Page 16 of Dancing with a Ghost

“Are there many of you around? You know, ghosts.”

“I’ve not seen any. There’s just me as far as I know.”

I studied him as he stood next to the chair. “Do you want to sit? I’ve been doing some research on the hospital and have some news.”

He nodded and sat next to me. “Tell me what you know.”

Chapter Eight

Matthias

Iwasn’tsureIwas ready for what Toby had to say. Would he have the answers I was missing? The things I’d forgotten. I listened intently, but there was nothing that rang any bells, nothing sounded familiar. The number of deaths was unexpected, I'll admit but there was always an explanation, wasn’t there?

But right then, I didn’t want to hear anymore about it. It was upsetting thinking of all those soldiers, airmen and sailors that had lost their lives, and for what? It wouldn’t change anything, wouldn’t bring them back to life. It was having an effect on me and not in a good way. I could feel my energy waning, this talk of killing and angels of death, an angel harvesting bodies and souls.

“Can we talk about something else for a while, please?” I asked, my voice fading in and out.

“Of course we can. Are you okay, Matthias? You’re disappearing on me.” He took my hand, and that zing of power rushed through my body again, and I felt whole again.

“That’s better. There you are,” he said, a look of relief on his face. “I thought you were gone then.”

“No, it just seems talking of death and ‘her’ makes me weaker. I’m trying to remember what happened, why I’m like I am, but I can’t remember anything. Nothing at all.”

“Well, let’s talk about something else.” He sat for a moment, still holding my hand. “Do you like music?”

I nodded. “I do, but not what I’ve heard played at some of the events you have here. It’s……irritating and loud. What is that thing they do? I mean, I think it’s dancing but not what I’m used to.”

“I’m not a fan of most of the music but I do love dancing, though, used to teach. Did you know that? Of course you don’t. Do you dance, Matthias? Did you dance?”

“A little, but not much. I loved music but there wasn’t really anyone I wanted to dance with. I’d dance with my little sister, Rose.” Thinking about her brought a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat. Where would she be now? Perhaps she was still alive. If she was, she’d be very old now. Ninety at least.

Numbers were confusing at the best of times.

“Hey, Matthias. Where did you go?” Toby’s soft voice brought me back to the here and now, and I smiled wistfully, memories of my sister and the life she’d led.

It made me wonder about my other siblings, a brother Stan and another sister, Alice. I vowed, if Toby was indeed my kindred soul and this thing, whatever it was, worked, I’d find them, if they were still alive.

“I was just thinking about my family. Probably the first time I’ve done that since I ‘died’. Wondering where they are, did they have families?”

“I mean, I’m sure it’s something we could find out, if you wanted to.”

“Not right now. I don’t know how much difference it’ll make. I need to find out what this is with me first. I still have these thoughts, these images that flash in my mind and I don’t know what they mean. Why I’m here, why I appear to you and you only.”

I didn’t want to start talking about souls. I needed him to stay around, not scare him off.

“This dancing you did. What sort was it?” A change of subject was good.

“Oh, erm. I did all sorts. Some you won’t know. Things like street dance, hip-hop.” Toby frowned a little, making me think he didn’t like that type of dance.

“I don’t know what that is.” I said, laughing. I’d never heard anything like it!

“I wouldn’t expect you to, but my favourite is jive, lindy hop.” His eyes lit up then, his love of dance shining through.

“I know that one!” I said with surprise. I didn’t know the lindy hop would still be around.

“Yeah? Did you dance it?” He seemed genuinely interested.

“Not much. Like I said, a little with my sister. I didn’t go to dances much.” I wasn’t sure how much to tell him, and wondered if I was safe telling him my secret. “I, er, never danced with a girl.”

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