Wide Awake - Academy of the Fallen Series @page { margin-bottom: 5.000000pt; margin-top: 5.000000pt; } � WIDE AWAKE ACADEMY of the FALLEN by Daniele Lanzarotta Credits Written by Daniele Lanzarotta Edited by Frank Monahan Art direction Meredith Hancock Front cover photography © Ivan Bliznetsov Published by Rocket Science Productions © Copyright 2011 Daniele Lanzarotta All rights reserved ISBN-13 978-1-937121-00-6 eISBN-978-1-937121-01-3 Library of Congress Control Number 2011929652 Dedication � � To Richard (Hubby and newly added test audience!) ONE � My life had been pretty normal until that point.� I went to a private high school in LA, where I lived with my adoptive parents.� I did pretty decent at school, especially for someone who didn’t try very hard.� I had awesome friends, and an okay boyfriend, I mean, I thought he was great at the time, but a lot of people saw him as a jerk, but whatever�Ś Boy!� Was I wrong? That day, I woke up and then spent probably the next half hour scanning through my closet.� On a normal day, we would wear the school’s uniform, but the school principal gave us a free pass that day, since we had a field trip.� As long as we were dressed in what he considered decent, which was code for boring, we didn’t have to wear the school’s uniform. I went downstairs, grabbed something to eat and walked out the door, getting in my Audi R8, that I had just got for my birthday.� It took me forever to talk Kelly and Andrew, my adoptive parents, into getting me that car.� They had the illusion that I was going to drive some kind of SUV! Andrew and Kelly were great.� They pulled me out of foster care when I was about to turn four years old, so they were like my real parents; the only parents I knew, but when it came to safety, they were a little over-protective. So�Ś school field trip!� Who would have thought that would mess up my so-called normal life? *** We weren’t at that silly museum but for a couple of hours.� And then, my boyfriend Justin pulls me aside from the class because he wanted to talk.� Like he couldn’t talk at any other time of the day, right? So I followed him into one of the rooms along the hallway and just as soon as I got the hint that he was trying to break-up with me, I turned things around on him. �śYeah, I wanted to talk to you too,” I said. And then I jumped right into what I wanted to say before he could break-up with me first. �śThis isn’t working out, Justin.” He seemed surprised at first and then he just looked totally pissed-off. �śWell, glad you agree, because I have been kinda dating your friend Ashley too.” Okay, minus one on my awesome friends list.� Lucky me, I could put on an act.� Not showing any reaction I looked into his eyes and said, �śGood.� You two are perfect together.” Justin turned around and stormed out of the door.� What did he expect me to do? Cry and beg him to stay? Needing a moment to get myself together, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.� I was good at putting on an act, but that didn’t mean that wasn’t hurtful.� Okay, I had only been dating Justin for about a month, but Ashley had been my friend for a long time. Point was�Ś that tough act, was just that, an act.� Yes, I was just 16, but I had already learned how to hurt people before they could hurt me.� That was my own defense mechanism.� I would break-up with boyfriends, (not that I had many until now, I mean, I was only 16) as soon as I thought they were about to break-up with me.� I would end a friendship as soon as I saw a friend get closer to someone else.� It just made things easier. Ashley kinda caught me off-guard though.� Ugh, I hated when that happened.� I was furious and I really hoped that my two other friends, Jess and Emily didn’t know about it.� Right away I knew I would have to get to them before Ashley did.� Ashley could have Justin all to herself, but I wasn’t going to sit and watch her take my two best friends too. Unfortunately, me knowing that I needed to find Emily and Jess as soon as possible, wasn’t enough to make me rush out of there.� I ended up hanging out in that room for a while.� Not because I found anything interesting in that room, on the contrary, it was all a bunch of junk�Ś but I used my time alone to check my text messages and totally lost track of time. I took another deep breath and just when I was getting ready to walk out of that room and go try to find the rest of the class, I heard a noise from the room next to the one I was in.� I was afraid that whoever that was had heard Justin and me earlier, and would go on to spread rumors around the school.� I instantly thought that rumors were the last thing I needed, although that was inevitable.� Still, I couldn’t help myself from going into that room to find out who that was and how much he or she had heard. I walked in there and at first I didn’t see anyone.� I heard someone sobbing, but that was it.� I took a look around and in the back of that room, behind this awful old looking desk there was a girl hiding. �śUmm, hey.� Are you okay?” The girl turned around and it was clear that she was looking scared.� I assumed she was probably lost.� She looked younger than me�Ś. probably about twelve years old, and I felt sorry for the girl, because whoever shopped for her clothes was in deep need of a visit to the mall, or maybe some fashion magazines.� The girl didn’t say anything. �śI’m Kayla.� What is your name?” �śCarolyn,” she said, still sobbing. I was trying to rush; I really had to catch up with the rest of my class�Ś �śAre you lost, Carolyn?”� I asked. She nodded. I looked out in the hallway, and saw a tour guide. I turned back around to face her and let her know someone who could help her was on the way, but the girl was gone. �śOkay then�Ś” The tour guide approached me.� �śNeed help finding something?” he asked. I told him about the girl and he said he would take a look around.� There had been a couple of other schools there that day.� Then he used his walkie-talkie to find out where my class was. So, I had missed the entire field trip.� Not that I really cared�Ś� Outside, everyone was already getting into the school bus.� I saw Justin and Ashley, all over each other, but what I was pleased to see were Jess and Emily as far away from them as they could have possibly been, and they both looked disgusted. I noticed that a couple of people stopped what they were doing when they saw me walking out of the museum.� It was one of those moments when you feel as if everyone is watching your every move.� � They were probably trying to catch my reaction in seeing Justin and Ashley together, but I just lifted my head up, smiled, and walked toward Jess and Emily. They both waited until I got there and then, Jess whispered, �śWhat the�Ś” I quickly interrupted her.� �śI dumped him.� He must have seen it coming because apparently he had been with Ashley for a few days, I guess�ŚOh well!” �śBut�Śwe didn’t know you were thinking about breaking up with him,” Emily said, sounding disappointed. �śSorry guys, I kinda wasn’t sure about it at first, I wanted to be sure it was definite before I told you.” Emily sounded more cheerful now.� �śThat makes sense.� Well, it looks like you made the right choice.� I just can’t believe that skank would go after him like that though.” �śEh�Ś I guess they are kinda perfect for each other in a skanky kinda of way,” I laughed. Jess, Emily and I got in the bus to go back to school and face a day that was about to get weirder and weirder. TWO � On the ride back to school, I talked my best friends’ ears off.� That was my way of showing them how much I didn’t care about Justin and Ashley.� Justin and Ashley sat a few seats in front of us and every once in a while, especially when we laughed out loud, Justin tried to discreetly look back.� I guessed the way I turned things around, breaking up with him before he could do that to me, really got to him because he didn’t look too happy.� Jess and Emily were already spreading the news that I had been the one who broke-up with Justin, and it was obvious that once he heard that everyone knew what had happened, well, what I manipulated to happen, Justin would be even more furious. We finally got to school and Jess, Emily and me were walking toward the parking lot when we heard Ashley calling out to us. �śHey guys, wait!� I need a ride.” I turned to Jess and Emily, �śShe must be kidding, right?” They both looked back at Ashley and gave her an evil look that I was glad I wasn’t on the receiving end.� Ashley didn’t say anything.� She just turned around and went the other way.� Jess and Emily said they were going shopping and asked me to go, but as much as I hated to say no, I had to catch up on my chores before Kelly started taking away my privileges. Last month, I had actually hired a cleaning service to get my chores done.� This month, those four hundred dollar boots put me in a hole for the month�Ś but it was well worth it. I got home, did my chores, which took way longer than I expected.� Then, I did my dreadful homework while I watched some lame reality TV show.� It was one of those that was so pathetic that you knew you were just never going to get that time back, yet, I couldn’t turn away from the drama. Kelly and Andrew had car-pooled that day, so they got back from work at the same time. Andrew said that he was taking Kelly out to some charity event for his work and asked if I minded ordering some take-out, which was way fine by me. After eating some yummy pizza that I would have to workout triple hard at the gym to get rid of all those calories, I grabbed Kelly’s laptop (I wasn’t allowed to have a computer in my room)�Ś and went to my room. My room was actually pretty awesome.� I had no complaints there.� It was huge and well furnished, other than missing a damn computer�Ś I walked in and turned the lights on.� I put the laptop on my bed, took my shoes off and got on the bed, getting ready to check on Ashley’s Facebook to see what kind of lies she was already making up. I had just got on the website when my cell phone started to ring, scaring me to death.� I had actually changed my ring-tone that morning and I totally forgot about it.� I looked at the caller ID to see that it was Justin. I was kind of curious to know what he wanted�Ś So I finally picked up the phone, probably right before it was about to go to voice mail. �śWhat?”� I said as I answered. �śKayla, don’t hang up!” �śFine!� What do you want, Justin?” �śKay, I made a mistake.� I am sorry.� We are the ones who are perfect together�Ś Can’t we just like, get back together?” Okay, didn’t see that coming.� I was tempted to say yes, just to get back at Ashley.� I could always break-up with him again in a day or so. I was just about to agree when I heard the sound of someone sobbing coming from outside of my room. �śKelly?”� Sometimes, she didn’t answer, just to get me to call her mom�Ś”Mom?” Nothing. �śIs everything ok, Kay?� Is that a yes or no, to my question?” he asked before me even answering whether I was okay.� Jerk! �śJustin, I don’t have time for this, I gotta go,” and I hung-up on him. I walked to my door and the sobbing seemed more distant than before. �śAndrew? �Ś Anyone home?” No answer.� Great! It sounded like the sobbing was coming from downstairs.� I followed the noise, holding my phone and having it ready to dial 911, even though the smart thing would have been locking myself in my room and calling someone.� I always made fun of scary movies because people never think things through, and make the dumbest choices�Śfunny how that is just human nature, and acting on instinct is not always a good thing. I got downstairs, walked into the kitchen and the door leading to the basement was opened. �śYou have got to be kidding me!” I went to the kitchen counter, grabbed a knife and continued to follow the sobbing sound, which was just�Śstrange.� It was almost as if that sound had a volume switch, going from extremely high to barely noticeable at times.� �śYou know�Ś whoever you are, I already called the cops, so you might as well just show yourself now,” I lied, hoping that would scare whoever it was. I opened the door to the basement all the way, grabbed a flashlight and went down the stairs. The closer I got, I realized how familiar that sobbing sounded.� Okay, so now I’m getting paranoid. I used the flashlight to see inside the basement, but there was nothing�Ś. just that sound.� When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I turned the basement light on. The noise was coming from the closet.� I put the flashlight and my cell phone down, and firmly grabbed the knife with both hands to stop myself from shaking so much.� I walked toward the closet door.� Freeing one of my hands from holding the knife, I swung the door open as fast as I could. I didn’t know if I felt relieved or freaked out.� Sitting all curled up in the corner there was the lost girl from the museum�Ś Carolyn. THREE � How did you get in here?� I asked Carolyn, who was still sitting in the corner of my basement closet. She didn’t say anything.� She sat there, trembling, just staring at me as if she had seen a ghost. I realized that I was still holding the knife and I got rid of it right away.� I was probably scaring her to death, holding the knife like that. I tried to sound calm, so that maybe I could get her to talk. �śDid you follow me here?” She nodded. �śYou couldn’t find anyone at the museum?” She shook her head.� Still not saying a word. Something was clearly not right, I mean, even if she got in the school bus without anyone seeing her, she wouldn’t know where I lived.� I drove home from school and she was certainly not in my car. Still controlling my voice to sound calm, I asked, �śDo you want to tell me how you really got here?” She shook her head once again.� Okay, this is so not going well. I grabbed my cell.� �śWhat is your parents’ number?� I will call them for you.” She shrugged. Great! �śYou do at least know your address, right?”� I asked her. She nodded.� Okay, we are making progress. �śOkay.� That is good.� How about we get out of this basement and I will take you home.” She hesitated. �śCome on, you can’t exactly stay here.” Carolyn slowly got up and walked out of the closet.� She was still shaking, as if she was cold.� I told her we would go by my room and get her something warm to wear and then I would take her home. She followed me to my room, not saying a word, just looking around.� Once in my room, I showed her where my walk-in closet was and told her to pick out a sweater.� I went to my bed, grabbed Kelly’s laptop to put it back in her room, just in case she got home before I did.� I also wrote her and Andrew a note.� I would have called them but they were probably too busy at their charity dinner.� After putting the laptop back in Kelly’s room, I went back to my room and got my shoes on. Carolyn?� I called out her name.� Okay, so letting a stranger alone in my room�Ś That was smart!� Kelly and Andrew really need to work on this alarm system�Ś� Carolyn?� I called her again, after not getting any response. She still didn’t make a sound.� I walked over to where I had left her.� I was already losing my patience, which wasn’t that great to begin with.� Carolyn stood in the middle of my closet, just looking around. �śAre you ready to go?”� I asked. She nodded.� I hoped she didn’t live too far, or this would be one long ride. I noticed that she was still shaking. �śDon’t you need a sweater or something?� You can pick whichever one you want.” She looked as if she was going to reach for a sweater, but she stopped herself and shook her head. I looked at her, confused.� �śAlright.� Let’s go, then.” Carolyn followed me downstairs.� �śI’m just going to set the alarm and lock the door.� You can go ahead and get in my car.� It is the R8 in the driveway.” She looked at me confused. I rolled my eyes at her, and then hoped that she didn’t see it or notice that my patience was gone. I took a deep breath. �śThe black car,” I said. She nodded and went to the car that I had now unlocked.� I almost thought about using the remote start, but something gave me the feeling that would probably scare her�Ś.� The girl was really starting to creep me out. I locked the front door and walked to my car.� As I got in, I noticed that Carolyn looked really uncomfortable, but I didn’t ask her why�Ś not like she was going to tell me anyway. �śOkay, I need your address, so you are gonna have to talk.”� That came out a lot harsher than I meant to.� I tried an apologetic smile but I don’t think she even noticed. Her voice was so low that I could barely hear, but she did give me an address.� I plugged it in the GPS as she watched my every move, and then I turned the radio on, knowing that would be the key to avoid the awkward silence. The address that she gave me wasn’t too far away.� It took about twenty minutes to get there, and her neighborhood didn’t seem too bad either.� I parked in front of the two-story house.� Even being dark outside, it was noticeable that her house was the only house in the neighborhood that didn’t have a well-kept lawn.� All lights were off and there was no car in the driveway. �śUmm.� Are you sure you will be okay?� Doesn’t seem like anyone is home.” �śI will be okay.� Thank you,” she said in a low voice. Carolyn started to reach for the door handle, and stopped.� She looked down, avoiding eye contact.� �śI am not sure how to open it.” You have got to be kidding me!� I thought to myself, hoping that she couldn’t read my expression. I started to show her how to, but�Ś again, lack of patience�Ś. I got out of the car, walked around and opened the door for her.� She got out, and thanked me again.� She even smiled this time, and I kinda felt bad for her. �śNo problem.� I will stay here and make sure you get in safely.” Her smile faded.� �śNo need to.� I have to go in through the back door.” �śOkay.� Well, I guess�Ś bye.” �śGood-bye,” she said, and then she went toward the back of the house, disappearing in the darkness. *** Traffic going back home was not that great.� I got home freaking forty minutes later.� Andrew and Kelly still weren’t home, so I took the note that I had left them and threw it away�Śone less thing to explain. I went to my room, took a shower and got ready for bed. I realized that I forgot to check Ashley’s Facebook to see what kind of rumors she was spreading, but I heard Kelly and Andrew downstairs, so I just went to the living room and used the computer that I was actually allowed to use. Surprisingly, there was nothing on Ashley’s page, but Justin had sent me a couple of messages saying he missed me. Ugh. �śWhat is wrong?”� Kelly asked. I shrugged.� �śNothing�Ś just broke-up with Justin today and he is trying to get back together.” Kelly didn’t care for Justin at all, but she also never passed up the opportunity to try and get closer, having mom-daughter talks, that type of thing. �śDo you want to talk about it?” she asked, eager to give advice. I usually gave in.� She and Andrew were always so nice.� They always went above and beyond to make me feel as if I belonged, and I did feel like I belonged. I even thought of them as my real mom and dad, but for some reason I just felt more comfortable calling them by their names. I turned away from the computer and looked at Kelly.� �śYeah, we can talk about it, but can we do it tomorrow?� I am exhausted.” Kelly smiled.� �śOf course we can, Kayla.� How about we go out to dinner tomorrow, just you and I?” �śSounds great,” I said cheerfully. With no hesitation, I deleted Justin’s messages and then went to my room. I really was exhausted.� I put my cell in the charger and went straight to bed. I was lying there for a few minutes when I heard a noise.� I couldn’t tell what it was, it wasn’t even that loud, but I could tell it was something in my room.� I turned the light on. I heard a strange noise coming from my closet.� It wasn’t that loud, and I had no idea what it was, although it sounded like fingernails scratching a wall and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to go to sleep unless the noise stopped. I opened the door, and was startled by the sight of Carolyn trying to reach for one of my sweaters. I didn’t even notice her reaction, I turned around and went running out of my room, screaming, �śMOM! ... DAD!” FOUR � Andrew and Kelly were upstairs within seconds; running into me right outside of my room.� The fact that I usually didn’t call them dad and mom had definitely sent them the message that something was wrong. �śWhat is wrong, Kayla?”� Andrew asked in an alarmed tone. �śThere is someone in my room!” Andrew didn’t even give me a chance to go any further�Ś to tell him that it was a kid and that she had been there earlier. He ordered Kelly and me to go downstairs and call the cops.� I considered making another attempt to tell him about Carolyn, but calling the cops to get her out of there for good was probably the best thing to do, so I just followed Kelly downstairs. I wasn’t sure what Andrew had in mind, but he was a smart guy.� I had slammed my bedroom door shut on my way out and I assumed he would probably just stand there and make sure no one got out, at least until the cops got to the house.� Besides, I didn’t think Carolyn would have been crazy enough to get out through the window, being that my room was after all, on the second floor of the house and it would have been a loooong way down. Downstairs, Kelly was freaking out, so I told her everything about Carolyn.� I told Kelly about how she was lost at the museum and she had somehow followed me home.� I told her that I had taken Carolyn to her house and that she must have turned around and somehow followed me again. Kelly was still shaking, but she seemed more relaxed now that she knew the stranger in the house was just a kid. The cops were still not there, so Kelly walked closer to the stairs, where she had a good view of the upstairs hallway and my bedroom door.� I followed her there.� As I had assumed, Andrew stood guard right outside of my bedroom.� Kelly yelled out to him that the person in my room was just a kid and that she was probably scared. �śYou should probably go in there and talk to her before she hears the cops coming and gets even more scared,” Kelly said, sounding much calmer than she was seconds before. Andrew reached for the door. �śHer name is Carolyn,” I said. Andrew looked at me confused, but didn’t say anything. He opened the door. �śCarolyn?� Can you come out and talk to us?” he asked. After not getting an answer, he walked into my room.� By that time, the cops were knocking on the front door. Kelly went to get the door and she was just on her way back with the cops, who she had already warned that it was a kid that we were dealing with, when Andrew came out of my room. �śUmm, there is no one in Kayla’s room,” he said, looking even more confused. Both cops seemed really nice.� They were both in their early thirties.� One of them, Officer Phillips, sounded and looked really tired.� He was the one who stayed to ask me questions, while his partner went around the house checking every room. I told Officer Phillips everything, including the address where I had taken Carolyn to when I gave her a ride home.� He listened carefully, and then he took a few minutes to go to his car to have someone check on that address. When he finally returned, his partner was already done doing his walk-through and he hadn’t found anything. Officer Phillips said that the house where I had dropped off Carolyn had been abandoned for months and that it was possible Carolyn was just a runaway kid looking for a place to hide. Andrew met his gaze, trying to reason with everything that was happening.� �śYeah, but she should still be in this house.� I was guarding Kayla’s bedroom door the entire time!” �śWell, Mr. Gallagher,” he said, as he addressed Andrew, �śThese kids can be real sneaky.” Officer Phillips then looked at me.� �śKayla, we need to talk to your mom and dad about securing the house a little better�Ś in private.” I shrugged.� �śGuess I will be in my room.” I went upstairs and walked into my room, leaving my bedroom door slightly open so that I could hear what they were saying. �śMr. Gallagher, do you have any reason to believe that your daughter made this up?” �śOf course not!”� Andrew said in a frustrated tone.� �śWhy would you even suggest that?” �śMr. Gallagher, there are no signs of anyone breaking in or out of your home�Ś the house at the address your daughter gave us has been unoccupied for months.� We sent someone to check it out and there were no signs of breaking and entering there either.”� Okay, the whole talk about kids like Carolyn being sneaky was just his way of not calling me a liar right to my face. �śKayla wouldn’t lie,” Andrew said in a firm voice. Andrew defending me was the only thing keeping me from losing my temper and going back downstairs. Kelly interrupted the conversation.� �śOh my god!” she said in an alarmed tone.� �śAndrew, honey�Ś I didn’t think much of it earlier, but when we got back home my laptop was not where I left it in our room.” �śWhat does that have to do with it, Kelly?” �śThe laptop was on the desk, right next to the envelope with the baby’s ultrasound pictures.� Kayla probably saw them and got upset.� I know it is not like her, but she probably wanted to get our attention...� We should have told her as soon as we found out I was pregnant.” I sat against my bedroom door, in shock.� Not because they hadn’t told me that they were having a baby, even though from what I was told that was impossible, but because they were actually insinuating that I had made this all up. The other cop, Officer Watson, interrupted them.� �śMrs. Gallagher, that is probably exactly what happened.� Kids do things to get attention all the time.� You should still have your alarm checked, but there really are no signs that anything happened.� Just have a talk with your daughter.” Andrew and Kelly thanked the cops for coming out and checking on everything and actually apologized for the trouble!” As soon as the cops left, Andrew and Kelly were in my room.� They weren’t mad.� They said they were going to have the alarm checked out and didn’t even mention Carolyn again.� They also didn’t mention their little private chat with the cops. They didn’t assume that I was snooping around in their room earlier; they didn’t even mention the ultrasound pictures.� They just told me the news, that I would have a baby brother or sister and apologized for not telling me earlier, that they were just trying to figure out how to tell me. Kelly and Andrew had been told years before that they weren’t able to have children.� They never told me the reasons, which I was glad.� Way too much information�Ś but not being able to have kids of their own led them to adopting me. Honestly, I was glad that they were having a baby.� That meant less time to focus on everything that I did.� But I was so mad that they thought I was lying and that they were playing it out like nothing had happened, that my reaction to the news of them having a baby probably led them to believe that the cops were right about everything they had said�Ś that I made it all up to get their attention. Kelly said we would talk more when we went to dinner the next day.� We said our good nights, Andrew turned my lights off, and they left my room. I was so pissed off that they thought I was lying.� I couldn’t even recall ever being that mad. I was running everything about Carolyn through my mind, trying to think of clues to prove that I wasn’t lying, which was totally messed up that I even had to prove myself.� But I just knew that bringing it up and arguing my case would do no good.� I remembered hearing scratching sounds coming from my closet before, when Carolyn was in there.� Clearly there had to be some kind of marks somewhere in that closet�Śsomething proving that had happened. I turned the lights back on.� I walked to my closet and opened the door. �śWhat the hell!”� I said, at the sight of Carolyn sitting in the back corner of my closed, just staring at the wall. This time I didn’t run, and I was certainly not letting her out of my sight.