students love to make up stories about their school; scary stories that some of those in position let circulate. after all, what better way to get a school to clear out after hours than a scary story that talks about how students get abducted by vengeful ghosts and such, right?

johnson loved these scary stories. in fact, he couldn’t get enough of them. with his group of friends, they sought to create a book of sorts—a collection of all the scary stories that revolved around their school. and just as he thought they had all the stories written down, he met the most wonderful source. a girl who shared the same passion as him, who knew more stories about their school.

her name was eliza, and he met her for the first time while he was stationed to guard the stairs at the back of the school. it was part of their citizen training program at school, and johnson loved getting stationed there. it gave him peace, because the grade school kids rarely went there. they were scared of the stairs at the back.

eliza wasn’t scared though. probably because she’s been living there since—well, johnson thought it was rude to ask for how long she’s been there.

the first time, johnson admitted that he was spooked by eliza. but the fact that she was a ghost willing to share stories got him out of being afraid quickly. so johnson listened to eliza’s stories. and he wrote them down.

his friends began to worry about johnson. that’s because he started to spend way more time at the back of the school more and more. johnson wouldn’t admit it then, but he was starting to fall in love with eliza. but that’s foolish, right? you can’t fall in love with a ghost. and if you do, there can be no future for the two of you.

johnson was wrong, of course.

one day, as johnson bid eliza farewell, the ghost told him she had one last story to share. she told him that that day was her last on earth, having held up her end of a bargain. she’s free to go on to the afterlife—but not before she share one last story.

johnson was curious. he told eliza he’ll stay for that last story. and eliza was happy.

she began to tell him about the stairs at the back. about a boy ghost who haunted that one flight of stairs, waiting for someone to talk to him. she told him about the lonely days the boy ghost spent, always scaring off the people who could help him be free. until a girl felt sorry for him. and that girl listened to the stories he had to tell.

and she told him how that boy ghost shared everything with the girl. everything. and an unwanted plus. the boy ghost explained to the girl that he had wanted to get out of the stairs at the back for a good long while now—and he can only do so if he found a replacement. who would stand by the back stairs. who would be able to pass on the stories he had about the school.

he passed on the stories. he passed on his responsibility. and the boy ghost disappeared, leaving the girl alone at the stairs at the back.

now it was the girl’s turn to pass on the stories and the responsibility. and she has found the perfect replacement.