Francis

**Francis Rivers (1863-1916)** is the Ghost of an Army Captain from World War I, who died after being shot.

Life

Francis was born on April 30, 1863. Growing up, Francis was very close to his mother. His father was in the army, so he was often away from home so his mother would spend a lot of time with him, Francis helped his mother cook and clean and they enjoyed a close bond. Francis dreamed of being an Actor after watching a play when his mother took him to the Theatre as a child. However, Francis’s father was disappointed with this and wanted his son to be in the Army like him. Francis was a flamboyant teenager who’s true passion was the Theatre, having no interest in the Army. When this became clear, Francis’s father stopped his wife from taking Francis to the Theatre, greatly upsetting Francis. However, when Francis’s father was away, his mother would sometimes take him to the Theatre. When Francis became a young man, he enrolled in the Army like his father.

During World War I, Francis was an Army Captain. He oversaw soldiers in trenches near Robinson House, which was used as a Hospital for wounded soldiers during that time. During his early career as an Officer in the Army, Francis met a man named Ronald. The pair became fast friends, but soon their friendship evolved into a relationship. Both men were closeted Homosexuals, and they had to keep their relationship secret. However, the relationship eventually soured and ended after about a year. A few years later, Francis became best friends with a man named Reginald. Reginald was the son of a friend of Francis’s father. Francis’s father hoped Reginald would influence Francis into being more loyal and interested in his duties in the Army. Reginald did just this; Francis became obsessed with order and the Army. However, the plan backfired as well when Francis and Reginald (whom was a closeted Bisexual man) fell in love with each other. Francis’s father was horrified and tried to force Francis to severe all contact with Reginald, but Francis ultimately decided to end contact with his father. His father could do nothing because if he told anyone about his sons sexuality then his and Reginald’s father’s reputations would have been ruined. Francis’s father died in 1906, upsetting Francis. During WWI, Francis and Reginald frequently visited each other, on business and in spare time. They would sneak around and have sex in private; they’d also pray to God that the War would end. One night, Ronald (another Army Officer) tried to get back together with Francis and start a secret affair again (despite the fact Ronald was sleeping with two other young Soldiers in secret as well). Francis politely declined, infuriating Ronald. Later that night, Ronald tried to find Francis, whom he found in private with Reginald, witnessing them having sex. Realising Francis had chosen Reginald over him, Ronald plotted revenge. The next morning, Reginald found a letter ordering him to go to the grounds of nearby Robinson House at ten P.M for a duel. Reginald did just that.

Death

Reginald met Ronald outside Robinson House, realising it was Ronald who had challenged him. Ronald and Reginald both had Air Rifles, with Ronald explaining that whoever won the duel would have Francis’s affections. Unbeknownst to the two rivals, Francis had found the letter when Reginald sneaked out and read the letter. Francis followed Reginald and interrupted them before the duel could begin, snatching the Air Rifle from Reginald and preparing to duel Ronald. However, Francis could not bring himself to kill Ronald, knowing that Ronald was in love with him, and that he was having to hide his sexuality to everyone he knew just like Francis and Reginald. However, this proved to be his downfall as after Francis dropped his Rifle, Ronald shot Francis out of rage, knowing Francis had greater love for Reginald than he ever had for Ronald. Francis died and became a Ghost, the loud noise the Rifle made caused the other Ghosts to come out. When Francis asked who they were, they were pleasantly surprised he could see them. They greeted him, explained his situation, and then they all watched Ronald and Reginald. Reginald picked up Francis’s Rifle in a fir of rage, and shot Ronald. The noise caused a commotion and Nurses from Robinson House came out. Grief-stricken, Reginald shot himself, killing him. While Reginald and Ronald moved on to the Afterlife, Francis found himself stuck on Earth as a Ghost. The other Ghosts did not know why the duel happened, but overtime came aware of his sexuality, unbeknownst to Francis.