow harder sending a chill down Tanya's spine; her short black hair was being blown across her face by the growing wind. She let out a deep breath she hadn't even realised she had been holding in while laughing slightly with relief, she turned back around and let out a gasp of surprise.

A boy around the age of seventeen with spiky brown hair suddenly appeared, right out of thin air as if he'd been invisible and suddenly reappeared. The boy had obviously tried to flatten his hair on top of his head and failed miserably. He wore a dull green shirt and cream coloured trousers. His face looked so pale it was almost white. It took Tanya a few minutes to recover from his appearance and realise he had actually came out of thin air. She quickly dodged round him and began to run.

"Tanya!" The boy called beginning to run after her, "Are you Tanya Wood?"

"Leave me alone!" she screamed and quickly ran into her house, locking the door behind her, and breathing in deep breaths trying to calm down. She suddenly noticed a letter on the floor addressed 'Tanya Wood', no address was on it. She slowly tore the top open and carefully unfolded the letter inside.

Dear Miss Wood,

We have become aware of your emotional problems involving your brother's kidnapping, we have sent to you Mikey of town 8000 to help bring him home and also help you control your feelings. I assure he is one of our best and has never failed to complete his missions; he will safely bring your brother home and make sure all is well before leaving you. I hope he will be useful to you and bring comfort to you through this difficult time.

Yours sincerely,

The Ghost Council.

Tanya read the letter three more times before she began to believe it, she had heard of the Ghost Council but had thought they only helped with serious murder crimes. She had heard of the ghosts but never actually met one, she slowly and cautiously began to unlock and open the door. The boy was stood there waiting patiently.

"Are you Mikey?" Tanya asked, he nodded and remained standing there with a strange amount of calmness. "Why are you here?"

"To help you through this difficult time and return your brother safely home." He said with no hesitation, Tanya groaned.

"You sound like a robot." She said a little harsh, she regretted it when she saw the hurt in Mikey's eyes. "Come in." She led Mikey into the kitchen already at ease with the young ghost, she couldn't explain it but just by looking into his eyes she knew everything would turn out okay, she knew Mikey would be able to bring Christopher back home. Tanya began to make a sandwich while Mikey stood in the middle of the kitchen looking as if he'd done this a million times and still hadn't got used to it.

"Want one?" Tanya asked already munching on the cheese sandwich; Mikey just politely shook his head a sudden sadness filling his eyes. It was then that Tanya realised her mistake, she didn't know much about the ghosts but she had heard that just like the myth they were untouchable. They were unable to touch, feel, smell or taste.

Tanya ate quickly feeling slightly guilty and silently watched Mikey gaze around the room, she noticed that his eyes were a deep shade of green which always seemed filled with emotion. His gaze rested on the cat ornament in front of him, his eyes were somehow reflected his sadness by not being able to reach out and touch it, to feel its smoothness or the cool temperature around him.

Tanya's curiosity got the better of her and before she even realised what she was doing her hand had already shot through Mikey. She felt her eyes widen with shock at the inconsiderate act she just committed, she watched with guilt when Mikey shivered after her hand passed through him. He smiled weakly at her and turned away; Tanya silently wondered weather it was her reaction he didn't want to see. She began to lead the way out of the kitchen to her bedroom feeling slightly nervous about Mikey being in her room. Mikey followed her in silence gazing around soaking up every detail even though he must have visited a thousand different homes.

"What's it like?" Tanya asked not being able to resist any longer.

"Do you mean death?" he didn't even look up when he said it, this caused a chill to run through her. "I'm not allowed to tell you what happens after you depart to join the other world; it is your duty to find out for yourself one day, when it is your time." They had reached Tanya's room; she sat down on the end of her bed looking up at Mikey who remained standing.

"What's it like not being able to make any physical contact?" At first Mikey was quiet letting her words fill the room with a heavy tension, but then he answered her in a quiet voice.