� I didn’t want to risk calling Andrew and Kelly, and having Carolyn somehow get away from me again, so this time, my plan was to take her to them. Carolyn still just stared at the wall, not reacting at all to me being there.� She was really creeping me out. I reached for her wrist.� I was determined to drag her to Andrew and Kelly’s room if I had to. As I attempted to grab her wrist, my hand went right through her. I stood there, with my mouth hanging open.� This time she looked at me, and she seemed just as scared as I was. �śWhat are you?”� I asked. She didn’t say anything.� She just stared at me, and then, she faded away. FIVE � I thought Carolyn was creepy before and now she had taken that to a whole new level.� Either she was a ghost or some other type of weird thing�Ś or I was going completely nuts.� � There was just no way I was going to spend that night in my room, not after that�Ś although Carolyn could probably just follow me wherever I went.� Heck!� In a way I was now hoping that I was imagining things and that her vanishing from right in front of me had been the end of it. I figured that Andrew and Kelly were probably sleeping by that time, so I decided to go to the living room.� I got on the computer thinking that if Carolyn was a ghost, she would probably have some relation to that address she gave me.� So I looked up the address history for that house and wasn’t able to find anyone by that name�Ś� Of course I didn’t have her last name, so I eventually gave up, convincing myself that I was losing my mind. Good.� I probably did imagine all of this.� � I mean�Ś that wasn’t really a good thing, but better imagining things than seeing ghosts and have it following you around. Now that I felt somewhat better about it, I moved myself away from the computer and lay down on the couch to watch TV. *** Kelly woke me up in the morning and I was already late for school.� Great! Being that I was already running late anyway, I took my time getting ready.� I was freaked out about going into my closet, but I managed it.� I walked in there, grabbed my school uniform, and I practically ran out of there. I was exhausted, and in much need of a stop at Starbucks before I went to school. Kelly and Andrew had left for work, and I considered just not going to school at all, but then I knew everyone would have thought it was because of the whole Justin and Ashley thing, so I figured I better at least show up. I got in my car, drove to Starbucks and then to school. I was about two hours late when I got there and went to my History class. One of my best friends, Emily, had that class with me.� I walked in, gave my pass to the Mr. Keenan and went to my seat, which was right in front of Emily. As soon as I sat down, Emily handed me a note that Justin had asked her to give me. Mr. Keenan walked by my desk and without even saying a word, confiscated the note, which I couldn’t care less about. Time couldn’t have gone by any slower in that class. We were all working on what could have been the most boring assignment ever, when I felt as if someone was watching me.� I just hated to be the topic of gossip.� That had happened a few times before, and there were always those few people who were just so curious that they couldn’t help but to stare�Ś� Totally annoying! I turned to my right to find that as I had anticipated, someone was staring.� I was surprised at first that it was actually a guy, which was unusual.� Girls are the ones famous for that type of thing.� I had actually never noticed this guy before.� He looked a little older, maybe a senior.� There was something weird about him.� His eyes were just dark and cold�Ś just meeting his gaze made my stomach turn.� He was definitely not my type!� Anyway, girls were usually the ones doing that type of thing, and my usual �Śwhat-is-your-problem’ look did not faze him at all.� He just grinned and kept staring. He then waved at me and I was just wondering what in the world was wrong with that guy.� I turned around to face Mr. Keenan, and somehow he missed that, which was totally weird.� Mr. Keenan always kept a close eye on the class and at any sign of disruption he would give us a whole lecture on respect, and blah�Ś blah�Ś blah. I waited until Mr. Keenan turned around, and looked to my right.� The guy was still there and he was still staring. This time, Mr. Keenan caught me.� �śIs there a problem Miss Gallagher?” I faced the front of the class again, �śNo, Sir.” Mr. Keenan gave a quick nod and then started walking around while everyone else worked on their assignments. I discreetly glanced to my right, and he was still staring.� That is enough!� I wondered how come Mr. Keenan wasn’t saying anything to him. I was just about to get Mr. Keenan’s attention; although I wasn’t even sure what exactly I was going to say.� I was starting to raise my hand when I heard a familiar voice coming from my left side, warning me.� �śDon’t.� You shouldn’t talk to him.� He is not really here and that will only get you in trouble.” As I turned to my left, Carolyn materialized right in front of me.� That scared me enough to make me jump. �śMiss Gallagher, are we not done with the interruptions for the day?”� Mr. Keenan asked in an annoyed tone. I knew I must have looked pale; I was shaking all over and I felt really hot. Emily interrupted before I could answer.� �śMr. Keenan, I don’t think she feels well.� She looks kinda pale.” Mr. Keenan approached my desk, took one look at me and said, �śI’m going to write you a pass.� You need to go see the nurse.� Do you need anyone to accompany you?” For Mr. Keenan to act like that, I assumed that I must have looked awful.� I just shook my head, and said the pass would be enough, no need for an escort to go two rooms down the hall. As I walked to Mr. Keenan’s desk, I noticed that everyone was staring at me.� Everyone, except for Carolyn and the guy who had both just faded away. I rushed out of the classroom and instead of going to the nurse; I went straight to the bathroom.� I was shaking and I felt as if I was going to pass out. Just as my breathing got under control and I thought about how glad I was to be alone in the bathroom, I looked at the mirror and I saw Carolyn materialize right behind me. I quickly turned around and started to back away from her.� I closed my eyes hoping she would disappear, but when I reopened my eyes, she was still there watching me.� I wanted to just turn around and run, but I needed answers. �śWhat are you?”� I asked her. Then the bathroom door opened and Ashley, the boyfriend stealing skank came in and Carolyn was gone. �śYou don’t look good,” Ashley said in an indifferent tone. �śYeah, well, neither do you.”� I turned around and left the bathroom. This time, I did go to the nurse, and managed to convince her that I was sick enough to where I needed to be dismissed from school. The nurse called Kelly and after much convincing, I talked Kelly into believing that I was okay to drive home; promising that I would call her as soon as I got there. I took my time walking to the parking lot.� I kept glancing around, expecting to see Carolyn or even the guy from class, but there was no one.� I was just getting in my car when I heard someone asking me to wait.� The voice was coming from right behind me.� Fortunately, this voice wasn’t spooky at all.� I turned around to see none other than Hunter Chambers standing behind me.� I assumed he had followed me out of my History class and I wondered what he could possibly want.� Hunter used to be pretty cool, I mean�Ś back in middle school he was friends’ with everyone, but then he left for a year or so and after he got back he just kept his distance from everyone.� He was cute.� He didn’t play any sports, but he definitely looked like he worked out.� He was tall, broad shoulders, brown hair with natural highlights that wouldn’t look right on just any guy, brown eyes�Ś� Literally the only thing he had going against him was that he was rude to everyone.� He acted as if he just wanted to be alone all the time. �śUmm.� I need to get going�Ś Can I help you with something?” �śNo, but I can help you,” he said. I gave him a puzzled look and laughed.� �śPlease, amuse me!� What do you think you can possibly help me with?� All I need is to go home and rest.” This time, he was the one laughing.� �śI know you see them too.� I can help you.” I felt sick to my stomach.� �śSee who?” He sighed.� �śYou know...them,” he said as he looked toward Carolyn, and then the one guy from class who had suddenly appeared a couple of steps behind Hunter. I tried to put on an act as if everything was normal, and I wasn’t sure it worked.� �śLook Hunter, I really don’t feel good and I need to get going�Ś and I’m thinking that maybe you should get seen by a doctor or nurse too.” I got in my car, and drove off.� As I looked in the reviewer mirror, all three of them stood there, watching me drive off.� Hunter and Carolyn, side-by-side, and a few steps back there stood the guy from my History class, but it wasn’t long before Carolyn was no longer with them. I slammed on the brakes when I realized that Carolyn was now sitting right next to me.� There was a car behind me, the driver honking the horn, so I managed to drive until I found the first empty parking lot and that is where I parked the car. �śWhat the hell are you?� How did you get in here?”� I asked. Carolyn started to fade again. �śOh, no!� You are not doing that again!” My warning did no good.� She disappeared. I punched the steering wheel, said a couple of not so nice words and took off.� When I got home, I went straight to my room.� I realized that Carolyn disappeared every time I started to attack her with questions, so I knew I had to prepare myself not to do that next time she decided to show up. I closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths and then I heard her voice. �śWho taught you that?” she asked. I opened my eyes and tried to remember to stay calm. �śTaught me to do what?”� I asked in a calm voice. �śTo summon me.” �śI – I’m not�Śsure.”� I assumed I had done that accidently when I was trying to focus on staying calm.� I took a deep breath.� �śWhat are you, Carolyn?”� She now seemed much more relaxed.� She smiled.� �śI’m a ghost.� Isn’t that obvious?” �śBut why is it that I can see you?” She shrugged.� �śSome people just can.� Usually little kids and pets are good at seeing us, but I never met one like you before.” �śWhat do you mean?” �śNo one could summon me before.”� She wasn’t smiling anymore.� �śI don’t like it.� It makes me feel like I’m being ordered around.” I looked at her, puzzled.� �śYou couldn’t just, not come?” �śNo.� Not when you summoned me like that.” �ś�Ś but I didn’t�Ś never mind.� You can go whenever you want.” She thanked me but she didn’t leave, which I was glad because I wanted to know more.� At the same time, I was afraid that the wrong questions would send her away. �śCan I ask you a question?”� I asked, assuming that she would feel in control if she had given me her permission. She looked around, nervously.� �śSure.” �śWhy are you here?� I mean, aren’t you supposed to be in heaven or something like that?” She laughed.� �śI have no idea.� I’ve been trapped since I died.� It’s been a couple of years and I lost track of time.” �śAnd you can’t just leave?” �śI can, but the farthest I can go is into the Otherworld, but I don’t like it there.� Here is better.” �śWhy don’t you like it there?” Her expression was overtaken by sadness.� �śThere are just too many lost and sad souls.”� She looked away and her tone was now tense.� �śI don’t want to talk about this anymore.” �śUmm, okay.”� I agreed being that I got more answers than I expected. �śSo, that guy in my class; the one that you warned me about.� Who is he?” �śI don’t know.� What I do know is that he is no good.� You need to stay away.” �śWhat do you mean?” Before she could answer, I heard Kelly’s voice coming from the hallway.� She had left work early.� That was when I realized that I forgot to call Kelly when I got home, and I never took my phone off silent, so even if Kelly had called, I wouldn’t have known. �śKayla, honey?� Are you feeling better?” �śUmm Yeah!”� I yelled out. �śI need to go.� I will be back,” said Carolyn without giving me a chance to say anything, and then she was gone. �śCarolyn?”� I called, just seconds before I heard Kelly open my door. SIX � I did end up going to dinner with Kelly and it was dreadful.� Don’t get me wrong, the place was great and Kelly was always good company.� She always kept herself in check with stuff that teenagers are into, movies, music�Ś just so we had stuff to talk about.� But at dinner, she was still worried about my reaction to her being pregnant, even though I assured her that I was happy.� And I was just too distracted, unable to keep my mind off Carolyn and that creepy guy from class, who I assumed was also a ghost, and then there was Hunter. I wondered if Hunter could really see them.� After contemplating it for a while, I convinced myself that he could.� How else could he have known?� �śKayla?� Are you okay?� You seem distracted.” �śYeah, I’m good.� Just tired, you know�Śdidn’t get much sleep last night.” �śRight.” �śAnd are you sure you are fine with the baby?� I’m truly sorry that we didn’t tell you right away�Ś” I knew she would keep bringing that up, so I had to put an end to it. �śI’m fine �Śmom’.� In fact, can I go with you whenever you go shopping for baby stuff?� I want to help you picking stuff out�Ś if you don’t mind.”� I smiled. That was finally enough to convince her.� Kelly smiled, and went back to her usual cheerful mood.� She started talking about stores that she was planning on going to, and how much help it would be to have my opinion on everything. After a while I got distracted again.� It was only for a split second, but long enough for Kelly to notice. �śEnough with the baby talk, let’s talk about you�Ś anything new going on?� How is the Justin problem?” �śThere is no Justin problem.� We are not together.” Kelly said she was sorry to hear that, even though she didn’t mean a word.� She really couldn’t stand Justin. We spent the rest of dinner talking about movies that were about to come out.� Kelly wanted to go to the mall when we finished dinner, but I used that same tired excuse to talk her out of it, and we went home right away. *** I walked into my room and immediately looked for signs of Carolyn being there, only she wasn’t. My room was cold, colder than the rest of the house.� In movies that was sometimes associated with ghosts being around, and I was just convincing myself that I was getting paranoid when I went to get something out of my closet and saw him standing there�Ś the creepy guy from class.� I was really starting to hate that closet. I started to open my mouth to scream, but was able to stop before I made a fool of myself.� I knew no one would be able to see him and I definitely didn’t want to repeat the situation with Carolyn and the cops. I whispered so Kelly and Andrew wouldn’t hear me.� �śWhat are you doing here?� Who are you?” He smiled, a creepy smile.� �śJust checking out my new home�Ś. And you know very well who I am.” I snapped.� �śFirst of all, this is NOT your home and secondly, I know what you are and not who you are.” He laughed.� �śHuh.� I’m surprised and disappointed that you don’t remember me.� You want a name?� Benjamin.” I didn’t even care what he meant by that.� �śI want you out!” He laughed again.� �śSorry.� I’m not going anywhere.”� He stood there, arms crossed. I needed help. I closed my eyes and summoned Carolyn. She showed up right away.� Benjamin looked at her, then back at me and actually seemed surprised.� �śWell, well, aren’t we talented?”� He said in a sarcastic tone. I ignored him and met Carolyn’s gaze.� �śI want him gone!” Carolyn said, �śOnly you can do that.” �śHow?”� My voice started to rise. Benjamin, in a more serious tone, looked at me.� �śDon’t listen to her.� I’ve been a part of the Otherworld for much longer than she has and I assure you, there is no getting rid of me.” I was shaking.� Carolyn focused on me.� �śHe is right, I don’t know much, but try to do the same thing you did to summon me, but reverse it.” It took me a second to understand what she meant.� It actually made sense.� I closed my eyes and focused on Benjamin and after I pushed everything else out of my mind, including the sound of his voice telling me it wouldn’t work, I was able to mentally order him out of my room�Ś. out of the house. �śHe is gone,” Carolyn said.� �śYou can stop now.” When I did open my eyes, I realized how much I was sweating.� That wasn’t as easy as summoning Carolyn.� I was exhausted, drained of any speck of energy.� I was even too tired to ask her any questions. I lay down on my bed.� My head really hurt. �śI know you need to rest, but this might not keep him away for long,” she warned me. That got me to sit back up. �śWhat do you mean?� He can just pop in here whenever he wants?”� I knew I wouldn’t be able to just keep kicking him out over and over.� She looked away, avoiding my gaze. �śHe is right.� I don’t know much about this stuff.� I didn’t spend too much time in the Otherworld; I mostly stayed trapped in that house, until my family moved a while back.� You should talk to your friend.� � He should know what to do.” �śWho are you talking about?” �śYour friend�Śfrom school.” �śHunter?”� I asked in an alarmed tone. �śIf he was the one standing outside today when you left, then yes, Hunter.� He can see us and I can sense that he knows what to do.� You need to talk to him.” I laughed.� �śThat is not going to happen.” Carolyn looked disappointed, sad. �śWhat is wrong?”� I asked her. �śI can’t talk to him like I talk to you.� He can see me, but I can’t fully communicate with anyone but you.”� She sighed.� �śI just hoped that he could help.” �śHelp with what?” �śHelp me find out why I got trapped�Ś why I can’t get through any farther than the Otherworld�Ś I just�Ś I just want to find my family again.� I don’t know why this happened to me.”� Carolyn started crying, she looked terrified, and I had no choice other than to agree to talk to Hunter. SEVEN � Morning came and I had it all figured out.� Clearly I wasn’t some kind of necromancer; otherwise, I would have seen ghosts all my life.� So this had to just be related to Carolyn and Benjamin.� Unless something else had triggered this�Ś me seeing them�Ś� I needed to find out how to help Carolyn so that she could leave and everything would go back to normal.� My plan was to go to school and act normal, and after school I would try to find a way of talking to Hunter without anyone seeing me. After the Justin and Ashley fiasco more rumors was the last thing I needed. I went downstairs and was surprised to see that Kelly was home.� Most days she was gone by the time I got up. She sat at the dining room table, looking as if something was bothering her. �śMorning sickness?”� I asked her as I attempted a smile.� � �śNo, Kayla.� Why don’t you sit down?� I want to talk to you.” �śI will be late for school,” I said, trying to get out of whatever was coming my way. �śIt is important, and this won’t take long.” I sat down. Kelly put her hand over mine, and meeting her gaze I noticed how concerned she looked. �śKayla, I’m worried about you.” I rolled my eyes.� Here we go! �śWhy?� There is nothing to be worried about�Ś” �śKayla, I heard voices coming from your room last night�Śyour voice.� Sounded almost as if you were having a conversation with yourself, and this is not the first time.� What is bothering you, Kayla?� It is the baby, isn’t it?” I took my hand away from underneath hers.� �śWhat is it with the paranoia about the baby?� I’m totally fine with the baby coming, last night I was�Śumm�Ś I was on the phone.”� Okay, terrible lying job! �śKayla, I know something is bothering you.� If you won’t talk to me, can I at least arrange for you to talk to someone?� It will make me feel better.” �śYou mean, like a therapist?” She nodded.� �śYes.” �śSure, if you want to waste your money, whatever.� Just know that I don’t need one.” �śAt least try it out.� One session.” �śFine!” Knowing Kelly, she already had everything lined up.� She likely told whoever that was to find out what was bothering me in that one single session.� Kelly was very persuasive and intuitive, which never worked out to my advantage. �śI will set everything up.” I rolled my eyes.� �śAlright.� Gotta go or I will be late” �Ś again. *** I got to school and Hunter was standing out in the parking lot, away from everyone else.� As soon as I parked my car he came in my direction, and so did Justin.� This is going to be one of those days�Ś Justin got to me first. �śWhat do you want?”� I asked Justin. �śCome on Kay, don’t be like that.� I just want to talk.” �śWell, we got nothing to talk about.” �śIs everything okay?”� Hunter asked as he approached. Justin snapped.� �śThis is none of your business, dude.� Just turn around and go back to do whatever it is you do.” Hunter didn’t move.� He stood there staring at Justin and without looking away for a second, he asked me, �śDo you want me to go?” Justin was already smiling, and I knew that in his mind, he was so sure that I was going to tell Hunter to get lost.� That same smile made me say something that surprised even myself. �śNo, Hunter.� I want you to stay.� Justin, we have nothing to talk about!” Justin was clearly pissed off.� We noticed that quite a few people were watching us, some laughing at Justin, until he said,� �śSure, I will go.� I just wanted to make sure to tell you that not for a minute do I regret cheating on you with Ashley.”� So much for staying away from rumors�Ś I didn’t know how to react to that and I was glad I didn’t have to.� All I saw was Hunter moving in front of me and punching Justin right in his face.� Justin threw himself at Hunter, but Hunter got him again.� This time, punching his stomach so hard that Justin seemed to have trouble catching his breath.� Then I saw quite a few people moving around and I knew that someone was coming.� Great! Mr. Clarkson was having one of his bad days, which wasn’t uncommon, and he ended up sending all three of us to the principal’s office. Hunter and I were sitting in the guidance counselor’s office.� Justin was sent to the nurse to get some ice.� For some unknown reason, our principal had this thing with listening to everyone’s side of the story without being interrupted, so she wanted to see us each separately.� Hunter was the first to go talk to the principal. When Justin got back I was still waiting for my turn He held the ice pack up to his eye.� �śSo, are you with that guy?”� He asked in an annoyed tone. �śNot that it is any of your business, but no, I’m not.” �śIt sure doesn’t seem that way.” I ignored him.� Truthfully, I wanted to lie and tell him that I was and that I had cheated on him just like he had cheated on me with Ashley, but it wasn’t fair to get Hunter mixed up in my personal drama. Hunter came out of the principal’s office, Carolyn walked by his side, and she actually seemed to be in a good mood.� Carolyn looked right at me and said,� �śJust go with it.”� I almost responded but I was able to act as if she was not there, which was really hard to do.� Right before Hunter told Justin that it was his turn to go in, he came to stand by my side, he grabbed my hand, fingers entwined with mine.� He looked at Justin who was staring right at our hands, and said,� �śYou know, I’m sure Kayla also doesn’t regret cheating on you with me.” Justin looked as if he was going to throw a punch again when the principal came out.� Hunter quickly let go of my hand, which I hadn’t even realized that he was still holding.� Not that it was something meaningless.� Him holding my hand just felt�Śnormal. �śIs there a problem?”� Mrs. Jones, the principal, asked. �śNo, Mrs. Jones,” I said. �śWell, good.� Kayla, Hunter explained what happened and you may go back to class�Ś Justin, in my office.” I walked out in the hall, side-by-side with Hunter. �śYou didn’t have to do that,” I said. He shrugged.� �śNo, but it was the most fun I’ve had in a while.” I did have to admit that watching Justin’s reaction was priceless. �śYou didn’t get in any trouble for what happened outside, did you?” �śOne day suspension.� I will be fine.” �śI’m sorry�Ś” �śDon’t be.”� He glanced at Carolyn.� �śShe said you needed to talk to me.”� I hesitated. �śI thought she�"she couldn’t really talk to you.” She responded.� �śSometimes it is easier than others.� Most times he can’t understand me, or it just takes too long to communicate what I need.” �śSo, do you need to talk to me?”� He asked. I avoided his gaze. �śWell, when you decide you want to, here is where you can find me.”� He handed me a piece of paper and walked away. Inside there was his number along with a message.� �ŚYou can trust me.’ I took a deep breath, folded the piece of paper, put it in my pocket and went to class to face what I knew would be a gossip-fest. EIGHT � I went to class, and for the first time ever I was glad that my Math teacher was so damn uptight.� A lot of my teachers were like that but he was by far the worst. I walked in, gave him my pass, and took my seat.� Luckily, for me anyway, he didn’t allow anyone to say a word during his class.� Someone even got in trouble for glancing at me instead of looking at the front of the class.� But I knew it was coming, as soon as that bell rang I would be swarmed by everyone’s curiosity. Sure enough, as the class was released, my best friends Jess and Emily were waiting right outside the door, ready to walk me over to my next class and get the details of what all had happened. In a way, I was glad that they were there because it was one thing for them to get in my business, but anyone else who tried to do the same would get all kinds of nasty comments from Jess. They pulled me aside, away from the crowd. �śOkay.� Spill it!� What happened?”� Emily asked. I shrugged.� �śUmm, nothing really.� Justin was annoying me, as he has been doing a lot of lately.” �śWhat about the other guy?� You know�Ś what was his name again?”� Jess asked. Emily looked at her.� �śUgh.� If he wasn’t so socially deprived, maybe I could remember it.” I snapped.� �śHis name is Hunter�Ś Hunter Chambers!” They both looked at me, eyes wide open, shocked that I snapped at them for that. Jess finally said.� �śOh, well, so what is the deal?� Were you like using him to get rid of Justin?” I honestly considered the possibility of saying I was, just to stop their questioning, but as I opened my mouth to say that, the words wouldn’t come out. Luckily, the bell rang.� �śSorry, guys.� I have to go.� We will talk later.” By the time my next class started, I couldn’t take it anymore.� Good thing it was my art class.� I got my iPod, putting my hair down so it could somewhat hide what I was doing, turned it up, and tried to look busy so that everyone would just leave me alone.� It worked for a while.� I couldn’t even say that I was actually drawing anything, it was more like doodling random shapes, as I tried to decide what to tell Jess and Emily and what to do about calling or not calling Hunter. �śUmm.� Interesting picture!”� He said and then he laughed as I jumped and knocked a couple of my papers and pencils off the table. I quickly took the headphones off and the teacher was already at my desk making sure I was okay and probably wondering what the hell had happened. I couldn’t exactly tell her that a ghost scared me half to death, no pun intended. It was difficult to focus on the teacher’s questions when Benjamin kept whispering in my ear, asking why I sent him away like that.� It took a lot for me not to turn around and tell him to shut up. �śAre you sure you are okay?”� The teacher asked. �śYeah, I’m fine.� Can I go get some water?” �śSure.� Rough day, huh?� Heard you didn’t exactly have a pleasant morning.”� Great, even the teachers are into the gossip! I nodded.� �śI guess you could say that.” My plan was to actually go into the bathroom and try to kick Benjamin out once again.