The end

A dying man needs to die, as a sleepy man needs to sleep, and there comes a time when it is wrong, as well as useless, to resist.

-Stewart Alsop-

So there it is.

Her door.

It calls to her, a persuasive tug just below her breastbone. It's different to her original door, this wood is smooth and brown, with a small clouded glass window at the top and a brass handle set into the side. It seems to grow, filling up her world. It is at the same time beautiful and terrifying.

Annie turns away from the door, with a little difficulty. Behind her George and Nina stand watching, their eyes wide and slightly afraid. Annie surveys her friends, changed a little in the year and a half since Mitchell had died, but still standing by her.

But, it could not be said that the changes are not significant. Clasped in George's arms their little baby girl lies, her ears poking out from under a knitted cap. And Nina stands at an odd angle, her short body at odds with her large pregnancy bump.

George says softly, "We're lucky you know. Not everyone gets a chance to say goodbye." The ghost and the werewolf both smile a little, in recollection of the words that Mitchell once spoke. The thought flashes through Annie's head, how long ago it seems now. How much she has lived since she faced her last door.

Moving on.

Finally.

She remembers what made the door appear.

Annie walks into the kitchen after a lonely night. She sees Nina feeding the baby. George cooking eggs. Hears them talking, laughing.

And it's as if her view shifts slightly. Nothing changes, but suddenly she sees the world from a different angle and realises – they are content. And better, they are happy. There is no place in their world for a ghost, one who will never age, never change.

And in that single moment, with a sudden unexpected clarity, Annie realises that she has no purpose to fulfil. Nothing to stay for. The reason for her ghost hood was Owen. The reason for her continuing existence after her purpose was fulfilled was...what? Love for her friends? Sheer stubbornness, refusing to relinquish her hold on the world?

But in a split second everything becomes clear. She has lived far beyond her physical form. She has seen things, done things she never dreamed of. She fell in love with a man who was as beautiful as he was terrible. But everything ends eventually.

Annie suddenly feels incredibly tired, as if every limb is made of lead. Suddenly the cosy family scene in the kitchen seems so far away. She turns, and behind her stands the door.

George feels his heart about to break as he saw Annie about to leave him forever. All his bravery seems to desert him in a breath, and he feels panic clawing at his throat.

"Annie," he says, half sob, half question.

She looks at him, large doe eyes steely with determination. But before he can say any more he feels the slight pressure of Nina's hand on his arm. Nina looks at him with steady eyes and George understands.

"Annie," he repeats, with only a slight tremor in his voice, "Good luck. I mean, you will be OK won't you? Whatever is behind that door you will be OK?"

"Of course, George" she sooths, "I have to go. It's time. Everyone has to move on with their lives or deaths or whatever, eventually. I realise that now."

They hug, and George tries to ignore the fact that Annie seems more insubstantial than usual, whilst Annie ignores the way that George is shaking. She leans down and kisses the baby he has passed to Nina, breathing in the sweet baby smell for the last time.

She says her goodbyes to Nina, who looks like her tough exterior is close to cracking. "Don't forget me," Annie whispers.

"Never" comes the reply.

Annie tries out her usual light-hearted laugh, "Well, this is getting a bit cringy isn't it? Look at us all moping around!"

George and Nina try to smile, but the joke falls flat.

"So," Annie continues, "So, this is it then."

She reaches out towards the door, but stops, her hand hovering over the handle.

Nina watches confused as George and Annie both glance towards the front door, as if expecting a knock. But then Annie gives herself a little shake, and places her hand on the handle.

She turns then, and smiles at the couple behind her. "Thank you. Really thank you. I don't know where I would be now, what I would be now, if it wasn't for you. You saved made me feel…real again. Just do something for me? Lead good lives. The kind I didn't get the chance to."

Nina thinks she has never seen Annie looking like this before. Never seen her so strong, so intense, so powerful. The ghost turns away, focusing on the task before her.

She turns the handle, opening the door. The werewolves cannot see through the door way, the door itself is blocking their view. George wonders absently whether Annie had manoeuvred them to ensure they would not view that which is only for the eyes of the dead.

As the door opens Annie's face is set aglow by a strange grey light. Grey as Annie's clothing, as the dust that Mitchell crumbled to. They see the ghost stare for a moment, then smile. Nina thinks she sees Annie mouth a word, a name perhaps. Then she steps through the door, and it closes behind her.

So who (or what) is behind the door? Any ideas?

Well, I'm not carrying on Annie's side of the story, but I will write an epilogue describing George and his little pack, I mean family.

A massive thanks to all the people who've been reviewing my stories, it seriously makes my day!

And, especially to any student nurses - you know who you are! :)