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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHfopoSLbN
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0SI59mJSC
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlum3fADPAt
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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?”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHet2EJlcv8
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“Look, Ro, I know this is fun for you, but have you ever thought it could be really dangerous?”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflVTAVz20Q
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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.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hQj0LO5Ry
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK2t5p45RS
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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.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oBlWImldU
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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.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjJrgXZjVy
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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.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSyHnwxM8B
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“You’ve seen them now,” she says. “How can you not believe there’s something more happening here?”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekMlU7Vo3B
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzzJzVytxS
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“It’s a freak connection that shouldn’t exist,” I say.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRjbulhFRV
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“Cami, I think I’m one of them.” There’s a note of desperation to Roanna’s voice.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJAwK4Qj5C
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“One of…whom?” I say carefully. “Psychic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwk79NJSjy
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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.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxciFkDCeKc
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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.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoksqtsZDg
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“Good news for you. I won’t be doing that anymore.” She spins on her heel and stomps off.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2GqP5K3UF
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsLmJssXEG
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTOjeMebbz
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qszLl6xLZ
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“Cami,” he says, taking a deep breath and visibly steeling himself. “I wanted to talk to you.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV87JRvfY9
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“All right,” I say, my mind still on going outside and finding Will.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fU81Ryr3H
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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.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59GxZfmNrk
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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.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneOyau8Jz5
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHwT6SVpzc
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“I’m sorry, but…who are you?” I say, feeling a little bad that I have to ask.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSyqw2BDGZ
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His eyebrows knit together. “I’m Will. Will Poynter. We’ve emailed each other a bit during the holidays.”710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIbRkxEMI2
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOZE0snpO7
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXRbXZxaZa
Penana
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