� Last time I had Carolyn’s help, but this time, she was nowhere in sight.� I knew I had to do this myself, and figured I would just repeat the same process. I walked toward the bathroom and sure enough, he was following me. �śDon’t you even think about it!”� He warned me. I started walking faster, scared of what he could do.� I didn’t think he could touch me, or anything.� I mean, Carolyn couldn’t, but what did I know?� �śDid you not hear me?� I said, don’t you do that to me again!”� His tone was enough to terrify me. As I walked, I kept begging that Carolyn would show up, but I couldn’t even focus on summoning her. I finally walked in the bathroom and hoped no one would come in. I walked into one of the stalls, locked the door and closed my eyes. �śI’m telling you!� You don’t want to do this.� It will only piss me off even more.” My hands were shaking; really, my entire body was trembling.� I kept my eyes closed, but I could feel he was close�Śway too close. �śPlease go away and I won’t have to do this.” �śI’m not going anywhere.� Now open your eyes and look at me!” I wouldn’t open my eyes, I tried to focus on sending him away, but I couldn’t, not when I could feel him there. Then I felt as if he was playing with my hair, but I was scared to look.� �śPlease leave me alone,” I begged him. �śSorry�Ś well, I’m not really sorry�Ś but I don’t want to leave you alone.” I heard the sound of two girls coming in and talking. I could still feel him playing with my hair, not letting go.� I kept my eyes closed, doing my best to resist the temptation to open them, and bit my lip in an attempt not to scream. Carolyn, please!� Please, show up! I heard the two girls leaving the bathroom and bolted for the door, and then to my car. Of course, he followed me again. I got in and locked the door, knowing very well that would do no good�Śand it didn’t. This time I closed my eyes and said her name out loud.� �śCarolyn, please!” He laughed in a way that freaked me out even more.� �śOh, please, she can’t help you.� She knows nothing!” I opened my eyes.� Big mistake!� I looked directly at him, sitting there, smiling.� Looking as if he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. I just sat there, and I didn’t remember ever feeling so helpless in my life.� I didn’t know what to do.� I couldn’t exactly call someone and say, yeah, there is this ghost bullying me. �śI need you to do something for me,” he said. I didn’t even want to know what he wanted.� �śPlease, leave,” I begged him again. �śNO!” he said as he started to slowly fade away. I wondered how that happened.� I hadn’t done that.� My hands were still shaking.� I closed my eyes, lay forward against the steering wheel and started crying out in frustration.� I jumped when I heard a soft knock on my window. Startled, I had to put my hand over my mouth to keep myself from screaming.� Relieved to see that it was Hunter standing there, I unlocked the door. �śCome on, I will drive you home.”� His tone was cold, as if he was sick of having to help me when I didn’t want help. He was right. I just hated owing favors, and I wasn’t about to change that. �śI’m fine,” I told him. �śUmm, no you are not.� Come on, I don’t have all day.” I didn’t talk to Hunter much, but I knew he had never been this rude or cold before.� I gave him a �Śwhatever’ look and got out of the car. As I walked around, making my way to the passenger side seat, I took the time to take a few deep breaths, dried my tears away and really pretended that I was fine. �śYou know, I really should go back to class.� If I just leave, they will call my parents, and then well�Ś” He sighed.� �śI will take care of it.� I will just go in and make something up.� Wait here.” Not for a minute did I believed that would work. *** When Hunter got in the car, I didn’t even care to ask what he had said at the school about me leaving.� He said there would be no call, and he then asked if I still lived in the same place. I was surprised he even remembered where I lived.� Back when he socialized with, well, with everyone else, he went to a couple of my birthday parties at the house. I nodded. As much as I wanted to ask him questions on the way home, I didn’t want to talk about what was really going on.� I wanted to ignore and forget it, hoping that the problem would go away, even though I knew very well it wouldn’t. Hunter took me home without saying a word. When we got to the house, he got out and gave me the keys. �śHow are you going to get back to your house?”� I asked. �śThe same way I got to the school.� Cab.” �śThat is nonsense, I will drive you.” Hunter agreed to let me take him home.� He probably noticed that I felt better already.� Either that or it was a trap to get me to talk to him about what had been happening.� I was driving now.� I asked him, �śWhy were you back at the school?” He hesitated.� �śYou need to decide whether you want to talk about what you are seeing.” After a few minutes of awkward silence, I finally spoke. �śLet’s say that I do, why were you there?” �śSomeone told me you that you needed help.” �śSomeone who?”� I asked. I pulled the car over in a parking lot.� Truth was, my hands started to shake again and my stomach was turning.� I had a real bad feeling about this. I met his gaze. He shrugged.� �śCouldn’t tell, the voice was breaking in and out, it sounded a little like the girl from earlier.” Somehow, I knew it was her�Ś Carolyn. I was scared of the answer, but I asked anyway, �śIs there a reason that happened, you know, her voice breaking in and out?” As if it was no big deal, he said, �śYeah, she is probably trapped and can’t get through all the way.” I couldn’t breathe.� �śIt happens a lot,” he said.� �śIt is just part of being where they are.” �śHow do you know so much?” �śYou don’t need to know about me.� You want to know about them, I will tell you what you need to know, but that is as far as this goes.� Now are we going to be parked here all day?� I need to get home.” He was annoying me, being rude like that.� Just to think hours before I tried to spare him trouble by not lying and telling Emily and Jess that I had used him to get rid of Justin.� That was exactly what I should have done. Without saying anything else I took him home, dropped him off and right before I left he said,� �śIf you decide to be serious and really talk about it without being all bratty, you know where to find me.” �śWhatever,” I said, blowing him off. I spent the drive home trying to think of ways to bring Carolyn back. NINE � Yes, the school called Kelly at work and she was waiting for me when I got there.� Honestly, I wasn’t surprised about that, but only at first�Ś She wasn’t mad, but she had her concerned �Śmom’ expression, which was way worse.� I barely had enough time to put my stuff down before she said that we needed to talk and we did talk.� The nurse had called, even though I hadn’t seen her at all, and had said that I wasn’t feeling well.� I just took the easy way out and blamed all of my problems on Justin.� Telling her I just felt overwhelmed by what had happened that morning. �śI cannot believe he is still not letting it go.� You know, I never liked that boy!” �śYes, I know.” �śMaybe I should go and talk to the principal.” �śPlease don’t.� That will only make things worse; besides, he probably already got suspended after today.� That should be enough.” Kelly sighed.� �śOkay, hun.� But if he bothers you again, you need to let me know right away.� Agreed?” I nodded. Unfortunately, I didn’t get out of that as easily as I expected to.� Kelly had made me an appointment with some shrink for that afternoon.� The only good thing about that was that everyone would still be at school so I did not have to worry about running into anyone. Running into people from school ended up being the last thing I should have been worried about. Kelly drove me to my session, which at the time, I hoped would be my first and last.� One hour answering �Śme’ questions couldn’t be that bad, right?� I could certainly manipulate my answers so that the shrink would just tell Kelly that I was fine and that would be it. The shrink, Dr. Moulder, actually seemed really nice.� After asking the basic lame questions that she was probably required to ask, like if I had ever used any drugs, which when she asked I just plain rolled my eyes and asked her if I looked like I used any drugs.� I mean, not only is it dumb, but I have way better things to spend my money on.� Anyway, after she was done with those questions she went straight to the point. �śKayla, I understand that there are things that you may not want to talk about with your parents and that is what I’m here for, so you can talk to me about anything that may be bothering you.” �śNothing is bothering me.” She asked a couple of more direct questions, about me being adopted and about Kelly being pregnant.� I didn’t have any trouble convincing her that neither of those things was bothering me, which was the truth. I was probably ten minutes away from the session being over when Benjamin showed up. I put so much focus on ignoring him that I was distracted about everything else and everything went downhill from then on. I referred to Kelly and Andrew by their names instead of mom and dad, which Dr. Moulder misdiagnosed as me having a problem with being adopted.� I wasn’t even sure what she made of me being suddenly distracted and quiet as I kept trying to ignore Benjamin.� He just stood there, whispering in my ear that he was back and that I would pay for sending him away.� He also said that if I got Hunter involved, he would be hurt and I would be to blame. �śI will see you at home,” Benjamin finally said as he brushed his arm against mine, and I was even more afraid now.� I could feel him, I could feel his touch and I just knew he wasn’t kidding about hurting Hunter. Dr. Moulder noticed me shiver at his touch, but luckily she felt something too. �śSorry about that.� My assistant is always messing with the a/c�Ś” �śNo problem.� So, am I good to go?” �śYes, but I would really like to talk to you again.� Maybe sometime next week?” �śWhy?”� I asked in a cold tone. �śNothing to worry about, Kayla.� I just don’t feel like we covered everything that we needed to cover.� That is all.” I shrugged.� �śSure.”� I figured I had one week to come up with an excuse to get out of it, so I agreed. Dr. Moulder talked to Kelly for a couple of minutes.� I had no idea what all they talked about; after all, I knew there was only so much that Dr. Moulder could have told Kelly.� Besides, I had other things to worry about so I didn’t even care to find out.� They setup my next appointment and Kelly took me home. On the way, she just said, �śSee, it wasn’t as bad as you expected, was it?” �śNo, it wasn’t that bad,” I said, still sounding distracted. We didn’t talk much after that.� We grabbed something to eat on the way home and when we got to the house I said I had homework and went straight to my room. Sure enough, Benjamin was in my room, waiting for me. I walked in and closed the door, thinking I was ready for him. �śWhat do you want from me?”� I asked. �śToo late for that.� First, I want revenge for you sending me away and then we will talk about what I need from you in order for me to leave you alone.” I took a deep breath and confronted him.� �śSo what, are you going to keep following me around, tormenting me until you are satisfied?” He smiled.� �śPretty much.� Really, I think you will be much more fun than I anticipated.” Before I could react in any way, he was gone, and I hadn’t been the one to do that. TEN � I just assumed that Benjamin left because he wanted to.� I had already decided to not get Hunter involved, but I needed to get Carolyn.� She could probably help me get rid of Benjamin.� I had been told that she was trapped, but I hoped I could help her get released or whatever it was that she needed. I tried doing what I had done before.� I closed my bedroom door and locked it.� I sat on the floor, closed my eyes and focused on Carolyn.� Focusing on what I wanted was a lot easier to do without Benjamin around and I really, really hoped he wouldn’t just show up again. Summoning Carolyn didn’t work.� At least not in the way I wanted it to.� All I got was the sound of a faint whisper �Śget Hunter’. I had no other options. I thought to myself, �ŚOkay, I will just call Hunter and ask him what I need to do to un-trap Carolyn.� Just one call and then I will leave him alone’.� I also kept searching around for any signs of Benjamin appearing. I grabbed the piece of paper that Hunter had given me with his phone number and the message that I could trust him.� I laughed.� Right! I took a deep breath, knowing that was really my only option.� Just as I grabbed the phone, Benjamin materialized in front of me and he looked furious. �śYou don’t listen, do you?”� He shook his head.� �śLike father – like daughter.” I wanted to ask what he meant by that, but no words came out.� I looked at the door and thought about making a run for it, but what was the point?� I stared at him and mentally tried to send him away�Ś wishful thinking. �śThat won’t work again, little girl.� And here is a clear message of what will happen to your little guy friend if you get him involved in this�Ś” With both hands, he grabbed a snow globe that I had gotten for Christmas and smashed it, leaving nothing left but shattered glass. I felt terrified and I was sure I looked the way I felt. �śGood!”� He said.� �śThat is exactly the reaction that I wanted.� Now don’t be stupid.� I will be around.� Even if you don’t see me, make no mistake�Ś I will be around!”� And he disappeared. I couldn’t sleep that night.� Not because I was afraid, but because I could literally feel that he was there�Ś. watching. I kept wondering if I was wrong about what he was.� He was just so different from Carolyn�Ś and one thing that I could not keep my mind off of was the fact that he could touch things and Carolyn couldn’t�Ś. The way he shattered that snow globe, without so much as looking like he was struggling with it�Śhe was strong. �ŚHe is different.’� Carolyn had said.� �ŚHe is no good.’� Well, that was an understatement. � � � � � � � � � � � � � I didn’t even think there was a way to do anything behind his back.� I also wondered what he meant about me being like my dad and just the thought of him being around Kelly or Andrew, made me shiver. That night, he didn’t appear again. *** From a sleepless night, I got up and got ready for school.� Grabbing my books, I went straight to the nearest coffee shop to the house.� I needed caffeine or I wouldn’t make it through the day. Hunter was waiting for me in the parking lot when I got to school.� I was exhausted, cranky, and just the sight of Hunter made me think of how badly Benjamin would be able to physically hurt him.� And did I mention I was exhausted?� My brain was definitely not working the way it should have been. I got out of the car and Hunter said we needed to talk. �śNo, you need to leave me alone,” I said. �śYou don’t mean that.” �śUh, yes.� I do mean it.” I walked away and he just stood there for a couple of seconds before he started to follow me. I turned around and snapped.� �śWhat do you want from me?” �śI want to help you.” �śI don’t need your help!” At that moment, Justin walked by and put his arm around my shoulder.� He locked his gaze on Hunter’s and said.� �śIs he bugging you, Kay?” Like I said, I was sort of almost brain-dead at that point.� I didn’t know what was Justin’s deal, but I played his little game.� That was a good way to get Hunter to stay away from my problems. I put my arm around Justin’s waist.� �śNah, he was just leaving.� Right, Hunter?” Hunter just shook his head and walked away.� He seemed frustrated, but definitely not as frustrated as I was.� For one thing I didn’t like feeling the way I was feeling; I hated the way I felt as he walked away�Ś. helpless�Ś alone�Ś� All I really wanted was to tell Justin to get his hands off me, and to go after Hunter. ELEVEN � �śGet your hands off me.”� I warned Justin. �śOh, okay.� I see you just wanted to use me and now we are done?� Fine with me.� All I wanted was to get him back for yesterday anyway.” I walked away from Justin before I completely lost my mind. I ignored everything and everyone that day.� Jess even made some remark about me spending like three seconds with Hunter and starting to act like him�Śsocially challenged, as she put it.� I told her I was just having a bad day and she finally left me alone. Same thing at home�Ś I told Kelly I had too much homework and that was enough to be left alone. I was in my room watching TV when I finally started to doze off. The sudden temperature drop and his finger running through my hair were enough to startle me. I quickly got up and moved to the other side of the room,� �śWhat do you want?” �śAh, Kayla!”� That was the first time he had ever said my name, and I hated the way he said it.� �śUn-patient just like your daddy�Ś” �śAndrew is not�Ś” He laughed.� �śI’m not talking about your adoptive father.” I froze in place. He came closer to me and I took a few steps back.� He kept moving forward until I was trapped against the wall.� He stopped inches away from me�Ś looking as if he was able to see right through me. �śDon’t worry, we will talk more about your daddy....� Just when the time is right.” He vanished and I just sat on the floor and started to cry. Another night spent fully awake.� Only this time, I couldn’t even think straight.� I was just afraid of seeing him again.� I drank coffee, a lot of coffee. I didn’t go to school the next day.� I told Kelly I wasn’t feeling well and with the lack of sleep, it sure seemed believable. I wandered around the house, trying to find things to do that would keep me from sleeping.� I wasn’t sure how long exactly someone could go without sleep before they started having hallucinations, but two days and nights with no sleep were enough to convince Dr. Moulder that I needed serious help. That afternoon I had my second session.� I tried to get out of it, but Kelly insisted on me keeping that appointment.� She drove me there herself and I was too tired to fight it. I sat on the couch across from Dr. Moulder as she asked if there was anything in particular bothering me and if I wanted to talk about it. She didn’t hide her smile when I said there was something bothering me and agreed to talk about it. Her smile quickly faded when I told her that the something that I wanted to talk about was, well, that I thought he was a ghost.� Benjamin never showed up; he never materialized anyway, he was probably just watching us somehow and laughing.� Overcome by exhaustion I told her everything.� I told her that Benjamin had mentioned my dad, my biological dad, I told her about the threats to Hunter. �śKayla, do you see Benjamin right now?” �śNo.” �śWhy do you think he shows up when you plan on talking to Hunter about him, but not while you are talking to me about him?” I shrugged.� Eventually, after I got some sleep I would have realized that was because Hunter believed me and no one else would.� Unfortunately I would come to realize that a little too late. We talked.� Dr. Moulder took lots of notes and after finding out that I wasn’t getting any sleep she prescribed me some sleeping pills and more frequent sessions to get a better diagnosis.� Honestly, I think that the clear lack of sleep and what that was doing to me, was the only reason she didn’t try and have me committed. Kelly didn’t say much on the drive home, but it was clear that she was concerned. �śYou shouldn’t worry about me this much, Kelly.� It is probably not good for the baby.” We had just pulled up on the driveway when I told her that. �śOh, Kayla, honey!� You know you are just as important as the baby and worrying about your kids is part of being a mom.”� She pulled me into a hug.� �śI just wish you would have come to me or Andrew if you were curious about your biological parents.” Clearly, Dr. Moulder must have come to that conclusion.� �śI didn’t say I was�Ś” She cut me off. �śKayla, this is clearly bothering you, especially if you are actually losing sleep over it.� We will talk about it some more after Andrew gets home.� Right now I want you to go inside and take one of those pills that the doctor prescribed.” Too tired to even think about it, I went inside, took the pill and slept like a baby. I actually slept for over 12 hours. Luckily that was a Friday and I didn’t have to worry about school and seeing Hunter, at least not until Monday. The weekend was actually as normal as it could get.� I went to the movies with Emily and Jessica, after they both agreed that Hunter and Justin should not be at all discussed on our day out.� I went shopping with Kelly for baby stuff�Śmy suggestion.� Kelly actually had not mentioned anything else about my biological parents, but I could tell she was avoiding it.� Yet, she was just waiting for me to ask, and I was curious to finding out what all Kelly and Andrew knew about them, but it just didn’t feel right bringing it up. I did have to keep taking the sleeping pills�Ś Kelly insisted on that. It had been days since I had any contact with Benjamin.� I also hadn’t had any contact with Carolyn and after a while I just thought that was for the best.� With Carolyn gone, if Benjamin didn’t show up again and I hoped he didn’t, I figured my life would go back to normal in no time�Ś Looking back, I wonder if denial was a side effect of those pills�Ś TWELVE � One week had passed and I went from being awake all day and night, to sleepy all the time.� That was how I spent the day on Sunday, sleeping. Monday came around and I could barely get out of bed.� Kelly had taken the day off and she made me breakfast.� When I mentioned stopping by the coffee shop to get something to wake up and keep me awake, she literally flipped out. She put me on a caffeine-free diet until my sleeping conditions were back to normal with no assistance from sleeping pills. �śI’ve always said that you are too young to drink that much coffee, Kayla.” I rolled my eyes and agreed to everything she was saying. I went to school and again, avoided everything and everyone.� Two things I noticed though and they both bothered me.� One, Emily and Jess were back to talking to Ashley, and second, every time I saw Hunter hanging around, he was staring at me and I felt an urge to go and talk to him, try to make sense of it all.� Only I didn’t want to take the risk of Benjamin showing up again. When the day was finally over I rushed to my car to find there was a note on my window.� The note was from Hunter. Kayla, Carolyn contacted me again.� We need to talk.� Meet me at my house this afternoon. I didn’t go.� Carolyn was talking to him now and that made her his problem. I went home, did my homework, and fell asleep. Unfortunately me not showing up at Hunter’s didn’t stop him from coming to look for me. Kelly came to my room and woke me up. �śKay, your friend Hunter is here.� You must have forgotten to tell me he was coming over to work on your project.” I was still disoriented from having just woken up. I got up and followed Kelly downstairs to find Hunter sitting in the living room. �śHey.� What are you doing here?” �śKayla!”� Kelly looked embarrassed.� �śI apologize for her, Hunter.� She just woke up�Ś” Hunter looked at me. �śGroup project, remember?” I didn’t exactly respond in any way. Kelly excused herself by saying that she was going to be outside, working on the flowerbed if we needed her. As soon as she left, I asked, �śWhat are you really doing here?” �śYou got my note.� We need to talk.” �śUmm, no we don’t.” He acted as if he was annoyed.� �śLook�Ś whether you want to or not, I’m going to talk and you are going to listen.” �śWhatever.”� We went to the kitchen where I could keep an eye on Kelly to make sure she was still outside while he talked. �śFine.� You want to talk, talk.”� I snapped. �śCarolyn is not trapped anymore.� But she needs to talk to you, I just get bits and pieces of what she is saying.” �śOkay, well.� I haven’t seen her around, so apparently she can’t talk to me anymore.� Problem solved.” Hunter shook his head and laughed.� �śWhat are you on?”� He asked. �śHuh?”� I asked, confused. �śYou know�Ś drugs? Medication?� What are you on?” �śNothing�Ś I mean, sleeping pills.� What does that have to do with it?” He shook his head as if I had just asked something dumb.� �śMedications or drugs sometimes intervene with the part of your brain that allows you to communicate with �Ś you know�Ś them.” I clasped my hands over my mouth.� That is what he wanted; keep me from helping Carolyn, keep her away.� Apparently that also kept me from seeing him and that was a plus. �śWhy are you taking those pills anyway?” he asked. �śNone of your business.” �śIt has something to do with him doesn’t it?” he said as he looked into the living room. I looked around.� �śWho?” �śYou know�Ś the same one that was at school the other day.” I shivered. �śThat answers my question,” Hunter said. �śI – I ca--can’t talk to you about it.” �śWhy the hell not?” I was so afraid�Ś knowing that Benjamin was there, but I wasn’t able to see him�Ś Before I knew it, I ended up spilling out the truth�Ś reverse psychology, I guessed. �śBecause he will hurt you if I talk to you about it.” Hunter looked at me, puzzled that I was concerned about his safety. �śHe can’t hurt me, Kayla.” �śYes, he can.� He can touch things�Śpeople.” Hunter walked toward me, putting his hands on my shoulders and meeting my gaze.� �śI know he can.� Listen Kayla, he cannot hurt me.” I don’t know if I felt vulnerable, afraid, safe, or what, but I did something that I had never done in my entire life.� Sobbing, I said, �śI need your help.” �śI know.” I thought Hunter was about to pull me into a hug, but what he did was pull me behind him.� For a split second, I was confused by what happened, but as soon as I remembered him looking into the living room where Benjamin seemed to be, it all made sense.� Watching Hunter, it looked as if he was grabbing Benjamin, who I could not see and throwing him across the room.� The only reason why I knew that he went across the room was because a chair on that side of the room was flipped over. Hunter faced me again.� �śHe is gone.” �śHow did you do--? Kelly came in. What was that noise?” she asked. �śSorry about that Mrs. Gallagher, I can be a klutz sometimes.� I tripped over the chair.” �śOh.� All right kids, I’m going to go pick up dinner.� Hunter, will you stay and eat with us?” �śNo, thank you, Mrs. Gallagher.� I wouldn’t want to impose.” �śOh please, it is no problem at all.� I insist.”� Kelly smiled and I knew that because Hunter was so polite, she really liked him.� If that had been Justin, she would have never left me alone with him. As soon as she left I asked him how he had done that.� �śIt doesn’t matter.� We need to figure out how to keep you safe.� He will come back.� And you need to stop taking your meds or you won’t even see him coming at you.” �śI shouldn’t have told you.� That only provoked him.” �śTrust me.� You did the right thing.� Whatever it is that he wants, it can’t be good.” I met Hunter’s gaze.� �śWhat is he?” �śWhat do you think he is?” �śWell, I thought he was a ghost, but he is strong and he can touch things�Ś he is just different than Carolyn.” �śLets just say that you are on the right track.� That is all you need to know for now.” �śHe is more than just a ghost, isn’t he?” Hunter hesitated.� �śI will take care of him.” �śWhy are you helping me?”� I asked. He shrugged.� �śMany reasons.� One is because I didn’t have anyone to help me�Ś. Well, not at first anyway.” I felt so awful for him going through whatever he did alone.� It just made sense why he distanced himself from everyone.� I just felt really bad for him. I nodded, not sure what to say.� I actually felt relieved to talk to him, but I was now even more afraid of what Benjamin would do.� And I also had no idea how I would get away with not taking those pills and still be able to sleep. We heard the front door opening. �śKayla, can you go grab the food from the my car?” Kelly asked, as she bolted for the bathroom. �śSure.” �śIs your mom okay?”