At the Gate

“I think it might be time for you to retire George", Francis had said telepathically, placing a gentle, steadying hand upon the old inspector’s shoulder. George slumped further. He knew that Francesco was right.

“But where would I go? What would I do?” he asked meekly. Even as a ghost he felt tired - more tired than he had ever been in earthly life.

He continued: "I don't know … anywhere but London" he sighed to himself, an old man's sigh.

That is how it began, that George became a constant companion to Francis - and after that, following him everywhere he went.

Although as a spirit George was invisible to the ordinary world, he still had a large community that followed close by him, of the animals that he had collected from the restaurants, and they, added to this, were drawn to Francis as well.

Francis of course, could see and hear George, as he did with most ‘other worldly’ souls that would accompany the two.

They buzzed at the entrance, hoping that a gate attendant would answer, but the compound looked desolate.

George fiddled with the intercom, taking a handkerchief out of his pocket, he began to wipe the dust from its buttons.

There was a click of a door and a woman approached with Chips slinking behind. The grey dog sniffed at the gate and licked Francis’s hand happy to see his old friend again.

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances