“But I am sick!”
He waved his hand again, slicing off my complaint. “We made a bargain. And if you fail to live up to your part of it, then I will retaliate. You will find yourself confined to your room at DeHaven, where the fashionable clothing is a straitjacket. And Hunter will go to Camp Challenge.”
“You can’t do that to him! You promised.”
“And you gave me a promise, too—which you will fulfill. Do you understand?”
Tugging the blankets close to my chest, my heart thumped a beat of terror. I tried to think of something to say. But there wasn’t a way out—except to surrender.
“All right,” I whispered.
“Excellent.” He smiled with smug satisfaction. “You should wear the blue Lexie gown tonight. It’ll go nicely with your eyes.”
Then he turned and left.
I could have called Dustin or Eli or Alyce, but I didn’t. Not because I didn’t trust them—but because I couldn’t trust myself. If they offered to rescue me, I’d be tempted to let them, abandoning Hunter. Besides, I was too ashamed to tell anyone what I’d promised to do, as if Mr. Montgomery’s demands made me less of a person.
The day lingered on, as slowly and painfully as torture. I alternated staring at the ceiling and watching mindless TV reruns. I only ate a few bites of lunch, then went back to staring at nothing.
Later, Angie came to help me get ready for the Reception. Her dark eyes were surprisingly kind as she set out a blue low-cut gown, silver heels, and a sapphire necklace. “Do you need help getting dressed?”
“No, I’m fine.” I shook my head.
I shouldn’t be here. I should be on my way to the hospital. I was letting everyone down—Mom, Dad, Dustin, Alyce, Eli … and Leah. Especially Leah. I couldn’t save her this time. What would happen to her? Maybe she’d stay with Grammy and work as a Temp Lifer. I could trust my grandmother to take care of her. Unfortunately, I couldn’t trust myself to do anything right.
Always going the wrong way …
But what choice did I have? Dark Lifer Dad may be gone with the DD Team, but the real Mr. Montgomery was still here. He owned this body, paid for through bribes and threats. He’d never ever let me leave.
At least with me here, Hunter would be safe. I’d help Mrs. Montgomery stay sober. And in the future, Leah would score higher than any of her teachers expected in math.
Math …
Numbers, dashes and names tickled my memory.
And I lit up with an insight as explosive as fireworks.
“Ohmygod!” I cried out, sitting up in bed. “That’s it!”
“What’s it, Leah?” Angie immediately rushed to my side. “Are you all right?”
“Better than all right,” I said with a nervous giggle.
I’m sure she thought I was crazy, but I’d never been saner.
Watch out Mr. Montgomery, I thought. Amber Borden is taking you down.
I did not put on makeup, fix my hair or slip into that amazingly gorgeous blue Lexie designer gown.
What I did do was call Dustin and fill him in. He checked a few things for me online, confirming my suspicions. Then I turned on the computer scanner and made some highly important copies, which I printed out.
After that I looked for Luis, but couldn’t find him. So I asked Angie instead, and was surprised, pleased, and relieved when she agreed to be a messenger for me.
Then I was ready. Trembling with nerves, I slipped on casual jeans and a plain T-shirt and went to face my enemy.
My smile faded with each step toward Mr. Montgomery. I second-thought and mentally double-checked what I planned to say. Suddenly there were lots of holes in my scheme. What if I was wrong? But no … I couldn’t let myself think negatively. Positive thoughts brought positive outcomes.
My life—and Leah’s—counted on this.
“Leah, why aren’t you dressed?” Mr. Montgomery was looking in a mirror, straightening his striped gray tie.
“Uh … I … um …”
“Well, what is it? I hope you’re not still pretending to be sick.”
“No … it’s not that.”
He tapped his fingers on the dresser. “Then hurry to your room and get ready.”
I lifted my shoulders and exhaled. “I-I’m not going,” I said.
“Leah, Leah … ” He sighed wearily. “We’ve already been through this.”
“No we haven’t.”
“Don’t cross me,” he warned. “You know what I’m capable of doing.”
“But you have no idea what I could do to you.” I matched the warning in his tone with one of my own. “I know about your payoffs to Congressman Donatello.”
“What?” He chuckled. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“It’s true, and you know it.”
“You have no grasp of my complicated business dealings.”
