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From: An anonymous benefactor
Message:
A thousand glittering diamonds floated in the pure blue ocean. At least, that is how it looked like to you with the sun's rays of light shooting across the rippling waters. Its warmth was cooled by the salty breeze that now slipped across your skin. Your smile was relaxed as you stared out over red-shingled buildings at the ocean that flanked the quaint town. The breeze stirred again, stronger this time, and you tugged down the brim of your hat to keep it in place. Pulling away from the coarse stonewall, you began walking down the cobblestone path that had led up to the looking area.

Cool, sweet shadows slipped over you as you walked down the path between two tall buildings. The city had been made on the steep slopes of the land besides the ocean. It was full of buildings that reached up towards the white clouds above. In fact, you had yet to see a building that was not smaller than two stories high. The majority of these buildings were made of light brown stone that matched well with the red, sometimes blue or green, shingled rooftops. The city was a nice one. The bustle of everyday activity kept the streets busy and the tourists that came kept it healthy with business.

As you finally reached the end of the cobblestone path, a great deal of noise greeted you. The sidewalks flowed with people and the air was filled with conversation. Joining those who were making their way down the sidewalks, you walked at an easy pace, enjoying your time here. In the stone streets, a few steam cars rumbled by. Ahead of you, you spied your current destination. The heart of the city, a circular plaza with a large fountain rimmed with white short walls that acted as stone benches. You adjusted your hat again as the wind playfully tugged at it and picked up your pace. Crossing the street, mindful of the train tracks running in the middle, you finally made it to the plaza.

A loud whistle split the air nearby and the huffs of a train drew your attention down the street. A small light blue train passed by you, its white steam forming miniature clouds in the air.

This was one of the reasons why this city was so famous. These small trains ran through most of the main streets of the city. They went up and down the large hills and acted as a public transportation system for the people.

You grinned with amusement as you watched cart after cart, ten total, pass you by as the train slowed down. The carts were opened topped and could hold two people comfortably. You hurried to the small platform as people off loaded from the train after it came to a full stop. At the front, the locomotive engineer waved people onboard.

"Excuse me!" You hailed their attention and they waved back in greeting.

It was an older gent who wore the standard uniform for the locomotive drivers. Light blue overalls with a long sleeve peach shirt and a light blue tall locomotive hat.

"What can I do for you?" He asked loudly to be heard over the rumbling of the engine.

"Does this train run up to Oak Street?" You inquired, lifting your own voice to try and be heard properly. You asked because a resident earlier had told you about a lovely cafÃ& on the corner there. It sounded nice and it also gave you an excuse to ride one of the trains.

The engineer nodded, "Yes we do! Hop on board and you'll be there in a jiff!"

Again you grinned and nodded your thanks as you hurried away to go find a seat in one of the carts. The train had nearly filled up, but a few seats remained. Snagging one, you felt your heart beat speed up with excitement. You could feel the tremor of the engine through the metal cart as you sat down. Ahead, you saw the locomotive engineer pull a chain and the train's whistle shrieked a warning. There was a small jerk forward and the train began to slowly push forward. Steam shot into the air as the engine huffed and it began to build up speed. Soon, it was moving at a good pace down the street and away from the fountain.

The wind from the ride felt good against your skin. Your hat threatened to blow off, but you nimbly stopped it and held it down with a hand. You grinned and could not help by feel as you had when you were a kid; the feeling of excitement for doing something you had never done before.

Smiling, you looked towards the sky were a propeller plane passed overhead with a sign being pulled behind it. It reminded you of the hot air balloons the city was also known for. Maybe you would go for a ride later...Of course, you also had to visit the beach. Perhaps go out on a boat cruise or something of the sort. Your mind wandered as you thought of more things you wanted to do while you were there...

The small jerk as the train slowed down to the next stop surprised you and you gripped the side of the cart with both hands to stop from nearly falling forward. A gust of wind swept over you and snatched your hat from your head. It tumbled away as the wind stole it into the air. Your eyes widened in surprise and you quickly twisted around as you searched for it.

You muttered a small curse as you saw it drifting in the air down the street. The moment the train came to a complete stop, you jumped out of the cart and jogged down the sidewalk, apologizing as you pushed passed the people walking. Fighting through the crowd was like trying to run through water. Slow going. The wind died down and you watched the hat landed on the ground across the street ahead of you. Your relief was short lived however, when the breeze slowly picked up strength once more. You watched in horror as the hat moved along the ground.

