coronach
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The stone rested on top of a cliff. It was plain to look at. Just a pillar of stone with some grooves worn out by time. Really, the sign in front of it was more interesting. It told a brief story, about a woman whose family was lost, and began to sing a song of mourning for them. It went on to say that at night, people could still hear her singing. Most people just ascribed it to the grooves in the stone catching the wind just right, so that it sounded like a dirge.
Jack, however, was a believer in the supernatural. It was not that he had ever seen anything that would count as such, he just had a feeling. And so it was that he stood there, hiding behind a tree and waiting for the stone to sing. He was not waiting long.
As the wind blew over the cliffs, he could indeed hear the sound of a slow, somber song. A song in honor of those long passed. Jack felt it, deep in his soul. The low, slow notes tugging at emotions he had not experienced in his life. This was not the song of wind and stone. This was something much, much more.
He poked his head out from behind the tree. He did not see anything strange. Certainly no spirit. Of course, it was very dark. But still, he had to know. And so, he left his hiding place and approached the stone. Once he was closer, he could feel something. Nothing he could put a finger on, but there was definitely something there. He just had to figure out how to coax it, or rather her, out. And he knew the best place to start.
Jack started to sing. Although there were no words, he did his best to match the notes. It was hard, especially for his untrained voice, but he managed to mostly get it right. And when he did, he was proven right. The figure of a woman appeared, hovering over the stone. She was clothed in a billowing dress that did not match the breeze as it fluttered. She was pale white all around, and slightly translucent. But she was there.
Together, the two sang her dirge. A memorial to a family he did not know. But he felt her loss. Her longing. Her sadness and her pain. They came through the notes better than any words. He did not know how long they sang together. Only when she stopped did he take notice.
She turned to look at him. There were slightly darker lines under her eyes and she gave him a sad smile.
“Thank you. She said. Her voice was thin, and had a slight echo to it. “Nobody has sung with me since my passing. It is nice to finally have someone to share my sorrow with. Even if it is clear you have not felt it yourself.”
“Of course.” He almost said it was his pleasure, but he stopped well before the words left him. “It’s important to bring comfort to others whenever possible.”
“Yes, it is. I just wish I could really feel it.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, ma’am, why do you sing? I mean, I know the story. It’s right there on that sign. But if you’re willing, maybe you could tell me the truth of it? They say talking about things like this can help.”
“I…think it would be nice to have someone to talk to after all this time. But, it will have to wait. The sun will rise soon, and I can only be here under the light of the moon. If you come tomorrow night, then I will share my story with you. About why I am with this stone, and why I sing, and will continue to do so for a long, long time.”
“Of course. I’ll be here.”
She gave another smile that seemed slightly less sad, and faded from view. Jack bowed his head slightly before heading off. He needed to get back to the hotel and get some rest. He had a long night ahead of him.
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Not all ghosts need to be mean, you know. Some just want some company.
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