I woke up ruffling my hair and yawned as I stretched out in my bed. I reached over to grab my phone to stop the alarm, before turning my attention to Al as he jumped onto the bed to greet me. Albert Whiskers, officially, is my Russian Blue cat and closest confidant.

“Good morning to you too.” I smiled at him as he nuzzled his face against mine. After a few minutes of cuddling, I finally willed myself out of bed, flexing my toes on the carpeted floor.

Al jumped off the bed and followed me into the main room of our small apartment, jumping up onto the counter. “You’re always so impatient.” I smiled at him as he meowed in response, waiting for his breakfast. Scooping the bowl off the ground and setting it on the counter next to Albert, I then pulled his food out of the fridge. Few things disgust me more than his wet food, but I force myself to stomach the smell and look for my love of Al.

After making sure he was fed and starting a pot of decaf coffee, as caffeinated makes me too shaky, I head into the bathroom for a nice hot shower, despite it being summer. I glance at myself in the mirror as I strip down to my skin. Every freckle in the right spot on my pale skin and every curly red hair out of place, as usual.

I take a quick shower, changing into a cute outfit, long cargo shorts, and a crop top tank top showing off my pierced midriff, once done. I walk into the main room, grabbing my notebook, and jotting down the story idea I came up with in the shower, before pouring myself a thermos of coffee and placing both next to my bag.

I make a quick breakfast and water my plants on the windowsill next to a chattering Al who’s watching the birds. Nearly ready to leave, I toss on my headphones, putting on some In Fear and Faith, before collecting my things and heading for the door. I throw Al a goodbye before leaving my apartment and heading towards the library to start my shift.

The walk is only five or so minutes, depending on how many lights I get caught at, but it’s never too long of a walk. I make way walk through the back and start working, putting the books into their spots and sorting them. I honestly prefer to stay in the back when I can, as to not have to talk to people, but can’t always get away without it.

Between sorting books and cataloging the returns, time passes quickly until it’s my lunch break. I take out my ramen and pour some hot water on it, taking a seat to wait while the noodles soften at the small table.

“Hey, Riley.” I look over to watch my co-worker Katie walk my way. She is heavily pregnant somewhere in her third term, if I remember correctly. “How are you today?”

“Fine.” I shrug slightly, watching as Katie sat down across from me at the table, a salad and dessert cakes for her lunch. “How’s the baby?”

“Good.” Katie smiled widely, beaming even.

“I can bring dinner over tonight. If you’re not busy.”

“Oh, and I can show you the nursery! My cousin painted it for the baby.”

“I’d love that.” I nod with a small smile. “I’ll be over around six thirty or seven, if that’s cool.”

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After I finished up at work, I walked to the closest grocery store to buy some ingredients for dinner. With my bounty in hand - or in bags, I headed home. Once there, I began making dinner, one of my favorite meals from childhood: a buffalo chicken casserole, with the chicken. While cooking, I turned on some metal and danced around some, feeling the most myself at home.

Now finished with dinner, I packed my things up once more and headed on a bus downtown as near to Katie’s apartment as I could. During my ride, I listened to Bring Me the Horizon’s new album and worked on my writing, doing my best to look inconspicuous, hoping no one would strike up a conversation. Thankfully, I finished my bus ride with no one talking to me and walked the rest of the way to Katie’s. Riding up the elevator, I couldn’t help but compare the place to their own apartment complex. They are nothing alike, whereas Katie’s seems much nicer than my own.

I knocked on the door, hoping it was the right one, but didn’t have to worry long as shortly after Katie opened it with a large smile on her face. “Riley! I’m so glad you made it!”

“I brought food.” I lifted the glass dish up.

“Smells great! I’m starving!” She ushered me inside.

Katie introduced me to her husband, trying her best to respectfully explain my pronouns to him. He shook my hand with a smile and thanked me for the food, for making it easier on them for the night. Katie then dragged me into the nursery to show it off.

“It’s very cute.” Riley smiled slightly, loving the fantasy forest mural. “ I think I’m jealous.”

Katie giggled. “I’m glad you like it; Billy and I are in love with what she did for us.” She ran her hand over the wall. “It all came together so well.”

“You’re almost making me wish I was having a baby.” I joked, causing Katie to laugh again.

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“Come on, let’s eat.” Katie motioned for me to follow her back out of main room.

The three of us sat down and started eating, Katie complimenting them on the food. We chatted while they ate, Billy uncomfortably asking me about my pronouns and ‘original gender’. I made sure to do my best to keep a smile plastered on as I tiptoed through the conversation.

