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Petra, the young woman whose sister had come as our first official crossover guest (a name Andrew suggested and I adored), stood in front of me in the newly finished retreat room.

Her eyes were closed and her chin was lifted high as the gentle gust of air from the fan went over her.

“It feels like a hug,” she whispered, a lone tear sliding down her cheek. “I never thought I’d feel it again.”

“I’m glad it brings you joy,” I said.

“I’m not sure I deserve any.” She shook her head. “But I appreciate it anyway.”

“Why wouldn’t you deserve it?” I asked. “Everyone deserves comfort and care.”

She looked at me, then looked toward the door where her sister was standing. Her eyes were filled with something I couldn’t recognise. “She doesn’t want me around. And I wish I could give her that. I wish I could leave her in peace after everything… But I couldn’t even die properly. I had to ruin that for her too.”

I gasped and placed a palm over my heart. “That is a heavy thing to think,” I said slowly, trying to understand. “Your sister cares about you a lot.”

“She used to,” Petra said. “She had so much love for me. So much patience and kindness, but I spent it all. I spent every last drop of it.”

“Love isn’t finite,” I said, looking behind her towards where Ryan was hiding. I had no idea what to make of Petra and her story.

The room was perfect. The air was flowing, the essential oils kit I had ordered proved to be a win because ghosts apparently found comfort in familiar scents, and they could pick from the selection.

The families were instructed to bring photos I hung in those picture frames that opened so you could swap the photos quickly.

The rest of the room was quiet, largely empty and just kept clean and neat.

Petra seemed at peace in it. At least on the outside.

“But the willingness to give it is,” she said. “I made so many mistakes. I hurt her so many times.”

“And yet she took the time to bring you here.” I clung to the hope that Petra’s sister, Andrea, was as kind as she seemed.

“She wants to be rid of me. Finally. And I want to give that to her. I just don’t know how.”

“I think you carrying all this guilt isn’t helping you,” I said gently. “I think it does neither of you any good.”

“Guilt is all that’s left now. I can’t fix it when I’m gone. I can’t make it up to her.”

“But knowing you want to so desperately that your soul can’t rest might be enough for her. That your last, dying, desperate wish is to be better for her.”

Petra looked up. “Do you think so?”

“I think so, yes. We all make mistakes. We all hurt people sometimes. We all do things we’re not proud of. And while I think actions have consequences, I think most of us deserve peace in death.”

I wished I could invite Andrea inside to talk to Petra, but something in the pit of my stomach, that part that pulled me to help, told me that wouldn’t be a good idea.

A ghost needed peace to go.

Bringing Andrea in would be anything but peaceful.

“Do you think she’ll miss me?” she whispered.

“She will,” I said. “But she will also sleep better and live better knowing you’re not suffering anymore. That will be a gift to her too.”

The glow intensified. It radiated from her skin outwards and illuminated the entire room.

I glanced at Ryan’s hiding place and realised the tip of his weapon wasn’t visible through the hole.

It made something in me bloom. He trusted me. He thought I could do this.