Gilbert Twins [1 - Twins Series]

7 - Ghost World

Book: Gilbert Twins
Chapter 7: Ghost World
Word Count: 2945

No one's POV

A group of volunteers were preparing the town for the Night of Illuminations. Some were hanging lanterns from the trees. Carol Lockwood was making a speech for the volunteers and the citizens.

"As a long-time member of the Historical Society, I am especially proud to be kicking off this day of festivities. Thank you, volunteers. Tonight, we turn off our town's lights and flare up our lanterns in honor of the night of illumination started by our founders 150 years ago. Here's founding family member Tobias Fell with a history lesson."

Everyone applauded. Alaric and Jeremy were listening to the speech.

"What are we doing here?" Jeremy wondered.

"Tobias Fell is the head of the history department. I didn't have a choice." Alaric replied.

"All right, that explains what you're doing here." Jeremy pointed out.

"Well, I'm the one who can fail you if you don't help me out." Alaric reminded. Ariana joined

"Hey, sorry I'm late. What did I miss?"

"You didn't miss anything." Jeremy responded. Tobias Fell was giving his speech.

"The first illumination was held in celebration with the newfound prosperity that Mystic Falls enjoyed after the war."

Jeremy laughed quietly. Ariana turned to him, confused.

"What's so funny?"

Jeremy looked at the stage and didn't reply. Ariana turned her head to look, too. Tobias continued with his speech.

"The founders, they placed lanterns over the doors to indicate that it was safe for their neighbors to come outside again. That night was an opportunity for the community of Mystic Falls to come together, a chance to strengthen ties with neighbors, business owners, and returning soldiers." Tobias continued on with his speech, but Ariana accidentally zoned out.

---

Jeremy, Ariana, and Alaric were sitting outside the Mystic Grill.

"Hey, Jer, I need you to help me with something." Ariana said.

"What's up?" Jeremy wondered.

"Well, I was on the phone with Stefan earlier. Remember his best friend, Lexi? Well, Stefan told me that he'd asked Lexi to track down Nathan a few decades back to check if he was okay. She did, and found Nathan with his emotions switched off, just like now. But... Stefan told me that Lexi managed to bring Nathan back! Apparently, they even had a small fling at one point. But, according to Stefan, Lexi has been helping him and Nathan whenever one of them went off the rails. She's apparently really good at bringing people back from the edge! But, now that she's... dead, I thought that maybe--"

"And you want me to try to reach her, don't you?" Jeremy finished for his big sister.

"I thought if I knew how she did it, maybe I could help Nathan and Elena." Ariana shrugged.

"I don't even know if she's on the other side." Jeremy muttered. Ariana furrowed her eyebrows, confused.

"Is that what it's called?"

"That's what Anna calls it. There's not like an official brochure or anything." Jeremy sighed.

"So what is it, like some sort of supernatural purgatory?" Alaric spoke up.

"Well, Anna said it's like being here with all of us, only we can't see her or hear her. And she can't interact with anyone. She's all alone..." Jeremy stated, trailing off sadly near the end.