Ghost Ship: Ghost Walk

By Kay Solo

Almost a year after the events of Ghost Walk, autumn has descended on the beach-side city of Levien. It's almost Halloween, which means decorations are going up, the leaves are turning, children are dressing up in costume, and the city's ghosts are getting a kick out of everyone dressing up as the dead.

 

Maaya and Adelaide are busy preparing for a special Halloween trip out at sea, but before they can get too far, two strangers arrive at their door claiming they have a job that only the girls can do. The strangers explain there have been stories of a shipwreck far out at sea around which sailors report hearing strange noises and voices. Some even say their ships have been damaged, pointing to what look like long claw marks on their ships' hulls.

 

With this new danger threatening sailors in the world they just saved, Maaya and Adelaide take the LSV Windfire — along with some new guests — to investigate. As they do, they begin to realize the situation they're in seems awfully and frighteningly familiar.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kay Solo
• Release date: Jan 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9798201518738

Book preview

1

The change of the season was evident even in the beachside city of Levien, and Maaya couldn’t have been happier. Autumn was her favorite time of year; even back in Sark where everything always somehow seemed gloomy, she always felt better when autumn weather came around. The days were shorter, which gave her more time to spend out at night, and it was cooler, which meant plenty of nights snuggled up on her old sofa near the fire. She missed that sofa, though with every night she slept in the large comfortable bed Adelaide had brought over with her from Krethus, she found she was mourning its destruction less and less.

Autumn in Levien was unlike anything in Sark. Here the trees were actually alive, and most of them had begun to turn colors, resulting in rows upon rows of vibrant yellows, reds, and oranges. Maaya loved the way the leaves fell and gently swept across the paths as she walked, and the way they would occasionally fall into her hair. She would often leave them there. Nature had never had this many colors where she used to live.

It was also time for Halloween, which meant that decorations were starting to go up. Strings of orange, white, and purple lights had gone up along all major streets and in the plazas, accompanied by bales of hay, pumpkins, and strange machines that spit out fake fog. There were even a few shops that sold special candies and treats, and also costumes for people to dress up in. Halloween was this very weekend, and with only a few days to go, everyone was busy preparing for it. Maaya, completely unaware that this kind of celebration had ever existed, was almost beside herself with excitement.

It wasn’t all about the decorations and candy, though. While some people in her old neighborhood dressed in costumes and traipsed around looking for candy, there was much more evidence of the culture behind Halloween in Levien, though with the hub Levien was, Maaya noticed a wide variety. Some people openly celebrated what they called the day of the dead and honored their loved ones who had passed on with food, drink, and merriment. Others took a more somber tone, and Maaya learned of the tradition of placing empty chairs by the fire on Halloween night, one for every relative who had died. No matter how they chose to celebrate, however, it was clear that everything was done on a positive and respectful note. Considering Maaya’s experience with the dead, which was generally more direct than that of others, this was all she could have asked for.

Late one evening, Maaya sat alone in her flat staring out over the balcony at the plaza below. It was her favorite time of night. The lights of shops, streets, and distant ships were flickering on, the smell of fresh food drifted up to her on the ocean breeze, and the sound of the crowds below made her feel at home. A few of her neighbors had begun lighting candles and placing them on their own balconies, causing warm lights to dance like a glittering wall as far down the coast as the flats were built. The weather was cold enough to warrant a coat, but Maaya felt only warmth. It was truly a wonderful time of year.

From the other room, she heard a knock at the door. Maaya turned around and nearly skipped over to the door. That would be Adelaide. They had dinner plans that night, and Maaya wasn’t sure she could contain her excitement much longer.

She opened the door–and then shrieked as a figure clad all in black with a horrifying red and green face leapt at her from the hall. Maaya stumbled backward and fell to the floor as the creature snarled and followed her, its hands outstretched.

Then she heard laughter. The figure before her reached for its face… and pulled off its mask.

Roshan! Maaya gasped in surprise.

Roshan stepped forward and held out his hand. Maaya took it, and he pulled her to her feet, still chuckling.

