Chapter Text
“Hello?!”
A voice cuts through the nothingness.
“I know you can hear me!”
You look around, or at least — you think you do. It’s hard to tell. There’s… nothing here. Not darkness, not light, just absence.
“Are you seriously doing this to me?!”
Something shifts in the distance. A blur. A color. A figure walking through the blankness like it’s just air. As they get closer, the blur sharpens into someone particular: tall, shoulder-length red hair streaked with pink, a simple outfit with practical gear strapped to a worn utility belt, and glowing purple eyes that lock onto yours.
“Oh.” They say, now staring directly at you, a smirk appearing on their face. “You’re new.”
They plant their hands on their hips, clearly preparing for a performance.
“Hi. You don’t know me, but I know you. Well, not you you. I’ve heard about you. A lot, actually. The Author’s always talking about you like you’re some sort of... important presence. Honestly? Bit much.”
Grand hand gestures accompany every word she speaks.
“Anyway, the name is Sam and I—” they sweep one arm in an exaggerated bow “—am your new main character.”
She waits, as if expecting applause. When it doesn't come, she continues anyway, completely unfazed.
“You’re probably wondering a few things right now. Like, ‘Where am I?’ and ‘Who is this stunning, charismatic person?’ and maybe even, ‘Is this a dream or just the result of binge-reading too much fanfics at 3AM?’ All valid questions.”
Sam gestures at the white void around her.
“Welcome to the literal space between the pages! It doesn’t look like much, I’ll be honest. A bit too minimalistic for my taste. But this is where I end up when… Well… Let’s just say this is where I go when something goes horribly, and I mean catastrophically horribly wrong.”
Her grin falters slightly. Just slightly.
“See, technically speaking… I died. Technically.”
A pause.
“But don’t worry! I have it under control. I mean, this is only a temporary setback for someone like me. See, my job is kind of dangerous. You might be familiar with it, actually. I am a ghost investigator. Yes, exactly like the GIGGS but—”
Sam leans closer, lowering her voice to a mock whisper.
“Between you and me? I’m way more interesting than them. I mean, look at me!”
She does a little spin, showing that there is absolutely nothing interesting about her appearance.
“So yeah, I do ghost investigation. Together with my friends of course. We’re team TEST. Ever heard of us?”
…
“No? Your loss. We are the most competent group of ghost investigators you’ll ever meet. The name might have been inspired by a certain other group of investigators, but don’t tell the rest that! I told them it was entirely my idea. Putting all the first letters of our names together to create the most amazing team name in existence. Entirely original. Team GIGGS were honestly the ones that led me to taking up this profession. I mean, how else am I supposed to steal the spotlight in this fanfic that is literally about ghosts?”
She pauses again, as if she is expecting a response to their obviously rhetorical question.
To her surprise, someone does actually answer her.
Why are you here?
Again .
Sam freezes. Turning to look at where the voice is coming from, only to discover that it isn’t accompanied by a body.
“There you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere, Author! And with everywhere, I mean here. In the most boring place I have ever seen. You sure you don’t want to try redecorating a bit—”
You died.
“I mean, yeah… Technically… but let’s not get into the semantics of it all.”
I feel like the semantics are quite important in this case, actually. I thought you were for sure going to survive this time. You said—and I quote—“I’ve got it handled! Don’t worry!”
“Well, turns out this ghost really doesn’t like us. But hey, we just keep trying, right? I’m sure your lovely readers will admire this incredible perseverance greatly.”
My readers are not ones to award stupidity.
“Whatever…” Sam rolls their eyes. “Can you just send me back already?”
You can’t just keep trying the same thing over and over again and expect different results.
“Then why don’t you suggest something, oh, wise and mysterious Author, If what I’m doing is so horrible?”
I might have an idea
Sam blinks. “...Wait really?”
You’ll see…
“Wait— what? You can’t just—!”
Good luck.