Paranormalcy

by Kiersten White

FOR MOM AND DAD AND FOR NOAH, MY LOVE

Paranormalcy Contents Oh, Bite Me A Pop lation o! Ni"htmares Not#Me an$ % Len$ Me Yo r Ears&Amon" Other 'hin"s Ha(e a Bleep Bleep Day Dea$ Meat in any Lan" a"e 'here)s No Place Li*e Home Faerly +t pi$ D m,,ells, Boys, an$ Other Dense 'hin"s 'herapy Bills % Can +ee Ri"ht 'hro "h Yo Poetry an$ Hol$in" Han$s Li"ht My Fire B rn, Ba,y, B rn Ha"tastic Lost +o ls +el!ish is as +el!ish Does Don)t Call Me Hearts A"loOh, Bleep

Not O*ay .hat)s in a Name /ro n$e$ My First +leepo(er /irl 'al* Li*e a Ba$ 0o*e R ns in the Family One o! a 1in$ Hi2in*s an$ Hi"h +chools /irls, Cryin", .ol(es Hey, +t pi$ .hat Yo Don)t 1noLiar, Liar, .rist on Fire +o Alone 'o"ether Pin*, +hiny Lo(e %n Yo r Dreams Don)t M ss the Ma*e p Party Crasher +o l + c* Paths an$ Possi,ilities Hea(en, Hell, an$ that Little Place Bet-een Ac*no-le$"ments A,o t the A thor Praise Cre$its Copyri"ht A,o t the P ,lisher Paranormalcy OH, B%'E ME . ait3$i$ yo 3Yo 2 st ya-ne$45 'he (ampire)s arms, raise$ o(er his hea$ in the classic Drac la pose, $roppe$ to his si$es6 He p lle$ his e7a""erate$ -hite !an"s ,ac* ,ehin$ his lips6 8.hat, im# minent $eath isn)t e7citin" eno "h !or yo 95 8Oh, stop po tin"6 B t, really, the -i$o-)s pea*9 'he pale s*in9 'he ,lac* cape9 .here $i$ yo e(en "et that thin", a cost me store95 He raise$ himsel! to his ! ll hei"ht an$ "lare$ icily $o-n at me6 8%)m "oin" to s c* the li!e !rom yo r pretty -hite nec*65 % si"he$6 % hate the (amp 2o,s6 'hey thin* they)re so s a(e6 %t)s not eno "h !or them to sla "hter

an$ eat yo li*e a :om,ie -o l$6 No, they -ant it to ,e all se7y, too6 An$, tr st me; (ampires9 Not6 +e7y6 % mean, s re, their "lamo rs can ,e pretty hot, , t the $ry#as#,one corpse ,o$ies shimmerin" n$erneath9 Nothin" attracti(e there6 Not that anyone else can see them, tho "h6 He hisse$6 0 st as he reache$ !or my nec*, % tase$ him6 % -as there to ,a" an$ ta", not to *ill6 Be# si$es, i! % ha$ to carry separate -eapons !or e(ery paranormal % too* o t, %)$ ,e $ra""in" aro n$ a ! ll l ""a"e set6 'asers are a one#si:e#!its#all paranormal , tt#*ic*in" option6 Mine)s pin* -ith rhinestones6 'asey an$ % ha(e ha$ a lot o! "oo$ times to"ether6 'he (amp t-itche$ on the "ro n$, nconscio s6 He loo*e$ *in$ o! pathetic no-< % almost !elt ,a$ !or him6 %ma"ine yo r "ran$pa6 No- ima"ine yo r "ran$pa min s !i!ty po n$s pl s t-o h n$re$ years6 'hat)s -ho %)$ 2 st electri!ie$6 'asey)s -or* $one, % reholstere$ her an$ p lle$ o t the (amp#speci!ic an*le ,racelet6 % place$ my in$e7 !in"er in the mi$$le o! the smooth ,lac* s r!ace6 A!ter a !e- secon$s it "lo-e$ "reen6 /ra,# ,in" the (amp)s an*le, % p lle$ his pants le" p to re(eal the s*in6 % hate$ loo*in" at these " ys an$ seein" their p re -hite, smooth s*in at the same time as their shri(ele$ corpse ,o$ies6 % clampe$ the trac*er on, an$ it a$2 ste$ to the circ m!erence o! his an*le6 '-o so!t hisses so n$e$ as the sensors acti(ate$ an$ shot into his !lesh6 His eyes !le- open6 8O ch45 He "ra,,e$ at his an*le, an$ % ,ac*e$ p a !e- steps6 8.hat is this95 8Yo )re n$er arrest n$er stat te three point se(en o! the %nternational Paranormal Containment A"reement, Vampire Protocol6 Yo are re= ire$ to report to the nearest processin" !acility in B charest6 %! yo !ail to report -ithin the ne7t t-el(e ho rs, yo -ill ,e35 He l n"e$ !or me6 +i$esteppin", % let him trip o(er a lo- "ra(estone6 8%)ll *ill yo 45 he hisse$, try# in" to pic* himsel! p o!! the "ro n$6 8Yeah, yo really $on)t -ant to $o that6 'hat shiny ne- piece o! 2e-elry % "a(e yo 9 %t)s "ot t-o lit# tle sensors3thin* o! them as nee$les32amme$ into yo r an*le6 An$ i! yo r ,o$y temperat re -ere to s $$enly rise, say ,y the a$$ition o! h man ,loo$, the sensors -o l$ in2ect yo -ith holy -ater65 His eyes -i$ene$ in horror as he trie$ to p ll the ,racelet o!!, scrapin" a"ainst its si$es6 8Don)t $o that, either6 %! the seal is ,ro*en, holy -ater, poo!6 /ot it9 An$ % acti(ate$ the timer an$ ,eacon6 +o not only $o they *no- e7actly -here yo are, they also *no- yo r time limit to "et to B charest6 Miss it, an$3$o % really nee$ to tell yo 95 His sho l$ers sl mpe$6 8% co l$ 2 st snap yo r nec*,5 he sai$, , t % co l$ tell it -as hal!hearte$6 8Yo co l$ try6 An$ % co l$ tase yo a"ain so har$ yo -o l$n)t -a*e p !or si7 ho rs, "i(in" yo e(en less time to ma*e it to Romania6 +o, can % *eep rea$in" yo yo r ri"hts95 He $i$n)t say any# thin", an$ % pic*e$ p -here % le!t o!!6 8%! yo !ail to report -ithin the ne7t t-el(e ho rs, yo -ill ,e terminate$6 %! yo attac* any h mans, yo -ill ,e terminate$6 %! yo attempt to remo(e the trac*# in" $e(ice, yo -ill ,e terminate$6 .e loo* !or-ar$ to -or*in" -ith yo 65 % al-ays tho "ht that last line -as a nice to ch6 'he (amp loo*e$ $e2ecte$, sittin" there on the "ro n$ an$ !acin" the en$ o! his !ree$om6 % hel$ o t a han$6 8Nee$ help p95 % as*e$6 A!ter a moment he reache$ o t an$ too* it6 % p lle$ him p< (amps are s rprisin"ly li"ht6 Ha(in" no internal !l i$s)ll $o that to yo 6 8%)m E(ie65 8+te(e65 'han* hea(ens he -asn)t another Vla$6 He loo*e$ ncom!orta,le6 8>m, so, B charest9 Yo -o l$n)t happen to ha(e money !or a train tic*et95 Paranormals, honestly6 % reache$ into my ,a" an$ han$e$ him a , nch o! e ros6 /ettin" !rom %taly to Romania -o l$n)t ,e easy, an$ he nee$e$ to ,oo* it6 8Yo )ll -ant a map an$ $irections,5 % calle$ as he starte$ to slin* o!! thro "h the "ra(es6 Poor " y6 He -as really em,arrasse$6 % han$e$ him the sheet o! $irections to the B charest Processin" an$ Assi"nment , il$in"6 8%t)s o*ay to se min$# control tric*s to "et thro "h ,or$ers65 % smile$ enco ra"in"ly6

He no$$e$, still morose, an$ le!t6 Fin$in" +te(e ha$n)t ta*en as lon" as % ha$ -orrie$ it -o l$6 E7cellent6 %t -as $ar*, % -as !ree:in", an$ my (ampl rin" o t!it o! a -i$e#nec*e$ -hite ,lo se -asn)t e7actly helpin"6 Pl s % st c* o t li*e a sore th m, in Latin co ntries, -ith my platin m ,lon$ hair in a ,rai$ trailin" hal!-ay $o-n my ,ac*6 % -ante$ o t o! here6 % p nche$ in the n m,er o! the Center on my comm nicator6 ?'hin* cell phone, -itho t a camera6 An$ they only come in -hite6 Lame6@ 8Done6 % nee$ a ri$e home65 8Processin" yo r re= est,5 a monotone (oice sai$ on the other en$6 % -aite$, sittin" on the nearest "ra(estone6 'he comm nicator !lashe$ !i(e min tes later6 8+en$in" transport no-65 'he tr n* o! a lar"e, "narle$ tree a,o t !i!teen !eet in !ront o! me shimmere$, an$ the o tline o! a $oor appeare$6 A tall, slen$er man -al*e$ o t6 .ell, not man, really6 His !i" re -as $istinctly male, altho "h it seeme$ stretche$3a little too narro-6 .ith $elicate !eat res an$ almon$#shape$ eyes strai"ht o t o! an anime cartoon, his !ace -as, simply p t, ,ea ti! l6 %t ma$e yo r heart ache -ith the $esire to $o nothin" , t stare at him !or the rest o! yo r li!e6 He smile$ at me6 8+h t p,5 % sai$, sha*in" my hea$6 Di$ they ha(e to sen$ Reth9 + re, the Faerie Paths -ere the !astest -ay !rom here to there, , t that meant "oin" !rom here to there -ith him6 An$ nli*e the happy !antasy o! !aeries as $elicate, tiny -in"e$ thin"s -ho lo(e nat re3yeah, not so m ch6 Faeries are a lot more complicate$ than that6 Complicate$ an$ $an"ero s6 .al*in" ,ris*ly p, % hel$ o t my han$ an$ clenche$ my 2a-6 8E(elyn,5 he p rre$6 8%t)s ,een too lon"65 8% sai$ sh t p, $i$n)t %9 Let)s "o65 He la "he$, a sil(ery so n$ li*e ,ells, an$ trace$ one lon", slen$er !in"er alon" my -rist ,e!ore ta*in" my han$ in his6 % trie$ not to shi(er6 He la "he$ a"ain an$ -e steppe$ thro "h the oa*en $oor-ay6 % close$ my eyes< this part al-ays !rea*e$ me o t6 % *ne- -hat % -o l$ see i! % loo*e$3nothin"6 A,sol tely nothin"6 Nothin" n$er my !eet, nothin" a,o(e me, nothin" aro n$ me6 % p t one !oot in !ront o! the other an$ hel$ onto Reth)s han$ as i! my li!e $epen$e$ on it6 +ince it $i$6 No h man co l$ -al* the Faerie Paths alone -itho t ,ein" lost !ore(er6 An$ then it -as o(er6 .e steppe$ o t into one o! the cool, !l orescent#lit hall-ays o! the Center6 % yan*e$ my han$ a-ay !rom Reth)s< his special ,ran$ o! -armth ha$ alrea$y sprea$ thro "h my arm an$ -as creepin" e(en !arther6 8Not e(en a than*s95 he calle$ a!ter me as % stal*e$ $o-n the hall to-ar$ my nit6 % $i$n)t loo* ,ac*6 + $$enly he -as ri"ht ne7t to me6 8.e ha(en)t $ance$ in so lon"65 His melo$ic (oice -as lo- an$ intimate6 He reache$ !or my han$ a"ain an$ % 2 mpe$ ,ac*, p llin" o t 'asey6 8Bac* o!!,5 % hisse$6 8An$ i! yo come o t -itho t yo r "lamo r on a"ain, %)ll report yo 65 His "lamo r -asn)t m ch less "oo$#loo*in" than his real !ace, , t it -as re" lation !or !aeries6 8.hat is the se9 % co l$ ne(er hi$e anythin" !rom yo r eyes65 He mo(e$ closer6 % sho(e$ $o-n the !eelin"s , rstin" thro "h me6 Not a"ain6 Not e(er a"ain6 L c*ily -e -ere inter# r pte$ ,y a shrie*in" alarm6 +omethin" -as loose6 A hairy little "remlin, mo th open -i$e an$ aci$ic sali(a $rippin" !rom sharp teeth, -as ,oo*in" it on all !o rs to-ar$ s6 % -atche$ it as i! in slo- motion6 'he "remlin ma$e strai"ht !or me, a ra,i$ "leam in its eyes6 %t leape$ into the air an$ % *ic*e$ o t har$, sen$in" it sailin" $o-n the hall, ri"ht into the arms o! the containment -or*er chasin" it6 8/oal45 % sho te$6 Dan", % -as "oo$6 8'han*s,5 the -or*er sai$, (oice m !!le$ thro "h the mas*6 8Yo ,etcha65 Reth)s han$ ha$ !o n$ the small o! my ,ac*6 % -ante$ to lean into him, let his arms -rap aro n$ me, let him ta*e me a-ay&6 'hen % remem,ere$ the time6 8Oh, crap45 % ran $o-n the

hall past the -or*er an$ still#snarlin" "remlin6 A!ter a co ple o! t rns, % p t my palm on my $oor pa$, ,o ncin" impatiently ntil the $oor sli$ open6 Reth ha$n)t !ollo-e$ me6 % -as "la$6 O*ay, may,e a little $isappointe$6 An$ then ma$ at mysel! !or ,ein" $isappointe$6 % $ashe$ insi$e, "rate! l that my settin"s *ept the nit at ei"hty#!i(e $e"rees, an$ !loppe$ onto the p rple co ch6 ' rnin" on the !lat#screen 'V that too* p nearly the entire pin* -all, % si"he$ in re# lie!6 My !a(orite hi"h school $rama, Easton Hei"hts, -as 2 st startin"6 'oni"ht)s episo$e promise$ to ,e spectac lar3a mas= era$e ,all in -hich tiny mas*s someho- hi$ i$entities eno "h !or e(# eryone to ma*e o t -ith the -ron" person6 .here $i$ they come p -ith this st !!9 Paranormalcy A POP>LA'%ON OF N%/H'MARE+ ' he (i$ screen ne7t to my co ch , ::e$ a"ain6 %t ha$ ,een $oin" that o!! an$ on !or the last thirty min tes6 Finally, my sho- o(er, % hit the connect , tton6 % -as starin" into a pair o! "reen eyes, ri"ht in the mi$$le o! a "reen#tin"e$ !ace6 'he ima"e -a(ere$, li*e al-ays, since Alisha -as n$er# -ater6 8.hy ha(en)t yo chec*e$ in yet95 a monotone (oice as*e$6 % al-ays -on$ere$ -hat her real (oice -as li*e6 All -e "ot -as the comp ter pro"ram translatin" -hat she sai$ into somethin" -e co l$ hear6 8/ot $one early3my sho- -as on65 Her eyes crin*le$ p into a smile6 %t -as "oo$ that she ha$ e7pressi(e eyes, since her mo th ,arely mo(e$6 8Ho- -as it95 8Yo -o l$n)t ,elie(e it6 %t -as a cost me party6 First Lan$on9 He totally ma$e o t -ith 1atrina6 .ho)s $atin" Brett, ri"ht9 B t then Brett tho "ht he -as -ith 1atrina, , t really it -as Cheyenne, her sister, -ho *ne- that he tho "ht she -as 1atrina an$ tric*e$ him into *issin" her, then too* o!! her mas* an$ he -as, li*e, -hat on earth9 An$ then Halleryn !ilme$ Lan$on *issin" that tramp Carys65 Alisha ,lin*e$ her transparent eyeli$s slo-ly6 8Man, hi"h school m st ,e a-esome65 % !o n$ mysel! -ishin" % co l$ ,e part o! normal $rama !or once6 Paranormal $rama $i$n)t ha(e nearly as m ch *issin"6 8Yo nee$ to chec* in -ith Ra= el,5 Alisha pro$$e$, her eyes still smilin"6 8Fine, !ine65 % a$ore$ Lish6 +he -as my ,est !rien$6 Once yo "ot past the -eir$ness o! her ro,o# (oice, she ha$ a "reat sense o! h mor !or a paranormal6 O! co rse, nli*e most o! them, she -as "rate! l to ,e here6 Her la"oon ha$ ,ecome so poll te$ it -as *illin" her6 No- not only -as she sa!e, , t she ha$ somethin" to $o6 Apparently ,ein" a mermai$ is $ea$ $ ll6 % -atche$ 'he Little Mermai$ -ith her once a !e- years a"o3she tho "ht it -as !rea*in" hilario s6 +he co l$n)t stop la "hin" a,o t the shell#,ra thin", "i(en that mermai$s aren)t mammals6 Pl s, as she p t it, Prince Eric -as !ar too hairy an$ 8peach colore$5 !or her taste6 % al-ays tho "ht he -as pretty hot, , t then a"ain, % am a mammal6 Lea(in" my nit, % -al*e$ $o-n the col$, sterile halls to Ra= el)s o!!ice6 .e co l$ ha(e 2 st $one !ollo-# p o(er the (i$ screens, , t she al-ays -ants to see me in person a!ter a 2o, to ma*e s re %)m o*ay6 % *in$ o! li*e$ that6 % *noc*e$ once an$ the $oor sli$ open6 'he room -as -hite3-hite -alls, -hite !loor, -hite ! rni# t re6 Can yo say ,orin"9 Ra= el -as a nice contrast6 Her eyes -ere so ,ro-n they -ere nearly ,lac*, an$ her $ar* hair, p lle$ into a se(ere , n, -as strea*e$ -ith 2 st eno "h "ray to ,e $istin# " ishe$ -itho t loo*in" ol$6 % sat, an$ she loo*e$ p !rom a stac* o! papers on her $es*6 8Yo )re late65 Her (oice ha$ a sli"ht +panish accent that % lo(e$6

8Act ally, %)m early6 % sai$ %)$ nee$ !o r ho rs< it only too* me t-o65 8Yes, , t yo "ot ,ac* almost an ho r a"o65 8% !i" re$ %)$ ta*e a little personal time as a re-ar$ !or a 2o, -ell $one65 Ra= el si"he$6 +he -as a pro!essional si"her3the -oman con(eye$ more emotions -ith a sin"le e7halation than most people $o -ith their entire !aces6 8Yo *no- ho- important !ollo-# p is65 8Yeah, yeah, % *no-6 +orry6 My sho- -as on65 One o! her eye,ro-s rose e(er so sli"htly6 8Yo -ant a recap, too95 Most o! the paranormals $i$n)t care a,o t my sho-s, , t Ra= el -as h man6 +he)$ ne(er a$mit it, , t % -as s re3s re3that she li*e$ tele(ision $ramas as m ch as % $i$6 8No6 % -ant yo to $e,rie!65 8Fine6 .al*e$ thro "h the cemetery6 Fro:e my , tt o!!6 +a- the (ampire6 Vampire trie$ to attac* me6 'ase$ the (ampire6 'a""e$ the (ampire6 Rea$ the (ampire his ri"hts6 +ent the (ampire alon"6 His name -as +te(e, ,y the -ay65 8Any tro ,le95 8Nope6 Oh, -ait, yes6 Ho- many times ha(e % as*e$ to stop -or*in" -ith Reth9 Do -e nee$ to "o !or an e(en h n$re$95 8He -as the only a(aila,le !aerie transport6 An$ i! -e ha$n)t sent him, yo -o l$ ha(e misse$ yo r sho-65 A small smile playe$ at her lips6 8Fine, -hate(er65 +he ha$ a point, a!ter all6 80 st, co l$ yo sen$ one o! the "irls ne7t time95 +he no$$e$6 8'han* yo !or reportin"6 Yo may ret rn to yo r room65 +he t rne$ her attention ,ac* to the papers6 % starte$ to lea(e, then pa se$6 +he loo*e$ p6 8%s there somethin" else95 % hesitate$6 B t -hat $i$ % ha(e to lose9 %t)$ ,een a co ple o! years6 Mi"ht as -ell as* a"ain6 8% -as -on$erin", yo *no-, a,o t may,e3%)$ li*e to "o to school6 Normal school65 Ra= el si"he$ a"ain6 'his -as more o! a sympathetic, % *no- -hat it)s li*e to ,e a h man -rappe$ p in all this nonsense, , t i! -e $i$n)t $o it, -ho -o l$9 *in$ o! a si"h6 8E(ie, honey, yo *noyo can)t $o that65 8.hy9 %t -o l$n)t ,e too har$6 Yo co l$ 2 st sen$ !or me -hene(er yo nee$ me6 %t)s not li*e % ha(e to ,e here ABCD65 'r th -as, here -as *in$ o! no-here6 'he -hole Center -as n$er"ro n$6 Not m ch o! an iss e -hen yo ha(e access to the Faerie Paths6 %t $i$, ho-e(er, len$ itsel! -ell to the occasional o(er-helmin" ,o t o! cla stropho,ia6 Ra= el sat ,ac* in her chair6 8%t)s not a,o t that6 Do yo remem,er -hat it -as li*e ,e!ore yo came here95 'his time % -as the one -ho si"he$6 % remem,ere$6 % ha$ ,een ,o nce$ thro "h the !oster care sys# tem my -hole li!e, ntil that !ate! l $ay -hen % -as ei"ht6 %)$ "otten tire$ o! -aitin" !or my ne-est !oster mom to ta*e me to the li,rary, so % $eci$e$ to "o ,y mysel!6 % -as c ttin" thro "h a cemetery -hen a nice#loo*in" man approache$ me6 He as*e$ i! % nee$e$ help, an$ it -as li*e he -as t-o people at once3the nice#loo*in" man an$ a -ithere$ corpse, ,oth there in the same place, the same ,o$y6 % screame$ ,loo$y m r$er6 L c*y !or me, APCA ?the American Paranormal Containment A"ency@ ha$ ,een trac*in" him an$ steppe$ in ,e!ore he co l$ $o anythin"6 .hen % starte$ ,a,# ,lin" a,o t -hat he loo*e$ li*e, they too* me in6 ' rns o t my a,ility to see thro "h paranormals) "lamo rs to -hat they are n$erneath is ni= e6 As in, no other h man on Earth can $o -hat % $o6 'hat)s -here thin"s "ot really complicate$6 .hen other co ntries "ot -in$ o! -hat the APCA ha$, they !rea*e$ o t6 'he >1 especially3yo -o l$n)t ,elie(e the le(el o! paranormal acti(ity they $eal -ith there6 'hey hammere$ o t a netreaty, !ormin" %PCA ?the %nternational Paranormal Containment A"ency@, the *ey items in the treaty ,ein" international paranormal control cooperation an$, oh yeah, yo rs tr ly6

+o % ha$ to a$mit Ra= el -as pro,a,ly ri"ht6 My li!e o! containment sometimes s c*e$, , t at least % ha$ a home6 One -here % -as -ante$6 % shr ""e$, preten$in" % $i$n)t care a,o t school any-ay6 8Yeah, cool, -hate(er6 %)ll tal* to yo lat# er65 % !elt her eyes on me as % -al*e$ o t6 %t)s not that %)m not "rate! l to %PCA6 % am6 'hey)re the only !amily % ha(e, an$ thin"s are ,etter here than they ha$ ,een in the !oster system6 B t %)(e ,een -or*in" ! ll#time since % -as ei"ht, an$ sometimes % "et tire$6 +ometimes % "et ,ore$6 An$ some# times all % -ant, more than anythin" else in the -orl$, is to "o on a !rea*in" $ate6 % -ent ,ac* to my nit6 % ha$ a pretty nice set p6 A small *itchen, ,e$room, ,athroom, an$ the main room -ith my a-esome 'V6 'he -hite -alls in my ,e$room ha$ lon" since ,een co(ere$6 One -as $e$icate$ to posters o! ,an$s an$ mo(ies % li*e$6 Another -as $rape$ -ith an a-esome hot pin* an$ ,lac* leopar$#spotte$ c rtain6 A thir$ -all -as my can(as6 % -o l$n)t call mysel! an artist, , t % ha$ ! n paintin" -hate(er came to min$3sometimes nothin" more than 2 st splashes o! color3an$ chan"in" it -hen % "ot ,ore$6 'he paint -as pro,a,ly t-o inches thic*er no- than -hen % mo(e$ in6 % p lle$ on my !a(orite pair o! pa2amas an$ n$i$ my thic* ,rai$6 +omeho- micro-a(in" $inner an$ -atchin" a mo(ie -on o t o(er $oin" home-or*6 % m st ha(e $ri!te$ o!! to sleep at some point, or may,e % -as hal! asleep, % $on)t *no-6 B t %)m s re % -as $reamin", ,eca se % *ept hearin" a stran"e (oice, almost sin"in"6 8Eyes li*e streams o! meltin" sno-, col$ -ith the thin"s she $oes not *no-65 O(er an$ o(er a"ain, that line, in the most ha ntin" -ay6 %t -as as i! the (oice -as p llin" me, callin" to me6 % -ante$ to ans-er6 0 st as % -as rea$y to call o t, another alarm 2arre$ me a-a*e6 % r ,,e$ the sleep !rom my eyes an$ reache$ o(er to chec* my (i$ screen !or an anno ncement o! -hat -as "oin" on6 % p lle$ the screen p, , t all it sho-e$ -as a !lashin" re$ .ARN%N/6 Lots o! help there6 % p lle$ on my ro,e, "ra,,e$ 'asey, an$ po*e$ my hea$ o tsi$e6 % *ne- alarm proce$ re calle$ !or me to stay in, , t % -ante$ to !i" re o t -hat -as "oin" on, an$ no-6 % ran $o-n the empty hall-ays< stro,e li"hts -ere "oin" o!! to -arn any paranormals that co l$n)t hear the alarm, altho "h yo co l$ !eel the $an" thin" it -as so lo $6 Reachin" Ra= el)s $oor, % palme$ it6 'hat)s the nice thin" a,o t ,ein" me3all access, all the time6 % $ c*e$ insi$e< she -as at her $es*, calmly ri!lin" thro "h some !ol$ers6 8Ra= el,5 % pante$6 8.hat)s p95 8Oh, $on)t -orry a,o t it65 +he loo*e$ p at me an$ smile$6 Or rather, the thin" -earin" Ra= el)s !ace loo*e$ p at me an$ smile$6 Ra= el)s !ace shimmere$ o(er3.hat9 % co l$n)t $escri,e it6 %t -as someho- !eat reless, -ith eyes the color o! -ater6 %! it ha$n)t ,een -earin" Ra= el)s !ace, it -o l$ ,e li*e it -asn)t there at all6 % !orce$ a smile to mas* my terror6 8.o*e me p !rom the !rea*iest $ream65 8%)m sorry6 %)(e "ot some -or* to $o6 .hy $on)t yo scoot alon"95 %t -ent ,ac* to the !iles6 8+ re, as lon" as yo $on)t nee$ me65 ' rnin" to-ar$ the $oor, % cas ally -al*e$ closer to the $es*6 8Oh, Ra= el95 8Hmm95 % !lic*e$ 'asey onto her hi"hest le(el6 8Yo $roppe$ this65 'he thin" -earin" Ra= el)s !ace loo*e$ p as % l n"e$ !or-ar$ an$ 2a,,e$ it in the chest -ith the 'aser6 %ts -ater eyes opene$ ,rie!ly in shoc* ,e!ore it collapse$ to the "ro n$6 Horri!ie$, % ma$e my -ay aro n$ the $es*6 % ha$ hear$ o! thin"s that co l$ eat a person ali(e an$ -ear her s*in6 'he i$ea "a(e e(en me ni"htmares sometimes, an$ my li!e -as pop late$ ,y ni"ht# mares6 8Please, not Ra= el,5 % -hispere$, tryin" not to thro- p6 Ra= el melte$ a-ay, lea(in" the

stran"est thin" % ha$ e(er seen6 .hich, "i(en my 2o,, is sayin" a lot6 Paranormalcy NO'#ME AND % M y eyes co l$n)t seem to !oc s on the creat re6 'hey *ept slippin" $o-n its si$es, na,le to !in$ anythin" to hol$ on to6 %t -asn)t in(isi,le, e7actly, , t it -as as close as a physical ,ein" can ,e6 %ma"ine tryin" to -al* p an ei"hty#$e"ree incline co(ere$ in si7 inches o! ice6 'hat)s -hat tryin" to loo* at this " y -as li*e6 % -as pretty s re it -as a " y, at least6 He *in$a -asn)t -earin" any clothes, an$ % -as "rate! l that he)$ collapse$ in s ch a -ay as to co(er himsel!6 % -as at a loss !or -hat to $o ne7t -hen the $oor sli$ open an$ the real Ra= el r she$ in, !ollo-e$ ,y t-o sec rity " ar$s6 8He $i$n)t eat yo 45 % thre- my arms aro n$ her, on the (er"e o! tears6 'he " ar$s r she$ ,y s, an$ Ra= el patte$ me sti!!ly on the ,ac*6 8No, she $i$n)t eat me6 +he 2 st p nche$ me (ery har$ in the !ace65 8%t)s a " y,5 % sai$6 8.hat is it95 she as*e$6 .e -al*e$ o(er to loo* at him6 'he " ar$s stare$ $o-n, perple7e$6 One scratche$ his hea$6 Bi" " y, a h l*in" French -ere-ol! name$ 0ac= es6 .ere-ol(es are a ,it s ,# tler to see than (ampires6 %! the moon isn)t ! ll, the only thin" that "i(es them a-ay to me is their eyes6 .hate(er color they seem to ,e to other people, % can al-ays see the yello- -ol! eyes n$er# neath6 Most -ere-ol(es are pretty $ecent people6 An$, since they)re e7tra stron" all the time, -e ta*e a lot o! them on as sec rity6 O! co rse, $ rin" ! ll moons they)re on complete loc*$o-n6 0ac= es shr ""e$6 8% ha(e ne(er seen anythin" li*e it65 He, too, -as str ""lin" to !oc s on the inert !orm6 'he other " ar$, a normal h man, shoo* his hea$6 8Ho- $i$ he "et in95 % as*e$ Ra= el6 8+he3he3it -as -earin" Denise65 8Denise !rom :om,ie $ ty95 Denise -as a -ere-ol! -hose main 2o, -as :om,ie clean p6 % ne(er -ent on :om,ie missions3no "lamo rs, so anyone co l$ $o it6 Pl s they -eren)t e(er har$ to pin# point, altho "h a"ents ha$ a hec* o! a time co(erin" it p -ith the terri!ie$ locals6 0 st another ser# (ice o! %PCA; *eepin" the -orl$ ,liss! lly na-are that most o! the s pernat ral ,ein"s o! myth are, in !act, real6 8Yes6 %t3it as Denise3calle$ !or a pic* p6 'he :om,ie -as a !alse alarm6 % sa- them as they came o t o! the !aerie $oor6 Denise t rne$ an$ *noc*e$ Fehl, the !aerie, ,ac* thro "h6 % p she$ my panic , tton an$ -ent to con!ront her -hen she p nche$ me an$ "ra,,e$ my comm nicator65 8Ho- $i$ he *no- -here yo r o!!ice -as95 8+he3he3ran into 0ac= es an$ preten$e$ to ,e $i::y, as*e$ !or help "ettin" here65 0ac= es sh !!le$ his !eet, em,arrasse$6 8Ho- sho l$ -e ne ter it95 He -asn)t tal*in" a,o t literally ne terin" it6 Y c*6 8Ne ter5 is 2 st o r little term !or ren$erin" a paranormal harmless6 .ere-ol(es "et trac*in" ,racelets -ith massi(e amo nts o! se$ati(es set a # tomatically !or the ! ll moons6 Vamps "et the holy -ater ,racelets6 Faeries are easy once yo *notheir tr e names, since they ha(e to o,ey -hate(er yo tell them to $o -hen yo se it at the start o! yo r comman$6 .ell, easyish, since they al-ays seem to !in$ little -ays to -or* aro n$ their strict ,o n$aries6 Ne(er n$erestimate !aerie in"en ity !or $eli,erately misinterpretin" comman$s6 Ra= el !ro-ne$6 8% $on)t *no-6 0 st se the stan$ar$ (oltCse$ati(e com,o6 .hen -e *no- more a,o t -hat it is, -e)ll !in$ somethin" -ith more !inesse65

0ac= es p lle$ o t an an*le trac*er6 He loo*e$ hesitant to to ch the thin" an$ shoo* his hea$6 8% can ,arely see it6 .here is the le"95 Ra= el an$ the t-o " ar$s !ro-ne$ as their (ision sli$ aro n$ the !i" re on the !loor6 % si"he$6 8% can see his le"6 %)ll $o it65 % hel$ o t my han$ an$ 0ac= es, relie(e$, "a(e me the trac*er6 1neelin" $o-n, % pa se$, ner(o s6 .o l$ my han$s "o ri"ht thro "h him, li*e pl n"in" into col$ -ater9 B t he ha$ to ,e corporeal, other-ise 'asey -o l$n)t ha(e -or*e$6 + ppressin" a sh $$er, % p t my han$ on his an*le6 He -as soli$6 His s*in -as -arm an$ as smooth as "lass3, t no "lass ha$ e(er ,een this so!t6 8.eir$,5 % m ttere$, acti(atin" the an*le trac*er -ith my !in"er, then !astenin" it6 %t too* the sel!# a$2 st mechanism se(eral tries ,e!ore it seale$ aro n$ his an*le6 He t-itche$ as the sensors 2a,,e$ in , t $i$n)t -a*e p6 % stoo$, still !eelin" his -armth on my han$6 8.ell, that)s that6 An$ %)m not carryin" him to Con# tainment, i! that)s -hat yo -ere "onna as* ne7t6 Yo )ll ,e a,le to !eel him e(en i! yo can)t see him6 Besi$es, $ $e)s na*e$3%)m not to chin" him a"ain65 % hel$ ,ac* a la "h at the loo*s on the " ar$s) !aces6 'hey reache$ o t li*e they -o l$ "et , rne$, "ra,,e$ .ater Boy, an$ carrie$ him o t o! the room6 8%)$ ,etter !in$ o t -hat happene$ to Denise6 An$ Fehl, too65 Ra= el "a(e her ,est -hy is it al-ays me that has to $eal -ith these thin"s si"h ?one % -as -ell !amiliar -ith at this point@, then patte$ me on the sho l$er6 8/oo$ -or*, E(ie6 % $on)t *no- -hat -o l$ ha(e happene$ i! yo ha$n)t !o n$ it65 80 st3*eep me in the loop on this one, o*ay9 He)s the -eir$est thin" %)(e e(er seen6 % -ant to *no- -hat)s p65 +he smile$, a ti"ht, noncommittal smile that % *ne- meant not a chance, then pic*e$ her comm ni# cator p o!! the $es*6 % -al*e$ o t, serio sly , ""e$6 %PCA ha$ a ten$ency not to tell me m ch more than -here they nee$e$ me to ,e an$ -hat % nee$e$ to $o6 +cre- that6 % s*ippe$ my room an$ hea$e$ strai"ht !or Containment6 %! she -asn)t "oin" to *eep me in!orme$, %)$ 2 st ha(e to in!orm mysel!6 % palme$ the $oor an$ -al*e$ into the lon", ,rilliantly lit cell#line$ corri$or6 My "remlin , $$y !rom ,e!ore -as snarlin" an$ 2 mpin" at the electric !iel$ 2 st insi$e the si7 inches o! Ple7i"las that line$ its cell6 Each time it hit the !iel$, it yelpe$ an$ !le- ,ac*-ar$, only to start the -hole thin" o(er a"ain6 /remlins9 Not smart6 0ac= es -asn)t too !ar $o-n the hall6 .rappin" my arms aro n$ mysel!, % h rrie$ to-ar$ him6 % -as al-ays col$ in the Center, , t Containment -as $o-nri"ht !ri"i$6 0ac= es stoo$ there, a $is# t r,e$ loo* on his !ace as he stare$ into a cell6 % t rne$ an$ my 2a- $roppe$ in s rprise6 'here -as 0ac= es a"ain, leanin" cas ally a"ainst the -all o! his cell an$ starin" o t6 .hen he sa- me, his e7# pression chan"e$6 A"itate$, this 0ac= es mo(e$ as close to me as the electric !iel$ allo-e$6 Not 0ac= es6 % -al*e$ ri"ht p to the "lass as -ell, my eyes narro-e$ in concentration6 'here it -as 3,ehin$ 0ac= es)s s= are !ace6 8%t -o*e p ri"ht a!ter % seale$ the cell an$ has ,een $oin" that e(er since,5 0ac= es -hispere$, stan$in" ne7t to me6 8Please,5 Not#0ac= es sai$, his (oice i$entical6 8'hat monster o(erpo-ere$ me an$ thre- me in here4 Let me o t so % can help yo 45 8Oh, s re,5 % sai$, pleasantly, 8,eca se %)m st pi$65 'he plea$in" loo* on Not#0ac= es)s !ace !ell, replace$ ,y an eni"matic smile6 He shr ""e$, p ttin" his han$s in his pants poc*ets6 8Ho- $o yo $o the clothes95 % -as "en inely c rio s6 No other "lamo rs %)$ seen -ere anythin" more than a secon$ s*in6 Only a !e- species ?li*e !aeries@ co l$ p t them on an$ ta*e them o!! at

