To The Moon!

Written By: Samuel J. Hoppe

My eyes blinked open. An ethereal hand waved in front of my face. My legs are gone, only a glowing stump waving in the wind. I am a ghost. I don't remember my life. All I remember is a glimpse of my fleshy hands on a steering wheel, a flash of headlights directly to my left, then I was here. Probably hit by a drunk driver. Oh well. This is my life now. Or should I say my afterlife.

I spend my days haunting a woman and her dog. I found that most people can’t see me but for some reason she can. I play pranks that make her laugh and scare her for fun. She doesn’t mind, for I am her ghost. It's simply how things are.

There was a time when I dreamed of being an astronaut. I never managed to make that dream come true. But now I'm a ghost with the ability to fly. I can’t help but wonder how high I can go.

I told the woman I was going to visit the moon. She said there was no air there, that I wouldn’t be able to breathe. It was something I grew to believe.

The dream of the moon never left me. Still there, just locked away. One day I learned the air is thinner at the peaks of mountains so I found the nearest one and floated to the top with ease. The thin air never bothered me once.

I told the woman about my climb and she laughed. Said space was very different. But this time I trusted myself.

I took to the sky, floating higher and higher. Floating towards the stars I always dreamed of being among. Wondering what it’ll look like once I get there. Anticipating all the joy I’ll feel once I’m among those beautiful stars.

Being a ghost is strange, you experience things you’ve done already and know how it should feel against your skin but feel nothing. Sensations became extremely dull, almost nonexistent. The sun blazing on my ghostly body, what once would burn me leaves me unphased. A plane zooming through my path? I’ll just float right through. Things that would hurt, I smile at. Things that would kill, I welcome them. For I know I’m already dead and nothing can truly hurt me.

Upon entering space, I take a look around and see the beauty in my achievement. A truly astronomical feat, one view that most will never see. I float to the moon, surrounded by infinity. Foot steps and a flag, the only markers that someone had beaten me here.

But now that I’m here and achieved my dream. I take a look around and realize it’s not as it seems. It’s cold, lonely. I miss the house I once haunted. So I drift back down to find my way home. Excited to share what I've seen.

When I reach home it's not the same as I left. I try to go in and be as I used to. Do the pranks and scares as I once did. But with no effect. The woman no longer saw me. We’ve drifted too far, the connection is gone. Floating through the house, remnants of what used to be. This is no longer my home.

So I drift into the street, wandering through the summer heat. Growing battered and bruised searching for someone to see me.

I stand at the edge of a river thinking of what to do. I thought back to when I was a human and would skip rocks in rivers just like this. I bent down and tried to grab a rock. Only I couldn’t grab it, my hand going straight through.

Wandering aimlessly. No hope in sight, but I keep going. Attempting to scare those that cross my path but nothing. No reaction. No one sees me. I am not their ghost.

My path only illuminated by the full moon looming over my head. Something I wanted so badly but felt nothing but emptiness upon reaching it. Hope all worn out, still moving but unsure where.

I continued down the river and noticed another ghost floating by the bed. I kept my distance and continued past, noticing the ghost attempting to pick up a rock. I quickly looked away, staring back up at the moon. Back to my thoughts. Was that ghost going to try and skip a rock? Just like me a moment ago?

“HI!” A voice called out from behind me. I jumped. It scared me? I was scared?

I turn to see the other ghost. A girl ghost? She's beautiful. Why can she see me?

“Hi?” I ask, confused as to what’s happening.

“I saw you staring up at the moon! It's amazing, isn't it!” She said.

“Yeah, it's pretty cool. I once flew up to it.” I told her. Why'd I tell her that? She's not gonna care, she's gonna think i'm weird.

“You've been to the moon!? What? You have to tell me all about it! I've always wanted to go but I've been scared. It's off earth!”

“Scared about breathing up there?” I ask.

“Breathing? I'm a ghost! Already dead! Just scared of heights. What was it like?” She asked.

“The heights weren't a problem, with views like that you forget about everything else. It was great, just no one to share it with.” I say.

“Well duh, you’ve gotta bring friends for adventures like that! Come on, let me introduce you to mine!” She said, grabbing my ghostly hand and pulling me along.

We entered a clearing full of ghosts. They were celebrating. A large bonfire lit in the center, dancing around, and scares galore. Everyone stared when we entered, but no judgement, just waves and smiles. Welcoming me into their home.

“These are my friends!” She said.

“Amazing! It’s nice to meet you all.” I say.

“Everyone! He’s been to the moon!” She says.

Cheers and questions erupt towards me. I can’t help but smile.

I stare at her, and the moon in the sky above. Have I found my real home?

The End.