"Sometimes –for a reason I will not tell you- I am able to have my body for just a few minutes. Within that short space of time I am able to touch; feel; smell and sometimes I even taste, but then the gift you living take for granted is once again banished from me. Nothing seems real after, just as if you yourself are not real. Although I have gotten used to the feeling and learnt not to duel on the gift I will never be granted." Mikey sighed and once again his eyes contained that strange sadness that never seemed to leave. They fell silent for a while until Tanya began to ask another question,

"What was your life like before you died? How come you died so young?" She knew that she shouldn't question him so, but her curiosity had always been a strong emotion she couldn't quite control.

"How can you be sure I have not merely changed my appearance?" he asked smiling.

"You can do that?"

"When we first reach the other world we are given the choice, it is why you do not see many ghost below the age of twenty. I have a friend named Adam who died when he was ten years old." He said it with such a calm voice it made Tanya a little angry.

"Ten years old! Does it shock you at how young some people die?" she burst out, Mikey gave a weak smile.

"I am more aware with the fact then I would ever want to be." He told her quietly, Tanya slowly began to calm down.

"How old are you?" Tanya asked, seeing Mikey's body become slightly tense.

"I've been dead for seventeen years." He said cautiously.

"That's not what I asked." Tanya replied growing suspicious, Mikey had begun to look uncomfortable.

"I am supposed to be helping your family not discussing my experiences with you." He didn't sound angry but merely tired and disappointed; Tanya resisted her knowing desire and lay on her bed with a heavy sigh. Who knew ghosts would be so secretive and easily offended; they were bathed in silence before Tanya began to ask the question that she didn't really want to think about.

"What will happen if you can't save my brother?" Tanya asked a familiar lump beginning to form in her throat.

"I'll save him." Mikey said firmly "I will not let him suffer the same fate as me."

"What do you mean?" Mikey didn't answer her but just calmly began scanning her room for the third time. Tanya was too tired to question him further; she glanced at her clock and saw that it was already ten at night. She hadn't even realised it had taken her so long to visit her friend Leah; she knew she hadn't been talking to Mikey that long.

Tanya let out a yawn thinking of how early she would have to wake tomorrow for her job, without even a thought of changing her clothes she climbed into bed and fell asleep while watching Mikey lightly sit on the end of her bed gazing through the window up at the stars.

************************************************************

Tanya woke with the sudden shrill from her alarm clock; she groaned sleepily and blindly whacked the clock sending it tumbling to the floor. The shrill sound still thundered through the room until it suddenly stopped, Tanya looked up in wonder and saw it hanging in mid-air with the alarm switched off. She smiled and looked at Mikey, who didn't even seen to be concentrating, he smiled lazily at her.

"Having you around might not be such a bad thing." Tanya said rolling out of her bed onto the floor; Mikey turned away and began to leave the room. "Where you going?" She asked yawning.

"I didn't think you'd want me in the room while you changed." He said as he walked through the closed door, Tanya quickly changed into some clean clothes knowing it was too late to get a shower. Especially now she knew Mikey could walk through ways, even though she could tell he wouldn't do something like that on purpose he didn't know his way around the house yet.

Tanya ran down the stairs and quickly placed a piece of bread in the toaster, Mikey was sat at the kitchen table silently watching her.

"How come you can sit down when you can't even touch the chair?" Tanya asked while clumsily sloshing some marmalade on her toast.

"I'm not sitting on it." Mikey said sounding distracted "I am merely floating at the level of the chair, although at the moment it is not exact." Tanya looked closer and saw that Mikey was half an inch into the chair.

"Can you fly?" Tanya asked trying not to laugh at the image that had come into her mind, Mikey didn't resist laughing.

"No, just float." He told her through his laughter; Tanya was offended but didn't let Mikey see it.

