It was the loneliest night; a night so desolate that few ventured outside. The air was cool, at times eerie, and the darkness cloaked unknown creatures.

But it wasn't a night for creatures. Some preferred this solitude---a lack of interaction with others, a chill in the air, and absolute silence.

A teenage girl gazed at the moon, which was obscured by clouds. She loved the night because it was when she could think most clearly. It was the only time when the house was empty, granting her solitude. The moon, a silent guardian, bathed the room in a serene glow.

What had become of her life? She only emerged at night, staring at the indifferent moon, feeling the cool breeze through her open window.

What had she done with her life? She spent her time wondering, without seeking answers, confined to her room. The outside world was limited to the sidewalk and street visible through her window.

She sighed, closed the shutters, locked the window, and turned toward her worn-out bed. She lay down, staring at the empty ceiling of her room.

What had she done with her life? It felt as though she had wasted her days, merely existing until her soul departed, leaving her body buried in the earth.

It had been a long time since her family left. She was alone, unsure of what to do, with no one to care or notice. Her family had not even acknowledged her absence. What about everyone else? Now, as she lay asleep on a battered bed, she knew she would never truly rest.

Loneliness was her only companion. Although she cursed her solitary existence, she felt powerless to change it.

Sometimes, she imagined time speeding up. As the sun's rays crept into her room, it brightened the once dreary space.

The girl in bed remained awake, her eyes wide open. Daylight seemed to come faster each day until noon arrived, and she was still staring into the emptiness of her room.

She got out of bed and looked at a man standing there. Her eyes widened in astonishment---he was... peculiar. When their gazes met, the room brightened, and everything seemed to come alive with color.

The man blinked in surprise. "Uh, who are you?"

They stared at each other, both taking a few steps back but refusing to look away.

The girl, or rather the ghost, observed the man with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The man looked at her with fear, his body trembling as though he had seen a ghost.

"Fear not," the girl---now a ghost---approached him slowly. "I won't harm you. I'm not a malevolent spirit. Just relax."

"Does that mean you're a ghost?" the man asked.

The ghost nodded. The man's fear grew, as though he could hardly believe her assurances. To prove her intention, the ghost moved closer, trying to show she meant no harm.

The man eventually stopped retreating but remained wary. The ghost's appearance was more unsettling than terrifying. Her forehead was smeared with blood, and although her hands seemed fine, her limbs appeared disjointed. Blood dripped from her head, yet she remained ethereal.

"Don't be afraid," the ghost said. "Even with this appearance, I'm okay. See, I can even make myself look normal." She reshaped her fingers and legs, though the blood continued to flow, dripping onto the floor.

The man remained silent, still in shock. The ghost then spoke, "Why don't we get to know each other? What's your name?"

"My name?" the man finally spoke. "M-my name is Nate. What about... what about yours?"

The ghost, with long black hair, longed to answer but couldn't remember her name or past. She was bound to the house, disconnected from her former life.

"I don't remember," the ghost said, shaking her head. "But you can call me Lucy."

Nate smiled, relieved. "Lucy it is."

They exchanged smiles, as though reconnecting old friends. Nate gradually relaxed, while Lucy continued to smile, feeling hopeful that she wouldn't be alone anymore.

"So, you're moving into this house?" Lucy asked, her tone filled with hope. She had been abandoned by the last family who had fled in fear upon discovering her presence.

Lucy had never meant harm. She merely wanted a friend, and now she finally had one.

A voice calling for Nate from downstairs broke the moment. Lucy nodded, letting Nate go. She wanted to follow but feared the same outcome as before: being discovered and causing the family to leave.

Why was she trapped in this house? Lucy had tried to leave but was blocked by an invisible barrier. She wanted freedom but couldn't understand why she was confined.

Was this house connected to her death? Why couldn't she remember?

***

On the eighth day of Nate's stay, he was now residing in the room where he first met Lucy. She was happy to have a human in the room. Nate was the first who wasn't afraid of her and treated her kindly despite her appearance.

They had frequent conversations, and Nate expressed interest in learning about Lucy's past.

"I've told you a lot about myself," Nate said. "Why don't you tell me about yourself?"

Lucy hesitated, not knowing much about her own past. "I'm sorry, Nate. I don't remember anything."

Nate asked if all ghosts experienced amnesia. Lucy shrugged. "I don't know. Some ghosts remember their deaths and hold grudges, especially if a human was involved."

Nate wanted to help Lucy discover what happened to her. He promised to assist in uncovering her past.

Lucy was thrilled at the prospect. She had been waiting for someone who might help her find her buried body, be it in a cemetery or somewhere else.

Nate agreed to help but warned Lucy that he couldn't guarantee success. Lucy was grateful for the help, and they spent the day discussing the world outside.

Nate had always been a loner, choosing to be homeschooled to avoid crowds. He preferred solitude, which made him more receptive to Lucy's presence.

At night, Nate planned to explore the house. Once his family was asleep, he intended to investigate areas he hadn't yet explored.

Nate pretended to sleep, then quietly got out of bed when the house was silent. Lucy followed, eager to see what they could discover together.

As they ventured through the darkened house, Nate felt an eerie presence. They passed old doors and unfamiliar rooms. Lucy seemed to be seeing the house for the first time.

"Why do you look so unfamiliar with this part of the house?" Nate asked.

Lucy couldn't recall when she last ventured out of her room. She felt a change in the house's atmosphere but couldn't identify it.

Suddenly, a door creaked open. Nate's older brother, Varell, appeared in the bathroom doorway, causing Nate to freeze.

"What are you doing out so late?" Varell asked.

Nate was nervous but managed to answer. "Nowhere."

Varell noticed Nate's odd behavior and approached him. Lucy stood beside Nate, trying to hide a menacing presence.

Nate saw a frightening figure behind Varell. It was a ghost unlike Lucy---dark, twisted, and menacing. Varell, oblivious to the presence, asked Nate why he was acting strange.

Lucy intervened, shielding Nate from the ghost's gaze. The creature looked disoriented but didn't disappear.

"It's a ghost," Lucy explained. "There are different types. Some, like me, are more human-like. Others are more menacing, like the one you saw."

Nate was unsettled but tried to focus on their search. Lucy described different kinds of ghosts and their nature.

They continued their search, with Nate determined to help Lucy find her body. They reached the attic, where a strong, unpleasant odor filled the air.

Lucy floated through the attic, tears streaming from her eyes. There, they found a decomposed body---the body of the girl Lucy once was, with a knife still embedded in her eye.

Nate was horrified. The sight confirmed the tragic fate Lucy had suffered. As he processed the grim discovery, Lucy's pain seemed to intensify.

"I'm sorry," Nate said, his heart heavy with empathy.

Lucy nodded, her transparent hand touching her own body where she felt the pain. Despite her appearance, the memory of her death still haunted her.

Nate and Lucy's bond grew stronger as they faced the truth of her past. They were united in their quest to uncover what had happened and find closure for Lucy's restless spirit.

***

1.408 words.

WRITING ENGLISH MARATHON BECAUSE I'M TOO LAZY TO TRANSLATE MY THOUGHTS LET'S GO