cowboys and angels

By Alyssa P.

Chapter 1: Ghost Hunting

I was just riding on the ranch herding some cows when I saw a ghost. At least that’s what I thought it was. I was probably just seeing things.

I went to get some water when I saw a young man and his dog walk out of the forest. They looked startled. I went over to them and asked if they needed directions. They said they saw a ghost too! I never thought ghosts were real. I only heard stories about them when I was little. Usually ghosts are described as scary or frightening but what if this one is good? What if there is a whole pack of them? I offered the man and dog some beans and jerky.

The dog’s name was Sadie and the young man was named Jacob. I told them we should find the ghost. We should go around the ranch with walkie talkies and try to see if we find more of them.

I took my ranch dog, Bella, with me to see if she could sniff anything out. I walked into the forest and Jacob and Sadie went in the opposite direction. Bella started barking, and I heard a rustle in the bushes. I walked the way Bella was leading me then she transformed into a ghost and the last thing I saw was a knife moving towards my heart.

Chapter 2: Heaven

I woke up with my chest throbbing. How can I be alive? Where am I? I walked around to see what looked like an incredibly bright light sitting in a throne made of gold and a man sitting on his right. I asked the man where we were. He said, “Dear Jim the Cowboy, we are in the kingdom of Heaven.” I replied, “So, am I standing in front of God?”

“Yes, you are…congratulations.” The man said.

I took a walk to gather my thoughts. I wondered, had Bella been a ghost this whole time? Has she always wanted to kill me? I tried to chill out; everything happens for a reason right? I found a tree to sit under while I thought.

After about thirty minutes I got up, and I walked around more. I walked by some angels, and they looked just how I imagined them. They were wearing white and they had big wings. They told me to meet them at the table in two hours. I didn’t really know where “The Table’’ was, but I said ok. I thought about Jacob and Sadie. Were they still ghost hunting? Were they looking for me? Were they planning my funeral? What if they knew Bella was a ghost? What if she killed them too or they could be ghosts and they could’ve been drawing me into their trap the entire time? It was a lot to think about.

Chapter 3: Angels

Two hours later I found “The Table.” It was long and made of gold like so many other things in Heaven. I sat down and then two angels appeared on the opposite side of the table. “Hello, Jim,” one of them said. They introduced themselves as Gabriel and Michael. They said I had a mission. I had to go back to Earth as a ghost. I had to show my town that ghosts can be good. I thought about this challenge for a second. I asked Gabriel and Michael how I would do this. Michael said, “You’ll figure it out.” Gabriel gave me two magical cheezits and a map. He said the cheezits were to travel to Earth and then back to Heaven when my mission is finished. What is the map for? “It’s to find other ghosts nearby if you need help with your mission. They can only help you with certain things. You can’t ask for help unless you need to find something or someone, and if you need certain items they can tell you where to find them. You have to do the rest of the mission on your own,” said Michael.

Chapter 4: Earth

I eat the first magical cheezit and then all I see is stars…

I wake up on a cold floor. For a second, everything is blurry. Then I realize I’m at my old house. It looks so dusty. I wonder how much time has passed since I’ve been in heaven. From what it looks like a few years have passed, but how can that be possible? It seemed like just two days in Heaven.

I take out the map and try to find a nearby ghost. The closest one is one minute away. I walk around the house some more. I go to where the bathroom used to be. I look in the mirror and I don’t see anything. I feel like it’s been a minute I turn around and see the outline of a person. It says “Hi, Jim, tehe.” He takes out a gun and shoots me.

I woke up in Heaven, but I didn’t even finish my mission. I found my way back to “The Table.” I sat down and Gabriel and Michael appeared where they did last time. They told me I was officially dead and I was in Heaven forever. THE END

Alyssa P. is a Level 2 student who has three siblings. Her favorite things to do are art and swim.