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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86BA0ahDJg
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MVmdm3pxG
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPpOiNN0ng
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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?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySnlGE8GcA
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“Look, Ro, I know this is fun for you, but have you ever thought it could be really dangerous?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBsVqhbA9Q
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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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuycinUU0D
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyvzfyYAL3
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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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFXx1McEMs
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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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYQMEBDHgo
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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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcWN894ElU
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“You’ve seen them now,” she says. “How can you not believe there’s something more happening here?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0etKmygHi
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeC900Gn0U
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“It’s a freak connection that shouldn’t exist,” I say.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwOf46SLsb
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“Cami, I think I’m one of them.” There’s a note of desperation to Roanna’s voice.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQQp7J5Kb2
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“One of…whom?” I say carefully. “Psychic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb9EB241BT
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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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFacxkPvod
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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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuOZNkRRUs
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“Good news for you. I won’t be doing that anymore.” She spins on her heel and stomps off.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7CccTckff
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuGXKqCl0N
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxBbq6IEt7
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1GAYFIOSb
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“Cami,” he says, taking a deep breath and visibly steeling himself. “I wanted to talk to you.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkznW2DiVuZ
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“All right,” I say, my mind still on going outside and finding Will.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHnmcRuO4i
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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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFzFajEmMs
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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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3arkwleab
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOKKCw6hOg
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“I’m sorry, but…who are you?” I say, feeling a little bad that I have to ask.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwHcJcdglB
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His eyebrows knit together. “I’m Will. Will Poynter. We’ve emailed each other a bit during the holidays.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m4oyT2g4V
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2lSn3VeRf
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAnJr0VuRn
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