Much has been written about greed and want and human desire, mainly that we’re always in the pursuit of more, our wishes endless. Perhaps that intensity carries into the afterlife, or into the in-between, or wherever it is that souls sometimes get stuck, relegated to a ghostly existence, lingering around the living longing for what we never had, or no longer possess. Sometimes, becoming a ghost can change the kind of things we desire, or make us act unexpectedly, as in the following stories:
“Paperclips and Memories and Things That Won’t Be Missed” by Caroline M. Yoachim
Not all ghosts mean harm. Some want to do good, except that their intentions don’t always lead to desirable outcomes. Margie was one such ghost, an old woman who stole baby Gavin and now holds him close. He is one of the things she’s collected. Our narrator, another ghost, is a collector too—of things that the living won’t miss, for they lose the thing when a ghost gets it for their collection. In such a case, it can be very tempting to steal what one can’t have. Where does one draw the line, then?
“A Cure for Ghosts” by Eden Royce
It’s best to avoid entering rooms that have a “Do Not Enter” warning on their doors. But, well, your daughter and her boyfriend were up to no good and decided to go in and unstopper bottles with spirits inside them. Now you’re terrified and angry that one of the ghosts has made your daughter its host. You might want to sue—but first, you might want to hear what the narrator has to tell you, even though it’s not exactly a cure.
“My Country Is a Ghost” by Eugenia Triantafyllou
Niovi had to leave her mother’s ghost behind when she entered the new country; they couldn’t take in those who had died elsewhere. All she is able to keep is her mother’s necklace and her memories, which would slowly start fading. She tries to remember all that she can, but there’s only so much one can hold onto when working full-time and always being aware that you are one of the people who do not have a ghost following you. Others look at you weirdly, or ignore you completely. The Saturday of Souls offers some hope, but will Niovi’s memories of her mother last long enough for her to attempt to bring her into this country?
“All These Ghosts Are Playing to Win” by Lindsey Godfrey Eccles
When Theo followed Dora into death, they found themselves in a casino. The ghouls lead the bets and ghosts stake trinkets, tied to memories, summoned from their lives, losing said memory in the process if they’re unsuccessful. Those who lose are pushed down the slopes into the DARK. Everyone wants to win; the rare victor is sent up a spiral staircase. Theo is playing to win, too, in the hopes that whatever is up there will help him get his Dora back—for she is starting to slip away, becoming insubstantial. But the rules of the game seem rigged, until an unexpected arrival in the casino gives him an idea. But this idea too, is a gamble. Can Theo actually pay this price to win his wife back?
“Nneamaka’s Ghost” by Walter Dinjos
The ghost of Nneamaka comes to our exiled guard who formerly worked at the palace. She has bonded herself to him and is now asking him to fetch her corpse, offering him a chance at salvation and getting his life back. The ghost of the Princess’s betrothed, Nnanna, informs him that it’s a fool’s errand to do what Nneamaka asks. Which ghost should our guard believe? Between the two, will he even make it out alive, let alone get another chance at life?
“Radio Static” by Carolin Jansen
Most of us probably don’t get to prepare for death; we don’t know when the end will come. When the inevitable happens unexpectedly, will there be a way to tie up any loose ends, speak any last words that we need our loved ones to hear? As the living, we don’t know, but the dead might have an answer…
