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A stiff breeze brushed loose leaves through the air in a flurry. Natalie held her flashlight in her hand, the light wavering as she trembled. Her nerves had her shivering, though she pretended it was the cold. A cemetery at midnight was not a calming place to be. Yet here she was, stupidly trying to prove her friends wrong.
Ghosts aren't real... she reminded herself. Still, the feeling of being watched would not leave her.
Natalie stuck to the rugged path. Loose gravel kicked under the thick soles of her boots. Gravestones lined her path, getting more decrepit as she ventured further into the cemetery. Years got older, and gravestones crowded together. She dragged her light over the headstones to read them. Unkempt brush hid most names. The others were eroded away from decades of wear. Natalie felt an odd touch of sympathy for these souls forgotten to time. If she listened closely, their faint whispers echoed in her ear.
Surely that was her imagination. The paranoia of roaming a cemetery alone at night must have been setting in.
The trees grew thicker over the path. Branches tangled in masses. The moonlight trickled through, dotting the ground with sparse specks of light. An owl cooed in the distance with only an echo answering back. Grass became overgrown, and soon, the path fizzled away to nothing.
Natalie decided this was a good place to turn back; she had no reason to stay. Her useless point had been proven. However, as she turned, her flashlight shined over a beaten path in the tall grass. It must have been a deer trail trampled over by hooves, but there was an oddly deliberate form that caught her eye. Curiosity drew her closer. Dead leaves crunched under her feet with each uncertain step. She could swear she could hear voices amongst the sound.
The makeshift trail led deeper into the woods far past the flashlight's reach. Natalie stood at the entrance frozen in place. Her fingers trembled. Something caressed her hand, gentle as a breeze guiding her forward.
Curiosity pulled her into the unknown. With careful steps, she walked over the trampled grass. Her heart pounded in her chest; yet the lure of the path was too tempting to turn back. Stray branches tickled her neck, and a shiver ran down her spine. Natalie jumped. When she saw the culprit, however, she sighed in relief and trekked on.
Eventually, the trail opened up to a clearing hidden in the woods marked off by a rusty fence. Headstones piled on top of each other from centuries of neglect. Cracks and rubbled decorated them, making them illegible. Moonlight bathed the area in an eerie glow. Wind rustled the tall grass consuming the structures. Through it, a gravel path barely poked out between the weeds. Natalie stood on it unmoving.
At the center stood a mausoleum. Gothic carvings decorated its sides, leading up to monstrous statues guarding it from the rooftop. Despite its dilapidated state, there was a strange beauty to it. Natalie imagined what it must have looked like ages ago. As she stepped closer, the metal door creaked open like an invitation. The sound shrieked in her ear, making her flinch.
"You've made it this far. Why not finish what you started?" a disembodied voice tempted her.
Natalie proceeded forward until she found herself at the door.
"Go on," the voice whispered in her ear smooth like silk as her hand was grabbed to guide her inside.
Natalie followed despite her better judgement. She passed the threshold, and the air grew noticeably colder. A chill seeped through her skin and settled into her bones.
Now, she stood in the mausoleum. Moonlight illuminated the room through slatted windows. Shadows grew where her flashlight shined. It focused on a large casket in the center of the space. Just above it, hovered a white apparition.
Before Natalie could process the sight before her, the door slammed shut behind her. She screamed in shock, and her flashlight clamored on the ground. Plastic cracked, scattering the batteries across the stone floor. Darkness swarmed the room except for the pale figure floating above the coffin, forcing her attention to it.
"You have no reason to be afraid," the being before her said. The voice was hollow, echoing, and achingly familiar.
Despite those words, Natalie was very much afraid. Her body remained stiff, fear keeping her frozen in place.
"What are you?" she asked with shaky words. She took a step back. A rock caught her heel, making her stumble and fall.
"I prefer who,” the figure responded. It inched closer, unmoving except for flowing garments and hair. Natalie crawled back. It continued, “I used to be a living human, and still have the desire to be treated like one."
"You're a ghost," Natalie realized all at once.
"Correct."
Every instinct told Natalie to run, at least stand up, yet she remained paralyzed by fear and vulnerable on the ground. The ghost before her was not an immediate threat, or at least she hoped for her own sake. In fact, as Natalie's eyes adjusted to the dark, she noticed the ghost was indeed quite human. Long hair draped over a pale face. She wore a tattered dress that cinched at the waist and dipped at her chest. There was an ethereal beauty about her, and Natalie found herself captivated.
"What is your name?" the ghost inquired. She remained at a safe distance.
"My name?" Natalie replied, confused.
"I would like to know your name. Who are you?"
"Oh, uh, I can tell you my name." She took a moment to remember this key piece of information. "Natalie."
