Ghost of Us

Floating above the sidewalk, where weeds constantly grew, I watched. Watched for what, you may ask? I watched the sun, for that is what now helped me keep time. It was almost time for the children to go trick-or-treating. 

 "Ah, I see that you have made it after all. Grim never lies and all that." A posh voice sounded from behind. I blink and turn, looking the figure up and down. He looked fancy, almost from the early 1900s. "Huh…? Made it to what?" I asked, the confusion dripping from my voice. "Ohohoh!" The man chuckled. "I see that Grim has not caught you up to speed. You see, you are what we call, Haunters. But you do not haunt!" 

"I don't...haunt?" I repeat back. The man shook his head, and adjusted his hat. "Not at all! What haunters do, is they follow the children out and about for Halloween! Watching them."

"That..sounds a bit creepy." I frown, spotting another ghost floating up. "Hey Barnaby, this is the new ghost right?" The fancy looking one, who's name would be Barnaby, nodded. "Indeed. I was just about to tell her about the job of the Haunters."

"What? No offense but you kinda suck explaining it to the newer generation. Let me handle this." The ghost said, grinning as he led me off without listening to Barnaby sputter in shock. Once out of sight, the unknown ghost stopped and held out his hand, which was missing all the fingers. "Call me Hunter." I stare at his hand and carefully take hold, shaking it. "Uh...Noctis."

"Like from that one game? Nice. Now, us Haunters only have one job, which takes place on Halloween each year. We track everyone, so to speak, and see how they act on Halloween. And it's not just limited to the children. It goes all the way up to the elderly. Usually we don't count babies, only because they don't really do anything. They can see us by the way. So careful." Hunter waved his nubby hand a bit, smiling. "Questions so far?" 

"Uh...yes. Several. But my main question is if there is a set hierarchy in a sense?"

"Well. I dunno about a hierarchy, but there are different classes. There's us, which I think is the best class by far. Then there's the lurkers, but they are more shadow people than ghosts. We also got the shriekers, who like to make noise, the gigglers who just give very small scares, and the Daemons, who are the high activity mean ones." Hunter listed, waving at a ghost who was passing by us. 

"Ok...what decides where we go then?" Hunter grins and leans in. "The Haunters. So remember when I said we track everyone?" He asked, to which I nodded in response. "Well, that has somethin' to do with the Haunters. The Grim tells us that that person is dying, so we give him the final results. So say...they're absolutely aggressive and very mean through all the Halloween's they are alive, they go to the Daemon's. But if they're very nice and sweet, they will usually be a Lurker."

"Then what about Haunters? What decides for us?"

"Whether you are a Witch or Warlock." Hunter said, chuckling. "Alright so let's see..we got about half an hour before the trick or treaters are sent out. Let me see…" I watched him, as he looked towards a sudden sheet of paper that appeared from nowhere. He clicked his tongue as he read through it, while I stared around the street. A couple ghosts were floating about, each one having a special look so to speak. One was a woman, who looked to be back from the Salem witch trial times, a small fire on the hem of her dress. Then there was another, wearing a Cape that went down to his ankles and fluttered in the wind. "Ahah!" I quickly look at Hunter, blinking a bit. "You, my dear, shall watch over Geralt. Very original." He snickered. "I'll float you to his house." He said and started to float off, quicker than I imagined. I was floating as quick as I could, only catching up because he slowed down. "My bad. I forget how fast I am."

"So you said we keep track of them...how?"

"Ah, just basic note taking. Nothing too fancy. And you can't interfere with what they're doing, or else they can see you. Last one that happened to was Casper, because he is so friendly. Now he lives with that person I think?" Hunter shrugged. "No major punishment, but they don't want us to be seen." 

"They?"

"The Grims. There are a group of twelve grim reapers. Two for each continent." Hunter explained. "Alright…" I slowly nod a bit, starting to understand.

"And here we are! Geralt's home!" He motioned at the house. It was an average sized house, made from dark red bricks, and the roof being a nice silver color. Muffled voices could be heard inside. "Keep an eye on him, take notes. What does he do while trick or treating, what doesn't he do. Stuff like that. Keep note of where he goes and such." He said and pats my ghostly head. "You'll do great. I'll meet up with you at midnight. Meet in front of the fountain." I nod, and watch as he floats away,probably to track his own person. "Alright Noctis...you got this. First day on the job." I murmur and nod to myself.

"Alright mom, I'm going! I'll be back in a couple of hours with my candy!" Geralt called out before shutting the door. He was dressed as Hop, a character from the Pokemon series. He smiles as he turned and started on his journey, gently fluffing his hair up as he walked down the sidewalk. I float after him, trying to figure out how get a notepad and pencil to appear. I watched him go door to door, saying trick or treat. Some people he would happily chat with, while others just gave him a single piece of candy. But no matter who it was, he still thanked them. He even thanked the ones that left a bowl of candy out. This went on for about an hour, and he ended up a few blocks away from his home. I watched as he sat down, taking a small break. 

"Miss?" I heard behind me, and I quickly turn around. The figure I faced stood at maybe six and a half feet tall, with a long dark blue robe and a scythe, their skull make-up glowing a light blue. "I know you are the newest Haunter. Did they put you with Geralt?" 

"Um..yea. I'm guessing you're a grim?" The person nodded. "I'm Grim Lily. I'm sorry you'll probably witness his death." She said kindly, patting my ghostly head. "But I can help him! Can't I?" Grim Lily slowly shakes her head, her gaze softening a bit. "Unfortunately not. It is bad to prolong a death." She said and looks at Geralt, sighing. "If you want, you can leave him so you do not have to see."

"But… he's just a kid! He looks about nine years old!"

"And he is only nine. But prolonging a death messes up our schedule, and we will have to replace someone to take their place." She said softly. "If you wish to stay, then stay and do not interfere. But if not, then leave now." 

"...How does he die?"

"Hm?"

"How does this kid die?" I look up at the Grim, frowning. 

"...A drunken aggressive man looking for a fight, and he will be coming by shortly, from the bar around the corner. He is mad because his girlfriend wants to abort the child, when he does not want her to, which is why he is drinking and why he will be aggressive." Grim Lily said. "I'm sorry your first day and your person is scheduled to die. Usually they are better about scheduling." 

I frown and look down at Geralt. I watched as he checked a candy from his bag before eating it. "This poor kid...where will he go?"

"I'm not fully sure...Barnaby was supposed to update me."

"...Can you make him a Giggler?" I asked and glance up at the Grim, who softens her eyes once our gazes met. "I can certainly try."