Guide To Ghostwork

Guide To Ghostwork

My pride and joy among all the unfinished writing projects I own. A story about a tired journalist who can see ghosts named Lillian as she gets partnered up with an awkward photographer college student named Lavender and a teen named Melanie she found trapped in a doll (who somehow becomes her adopted daughter and intern). They end up going on adventures regarding all sorts of paranormal and dead people all around. Other characters include a witch named Lucy, two undead cafe owners named Myla and Trevor, a vegan vampire named Karim, a siren named Alyssa, a forest elf musician named Harper, and a cavern elf named Debbie and a bunch of others. I just really like the idea of this series.

When Death's Due

When I first made it up it was meant to be the concept for a musical. Its a story of a teen girl who attempted suicide finding herself being haunted by ghosts of people who died too young (aka teens and young children) who had died tragically. They attempt to improve her life but are horrible at it so they end up making a deal with the girl, if she does certain tasks for each ghost then they'll leave her alone and cue the rest of the story.

The Narrator

Sometimes I find that the narrator for stories is just far too boring in most stories that I read. I like narrators that either have more fucking personality or just say the most random shit (for example the wonderful Lemony Snicket in Series of Unfortunate Events). Give the narrator some fucking sass. Make them swear. Make them question what the fuck they're witnessing.

Make your narrator a character. Make them make the reader question the character and story by throwing in off hand comments when telling the story. Make them insult the reader. Make them call us all the fuck out in the most insulting way possible.

Prompt 138

The dripping water from the leaky cell roof was the only way of telling time. By Hero’s estimate, three to four weeks had passed. Blindfolded and bound in the dark, Hero yearned for the sound of someone’s voice, or even a gentle touch. They missed their home. Bed. Lover. In hindsight, the break-up should never have happened. On again, off again… why had it taken Villain capturing them to realize how they belonged together? Their life was always better with Lover.

Villain watched through cameras from two floors above, taking special note of Hero’s hiccups and silent sobs. Now was as good a time as any. They rushed downstairs. Showtime.

“Hero!” they gasped, flinging open the door. “I can’t believe I finally found you.”

Hero resisted the urge to thrash at the familiar voice. They had to be hallucinating. Isolation had finally gotten to them. Unless… “Lover?”

“Don’t worry babe, I’ll get you out.” Villain ripped at the ropes, careful to only use a civilian’s level of strength.

Sobs tore from Hero’s throat. “Lover, I was so scared. Villain captured me right after we broke up and they left me here alone-” they threw their arms around their rescuer’s neck. Lover had come for them- even when there was no reason to. “I’m sorry. For everything.” Hero gasped, clutching at their lifeline. “I love you.”

Perfect. Villain smiled “I know.” they murmured, stroking the top of Hero’s head.

From the way Hero was talking, Villain didn’t think it would be a battle to get them to move back in. They belonged together. And if Hero forgot again… This punishment had been effective. Very effective.

Effective enough to try again.

"Tell me, little wolf, do you wish to punish those who have wronged you?" spoke the man, his insidious voice twisting and twining around the hero's ear, the villain's breath ghosting against the back of his neck.

The boy jerked away, shuddering from the terrifying closeness of his enemy, but unfortunately not getting far. The chains that wrapped his wrists and arms, connecting to the floor, prevented him from rising past his knees.

"The only one I want to punish is you!" growled the young hero, eyes narrowed in hate even as fear trickled through his veins, coming to rest in a tight knot within his chest.

The cold metal beneath him bit at his numbed legs. The hero could feel, second by second, drip by drip, his own blood draining from the various wounds inflicted during his latest escape attempt. He swayed, the floor rising to meet him for a split second before he caught himself.

"Oh? And why is that, I wonder," the man said, his tone darkly conversational as he observed the hero's rapidly fading consciousness.

"You took everything from me," said the hero, young voice cracking from an emotion too difficult to name, hatred leaking away to leave exhaustion in its wake, "Why have you never killed me? I've given you so many chances, but you never--!" the hero broke off, shoulders slumping.

"Perhaps this will explain..." responded the villian, coming to a decision as he stood before the tired hero.

Hero heard a soft click and the sound of the villian moving, the rustling of cloth.

"Look at me."

Startled, the hero froze, eyes locked on the grate beneath him. The villians voice was clear, unfiltered by the mask he always wore.

Hero didn't dare look into the villain's face, afraid of what he'd find.

Because he knew that voice. Knew it from a young age. And he hadn't heard it since the day his life shattered.

"Come, little brother, are you so afraid to see your precious big brother's face after all this time?" that familiar voice mocked.

Hero slowly looked up. He had to know. Maybe it wasn't who it sounded like, maybe it was a trick...

But as his gaze slowly traveled up, landing unerringly on the villian's face, Hero's eyes widened. He shook his head in denial, his face crumpling as something deep in his chest shattered

"Honey?" [Villain] leaned on the window frame.

"Go away." [Hero] grumbled. "I 'cheated' on you. Remember?"

"No, that was [Civilian]'s heart you squashed." [Villain] snorted, caressing the poor hero's face. "When I wear this costume, I'm your secret criminal lover. The one you made out with in the parking lot."

"Shut up!"

"They're never going to let you out of this cell, knowing who you are." [Villain] pouted. "It's nearly impossible for anyone to look at you the same way again."

"I wish you could've just broke up with me instead of resorting to such low tactics." [Hero] mumbled. "It's not working, I'm not coming to join you so easily."

"Pumpkin, you're going to end up being a villain either way." Their lover laughed. "Whether you come crying back into my arms or not, I'm going to love seeing you turn into a monster."