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Grave Reviews
by Marissa
Many people believe that celebrities have a rough life. Lack of privacy,
however, comes as a responsibility for the big name stars. Wherever they go they
are followed by fans, photographers, reporters, and security personnel. But what
about ghosts?
Elijah arrived home from the set late, squashing goggling onlookers outside the
door. Throwing his jacket on the coat hanger he flopped into a squishy armchair.
The air was thick with weariness and soon fatigue crept over him. He awoke a few
hours later to see a girl, half covered by shadows, sitting on the back of a
chair staring at him in a state of bliss. Shocked, he stared back. After a few
minutes of silence from the two Elijah regained his voice. "Who are you?" he
questioned the girl.
"No one of much importance," came the reply. Her voice was whispy, soft and
melancholy, barely audible even in the leisurely silence of morning.
Elijah sat for a moment, puzzling over how the girl had gotten into the
building and even in through the locked door. "How," he asked, "did you get in?"
"One day I will tell you," the voice spoke from the shadowed corner. It did not
take too long for the She soon stepped out of the shadows and sat in a well lit
comfy armchair. For a moment Elijah got a glimpse of her light brown hair and
hazel eyes before she sunk into the depths of the chair.
The clock on the wall ticked away the hours, and yet both sat quite still.
Lunch time was quickly drawing near and Elijah became aware of a burning hunger
pang in his stomach. No wanting to leave the girl alone in his apartment he
said, "Do you want to go pick up some lunch?" Although unenthusiastic the girl
agreed. As Elijah left the building he began to notice a change come over the
girl. Her face lit up as she saw the sun glimmering above her head reaching its
arms out and warming the earth. The hazel eyes glittered with excitement.
However, when they reached his Ferarri she was tentative to get in. Not more
than five minutes later the car rolled out of the parking lot and was heading
down the road.
The car travelled quickly and the girl was entertained by the scenery flashing
by the window. The ride ended as the car pulled into a parking lot. The strange
events did not begin until they had entered the resturaunt. Elijah walked up to
the waiter with girl not far behind him. "A table for two, please," Elijah told
the waiter.
"Are you waiting for someone?" the waiter asked looking around for a second
person.
"No," Elijah replied, "she is right here." He pointed to the girl, still
standing behind him.
"I think she left," the waiter replied, obviously not able to see the girl.
"Okay," Elijah looked at the waiter, "I'll take a table for one." The waiter
grabbed a menu and showed Elijah to his table, the girl tagged diligently behind
him.
Elijah's head was spinning with questions. The first one spilled out, "What's
your name?"
"My name is Sierra Christy Johnson."
"How old are you?"
"13."
"Why can't he see you?"
"Simple. I'm dead."
Elijah was shocked. It was an impossible thought, but he had a small amount of
proof to back Sierra's outrageous theory.
Elijah ate what little he could with the shock still ringing in his head. He
decided to test the 'dead' theory and took Sierra to a place swarming with
people, a theme park. As they got on rides nobody noticed the tag-along girl
following the celebrity around the crowded park. They all noticed Elijah though.
The girl brought him to many places in neighboring towns. Her prescence and
enthusiasm of the moment made her time with him exciting. However, the fun ended
not more than 5 days later. It was a cloudy, menacing night, and a full moon
shone between gaps in the clouds.
"I must go now," Sierra's voice echoed with a metallic ring, "My time is up."
Sierra stood and a startled Elijah followed, curious as to where she may be
going. He followed her down the dark, foggy streets until they both stood at the
entrance to a vast graveyard. "Goody-bye," Elijah said. Sierra smiled her partly
happy smile. She turned and disappeared into the threatening mist. As her shadow
disappeared she shouted back, "Carpe diem!" And her vioce faded.
A couple days later Elijah arrived back at the grave yard. He searched grave
after grave until he reached a pleasant, shady grave. A tree grew behind,
causing the grave to be on a slant. Squinting Elijah made out the inscription on
the headstone. 'Sierra Christine Johnson' 'June 13, 1987-August 15, 2000' 'Sieze
the day.' With a small grin Elijah rose, pulled out a pocket knife, and strode
to the tree. With a little effort Elijah etched the words, "The living can still
learn how to live from the dead."
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