-ill, , t none co l$ chan"e -hat the act al "lamo r loo*e$ li*e6 8Ho- $i$ yo *no-95 His transparent eyes stare$ intensely at me ,ehin$ the ima"e o! 0ac= es)s6 Most o! the paranormals ha(e no i$ea -hat % can $o6 % li*e to *eep it that -ay6 8Ra= el -o l$ ne(er say Escoot6)5 Not#0ac= es shoo* his hea$6 He leane$ e(en closer< % e7amine$ his !ace, tryin" to !in$ his real !ea# t res6 'he only thin"s % ha$ an easy time !oc sin" on -ere his eyes6 He stoo$ p strai"ht, shoc*e$6 %)ll "i(e him this; He mana"e$ to ma*e 0ac= es)s !ace more e7pressi(e than 0ac= es e(er $i$6 8Yo can see me,5 he -hispere$6 8>m, $ h9 Yo )re ri"ht in !ront o! me6 .earin" 0ac= es6 Loo*s ,etter on yo than Ra= el $i$65 He smile$ a"ain6 'hen his s*in ripple$ li*e -ater $ist r,e$ ,y the -in$, an$ 0ac= es melte$ a-ay6 No- nearly impercepti,le e7cept !or the an*le ,racelet, he -al*e$ to the other si$e o! the cell an$, -itho t -arnin", $roppe$ !lat to the "ro n$6 % !o n$ his eyes starin" ri"ht at me an$ reali:e$ too late that he -as testin" me, seein" i! % co l$ !ol# lo- his mo(ement -hen he -as in in(isimo$e6 Color ,loome$ !rom his !eat res an$ in a s $$en shi!t o! li"ht % -as loo*in" at mysel!3mysel! e7actly, ri"ht $o-n to the ,ri"ht pin* ! ::y ro,e6 8Yo can see me,5 my (oice, tin"e$ -ith -on$er, sai$ !rom his mo th6 8E(ie45 Ra= el -as ,oo*in" it to-ar$ s in her sensi,le ?rea$; "ly@ ,lac* p mps, a !ro-n etchin" a $eep line ,et-een her eye,ro-s6 B ste$6 8Yo sho l$ not ,e here65 8.ell, i! it ma*es yo !eel any ,etter, %)m there, too65 % pointe$ at the cell6 Ra= el stoppe$ short, s rprise erasin" her !ro-n lines as she stare$ at Not#Me ,ehin$ the "lass6 8Remar*a,le,5 she -hispere$6 8Lame65 Not#Me ya-ne$ an$ reache$ p to play -ith his3my3platin m hair6 8.hat are yo 95 Ra= el -as s $$enly all , siness6 Not#Me "a(e her an impish "rin6 .atchin" mysel! $o all this -as really o$$6 % -as "ettin" an"les o! my !ace that % ha$ ne(er seen ,e!ore3-ay $i!!erent !rom loo*in" in a mirror6 Not#Me "lance$ at me a"ain, then shoo* my3err, his93hea$6 8% can)t = ite "et yo r eye color65 He stoo$ an$ -al*e$ ri"ht p to the !iel$, starin" at my !ace6 % co l$n)t help , t chec* mysel! o t6 % -as pretty6 'oo s*in# ny, , t %)$ al-ays ,een somethin" o! a ,eanpole6 An$, $an", really !lat6 'his -as !rea*in" me o t6 % !ro-ne$6 8'a*e it o!!65 He 2 st stare$ at me -ith my !ace6 % -as !oc se$ on his real eyes -hen % reali:e$ that he -as sortin" thro "h colors6 8Not = ite ri"ht,5 he m ttere$6 8'oo sil(er6 No- too $ar*6 'hey)re so pale65 %t -as tr e6 My eyes -ere s ch a li"ht "ray they ,arely ha$ any pi"ment at all6 8.hat color95 Not#Me m se$6 His eyes -ere !lic*erin" no-, shi!tin" colors li*e he -as on !ast#!or# -ar$6 8A clo $ -ith the sli"htest hint o! rain65 8+treams o! meltin" sno-,5 % ans-ere$ -itho t thin*in"6 He shot strai"ht p an$ ,ac*e$ into the corner o! his cell6 % -atche$ an e7pression o! !ear an$ mis# tr st sprea$ across my !eat res6 8Yes, that)s it,5 Not#Me -hispere$6 Paranormalcy LEND ME YO>R EAR+&AMON/ O'HER 'H%N/+ . here)s Denise95 Ra= el $eman$e$, "larin" at .ater Boy in his cell6 % ,reathe$ a si"h o! relie! as my !ace melte$ !rom his, replace$ ,y Denise)s6 8Ri"ht -here % le!t her,5 Not#Denise sai$6 He *ept "lancin" o(er at me6

8An$ -here -as that95 8%n the cemetery6 Yo sho l$ ,e a,le to !in$ her65 8Fin$ Denise or !in$ her ,o$y95 Ra= el)s (oice -as har$6 Not#Denise rolle$ his eyes6 8+he)ll ha(e a hea$ache6 Honestly, it)s li*e yo thin* %)m some sort o! a monster65 His mo th t-iste$ in an ironic smile6 8.hat are yo 95 8+o r $e6 .e ha(en)t e(en ,een intro$ ce$65 +he "a(e a can % 2 st start shoc*in" him into s ,mission no- sort o! si"h6 % 2 mpe$ in ,e!ore he "ot himsel! into more tro ,le6 8My name)s E(ie6 Ra= el yo alrea$y *no-3p nche$ her an$ then stole her !ace, remem,er93an$ 0ac= es o(er here is yo r ne- ,est !rien$, ,eca se he)s in char"e o! the !ee$in" sche$ le aro n$ here6 Ass min" yo eat6 An$ yo are95 8Len$65 8Len$95 Ra= el as*e$6 8Yes, as in, len$ me yo r sel!65 He shimmere$ into Ra= el a"ain6 8.hy not Borro-95 % as*e$6 8Better yet, +teal95 8%)ll as* a"ain,5 Ra= el snappe$6 8.hat are yo 95 /i(en -hat this " y ha$ $one, % $i$n)t ,lame her !or ,ein" impatient6 8/oo$ = estion6 May,e yo co l$ tell me95 8.hy are yo here95 8% lo(e a nice $ose o! electric c rrent in my ,o$y65 8.hat -ere yo loo*in" !or95 8Ans-ers65 8.ell65 Ra= el "a(e him a thin#lippe$ smile6 8+o am %65 Her comm nicator , ::e$6 Relie! !lashe$ across her !ace as she rea$ the messa"e6 Loo*in" p, she no$$e$ at her mirror ima"e6 8'omorro-, then65 +he t rne$ an$ starte$ $o-n the hall -ith 0ac= es6 % -as still starin" at Len$#as#Ra= el, -atchin" his real !ace ,eneath hers6 % co l$ almost pic* o t !eat res no-6 He st c* his ton" e o t at me an$, ,e!ore % co l$ stop mysel!, % "i""le$6 %t -as too ri$ic lo s comin" !rom Ra= el)s !ace6 Ra= el ,ar*e$ !rom $o-n the hall6 8E(ie4 No-45 /i(in" Len$#as#Ra= el a !inal "lare, % ran to catch p6 8'hey !o n$ Denise, she)s !ine6 An$ Fehl "ot ,ac*, too6 % $on)t -ant yo tal*in" to that thin" ntil -e *no- -hat it is an$ -hy it)s here65 No -ay, % tho "ht6 8O*ay,5 % sai$6 8.hat $o yo see -hen yo loo* at it95 8% $on)t *no-6 At !irst % co l$n)t really see anythin", % co l$ 2 st tell there -as someone n$er yo r !ace6 B t -hen he)s not -earin" anyone, it)s li*e3% can)t catch onto anythin"6 % -as "ettin" ,etter, tho "h, starin" at him in there6 His eyes are the only thin"s % can really !oc s on6 Other than that it)s li*e a silho ette or a clear sha$o- or&% $on)t *no-3a person ma$e o t o! -ater an$ a hint o! li"ht65 8%)m "oin" to call in some researchers6 First -e !in$ o t -hat he is, then -e !in$ o t -hat he -ants65 % shr ""e$, !ei"nin" nonchalance6 8Cool, -hate(er65

8Yo sho l$ ,e in ,e$65 Her (oice -as stern6 Yo )$ thin* the -hole not#ha(in"#a#mother thin", or the -hole ,ein" si7#!rea*in"#teen years ol$, -o l$ "et me o!! the hoo* !or ,e$times6 B t no6 8An$ $on)t !or"et yo r class tomorro-65 8Fine6 B t i! any more alarms "o o!!, %)m "oin" to i"nore them instea$ o! sa(in" the $ay65 +he hea(e$ a "i(e me (ampires an$ "remlins o(er po ty teena"ers any $ay si"h an$ -a(e$ as she t rne$ o!! $o-n another hall6 A!ter heatin" p some mil* !or hot chocolate, % c rle$ p -ith a ,lan*et on my co ch6 My min$ -as racin" too m ch to sleep6 'o$ay ha$ ,een -eir$6 An$ !or somethin" to ,e -eir$ in my $ay, it)s $o-nri"ht !rea*y6 % poppe$ in another mo(ie an$ let my min$ "la:e o(er6 'he li"ht !rom the screen !lic*ere$ hypnotically6 % $i$n)t notice the li"ht comin" !rom ,ehin$ me6 8Come an$ $ance -ith me, my lo(e65 His (oice -as li*e the color "ol$3,ri"ht an$ spar*lin" -ith the promise o! -armth6 +o m ch -armth6 % smile$, closin" my eyes an$ lettin" mysel! ,e p lle$ p o!! the co ch an$ into an em,race6 He reste$ his chee* a"ainst mine an$ the heat sprea$ o t, thro "h my !ace an$ then $o-n my nec*, inchin" to-ar$ my heart6 8My heart,5 he -hispere$6 % no$$e$ a"ainst his chee*6 His heart6 My (i$ screen ,eepe$, 2arrin" me o t o! the trance6 % 2 mpe$ ,ac* an$ sho(e$ Reth o!! me6 'he heat slo-ly $ri!te$ a-ay !rom my heart6 %t ha$ ,een close6 'oo close6 Reth loo*e$ $isappointe$6 He hel$ o t his arms6 % s-ore6 8.hat is yo r !rea*in" pro,lem9 /et o t4 No-45 8E(elyn65 His (oice -as a ma"net -ith his -armth still in me6 % leane$ !or-ar$ a"ainst my -ill6 8No45 Rippin" mysel! a-ay !rom the p ll, % ran to the partition $i(i$in" the 'V room !rom the *itchen an$ "ra,,e$ my comm nicator6 8/et o t65 % "lare$, my han$ o(er the panic , tton6 His ,ea ti! l !ace !ell6 % -ante$ to com!ort him6 Closin" my eyes, % lo-ere$ my !in"er6 8O t6 No-65 % co l$ see the li"ht o! a $oor !rom ,ehin$ my eyeli$s an$ -aite$ ntil it !a$e$ to open them a"ain6 Reth -as "one6 % -ent o(er to my (i$ screen an$ t rne$ it on6 8.hat "oo$ are !rea*in" palm#co$e$ loc*s -hen !aeries can ma*e their o-n $oors any time they -ant to45 % sho te$ at Lish6 Her "reen eyes -i$ene$ in s rprise an$ concern6 % too* a $eep ,reath6 %t -asn)t her !a lt6 8'han*s !or the interr ption,5 % a$$e$6 8Reth95 8Yeah6 Can yo !ile a report !or me95 8Yes, o! co rse6 .e -ill try to ma*e his instr ctions more e7plicit65 % shoo* my hea$6 He al-ays !o n$ a -ay aro n$ them6 My " ess -as -hen they tol$ him to "o "et me to$ay he applie$ it as a ,lan*et statement rather than a simple onetime retrie(al comman$6 8.hat $i$ yo nee$95 +he loo*e$ em,arrasse$6 8% -ante$ to as* a,o t the $ist r,ance6 % -ill tal* to yo tomorro-65 8Yeah, %)m *in$ o! e7ha ste$6 %)ll come (isit an$ tell yo e(erythin", o*ay95 8Do yo -ant to spen$ the ni"ht here95 .hen % !irst came to the Center an$ ha$ ,a$ $reams, % -o l$ $ra" my ,lan*et an$ pillo- in an$ sleep on the !loor ne7t to Lish)s a= ari m6 +he)$ tell me stories ntil % !ell asleep6 % -as tempte$, , t !elt too silly a,o t not ,ein" a,le to spen$ the ni"ht alone ,eca se o! a st pi$ !aerie6 8%)ll ,e o*ay65 % !orce$ a smile6 8'han*s, tho "h6 /oo$ ni"ht, Lish65 'he mermai$)s eyes smile$, an$ the (i$ screen -ent ,lan*6 % ploppe$ ,ac* $o-n on the co ch6 Reth ha$ ,een so close6 A"ain6 An$3-orst o! all3part o! me -ishe$ that -e ha$n)t ,een interr pte$6

B t % ha$ learne$ the har$ -ay -ith !aeries6 %t)s all a,o t possession an$ ta*in" a$(anta"e, an$, n# li*e h man ,oys on all the 'V sho-s, they aren)t in it !or se76 'hey co l$n)t care less a,o t that6 'hey -ant yo r heart, yo r so l6 % -as ne(er "i(in" mine ,ac* to Reth6 Deci$in" that ha$n)t stoppe$ the ache o! missin" him, tho "h6 % spent the rest o! the ni"ht -i$e a-a*e, -rappe$ in three ,lan*ets an$ !ree:in"6 .hen the cloc* rea$ B A6M6 % "a(e p6 % "ot $resse$ in my -armest clothes an$ -al*e$ to Containment6 Len$ -as c rle$ p asleep on the !loor6 % sat a"ainst the -all an$ -atche$, !ascinate$, as his ,o$y !lic*e$ thro "h i$entities the -ay % clic* thro "h channels6 A!ter may,e an ho r he -ent into his stran"e -ater#an$#li"ht state6 % -as so tire$ % co l$ ,arely !oc s my eyes at all3an$ s $$enly % co l$ see him6 %t -as li*e once % stoppe$ tryin" so har$ to loo*, he -as 2 st there6 He act ally ha$ hair an$ normal !eat res3c te e(en, i! he ha$ pi"ment6 E(en more s rprisin", he $i$n)t loo* m ch ol$er than me6 A!ter a moment his eyes opene$ an$ met mine6 Color !loo$e$ thro "h him3he -as -earin" me a"ain6 'he eyes -ere still !lic*erin", tryin" to !in$ the ri"ht sha$e6 8.hat are yo 95 % -hispere$6 8.hat are yo 95 O!!en$e$, % !ro-ne$6 8H man65 8F nny, me, too65 8No, yo )re not65 8F nny, neither are yo 65 % set my 2a- an$ "lare$6 .hat a 2er*6 8.hy $i$ yo come here95 My (oice came !rom his mo th, $isconcertin" as al-ays6 8% co l$ as* yo the same thin"6 Are yo "oin" to *ill me95 Paranormalcy HAVE A BLEEP BLEEP DAY % 3no, that)s not -hat %PCA $oes,5 % sai$6 8'hey $on)t *ill paranormals, they35 Len$ raise$ a han$ to stop me an$ sat p, lar"e eyes narro-in"6 8Are yo "oin" to *ill me95 8.hy -o l$ % *ill yo 95 A!ter a moment he let o t a $eep ,reath6 8% $on)t thin* it)s yo 65 8.hat)s not me95 +tan$in", he stretche$6 Di$ % mention ho- -eir$ it -as -atchin" my ,o$y $o this st !!9 He e(en ha$ the hair ri"ht3a little messy this mornin", since % ha$n)t ,othere$ to ,r sh it yet6 8Can yo please "o ,ac* to normal95 % -ante$ to loo* at him more no- that % co l$ see him ,etter6 He smile$, !lashin" my per!ect teeth at me6 % ha$ to "o thro "h three years o! ,races !or that smile< no !air that he co l$ copy it in a secon$6 8Normal9 .hat)s that95 8Ho- yo really loo*65 8Can yo ta*e o!! all yo r clothes95 O*ay, -eir$est thin" e(er3% 2 st as*e$ mysel! to ta*e o!! all my clothes6 %t $oesn)t "et m ch creepier6 8.hy on earth -o l$ % $o that95 8Yo as*e$ me to ,e na*e$< % tho "ht it -as only !air65 8% 2 st meant stop -earin" me6 Be yo rsel!6 B t yo rsel! -ith clothes65

8'hese are my clothes6 B t, i! it ,others yo 65 % melte$ o!! him an$ he "re- a !e- inches6 %n my place -as a teena"e " y6 Blac* hair, $ar* ,ro-n eyes, oli(e s*in, an$, oh yeah, a,sol tely "or"eo s6 Li*e, ,elon"e$ on one o! the sho-s % lo(e$ so m ch "or"eo s6 8Better95 His (oice ha$ chan"e$, $eepene$, an$ % -ishe$ % -as tal*in" -ith an act al teena"e " y6 8De!initely65 % loo*e$ closer6 +till Len$ n$er there6 E(en the $ar* eyes $i$n)t hi$e his -ater#col# ore$ ones< % co l$ see him shimmerin" thro "h6 8'his seems to ,e a pop lar one65 8Yeah, % can ima"ine65 'hen % !ro-ne$, c rio s6 8.hat $oes yo r real (oice so n$ li*e95 8.hat ma*es yo thin* this isn)t it95 8% thin* it -o l$ so n$ $i!!erent6 +o!ter6 Li*e -ater65 % reali:e$ ho- st pi$ that so n$e$, , t his smile $roppe$ o!! an$ he "a(e me a consi$erin" loo*6 8%! yo $i$n)t come here to *ill me, -hy are yo here, E(ie95 A-*-ar$6 Here % -as, no ma*e p, ratty hair, in !ront o! the hottest teena"e " y %)$ e(er seen, !a*e or not6 .hy -as % here9 8%t)s my 2o,65 His smile ret rne$, this time -ith the s al ironic t-ist to his lips6 8Oh6 Yo r 2o,6 F ite the career !or someone yo r a"e65 8Yo )re not m ch ol$er than me65 No- that %)$ seen him ,etter, % -as s re o! it6 Corr pte$ mortals li*e (ampires sho- their real ,o$ies) a"es3ol$ an$ nasty3 n$erneath6 'r e immortals, li*e !aeries, ha(e eternal yo th, , t there)s somethin" $i!!erent in their !aces6 All those years $on)t a$$ lines< they smooth, li*e a piece o! "lass t rne$ aro n$ !ore(er on the ocean !loor6 No mortal has that polish6 His !ace -as neither ol$ nor a"eless6 'he shi!t in his e7pression con!irme$ it6 8Ha45 % smile$ sm "ly6 8%)m " essin"&!i!teen65 % -ent lo- on p rpose6 He loo*e$ in$i"nant6 8+e(enteen65 8+ee9 Yo tol$ the tr th6 'hat -asn)t so ,a$, no-, -as it95 Len$ shoo* his hea$, then si"he$6 8'ro ,le65 8Yo ,et %)m tro ,le,5 % co ntere$ -ith a smile6 + re, may,e % -as !lirtin", a little6 Co l$ yo ,lame me9 'he only " ys % e(er met -ere too ol$, hal! monsters, li(in" corpses, or immortal creeps6 At least Len$ -as close to my a"e, -hate(er else he -as6 8No, yo )re in tro ,le65 He loo*e$ an$ % !ollo-e$ his eyes ri"ht to Ra= el, -ho -as not happy6 At all6 +he !inishe$ crossin" the hall an$ !i7e$ a steely "lare on me6 % -as a,o t to apolo"i:e, , t then % rolle$ my eyes6 8.hat are yo "oin" to $o, "ro n$ me95 May,e % sho l$n)t ha(e ,een so !lip a,o t it, , t really6 A!ter the ni"ht % ha$, the last thin" % -ante$ -as a lect re6 8O t6 No-65 % -al*e$ past her, t rnin" my hea$ to "lance ,ac* at Len$6 He -in*e$ at me an$ % co l$n)t help , t smile6 %nstea$ o! "oin" to my room, % ma$e my -ay to Central Processin"6 %t -as still early , t that)s an# other "reat thin" a,o t Lish; she $oesn)t sleep6 % lo(e$ Central Processin"6 >nli*e the rest o! the Center, it $i$n)t loo* sterile6 'he entire room -as a circle, -ith $es*s place$ a"ainst the -all an$ e(erythin" ,ase$ aro n$ Lish)s "or"eo s a= ari m6 A,o t !i!ty !eet in $iameter, it -as !i!teen !eet hi"h an$ a per!ect circle6 'hey e(en mana"e$ to transplant a li(in" coral ree!, complete -ith trop# ical !ish in the crystal ,l e -ater6 .ay ,etter than my nit6 Lish -as starin" at the series o! screens that line$ the !ront o! the tan*6 +he -as li*e the ltimate

personal assistant6 No sic* $ays, no (acations, no sleep, an$ she -ante$ to ,e there6 A lot o! the paranormals co l$n)t ,e tr ste$ -ith too m ch6 E(en tho "h they)re ne tere$, most o! them har,or a ,it o! resentment to-ar$ %PCA ,eca se o! the loss o! !ree$om6 B t Lish lo(e$ her 2o,6 +he -as in char"e o! sche$ lin", monitorin", transports, yo name it6 /irl *ne- e(erythin"6 Apparently not to$ay, tho "h6 Her "reen eyes -i$ene$ -ith interest -hen % -al*e$ p to the tan*6 % smile$6 8.hat)s p, Lish95 8Ho- are yo !eelin"9 Are yo o*ay a!ter last ni"ht95 Lish *ne- me ,etter than anyone else at the Center6 Ra= el -as in char"e o! me, , t she -as har$ to tal* to a,o t !eelin"s6 A!ter all, -hen the main -ay yo comm nicate is thro "h si"hs, it ma*es it har$ to relate to teens6 Lish n$erstoo$ ho- ,a$ a ne- r n#in -ith Reth -o l$ mess me p6 % co l$ ?an$ $i$@ tal* -ith her a,o t e(erythin"6 8Been ,etter6 Di$n)t sleep65 Lish trie$ to s-ear3-hich is al-ays ! nny, ,eca se the comp ter -on)t translate it6 %t -ent some# thin" li*e this; 8Bleep st pi$ ,leep ,leep !aeries an$ their ,leep ,leep ,leep o,sessions6 He ha$ ,et# ter stop ,leep ,leep ,leep the ,leep ,leep r les or % -ill ,leep ,leep ,leep the little ,leeeeeeeeeeep65 All in a completely ro,otic monotone6 A-esome6 Lish co l$ really "et "oin" sometimes6 % lo(e$ her !or it< she -as li*e the ,i" sister % ne(er ha$6 'he ,i" sister -ho happene$ to ,e shiny "reen an$ co(ere$ in scales, -ith a lon", !inne$ tail an$ -e,,e$ han$s6 B t she -as ,ea ti! l in her -ay6 % la "he$6 'he ro,ot (oice tira$es al-ays cheere$ me p6 8O*ay, yo ,leep ,leep $o that65 +he shoo* her hea$, still ma$ a,o t Reth6 +omethin" on one o! her screens too* her attention an$ she -a(e$ her -e,,e$ han$s in !ront o! it !or a !e- min tes6 % -asn)t s re ho- all the tech -or*e$ in there, , t it al-ays loo*e$ cool6 Once she -as $one, she loo*e$ ,ac* at me6 8+o, tell me a,o t -hat happene$ yester$ay -ith the ,rea*#in65 8.hat $on)t yo *no-95 Lish -as s ally the !ont o! all in!ormation6 /rante$, most o! that in!or# mation -as classi!ie$, , t -e -ere ,est !rien$s6 .e tol$ secrets, an$ *ept them, too6 Li*e the time -hen % -as t-el(e an$ the Center -as processin" a loa$ o! pi7ies6 Lish *ne- ho- ,a$ly % -ante$ to see them an$ slippe$ me the -hen an$ -here in!ormation3e(en tho "h Ra= el ha$ "ro n$e$ me !or -an$erin" o!! on a ,a"#an$#ta" mission6 'oo ,a$ pi7ies t rne$ o t to ,e $irty, "ly little thin"s, e(en their -in"s coate$ -ith m co s6 Yet another cartoon $ream shattere$6 8'hey are not releasin" m ch intel6 .hat is it95 +he loo*e$ -orrie$6 8Don)t *no-6 %)(e ne(er seen anythin" li*e him6 Neither has Ra= el65 8.hy -as he here95 8Don)t *no- a"ain6 % ca "ht him in Ra= el)s o!!ice, , t he hasn)t sai$ -hy65 8An$ he can ta*e the appearance o! anyone95 8Y p6 Pretty !rea*y -hen yo )re stan$in" there tal*in" to yo rsel!65 A small, -hee:in" la "h so n$e$6 % loo*e$ o(er an$ notice$ one o! the o!!ice (amps stan$in" close ,y, listenin"6 8+omethin" ! nny, Dal(95 % "lare$ at him6 He "lare$ ,ac*6 8%t)s Vla$ an$ yo *no- it65 8Yo an$ hal! the other (amps o t there65 Vla$3or Dal(, as % li*e$ to call him 2 st to piss him o!! 3-as one o! my least !a(orite parts o! the Center6 A!ter ne terin", %PCA al-ays set the paranor# mals p -ith some man$atory 2o,6 .ere-ol(es ha$ the most 2o, !le7i,ility, $epen$in" on -hat they -ere ,e!ore6 Vamps s ally -or*e$ in the satellite , il$in"s or $i$ co(er# p !or si"htin"s sin" their pers asion s*ills6 Vla$ -as pretty seless tho "h6 % " ess % can)t ,lame him !or !eelin" ,itter6 /oin" !rom ,ein" the terror o! B l"arian ni"hts to a 2anitor -o l$ *in$a s c*6 An$, since % -as the

one -ho ha$ $one the ,a"#an$#ta", he especially hate$ me6 He shr ""e$ as he s-ept the alrea$y spotless !loor6 His "lamo r -as less !lashy than most< he loo*e$ li*e a !orty#year#ol$ man, not han$some, not "ly, 2 st thin an$ sli"htly ,al$in"6 >n$erneath all (amps loo*e$ the same6 >"h6 8He co l$ ,e a $oppel"Gn"er,5 he sai$, a sneer o! a smile creepin" onto his !ace6 8.hat)s a $oppel"Gn"er95 % imme$iately re"rette$ as*in" as his smile sprea$6 8/oo$ ne-s !or the rest o! s, i! he too* yo r !orm65 /i(in" another -hee:y la "h, he -al*e$ o t6 % t rne$ to Lish< she -as alrea$y loo*in" it p on one o! her screens6 Her eyes narro-e$6 8.hat95 'he loo* on her !ace -as ma*in" me ner(o s6 8.hat)s a $oppel"Gn"er95 8Doppel"Gn"ers appear to people as har,in"ers o!35 she pa se$ 83$eath6 'he tale -as that i! yo sa- yo rsel!, it meant yo -ere "oin" to $ie6 'hey -ere also ,a$ spirits -ho -o l$ ta*e yo r !orm an$ $estroy yo r li!e, a"ain lea$in" to yo r $eath65 % !ro-ne$6 Not cool6 8.ait, spirits95 +he no$$e$6 8Nope, $ $e)s corporeal65 % ha$ $ealt -ith a !e"hosts an$ polter"eists in my time6 'he "reat thin" a,o t them is they can)t to ch yo 6 'heir only po-er is !ear6 An$ there)s a -hole lot yo can $o -ith !ear3ma*e people see, hear, an$ e(en !eel thin"s that aren)t there3, t i! yo *no- that "oin" in, it)s a lot easier to see past it6 8Besi$es, i! %)m "oin" to $ie, Ra= el, Denise, an$ 0ac= es are all "oin" -ith me65 +he ,lin*e$ tho "ht! lly6 8An$ -hy -o l$ a $oppel"Gn"er -ant to loo* thro "h Ra= el)s !iles95 8E7actly6 Pl s, he)s only se(enteen65 Lish tilte$ her hea$6 8He is not an immortal95 8Nope6 Oh, -hoops, pro,a,ly sho l$ ha(e tol$ Ra= el that65 % !ro-ne$6 %)$ tell her -hen she $eci$# e$ to incl $e me6 8Listen, $on)t say anythin", o*ay9 % -ant in on this one, an$ in!o)s the only le(er# a"e % ha(e65 Lish close$ one o! her transparent eyeli$s at me in her ,est imitation o! a -in*6 8'hey are not "i(# in" me research clearance any-ay6 % ha(e no reason to tell65 8Yo )re the ,est, my !ine !ishy !rien$65 Lish)s eyes smile$ at me6 Di!!erent as -e -ere, -e -ere ,oth e7actly -hat the other nee$e$3a !rien$6 As -as my c stom, starte$ -hen % !irst met Lish as a ten#year#ol$, % smashe$ my !ace a"ainst the "lass an$ ,le- my chee*s o t at her6 Paranormalcy DEAD MEA' %N ANY LAN/>A/E % ha$ !inally !allen asleep later that mornin" -hen the alarm -ent o!!6 % 2 mpe$ o t o! ,e$, con# ! se$, thin*in" there -as yet another ,rea*#in or emer"ency6 'hen % reali:e$ it -asn)t the Center)s alarms, it -as my personal alarm6 'he alarm that meant my t tor, Charlotte, -o l$ ,e here in e7act# ly ten min tes6 8Oh, ,leep65 % ha$n)t $one any o! my home-or*6 'he last !e- years %)$ trie$ to con(ince Ra= el that % really $i$n)t nee$ to st $y math, En"lish, sci# ence, -orl$ history, an$ !o r3yes, !o r3!orei"n lan" a"es6 %t -asn)t li*e % -as "oin" to "o to col# le"e or anythin"6 + re, % -ante$ to atten$ real hi"h school, , t that ha$ more to $o -ith ,ein" aro n$ act al teena"ers than learnin" st !!6 Besi$es, % $o ,te$ %PCA care$ -hether or not % ha$ my /ED6 As lon" as % co l$ *eep seein" thro "h "lamo rs, % ha$ a 2o, !or li!e6 B t e(ery time % ,ro "ht it p, Ra= el loo*e$ at me -ith those almost#,lac* eyes an$ hea(e$ her patente$ % *noyo thin* it)s not important to *no- these thin"s , t one $ay yo )ll appreciate that %)(e ma$e yo into a -ell#ro n$e$ a$ lt si"h6

% p lle$ o t my +panish ,oo*, pretty s re that)s -hat % ha$ this mornin"6 Hastily !illin" in my irre"# lar (er, chart !or morir, % -rote o t e7ample sentences6 'H eres m erta carne6 +cratche$ that3a$# 2ecti(e a!ter the no n6 'H eres carne m erta6 Oh, -ho -as % *i$$in", % -asn)t e(en sin" morir in the (er, !orm any-ay6 Yo soy carne m erta6 'ranslation; % am $ea$ meat6 Ri"ht on time my nit $oor ,eepe$ an$ % let Charlotte in6 +he -as a pretty -oman, loo*e$ to ,e in her late t-enties6 A co ple inches shorter than me -ith shiny ,ro-n hair that -as p lle$ ,ac* into a ponytail an$ these a$ora,le rectan" lar "lasses o(er her ,l e eyes, -hich -ere o(er her ,ri"ht yel# lo- -ol! eyes6 Charlotte al-ays smile$ so s-eetly6 'eachin" ha$ ,een her li!e)s passion ntil she -as in!ecte$6 A!# ter she reali:e$ -hat she -as an$ -hat she ha$ $one3attac*e$ a !amily mem,er3she trie$ to *ill hersel!6 Fort nately -e !o n$ her ,e!ore she co l$ !i" re o t the !e- thin"s that can ,rin" $o-n a -ere-ol!6 % co l$ ne(er tell i! it -as my lac* o! moti(ation as a st $ent or her pain an$ re"ret a,o t the past that ma$e her loo* sa$ e(en -hen she -as smilin"6 .e sat $o-n on the co ch an$ p lle$ p a ta,le6 +he "lance$ o(er my -or*sheet an$ s ppresse$ a smile6 8Yo are $ea$ meat95 % "a(e my ,est $on)t "et ma$, aren)t % c te9 "rin an$ shr ""e$6 8'hat)s an American e7pression3the meanin" $oesn)t translate6 An$ yo $i$n)t !inish yo r (er, charts or the short story yo -ere assi"ne$65 +he loo*e$ p at me -ith those sa$, sa$ eyes6 'hose eyes *ille$ me6 8%)m sorry65 % h n" my hea$6 8Yester$ay -as cra:y6 First % ha$ a (amp 2o,, an$ then there -as the ,rea*#in, an$ then Reth pai$ me a late#ni"ht (isit, an$ then % co l$n)t sleep65 8%t so n$s li*e yo ha$ a ro "h $ay6 B t yo )(e ha$ this assi"nment !or a -ee*6 Perhaps ne7t time i! yo $i$n)t lea(e it to the ni"ht ,e!ore95 8Hey, no-, let)s not start tal*in" cra:y, Char65 'hat, at least, "ot me a less#sa$ smile6 .e spent the rest o! the mornin" con2 "atin" ?a -or$ that so n$s $irty , t is, in !act, ,orin"@ an$ con(ersin" in "oo$ ol$ espaIol6 +he staye$ an$ ate l nch -ith me, an$ then it -as time !or my a!# ternoon trainin" session6 B $, my sel!#$e!ense an$ com,at s*ills teacher, -as still tryin" to "et me to learn *ni!e !i"htin"6 8+il(er *ni(es4 Pain! l an$ sometimes $ea$ly to nearly all paranormals45 8'asey45 % co ntere$6 8Hot pin* an$ spar*ly45 8Yo can)t al-ays co nt on technolo"y65 B $ -as h man, , t yo )$ thin* he)$ "ro-n p in the Mi$$le A"es6 %n case yo -ere -on$erin" i! he -as c te, -ell, may,e thirty years a"o6 No-, not so m ch6 8An$, since -e)(e ha$ this ar" ment ,e!ore, % ma$e yo somethin"65 % per*e$ p6 8A present95 He no$$e$, an annoye$ loo* on his !ace6 P llin" o t a cloth#-rappe$ , n$le, he re(eale$ a slen$er $a""er -ith a ,ri"ht pin*, pearlescent han$le6 8No -ay45 % yelle$, ta*in" it !rom him6 8% can)t ,elie(e % ma$e a pin* *ni!e65 8%t)s so c te4 % lo(e it6 Finally, a companion -orthy o! 'asey65 % "a(e him a = ic* h "6 H "s al-ays !rea*e$ poor B $ o t, , t he -as relie(e$ %)$ !inally a"ree$ to ta*e a *ni!e6 8Oh, "osh, -hat sho l$ % name her95 8.hate(er it is, please $on)t tell me6 0 st *eep it sheathe$ an$ on yo r ,elt65 % too* the sheath3-hich -as ,lac*6 8Can yo ma*e me one in ,ro-n, too9 An$ pin*95 Yo )$ thin* B $ -as a -ere-ol! ,y the -ay he "ro-le$ as he shooe$ me o t o! the trainin" room6 'he rest o! my a!ternoon !ree, % ,an*e$ on the hope that Ra= el -o l$ ,e in meetin"s6 +he -as

pretty hi"h p in %PCA6 % se$ to thin* she -as only assi"ne$ to me, , t it t rne$ o t she ran the en# tire Center an$ -as in char"e o! all ,a"#an$#ta" missions6 % " ess % -as 2 st her !a(orite6 'hat, or the most se! l6 % ha$ ,een thin*in" a,o t Len$ on an$ o!! all $ay6 He -as the most interestin" personCthin" in here ri"ht no-, so % -ent to Containment6 % stoppe$ in !ront o! Len$)s cell, then $i$ a $o ,le ta*e6 He -asn)t there6 An$ not in an almost#in(isi,le -ay, in an act ally#not#in#the#cell#anymore -ay6 Not cool6 0ac= es -as at the (ery en$ o! the lon" corri$or6 80ac= es45 He -al*e$ $o-n6 8Yo are not s ppose$ to ,e here, E(ie65 8Yeah, yeah6 .here)s Len$95 .hat i! they ha$ let him "o9 Not li*ely, once % tho "ht a,o t it6 He)$ ,ro*en into the Center6 % co l$n)t remem,er that happenin"3e(er6 B t -hat i! he -as in more tro # ,le than % tho "ht, an$ they -ere h rtin" him9 'hat i$ea ,othere$ me6 'hen the rational part o! me -on$ere$ i! may,e he -as $an"ero s an$ they)$ ta*en him to a hi"her#ris* placement area6 0ac= es shr ""e$6 8Ra= el -ante$ him mo(e$65 8.hy95 8.e are not e= ippe$ !or lon"#term hol$in" here6 No ,e$s, no ,athrooms65 8Oh65 Ma$e sense6 8.here is he95 'he -ere-ol! shoo* his hea$6 8+orry6 Yo are not cleare$ to *no-65 'o$ay his normally c te French accent -as serio sly , ""in" me6 8Not cleare$95 8No6 Ra= el tol$ me not to tell yo 65 My !ace melte$ into a po t6 'his -as so not !air6 % t rne$ on my heel an$ stal*e$ to Ra= el)s o!!ice6 % ha$ 2 st p t my palm p to enter -hen the $oor opene$6 8Oh, "oo$,5 Ra= el sai$6 8.hat)s the $eal -ith35 8%)(e "ot a 2o, !or yo 6 Yo nee$ to lea(e ri"ht no-6 A transport)s -aitin"65 % !ro-ne$6 8.hat is it95 8Vampire acti(ity in %stan, l6 .e)(e "ot a location, , t yo ha(e to h rry65 8%3O*ay65 .e ran to my room an$ % "ra,,e$ my ,a" -ith the an*le trac*ers6 % al-ays ha$ 'asey on me, an$ no- she -as 2oine$ ,y my $a""er6 8%)m not really $resse$ !or (ampin"65 % -as -earin" s*inny 2eans an$ a lon"#slee(e$ V#nec*e$ tee, my hair ,ac* in a ponytail6 8Yo loo* !ine,5 she sai$ $ismissi(ely6 8Yo r nec* is sho-in"3that)s all that matters65 .e -ere almost to 'ransport -hen % remem,ere$6 8Hey, -hy can)t % *no- -here Len$ is95 Ra= el rolle$ her eyes an$ hea(e$ an is this really the time si"h6 8Yo $on)t nee$ to *no-65 'he 'ransport room $oor opene$ in !ront o! s to re(eal the -aitin" !aerie6 % ha$n)t seen her in years, an$ my stomach imme$iately clenche$ -ith " ilt an$ ner(es6 All the h man employees -ere re# = ire$ to memori:e t-o !aerie names, the !aeries assi"ne$ at ran$om so no !aerie ha$ too many peo# ple attache$6 'his !aerie -as one o! mine, an$ % co l$n)t remem,er her name !or the li!e o! me6 Hers ha$ ,een the !irst one they)$ tol$ me< % -as ten6 'hey also tol$ me to ne(er, e(er se it nless % a,sol tely ha$ to, then e7plaine$ all the -ays in -hich % co l$ ,e *ille$ i! % scre-e$ p6 %t -as a lit# tle tra matic< can yo ,lame me !or !or"ettin"9 % *ne- % sho l$ as* a"ain , t -as too em,arrasse$ that %)$ !or"otten in the !irst place6 Ra= el -o l$ !lip6