"Natalie. That's a beautiful name," the ghost hummed pleasantly. "You may call me Serena. That is my name."
"Serena," Natalie repeated under her breath. She cleared her throat. "It's nice to meet you. I think."
"I understand your apprehension toward me," said Serena. "I would hope I can ease your worry."
"I'm not worried," Natalie lied.
"You're shivering."
"I'm cold." It was technically the truth.
"Unfortunately, I cannot help you with that. When I lost my body, I lost my body heat as well."
"I'm sorry. I hate to ask this," she blurted out the question nagging her mind, "But are you gonna kill me?"
"Kill you?" Serena answered, her hand over her chest. "I would hope not. You're too pretty for me to kill you."
"You think I'm pretty?" Natalie squeaked.
"Quite." Serena floated closer as if moved by a stray breeze. She bit her lip.
Natalie remained in place, taking in the sight as Serena moved closer. Dark hair fell behind her in waves, letting Natalie see the ghost's full face. Clouded eyes gazed at her curiously.
"I find you pretty as well," Natalie admitted, no longer feeling cold. She fell silent, unsure of what to say.
The silence between them grew odd as it stretched on.
"I must apologize," Serena broke the quiet. "I intentionally led you here for selfish reasons."
"Selfish reasons?"
"I saw you wandering through the cemetery," she continued. "I wanted to meet you, so I led you here where you could see me."
"You're lonely," said Natalie.
"Deathly so." Serena kneeled in front of her now. "I haven't had company in ages."
Natalie fought the urge to reach out and touch her. "What do you want from me?"
"Just yourself," the ghost replied. She reached her hand forward, but quickly retracted the gesture. "I've been known to enjoy the company of other women. I was wondering if you did as well."
"I could enjoy your company."
"May I touch you?"
"Yes," whispered Natalie, and Serena brought her hand up once more. Natalie took it into her own, letting the ghost pull her upright. Shakily, she stood back up.
Serena brought her other hand up to touch Natalie. It rested on her cheek, cold and gentle. Her thumb rubbed over warm skin. Their faces drew close, a mere breath apart. Natalie filled the gap between them. Airy lips pressed against her own, and Natalie felt warmth spread within her.
Her coat became too hot. She shrugged it off, prompting Serena to let her hands wander beyond her face. Fingers dragged down her neck to her collarbone.
"Keep going," Natalie prompted her.
Serena pressed her full body against her, and they stumbled back as one. Rigid stone hit Natalie's back. Pain tinged her spine, but she was too distracted by Serena to notice. The kiss deepened. Hands settled at her hips. Natalie hugged her closer, wanting more.
"I never want you to leave," Serena said between chaste kisses.
"I'm not leaving," Natalie assured her.
"I won't let you."
More hands touched her body. Ghastly apparitions grabbed and prodded all over. They palmed over her breasts through her shirt, making Natalie gasp. Another dismembered hand unclasped her belt buckle.
"There's so many," mumbled Natalie. Her chest heaved with heavy breaths.
"All for you, my dear Natalie," responded Serena. "I may not feel the same sensations as someone living, but it would bring me great pleasure to make you feel good."
"I would like that very much."
Suddenly, Natalie found herself standing on air. They floated mindlessly while they occupied themselves with each other. Then, Natalie's foot stumbled upon something wooden. She pulled her attention away from Serena to glance down. Below her, laid the open casket.
The hands lowered her down inside it. Another brought her coat to use as a pillow against the hardwood. Serena hovered above her. She leaned down to kiss her lips tenderly. She let her hands wander Natalie's body, dragging down until she found the hem of her pants. Natalie urged her further, raising her hips to give her easier access. Her pants fell to her ankles, leaving her vulnerable. Serena traced over the pink lace of her underwear. A chill emanated from her fingertips. Natalie sucked in a terse breath.
Ghostly hands spread Natalie's thighs. Rough wood scratched against bare skin. Another pair of hands held her arms in place. The coffin began to feel crowded, suffocating. Like trapped prey, Natalie knew there was no escape, and she happily surrendered herself to fate.
Her heart beat fast with anticipation. Serena froze, letting her hand linger on Natalie's pulse.
"I can feel your heartbeat," she said. "It has been ages since I felt my own. I barely remember it."
"Do you like it?" Natalie asked through a panted breath.
"I do. I would like to feel more of it."
Ghostly hands gripped her tighter. They pinned her to the floor of the coffin. Slowly, agonizingly, Serena touched Natalie. Fingers trickled down her in waves, feeling Natalie anywhere but where she ached to be touched most. Her body burned against the cold body of the woman above her.
Relief came when Serena pulled Natalie's shirt up.
