When You’re Gone Novels & Stories

“What… what are you talking about? That’s impossible. Joseph, get back here right now. Who knows if you’re lying to me…” I hung up before she could finish. Jaime was capable. She would investigate on her own. I returned to my hometown with my mother’s urn in my arms. The yard of my old home was overgrown with weeds. My mother and I had not returned since my father’s death more than ten years ago. I remembered my mother smiling as she told my father that I had married a good girl and that her daughter‑in‑law would take her to live a better life. We had been fine when we left. Now my mother had become ashes, and I had been diagnosed with leukemia.

That was why he dared to trample on my love without fear. His panic wasn’t out of love. It was because his perfectly trained, obedient pet had broken her leash, and for the first time, he felt out of control. In that moment, my heart for him truly died. "Aiden, thank you for being with me during my darkest childhood years. I forgive the pain. But I didn’t leave to make you regret. I left for myself. From now on, we’re nothing. I wish you well." I blocked him on every channel.

"I'll see you when I get back, bye," And with that, she was gone.

“You’ve lost everything because you can’t separate business from emotion. I’m done trying to save you from yourself.” “James—” But he was already turning away. “Goodbye, Alex. I truly hope you find your way back before it’s too late.” He opened the door and walked out. The slam echoed like thunder. For a few moments, Alex just stood there, the room spinning around him. The envelope still sat on his desk, untouched. His heart was thumping heavily, each beat louder than the last. He rubbed his face with both hands and dropped back into his chair. For the first time in years, he felt completely alone. His best friend, his ally, gone.

Long gone. .

A cold, mechanical voice suddenly rang out. [Do you want to leave this world?] "Yes." My mom held me tightly. In my dad's horrified stare, she jumped. He lunged forward like a madman, but his hands grabbed nothing but air. My mom's voice was ice cold. "David, goodbye forever." The next second, our bodies were wrapped in a soft glow and disappeared completely before his eyes.

The woman wasn’t a malicious spirit at all, but boy was she talkative, and Akira needed the quiet for work. So, one day, Akira whipped out and burned the frankincense right in the living room where Tonya usually appeared. It made her fade – a different kind of fade from when a spirit is finally free – but more akin to paint smeared with a finger. Akira referred to it as glitch. The only problem with frankincense is that it produced too much smoke and made the whole apartment smell musty, like a wet forest.

His pleas were silenced forever—left to vanish in the distance. Turning to my driver, I said, "Take me to the orphanage. Did you buy Jeannie’s birthday cake?" The car sped forward, the passing scenery blurring into long, straight lines. I rolled down the window, letting the warm breeze kiss my face. Everything was moving forward toward the light.

No answer. The security guard recognized her. “He’s gone,” he said simply. “Moved out last weekend.” Her mouth opened to ask something, but no words came. He was really gone. She stepped back, numb, staring at the building as if it might give her answers. But all she had were echoes.

Cars sped past me, caught up in the bustle of the city. I suddenly had a thought. Would Mom and Dad feel sad if I died? Eyes unfocused, I walked toward the center of the road.