'he !aerie $i$n)t e(en loo* at me6 8Do yo ha(e the location95 Ra= el as*e$ her6 +he no$$e$6 Her s*in -as creamy -hite an$ her r ,y hair contraste$ sharply -ith it6 Li*e all !aeries, she -as ,ea ti# ! l in a -ay no person co l$ e(er ,e6 +he hel$ o t her han$ an$ ,l rre$ as her "lamo r -ent into place6 'he !aeries -ere all re= ire$ to tone $o-n their loo*s $ rin" transports in case someone ca "ht a "limpse o! them6 Yo $on)t !or"et a !aerie !ace6 'he !aerie)s hair so!tene$ to a , rn an$ her !ace too* on more normal proportions, the eyes shrin*in" an$ mo(in" closer to"ether6 +he -as still ,ea ti! l, , t normal no-6 >nless yo -ere me an$ co l$ see ri"ht thro "h it6 % -al*e$ !or-ar$ an$ too* her o tstretche$ han$6 %t -as -arm, , t not in the same -ay Reth)s -as6 'he s al o tline o! ,rilliant li"ht !orme$ on the ,lan* -all in !ront o! s an$ -e -al*e$ to"ether into the ,lac*6 % p t all my attention on the !eelin" o! her han$ in mine an$ 2 st mo(e$ !or-ar$6 %t s rprise$ me -hen she spo*e3!aeries $on)t s ally $ei"n to spea* to mortals6 >nless they)re tryin" to *i$nap yo , o! co rse6 8Oh, yo are Reth)s,5 she sai$ in reco"nition, her (oice $iscor$ant , t o$$ly lo(ely, li*e "lass rain# in" onto concrete6 % misse$ a step, almost trippin"6 Her "rasp ne(er -a(ere$6 8No, %)m not65 As i! the Faerie Paths -eren)t creepy eno "h alrea$y6 .here $i$ that come !rom9 +he 2 st la "he$3more "lass, !allin" !aster6 'hen % !elt cool ni"ht air on my !ace an$ opene$ my eyes6 .e -ere in a !ilthy alley-ay ,et-een t-o ol$ stone , il$in"s6 % let "o o! her han$ an$ -ipe$ my palm on my pants6 +he smile$ at me, her !aerie eyes "lo-in" n$erneath the "lamo r6 'here -as a cr el cast to her smile that ma$e me shi(er6 +he pointe$ to-ar$ the alley openin"6 8Yo sho l$ !in$ the creat re in this mar*et65 8'han*s a lot,5 % m ttere$, t rnin" an$ -al*in" o t o! the alley-ay6 % hope$ they)$ sen$ a $i!!erent !aerie !or the ret rn trip6 Hec*, % hope$ they)$ sen$ a 2et6 % -as sic* o! tra(elin" ,y !aerie6 'hey -ere "ettin" more an$ more intr si(e6 'he mar*et -as one o! those spra-lin" open#air types, totally pac*e$6 'he air ,ec*one$ -ith all r# in" spices, none o! -hich %)$ "et to taste6 +till, Easton Hei"hts -asn)t on toni"ht, so % -as in no h r# ry6 L c*y !or me it seeme$ to ,e a ,i" to rist spot an$ % $i$n)t stan$ o t too m ch6 % -an$ere$ aro n$, preten$in" to loo* at the stalls , t really scannin" people6 % li*e$ this *in$ o! 2o, m ch ,etter than the cemetery r ns6 'here)s no real reason !or (amps to han" o t in cemeteries6 'hey 2 st $o it ,eca se so many o! them ha(e ,o "ht into the -hole pop c lt re concept o! hothey sho l$ act6 Besi$es that, cemeteries are ,orin" an$ lonely6 Ni"hts li*e this % co l$ -an$er aro n$ an$ people#-atch6 People3normal people3!ascinate$ me6 'o rists an$ locals clashe$ in a -on$er! l mi7 o! 2eans an$ sil*, ,ase,all caps an$ ,lac* hair6 %t -as also nice to "et o t on my o-n6 % se$ to al-ays ha(e one other person ? s ally a -ere-ol!@ "o -ith me, , t the last co ple o! years they)$ sent me solo !or the ,asic r ns6 Vamps -eren)t a threat no- that % *ne- -hat % -as $oin"6 %! it -as somethin" more $an"ero s %)$ al-ays ha(e ,ac*# p6 A " y calle$ o t to me in ,ro*en En"lish !rom a 2e-elry stall6 He -as ' r*ish, *in$a c te in a stretche$ o t, throes#o!#p ,erty sort o! -ay6 % -as a,o t to stop an$ preten$ li*e % really -as a shop# per -hen % ca "ht a "limpse o! somethin" -al*in" ,y6 +omethin" not h man6 +milin" my re"rets at stall ,oy, % t rne$ an$ h rrie$ a!ter the person6 All it too* -as one "oo$ loo* to con!irm3thro "h the co(er o! the man)s thic*, $ar* hair % co l$ see the last strin"y remains o! act al hair clin"in" to his shri(ele$ an$ spotte$ hea$6 %t $i$n)t loo* li*e he -as stal*in" anyone< he mo(e$ p rpose! lly thro "h the mar*et6 % almost ha$ to 2o" to *eep p ntil he entere$ a $erelict , il$in" near the (ery en$ o! the mar*et6 .aitin" a,o t thirty secon$s, % -ent in a!ter him6 A small hall-ay le$ to a sin"le $oor6 % p lle$ o t 'asey, -al*e$ !or-ar$, an$ *ic*e$ it open, stri$in" into the room6 'he (amp % -as !ollo-in" t rne$ an$ loo*e$ at me< so $i$ the t-enty other (ampires in there6

8Oh, ,leep,5 % -hispere$6 Paranormalcy 'HERE)+ NO PLACE L%1E HOME O ne (amp % co l$ han$le6 Hec*, % co l$ pro,a,ly e(en han$le !i(e at a time3shri(ele$ corpse m scles an$ all6 B t t-enty (ampires9 % -as not li*in" my o$$s6 .hat -as "oin" on9 Vamps -ere solitary ,y nat re6 'his -as -eir$6 An$ (ery, (ery ,a$6 % "a(e my ,est em,arrasse$ smile6 'hey -o l$n)t *no- % *ne- -hat they -ere6 8.hoops6 %)m loo*in" !or the theater6 .ron" , il$in"65 May,e i! % ma$e it ,ac* thro "h the $oor !ast eno "h, an$ then3clic*6 Another !o r (amps ha$ come in ,ehin$ me an$ loc*e$ the $oor6 % reache$ to my ,elt an$ hit the panic , tton on my com# m nicator6 'hen % p lle$ o t 'asey6 'a*in" a $eep ,reath, % p t on my ,est stern !ace6 8Yo )re all n$er arrest n$er stat te three point se(en o! the %nternational Paranormal Containment A"reement, Vampire Protocol6 Yo are re= ire$ to report to the nearest processin"35 8Yo )re %PCA95 one o! the (amps as*e$6 'he others -ere shi!tin" ner(o sly in place6 8Yes6 %)m "oin" to ha(e to as* yo to line p !or ta""in"65 % -aite$ !or them to start la "hin"6 8Yo aren)t "oin" to *ill s95 the spea*er as*e$, "i(in" me a s spicio s loo*6 8.hy $oes e(eryone *eep as*in" me that95 +erio sly, $i$ % loo* li*e some sort o! psycho assassin9 May,e it -as the pin* snea*ers6 Or the heart earrin"s9 'he (ampires t rne$ to-ar$ one another, hol$in" a -hispere$ con(ersation6 % inche$ closer to the $oor, 'asey at my si$e, as % p she$ the panic , tton o(er an$ o(er a"ain6 Lish -o l$ see it6 +he)$ sen$ help6 +he)$ ne(er !aile$ me ,e!ore, , t i! they $i$n)t ans-er my $istress call soon, % -o l$ ha(e to $o somethin" % really $i$n)t -ant to6 Free$om -as a !oot a-ay -hen they t rne$ ,ac* to me6 'he one -ho *ept spea*in", a tall (amp -ith a han$some c rly#haire$ "lamo r, shoo* his hea$6 8+orry65 He ,are$ his !an"s in an apolo"etic "rin6 8.e)re "la$ yo aren)t -hat)s h ntin" s, , t -e)re no !rien$s o! %PCA6 An$ -e)re all (ery, (ery thirsty65 8.hat, no !lirtin"95 % as*e$, tryin" to , y time6 8Aren)t yo "oin" to at least try to ,e se7y9 'hin* o! all those (ampire !ans o t there3they)$ ,e so $isappointe$65 % p lle$ o t my sil(er *ni!e6 Pro,# a,ly sho l$ ha(e pai$ more attention $ rin" my *ni!e trainin"6 8'ell yo -hat6 Let me "o an$ % promise not to tell anyone that yo aren)t s a(e65 8+orry, *i$65 8O*ay65 % hel$ p the *ni!e in one han$ an$ 'asey in the other6 8/ ess % am here to *ill yo then65 %! % co l$ "et thro "h eno "h o! them3% 2 st nee$e$ to "et o t o! the room3% co l$ o tr n them6 'hree 2 mpe$ me an$ % !laile$ -il$ly6 % hit t-o o! them -ith 2olts an$ they collapse$6 'he thir$ trie$ to catch my arm, , t % slashe$ at him -ith the *ni!e an$ he $re- ,ac*, ho-lin" in pain6 % ran !or the $oor , t co l$n)t "et it open6 % t rne$ an$ p t my ,ac* a"ainst it6 8E(eryone at once,5 the lea$er sho te$, an$ then it -as a mass o! han$s3nice, normal !lesh o(er the $ecay n$erneath3all "ra,,in" at me6 % str ""le$, , t e(en (amps are stron" eno "h -hen they o tn m,er yo t-enty to one6 %t only too* a !e- secon$s !or them to ha(e me pinne$ a"ainst the -all< % mana"e$ to hol$ on to 'asey an$ the *ni!e , t co l$n)t mo(e to se them6 'he lea$er stoo$ ri"ht in !ront o! my !ace6 % trie$ to loo* at his "lamo r, 2 st his "lamo r, , t the p re -hite eyes starin" at me !rom s n*en soc*ets -ere all % co l$ !oc s on6 He smile$6 % -ante$ to cry6 My resc e -o l$ come too late6

8Aren)t yo "oin" to scream95 he -hispere$, leanin" in an$ tracin" my nec* -ith his lips6 His $ea$, $ea$ lips6 % !elt his mo th open an$ close$ my eyes6 All the horror !rom my !irst chil$hoo$ r n#in -ith a (ampire !loo$e$ ,ac* in6 No one -o l$ sa(e me6 % -as o t o! options6 A sin"le tear trace$ $o-n my chee*6 8Lorethan45 % sho te$6 'he (amp hesitate$< clearly it -asn)t -hat he -as e7pectin"6 8% nee$ yo 4 NO.45 'he pa se -as eno "h to sa(e my nec*6 .hite li"ht e7plo$e$ into the room an$ the (amps 2 mpe$ ,ac* instincti(ely6 A pair o! arms -rappe$ themsel(es aro n$ my -aist !rom ,ehin$ an$ p lle$ me into the $ar*ness6 8Yo calle$,5 Reth m rm re$ in my ear as he hel$ me in the nothin"ness6 8% *ne- yo -o l$65 % co l$ hear the smile in his (oice, the tri mph6 % ha$ s-orn %)$ ne(er se his real name a"ain, ne(er call on him6 %nstea$ %)$ 2 st ne"ate$ all the comman$s to stay a-ay !rom me6 An$ my -or$in"3 -hy ha$ % sai$ % nee$e$ him9 He co l$ t-ist that any -ay he -ante$6 B t the memory o! the (am# pire)s lips on my nec* ma$e me sh $$er6 %t $i$n)t matter toni"ht6 80 st ta*e me home, o*ay95 He ti"htene$ his arms aro n$ my -aist, his torso presse$ a"ainst my ,ac*6 % co l$ !eel his heart thro "h my shirt, its ,eat stron" , t !ar too slo-6 8Home then65 He la "he$ his sil(er la "h6 'hat sho l$ ha(e -arne$ me6 % *ept my eyes close$, tryin" to i"nore his ,o$y a"ainst mine6 Faeries co l$n)t care less a,o t se7 an$ physicality, , t they $i$ care a,o t manip lation, an$ Reth *ne- ho- m ch % cra(e$ contact3 any *in$ o! contact6 /ro-in" p the -ay % ha$, there -as ne(er eno "h a!!ection, ne(er eno "h at# tention6 More than Ra= el, more than Lish, more than anyone, he *ne- ho- $eeply lonely % -as6 % hate$ him !or it6 % e7pecte$ him to ta*e my han$ an$ -al*< instea$ all % !elt -as a sli"ht ,ree:e, then it -as ,ri"ht an$ -arm6 % opene$ my eyes to a room6 Not mine6 'he li"ht -as so!t, emanatin" !rom an ni$enti!i# a,le so rce6 Ele"ant ! rnit re -as place$ at ran$om, an$ the -alls appeare$ to ,e soli$, pale roc*6 'he !a,rics -ere all sil*s an$ (el(ets< $eep re$s an$ royal p rples -ith "ol$ accents6 'here -as no $oor6 8% sai$ home65 He la "he$ a"ain6 8Yo $i$n)t say -hose65 F rio s an$ too tire$ to $eal -ith any more !aerie crap, % opene$ my mo th to tell him e7actly -here to ta*e me an$ -here he co l$ "o a!ter that6 % -asn)t s re a !aerie co l$ o,ey a comman$ to "o to hell, , t % -as "oin" to !in$ o t6 Be!ore % co l$ say a -or$ he li!te$ his slen$er han$ an$ stro*e$ my throat6 8+hhh,5 he -hispere$6 My (oice -as "one6 Not scratchy#throat#raspin" "one6 Completely "one6 % co l$n)t scream6 % co l$n)t e(en -hisper6 % -ante$ to !in$ the "eni s -ho tho "ht -e co l$ control !aeries an$ *ic* him -here it h rt6 '-istin" a-ay !rom Reth)s arms, % r she$ o(er to p t one o! the anti= e#loo*in" co ches ,et-een s6 8Fi7 it,5 % mo the$6 He smile$ at me6 His eyes -ere "ol$en li*e ripe -heat an$ his hair shone nearly the same sha$e6 E(erythin" a,o t him -as "ol$, e7cept his la "h6 'hat ha$ al-ays ,een sil(er6 % co l$n)t loo* at his !ace anymore -itho t ris*in" ne(er -antin" to loo* a-ay, , t % $i$n)t -ant to ta*e my eyes o!! him an$ let $o-n my " ar$6 % -as so $ea$6 8E(elyn65 My name in his mo th -as li*e a caress6 8.hy are yo !i"htin" me9 Yo -ant to ,e -ith me6 An$ % -ant no one else !ore(er65 % ha$ "oose , mps6 Reth ha$ pro,a,ly ta*en co ntless mortal "irls into the Faerie Realms6 He *ne-e $i$n)t last !ore(er6 Either he -as manip latin" me a"ain, -hich -as li*ely, or -as p to some#

thin" serio sly !ri"htenin"6 8.hy95 % mo the$6 % *ne- he -as tellin" the tr th3he -ante$ me6 An$ that ma$e e(erythin" e(en har$er< not many people in my li!e e(er -ante$ me6 My o-n parents ha$ a,an$one$ me -hen % -as a to$$ler6 He sat "race! lly6 A small cla-#!oote$ ta,le ne7t to his chair hel$ a crystal ,ottle an$ t-o "o,lets6 He po re$ a clear li= i$ into ,oth o! them, then hel$ one p to me6 8Drin*95 % shoo* my hea$6 % -asn)t ,orn yester$ay6 Yo ne(er, e(er accept !oo$ or $rin* !rom a !aerie any# -here, especially on their t r!6 Yo )ll ne(er "et o t a"ain6 Nonpl sse$, he $ran* it himsel!6 % rac*e$ my ,rain !or -hat to $o -itho t my (oice6 'hen, i$iot that % -as, % reali:e$ % still ha$ 'asey an$ the *ni!e6 % -as cl tchin" them ,oth so har$ my han$s ache$6 /la$ my actions -ere hi$$en ,y the co ch, % p t 'asey a-ay3not any "oo$ !or more than a !esecon$s -ith !aeries6 .ith a han$ !ree, % p she$ the panic , tton a"ain6 % ha$ no i$ea -here -e -ere, , t really, really hope$ it -as some-here Lish co l$ sen$ a retrie(al6 8Aren)t yo tire$ o! ,ein" col$95 he as*e$, tryin" to $ra- me in6 8Col$ an$ alone6 Yo $on)t ha(e to ,e6 O r time "ro-s short65 His eyes -ere pools o! am,er, $eep an$ eternal6 Pools yo co l$ $ro-n in6 8Dance -ith me a"ain65 % s= ee:e$ my eyes sh t6 He -as ri"ht6 % -as tire$6 % ha$ ,een alone my -hole li!e6 'he !oster homes, the Center3-hat -as the $i!!erence9 .hy -as % resistin" him9 % !elt his han$ on mine< he -as so -arm6 'he heat starte$ to sprea$ p my arm, slo- an$ insistent6 .hy not "i(e him my heart, my so l9 No one else -ante$ them6 He co l$ !eel my s rren$er an$ p lle$ me close6 8'here is no one else !or yo , my lo(e6 Let me !ill yo 65 'here -as no one else !or me6 % opene$ my eyes an$ loo*e$ into Reth)s "ol$en ones3an$ the ima"e o! other eyes, eyes as clear as -ater, !loo$e$ into my memory6 .hy % tho "ht o! Len$ ri"ht then % ha(e no i$ea, , t it -as eno "h to p ll me ,ac*6 % li!te$ the sil(er *ni!e an$ hel$ it ,et-een s li*e a talisman6 Reth loo*e$ s rprise$, then an"ry6 8.hat are yo $oin", chil$95 He ha$n)t let "o o! my other han$, , t % resiste$ the -armth6 %t -as ,arely past my sho l$er, no- slo-in"6 8Don)t yo *no- -hat %)m tryin" to "i(e to yo 95 % sho(e$ the !lat o! the ,la$e a"ainst his chest an$ he let "o o! my han$, ,ac*in" p a step6 %ron is the ,est a"ainst !aeries, , t they aren)t !ans o! sil(er, either6 8Eno "h,5 % mo the$, pointin" to my nec*6 /larin", he !lic*e$ his han$ an$ my throat tin"le$6 8.hy are yo !i"htin" this95 8Beca se yo )re a l natic4 % $on)t -ant this4 % $on)t ,elon" to yo 4 % ne(er -ill45 A hal! smile t-iste$ his per!ect !ace6 8Yo )re -ron"65 8.ell, %)(e "ot a sil(er *ni!e that ,e"s to $i!!er6 No-35 8'a*e yo home95 % no$$e$6 His smile sprea$6 8'hat -asn)t a comman$, an$ yo )(e "ot to sleep sometime65 Be!ore % co l$ comman$ him to ta*e me home he $isappeare$, his sil(ery la "h lin"erin" in the a,sence6 % -as startin" to miss the (ampires6 Paranormalcy FAERLY +'>P%D % screame$ !or him to come ,ac*, then sat hea(ily on one o! the co ches6 He -as ri"ht6 % -as e7# ha ste$ !rom not sleepin" last ni"ht pl s a (ery ! ll $ay an$ rather stress! l e(enin"6 An$ i! % !ell asleep, % co l$n)t han" on to the *ni!e6 An$ i! % co l$n)t han" on to the *ni!e&

%t -as a pro,lem6 % $i$n)t *no- -hat he -as tryin" to $o to me, an$ % $i$n)t -ant to !in$ o t6 Not s rprisin"ly, there -as no si"nal on my comm nicator6 % $i$n)t e(en *no- i! % -as technically on the planet anymore6 'he Faerie Realms coe7ist -ith o rs, , t cross time an$ space an$ all sorts o! other ,orin" an$ -eir$ physics thin"s that % ne(er care$ a,o t ,e!ore no-6 % a$$e$ Faerie Realms an$ *ni!e !i"htin" on my list o! thin"s to pay more attention to6 % co l$ call !or him sin" his real name a"ain, an$ he)$ ha(e to come6 B t that -or*e$ o t so -ell ,e!ore6 'he phrasin" % se$ still *ille$ me6 % nee$ yo 9 'he -ay % !i" re$ it, he too* that as the comman$ an$ -o l$ no- !ill -hat he tho "ht my nee$ !or him -as6 %! % calle$ him ,ac* an$ ne"at# e$ my comman$ ,e!ore he too* my (oice a"ain, there -as no tellin" ho- he -o l$ interpret it6 %! yo "i(e a !aerie con!lictin" comman$s, they can)t !ill them an$ there!ore come p -ith somethin" completely $i!!erent ?an$ al-ays ,a$@6 % -as so scre-e$6 Faeries are the slipperiest thin"s in the -orl$6 %PCA ?,e!ore it -as %PCA an$ ,ac* -hen it -as AP# CA an$ all sorts o! in$i(i$ al co ntry acronyms@ -or*e$ !or $eca$es to !in$ a !aerie, any !aerie, an$ learn his tr e name6 'heir plan in(ol(e$ sin" pretty yo n" "irls as *i$nap ,ait6 Do:ens o! pret# ty yo n" "irls, none o! -hom -ere e(er seen a"ain6 E7cept one "irl, -ho $isco(ere$ a "reat secret6 Faeries are na!!ecte$ ,y alcohol, , t m ch to her s rprise3an$ the !aeries) n$oin"3they "et (ery, (ery $r n* on car,onation6 >sin" copio s amo nts o! Co*e, she -as a,le to $isco(er a sin"le !aerie)s tr e name6 .ith that she -as a,le to !orce that !aerie to $o her -ill an$ re(eal se(eral other !aeries) names3-ho -ere !orce$ to re(eal other !aeries) names, as -ell6 'h s !ollo-e$ the "reat Faerie Catalo" an$ Control Operation o! )JK6 %t so n$s more impressi(e than it -as6 A -hole , nch o! -or*ers on the pro2ect en$e$ p $ea$ or missin", an$ !aeries " ar$ their names closely e(en !rom one another, so %PCA only "ot a !raction o! them6 Here)s -hat %PCA sho l$ ha(e learne$, still hasn)t = ite learne$, an$ pro,a,ly ne(er -ill learn; yo cannot control !airies6 Can6 Not6 'hey aren)t lo"ical or rational6 'hey $on)t o,ey the same la-s ?physical, social, emotional, tra!!ic3yo name it@ that -e $o6 'hey al-ays ha(e their o-n a"en$as an$ are 2 st plain smarter than s6 Pl s, in !in$in" an$ sin" their names, -e -ere messin" -ith paranormal ma"ic $eeper an$ more po-er! l than any o! s n$erstoo$6 % say s6 % mean arro"ant %PCA6 % pon$ere$ all this as % sat on Reth)s co ch, trappe$ in the Faerie Realms an$ -on$erin" ho- lon" % co l$ hol$ o t ,e!ore % ha$ to sleep, eat, or $rin*6 Or pee !or that matter, ,eca se % -asn)t seein" a toilet6 +t pi$ immortals6 .as !aerie ma"ic really -orth all the mess an$ ris* -e inc rre$ ,y -or*# in" -ith them9 'here ha$ to ,e another option6 % co l$n)t3-o l$n)t3call Reth ,ac*6 % *ne- he -o l$ ne(er let me o t, an$ there -as no -ay to escape other than the Faerie Paths6 Another !aerie4 %t -as per!ect6 'he !aerie names % ha$ ,een assi"ne$ -ere to ,e se$ only in $ire straits6 'hese -ere $ire eno "h !or me6 % opene$ my mo th an$ stoppe$6 % still co l$n)t remem,er6 'he names -ere so stran"e, an$ % ha$ ,een so scare$ %)$ ,loc*e$ it o t6 Lyin" ,ac* on the co ch, % stare$ at the ceilin"< it shimmere$ -ith crystals6 % -atche$ it an$ rac*e$ my ,rains !or the r ,y#haire$ !aerie)s name6 'he crystals re!lecte$ an ni$enti!ia,le so rce o! li"ht6 %t seeme$ li*e there -as some sort o! mean# in", a pattern6 An$ no- % -as $etectin" !aint colors, too6 'hey -ere tellin" me somethin"6 %! only % stare$ lon" eno "h, har$ eno "h, $i$n)t thin* a,o t anythin" else&an$ i! % close$ my eyes an$ $i$n)t thin*, it -o l$ ,e e(en ,etter an$ it -o l$ all -or* o t&6 8No45 % sat p, ,lin*in" to *eep my eyes open6 No more ceilin"6 .hat -as her name9 % *ne- that % *ne- it6 An$ then % remem,ere$3she -as the !aerie Len$ ha$ hitche$ a ri$e -ith6 Fehl4 Fehl -as her nic*name6 An$ her ! ll name -as&

8Den!ehlath45 % sho te$, tri mphant6 A!ter a !e- secon$s the o tline o! a $oor !orme$ on the -all an$ she -al*e$ thro "h, still loo*in" ,ore$6 8Oh65 +he !ro-ne$6 % 2 mpe$ p, "i$$y -ith relie!, , t stoppe$ mysel! ,e!ore % sai$ anythin" st pi$6 'his time % -o l$ ,e care! l6 +peci!ic6 8Please ta*e me ,ac* to the %PCA Center -here % li(e65 +he hel$ o t her han$ an$ % too* it6 8+top45 Reth comman$e$ !rom ,ehin$ s6 % $i$n)t let "o o! Fehl)s han$ as % t rne$ to loo* at him6 8+he)s mine65 Fehl "a(e him a sharp smile6 8%t)s a name$ comman$6 % ha(e no choice65 Reth)s "ol$en eyes ,rimme$ -ith ra"e6 'hat)s another thin" a,o t !aeries6 Nasty tempers6 % ha$ seen him lose control once ,e!ore3it -as -hat !inally shoc*e$ me into "i(in" him p6 8Let)s "o, no-65 % p lle$ on her han$6 'he am,ient li"ht in the room ha$ shi!te$< no- e(erythin" seeme$ to "lo- -ith a re$, menacin" h e6 .e $arte$ thro "h the $oor an$ into the Faerie Paths6 More !ri"htene$ o! -hat -as ,ehin$ me than aro n$ me, % *ept my eyes open !or once6 Fehl s= ee:e$ my han$ so har$ it h rt< the loo* on her !ace -as p re ! ry, tin"e$ -ith a hint o! sm "ness6 % -on$ere$ i! there -as somethin" "oin" on6 'hose t-o ha$ a -eir$ $ynamic6 .hate(er6 % $i$n)t care as lon" as % "ot home6 B t then % ha$ a ,rilliant i$ea6 8Can yo open a $oor to Len$)s room95 +he "a(e me a "lare so c ttin" % -as s rprise$ % $i$n)t ,lee$6 A !e- more steps an$ the -hite lines opene$ in !ront o! s6 +he sho(e$ me o t an$ $isappeare$ into the ,lac*6 'he room -as the same ,orin" color scheme as the rest o! the Center6 A $oor to a small ,athroom -as open< other than that the room -as a simple s= are -ith a "ray ,e$ a"ainst the -all6 Len$, -earin" me o! all thin"s, -as sittin" on it6 He "lance$ o(er, s rprise !littin" across hisCmy !eat res6 'hen he loo*e$ a-ay, an$ % reali:e$ Ra= el -as tal*in"6 % ,ac*e$ p a"ainst the -all6 +he m st ha(e ,een stan$in" in the hall-ay, ,eca se % co l$n)t see her an$ -as pretty s re !rom the lac* o! reaction that she ha$n)t seen me6 Not , ste$6 Yet6 An$ no- % *ne- -here Len$ -as6 +ometimes !aeries came in han$y, a!ter all6 8&-o l$ all ,e m ch easier i! yo )$ 2 st "i(e s some simple in!ormation6 %)ll let yo thin* a,o t it65 Ra= el !inishe$ an$ % hear$ her p mps tappin" a-ay $o-n the hall6 Len$#as#me loo*e$ o(er an$ raise$ one eye,ro- = i::ically6 8Hey, no !air45 % -hispere$6 %)$ ne(er ,een a,le to raise 2 st one eye,ro- at a time6 An$ not !or lac* o! tryin", either6 He loo*e$ con! se$, so % "est re$ to my o-n eye,ro-s an$ shoo* my hea$6 He "rinne$ in response an$ % melte$ a-ay, replace$ ,y the $ar*#haire$ $ar*#eye$ hottie6 8.hat are yo $oin" here95 % shr ""e$, sli$in" $o-n the -all an$ sittin" a"ainst it6 80 st tho "ht %)$ $rop ,y !or a (isit65 8Really65 8Yeah6 % -as ,ore$65 8Me, too65 'here -as a lon", a-*-ar$ silence6 8Are yo plannin" on stayin" !or a -hile95 8Not s re6 % thin* %)m missin"65 8Ra= el $i$ seem (ery on e$"e65 % si"he$6 8Yeah, % sho l$ pro,a,ly let her *no- %)m not $ea$65 % $i$n)t "et p6 8Yo loo* tire$65 He ,rie!ly shi!te$ ,ac* to -earin" me, sho-in" me my hea(y eyeli$s an$ the $ar*

circles n$er my eyes6 8/ee, than*s6 % lo(e hearin" that6 .hy not 2 st tell me % loo* li*e crap95 He la "he$ an$ s-itche$ ,ac* to the c te " y6 8% still can)t "et yo r eyes65 8%)m an ori"inal,5 % sai$ cheer! lly6 8More than yo *no-, % thin*65 8.hat)s that s ppose$ to mean95 He shr ""e$6 80 st that %)(e ne(er met a h man % co l$n)t replicate e7actly65 % stoo$, sco-lin"6 8Loo*, .ater Boy, the only paranormal in this room is yo 65 8%! yo say so65 % -as too tire$ !or Len$)s nonsense6 'he $oor-ay -as -i$er than a normal $oor an$ totally open6 8.hat)s the sec rity on this room95 He li!te$ the !oot -ith the an*le trac*er6 8%! % cross the threshol$ o! the room, an alarm "oes o!! an$ my an*le thin" "oes :ap65 No pro,lems !or me then6 8E7cellent6 %)ll see yo later65 % -al*e$ o t -itho t another -or$6 % $i$n)t spen$ m ch time in the sec rity sections o! the Center6 By the time paranormals "ot here, my -or* -as $one6 / essin", % t rne$ le!t an$ !ollo-e$ the hall to a !amiliar area6 % -as pretty close to Central Processin", so % -ent in an$ !o n$ Ra= el tal*in" !rantically -ith Lish6 8'hat)s not accepta,le4 'he -ere-ol(es ha(e to ,e a,le to !in$ somethin"45 Lish loo*e$ p, sa- me o(er Ra= el)s sho l$er, an$ promptly , rst into tears6 At least, % thin* that)s -hat she -as $oin"6 %)$ ne(er seen her cry, an$ there -eren)t tears since she -as alrea$y in -ater, , t the !acial contortions an$ sho l$er mo(ements -ere eno "h to cl e me in6 Ra= el t rne$ aro n$ an$ yelpe$, then thre- her arms aro n$ me6 8'hey $i$n)t eat yo 45 8No, they $i$n)t eat me65 % ha$ to la "h at the o$$ symmetry, p shin" ,ac* my o-n tears o! relie!6 % -as so "la$ to ,e ,ac* here, -ith Ra= el an$ Lish6 For a -hile there %)$ honestly tho "ht % mi"ht not e(er see them a"ain6 Re"ainin" her compos re, Ra= el p she$ me o t to arm)s len"th, hol$in" onto my sho l$ers6 8.hat on earth happene$9 .here ha(e yo ,een9 An$ -hy $i$ yo *ill all those (ampires95 8%3.ait, -hat9 1ill the (amps95 +he no$$e$, loo*in" se(ere6 1illin" paranormals is not o*ay !or employees o! %PCA6 All paranor# mals are classi!ie$ as en$an"ere$< that)s -hy e(en the ic*y ones 2 st "et ne tere$ instea$ o!, -ell, $ea$6 8% $i$n)t *ill them4 'hey -ere one ,ite a-ay !rom *illin" me4 % tase$ a !e- an$ slashe$ aro n$ -ith my sil(er *ni!e, , t %)m s re % $i$n)t pierce any hearts65 8Ho- $i$ yo "et a-ay95 % loo*e$ $o-n at the "ro n$6 8% calle$ !or Reth65 +he let o t a this is "oin" to ,e an e(en ,i""er mess than % tho "ht si"h6 8'hen -ho le!t t-enty#!i(e (ampires $ea$95 Paranormalcy D>MBBELL+, BOY+, AND O'HER DEN+E 'H%N/+ R a= el)s (ampire e7planation came !irst6 8.hen the panic team "ot there, they !o n$ all the (am# pires $ea$65

8.ere they sta*e$95 % as*e$6 8.e ha(e no i$ea -hat *ille$ them6 'here -ere no mar*s o! any *in$, no in$ication that any o! the -ays to *ill (ampires -ere se$6 .hat -ere they all $oin" there in the !irst place95 8Not a cl e6 % !ollo-e$ my (amp an$ , rst into the room to !in$ them all -aitin"6 A !e- more !ol# lo-e$ me an$ loc*e$ me in65 Fro-nin", % tho "ht ,ac*6 8'hey $i$ seem to thin* % -as there to *ill them, tho "h65 8Are yo s re yo $i$n)t $o anythin"95 Ra= el as*e$, the line ,et-een her eye,ro-s $eepenin"6 8Besi$es almost "et s c*e$ $ry9 Yeah, %)m s re65 +he si"he$6 Pretty m ch the same -hy me si"h as ,e!ore6 8.ell, -here ha(e yo ,een95 % r ,,e$ a -eary han$ across my eyes6 8% messe$ p6 Bi" time6 No one -as comin" an$ % -as "onna $ie, so % calle$ !or Reth65 8'hat)s !ine, that)s -hy yo -ere assi"ne$ names65 % shoo* my hea$6 8%t -asn)t callin" !or him that -as the pro,lem6 E(erythin" -as happenin" so !ast, an$ % co l$ !eel the (amp)s teeth on my nec* an$ %3.hen % calle$ !or Reth % yelle$ o t, E% nee$ yo 6)5 Ra= el)s !ace -ent !rom n$erstan$in" to serio sly pisse$6 .hen %PCA "i(es yo !aerie names, they also ma*e yo ta*e a yearly t-o#-ee*3t-o#-ee*3co rse on appropriate name$ comman$s an$ ho- to se them6 8% nee$ yo 5 -as a,o t as open#en$e$ an$ st pi$ as they "et6 8E% nee$ yo )9 'hat)s -hat yo sai$9 'hat -as yo r name$ comman$95 8Don)t "et ma$65 % -as on the (er"e o! tears6 8% alrea$y pai$ !or it, tr st me6 % tol$ him to ta*e me home an$ he too* me to his home, trie$ to ta*e my heart a"ain65 8E(ie, honey, % *no- yo ha(e a history -ith Reth, , t he can)t 2 st ta*e yo r heart6 %t $oesn)t -or* li*e that65 'his -as too m ch6 On top o! e(erythin" else, she -as "oin" to tell me3a"ain3that -hat hap# pene$ -as all in my hea$ an$ -asn)t some sort o! !aerie !rea*iness6 +he ha$ ne(er !elt the -armth, !elt it snea* in an$ s rro n$ her heart, !elt it cons me her6 +he $i$n)t *no-6 +he co l$n)t6 An$ % -as sic* o! her actin" li*e % -as some sort o! st pi$ little "irl, still ma$ o(er an e76 8.hate(er,5 % snappe$6 8%)m "oin" to ,e$65 % t rne$ an$ stal*e$ o t o! the room -itho t sayin" "oo$#,ye to Lish6 +he -o l$ sympathi:e, % *ne-, , t she still 2 st $i$n)t n$erstan$6 No one n$erstoo$6 .ell, that -asn)t tr e3Reth n$erstoo$6 E(erythin"6 An$ he -as ri"ht, too6 % -as completely alone an$ it s c*e$6 .hen % "ot to my nit, % -ent strai"ht to my ,e$room an$ $ " aro n$ n$er my ,e$ ntil % !o n$ the three#po n$ $ m,,ells % ha$ stolen !rom one o! B $)s train# in" sessions6 'hey -ere iron, the ,est protection a"ainst !aeries6 Or at least, % -as pretty s re they -ere iron6 O*ay, % really, really hope$ they -ere iron, ,eca se my only other option -as to sleep -ith my *ni!e on my chest6 %ma"es o! impalin" mysel! $ rin" a ni"htmare !le- thro "h my hea$6 D m,,ells it -as6 P ttin" the -ei"hts on either si$e o! me, % close$ my eyes an$ -as instantly asleep6 % -o*e p late the ne7t mornin"< hal!#!orme$ memories o! a -oman)s (oice callin" to me tic*le$ the e$"e o! my tho "hts6 Both $ m,,ells -ere still in place, tan"le$ p in the co(ers, an$ my heart -as still mine6 'he ni"ht appeare$ to ,e a s ccess! l one6 % too* my time "ettin" rea$y !or the $ay, pretty s re it -as +at r$ay6 +ometimes it -as har$ to tell the $ays apart in the Center, , t since none o! my $aily t tors ha$ sho-n p -on$erin" -hy my home-or* -asn)t $one yet a"ain, +at r$ay seeme$ a "oo$ " ess6

