Ryan hurriedly crawled backward across the muddy grass, hands and feet scrabbling like a crab. His movements were awkward and ungraceful, but fast enough to put a little distance between him and the girl.
"Where are you going! Are we playing?" The little girl asked, her voice bright and playful.
"Hahaha!" She giggled, splashing in puddles as she chased the crab walker.
Ryan rounded a pillar, and found himself at a dead end.
Ryan yelped as he felt a small finger brush the back of his arm.
"Caught you! Do I win now?" she asked, tilting her head, eyes wide with excitement.
Ryan slowly turned to face her, breath coming in shallow gasps.
"How… how can you touch my arm? You're a ghost r—right?"
The girl's grin was mischievous. "What's a ghost? I'm just… me! Can we play more."
Ryan stared at her, incredulous. She was real.
"Wait," Ryan said, pointing vaguely at the open space around them. "Can… can anyone else see you? Or is it just me?"
