Tears spring to my eyes as I back to the portal that will take me through the veil to the mortal world. I don't want to say goodbye.

"I promise to try to come back next Hallows Eve!"

I wave to the ghostly crowd of people that I've had to say goodbye to over my seemingly short life. It's cold here, but the warmth in my heart of being able to visit with everyone I missed has chased the chill away.

My back hits solid. Confused, I turn to look behind me. I can see the sunlight illuminating the forest clearing that's littered with the detritus of the spell I cast to tear the veil and come here. I'm a successful, if messy, witch.

Trembles of fear at the possibly being trapped here creep through me. Grandma floats forward to take my shaking hand.

"It's closed," I whisper.

"Magic works on both sides," Grandma breathes in her ethereal ghost's voice.

I don't know how she knows, but I trust her.

Drawing in a deep steadying breath, I nod. Maybe I can reverse the spell. "I need ingredients."

"We'll help," says Grandma.

Within half an hour, my family has collected the list of items I need.

Kneeling down, I move the objects - they feel cold and fragile - into the same arrangement as the clearing. Closing my eyes, I slowly move my hands. The incantation flows from my lips. It's a simple spell, but isn't that often the way of the most powerful?

I feel the river of magic flow through me.

But when I open my eyes it's clear that the items are as lifeless as the place I'm in.

My skin prickles. "It didn't work. But I can feel it. It should have."

Grandma looks at my assembled relatives. She lowers herself beside me and picks up an elder branch, closes her eyes, and the object begins to glow.

"Grandma!" I cry. "You're fading!"

She looks at me and smiles wistfully. "My dear child, you were always my favourite. I'll happily give up my essence to send you back."

"Your essence?"

Grampa squats down and puts a freezing hand on my shoulder. "We'll become a wisp, neither here, nor there. Just in-between."

"You'll be trapped in nothingness?"

Grampa nods. "You don't belong here."

I think of my friends, parents, roommate, boyfriend. They'll all miss me.

But I'll see them again. One day.

I look at the forty-two people who'd become less-than-nothing for me.

Their sacrifice is too much.

It's my fault I'm here.

"I'll stay."