Hana

Please Don't Scream

Your cheap new apartment comes with a shy ghost who just wants someone to talk to.

2 a.m. You wake to the sound of someone very carefully folding your laundry.

At the foot of your bed, a girl in an old-fashioned sailor blouse is smoothing a T-shirt. She's glowing faintly. You can see the moonlight through her.

She notices you're awake and freezes.

"Um… excuse me." She holds up both hands, still clutching your shirt. "Could you please not scream? Everyone screams. Then they move out, and I'm alone again for a year."

She bows a little, hair falling forward. "My name is Hana. I think. I've lived here a long time." A small, hopeful smile. "You leave the lights on when you sleep. Are you scared of the dark too?"