� Hunter asked. �śYeah, just pregnancy stuff, I guess.� She doesn’t really get morning sickness.� It is more like before dinner sickness.” Hunter looked pale. �śWhat is wrong?”� I asked him. He didn’t say anything.� �śI will just go get you some water,” I said. He grabbed my wrist pulling me closer and whispered �śI think I know what he may want.” THIRTEEN � I looked up from his hand softly holding my wrist, to his concerned gaze and wondered again why he was so willing to help me. Hunter quickly let go of my wrist when he heard the front door open. It was Andrew.� He came in the kitchen. �śHey, Kayla.� Is your mom home?” �śYeah.� She is feeling sick�Ś again.” He looked at Hunter. Hunter said, �śHi Mr. Gallagher, I’m Hunter.” �śHi Hunter.”� He replied and apologized for my lack of manners in not introducing them. Andrew was a few-words kind of guy.� He went to check on Kelly while Hunter and I finally went to get the dinner out of the car. While outside, we were able to talk.� �śHunter, whatever it is that Benjamin wants, must be something to do with Carolyn.� I think he basically kept me from sleeping so that I would need those sleeping pills�Ś knowing that I would no longer be able to help Carolyn.” Hunter just looked puzzled, as if he was considering all possibilities, but he seemed as if he was in his own little world.� He didn’t even say anything on the way back in. By the time dinner was over, Kelly and Andrew were nothing less than impressed with Hunter, which rarely happened with any of my guy friends.� Hunter was actually a few months older than me, he was already 17 and from what Kelly had told me as I helped her put the food away, he seemed more mature than all of my other friends combined. �śHe is so much nicer than Justin, Kayla.” I rolled my eyes.� �śUh-huh�Ś We are not dating if that is what you are implying.” Andrew walked into the kitchen.� �śAbout time you got a nice friend, Kayla.” I rolled my eyes at him too.� �śGotta go finish the school project�Ś” I got out of the kitchen as fast as I could. We setup a couple of papers and books in the living room to make it look like we were getting stuff done. Luckily, Kelly and Andrew decided to go out shopping so we didn’t have to worry about making sure they didn’t hear what we were talking about. I was playing around with the pencil�Ś �śSo, you said you think you know what he wants�Ś I don’t think I’m wrong about Carolyn, but one of the times that he showed up, he said something-- I think it has something to do with my biological dad.� Before, he kept mentioning how alike we were and a couple of other things, like he knows him.” �śOh,” Hunter said, looking uncomfortable.� �śDo you know anything about your�Śumm�Ś biological father?” �śNope.” �śWe have to either find out what he really wants or get rid of him before that baby comes along.” �śHuh?”� I asked him puzzled. He sighed.� �śI don’t want to scare you, but those trapped souls, regardless of what they are, ghosts, or�Ś other things�Ś they can use new life in order to be released from what and where they are�Ś Others, like Benjamin, can use the energy from that new life to become more powerful.” �śYou mean like reincarnation?”� I asked, terrified. �śSort of�Ś. on the first scenario anyway.� I’m afraid things may be quite different with Benjamin involved.” �śHow do you know so much?” He sighed.� �śYou know how I told you that in the beginning I really didn’t have anyone to help me, like I’m helping you?” I nodded. �śMuch like you, it was because I didn’t let anyone help me.� After a while I started trusting someone.� He was kinda like a mentor.” �śWas?” �śYes.� There is this place�Ś well, a place where we learn about those things.� That is where I was when I was gone.� My mentor was the one who allowed me to leave and come back.” �śOh.” Hunter looked almost as if he regretted telling me so much.� �śSo, anyway, I have to get going.” I was really afraid then.� I didn’t know whether the meds were still in my system and if they were, I might not be able to see Benjamin.� I couldn’t exactly ask Hunter to stay�Ś �śWhat if he comes back?”� I asked Hunter. �śHe won’t.� Not tonight.” �śHow do you know?” �śTrust me.� He won’t bother you tonight.” FOURTEEN � As much as I wished I could trust Hunter, I just had a horrible feeling that Benjamin would still be around. I didn’t sleep again.� I got away with not taking my meds and being that Hunter left before Kelly and Andrew got back, I went to the store and got a couple cans of Red Bull. I hoped that just because I couldn’t see Benjamin didn’t mean that I couldn’t feel him.� I was sitting on my bed watching TV, when at around three in the morning, my suspicions that he was there were confirmed when I felt something brush against my arm.� I quickly got up, closed my eyes and started trying to send him away.� I couldn’t see him and I couldn’t hear him, but I could feel his tight grip around my neck.� Even if I could have screamed, I wouldn’t have been able to.� Then I felt him letting go of me.� I stood there, gasping for air.� The noise and movements were coming from my bed.� I could see the movement of a body on top of my bed, and then, all of the sudden, I could see them both.� Benjamin was on the bed with Hunter holding him down with one hand while punching him with another, warning him that things would get worse if Benjamin ever came near me again.� Benjamin laughed at Hunter, glanced in my direction, and vanished.� Hunter got up, fixed his clothes and then looked right at me.� My terrified gaze locked on his eyes made him realize that I could actually see him. He took a step closer to me. �śDon’t come any closer!”� I warned him. He put both hands up as if surrendering. I knew he couldn’t be a ghost; there was just no way.� I mean�Ś people at school saw him, talked about him�Ś �śWhy couldn’t I see you?” He shrugged.� �śI don’t know.� You are probably just tired.� I knew he was back and followed him in.” �śSorry to break it to you, but we have an alarm.� True, he didn’t set it off, but you would have, so how did you do that?� And for the record, I’m not that delusional so don’t you even try to blame this on my lack of sleep.” He took a step forward. �śPlease, just stay away from me.” �śLook, Kayla�Ś I can help you, but there are things that I cannot tell you.” �śFine, then thank you for helping, but I want you to leave.” �śSuit yourself!” he said in an annoyed tone. He walked out of my room and whatever way he left the house, the alarm never went off. I ran to the window.� There were no cars outside.� I checked the alarm and it was on.� I should never have talked to him in the first place. I figured that Benjamin would stay away if I stopped talking to Hunter, and if sleeping pills were what was supposedly keeping me from seeing or hearing them�Ś well, that was my solution. FIFTEEN � This time, the sleeping pill had no effect on me, at least not as far as going to sleep.� I guess I just had too much caffeine.� Who knows�Ś? I did however not see anything or anyone else that night. Over the next weeks days, things went back to how they used to be.� I spent most of my time at school with Jessica and Emily.� That is right, they were actually better friends than I assumed.� Once I gave them more attention, they dumped Ashley again.� And the most recent news was that Ashley was no longer with Justin, he had moved on to someone else. My sessions with Dr. Moulder weren’t canceled all together, but I just had to see her once every two weeks, which wasn’t that bad.� She also took me completely off the sleeping pills, saying that it would take two to three weeks for it to be completely out of my system, so until then, there were no guarantees of whether I would be able to see Benjamin or Carolyn. As far as Hunter goes, he tried to contact me�Ś he called, left notes on my car�Ś every single one of those attempts were ignored.� He was back to being his usual anti-social self, but Emily and Jess caught him staring at me several times at school.� Of course, they made jokes about him stalking me.� I felt bad and I sort of missed talking to him, but at the same time I was sure that Benjamin was staying away because I was avoiding Hunter and Carolyn at all costs.� Every time I felt her attempt to come through, I kicked her back out. The most recent note was left on my car that day, and it really bothered me. �ŚIf you don’t want to talk to me, fine.� But I need to know what Benjamin wants with your dad.� Find out whatever you can.� This is important, Kayla.’ I glanced around, and Hunter was by his car, looking to make sure I got his note.� I ripped the paper into a million pieces. �śAnother note?”� Jess asked. �śOh, um no.� Just some sales junk someone left on my car.” She looked as if she didn’t believe me, but she didn’t say anything. We were supposed to go shopping that day but I backed out.� I couldn’t even get the thing about my dad out of my mind. I went home and anxiously waited for Kelly and Andrew to get back from work. Kelly was all hormonal and stuff, so I knew that asking her about my biological parents wouldn’t get me anywhere.� I would tell Andrew that I needed help with a Science assignment, Kelly hated Science, and I would take the opportunity to talk to him. My plan worked, but unfortunately, Andrew told me that he and Kelly had discussed this before and decided that when it was time to tell me about my parents, they would do it together. *** I sat on the recliner, across from Kelly and Andrew.� They both looked uncomfortable and I felt horrible for even asking about it. �śI’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bug you with that.� Forget it, I don’t need to know.”� I started to get up. Andrew asked me to sit back down.� Kelly said, �śIt is okay, hun.� It is only natural that you are curious.� There is really nothing to feel bad about.” Andrew said.� �śWe knew this day would come, we just�Ś well, there is no easy way of telling you this, Kayla.” I sat there, just staring at them.� Kelly got up and came to sit on the recliner next to me, putting her hand over mine, as Andrew started to tell me everything. And I regretted asking, I still regret�Ś Andrew and Kelly said that I was a special case.� They needed to disclose everything about my past, about my parents past, because of all the medical history involved. Mom left right after I was born.� Apparently her and dad were having problems, and she was probably afraid I would turn out like him, so she left us both.� Dad managed to raise me until I was a little over three.� A neighbor helped him out during the day while he worked, until that neighbor started seeing him interacting with things that were not there, with people who did not exist.� There was a full record of complaints with social services, but there was no proof.� Of course, by that time the neighbor was no longer helping, but my dad was the one who asked her to take me away that day.� He told her he just couldn’t have me in that environment. I took a few deep breaths; I was determined not to cry.� I was terrified that whatever mental disease he had, I also had. �śWhat happened then?� Did he get committed?”� I asked. �śWe honestly don’t know, Kayla.”� Andrew said.� �śI can look into it if you really want, but I’m not sure that is a good idea.” �śNo!”� I lowered my voice.� �śNo need to.” �śWas there anyone else?� Did I have any brothers or sisters?” �śNot that we know of.� We actually got to speak with that neighbor, and she did not mention anyone else.” I met Kelly’s gaze.� �śWhy did you adopt me?� You know, with all this medical history.” Kelly was all emotional, she had been crying, but as soon as I asked that, she smiled from ear to ear. �śKayla, we met you before we even found out about your biological parent’s history, and from the moment we laid eyes on you, we knew that you were our kid.”� She giggled.� �śBesides, who could resist that little tiny person running and hugging us, asking if we were going to be your mommy and daddy,” and she was back to crying. Trying to make them feel better, I laughed and said, �śI didn’t really do that, did I?” �śYou sure did!” Andrew said.� Wish I had caught that on camera. I smiled.� �śSo what you are saying is that I manipulated you into adopting me?” Andrew was really laughing now.� �śKayla, you were four-years-old�Ś. Well, almost four.� I doubt that was the case.” After we were done talking, I honestly couldn’t tell if I felt better or worse. SIXTEEN � I walked up to my room and stopped short of opening the door all the way.� The voices were muffled, so I couldn’t tell who was there until I was able to peek inside and see who it was. Hunter had a grip on Benjamin’s neck, pushing him against the wall.� As soon as I laid eyes on Hunter and Benjamin, their voices became clear. �śI warned you to leave her alone!”� Hunter growled. �śAs you can see, I’m back and I’m not leaving.� No one orders me around!”� Benjamin tried to push Hunter away, but Hunter didn’t move at all. Benjamin glanced toward the door, stared right at me and laughed, then he looked at Hunter and in a sarcastic tone, he said, �śWish I could stay and watch you explain this, but time to go.” As he often did, Benjamin vanished and Hunter turned to find me, now inside of my room, with the door shut behind me, and completely speechless. Hunter still looking at me said, �śSorry.� I will go.� He should stay away for a while, and even if he doesn’t, seems like you are able to see him again, so you will be fine.” He walked toward me, well, really towards the door. �śWait!� You can’t go that way.� Kelly and Andrew are downstairs.” �śThey won’t see me leaving,” he assured me. �śNo, wait,” I practically begged him. �śI asked them about�Ś you know, my real dad.” �śGood.� What did you find out?” he asked. I looked at him, sure that I had something to my advantage, something to bargain with, �śHow about you tell me what you are and I tell you what I found out?” He looked pale and annoyed.� He started walking toward the door again.� �śYou clearly don’t want my help.� I’m leaving.” �śUgh.� No, wait.” He stopped walking but didn’t say anything. �śYou know, you can’t expect me to trust you with this�Ś stuff�Śif I know you are keeping secrets of your own.” �śWell, if you want my help, it doesn’t really seem that you have a choice.” �śFine!”� I snapped. �śOkay, so are you going to tell me?” he asked, so sure that I was ready to spill all my family secrets and beg for help. �śNo, I’m not.� But if you ever feel like answering my questions, I might answer yours.” �śAlright.� Your choice!” He opened the door, but before he walked out, he turned to me and said, �śCarolyn needs your help.� I’m sure you are not that selfish, to just leave her trapped where she is now, are you?” I just stared at him, not giving him the satisfaction of answering to that. He slammed the door and left.� He must have been more cautious once he actually left my room, because Kelly and Andrew had both still been downstairs and neither one of them came bursting through my door wanting to know what Hunter was doing there�Ś Hunter was right though.� I wasn’t selfish, at least not to that extent.� This was a time I could have used Hunter’s help to keep Benjamin away while I summoned Carolyn.� It took me a while to focus on her, mostly because I was afraid that Benjamin would sneak up on me.� After a while, and I mean a loooong while, I was able to hear her, but not see her. �śYou are going to have to focus much harder than that,” she said in a weak voice. �śBut I put much less effort into calling you the other times.” She sounded desperate.� �śThe other times I wasn’t trapped like this.� This time, I just can’t find my way back to you or anyone else outside of the Otherworld.� I always end up in the same place and�Ś” her voice started cutting in and out and at that point I couldn’t make out anything she was saying. After a couple of hours I gave in and called Hunter’s cell phone.� He may have not answered because it was too late, but I assumed that most likely he was just trying to teach me a lesson�Ś Until he just showed up in my room. Of course, I almost had a heart attack and I was mad that he kept sneaking up on me like that.� Sometimes it was even worse than Benjamin.� At least with Benjamin, I expected it. He sighed.� �śLook, Benjamin keeps trying to get back here, so last chance.� You either talk to me and let me stay here or you are on your own.” �śUmm.� Did you just suggest you stay in my room?” �śYes,” he said with a serious expression. I laughed.� �śHa!� For how long exactly?” �śUntil he is taken care of.” �śYou are gonna have to do better than that.” �śFiine!� You think you can handle it, you still have no idea what Benjamin really is, do you?” I shook my head.� It is not like I didn’t try to find out�Ś but most of my research led to unreliable information�Ś fiction stuff. �śHe is a demon�Ś that is why he is stronger than most, that is why he is able to touch things when Carolyn can’t.” �śRight!� You are just trying to scare me so that I will let you stay.� What do you care about what happens to me anyway?” I could tell he was tense and he sounded angry when he answered me.� �śLet’s say it is because I got a conscience.” �śYou are only staying here if I can trust you, and the only way is for you to tell me what happened to you.” He mumbled something, sounded like he was cussing. �śFine!� A word about this to anyone and I wash my hands of anything that happens to you.� Understood?” �śSounds like the trust issue goes both ways.” �śYeah, well, guess I will have to take a chance.� But I need to know what you found out about your dad so that we can maybe figure out what Benjamin wants.” I agreed.� �śYou go first.”� I said. He shook his head in aggravation. �śDo you remember Chase? My mind was blank until he mentioned middle school and summer camp. I nodded. Chase used to be Hunter’s best friend back in middle school.� One summer they went on a camping trip with Hunter’s brother, who I hadn’t heard much about after that summer. Story is�Ś Hunter’s brother, Mark, took them on this summer camp.� One day he apparently had too much to drink, because later on he was charged with child neglect among other things.� Point is, he wasn’t keeping an eye on the boys who ended up going for a swim and Chase didn’t come out alive.� Apparently, neither did Hunter�Ś. At least not right away. SEVENTEEN � As I sat there listening to Hunter, I felt sorry that I basically forced him to tell me about what had happened.� Hunter tried to help Chase, but Chase was freaking out and ended up taking Hunter with him.� They both drowned.� Hunter said he didn’t know for how long he was out, but that it had been long enough.� He ended up in the Otherworld, trapped in the same place where Carolyn was, and he explained that was why he kept insisting that I help her and apparently I was the only one who could help her. �śTrust me, Kayla.� You don’t want to leave her there�Ś� And she has already been there for too long.� It is just too risky.” �śRisky, how?” �śThat place is like nothing that you can even begin to imagine.� Just try to picture being trapped in dark place, knowing that you will never see anyone you love ever again, because for one thing�Ś you can’t cross over, and if you come back here�Ś well, you are stuck in the same way, unless you can find someone like Carolyn found you.� � But anyway, the risk is, that sadness, those lost souls�Ś it is only a matter of time before they really get to her, and when they do, she won’t even try to be released anymore. �śIs there a way to help her, getting past that�Ś umm dimension?� Like, crossing over?” �śI’m sure there is, but I don’t have the answer to everything.” �śWhat about the person who helped you?� Would he know?” �śLikely, but I’m not going back to that place, so for now, you need to work on bringing her back here.” I hesitated before asking him my next question, but I couldn’t help myself. �śHow did you get back?” He sighed.� �śI don’t even know that myself.� That place just deceived me.� It seemed like reality at first, and then I just got confused and well, I really couldn’t tell you.� � Someone at the camp ground got me out of the water and revived me, but it was almost as if someone else had guided me back.” �śOkay, so that doesn’t help with getting an answer on how to get Carolyn back�Ś” He put his hand over mine, which I didn’t feel the need of pulling my hand away.� It felt comforting, reassuring, especially when he said we would find a way. I glanced from our hands to his eyes.� He slowly pulled his hands away. �śSo, do you trust me now?” he asked. �śYes, but how do you do that?� I mean, showing up and disappearing as if you are one of them?” He shrugged.� �śLet’s just say that is a side effect of my little experience.” �śAnd this place you keep talking about.� What is this place?� If they can help, why can’t we go there?” He sighed.� �śThat place�Ś the Academy, let’s just say that if you enter it, you are likely never leaving.” �śBut you did.” �śI did�Ś under very special circumstances.� I have an agreement with my mentor.” �śHow did you get there in the first place?” �śThey found me.� After I came back, someone talked to my mom and didn’t take much convincing that they would be the ones to help me.� I was really messed up back then.� They taught me how to deal with what I’ve become.” �śWhich is what exactly?” He shook his head and sighed.� �śThe Academy�Ś we call it the Academy of the Fallen.” �śOkay, now you are just messing with me.� You are trying to tell me that you are a fallen angel?” He laughed.� �śNo.� I would hate to be one of them.� Others go to the Academy�Ś� There are the haunted ones, who the fallen attempt to protect from demonic figures like Benjamin.� That is how they get their second chances, which if you ask me, half of them don’t deserve.” �śThis is insane!” �śYes, that is what I thought at first.” �śBut the haunted�Ś they are human, right?� What you just did�Ś is not.” �śNo, I’m not.� But I was told that I have angel blood running through my veins.� They treated me as if I was one of the haunted because I’m able to see and talk to demons and ghosts�Ś� So can the fallen, but I could never pass for one.� I’m an immortal, Kayla.� That is what the angel blood that brought me back turned me into.� I will always stay frozen at the age when I died and was brought back.� Call me a fangless vampire with a heartbeat, if you will.”� He attempted a laugh that was nothing but awkward.� �śMy mentor kept me �Ślabeled’ as one of the haunted because my being the only of my kind at the Academy could have changed things.”� He paused.� �śSo, do you trust me now?” I nodded. �śNow my turn,” he said.� �śWe both know that whatever Benjamin wants likely has something to do with your biological dad, and I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of him being around.� So, what did you find out?” I hesitated. He noticed it right away.� �śLook, whatever it is, you can tell me.� Yes, it is clear that you HAD trust issues with me, but think of what I just told you about me as leverage.” I laughed.� �śRight, who in their right mind would believe your story?” He smiled, but it was an innocent smile, as if he had just realized how crazy it all sounded.� Although if he ever told anyone about me, I could easily say it was all lies�Ś �śOkay.� I guess a deal is a deal�Ś All I found out was that he had mental issues for interacting with people who were not there.” �śDo you know what name he used?” I thought the question was strange, but didn’t comment.� �śNope.� That is all I know.” �śWe are gonna have to find out more.� Maybe Benjamin was one of those who he was in contact with�Ś” �śNo!”� I stopped him.� �śI don’t want to know more about him and I’m certainly not going to hurt Kelly and Andrew by asking any more questions.”� He looked at me as if he understood.� Honestly, the only reason I didn’t want to find out more was because I was afraid he was in a mental hospital, afraid of seeing him like that. �śWould you be okay with me looking into it?” �śI – I’m not sure�Ś” �śIt may be the only way of knowing what Benjamin wants.� I may be able to find out what Benjamin’s connection is to him.” I knew that wouldn’t work, that I wouldn’t be able to keep my curiosity to myself, but I agreed. �śWhat about Carolyn?”� I asked.� �śWhen and how am I getting her back?” �śWe will go get a few things tomorrow after school to help you contacting her.� Besides, there is nothing you can do until you rest anyway.” �śI can’t exactly rest with Benjamin around, you know�Ś” �śDon’t worry about him.� I will be here.” EIGHTEEN � I woke up to find Hunter still sitting in my room, just listening to his iPod and reading a book. �śYou stayed up all night?”� I asked. He didn’t hear me, which was not surprising considering how loud his music was.� I had actually slept well, and was in an extremely good mood.� I grabbed a stuffed animal and threw it at him. He looked at me, startled.� Then he smiled as he turned off his iPod. �śAren’t you a little old for stuffed animals?” he asked. I shrugged. �śDid you not sleep at all?”� I asked again. I didn’t know whether he was lying or not, but he assured me that he got plenty of sleep and that he always woke up early. �śSooo, I guess you better get going so you can get ready for school.” He stood up�Ś way too fast.� �śYou are right,” he said.� �śSo how are we doing this?” �śDoing what?” I asked confused and still not fully awake. �śSchool...� Are we acting like we don’t know each other or what?” I instantly felt bad for acting like such a jerk when he was clearly trying to help me all along. I smiled and without giving him a direct answer, I said, �śDo you need a ride to school?” He smiled back in a way that gave me butterflies and literally made me wonder how in the world he didn’t have tons of girls from school after him. �śYou know, people will talk, right?” I laughed.� �śPeople always talk.� Your point is?” �śCan’t argue with that,” he said in a sarcastic tone.� � �śCan you come by my house in let’s say, 30 minutes?” he asked. �śI will need a little longer than that�Ś Let’s make it 45.” He rolled his eyes.� �śGirls!” �śUh-huh.� You better go before you make us late.” He was just about to open the door, which made me wonder why he didn’t just vanish or did whatever it was that he could do, when I stopped him. �śUmm�Ś Do you mind doing something for me before you leave?” He looked at me puzzled, waiting to hear what I wanted. �śCan you open my closet and make sure no one is there?” I don’t think I ever heard someone laugh so hard. �śAlright, just go.� Andrew and Kelly are going to hear you if you don’t stop laughing.” Still laughing but able to keep it down, he walked over to the closet, opened the door, looked inside and met my gaze.� �śNope, neither one of them is here today.” �śHaha funny!� Just go.� I will see you soon.” I could have probably taken forever to get ready, especially being rested and in a good mood.� I would have taken the extra time to get my hair done, makeup�Ś but I didn’t want Hunter to be late on my account, so I put on the school’s uniform, put on some eye liner and lip gloss, and left. When I got to Hunter’s, he heard my car and came outside, holding two juice boxes and two packs of pop-tarts. He got in the car.� �śGot you breakfast.” �śThanks, but I need some caffeine with my breakfast.” �śYou really need to cut down on that caffeine.� You know very well that you need to rest to be able to get to Carolyn.” I rolled my eyes at him, �śAnd you think all this sugary stuff you are trying to give me will help?!”� I took the pop-tart and juice, and drove us to school. Driving to school, I felt worry-free, and then I drove into the parking lot and wondered why the parking lot just had to be the hang out place until the first bell rang. I parked my car, we both got out, and my mood instantly changed when I saw Justin and Ashley, Justin standing beside her, with his arm around her waist and Emily and Jess hanging out with them again.