GONE ASTRAY

FLOWER markets were a nightmare this time of year.

There was a horde of people in every direction, and everyone was struggling to buy last minute baskets and bouquets and garlands… all for people who won’t even be there to see the florals arranged beautifully for them.

Akira looked down on the basket of white lilies on her lap before gazing out the window, attention caught by an old lady silently watching a bucket of flowers get sold from the corner. She had her hands on her back, observing the vendors near her like a teacher watching students during an exam.

As the car slowly rolled forward, Akira’s gaze dropped down to the old lady’s bare feet. They were swollen, blackened, from the ankles to the toe tips covered in severe gangrene. Akira squinted and could faintly see through the old woman’s body, as if the elder was made of parchment every time the sun hit her skin.

“Everything okay?” Gian asked when he saw Akira’s brows knitted in concentration. He expertly maneuvered the car and they were on the main road before Akira could even answer.

“There was a grandma. She was just watching people sell flowers,” Akira answered, sighing. “Vendors we’re probably her kids.”

“What did you see?”

She leaned back on her seat and shrugged. “Rotting feet. Diabetes, probably.”

Gian reached for her hand and squeezed. “Her kids will probably visit later.”

Akira’s lips curved into a small smile.

The rest of the drive was quiet, except for the car radio blasting seventies rock and Gian’s comforting humming.

She smiled once more.

It’s been four years and counting… four years with Gian Hernandez, the love of her life, driving her around this second-hand car they bought from the internet. It was just an average car: boring shade of grey when they first saw it, old-school radio with a CD slot, generic faux leather seats… but it was functional and low-maintenance, and it took always took them to where they needed to go.

Akira’s chest boomed by the rhythm of the music and she pondered on the future, how in a span of a few years she would probably finally have another surname next to her own. Gian always asked anyway if she was ready for marriage.

The car came to a halt and the couple came out of the car, bringing the basket of lilies and a few candles with them. Gian held her hand as they walked and tried to find the tombs of their loved ones.

Stopping at the olden graves of Gian’s grandparents, he struck a match and lit two candles, then stuck it to the ground next to each other before speaking into the cold graveyard air.

“Hi Nanang and Papang…” Gian began. “You remember my girlfriend, Akira Basilio.”

“They know who I am.” Akira grinned before waving a hand towards the tombstones. “Hello.”

The burnt candle wicks crackled and it made the flames dance for a second, almost as if Nanang and Papang were actually present there responding to their gestures. All Soul’s Day pulled emotion and symbolism from anyone who has lost someone, but Akira knew better. She knew that flames dancing was just the wind, weird images in the mirror were just lighting tricks, and sleep paralysis demons who watch people in their sleep were just products of an overactive imagination.

Gian fell silent for a while, watching the wicks spark against the darkness surrounding it. The tiny fires illuminated the carved stone. Akira felt like Gian would have been joyful if she could still see his grandparents wandering around on Earth, but she wanted the exact opposite.

It was a huge relief that the two elders weren’t visible to her anymore. That means they have found acceptance and peace in their passing.

There were a lot of families visiting the cemetery that night and it didn’t feel scary at all. Well… not that Akira was scared. Your standards of what’s scary is different when you see dead people on a regular basis.

The panorama was almost magical. A whole graveyard was filled with flowers and candlelight and families sharing food and stories around their loved ones.

“I miss you both.” Gian’s eyes were the slightest bit hopeful as he turned to Akira and said in jest, “You sure they aren’t here?”

She laughed and leaned on his shoulder. “I only see strays.”

“Strays… yeah.” Gian sighed. “At least they’re together, wherever they may be.”

Akira stood up straight and as they said goodbye to the tombstones before moving on to the next, she noticed a small child hiding behind a tree near them. Gian pulled her forward and they walked through the cemetery, glancing at the other families visiting. Out of curiosity, Akira couldn’t help but throw a short look behind them and saw the same child following their footsteps.

Akira inhaled and held the basket of lilies tighter. Gian, knowing her from head to toe, squeezed her hand and asked.

“Did someone notice?”

“A kid.” Akira nodded. “I’ll tend to him later. All Soul’s Day first.”

“I’m curious… how many do you see?” Gian poked, looking around as if he had the same gift as Akira.

She scanned the area and tried not to let anybody notice but her partner. Truth be told, Akira found them too many to count, so she just gave a vague estimate.

“Like… thirty, give or take,” Akira spoke in a small voice as to not alert any spirits – or “strays” as she likes to call them – of what she was capable of.

“I’ll never get used to you saying that,” Gian said with a grin. “Not in a hundred years.”

“I’d give it up any day. This third eye… whatever this is.” Akira shook her head as they halted next to another grave.

The child following them also stopped walking and stood next to Gian. He was so small and thin and Gian towered next to him, focused on the lilies, oblivious of the fact that a literal stray was in his arm’s reach.

Akira ignored the child and placed the basket of lilies on the ground, then ran her fingers over the engraved marble.

Kisha L. Lazarus, it stated, Kind and loving until her last breath.

“Do you think she’s happy?” Akira said without facing Gian. “Do you think she’s at peace?”

Gian placed a hand on her back and rubbed up and down to assure her. “The fact that you don’t see her anymore means she already went towards the light, right?”

Akira nodded once.

“She already got the closure she needs,” Gian said with a comforting smile. “Besides, I swore to her.”

“Swore what?”

“That I’ll do my best to take care of you,” Gian answered.

“You didn’t even meet her when she was alive.” Akira snorted. The stray next to Gian giggled as if he understood what they were talking about. It was a rough-sounding giggle, hard on the ears. Less child, more like a chain smoker. Akira thought this kid must have been really ill before expiring.

“Doesn’t matter.” Her partner shook his head. “I swore to her grave the first time you brought me here. A promise is a promise.”

Akira planted a soft peck on Gian’s cheek and thanked him quietly. They stood there for a few minutes, fingers interlocked, and soon enough the ghost child next to them grew impatient and attempted to get her attention by waving his arms frantically.

“Strays are so annoying.” Akira sighed, staring at the small boy. “Can’t I have five minutes of no paranormal activity of any sort?”

The boy pouted and tried to talk, producing a tiny, hoarse sentence.

“Ate, help.”