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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPl2DhVUuM
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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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJRn5g4YPj
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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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYz1x1SevH
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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?”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjRbJd5Pao
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“Look, Ro, I know this is fun for you, but have you ever thought it could be really dangerous?”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHQncIdgvj
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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.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5ZYFOFUQ3
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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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOBlfNImPC
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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.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSyWQKvEqm
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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.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxymVHU8YB
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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.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp1ZaSe1Kc
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“You’ve seen them now,” she says. “How can you not believe there’s something more happening here?”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nPYZcVvjW
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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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjY7hX5B4k
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“It’s a freak connection that shouldn’t exist,” I say.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqZCZXUhcu
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“Cami, I think I’m one of them.” There’s a note of desperation to Roanna’s voice.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIRjSGJY9M
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“One of…whom?” I say carefully. “Psychic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9S6DRLTL2
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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.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcFVY3wP15
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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.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9C9vHtHH9
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“Good news for you. I won’t be doing that anymore.” She spins on her heel and stomps off.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTroqF3gAcr
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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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchpksQhDp7
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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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bCiexncs1
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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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylRRKF4RC0
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“Cami,” he says, taking a deep breath and visibly steeling himself. “I wanted to talk to you.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM992dfcLg
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“All right,” I say, my mind still on going outside and finding Will.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C7vh8wDrL
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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.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm57lZCxUw
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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.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdd2CvXnjU
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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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPgc4Mt9B9
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“I’m sorry, but…who are you?” I say, feeling a little bad that I have to ask.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZmsDkLjNq
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His eyebrows knit together. “I’m Will. Will Poynter. We’ve emailed each other a bit during the holidays.”785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BUVNfxrBG
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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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e9D89K5Fz
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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.785Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVSDVen3Yn
Penana
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