Flora eases herself back down to the floor and raises her hand several inches above the table. Down it goes, meeting the tabletop. She curses.
Just to be sure, I test my hand again. It’ll suck if it was only a one-time thing.
But my handy-dandy magic trick still works. Yay! Go me.
“Would you stop that?” Flora shrieks. “You’ve proven your point already. Damn.”
“Fine,” I say, curling a lock of hair around my finger. Okay, I’m over it. I just want to find my family and warn them. Maybe even throw a book or two at their heads. Isn’t that what ghosts do?
Over and over and over Flora tries…and fails. I don’t understand why she can’t grasp the idea. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. I mean, I did it. I’m not as bright as sunshine. So, what does that make her? Maybe all those alcoholic drinks are killing her brain cells. They won’t let you have drinks where you’re going, sweetie.
“Got it!” she yells.
I snort. “Oh, please. It only took you, like, twenty-five hours to get it.”
“Bitch,” she mumbles under her breath.
“Now that you both have learned how to move your hand through an object, you have to learn how to move your body through objects, too,” says Sara. “Like this.” She stands from the couch and walks to the nearest wall, next to the fireplace, and disappears.
“How is that harder than using our hand?” I ask.
She reappears. “With your hand, you have to focus all energy into one area. With your body, you need an equal amount of energy in all areas.”
“WHAT?” Flora shouts. “There’s no way…”
“Do you guys have, like, salons and stuff here?” I ask, holding my nails up to the light from the fireplace. “This place seems so dull without entertainment.”
“Are you serious right now?”
I eye Flora. “It’s not like you’d care unless there was a biker bar around the corner.”
She grits her teeth, growls, and then makes a flying leap toward me. I try to push her off, but it’s like a mouse lifting a dog. How can I compete with that?
“Ladies, please!” Sara calls somewhere in the background. Why can’t she use ghost powers and lift Flora off of me? Ugh. They’re both psycho.
I’m able to squirm out from under Flora’s grasp and run straight through a wall. Something Flora hasn’t mastered, apparently, because she runs into the wall, smacking her face against the wood. I stifle a laugh. That’s what she gets for going all axe murderer on me.
Walking through a wall isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, though. I mean, it’s dark and dusty in between the crevices. There are probably termites. Wait…do termites live in the afterlife? I step back into the living room area, where Flora narrows her eyes at me.
“I am so proud of you, Laney,” Sara gushes. “But, Flora, you need to learn to control your temper. Anger is not the solution to your problems.”
“But alcohol is,” I murmur.
Sara cuts me an icy glare. “And, Laney, you should not be so quick to judge.” She guides Flora to the couch and helps her sit. “Now, I need your full attention. If you want to make it, you have to warn those you love.”
“And what happens if we don’t?” Flora asks.
“If you decide against notifying them, then I can send you to the Passage of the Lost, which leads to the Tower of Forgotten Souls. There, you would stay until your physical bodies pass on. Afterward, it would be decided how long you will remain here, in Lichburn.”
Not seeing Chase or my family again? That would suck. But waiting around in a lobby until I died would suck even worse, especially if I had to wait with Flora the Freak.
“Who or what, exactly, decides where our spirits will end up?” Flora asks.
Sara hesitates, almost like she’s unsure whether she’s given too much information away, but responds, “There is a council who dwells inside the Town Hall. They are the Elders, the ones who decide a person’s fate, as they have been in this realm for many centuries and have great knowledge.”
I don’t want Flora getting all the attention, so I pipe up. “And why are you stuck here?”
This time, unlike the others, Sara’s smile is strained. Her eyes radiate deep pain as they glaze over. “I am afraid that story is for a later occasion.”
Ignoring Sara’s sensitivity toward my question, Flora asks, “How is it that we’re not see-through?”
“You will be invisible to humans once you are in the Shadowlands. Here, you’re just as you were before,” says Sara.
Flora snorts. “That’s not backwards at all.”
“Not necessarily. Part of your energy lies here, so you appear as you did in human form, but when you enter the Shadowlands, you lose a portion of your energy.”
“I think my brain just rolled over and died,” I say.
Flora glares at me, as usual.
“What?” I retort. “Don’t look at me like I’m stupid. You’re the one who can’t even walk through a wall as a ghost.”
Sara looks a bit frustrated. I don’t want to piss off the only guide we have, so I raise my hands in surrender. She sighs, but it comes out as more of a warm breeze on a summer day. “I should stop our lesson for the night, but I’m afraid something will happen.”
“Like we’ll die.” Flora’s so uncaring. She probably wants to stay here.
“Yes. That’s totally it,” I say.
“What wrong, Laney? You afraid to die? Scared they won’t have pageants where you’re going?” Flora taunts, but I’m not falling for her stupid mind games.
“No,” I respond sweetly. “Just scared I’ll be stuck in the next world with you. That’s more frightening than any nightmare.”
She grits her teeth. “Sometimes I think it’d do you well to get punched in the face. You need some sense knocked into that nearly-nonexistent brain of yours.”
I laugh. “I’m sure you’d love to be the one to do it, too.”
