Quick Tales

In the quiet town of Mossgrove, where the veil between worlds was thin, lived a woman named Elara. She possessed an extraordinary gift—the ability to heal spirits and guide them towards their final rest. Her life was dedicated to this calling, one she discovered after the tragic loss of her younger brother, Elias.

Elara's home was an old Victorian house, nestled between ancient oak trees and a whispering stream. The house had a unique charm, with its ivy-covered walls and stained-glass windows that cast kaleidoscopic patterns on the floor. It was here that Elara welcomed the lost souls who wandered into her life, seeking solace and guidance.

One chilly autumn evening, as Elara sat by the fireplace, she felt a sudden chill. The temperature in the room dropped sharply, and the shadows seemed to dance more erratically than usual. She knew immediately that a spirit had entered her home. Standing up, she walked towards the door, where the presence was strongest. As she opened it, a gust of cold wind blew in, carrying with it an eerie melody—a child's laughter echoing through the night.

Following the sound, Elara ventured into the garden. There, amidst the frost-kissed flowers, stood a young boy. He appeared to be around eight years old, with bright blue eyes and unruly blond hair. His clothes were outdated, reminiscent of the 1950s. As she approached him, he turned and looked at her, his laughter fading into silence.

"Who are you?" Elara asked softly, extending a hand towards him. "I won't hurt you."

The boy stared at her, his eyes filled with fear and confusion. "I... I don't know," he stammered. "I can't remember anything."

Elara nodded understandingly. "It's alright. Sometimes it takes time for memories to come back. Would you like to come inside? It's cold out here."

The boy hesitated before nodding. As they entered the house, Elara could feel his fear dissipating slightly. She led him to the living room, where a warm fire crackled in the hearth. The boy sat down on the couch, wrapping his arms around himself as if trying to ward off the cold.

"I'm Elara," she said, sitting beside him. "What's your name?"

The boy looked at her, his eyes searching hers. "I don't know," he repeated. "I can't remember."

Elara smiled reassuringly. "That's okay. We'll figure it out together. Would you like some tea? It might help you feel better."

The boy nodded, and Elara stood up to prepare the tea. As she waited for the water to boil, she felt a sense of unease wash over her. This spirit was different from the others she had encountered before—there was an urgency about him, a desperation that made her heart ache.

Returning with two cups of steaming tea, Elara handed one to the boy. He took it gratefully, his small hands wrapped around the cup as if drawing comfort from its warmth. As they sat in silence, sipping their tea, Elara began to sense fragments of memories floating through the air like wisps of smoke. She reached out with her mind, gently nudging them towards the boy.

Gradually, the boy's eyes widened as images flashed before him—a smiling mother, a laughing father, a small puppy wagging its tail. "Mommy," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Daddy... I remember now."

Elara placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "That's good. What's your name?"

The boy looked at her, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Samuel," he said. "My name is Samuel."

Over the next few days, Elara worked with Samuel, helping him piece together his memories. She learned that he had lived in Mossgrove during the 1950s, before passing away suddenly from a mysterious illness. His parents were heartbroken and never fully recovered from their loss.

As Samuel's memories became clearer, so did the reason behind his restlessness. He realized that he had not crossed over because of unfinished business—he needed to find a way to tell his parents how much he loved them and how grateful he was for their love.

Elara knew that this would be challenging, as spirits could not directly communicate with the living. However, she also understood the importance of Samuel's mission. She decided to help him in any way she could.

One evening, Elara invited an old friend named Clara over for dinner. Clara was a medium who had helped many souls cross over by delivering messages from beyond. As they sat at the dining table, enjoying their meal, Elara explained Samuel's situation to her.

Clara listened intently, her eyes filled with compassion. "I understand why he needs to do this," she said softly. "Let me see if I can reach out to his parents."

The next day, Clara visited the old house where Samuel's family had once lived. She sat in the living room, surrounded by photographs and mementos from a life cut short. Closing her eyes, she focused on the energy around her, searching for any sign of Samuel's presence.

After some time, Clara felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she saw an elderly woman standing before her—Samuel's mother. The woman looked at Clara with tears in her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is it really you, Sammy?" she asked. "Are you finally home?"

Clara took the woman's hand, squeezing it gently. "Yes," she replied. "Your son is here. He wants to tell you how much he loves you and how grateful he is for everything you did for him."

The elderly woman broke down into sobs, her body wracked with grief and joy. Clara held her tightly, allowing the emotions to flow through her until they finally subsided. As the woman looked up at Clara, there was a sense of peace in her eyes—a peace that came from knowing that her son had found his way home.

Meanwhile, back at Elara's house, Samuel watched as the scene unfolded before him. He felt an overwhelming sense of relief and happiness, knowing that his parents would finally find closure. As he looked at Elara, gratitude filled his heart. "Thank you," he mouthed silently, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

Over the following days, Samuel continued to visit his parents through Clara, ensuring they knew how much he loved them and how grateful he was for their love. With each visit, the weight on his shoulders lifted, and he began to feel more at peace.

One night, as Elara sat by the fireplace, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Samuel standing before her, his eyes filled with gratitude and warmth. "It's time for me to go," he said softly. "I want to thank you for everything you did for me."

Elara smiled at him, her own eyes welling up with tears. "You don't have to thank me, Samuel. It was an honor helping you find your way home."

Samuel reached out and took Elara's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Goodbye, Elara," he whispered before fading away into the night.

As she watched him go, Elara felt a profound sense of satisfaction—another soul had found its way to the other side, guided by her love and compassion. She knew that this was her purpose in life, and she embraced it wholeheartedly.

From that day forward, Elara continued to open her heart and home to lost souls, guiding them towards their final rest. Through her unique gift, she brought comfort and closure to both the living and the dead, reminding everyone that love transcends all boundaries and exists even after death.