"You're still alive." The voice said, a song of joy laced in it's tone. "You've made it this far, kid. That has to mean something."

"Wh-where are you?" Tyler asked, glancing around frantically, his eyes shifting onto every single shadow. "How are you? Is. . .is it really even you?"

"Slow down there, friend," the voice laughed, still seeming a little too happy considering the situation at hand.

Tyler squinted into the shadows, trying to find the owner of the voice. He couldn't see very well and the person had gone silent.

"Joshua Dun. Is it really you?" Tyler demanded this time, his voice breaking slightly.

Boy, had this been a wild night.

"See for yourself," the voice replied.

From the door frame leading to the main room, a figure stepped into the little stream of light. He was clothed in simple, shimmering clothing and had short, dark, curly hair. His eyes danced with joy and the sweetest little grin formed on his lips.

"What?" Tyler whispered in confused awe. "How? I saw you! You're—"

"Dead? Trust me, I'm well aware."

Tyler was feeling so lost, so afraid. And frankly a little bit sick.

"How is not the point," the man said, stepping closer to shaking Tyler. "Why, however, is a question I can answer. That is, if you haven't figured it out already."

Tyler raised an eyebrow, "Because of earlier?"

"Bingo," Josh replied softly, tilting his head. "But I'm not here to fix you."

Tyler lifted his eyes up to his friend. The friend he had seen in a casket, the friend who had his funeral five months ago, the friend that was now showing up out of nowhere after being completely and undeniably dead.

"What?" Tyler asked, searching those familiar brown eyes for an answer.

Josh sighed, standing up straight, "I knew this would be a lot. They swore they knew what they were talking about though. Listen, Tyler I can't repair your peace and I'm not back from the dead, not to stay anyway." 

"Quit being cryptic. What are you here for?" Tyler said.

"Relax, man," Josh said. "They sent me back to warn you."

"Sent you back?" Tyler shook his head, standing off the couch and backing away. "This is crazy. You're not, Josh. Just another spirit here to taunt me on Christmas Eve, bearing the face of my dead best friend!" 

"Tyler, that is enough!" Josh called. "I am your friend. And I'm here, like it or not, to warn you. This late night, you will be visited by three spirits! The spirit of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come! Heed my warning, dear friend, and prepare yourself. These spirits are not simple and will not give you an easy time."

Tyler ran his hand through his hair, his breaths heaving once more. He was shocked and exhausted. He looked his friend in the eyes and shook his head.

"Why me?" Tyler muttered. "Why can I not just have some peace?"

"No one on this earth is promised an easy life and Tyler, your time here isn't over yet."

Josh held his hand out to his friend. Tyler took his hand and fell into a hug.

"Tonight isn't gonna be easy, but it's gonna be alright. You're not alone. Most importantly, you're safe." Josh pulled away. "Take is easy for a bit, Tyler. Breath. I must be on my way now." 

With that, Josh's spirit turned to leave, heading towards the nearest window.

"Josh!" Tyler called out.

A pair of twinkling eyes met his own.

"It was nice to see you again," Tyler choked out. "Even if it was under these circumstances."

A smile crossed Josh's face and he turned away from the window. They shared a glance.

"It was great to see you, too, Ty," Josh said, his face shifting to a sad smile. "Before I go, could you do me one favor?"

"Sure. Anything," Tyler nodded slowly, his eyes glued to his friend since it was probably the last time he would see Josh.

"Do you still have that Ukulele?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, it's in the living room. Why?"

"Uh could you. . .uh," Josh trailed off, his falling to the floorm

"Yes?"

"Could you play something before I go?" Josh sheepishly asked, laughing awkwardly like it was a dumb thought. He didn't take back his question, though.

"Of course, Josh," Tyler replied, smiling at the request. "Come on."

The two stepped into the simple living room and Tyler sat on the couch, lifting his Ukulele to his chest and giving it a single test strum before glancing up at his friend, "What do you want to hear?"

"I can't think of one," Josh admitted, shrugging. "Anything is fine."

Tyler nodded and leaned over to pick up his notebook off the floor as well. He leafed through the pages with one hand, his eyes searching the paper as Spirit-Josh stood there watching. Tyler muttered something and sat the notebook down, opened to a certain page.

"I changed this song to fit with a keyboard, but it was originally written with a Uke so it should work." Tyler explained, deeply hoping that he was right. Then he sighed, "Well, here goes nothing."

He started strumming gently, his voice rapping the written lyrics as well as he could manage. He was talented. Then he moved to the chorus.

"You are surrounding, all my surroundings
Sounding down the mountain range
Of my left-side brain
You are surrounding, all my surroundings
Twisting the kaleidoscope
Behind both of my eyes,"

Tyler sang the rest of the song, with Josh nodding along in enjoyment.

"You still got it," Josh smiled, his voice full of awe when the song ended.

"You say that like I'm old," Tyler softly said, a bit of amusement slipped in the statement.

"It sure has been awhile," the other man said softly, lowering his gaze. "So, in a way, to me you are old."