It’s nice to know the hero of the modern world can still get scared.

Wha… yes! When you jump at me wearing a creepy mask, yes, actually, I get scared! Maaya shot back, shoving him lightly. This only made him laugh more. Why do you even have that horrible thing?

Halloween, obviously, Roshan answered. There’s going to be a party Saturday night. Actually, I was hoping you’d come. I even managed to convince Styx to come along, if only for a little bit. He’s still having trouble getting used to crowds.

I don’t think we have anything going on that night, so we should be able to make it. I’ll have to double check, Maaya said.

Great! Do you know what you’re going as?

I thought I’d go as myself. That’s been enough to scare plenty of people in the past.

Roshan snorted.

I still think you should just go with a bedsheet draped over you. You know–go as Ghost.

Maaya laughed. It had been amusing to see so many people dressing up as ghosts, especially when it came to seeing the reactions of the actual ghosts in Levien. Most got a kick out of it. Multiple times she’d heard small groups of ghosts watching the costumed children, commenting on which ghost costume was the most realistic–and the most ludicrous. Halloween was a special time of year for the ghosts as well.

How do you feel about all this stuff, anyway? Roshan continued. It’s neat, isn’t it? All the costumes and treats and fake ghosts, I mean. People trying to scare each other on purpose. You think you’re ready for something like that?

What’s that supposed to mean? You think I can’t handle a few scares? Maaya said.

Well, you have been through a lot. I just wondered if maybe you’d seen enough ghosts to last you a lifetime.

It takes a lot to scare me, Maaya protested. This part was true; she’d been able to see ghosts her whole life, so they were rarely more than an inconvenience. It had taken the prospect of a doomsday device capable of wiping out all life on the planet to get her to feel fear–and even then, her living opponents were worse than the dead ones. "I’m actually kind of excited. I never thought I’d want to be scared, but… it’s got an appeal to it, don’t you think?"

Roshan flourished his mask.

I know all too well. So what do you say? You guys come to the party, have some good food and get scared?

I’ll ask Adelaide when she gets home tonight, okay? You know her and surprises; she may have planned something already without telling me, Maaya said.

Sounds good! Anyway, I just dropped by to give you the invite. And to scare you, of course. I have to get going; I’m having dinner at Amoli’s place tonight, and I need to make a good impression with her family.

Like you could make any other, Maaya said, though when Roshan raised his mask pointedly, Maaya continued, Fair enough. How are things with her?

Can’t complain! Sometimes our schedules are all mixed up, but I see her often, and I’m really clicking with her. She’s really great. She’ll be at the party, too; I hope you both can meet her.

I’d like that, Maaya smiled. Things had really turned up for all of them.

You’d like what? came a voice from the doorway.

Before Maaya could respond, she’d been taken into a powerful hug that nearly lifted her off the ground. For a moment she could only see a mass of red hair, and then she was released, her feet solidly back on the ground.

Nice to see you too, darling, Maaya teased, even as her heart leapt with joy. It had been almost a year since they had moved in together and the feeling still hadn’t gone away.

Adelaide beamed, then set her things down on the floor and wiped her brow.

Sorry I’m a little early, but I heard the sound of disgusting lovey-dovey things and had to investigate, Adelaide said brightly. What’s going on with your love life, Roshan? Get that first kiss? Gimme the sweet details.

Adelaide, please. He’s not used to your lack of filter yet, Maaya protested, though she was unable to hide her own smile.

I just like to convey my feelings in a way that prevents any misunderstanding. Like when it comes to my feelings for you! Adelaide explained, and before Maaya could reply, Adelaide kissed her full on the lips, holding her face gently in her hands.

A few long moments later she pulled away, leaving Maaya speechless and blushing furiously.

See? No doubt at all, Adelaide continued, then turned back to Roshan as though nothing had happened. Seriously, how’s everything?

"It’s good! I was just telling Maaya I’m having dinner with her family tonight so I want to make a good impression. It’s my first time sitting down with them like that. I was also saying I don’t want to be late, so on that note,