Chapter Text
“Wait, what?” exclaimed the man.
“I apologize, I didn't know you could see me, well please excuse me. I'm sorry if I caused you to be startled.” Edwin said as he put a fist to his heart. He was about to move when the man continued.
“No, because-no why can I see you?” Asked the man. He had a beard, and was pointing at the young ghost.
“Have you had a near death experience?” Edwin questioned.
The man nodded, but added “That doesn't explain-” the man was cut off because Edwin was about to explain, but the women by him jumped in, “No, I mean. I can see ghosts, he can't. Jay, can't see ghosts.”
Edwin turned his head, ‘that is weird’ the thought to himself. He hummed then answered “It isn't that unusual that one has a near death experience then doesn't see ghosts. However,” he paused. He thought for a second to make sure he was right, before continuing with “it is weird that you can see me, and not other ghosts.”
The man, now known as Jay, responded with “So, there isn't a reason why I can see you. But not the others in the house?”
“I don't know the answer I am afraid,” Edwin said sympathetically.
The woman sighed, and walked away. Jay followed, and Edwin decided to as well.
“Look, as much as we would love to talk. Me and my husband have tons of errands we need to do,” she walked into the living room, and stopped. She turned around, she clapped her hands, and said “So can we please be alone-”
Jay turned to the women, with an unknown look to him “-Wait Sam, I can see a ghost. Are we really going to ignore that?”
The woman, now known as Sam, stuttered while saying “I-I mean, how do we know he is one?” she looked at the ghost, “Maybe he is pulling tricks? That would explain why you can see him, but not anyone else.”
Edwin paused, then realized that they had a point. He should confirm he is dead. He saw a chair right by him, and then walked through it. The couple's jaws dropped.
“Okay, not lying.” said Sam, “Doesn't explain anything. But-”
“Am I allowed to ask you something?” Asked Jay, he had his hand in his hair, “I am-I mean-I never talked to a ghost before.”
Sam turned to him, then said “Jay, I know you have a lot to ask, but we have things we need to do. Can't we wait till-”
Jay responded with a “I promise I'll be quick,” he stopped, then turned to the ghost, “If that's okay with you.”
Edwin paused, he also had much to do, he thought momentarily, then realized that it would be beneficial to have a connection with the two living adults. Nonetheless, living adults that may help him figure out the answer to his case.
“I suppose so.” Edwin answered with, “Haven't been the first, nor would I suspect the last. But I do think it would be for both of our interests to minimize the questions. ”
The man walked over to the couch, and women followed. They both sat on the couch, and Edwin sat on a nearby chair. Sam stood up, not sitting down.
“What's your name?” asked Jay.
“My name is Edwin Payne,” he answered.
The women realized they won't be getting anything done right now, and she sighed softly and then asked “When did you die?”
“I died in nineteen-sixteen,” Edwin replied.
“How old are you?” Jay asked, Sam tried to hit him discreetly, but failed. “I'm sorry, you look so young,”
Edwin paused, he knew what would happen after he responded with his answer. “I was sixteen when I died.”
Sam gasped, then said “That's awful, you were younger than Stephanie was.”
Edwin looked confused, and the woman picked up on it, “Stephanie is a ghost in the house.” She answered.
Before Jay could open his mouth, a male voice echoed, “-Sam, I think we have a new arrival,” said a voice. Someone came into the room, and it was a man without pants. He was followed by three other people.
Edwin was no longer able to pay attention to Jay, as he was now focused on the pantless man.
The man picked up on it, looked behind him, then at Edwin. For a moment he thought, then said “Are you another new ghost? Why is it all the new ghosts aren't-”
“Are you not wearing pants?” Edwin asked, his voice getting embarrassingly high. He stood up abruptly. He wasn't able to focus on the people that came after the pantless man.
Jay stood up and looked around the room. He sighed, and said “Did Trevor walk in?” But none acknowledged it, besides Sam. Who nodded.
“Yes I'm not-” the man started, maybe Trevor, but Edwin didn't let him finish.
“How on earth-” the teenage ghost interrupted, and a new voice said “-Who are you?” The ‘you’ was slightly drawn out, and the voice sounded very calm.
Edwin finally was able to register the three other people.
A woman who was in sixties attire. A man in a Revolutionary War uniform, specifically a Patriot uniform. A woman who was wearing a dress from, what looks like the nineteen-twenties.
“Hold on,” Sam said, she pointed towards maybe Trevor, “What did you say Trevor?”
“New ghost, we think.” said Trevor, “Walking around upstairs.”
Sam nodded, turned to Edwin, then asked “Do you know that ghost?”
Edwin assumed they meant Charles, so he nodded back, and replied with “Yes, I do. I assume you mean Charles.”
The ghost shrugged, and folded his arms across his chest, “How am i supposed to know his name? So what, did you both just die just now?”
“No, I have been dead for well over a century,” Edwin responded, “Charles also passed away decades ago,”
The women in their nineteen-twenties attire spoke up, “Then how are you here?” she gasped, then asked, “Are you a poltergeist?”
Edwin shook her head, “No, I am not, I-”
“-Edwin mate-” Charles said as he was coming in, then stopped when he realized all eyes were on him.
“There he is Sam,” Trevor said.
Chalres paused, but then hebsmiled, and said “Hi I am-”
“I can see him too,” said Jay, he pointed at him. He looked back to Sam, “Okay, so I can see some random dead British teenagers, but not our house ghosts?”
As he said that, Charles looked confused, he looked around, first at the couple, then the other ghosts, then finally Edwin.
When he was done, he asked Edwin “He came see us, but these-” he gestured his arm around the four ghosts, “-ghosts he can't see?”
Edwin nodded, then answered with, “That is correct Chalres. I am just as confused as you are,”
The two ghosts shared a look, then Sam spoke up “Maybe, the other ghosts know? I mean-” she pointed to the door then dropped her arm, “Some ghosts on our property have been dead for hundreds, of thousands of years.”
Edwin hummed, then responded with “That may be the best place to start,”
Sam sighed, and said “I don't think we are getting any work done today, are we?” Jay answered with a nod.
The women in twenties ' attire spoke up, “Enough talking, we need to introduce ourselves. I’m Alberta, you probably figured out Trevor's name-” the pantless man raised a hand, “-That's Issac-” the man smiled, “-and Flower,” she smiled. Flower waved.
Edwin nodded, and Chalres smiled. He walked up to Alberta, and said “Nice to meet you, I'm Charles, and this is my mate, Edwin.”
Issac spoke, “I'm sorry. But, how would the other ghosts know why Jay can't see us, but can see them,” he gestured to the two dead teenagers, “I have been dead for hundreds of years, and I don't know the answer.”
“We can always try,” said Sam, she turned to the boys, “Right?”
“I mean, we could, I guess. But we do have other things that we need to complete.” said Edwin.
Chalres grimaced, then said “I forgot about that for a second,” he smiled apologetically, “Yeah, sorry mate. We do have something we need to do.”
Jay slightly deflated, but before anyone could say something Edwin spoke, “When we finish, we will help.”
Chalres smiled, “Promise.”
Jay sighed, then shrugged “Can't exactly complain.” he said with a hint of a smile “We don't have the best track record of doing everything in completion,”
Isaac spoke up, “Well what is it that you need help with. Maybe we can help,”
The other ghosts around agreed, and the two shared a look. “Sorry, but we think everything is handled.” replied Chalres.
Sam pointed to the door, “Jay, we really do have to go?” Jay nodded, he was about to move, when “You promise you will help me, right?”
“Scouts Honor”