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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wp3U57nlO
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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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5TsQHBYbo
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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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy91pLTTh0Q
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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?”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69LOzHOWrc
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“Look, Ro, I know this is fun for you, but have you ever thought it could be really dangerous?”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm8IRL1BmB
756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1YP8zjXiu
“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.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEkqmXBKQb
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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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS622GWIfjV
756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWsVDiLQfx
“Ro, I’m so sorry.” I reach out to her. “I was being a complete tosser. I didn’t mean to laugh.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAZxX3DpFH
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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.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmQfu0kK4T
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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.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboBRmIkx4k
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“You’ve seen them now,” she says. “How can you not believe there’s something more happening here?”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvg7B99gQN
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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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoqZNoJcA3
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“It’s a freak connection that shouldn’t exist,” I say.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr351Uzuq8s
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“Cami, I think I’m one of them.” There’s a note of desperation to Roanna’s voice.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUYoZIxqyT
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“One of…whom?” I say carefully. “Psychic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp6UbiQyQk
756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94zMM74UpX
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.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66A40SRP22
756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC6ZGjmmDg
“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.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKpIbX1ryl
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“Good news for you. I won’t be doing that anymore.” She spins on her heel and stomps off.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1VBW36GEe
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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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeLlmjookF
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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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjD5HXEjSQ
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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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzixtwP4Ev1
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“Cami,” he says, taking a deep breath and visibly steeling himself. “I wanted to talk to you.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHRHd5Mp0b
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“All right,” I say, my mind still on going outside and finding Will.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgpPBfrsng
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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.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMQUuwo6Vg
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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.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV19G6zLiPj
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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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw8Y8J3A65
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“I’m sorry, but…who are you?” I say, feeling a little bad that I have to ask.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKPkzO6jnx
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His eyebrows knit together. “I’m Will. Will Poynter. We’ve emailed each other a bit during the holidays.”756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5buh44o6J
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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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwheC444fk4
756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFSwhzQk1Q
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.756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaweDxbG3C
Penana
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