But in the end the sun still rose the next morning.

Rain hit the roof as sunlight shined through the window and I was still in bed, staring up at the ceiling. 

I let out a sigh as I pulled the bedsheets over my head and shut my eyes, the rain soothing me as I held myself. 

I was meant to see Charlotte…

Charlotte Marie Anderson. A friend… She always did what she believed in. I admired that about her. I was never half as caring as she ever was. 

And then Rita, my girlfriend. I hoped she knew about my death, that they found the body, that she had some semblance of closure.

I wanted to say goodbye, but any message I sent wouldn’t deliver, and every call never went through. No matter what I did. They were unreachable from here. 

I heard a knock on the door, Casper again surely, every now and then he checked up on me.

I slowly got up as I stumbled to the door, drawing it open to find him standing on the other end.

“You good mate?” He asked, peering his head inside.

I reluctantly spoke. “Ah, yeah… Fine, fine… Just… Sad.” I said, my voice barely able to fabricate any sounds. 

He nodded his head, as he smiled awkwardly “There's coffee and a guest for you downstairs.” He told me, standing up straight and gesturing downstairs.

“Oh, thanks…?” I told him, a slight hint of confusion at who'd possibly come to visit me. “I’ll… Be there in a second.”

He reluctantly turned around while I got dressed, slowly heading downstairs to the kitchen. 

The dull morning light trickled into the room and by the counter sat a freakishly tall figure, hunched over the countertops. They had a sickly pallor to them, and long black hair that draped over them. 

Casper was already in the kitchen, standing behind the counter while I seated myself beside them. 

They slowly turned their head around to look at me, their gaunt face looking back at me with their bulging black eyes staring me down, never breaking eye contact. 

“Alexander? Now was it?” They asked, their voice was deep yet there was a softness to it. 

“Yes. I am…” I said. “You are…?”

“Avery Foewell.” They answered curtly. Holding out their hand for me to shake. Their spindly cold fingers stinging my skin as I took their hand.

Casper grabbed a mug from the cupboards “He’ll help you if you need anything… They’re kinda like a guide. I suppose…” He explained, giving a side eye while he poured coffee into my mug and handing it to me. 

“Thank you.” I said, bowing my head. 

After a moment of silence I parted my lips “Why did you and the ferryman know my name?” I asked “Or how I died.”

“Oh why, they keep records of it all, reckon it’s just such a waste, however.” He said “Afterall, you vermin all fade away in a year or two. A pathetic waste of space, really.”

Me and Casper exchanged glances for a moment before I looked at my reflection in my coffee.

“Well. That aside.” I parted my lips, looking up at Avery who was still staring me down. “Is… There a way to get back?” I asked. 

He tutted after a pause as they shook their head gently. “Why…” They spoke softly, “Why, yes. Yes there is, my friend.” Only, the words ‘my friend’ didn't feel particularly sincere.

“How?” I asked. 

“Why then, why don’t you meet me at my unit?” They said, as they smacked me on the back, rising up from their seat. “Won't that just be nice?” 

“But enough, I can’t handle your face.” He said, clasping their hands together as they faced us. 

Casper rolled his eyes as he walked Avery to the front door. 

I trailed behind them as Casper ushered Avery out of the house before he turned around, letting out a defeated sigh. 

“What a bastard.” He said “But anyway, with that out of the way…”

“Ah…” I said “What a pleasant person”

Casper shrugged with a chuckle “Yeah…” He said “You don't say?”

“But it is what it is…” He added. 

“Do you know them?” I asked after a pause.

He paused. “Well…” He said “A bit, I guess everyone knows them, really.” 

“Around here, anyway.” He said. “They're one of the guides in our street.”

“They were my ‘guide’, but not that they're much of a guide… I'll be honest.” He said “It surprises me they're even in the position to begin with…” 

I chuckled, not knowing quite what to say. 

What a strange person they were…