"Stop that hat!" You shouted in plea, but you only received odd stares from the people around you.

The wind continued to pick up, causing the hat to move some more. Darting into the street, a car that was just about to move forward from its parking spot honked at you as it suddenly braked to avoid hitting you. You shouted an apology to the angry driver as you jogged to the other side. The hat was only a few yards away now.

But the wind was not on your side. The hat tumbled and rolled down the sidewalk. You were only moments away when the teasing wind howled a sudden gust and picked the hat up into the air once more.

You groaned and stared as it blew into the sky above the street. The passing of cars added to the wind and pushed it even higher into the air. Staying on the sidewalk, you tracked it as best you could. It swept over a two-story building and drifted to the other side. Cutting into an alley, you race over to the next street. This street was thankfully much quieter than the previous. Only a few cars passed by and the sidewalks held only the occasional passerby.

Breath ragged now, you searched the air for your hat and spotted it across the street high up in the air. It drifted near the fourth story window of a building. The blowing wind was finally starting to die down again. Almost gently, the hat floated down to a third story balcony the next building over. You watched as out stretched hands carefully retrieved it from the air. A girl had caught it.

"Excuse me! Miss!" You cried out to her as you waved your arms in an attempt to get her attention.

She heard your voice and looked down towards the street. Her long white hair was partially hidden under a floppy sun hat and her light blue sundress drifted slightly in the breeze.

"The hat there is mine. Could you drop it down to the street, please?" You called up to her.

The girl looked at the hat in her hands, then back to you. "I think it might be better if I just come down and give it to you. The wind is picking up again!" She shouted down to you as another sharp wind nearly blew her own hat off.

You nodded and watched as she disappeared inside. Crossing the street, you made your way to the entrance of the building. A few moments later, the girl opened the door and walked down the two steps that led down to the sidewalk.

Up close, you noticed her eyes were a light blue. So light that you wondered if it was just a trick of the light. In her hands, she gently held your upturned hat. Her lips were smiling in amusement as she held your hat out to you, "You should be more careful. The wind can get pretty strong here."

You chuckled slightly, "Yeah, I noticed that. Thanks for saving it for me. I'm not sure where it might have gone next if you hadn't have snatched it from the air." You took the upturned hat from her with a smile.

The girl laughed, "It was no problem. I'm guessing you are new in town?"

"I just arrived here today." You admitted a little sheepishly.

"Ah, a tourist," the girl teased, "Well, welcome to town!"

"Heh, thanks. And thanks again for the help."

"Your welcome. I know I would hate if I lost my hat, " she tapped her own, "Either way, I won't hold you any longer. I'm sure you have much you want to do today." The girl gave a small wave of farewell as she turned to walk down the street.

A smile lit your own lips as you turned around and walked back towards Oak Street. You put the hat on and immediately froze.

What?

Something thumped onto your head from inside your hat and you blinked in surprise. Taking off your hat, you caught a small box as it began to fall off your head. Looking down, you saw it was a nicely decorated gift box that was held close by a silk bow. Written in elegant calligraphy were the words: A small gift for working so hard to get your hat back~

You turned the box over looking for any other messages. The girl must have put it into your hat before giving it back. You looked down the street for the girl, but she had already disappeared from your view. Gazing back at the present, you slowly began to open it...

--- Phantom Anon

From: An anonymous benefactor
Message:

I had fallen into a loop. A common thing for the average ghost, but a rarity for myself. I was a phantom and it had been a very, very long time since I had slipped into such a trap as this.

Around and around I spun. Slipping from one dance partner to the next. The lighthearted music from the band in the corner of the room drifted through the ballroom and mixed with the loud chatter of the partygoers. Torches in gold holders were placed evenly across the peach colored walls. Above, a silver chandelier lit with a thousand candles glimmered and reflected the light. It brightened the room immensely, considering the sun had fully set a few hours prior.

It was a wondrous masquerade ball hosted by a very wealthy man. His title had long slipped from my memories, but that did not matter. What did was that I was here in attendance of it. Again.

Smooth hands slipped into my own and I focused on what I was doing. A young man with pale skin smiled at me from behind the crimson half mask that was bordered by gold trim. His hazel eyes were the purest I had ever seen, and in them, I could see myself.

Not as the monotone phantom that I truly was, but how I had been when I was alive. My light blue ball gown flowed neatly as we danced. A silver half mask hid the top of my face and a cascade of brown curls fell passed my shoulders.