Sara claps her hands together twice, the action reminding me of Oliver. “Let’s get through this lesson and we’ll call it a night.”
“Wait… Do ghosts sleep?” I ask Sara. Flora looks like she might actually be serious about punching my face, so I add, “What? I mean, it’s not like our worlds are the same.”
Sara’s voice carries a more soothing tone when she says, “We have the ability to sleep, but normally don’t use it. My time is spent helping those who need to move on but are stuck.”
Flora stands and walks over to the same wall I went through.
“You could pick another one,” I remind her. She’s such a copycat.
“Shut up.”
After several weak attempts, Flora manages to pass through. Sara is quiet but smiling.
“Now can I go to bed?” Ugh. Why did I have to put on lip gloss? Why didn’t I just wait until I reached Chase’s driveway? I could’ve avoided all of this.
“Yes, Laney. Tomorrow we’ll have a very busy day, so I suggest you spend the night resting,” says Sara.
Flora eyes Sara and asks, “What’s tomorrow?”
Wp>
“You’ll learn how to move objects.”
So, I’ll be able to throw stuff at my enemies? Wow. Being a ghost is sweeter than I thought.
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chapter seven • flora
There’s nothing like realizing you’re as good as dead. I bet my family thinks I’m either at Mia’s or on the streets somewhere. They have this preconceived idea imbedded in their brains that I’m some sort of drug addict. Actually, most people think I’m one. Truth is: I haven’t done drugs a day in my life—unless you count the time I had my wisdom teeth removed and I ate pain medication like it was candy.
“Flora?” Sara’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “Are you awake?” She opens the bedroom door, a teacup in hand.
“Yeah.”
“Did you sleep well?”
I sit up. I’ve been i
n the same position since last night—lying on my back, staring at the ceiling, thinking. “Not really, but I’ll make it.”
“I’ve made tea,” she says, raising her cup a little.
“I don’t drink tea.”
“Oh,” she says. All emotion leaves her face, like I just killed her again. I guess I insulted her. “That’s a shame. Well, when you’re ready to begin today’s lesson, I’ll be in the living room.”
Living room. How ironic.
As she closes the bedroom door behind her, my mind returns to memories of my family. Are they searching for me? Do they even wonder where I am, or do they think I’m with Mia? By now, they should’ve known something was wrong, especially if they called Mia’s house. Mia would’ve told them I wasn’t there. Panic would’ve briefly flitted through their heads. I can almost see the whole scene play out before me like a movie.
But if they have put two and two together, then they should know I don’t have any hiding places, I was drinking before I left Mia’s, and I was tipsy by the time I left. If Mia’s bothered to text or call me (and I’m sure she has), then she most likely thinks I’m ignoring her after our little spat.
The ordeal with Laney missing should also be some form of indication. Chase is probably frantic by now, wondering where she is. Let’s hope he’s called the cops.
Oh, man. We really need to speed things up so we can get back and haunt the shit out of our families. Dying isn’t an option at this point.
And what if…what if this is all just a terrible dream? Squeezing my eyes closed, I begin chanting, oomS“Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.”
“Umm…what are you doing?” Laney’s annoying voice catches me off guard, and I nearly jump out of my spirit form.
“None of your business.” If this is a dream, I can make her go away. Closing my eyes once again, I recite, “Laney leaves, and I wake up.” I open one eye, followed by the other, sighing heavily when I realize it didn’t work.
Laney leans against the doorframe. “Who are you talking to?”
“We were never in a car accident, we’re not in Lichburn, and you’re not really speaking to me right now,” I say.
She folds her arms. “I hate to break it to you, but this isn’t a dream. How could we dream the same dream?”
“I’m not listening to you. You’re just an invention of my mind.” I rub the sides of my head, humming to drown her out.
She attempts to chat, but when she comprehends that I’m not listening, she stomps down the hall.
I think I’m going crazy.
Snatching a pillow from the bed, I bury my face and scream. I doubt Laney or Sara can hear me—and if they can, I don’t care.
After pulling myself together (and punching my pillow a few times), I enter the living room with the reminder that I’m almost dead. My body is out there, somewhere through a portal. It’s worn out and bloodied and dying.
“Glad you could join us,” Sara says.
Sucking in a deep breath and exhaling through my mouth, I murmur, “Not like I have a choice.”
“And I’m so happy to see you, too,” Laney mocks.
I will beat her up before this is over with, I swear. For now, though, I need to keep my head on straight, just long enough that I can get my ass out of here and tell my family where I’m at.
“So, what are we learning today?” I ask, compelling my legs to move toward the couch. For some reason, my spirit feels weaker. I hope it’s not a side effect of being a temporary ghost.
Or maybe my physical self is nearly gone.
“Follow me.” Sara picks up a filthy book on her way out the front door. Laney and I stay close behind her. Outside, she places the book on a small stone table. “Watch.”
Her hand runs through both the book and the table.
“Wait. How are we able to connect with stuff in there,” I say, pointing toward the door, “but we can’t touch anything out here? Last night, we couldworht, we barely learn how to run our hands through anything, yet out here it comes naturally. It’s the exact opposite.”
