The Dead Ones - Emergence

Will lit up on the park bench, ignoring the dead ones.

A ghostly woman approached. "Help me please?”

—You’re dead, luv.

She drifted off, wringing her hands.

Next, a bleeding youth. 

—Am I dead?

—Yeah. 

The lad faded.

—You are not nice to them.

A deep growl. 

—I’m Silas Trench. 

He was black-clad, purple-veined, with dark eyes.

Will offered him a smoke. Silas exhaled through his skin. Will’s stomach lurched. 

—Join them. Learn respect.

—No.

Silas’s blade flashed. 

—Welcome to the afterlife, Will. You work for us now.

Silas plunged the knife into Will’s chest.

Will gasped in pain. 

Once.