“I do,” I said firmly, feet planted, gaze steady, hands tight around the papers.
“This is not amusing.”
“I wasn’t amused either when I found my name on your papers.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m totally serious—and I have the documents to prove it.” I held out the papers. “These are proof that you made excessive donations to the Congressman in an account under my name: Leah Ashland. My first and middle name. There’s also an account under Hunter’s first and middle name, too.”
“My business is not your concern.” He reached out for the papers but I jumped back.
“I checked the numbers and contribution laws, and it’s obvious you’ve contributed more than the legal limit to the congressman’s accounts. Coincidentally, the payoffs happened when a bill came up for a vote on regulating radio stations’ song selection—a bill that Congressman Donatello ended up voting down.”
His jaw dropped, but then snapped shut and tightened. His gaze narrowed at me and his hands knotted to fists. “Give me those papers.”
“If you insist.” I shrugged and handed them over.
His grabbed them—then ripped them up, white shreds trailing to the carpet. “So you think you’re so smart?” he sneered. “Stupid little girl—you should know better than to defy me. You’ll never win. And after the party tonight, I’ll deal with you.”
“No, you won’t,” I said simply. Instead of being afraid, I felt more powerful than ever. He wasn’t a Dark Lifer. He was only human, and not nearly as smart as he thought. “You will never touch me or order me around again.”
“You don’t issue the orders here.”
Instead of arguing, I asked, “Do you really think I’d just hand over the papers?”
“What?” He looked down at the floor, then back at me.
“You ripped up a copy. The original papers are safe with a friend—who is very politically connected and will post the information on blogs around the world unless I tell him not to.”
“You’re lying,” he accused.
“Do you really want to find out?”
His blustering anger made him red in his face, and if I hadn’t stepped back I’m sure he would have hit me. Instead, he took a deep breath, and seemed to consider his options. His frown deepened.
“Leah, I’m very hurt by your behavior,” he said sadly. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost believe he was sincerely hurt. “But if you strongly don’t want to go out tonight, I won’t force you. Since I’m doing what you want, will you give me the original papers?”
“I don’t have them. My friend does.”
“Ah … the friend.” He regarded me cautiously. “Well … fine. But don’t do anything rash. I’m sure we can come to an agreement. You wouldn’t want to cause any embarrassment for your family.”
“That’s right,” I agreed. “I care about both of my families.”
“Both?” He was puzzled.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“There are a lot of things I don’t understand—about these last few days and especially you. You’ve changed so much you seem like
you’re a completely different person.” His shoulders slumped. “So, what should I do about tonight?”
“Surprise everyone,” I said with heavy sarcasm. “Take your wife.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out Leah’s car keys.
Then I left the Montgomery house.
Forever … I hoped.
The hospital room was just as I remembered—except this time I wasn’t alone. Dustin, Alyce and Eli closed around me for support while I knelt by the bed where my real body slept peacefully.
I wasn’t sure how Dustin got permission for all of us to visit. I was just grateful for his help—especially when a few hours earlier he’d met Angie outside the Montgomery house to pick up the highly explosive papers.
When I met with him and the others in the waiting room, Dustin said he was glad to see me but sort of disappointed that my plan had worked so well.
“I was ready to blast the Montgomery papers across blogs everywhere,” he added. “But I’d rather have you than fame.”
I smiled and squeezed his hand, grateful to have loyal friends who rushed in to help with unconditional support. I’d even found support from an unexpected source. When I’d arrived at the hospital, Security Guard Karl came over with a smile.
“I’m not sure why, but I have an overwhelming urge to say thank you.” His hands no longer misted with dark grayness. “So, thank you.” Then he escorted us through the “No Admittance” doors and up to Room 311.
“It’s almost six,” Alyce announced, pointing to the wall clock.
“Just three minutes and twenty-two seconds.” Eli came over and put his hand on my shoulder. “Just enough time for this …”
He pulled me close and pressed his lips against mine. They were soft and sweet, with a taste of nutty humor. “That was good-bye to Leah,” he said.
“She doesn’t know what she’s missing,” I whispered. “Your brother could learn from you.”
Eli laughed. “Now that’s a first.”
“The first of many,” I said with promise.
Then he glanced at the clock. “Just one minute.”
