I readied myself once again.

“Fine… she’s likely to be less stable the second time, so don’t you dare break my rules again, understand? If something goes horribly wrong I’m going to abandon you here, got it?”

“I understand.”

“good.” I took a deep breath and recited the calling once again.

As before her spectral form parsed through the air.

“what…? what is-?”

“-Dear me you passed out before, you must still be tired. The healing process can be greatly fatiguing, so that’s to be expected.”

“I see, thank you again, for everything.”

Her form seemed to be flickering more frequently, more erratically now, the shell of her skin briefly giving way to reveal the ethereal blood and organs beneath, spectral veins pumping blood out of time to a heart beating out of pace.

“You can thank Healer Walten in person when he returns, he’ll be thrilled you’ve made such a strong recovery.”

“I’m so grateful.”

“Of Course… now then…” Am I really going to do this? “he asked me to inquire as to your accident, to ensure there are no repeat occurrences to you or anyone else.”

The hairs stood up on my back.

“yes I… remember falling… so very, very far…”

“The brush you landed on greatly cushioned your impact, you were lucky of course but its not an unheard of phenomenon. You have the good doctor to thank for patching you up so well.”

“Then why do I feel so… far away?”

Questions like that are not a good sign, she might be starting to release.

“That’s a mild side effect of the medication still working its wonders, it should wear off in a few hours.”

“That's good, I’m glad.”

Yes, yes of course you are, we’ve been over this!

“Very good dear, now, regarding your accident?”

“Well, I remember looking out over the edge but…”

Would she even admit to throwing herself off? Even as a spirit they can still lie.

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“there was… something behind me…”

“What do you mean?” asked Ernard.

“I think… something pushed me.”

“What?!” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

“w-what do you mean, something pushed you off?”

“I think it was a person… they must have… I remember feeling the shove on my back.”

I turned to look at Ernard but he just stared at her, mouth hanging open.

“Pharisa... you wouldn’t happen to-?” I began.

“-Who?! Who was it?! Pharisa you have-”

“-Calm down now Ernard, don’t lose your head.” I ground my heel into his foot.

“Pharisa dear, I don’t suppose you know who this assailant was, they seem to have meant you harm…”

“I… I don’t know, they must have come up behind me… I never saw them.”

Uh oh…

I don’t know if this is better or worse than suicide but its not good news either way.

“Well we’re all just relieved you’re alive and well, that’s what's… most important.”

“Yes, it does give me the shivers to think about but I’m here thanks to you.”

Ernard looked to be on the edge of a breakdown, and at this point even I couldn’t blame him.

“indeed… You look tired, Pharisa, perhaps you should rest some more, you’ll be able to recall more in the morning.”

“Yes, I do feel… rather tired.”

“Let's all say goodnight then, until the morning.”

“Goodnight father, Miss, thank you again for all you’ve done.”

“Goodnight dear, Ernard, why don’t you wish your daughter a pleasant sleep so that we may also call it a night? ”

But he said nothing.

What are you doing?!

I gave him a light kick.

“Pharisa… I’ll never, ever forget you.” Said Ernard

Idiot!

It giggled softly. “Oh father, you don’t need to be so dramatic, I’m only… “ The spectre trailed off and its expression changed.

It’s warm smile slowly seemed to melt, the skin fading in and out to display the skull behind it.

“wait… what do you…?” the air around it began to warp, the spectre's ethereal form flickering more rapidly but parsing further in the world. It looked around more frantically, desperately searching for something, likely something to prove it wrong.

Uh oh.

“What are you?” it turned and spoke directly to me, the sweetness in it’s tone entirely gone.

“As I said, I’m the assistant of the Great Healer Walten.”

The spectre’s face almost appeared opaque now, no longer flicking, solidified as a skinless skull, eyeballs glaring out from their sockets, the rictus grin, static as it was, somehow appearing as a scowl.

“No.” Its voice resounded through the entire building, resolute and cold. “You’re not.”

It reached out its skeletal arm towards me, its bony hands quivering with unknown emotion and purpose.

Oh no!

I threw out my hands and made the signs of cessation.

“Begone from this world creature of the void! I banish you! Return from whence you came!"

The creature’s form erupted into a blinding light as a harrowing shriek pierced the air.

But after only a moment, nothing of her remained.

Cut it way to close there…

Ernards face had turned from sorrow and fury to shock and horror.

Too bad she couldn’t just go quietly.