This made me blink in surprise. Was that truly how my hair had been while alive?

I spun once more and was greeted with another masked dancer. His cheeks were slightly flushed from wine and his lips mouthed my name. He must have known me, but I could not remember him.

My breath caught as I realized that I was falling within the trap again. This memory of the masquerade that I had attended the night of my death was looping over and over again. How many times had I repeated this same event? I was not sure at this point. From the corner of my eye, I could see a dark transparent wall that made up one the hallways of the house. Yes, that was where I truly was; some stray house in the living realm that I had happened upon by chance. It was just after a meeting with a newly made spirit that I had fallen into this loop there at the house.

Loops were common for spirits to fall into, especially if the time right before or during their death was traumatic enough. They would spend their incorporeal existence repeating everything that they had done before their death. Years in the living realm could pass and the spirit would not even notice. They would continue until they simply faded away to nothing. A true death for a ghost.

Loops had a deadly lure to them. They brought the illusion of life. Here in a loop, sensation was sharp and colors were bright. Not the dull and sensation less world that was brought on by death. On top of that, it was easier to follow familiar motions that the loop provided rather than deal with a spirit's nonexistence in the living realm and the infinite time we had. If a spirit could not find a purpose to their afterlife, then they most often went insane or willingly fell into these appeasing memory loops.

The song finally ended and I moved away from the dance floor just as I always did in this loop. After stealing a glass to drink from the tray of a servant passing by, I was soon swept up in conversation with others. Their faces were equivalent to strangers, but they must have been people I had known. I smiled and laughed when it was appropriate, but paid no real attention to what they were saying. I was only doing this because this is what the loop composed of.

A lone figure standing near the wall drew my gaze. They did not belong in this loop, I could tell that much by their odd clothes. . It was a girl who must have been visiting the house I was now haunting. She definitely did not live here for I knew the place to be owned by an elderly couple. Her hair was a dark blue that matched well with her grey eyes. A book rested in her hand as she stared at me with a slightly surprised look. .

Ah. I must have been materializing ever so slightly into the living realm. It happened sometimes in loops and was the main reason there were many sightings of ghosts doing mundane things. I concentrated on that person and willed myself to break from the loop. It was difficult. I had nearly succeeded when a man moved in front of me and blocked my view from the girl. All of my focus dissipated in a single moment.

The man was exotic and charming. A simple black mask covered his emerald eyes and his skin was sun kissed. The foreigner had been the guest of honor of the party and the talk of it as well. His bow was elegant and his words thick with a delicious accent as he spoke to me. Just as quickly as he had come, he disappeared into the crowd as he made his way to the gardens.

I knew him. He was not my murderer, but it was his invitation into the rose gardens that had led to my death. Although I knew what would happen, the loop forced me to wait a few minutes before following him. I crossed the dance floor and moved through the crowds. A servant opened the door for me as I walked into the dim lit hallway.

The sounds of the party were muffled in here and it took a few moments for my eyes to adjust. The sound of my footsteps as I walked down the hall were muted by the elegant carpeting on the floor. This hallway led to the blooming rose gardens where my death awaited me. Ahead, a servant smiled and bowed deeply. With a well practice movement, he dramatically opened the large oak door. My eyes were flooded with light and the music of the band was loud against me ears. Stepping forward, I walked into the ballroom where countless others were dancing and laughing as they enjoyed their conversations. The loop had come full circle and had started anew.

A hand led me to the ballroom floor and once more I was lost in the movements of the dance. At least this loop was a kind one and ended at the hallway. A previous loop, shortly after I had died, had forced me to relive that death over and over again.

I spun around into the grip of a new partner. I smiled and made pointless pleasantries as I always did in this loop. This particular young man I knew would try to stay by my side for the rest of the night. Seeing him, I wondered if I had known him or if this had been my first time meeting him. A few centuries made memories turn fickle.

A cold hand took my own and I began to spin to face the new partner but immediately froze mid-turn. Darkness descended around me. The music from the ball turned to just echoes haunting my mind. Around me was a plain hallway with photos lining the walls. The colors of the world dulled until they were nothing but hints of their former selves. My warm skin cooled until it was neither hot nor cold. The sensations of the world, the warm of the night or the teasing touch of a breeze from an open window, numbed away until I only had my memory of how they had felt.

I was...out of the loop?