A!ter eatin" ,rea*!ast % -ent to tal* to Lish6 % !elt ,a$ a,o t r nnin" o t yester$ay6 .hen % -al*e$ in her eyes lit p6 8E(ie,5 the monotone (oice sai$, , t % co l$ tell that she -as sayin" it -ith an e7# clamation point6 8% am so "la$ yo are o*ay6 % -as so -orrie$ a,o t yo 65 % "a(e her the ,est smile % co l$ mana"e6 8%t -as a ,a$ $ay65 8% am sorry65 % -asn)t s re -hat else to say6 8Any lea$s on the (amps95 8None65 .eir$6 Also, not my pro,lem6 % -asn)t especially heart#,ro*en a,o t it, either, so % shr ""e$6 8Hoa,o t Len$9 Do they ha(e any more i$eas on -ho or -hat he is, or -hy he ,ro*e in95 +he shoo* her hea$6 'hen her eyes crin*le$ in a smile an$ she leane$ to-ar$ the "lass conspiratori# ally6 8% $i$ hear that he re= este$ paper an$ pencils6 Ra= el tho "ht he -as "oin" to -rite $o-n in# !ormation, , t all he $i$ -as $ra-65 % smile$6 .hate(er else he -as, Len$ -as a pro!essional at annoyin" Ra= el6 >s ally that -as my 2o,, , t % *in$a li*e$ sharin" the $ ty6 8+pea*in" o! Ra= el, $o yo *no- -here she is9 % -ant to tal* to her65 .hether or not she ,elie(e$ me a,o t Reth, she ha$ to help me !i" re o t ho- to ne"ate my name$ comman$6 8+he is in meetin"s all $ay to$ay65 %! anyone at the Center -or*e$ har$er than Lish, it -as Ra= el6 +he li(e$ here, too, an$ pretty m ch -or*e$ e(ery -a*in" ho r o! e(ery $ay6 %)$ ne(er *no-n her to ta*e a (acation6 %n a -ay it -as nice6 %t -o l$ !eel lonelier -itho t her here6 % !ro-ne$, !r strate$6 B t then it clic*e$; i! Ra= el -as in meetin"s all $ay, that meant % -as !ree to $o -hate(er3an$ see -home(er3% -ante$6 % smile$ at Lish6 8'hat)s o*ay6 %)ll tal* to her later6 'han*s45 % ran ,ac* to my room6 A!ter chec*in" mysel! in the mirror, % "athere$ p all my ma"a:ines, my mi# ni#(i$eo player, an$ a co ple o! ,oo*s6 'hen % t c*e$ 'asey an$ the *ni!e into my ,elt an$ hea$e$ !or Len$)s room6 % t rne$ the corner 2 st in time to see 0ac= es -al*in" a-ay6 Per!ect6 % ran $o-n the hall an$ $ c*e$ in6 Len$ -as sittin" on the ,e$ eatin" l nch, -earin" an attracti(e ,lac* " y6 8Don)t yo loo* nice to$ay,5 % sai$6 He loo*e$ p, s rprise$, then smile$6 8.hat)re yo $oin" here95 % $ mpe$ my arm! l onto the !loor6 8%)m ,ore$, yo )re ,ore$6 'ho "ht -e co l$ han" o t65 He narro-e$ his eyes6 8'his isn)t some ,i:arre "oo$ cop, ,a$ cop thin"95 % la "he$6 8% $on)t care -hat yo tell or $on)t tell Ra= el6 B t yo )re the only semi#h man person here that)s my a"e, an$ % tho "ht it -o l$ ,e ! n to, yo *no-, 2 st han" o t65 % -as hit ,y a horri# ,le tho "ht; .hat i! he $i$n)t -ant to han" o t9 % mean, s re, there -ere -orse thin"s6 Li*e i! he -as act ally a psycho paranormal assassin an$ ha$ ,een -aitin" !or the per!ect moment to *ill me6 B t % $i$n)t thin* so6 An$ someho- that -o l$ h rt my !eelin"s less than i! a teena"e " y $i$n)t thin* % -as cool eno "h to spen$ time -ith6 Especially a teena"e " y -ho co l$ ,e c te in so many $i!!erent -ays6 'o my relie! he smile$ a"ain6 8+o n$s "oo$65 He "ot o!! the ,e$ an$ -al*e$ o(er, "lancin" thro "h the ma"a:ines6 8Yo li*e rea$in" this st !!95 He raise$ an eye,ro- at all the "irly teen an$ star# stal*in" content6 8Hey, $on)t 2 $"e6 % happen to li*e pop lar c lt re6 'here)s a reason it)s pop lar, yo *no-65 He shoo* his hea$ , t loo*e$ am se$6 Pic*in" p the mini#(i$eo player, he sat $o-n on the !loor -ith his ,ac* a"ainst the ,e$ an$ starte$ it p6 8Do yo ha(e anythin" ,esi$es Easton Hei"hts on

here95 8Easton Hei"hts is the ,est sho- on tele(ision ri"ht no-, ,ar none6 B t i! it)s not "oo$ eno "h !or yo 53% sni!!e$ ha "htily38then !in$ the mo(ie !ol$er65 He la "he$ an$ the ,lac* " y melte$ o!! to ,e replace$ ,y none other than Lan$on, the !rea*in" hottest " y in the -orl$ an$ conni(in" lothario o! Easton Hi"h6 8+h t p45 % practically yelle$6 8'hat)s a-esome45 He la "he$ at my reaction, then -ent ,ac* to loo*in" p mo(ies6 Part o! me -as "i$$y that % -as sittin" in a room -ith Lan$on6 An$ the other part -as still loo*in" at Len$ n$erneath, an$ act ally li*in" his !ace a little ,it ,etter6 8%s there anyone yo can)t $o95 % as*e$, c rio s6 He shr ""e$6 8% can)t $o some paranormals6 % also can)t "o p or $o-n in hei"ht more than a !einches, so % can)t ,e a little *i$6 B l*)s a,o t the same as hei"ht -hen it comes to stretchin", so % co l$n)t -ei"h three h n$re$ po n$s6 An$ % can)t $o yo r eyes65 8+o yo *eep sayin",5 % m ttere$6 % lay $o-n on my stomach, proppe$ p on my el,o-s as % pa"e$ thro "h one o! the ma"a:ines6 Len$ settle$ on somethin" an$ -e spent the ne7t ho r in companion# a,le silence6 %t -as sli"htly $ ll an$ tterly normal6 %t roc*e$6 A!ter a -hile % loo*e$ p an$ notice$ a , nch o! papers n$er his ,e$6 8Oh, are those yo r $ra-# in"s95 % "ra,,e$ them6 8Oh, %3$on)t35 he sai$, , t % ha$ alrea$y starte$ loo*in" at them6 He -as ama:in"6 He ha$ $ra-n a portrait o! 0ac= es that -as so e7act it co l$ ha(e ,een a photo6 Apparently he co l$ copy people on his o-n ,o$y an$ on paper6 % !lippe$ thro "h to the ne7t pa"e an$ stoppe$6 %t -as me6 8Holy crap, Len$, these are ama:in"6 Yo )re really, really "oo$65 He loo*e$ em,arrasse$, shr "# "in"6 8% mean, -ith a s ,2ect as c te as me, o! co rse it)s "oin" to t rn o t -ell, , t still,5 % tease$6 He smile$6 /osh, -as % "ettin" "oo$ at !lirtin", or -hat9 Yo )$ ne(er *no- % only practice$ $ rin" $ay$reams6 % -ent ,ac* to the papers6 No- it -as my t rn to ,e mil$ly em,arrasse$ since the ma# 2ority o! the $ra-in"s -ere o! me6 Mil$ly em,arrasse$ an$ really !lattere$6 One o! the last ones -as a close# p o! my !ace, !oc se$ on my eyes, -hich he ha$ le!t n!inishe$6 ' rnin" to the last $ra-in", % -as s rprise$6 He ha$ ,een tryin" to $ra- himsel!3his real sel!3 -ith m ch less s ccess than all his other portraits6 8Yo )(e "ot a stron"er 2a-line, an$ yo r hair has a ,it o! -a(e to it65 8Yo really can see me that -ell65 He so n$e$ a-e$6 8%t)s -hat % $o65 8Yeah, %)(e ,een meanin" to as* yo 6 .hat $o yo $o9 .hy are yo -or*in" here95 8% help i$enti!y an$ ,rin" in paranormals65 8Do yo ha(e any other po-ers9 + per stren"th or anythin"95 % la "he$6 8Oh, yeah6 A,sol tely6 'hat)s -hy % nearly "ot *ille$ ,y a room ! ll o! (amps yester$ay6 Beca se %)m s ch an a-esome !i"hter65 He loo*e$ con! se$6 % rolle$ my eyes6 8No, % $on)t ha(e any po-ers6 %)m normal, % can 2 st see a little ,etter than yo r a(era"e person65 % $i$n)t e7plain that % co l$ see thro "h all "lamo rs, since that -as classi!ie$ in!ormation6 8Ho- $i$ they !in$ yo 95 8Lon" story6 Or not so lon"6 0 st ,orin"6 %)(e ,een here since % -as ei"ht6 'here)s this -hole inter# national treaty that %)m pretty m ch the star o!65 8+o they o-n yo 65 8No4 'hey $on)t o-n me65 8+o yo can lea(e any time yo -ant95

% "a(e him a ! nny loo*6 8.hy -o l$ % -ant to lea(e95 8% $on)t *no-3it 2 st seems li*e yo aren)t (ery&happy65 8%)m plenty happy45 % sai$, !ro-nin"6 8Besi$es, % $o a lot o! "oo$6 %)(e ne tere$35 He loo*e$ hor# ri!ie$, an$ % = ic*ly correcte$6 8Ne trali:e$4 Li*e, ma$e h n$re$s o! (ampires harmless o(er the last !e- years, i$enti!ie$ -ere-ol(es ,e!ore they co l$ h rt themsel(es or others, helpe$ trac* $o-n a troll colony, an$ $one co ntless other thin"s to ma*e the -orl$ a sa!er an$ more or"ani:e$ place65 Ha$ % 2 st sai$ % ma$e the -orl$ a more or"ani:e$ place9 .o-6 Lame6 8Co l$ yo lea(e i! yo -ante$ to95 % shr ""e$, ncom!orta,le -ith the topic6 % ha$ ,een pretty happy here !or a lon" time, , t e(er since Reth, %)$ ,een -on$erin" more an$ more -hat my options -ere3an$ *in$ o! -orryin" that % $i$n)t ha(e any6 %t -as easier not to thin* a,o t it6 No one else e(er ,ro "ht it p, an$ hearin" it so ,l ntly !rom Len$ ma$e my stomach clench6 8% $on)t *no-6 %t)s sa!er !or me here65 8+a!er !or yo , or sa!er !or them95 80 st $rop it, -o l$ yo 9 'his is my 2o,, my li!e6 %)m !ine -ith it65 He hel$ p his han$s6 8+orry6 %t 2 st seems to me li*e yo )re more o! a possession than an employ# ee65 8'hey can)t hol$ h mans,5 % snappe$6 8>n$er international re" lations they)re only allo-e$ to $e# tain or monitor paranormals65 He "a(e me that loo* a"ain, the one he -as so "oo$ at6 % -atche$ his -ater eyes< they -ere sa$6 8E(ie, yo aren)t e7actly normal65 +tan$in" p in a h !!, % "athere$ my ma"a:ines an$ p lle$ my mini#(i$eo player !rom his han$s6 8At least % *no- -hat % loo* li*e65 % storme$ o t o! his room, ! rio s6 Hal!-ay $o-n the hall % sl mpe$ a"ainst the -all, ,arely a,le to ,reathe6 He -as e7actly ri"ht6 Paranormalcy 'HERAPY B%LL+ + t pi$, st pi$, st pi$,5 % m ttere$ as % stompe$ $o-n the halls6 % -asn)t s re -hat e7actly -as st pi$, , t it seeme$ li*e a lot o! thin"s -ere lately6 Len$, !or one, -ith his $ m, = estions, ma*in" me thin* a,o t st !! %)$ rather not6 % stoppe$ in !ront o! Ra= el)s o!!ice6 +he nee$e$ to ,elie(e me a,o t Reth, $o somethin" a,o t the comman$ %)$ "i(en him6 +he still tho "ht that !aeries $i$n)t care a,o t h mans at all6 + re, she *ne- the histories, ho- they *i$nappe$ mortals to ta*e to their realm an$ $ance ?yeah, it)s as -eir$ as it so n$s@, , t since %PCA "a(e their !aeries a name$ com# man$ not to, they !i" re$ it -as a non#iss e no-6 % *noc*e$ an$ the $oor sli$ open6 Ra= el -as stan$in" at her $es*, "atherin" papers an$ loo*in" tire$ an$ stresse$ o t6 8.hat is it, E(ie9 %)m $ e ,ac* in !i(e min tes65 % -al*e$ in an$ sat $o-n, sco-lin" at her $es*6 % -as all set to tell her a,o t Reth, sin" as e(# i$ence the creepy comments Fehl ha$ ma$e a,o t me ,ein" his, , t -hen % opene$ my mo th the !irst thin" that came o t -as, 8.hat i! % -ant to lea(e95 +he loo*e$ s rprise$6 8.hat $o yo mean95 8% mean, -hat i! % = it9 .hat i! %)m tire$ o! $oin" this9 .hat i! %)m sic* o! st pi$ (ampires an$ cl eless -ere-ol(es an$ polter"eists an$ trolls an$ the Center9 .hat i! %)m $one $ealin" -ith psy# chotic !aeries9 .hat i! % -ant to "o to colle"e95 +he sat $o-n6 8Honey, -here is this comin" !rom95 8% $on)t *no-, %)m 2 st3Yo $i$n)t ans-er the = estion6 .hat i! % le!t95

8Yo $on)t -ant to lea(e65 +he loo*e$ at me -ith n$erstan$in", a motherly smile on her !ace6 %t pisse$ me o!!6 +he -asn)t my mother6 8May,e % $o6 .hat are yo "oin" to $o3slap an an*le trac*er on me95 % -aite$ !or her $on)t ,e ri$ic lo s, E(ie si"h6 %t $i$n)t come6 %n !act, not only $i$ she not si"h, she loo*e$ an7io s6 My eyes -i$ene$ in horror6 8Holy crap6 Yo -o l$, -o l$n)t yo 95 +he shoo* her hea$6 8Don)t ,e silly6 Yo *no- % care a,o t yo , an$ % -ant the ,est !or yo 6 %35 % stoo$6 Her pa se ha$ ,een eno "h to con!irm it< no amo nt o! preten$in" to ,e my s rro"ate !am# ily -o l$ erase this6 % really co l$n)t lea(e6 .itho t a -or$ % -al*e$ o t, hea$in" strai"ht to Cen# tral Processin"6 Lish -as s rprise$ to see me a"ain6 8.hat is p, E(ie95 8.hat)s my classi!ication95 +he !ro-ne$6 8.hat $o yo mean95 8% mean, -hat)s my classi!ication, Lish6 Loo* it p6 No-65 8'hey only classi!y paranormals6 Yo *no- that65 8.ell then, % sho l$n)t ,e in there, so it -on)t matter i! yo try to loo* me p65 8% s ppose not65 +he shr ""e$ an$ -a(e$ her han$s in !ront o! her screens6 'hen her eyes nar# ro-e$6 8Oh65 8.hat95 My stomach !elt li*e a ,ric*, hea(y an$ sharp in my a,$omen6 8%3yo 3there is a classi!ication65 +he loo*e$ p at me, concern sha$o-in" her !ace6 8.hat $oes it say95 % -hispere$6 8E(ie, it $oes not chan"e anythin"6 %t $oes not chan"e yo 65 8.hat $oes it say95 My (oice -as har$6 A!ter a !e- secon$s, Lish loo*e$ ,ac* at the screen6 8%t says yo are a ELe(el +e(en Paranormal, n*no-n ori"in, mortal !orm6) Yo r stat s listin"s are Eprotecte$, in se,) an$ E n$er o,ser(ation6)5 % shoo* my hea$ in $is,elie!6 Paranormals -ere cate"ori:e$ accor$in" to se(eral !actors; le(el o! po-er, ho- common they -ere, ho- $an"ero s they -ere, an$ ho- m ch -as *no-n a,o t them6 Vamps -ere a t-o6 Lish -as a !o r6 Faeries3!aeries3-ere a si76 % ha$ ne(er met a se(en6 % !elt li*e my min$ ha$ short#circ ite$6 % al-ays *ne- % -as -eir$6 B t % !i" re$ % -as a normal h # man -ho co l$ $o somethin" paranormal6 Not a paranormal -ho co l$ $o some thin"s h man6 8E(ie,5 Lish sai$, -aitin" ntil % met her eyes6 8Yo ha(e al-ays *no-n yo -ere $i!!erent6 Do not let this chan"e the -ay yo see yo rsel!6 %PCA is35 +he pa se$, then mo(e$ closer to the "lass6 8%PCA is not al-ays ri"ht a,o t e(erythin"6 Yo are not paranormal65 +he smile$ at me, sa$ness ,e# hin$ her -i$e, "reen eyes6 8Yo are special6 'here is a $i!!erence65 % co l$n)t cry, not yet, an$ ,ein" -ith Lish ri"ht no- h rt6 % *ne- she n$erstoo$, , t % -asn)t rea$y to !ace this, so % 2 st no$$e$ an$ -al*e$ slo-ly o t6 % -an$ere$, n m,, thro "h the Center6 .hen % -as nearly ,ac* to my room, the -hite o tline o! a $oor sho-e$ p on the -all ahea$ o! me6 % pa se$, -aitin" to see -ho -o l$ come o t6 % mi"ht e(en ha(e -elcome$ Reth at that point6 %t t rne$ o t to ,e a $i!!erent !aerie6 +he ha$ $one a !e- transports !or me , t % $i$n)t *no- her name6 +he -al*e$ o t -ith a -ere-ol!, then t rne$ to "o ,ac* thro "h6 8.ait45 % calle$6 'he Faerie t rne$ to me, her lar"e, (iolet eyes $isintereste$6 8% nee$ a transport65 8% $on)t ha(e transport or$ers !or yo 65 80 st came in< yo *no- % ha(e clearance65 % trie$ to loo* impatient6 8'his has priority65

No$$in" impassi(ely, she hel$ o t a han$6 % too* it an$ -e -al*e$ into the $ar*6 8.here95 % ,it my lip6 % ha$n)t act ally tho "ht a,o t it6 8>mm35 'hen % remem,ere$ one o! my ,a"#an$# ta"s a co ple months ,ac*6 %t ha$ ,een in Flori$a, near a mall6 .hat -as the mall)s name9 8'he E(# er"la$es +hoppin" Center, in Miami65 % hope$ that -as eno "h6 >s ally their instr ctions came !rom Lish3% $i$n)t *no- ho- speci!ic the $irections ha$ to ,e6 'he -ay Lish e7plaine$ it to me once -as that all names are po-er! l !or !aeries6 %! yo co l$ name -here yo -ante$ them to "o, they co l$ !in$ it6 .eir$, , t it came in han$y to$ay< a!ter a !e- more steps a $oor opene$ in !ront o! s6 % steppe$ o t6 8'han*s,5 % sai$, , t the !aerie -as alrea$y "one6 Nearly all my trips o t -ere at ni"ht6 Li!tin" my hea$, % en2oye$ the !eelin" o! the s n on my !ace, the tic*le o! h mi$ity6 %t -as March , t the -eather -as per!ect here6 'he entrance to the mall -as 2 st ahea$ o! me6 Near,y, s rro n$e$ ,y palm trees an$ hi,isc s -ith ,rilliant re$ ,lossoms, -ere a co ple o! ,enches6 % sat $o-n, soa*in" the heat in thro "h my '#shirt6 % -as still a little col$3% -as al-ays a little col$3, t this -as a -orl$ o! impro(ement !rom the Center6 A!ter a !e- min tes % -ent in, -an$erin" thro "h the cro-$s an$ annoye$ at the e7cessi(e AC6 .atchin" normal people s ally cheere$ me p -hene(er % "ot a chance to $o it6 'o$ay it ma$e me !eel e(en -orse6 .hat i! % really $i$n)t ,elon" here9 % ha$ al-ays !elt almost sm " to-ar$ the para# normals, ,eca se at the en$ o! the $ay, no matter -hat, % -as still h man6 % $i$n)t ha(e to ,e mon# itore$ or ne tere$6 % -asn)t st c* in a "lass tan*6 'hey ma$e my li!e loo* a lot ,etter6 No- % -asn)t so s re6 Depresse$ an$ -orrie$, % !o n$ a ,athroom an$ stare$ at mysel! in the mirror6 May,e % ha$ ,een missin" somethin"6 %! Len$ $i$n)t *no- -hat he really loo*e$ li*e, may,e % ha$ ne(er loo*e$ at mysel! closely eno "h6 % searche$ !or anythin" n$erneath, lin"erin" on my pale eyes, loo*in" !or any cl e that %, too, -as more than -hat % seeme$6 Nothin"6 'here -as nothin" there6 No shimmerin" hint o! somethin", no "lo-in" eyes, no ,o$y n$erneath my ,o$y6 %t -as 2 st me, 2 st li*e e(ery other h man %)$ e(er loo*e$ at6 E7cept not 2 st li*e them, ,eca se % co l$ see thin"s no one else co l$6 % le!t the ,athroom $e2ecte$6 % ha$ nothin"6 No -allet, no p rse, no i$entity6 'here -as nothin" !or me in the real3in the normal3-orl$6 .hether or not % -as paranormal, % $i$n)t ,elon" here6 % sat $o-n on another ,ench an$ -atche$6 Co ples that co l$n)t seem to "et their han$s o t o! each oth# er)s ,ac* poc*ets6 /irls -ith their arms lin*e$ as they "ossipe$ a,o t -ho li*e$ -ho an$ -ho sai$ -hat an$ OM/, are yo *i$$in" me6 All o! them "oin" a,o t their -on$er! l, normal li(es6 'hey $i$n)t *no- anythin"6 % en(ie$ them6 % -as still sittin" there -hen someone sat ne7t to me6 8E(ie65 Ra= el too* my han$6 8Hon, -hat are yo $oin"95 % shoo* my hea$6 8% $on)t *no-65 8% sho l$ ha(e tol$ yo a,o t yo r classi!ication a lon" time a"o6 %)m sorry65 % sni!!le$6 %! % starte$ cryin" in the mall % -o l$ ne(er !or"i(e mysel!6 8.hy $i$n)t yo 95 8% $i$n)t thin* it mattere$6 All it really means is that yo can $o somethin" no one else can an$ -e $on)t *no- ho- or -hy6 %t $oesn)t mean yo aren)t h man, or that yo )re someho- the same as the (ampires or !aeries or nicorns65 8.ait3serio sly9 'here are nicorns9 Yo )re lyin"65 % narro-e$ my eyes6 +he la "he$6 8May,e i! yo )re really "oo$ an$ start $oin" yo r home-or* % can ta*e yo to see them65

8+ho l$n)t ,ein" a Le(el +e(en "et me o t o! home-or*95 8Not on yo r li!e65 +he ,r she$ some stray hair a-ay !rom my !ace, smilin"6 8% let yo "et a-ay -ith = ittin" piano lessons -hen yo -ere ten ,eca se that troll teacher scare$ yo , an$ %)(e ne(er !or"i(en mysel!6 No slac* on home-or*6 No-, since -e)re here, -e mi"ht as -ell $o a little shop# pin", $on)t yo thin*95 % si"he$6 Mine -as no-here near as impressi(e as one o! Ra= el)s si"hs, , t may,e i! % -or*e$ at it some$ay % -o l$n)t nee$ to tal* at all6 8%)m not really in the moo$65 +he loo*e$ -orrie$6 8Yo )re *i$$in", ri"ht95 8Yeah6 Come on65 % lo(e$ shoppin" , t $i$ all mine online6 Ra= el se$ to , y my clothes !or me, , t % p t a stop to that years a"o6 A "irl can ta*e only so many na(y ,l e s*irts an$ starche$ -hite shirts6 B t ,ein" here, act ally ,ein" a,le to try thin"s on, !eel them, an$ see the color in real li!e -as -ay ,etter than pointin" an$ clic*in"6 By the time -e -ere !inishe$ Ra= el an$ % -ere ,oth loa$e$ $o-n -ith ,a"s6 +he shoo* her hea$6 8% $on)t *no- ho- %)ll !ill this o t on my e7pense reports65 80 st list it as therapy ,ills,5 % s ""este$6 +he la "he$ an$ -e hea$e$ !or the $oor6 A small store ca "ht my eye6 8Oh, 2 st a sec45 +he "a(e a yo )(e "ot to ,e *i$$in" me si"h, , t !ollo-e$ me into the art s pply store6 % pic*e$ o t a nice s*etch,oo* an$ some charcoal pencils6 'hen, !or "oo$ mea# s re, % thre- in colore$ pencils an$ pastels6 8'a*in" p a ne- ho,,y95 Ra= el as*e$ as she pai$ !or all o! it6 8% !i" re$ my -all co l$ se a ,rea*, ri"ht95 +he ha$ patiently i"nore$ my $ecoratin", , t % *ne- it ,othere$ her6 .e -al*e$ o t an$ into a $eli(ery alley6 .hen she -as s re no one -as -atchin", she calle$ !or a pic* p an$ a $oor appeare$6 % " ess that -as a per* to ,ein" Ra= el3my pic* ps al-ays too* a !e- min tes6 'he same !aerie -ho ha$ $roppe$ me o!! steppe$ o t an$ too* o r han$s6 Yo )$ thin* she)$ ,e ma$ a!ter % lie$ to her, , t !aeries only care a,o t the thin"s they care a,o t, i! that ma*es any sense6 +he $i$n)t so m ch as "i(e me a secon$ "lance6 .hen -e -al*e$ ,ac* into the Center, Ra= el helpe$ me carry the st !! to my nit6 .e set the ,a"s $o-n an$ she p t her han$ on my sho l$er, searchin" my !ace6 8Yo )re o*ay95 % smile$6 8Yeah, %)m !ine65 +he seeme$ satis!ie$ an$ le!t6 My smile $roppe$ o!!6 'hin"s -eren)t !ine, an$ % ha$ no i$ea i! they e(er -o l$ ,e a"ain6 Paranormalcy % CAN +EE R%/H' 'HRO>/H YO> ' he ne7t mornin" % -as still !eelin" $o-n6 My marathon o! Easton Hei"hts last ni"ht ha$n)t $one anythin" to cheer me p6 %! anythin", it *in$a ma$e me !eel -orse6 % *ne- it -asn)t li*e real li!e, , t it still remin$e$ me o! all the thin"s % -o l$n)t ha(e; proms, cat!i"hts, ,est !rien$s -ho act ally ha$ le"s an$ ,reathe$ air, ,oy!rien$s6 Boy!rien$s especially6 % p lle$ Lish p on my (i$ screen6 8Ra= el a(aila,le to$ay95 +he shoo* her hea$6 8+he is not in the Center6 More meetin"s6 Do yo -ant me to call her95 8Oh, no, no ,i" $eal6 0 st -ante$ to as* her somethin"< there)s no r sh65 % smile$ an$ -a(e$ to Lish, then sh t o!! the screen6 /oin" thro "h my ,a"s o! ne- st !!, % p lle$ on a :e,ra#print -rap $ress an$ !itte$ hot pin* stiletto ,oots6 My style -as a little o(er#the#top, , t i! yo li(e$ in a place -here e(erythin" -as -hite yo )$ -ant to li(en it p a ,it, too6 'he ,oots $i$n)t ma*e me as happy as % tho "ht they -o l$6 +till, % loo*e$ "oo$6 % "ra,,e$ the ,a" o! art s pplies an$ -as a,o t to -al* o t the $oor -hen % ha$ a ,etter i$ea6 A !e-

years a"o Ra= el ha$ "i(en me a pair o! Roller,la$es !or Christmas6 % -rea*e$ s ch ha(oc :oomin" thro "h the hall-ays an$ smashin" into e(eryone an$ e(erythin" that she too* them a-ay6 % $i$, ho-e(er, ha(e a rollin" chair at the $es* in my room6 %! ri$in" that thro "h the halls $i$n)t ma*e me at least a little happier, % $i$n)t *no- -hat -o l$6 % hoo*e$ the ,a" aro n$ the ,ac* o! the chair an$ p she$ it into the hall6 Bac*in" p a !e- !eet, % "ot a r nnin" start an$ 2 mpe$ on6 %t shot $o-n the hall, (eerin" to the le!t ntil % slamme$ into the -all6 % too* the lon" -ay, -ith (ery o$$ stares ?an$ a !e- s-ear -or$s i! they ha$ to $i(e a-ay@ !rom the people that % passe$6 %n Len$)s hall % leane$ so that the chair -o l$ roll into his room an$ ma$e it hal!-ay to the ,e$ ,e!ore tippin" o(er6 % loo*e$ p at his (ery s rprise$ !ace6 8Hey65 % "i"# "le$6 8Hey95 He raise$ one eye,ro-6 Dan" that one eye,ro-4 'o$ay he -as -earin" the $ar*#haire$, $ar*#eye$ hottie a"ain6 % li*e$ that one6 8+o65 % 2 mpe$ p, strai"htenin" my $ress6 8Yo -ere ri"ht65 8% -as ri"ht95 8Y p6 %PCA has me ri"ht p there -ith !aeries6 All this time % tho "ht % -as part o! the !amily< t rns o t %)m n$er o,ser(ation6 A-esome65 8%)m sorry65 He so n$e$ li*e he meant it6 8Yeah, -ell, % thin* they)re -ron"6 Beca se -hen % loo* at mysel!, all % see is me6 Nothin" else65 % ha$ ,een thin*in" a,o t it pretty o,sessi(ely an$ it ma$e sense6 %! % -ere a paranormal, %)$ see somethin"6 8+o yo can see thro "h other thin"s9 Not 2 st me95 % -asn)t s ppose$ to tal* a,o t it, , t % $i$n)t care6 8+orry, yo )re not that special65 % "rinne$ at him6 8%! it)s a paranormal, % can see -hat it is, no matter -hat)s on the top65 8.o-6 Nice tric*65 8Comes in han$y6 +o, % ,ro "ht yo a present65 % han$e$ him the ,a"6 He loo*e$ insi$e an$ a smile sprea$ across his !ace6 8'han*s4 'his is "reat65 8% tho "ht yo co l$ teach me a little ,it6 %)m not really "reat at !i" res65 8.hat are yo tal*in" a,o t9 Yo )(e "ot a "reat !i" re65 He -as !lirtin" -ith me4 % la "he$, ,l shin"6 8Dor*65 He la "he$ ,ac* an$ sat on the e$"e o! his ,e$, pattin" the space ,esi$e him6 He spent the ne7t ho r e7plainin" proportions an$ ho- to $epict them6 By the en$ o! the ho r % -as still terri,le , t "ettin" ,etter6 An$ ha(in" ! n, too, -hich -as nice6 8+o, can yo see thro "h anythin"95 he as*e$, s*etchin" me a"ain6 % -atche$ his han$s, !ascinate$ ,y the interplay ,et-een the han$s he -as sho-in" me an$ his real han$s n$erneath6 8No6 % can)t see thro "h clothes or anythin"6 0 st "lamo r s*in6 E7cept % can see thro "h all o! yo , since yo r clothes aren)t real65 % stoppe$, horri!ie$6 8% mean, % $on)t loo*3%t)s har$ to see yo , an$ % li*e loo*in" at yo r real !ace, , t % $on)t try to see anythin", ,eca se3Oh "osh, this so n$s terri,le65 He ha$ a ! nny loo* on his !ace, li*e he -asn)t s re -hat to thin*6 8H h6 'hat)s ne(er ,een an iss e ,e!ore6 May,e ne7t time yo co l$ ,rin" me some shorts65 % no$$e$, still morti!ie$6 Desperate to chan"e the s ,2ect, % sai$, 8+o -hat a,o t yo 9 Are yo 2 st, li*e, pro2ectin" thin"s, or can yo act ally ma*e yo r hair lon"er an$ st !!95 He shimmere$, a lon"#slee(e$ shirt replacin" his short#slee(e$ one6 He hel$ o t his arm an$ % hes#

itantly to che$ the !a,ric6 %t -as tan"i,le, , t !elt too smooth to ,e real6 8Hair)s the same -ay65 8'hat is so !rea*y65 % too* the !a*e material ,et-een my !in"ers6 8Can yo !eel this9 %s it li*e part o! yo or somethin"95 He shoo* his hea$6 8Not really6 % ha(e no i$ea ho- % $o it or ho- it -or*s65 8%s that -hy yo ,ro*e in9 'o !in$ o t -hat yo are95 He la "he$6 8No6 % $on)t care -hat % am accor$in" to %PCA65 % !ro-ne$6 8Yeah, me neither6 .hy $i$ yo snea* in95 A!ter a pa se, he shoo* his hea$6 8%)ll tell yo later, o*ay95 M ch as % -ante$ to *no-, % reali:e$ it $i$n)t really matter6 Neither o! s -ere "oin" any-here6 8+ re65 8Ho- can yo stan$ tra(elin" that -ay here, tho "h9 .hen % too* that -oman)s han$, % ha$ no i$ea -hat -as "oin" on6 %t -as all % co l$ $o not to !rea* o t65 8Oh, yeah, the Faerie Paths6 'hey s c*6 Yo $i$n)t *no- she -as a !aerie95 8% $on)t *no- m ch a,o t !aeries, really65 8L c*y6 Yo $on)t -ant to65 8.hy9 +eems pretty se! l, ,ein" a,le to open $oors to any-here65 8Oh, s re6 + per se! l6 B t then yo ha(e to $eal -ith the !aeries65 % "ot starte$ tal*in" an$ some# ho- en$e$ p tellin" him all a,o t !aerie history6 % -asn)t s re ho- many !aeries %PCA controlle$, , t the ones -e $i$ ha(e hate$ s !or it6 %)$ also hear$ that there -ere $i!!erent types o! !aeries, , t as !ar as % co l$ tell there -as 2 st the one3,ea ti! l, po-er! l, an$ psychotic6 % e7plaine$ as m ch as % co l$ a,o t ho- they manip late$ the nat ral -orl$ to some e7tent an$ tra(ele$ path-ays ,e# t-een Earth an$ the Faerie Realms, , t that -as one area Ra= el -o l$n)t tal* m ch a,o t6 +he al# -ays acte$ li*e !aeries -ere aro n$ 2 st !or transportation, , t % s specte$ there -as more to it6 % !inishe$ ,y tellin" him a,o t all the operati(es that ha$ ,een lost o(er the years ,y scre-in" p a comman$6 8.hy $oes %PCA se them i! they)re e(il95 he as*e$, con! se$6 8'hey aren)t e(il6 'hey aren)t e(en really immoral, per se6 'hey)re amoral6 'hey $on)t operate on the same le(el that -e $o6 For a !aerie, the only thin" that matters is -hat they -ant6 'hat)s their "oo$6 Anythin" else is s per!l o s6 +o li*e ho- they *i$nap people, not a ,i" $eal3they -ant the person, they ta*e him6 Or *illin" someone6 %! yo li(e !ore(er, ho- m ch $oes one mortal li!e mat# ter in the scheme o! thin"s9 .hen yo e7ist o tsi$e time, c ttin" o!! the !orty years a person has le!t is a non#iss e6 'hey $on)t e(en notice65 8+o yo li*e !aeries95 8Oh, hea(ens no6 % thin* -or*in" -ith them is the $ m,est thin" %PCA co l$ possi,ly $o65 8.hy $o they *eep sin" them, then95 8'he !irst name$ comman$ e(ery !aerie "ets is to ser(e %PCA6 'hey thin* they can control the !aeries3% *no- they can)t,5 % m ttere$ $ar*ly6 % loo*e$ $o-n at his s*etch6 8Man, yo are so "oo$ at that65 8Nice s ,2ect6 An$ % li*e yo r o t!it65 % co l$n)t tell !rom his smile -hether he -as serio s or po*# in" ! n at me6 8% can ,rin" yo some ,oots li*e this alon" -ith the shorts, i! yo -ant65 He la "he$6 80 st ,eca se % can loo* li*e a "irl $oesn)t mean % -ant to $ress li*e one65

8Yo )re ri"ht6 Yo pro,a,ly $on)t ha(e the cal(es !or them, any-ay65 +tan$in", % stretche$6 8%)$ pro,a,ly ,etter "o6 'echnically % $on)t e(en *no- -here they)re *eepin" yo 65 % -in*e$ at him6 8Yo sho l$ ta*e these, then6 Yo can practice65 He han$e$ me the s*etch,oo* an$ pencils6 8Yo )ll come ,ac*, ri"ht95 8+ re6 Yo )re the coolest person here65 He starte$ to smile, so % shoo* my hea$, p ttin" on a moc*# serio s !ace6 8Don)t ,e !lattere$3most o! yo r competition is n$ea$65 % sat $o-n on my chair an$ rolle$ ,ac*-ar$ o t o! his room6 He -atche$ me, la "hin" silently, an$ % "a(e him a 2a nty sal te6 Bac* in my nit, % p lle$ o t the s*etch,oo* an$ loo*e$ at his $ra-in"s6 Mine -ere pathetic in comparison, , t % -as m ch, m ch happier than % ha$ ,een ,e!ore % -ent to see him6 P llin" o t the pencils, % starte$ practicin"6 'he -hole ne7t -ee* % $i$n)t "et a chance to snea* into Len$)s room6 Bet-een my s al classes an$ Ra= el ,ein" e7tra attenti(e ?rea$; annoyin"@ % $i$n)t ha(e any !ree time6 E(ery $ay that % $i$n)t see him "ot more !r stratin"6 Finally, the -ee*en$ came a"ain6 % -as hopin" a"ainst hope that Ra= el -o l$ ,e , sy6 'he , :: at my $oor as % !inishe$ "ettin" rea$y +at r$ay mornin" ma$e me thin* other-ise6 Ra= el -al*e$ in, smilin"6 8Don)t yo loo* nice,5 she commente$6 O! co rse % loo*e$ nice3% -ante$ to "o see Len$ that $ay6 % !orce$ a smile6 8.hat)s p95 8% $on)t *no-, % tho "ht may,e -e co l$ "o some-here to$ay6 Any-here yo li*e3the ,each, the mall a"ain, a mo(ie65 8Really95 'his -as ne-6 >s ally !iel$ trips -ere care! lly sche$ le$ an$ coor$inate$6 For the most part -e (isite$ m se ms that ha$ to $o -ith my c rrent c rric l m6 % se$ to li*e that -hen % -as yo n"er6 .e)$ -al*e$ aro n$ an$ %)$ preten$e$ Ra= el -as my mom an$ -e -ere a normal moth# er an$ $a "hter6 O! co rse, ta*in" the Faerie Paths ,ac* al-ays r ine$ the ill sion6 8'hin"s ha(e ,een pretty hectic< -e co l$ ,oth se a ,rea*65 8O*ay, so n$s "oo$45 % meant it6 M ch as % -ante$ to see Len$ a"ain, % ha$n)t ,een o t o! the Cen# ter all -ee*6 Her comm nicator ,eepe$6 +he loo*e$ $o-n at it an$ a $eep, -orrie$ !ro-n crosse$ her !ace6 An$ then, 2 st -hen % -as e7pectin" a si"h, Ra= el s-ore6 +he s-ore6 'hat ha$ ne(er happene$ ,e!ore, not as lon" as % co l$ remem,er6 .hate(er the ne-s -as, it ha$ to ,e really, really ,a$6 8%)m sorry,5 she sai$, alrea$y racin" !or the $oor6 8%t)s an emer"ency65 8Don)t -orry a,o t it65 % -atche$ her "o6 % -ante$ to *no- -hat -as p, , t % *ne- that nless it in(ol(e$ me she -o l$n)t say anythin"6 Ne(er one to -aste an opport nity, % "ra,,e$ my art s p# plies an$ the shorts % ha$ or$ere$ online, then hea$e$ !or Len$)s room, s rprisin"ly !l ttery at the tho "ht o! seein" him a"ain6 Paranormalcy POE'RY AND HOLD%N/ HAND+ L en$ -as lyin" on his ,e$ -ith his ,ac* to the $oor -hen % "ot there6 %t m st ha(e ,een $ea$ $ ll !or him, trappe$ in here6 % tho "ht a,o t lettin" him nap , t !i" re$ he pro,a,ly -o l$n)t -ant to6 % tosse$ the pair o! ,as*et,all shorts at his hea$6 %t -o l$ ,e nice to loo* at him -itho t ha(in" to -orry a,o t seein" thro "h his pro2ecte$ clothes6 He sat p, startle$6 'hen, seein" me, he "rinne$6 He -as -earin" the c te ,lac* " y a"ain to$ay6 % li*e$ this one)s smile, , t n$erneath Len$)s smile -as 2 st as nice6 8Hey,5 he sai$6 8'oo* yo lon" eno "h65 % si"he$, !ei"nin" nonchalance6 8+ome o! s ha(e a li!e, yo *no-65

