Author's Notes: Nothing to say really – on with replies!
K. C. Raven: Thanks for your review; I'm hoping to have this chapter, and one more before the end of today, seeing as I'm returning home today.
Satu-D-2: Thanks – all will be explained don't worry! (Be happy! lolz)
"Why do you remain?"
I thought Garfield hadn't heard me, because he didn't answer, but then I noticed that he was still staring at me.
"Garfield?" I tried to pull him out of his fantasy.
"Mmm…"
"I asked you a question."
"You did?" he blinked and seemed to come out of his fantasy. At long last.
"Yes. I asked you why do you still remain here? Aren't the dead meant to just go or something?"
"I…I remain for one main reason."
"Yes?" I wanted to know, but I didn't want to push him into saying something he didn't want to say.
"Because I was murdered, well, it's hard to explain. It takes a while."
I smiled knowingly. "I'm not going anywhere,"
I sat on the floor and pulled him with me. There, a snuggled up close to him. "Story time." I giggled.
"Okay then. When people die, different things happen depending on how you die. For example, if you suffocated, you'll go to a place where there's no air. If you were murdered, you stay where you were murdered, almost living another life."
"Do you enjoy the fact you can still be on Earth and talk to people?"
"I do now I've met you."
I smiled, and he put his arm around me. I was dating a dead man walking. Okay, that's not nice.
"That's very sweet of you to say so. Do you know the time?"
"Honey, I know everything!"
"No I'm being serious!" I said laughing.
"It is…" he thought for a moment. "Seven."
"Oh no."
"What?"
"I have to be getting home." I didn't want to…not with my dad. But if I didn't I knew he'd come looking – and then the consequence would be worse.
"Didn't you say your dad abuses you?"
I nodded slowly.
"Well then you're not going home."
"What? I have to – if I don't he'll come looking and –"
"Listen, you're not going home. You're staying here with me. Your dad won't touch you. I promise." He smiled warmly and I melted into him.
"If he comes looking, I blame you."
"I'm the only one worth blaming."
I closed my eyes and laid my head against his shoulder.
I fell asleep there – my dad didn't come looking – he obviously didn't care anymore.