For the Unicorn Challenge

It’s been told that the spirit of the dead always hangs around until they feel they’ve fulfilled their earthly obligations. Maybe that’s why some people feel like they are being haunted, because the spirit has not yet fulfilled their earthly duties.

*****

“Do you hear that?” Bobby asked and placed his drink on the table, suddenly feeling no inclination to drown his sorrow in vodka and whiskey for his band-mate, Jared, who was killed in a car accident.

“Hear what?” His girlfriend, Mary, asked.

Cleaning his ear with his finger, Bobby leaned his head to one side, listening intensely, “I hear music and Jared’s voice. What in the world?!” He marched out of the room and went from room to room to locate the source but the clearest seemed to be in the corridor. “Jared?” Bobby muttered to no one in particular. He wondered if Jared’s spirit was here, “Jared, mate, is that you?”

*****

On the other side with his ukulele, Jared crooned the song he could never sing, “Sweet Mary, oh how you were so sweet to me. I would have killed to love you in this life. Oh sweet, Mary, my love.”

He looked up and saw his band-mate Bobby staring blankly in his direction. “Jared?” He called in a quiet voice. Jared knew Bobby can’t see him, he’s just a spirit. If only you know, Bobby, he thought as he continued strumming his instrument. If only you knew.

(240 words)