8Yeah, % remem,er -hat that -as li*e65 He p lle$ the shorts on n$erneath the co(ers6 8.eir$ to ha(e real clothes a"ain65 8Aren)t yo !ree:in"95 He "a(e me a ! nny loo*6 8%t)s not col$ in here65 8Yo )re cra:y65 P llin" o!! the co(ers, he stoo$ p6 % la "he$< the shorts -ere han"in" o(er a pair o! *ha*i pants6 'he pants $issol(e$, lea(in" a "reat set o! le"s6 8+o, ha(e yo ,een practicin"95 % sat on his ,e$6 8Yeah, , t %)m still not that "oo$65 % han$e$ him the s*etch,oo*6 He !lippe$ thro "h it, no$$in"6 8No, these are a lot ,etter6 An$ yo )re really "oo$ -ith color65 % ,eame$6 He passe$ the s*etch,oo* ,ac* to me an$ o r han$s ,r she$6 % smile$ an$ shoo* my hea$6 8+o -eir$65 8.hat95 8% 2 st3% $on)t *no-, % al-ays e7pect yo to !eel li*e -ater or somethin"6 'he !irst time % to che$ yo to p t on the an*le trac*er, % -as -orrie$ my han$ -o l$ "o ri"ht thro "h yo 65 He la "he$6 8Nope65 8% tho "ht it -o l$ ,e li*e p ttin" my han$ in col$ -ater6 B t yo )re really -arm65 He p t his han$ on top o! mine6 My heart $i$ a happy 2 mp insi$e my chest6 8Yo r han$s are !ree:# in"65 8+ee9 Col$ in here6 'ol$ yo 65 % co l$n)t help , t !ro-n a little -hen he mo(e$ his han$ a-ay6 8Ho- -as yo r -ee*95 he as*e$6 8Pretty ,orin"6 Pro,a,ly not as ,orin" as yo rs, tho "h65 8Pro,a,ly not65 8.hat are they e(en $oin" -ith yo 9 Are they "oin" to 2 st *eep yo in here !ore(er95 8Hope! lly not6 %)(e "ot some thin"s % nee$ to ,e $oin"6 'hey)(e r n tests on me, , t %)m a!rai$ % -asn)t (ery cooperati(e6 An$ Ra= el)s ,een to tal* to me, tryin" to !i" re o t -here % came !rom an$ -hy % -as "oin" thro "h her st !!65 8%)m a little c rio s a,o t that as -ell65 He smile$6 8%)ll ,et6 O! co rse, it)s yo r !a lt %)m st c* in this room in the !irst place65 % ha$ to a$mit he -as ri"ht6 Act ally, % $i$n)t ha(e to6 8No, it)s yo r o-n !a lt yo r plan -as so crappy a helpless teena"e "irl ca "ht yo 65 8Helpless9 Har$ly6 % seem to recall ,ein" electroc te$65 8Oh, yeah, there -as that65 8Yo )re not -earin" yo r 'aser to$ay6 Yo $i$n)t last time, either65 He loo*e$ at me tho "ht! lly6 8Plannin" somethin"95 % -asn)t ner(o s6 .ell, may,e a little, no- that he sai$ that6 8Nope, not at all6 %)m "la$ yo tr st me65 8Once a"ain, ho- m ch threat can a " y ,e -hose "ran$ plan !or ,rea*in" into the Center incl $e$ p nchin" people an$ r nnin"95 He p t a han$ on his chest6 8O ch6 Yo )re ri"ht, tho "h, % $i$n)t ha(e any i$ea -hat % -as $oin"6 %t

-as pretty $esperate65 8'hat)s all ri"ht6 .e all $o st pi$ thin"s6 Last -ee* % -as !ollo-in" a (amp an$ , rst into a room that % ha$n)t chec*e$ o t !irst6 ' rns o t there -ere a -hole , nch more6 % nearly "ot *ille$65 8Ho- $i$ yo "et o t95 8Reth65 % !ro-ne$6 8.ho)s Reth95 8%t)s a lon" story65 Len$ leane$ ,ac*6 8%)(e "ot nothin" , t time65 My sho l$ers sa""e$ n$er the -ei"ht o! memory as % tho "ht o! ho- -on$er! l Reth ha$ ma$e my li!e3!or a -hile, at least6 8.hen % starte$ here, % tho "ht !aeries -ere an"els6 'hey -ere so ,ea ti! l an$ mysterio s6 'hen Reth came -hen % -as a,o t !o rteen6 At !irst he -as li*e all the others3col$ an$ $istant6 B t -hen he !o n$ o t -hat % co l$ $o, he starte$ tal*in" to me, ta*in" an interest6 Not only -as he one o! the only " ys3-ell, % " ess males3aro n$, , t he -as the most "or"eo s thin" % ha$ e(er seen6 Pretty soon he -as comin" ,y my nit, tellin" me stories, listenin" to me6 .hen -e tal*e$ he hel$ my han$ an$ it -as li*e he -as -armin" me !rom the o tsi$e in6 % li(e$ !or the times % "ot to see him, an$ he tol$ me a,o t ho- he -as "oin" to ta*e me a-ay to his $reamlan$6 .hat lonely "irl $oesn)t -ant to hear that95 Len$ !ro-ne$, loo*in" ,othere$6 8+o, -ere yo " ys, li*e, $atin"95 % si"he$, heartsic* remem,erin" ho- m ch % ha$ lo(e$ Reth, $epen$e$ on him6 Li!e ha$ ,een eas# ier then6 8Not li*e $atin" $atin"6 % mean, -e $i$n)t *iss or anythin" normal6 Any-ay, e(ery time he hel$ my han$ % "ot -armer, !aster6 He)$ come an$ ta*e me in the mi$$le o! the ni"ht, $ance -ith me ntil % s-ear -e ,oth "lo-e$6 % tho "ht he -as per!ect6 +ometimes -hen he hel$ me, my heart -o l$ ,e so -arm it !elt li*e % -o l$ , rst6 8'hen one $ay % -ent on a simple retrie(al, 2 st a -ere-ol!6 'hose are pretty easy3the people are so !rea*e$ o t they)re relie(e$ to ha(e someone e7plain thin"s6 % " ess this " y ha$ ,een a -ere# -ol! !or a co ple o! years an$ he act ally li*e$ it6 +o -hen % !o n$ him an$ tol$ him he -as n$er arrest, he "ot really an"ry an$ hit me6 Be!ore % *ne- -hat -as happenin" Reth -as there6 His !ace 3it -as p re ! ry6 'here -as nothin" h man there6 He p t his han$ o t an$ the -ere-ol! !le- ,ac* into a tree6 'hen Reth -as m tterin" an$ the tree starte$ sha*in" an$ crac*in", "ro-in" o t an$3 the -ere-ol! -as3%t cr she$ him ali(e,5 % !inishe$ h rrie$ly, tryin" to "et the ima"e an$ the screams o t o! my hea$6 8As m ch as % still lo(e$ Reth, it scare$ me so ,a$ that % -o l$n)t tal* to him or see him !or a month6 'he heat !a$e$, an$ % co l$ !inally see thin"s clearly6 % $on)t *no- -hat he -as $oin"3Ra= el thin*s it -asn)t e(en real65 % sco-le$6 8+o no- e(ery time he sees me, he tries to to ch me an$ % can !eel the heat sprea$in" a"ain, tryin" to "et to my heart65 Len$ -as = iet !or a -hile6 8.hy $on)t they 2 st sen$ him a-ay95 8%PCA is too $epen$ent on !aerie ma"ic6 'hey thin* ,eca se they *no- a !aerie)s name they can control him, so they $on)t care6 'hey $on)t *no- ho- st pi$ they)re ,ein"65 8%PCA $oesn)t *no- a lot o! thin"s65 8Yeah65 % !ro-ne$, tryin" to "et the memory o! Reth)s -armth o t o! my hea$6 8+o, yo r t rn6 .hat $i$ yo $o o t there9 Do yo ha(e a !amily9 Di$ yo "o to school9 .here $o yo li(e9 Ha(e yo al-ays ,een li*e this95 All the = estions % ha$ ,een sa(in" p !or him spille$ o t6 E7cept i! he ha$ a "irl!rien$6 % mana"e$ to *eep that one insi$e6 He 2 st la "he$6 8% thin*, consi$erin" Ra= el has $eci$e$ to 2oin s, -e)ll ha(e to tal* a,o t those thin"s another time65 % loo*e$ p6 Ra= el stoo$ in the $oor-ay, han$s on her hips an$ loo*in" li*e she co l$ spit !ire6

8Oh, ,leep,5 % m ttere$6 'hen, smilin", % -a(e$6 8Hey, Ra= el6 .hat)s p9 Di$ yo chan"e yo r min$ a,o t the mo(ie95 8.hat are yo $oin" here95 8Yo *no-, 2 st han"in" o t6 Len$)s ,een teachin" me ho- to $ra-65 8/et p an$ mo(e a-ay !rom him, no-65 8Oh, rela765 % -a(e$ my han$ $ismissi(ely6 8%! he -ante$ to *ill me, he alrea$y -o l$ ha(e6 % ,ro "ht him all these sharp pencils, i$eal !or sta,,in", an$ he)s ,een a per!ect "entleman65 8E(ie65 Her (oice -as $an"ero s no-6 +he meant , siness6 % -ent to stan$, , t Len$ too* my han$6 8Yo -ant ans-ers95 he sai$ to Ra= el6 8Let her han" o t -ith me an$ %)ll tell yo -hy % came65 Ra= el loo*e$ !rom me to him6 +he ha$ this stran"e e7pression on her !ace, calc latin" , t almost sa$6 % co l$ tell she -as $esperate !or ans-ers, , t there -as somethin" more6 % $i$n)t *no- -hat6 Finally, sha*in" her hea$, she si"he$6 %t -as a si"h % rarely hear$ !rom her3the si"h o! $e!eat6 % co l$n)t ,elie(e it6 8Fine,5 she sai$6 Len$ let "o o! my han$6 8Ho- many $ea$ paranormals $i$ yo !in$ this -ee*95 Ra= el loo*e$ s rprise$, then s spicio s6 8Paranormals $on)t $ie (ery o!ten6 .hat ma*es yo thin* -e !o n$ any95 He rolle$ his eyes6 8Ho- many95 +he pa se$, then sai$, 8'hirty65 8.ait, -hat9 +erio sly95 % co l$n)t ,elie(e it6 'hirty $ea$ paranormals9 'hat 2 st $i$n)t happen6 .e)$ lose !i(e, may,e ten a year6 An$ most o! those -ere (amps that acti(ate$ their an*le trac*ers) holy -ater ! nction6 8Yo )re missin" a lot then,5 Len$ sai$6 8%)$ " ess it -as pro,a,ly closer to !i!ty, i! the n m,ers are hol$in" stea$y65 8.here are yo "ettin" this in!ormation95 8Do yo really thin* %PCA is the only "ro p that *eeps trac*95 Ra= el loo*e$ tri mphant, s re she -as !inally "oin" to !i" re Len$ o t6 8.hat is yo r "ro p95 Len$ shoo* his hea$6 8%)m not st pi$6 .e)re not intereste$ in ,ein" ta""e$6 .e)re also not interest# e$ in ,ein" sla "htere$65 8.here are yo "ettin" yo r in!ormation95 she repeate$6 8A ,anshee6 +he sai$35 8Yo *no- a ,anshee9 .here95 Her eyes -ere practically , ""in" o t o! her hea$ no-6 8Please stop interr ptin"6 +he tol$ me that the ans-er -as -ith %PCA, an$ then spo te$ o!! a stran"e poem65 Ra= el -aite$ e7pectantly6 8.ell95 Len$ t rne$ an$ loo*e$ at me6 8E(ie, yo -anna start it95 8.hat95 % -as completely con! se$6 8EEyes li*e streams o! meltin" sno-,)5 he sai$ so!tly6 'hat)s -hat %)$ sai$ to him -hen he -as !irst tryin" to !i" re o t my eye color6 No -on$er % ha$ terri!ie$ him6 % ha$ !or"otten a,o t it ntil no-3, t ho- $i$ he *no- -hat %)$ hear$ in a $ream9 8.hat are yo tal*in" a,o t9 %3% $on)t e(en *no- -hat that means65

8.hat -as the rest o! it95 Ra= el as*e$, impatient6 He t rne$ to her6 8%)ll tell yo -hen yo let me "o65 8.e)re not lettin" yo "o6 For all % *no-, yo r "ro p is ,ehin$ the attac*s6 May,e yo ,ro*e in to !in$ o r trac*in" recor$s !or more (ictims65 8%)$ say -hate(er this thin" is, it)s $oin" 2 st !ine on its o-n65 8.hy $i$ yo ,rea* in, then95 8% alrea$y tol$ yo 6 'he ,anshee sai$ the ans-er -as here6 % tho "ht may,e yo ha$ in!o on it, ha$ !i" re$ o t a pattern or somethin"6 'hat)s -hat % -as loo*in" !or6 O,(io sly % -as on the -ron" trac*, since it seems yo *no- e(en less than -e $o65 Ra= el -as serio sly pisse$6 %)$ ne(er seen anyone -ho co l$ p sh her , ttons as -ell as Len$6 8.hen yo )re rea$y to "i(e me anythin" se! l, let me *no-6 E(ie, let)s "o65 8% thin* %)ll stay here !or a -hile65 Oh, ,a,y, that -as the -ron" ans-er6 Her mo th ,arely mo(e$ as she snappe$ one -or$; 8No-65 8% " ess %)ll see yo later, Len$65 Lea(in" the $ra-in" st !! -ith him, % !ollo-e$ Ra= el o t, t rn# in" to "i(e him a sheepish "rin6 8% can)t3.hy yo -ere3Yo co l$ ha(e35 Ra= el stoppe$, ta*in" a $eep ,reath6 8%)m (ery $is# appointe$ in yo 65 % rolle$ my eyes, -al*in" ne7t to her $o-n the hall6 8Yeah, -ell, may,e i! % act ally ha$ a li!e or some !rien$s % -o l$n)t ha(e to han" o t -ith the prisoners6 B t as it is, he)s (ery nice, an$ % thin* i! yo -ere nice to him, yo mi"ht ha(e learne$ somethin" ,y no-65 8Yo $on)t n$erstan$ ho- this -or*s65 8No, % $on)t, ,eca se yo $on)t tell me anythin"4 .hat)s p -ith all the $ea$ paranormals95 Ra= el r ,,e$ her !orehea$ -earily6 8% $on)t *no-6 'he (ampires last -ee*, an$ there ha(e ,een se(eral more the last !e- $ays6 Either -e ha(en)t ,een pic*in" p on it, or it)s "ettin" -orse65 8.hat are yo "onna $o95 8.e)(e "ot research an$ analysis -or*in" on it, , t -e ha(en)t ,een (ery l c*y comin" p -ith an# s-ers lately6 Li*e yo r !rien$ in there3-e ha(e no i$ea -hat he is or -here he came !rom65 81in$a li*e me95 +he "a(e me a sharp loo* that so!tene$ = ic*ly6 8Yo )re a (ery $i!!erent case65 8Yeah6 O*ay65 % -ante$ to a$$ a -hate(er, , t *ne- it -o l$ p sh her o(er the e$"e6 8Oh, $i$ yo !i" re o t a ne- comman$ !or Reth9 %)m tire$ o! sleepin" -ith -ei"hts on my ,e$65 8Yo )re sleepin" -ith -ei"hts on yo r ,e$95 8/otta stay sa!e someho-65 +he hea(e$ an % can)t $eal -ith this ri"ht no- si"h6 8Yo *no- that the !aeries can)t ta*e yo 6 'hey)re all strictly prohi,ite$ !rom *i$nappin"65 8+omeone sho l$ tell Reth6 Besi$es, it)s not the *i$nappin", it)s -hat he $oes to35 8Eno "h, E(ie6 May,e han"in" o t -ith Len$ isn)t s ch a ,a$ thin" i! it -ill "et yo o!! this o,ses# sion yo ha(e -ith the !aerie65 % stoppe$ in my trac*s6 +he *ept -al*in" !or a !e- steps ,e!ore she notice$6 8My o,session -ith him9 .hy -on)t yo ,elie(e me a,o t this9 % tho "ht yo care$ a,o t me45 An"ry tears st n" my eyes, an$ % close$ my them ,e!ore % co l$ say anythin" else6 'a*in" a $eep ,reath, % shoo* my hea$6

8.hate(er6 %)m "oin" ,ac* to my room65 80 st ,e s re an$ tell me ,e!ore yo "o an$ see Len$ a"ain65 8+ re, ,eca se -e)re ,i" on tr st here, ri"ht95 Be!ore she co l$ ans-er % t rne$ an$ -al*e$ o!!6 Paranormalcy L%/H' MY F%RE ' he ne7t $ay ?a!ter sen$in" a rather snippy messa"e to Ra= el in!ormin" her that % -as "oin" to see Len$@ % -ent into his room, laptop in han$6 He -as Chinese an$ tterly a$ora,le this mornin"6 8.hat $o yo ha(e planne$ !or to$ay95 % "a(e him a stern loo*6 8%)m "oin" to ma*e yo reali:e that Easton Hei"hts, -hile pop lar -ith (ie-ers, is se(erely n$errate$ ,y critics65 He loo*e$ p at the ceilin" an$ si"he$6 8+o Ra= el)s resorte$ to tort re65 % hit him in the sho l$er an$ contin e$6 8%)(e pic*e$ o t three episo$es that not only sho-case s # per, actin" , t also ha(e nparallele$ -ritin"6 An$ yo are "oin" to lo(e them65 8%s that an or$er95 8No, it)s a threat65 He p t his pillo- a"ainst the -all as a c shion an$ sat all the -ay ,ac* on his ,e$6 % sat ne7t to him, not min$in" that -e ha$ to ,e to chin" so -e co l$ ,oth see the screen6 'hat)s -hen it hit me3 ri"ht then, -hen o r arms -ere to chin"3that % -as totally cr shin" on him6 %t sho l$ ha(e ,een o,(io s since % tho "ht a,o t him pretty m ch all the time, , t at that moment % *ne-6 % li*e$ him6 Li*e li*e$ him6 A lot6 Not in 2 st a ! n#to#!inally#ha(e#someone#to#!lirt#-ith -ay, , t in an %#-ant# e$#to#hol$#his#han$#an$#*iss#him -ay6 An$ s $$enly e(en Easton Hei"hts co l$n)t ma*e me !eel ,etter6 % -as o(er-helme$ -ith insec ri# ty6 .hat i! he -as nice to me ,eca se % -as the only person here -ho -as nice to him9 .hat i! he ha$ a "irl!rien$ in the normal -orl$9 'he -ay he co l$ chan"e his loo*s, he co l$ ha(e !i!ty "irl# !rien$s an$ they)$ ne(er *no-4 An$ -hat -o l$ happen i! %PCA let him "o9 %)$ ne(er see him a"ain6 'he tho "ht -as cr shin"6 B t -hat -o l$ happen i! they $i$n)t9 He)$ "et ,itter an$ an"ry an$ ,lame me, since it really -as my !a lt that he "ot ca "ht6 Len$ n $"e$ me6 8%t -asn)t that ,a$,5 he sai$, smilin", an$ % reali:e$ the !irst episo$e -as alrea$y o(er6 % mana"e$ a -ea* smile6 8.asn)t that ,a$9 %t -as a-esome65 He narro-e$ his eyes6 8Are yo o*ay95 8Yeah, s re6 .hy -o l$n)t % ,e95 He reache$ o t an$ p t his han$ on top o! mine6 My heart s*ippe$ a ,eat3he li*e$ me, too4 8Yo )re -orrie$ a,o t -hat)s *illin" the paranormals, aren)t yo 95 Crap6 He $i$n)t li*e me6 8.hat $oes it ha(e to $o -ith me95 % as*e$ ,e!ore % tho "ht a,o t it6 8% mean, it)s ,a$, yeah, , t not really my pro,lem6 %PCA -ill !i" re it o t65 He mo(e$ his han$6 8Yo $on)t "et it, $o yo 9 E(ie, it has e(erythin" to $o -ith yo 6 Yo )re a para# normal, -hether yo li*e it or not65 O*ay, % so $i$n)t li*e that6 % -as a,o t to say so, , t he 2 st *ept "oin"6 8'hey)re o r *in$, an$ -hate(er)s *illin" them is not only a threat to the !e- special thin"s that are le!t, it)s a threat to s, too65 8%)m sorry that paranormals are $yin", , t honestly, not too sa$ that the (ampires -ho -ere tryin"

to *ill me en$e$ p $ea$65 8%t)s not 2 st (ampires< there are -hole species o t there yo ha(e no i$ea e7ist6 An$ i! this "oes on m ch lon"er, they -on)t6 'he -orl$ -ill ,e a m ch col$er, emptier place !or it65 8%sn)t it alrea$y95 Bitterness sat rate$ my (oice6 % co l$n)t ,e one or the other3,y ,ein" ,oth nor# mal an$ paranormal % $i$n)t ,elon" any-here6 % -as sic* o! not ,elon"in"6 8'r st me -hen % say it)s not6 An$ % -ant to sho- that -orl$ to yo 6 B t -e)(e "ot to ma*e s re it)s still there to see65 % si"he$6 8.hat can % $o95 8.here $i$ yo hear that line9 A,o t the eyes95 % p t $o-n the laptop an$ t rne$ si$e-ays so % co l$ see him6 8% $on)t *no-, really6 %t -as 2 st in my hea$6 % thin* % -as $reamin" a,o t it the $ay yo came6 EEyes li*e streams o! meltin" sno-&)5 % pa se$, tryin" to remem,er6 8ECol$ -ith the thin"s she $oes not *no-)95 His ,reath ca "ht an$ he no$$e$6 8Do yo *no- the rest o! it95 % shoo* my hea$6 8May,e yo can help me !i" re it o t6 %)ll35 .e ,oth loo*e$ p as e7tra li"ht !ille$ the room !rom a $oor-ay ap# pearin" on the -all6 8Are yo e7pectin" anyone95 8No65 % scoote$ closer to him6 .e ,oth -atche$ as a !i" re came o t o! the $oor6 Reth6 8Oh, ,leep,5 % -hispere$6 % $i$n)t ha(e my *ni!e6 % $i$n)t ha(e anythin"6 8Here yo are,5 he sai$, smilin" pleasantly6 Ra= el ha$n)t $one anythin" to stop him6 8Lo35 % $i$n)t e(en "et to the secon$ sylla,le o! his name ,e!ore he -a(e$ his han$ an$ -hispere$ a -or$, $isappearin" my (oice a"ain6 8'here)s no nee$ !or that65 His smile $i$n)t chan"e6 Len$ loo*e$ at me< % pointe$ !rantically at my throat, mo thin" "et help6 8+tay a-ay !rom her,5 Len$ sai$, stan$in" an$ mo(in" in !ront o! me6 8E(elyn is mine6 Yo are irrele(ant65 .a(in" his han$ $ismissi(ely, he sent Len$ !lyin" across the room an$ into the -all6 Len$ sli$ $o-n into a heap at the ,ottom6 % screame$, , t nothin" came o t6 Reth "li$e$ across the room an$ settle$ $o-n on the ,e$ ne7t to me6 % trie$ to hit him, , t he "ra,,e$ my arm, la "hin"6 % str ""le$ as he too* his !ree han$ an$ trace$ a !in"er $o-n my spine, paraly:in" me6 %t -as li*e one o! those ni"htmares -here yo ha(e to -atch e(erythin" happen an$ yo can)t $o anythin"6 Len$ -as completely still6 'ears !ille$ my eyes6 Reth *ept his han$ on my !orearm, encirclin" my -rist -ith his lon" !in"ers6 8%)m sorry !or the haste, , t circ mstances ha(e chan"e$ an$ -e can)t a!!or$ the same leis rely pace65 His heat crept p my arm6 Closin" my eyes, % -ille$ it to stop6 %t slo-e$, an$ then stille$6 %t !elt li*e % -as $ammin" the !lo- ,y sheer !orce o! -ill6 % co l$n)t last lon"6 8Don)t ,e $i!!ic lt6 Once % !inish, e(erythin" -ill ,e ,etter3yo )ll see65 He smile$ at me ten$erly, stro*in" a !in"er $o-n my chee* an$ lea(in" a trail o! heat6 8.e)(e "ot thin"s to $o3-hat ! n -e)ll ha(e65 % $i$n)t stop concentratin"6 8E(elyn65 He so n$e$ annoye$6 8%)m "i(in" yo a "i!t< mo(in" yo !or-ar$6 %t -as only a matter o! time6 Yo ,elon" -ith me, an$ this is the ,est -ay65 He s= ee:e$ my -rist6 'he -armth , rne$ hotter an$ hotter6 No- instea$ o! pleasant, it -as pain! l6 %t -as li*e his han$ -as searin" itsel! to my arm< in my min$ the !lesh -as sealin", his han$ permanently attache$ to me6 % co l$n)t hol$ this ,ac* anymore6 %t -as too hot, there -as too m ch6 'he !ire $e(o re$ my arm, mo(in" !aster an$ hi"her, e(er closer to my heart6 % screame$ a"ain, , t no so n$ escape$ my lips6 An$ then so n$ -as e(ery-here6 % opene$ my eyes6 Len$ -as on the !loor in the hall, his ,o$y con#

( lsin" !rom the electric shoc*s shootin" thro "h it6 8Len$,5 % mo the$6 He ha$ tri""ere$ the alarm 3thro-n himsel! o t there, *no-in" -hat -o l$ happen6 Reth si"he$ impatiently, s= ee:in" my arm har$er6 8% hate it -hen people me$$le65 'he !ire -as in my sho l$er< the !irst ten$rils o! it to che$ my heart, nestlin" in li*e a small animal6 8Lorethan45 a (oice calle$ o t, sharp an$ ,rilliant in my pain6 Reth t rne$ his hea$, m r$er on his !ace6 Ra= el spo*e slo-ly an$ clearly o(er the so n$ o! the alarm6 8Yo -ill not to ch E(elyn65 A !raction o! a secon$, then his han$ shot o!! my arm as tho "h he -ere the one ,ein" , rne$6 'he rest o! the !ire split3hal! $raine$ ,ac* $o-n my arm to -here his han$ ha$ ,een< the other hal! !o n$ its -ay into my heart6 % still co l$n)t mo(e or tal*6 He stoo$, re"ar$in" Ra= el -ith the same col$ ! ry % ha$ seen -hen he)$ *ille$ the -ere-ol!6 8Lea(e s no-,5 Ra= el sai$6 Reth -as a,sol tely still, loo*in" li*e an a(en"in" "o$ in the mi$$le o! the -hite room6 % -on$ere$ i! he -o l$ *ill s all6 A!ter the lon"est silence o! my li!e, he -a(e$ his han$ to-ar$ me6 % col# lapse$ onto the ,e$, !inally a,le to mo(e a"ain6 .itho t another -or$ Reth -al*e$ to the -all an$ thro "h a !aerie $oor6 Ra= el p she$ a , tton on her comm nicator, t rnin" o!! the alarms, an$ r she$ to my si$e6 8E(ie, hon, are yo all ri"ht95 'he memory o! the pain h rt as m ch as i! it -ere still happenin"6 % so,,e$ an$ cl tche$ my , rne$ arm to my chest6 8Let me see it,5 she sai$, p llin" it o t6 8Oh, E(ie, %)m so sorry65 % loo*e$ p< her eyes ,rimme$ -ith tears6 8% sho l$ ha(e listene$ to yo 65 On my -rist in ,rilliant scarlet -as the imprint o! Reth)s han$6 B t Ra= el co l$ see only the , rn6 +he co l$n)t see -hat my eyes co l$ see6 Beneath the han$print, % -as still on !ire6 Paranormalcy B>RN, BABY, B>RN % stare$ at my arm6 >n$erneath the re$ han$print "ol$en ten$rils s-irle$, -arm an$ li(in"6 8.hat $i$ he $o95 % -hispere$, cryin"6 .hat ha$ Reth p t insi$e me9 Ra= el, thin*in" % -as tal*in" a,o t Len$, stro*e$ my hair6 8He trie$ to r n a-ay65 % loo*e$ p, sha*in" my hea$6 8No, he $i$n)t6 .hen Reth3Len$ co l$n)t3He thre- himsel! o(er the threshol$ to tri""er the alarm6 %t -as the only -ay he co l$ help65 8Oh,5 Ra= el sai$, her (oice so!t6 +he loo*e$ into the hall at Len$)s nconscio s !orm, or at least -hat she co l$ see o! it6 He -as -earin" the shorts %)$ "i(en him< to Ra= el)s eyes it pro,a,ly loo*e$ li*e a pair o! shorts an$ an an*le trac*er !loatin" in the hall6 Ra= el calle$ on her comm nicator an$ a co ple o! " ar$s came, ,rin"in" Len$ in !rom the hall6 % mo(e$ to the en$ o! the ,e$, cl tchin" my arm6 A!ter they set Len$ $o-n, % p t my nin2 re$ han$ on his chest, s rprise$ as al-ays that it -as !irm an$ -arm6 8He)s ,reathin"65 % -as so relie(e$ % starte$ ,a-lin"6 8%t)s o*ay65 Ra= el p t an arm aro n$ my sho l$ers6 8Ho- $i$ this happen95 8Ho- $i$ it happen9 Are yo *i$$in" me9 Ho- lon" ha(e % ,een tellin" yo that Reth -as cra:y, that he -as $oin" this to me9 Ho- many times ha(e % tol$ yo that yo " ys $on)t n$erstan$ !aeries, that yo can)t control them95

8%)m sorry6 % sho l$ ha(e listene$6 B t it m st ha(e ,een the E% nee$ yo ) name$ comman$ yo "a(e him3someho- he t-iste$ it65 % rolle$ my eyes6 8Yo thin*9 'hat)s -hat they $o65 8+till, he can)t to ch yo no-, so that)s ta*en care o!65 +he really tho "ht it -as that simple6 +he ha$ no i$ea6 8Let)s ta*e yo to the in!irmary so the $octor can loo* at that , rn65 % loo*e$ $o-n at my arm< the "ol$ "lo- ha$n)t !a$e$6 % co l$n)t ,elie(e she $i$n)t see it3it -as li*e % -as lit p !rom the insi$e6 8.hat a,o t Len$95 % p t my han$ on his chee*6 8He)ll ,e !ine once he -a*es p6 %t -asn)t a lethal amo nt65 % let her ta*e my "oo$ han$ an$ -al* me to the in!irmary6 'he $octor -as a pleasant -ere-ol! in her mi$!orties6 % ha$n)t ,een in here since % spraine$ my an*le t-o years a"o6 An$, no, it -asn)t in some e7citin" -ay, ,ein" chase$ thro "h a "ra(eyar$ ,y a (amp or anythin"6 % spraine$ it -hile roc*in" o t to my iPo$ alone in my room6 Apparently hip#hop is not my callin"6 Remem,erin" hoem,arrasse$ % -as then -as a star* contrast to the terror % !elt no-6 Ra= el e7plaine$ -hat happene$ an$ ha$ me hol$ o t my -rist !or the $octor to see6 +he !ro-ne$< !or a moment % -as o(er-helme$ -ith panic, thin*in" she, too, co l$ see -hat seethe$ n$er the s*in6 %! %PCA -as alrea$y -atchin" me an$ consi$ere$ me a paranormal, there -as no tellin" -hat they -o l$ $o i! they tho "ht % -as chan"in"6 8'hat)s o$$,5 she sai$6 8%t)s a , rn, , t it $oesn)t loo* li*e it happene$ !i(e min tes a"o6 %t loo*s ol$er, mostly heale$ no-65 My s*in !elt so hot to me % e7pecte$ it to , rn her as she ran her !in"er o(er it, , t she 2 st shoo* her hea$6 8+till !eels = ite -arm65 +he p t her han$ to my !orehea$ an$ loo*e$ p6 8Yo )re !ree:in"65 %! she "a(e me that concerne$ !ro-n one more time %)$ !rea* o t6 % $i$n)t !eel any col$er than normal6 %n !act, % !elt -armer6 Especially insi$e my heart6 8Can % tal* to yo in the hall95 Ra= el as*e$ an$ the $octor !ollo-e$ her o t6 'rem,lin", % "ot o!! the ta,le an$ -al*e$ o(er to a mirror han"in" a,o(e the sin*6 % too* a $eep ,reath an$ n, ttone$ the top three , ttons o! my shirt, p llin" it -i$e6 % si"he$, relie(e$6 My re!lection -as completely normal< 2 st my pale s*in, ,arely#there clea(a"e, an$ pin* ,ra6 'hen, , ttonin" my shirt, % loo*e$ $o-n6 8Oh, no,5 % -hispere$6 Ri"ht -here % co l$ !eel my heart racin" in my chest the same li= i$ "ol$ , rne$6 %t p lse$ -ith li!e in time to my heart,eats6 % 2 mpe$ as the $oor opene$, yan*in" my shirt close$6 'he $octor smile$ at me6 8E(erythin" o*ay95 8%, yeah, e(erythin")s !ine65 8%)m "oin" to p t some aloe on yo r , rn an$ then -rap it p6 +ince it seems mostly heale$, % $on)t thin* yo nee$ to *eep it co(ere$ !or more than a $ay6 No-, % -as tal*in" -ith Ra= el, an$ %)ll a$# mit % $on)t *no- m ch a,o t !aerie ma"ic or -o n$s6 Are yo e7periencin" any other stran"e symptoms95 8No65 Besi$es the !act that % -as "lo-in" an$ !or the !irst time co l$ see mysel! li*e % sa- paranor# mals6 % *ne- % sho l$ mention it3tell Ra= el that it -as more than 2 st a , rn, that Reth ha$ $one somethin", chan"e$ me someho-3, t % co l$n)t6 % -asn)t loo*in" !or an an*le trac*er or to ,e some sort o! !rea*y test st $y6 Visions o! ,ein" $issecte$ ran thro "h my hea$6 % $i$n)t thin* they act ally $i$ that, , t % -asn)t "oin" to ris* tellin" %PCA anythin"6 % loo*e$ $o-n at the -rap the $octor p t on my -rist, relie(e$ that % co l$n)t see the !lames any# more6 8%)m "oin" to ta*e yo r temperat re< yo !eel (ery cool, an$ %)m -orrie$ it mi"ht ,e a si$e e!!ect65 +he p t a thermometer in my ear6 A!ter a !e- secon$s it ,eepe$6 +he p lle$ it o t, an$ there -as that s rprise$ !ro-n6 A"ain6 %t -as almost as ,a$ as Ra= el)s si"hs6 8'his is -ay too lo-6 'he ther#

mometer m st ,e ,ro*en6 Do yo !eel o*ay95 % 2 mpe$ o!! the ta,le, terri!ie$ that they -o l$ !i" re o t somethin" -as serio sly a,normal3 paranormal3here6 Asi$e !rom a complete physical -hen % !irst arri(e$ an$ the an*le thin", %)$ ne(# er ,een in here, ne(er ,een sic* that % co l$ remem,er6 % chal*e$ it p to that -hole li(in" in near# secl sion thin"6 % $i$n)t -ant her to start po*in" aro n$ an$ !i" re o t % -as e(en -eir$er than they tho "ht6 8Yeah, %)m !ine, really6 %)m al-ays a little ,it col$< the thermometer m st ,e ,ro*en, no ,i" $eal65 8O*ay6 %! that -rist ,others yo , or yo ha(e any stran"e symptoms3anythin" at all3let me *no-65 8.ill $o65 % -al*e$ o t -ith Ra= el !ollo-in" me6 8.hy $on)t yo "o "et some rest95 she as*e$, h rryin" to *eep p -ith my !ast pace6 8% -ant to ,e there -hen Len$ -a*es p65 8% $on)t thin*35 8Ra= el,5 % sai$, "i(in" her a !lat loo*6 8He sa(e$ me6 He !rea*in" electroc te$ himsel! to sa(e me6 %)m "onna ,e there -hen he -a*es p so % can tell him than*s65 A!ter a small % "i(e p si"h, she no$$e$6 80 st ,e care! l, o*ay9 .e still $on)t *no- anythin" a,o t him65 'hey $i$n)t *no- anythin" a,o t me, either6 8An$ i! he tells yo -here he)s !rom or -hat he)s $oin", tell me imme$iately65 Yeah, ri"ht, % tho "ht6 8Y p,5 % sai$6 +he -al*e$ me to his room an$ stoo$ in the $oor-ay as % -al*e$ strai"ht in6 8O*ay3%)ll chec* on yo later then65 +he ho(ere$ !or a moment, then le!t6 Len$ -as still o t col$6 % sat on the e$"e o! the ,e$ ne7t to him, -on$erin" ho- lon" it -o l$ ta*e him to -a*e p6 % !elt horri,le6 %t -as my !a lt3yet a"ain3that he ha$ ,een :appe$6 % stare$, "la$ he ha$ the shorts so % $i$n)t ha(e to !eel " ilty6 He -as ama:in"6 He ha$ the !aintest l minescence a,o t him, centere$ in his chest6 % st $ie$ his !ace6 .hen he -as -earin" other peo# ple % co l$ see hints o! his !eat res n$erneath, , t no- that it -as 2 st him it -as a little easier6 % leane$ closer an$ closer, tryin" to memori:e the -ay he loo*e$6 %t -as *in$a -eir$ ha(in" a cr sh on a " y -ho -as $i!!erent e(ery time % sa- him, an$ % -ante$ to ha(e this !ace, Len$)s real !ace, in my min$6 He -as the most stran"ely ,ea ti! l " y % ha$ e(er seen3e(en more than the !aeries, ,eca se his !ace -as h man6 % leane$ in so !ar % almost !ell on top o! him6 Rather than ris* that a"ain, % "ot o!! the ,e$ an$ *nelt, proppin" my el,o-s on the si$e o! the ,e$ an$ restin" my hea$ on my han$s6 +till c rio s, % reache$ o t a han$ an$ ran my !in"ers thro "h his hair6 %t -as the so!test, smoothest te7t re ima"in# a,le6 % -as so , sy tryin" to see his hair an$ playin" -ith it that % $i$n)t notice him -a*e p ntil the hair % -as playin" -ith t rne$ ,lac*6 8Oh45 % sai$, mo(in" ,ac* so !ast % !ell on my , tt6 8Yo )re a-a*e45 He -as -earin" the stan$ar$ $ar*#haire$, $ar*#eye$ hottie an$ re"ar$e$ me -ith a p ::le$ e7pression6 Be!ore he co l$ as* -hat % -as $oin" playin" -ith his hair, % starte$ ,a,,lin"6 8Are yo o*ay9 Ho- $o yo !eel9 Can % "et anythin" !or yo 95 He mo(e$ to sit p, then stoppe$ an$ p t a han$ on his !orehea$6 8Man, % h rt65 8%)m so sorry4 'his is all my !a lt65 He loo*e$ at me, !ro-nin"6 8Ho- is this yo r !a lt95 8% "ot yo electroc te$ a"ain65 8% thin* -e can sa!ely ,lame the cra:y !aerie65

