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A faded version of her former self.

Her lips move, and she says a single word. “Help.”

Journal

One may not think of stabbing as an intimate act, but it is. You have to be close. Close enough to touch, to smell, to taste. You’d think there would be a lot of blood.

And there is, but not at first. Not until I pull the knife out. It’s like a crack in the wall of a dam. Slow at first, as if the body is denying the inevitable. But then, with the second stab, there’s a complete splintering. It is never as good as the first, but still sweet enough to make me want to go back for more. The metallic scent of blood filling the air, coloring my hand, coating my tongue. It’s a thing of beauty, all that crimson liquid spreading, dripping to the floor, like a blooming flower of death.

Chapter8

Avalon

The ghostly image disappears.It doesn’t vanish as much as it dissipates, like fog in the wind. My shivers subside.

This is not the first time I’ve seen a spirit, but it is the first time one has asked me for help.

My eyes fix on the empty spot. I look at the floor, half expecting to see muddy footprints.

“What is it?” Lynn’s hands press into mine. She stares at the vacant space too. Then blanches. “I-is there something in there?” Her voice trembles.

“There was…”

Shudders rattle her from head to toe. She steps away from me and rubs her arms. “No. Stop it. Nope. No, no, no. Please tell me it’s not what I think it is.”

“If you’re thinking of a ghost, then yes. It was the girl from my visions.”Help. Alice asked for help. There’s no turning my back now. I need to assist Jake in finding whoever killed her.

Lynn whimpers. “I don’t want to see dead people, and I don’t know why you’re not terrified of them.”

I shrug. “Because there’s nothing to fear. Spirits are always around. They can’t hurt us. Seeing them is part of the gift. You like the other stuff I do. It comes with the package.”

“Yes, but that’s cool. Dead people, not so much.” She walks back, shaking her hands as if it could get rid of her heebie-jeebies, and sits next to me. Bumps into my shoulder. “You okay?”

I shift and look at her. “Yeah. Just tired.” Weariness digs into my bones and my limbs weigh a thousand pounds.

“Maybe you should cancel your”—her eyes go wide—“meeting with the detective.”

I shake my head. She’s impossible. “No. I need to do this. I need to help him find this girl. The sooner he finds her, the sooner I can put all of this behind me.”

“Us. You’re not alone in this. I may not have all your woo-woo mojo, but I’ll stand with you, no matter what.”

“Thanks, friend.”

She squeezes my hand. “Are you going to tell him about the gho—about what you saw?”

She can’t even say the word. I snort. “Yes. No reason to hide it. He already thinks I’m crazy. May as well go all in.”

Her eyes narrow. “He doesn’t think you’re crazy.”

“He doesn’t think I’m normal either.”

“Who needs normal when they can have you?” She gestures at me. “A strong, intelligent, and beautiful woman. And what’s normal anyway? Normal for you is not normal for me. And vice versa.”

I smile at her.

Lynn gives me a light push. “Why don’t you go shower, wash the day away, and I’ll pick something for you to wear.”

I jab my finger at her. Add a glare for emphasis. If she tries to pick a “this-is-a-date” sexy outfit…