In the village of Willowbrook, Halloween was always a time of excitement, with children dressed in their spookiest costumes and the streets lined with glowing pumpkins. But for one resident, Halloween was the only night he could truly come out and join in the festivities. His name was Galahad, and he was a ghost.
Galahad wasn’t like the ghosts you hear about in scary stories. He was friendly, and cheerful, and loved nothing more than to see people smile. He had been a resident of Willowbrook for many, many years, but unlike the living, his connection to the town was different. Galahad had passed away in the early 1800s, yet his love for the town and its people kept him lingering as a gentle spirit.
Every Halloween, Galahad looked forward to the one night he could freely move about without scaring anyone. With everyone in costume, no one noticed a floating sheet with a kind face and gentle eyes. They just assumed he was another part of the fun.
This Halloween, Galahad decided to try something new. He had always watched from afar as the town’s buses and trams carried people from one festive spot to another. This year, he wanted to ride the Night Bus, a special Halloween service that the town ran, taking families to all the best trick-or-treating spots and haunted houses.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the town came alive with Halloween cheer, Galahad floated towards the bus stop on Elm Street. The bus arrived, decorated with cobwebs and fake spiders, and the doors whooshed open with a friendly creak.
Galahad hesitated for a moment. He had never interacted with the town’s public transport before. But the friendly driver, a man named Mr. Henderson, smiled at him as if sensing Galahad’s nerves. “Hop on, friend! There’s plenty of room,” Mr. Henderson said warmly.
Galahad floated up the steps and took a seat at the back, near a little boy dressed as a pirate and his older sister dressed as a witch. The children smiled at Galahad, not realising he was an actual ghost. “Cool costume!” the boy said, giving Galahad a thumbs up.
Galahad grinned, his ethereal form shimmering with happiness. He loved being part of the town’s Halloween fun, and this bus ride was already turning out to be more wonderful than he had imagined.
As the bus rolled through the streets of Willowbrook, Galahad watched with delight as they passed decorated houses, each more festive than the last. At every stop, more children and parents got on, filling the bus with laughter and chatter.
At one stop, an elderly woman dressed as a fairy godmother boarded the bus. She had a warm, kind presence, much like Galahad’s. She sat down next to him and gave him a knowing look. “It’s nice to see you out and about, dear,” she said softly.
Galahad blinked in surprise. Could she see him as he really was? The old woman smiled, her eyes twinkling. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I’ve been around long enough to know when someone’s got a little magic in them.”
Galahad was touched. It was rare for anyone to recognize him, especially on Halloween. “Thank you,” he whispered. “It’s nice to be a part of the fun.”
The woman nodded. “It’s good for the heart, isn’t it? To be around others, even if just for one night.”
As the bus continued its journey, Galahad found himself joining in on the conversations, telling jokes, and sharing in the excitement of the night. No one suspected that he was a real ghost, but that was fine with Galahad. For one night, he was just another friendly face enjoying the spirit of Halloween.
When the bus finally reached the last stop, Galahad knew it was time to say goodbye. He floated to the front of the bus, where Mr. Henderson was smiling at the sight of the happy passengers disembarking.
“Thank you for the ride,” Galahad said quietly.
Mr. Henderson looked up, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “Anytime, friend. Anytime.”
With that, Galahad floated off the bus and back into the night, his heart full of warmth and joy. He had always loved Willowbrook, but this Halloween had been extra special. He had been able to connect with the living, share in their happiness, and for one magical night, he had felt truly alive again.
As he drifted back to his resting place in the old willow tree, Galahad sighed contentedly. Halloween in Willowbrook was always wonderful, but this year, thanks to a simple journey on the Night Bus, it had been the best one yet.