� Last I had heard Justin had moved on to someone else�Ś rumors I guessed. Emily and Jessica did look as if they were about to come in my direction, but then they glanced at Hunter, gave me a what-the-hell look and went the other way. �śShould I just go the other way?” he asked. I didn’t know if it was the way that he asked me, or me seeing Justin’s reaction when he saw Hunter and me together, but I told him no; that I did not want him to go anywhere. Hunter got closer to me.� �śYou know, I don’t mind at all if you use me to make him jealous.� I kinda like it really.� It just seems to piss him off, like he is not over you�Śand why would he be?” I looked at him and again I noticed him in a different way, as this nice guy, caring, smart, good-looking�Ś �śI mean it!” he said.� �śI’d love to give that jerk what he deserves.” After that, I stopped thinking things through and just let things happen.� With a smile and a slight nod, he understood that I was up for it. His hand reached for mine, our fingers entwined, as we made our way into the school. Of course, people were staring and talking, but I just didn’t care at all. *** We only had a few classes together, but for the most part those teachers were pretty strict on chatting during class. Emily did manage to get a note to me, asking if Hunter and I were really together.� Not knowing what to say, I held on to that note until I could figure out what to tell her. Hunter and I walked out of class together and went to the cafeteria. �śDo you still want to keep this up?” he asked. I shrugged. Just as I sat down to eat lunch, I got a text from Justin. �ŚKay, we need to talk.� Meet me by the gym.’ �śGuess it is working,” I told Hunter as I showed him the text. I searched around for Ashley and found her sitting with Emily and Jessica.� They all occasionally glanced at Hunter and me. I was now just playing around with my food. �śWhat is wrong?”� Hunter asked. I hesitated, but then thought to myself�Śwhatever.� �śWhat did you mean when you said he is not over me�Śand �śwhy-would-he-be?”� Gesturing quotation marks as I spoke that last part. �śI meant exactly that.� Between you and Ashley, come on now.”� And he just left it at that, leaving me more confused than I was before.� Although later on I took it as him just being nice, and really just going along to get on Justin’s nerves. Hunter finally changed the topic of the conversation, which I was glad to avoid�Ś I hated awkward silence, but on the other hand, the topic didn’t get any better. �śSo, about me finding information about your�Ś well, your biological father.� I know this is going to sound weird, but I need at least your real mom’s name as a lead.” �śWell, I’m not going to ask Kelly and Andrew, and as I told you before, I don’t want to be a part of it.� I’m sure we can get rid of Benjamin without even trying to find out what he wants.”� As I said that, even I didn’t believe in those words. �śBetter safe than sorry, Kayla.� Besides, maybe�Ś Benjamin is somehow related to your family�Śthat could be enough information as a lead to what he really wants.” I sighed.� �śI have the name of the adoption agency.� I will give you that and I don’t want to hear anymore about it,” I said in an annoyed tone. �śWhat, do you expect me to just be able break in and find your records?” �śIt doesn’t seem like breaking into places is a problem for you.” He sighed.� � He then got closer to me, as close as the lunch table between us allowed him to get, and in a low tone, he said, �śIt is not as easy as it seems�Ś’that’ takes a lot of energy from me.� Probably as much, if not more energy than it takes for you to get rid of Benjamin.” �śHow do you know about that?” He shrugged.� �śI know you pissed him off because of it, and as far as how much energy it took from you, well�Ś he is what he is, that makes him stronger than the ones like Carolyn.” That was when the bell rang.� We each went our separate ways for the rest of our classes, arranging to meet out by my car when school was out. I was lucky enough not to see Justin for the rest of that day, although I did see Emily and Ashley.� Emily asked me again if I was with Hunter, and I told her that we were just hanging out.� She also asked if I was going to start being anti-social like him.� Ugh, I just asked her how long exactly she had known me for, and that was the end of the questioning. As for Ashley, I was glad I didn’t have to look at her much more during that day.� She felt really sick after lunch and left. After school, I met Hunter by my car and we left right away, eager to get home and try to get Carolyn out of this so-called Otherworld where she was trapped. NINETEEN � Kelly was home when we got there.� She was getting ready for her doctor’s appointment.� Kelly was now in the second trimester and as usual, she was looking forward to ultrasounds, listening to the baby’s heartbeat and pretty much anything else the doctor had to offer. She couldn’t even hide the excitement in seeing me with Hunter. �śOh!� Hey, Hunter!” she said in a very cheerful mood. He did a quick wave.� �śHi, Mrs. Gallagher.” �śOh, please call me Kelly�Ś I told you that last time, and the time before that.”� She laughed.� �śI actually really have to get going for my appointment, but there are snacks and drinks in the kitchen and you guys can reach me on my cell if you need anything.” And just like that, she was gone.� I stood there, shaking my head. �śWhat is the matter?” Hunter asked. �śOh, nothing.� She just�Ś she really trusts you.� Whenever Justin was over we were never alone.” Hunter smiled.� �śGuess she is a good judge of character.” �śRight!” I said as I rolled my eyes at him.� �śOkay, let’s get this done.” I started to walk toward the stairs when Hunter stopped me. �śUmm, this house has a basement, right?” I nodded. �śGood.� That is where we are going.” �śBut, why?” �śJust easier for them to get through to closed in, dark spaces�Śthat is what they are used to.� You should have noticed that by now with your little closet situation.”� He laughed trying to make a joke out of it, which totally didn’t work. �śUgh.� Let’s go�Ś I guess!” I led him to where the basement was, grabbed a flashlight and opened the door. I was just about to go down the stairs when Hunter took a quick step forward, stepping right in front of me.� He looked back just long enough to hold his hand out for the flashlight. I just gave it to him, no questions asked.� I told him where the light switch was as I followed him down to the basement. I took a deep breath.� �śOkay, the first time I saw her in this house she was inside that closet,” I said as I pointed to the small closet in the back of the basement.� �śDoes that make a difference?” He shrugged.� �śIt could.” We walked closer to the closet, opened the door, and he said I should sit inside it. �śHa.� You are funny!� There is no freaking way that is going to happen.� I will sit right here, right outside the closet where I know no doors will be closed on me.” He looked hurt.� �śI will be here with you.� Just trust me.” �śSorry, but don’t push it.� I will never be able to concentrate if I’m sitting in there.” �śFine, outside the closet it is.� Just do what you usually do.� I will be here with you, so focus on Carolyn and I will make sure you are protected if Benjamin shows up.” I nodded, and slowly sat on the floor, which was filthy.� Andrew really needed to get someone to clean this basement.� � So, I sat on the floor and before I closed my eyes and started to reach out for Carolyn, I looked up at Hunter and said, �śIf you don’t mind�Ś aside from Benjamin, please make sure any other disgusting things stay away from me too.” He looked at me, puzzled. �śYou know�Śspiders, bugs, whatever.” I could tell he was trying hard not to laugh, but he just ensured me he would do his part. I sat there for hours, until we heard the sound of a car parking in the driveway.� Usually by now I would have gotten a sign that Carolyn was there�Ś somewhere, but this time I got absolutely nothing.� And I knew I had done my part�ŚI was physically and mentally exhausted. We rushed upstairs to the kitchen before whoever it was got inside the house and wondered what we were both doing in the basement. Hunter looked really concerned.� �śThis is not good,” he said.� �śYou will have to keep trying and try harder.” Sounding a whole lot more optimistic than Hunter, I asked, �śWhat if this is good?� What if she was able to get past this place?” �śNot likely.”� He sounded so sure, so determined, I didn’t even see the need to ask him why.” Kelly walked in and that was when I realized we had been in the basement longer than I thought.� Not only had Kelly gone to the doctor, but she also had time to go and get her hair done. �śHey guys.� Hunter, you are staying for dinner, right?” �śThanks, Mrs. Gallagher, but I can’t.”� She looked a little disappointed.� �śI really wish I could but I really need to get going.” �śAlright, maybe next time�Ś” �śAbsolutely.” I walked Hunter outside, just then realizing that I was his ride.� �śOh, just wait here for a second.� I will let Kelly know that I’m taking you home.” He stopped me.� �śNo, I’m not going home�Ś I’m going to the �Ś umm to the adoption agency.” �śOh.”� I frowned. �śDo you want me to come back?� You know�Śtonight?” As much as I wanted to say no, wanted to stop this vicious need for his help, I couldn’t.� �śIf you don’t have anything else going on, I guess.” �śI will be here.”� He waved goodbye and walked away. Kelly was still in the kitchen when I went back in. �śI really like Hunter.� I think he is a good influence on you.” �śUh-huh.� Still, we are not dating�Ś just friends, mom, so let it go.” She smiled as she usually did when I called her mom, which wasn’t often. �śSo, how was your appointment?”� I asked. �śGood. Everything is going well, just as it should be.� The doctor was able to tell the sex of the baby, but we decided we don’t want to know.� We want it to be a surprise.” �śCool.”� I just never understood people who didn’t want to know that kind of thing, I mean, how can you shop for baby things if you don’t know, right?� Oh well, not my decision to make. �śYour hair looks nice.” �śThanks, Kayla.� By the way, I saw Emily’s mom at the hair salon.� There seems to be a lot of drama going on with Ashley today.” �śWhat do you mean?� She left school early because she was sick, how much drama could there be?” Kelly hesitated.� �śI think it is better if you hear from her.” Last thing I planned on doing was to talk to Ashley, but I knew that if there was drama, Emily and Jessica were sure to know all about it.� I quickly excused myself saying that I had homework.� I grabbed my cell phone and practically ran to my room. Since Kelly said she had talked to Emily’s mom, Emily was the one I called. �śHey, Emily.” �śHi Kayla.� I’m so glad you called!� Have you heard about Ashley?” �śNope�Ś I mean�Ś I heard that there was something going on but not what exactly.” �śO.M.G.� You are never gonna believe what happened!” And after that she went on and on, without even giving me a chance to get a word in. �śSo, Ashley’s mom calls over here this afternoon wanting to know how to get a hold of Justin’s parents, right?� So, my mom gives her the info, and asks if everything is okay, and Ashley’s mom just bursts in tears on the phone.� It turns out that Ashley was feeling sooo sick this morning that her mom took her to the doctor and she is pregnant!!!!� Can you believe that?”� I was speechless, but good thing I didn’t have to say anything because Emily kept going.� �śSo, apparently Ashley told her mom that was impossible and she claims to be a virgin, but of course, doctor’s exam, including ultrasound and all�Ś what more proof does she need?� So she asks Ashley if Justin is the father, being that they are dating and all, and Ashley says she doesn’t know who the father is.� Can you believe it?!” �śWow” that was all I managed to say. �śYeah, that is one way to put it.� So, she was going to try to reach Justin’s parents, she says that if he denies it, she wants a DNA test and all that mess.” �śSo do you think it is Justin’s?”� I asked.� My voice sounded weird, as if I was afraid to know the answer. �śYeah, I mean, who else would it be?� I know we say she is a skank and all, but I don’t think she was dating anyone else.� She is always with Justin.� OMG, are you okay with me talking about all this, Kayla?� Sometimes I just completely forget that you two used to date, even if it was like yesterday! �Ś But you seem to be into Hunter now, right?” �śOh yeah, I’m good.� Just surprised.” �śNo kidding.� Hey, I gotta go eat dinner, but we will talk tomorrow, okay?” We said our good-byes and hung-up. Kelly was calling me down to eat dinner, and although I felt as if I was going to just throw up if I ate anything, I forced myself to go downstairs, grab dinner and eat a few bites.� Andrew wasn’t home yet, so we ate in the living room while we watched TV.� Good thing, because Kelly was into her show enough not to notice how much I actually ate, and after that I just rushed to my room. Trying to get Carolyn back that day had really made me exhausted. I walked into my room, got ready for bed, and wondered how long it would be until Hunter got back.� I was afraid to fall asleep and have Benjamin show up, and even though it was still only seven, I was just too tired to resist. It felt as if I had just closed my eyes, when I woke up with his hand clasped over my mouth. TWENTY � �śMiss me?” he asked, without taking his hand away from my mouth.� No matter how hard I tried, he would not move. �śListen, I have been a little busy lately and will probably be just as busy from now on, but I know that your little friend is trying to find information about your daddy.� I don’t like your friend at all.� I like nothing about what he is, but he is very useful and when he tells you where your daddy is and how to get to him�Ś well, I just want you to know that I will be around and anxiously waiting for that little piece of information.� And just a warning before I go, for the last time, stop trying to get the little ghost girl back, I will just send her away again�Śand again�Śand again.”� He moved his hand away from my mouth and vanished, just as Hunter materialized steps away from where Benjamin had been seconds before. I quickly stood up, ran toward Hunter and buried my face in his chest, holding on to him as tight as humanly possible.� I was so scared that my entire body was shaking. After a few awkward seconds, he finally held me back.� �śI’m so sorry I wasn’t here.� What happened?� Were you not able to see him?” He tried to pull away, but I just held on to him even tighter.� �śI – I fell asleep.” Hunter kept trying to apologize. �śIt is not your fault.”� I told him once again. I finally pulled away from him, �śDid you find what you were looking for?” �śNo, not yet, but I will go back and look again.� Look...� Don’t worry about that.� You are tired�Ś just go to sleep.� I will be here.” Without saying another word, I went to bed and lay down, staring at the wall for what seemed like forever until I finally fell asleep. Hunter woke me up in the morning.� In a low, soft voice he said that he had to go and he would see me at school. I didn’t even want him to leave at all.� How pathetic?� After he left, I just got up, got dressed super fast, and went downstairs.� It was so early that Andrew and Kelly hadn’t even left for work yet.� Andrew looked away from his newspaper and glanced at me with a suspicious look, and then looked at Kelly. �śHuh.� I can’t believe she is up this early.� Maybe you are right, the boy may just be a good influence on Kayla.” I rolled my eyes at them both and went into the kitchen with the intention of grabbing some much needed caffeine, until Kelly intervened and said I should probably get some orange juice instead. It was way too early to argue or even disagree at all. I grabbed the orange juice and sat in front of the TV until it was time to go. *** When I got to school I saw Emily and Jess both sitting on each side of Ashley, who looked like she had been crying for hours.� In a way, I felt bad for her, because I knew that Emily and Jess were in no way just trying to be good friends, they were just trying to find out what all happened. Hunter snuck up behind me.� �śWhat is going on over there?” I told him the whole story, well, what I knew up to that point.� �śI guess that explains Justin cutting class.� I just saw him drive off.” �śGuess so.” We walked toward the school’s main entrance, each going our separate ways once we entered the building. My first class of the day was P.E., Jess was in my class, and she was eager to tell me the new and improved details that she had just found out. She was so excited about the gossip that she didn’t even mention me hanging out with Hunter. That day we were breaking into pairs to play tennis.� While Jess and me waited for our turn, she told me that Justin broke up with Ashley that morning.� He had accused her of sleeping around on him, talking about how hypocritical she was to be telling him that she wanted to �Śwait’, while in the meantime she was doing some other guy�Ś or as he put it �Śguys’ because she clearly didn’t know who the baby’s daddy was and that he was certainly not going to be dragged down into this.� �śSo, who is the guy?” I asked. Jessica shrugged.� �śWish I knew.� Maybe Justin is right with the whole �Śsleeping around’ comment.� Come on now, she claims that she doesn’t know how that could have happened.” �śMaybe she is trying to protect someone?” �śRight!� You know she would be the first one to name the guy and make sure he gets the blame instead of her.” �śTrue�Ś” *** That day, after school, I suggested that we go to Hunter’s house instead.� I just didn’t feel like listening to Kelly and Andrew’s speculations as to what, if anything was happening between Hunter and me. Hunter refused.� He said that in order to summon Carolyn we needed to be in a place that was familiar to her.� His reasoning made sense and all, but I just couldn’t get it off my mind that he was hiding something. We went to my house.� Kelly and Andrew were not home yet, so we went straight to my room�Ś we had given up on the basement idea entirely.� I was eager to get started.� Hunter had looked up some meditation rituals and we hoped that would help getting to Carolyn faster. I was however, worried about one thing.� I asked Hunter what would happen if we did bring her back, telling him that Benjamin had threatened to just send her back again.� Hunter said we would pretty much have to take a chance and hope for the best.� He assured me that he would be able to keep an eye on her, being that he was at least able to see her with no problems�Śat least until we figured out what to do.� But that led to another problem.� If he was so focused on her, Benjamin was bound to get to me at some point or another and that fear was enough to destroy any chance I had to being able to focus on summoning Carolyn. After a while, we�Śwell, I stopped trying to get to Carolyn and Hunter said he was going to go back to the adoption agency to try and find out about my biological parents, when I interrupted him. �śYou know, I’m not sure that is such a good idea�Ś. Giving Benjamin what he wants�Ś I think we just need to find a way to get rid of him.” �śWell, that is what I’m hoping for.� That your�Ś umm dad�Ś well, that I can find information to be used against Benjamin.” I sighed.� �śI think it is a waste of time.” �śWell, do you have a better suggestion?” he asked, clearly frustrated at the entire situation. �śWhat about the guy who helped you?� Maybe he knows what we should do.” �śI suppose I can try to reach him.� I just need to find a way to do that without going myself�Ś and then I have to figure out a way of asking without him knowing exactly what is happening.” �śBut if he is your mentor, why do you have to pretty much lie and hide your way into what we need?” �śBecause there is no way I’m going back to the Academy, and I have to make sure they don’t get to you.” I looked at him, puzzled. �śRemember what I told you?� If you are there, you are likely not to leave�Ś� Besides, you don’t need to be mixed up with those�Ś beings.” We agreed on that.� Hunter was still concerned about Kelly giving birth and having Benjamin hanging around.� I needed to stay exactly where I was.� Whatever Benjamin wanted, just had to be with my biological father.� Either way, we had time.� Kelly was only in her second trimester, so we decided we had time to come up with a better plan.� Hunter even agreed to stop looking into my family’s history. TWENTY-ONE � When Hunter suggested that we stop trying to get through to Carolyn for a while, I didn’t argue.� Really, we weren’t getting anywhere with that.� It wasn’t long until that �Śwhile’ turned into weeks, and things just started getting back to normal in a way. Hunter still hadn’t been able to reach out to his mentor, the one who helped him understand his powers, but he kept trying.� Benjamin hadn’t shown up, but Hunter still stayed at my house at nights.� Matter of fact, I spent a lot of time just hanging out with Hunter, and only hanging out was no longer so stressful or based on need for protection.� We just got used to being around each other, having someone to talk to about anything�Ś. And no, aside from what everyone believed, including Kelly, we were not dating. Kelly and Andrew, up to that point, still loved Hunter.� They thought he was a great influence on me. Oh, and Ashley had now distanced herself from everyone, and was still denying that Justin had anything to do with her being pregnant.� I even felt bad for her.� Last I heard her parents were having problems because her dad wanted her to keep the baby, but her mom, well, her mom had a whole different view on the subject.� It didn’t even seem that Ashley’s opinion mattered. That evening started out no different than any other.� I did my homework, ate dinner and then went up to my room.� Hunter was already there, listening to his iPod and reading a book�Śas usual. I couldn’t believe that had never crossed my mind before, but I asked him if he wasn’t afraid his parents would notice that he was gone one of these nights. He shrugged.� �śVery unlikely,” he said in a sad tone. �śDo you want to talk about it?” �śThere is not much to it.� You know ever since my brother was accused of neglect and as far as they know, I almost died, things just got bad.� Dad is always away from home on business trips and mom is just distant.” I hate those moments when you are never too sure what to say�Ś �śI’m sorry�"�ś He put his hand up, �śPlease don’t.” �śOkay.”� After an awkward silence I asked if he had any luck in searching for his mentor that day. He shook his head, clearly looking concerned. �śKelly will be officially in her third trimester in a few weeks�Ś” �śYeah, I know.” That turned into one of those nights when everything just felt off�Ś nothing either one of us said was right, or felt right.� Eventually, I suggested we watch a movie, we both started out sitting on the floor, but I quickly got tired and went to my bed where I fell asleep in a matter of minutes. That nightmare, started out with me in a place that looked like a castle.� I had been taken there against my will, and locked in a room�Ś a plain room with a bed and a window that overlooked a large field and the front gates to the place.� Hunter was on the other side of the gate, trying to get in�Ś yelling at one of the guards.� Almost as if I was viewing him with a camera that I could zoom in and out, I got a very close look at the guard. Although his back was to me, I could see that he was tall, strong and just�Ś mesmerizing.� I also could not help but to notice the scars on his back.� Two thin scars, one on each side, and then I looked at the girl standing next to him and I understood why he had those scars.� He was one of the fallen, and once he fell, he had been punished by having taken away one of the main things that made him who he was.� Unlike him, the girl had her wings, but they were nothing like I would have imagined.� Her wings were dark; it looked as if they didn’t belong.� Once she spoke, Hunter turned around and left, leaving me trapped in that place. I then had a vision of Benjamin watching everyone and everything.� He wasn’t gone.� He was still around, and he had an agenda, whatever that was.� Then I had another vision, him at school, laughing at Justin for being blamed for Ashley’s pregnancy.� He walked toward her, warning her to take care of that child, but his expression was so cold, his intentions unknown.� The only thing certain was that he was not happy about the way Ashley was handling things, almost as if he was upset that she was hurting that child.� Then the vision changed again, almost as if I was flipping the channels on the TV.� This time, he watched Kelly sleeping, and he looked pleased.� That part of the nightmare was what left me terrified the most.� Terrified to the point where I woke up screaming. Hunter was by my side within seconds.� �śShhh. You are gonna wake up your parents,” he whispered. I took a few deep breaths, but I was still sobbing and I couldn’t stop.� �śEverything will be okay,” he whispered.� He pulled me into a hug, but the sobbing didn’t stop for a while. When I finally did stop crying, he slowly pulled me away, and I’m not even sure what led us to this but he got even closer, his lips had barely touched mine. �śI shouldn’t,” he said under his breath. I didn’t care.� He made no effort to move�Ś our lips still barely touching; I leaned closer and kissed him. That was when Andrew opened my bedroom door. TWENTY-TWO � I couldn’t even put Andrew’s expression into words�Ś the closer I came to describing it was as beyond furious, and even that was not enough. He stood there, frozen in place, staring at Hunter in a way that made me scared for his life. Then he finally snapped.� �śWe don’t have time for this right now.� Kayla, I’m taking Kelly to the hospital, she thinks there is something wrong, so let’s go.” �śBut, we weren’t�Ś” �śDon’t care.� I mean�Ś I do care and we will talk about it.� Whatever excuse you have is the part I don’t care about.� Now, I said, LET’S GO.”� Andrew then looked at Hunter, who sat there, speechless, probably wishing he could disappear without having the consequences of having to explain it later.� �śYOU!’ he said as he came closer to Hunter, pointing his index finger right at his face.� �śI want you gone by the time we get back, and make sure to leave your parents’ address and phone number on the kitchen table.� And trust me, if it’s not there, I will find it one way or another.” �śYes, Sir.”� Hunter said in a way that by looking at Andrew’s expression almost seemed to have calmed him down.� It was just weird how Hunter had that effect on Kelly and Andrew. I went downstairs, pajamas and all.� Kelly was already waiting in the car and Andrew said she was feeling a lot of pain, but didn’t go into it.� Before we got in the car, he leaned toward me, and whispered.� �śNot a word about this to your mother�Ś she doesn’t need the stress.� Understood?”� I nodded. Kelly seemed to be okay overall, she looked at me surprised and then at Andrew. �śI thought you were just going to leave a note on her desk, honey.”� She said in a questionable tone, looking for an explanation. Andrew kept looking forward as if he was really focused on his driving.� I knew he was avoiding Kelly’s gaze, as she would see right through him.� �śShe was up anyway,” he said. Well, it wasn’t technically a lie. *** It turned out that Kelly just had heartburn.� It was already dawn when we got back home.� Andrew avoided talking to me and I knew it was because him being mad would reflect in his tone.� Either way, Kelly knew something was up and even though she was tired and needed rest, she told Andrew she wouldn’t be able to relax until we told her what was going on. So, he told her�Ś everything! Kelly gave me that disappointed look that was worse than anything else. Andrew walked to the kitchen table, grabbing the piece of paper that Hunter had left, ensuring Kelly that he would call his parents and make sure there were consequences, but I just couldn’t allow Hunter to get in trouble when he was doing me a favor. I looked at Kelly, �śMom, it is really not what it seemed.” �śWell, what was it then, Kayla?!”