I keep thinking about what Madame Pommier told us the night before. Psychics? Connections to the past? It’s difficult to stomach. Still, I did see ghosts, so I suppose I have to believe in such far-fetched explanations. I can’t decide if it’s better or worse that we’re seeing living people not actual ghosts.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3ojPRvYmk
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In any case, Madame Pommier told us the connection will be closed by sunset tonight. It’s a crucial time, according to her, because tonight is All Hallow’s Eve, when the connection is the strongest. The last thing we want is for patients—whether lunatics or psychics—to cross over here or for students to get trapped in a 1920s psychiatric hospital.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oWPwAvMC0
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As far as I’m concerned, sunset is delaying it for too long. I make the mistake of telling Roanna, who’s been downcast since Madame Pommier explained everything to us last night.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbBP0UQiO5
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“I don’t know,” Roanna says as we walk through the hallway toward the canteen. “Is this really the right thing?”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPmPjlLPA2
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“Look, Ro, I know this is fun for you, but have you ever thought it could be really dangerous?”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjyjtq2e6y
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“No,” Roanna says, pushing her glasses up her nose. “I really don’t think so. I feel like there’s something more—like these people are misunderstood.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mIhwNVX5f
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A disbelieving laugh bursts out of my mouth before I can stop it. She clamps her lips shut, her eyes widening slightly.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUSQHO2Ssn
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“Ro, I’m so sorry.” I reach out to her. “I was being a complete tosser. I didn’t mean to laugh.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡily2M49U8s
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“No, because you always just hold back, right?” she says, stepping out of my reach. “I know you don’t believe me. You never have.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPNOiv6qjw
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“I never lied to you,” I say, temper rising. “You knew I never believed in any of this, but you also knew I always supported you.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYRgmK7PBX
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“You’ve seen them now,” she says. “How can you not believe there’s something more happening here?”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKMFhP7sWi
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I think back to the room with the row of beds, and the way the people came toward us. I remember the bruise on Jen’s throat. I can’t suppress a shudder.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkq4fzMKb2
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“It’s a freak connection that shouldn’t exist,” I say.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbILMGHMtq
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“Cami, I think I’m one of them.” There’s a note of desperation to Roanna’s voice.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFlV1c0NXv
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“One of…whom?” I say carefully. “Psychic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTXgRsujD0
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Roanna glares at me and speaks vehemently. “I’ve had dreams about Wolverhampton since before I ever laid eyes on this school. I’ve seen more ‘ghosts’ than all the other students combined—even Jen. I keep seeing this nurse, and she looks so…she looks so sad. I have to stop Madame Pommier from closing the door before we can learn more about what’s going on. And if you aren’t going to help me, I don’t need you.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUSPuraPwj
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“Fine,” I say, her last line causing anger to come to a boil inside me. “Do it on your own, then. I never understood why you insisted on dragging me along everywhere.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5dnWO02wN
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“Good news for you. I won’t be doing that anymore.” She spins on her heel and stomps off.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBH9mdVWBC
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I take a deep breath and head away from the canteen and toward the grounds. I want to see Will. I want him to hold me and soothe me. My heart pounds, and dread fills my veins. This is the biggest fight I’ve ever had with Roanna.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYpPXh7PO0
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I’m walking through the hallway, thinking only of finding Will, when someone stops me by putting his hands on my shoulders.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1e5Nf8f9t
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I stare at him, wondering how he can touch me so easily. I don’t really know him, and I’ve only spoken to him a handful of times—most recently when he helped me pick up my fallen books the other day.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPt1SSRERU
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“Cami,” he says, taking a deep breath and visibly steeling himself. “I wanted to talk to you.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiiWHaX1l5
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“All right,” I say, my mind still on going outside and finding Will.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnqyS5ov9E
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“I know how you feel,” he says in a rush. “People have been telling me over the past couple of years that you…that you fancy me. I don’t really know how to say this. I guess I should just come out and say it. The truth is…I’m gay.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks4fRjE10k
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“Oh, um, congratulations,” I say, trying not to let the word sound like a question. I’m not sure why he’s telling me this when we’ve only talked a few times. “I’m sure coming out was very difficult.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAgnsFqWgT
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“I have to say, you’re taking this much better than I expected. I’m relieved.” But he looks a little disappointed.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALgOCiKtX3
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“I’m sorry, but…who are you?” I say, feeling a little bad that I have to ask.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFz3wmrJqM
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His eyebrows knit together. “I’m Will. Will Poynter. We’ve emailed each other a bit during the holidays.”772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56HCYkpbmF
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I’m frozen. He isn’t Will Poynter. Will Poynter is my Will. I think about him sitting beside me under the crabapple tree; Will lacing his fingers through mine; Will telling me he’d planted camellias for me. Everything good in my life has been tied to Will—everything that hasn’t been tied to Roanna, that is. They’re the people I love most in the world.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9aUfR4fjq
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I know I have to find Roanna and apologize, but first I have to find Will—my Will—and figure out what’s going on.772Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5pP8AxAC5
Penana
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