The life-changing pact… A ghost story by Porpoise21 (Not to be read before bed!)

In 1945, at the end of World War II, a tragic death was witnessed: Arthur Wilson, 24, was shot in the dark depths of ‘No-man’s land’. When Arthur was buried, a mysterious ‘man’ called Frederick Ward paid him a visit and told him he could have the chance to be human again. Instantly, Arthur agreed to this ‘life-changing’ chance. Before he knew it, he found himself in an ancient, crooked boat. Quickly, he realised the ship was haunted: torn, damaged sails; a toxic odour; an enchanted green mist seeping from the lower decks.  A green, shiny potion dripped into his mouth. As the strange substance trickled down his throat, Arthur’s eyes gradually opened: the potion was working!

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Since a few months after his birth in May 2000, Eliot Wilson had been brought up by his grandad, Arthur. Arthur’s job as a coastguard was to watch the boats come in so he wasn’t at home very often. Eliot had always been interested in what his grandfather did so, on June 19^th, 2007, Eliot bravely asked Arthur if he could go to work with him. When Arthur’s reply was an abrupt “NO!”, suspicions whirled around Eliot’s mind.

One misty night, Eliot followed Arthur. Creeping in the shadows, Eliot quietly tiptoed to the harbour. Without warning, Arthur made a sharp turn and clasped Eliot’s arm with a firm grip then fiercely dragged him to the edge of the path.

Suddenly, a cold shiver crept up his spine. An old, faint finger was placed in the small of his shivering back. When Eliot slowly turned to his grandfather, he realised he wasn’t there. Faint laughs circled round his head. Feeling dizzy, Eliot tried to see if there was anybody to help him but his eyes felt weak and gradually started to close.

Waking up, Eliot knew he wasn’t at the harbour any more: creaking floorboards; faint voices; a lethal odour all suggested he was on board a ship. Able to see now, Eliot carefully and quietly stepped onto the damp floor. Under Eliot’s frozen bare-feet, there was a strange, green substance oozing between his toes. Unexpectedly, the ancient door swung open. CREAK! CREAK! Loud footsteps echoed round the room.

A strange figure stepped cautiously into the room: he had big dusty boots, an old ragged coat and an enormous cobweb-covered hat that covered most of his face. Whilst puffing large rings of smoke out of his pipe, the mysterious man walked closer to Eliot. The man had a long, pointed nose, an old, wrinkly face and familiar misty blue eyes.

“Grandad?” Eliot hesitated for a moment… Grandad? Is that you?”
“Hello,” his Grandad finally replied in an oddly creaky voice.

“W…Why are you glowing?” Eliot reached out for his grandfather’s hand but he stepped back and rapidly revealed a razor-shaped blade!

Sour tears suddenly tricked down Eliot’s smooth cheeks as his grandfather yanked the blood-covered sword from the boy’s heart. Eliot’s heart was already broken from never being able to see his parents but now there was also a hole in his heart from the blade held by his grandfather.

Bitter tears rolled down the old man’s face as he watched his grandson fade away.

“What have I done?” muttered Arthur. As Arthur remembered what happened in ‘No-man’s land’, he fell to his knees with his face cradled in his hands. Guilt raced round his head until, at last, he summoned Frederick Ward.

“Please,” Arthur begged as he cried, “Take off this despicable curse and let me be with my grandson!” He begged and begged.

“The curse has worn off but…” As Frederick was explaining, Arthur interrupted,

“Thank you!” Arthur yelled, “Thank you.”

“But… the curse will haunt you so beware!” With that, Frederick went with a blink of an eye.

Arthur got his wish to be with his grandson but beware…the ghosts of Eliot and Arthur Wilson still haunt that harbour now…