Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Being Dead
Being dead isn't fun.
I died too young, at this point I kind of forget my age. Or at least the age I died at. I don't even remember what happened and I doubt my siblings want to remember it if they do. I wish I could keep talking to them but I can only talk to Klaus. Then again it's his power to talk to the dead. I think everyone else forgets that he has the ability to do it. He can see the dead and hear them but they can't. He'll talk to me and they'll give him a look.
"Who are you talking to?"
"Why are you always talking to yourself?"
"Are you high?" That's one of Diego's favorite lines to say to Klaus every time he and I talk. Klaus, like always, hisses. It's his favorite thing to do, he doesn't to everyone even me. It's kind of funny actually. But that's Klaus for you. The boy who can talk to dead people.
"Say, Ben?"
"Yeah?" I looked up from Vanya's book and looked over at Klaus who was reading the titles of the books on the bookshelf, looking for something interesting to read. "Sometimes, you disappear. Where do you go?" I shrug and turn back to the book. "A shrug isn't an answer. C'mon Ben! Tell me!" I heard him move away from the bookshelf and hop over the couch and face me. I sighed and closed the book and placed it on the coffee table in front of us. "You wouldn't really understand. I don't go anywhere. I'm kind of stuck with you. You summoned me and here I am."
"No no no!! You don't understand. That one time you disappeared, like when I turned back around you were gone."
I look at Klaus in the eyes and shake my head lightly. "Elaborate."
He rolled his eyes and scoff. "I didn't know ghosts could get possessed let alone by Hazel who's still alive and kicking." Klaus gave a frustrated sigh and stood up from the couch and stomped over to the bookshelf pouting. "I can't tell you where I go. It's hard to explain. People who are still alive won't understand." I lean back into the couch and watch as he grabs a book from the shelf and tosses it to the ground.
He continues to do so as if he's a five-year-old kid who won't get his way. "You know sometimes I wonder if you really grew up. You pout and complain like a five-year-old."
"Hey Klaus, have you seen my knives?" Klaus and I both turn our heads to see Diego walk in looking around the room. "Tell them, Mom has them."
"Why don't you tell him, smartass." I look at Klaus who's turned away from Diego and currently facing me frowning. "Mad?" I ask a smile coming to my lips. He doesn't answer. "Thought so."
"Uh, hello? Stop talking to ghosts and answer me." Diego snaps his fingers as he starts looking under the magazines on the coffee table. "I'm not talking to ghosts, I'm talking to Ben."
"Technically I'm a ghost." I look over Diego as he continues searching the coffee table and smile at Klaus who sticks his finger up at me. "Love you too brother!"
In the hallway, I could hear the sound of Mom's heels on the tile floor. "Mom!" Diego calls out for her and walks over to the archway. She appears in front of him and gives him her signature smile she gives everyone. "Yes, Diego. What is it?"
"Have you seen my knives? I can't find them anywhere."
"Oh, they're downstairs. I washed them for you." Even though Diego wasn't facing me, I could see his cheeks rise up as he smiled at Mom. "Thanks, Mom."
"Anything for you Diego." They walk out of the library and the sound of her heels fade off into the distance. "So.." Klaus starts. I almost forgot he was here with me. It kind of slips your mind when you're dead. You know, you forget that you're attached to your brother and can rarely ever leave cause he summoned you. And no one else can you see only him because that's his power. That's a normal thing, right? I think so. Just being dead.
It's kind of peaceful. Dad's no longer alive. I don't have to do missions anymore. I could just chill and be dead. Lovely..
"What do you want?" I say after he doesn't say anything else after his 'so'. Klaus sits down on the coffee table and looks at me. "What's it like being dead?"
"I'm going to be honest with you." The look on his face was complete excitement. "I fucking hate." The smile quickly disappeared from his face as he only said one thing. "Oh.."
"It's kind of boring actually, then again for the hundredth time, you summoned me. I'm stuck with you. It's fun sometimes, it's interesting sometimes, but it's honestly really a drag. I don't like the fact that no one else but you can see me. Being dead sucks."
"Well...I'm sorry you died."
"Everyone is. I don't think it's any of our faults."
"Do you remember?" He asked. "I prefer not to remember. Do you?" He didn't meet my gaze. "Some of it but not all." We sat in awkward silence until the sound of running feet filled the air. I looked into the hallway to see Five running to the front door. "Five?" Klaus called out. We both looked at each other and I raised my eyebrow.
"Don't-"
"Let's go." Klaus shot up from the coffee table and ran after Five. I groaned and got up from the couch. I shoved my hands in my pocket and followed Klaus. "Ben come on!!"