% shoo* my hea$6 8%! yo ha$n)t3% $on)t3'han*s65 % smile$ an$ too* his !ree han$ in mine6 8Real# ly, really than* yo 6 %)m pretty s re yo sa(e$ my li!e6 Or at least my so l65 He sat p, not lettin" "o o! my han$6 % li*e$ that6 A lot6 8.hat -as he $oin" to yo 95 % sat on the ,e$ ne7t to him an$ stare$ at the !loor6 8% $on)t *no-6 %t -as *in$ o! li*e -hat he se$ to $o3-ith the heat6 B t it -as $i!!erent this time3stron"er6 %t -as li*e he -as , rnin" me p on the insi$e, !orcin" it into me6 An$ it $i$n)t35 % stoppe$6 % co l$n)t tell Ra= el a,o t -hat % sa- in my# sel! no-6 Co l$ % tr st Len$ -ith it9 8%t $i$n)t -hat95 % too* a $eep ,reath6 8%t $i$n)t "o a-ay this time65 'a*in" my han$ !rom his, % p lle$ o!! the -rap# pin" an$ stare$ at the re$ han$print an$ li= i$ !lames n$erneath6 Len$ $re- his ,reath in sharply an$ % loo*e$ p at him, shoc*e$6 8Yo can see it95 8O! co rse % can see it45 Paranormalcy HA/'A+'%C L en$ co l$ see the !lames n$er my s*in6 % co l$n)t ,elie(e it6 May,e they -eren)t paranormal, a!# ter all6 8Really9 Ho- can yo see them95 % as*e$6 8%t)s ,ri"ht re$4 Ho- co l$ % not see9 He m st ha(e , rne$ yo really ,a$65 Len$ too* my han$ ten$erly, loo*in" at the , rn6 8Han$)s still !ree:in", tho "h65 My sho l$ers sl mpe$ in $isappointment6 8Yo can)t see it, then65 He loo*e$ p, con! se$6 8%s there somethin" else95 % ,it my lip, then shoo* my hea$, a(oi$in" his eyes6 8No, nothin"65 8E(ie6 .hat $i$ he $o to yo 95 8% $on)t *no-65 'hat part -as the tr th, at least6 % ha$ no i$ea -hat he)$ $one to me, or -hat -o l$ ha(e happene$ i! he ha$n)t ,een stoppe$6 8Yo can see somethin" there, can)t yo 95 % shoo* my hea$ a"ain, then close$ my eyes an$ no$$e$6 8.hat is it95 8% $on)t *no-6 %t)s li*e3it)s li*e the !ire % !elt !rom him, it)s still there, ri"ht n$er -here the han$# print is6 0 st s-irlin" aro n$, all "ol$en an$ creepy6 %)(e ne(er ,een a,le to see anythin" n$er my# sel! ,e!ore65 8Not e(en -hen he -as $oin" this to yo earlier95 8% $on)t *no-6 %t -as $i!!erent65 % trie$ to remem,er< % *ne- it ma$e me !eel -armer, , t it al-ays !a$e$ a!ter he le!t6 8% ne(er ,othere$ loo*in" ,eca se it -asn)t permanent6 'he !eelin" al-ays -ent a-ay6 Bac* then it -as as i! he -as lettin" me ,orro- the -armth6 'his time it -as li*e he -as !orcin" it into me, ma*in" me ta*e it65 8May,e this -ill !a$e, too95 8% $on)t *no-,5 % sai$, tryin" not to cry6 8%t)s not 2 st on my arm65 8.here else95 My (oice came o t a -hisper6 8My heart65 Len$ -as = iet !or a lon" time6 8.hat $i$ Ra= el say95 8% $i$n)t tell her6 'hey)(e alrea$y "ot me classi!ie$ as a paranormal6 % $on)t -ant to "i(e them any#

thin" else that -o l$ ma*e them3ma*e me, % $on)t *no-, -eir$er95 8% can n$erstan$ that6 %)(e hi$$en !rom them my -hole li!e6 B t -here else are yo "oin" to "et any ans-ers95 8'hey $on)t *no- a ,leep thin" a,o t !aeries65 Len$ la "he$6 8.hat95 % as*e$6 8.hat)s -ith the ,leep9 Di$n)t they teach yo any act al s-ear-or$s here95 % ,l she$, then la "he$6 8%t)s *in$ o! an insi$e 2o*e6 Lish3Alisha, my ,est !rien$3she)s a mer# mai$, an$ the comp ter tal*s !or her6 %t -on)t translate s-earin", so it all comes o t as E,leep6) % *in$a pic*e$ it p65 8% " ess that ma*es sense in a -eir$ -ay65 He -as still hol$in" my han$ an$ loo*in" at the , rn6 % really, really, really li*e$ the !eelin" o! my han$ in his6 %t -as ama:in" that e(en -ith e(erythin" that happene$ to$ay s ch a little thin" co l$ still ma*e me !eel "i$$y6 /rante$, it -o l$ ha(e ,een ,etter i! he -asn)t starin" at the -o n$ that ha$ "otten him electroc te$ an$ possi,ly meant % -as e(en more o! a !rea* than ,e!ore, , t %)$ ta*e -hat % co l$ "et6 8%sn)t there anyone yo can as* a,o t this9 %)m *in$ o! -orrie$ a,o t it65 % la "he$6 8%)m the one -ho)s !rea*in" on !ire on the insi$e6 Lish -o l$ *eep it a secret, , t she $oesn)t *no- anythin" that %PCA $oesn)t6 An$ % co l$ al-ays as* Reth -hat the ,leep he $i$ to me, , t % *in$a $on)t -ant to see him a"ain6 E(er6 An$ %)m s re no other !aerie -o l$ help6 'hey $on)t really $o help! l65 Len$ ha$ a -eir$ loo* on his !ace6 8Di$ yo say yo )re on !ire on the insi$e95 8'hat)s -hat it loo*s li*e on my arm an$ chest3*in$ o! all s-irly an$ "ol$en, li*e li= i$ !ire65 8Li= i$ !ire65 His tone -as !lat, $is,elie(in"6 Feelin" $e!ensi(e, % shr ""e$6 8Yeah65 He si"he$6 8EEyes li*e streams o! meltin" sno-, col$ -ith the thin"s she $oes not *no-6 Hea(en a,o(e an$ Hell ,eneath, li= i$ !lames to hi$e her "rie!6 Death, $eath, $eath -ith no release6 Death, $eath, $eath -ith no release6)5 .hat6 'he6 Crap6 'hat -as -hat % tho "ht6 An$ -hat % sai$ -as, 8.hat the crap95 Len$ let "o o! my han$ an$ r ,,e$ his han$s o(er his !ace6 8% $on)t *no-6 %t)s -hat the ,anshee "a(e s, some sort o! prophecy poem6 % ha(e no i$ea -hat it means6 An$ a lot o! it seems li*e it means yo 6 Yo r eyes, an$ yo )re al-ays tal*in" a,o t ho- col$ yo are6 An$ no- the li= i$ !ire insi$e yo 65 8>mm, yeah, , t yo )re !or"ettin" that -hole E$eath $eath $eath) part4 An$ % am not a *iller45 % stoo$, ins lte$6 % co l$n)t ,elie(e Len$ -o l$ thin* that6 He la "he$ $rily, sha*in" his hea$6 8'r st me, % really $on)t thin* yo )re the *iller6 Yo )re not e7# actly the sla "hter#h n$re$s#o!#paranormals type65 8Oh65 Feelin" st pi$, % sat ,ac* $o-n6 8.hat $o yo thin* it means, then95 8% $on)t *no-6 % se$ to thin* it -as $escri,in" -hoe(er -as $oin" this, , t no- % ha(e no i$ea65 % tho "ht a,o t it6 'he -hole thin" -as -eir$ an$ creepy6 8Hey, the part a,o t hea(en an$ hell3$o yo *no- any !aerie mytholo"y95 He shoo* his hea$6 8.ell, the tra$itional stories a,o t them say that they -ere too ,a$ !or hea(en an$ too "oo$ !or hell, so they "ot st c* in the mi$$le3Earth an$ the Faerie Realms6 An$ they)(e ,een trappe$ here e(er since, immortal, nchan"in", tryin" to !in$ a -ay ,ac* to hea(en6 Or hell6 Or some-here else entirely, %)m not s re6 'ryin" to !in$ a -ay o t, %

" ess6 May,e it)s a,o t the !aeries45 %! it -as a,o t the !aeries, then it -asn)t a,o t me6 % nee$e$ it to ,e a,o t the !aeries6 He no$$e$ tho "ht! lly6 8Co l$ ,e65 8An$4 An$4 Reth -as the one -ho came an$ "ot me !rom the (amps, an$ then he le!t pretty soon a!ter ta*in" me to his home3He totally co l$ ha(e "one ,ac* an$ *ille$ them all45 8B t -hy9 An$ it says Eshe,) not Ehe6)5 % !ro-ne$6 He ha$ a point6 8+till3there are lots o! "irl !aeries6 An$ he)s the one -ho p t the !ire st !! in me6 % thin* it)s Reth65 8Yo co l$ ,e ri"ht6 Honestly, %)m in so !ar o(er my hea$6 % sho l$ ne(er ha(e come here6 Not only $i$ % not !i" re anythin" o t, % can)t help anyone65 % n $"e$ him -ith my sho l$er6 8Yo helpe$ me65 He n $"e$ me ,ac*6 8'hat)s somethin", at least65 % smile$, happy6 'hen % !ro-ne$6 Len$ $i$n)t ,elon" here6 As m ch as % ne(er -ante$ him to lea(e, the -hole thin" -as st pi$6 8%)m "onna tal* to Ra= el, see i! -e can "et yo o t65 He la "he$, , t it $i$n)t ha(e any h mor6 8'hey -on)t let me lea(e6 An$ e(en i! they $o, it)$ ,e -ith this an*le trac*er, -hich -o l$ mean % co l$ ne(er "o home65 He t rne$ to-ar$ me, his !ace serio s6 8Yo sho l$ lea(e, tho "h6 Yo co l$ "et o t, "et a-ay65 % shoo* my hea$, sa$6 8% can)t6 % $on)t ha(e anyone or anythin" o tsi$e %PCA6 %)$ ha(e no money, no !amily, no-here to "o65 E(er since % !o n$ o t the a"ency that too* care o! me consi$ere$ me one o! the thin"s they protecte$ the -orl$ !rom, it -as a lot har$er to !or"et % -as totally alone6 Reth)s -or$s came ,ac* to ha nt me6 +t pi$, st pi$ !aerie6 % si"he$ hea(ily6 8/osh, no- % $on)t e(en !eel li*e -atchin" another episo$e o! Easton Hei"hts65 Len$ p t his arm aro n$ me an$ patte$ my sho l$er6 8At least there)s one "oo$ thin" to come o! all this, then65 % el,o-e$ him in the stomach, la "hin"6 8.hate(er65 8Yo $on)t ha(e -ireless on that thin", ,y any chance95 He ha$ $roppe$ his arm ,ac* to his si$e an$ -as eyein" the laptop -e se$ to -atch the sho- earlier6 8Nope, sorry65 8E(ie45 Ra= el -as stan$in" at the $oor6 8.hy $on)t yo ha(e yo r comm nicator on yo 95 8For"ot it6 .hat)s p95 8Yo )(e "ot a 2o,65 8A real one9 'o$ay95 + rely -hat % ha$ 2 st ,een thro "h -as eno "h to "et me a sic* $ay6 8Yes, to$ay, ri"ht no-6 H rry p65 +i"hin", % stoo$, lea(in" the laptop6 Poor " y nee$e$ somethin" !or entertainment6 8+ee yo later, Len$6 An$ than*s a"ain !or that -hole electroc tin"#yo rsel!#to#sa(e#me thin"65 8Anytime65 % !ollo-e$ Ra= el o t6 8Not that %)m ner(o s or anythin", consi$erin" the last 2o, almost "ot me *ille$ an$ Reth , rne$ a hole in my arm to$ay, , t -hat e7actly is this 2o,95 8%relan$6 Possi,le ha"65 8A ha"9 Oh, ic*6 Can)t someone else "o95 %)$ only met one ha" ,e!ore, , t it -as horri,le6 8No, it)s ncon!irme$6 .e)ll nee$ yo r "o#ahea$ !or the ,a"#an$#ta"6 Remem,er -hat happene$

-ith Ale795 % ha$ to la "h6 Ale7 -as this a-esomely shy, , m,lin" *in$ o! " y -ho -or*e$ in o r section o! %PCA !or a -hile6 He -as si7 !oot !o r an$ a,o t LKM po n$s6 1ne- e(erythin" there -as to *noa,o t any type o! paranormal , t -as seless in the !iel$6 He came ,ac* once, tri mphantly $ra"# "in" a 8ha"5 alon"6 Yeah, t rns o t she -as 2 st a really ol$, "ly -oman6 'hat -as a mess6 Ale7 -as ne(er sent o t a"ain3permanent paper-or* $ ty6 8% hate ha"s65 'hey -ere creepy6 Beyon$ creepy6 .ay -orse than (amps6 8%)m sen$in" 0ac= es -ith yo 6 % $on)t -ant yo "oin" o t ,y yo rsel! !or a -hile65 8Fine ,y me65 0ac= es, ,esi$es the nat ral -ere-ol! enhancements, -as h "e6 De!initely the *in$ o! " y yo -ante$ -ith yo -hen yo -ere !eelin" a little ner(o s6 % stoppe$ at my room to "ra, my ,a" o! an*le trac*ers, my comm nicator, 'asey, an$ my *ni!e6 .e met p -ith 0ac= es o tsi$e 'ransport6 A !aerie -as alrea$y -aitin" !or s6 Fehl6 O! co rse, it ha$ to ,e one o! the !e- -ho e(er pai$ attention to me6 % -as all !aerie$ o t !or the $ay, , t % ha$ a 2o, an$ there -as nothin" to ,e $one6 Fehl $i$n)t say anythin", stan$in" -ith her s al ,ore$ an$ annoye$ e7pression6 % ha$ ne(er notice$ ,e!ore, , t her eyes -ere the same r ,y color as her hair6 Li*e her (oice, it -as creepy an$ ,ea ti! l at the same time6 8Be care! l, o*ay95 Ra= el ca tione$6 8Yeah, yeah65 Completely e7ha ste$, % 2 st -ante$ to "et this o(er -ith6 0ac= es an$ % stoo$ on either si$e o! Fehl6 +he hel$ her han$s o t an$ -e too* them as a $oor ap# peare$ in !ront o! s6 .itho t thin*in" % ha$ "i(en her my han$ -ith the , rne$ -rist6 +he loo*e$ $o-n an$ the ,rie!est smile !lic*ere$ across her !ace6 8He $i$n)t !inish,5 she m rm re$ in her ,rea*in"#"lass (oice6 + re that Ra= el ha$n)t hear$, % clenche$ my 2a- an$ close$ my eyes, -al*# in" thro "h the Faerie Paths to-ar$ my $ate -ith a ha"6 Paranormalcy LO+' +O>L+ . e st m,le$ o t o! the Faerie Paths into the $im s nli"ht o! a ha:y, col$ !iel$, s rro n$e$ ,y noth# in" , t tall ,ro-n "rass6 Fehl = ic*ly ,ac*e$ p thro "h the $oor in a $ea$ tree ,ehin$ s6 /oo$ ri$$ance6 % p lle$ my arms aro n$ mysel!6 8+ho l$a -orn a coat65 0ac= es shr ""e$6 8%t is not so ,a$65 % co l$ see the pon$, a m r*y, lonely thin" ahea$ in the $istance, s rro n$e$ ,y a thin copse o! trees6 .hy co l$n)t these creat res e(er han" o t on tropical islan$s9 % -o l$n)t ha(e min$e$ a trip to Ha-aii6 % !ro-ne$6 8Yo sho l$ pro,a,ly hi$e -hen -e "et close, let me stan$ there alone6 +he)s more li*e# ly to sho-, i! she)s e(en there65 8Are yo certain yo -ill ,e all ri"ht95 8%! %)m not, tr st me, yo )ll *no-65 He smile$ an$ -e crosse$ the !iel$ in silence6 .hen -e -ere a !e- yar$s a-ay !rom the e$"e o! the pon$, 0ac= es ,ro*e a-ay an$ hi$ in a scra""ly stan$ o! trees6 P ttin" one han$ on 'asey, % -al*e$ to the e$"e o! the -ater, pic*e$ p a roc*, an$ thre- it in6 'here -as no reaction6 % $i$ it a"ain6 Nothin"6 /rante$, % hope$ nothin" -o l$ happen6 Ha"s li(e in pon$s an$ cree*s an$ loo* li*e ol$, "narle$ -omen6 Not e(en a (ery c te "lamo r, , t -hat)s n$erneath is a-! l6 'hey)re sic*ly "reen, -ith ,i", ro n$ !ish eyes3p re -hite6 'heir hair is li*e cl mps o! rottin" -ee$s, an$ they top it all o!! -ith three ro-s o! nee$le#li*e, ,lac*ene$ teeth6 Di$ % mention they eat *i$s9 Yeah6 1i$s6 'hey as*

!or help an$ then p ll them n$er the -ater ntil they stop str ""lin"6 'hen the ha" eats them -hole6 Ha" protocol -as pretty simple6 Yo co l$n)t "et them in the -ater3too stron"6 B t i! yo l re$ them o t, it -as easy eno "h to tase them, attach an an*le trac*er, an$ call !or transport6 >nli*e (amps, ha"s co l$n)t ,e ne tere$6 'hey -ere *ept in a special nit some-here in +i,eria6 8H mane Detainment,5 %PCA calle$ it3a little o$$, consi$erin" there -as nothin" h mane or h man a,o t ha"s6 A!ter ten min tes o! -al*in" aro n$ an$ tossin" roc*s into the pon$ % "ot ,ore$6 May,e % -as too ol$ to attract a ha" these $ays6 % loo*e$ aro n$ the pon$, tryin" to see any hints % -asn)t -astin" my time6 Most o! the (e"etation -as still $ea$< sprin" ha$ yet to (isit this part o! %relan$6 'he trees -ere thic*er than %)$ notice$, tho "h6 'hen % sa- somethin" to my ri"ht6 A,o t t-o $o:en !eet a-ay -as an o$$ little mo n$, mottle$ "reen an$ "ray, that seeme$ o t o! place6 P llin" 'asey o t, % ma$e my -ay ca tio sly o(er6 As % "ot closer, the scent o! mil$e- -as nearly o(erpo-erin"3that -as the ha" smell, all ri"ht6 Hol$in" my ,reath, % tiptoe$ aro n$ to her other si$e6 % co l$n)t ,elie(e it6 +he -as $ea$6 % $i$n)t e(en *no- ho- to *ill a ha"6 'hey -ere 2 st one o! those thin"s that al-ays -ere, *in$ o! li*e mermai$s6 B t she -as $e!initely $ea$6 >n$erneath the "lamo r, her mil*y -hite ha" eyes -ere opene$ -i$e, her horri,le !ace !ro:en in con! sion6 Ho- ha$ this happene$9 % "lance$ aro n$ !or cl es, , t $i$n)t see anythin"6 Loo*in" $o-n at the ha" a"ain, % narro-e$ my eyes6 'here -as somethin" n$er the "lamo r, 2 st -here her heap o! ra"s co(ere$ her chest6 Fin$# in" a stic*, % p lle$ $o-n the cloth6 'here -as the !aintest trace o! a han$print there3a han$print in pale "ol$, "ettin" $immer e(en as % -atche$, ntil it $isappeare$ entirely6 'hen % reali:e$ somethin" else; the ha" -as steamin" sli"htly in the cool air6 .hich meant her ,o$y -as still -arm6 .hich meant she ha$n)t ,een $ea$ !or lon"6 8Oh, ,leep,5 % -hispere$6 % stoo$ p strai"ht, hol$in" 'asey o t in !ront o! me an$ spinnin" aro n$6 'he -hole area !elt sinister no-, as tho "h e(ery cl mp o! ,ro-n , shes or stan$ o! trees hel$ my imminent $eath6 80ac= es95 % calle$ so!tly, ,ac*in" a-ay !rom the pon$6 % p she$ the panic , tton on my comm ni# cator, hopin" that Fehl -asn)t !ar !rom the transport point6 80ac= es95 % $i$n)t -ant to yell6 O! co rse, %)$ ,een stan$in" o t in the open so lon" that -hate(er this thin" -as ha$ pro,a,ly alrea$y seen me6 Far to my le!t % hear$ a t-i" snap6 Droppin" my ,a" o! an*le trac*ers, % p lle$ o t my *ni!e6 80ac= es9 0ac= es, is that yo 95 My (oice -as sha*in" almost as ,a$ly as my han$s6 80ac= es95 A scream rippe$ thro "h the air, li*e a so l -as ,ein" rippe$ !rom its ,o$y6 0ac= es)s so l6 0ac= es)s ,o$y6 An$, hatin" mysel! e(en as % -as $oin" it, % t rne$ an$ ran as har$ as % co l$ !or the tree6 %! this thin" co l$ ta*e a ha" an$ 0ac= es, % $i$n)t stan$ a chance6 My ,reath tore at my chest as % p she$ mysel! !aster than % tho "ht possi,le6 % -as r nnin" !rom $eath an$ e7pecte$ it to catch me at any moment6 'he tree "ot closer an$ closer3an$ nothin" -as there6 Fehl ha$n)t ans-ere$ the call yet6 % so,,e$ as % ran6 %! she $i$n)t come soon, % -as "oin" to $ie6 % ma$e it to the tree an$ still there -as nothin"6 +ha*in" so har$ % tho "ht % -o l$ !all apart, % t rne$ aro n$, -antin" to meet my en$ !ace#to#!ace6 'he !iel$ -as empty6 % so,,e$ har$er6 % $i$n)t *no- -hether % sho l$ -ait !or Fehl to come or ris* sin" her name6 0 st -hen % -as a,o t to sho t it, li"ht , rst !rom ,ehin$ me an$ % "ra,,e$ Fehl)s o tstretche$ han$6 8/o, no-45 From the e$"e o! the trees % sa- a !lash o! !ire shape$ li*e a person, an$ then the $oor close$6 Paranormalcy +ELF%+H %+ A+ +ELF%+H DOE+

R a= el -as sittin" in a chair near my *itchen, tal*in" = ietly on her comm nicator -hen % -o*e p on the co ch6 +he ha$ staye$ the -hole ni"ht6 % $i$n)t -ant to ,e alone6 Her eye,ro-s -ere *nit as she r ,,e$ her !orehea$ -ith her !ree han$6 % sat p6 +he loo*e$ o(er an$ "a(e me a straine$ smile, then contin e$ her con(ersation !or a !e- min tes6 .hen she ha$ !in# ishe$, % sat on my han$s so they -o l$n)t sha*e6 8Di$ they !in$ it95 +he shoo* her hea$ an$ hea(e$ a ne- si"h6 'his one -as lace$ -ith more stress an$ tension than any % ha$ e(er hear$ ,e!ore3e(en more than her E(ie, E(ie, E(ie si"h that sho-e$ p -hene(er % messe$ p ,i" time, li*e -hen % -as !o rteen an$ stole her comm nicator in an attempt to repro# "ram mine to play m sic6 % scre-e$ p the entire system an$ loc*e$ e(eryone in their rooms !or a !e- ho rs6 %t $i$n)t "o o(er -ell6 % -as on Containment clean p $ ty !or a month6 %! only thin"s -ere that easy this time6 % $i$n)t -ant to as*, % $i$n)t -ant to *no-, , t % ha$ to6 80ac= es95 +he shoo* her hea$ sa$ly6 8He -as $ea$65 % loo*e$ at the !loor, tears -ellin" in my eyes6 % ha$n)t $one a thin" to help him3% ha$n)t e(en trie$6 Ra= el sat ne7t to me an$ p t her arm aro n$ my sho l$ers6 8'here -as nothin" yo co l$ ha(e $one6 %! yo ha$ trie$ to help him, yo )$ ,oth ,e $ea$ no-6 An$ % *no- 0ac= es -o l$ ,e "la$ he $ie$ helpin" yo escape65 Act ally, % -as s re 0ac= es -o l$ ,e "la$ to ,e ali(e ri"ht no-6 +till, he ha$ ,een arme$ an$ ha$ s pernat ral -ere-ol! stren"th6 %! he co l$ ,e ta*en o t that easily, % really -o l$n)t ha(e ,een a,le to $o anythin"6 'ellin" mysel! that $i$n)t erase his scream !rom my min$6 8%)(e "ot to "o to a meetin" -ith all the $epartment hea$s6 .e)ll !i" re it o t an$ stop -hate(er)s $oin" this65 % remem,ere$ my theory an$ sat p strai"ht6 8%t)s Reth45 8.hat)s Reth95 8Reth, the *iller4 % thin* Reth)s $oin" it45 8.hy -o l$ yo say that95 8'he han$print4 On the ha")s chest3she ha$ a han$print that -as "lo-in" "ol$4 0 st li*e35 % stoppe$ $ea$6 % ha$n)t tol$ Ra= el a,o t the "lo-in" in me an$ % -asn)t "oin" to6 8He le!t a han$# print on me, % thin* it)s him45 Ra= el shoo* her hea$6 8% *no- yo )re ma$ at Reth, an$ -ith "oo$ reason, , t it isn)t him65 8Ho- $o yo *no-9 Yo $on)t *no- anythin" a,o t !aeries45 +he "a(e me a le(el stare6 8% ha(e ,een -or*in" -ith !aeries !ar lon"er than yo 6 An$ % *no- Reth $i$n)t $o this6 .hile yo -ere o t there, he -as in a $isciplinary hearin"65 8A3-hat95 8His actions -ith yo -ere n$er re(ie-6 'here -ere se(en people on the co ncil< they can all (o ch that he -as there the -hole time65 A $isciplinary hearin"9 .ho -ere they *i$$in"9 Faeries $i$n)t care in the sli"htest a,o t s or o r r les6 Li*e % tol$ Len$, they -ere only here ,eca se o! the name$ comman$ they ha$ ,een "i(en in the (ery ,e"innin"3to ser(e %PCA6 8+o, -hat, are they p nishin" him95 8His actions -ere $eeme$ inappropriate an$ he -as !irmly a$monishe$65 'he -ay Ra= el sai$ it, % *ne- she reali:e$ ho- lame it so n$e$6 8Ah, a$monishe$6 'hat)ll teach him4 % !eel totally sa!e no-45

8Yo $on)t nee$ to -orry a,o t him anymore6 % "a(e him a name$ comman$ not to to ch yo 6 He can)t, e(er a"ain6 +o please, stop lettin" it ,other yo so m ch65 % loo*e$ $o-n at my -rist6 %t -as mostly co(ere$ ,y my slee(e, , t % co l$ see the s-irlin" "lo-here the s*in st c* o t a little6 Yeah, nothin" to -orry a,o t at all6 8% still thin* he ha$ somethin" to $o -ith this3or may,e another !aerie6 One %PCA $oesn)t *no- a,o t65 8.ell, %)ll s ""est yo r theory $ rin" the meetin", , t -e ha(e no reason to s spect the !aeries6 Yo an$ % ,oth *no- !aeries $on)t $o anythin" -itho t moti(ation65 8Yeah, an$ -e ,oth sho l$ *no- that -e really $on)t "et their moti(ation65 Ra= el hea(e$ an %)m $one tal*in" a,o t this -ith yo si"h an$ stoo$ p6 8Lish -ante$ yo to "o see her as soon as yo !elt p to it6 % -o l$ !eel ,etter i! yo spent the $ay -ith her6 % $on)t -ant yo alone6 An$, please, this time, ta*e yo r comm nicator65 Ra= el patte$ me on the hea$ li*e % -as !i(e, then le!t6 % -as !ree:in", so % too* a sho-er that -as too lon" an$ too hot6 % trie$ not to, , t % co l$n)t a(oi$ loo*in" $o-n6 My chest still ha$ its spot o! li= i$ "ol$ !ire, n$imme$6 .hen % "ot o t, % stare$ har$ at mysel! in the mirror, , t % co l$ see my !rea*y li= i$ !lames only i! % loo*e$ $irectly at them6 %t !elt li*e my !ace sho l$ loo* $i!!erent, , t it -as the same ol$ E(ie3 c te , t not "or"eo s, , tton nose, pretty mo th6 An$ my pale, pale "ray eyes6 B t then somethin" hit me3somethin" horri,le6 %! % co l$ see -hat -as paranormal a,o t mysel! only ,y loo*in" $irectly at it, % ha$ no i$ea i! there -as somethin" my !ace -as hi$in"6 % co l$ ne(# er loo* into my o-n eyes -itho t a mirror an$, !or all % *ne-, %)$ ,een "lo-in" my entire li!e6 May,e that)s -hat -as so -eir$ a,o t my eyes that Len$ co l$n)t imitate6 + $$enly my !ace !elt li*e a mas*, hi$in" -hate(er % really -as n$erneath6 %t -as a terri,le tho "ht6 A terri,le tho "ht that % ha$ no -ay to either con!irm or $eny6 'hat -as the "reat thin" a,o t ,ein" one o! a *in$6 No ans-ers6 E(er6 >pset, % $rie$ o!! an$ p lle$ on my ,i""est, so!test s-eater6 %t -as a pretty pale ,l e an$ the slee(es came $o-n past my han$s6 'hat -as a ,on s, since % $i$n)t ha(e to see my -rist6 % ,rai$e$ my hair an$ "ra,,e$ my comm nicator6 .hen % -al*e$ into Central Processin", Lish practically slamme$ hersel! into the "lass in her r"ency to tal* to me6 8E(ie, are yo o*ay9 % ha(e ,een so -orrie$65 % smile$ -ea*ly6 8Yeah, it)s ,een *in$ o! a s c*y co ple o! -ee*s65 8Please, sit $o-n6 Yo ha(e not (isite$ me m ch lately6 % misse$ yo 65 % $ra""e$ o(er one o! the rollin" chairs, sittin" $o-n an$ p llin" p my le"s6 Lish ma$e me reco nt e(erythin" that ha$ happene$ -ith Reth an$ then the ha"6 Bein" -ith her no- ma$e me reali:e ho- m ch % ha$ misse$ my ,est !rien$6 Bet-een all the e7tra attention Ra= el -as "i(in" me, the increasin"ly ,otche$ an$ $an"ero s 2o,s, an$ Len$, % ha$ ,een , sy6 Lish, ,ein" a (ery cle(er amphi,io s immortal, narro-e$ her eyes in a sly smile6 8An$ this Len$3-ho sa(e$ yo !rom Reth3is he (ery&c te95 % la "he$6 8He can $o a per!ect Lan$on65 8Lan$on !rom Easton Hei"hts9 Oh, then yo really m st ,e in lo(e -ith him65 % shoo* my hea$6 8No, his real !ace is nicer6 An$ he)s ! nny, an$ nice6 Don)t tell Ra= el, , t % $o *in$a li*e him&65 Lish no$$e$, still smilin"6 8%s he a ra"in" , n$le o! h man hormones li*e Lan$on95 % la "he$ at the a,s r$ity o! her = estion6 8>mm, %)m thin*in" no6 %)m *in$ o! "la$, too65

8Ah yes6 'oo m ch35 Lish pa se$ an$ -in*e$ one clear eyeli$ at me e7a""erate$ly 83,a""a"e, ri"ht95 8Yo *no- me3% li*e to pac* li"ht65 Lish ,le- , ,,les la "hin"6 8+ee ho- "oo$ % am "ettin" at metaphors95 8Yo )re a pro45 .e practice$ metaphors an$ clichNs a lot< it -as important to her to ,e a,le to relate to me in spite o! o r $i!!erences6 8'he most (ital = estion, tho "h, is $oes he li*e yo 95 8>mm, pro,a,ly not6 %)m the "irl -ho *eeps "ettin" him !rie$, remem,er9 An$ he)s st c* here ,e# ca se o! me, too6 He sho l$n)t ,e6 %t)s st pi$ that they)re *eepin" him65 8.hat else can they $o95 8% $on)t *no-3listen to him, help him4 .here(er he)s !rom, they *no- -hat)s "oin" on, too6 %! %P# CA -asn)t so concerne$ -ith ,a""in" an$ ta""in" an$ trac*in" an$ all that other nonsense, i! they)$ treat him li*e an e= al or an ally, they co l$ pro,a,ly -or* -ith Len$ an$ !i" re this thin" o t ,e!ore any other paranormals en$ p $ea$45 Lish loo*e$ pro $ o! me6 May,e she -asn)t as pro#%PCA as %)$ al-ays ass me$6 8Ha(e yo tal*e$ to Ra= el a,o t this95 8Not really, no65 % ha$ ,een too ner(o s6 % se$ to ,e sec re in my place at %PCA, , t *no-in" % -as a Le(el +e(en ma$e me -orry that e(erythin" % $i$ -o l$ ,e s spect6 Paranormals -eren)t e= al aro n$ here3they -ere al-ays, al-ays other6 P shin" !or Len$)s !ree$om -as a,o t as s s# pect as anythin" % co l$ $o ri"ht no-6 B t then % reali:e$ % -as sittin" there, -orrie$ a,o t -hether or not Len$ li*e$ me as more than a !rien$ ?i! he e(en li*e$ me as a !rien$@, -orrie$ a,o t my stat s -ith the normal h mans at %PCA, -orrie$ a,o t mysel!6 Al-ays a,o t mysel!6 0 st li*e -hen % ran so,,in" !or my li!e an$ le!t 0ac= es alone6 Paranormals -ere $yin"6 %t -as easy to !or"et a,o t ha"s an$ (amps ,ein" *ille$, , t 0ac= es $i$n)t $eser(e that6 %t ha$ to stop6 8%)m "oin" to tal* to Ra= el a,o t it6 .hate(er they)re $oin" isn)t -or*in"65 Lish smile$ -ith her eyes6 8/oo$ "irl65 % smile$ ,ac*, -on$erin" i! may,e Lish ha$ ,een tryin" to help me reali:e this st !! !or a lon" time6 %)$ ne(er ha$ a pro,lem -ith her6 % e(en li*e$ some o! the other paranormals, especially the -ere# -ol(es6 A!ter all, it -asn)t li*e it -as their !a lt they -ere ho- they -ere6 O! co rse, once % tho "ht a,o t that, it really -asn)t any o! the paranormals) !a lts6 %t)s not li*e ha"s -o*e p one mornin" an$ tho "ht, hey, -o l$n)t it ,e ! n to eat chil$ren9 'hey -ere li*e ( l# t res6 + re, they -ere $is" stin" an$ horri,le, , t that)s 2 st -hat they -ere6 B t $i$ that ma*e it o*ay9 Di$ that mean they sho l$ ,e allo-e$ to contin e han"in" o t in pon$s an$ s-amps, hopin" !or a nice snac*9 'he -hole train o! tho "ht -as "i(in" me a hea$ache6 % nee$e$ a ,rea* !rom thin*in"6 8+o, mm, -o l$ yo !eel really ,a$ i! % le!t to "o see Len$95 8Bleep no6 /o see yo r -eir$ ,oy!rien$65 % la "he$, smashe$ my !ace a"ainst her "lass as a "oo$#,ye, then ma$e my -ay to Len$)s cell6 He -as still -earin" his stan$ar$, the $ar*#haire$, $ar*#eye$ hottie, an$ $ra-in" in the s*etch,oo* %)$ "i(en him6 .hen he loo*e$ p, relie! !loo$e$ his !ace6 8Yo )re ,ac*65 % no$$e$, tryin" to smile6 'hen, to my immense em,arrassment, % , rst into tears6 He 2 mpe$ p an$ p lle$ me into a h "6 8.hat)s -ron"9 .hat happene$95

8%t -as there6 %t *ille$ the ha" an$ then it *ille$ 0ac= es6 % 2 st ran65 He $i$n)t let "o o! me6 8Di$ yo see it95 8+ort o!65 % $escri,e$ -hat little % co l$ to him6 8Oh4 An$ it le!t a han$print4 On the ha", on her chest6 A shimmerin", pale "ol$ han$print that !a$e$ an$ $isappeare$ -hile % -atche$65 8On her ,o$y95 8% thin* it -as n$er her "lamo r6 % $o ,t anyone else -o l$ ha(e ,een a,le to see it6 %t *in$ o! loo*e$ li*e -hat)s n$er my s*in no-6 B t Reth has an ali,i65 He !ro-ne$ tho "ht! lly6 8Are yo o*ay95 8% $on)t *no-6 %t -as3%)(e ne(er ,een so scare$6 % really tho "ht % -as "oin" to $ie6 An$ 0ac= es 3% hear$ him $ie65 % starte$ cryin" a"ain6 Len$ le$ me to the ,e$ an$ sat ne7t to me, his arm aro n$ my sho l$ers6 8+orry,5 % sai$, -ipin" my eyes6 8Don)t apolo"i:e6 %)m 2 st "la$ yo "ot a-ay6 An$ yo )re the !irst person to see anythin"6 %t helps a lot, act ally65 8Or it -o l$ i! yo -eren)t loc*e$ p in here6 B t %)m "oin" to tal* to Ra= el, try an$ ma*e her re# ali:e that -e nee$ to -or* -ith yo , not hol$ yo li*e some criminal6 'his thin" has to ,e stoppe$65 He no$$e$, an$ % thin* he loo*e$ a little pro $ o! me, too6 Leanin" o(er, he *isse$ me li"htly on top o! my hea$6 Ho- co l$ % !eel so terri,le an$ -on$er! l at the same time9 Paranormalcy DON)' CALL ME D etermine$ to ,e as "oo$ as my -or$, % p lle$ o t my comm nicator an$ sent a messa"e to Ra= el ri"ht then, as*in" her -hen -e co l$ tal*6 A!ter a !e- min tes it ,eepe$6 8Oh6 +he)s "oin" to ,e "one !or three or !o r $ays65 % t rne$ to Len$6 8B t as soon as she "ets ,ac*, %)ll tal* -ith her6 %PCA has it all -ron"6 'hey)re so , sy ,ein" scare$ an$ tryin" to control thin"s that they can)t see the paranormals -ho can help6 Li*e yo 6 %)m "onna con(ince her to let yo "o -itho t a trac*er65 8% hope yo can65 8Me, too65 % si"he$6 E(erythin" ha$ "otten so complicate$, so serio s6 8'ell me somethin" a,o t yo rsel!3somethin" ! n, somethin" easy65 % scoote$ ,ac* an$ leane$ a"ainst the -all6 He $i$ the same, stayin" ne7t to me6 8.hat $o yo -ant to *no-95 8.hat)s yo r li!e li*e o t there9 % mean, yo $on)t ha(e to tell me any secrets,5 % a$$e$ hastily6 8B t, li*e, $o yo "o to school95 8%)m a senior6 0 st "ot all my colle"e acceptance letters65 He smile$6 8O! co rse, % $on)t *no- ho%)ll ma*e p the -or* %)m missin"65 8Yo )re "oin" to colle"e9 'hat)s so cool4 .ait, so normal hi"h school9 .o-6 .hat)s it li*e9 Di$ yo "o to the prom9 Do yo "o to a lot o! parties9 Do yo ha(e loc*ers95 He la "he$6 8Loc*ers95 8'hey 2 st seem cool65 8Oh, yeah, they)re the ,est6 Hi"h school)s act ally *in$ o! ,orin"6 %t)s a little ,it li*e li(in" in the Center6 E(eryone thin*s they *no- e(erythin" a,o t e(eryone else, , t really there)s a lot more n# $er the s r!ace6 B t yo alrea$y *no- that, $on)t yo 95 He n $"e$ me6 8An$ as !ar as prom, no, % $on)t really $ate65 8.hy9 Loo* at yo , yo )re hot45 % ,l she$6 8% mean, yo can loo* li*e -hate(er yo -ant, %)ll ,et the "irls lo(e yo 65

