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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqKxb35xYM
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWV7WqLyTz
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xVZZSiToR
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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?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhj94rbnb9
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“Look, Ro, I know this is fun for you, but have you ever thought it could be really dangerous?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuNJgEvrXR
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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.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8eoJux8lI
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQMGI0p0xe
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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.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYVm4iGYrG
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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.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdYQSgawrG
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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.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELu87lcBT6
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“You’ve seen them now,” she says. “How can you not believe there’s something more happening here?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSRhxCnOH5
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjaeCSStYE
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“It’s a freak connection that shouldn’t exist,” I say.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv1fqhAGHZ
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“Cami, I think I’m one of them.” There’s a note of desperation to Roanna’s voice.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVr7ChpjYq
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“One of…whom?” I say carefully. “Psychic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclvCMy38EC
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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.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiomwxcMKAr
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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.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpWvZlBaii
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“Good news for you. I won’t be doing that anymore.” She spins on her heel and stomps off.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCLMz7mdbx
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF0Fn9qCGz
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qSanqRB04
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarHMv2BDeT
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“Cami,” he says, taking a deep breath and visibly steeling himself. “I wanted to talk to you.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoezF02j3b
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“All right,” I say, my mind still on going outside and finding Will.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM13MvHXz6z
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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.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoBwlkrOsc
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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.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXQSpSSdVG
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHRjA29o3p
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“I’m sorry, but…who are you?” I say, feeling a little bad that I have to ask.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiWx5nIlXE
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His eyebrows knit together. “I’m Will. Will Poynter. We’ve emailed each other a bit during the holidays.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbizw1ILUQ4
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpKhnk0PNR
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgPJKT4gcm
Penana
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