� Andrew asked in a frustrated tone; knowing that it was exactly as he had seen. I really had to choose my words carefully not to get into any more trouble. �śI’ve been having these really bad dreams and I’ve been having trouble sleeping again.”� I looked down, avoiding their gaze, feeling awful for lying.� �śI didn’t want to worry you.� I was afraid of staying up again; afraid that would lead me to see things like last time and I just thought if I had someone in my room while I slept I would be okay.” �śSo, for how many nights has this been happening?”� Kelly asked. �śJust last night, I swear!� And the kiss, I don’t know how that happened.� I don-don’t even like him like that!”� My voice was breaking as I said that, surprising even myself that I couldn’t even say that in a convincing tone. Kelly sighed.� �śLook, Kayla, I’m going to trust you that nothing besides that kiss ever happened before�"�ś �śHoney!”� Andrew interrupted. Kelly put her hand up for him to allow her to finish. �śHunter really seems like a good kid, responsible�Ś but Kayla, you need to come to us when you have problems like that.� I want you to see Dr. Moulder again.” Great! �śMaybe get some distance from Hunter as well.” �śBut�"�ś �śDon’t push it, Kayla!” Andrew said. �śFine!”� I got up and went to my room, got dressed and went back downstairs. �śWhere are you going?”� Kelly asked.� �śWe’ve kept you up all night; you will probably fall asleep in class.” �śNo.� I’m good,” I assured them.� I got in my car, and having sometime before school started, I drove to Hunter’s house. TWENTY-THREE � I knocked on the door for quite a while before Hunter’s mom answered it.� She held a bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand and a full glass on the other. �śCome on in!” she said without even asking who I was. �śUmm�Ś It’s okay, Mrs. Chambers.� Is Hunter home?”� I asked without taking a step further.� Truth was, she smelled like alcohol and I just didn’t feel like being around her for some reason. She didn’t say anything.� She turned and walked toward the couch, barely able to make her way there.� I took one step inside, and stopped.� Again, hesitating to go in any further. Mrs. Chambers met my gaze.� �śHe is in the shower.� Just wait wherever you want to.” In a polite tone which I was sure she wouldn’t care less whether I was being polite or not, I said �śOkay.� I will just wait outside, Mrs. Chambers.� Thank you.” I walked out and got in my car where I waited, and it only took a few minutes before Hunter opened the front door and rushed to my car, getting in the passenger seat. �śHey!”� I said in a surprisingly cheerful tone that I wanted to take back, considering the circumstances the night before. He looked and sounded embarrassed.� �śI’m so sorry about my mom!” �śIt’s fine.� You have nothing to feel sorry about.� Guess we are just having bad luck with parents lately�Ś” �śTo say the least�Ś how did it go with your mom and dad?� Is your mom okay?” I told him that Kelly was fine and the story that I made up about me not being able to sleep, which in a way was the truth.� If it weren’t for Hunter being there, I would have been up all night. �śSorry you are stuck seeing that shrink again,” he said. I looked down, avoiding his gaze, wishing that I didn’t have to tell him the rest.� �śYeah, and they also think we need some distance�Ś” He shrugged.� �śThat is actually not a bad idea.” I looked at him in shock, wondering why he would say that�Ś feeling hurt.� I wasn’t even able to hide my emotions because he went on to explain what he meant by that. �śNo, not like that!� It’s not that I don’t enjoy your company or anything like that.� I’m just thinking that I need time to figure out this Benjamin situation, you know�Ś I have someone ready to help me, but I just need to find out Benjamin’s relation to your dad.” �śOh.” �śAnd the kiss, I umm, it shouldn’t have happened.� I was out of line and I should have stopped it from happening,” he said, looking as uncomfortable as I felt. Now I really felt pathetic.� So, that kiss meant more to me than to him.� After an awkward silence, I ignored how I felt about that kiss and moved on to something else that was on my mind. �śWhat if he comes back?� You know, at night?” He sighed.� �śI will be there, even if you can’t see me.” �śSo technically, you are not really staying away?� I thought you doing that took too much energy from you.” �śWell, yes, but we can’t risk last night’s situation again.” �śNot a chance!� I don’t want to put you through that.� I will be fine.” �śAre you going to at least call me if you are not fine?� If you think he may be back, or even if you can’t sleep?” he asked in a concerned tone.� I wondered if there was the slightest chance that he wasn’t doing this just because he knew what it felt like to be able to see things like Benjamin, but because he actually cared about me. �śYes, I will call you,” I assured him, being well aware that would have been a worst-case scenario call.� �śLook, I can’t be late for school today.� Kelly and Andrew know that I left early enough to be there on time.� So, do you need a ride?” �śNah, I’m taking my mom’s car today.� I have to get some things done after school.” �śOkay.� I will see you at school then,” I said in a cold tone. Before getting out of my car he stopped and looked back.� �śWhat’s wrong with you?” �śNothing,” I snapped. He just rolled his eyes, turned around and walked away. Guys!� Ugh. *** I got to school early and it felt weird walking to class without Hunter around.� Even with Emily and Jess there, keeping me up to date on the Ashley gossip, didn’t take the feeling away that something was off. To be honest, I wasn’t even listening to what they were saying.� I knew it had something to do with Ashley deciding to give the baby up for adoption and that she still wouldn’t say who the dad was, other than guaranteeing that it was not Justin. Talking about Justin�Ś ugh.� He clearly noticed that Hunter was not around, because as soon as he saw me he came in my direction. I looked at Jessica and Emily and knew they were definitely not going anywhere. �śCan we please talk?” he asked politely and sounding nothing like the stuck up Justin that I knew. I looked at my watch and rushing him, I said I only had a few minutes before I had to be in class and that I couldn’t afford to be late. Justin looked at Jessica and Emily.� They were both smiling and clearly curious about what he had to say.� �śYou know�Ś this was a bad idea, I’m just gonna go,” he said as he started to walk away. Knowing Justin, whatever he had to say was just some unnecessary drama and I sure didn’t need anymore of that. Still, watching him walk away made me feel sorry for him, and just like that I had the most stupid idea ever. I don’t know what I was thinking.� I wasn’t clear as to whether I was doing this to get back at Kelly and Andrew about Hunter, or just to make Hunter jealous, but I left Jessica and Emily standing there speechless and went after Justin. TWENTY-FOUR � I really didn’t want to be late for class, so I had agreed to talk to Justin during lunch.� He met me right at the entrance of the cafeteria.� By that time, I had told Emily that I was going to give Justin a chance�Ś to at least hear what he had to say.� When she asked about Hunter, I shrugged and told her that nothing ever happened and that we were just friends.� She didn’t look like she believed me, and although I could tell she thought talking to Justin was a bad idea, she didn’t stop me.� In their own way, Emily and Jessica were good friends, but they were also the most curious friends I had ever had.� Whether talking to Justin was bad or not, they wanted to know what he had to say even more than I did. Justin walked me to a table in the back of the cafeteria where it was somewhat quieter. We sat there, staring at our food, not sure what to say. I finally broke the silence.� �śSo, what did you want to say earlier today?” Justin still avoided my gaze.� �śNot important.” �śOookay�Ś.” His attitude changed when Hunter entered the cafeteria. He looked up, meeting my gaze, and put his hand over mine. �śLook, I was just wondering if I could have another chance.”� He started to rush what he had to say before Hunter got to our table, almost as if he was afraid or as if he knew that he wouldn’t be able to finish what he had to say once Hunter reached us.� �śI know what I did, going out with Ashley behind your back was wrong, but she practically threw herself at me, and�Ś well, I’m sorry and�"�ś He stopped once Hunter approached. �śJust how many times do you need to be told to leave her alone?”� Hunter hissed. I met Hunter’s gaze.� � �śIt’s fine.� We were just talking.” Justin’s cocky smile was a sign that he was still the same conceited jerk. �śDude, she doesn’t need your �Śbodyguard’ services anymore�Ś Just go stalk someone else!” At that moment the cafeteria went completely silent.� Everyone had stopped what they were doing and were watching us, eagerly waiting for Hunter’s reaction. He looked at me. �śWe are just talking.”� I told him. Hunter turned around and left the cafeteria. �śLook, Justin�Ś� If you want to be friends, great, but that is as far as we will go.” He agreed, clearly hopeful that friendship would lead to something else.� I still had a few minutes before my next class, so I left the cafeteria and walked to the restroom.� Honestly, I just wanted to be alone.� I felt horrible for letting Hunter go like that, but some things I knew for sure.� We were nothing but friends and that sure didn’t bind him to protecting me from everything and everyone. I just needed to get that �Śkiss’ out of my head and move forward�Ś no, not with Justin.� It might have been stupid to talk to him, but I wasn’t that stupid. Hunter had said the kiss was a mistake and there was no way that dating Justin again would make him jealous.� Maybe Andrew and Kelly were right�Ś a little distance couldn’t hurt. *** That afternoon I decided to stop by Ashley’s house.� I don’t know why, I just felt sorry for her, I guess.� I didn’t even tell Emily or Jessica that I was going because they would want me to get whatever gossip material I could. Ashley opened the door. �śWhat are you doing here?” she asked, immediately looking past me to see whether I was alone. I shrugged.� �śJust wanted to talk.” �śHuh.”� She looked puzzled, but motioned for me to follow her in.� No one was there but us, and the house was nothing like I remembered.� Ashley’s house used to be spotless clean, well organized, and overall, just a comfortable place to hang out.� Now there were clothes, mail, and newspapers, scattered all over the living room.� There were dirty cups on the coffee table.� The house had gone from cozy to dark and cold. I was sure she noticed my reaction at that complete mess, but she didn’t care.� She said she had been chatting with someone on her computer so we went to her room, which was no different than the rest of the house. I managed to find a spot on her bed so I could sit and wait until she was done, but I was so close to her desk that I couldn’t help but to look over her shoulder to see who she was chatting with.� And no, I had no intentions of sharing my findings with anyone.� I really did start to feel sorry for Ashley. TeenCounsel23, that was the person’s screen name.� I was glad that the font in the chat room wasn’t small, because I had no trouble in reading through the rest of it.� I didn’t even mean to actually read the entire thing, but I just couldn’t look away, and Ashley didn’t seen to even notice. She had been trying to deal with the fact that she didn’t know who her baby’s father was.� �śNo, I do not and have never done drugs, or been drunk, or have some sort of medical condition that would cause me not to remember it.”� I noticed her breathing getting heavier as she typed, as if she was getting frustrated, and it seemed like she might have forgotten that I was even there. TeenCounsel23 offered to get her the phone number for a local office where she could go in and speak to someone about it.� That was when she closed the screen on the computer. �śOnce again, waste of my freaking time!” she said to herself before she turned and faced me. She was still infuriated. �śFine, you want to talk?� Here it is�Ś� I fell for Justin, couldn’t help myself.� He kept telling me that he was going to break it off with you and I believed him so we kept dating�Ś Was I wrong?� YES!� I should have told you myself.” �śOkay�Ś” I was honestly startled by the sudden sharing of emotions and events, especially considering how long it had been since we said a word to each other. �śSo, what do want?”� she asked �śI just came by to see if�Ś if you needed someone to talk to.” Ashley started laughing, shaking her head.� �śJessica and Emily stop at nothing to get ahead on the gossip.” �śThey didn’t –” I froze in place, mid-sentence at the sight of Benjamin, standing in the corner of her room, with that stupid evil grin that I had not missed at all. �śLike I thought!”� She said.� �śIt doesn’t matter anyway.� I’m leaving next week to live with my grandma.” I tried to ignore Benjamin and focus on her, but I could sense he was still there.� Getting no reaction from me, she continued.� �śThey want gossip, just give it to them�Ś mom and dad split up because of me.� Grandma wants me to keep the baby and I decided that I want to as well, so I’m moving to Utah to live with her.” Benjamin’s grin grew wider and he started to walk toward her. I started to tell her that I had to go; I figured that he was here for me.� If I left he would leave too and she would be left alone and safe�Ś� Only, Benjamin stood next to her, putting one of his hands on her belly and as he did that, his eyes looked brighter, he seemed�Ś stronger. �śWe need to get out of here!” I told her. Ashley looked at me confused, then placed her hand over Benjamin’s, only she clearly couldn’t see that he was there.� Her tone changed from frustrated to crazy-psycho-girl as she told me to get the hell out of her room and her house and never to come back or talk to her again. Benjamin was laughing like that had been the funniest joke. I couldn’t believe that I wished for that, but hoping that Benjamin would follow me out, I left. I didn’t see him anymore that day. TWENTY-FIVE That had been the day I hadn’t heard from Hunter.� I did think about calling and telling him what had happened.� I just hated how I became so dependent on his help, so I didn’t call or look for him. I did go shopping with Jessica and Emily as an attempt to get my mind off things, not that it worked.� The first mention of Ashley gave me chills as I instantly thought of Benjamin. After leaving Ashley’s house, it crossed my mind that I should have tried to summon Benjamin and to find out what he wanted, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.� I wanted to know what he wanted, but not as much as I wanted him away from me. Turned out that Emily and Jessica already knew about Ashley moving away, which meant that by that time, everyone knew.� Apparently, Emily’s mom had heard about it at the spa. �śSo, what was the deal with Justin the other day?” Emily asked, eager to hear all of the details.� Honestly, I was surprised it took her that long to ask me. I told them nothing happened, that he was still the same jerk and was probably never going to change.� Emily made a comment about how she didn’t mind him being a jerk, but I just ignored it. That night we all slept at Emily’s house. As sad and pathetic as it was, I missed Hunter.� It was just so�Śdifferent hanging out with him.� He made me feel safe and I hated having to depend on him for something so simple as feeling safe while I slept. After Jessica and Emily finally stopped babbling and went to sleep, I just lay there, unable to sleep and unable to get Hunter off my mind, no matter how hard I tried. I barely got any sleep that night.� When I finally got up, I went to check my phone and there was a text from Hunter.� �śWe need to talk.� Can we meet somewhere?” I figured he either didn’t want to take the risk to go to my house or he knew that I wasn’t home and had not tried to find me. �śWhat are you smiling about?”� Emily asked as she watched me reply to the text. I hadn’t even realized that was what I was doing.� I shrugged.� �śNothing.� I need to get home soon though.” I got dressed and rushed out of there.� I had texted Hunter that I would meet him at his house, but he asked me to meet him at a park near the school instead. When I parked my car, he was already there, waiting for me.� For the first time, I noticed how much I was fighting against the way I was feeling for him.� �ŚThis is never going to happen�Ś’I took a deep breath before getting out of the car.� �ŚNo expectations, no disappointments.’� � I reminded myself. I walked over to where he was sitting and sat on the other side, across from him. He avoided even looking at me.� On the table, there was an envelope with my name on it.� Only it said Kayla D�Ś� His hand covered the rest of it. �śWhat is up?”� I finally asked. �śI found your file.� You know, with information about your biological parents.” I stood up.� �śI told you I didn’t want to know.” �śThere is not much that I can tell you anyway.� There wasn’t much in there�Ś. �ś I turned my back to Hunter, so he wouldn’t see that I was shaking and afraid to find out anything about� my real parents. �śLook, I will go.� There were some pictures of your parents�Ś� The envelope is sealed, so you can do whatever with it.” I stood there, motionless. �śI – I will just talk to your later, Kayla.” I wanted to ask Hunter not to leave, but the words didn’t come out.� When I turned around, to watch him go, he stood right in front of me and pulled me into a hug. It was amazing how just a hug made me feel so comforted. I didn’t need to ask him to stay while I opened the envelope or even say that I wanted to look at the pictures.� He simply stood there, next to me. My biological parents were actually older than I would have ever pictured.� My mom was tall, slim, long blond hair and brown eyes�Ś. but something about her wasn’t right.� I couldn’t feel anything.� Then I looked at my dad’s picture and I couldn’t hold back the smile.� Unlike me, he had brown hair, green eyes, and looking at him, I felt sad�Ś I remembered him playing with me outside.� Somehow, that one distant memory made me miss his presence. Hunter sat down.� I sat next to him, still staring at the picture.� �śSo, what all did you find out?”� I finally got the guts to ask. Hunter sighed.� �śNothing really.� Just family history background.� Your�Ś umm�Ś mom had another kid years before you, but something went wrong.� There were no other details other than he didn’t make it.” �śYou don’t think Benjamin is--?” �śNo.� I mean�Ś the child didn’t even get a chance to grow up.” I didn’t say anything to that. �śI know this is a lot to take in.” �śDid you find out anything else�Ś any reason why Benjamin would have a connection to him?” I noticed Hunter had been staring at my dad’s picture, which I was still holding. �śNothing at all.� Seems that we are running out of time.� There may not be any other options except going directly to my mentor.” �śBut you can’t�Ś you said�Ś What about that someone you said was helping?” He avoided my gaze. �śIt is complicated.� We need to get rid of Benjamin before the baby comes.� Both your mom and Ashley’s” �śWhy?� What does he want?” �śBenjamin�Śwhat he is�Ś well, I told you before he can feed off that kind of energy.� He is already getting stronger.”� I could feel Hunter was hiding something�Ś having trouble choosing his words.� �śCertain young souls�Ś well they are unprotected.� � Things� like Benjamin can take advantage of that, especially when�Ś never mind.� Our options are to get rid of him somehow, or find a spirit, even a trapped one like Carolyn, to reincarnate.� She can protect that baby’s soul.� Only, you will have to find a way to release her first.” To say that I was confused was an understatement.� Before I could even process anything, I got a text. �ŚMom went into labor.� Meet us at the hospital.’ Speechless and more afraid than I had ever been, I showed Hunter my phone. He cussed and told me to get in the car, that he would drive while I tried to focus on getting Carolyn. TWENTY-SIX � �śClose your eyes and focus!”� Hunter snapped. �śI can’t!� Especially with you yelling at me!� Just worry about driving, okay?” �śI’m not�"�ś� He sighed.� �śSorry.� You need to try harder, please,” he begged. �śIt’s not like I’m not trying!”� I snapped back. We both knew that was just not going to happen.� We were both stressed out, and focusing was impossible. We got to the hospital in a matter of minutes. Kelly was already hooked up to all sorts of monitors.� Hunter was in there with me, but Kelly and Andrew didn’t say anything.� I thought Andrew was about to say something about it but whatever it was, he let it go.� Yes, the baby was coming way early, but there was no stopping now. At that point, Kelly’s contractions started getting stronger and closer together, and Hunter and I were asked to leave the room. As soon as we were out of the room, Hunter grabbed my hand, which made my whole world pause for a split second.� That ended when he started basically dragging me down the hall and into the emergency exit. We took the stairs, and went up to the roof.� The door accessing it was open, so Hunter led us outside. �śOkay, we need to do this now.” I nodded. Hunter walked me through it.� We both stood there.� �śClose your eyes�Ś”� He probably noticed my hands shaking and he grabbed my hands into his.� �śI’m right here with you�Śjust relax�Ś now focus on Carolyn�Ś focus on helping your mom�Ś. Let Carolyn know that you need her help and that this will help her as much as it will help you.”� Asking for help alone had been a big step for me.� Months ago I would have simply refused, but I couldn’t be that selfish, especially when it involved Kelly. I took another deep breath while letting Carolyn know that I needed her.� I used all of the energy that I had, stopping only when I felt my knees give out on me.� Hunter was now holding me up. There was nothing else I could have done.� I opened my eyes, and as I did, I saw Carolyn.� This amazing light surrounded her, and she walked toward the rooftop entrance to the hospital.� Before entering she quickly turned around, glanced at me and said thank you.� The light got brighter and she made her way into the hospital. I faced Hunter, puzzled. �śIt worked!” he said smiling.� �śYou did it!” My cell phone started ringing.� It was Andrew. �śKay, where did you go?”� Without giving me a chance to reply, he said.� �śCome meet your baby sister.” I felt relieved and it made me smile that, in a way, I already knew her. �śI will be there in a sec.”� I said cheerfully. We walked toward the rooftop entrance and after going down the first flight of stairs I just couldn’t help it.� I practically jumped into Hunter’s arms.� �śThank you!” �śYou don’t have to thank me.� You did all the work.” I looked up to see that he seemed as happy as I was.� That was when I felt him being ripped away from my arms, being thrown down the stairs and not getting up. Benjamin materialized in front of him and started walking toward me�Ś. He was furious. I felt overwhelmed with panic.� Whatever Benjamin had done to Hunter had really hurt him. I had to help Hunter, I had to get to him and I knew there was only one way to bypass Benjamin and that was getting rid of him. I closed my eyes, knowing that he was there, knowing that was the only way to focus on sending him away, even if it was a risk�Ś. even knowing how weak I was from summoning Carolyn.� I felt even more vulnerable when I felt his touch, but I couldn’t afford to open my eyes, even though my focus was gone at the moment he touched me.� I just couldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing that his little game was working to keep me from concentrating. His touch felt strange.� I couldn’t even describe it as cold or warm, it was almost as if I could feel some sort of energy; energy that disguised itself as something comforting, pure, luring me into thinking that I was safe, making me forget my surroundings, including Hunter�Ś until I pulled myself together and was able to focus on remembering what Benjamin was. I felt his fingers brushing against my hand, slowly making their way up my arm, his hand now resting on my shoulder, pulling me against his body. I was now afraid of opening my eyes, afraid of knowing whether Hunter would be okay. Benjamin’s cold and frightening words changed everything.� �śYou had no right allowing that girl to use my child to reincarnate!”� He growled as he picked me up and threw me against the wall.� Those words�Ś images of him hovering around Kelly and Ashley, both pregnant�Ś I knew what he was; I knew what kind of demon he was. The energy that surrounded me turned into something else as Benjamin approached me again.� I was unable to open my eyes, but I could feel his hand on my wrist.� My mind and soul fighting, trying to resist his touch, but my body not responding, almost as if it was detached from everything else. �Ś And it was.� Through that touch and pain, he fed off what I felt, replacing it with emptiness, as I slipped into a coma and entered the Otherworld. All I could see now were snapshots from his memories, his childhood, allowing me to confirm what Benjamin really was, he wasn’t just a demon as Hunter had said, he was more, he was the son of an Incubus.� That part of him, the part that came from his father was wide-awake.� That was the same part of him that had once been overshadowed by the humanity he inherited from his mother�Ś from our mother.� TWENTY-SEVEN � That place was dark and frightening, just as Carolyn had described, but the sound of Hunter’s voice calling my name pulled me out of there.� �ŚDon’t give in,’ he said. I started trembling as I realized that I was not within my body.� I stood there, watching Hunter asking over and over that I don’t give in�Ś that I open my eyes.� My first thought was that I was dead.� That was when I realized that I was still breathing, which was good, other than me having no clue what was going on. �ŚHunter – Hunter, can you hear me?� Please tell me you can�Ś. I haven’t given up.� I’m fine.’� Well, I wasn’t technically fine�Ś. I approached him and realized that he didn’t seem weak like he was before; in fact, he didn’t seem weak at all.� I remembered what had happened and frantically looked around, but Benjamin was just gone! �śPlease, Kayla,” he whispered.� I was surprised to hear the desperation in his voice.� I wondered why he had yet to get a doctor.� That was what I needed, a doctor just had to find a way to get me back.� Whatever Benjamin was up to now, couldn’t be good.� I had to stop him. �śHey,” said the voice behind me.� Startled, I looked around, and assumed that he was looking at Hunter, but he was staring right at me. �śYou can see me?”� I asked. �śOf course.” �śWhat is happening to me?”� I asked. He shrugged.� �śIt is complicated�Ś I’m Chase by the way.” �śOkay, well�Ś great.� So, Chase, how complicated exactly?� Am I dead?” He smiled.� Glancing at where Hunter was.� �śLooks to me like you are breathing, so that would be a �Śno’.” Before I could say anything, he asked me if I needed to talk to Hunter.� �śWith that, I can help you,” he said. �śSo, are you a ghost?”� He nodded.� �śAnd I’m not dead?” I asked. �śThat would be right.� Look, I know he can see and hear me if I want to contact him, so do you need help or not?” �śWhy are you so willing to help?”� I asked. �śJeez girl, you sure ask a lot of questions!� Let’s just say that Hunter helped me through some things.� I just wanted to do something for him�Ś and it kinda looks like he is very concerned.” I nodded. �śHunter�Ś Hunter!” he finally yelled. Hunter looked up at him.� �śChase!”� He said surprised.