Hello, this is a short story I've written for a school writing contest If you would like to see contine this and change some stuff or you know just general change this stuff I would be happy to hear as this is rushed.

i took a deep breath as my hand grazed the cold metal of the gate, the wilting flowers in my hand drooping, 'today' I thought. My translucent hand somehow was still able to touch and feel things even in death. I had been murdered, ironic really if you ask me, well considering my line of work. I was an artist who painted crime scenes for a living, (I had long forgotten what the actual job was called) I knew it was only a matter of time before it was my turn.You see I had felt like something was going to happen to me, no one believed me, but here we are, dead, my body six feet under, rotting, while my soul wondered around this god for saken graveyard.

I'm just glad they found my body, although if they hadn't I might just be able to leave. I've been trying for decades, all the others could leave, but not me, but still I have tried for years, still am. Its a never ending cycle. And yet here I am. Day.. whatever it was by now, only holding on to hope by a thread. My hand touching the gate. Listening to the dead leaves rustling, I pushed..then.. my vison blacked out!

It came back after a few seconds, but once it did I realized I was back at my grave. 'I give up' I thought, the thread snapped. I no longer felt anger at not being able to leave just disappointed. I turned towards my grave and sat down. I sat there tracing the words on it. Viper Stella fang. It read. Daughter, co worker, mother. A hard working girl. I sigh, I had over the years forgotten pieces of my mortal life, but oh well, what can you do when you're a ghost. God. what I wouldn't do to get out of here. I had over the decades gathered theory's on what happened to ghost who left. No one ever saw them leave, you would just know they left, like a feeling. Some of the others ghosts have said death had come to collect them, others said they had actually left, wandering the mortal world.

I myself naturally formed a theory of my own over time, I thought that I was bound to the graveyard, unable to find peace. Like a immortal wanderer, but I was stuck in one place, a cold and dreary place.The graveyard its self was a solitary existence, devoid of warmth and companionship. It was a world of perpetual twilight, filled with echoes of forgotten whispers. I spent my days wandering the graveyard, tracing the worn inscriptions on the tombstones. Time held no meaning in my world. Yet, I could feel the weight of countless years.

Suddenly, a change swept through the

graveyard, A feeling of Impeding doom. A cold wind blew, rustling the leaves and stirring the shadows. A new presence was approaching, one that viper could sense. From the darkness, a figure emerged. It was dressed in a cloak as dark as the night itself, with a face obscured by its hood, he moved with an air of authority and tranquillity, I recognised him, even though I had never even met him. This was Death, the final visitor to every living being, 'the other ghosts were right then', I thought watched as Death moved through the graveyard. It was a sight that filled it

with a strange mixture of fear and

curiosity. Death seemed to be searching

for something—or someone. After a while, Death stopped in front of viper. His empty eyes seemed to look right through the her. Viper felt a chill that was unfamiliar in her timeless existence.

"I have come for you," Death's voice echoed in the still night air. His tone was flat and monotonus yet it carried a warmth that I had never felt before. I was taken aback. I had never expected to hear such words. I thought I was trapped in this graveyard, a spectator, never a participant. "Why now?" I asked. My voice was raspy from lack of use, but it was as soft as a light breeze, filled with surprise and a hint of hope. It had been so long since I had had any form of interaction. Death replied, "Every soul has its time, even those lost in between. Your time in this place has come to an end. It's time for you to move on." I felt a surge of emotions. Fear, relief anticipation. After all these years, i was finally being released from eternal Limbo.

"What took you so long?" I asked Death, "I got lost". "lost?" Something was keeping me from finding you, but like the mortels say, Halloween is the day of the dead, a way for ghost to come back he replied" it's Halloween" all I got from that was a slow nod "so" death asked" you ready?" Death reached out a skeletal hand, from the wrist up his arm was enveloped in the darkness of its cloak. I hesitated "What awaits me?" I asked, my voice trembling with anticipation. I was stepping into the unknown, leaving the only world I had known for so long. "Peace," Death answered simply. "An end to your wandering. A place where you can finally rest." His voice was now soothing, a promise of tranquillity. I felt a sense of calm wash over it. I was ready. I had been waiting for this moment for so long, even if I hadn't realized it.

I took a final look at the graveyard.The spectral figure that had once wandered its grounds was no more. I had finally found my peace. Death stood looking at me, as I looked around the graveyard one last time the graveyard stood under the silent watch of the moon. It had fulfilled its duty, guiding another lost soul to their final rest. I took a deep breath 'was I ready?', I was strangely going to miss this, it had been all I had known for so long. Itwas my home. Even after a while I had been the only one left. I noded to my self, 'I was ready. I thought to my self it was just the next great adventure of life, even if it was after so long. I drifted towards Death and took his hand. As I touched Death's hand, a warmth spread through my transparent form. It was a sensation I had never experienced before.It was the feeling of release, of freedom.

The graveyard home started to fade away, as did my ethereal form. I was being drawn away from this world, moving towards the promised peace. I looked at Death, a silent thank you in my gaze. Death nodded, understanding the unspoken words. It was the end of a journey, and the beginning of another. "Happy Halloween "I whispered

"Happy Halloween" death said back

The moon shone down on the quiet graveyard. The spectral figure was gone, but it's presence still lingered. It was a

reminder that even in death, there is a promise of peace, a chance for redemption.

originally posted on Wattpad