My Dear Julie

I was separated from my group when we were suddenly attacked by many vengeful spirits. Honestly, I was happy breaking away from them. I had wished I could do it sooner, but they threatened anyone who tried by saying they would sacrifice them to the spirits just to live but a little longer.

One of the people named Melissa, whom I thought of as a friend, told the leader Mark, that I would try to leave. He told me the same message as he does with anyone else who tries to do the same and ended up taking my locket away so I would stay.

My grandma gave me that lovely, heart-shaped locket with purple encrusted vines intertwined all over it. I hated Mark before, and now, I loathe him.

Later that night, Melissa tried to escape from the group herself. At the same time, everyone was occupied watching to see what I would attempt to do. She was caught only because a spirit happened to be lingering around that same area. She let out a piercing scream which revealed her location to us. Mark only laughed. "Don't risk your lives to save the dumb bitch. It's her fault for trying to leave. This is your punishment, Melissa!"

I couldn't believe it! Her very life force being ripped out, leaving her body cold and stiff all in an instant. The apparition turned toward us; its ghostly figure was now the hue of a dying rose. It's angry.

All of us had the same idea and simultaneously bolted from the campfire. Mark was shoving every person he bumped into to the ground as I was following closely behind. I could hear all the screams behind me, begging for help from anyone. However, I needed to get my locket back! It was the only gift I received from my grandma before her passing.

She told me that it was the key to unlocking my inheritance that she left for me at her house. Unsure of what that meant, I decided to leave my city and travel back to her home. I happened to be living in the safe zone and moved her in with me to take better care of her and because supplies were scarce where she lived.

It was only five miles from my house and would take about an hour and a half on foot. That is when I found this group, or more like they found me and forced me to join just to sacrifice me later for their own survival. I have almost caught up to Mark when he abruptly stops.

I hang back a few feet in case he tries something, all while trying to catch my breath. He is still just standing there. I look up again once my breathing calmed and see a blurry wall approaching him. I hold my breath and move back from him more, watching as the wall of spirits begins to engulf him. He let out a terrifying scream that was cut short once he hit the ground with his eyes wide open and his face contorted in pain.

I can't move. I am too scared to do anything, but I do not dare look away. Then, as if nothing happened, the wall around Mark dispersed. My chest starts hurting while my heart beats rapidly. My vision becomes strained due to me staring at Mark's corpse for too long. I finally gasp for air, not realizing that I had almost caused myself to faint.

The spirits completely vanished as I look all around. Mark still has my locket. I wait another five minutes before I force myself over to his lifeless body. Looking down, I started to feel sorry for him, but it didn't excuse all the shit he did to me and the fact that he let Melissa die. "You deserved all the things that came to you. You know that, right?" I whispered as I was now knelt down beside him, rummaging through his pockets.

Finally finding it in his fanny pack, amongst other things I didn't want to see, I open it to make sure the picture of my grandma and me was still inside. A wave of relief hits me as I see it. The locket is back where it belongs around my neck, and I now have no reason to stay here.

Resuming my journey through the streets and back roads, I come across a familiar fence. This fence enclosed six acres of land within it and a two-story house built by my grandpa. Tears stream down my face as I open the small gate that was still closed.

All the flowers, once in full bloom, have turned to brown stems. The garden was nothing but decaying leaves now. It is a sad sight seeing all this death surrounding such a beautiful house. I climb up the steps to the porch, swatting away the cobwebs, and lift up the doormat to see that the house key is still there.

Entering the house, my nose is met with a musky, mildewy scent. It is not a very pleasant smell, but it's more welcomed than the smell of a rotting corpse. I look around the living room, kitchen, and all the other rooms on the first floor. Nothing here could be considered as my inheritance. The stairs to the second floor didn't seem too promising, but I needed to know what she left me.

At the very top to the left of me, there is a narrow hallway leading to one door at the end. My grandma's room. I opened the door, expecting that same smell to hit my nose again, but it didn't. Her room was relatively clean. It was very dusty; however, there were few cobwebs.

Looking over at her bed, I see a box. A plain, brown box just sitting on her pillow. There is a heart-shaped cut-out on the front of it, leading me to put my locket there. It snaps to it as if magnetized, and the box unlocks itself. There are two items inside. A letter and a vial.

I pick up the letter, written in my grandma's handwriting.

"Dear Julie, I know it must have been hard for you to come back here even though it is no longer considered a safe zone. I hope you are doing well. Before I tell you about what is in the vial, let me explain what this inheritance is.

I am leaving with you all the knowledge I have gained over the years as a researcher of spirits at a currently hidden facility. Even if you find the facility, unless you have been formally invited, there is no chance you will be let in. The vial is your invitation to the facility. It contains my ashes which should protect you as long as you have it.

We have found that if you carry the ashes of a deceased loved one, they will protect you with their spirit. The spirits have no way of communicating. It's as if there is some barrier between them and the living. All you have to do is open the vial, and I will be released. Close it, and I am sealed again.

Pretty simple right? Think of it like a Pokemon ball."

"Wait, what?" I stopped reading, and a smile forms on my face. I continue.

"Don't worry about me trying to turn on you either. I won't be a vengeful spirit trying to possess you.

I cannot exact revenge on anyone because I lived my life and was able to see you grow up into a very headstrong woman. Therefore, I will become your spirit guardian and protect you from others.

Just know that I love you and still do, and I hope you will continue my research along with my colleagues." There is a map in between the papers pointing to where the facility is located.

I pick up the vial and leave the house one last time.

I'm not sure of what's to come, but I do know a loved one is watching over me.