I get up to stretch and shiver as GG passes through me on her way to reach the windowsill. I shudder as she full-body phases through my skin in her rush to check out something happening outside.

         “Hey, now,” I shiver, wrapping my arms around myself.

         Sorry, her voice is soft as a whisper as she folds her head into her hands and continues gazing outside. I was scared it would go away.

         “What would?”

         She leans back, beckoning to me with an ethereal hand as I stare into her mask. Somehow, the mask on her face makes her eyes come a bit more into supernatural focus. Though her eye color changes rapidly, never quite settling on one iteration, I can see her a bit more clearly through the eyeholes of the mask. Like a witching or fairy’s stone, a piece of glass helping you focus on the otherworld more clearly. Come see. She tells me. Come to the window. 

         I do, joining her. The space she occupies radiates that same cold, but it’s not unwelcome. As days go by, I find I get used to her strange presence. “Alright then, dear, what is it?”

         She points to the tiny, feathered thing hopping on the sill and staring curiously back at us. A bird. She says. A tiny bird.

         It is, indeed, a tiny bird. With black feathers shot through with a spot of brilliant sapphire-blue on its belly. Strong talons keeping it attached despite the windy conditions outside. 

         Looks hungry. GG says. She waves at it. The bird looks directly at her, chirps. Then flies away. Oh, it left. Her shoulders hunch over, disappointed. 

         “Well, we’ll find out what birds love best and set out food for it next time.” 

         Promise? She turns to me, excitement alighting even through her mask.

         “I promise.” I say with a smile. “That bird will have a meal fit for a queen.”

         Am I a queen?

         “Who knows? You forgot everything about your past life, so there’s nothing stopping us from making it up.” I bow and offer her my hand. “Milady Phantom.”

         Kai! She floats up to me and puts her cold arms around my shoulders. Goosebumps raise along my arms as we float together to the center of the living room. You’re an awful dancer.

         “Good thing I can’t step on your toes. Only through them.”

         Her laughter is pleasant, ringing in my head. There are some advantages to being a ghost!