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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkYACS7bJW
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPtkJ3VXsi
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lGKb5kUV3
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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?”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkDyE95FuA
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“Look, Ro, I know this is fun for you, but have you ever thought it could be really dangerous?”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1fUB4TUNr
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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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDDqDDn70g
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhVMWvWtap
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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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7tbqpt5wl
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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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vO0wnEpfA
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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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrdPa0U7vH
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“You’ve seen them now,” she says. “How can you not believe there’s something more happening here?”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjgikFHz01
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c7ZyXrK2O
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“It’s a freak connection that shouldn’t exist,” I say.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLMnf4JNzA
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“Cami, I think I’m one of them.” There’s a note of desperation to Roanna’s voice.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXbm8jOCXb
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“One of…whom?” I say carefully. “Psychic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYhTh086eU
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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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjSf7TOKeH
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciySnmqvgy
“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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1atKahbUut
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“Good news for you. I won’t be doing that anymore.” She spins on her heel and stomps off.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtMebxF10V
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0d61b0JLa
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLAhHRLOik
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelkF80KoTK
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“Cami,” he says, taking a deep breath and visibly steeling himself. “I wanted to talk to you.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpWJvn0foT
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“All right,” I say, my mind still on going outside and finding Will.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIKC1YSzrI
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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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9wsuGhONN
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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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObIQl7VIbr
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJnki7arZR
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“I’m sorry, but…who are you?” I say, feeling a little bad that I have to ask.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuJjE6vIBH
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His eyebrows knit together. “I’m Will. Will Poynter. We’ve emailed each other a bit during the holidays.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaJ7RRz9aR
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTI5s4JYHV
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ8D73QTrv
Penana
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