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I took a deep breath as I walked out of the apartment building. It had been a long night as I was leaving the building around ten. I hadn’t minded the questions too much, as I seemed to be the first non-binary and trans person Billy had met, but that doesn’t mean I enjoyed it by any means. I pulled the hood over their head, braving the rain on my way to the bus stop.

Arriving at the stop, I let out a frustrated sigh and checked my phone, realizing I had already missed the bus. I was tired and it was getting late, so I decided to walk over to a different bus stop instead of waiting, looking up nearby stops on my phone.

Despite it being summer, the rain was cold and heavy, leaving me soaked as I jogged towards the bus stop, hoping I’d make it on time.

But before I could make it there, I heard two people fighting. I tentatively walked towards where the voices were coming from, letting the curiosity get the best of me.

I saw one man lift an arm towards the other man and then bang. I backed up around the corner, my heart racing at the sound of a gun. I had just seen someone kill another person, all because I wanted to get home faster.

I silently cursed. I could hear footsteps nearing me, telling me it was time to run. I began running, having no place in mind, just knowing I had to get away. I ran into an apartment building, praying the man wouldn’t find me here.

Pulling my phone out, I called 911 and reported what had seen. I was instructed to stay inside, and that cops would be there shortly. I gripped tightly onto the phone as the operator disconnected the call, leaving me alone again.

I was counting, trying to calm myself down, not knowing what else to do, when goosebumps formed on my arm. “Fuck.” I jumped as a form appeared before me.

A spirit had found its way into the building where I was hiding. I have been able to see ghosts for as long as I can remember. I don’t really discuss it though, having decided being non-binary is alienating enough.

“You--you can see me!” The large spirit points toward me.

“No.” I shook their head, looking away.

“You just responded to me.”

I sighed, looking back at the ghost. Right now, they are just a shadowy figure outlined in a smoke-like substance. “Is the person gone?”

I can see the man’s shadowy fists shift. “The fucker who killed me? Yeah, he’s gone.”

“I--I called the cops. They’ll be here soon.”

“I am the cops.” The man shakes his head.

I wraps their arms around myself , for warmth and comfort. The foyer is cold as there is an air conditioner blasting, despite the temperature outside. “That’s not good then.”

“I’m Liam.” The figure shifted to face me fully. “I am-was a detective. What are you?”

I shrugged slightly. “Call me what you’d like. I’m just someone who can see you.”

“Hm.” He made a noise of acknowledgment.

“Stay with me until the cops get here. Please.” Riley spoke quietly.

“I found someone who can see me, which sounds like one in a million. You’re not getting rid of me anytime soon. Not until that fucker is put in jail.”

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Eventually, the cops arrive, and I tentatively walk out to talk to them after gaining the courage. One of the multiple cars drive me down to the precinct, where I give my witness report. An officer gave me a cup of coffee while I was waiting. Just holding it in my hands helps to ease the nerves.

Now alone in the room, I looked over at an impatient Liam. “You should just leave.”

“No way. I found my cash cow, and you’re not getting rid of me.”

I let out a frustrated sigh. “What are you expecting from me?”

“I’m obviously not the first ghost you’ve seen, girl, so tell me, how do I get out of here?”

I take a deep breath, looking back over at him. “There’s no out of this. The only step after this is moving on. And for your information, it’s Riley. Just Riley. No ‘girl’.” I put my hands up. “But I’m not in the business of helping spirits anymore, so you should just leave me alone.”

“I’ve got an eternity, Riley. I’m sticking around until you help me ‘move on’.”

“Miss Wilson,” the officer from earlier opened the door again, “you’re free to go. Do you have a way home?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I was just going to take a bus.”

“I’m about to get off if you’d like a ride home.” The man warmly smiled at me.

“That’d be great if you’re sure.”

“Of course.”

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I said a little thank you to whatever god was out there that they had gotten home safe, though still shaky. I set my things on the counter and greet a lonely Al. He quickly tensed up and began hissing, no doubt at Liam’s presence. I knelt down, trying to calm him down, before turning to Liam once more.

“You should leave! You can’t just follow me home.”

Liam walked, well floated, into the apartment, sitting down on the couch, putting his hands behind his head. Looking all too comfortable for my tastes. “I’m sticking around until you help me.”

I shake my head before heading into the bedroom. Liam followed after me, mocking my apartment and calling it sad. I began getting ready for bed before slipping in under the sheets.

“You’re welcome to leave at any point. You should exercise that right, Mister Police Man.” I turned the lamp off and closed my eyes, doing my best to ignore the spirit hovering next to me.

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