Tensing, I stared down at the hospital bed where my real body slept peacefully, breathing on her own without any machines. I took my own hand and thought of all the things people said at the memorial. Some of it was crap, of course, but most of it genuine. I never realized I had that many friends, but I guess I did. No matter who I looked like, I would be okay.
“Something’s happening,” Alyce cried out, sounding a little afraid.
The room seemed to brighten, as if a sunny window had been opened, but the blinds on the hospital window were closed. I held tightly to my body’s hand, closing my eyes but still seeing the light. Expanding, wonderful warm, loving light. And through my closed eyes I saw Leah coming closer, hand-in-hand with my Grammy Greta. In this surreal realm, she looked like Leah and I looked like Amber. The strangest thing was that nothing seemed strange at all. Being together, the three of us, seemed natural.
“I’m ready,” Leah told me. Her hair shone and she glowed with a beauty that came from the inside.
“I’m ready, too,” I said.
“Thanks for everything,” Leah told me. “Your grandmother’s explained what you’ve done. I don’t even know you … but I guess you know a lot about me. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Just read your journal when you get back.”
“Grammy says my body—the one you’ve been living in—will remember some of what happened while I was gone. Thanks for taking care of me. I couldn’t handle it on my own.”
“I’m glad to help,” I said, and I sincerely meant it.
Grammy Greta touched my cheek. “That’s part of what makes you so special.” In this strange, dreamlike place, we faced each other. “You’re so good at helping others; you’re the right person for Temp Lifer missions. Don’t be surprised if you’re called on to help when you least expect it.”
“Really?” I asked, flattered. “You’ll let me help?”
“Count on it. It could happen sooner than you expect, but if it does, don’t worry. Rest assured I’ll watch out for your real body. I’m always close by for you.”
“I know that now,” I said giving her a hug.
Then all the bright light swirled around like a shaken snow globe. I saw Leah waving and felt my grandmother’s touch slip away.
I thought excitedly about my body, eager to be me again—and to kiss Eli “hello” for real. It would be so cool to hang out with him at school, holding hands and saying all the corny stuff couples said to each other. I felt myself falling, spinning, diving forward to the life I loved.
Somewhere nearby, a dog barked.
Then everything faded …
… to black …
My eyes flew open.
I stared up at a heavy metal poster plastered on the ceiling.
Huh? I wondered. What was a poster doing on a hospital wall?
Something felt … odd.
I lifted my head, wisps of straight hair tickling my face. Not curly hair? I reached up and realized that my hair was shoulder length. And the hand that flashed by my face had thin fingers with square French-tipped nails. This was not a hospital room.
Fear shot through me. Where was I?
But that wasn’t the most important question.
Grammy Greta—what have you done to me?
Slowly, I sat up from a twin bed I’d never seen before. I stepped across discarded clothes I’d never worn before. And I stood before a mirror to ask the dreaded question.
Who was I?
The face staring back at me was familiar—but we’d never met. She had dark spiky hair, wide blue eyes, and rounded cheekbones. She was older than me—at least twenty-one—with an edgy aura that hinted at dark secrets.
I’d seen her face only once before—in a photograph on Eli’s wall.
My new name was Sharayah Rockingham.
I was my boyfriend’s sister.
The End.
Amber’s List of Self-Help Books
1. Positive Persuasion
2. The Cool of Confidence
3. Networking Works!
4. Becoming Your Destiny
5. Create Happiness Through Happen-Ness
6. Celebrities Are People, Too
7. The Bait of Debate
8. Grab Life with Both Hands
9. Leaders on Board
10. Chill Out, Charge Forward
Disclaimer: None of these books exist, although they may be found in Charles de Lint’s fictional dreamlands in Mr. Truepenny’s shop of books that were never written.
About the Author
Linda Joy Singleton lives in northern California. She has two grown children and a wonderfully supportive husband who loves to travel with her in search of unusual stories.
She is the author of more than thirty books, including the series Regeneration, My Sister the Ghost, Cheer Squad, and, from Llewellyn, Strange Encounters and The Seer series. Visit her online at www.LindaJoySingleton.com.
Table of Contents
Cover
Acknowledgments
Title_Page
Copyright
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Nine
Thirty
Thirty-One
Thirty-Two
Thirty-Three
Amber's_List
About_the_Author
Dead Girl Walking Page 22