John was at his parents house for the Christmas holidays. He had asked me if I wanted to come with him so I wouldn't be alone but I had a lot of work to do. It was shocking how many people actually died in the supposedly happiest time of the year.
Probably because they had to spend time with their shitty families.
I thought while eating a cup of instant noodles.
Luckily I got the last four days of the year free because I had worked for the entire Christmas holidays.
When I heard the apartment door was opening, I popped my head out of the kitchen.
John stood there with his suitcase in his hand. He looked really tired and even somehow sad.
"Hey. How was your trip?"
"Good." He mumbled while walking past to me.
"Are you sure? You don't really seem all that happy."
I said while following him into the livingroom. With a big sigh he sat down on the couch.
"It was good but... Tilly died."
He pulled his knees up to his chest and rapped his arms around them.
I couldn't remember him ever mentioning any of his family members that was called Tilly but when a small ghostly figure rushed past me I understood who he was talking about.
"So your parent's dog died?"
"She wasn't just my parent's dog. I grew up with her. I loved her so much." He whimpered.
"Oh okay." I said while shrugging my shoulders.
He threw me an angry glare and then snarled that I should at least try to show some god damn sympathy.
"Well I would pretend to if it wasn't for the fact that the old mutt is currently sitting on my couch." I huffed and went back to the kitchen.
It took only a few seconds before I heard John run after me.
With a shocked expression he stood in the doorway.
"What did you just say?!"
I shook my head and leaned against the kitchen counter.
"That thing must have followed you all the way back here."
"Wait so she is really here? I mean her ghost?"
"Yes."
"Then where is she?"
I looked at the small poodle that was currently wagging it's tail beside John's leg.
"John you are alive. You can't see ghosts." I stated.
"Is there any way for me to see her? Please tell me if you know anything."
He sounded so desperate that it managed to tuck on my heartstrings.
"Fine but don't freak out."
I walked to him and put my hand over his eyes.
It took me quite the energy to concentrate on the essence of the dog's soul and using my ability to change John's eyes so he would be able to see her but not all ghosts.
When I took my hand of his face he blinked a few times and looked around.
Then he spotted the ghost next to him and his face lit up.
"Oh my God!" He kneeled down and tears started running down his face.
"Well I'm not a god but still thanks for the compliment."
Without looking up at me he started to laugh and then asked if it was okay to touch her.
"Sure go for it."
He stretched out his hand and when he tried to pet her his hand went straight through her head.
"What the hell?"
"It's a ghost John what did you expect?"
He stood up almost immediately and went right up into my face.
"You could have told me that!"
I just shrugged.
"Dave seriously! You are really an asshole sometimes!"
"I know but at least now you can say your good byes."
He looked at me in confusion and then said with a growl "What do you mean with saying goodbye?"
"Well I have to take her to the afterlife and..."
"Like hell you will! We are keeping her!"
With that he stormed off.
"We can't keep her that's not how it's supposed to go and also what do you mean by WE?!" I yelled after him.
The only answer I got was the sound of John's bedroom door being slammed.
Great!
I let out a frustrated sigh and then looked down at the mutt.
"Well at least you aren't going to poop on the carpet."
The small animal barked in response and I couldn't keep myself from smiling.