"Attention in the terminal. American Airlines Flight 1055 to Milwaukee is now boarding at Gate 22."

My name is Fredward Karl Benson. Last night, I died in my sleep. It was peaceful, and I didn't suffer; in fact, when I "woke up", I didn't realize I was dead at all. But then I discovered no one could see me or hear me. I passed through solid objects as if they weren't even there. And there was only one conclusion to draw.

My first thought was, "Why? Why am I not in Heaven or Hell? Why am I trapped in this earthly limbo?" And then I knew. I had unfinished business. I had to find some way to say goodbye to Carly Shay, before she left Seattle forever. That's why I came here, to this crowded airport, full of people rushing about, completely unaware of my presence – OOF!

"Hey, kid, why don't you watch where you're going?"

How strange. It almost felt as though that man and I ran into each other. Perhaps, somehow, I was able to reach out and touch his soul on the ethereal plane…oh, who am I trying to fool? Nothing I do can affect my surroundings in any way. I could scream and scream until my throat went hoarse, and no one would ever hear.

"Hey, kid, want a shoeshine? Only five dollars…uh, kid? Who are you talking to?"

There it is. Gate 22. I phase through the information desk-OW-I phase around the information desk, and…I see her. My heart no longer beats, yet somehow it still jumps. I no longer breathe, yet her beauty takes my breath away. Already she is in line, waiting to board. I was almost too late.

"Too bad Freddie didn't come to see us off."

"No worries, sis. I'm sure he just slept in."

Oh. Oh, my. They don't know about my passing. Perhaps it's just as well. Let them be happy, one last time, before they hear the news and collapse in grief.

"Freddie! There you are!"

My dearest Carly. How many things I left unsaid to you. And now I've missed my chance. In a moment you'll depart to Milwaukee, never to return, and I'll go…where? Will my sins outbalance my good deeds at the hour of divine reckoning?

"Okay, Freddie, we've been over this. Spencer and I are going to Milwaukee for a week. That's all. We'll be back before you know it. And what's all this 'hour of reckoning' stuff? …Freddie? Are you listening to me?"

"Um, Freddie, Carly and I need to go ahead and board. We'll catch you later, okay?"

And you, Spencer. You were always like a father to me. Take care of Carly always, and don't forget me. That's all I ask.

"Forget you? You're standing right there."

"Oh, God. Spencer, I think I know what's going on. Freddie's having another one of those episodes where he thinks he's a ghost. It happened last Saturday at the Seven-Eleven – he knocked over a whole display of Doritos being 'intangible'. "

"Whoa. That's some freaky stuff right there."

I can't help myself. Just for a moment, I must go on board the plane, must see the accursed winged chariot that is stealing my beloved.

"Excuse me? Young man? I need to see your boarding pass…young man, stop! Security!"

So this is it. Would that I could heft a fire ax and smash the controls, that it might never take off again.

"Hold it right there, you little punk! I have a taser, and I will use it!"

Oh, why did I have to perish last night? Why couldn't God grant me one more day of life? Never have I felt such pain as I do at this moment – zzzzzzt GAAAH!

"All right, he's down. Get the cuffs on him."

"Guys, take it easy, okay? He's…not well."

"Mr. Shay, if I were you, I'd be less concerned with his well-being and more with how you're going to raise his bail."

Wait. The fog is lifting…

"Um, officer? Could you get your knee off my ethereal ribcage, please?"

END