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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcwWOeGF6j
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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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlCkIyKrBz
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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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqrakQfB33
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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?”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jKs6U3Uso
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“Look, Ro, I know this is fun for you, but have you ever thought it could be really dangerous?”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ56EFgz2m
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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.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9SZp5ImhC
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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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ1pyscUZQ
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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.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqaJon1ast
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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.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabiZKsgsPc
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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.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka1wzQxnPD
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“You’ve seen them now,” she says. “How can you not believe there’s something more happening here?”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmWxdb8yWM
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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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA58kVConDx
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“It’s a freak connection that shouldn’t exist,” I say.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKTdS6LkpM
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“Cami, I think I’m one of them.” There’s a note of desperation to Roanna’s voice.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyQ0t6XKIH
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“One of…whom?” I say carefully. “Psychic? You’ve got to be kidding me.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAOuj2MJxb
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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.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNlGooDc4p
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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.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWM6Tby7Zs
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“Good news for you. I won’t be doing that anymore.” She spins on her heel and stomps off.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVJAcAKeJA
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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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFUKc9lS71
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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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgh8GKMStJ
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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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUmMjuPlQQ
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“Cami,” he says, taking a deep breath and visibly steeling himself. “I wanted to talk to you.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY1N4exyeG
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“All right,” I say, my mind still on going outside and finding Will.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPBAI7NF2Z
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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.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES5OkPT7Kd
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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.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6pzNXI2z4
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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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cZsNmwH7V
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“I’m sorry, but…who are you?” I say, feeling a little bad that I have to ask.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg69ehmy2VZ
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His eyebrows knit together. “I’m Will. Will Poynter. We’ve emailed each other a bit during the holidays.”819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfNMfl3zkq
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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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlU6gBnF4l
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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.819Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS5xRMktyC
Penana
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