Soka continued running and running however she knew that it was futile, for when she turned her head to look at them occasionally they got closer and closer. Shrine! Shrine! Shrine! She chanted in her head as she ran out of the city into a forest, following a path. Her legs were weak, and her lungs burned for air however she kept going, to protect her freedom.

The shrine came to her view on top of a mountain and she groaned inwardly as she climbed the stairs up to the shrine, however she knew that once she got past the top steps the men would not be able to bother her anymore. Climb Soka! Climb! Remember the last time you got caught by one of them? You lost up to 250 copper coins! Climb! She cheered herself on. She glanced behind her occasionally to see the men closing in on the distance, however legs never stopped moving despite the pain she was feeling. You’re almost there. Just one more step!

She smiled as she saw her haven in front of her and she lifted her feet to get inside, however fate just did not love her as the top of her sandal got cut on the step and time seemed to stop as she slowly fell on top of the stairs. Noooo! She landed on the palms of her hand as one of her knees scraped the stairs and began to bleed. She quickly got up however she was too slow for her pursuers as she felt arms wrap herself underneath her armpits, holding her up in the air.

‘Gotcha.’ The burnt man said as he smiled. ‘Let’s go down to talk now, shall we?’ He began to half carry half drag her down. Soka kicked her foot, trying to get off, however the burnt man was too strong.

‘Let me go. The dead should not bother the living!’ She screamed however the three men didn’t listen to her protests as they continued down the steps. When they got to the bottom the burnt man dropped her on the ground, and she landed on her butt. ‘Ah!’ She yelped rubbing her behind, and then she looked up to glare at the three dead men before her. ‘I don’t know why you guys are still here, however I am not going to help you. Go to a shaman or find someone else!’ She yelled. She reached into a pocket hanging on her sash to grab some red beans, however when her hand got in there it felt nothing. That’s right. I was so hungry yesterday I ate all of them. Damnit!’ She pursed her lips together. The three men looked at her not knowing what to say or where to start, and then the one with blood gushing out of his neck opened his mouth.

‘Just hear us out first. We need your help. We have been looking for someone to see us and no one has for two whole months. You are the first person we had encountered.’ He pleaded, however Soka refused to listen as she turned her back and began walking away. She didn’t get far though, as the burnt man dragged her back.

‘Just leave! Pass already! Why do you guys always have to stay and lurk around, causing me problems?’ She screamed and then let out a yelp as the burnt man dropped her back on the dirt ground. She looked up and glared at them, before she stood up on her feet again. ‘Is this how you treat someone who you want help from?!’ The burnt man leaned close to her face and she backed away holding her breath from the foul stench of burning skin.

‘Just listen to us first.’ He hissed. She stepped back and held her hands out, nodding her head.

‘Alright I will lis-’ She quickly turned on her heel and try to run up the steps to the shrine, however just like before she felt herself getting pulled back, before she landed on her behind again. She didn’t give up though, as she quickly scrambled to her feet to get away, however the burnt man would always catch her and drag her back to the other two men. After several attempts at escaping she grew tired and her irritation was as deep as the sea. These damn dead scums. Why do I always run into them after I make good money? Why?!’ She scratched and pulled on her hair, as the three men looked at her curiously as if they were looking at rampant animal. Money. Money. Money. The word echoed in her head. My money. Money always getting wasted by these dead scums. She dug her fingers into the dirt ground pulling out piles and piles of grass.

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‘Hey kid are you going to listen to us or not?’ The burnt man put his hand on his hips. Money. Money. ‘Kid? Are you here?’ Money. Money. ‘Yah!’ The burnt man shouted and the girl snapped her head up glaring at the man.

‘I am not deaf! I can hear you stupid dead scum!’ She yelled. The burnt man cocked his head an annoyed expression on his face.

‘If you aren’t deaf then you should have answered! Stupid little kid.’ The burnt man yelled back.

‘I already told you guys. I don’t want to help you guys. Find someone else. Stop looking for me!’ Soka yelled as she pointed to the other two. Something caught her eyes and she turned her head to look at the man with his intestines hanging out of his stomach. ‘That… tha-tha-that… robe…’ Her eyes grew bigger as she noticed what the man was wearing.

When people died and turn into ghosts that can’t move on, they look like how they were moments before their actual death. Soka knew this and her eyes brightened up. A young noble. She smiled and then quickly stood back up. The burnt man jumped back startled at her sudden movements however he was prepared to capture her if she tried to escape again. Soka patted her behind, tucked her hair behind her ear, and then smiled a sweet smile at them.

‘I understand,’ she said in a high pitched voice, ‘I will listen to you guys, and help you guys.’ She gave them a big smile. ‘The only problem is,’ she pouted and looked up at them as if she was a lost puppy, ‘I am only a poor storyteller. I have no money.’ The three men looked at her and cringed. ‘But honored young lord, you must have some kind of fortune left behind. If you don’t mind sharing just a little bit of your wealth, then I wouldn’t mind helping out.’ She blinked her eyes innocently. The man with his intestines hanging out looked away disgusted at her behavior, before turning back and nodding his head.

‘I understand. If you help us, I will tell you a big secret about where I keep my secret stash of silver coins.’ The man said. Soka’s eyes grew big. Silver? Silver! I am going to be rich! She inwardly celebrated. Why didn’t I think of this plan earlier? I wouldn’t have need to spend a single copper coin if I had just told the other damn ghosts to give me their valuables when they were still alive!

‘Really?’ Soka asked looking at them with her big eyes.

‘Really.’ The man said sternly. She gave them a smile and then bowed her head down low. The three men looked at her uncomfortably as they witnessed her sudden change in behavior.

‘Honored young lord, and honored young lord’s companions, we should not be speaking in such place. Let us go somewhere more comfortable.’ Soka grinned. The burnt man looked at her suspicious, thinking that this was a scheme for her to run away again.

‘No, let’s talk here.’ The burnt man said. Soka looked up at him carefully observing the parts of his clothes that were not burnt and then smiled when she saw how built the man was, and that he was wearing a light armor before he died.

‘Honored warrior, are you afraid that I am going to run?’ She observed her reaction and just as she had assumed he grew quiet, not sure of what to say. ‘Do not be afraid honored warrior. I am true to my words. If I say I will help you guys, then I will help you guys until the end.’ Soka gave him a reassuring smile. The burnt man furrowed his eyebrows before slowly nodding his head, remembering how earlier she turned around when he had said that she missed a copper coin. He, of course, did not trust in Soka’s word, but rather in Soka’s greed for money.

‘Let us go to where you want us to then.’ He said and Soka smiled.

‘Of course,’ she started walking, ‘follow me this way.’ She started to walk deeper into the forest. The three men looked at her suspiciously, wondering why she did not just go back into town, however followed her anyways.