Page 12 of Little Dark Deeds

“I will, and I’ll always think of you when I look at it.”I set the gift to the side.“Can we talk about you now?”

Tiffany sat on the edge of the bed, her expression sullen.“If we must.”

“Does anyone know you’re dead?”

“Yeah, word’s starting to get around.”

“When were you found?”

“I don’t know.Since it’s the middle of the night, yesterday, I guess.”

“Who found you?”

She hung her head.“My ...uhh, my dad.He was supposed to be giving me a ride to the airport.”

I thought about the conversation I’d had with Harvey the night before, about how solemn he’d been.Had he known then what I was learning now?Had everyone?Had they all been keeping it from me?

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“I don’t think I’ll be here much longer.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know.It’s hard to describe.”

“Try,” I said.

“It’s like my spirit body is being pulled away from here, away from this place.”

“Is there anything you can do to stop it?”

“I wouldn’t even know how to try.What happens to the those you’ve communicated with in other dreams?”

“Every person is different.The most common thing that happens is they’ll be talking to me one minute, and the next, they start to fade away until they’re just not there anymore.”

“Then I’d better say what I’ve come to say.”

“Go on.”

She nodded, taking a breath.“Will you do something for me?”

“Anything, name it.”

“Will you look out for my dad?Will you help him through what’s happened?I don’t want him to go through life notlivingit.He’s always lived for me, you know?My happiness is his happiness.He lives alone.I’m worried.”

“I’ll be there for him.You needn’t worry.”

“Good, then I’ve said everything I need to say.”

“Wait, what do you mean?”

“I can’t help it, Gigi.It’s time for me to go.I can feel it.”

“Please, not yet.We haven’t even talked about your murder.”

She swished a hand through the air.“You don’t need me.You can figure it out on your own.Lean into your intuition, and hey, thanks for ...well, always having my back.You were a great friend.I wish we had more time together.”

I opened my mouth, planning to return the sentiment then stopped when she started to fade, a little at first, and then a little more, and then I was alone, as if I had been alone the entire time.