We sat at a corner booth in a nearby pub with a sticky floor, sticky tables and that somehow also had sticky chairs. The general vibe of the place managed to be both depressing and threatening.

Nils was sat on the edge of the chair, careful not to touch anything. While ordering our two pints, I saw him getting stuck to the counter while leaning in to see the beer selection. He had pried himself off with difficulty.

I had a ton of questions about what had just happened.

When we were walking out of the mall, Nils had told me his name and his profession. He was a ghosthunter.

That sounded like bullshit to me and when I told him he had gasped and said: "At least it beats being a protein shake barista."

That had stung, we hadn't said anything else to each other since arriving at the pub and now he was looking at me with sad eyes.

I hate when good-looking guys have those puppy eyes, it feels unfair.

"Okay, "Nils", you need to explain what the hell just happened."

"Hey, I'm sorry I said you were a protein shake barista. I mean, you are, but I shouldn't have said it like that."

Uh. The guy was wired differently, wasn't he?

I took a sip from my pint. Instant regret. It did not taste good at all.

"Do I have to drink all of it?" asked Nils.

"Uh. No, you really don't have to."

"Good." He sat straighter in his chair without his back touching the backrest. He looked very uncomfortable.

"So are you going to tell me what was that?"

He smiled a big smile that seemed to lit up the booth.

"Sure! Who much do you know about the Veil?"

The what now?

My confusion must have been bright as day even in the relative darkness of the pub.

"The Veil? The door between our world and the underworld?"

"I don't believe in things like that."

His eyes seemed to shine a bit and he started talking very fast.

"See! That's what I find fascinating, even when you had an obvious and unmistakably paranormal encounter, you don't believe it. As if it was something you saw in the corner of your eyes. You choose to think that it didn't happen. That it can't possibly have happened!"His energy was almost manic now, apparently, that was the topic that set him off.

I knew a girl once that had a similar kind of hyper energy when talking about Lord Of The Rings.

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"It's like something make us disregard what our own senses are telling us! Don't you find it fascinating, Ben!"

I didn't. And then something struck me. How did he know my name?

"Wait a moment. How do you know I'm called Ben?"

"Your nametag."

That was awkward. Of course, he must have...Now wait a minute.

"I wasn't wearing it when you jumped behind the counter!"

"No, I know. But."

He couldn't look me in the eyes. Ha, ha! I got him. He was lying about the whole thing! What an awful prank to pull on someone

"Cool."

I started to slide off the seat.

"Where are you going?" asked Nils.

I stood up.

"Fuck you, man. I don't know why you did all that but it was a really shitty prank."

Before I could take one step, Nils caught my arm with both hands.

"No! Ben! It's all true!"

"Let go of me!"

Thank god we were the only two on that side of the pub. I didn't want to have to punch a guy in front of an audience.

"Ben." Nils started to speak very quickly. "I know your name because I've been observing you for weeks, I know your name, I know your parent's names, I know that they are divorced because of..."

I put my hand on his mouth.

"Seriously, you need to learn when to shut up."

So he talked to my parents? That explained stuff. But why?

I sat back down.

"Okay. So you've been stalking me. Great."

Where do you go from there, what do you do when a guy admits to having been stalking you and fake a ghost apparition, rekindling your trauma to get a drink with you.

"Look. I'm flattered." And I was a little bit. But mostly creeped out.

Nils took his head in both hands.

"Oh my god."

He raised his head to look at me.

"You are so unaware it's almost funny. Listen, I didn't stalk you for...that reason. I wanted to protect you. And I failed. Now you are in danger because I didn't act fast enough."

"What danger?"

He looked at me like I was stupid.

"The spirits, I'm trying to get you to understand that the underworld is starting to spill over to our world!"

"That thing you mean? The thing that ordered the Impact Shake?"

"The very same. It's a vengeful spirit. It wanted to kill you."

I felt a chill down my spine. Whatever the truth was, that guy was talking about a murder. On me. A me-murder. That didn't sound good. Also, after what had happened to my sister, it didn't seem so crazy anymore.

"Okay. So you said...you were looking after me then?"

"YES! So you didn't get killed. And you haven't been yet so...you're welcome!"

He smiled.

Then I realised something.

I had left my post at the shake booth almost an hour ago and my boss was probably looking after me.

I was so getting fired.

"Hey, Nils, that's great, really, but I need to go back to the parlour."

His smile dropped.

"You can't do that! It might come back."

"And when it comes back you will have my back right? You're welcome to hang around and buy a few shakes." I could sense a business opportunity.

"Oh. Great. I'll do that!" Said Nils with an exceptional amount of enthusiasm.

We left the booth together.

"Look at us! It's almost like we're partners! I'm so glad you finally understand!"

Sure, buddy. I understand that I'm finally going to sell some shakes!