A Little Ghost StoryHi, my name is Greg. I'm eighteen years old and still go to school. I want you to listen to something miraculous which  happened last autumn. We were on holidays and I went to my aunt Sally, who lives in an old mansion in Scotland. She is a thirty-nine-year old widow and lives there somewhere in the countryside not far away from a small  village. You all have heard of those areas where people seem to be a little strange to us civilized ones. That definitely was the case there. On this particular evening I arrived late at her home. She was already waiting for a long time because I should have been there at noon but my first flight was cancelled so I had to take a later one. Sally welcomed me with a big smile and gave me a hug so that I was nearly out of breath. We took my baggage upstairs into a big but warm room where I should sleep. I unpacked my stuff and in the meantime my aunt fixed us some dinner. While we were eating she asked all thoose kind questions about the family and how they are doing. Afterwards I helped her with the dishes and then we went into the huge living-room in front of the chimney. We sipped some wine, listened to the radio and relaxed after a while. I nearly forgot to tell you a few things about aunt Sally. Her husband had been killed by cancer eight years ago. His sixteen-year-old sister who used to live with them because both parents died in the fire when their house burned down died in an accident one year later. Believe it or not but the big clock in the hall fell on her. Even after all the events that happend auntie decided to stay. This was her home, no one would ever get her out off here. In fact the people from the village believed that she stayed because the spirits of her husband Allen and his sister Jessica haunted at night and visited aunt Sally. The two were orphants and the people told that they were cursed. I already said that the villagers were a little strange, certainly I never believed those stupid tales. I like her, she is strong and never gave up and beside that she even look gorgeous for her age. After a short period of silence she asked: "Greg, you heard about the stories they tell about me, don't you ?" Uups, what were I supposed to answer ?: "Err, If you mean those ones about ghosts visiting at night and talking to you, no I never believed that crazy things.""But don't you think this house is creepy ?""No, it's great I never felt anxious while visiting you. It's such a big house I always enjoyed rummage around a lot. Besides I like you much, you're always cracking jokes, you are modern not old styled as my parents are and you are alone. So I thought you liked a little company, that's why I return every year.""Oh, don't be so kind. But you're right I admire your visits you're a nice guy."  Sally admitted and smiled.I must have looked a little confused because my aunt began to laugh. "Hey, what's wrong with you ?""Nothing, I'm just a bit tired, must be the long journey. I think I should finish and go to my room.""Your're not angry with me, aren't you" Sally looked concerned."Don't be foolish, certainly not. But I'm nearly twenty hours on my feet now, I'm just K.O.""I'm sorry I forgot! In fact I'm a little tired myself we both should go and have a nap." My aunt stood up and we walked to our rooms after a little goodnight kiss on the cheeks. I brushed my teeth after my aunt was finished in the bathroom then I fell into my comfortable 'King-Size' bed and began immediatly to snore. I must have slept for about two hours when I heard a quite voice. "Hello?" it said sounding tentative. It was a soft feminine voice but there was nobody in the room who could have spoken. After a brief startle I ignored the voice and assumed that I had imagined it. "Hello," it said again more firmly  just as my thoughts had begun to drift. "Who are you ? What are you doing in my room?" I shouted sitting up in the darkness as I groped for the bedside lamp. The light flashed on partially blinding me but I could see well enough. Nobody was in the room with me."Don't get upset," the voice said pleading. "My name is Jessica Jensen and I'm in your room because I like you and I've decided that it is time for me to introduce myself. I hope you don't mind." I sat in my bed with the back against the wall staring around my empty room and seeing no sign of anyone. The voice seemed to come from nowhere in particular. "Where are you hiding? Come out to where I can see you! What the hell do you mean  you like me?""I have been watching you for years now whenever you visited us  and I like you. As to why you can't see me  I don't have a body yet."I slumped into my bed and pulled the covers back up to my chin." Then this must be a dream," I said "What do you mean  you don't have a body. What are you?""I guess I'm a spirit  or something like that.""What do you mean  you guess? Besides I don't believe in spirits.""It really doesn't matter what you believe," the voice said with a chuckle "I'm me, I'm real, I like you and I want to be your friend!""It's a hell of a way to begin a friendship," I said sitting up angrily in bed. "Watching me from who knows where, what was it you said, whenever I visited you.""Most of the time. But what kind of body do you want me to have?""What?""I told you I wanted to be your friend and that works best when you can see me.""Are you saying you can materialize that you can look like anyone I want?""Yes!""That sounds obscene!""Why?""It does that's all.""There must be a reason."I sighed and slumped down into my bed "I don't know. This is too weird! I suppose you must be the ghost of Jessica, shouldn't you rematerialize in your body?""My body died seven years ago that's why I decided that you will choose a new one.""Why me?""You're nice and careful besides if you choose one you really admire you'll like me easier, too.""You really think that, don't you ? Shouldn't I have to earn my friends and accept the bodies nature gave them?""Usually," she said sounding serious "but I'm not natural at all. This is something really special and a one time chance. But if you want to I'll make me look like my old body with a few corrections of course.""I don't mind." I sighed.She was there. It was that simple. One moment I was alone and the next - there she was standing in front of me as I sat in bed. Gosh, she was beautiful ! I saw Jessica in the light of my bedside lamp, slim, dark skinned not a little bit pale like people think ghosts look and long black hair down to her waist. Quite a bit different than in the pictures I knew of her. I watched her with an impression of disbelieve and surprise on my face. She took a step towards me and held out her hand. I took it and it was warm and solid as real as my own."I don't believe this!" I said my hand trembling as I touched hers."What can I do to convince you that I'm real?" She looked right in my eyes as I stood up. Surprisingly she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a kiss right on my mouth. Our lips met and I felt her softness. Could this be a dream? I blushed. It felt real, damn real! As I reached out to pull her closer to me she disappeared. Shit! What has happened? "Not that fast!" A voice behind me chuckled "Let's start easy!" I turned around fast too fast I lost my balance and found myself sitting on the floor next to her legs." My time is nearly over but we will meet tomorrow night if you like." I just started to say something when the big clock down in the hall banged once and Jessica immediatly vanished. One o'clock witching hour was over. I shook my head "I think I'm gonna be mad."  I murmered to myself and went into bed again.Next morning I woke up at nine when my aunt entered the room "Good morning my dear, slept well?" she pulled the curtains back and sunrays hit my face. Blinded I closed my eyes for a few seconds and remembered last night. With a big smile I answered "Very well, and you." "Wonderful!" she grinned "No one disturbed you?""No, but I had a strange dream." I admitted."A nightmare?""No, actually it was pleasant.""Very well. Breakfast is ready in ten minutes, hurry up."I jumped out of  bed and took a quick shower. As I went downstairs I thought that this must have been a dream if not, I'll see,  tonight.--====================987654321_0==_
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