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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmGIDfNLEC
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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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTaetGKPRf
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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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06WSiScl4s
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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?”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uAj0DTM9T
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“Look, Ro, I know this is fun for you, but have you ever thought it could be really dangerous?”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cod7AAfQf
711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKiuAx8FF7
“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.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0V549TuCc
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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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQS9pdn0uJ
711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfiFEsy16L
“Ro, I’m so sorry.” I reach out to her. “I was being a complete tosser. I didn’t mean to laugh.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS66gn9SDab
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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.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPNfrZEaiB
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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.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9sov7Z8Bw
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“You’ve seen them now,” she says. “How can you not believe there’s something more happening here?”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TC0VBMy43
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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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ523bn870tg
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“It’s a freak connection that shouldn’t exist,” I say.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnu7NEqdMA
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“Cami, I think I’m one of them.” There’s a note of desperation to Roanna’s voice.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDexUkoO6n1
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“One of…whom?” I say carefully. “Psychic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oL67U7PMy
711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHVeczJven
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.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Dpz6mtO1m
711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEowaMBfGu
“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.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOCYDIw1jD
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“Good news for you. I won’t be doing that anymore.” She spins on her heel and stomps off.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvD0Kr2jka
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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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2Vu5cImIv
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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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJwMFj7zo7
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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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBZuDWcsYu
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“Cami,” he says, taking a deep breath and visibly steeling himself. “I wanted to talk to you.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiYtXbNY87
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“All right,” I say, my mind still on going outside and finding Will.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MeFxb6gYu
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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.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQOeevWVzN
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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.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdJCA7bEbX
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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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjsHIwmZoE
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“I’m sorry, but…who are you?” I say, feeling a little bad that I have to ask.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOhixv7U1r
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His eyebrows knit together. “I’m Will. Will Poynter. We’ve emailed each other a bit during the holidays.”711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ7RvhANt5
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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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpol5tlPWLK
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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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmZ35HHYb1
Penana
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