TBTT#31 Into the Light ~ 6/28/2018

I discovered I was in charge of fighting a hideous reptilian swamp monster that was guaranteed to show up if we all gathered in the swamps and marshes of the West Bank. Until some random dude showed up, patted me on the shoulder where I sat curled up and crying with fear, and said he'd take care of it. Then we learned that a woman who sort of acted like a switchboard operator over CB radio and reported all the town charitable events and gossip had died suddenly, and I joined CSI Nick Stokes to investigate the crime. But the thing that stands out most in my memory still is the little ghost girl. One of the female CSIs had come into the lab, and Nick said, in a high, gentle voice, "Well hi, honey!" And we'd looked at him weird, because it seemed out of place as they weren't dating, but when I looked back at the woman, there was a little girl in a velvet dress and little patent leather shoes, almost victorian in style, with long brown curls and big brown eyes. The other woman couldn't see her. As the little girl looked up at me, she vanished from Nick's sight. We must have connected in some strange way, because after that she followed me, and only I and a few people very close to me could see her. She loved us, and captivated us, but she was restless and unhappy and frightened. She needed to go into the light, but she was afraid to go alone. She was only four or five, and she never spoke, but when we made it clear she had to leave, she began to cry and throw a fit, beating little empty fists against my friend who held her. I reached to take her hands, and we were so close in spirit that I could feel them and stop them. I held her little hands in mine and looked into her eyes. I told her not to be afraid, that I'd go with her as far as I could. I'd keep her safe and show her the way, and while I was almost certain I could lead her to the light and still come back myself, seeing her eyes fill with tears and loving her as much as I did, I didn't care if I came back, as long as she was safe and at rest.  I took her hand and we turned to the light, while my friends tried to stop me.  And then I woke up.