8Yeah, they al-ays li*e this !ace65 8.hose !ace is it really95 He smile$ eni"matically6 8Mine6 1in$ o!6 B t it)s 2 st -eir$ -ith other people3li*e %)m preten$# in", playin" a part6 An$ they only li*e the part6 'hey $on)t really *no- me65 8% "et that65 % $i$n)t a$$ that % -as really, really happy he -asn)t $atin" anyone6 Best ne-s %)$ ha$ all -ee*6 %! Len$ -ere li*e one o! the characters on my sho-s, he -o l$ ha(e hoo*e$ p -ith e(ery sin"le "irl, on#an$ o!!screen6 For once % -as "la$ real li!e -asn)t one o! my tele(ision $ramas6 'hen % tho "ht o! somethin" % really -ante$ to *no-6 8Do yo ha(e a !amily95 My (oice ca "ht6 More than hi"h school or prom or $atin"3or e(en loc*ers3!amily !ille$ me -ith the most re"ret an$ sa$ness a,o t my li!e6 Asi$e !rom Ra= el an$ Lish, % $i$n)t ha(e anyone6 % ne(er ha$6 8'hat -o l$ !all into the cate"ory o! thin"s % can)t tell yo a,o t65 My !ace !ell an$ he a$$e$, 8Yet6 .hat a,o t yo 9 Ho- $i$ yo en$ p here95 8'hey *in$ o! !o n$ me65 % tol$ him the (amp#in#the#cemetery story6 8+o yo ne(er ha$ a !amily95 8Nope, 2 st the !oster system6 +ome o! the !amilies -ere o*ay, , t it -asn)t a really happy or sta,le -ay to spen$ a chil$hoo$65 8%)m sorry65 8Yeah, me, too65 % $i$n)t li*e to thin* a,o t it< it h rt too ,a$ *no-in" that -hoe(er my parents -ere, they $i$n)t -ant me6 /i(in" me a-ay % co l$ n$erstan$, , t they ha$ 2 st a,an$one$ me6 % co l$n)t remem,er them, or anythin" ,e!ore the !oster homes an$ the series o! !amilies that too* me in an$ then passe$ me alon"6 8%t)s o*ay, tho "h6 Ra= el)s act ally a -ay nice person3she na"s me so m ch % can almost preten$ she)s my mother6 +he too* me on my !irst ,a"#an$#ta"s 2 st to ma*e s re % -as com!orta,le, an$ she tries to ma*e my li!e here as normal as possi,le6 An$ Lish is an a-esome ,est !rien$, e(en i! she)s the -orst hi$e#an$#"o#see* player e(er65 O! co rse, he ha$n)t met Lish, so -e tal*e$ a,o t her an$ then e(erythin" else n$er the s n !or a !e- more ho rs6 % ma$e him $escri,e his typical $ay to me in e7cr ciatin" $etail, -here he -ante$ to "o to colle"e, -hat he -o l$ st $y there6 % tho "ht he sho l$ st $y art, , t he la "he$ an$ sai$ he -ante$ to $o somethin" more practical6 'hen he as*e$ a,o t -hat li!e -as li*e "ro-in" p in the Center6 .e tra$e$ stories, an$ % -as "rate! l !or the $istraction6 Finally % -as too tire$ to !orm a coherent sentence6 8% nee$ to "o to ,e$6 B t %)ll come han" o t to# morro-, o*ay95 He smile$6 8/oo$6 Oh, here65 He opene$ the s*etch,oo* an$ p lle$ o t a pa"e6 He ha$ -ritten o t the poem !or me6 80 st in case it helps yo thin* o! anythin"65 8Yeah, than*s6 % -on)t sho- it to anyone65 8% *no-65 'hen he p lle$ o t another pa"e an$ han$e$ it to me, "rinnin"6 %t -as the $ra-in" o! me in my :e,ra $ress an$ pin* ,oots6 Oh, hea(ens, % li*e$ that ,oy6 .hen % "ot ,ac* to my nit, % stare$ at the $ra-in"6 He really cap# t re$ me, -hich ma$e me hope he spent a lot o! time thin*in" a,o t me6 % s re spent eno "h time thin*in" a,o t him, a!ter all6 % cleare$ o!! my ,e$ an$ lay $o-n -ith the $ra-in" ne7t to me6 Rea$in" o(er the poem a !e- more times, % $i$n)t ha(e any ne- ,rilliant i$eas6 'he -hole thin" -as too -eir$ an$ (a" e6 % co l$ come p -ith a lot o! e7planations that *in$ o! !it, , t nothin" -as per!ect6 Pl s % *ept comin" ,ac* to the !ear that it ha$ somethin" to $o -ith me, -hich ma$e it har$ to concentrate6 % t c*e$ the poem n$er the $ra-in", t rne$ o!! the li"hts, an$ !ell asleep6 % opene$ my eyes to the $ar* room6 'here -as a pale li"ht near me an$ someone h mme$ a so!t,

ha ntin" melo$y6 %t ma$e me ache insi$e6 Reachin" o t in a panic, % almost *noc*e$ my lamp o(er as % s-itche$ it on6 Reth -as sittin" on the en$ o! my ,e$6 8Hello,5 he sai$, his (oice an$ smile pleasant6 8Yo can)t to ch me45 % sat p an$ p lle$ the co(ers o(er mysel!6 8Yes, a,o t that6 Yo nee$ to ne"ate the comman$65 8E7c se me95 He loo*e$ at me patiently, li*e he -as e7plainin" somethin" to a st ,,orn chil$6 8Yo nee$ to ,rea* that comman$65 8An$ -hy on earth -o l$ % e(er -ant to $o that95 % "lare$ at him6 L natic6 8Beca se % -asn)t !inishe$65 8Oh, no, % really thin* yo -ere65 % hel$ p my -rist6 %t still ,ore the scarlet mar* o! his han$ an$, to my eyes at least, -as ,ri"ht a"ainst the li"ht o! the lamp6 'hen, since % -as hol$in" p my han$ any-ay, % !lippe$ him o!!6 8Yo )re "oin" to nee$ more65 8.ell, that)s easy65 % hel$ p my other han$ an$ !lippe$ him o!! -ith that one, too6 His "ol$en eyes shimmere$ so!tly in the $im li"ht6 8%t $i$n)t -or*< yo )re still col$65 8%)m 2 st !ine, than* yo (ery m ch65 8EEyes li*e streams o! meltin" sno-, col$ -ith the thin"s she $oes not *no-6)5 % "lance$ $o-n at the poem< it ha$n)t ,een mo(e$, still hi$$en n$erneath the $ra-in"6 8Yeah, % *no- that one6 En$s -ith lots an$ lots o! $eath65 He shoo* his hea$6 8No, that)s not yo rs6 'hat)s hers6 Yo rs has a $i!!erent en$in"6 Yo )ll n$er# stan$ e(erythin" i! yo let me !ill yo 65 8.hat are yo tal*in" a,o t95 % sho te$6 He -as really startin" to !r strate me6 %! he ha$ to ,e o,# no7io s, the least he co l$ $o -as ,e clear6 'he -hole o,no7io s an$ mysterio s thin" -asn)t -or*in" !or me6 8.e nee$ to !inish6 % cannot e7plain it to yo no-3co rt secrets an$ -hatnot6 +imply let me !inish an$ then yo )ll ,e a,le to see65 8'ell me -hat yo $i$ to me or "et o t65 He ha$ ans-ers, , t % *ne- he -asn)t "oin" to "i(e me any6 % -as too tire$ to $eal -ith !aerie nonsense toni"ht6 8'here are many -ho -o l$ rather she ,e the one6 %! % $on)t !inish, yo mi"ht not s r(i(e6 %)$ li*e yo to s r(i(e65 He smile$ a!!ectionately at me6 8.ho is this Eshe)9 One o! yo r !aerie !rien$s95 8Bless me, no65 Co l$ he ,e less help! l9 8Are yo $oin" this9 1illin" the paranormals95 He coc*e$ his hea$ to the si$e6 8.hy -o l$ % $o that95 8Yo tell me65 8% ha(e no reason to *ill those creat res65 % too* a $eep ,reath, tryin" a"ain6 8.hat $i$ yo $o to me95 E(ery ner(e -as straine$ as % -aite$ !or his ans-er6 8%)m "oin" to !ill yo , to create yo 6 % trie$ to ,e "entle , t yo ne(er hel$ on to it6 'hen yo -o l$n)t accept any more, so yo le!t me no choice6 %t -on)t h rt i! yo ,eha(e an$ stop $enyin"

that yo -ant it6 +hall -e !inish95 8Fill me -ith -hat945 8Please ,rea* the comman$, E(elyn65 8% -on)t4 Not e(er< yo )re ne(er to chin" me a"ain65 His lar"e, a"eless eyes narro-e$ an$ he smile$ a"ain6 %t ha$ a to ch o! cr elty6 8% -ill en2oy it -hen yo ,e" me to to ch yo a"ain65 8/et o t o! my room65 He raise$ his eye,ro-s6 8>ntil yo call !or me then, my lo(e65 'he li"ht -ent o t an$ % s-ore, not -antin" to ,e alone in the $ar* -ith him6 By the time % !o n$ the s-itch an$ t rne$ the li"ht ,ac* on, he -as "one6 Paranormalcy HEAR'+ A/LO. . hat $o yo thin* he meant ,y that95 Len$ as*e$, !ro-nin"6 'o$ay he s rprise$ me ,y -earin" a p $"y, acne#pla" e$ ,lon$ ,oy6 %t ma$e me la "h< s ally he st c* -ith the -hole hot thin"6 +till, % co l$ see him n$erneath, so it $i$n)t really matter -hat he p t on the o tsi$e6 8% $on)t *no-3he)s Reth6 .hat $oes he e(er mean ,y anythin"95 % ha$ 2 st !inishe$ tellin" him -hat Reth ha$ sai$ a,o t the poem an$ nee$in" to !inish me6 8.ell, as m ch as % hate the " y, he)s pro,a,ly "ot reso rces -e $on)t6 .hat -ere his e7act -or$s a,o t the poem95 8He sai$ that en$in" -asn)t mine, it -as hers6 .hoe(er that is6 B t that)s "oo$, at least, ri"ht9 % mean, %)$ rather not ,e ,rin"in" E$eath, $eath, $eath, $eath, $eath) an$ so on an$ so !orth65 Len$ la "he$6 8Yeah, pro,a,ly not6 Death in spar*ly plat!orm san$als6 %t)s a nice ima"e, at least65 % smac*e$ him on the sho l$er6 8Hey, %)m scary6 Yo tho "ht % -as "oin" to *ill yo , remem,er95 8Oh, % remem,er6 Man, that -as a stress! l $ay65 8No *i$$in"6 % -on$er i! thin"s ha(e al-ays ,een this -eir$ an$ % 2 st ne(er *ne-, or i! they)re "et# tin" -orse65 8'hey)re "ettin" -orse65 8O*ay, so poetic prophecies an$ creepy !aerie stal*ers asi$e, %)(e "ot an important = estion65 8.hat95 8Do yo ha(e a $ri(er)s license95 He la "he$6 8'hat)s important95 8Oh yeah4 %)$ *ill !or a $ri(er)s license4 Hey, may,e that)s -hat the poem means4 %)m "oin" to "o ,erser* an$ start attac*in" people ,eca se they -on)t let me $ri(e&65 8Co l$ ,e, yo ne(er *no-6 B t, yes, % ha(e a $ri(er)s license65 % leane$ ,ac* a"ainst the -all, si"hin"6 8Man, that m st ,e so cool65 8%t ran*s ri"ht p there -ith loc*ers6 %n !act, sometimes % p t my license insi$e my loc*er, an$ it)s so cool % -orry that the -hole thin" mi"ht e7plo$e -ith the sheer coolness o! it all65 % smac*e$ him on the sho l$er6 A"ain6 % -as $oin" that a lot6 8+h t p6 Yo try li(in" yo r -hole li!e here an$ then tell me -hat yo thin* is cool65 He "a(e me a ! nny loo*< he)$ ,een -atchin" me closely this -hole time6 8Yo really $on)t care a,o t this !ace, $o yo 95

8.hat !ace95 % as*e$, con! se$6 He smile$, sho-in" o!! ,races % ha$n)t notice$6 8'his one65 % la "he$6 8.hy -o l$ % care9 Yo -ear a lot o! $i!!erent thin"s65 8Yeah, , t this one isn)t (ery c te65 8Not really, , t it)s not yo 65 He "ot that ! nny loo* a"ain6 % smile$6 8'he only thin" that , "s me is that yo r (oice is al-ays $i!!erent6 % -ish % *ne- -hat it really so n$e$ li*e6 Oh, an$ also % thin* it)s a little creepy -hen yo )re a "irl, , t yo ha(en)t $one that in a -hile65 He shoo* his hea$6 8Yo )re -eir$65 8+ays the in(isi,le shape#shi!tin" ,oy65 He la "he$ a little, then leane$ ,ac* a"ainst the -all li*e me6 8.e aren)t !i" rin" this o t65 8% *no-6 +orry65 % ha$ rac*e$ my ,rains , t $i$n)t *no- ho- to ,e"in to p t to"ether all Reth)s ran# $om ti$,its an$ the st pi$ poem -ith -hat % ha$ seen6 An$ e(en more ,othersome, % co l$n)t stop -on$erin" -hat the en$in" to my poem -as, i! there e(en -as one6 Ha(e % mentione$ ho- m ch % $on)t li*e !aeries9 8E(ie95 His (oice -as tentati(e6 8%s there any -ay yo co l$ email someone !or me9 %! % co l$ "et this in!ormation o t, may,e my3my "ro p co l$ help65 My heart !ell6 .as Len$ 2 st sin" me9 B t then % remem,ere$ the -hole tryin"#not#to#,e#sel!#cen# tere$ thin"6 +o -hat i! he -as9 He sho l$ ,e6 %PCA -asn)t sol(in" this, an$ they -ere stoppin" him !rom $oin" anythin"6 +till, % hope$ he li*e$ me an$ -asn)t 2 st tryin" to manip late me6 8% $on)t *no-6 %)(e "ot a comp ter, , t the only thin" % $o online is shop an$ % *no- %PCA monitors e(ery sin"le thin" % clic* on ,eca se they cancel a,o t ninety percent o! my p rchases6 % co l$ try to set p a ne- email a$$ress or se yo rs or somethin", , t %)m pretty s re they)$ catch it imme$i# ately6 May,e it -o l$ alrea$y ,e sent ,y then, tho "h65 % ,it my lip, ner(o s6 8.hat -o l$ happen i! they ca "ht it95 % smile$, !ei"nin" nonchalance6 8>mm, %)$ ,e imprisone$ in$e!initely !or treason6 Pro,a,ly6 B t yo ne(er *no-3they really li*e -hat % can $o6 An$ % thin* Ra= el -o l$ stic* p !or me6 May,e % co l$ "et o t o! it65 %)$ ne(er ,een sent to a $isciplinary hearin"< the i$ea terri!ie$ me6 Len$ shoo* his hea$6 8No, %)m sorry6 %t)s not -orth the ris*65 8%t really is, i! yo thin* any o! the in!ormation -e ha(e -ill help yo r "ro p !i" re it o t an$ stop this thin"65 /osh, -as % ,ein" ,ra(e or -hat9 8%t -on)t $o any "oo$ to "et s ,oth loc*e$ p6 %)(e "ot another "oal ,esi$es !in$in" an$ stoppin" the *iller65 % !ro-ne$6 As m ch as % li*e$ him, i! he -as as*in" me to help him ta*e $o-n %PCA %)$ ha(e to say no6 %t -asn)t a per!ect or"ani:ation ,y any means, , t they -ere $oin" a lot o! "oo$6 %, !or one, tho "ht the -orl$ -as a m ch sa!er place -itho t !ree#ran"in" (amps an$ ha"s an$ all the rest o! the nasty creepy#cra-ly ,loo$#s c*y !lesh#eatin" thin"s o! le"en$6 8.hat)s yo r other "oal95 8% -ant to "et yo o t o! here65 8Don)t yo mean yo -ant me to "et yo o t o! here95 He too* my han$3yeah, my han$ a"ain6 % -as li*in" this6 A lot6 8No, % mean % -ant to "et yo o t6 'his sho l$n)t ,e yo r li!e6 Yo $eser(e a lot more6 Li*e a loc*er65 8An$ a $ri(er)s license95 8Let)s not "et carrie$ a-ay65

% smile$6 As m ch as % -ante$ to "et o t an$ li(e a real li!e ?-hate(er that -as< % $i$n)t preten$ li*e % *ne- anymore@, % $i$n)t thin* it -o l$ e(er happen6 %! % -as classi!ie$ as a paranormal, %PCA ha$ complete 2 ris$iction o(er me6 .hich meant % co l$n)t e7actly t rn in my t-o -ee*s) notice6 My comm nicator ,eepe$6 % p lle$ it o t -ith my !ree han$6 % -asn)t lettin" "o o! Len$)s till he let "o o! mine6 His s*in -as the coolest thin" e(er6 .arm, , t per!ectly smooth an$ so!t6 Not to men# tion the happy tin"les it "a(e me that ha$ nothin" to $o -ith anythin" paranormal6 % "lance$ at the screen6 %t -as Lish6 8.hat)s p95 8Come to Central Processin"6 'here is tro ,le6 Ra= el is comin" ,ac* an$ the + per(isors are !ol# lo-in"6 Yo sho l$ not ,e ca "ht alone -ith Len$65 8%)m lea(in" ri"ht no-6 'han*s, Lish65 % hoo*e$ the comm nicator ,ac* on my ,elt6 Lish al-ays loo*e$ o t !or me6 8% $on)t *no- -hat)s happenin", , t Ra= el an$ a , nch o! ,i"-i"s are hea$e$ to the Center, so % pro,a,ly sho l$n)t ,e here65 He "a(e my han$ a = ic* s= ee:e ?-hich ma$e my heart $o all sorts o! happy $ances in my chest@ ,e!ore lettin" "o6 8%)ll see yo later, then65 % h rrie$ to Central Processin"6 Lish loo*e$ $o-nri"ht panic*e$6 8.hat)s "oin" on95 % co l$ tell ,y her e7pression that somethin" ,i" -as p, an$ it scare$ me6 8'he Birmin"ham 'rac*in" an$ Placement Center in En"lan$ -as hit to$ay65 8.ait, hit9 .hat $o yo mean hit95 8E(ery paranormal there is $ea$65 'hat phrase sai$ in the ro,ot (oice -as so startlin" an$ horri,le % $i$n)t *no- ho- to react6 8%t3-as it the same thin"95 8Yes6 0 st $ea$, no traces o! -eapons or anythin" that sho l$ ha(e ,een a,le to *ill them65 8Di$ anyone see anythin"95 8No6 %t is a small !acility6 None o! the h mans sa- anythin"65 'hat -as somethin", at least6 Apparently this thin" $i$n)t "o a!ter h mans6 % -as relie(e$ ntil % re# mem,ere$ that % mi"ht not ,e = ite h man6 Not (ery com!ortin"6 8Anythin" else95 8% $o not ha(e any more $etails ri"ht no-6 .e -ill pro,a,ly "o on loc*$o-n65 8.hat)s that95 %t too* her a min te to respon$< % -atche$ as her eyes $arte$ aro n$ all the (ario s screens she -as mana"in"6 % s-ear she $i$ the -or* o! t-enty people6 8Loc*$o-n proce$ re calls !or all o r assets in the !iel$ an$ satellite , il$in"s to ,e ,ro "ht to the Center6 .hen e(eryone is sec re, -e "o into complete loc*$o-n3no one in, no one o t65 8Oh, -o-65 'hat -as a ,i" $eal6 8Ho- lon" ntil that happens95 8.e sho l$ ,e sec re in t-o ho rs65 /otta han$ it to %PCA3!or a "o(ernment#type a"ency, they -ere e!!icient6 8An$ ho- lon" is the loc*$o-n in e!!ect95 8>ntil they are certain that the ris* has passe$65 8+o, a lon" time65 8No -ay to tell6 'he in!ormation is comin" in< % nee$ to "et ,ac* to it65 +he loo*e$ a-ay, !oc sin" on one o! her many screens6 % -ishe$ that Lish -asn)t st c* ,ehin$ the "lass6 +he -as my ,est !rien$, , t sometimes she seeme$ so inaccessi,le6 % t rne$ to the si$e as the ,rilliant o tline o! a $oor !orme$ on the ,lan* -all6 Ra= el -al*e$ o t

-ith a !aerie6 % -on$ere$ -hen the + per(isors -o l$ "et here6 % ha$ seen a !e- o! them ,e!ore, ,ac* -hen %PCA -as o!!icially !ormin"6 % $i$n)t remem,er too m ch, 2 st a lot o! hea$ pattin"6 % hate$ that6 Ra= el loo*e$ li*e she ha$ a"e$ a,o t ten years in the past !e- $ays6 8%nitiate loc*$o-n protocol,5 she sai$, not e(en ,otherin" to ac*no-le$"e Lish -ith a no$, a hello, or a ho-)s the -ater this mornin"6 8Loc*$o-n protocol initiate$65 Lish $arte$ her han$s aro n$, the mo(ements = ic* an$ precise6 8Call the other !aeries,5 Ra= el sai$ to the !aerie -ho ha$ ,ro "ht her here6 Loo*in" annoye$, the !aerie opene$ another $oor an$ $isappeare$ thro "h it6 Ra= el !inally notice$ me6 8Oh, E(ie6 Yo )re here6 /oo$6 .e nee$ to tal*65 8Yeah, -e $o65 Be!ore % co l$ la nch into the speech %)$ ,een m llin" o(er since % $eci$e$ to stic* p !or Len$, a ,rilliant li"ht trace$ a line thro "h the -all an$ a -hole section opene$ p into the ,lac*6 Faeries steppe$ o t3more !aeries than % ha$ e(er seen ,e!ore6 More than % e(en *ne- %PCA ha$6 'here -ere at least a h n$re$ o! them6 %t -as o(er-helmin"6 One !aerie alone is $istractin"ly ,ea ti! l6 'his many at once an$ it -as li*e a ti$al -a(e !or yo r eyes3st nnin" an$ inescapa,le6 % ha$ a har$ time !oc sin" on -hat Ra= el -as sayin" to them6 Besi$es the !aerie sensory o(erloa$, % notice$ somethin", somethin" % ha$ ne(er seen ,e!ore6 Faerie clothin" is similar to o rs, , t it al-ays seems ol$er, more re!ine$, an$ simple at the same time6 Many o! the male !aeries ha$ their shirts n, ttone$ an$ chests ,are6 ?Ho-)s this !or !rea*y; no nipples or ,elly , ttons6@ Faeries al-ays ha(e a hint o! a "lo-, , t no- they seeme$ to ha(e a ,ri"ht spot3ri"ht -here % ass me$ their hearts -ere6 %t -asn)t $ramatic, , t there -as $e!initely somethin" e7tra there6 % hope$ it $i$n)t ha(e anythin" to $o -ith my no-#"lo-in" heart6 'hen % loo*e$ at their !aces6 A lot o! them -ere 2 st ,ore$ an$ annoye$6 +tan$ar$ !aerie6 B t there -ere some3an$ these seeme$ to ,e "ro pe$ to"ether3that ha$ sly t-in*les in their eyes, li*e somethin" a,o t all this -as terri,ly am sin"6 'hat loo* ,othere$ me< anythin" that am se$ a !aerie co l$n)t ,e a "oo$ thin"6 'hen my eyes met Reth)s6 He -asn)t -ith that "ro p, , t his smile -as the ,i""est o! all6 % -ante$ to "et o t o! that room6 All those !aeries3% !elt almost $i::y6 % $i$ my ,est to i"nore Reth)s stare, -aitin" ntil Ra= el !inishe$ iss in" instr ctions an$ the !aeries starte$ lea(in" to pic* p their assi"ne$ "ro ps6 8Ra= el, -e nee$ to tal*65 +he t rne$ to me, an intense loo* on her !ace6 8Yes6 % nee$ yo to tell me e(erythin" yo *noa,o t Len$65 8.hy95 8Beca se the + per(isors are comin", an$ he)s one o! o r only lin*s to -hat)s happenin"65 8'hat)s st pi$4 'hat ma*es it so n$ li*e he)s connecte$ to it6 He)s not a lin*, he)s a reso rce65 8%)m a!rai$ -e see it $i!!erently6 .hat has he tol$ yo 95 % !ol$e$ my arms, "larin" at her6 8.hat ma*es yo thin* he)s tol$ me anythin"9 An$, e(en i! he has, -hy -o l$ % tell yo 95 Her (oice -as !lat an$ a little $an"ero s6 8Yo )ll tell me ,eca se it)s yo r 2o,65 8My 2o,9 %)m si7teen4 % $i$n)t as* !or any o! this4 Besi$es, -hy is it that % can prance aro n$ here -itho t an an*le trac*er, , t yo -on)t e(en let him o t o! his cell9 May,e i! yo )$ stop ,ein" so scare$ o! him an$ let him "o, -e co l$ -or* -ith him an$ his "ro p an$ act ally ha(e a chance at !i" rin" this all o t45

8Yo *no- -e can)t $o that6 %t)s a"ainst the charter to release a paranormal nta""e$65 8.hat the crap am %, then9 H h9 Yo can)t stan$ here tellin" me that Len$ is a tomatically an en# emy ,eca se he)s an n*no-n paranormal -hen %)m a !rea*in" Le(el +e(en45 Her e7pression so!tene$6 8Please, $on)t $o this6 Not no-6 %)(e -or*e$ lon" an$ har$ to ma*e certain that the + per(isors see yo not as a paranormal , t as a "irl -ho can $o somethin" n s al6 .e can)t help Len$, honey, not ri"ht no-65 An"ry tears pric*e$ my eyes6 8Don)t call me honey6 %)m not yo r $a "hter6 %)m yo r employee65 Her $ar* eyes -ent -i$e -ith h rt, then her !ace = ic*ly har$ene$6 8%! yo -on)t help s -ith Len$, yo )ll ,e con!ine$ to = arters65 % let o t a harsh la "h6 8/reat, no- yo )re "ro n$in" me65 % co l$n)t ,elie(e ho- st pi$ % ha$ ,een, preten$in" an$ -ishin" that Ra= el -as really my mom6 .hate(er else she mi"ht ,e, she -as al# -ays pro!essional6 +he -as not my !amily6 'he room aro n$ s ha$ "ro-n noisy, !illin" p as !aeries $roppe$ o!! more an$ more paranormals6 .ere-ol! sec rity " ar$s mille$ aro n$ the e$"es an$ trie$ to $irect the tra!!ic into an or$erly line in !ront o! Lish)s tan*6 Ra= el si"he$6 8% thin* it -o l$ ,e ,est i! yo -ent to yo r room6 Yo )re in no state to ,e aro n$ the + per(isors an$ they)ll ,e here any min te65 % -as a,o t to come p -ith a snotty retort -hen sho tin" $istracte$ ,oth o! s6 8% -on)t45 a (ampire screame$, yan*in" his arm a-ay !rom one o! the " ar$s6 8Not here, not this4 'he trac*er is ,a$ eno "h, % -on)t ,e a rat in yo r la,45 % reali:e$ -ith a shoc* that it -as +te(e6 %t !elt li*e a li!etime since that ni"ht in the cemetery6 8%s there a pro,lem95 Ra= el as*e$, steppin" !or-ar$6 8%! yo )ll 2 st ,e patient, -e)ll "et e(eryone processe$ an$ settle$ in65 +te(e loo*e$ at her, a $esperate, manic "leam in his eyes6 8%)$ rather $ie,5 he -hispere$6 Be!ore anyone co l$ react, he leape$ !or-ar$, l n"in" !or Ra= el)s throat6 % screame$ as he ,it $o-n on her nec*6 No one else mo(e$6 8Do somethin"45 % sho te$, ! m,lin" !or my 'aser6 B t it -asn)t necessary6 He 2er*e$ a-ay !rom her nec*, a loo* o!3peace93on his !ace as his an*le trac*er -as acti(ate$6 'he "lamo r !a$e$ an$ in a matter o! secon$s he -as noth# in" , t a corpse cr m,lin" to the !loor, nnat ral li!e "one6 .e all stare$, shoc*e$, at $ea$ n$ea$ +te(e6 Ra= el p t her han$ o(er her nec* to stop the !lo- o! ,loo$6 +he loo*e$ pale an$ scare$6 8Ra= el45 % r she$ !or-ar$, p ttin" my han$s on her arms6 .hat i! he ha$ *ille$ her9 .hat i! those mean thin"s -ere the last -or$s % e(er sai$ to her9 8Are yo o*ay9 % tho "ht3% -as so scare$ that 35 Another li"ht !lashe$ an$ !i(e o! the + per(isors -al*e$ into the room6 Ra= el strai"htene$ an$ ,r she$ my han$s o!! her arms, her !ace an emotionless mas* as she t rne$ to the "ro p o! people6 % $roppe$ my han$s to my si$es, shattere$ ,y her re2ection6 +he -al*e$ !or-ar$ to "reet the + per(i# sors, lea(in" me s rro n$e$ ,y paranormals6 % " ess % *ne- my place6 Paranormalcy OH, BLEEP ' -o $ays later an$ % -as "oin" cra:y6 E(eryone -as on e$"e -ith the Center pac*e$ to capacity6 'he timin" -ith the l nar cycle co l$n)t ha(e ,een -orse6 +ince -ere-ol(es ma*e p the , l* o! %PCA sec rity !orces, -e al-ays operate$ on minim m capacity $ rin" the ! ll moon6 +o no- most

o! o r sec rity -o l$ ,e nconscio s tomorro- ni"ht -ith e(ery sin"le mem,er o! %PCA loc*e$ in the Center6 'his incl $e$ a -hole , nch o! thin"s yo -o l$n)t -ant to meet at ni"ht in a $ar* alley ? nless yo -ere me an$ that -as yo r 2o,3an$, let)s !ace it, e(en % $i$n)t s ally -ant to meet them@6 Fr strate$ an$ scare$, % "ot $resse$ in a $ar* "ray -rap $ress an$ my pin* ,oots6 % ha$n)t ,een a,le to "et to Len$ -ith thin"s so cra:y, an$ % -as $etermine$ to$ay -o l$ ,e $i!!erent6 % , n$le$ p some coo*ies an$ hea$e$ o t6 >s ally % co l$ -al* any-here % -ante$ an$ r n into only one or t-o people, i! that6 'o$ay e(ery-here % -ent there -ere -ere-ol(es, people carryin" thin"s in ca"es, personal assistants , stlin" a,o t, an$ (amps6 % -ent o t o! my -ay to a(oi$ them a!ter the +te(e inci$ent6 'hey $i$n)t e7actly li*e me to ,e"in -ith, an$ e(eryone -as so tense6 % $i$n)t -ant my ,loo$ to ,e someone else)s s ici$e6 % trie$ to (isit Lish, , t Central Processin" -as (ery literally li*e a :oo6 Loo*in" in, % reali:e$ 2 st ho- !e- paranormals % s ally came into contact -ith6 % $i$n)t *no- -hat most o! the thin"s in there -ere6 % "a(e p tryin" to -or* my -ay thro "h an$ -ent to the $etention ,loc*6 Altho "h this area -as = ieter, more o! the cells -ere ta*en6 % co l$n)t help , t pee* thro "h the open $oor-ays at -hat -as in them6 %t -as $epressin"6 All the paranormals % sa- -ere sittin" listlessly on their ,e$s, totally ,ro*en6 'he hall -as clear ,y the time % ma$e it to Len$)s room, an$ % $ c*e$ in as !ast as % co l$6 8.hat)s "oin" on95 he as*e$, 2 mpin" p6 8%t)s cra:y3total loc*$o-n6 'his thin" too* o t o r Birmin"ham Center3e(erythin"6 'hey calle$ e(eryone in6 No one can come or "o ntil they !i" re this all o t65 8.ell, at least that)ll protect the paranormals %PCA *no-s a,o t6 'hat)s somethin"65 8% " ess65 8Ha$ some (isitors last ni"ht,5 he sai$6 % 2 st no- notice$ he -as -earin" the han$some ,lac* " y a"ain6 % -as so !oc se$ on his real sel! that -hat -as on the o tsi$e ,arely re"istere$6 8Oh, the + per(isors95 8Mm#hm6 Man, i! % -ere in char"e o! some massi(e, co(ert international or"ani:ation, %)$ choose a ,etter title than + per(isor65 % la "he$6 8No *i$$in"6 Are yo o*ay95 8+ re6 'hey as*e$ me a , nch o! = estions, % $i$n)t ans-er any6 %t -as pro$ cti(e65 % no$$e$ "l mly6 8Ra= el an$ % ha$ a&!i"ht&a,o t yo 6 +he hasn)t seen me since, or let me tal* to the + per(isors, either65 % hel$ o t the coo*ies6 8Fi" re$ yo mi"ht li*e a treat6 %t)s *in$ o! the least % can $o65 8'han*s65 He too* them !rom me, settin" them on the ,e$6 .e stoo$ there a-*-ar$ly6 8%)$ pro,a,ly ,etter "o6 % $on)t -ant to "et s in tro ,le ri"ht no-65 He loo*e$ $isappointe$6 8Yeah65 On imp lse, % leane$ in an$ *isse$ his chee*6 .hen % p lle$ ,ac*, he -as smilin"6 8%)ll see yo soon,5 % sai$, ,eamin" ,ac* an$ ,l shin" as % -al*e$ o t, practically !loatin"6 % !inally sa- Lish the ne7t mornin"6 E(eryone in Central Processin" -as s per stresse$, "ossipin" an$ sprea$in" r mors in the hall-ays as they r she$ to an$ !ro6 Lish, ho-e(er, -as in her element, !lic*in" thro "h screens an$ "i(in" or$ers to people an$ paranormals stan$in" in !ront o! her6 8Hey, -hat)s p95 % leane$ a"ainst the "lass, i"norin" the = e e in !ront o! her6 8F ite a ,it6 % am rearran"in" $ ties since all the -ere-ol(es -ill ,e o t o! commission toni"ht6 Pl s there is the iss e o! !in$in" more permanent = arters !or e(eryone65

8.hy $on)t yo se the "ym !or the -ere-ol(es to :on* in9 'hat !rees p space !or toni"ht at least65 'he "ym -as a massi(e room -here they co l$ let the more ener"etic ?rea$; ra,i$@ paranor# mals r n aro n$6 Lish loo*e$ p at me an$ smile$ -ith her eyes6 8'hat is a "reat i$ea6 'han* yo 65 +he -ent ,ac* to her screens6 Near the !ront o! the line -as a (amp % $i$n)t *no-< his "lamo r -as a teena"e " y, $e(astatin"ly han$some -ith $ar* hair an$ crystal ,l e eyes6 He "a(e me his ,est come#hither smile6 8Hey,5 he sai$6 He -as alrea$y tryin" to -or* his min$ mo2o on me6 Vamps ha(e sli"ht min$ control po-ers6 'hey can in!l ence yo , p sh yo in a $irection as lon" as yo )re alrea$y leanin" that -ay6 +o i! yo )re *in$ o! scare$, they can ma*e yo terri!ie$6 1in$ o! attracte$, they can ma*e yo $o-nri"ht l styli# cio s6 >n!ort nately !or this partic lar (amp, % co l$ see strai"ht thro "h him to the corpse n$er# neath6 Oh yeah, ,a,y, hot st !!6 % , ste$ p la "hin"6 8Not a chance65 He sco-le$, o!!en$e$6 8.hat are yo tal*in" a,o t95 8% pre!er my " ys -ith a p lse6 Lish, let me *no- i! yo nee$ anythin"6 %)ll see yo later65 +he "lance$ p an$ -a(e$6 % misse$ her6 %t -o l$ ,e nice to "et to spen$ some time to"ether a"ain -hen this mess -as o(er6 % -as s rprise$ -hen my comm nicator ,eepe$ -ith a pa"e !rom Ra= el6 % tho "ht a,o t i"norin" it , t ha$ nothin" ,etter to $o, so % -ent to her o!!ice6 +he loo*e$ p at me !rom her $es* -ith a ti"ht smile6 Dar* circles rin"e$ her eyes an$ her hair -as !allin" o t o! its , n6 'hat -as a !irst6 8E(elyn, than*s !or comin"65 % shr ""e$6 % tho "ht a,o t ma*in" some remar* a,o t ho- % $i$n)t ha(e a choice, , t the ,an$a"e on her nec* ma$e me thin* t-ice6 'han* "oo$ness one ,ite -asn)t eno "h to t rn her6 8% *no- thin"s ha(e ,een stress! l lately an$ yo )(e ,een str ""lin"6 .hen all this is o(er, %)m ta*# in" yo on a (acation65 Di$n)t see that one comin"6 8.ait, a real (acation9 Li*e, -e act ally spen$ the ni"ht some-here else an$ 2 st -al* aro n$ or sleep or han" o t $ rin" the $ay95 +he smile$6 8Yes, a real (acation6 Any-here yo )$ li*e65 Oh, the possi,ilities&% co l$n)t help , t smile ,ac*6 'hin"s -eren)t all ri"ht ,et-een s, not ,y a lon" shot, , t this -as h "e comin" !rom her6 % ha$ ne(er *no-n her to ta*e e(en a $ay o!!6 8'hat so n$s o*ay -ith me65 %t so n$e$ more than o*ay6 'he t-o o! s, in some "or"eo s, -arm place6 Almost li*e a !amily6 8/oo$6 No- %)(e "ot a lot o! paper-or* to "o o(er an$ some inter(ie-s to $o65 8Oh, yeah6 + re65 % $on)t *no- -hat else % e7pecte$, , t % -as $isappointe$ as % le!t6 .e ha$n)t tal*e$ a,o t anythin" important, anythin" that nee$e$ to ,e a$$resse$6 % -ante$ to help o t aro n$ the Center6 +he pro,a,ly -ante$ me !ar, !ar a-ay !rom the + per(isors a!ter my o t, rst6 An$ % -as s re she $i$n)t -ant to tal* a,o t Len$ a"ain6 Lonely, % trie$ to snea* o(er an$ see Len$, , t the hall -as pac*e$ -ith -ere-ol(es ma*in" s re e(erythin" -as sec re ,e!ore se$ation6 % !i" re$ % co l$ ma*e it ,ac* later< it $i$n)t ease my $isap# pointment at ha(in" to -ait6 L c*y !or me Easton Hei"hts -as on that ni"ht, e(en i! it -as a rer n6 % chan"e$ into some ,lac* le""in"s an$ a tan* top ?% , mpe$ p the heat in my nit !rom OK to JM3-hy -ait !or a tropical (a# cation9@, then sn ""le$ p on the co ch, 2 st ,arely -arm eno "h6 .hen the sho- ,e"an % -as star# tle$ ,y my , ::in" (i$ screen6 Lish6