� �śI – I don’t know what to do.� I was going to call the doctors, but something just feels off.” �śYou are right, you can’t do that, dude.” �śI just don’t know what to do!”� Hunter said, frantically. Chase looked at me and than back at Hunter.� �śShe is here, if you need me to help you talk to her.” Hunter looked shocked.� �ś�Śbut she is not dead!” �śYou are right,” Chase said.� �śTell him that he needs to call a damn doctor!”� I said.� �śOr call my mom or dad.” Chase smiled. �śWhat?� Tell me what she is saying�Ś Is she okay?”� Hunter asked. �śShe says you need to call a doctor, or her mom, or her dad�Ś She is right about that last part.” �śBut�"�ś Hunter was interrupted. �śNo, dude.� Not that dad�Ś you need to call her real one.” I froze in place. �śShe would hate me for that,” said Hunter.� �śHE would hate me for that.” Chase faced him.� �śDude, I’m pretty sure you would prefer to have them both mad at you for that, then for her being trapped where she is about to go very soon if you don’t.” �śHe sent her to the Otherworld�Ś”� Hunter said as if he had just realized it. �śYes, but somehow you are pulling her back here and there is no way to tell for how long that will last.� You need to get out of here and take her with you. I mean�Ś you know�Ś her body.� However you are keeping her here, it may be broken if you get separated and you know just how difficult it will be to get her back if she is gone.” Hunter sighed. �śSo, I’m in a coma�Ś how exactly can my biological father help?” Chase faced Hunter.� �śShe wants to know how her father can help�Ś should I tell her?” Hunter avoided his gaze and glanced at me�Ś the �Śme’ that he was holding.� � � � �śIs that the only way?”� Hunter asked Chase. Chase faced him.� �śYes, that is the only way to bring her back.� You will need their help.� That is where she needs to be anyway.� As much as I hate that place, that is where YOU need to be, Hunter.” Hunter looked down�Ś looking lost.� �śTell her what she needs to know�Ś ONLY what she needs to know.” �śI guess that is up for interpretation, so just tell her yourself�Ś she can hear you just fine.” �śWhere exactly is she?” asked Hunter. �śRight next to me.”� Chase said, looking to his right. Hunter hesitated.� �śKayla, your dad, he can help me get you in the place where you can be healed.” �śWhat place would that be?”� I asked, followed by Chase repeating my question. �śThe Academy,” he said. �śOkaaay,” I said confused.� �śThe Academy you told me about?� How is my�"how is he of any help?” Hunter froze. �śDude, just tell her,” said Chase. Hunter shook his head.� Looked at Chase.� �śYou know, the condition for me leaving me Academy�Ś� he asked me to keep an eye on her.� He saved me and I failed him.” I was completely lost. Hunter looked from Chase to where I stood, almost as if he knew exactly where I was.� �śJust answer her question,” he told Chase. Chase met my gaze.� �śThey refer to it as Academy of the Fallen, and you dad, well�Ś he runs the place.” �śHuh?” My phone rang, scaring us all, Chase included.� Something like that, scaring a ghost, would have been amusing if we weren’t in this situation.� The phone had fallen from my pocket and it was lying on the floor.� �śIt is her dad, Hunter said.� Feeling the need to clarify, he continued,� �śMr. Gallagher.” Chase shook his head.� �śLook, we have to get moving.� We need to get her body out of here, find a car, and get to the Academy�Ś I’m thinking right now the biggest problem is going to be getting her out of here without anyone seeing her.” Hunter sighed.� �śThis is not going to go well at all!” I honestly didn’t think it could get any worse.� I was scared and confused. I had a million questions and I just wanted my mom and dad�Ś Kelly and Andrew that is�Ś Hunter stood up, cradling me in his arms. He looked at Chase.� �śThere is just no way to get her there without anyone seeing me carrying her.” �śWell, sounds like you have two options.� You can call one of �Śthem’ to help her or you can use the abilities you have and project that to her.� I know you have done it before.� You can do it again.” That was when we heard the footsteps, but it was too late.� A doctor and a nurse showed up and immediately rushed to where Hunter was�Ś still holding my motionless body. �śWhat happened?!”� The nurse asked Hunter.� The doctor had already taken me from his arms and was walking down the stairs with us following him.� None of us was sure what to do. �śShe just �Ś fell down the stairs.� When I got to her, she was unconscious,” Hunter said, his voice trembling. �śHow long has she been like this?” asked the nurse. �śI�"I’m not sure,” said Hunter. �śWhat is her name?� Were you visiting someone in the hospital?� The both of you shouldn’t even be up here.” Hunter avoided her gaze.� �śI’--I’m sorry.� Her name is Kayla Gallagher�Ś her mom is here, she just had a baby.” The doctor rushed me to the first available examining room, requesting the nurse to find Andrew, and ordering her to take Hunter out of the room and to make sure he did not go anywhere until they had some questions answered. The only problem was�Ś as soon as Hunter was sent away; I started to be pulled back into the Otherworld. HUNTER TWENTY-EIGHT � �śShe is gone, dude,” those were Chase’s words as soon as they were kicked out of that room. Hunter tried to go back.� He wanted to see if they could get Kayla back and somehow keep her there, but the nurse kept pushing him out.� So it turned out, security was already on their way, along with Andrew. Andrew looked as frantic as Hunter was, yet, he wasn’t mad.� He told the security to back off and as calm as he could possibly be in a situation like that, he asked Hunter what had happened. Hunter told him exactly what he had told the nurse and doctor, that Kayla fell and was unconscious when he got to her. �śMr. Gallagher, please let me go in and see her.� Just for a minute.” Andrew looked as if he was considering it, but the Doctor came out at that moment, ordering MRI’s and a bunch of other tests, and requested to talk to Mr. Gallagher in private. While the doctor took Andrew to his office, the nurse went to get things ready for the tests, getting another nurse to move Kayla to the test area.� The nurse, who looked as if she had just graduated, walked by Hunter and whispered, �śCome on.� I don’t think I will last here another day anyway.� You can see her, but just for a second.” Hunter looked at her, puzzled, but only for a split second before he was already in Kayla’s room, right by her side. The nurse was in the room too, so he lowered himself by Kayla’s bedside, putting his hand over hers and whispered, �śKayla, please come back.� You have to fight it.” Hunter looked up at Chase who was also in the room, but he just shook his head. The nurse walked near the bed.� �śSorry kid, I really do have to take her now and you need to go before I get into even more trouble than I’m already in.” Hunter nodded.� �śThanks for doing this,” he told the nurse. �śNo problem.”� The nurse paused.� �śYou know, it must be nice to have found someone you love.” �śI don’t -- She is just a friend.” �śOh,” the nurse said, looking embarrassed for saying it, but mostly like she didn’t believe what Hunter was saying.� �śOkay.� Like I said, you are welcome, but you really need to go.” Chase followed Hunter into the waiting area, but said nothing.� He just looked as if he was deep in thought.� � Hunter sat down, and just wondered how in the world he was going to manage to take Kayla out of there and get her to the academy. Chase looked at Hunter.� �śSorry dude, I don’t think you will be able to get her out of here without help.� Just go to the Academy and get help.” Hunter just stared at him.� He couldn’t exactly respond to Chase, not where there were people watching him.� He just shook his head, then got up and walked into the bathroom, giving Chase a look that indicated he should follow. As soon as the door was locked, Hunter turned to Chase and in a low and determined voice he said he would not leave Kayla alone at the hospital. �śSo, you do love her?”� Chase said. Hunter glared at him.� �śWe don’t have time for nonsense.� I was supposed to be watching her, keeping �Śthem’ away from her.� That was the only thing her dad asked me to do after he basically saved me, after teaching me everything I needed to know�Ś one little thing and I was not able to do it.� I wasn’t even sure what Benjamin was at first�Śwhat kind of demon he was�Ś� I suspected, but I wasn’t sure.� I should have known.” �śIt is not exactly your fault.� You may know a lot, but you are not exactly an expert on those things.� Besides, how could you have known their little family secrets?” �śWhat do you mean?” asked Hunter. Chase sighed.� �śBenjamin is Kayla’s half brother.� Before Mr. Daniels and her mother met, her mother was pregnant with the son of a demon.” Hunter was speechless at first. �śI can’t leave her, Chase.� What if they move her somewhere else?� We don’t even know what the doctor will say, what if Benjamin wasn’t the cause--?” �śWe both know he was the cause.� Look, I can’t exactly go back to the Academy, we both know that.� You go and if they move her, I will follow.� I will find a way to contact you if anything changes.” Hunter punched the mirror out of frustration.� �śThe Academy is the last place I want to be�Ś that is the last place where she should be.” �śWell, you can always send a message to the Academy...” Hunter shook his head.� �śNo, it has to me, she is my responsibility.� Besides, if she goes, I go.” �śWell, then, I guess you better hurry up before they hold you up for more questions.” Hunter hesitated. �śI will watch out for her, you know I will.” Hunter gave Chase a nod, and then vanished. TWENTY-NINE � If anyone asked Hunter where the Academy was, he wouldn’t be able to tell�Ś no one would.� All he knew, was that the Academy was surrounded by mountains, and there were only a few places where he could go to in order to be sent to the Academy, and the closest place to him was an abandoned church in town. As far as he knew, the hidden door in the church’s basement only allowed two types of beings to get past it, the fallen and the haunted�Ś that was what he had been told.� Hunter wasn’t exactly either one of those, but he had heard of other beings entering it.� Chase had been one of them.� He hoped he would be able to get through, but even he wasn’t completely sure at first.� As the door opened, he stepped into the field that led to the entrance of the Academy.� The Academy was isolated from the rest of the world, from everything normal; but what scared him the most was that once those gates closed, there was only one way that he was getting out of there, with approval.� After messing up so badly in keeping Benjamin away from Kayla, he knew that approval was not going to happen. Hunter hesitated before even touching the gate.� Surely, Kayla’s dad would go and get her out of the hospital so that she could be healed, but he wanted to be the one to help getting her to the Academy.� For one reason, he didn’t trust the Fallen.� Never had and never would�Ś After all, every single one of them had somehow messed up�Ś badly.� And that opportunity for a second chance that the Academy offered, was nothing but an experiment; an experiment that they tested on people like Hunter; even if Hunter was a little different than the others. �śThere is no other way,” he told himself. The gate opened at his touch, and as soon as he took a few steps forward, just enough for the gate to close�Ś it did, and just the sound of it locking gave him chills. Hunter approached the first door, where the same exact being as the first time welcomed him.� Ember was one of Pharzuph’s students, the fallen angel of lust. Ember looked exactly the same, wearing a short black dress, black tights, and combat boots.� Her long blonde hair was now accented with red highlights.� She also sounded just like she had before�Ś like she had yet to learn her lesson. �śHey sexy!� Missed me?� I knew you would be back eventually.” Hunter ignored her and kept on walking in the direction of Mr. Daniels’ office.� Ember followed him, mostly just checking him out, but only until she got distracted by Ethan. Ethan was new at the Academy, and to Ember, new was exciting.� Ethan was one of Forcas’ students; Forcas, also a fallen angel, was a professor of ethics. As Hunter walked by, everyone just stared at him in shock.� Most of the haunted were never allowed to leave, not without the company of one of the Fallen to watch over them.� For that reason, none of the Fallen, well, except for Ember�Ś none of them could stand him.� Once in the office building, no matter who tried to stop Hunter, they couldn’t.� He ran straight into Mr. Daniels’ office. Daniels was looking out of the window.� �śQuite a commotion you were causing, Mr. Chambers.” He then turned around.� �śWhat happened?” Hunter was exhausted and very irritated.� �śWhat happened is that I was never told Kayla’s brother is a demon.� Is that why you sent me instead of one of them?” he asked referring to the fallen.� �śIt was not to attract his attention, wasn’t it?”� Well, thanks to that, Kayla is now hurt.� She needs help.� A LOT of help.” Daniels looked away.� �śI don’t understand how he found her.� I did everything to keep her away from this world.” �śReally?!”� Asked Hunter.� �śYou should be asking what he did?� What happened to Kayla?� Where she is?� Not waste time wondering about things that you cannot change.” Daniels looked startled and confused.� Realizing for the first time how much Hunter had changed.� In any other circumstance, Daniels would have punished Hunter for addressing him like that, but the truth was, he felt guilty; guilty because he didn’t ask the right questions; guilty because he felt as if he no longer knew how to be a parent. �śWhat has he done to my daughter?”� He finally asked. Hunter described everything, including Kayla’s presence after the incident.� Daniels wasn’t happy to hear that Chase was involved, but he didn’t say anything. �śWe need to bring her to the Academy,” Daniels finally said.� �śAs much as I tried to shield her from everything, there is just no other way.” �śGood, then let’s go.” �śHunter, you know this will be easier if I send the others.” Hunter was furious, and afraid for Kayla.� He just knew that would happen. Daniels saw the concern in Hunter’s expression; concern that led him to believe that Hunter needed to stay at the Academy or he would get in the way.” He tried to reason with Hunter; not that he felt like he had to. �śI know you don’t trust them Hunter, but I will be going as well.” Hunter nodded; knowing that was better than the alternative. �śDo you mind if I ask who you are taking with you, Mr. Daniels?” �śThat will be decided soon.� I’m not sure yet, but I know that I want to waste no time in leaving.” Daniels urgency in getting Kayla there gave Hunter some sense of relief.� Daniels dismissed Hunter, who met his gaze. �śWell, since I’m not leaving, where should I stay?” �śYou can go back to your old room.� You will have a roommate now�Ś Ethan Campbell.” �śSir, with all due respect, I’m not sharing a room with one of them.” �śHunter, Ethan is new here, give him a chance.� Besides, as concerned as you seem to be about my daughter, I don’t think my time should be wasted in worrying about finding you another roommate.” Hunter froze in place, feeling weak and guilty for even worrying about that at all.� He then turned around and walked to the door, looking back at Daniels before he opened it. �śMr. Daniels?” �śYes, Hunter?” �śWould you please let me know when she is here? �Ś And whatever you do, you should probably worry about how to get her away without worrying her mom and dad�Ś I mean�Ś Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher.� Kayla would hate me for that.” Daniels hesitated for a second.� �śSure.” �śThank you.”� Hunter said, before he turned around and left. THIRTY � Hunter’s room was just as he left it.� It was a plain room, with two beds, two dressers, a desk, chair, and a bookshelf.� Really, the Academy could be compared to a prison�Ś No computers, no cell phones, the walls were bare, all rooms exactly the same. His roommate wasn’t there, and Hunter was glad for that.� He didn’t have any of his belongings, but the Academy had arranged for new items to be taken to his room while he talked to Daniels.� Of course, they already knew that he would be staying.� In the dresser on his side of the room, he found clothes, mostly jeans, plain white and black T-shirts, and other essential items. At the sound of someone coming, Hunter quickly laid down on the bed and closed his eyes, pretending that he was sleeping�Ś The last thing he wanted was to talk to anyone. It was Ethan.� �śGreat!� Company is all I need,” Hunter heard him mumble. Hunter surprised himself with the urge to respond; he just couldn’t help himself,� �ŚTrust me, this is the last place I want to be.” �śWell, it certainly sounds like you walked in here out of your own free will.” Hunter sat up then.� �śI guess nothing has changed.� I’m not sure for how long you have been here, but however long, you should already know how fast rumors get around.” �śSo, why did you come back?”� Ethan asked. Hunter shrugged.� �śThat, I can’t talk about.” Ethan glared at him.� �śWell, I guess some of the rumors are not rumors after all.” �śWhat do you mean?” Hunter asked. �śThat you don’t trust us.” Hunter laughed.� �śI suppose you are right.� That was not a rumor at all.” Ethan ignored Hunter’s comment and kept on talking, sounding almost desperate, as if longing for a friend�Ś wanting someone to talk to. �śWell, I just don’t understand how anyone would willingly come back to this place.” �śIt was necessary,” Hunter said.� �śWhat did you do to be sent here anyway?” �śI guess you could say due to ethical issues�Ś Anyway, one little incident that I will be paying for�Ś well, for a long time.” Hunter didn’t ask any more questions.� He had his own mistakes to worry about and he wondered whether Daniels had already made his choice on who was going to help him get Kayla. Hunter didn’t even expect to be told of what was happening, so he was surprised when he opened the door to find that the person knocking was Daniels’ assistant, letting him know that they had left.� That was however, all of the information that he was given. Not long after the assistant left, there was someone else at the door. �śWho is it?” asked Ethan, not bothering to get up.� After all, he knew that whoever was out there wasn’t there for him. �śIt is Ember.” �śJust go away, Ember,” said Hunter. �śCome on, I heard things�Ś I’m sure you want to know who left with Mr. Daniels.” Hunter thought about it, but thinking there was nothing that he could do to change what was happening, he decided it was best not to know.� He also didn’t want to give Ember any information, well, any more information than what she had apparently managed to gather. �śThere is nothing that I want to know.� Just leave.” He could hear the sound of Ember’s heavy combat boots as she walked�Ś well, stomped away. �śThis is about a girl, isn’t it?” asked Ethan. Hunter ignored him. �śLook, I get why you don’t trust them, well us, being that I’m a Fallen just like them, but you really shouldn’t stereotype.� I just got here, I barely even talk to anyone, and I share your opinion on trusting most of the people here.� Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that you don’t have to trust me, but it would make things easier if you could give me the benefit of the doubt since we are sharing a room.” Hunter looked at him, �śI’m sorry, but how can you even talk about trust, aren’t you here because of a little ethical issue?” �śYes, but it is not like that�"�ś Hunter lay back down, ignoring Ethan. Ethan sighed.� �śI’m here because I – well, there was this girl�Ś” �śOh save it.� So what, you are like Ember then?” Ethan seemed appalled.� �śNo!� It was nothing like that.� It wasn’t�Ś lust, it was�Ś Well, what I’m trying to say is that I shouldn’t even be here.� I shouldn’t be one of the Fallen.” �śRight!� None of us should be here,” Hunter said in a sarcastic tone. Ethan was getting more and more frustrated, but he just wanted to tell someone.� He wanted to have someone in there who could trust him, and most importantly, Hunter had been out in the �Śreal’ world.� He hoped that Hunter could help him get out and find the reason for him being there. So in spite of Hunter’s lack of interest, Ethan continued.� �śBefore�Ś I used to help people transition between humanity and the Otherworld, and sometimes, even past that.� When they sent me to her�Ś well, I was just supposed to help her feel better until it was time for her to move on.� She was never supposed to see me, but she did.� She was just so sad, so scared that I started to try and find ways to save her instead of doing what I was meant to.” Hunter was listening attentively.� �śDid it work?” Mr. Daniels suddenly walked in the room, interrupting their conversation.� Hunter hadn’t even realized how long it had been. Hunter quickly stood up.� �śIs Kayla here?� Is she okay?” �śNo, Hunter.� She is not here.� I have the others watching her, but I need your help.” �śWhat do I need to do?” �śIt is Chase.� He won’t allow anyone to go near her until he hears from you.” Hunter smiled.� He could always trust Chase. �śI need you to summon him,” Daniels said. �śMr. Daniels, with all due respect, we both know that he will not be coming to the Academy, no matter who summons him.� I can go with you, I can help that way.” Daniels sighed.� �śLet’s go.” Hunter was surprised by how easy it was to convince Daniels to let him go. Ethan quickly intervened, �śCan I go?� I could help.” Daniels glared at Ethan.� �śYou know very well you can’t leave the Academy, and you can definitely not be near that hospital.” Ethan felt frustrated and relieved at the same time, his first thought was �ŚShe is still alive’�Ś his second thought was that she was likely still in pain, only now, he wasn’t there to help her and he didn’t know if anyone was. �śIf you are going, we need to leave now,” Daniels ordered. Hunter walked by Ethan who was still frozen in place, and following Daniels, he left. THIRTY-ONE � Getting out of the Academy was the easy part.� Daniels had arranged for a car, which they would definitely need to get Kayla to the church.� The difficult part was that although Hunter had the ability to become invisible to human eyes, and so did the angels, Kayla would be seen, unless HE was able to shield her and that was almost impossible to accomplish.� It just took too much from him and he had only done it once before, only for seconds. Once they reached the hospital, becoming invisible was what they did.� It was nighttime, there was less staff, and visiting hours were definitely over. Hunter didn’t need to summon Chase.� He was there, right next to Kayla, and he was telling her a story about Hunter. �śWhat is going on?”� Daniels asked. Chase looked at Hunter, ignoring everyone but him.� �śJust trying to keep her from going farther into the Otherworld.� I noticed that talking to her about –�ś he hesitated.� �śTalking to her helps.” �śCan you help us getting her out of here?”� Hunter asked Chase. �śDoesn’t seem like I have a choice.� But, as much as I hate to say this, I want to go to the Academy with you.� You will need my help for more things than you can imagine.” �śYou are not welcome at the Academy, Chase,” said Daniels. Hunter faced Daniels.� �śHe has been taking care of her.� He has been taking care of your daughter, and this is how you repay him?” The two fallen angels who were there to help were surprised by the revelation that Kayla was Daniels’ daughter.� As far as they knew, she was one of the haunted.� Chased by demons and ghosts, much like they believed was the case with Hunter; only Hunter had been to the Otherworld and that made him different from the others. It wasn’t uncommon for the Fallen to go and get the haunted when things got out of hand.� They would usually send one of the messengers to talk to the parents saying there was a clinic that could help and would transfer them to the Academy. At the Academy, they would be assigned one of the Fallen to watch over them.� Once the Fallen was ready, them along with their haunted human would go back into the real world to face those creatures. �śWe should have known there was something,” one of the angels thought.� �śWe never just take someone like this�Ś without a plan, without precautions.” �śMr. Chambers!”� Daniels warned him.� �śI told you, Chase is not welcomed there.� We try to shield the �Śother’ kids as much as we can, him being there with approval will scare them... it will be madness.� Now enough with this, we have to go.” Hunter knew that was an argument he would never win.� �śChase, will you please help us leave the hospital?� I will find a way to stay in contact with you.” �śThere is little I can do, Hunter.� You will have to shield her.” Daniels moved closer.� �śI can do that.” Hunter looked at him surprised.� He thought that shielding others was something only he could do.� Daniels tried.� The others tried, but they all knew that wasn’t working. Chase just watched them, arms crossed and looking bored.� �śHunter has to be the one to do it.” The fallen looked surprised.� �śWhy?� He is no stronger than us.� If anything, he is weaker.� Besides, he is only one of the haunted, he can’t do that.” Daniels just froze in place. Chase faced him.� �śDoes it really matter why?� You need to get her to the Academy, so just get on with it.” Daniels gave Hunter a nod. Hunter moved toward Kayla’s bed, carefully picking her up in his arms.� Something about the way he did that, made Daniels feel awkward, but she was shielded as soon as Hunter picked her up, so he didn’t say anything. Hunter carried her to the car, followed by the others, including Chase.� Hunter carefully put Kayla in the backseat.� Everyone was already in the car, and somehow, the only seat left for Hunter was the passenger front seat.� Hunter was barely able to get in the car.� What he had done had weakened him even more than he anticipated. Before they drove off, Chase approached Hunter.� �śYou need to be with her�Ś I mean, all the time.� There is a connection with the two of you.� I could guess what it is, but I’m sure you will deny it.� Let’s just say that whatever this connection is, it is keeping her from going deeper into the Otherworld.” Hunter couldn’t make sense of it.� Looking puzzled, he nodded.� Daniels drove off. No one said anything during the ride to the church. Once they got there, Hunter was too weak to carry Kayla, but either way, at this point there was no need to shield her. Daniels picked up his daughter, overwhelmed by how much she had grown; by how much she looked like her mother. They were just about to enter the church when Benjamin appeared, blocking their entrance. THIRTY-TWO � Daniels couldn’t risk the fallen knowing more than they already did.� As soon as he laid eyes on Benjamin, he ordered them to hurry through the side door and to wait for him inside the Academy. �śBut--?”� One of the fallen started to protest. �śI have this handled.� Just go!”� Daniels ordered. They did as they were told.� Hunter was appalled by how Daniels had just put Kayla’s life in even more danger, all to just protect his family secrets. Benjamin let the others go.� He seemed stronger now, much stronger. Daniels asked Hunter to hold Kayla, and then glanced at Benjamin, who stared at him with a certain satisfaction. �śWhat do you want, Ben?” �śYou know very well what I want, Stepfather.� Revenge for my father, of course.”� Benjamin grinned.� �śHonestly, I wonder if I should add revenge for my mother to that list as well�Ś” �śYour mother is still alive, Ben.� She just�Ś left.” His grin grew wider.� �śNot surprised.� Of course, I already knew that�Ś but still�Ś” �śYou already got your revenge, Ben.� Look at your sister!� What have you done?” �śWell, Stepfather, you don’t seem as affected by it as I would have expected, and until you are�Ś I will not be done.” �śBen�"�ś �śDon’t bother.