I turned, trying to regain my bearings and readjust to the sudden absence of sensations. The girl I had seen earlier was by my side, her hand slipping through my own as my body became utterly transparent. My dress had faded to a pure white that now matched with my hair. The girl was just as surprise as I was and it suddenly occurred to me that she had been the one who had pulled me out of the loop.

I floated back a few spaces as I tried to focus my whirling thoughts. How could this be? How had she managed to save me from the memory loop? I began to fade away from the living realm and out of the girl's sight. I was a phantom. The dead should not mingle with the living for too long a period, and in truth, the entire situation had caught me off guard. I had to leave. I had to clear my thoughts from the cobwebs of the memory loop that clung to it. Before I disappeared completely, I placed something on the ground. An object of thanks. The only thing I could manage at the moment.




You stared as the Phantom began to fade away. You had seen her for a few nights now, but had hidden away. At first you had been frightened by her sudden appearance in your grandparent's home, but soon that feeling had left you. Seeing the Phantom again tonight, you had felt the sudden compulsion to take her hand as she spun from one invisible dance partner to the next. Never had you expected to actually be able to grip it or for her to halt from her endless waltz.

As you watched her place something down on the ground, you stumbled to think of something to say. A greeting? A plea for her not to leave? You were not sure. By then, she had already disappeared. A soft white rose glowed in the moonlight where she had once been. A rose of thanks.

--- Phantom Anon

From: An anonymous benefactor
Message: They told me to breathe.

Inhale.

Exhale.

"Relax your shoulders."

"Breath with me now."

And what good did it do me? It didn't take away the clawing stress on my heart or the mind numbing sadness that gripped my body. Forcing the lungs to open and shut with air the psyche wish it had no more of was... pointless. Like a human being pronounced brain dead and a machine being the only thing keeping the empty shell of a body alive... this is what I was.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Exhale all the pain and frustration, they said, wind your fingers into your hair and let out a yell. Make it so all the bad imagery, all the twisted thoughts, every last piece of him was out of me.

As if that was possible. As if my brain could just WISH him away... as if... as if

In-

What happens if I refuse? What happens if I tell my body not to? What happens if right now this is the very last sound that was to leave my body... the exhalation of breath?

No. The force within me forbids me of such notions so...

Inhale...

Exhale....

I return to my hell.

-- A. Castle
Postscript:

Thank-you for the inspiration, I had almost lost it.

From: An anonymous benefactor
Message: I shall remember you.

The way we use to play as children on the playground, run at each other in an endless game of tag, yanking at each other's hair and clothes, running until no more breath was left in us. What good, carefree times that we had as our childish selves. With no weights on our shoulders and no burdens on our backs. We lived as we wanted to, strung up in the games our minds would play, seeing shapes and things that no one else could and laughing madly at them in our world of make believe. Such lovely times back then.

The world is very different now.

They took you away from me during that summer before high school. We had promised to work through the bullies and freshmen woes together. We were strong against the world, back to back, but suddenly you had to move away... and without a warning you left my life.

I don't know how I made it. I was a timid mouse against a thousand and one cats and there was nothing anyone could do. I was teased, picked on, bullied, harassed, kicked, punched, tormented, and even once beaten so bad my nose was broken. I was nothing without you, the friend I knew I could turn to in my times of despair... and it was only your thought of you telling me to be strong that got me through. I didn't want to disappoint you.

You are the reason why I burned the rope I wished to hang around my neck.

It was years later, I was nearly out of college by the time I saw you again. It was by chance, some random happenstance that when two eyes meet and suddenly everything comes back. I don't know who ran fast to whom, me or you, but when our bodies met in that crushing hug... that was it. The memories flooded back and I... and I...

Kissed you.

I stunned you at first, cause I could feel your body freeze under my touch, but after a moment you were kissing me back with the passion that we had as children, the passion we had when we promised to always be there for each other.

I never wanted to let you go, ever again.

I don't care what anyone else says, if they say you're crazy, a psycho, some deranged monster, you will always be perfection to me. My saving and guardian angel, the damn near love of my life.

I don't care if they stop and stare or tell us we are wrong, I'm going to kiss you until no more oxygen is left in our bodies, until each of our bodies meet under the covers every night we can damn well make them work.

Because I love you.

-- A. Castle.
Postscript:
My... such flattery. Perhaps you are the one to stir my creative flow. Perhaps it was you that inspired me to write such a length piece.
Be honest with me, don't attempt to simply flatter me into return. Do you like them?