Frigid air hit bare skin. Natalie gasped at the sensation. She whimpered when dismembered hands groped her breasts. Chilled fingers circled pert nipples. Dead lips swallowed a moan; Natalie struggled to kiss her back. Serena played with her for a while, drinking in every movement, every noise. Natalie's heart beat loudly in her chest. Serena seemed to hear it, humming pleasantly when she milked another wonderful reaction out of the living woman.
Still, Serena did not touch Natalie where she so desperately desired.
More hands formed to hold Natalie in place. Natalie struggled against their inhuman strength, reveling in the futility of her actions. They only held her tighter, constricted her until she could not move at all. She was left at the mercy of her captor with no hopes of escape. Fear made her heart pound harder. Despite this, her body yearned for more.
"Do you know what death feels like?" Serena asked as she cupped the woman’s cheek in her hand.
"No. Why would I?" Natalie answered. She swallowed back a lump in her throat.
"It's not as bad as others would lead you to believe." Serena's other hand came down between Natalie's legs. Natalie whimpered as Serena taunted her through the fabric of her underwear. Her arousal was apparent even through the fabric. "You find yourself on the cusp of the unknown," Serena continued. "It's terrifying at first, but then you realize there is no avoiding death. You surrender yourself to the feeling and find the ultimate release."
Her fingers dragged over Natalie, still refusing to enter her. Natalie waited captive with no other choice.
"It is not so different from the predicament I have you in now," said Serena, her voice almost a growl. Natalie felt her voice rumble through her whole body. A chill shot down her spine.
"You're terrified. You can't escape me." Serena gripped her tighter as a reminder, making Natalie whine. "But you're surrendering yourself completely to me knowing you will find release."
A hand formed around Natalie's neck, choking her lightly. Natalie coughed, unable to struggle against the force. The pressure eased enough she could take full breath before pressing into her again. Her pulse throbbed against the fingertips; Serena smiled, pleased.
"Lust and fear are not so different after all," Serena hummed. She pushed Natalie's underwear aside, tracing a single finger over her. Natalie shuddered, body seizing. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words fizzled and died in the back of her throat.
Serena caressed her cheek comfortingly. She leaned down to meet her lips for a tender kiss. Finally, she touched her properly, and her fingers felt like heaven inside her. Every touch was electrifying. Natalie moaned at the overwhelming sensation. Many hands touched her at once, all of them Serena. She drowned in the other woman, drinking her in with every kiss.
Tension built thick enough to cut with a knife. Natalie could hardly breathe even when the hand left her neck. Serena curled her fingers inside her, and Natalie found herself on the cusp of an orgasm.
But Serena was not ready to give her up. She clung onto her, working agonizingly slow. Her touch was tender yet terrifying. Natalie could hardly contain herself as floating hands touched every sensitive part of her body. Fingers pinched her nipples, caressed her face lovingly. They rubbed over her inner thighs while Serena pleasured her.
"I could keep you here until morning," Serena mused. Natalie's heart skipped a beat at the thought. "You would like that, wouldn't you?"
"Yes," Natalie sputtered.
"Maybe I will." Serena rubbed over her clit, making Natalie scream. Her entire body throbbed. The knot of tension tightened inside her, threatening to snap.
Finally, Serena pushed her over the edge. Waves of pleasure washed over her, drowning her in ecstasy. Every touch overwhelmed her. Cold hands covered her burning body like a heavy blanket. They held her down as she thrashed against them relentlessly and did not let go until she had no more to give.
As her climax died down, the hands dissipated. Her body laid limp in the coffin as dead as the woman floating above her. Only Serena held her now with two arms. She came down next to her and kissed her tenderly. Natalie leaned into her, letting her eyes close. A deep breath calmed her, and her heartbeat slowed. She was cold, battered, and exhausted, yet the casket felt like home. She did not want to leave Serena's arms.
Reality set in the longer she rested, and Natalie knew she would freeze to death if she lied there much longer. Using all her strength, she sat up with Serena following. Serena kept a hand on her back to keep Natalie upright.
"I need to go," Natalie said sadly. An ache filled her heart, and a strange longing came over her.
"Will you come back?" asked Serena. She helped Natalie shrug her coat back on. Then, she struggled into her pants.
"I will. I promise.”
Serena lifted her out of the coffin like a zombie rising from the dead. Carefully, Natalie balanced back on her feet. It felt strange to walk on the ground. Knees weak, she hobbled to the door, leaning against the stone entryway.
"Goodbye, Serena," said Natalie. "I'll come visit you again."
And again and again and again.
"Goodbye, Natalie. Until next time." Serena granted her one last kiss before sending her off into the night.