Page 70 of Switch!

“I think so.”

“Then we better not let it get away.”

Gismonda’s eyes begin to glow again. Then she lets go of me. I feel myself caught up in a current that sweeps me away. She’s distant by the time I feel myself hit something.

I can see again! For real! The psychic fair is all around me. I’m on my feet and walking past booths that offer star charts and chakra cleansings.

Bunch of con artists.Jesse thinks.I never should have come here. They’re all charlatans.

He can think whatever he wants. I’m officially a believer. And I’m no longer in control. I reassert my will so Jesse will stop walking. Then I turn. I can still see Gismonda’s tent. She’s seated inside with her eyes closed. When they open again, they’re pointed directly at me.

She’s the real deal, all right. But can I trust her? She put me back in this body, but she’s also the one who knocked me out of it. I’m apprehensive as I approach her, but I have to know the truth.

“Have a seat,” she says when I push through the gauzy flaps of the tent. “Let’s try this again. When did your body die?”

“It isn’t dead.” I sit and explain what happened, trying to keep it simple, but I’m lightheaded from the effort once I’ve reached the end of my story. “Can you help me?”

“I can offer advice and nothing more,” Gismonda says. “You must be the one to set this right.”

“But I don’t know how.”

She shrugs as if it’s not her problem. “Neither do I.”

“Have you ever met anyone like me before?”

“I sincerely hope not.”

“Then what should I do?”

“Ah!” She holds up a finger. “Nowthatis a worthy question. I can ask the spirits on your behalf.”

I make a face. “The spirits?”

“Still the skeptic,” Gismonda says, tsking her tongue. She holds up her palms again. “Perhaps you need another demonstration.”

“No!” I say quickly. “That’s okay. Just let me know what the spirits say.”

Gismonda nods and closes her eyes. Nothing else happens.

“Have you started?” I ask.

She scowls and opens her eyes. “Don’t interrupt. It’s rude.”

“Oh. I wasn’t sure if you were talking to them already. I thought there would be more… I don’t know. Something.”

“You want a show? Fine.” Gismonda waves her hands around. “Mumbo jumbo discount gumbo. Satisfied? Good. Now be quiet.”

She shuts her eyes again. I don’t dare speak another word or move so much as a toe, even when she begins to grimace and frown. When she opens her eyes again, her tone is weary. “You’re alone. That’s your problem.”

The words hit me hard. “I wasn’t until recently.”

“I don’t mean the girl. You are alone in yourtruth.”

“Oh. Right. You’re the first person I’ve been able to talk to about this.”

“I won’t be the last.” Gismonda stands and walks to the tent’s entrance. She pauses to beckon. “Come! I have something for you.”

I rise and follow, my anticipation high. I’m expecting her to give me a mysterious amulet or maybe an ancient tome covered in archaic runes. Instead she hands me a flyer from her table. It doesn’t look very professional. The words are printed in Comic Sans. Beneath a block of text is generic clip art of a fortune teller behind a crystal ball. I focus on the content, hoping it’s more compelling.