Ghosts of Halloween - PG Challenge 110

[allegrita]

You warned me that it was sad, so I thought I was prepared, but I don't think you can fully prepare yourself for a story like this. It really is a jewel. Lilly said it's exquisite, and I really do think that's the perfect word to describe it. Yes, it's sad, but so much more than sad. Full of yearning and nostalgia and regret and forgiveness and the immense healing power of love--all kinds of love.

I think it's so poetic that Beth asked Josef to end her life, just as Mick asked Josef to end his short return to mortality in order to save Beth so long ago. I really loved this story. I wish I had the words to convey how much it moved me. Thank you so much for writing it.

[darkstarrising]

You warned me that it was sad, so I thought I was prepared, but I don't think you can fully prepare yourself for a story like this. It really is a jewel. Lilly said it's exquisite, and I really do think that's the perfect word to describe it. Yes, it's sad, but so much more than sad. Full of yearning and nostalgia and regret and forgiveness and the immense healing power of love--all kinds of love.

I think it's so poetic that Beth asked Josef to end her life, just as Mick asked Josef to end his short return to mortality in order to save Beth so long ago. I really loved this story. I wish I had the words to convey how much it moved me. Thank you so much for writing it.

alle,

thanks so much I really didn't mean for this to be a downer, just a heartfelt story of what life Beth might have had without Mick. Leave it to you, though to find the symmetry I had missed - Josef ending Beth's human life to be with Mick just as he had ended Mick's life to save Beth.

[librarian_7]

DSR...this story is both beautiful, and beautifully crafted.

I do love the ambiguity of the ending. I don't cry over many fics (I must be hard-hearted...), but this one did have me quite in tears.

Brava, dear!

Lucky

[NocturneInCMoll]

Wow, Karen--I wasn't expecting to read such a moving Halloween fic!

[janicevictoria]

DSR, I'm writing this with tears in my eyes...This is the best thing you've ever written (and you've written some brilliant stuff). Now Mick and Beth can be together for eternity....Okay, I'm going off to cry now

[mitzie]

dsr, I did not find this to be a "downer" at all! Yes, I while reading it. It is an absolute gem of a story and one of the best, if not the best, one shot I've ever read!!!! Bravo, I say, please take a bow!!!!


mitzie

[wollstonecraft61]

My husband thinks I'm as bat s**t crazy as Lilly's husband must think she is...I am crying so hard. Just beautiful, dsr, just beautiful. OMG, I'm sobbing again!!!!

[darkstarrising]

Again, many thanks for enjoying the story

Lucky - thank you so much somehow, I don't see you as hard hearted in the least, and I truly appreciate the compliment!

Julie - thanks! I had this in mind for a while, but the Halloween imagery made it happen

JaniceVictoria - thank you for the wonderful compliment, but I do hate to make people cry!!

Mitzie - thanks, sweetie! I'm glad you did enjoy it (even through the tears)

Wollstonecraft - thanks!! Now I've got the husbands wondering what's going on....but I'll tell you a secret - the tissues were close at hand as I was writing this ...my own husband thought I had gotten some bad news. When I told him I was writing a short story,he got this funny look on his face and chose not to ask any more questions

[norsmyth]

Had a long, crazy day at work and this beautiful story was just what I needed even if it did make me cry! You did an amazing job with your characterizations and the ending gives room for thot, was it real or just a dream? Thanks so much for one of the best I've read in a long while---just so heartbreaking.

[darkstarrising]

Had a long, crazy day at work and this beautiful story was just what I needed even if it did make me cry! You did an amazing job with your characterizations and the ending gives room for thot, was it real or just a dream? Thanks so much for one of the best I've read in a long while---just so heartbreaking.

norsmyth,

thanks! I had a long, crazy one myself. I'm glad the story helped ease your day.

[jen]

DSR

Oh. My. That was lovely.

Need tissues now. LOTS of tissues....

[darkstarrising]

DSR

Oh. My. That was lovely.

Need tissues now. LOTS of tissues....

jen,

thanks, I appreciate the kind words and I'm sorry I didn't see your post sooner.

[jen]

Karen

Just came by for a reread and was stunned by the beauty and depth of this amazing piece.

This is one of those rare stories that has, to me anyway, more impact on the second reading.

How very Beth. She is cruel in her grief. Here she lashed out at Josef much as she lashed out at Mick when Josh died. It took her longer to forgive Josef (she wasn't in love with him) but eventually she did.

Thank you for writing this classic. I think it is one of your very best. Now where are those tissues...

Jenna

[wollstonecraft61]

Oh, dear, now I'm crying AGAIN!!!

[susieb]

What a truly lovely story. Bravo!