Chapter Text
After my spirit wandered the world for decades, I was alone. Glanced at everybody following their loved ones that were still alive, while I did the same. His hair grew long in a short time. He looked beautiful nonetheless.
I could feel him, though. As our souls were the same, I could feel every one of his emotions. It was so empty and sad. They said we aren’t supposed to feel anything but our connection was so strong my heart aches for the way I left him.
He rarely smiled, but when he did I’d sink it all in and tell myself, “He’s still the same guy.” He wasn’t, and I knew. I feel his guilt, and how he blames himself, though he has nothing to blame himself for. It was all me. All these years I was alone, until the kid showed up.
I still am not sure how he showed up. He is from Japan, while I’m meant to be in New York. It’s weird, really. He was visibly confused and frowned when he looked down at his shirt. I didn’t really care but the look on his face was all too familiar.
He was looking for the bloody mess on his shirt. His hair was pulled into a stupid ponytail and had a stupid gang jacket on. I could tell he was asian, so I walked away due to understanding I wouldn’t be able to communicate with this kid.
He looked over in my direction and waved his finger at me. “Hey. Hey! Don’t walk away, you- you with the stupid coat on.” Stupid? My coat?
“Shut up, your hair is ugly.” I continued walking with my hands in my pockets when I realized Eiji was already up ahead the street. Stupid kid distracted me.
“Come back here, white man!”
I speeded up but felt his presence getting closer. No. I will not have another one of these following me around, I lost all my nerves with the last guy, non-stop talking, but luckily was reunited with his girlfriend after a few months. I hated when they would talk and talk and keep me away from him. I don’t want to listen to anyone but him.
He caught up and bumped into my shoulder, probably on accident but I still pushed him away.
“What is this place? Aren’t you hot in that? Who’s that guy you’re following? What happened-“
“Go ask someone else, fool. I’m busy.”
He scoffed and rolled his eyes. He took his rubberband out his hair, while pushing it back. Couldn’t have been older than 16, though I don’t care how old he is- was.
“Look. Tell me, I’ll leave or whatever I can do.” I thought about it real quick and sighed. I did the quick run down. We’re dead. No this isn’t hell or heaven, although the whole of New York knows where I’d be headed. Do we need to find peace? Something along those lines. He looked confused still but just nodded.
After a brief moment, all he said was “Huh?”
He just died. I am doing the biggest act of kindness helping this lost kid so I just say it how it is.
“You left someone behind. Or some people. People who will change a lot after you die. You aren’t allowed to leave this place until they’re truly happy, and are at peace with what happened. Or until they die.” First time explaining it, there was a lump in my throat, because Eiji was none of these. Yet.
“I mean, I had friends, but they’re gonna be okay. My mom will be okay. I know she is. I didn’t leave anyone because they all have someone else that’s gonna get them through it. So you’re wrong. Whatever your name is.”
“No, I’m not, idiot. You left somebody. Somebody so important. Someone you felt so connected to.” I’m never wrong, whatever your name is.
He held his breath. “I mean, there was this one guy.” He fiddled with the rubberband in his hands and looked everywhere but my face. Now I can leave.
“I died in his arms.” His breath was shaky. I just looked at him and almost felt bad. If it makes him feel better, my “one guy” hasn’t been anywhere near the spot I died at. I tell him that as if it would comfort him but he doesn’t say anything.
Brat.
“Well, we should get going. That guy you were following is already up ahead.” I turn around and realize Eiji was way up ahead. Damn it, I run and didn’t realize what he said until he started running with me.
When I slowed down and put distance between us.
“I am a “you”. Not a we, you are not following me. Go find your friend.” He laughed while out of breath.
Since he first popped up, he looked at everything around him. He went in a circle looking at all the spirits, and everyone they were watching out for. The buildings, the cars, but also all the sad people who were still alive.
“I think I better stay with you, white man.” He looked over at me shrugging his shoulders and putting a few strands of hair that fell in his face, behind his ear.
“Keisuke Baji.” He smirked.
I told him I wouldn’t tell him my name because I wouldn’t let him follow me around. After pestering and pestering and “We’re dead, does it matter?” and then “Yes, it does. Leave me alone.”
“Just tell me!” He whined, and from someone who died due to gang violence, you’d think he’d be more mature.
“Ash.” I glared over at him.
“Ash Lynx.”