In less than half an hour they had reached Willtorth Junior School moving in a half-run, Tanya worked there as a teacher's assistant hoping one day she could qualify to become a teacher. The children in the class she helped in were around five or six, at first they seemed uncertain by Mikey's appearance but when Tanya explained to them that he was a ghost they were more excited by his presence. At first they asked him questions about his abilities and were all crowded round when Mikey was finally persuaded into moving a ruler across the room.

The teacher tried to call them back into the seats but they would only go after Mikey had promised to play 'Catch the flying ruler' with them at playtime.

"I'm jealous." Tanya said only half-joking "It took me weeks for me to be accepted into play with them and you do it in less than twenty minutes." Mikey smiled sadly at her.

"I have been sent to many children, from the age of two to around your age. It seems they feel more comfortable with a younger ghost, I can't say I completely understand why."

"I think it has more to do with your eyes then your age, although it does have a certain effect. You may not realise this but whenever anyone looks in your eyes they can just tell you're a good person. Most people fear the unknown but you do not seem to be unknown because they can look in your eyes and see your pure intentions." Mikey was quiet after that watching the class silently as they listened to the teacher reading.

Tanya had never been a shy person but the thought of looking stupid in front of Mikey scared her, what he thought about her mattered more than anything did. That was why she didn't try to play with the children at playtime, they were already too occupied and wouldn't have noticed her, but Mikey would have.

Mikey directed the ruler to fly at the level of the children's shoulders so they would have a chance attempting to grab it. The ruler darted high and low, left and right with such ease Tanya thought she was witnessing the impossible. Mikey was controlling this while having a conversation with Tanya as if nothing extraordinary was happening.

"There is something I still do not understand about this world," he began still watching the ruler "why is it that people take joy in inflicting pain on one another; it is something I have never come to understand." He glanced at Tanya while keeping the ruler in sight.

"I don't really know Mikey," Tanya told him. "I've often wondered about it too, but my opinion is that something came which caused us all pain. I think what came was the feeling of revenge; others say life is too short not to enjoy its pleasures and to some people those pleasures are hurting others. It's a messed up world, that's why you ghosts are here, to help us return to our humanity." Tanya looked at Mikey seeing something in his eyes she had not seen before, but couldn't quite make it out. That scared her more than anything not being able to read Mikey's eyes.

The school day ended quickly after Tanya's new discovery, all she could picture was that look in his eyes, it had looked something like guilt or shock, she couldn't really tell. Her mind went back to the conversation they had been having the night earlier, something Mikey had said 'I will not let him suffer the same fate as me'. Something awful had happened to Mikey, maybe it was still happening, all Tanya knew was she would help him with whatever he was going through. Ghosts were sent down to help the living but no one seemed to be helping them, there were no ghost helpers that Tanya knew of, unless there was something else she did not know.

"Hey Leah, what do you know about ghosts?" she asked, Leah was her working friend who was the only one interesting to talk to when everyone was crowded into the staff room having a last cup of coffee before heading home. Mikey had mumbled something about not liking small rooms and not joined them.

"I had a ghost come to help me when my parents got divorced." Leah told her "He looked a lot older than Mikey but he told me he died when he was ten, something about changing appearances. Anyway what I do know is if ghosts died in fear they loose more of their memories, some had it so bad they can barely remember the way they died. For some reason the way they die is the memory that never leaves them, they come to earth to help us living, but it is also a chance for then to look for their soul mate. Its their other half who helps them remember their past life, apparently it's the only way, and they only have twenty years to find them. If they don't they will never regain their memory and never learn who their family is." Leah took a sip of her coffee; Tanya felt a sudden horror wash over her.

"Mikey told me he's been dead seventeen years, he has only three years to search the world for one pacific soul and if he doesn't succeed he will never know who the people he loved are. Isn't their anything we can do?"

"Not that I know of, but you can always try to help him."

"I can help him like he's trying to help me and my family; I can listen to him and find out how he died." Tanya was determined; she glanced at Leah who smiled encouragingly. "I'll become a 'Ghost Helper.'