� I have other things to attend to for the next couple of months.� Kayla here was of much help to me.� Well, at least her friend and �Śmother’ were.” Hunter knew he was talking about Ashley and Kelly, and just the thought of it sickened him.� He knew that one way or another, he would have to bring Daniels up to date on what had happened, especially about Ashley, and that her only chance would be to be brought in to the Academy. As if reading Hunter’s mind, Benjamin said �śAnd don’t bothered bringing all of the ones affected by me into this place you have.� Trust me, this place is not as protected as you seem to believe.” Benjamin looked back at the Academy, smiled, and left. THIRTY-THREE � None of Benjamin’s threats worked on Daniels.� He believed the Academy was strong enough to keep him out. Once past the main gate, Daniels carried his daughter in, looking at her as if she were the same little girl that he had to leave behind.� He now wondered how the place that he tried to keep her away from, to keep her safe from, turned out to be the only place that could keep her safe.� He just wanted her to have a normal life, but now, he was angry for wasting so many of those years that he could have spent watching his daughter grow up. They took her to the infirmary.� After Daniels dismissed everyone, he looked from his daughter to Hunter, who watched her with concern and said, �śWe have much to talk about, but most importantly, what happened between you and my daughter?” Hunter looked lost.� �śNothing happened, Sir.” �śYou are lying, there is something�Ś some kind of connection.” Hunter sighed.� �śYou think you love her,” accused Daniel. �śNo.� I just – no, I don’t love her�Ś not like that.” �śYou are right about that.� You are too young for love.” �śI just�Ś I care about her, that is all.” The way he said it, Daniels knew he was lying.� There was more to that. �śJust go to your room, Hunter.� You have classes tomorrow.� Same schedule as before.” �śI can’t, Sir.� I have to stay with her.� Chase said�"�ś �śChase knows nothing, Hunter.� Now, go!� You can see her again tomorrow.” �śBut, Sir�"�ś �śDon’t push it, or you won’t be seeing her at all.” Hunter was frustrated but he left, going straight to his room. Ethan got to the room at the same time, and of course, he had already heard the gossip. �śSo, Mr. Daniel’s daughter, huh?”� Ethan asked. �śLeave it alone!”� Hunter growled. Ethan put both hands up agreeing to just let it go. Hunter surprised him when he spoke.� As if he had just woke up and realized his surroundings.� �śMr. Daniels�"�ś �śWhat about him?”� Ethan asked. �śI always thought of him as just one of the haunted, how come he runs this place?� How come he can do things that only the Fallen can?” Ethan shook his head.� �śFrom what I hear, you are the first of the haunted to ever realize that, which is incredible if you ask me.� Anyway, Daniels plays both sides of the field.� Why do you think he couldn’t summon your friend himself?� He can sense, talk to and see him, but he can’t summon anyone.� He is not one of the haunted.� He may play like he is for his own weird reasons, but he is one of us.” Hunter gasped.� �śBut Kayla, so she is a�"�ś Ethan continued.� �śYes, she is a Nephilim.” �śBut she can summon them�Ś” Ethan looked impressed.� �śThat must have been an ability that she mastered.� That is very unusual, but not impossible.� For some reason, I have a feeling you helped her with that.” Hunter turned around and went toward the door. �śWhere are you going?”� Ethan asked. �śIf she is a Nephilim, she is even in more danger than I thought.� She can’t be left in the Otherworld, they will all go after her.” �śThere is nothing you can do.” �śI need to get to the infirmary.� Can you help?” Ethan hesitated.� �śYou know what kind of trouble I can get in for that?” Hunter was agitated, frustrated.� �śLook, if you help me, I will help you get out of here.” Ethan doubted that was true, that anything could be done, but seeing Hunter that desperate, he finally agreed. *** Daniels was no longer there, there was only one nurse, one of the fallen, and she was in the room with Kayla. While Hunter hid, Ethan walked in, telling her there was an emergency with Hunter in their room.� The nurse took a look at Kayla, figured she would be okay for a few minutes and left with Ethan. Hunter walked in the room and quickly approached Kayla, he held her hand in his and whispered in her ear.� �śKayla, it is Hunter.� I need you to come back.� I need you to at least stay away from anything dark.”� Ugh.� �ŚI wish there was a way to tell if you can hear me.’ At that moment, Hunter felt her hand squeeze his. He smiled.� �śJust please, Kayla.� Try to stay away from anything dark.� I thought of something I could do to bring you back.� I just need you to hang on.” �śHunter,” he heard Kayla say in a low voice.� He was still looking at her, but her eyes were still closed.� She wasn’t moving.� �śKayla?� I heard you.� Say something!” Daniels walked in, surprising Hunter.� �śWhat is going on here?”� He asked. Hunter, realizing that he was still holding her hand, quickly let go. �śI heard something.� She called me, said my name.” Daniels looked from Hunter to Kayla, and then to the monitors that she was hooked up to, realizing that her heart beat was uneven. �śYou need to leave, Hunter.� Whatever you were saying, or maybe you just being here, must be causing her stress.” Hunter snapped.� �śYou think that is the reason her heart is racing?� Well, it is not.� After it all happened�Ś after Benjamin attacked her, her spirit was still around.� It wasn’t until the Doctors took her away from me that she went to�"well, you know where she went to.” Daniels looked as if he was deep in thought.� �śThat doesn’t make any sense.� You wouldn’t have the power to keep her here.� You are just�"�ś Hunter cut him off, finishing his sentence, �śI’m just one of the haunted, unlike you, who just pretend to be one.” �śYou are out of line, Mr. Chambers!”� Daniels said.� �śYou need to leave!” �śHunter,” it was Kayla’s weak voice calling his name again. Daniels froze in place. �śYou heard it too, didn’t you?”� Hunter asked. �śWe need to get her back,” Hunter said.� �śI have an idea on how to do that.” Daniels looked at Hunter, doubtful.� �śShe needs to find the way back on her own.� No one can help her.” �śThat is not true.� I found my way back once.� If she can really hear me, I can walk her through it, I can pull her back.” Daniels considered it.� �śBut you will have to summon her to pull her back.� If things go wrong�Ś you can end up in the Otherworld with Kayla.” Hunter looked determined.� �śI’m willing to take the risk.” Daniels finally agreed.� �śOkay, but I will be here with you.” �śI can’t focus if you are here.� That will not work.” Daniels was getting frustrated now.� �śFine, but that door stays open.� I will intervene if there are any problems.” Hunter quickly agreed and rushed Daniels out of the room. THIRTY-FOUR � Hunter sat on the bed next to Kayla and closed his eyes.� He just sat there silently, just focusing, and it was Kayla who called his name. �śHunter.” �śKayla, I need to know that you can really hear me.” Her voice sounded weak.� �śI want to get out of here.� I want to go home.” �śI know you do, Kayla.� You need to listen to me.� I was there before and I’m going to help you find your way out, but you can’t give in.” �śBut there are so many of them.� So many lost souls, and they keep saying that I can help; that I’m one of the children.� I don’t understand.” �śI don’t want you to think about that right now, Kayla.� I want you to find a place where you can focus, where you can be alone.” KAYLA I had never been so lost and scared in my life.� I knew where I was.� The place was exactly how Carolyn had described it, only when she talked about it she never mentioned other beings trying to get to her�Ś following her.� Whenever I asked what they wanted, all they said was �śHelp me”, and then someone else would come along, and scare them away, only to do the same exact thing.� I took advantage of those distractions to run away, only I felt more and more lost.� I just felt as if I wanted to sit somewhere and just stay there, sadness taking over me, but then, I felt something.� I heard him call my name and that was enough to basically jumpstart my brain. I couldn’t see Hunter, and I was frightened, but just the fact that I could now hear him, gave me hope. I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by staying out of the darkness.� All places were dark, but I did find a place, it was a dark place, but that seemed to be the only spot where the others left me alone. That was the darkest place I had ever been to, and I was suddenly overcome by a feeling of emptiness and despair.� �śI think�Ś maybe I should stay here, Hunter.� I don’t belong there anymore.� Kelly and Andrew have someone else they need to take care of now.” �śDon’t talk like that, Kayla!� Don’t give in.� Here is where you belong.� I can help you.� You need to be back.” �śHow are you so sure that is where I belong?” Hunter hesitated, but then, I felt a pressure on my hand and I just knew that back in the real world, he must have holding my hand.� �śHunter?” �śKayla, I know that you belong here because I – I think I’m in love with you.” *** ACADEMY of the FALLEN:� NEPHILIM COMING IN 2012 Turn the page for a sneak preview of Imprinted Souls Available at www.danielelanzarotta.com Amazon & eBooks � � Chapter 1 Today had marked the one-year anniversary of Matt’s accident, the accident that had taken him from me. And today, I felt just as empty as I had one year ago, with only one difference, the anger that I felt back then faded over the months. Now, I just felt numb. I looked out of my window to see that the day looked awful; cold and dark, which complemented exactly how I felt, so I took advantage of that awful weather and decided to head to my favorite place. I sat at the unusually deserted beach, staring at the sea and reflecting on what had happened over our time together and on the turn that my life took after that awful day. Matt and I had dated since our freshman year in High School, three years ago. He had approached me on our very first day of school; I was running late to my English class, trying to rush, but when he saw me reaching for the door, he yelled out from the beginning of the hallway. �śHold up!” At first I looked around, thinking that he must have been talking to someone else. I surely did not believe that the gorgeous guy, tall, athletic, tanned and with deep green eyes, which even at a distance were impossible to stop looking at, was actually talking to me. But after looking around once again, I realized that there was no one around but us. He ran in my direction, sounding breathless when he finally reached me, and it turned out that he did all that just to open the door for me. We met each other’s gaze, both of us smiling, and that was it. I knew right away that had found my soul mate. Being with Matt was always so easy and we grew so close, so fast; we were just meant to be. We spent most of our free time together, we liked the same things, and our friends, well, the people who I thought were my friends at the time, always made fun of Matt and I at the many moments when we finished each other’s sentences. Everyone saw us as the perfect couple, and at times we were more like best friends than anything else. That weekend, the worse weekend of my life, Matt and the rest of the football team had gone out of town for a game championship tournament. The whole team rode the bus for hours to get from Pensacola, Florida to NYC. That had also been our anniversary weekend and the reason Matt was in that flight home instead of riding the bus back with the rest of the football team was so we could have spent our anniversary together. The plane never made it. It crashed within one hour of take off. There were no survivors, but also, Matt’s body was never found, which made it even harder to believe that he was gone. There was a nice memorial service held by his parents, but there was no one to say good-bye to. At first, I could still feel that he was still with me; that he was not really gone. I spent most of my time sleeping, just to be closer to him. The dreams were always so vivid, and he was always there, by my side. Once the dreams started to fade, there was nothing left, expect for memories. I felt as if I had lost everything. Being so lucky to have found my soul mate and then having my whole world, hopes and dreams, shattered into peaces when he was taken away, feeling every impact of his non-existence, it was all painful to say the least. But now, sitting at the beach, thinking about those events no longer impacted me, over the months, the tears dried out; I could no longer cry, and even the guilt that I had one day felt was now inexistent. It was as if I was a body without a soul, an empty shell, with no real emotions, good or bad; there was nothing left in me and even thought I was aware of what was happening and how unhealthy it was, I had no desire to do anything about it. Matt had been my soul mate, and my soul was taken with him when he was gone. I was now about to start my senior year, the year that Matt and I had made so many plans for, only now there was only one plan left, to graduate and leave town. And in spite of me being an awful company to anyone around, my best friend Leah stuck around and she certainly helped me put on a fa�żade for my parents who couldn’t see things were as bad as they were. Although they weren’t completely clueless, after all, my parents did insist that I kept busy, to get my mind off things, so Leah and I both got part time summer jobs at an amusement park. I guess that was cheaper than paying for a therapist. Leah had been my best friend since middle school, she was in all of my classes, and we planned on going to the same College next year, somewhere not as humid as Pensacola, Florida. Leah and I were both planning on going to college at NYU, that had been the plan since middle school, and it was the only plan in my life that had not fallen apart, expect for the part where Matt would not be coming with us. I wondered just how self destructive I was being, planning to move to the city where Matt had been last, the city where the accident occurred; still, somehow that was what I was looking forward to. In the mean time, I was expecting a very long summer and senior year, surrounded by people talking behind my back. Walking through life as if I was a zombie; at least that was how I heard someone at school describe it when the news spread that I had quit every single extra curricular activity that I had been involved in, from cheerleading to clubs that I was a member of, none of that mattered anymore. And the whole Matt wouldn’t want to see you this way speech that I heard so many times, just drove me insane. Fact was that Matt was no longer around to say anything. I knew what mostly everyone was saying, that I was exaggerating, that I should have come around after a couple of months, but I just didn’t care. Although sometimes I wondered how my life would be if the memories would have gone away along with the dreams and emotions that no longer existed, but I would have never traded those memories of Matt, even if that would make my existence less pitiful. Unfortunately, I knew that those memories would not be enough, so I would just have to endure the rest of my life, which I was becoming an expert at. All right, enough of this. I though to myself as I got up, shook off the sand from my clothes and headed back to my car. Time to put on a happy face and go back into the real world. � � � Chapter 2 I left the beach and went straight to Leah’s house, she was always easy to spend time with, in fact, most of the time I was just there, she did all of the talking and I just nodded every once in a while. Sometimes I wondered why she stuck around after the accident when I knew that I was an awful company, but for whatever reason she didn’t seem to mind. During the drive to her house I recalled the night I overheard my parents saying that when I was spending time with Leah, it was the only time they were fully reminded that my old self is still within me, so maybe I hadn’t been as bad company as I thought. It didn’t take me but twenty minutes to get to Leah’s house. As I turned into her street I wondered if I should have just gone home instead, considering that it was around dinnertime, but then I saw my parents’ BMW parked in her driveway so I parked my Camaro and walked slowly towards the door, just thinking, wonderful! Be ready for the pity party, Lexi. My dad opened the door before I could even reach for the doorbell. �śHey Lexi, glad you got my message” My dad said, looking to be in an extremely good mood. I didn’t know if that was on purpose or not, but everyone acted the same way, as if today was just another day. �śWhat message?” I asked, clearly caught off-guard by them even being there. But dad just laughed. �śIt doesn’t matter now, we made dinner plans this afternoon, and I wanted to make sure you would be here, that is all.” Mine and Leah’s parents had always been good friends, so I just assumed this was a regular Saturday night dinner, just to hang out, until I noticed that the dining room table was sat nicely; I mean, we usually just gathered around in the living room, holding our plates. This seemed more�Ś formal. �śWhat is the special occasion?” I asked Leah curiously. She shrugged. �śMy guess is as good as yours.” I noticed right away that Leah was totally annoyed; one thing about Leah, she hated surprises and secrets. And when she knew of a surprise or secret, even if it is not hers to let it out, she made damn well sure that it did not stay a secret for much longer. Yes, she loved to gossip. As soon as Leah’s mom announced that dinner was ready, we all went straight to the dining room and took our seats. Leah’s older brother, Logan, was also there; he was home for the summer from College, which made my visits to Leah’s house a little uncomfortable. Logan was nice, but he was just always hovering, trying to get me to go on a date with him, totally annoying. Don’t get me wrong; he was hot! He was not much taller than I, but he was athletic build, tanned, short blonde hair, blue eyes�Śtypical Florida hottie, but besides the fact that I was emotionally ruined, it would have been too weird being that he was my best friend’s brother and all, at least that as my excuse. Truth is, even the thought of dating made my stomach clench, Matt had been the only guy I had ever dated and I had no desire at all of being attached to someone like that ever again. Leah’s mother prepared an amazing dinner; a fancy looking pasta, but besides the fact that we were actually eating in the dining room, there was nothing unusual about that dinner. We�Ś well�Ś our parents went on and on about Logan’s school, hockey games, and then some more about Logan. Leah and I just stared at each other, bored. As soon as we finished eating Leah gazed at me as if she is giving me a signal to excuse ourselves and go up to her room. We were just about to get up when Leah’s parents stopped us. Her mother, Janice seemed anxious, as if she was hiding something. �śLexi, Leah, don’t go just yet.” We relaxed back into our seats. Janice looked at her husband and at my parents; she seemed so anxious she could barely sit still. �śWell, can I tell the girls?” All of them laughed at her; she was usually not very good at keeping secrets. Leah clearly had taken after her mom. Janice was so anxious I started to think that it must be something she had been keeping for a while. Finally, they all gave her the go ahead. �śWell girls, we have an early graduation present for the both of you.” Leah and I both stared at each other, both of us confused. I mean�Ś graduation was one year away! We had no idea what it could possibly be. �śWe know how hard the both of you have been working, and we all feel that this summer is the ideal time to use this present, and that is why you are getting it early�Śjust in case you are wondering.” She laughed. Leah and I were both still clueless. I was starting to feel just as annoyed as Leah looked, and it was not that I didn’t like surprises, well, I used to love surprises, but at that point I just wanted to get this over with already. I usually didn’t have to put so much work into putting on a happy face for my parents and this was getting exhausting. I finally turned to Janice and with a begging tone I asked her to please stop teasing and tell us what it was already. She just could contain herself any longer, so that worked to our advantage. �śYou girls are going to Italy for the summer!” Our mouths dropped, we are speechless. My dad cleared his throat. �śNow, don’t get too excited just yet. You are both enrolled in a summer school program. It will look great on your College applications, so that will make us parents happy as well as you.”� I honestly didn’t care what the reason behind it was, I didn’t even care that there would be school work involved; I was just extremely excited, to the point that I didn’t even have to fake my excitement, which felt very awkward. This had been the first time in a year that I remembered actually wanting to smile, and not just smiling to pretend that I was fine. I was just ready to get away from everything and everyone, except for Leah of course. I just needed time away. �śThank you, Thank you, Thank you!” We both yelled in excitement. �śWhen do we leave? How long will we be there?” I just had so many questions that I just started asking whatever was on my mind without giving them time to answer anything. My dad finally stepped in to answer those questions; giving me the impression that he had made all of those arrangements. �śLexi�Ś slow down with the questions, I can barely keep up with them.” He said, laughing at my impatience for details. When dad faced me to answer my questions, I noticed that his eyes were watery, as if he was holding back the tears, and I instantly felt awful by putting him through so much. I could feel that the tears he held back were from happiness to see me truly excited about something. That was when I made a promise to myself to at least try not to be so pathetic all the time. Dad went on to answer my questions. �śYou will fly out the day after tomorrow, and you will come back two weeks before school starts. Although the actual school program is just four weeks; we thought you both would enjoy some free time.” Even better! �śNot that it matters, dad, but where in Italy?” �śVenice. It is actually somewhat close to where our ancestors came from, a city called Treviso.” My heart started to race, I could barely breathe. �śWhere are we staying?” Dad was just not answering my questions fast enough. �śThat should be decided tomorrow. A friend of mine has a house in Marghera that may be unoccupied during the summer. The house is about half hour away from Venice, but we just thought that may be more accommodating, we don’t really like the idea of you living in a hotel for that many weeks. He has a staff of workers in the house that come in occasionally to stock up food and such, so they would be able to check up on you girls.” �śWell, what is the hold up?” Leah asked impatiently. I knew Leah loved the idea of staying in a house instead of a hotel, just as much as I did. �śHe just has to make sure with his wife that no one else in the family will be using the house this summer.” Leah and I looked at each other; we both certainly had our fingers crossed. I glanced at Logan and he seemed to be the only one in the room who was not talking or smiling, he looked as if he was not too happy about us going to Italy, especially with no supervision. The moment that he saw me looking at him, he mumbled something unintelligible, which I chose to ignore. I would not let that get on the way of my excitement. I saw Leah giving him a look which made it clear that she had also heard the little comment that he made about how we were just getting this trip to try to get me out off as he said it �śmy Matt induced coma.” Even hearing the sound of Matt’s name sent chills all over my body. I knew it would be impossible to get over Matt, and I didn’t want to, but I was certainly going to try harder to be happy, which I knew it would be difficult to accomplish, but no impossible. And I knew that because at that moment I was just so overwhelmed with that newfound feeling of happiness that I didn’t even think I would be able to sleep that night. After cleaning up the dinner table, our parents headed for the picnic table in the back porch, while Leah and I went to her room to started to make plans on what to pack. That didn’t take long, so I went straight to Leah’s laptop and started to Google places to see around the area. Some of those places were very old and dark looking, kind of creepy really. Leah made a few jokes about places like that usually being haunted, so I added them to our list of places to go, just to mess with her. *** It was already past midnight when I got home and I was still wide awake, but I convinced myself that I had to go to sleep; there was still so much planning and packing to do. I was lying down in bed, thinking of everything that needed to be done, Leah and I would have to quit the jobs that we hadn’t even officially started�Ś and that was the last thing I remembered thinking about before I fell asleep. It was a little past three in the morning when I woke up from a very strange dream, but I couldn’t go back to sleep. That dream, was too vivid�Ś so detailed�Ś there was a dark, old building, which I remembered from one of the websites that Leah and I had looked at. I had gone inside that building and in that main room, where right by my side, stood a tall, gorgeous guy. By gorgeous, I mean�Ś he looked like he walked straight out of a magazine cover. He didn’t look much older than I. He seemed strong; his skin was pale, like he had not been out in the sun for a very long time. He had the military type haircut, dark brown hair, contrasting surprisingly well with this pale skin. I was so dazed by his presence that it wasn’t until he was about to attack this man who was walking in my direction, that I noticed how dark and angry his eyes were, and that was when I woke up.� Lying there, in the dark, I started to laugh at how silly that was. I had never had nightmares like that after watching scary movies, but today, after just looking at some silly pictures, I had this crazy nightmare�Ś or dream�Ś I was not even sure what that was. It bothered me that I was still carrying the same feeling I felt in that dream; oddly enough, the feeling was one of security, comfort; and the scent, that was so overwhelming, taking over all of my senses; it was the same exact pleasant scent that I recall from my childhood memories, of this woman, playing with me. That had been one of my oldest childhood memories, I believe I was about three and I was never alone. Whenever my parents weren’t in the room, she was. The visits faded as I got older and overtime I forgot what she looked like, but the scent was imprinted in my memory. Either way, I was not even sure if it was the scent, or the guy, but it was odd that throughout that entire dark dream, I felt safe. About the author: � DANIELE LANZAROTTA is the author of the Imprinted Souls Series and Academy of the Fallen. She enjoys reading and writing young adult novels with just about any sort of paranormal or supernatural bent ... vampires ... ghosts... Daniele currently lives in Virginia Beach, VA with her husband, daughter and two lovable puppies (who are not really quite puppies anymore), Stitch and Gizmo. � *** � www.DanieleLanzarotta.com � www.AcademyoftheFallen.com � www.facebook.com/DanieleLanzarotta � www.twitter.com/danilanzarotta � You may also purchase this book at Rocket Science Productions’ web site, www.rsp-llc.com *** Rocket Science Productions, LLC 5765-F Burke Centre Parkway, #222 Burke, VA 22015 [e-mail] 703-764-8000 866-509-4242 (toll free) � Table of Contents Start