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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLwswV3Cnh
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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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLo9JrylUQ
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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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1FEOUhnhb
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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?”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM4OXs8JYR
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“Look, Ro, I know this is fun for you, but have you ever thought it could be really dangerous?”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWSZEwf9Np
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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.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXko6bNB80
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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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbcoblV4Tq
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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.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaWyaD37CP
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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.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTsoBT81po
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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.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfxCewXcdi
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“You’ve seen them now,” she says. “How can you not believe there’s something more happening here?”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGXJZqRDzz
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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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YqIk3JtUT
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“It’s a freak connection that shouldn’t exist,” I say.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlR1Fx8d71
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“Cami, I think I’m one of them.” There’s a note of desperation to Roanna’s voice.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9fglfTlZx
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“One of…whom?” I say carefully. “Psychic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKqGSUPR4a
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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.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaonr9cD2HR
804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2YrhctYGa
“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.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdss93l5IVM
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“Good news for you. I won’t be doing that anymore.” She spins on her heel and stomps off.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23p0UQQ4t8
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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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18IOjPiAuX
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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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRp68qnl9D
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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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj79T53c0BV
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“Cami,” he says, taking a deep breath and visibly steeling himself. “I wanted to talk to you.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9zpFc9EGl
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“All right,” I say, my mind still on going outside and finding Will.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0zmeOo4vE
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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.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpjDSgfdBd
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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.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwJMcoC0Bx
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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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3iTb8hV26
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“I’m sorry, but…who are you?” I say, feeling a little bad that I have to ask.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIpO6hQMKb
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His eyebrows knit together. “I’m Will. Will Poynter. We’ve emailed each other a bit during the holidays.”804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0Oei3Tk0C
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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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6nDFMAqTe
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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.804Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hMXYFAkTj
Penana
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