THE PHANTOM HOUR

The ghosts began to circle around him, a look of awe on their faces. "You are a chosen one." They said in unison. "You will bring balance to our world."

Parele looked at them, his mind spinning with questions. Despite the ghost's assurances, he still felt a twinge of fear. But as he looked around at their ghostly faces he saw no malice there, only a kind of desperation. Slowly, he began to relax. "Okay," he said. "I got this! Mama's gibber."

The ghosts began to smile, and they waved their hands, conjuring up chairs for everyone to sit on. They gestured for Parele to come take a seat, and he did so, feeling like a child at a fairytale banquet.

Parele found himself laughing along with the ghosts as they shared jokes and stories. It felt like he had known them for years, even though they had only just met.