Sara’s lips turn into a knowledgeable smile prior to answering, “This area is linked to your reality, and not a part of Lichburn. We haven’t learned the specifics of why this is just yet, but the Elders are focusing more of their time on the link and less time on deporting souls. We don’t know why it’s connected to the human life, only that it prevents us from handling anything other than what’s inside our homes. Nevertheless, if we focus enough energy, we’re able to override the system, in a manner of speaking.”
I think I just got my first mind fuck of the day.
Laney groans. “That explains everything.”
“I know it’s hard to grasp, but there is good training that comes from this: we can pick up items,” Sara explains.
I don’t know. What if she’s just feeding us this mumbo jumbo and we’re really stuck in Lichburn for eternity?
“Let’s see you do it, then,” I say, motioning toward the aged book.
Sara smiles, but it’s totally creepy. Like she knows she’s badass and can throw that book at my face if she wants to.
And I’m right.
Minus the book-throwing part, of course.
“Five bucks says I’ll get this before Flora does,” Laney starts in. That girl has it coming to her.
I retort, “Let’s pretend we’re back in the real world. ‘Oh, hi, Mommy and Daddy! Can I use your plastic? I, like, totally have to go shopping, even though I went yesterday.’ Yeah, that five bucks isn’t even yours to bet.” It’s true, though. I’ve never seen parents dish out so much green on their kids. Yes, Mia’s included in that mix. At least she doesn’t blow her money in one place, though.
“I need you to concentrate, please,” Sara says, observing the two of us. “This will take longer than our practice session did last night.”
“Whatever,” I say. “Let’s just get it over with. I want out of this place.”
“Same,” says Laney.
“Only one at a time,” Sara advises. “Now, this might be overwhelming at first, but once you learn how to focus your power, this task becomes easier.”
Sara motions for me to stand beside her. I can’t help but snicker at Laney. Eat that, cupcake.
“Please center every feeling in your body and mi> < body and on this one object. If you can achieve that, then you will hold the book,” Sara says, placing my hand near the ragged thing.
Trying to clear my head—and not think about what’s happening at home, why I’m here in the first place, or if I’ll make it out alive—is like dangling meat in front of a lion and telling it not to eat. It doesn’t happen. But for the sake of my wanting to leave this place, I suck it up.
Waves of pinpricks dance up and down my arms, and the rest of my body follows. I think I might be glowing, but I can’t stop long enough to check. I have to do this. I have to concentrate. The feeling intensifies as electrical bolts shoot out in all directions, and there is no care left in my entire being.
Then, as if it’s reaching out toward me with extended arms, the book situates itself in my grasp.
“Keep it alive,” Sara urges. “Don’t give up.”
I wish I could see Laney’s face right now.
The book falls onto the table with a thwack.
“No! What happened?” I stare at it like it’ll magically sprout wings and flutter to my hand.
“You lost your concentration for whatever reason.” Sara eyes me like she knows what I was thinking. “Once you break the spell, there’s no keeping it. You have to start over.”
My mind doesn’t comprehend what I just experienced, that spikes of electricity were at my fingertips. It’s all one big jumble of confusion and elation in my head.
Somewhat speechless, I say the first thing that pops into my mind: “That was weird.”
Laney rolls her eyes and adds, “Anything involving you is weird.”
Before I can award her with a smartass reply, Sara harnesses her energy and picks up
the book, acting like she’s handing it to me.
“What are you doing?” I ask, knowing that I can’t just take it from her.
She smiles warmly. “I want you to knock the book out of my hand.”
“What?”
“Use your anger.”
Everything clicks. I should’ve seen this all along—it’s Laney’s face, she’s running her mouth about something stupid, and I smack the piss out of it. A dream finally comes true.
Here goes nothing. I rear my arm back and swing…directly through the book. Sara gives me a reassuring nod, and I mentally prepare myself for a second round. You can do this, Flora. The same thing happens—I miss. But on the third attempt, the hardcover soars across the gray, grassy zone and lands nearby.
“Good. Keep trying,” Sara says, pushing me to the limit.
All of this work has left me exhausted. Do the dead have some form of nourishment that gives them extra drive? Like, phantom mojo or something? Too bad I can’t lean on the table for support.
“Why do I feel sick?”
“The longer you’re away from your body, the more fragile you become. When you use excess energy that’s been controlled, it deteriorates your corpse, because you’re still linked.”
“So the more I use, the worse it is for me? As in, the actual me?”
Conveying her oh-so-important opinion on the matter, Laney says, “That’s stupid.”
But for once, I actually agree with her. If practicing is only going to kill us, then what’s the point? When we arrive in this Shadowlands place, we won’t have enough energy to apply what we’ve learned here. Sara might as well send us to the Elders.
“You have to learn how to control it, only moving objects out of necessity rather than pleasure,” Sara informs us.
“So, you can’t annoy the crap out of people you hate?” Laney asks, looking confused as ever. I don’t think she’d understand what’s going on even if Sara drew a picture.
“Not unless you’re expecting a death wish,” I say. My answer may not be as nice as Sara’s, but at least it’s honest.
“I don’t remember asking you,” Laney retorts.
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