They say that ghosts should never fall in love.

But I possessed a painting, and you possessed my heart.

We would talk for hours when you couldn’t sleep or when I felt stuck after years in the canvas being unable to move on.

It was one of the first questions you asked - “What is your unfinished business?”

I didn’t have an answer because I didn’t know.

I keep other spirits away; vengeful ones that would hold you hostage in your dreams or break your sanity.

It was difficult at first, but I grew stronger.

I suppose that is what allowed me to walk from my painted prison when the fire began.

You were sleeping soundly, even as smoke lazily filled the room. Such a heavy sleeper, even at times like this.

When yellow flames flickered toward your carpets I knew that I had to help.

My hands hurt as the canvas tore, and my painted form took the entire scene with me.

Clouds on my dress, rolling fields on my arms. I hoped you wouldn’t freak out at me.

I had no painted tongue that I could use to rouse you, and so took to throwing things and making noise any other way as the flames licked towards your bed.

Your eyes snapped open when I broke a vase, and you screamed before coughing. Perhaps you didn’t recognise the painted lady that gestured wildly.

But when you saw the flames and the broken canvas I think you understood.

Stumbling, coughing, crawling towards the other door as hot fire toasted your eyes and smoke made you mad.

But it was too late, the flames had beaten you to the exit.

I could feel the heat and before the thought crossed my mind I stamped them out, leaving blue paint in my wake.

My hands were strong and it was easy to pull you outside to where men in yellow waited in the street; blasting water at the orange-filled windows.

People screamed when they saw me, half of my form sloughing in a trail of paint that looked somewhat bloody as my flesh tones joined the mix.

You roused when I lost my legs, gripped my torso as my arms splattered to the ground.

It was raining the night that I finally passed on to the other side. Amidst the chaos, I fade away peacefully in your arms.