The Ghost of Christmas Future's Arc

Chapter 8 of 9

The Ghost stood at the edge of town and drew a deep breath he didn't need. His leather book pressed against his ribs. He had doubted his collection, but doubt was a waste of time. The living would die—that truth hadn't changed. He needed to watch more carefully and trust what he saw. He walked through the center of town as dawn broke over the rooftops. Outside the medical building, a stone basin steamed in the cold air. Water bubbled inside, heated from below to keep it from freezing. Nurses dipped their hands in before treating the sick. The Ghost stopped and watched. The basin was simple but it worked—it kept what was needed from turning to ice. His collection was the same. It didn't need to predict every death perfectly. It needed to record those he could see clearly, one name at a time. He opened his book and studied the remaining names. Some were mistakes, but others were true. He would focus on what he could witness with certainty. The Ghost closed the book and moved toward the hospital door. Inside, someone was dying today. He would be there to write it down.