8.hat)s p95 % as*e$, tryin" not to panic6 + rely somethin" else ha$n)t "one -ron" alrea$y6 8Easton Hei"hts is on toni"ht, ri"ht95 the monotone (oice as*e$6 8Yeah, % 2 st $i$n)t thin* yo )$ ha(e time65 8All the -ere-ol(es are $o-n< the rest o! the Center is !inally sec re an$ settle$6 % am loo*in" !or# -ar$ to seein" -ho Lan$on *isses this -ee*65 % la "he$6 8Me, too65 % t rne$ my (i$ screen to-ar$ the tele(ision6 %t -asn)t as "oo$ as act ally han"in" o t in the same room, , t it -as pretty close6 % preten$e$ Len$ -as on the co ch ne7t to me, hol$in" my han$6 % ha$ ,een "oin" o(er all the times -e)$ hel$ han$s, tryin" to $eci$e i! they co nte$ as really hol$in" han$s6 % -ante$ them to, , t it ha$ al-ays ,een in the conte7t o! com!ort# in" each other6 Not, hey, % li*e yo an$ % -ant to sit here an$ hol$ yo r han$ ,eca se to chin" yo ma*es me happy6 A,o t hal!-ay thro "h the episo$e Lish spo*e p6 8.hat the ,leep95 8.hat95 % as*e$, t rnin" her screen to-ar$ me6 8% 2 st ha$ !i(e ne- an*le trac*ers pop p on the "ri$6 'his $oes not ma*e sense65 8.ait, li*e !i(e ne- ta"s95 +he no$$e$, !ro-nin"6 'hen, (i$ screen still on, she calle$ Ra= el6 8Ra= el, % ha(e !i(e ne- an*le trac*ers65 8.hat95 Ra= el as*e$6 8Fi(e ne- an*le trac*ers -ere 2 st acti(ate$65 8Ho-9 .ho95 8% $o not *no-6 'he acti(ation -as incomplete, so there is no $ata6 'hey are all in the same area, a s , r, o! Paris6 Do yo -ant me to sen$ someone to in(esti"ate95 8No, -e can)t ris* it6 Act ally, yes3sen$ a !aerie6 0 st ha(e him pop in an$ loo* at -hat)s happen# in", then come ri"ht ,ac*65 8Any other instr ctions95 8No3 nless it)s an operati(e -ho $i$n)t "et ,ac* in time, then ,rin" him in65 8O*ay, % -ill call the !aerie on $ ty65 Lish loo*e$ p, reali:in" % -as still on the (i$ screen6 8+orry, E(ie6 % ha(e to "o65 8+ re, yeah65 % close$ the connection, hal! payin" attention to the sho- as % tho "ht a,o t -hat % ha$ o(erhear$6 'hat -as -eir$6 % mean, -ho -o l$ ,e o t there on a ,a"#an$#ta" ri"ht no-9 E(ery# one ha$ ,een calle$ in6 May,e someone someho- misse$ it an$ -as sin" this as a -ay to contact s6 Ho- anyone co l$ ha(e ,een misse$ in the loc*$o-n % $i$n)t n$erstan$6 Li*e % sai$, %PCA -as e!!icient6 An$ then % remem,ere$ somethin"6 On the ha" trip, % ha$ $roppe$ my ,a" -ith an*le trac*ers in it6 Fi(e an*le trac*ers6 Paranormalcy NO' O1AY % trie$ to connect ,ac* to Lish on the (i$ screen, , t the channel -as , sy6 P nchin" Ra= el)s n m# ,er on my comm nicator as % p lle$ on one o! my ,oots, % s-ore6 %t -as , sy, too6 % yan*e$ on my other ,oot, nearly !allin" o(er in my haste, then "ra,,e$ 'asey an$ my *ni!e6 % sprinte$ $o-n the hall, prayin" my h nch -as -ron", that it -as 2 st a -eir$ coinci$ence6 No alarms ha$ "one o!! yet< s rely that meant e(erythin" -as o*ay6 E(erythin" ha$ to ,e o*ay6

As % t rne$ the corner to Central Processin" % slippe$, !lyin" ,ac*-ar$ an$ hittin" my sho l$er har$ a"ainst the -all6 'he !loor -as co(ere$ -ith -ater an$ my le""in"s -ere no- soa*e$6 % co l$n)t ,reathe6 E(erythin" -as not o*ay6 P shin" mysel! p, % ran the last !e- !eet, nearly slippin" a"ain, an$ palme$ open the sli$in" $oors6 8No,5 % -hispere$, so shoc*e$ it !elt li*e e(erythin" aro n$ me ha$ slo-e$, $isappeare$, stoppe$6 % *ne- % ha$ to mo(e !or-ar$, , t my ,o$y -asn)t -or*in" anymore6 All % co l$ $o -as stare at the 2a""e$ hole smashe$ into Lish)s a= ari m6 A,o t a !oot o! -ater remaine$ in the ,ottom an$ lyin" there, near the hole, -as Lish6 +he co l$n)t ,e $ea$6 +he co l$n)t6 Lish -as !ore(er6 +he -as my !rien$, my ,est !rien$6 'here co l$n)t ,e a reality in -hich Lish -asn)t6 +he -as pro,a,ly 2 st h rt3% nee$e$ to "et her more -ater, ri"ht a-ay6 % ran !or-ar$6 8Lish4 %t)s o*ay6 %)m here, %)m "oin" to help45 % $ c*e$ thro "h the hole an$ sloshe$ o(er to her6 Her eyes, her ,ea ti! l, ,ea ti! l eyes, -ere -i$e, the clear eyeli$s hal! sh t6 +he -asn)t mo(in"6 An$ on her chest -as a han$print o! "ol$en !lame, slo-ly !a$in"6 8Lish95 % $roppe$ to my *nees ne7t to her, pic*in" her p an$ cra$lin" her in my arms6 +he -asn)t "one, she co l$n)t ,e6 % stro*e$ her han$, the -e,,in" ,et-een her !in"ers !iner an$ more $elicate than % ha$ e(er no# tice$6 Her iri$escent scales "listene$6 +he $i$n)t mo(e, she -o l$n)t mo(e, she co l$n)t6 Lish, my Lish, -as "one6 'here -as nothin" % co l$ $o an$ it -as my !a lt6 % ha$ le!t the an*le trac*ers that ,ecame ,ait< % -as the reason that thin" "ot in6 % leane$ o(er an$ *isse$ her on the hea$6 8%)m so sorry,5 % sai$, my (oice ,rea*in" into a so,6 % -as shi(erin" alrea$y, soa*e$ thro "h6 % $i$n)t -ant to mo(e, e(er, ,eca se i! % $i$n)t lea(e, i! % $i$n)t let her "o, then she -asn)t really "one6 +hi!tin" position, % "aspe$6 +omethin" sharp an$ har$ ha$ "one strai"ht thro "h my le""in"s, c ttin" into my thi"h6 Re$ seepe$ into the -ater, an$ it -as eno "h to 2ar me o t o! my st por6 1issin" Lish a"ain, % lai$ her "ently ,ac* $o-n6 % stoo$ an$ p lle$ the shar$ o! "lass o t o! my thi"h, -incin"6 %t -as here6 % ran o t o! the tan* an$ to the -all -here there -as an emer"ency panic , tton6 +mashin" thro "h the "lass co(er -ith my el,o-, % p she$ it $o-n6 'he o(erhea$ li"hts -ent a notch ,ri"hter -ith stro,es "oin" o!! an$ a lo $ alarm shrie*in"6 Ra= el3Ra= el ha$ to *no- a,o t this6 % p lle$ o t my comm nicator an$ p nche$ in her n m,er -hile % ran !or her o!!ice6 8.hat95 she sai$6 8%)m tryin" to contact Lish, -e $on)t *no- -hat the alarm is65 8Lish is $ea$,5 % so,,e$, still r nnin"6 8%t)s here6 %t)s here65 'he line -as silent !or -hat !elt li*e !ore(er6 8Hea(en help s all,5 Ra= el -hispere$6 'hen, her (oice h rrie$ an$ panic*e$, she sai$, 8Meet me at 'ransport6 %)ll messa"e all the personnel6 %t $oesn)t "o a!ter h mans3-e sho l$ ,e a,le to "et o t65 % chan"e$ $irection an$ starte$ r nnin" !or 'ransport6 'hen % stoppe$6 8.hat a,o t the paranor# mals95 .hat a,o t Len$9 8'here)s no time6 /et to 'ransport65 % hesitate$6 E(erythin" in my ,o$y -as screamin" !or me to r n, to "et o t6 Death -as -al*in" the hall-ays an$ % nee$e$ to escape6 8No,5 % -hispere$, t rnin" my comm nicator o!!6 % ran ,ac* the -ay % came, hea$e$ !or Len$)s cell6 He -as trappe$6 He)$ ,e completely helpless, 2 st li*e Lish6 Oh, Lish6 No one $eser(e$ to $ie li*e that6 % -as r nnin" past the "ym -hen % stoppe$ $ea$ a"ain6 'here -ere o(er a h n$re$ -ere-ol(es in there, sleepin"6 Charlotte -as in there, an$ 0ac= es3he sho l$ ha(e ,een in there, too6 % -ante$ to thro- p6 % co l$n)t -a*e them, tell them to r n6 % co l$n)t carry

them o t6 .hat co l$ % $o9 'hen it hit me6 8Den!ehlath45 % sho te$6 A!ter a !e- secon$s a $oor opene$ in the -all an$ she steppe$ o t, r ,y eyes ,la:in" -ith e7citement6 8+a(e the paranormals, startin" -ith the -ere-ol(es,5 % comman$e$6 Her smile $isappeare$6 8.hat95 she hisse$6 8+tart no-6 Yo )(e "ot a lot o! sleepin" ,o$ies to mo(e45 +he "lare$ at me, trem,lin" -ith ! ry, , t entere$ the "ym6 +he co l$n)t $iso,ey6 A!ter the "ym $oors close$ ,ehin$ her, % palme$ them, hol$in" my han$ there !or a ! ll !i!teen secon$s6 'he pa$ t rne$ re$ an$ % hit a com,ination, loc*in" it6 A co ple o! (amps came o t o! a si$e hall, seein" me6 8.hat)s "oin" on95 Vla$ as*e$6 He -as -ith the " y !rom ,e!ore -ho)$ trie$ to hit on me6 8Yo nee$ to hi$e4 %t)s here45 'he en$ o! the hall-ay !ille$ -ith li"ht< a !i" re t rne$ the corner6 %t -as shape$ li*e a person, , t ma$e entirely o! li(in" "ol$ !ire an$ , rnin" so ,ri"htly the ima"e -as seare$ into my retinas6 %t -al*e$ to-ar$ s, ,ea ti! l an$ terri,le as the s n ma$e li(in" !lesh6 8R n45 % sho te$ to the (amps6 'hey ha$n)t reacte$6 Ho- $i$ they not notice the li"ht9 'hey t rne$ to-ar$ the creat re 2 st as it "ot to them6 Neither one o! them loo*e$ !ri"htene$6 8R n45 % screame$ a"ain6 'he creat re coc*e$ its hea$, t rnin" to-ar$ me as it li!te$ ,oth han$s an$ p t one on each (ampire)s chest6 % -atche$ in horror as the (ampires sti!!ene$, !or a ,rie! mo# ment "lo-in" ,ri"htly6 'hen it -as li*e someone t rne$ o!! -hate(er -as insi$e them< they $imme$ an$ !ell motionless to the "ro n$, nothin" , t corpses no-6 % co l$n)t mo(e6 'he thin" t rne$ in my $irection6 %t -as only !i!teen !eet a-ay6 My eyes -atere$6 %t -as too ,ri"ht, too m ch6 %t "li$e$ to-ar$ me6 A scream, no $o ,t my last, , ilt in my throat6 % co l$n)t ma*e o t any !ea# t res as it pa se$ a !e- !eet a-ay !rom me< e(erythin" ,l rre$ to"ether in the sheer ,rilliance o! its li"ht an$ heat6 8% lo(e the ,oots,5 a -oman)s (oice sai$ play! lly6 % t rne$ an$ ran, sprintin" as !ast as % co l$, -aitin" !or my o-n li!e to ,e s c*e$ $ry6 % loo*e$ ,ac*6 +he -as -al*in" a!ter me6 At least she ha$n)t "one in the "ym6 % t rne$ into a hall an$ ran strai"ht !or a $oor, palmin" it open an$ lea(in" thro "h a $oor on the other en$6 % -as almost to Len$)s cell6 %! % co l$ "et Len$ o t, i! % co l$ "et him to 'ransport, % co l$ lea(e6 'he !aeries -ere at 'ransport3that -as the set e(ac ation plan6 % nearly ran past his $oor, s*i$$in" to a stop an$ $artin" into his room6 He -as stan$in" there, loo*# in" an7io s6 8%t)s here45 % pante$6 8%t)s here, in the , il$in"3-e ha(e to "o no-65 8% can)t45 He pointe$ to his an*le6 8Lea(e -itho t me, "o45 % *nelt $o-n ne7t to his le", "ra,,in" the an*le trac*er6 'his -o l$ ,e my last action as a mem,er o! %PCA3-hat % -as a,o t to $o = ali!ie$ me !or permanent loc* p6 % place$ my th m, in the mi$$le o! his trac*er, than*in" -hate(er $eities % co l$ thin* o! that % ha$ ,een the one to p t the trac*er on Len$6 'hat meant % co l$ ta*e it o!!, , t it -o l$ ,e recor$e$ in the comp ter systems, mar*in" me as a traitor6 8.hat are yo $oin"95 8Don)t mo(e65 % concentrate$ on hol$in" per!ectly still6 A!ter t-enty secon$s, a "reen li"ht !lashe$6 % leane$ $o-n an$ ,le- "ently on it an$ the li"ht t rne$ re$6 'here -as a small hiss as the sensors

retracte$6 % reache$ aro n$ an$ nlatche$ it6 8Come on45 % too* his han$ an$ p t the trac*er in my poc*et6 8.e ha(e to "et to 'ransport no-65 .e -ent into the hall an$ t rne$3an$ there she -as, -al*in" to-ar$ s6 8No, no, no,5 % -hispere$6 8.hat95 Len$ as*e$, loo*in" o(er6 8Oh, that)s -eir$65 8R n45 % sho te$, t ""in" on his han$ an$ r nnin" in the opposite $irection o! the , rnin" -oman 3an$ the opposite $irection o! 'ransport6 % rac*e$ my ,rains, tryin" to thin* o! alternate ro tes -e co l$ ta*e6 8.ho -as that95 8.ho -as that9 .hat are yo tal*in" a,o t9 'hat -as it3the thin"3the li!e s c*er45 8.hat95 8Di$ yo miss the -hole on !ire part95 % pante$, t rnin" another corner6 Clearly Len$ -as in shoc*6 % -asn)t thin*in" strai"ht6 .e hit a $ea$ en$6 8E(ie, she -asn)t on !ire65 8+he)s so ,ri"ht it , rns my eyes45 % slamme$ my !ist into the -all6 8Come on6 'his -ay65 .e ran ,ac* across the connectin" hall an$ $o-n another passa"e-ay6 E(ery-here in the Center loo*e$ e7# actly the same6 Brilliant !loor plan6 Per!ect !or "ettin" lost an$ trappe$6 Normally % *ne- e(ery inch, , t in my r sh % ha$ "otten t rne$ aro n$6 'a*in" another hall, -e stoppe$6 Fo r ,o$ies -ere sl mpe$ on the "ro n$6 8'his -ay,5 % -hispere$, na,le to ta*e my eyes o!! the ,o$ies as % palme$ open a $oor to c t thro "h6 .hen -e "ot o t into the ne7t hall it -as clear3an$ another $ea$ en$6 % reali:e$ to my horror that % $i$n)t *no- -here -e -ere6 8May,e one o! these rooms connects some-here65 % $es# perately opene$ $oors, loo*in" !or any -ay o t6 'hey -ere all stora"e rooms6 'here -as nothin"6 8Bac*, ,ac*,5 % sai$, tryin" not to so,6 % opene$ the $oor an$ -e ran thro "h the room an$ t rne$ into the hall6 +he -as alrea$y there6 8Here yo are,5 she sai$6 % hear$ the smile in her (oice3her ,i:arrely normal, pleasant (oice6 % screame$, p llin" Len$ ,ac* into the room an$ -aitin" !or the $oor to loc*6 .e ran ,ac* thro "h an$ into the small hall-ay an$ % loc*e$ that $oor ,ehin$ s, too6 8'hat -on)t stop her45 +he co l$ pro,a,ly melt strai"ht thro "h the $oor6 'hey -eren)t $esi"ne$ to -ithstan$ attac* or !ire6 8E(ie, are yo s re that)s her95 Len$ as*e$, o t o! ,reath an$ con! se$6 8Yes4 .hat)s -ron" -ith yo 95 He -as = iet !or a secon$6 8+he loo*s totally normal6 Li*e a person6 Li*e35 he pa se$ 83li*e yo 65 Paranormalcy .HA')+ %N A NAME . hat $o yo mean she loo*s li*e me95 % as*e$6 8+he)s !rea*in" on !ire45 8% can)t see that4 %t m st ,e n$er her "lamo r or -hate(er, % $i$n)t see anythin"65 8+ho- me -hat she loo*s li*e then45 Len$)s !ace shimmere$ an$ he shran* a !e- inches6 % co l$n)t ,elie(e -hat % -as seein"6 +he ha$ short, li"ht ,lon$ hair, a pretty !ace, an$ a similar , il$ to me, may,e a !e- years ol$er6 +he also ha$ eyes s ch a pale "ray that Len$ co l$n)t "et them ri"ht6 8+ame eyes,5 he sai$ so!tly in her (oice6

8'hat)s3% $on)t3.hat is she9 .hy is she on !ire n$erneath her s*in9 +he)s all ,ri"ht an$ "lo-# in", li*e35 % loo*e$ $o-n an$ p lle$ p my slee(e6 8Li*e this65 % -atche$ the !lames n$er my s*in6 8'imes a million65 8ELi= i$ !lames to hi$e her "rie!,)5 Len$#as#!ire#"irl sai$6 8.ell, she)s "ot the E$eath, $eath, $eath,) part $o-n6 'here has to ,e a -ay o t o! this65 % p lle$ o t my comm nicator6 %! % co l$ "et ahol$ o! Ra= el, she)$ sen$ help6 'he comm nicator !lashe$ $ lly, then $isplaye$ that Ra= el co l$n)t ,e reache$6 8% can)t call Fehl6 % ma$e her sa(e the -ere-ol(es 3they)re all sleepin"6 +he hasn)t ha$ eno "h time to mo(e them65 % co l$n)t ris* all their li(es !or my o-n6 'hat le!t me -ith one option< % shoo* my hea$, n-illin" to !ace it6 8%sn)t this e7citin"95 Reth sai$ !rom ,ehin$ s6 % -hippe$ aro n$6 +pea*3or rather thin*3o! the $e(il6 He leane$ cas ally a"ainst the -all, ,eamin"6 8% $o lo(e a "oo$ re nion65 He loo*e$ at Len$ an$ -a(e$, then !ro-ne$6 8'hat)s not her65 8Ho- -o l$ yo *no-95 % as*e$6 8.e)(e alrea$y met6 Lo(ely "irl6 Very "racio s65 8Yo 3yo let her in45 8'hey sai$ to "o an$ see -hat -as happenin"6 'hey ne(er sai$ not to ,rin" anyone ,ac* -ith me6 An$ she as*e$ so nicely65 % shoo* my hea$ in $is,elie! an$ ra"e6 'his -as -hat came o! thin*in" yo co l$ control !aeries6 My ,est !rien$ ha$ pai$ the ltimate price6 8%)ll *ill yo !or this,5 % sai$, an"ry tears stin"in" my eyes6 He si"he$6 8Really, there)s no nee$ !or melo$rama6 'here -ill ,e $rama eno "h -hen she "ets thro "h those $oors65 % loo*e$ ,ac* ner(o sly6 % $i$n)t *no- -hat po-ers she ha$ ,esi$es the -hole s c*in" the li!e strai"ht o t o! immortals thin", , t % $i$n)t -ant to !in$ o t6 8%)ll chec* the $oors a"ain,5 % sai$ to Len$6 He no$$e$, shimmerin" an$ s-itchin" ,ac* !rom my loo*#ali*e into his typical !orm6 8% remem,er yo ,5 Reth sai$6 8%! E(elyn $ies, it -ill ,e yo r !a lt !or interr ptin" s65 8+h t p45 % ran p an$ $o-n the hall, openin" all the $oors, loo*in" !or any -ay o t6 8Eno "h o! yo r st pi$ ri$$les65 8No ri$$le6 B t % ne(er !inishe$ !illin" yo , an$ %)m a!rai$ o r ne- !rien$ is a ta$ imp lsi(e6 No tellin" -hat she)ll $o, an$ she)s m ch, m ch stron"er than yo 6 Pity, too6 % $o so en2oy yo , my lo(e6 % ha$ hi"h hopes !or s65 % p lle$ o t my *ni!e an$ steppe$ ri"ht in !ront o! him, hol$in" the point near his throat6 8+h t p6 No-6 Yo )re ta*in" Len$ an$ me o t o! here65 8% -o l$ li*e nothin" more6 >n!ort nately % cannot to ch yo , an$ yo cannot "o thro "h a !aerie $oor i! yo aren)t to chin" me6 Yo see, % ha(e a (ery ,in$in" or$er !rom %PCA, an$ % simply can# not ,rea* it65 % close$ my eyes, sha*in" my hea$6 'here ha$ to ,e another -ay6 % -o l$n)t se his name a"ain6 %t -as too $an"ero s6 8E(ie45 Len$ calle$, his (oice sharp -ith panic6 % loo*e$ o(er3the $oor -as startin" to "lo- re$ in the mi$$le, s perheate$6 +he -as comin" thro "h6 8Crap, crap, crap65 .e -ere "oin" to $ie6 % loo*e$ ,ac* p at Reth6 He -as -atchin" me, an eye,ro- raise$ an$ his "ol$en eyes shinin"6 8%)m a!rai$ yo ha(en)t m ch time, lo(e65 8Fine4 Fine4 Len$, ta*e his han$65 Len$ ran o(er an$ too* hol$ o! one o! Reth)s han$s, clearly n#

happy a,o t it6 Reth)s !ace -as a portrait o! tri mph6 % remem,ere$ his -or$s3he)$ en2oy it -hen % ,e""e$ him to to ch me6 He ha$ ,een ri"ht6 % loo*e$ ,ac*< % co l$ see the imprint o! her han$ no-, p shin" thro "h the -arpe$ metal6 'he $oor -as c rlin" open6 8'a*e a-ay %PCA)s or$er,5 Reth -hispere$, h n"ry an$ impatient6 % close$ my eyes, !orcin" $o-n the !ear an$ na sea6 8Lorethan, i"nore -hat %PCA tol$ yo 6 'o ch me65 % almost cho*e$ on the -or$s6 8/et s o t o! here6 'o Len$)s home,5 % a$$e$ = ic*ly, not -antin" to en$ p in Reth)s realm a"ain6 He la "he$, his (oice sil(er an$ rin"in"6 He reache$ o t an$ -rappe$ his han$ aro n$ my -rist3the -rist he ha$ alrea$y !ille$ -ith !ire3an$ p lle$ s ,oth into the $ar*ness6 % hear$ a -oman)s (oice yell somethin", an$ then there -as nothin" , t the (ast silence o! the Faerie Paths6 'he , rnin" starte$ imme$iately6 %t race$ p my arm an$ % -himpere$, tryin" not to scream o t in pain as % st m,le$ alon" ,lin$ly6 % !o "ht it as ,est % co l$, , t the !ire insi$e me calle$ o t, e7cite$ at the prospect o! more6 8+top,5 % -hispere$6 8Please, stop65 8E(elyn,5 he ans-ere$, his (oice a caress a"ainst the pain6 % sa- a hint o! li"ht ,eyon$ my eyeli$s, an$ opene$ them as the three o! s -al*e$ o t o! the $ar*# ness an$ into a !orest ,athe$ in the $im t-ili"ht6 8Let "o65 % ,ro*e into tears as % san* to my *nees, Reth)s han$ still aro n$ my -rist an$ the !lames $ancin" their searin" pain p an$ $o-n my arm6 8Let her "o45 Len$ sho te$, an$ % !elt Reth "et *noc*e$ to the si$e as Len$ attac*e$ him6 8Yo are me$$lesome, aren)t yo 95 He let "o o! my -rist6 % collapse$ onto the "ro n$, $roppin" my *ni!e an$ "aspin" as the pain $ lle$, the heat settlin" once a"ain in my -rist an$ heart6 'here -as more insi$e me no-6 % p she$ mysel! onto my han$s an$ *nees6 Reth seeme$ so ,ri"ht a"ainst the $im li"ht6 He leane$ $o-n, c ppin" my !ace in his slen$er han$s6 'his time there -as no , rnin", 2 st the -armth % se$ to cra(e so $esperately6 % still cra(e$ it6 8%! yo let me !inish, % can tell yo e(ery# thin"6 No more = estions6 No more searchin"6 Yo can ,e -ith me then65 'he !lames insi$e p lle$, $ra-in" me closer to Reth6 His heart "lo-e$ ,eneath his shirt, ans-erin" mine6 %t -o l$ ,e so easy, so sa!e6 %)$ ,e $one6 % loo*e$ into Reth)s am,er eyes an$ opene$ my mo th to a"ree6 Len$ co "he$ an$ % tore my eyes a-ay6 He -as "ettin" p !rom the "ro n$ se(eral !eet a-ay6 Reth m st ha(e thro-n him6 8Are yo o*ay95 % as*e$, 2er*in" a-ay !rom Reth)s han$ an$ its se$ cti(e -armth6 Reth si"he$6 8E(elyn, yo are so $i!!ic lt65 % t rne$ my ,ac* on him, -al*in" to Len$6 8Are yo o*ay95 He no$$e$6 8/oo$65 % nee$e$ to $o somethin" a,o t Reth, no-6 % t rne$ aro n$ , t he -as ri"ht ne7t to me6 8Lor35 Be!ore % co l$ !inish his name he -as ,ehin$ Len$, my sil(er *ni!e presse$ a"ainst Len$)s throat6 8% thin* yo sho l$ ,e (ery care! l -hat yo say no-,5 Reth sai$ -ith a play! l smile6 8% !in$ mysel! -eary o! ta*in" comman$s6 B t % $o ha(e one last thin" %)$ li*e yo to tell me to $o6 Oh, no, $on)t say a -or$65 He shoo* his hea$ -hen % opene$ my mo th6 Len$)s eyes -ere -i$e -ith !ear6 8One slip an$ %)m a!rai$ yo )ll ,e responsi,le !or the $eath o! yet another !rien$6 %)m "oin" to tell yo e7# actly -hat to say, an$ then yo can repeat it65 % no$$e$ $ m,ly, i"norin" the small sha*e o! his hea$ Len$ "a(e me6 % co l$n)t lose him6 Not toni"ht, not a!ter Lish6 8E7cellent6 % -ant yo to comman$ me to chan"e my name65 8%3Can % e(en $o that95

8% cannot re! se a name$ comman$6 +o i! yo please, tell me to chan"e my name65 % ha$ playe$ per!ectly into his han$s an$ -as "i(in" him e7actly -hat he -ante$6 0 st ho- m ch o! this ha$ he *no-n -o l$ happen9 As s al, -e -ere all st m,lin" aro n$ in the $ar* -hile the !aeries perche$ a,o(e s, seein" patterns an$ path-ays -e -o l$ ne(er reali:e -ere there ntil it -as too late6 8Lorethan65 % -ille$ my mo th to ma*e the -or$s6 8Chan"e yo r name65 %t came o t a -hisper, , t it -as eno "h6 His !ace ,ro*e into a ,liss! l smile6 He loo*e$ tr ly ,ea ti! l in that moment, an$ % remem,ere$ -hy % once tho "ht !aeries -ere an"els6 + rely nothin" so per!ect $eser(e$ to ,e on this earth6 He sp n Len$ o t an$ a-ay !rom himsel!, closin" the $istance ,et-een s in one step6 P ttin" his arms aro n$ my -aist, he leane$ in, his mo th almost to chin" my ear6 8'han* yo 6 + ch po-er in a name3some$ay %)ll tell yo yo rs6 An$ no- %)m a!rai$ %)(e "ot a lot o! , siness to atten$ to6 +o many people to (isit, so many !a(ors to repay6 >ntil -e ne7t meet, my lo(e65 He ,ac*e$ p a step6 'he air shimmere$ aro n$ him an$ he $isappeare$ into it6 'he e(enin" s $$enly !elt col$, the -oo$e$ "ro(e $ar* an$ empty in his a,sence6 8.hat ha(e % $one95 % -hispere$, horri!ie$6 Paranormalcy /RO>NDED M y min$ re! se$ to -rap aro n$ the tr th6 % ha$ !ree$ Reth6 'he potential rami!ications o! that -ere o(er-helmin"6 % co l$n)t thin* a,o t them ri"ht no-3% co l$n)t thin* a,o t anythin" ri"ht no-6 Len$ "ot p !rom the "ro n$6 % r she$ o(er to him6 8Are yo o*ay9 %)m so sorry6 % scre-e$ e(erythin" p6 % scre-e$ it all p65 % starte$ cryin" a"ain6 Len$ -rappe$ me p in a h "6 8Yo $i$n)t6 %! it -asn)t !or yo %)$ ,e $ea$65 % let my hea$ rest a"ainst his sho l$er6 He -as so -arm< a -holesome, com!ortin" -arm, not li*e Reth)s6 % nee$e$ to ,e in someone)s arms6 .e ha$ "otten a-ay, -e -ere sa!e !or no-, an$ it hit me har$6 'he mi7t re o! "rie! !or Lish an$ relie! that % ha$ escape$ an$ sa(e$ Len$ -as o(er-helmin"6 A!ter a !e- min tes Len$ p lle$ ,ac*6 8Yo )re sha*in"6 %t)s !ree:in" o t here65 He loo*e$ aro n$6 8% thin* % *no- -here -e are6 /oo$ call tellin" Reth to ,rin" s to my home65 % -as s re % ha$n)t ma$e any "oo$ $ecisions -ith Reth, e(er, , t at least -e ha$ a chance no-6 Len$ too* my han$6 8'his -ay65 % too* a step an$ "aspe$6 % ha$ !or"otten a,o t my le"< the c t in my thi"h !rom Lish)s a= ari m "lass h rt no- that all the a$renaline ha$ -orn o!!6 % p t my han$ $o-n, then loo*e$ at it in the !a$# in" li"ht6 8.hat)s that9 Are yo ,lee$in"95 8% c t my le" in3-hen Lish -as35 'ryin" to hol$ ,ac* the tears, % stoppe$6 8Can yo -al*9 %t)s not !ar65 8% thin* so65 Len$ let "o o! my han$, p ttin" his arm aro n$ my -aist instea$6 .e -al*e$ thro "h the trees, the !inal remnants o! $ay sn !!in" o t an$ lea(in" the pale li"ht o! the ! ll moon6 A!ter a !e- min tes, my le" stin"in" an$ thro,,in", % sa- li"hts thro "h the trees6 8'here it is45 He so n$e$ e7cite$ an$ an7io s6 % -on$ere$ -hat *in$ o! place Len$ li(e$ in6 % al# -ays pict re$ somethin" li*e the Center, !ille$ -ith paranormals6 .hen -e "ot close eno "h to see % -as shoc*e$6 %t -as a normal, ,ea ti! l t-o#story -hite ho se, complete -ith -raparo n$ porch6 % ha$n)t ,een insi$e a real ho se in ei"ht years6 Len$ opene$ the $oor6 8Da$9 Da$45

8Len$95 A man r she$ $o-n the stairs ri"ht ,y the !ront $oor6 He -as "oo$#loo*in" !or an ol$er " y, may,e in his late !orties, -ith $ar* hair an$ $ar* eyes3o,(io sly -ho Len$ ha$ patterne$ his !a(orite !ace !rom6 8.here ha(e yo ,een95 8%3%t)s a lon" story6 +he)s h rt6 Can yo loo* at her le"95 Len$)s $a$3he ha$ a $a$, an$ it !ille$ me -ith a sense o! almost ,itterness3notice$ me !or the !irst time6 8O! co rse, , t yo )re "oin" to tell me e(erythin" -hile % $o6 Yo are in $eep, $eep tro # ,le65 Contra$ictin" this statement, Len$)s $a$ ca "ht him p in a ,i" h ", practically li!tin" him o!! the "ro n$6 Len$ ha$ to let "o o! me, an$ % !elt ncom!orta,le -atchin" their re nion6 8Don)t yo e(er scare me li*e that a"ain65 Len$ la "he$, a $ry e7halation o! air6 8% $on)t plan on it6 Her le"95 His $a$ t rne$ to me6 8.here are yo h rt95 %t -as all too m ch, too stran"e6 Len$ in this settin", this -elcomin", -arm home, Len$ -ith this completely normal man -ho -as his $a$6 No "lamo r at all, nothin" ,eneath his *in$ !ace6 %t !elt li*e % ha$ entere$ another -orl$< % *ne- % $i$n)t ,elon" an$ that the Len$ -ho li(e$ here co l$ ne(er ,e mine6 8%s it that ,a$95 he as*e$, his !ace "ro-in" e(en more concerne$ as he loo*e$ at my e7pression6 % shoo* my hea$ hastily6 8No3%3my ri"ht thi"h65 8.e)(e *in$ o! ,een thro "h a lot toni"ht,5 Len$ sai$ "ently6 His $a$ *nelt on the -oo$ !loor ne7t to my le"6 8%)m 2 st "oin" to ta*e a loo*, see ho- ,a$ it is65 He p lle$ my le""in"s o t, stretchin" the slit more6 8O*ay, not too ,a$6 %)ll "o pstairs an$ "et my *it6 %t nee$s to ,e cleane$ an$ then %)ll "i(e yo a co ple o! stitches, no ,i" $eal65 He smile$ reas# s rin"ly at me6 'hen he "a(e Len$ another stern loo*6 8/et her some $ry clothes, an$ ,e rea$y to e7plain e(erythin"65 8Don)t -orry3he)s $one tons o! stitches65 Len$ smile$ an$ !ollo-e$ his $a$ pstairs6 % stoo$ there in the entry-ay, !eelin" li*e an intr $er ntil Len$ came ,ac*6 He han$e$ me a , n$le o! clothes6 8'hey)re mine so they)ll ,e a little ,it ,i", , t they sho l$ ,e o*ay65 % !ro-ne$ as % too* them6 8.hy $o yo ha(e clothes95 He co l$ 2 st ma*e them -ith his (ario s "lamo rs, a!ter all6 8% s ally -ear them, ,elie(e it or not6 Most o! the time % $on)t nee$ to chan"e !orm< % -ear this !ace almost all the time65 'hat ma$e sense6 A!ter all, his "lamo r clothes loo*e$ per!ect , t ha$ a stran"e te7t re6 %n p ,lic it -o l$ ,e ,etter to -ear thin"s that !elt normal6 He sho-e$ me to a small ,athroom, an$ % loc*e$ the $oor6 % p lle$ o!! my ,oots3my st pi$ pin* ,oots that -o l$ !ore(er remin$ me o! the horri,le , rnin" "irl no-3then too* o!! my tan*6 % $i$n)t -ant to see it, , t my -rist -as li*e a ,eacon, , rnin" e(en in the -ell#lit ,athroom6 %t -as ,ri"hter than e(er6 % $i$n)t loo* at my chest, yan*in" Len$)s so!t '#shirt on so % -o l$n)t ha(e to6 'hen % peele$ o!! my le""in"s, moppin" p the ,loo$ that ha$ $rippe$ $o-n the si$e o! my le" as ,est % co l$6 % trie$ not to "et ,loo$ on Len$)s $ra-strin" shorts as % p lle$ them on6 'hen, to my horror, % real# i:e$ % ha$n)t ,othere$ sha(in" that $ay6 Not only -ere my le"s ,rilliant -hite an$ too s*inny, they -ere also pric*ly6 'he !act that % -as -orrie$ a,o t -hat Len$ -o l$ thin* o! my le"s str c* me as the most l $i# cro s thin" ima"ina,le6 % ha$ 2 st lost my ,est !rien$, ,arely escape$ ha(in" my li!e s c*e$ o t ,y a psychotic , rnin" "irl, committe$ treason, an$ nearly "otten the " y % li*e$ *ille$ ,y a cra:y !aerie6 .hat -ere hairy le"s compare$ to that9 % starte$ la "hin" an$ then cryin", $oin" ,oth in an a-*#

-ar$, "aspin" mess that ma$e my hea$ h rt6 Len$ *noc*e$ on the $oor6 8Are yo o*ay95 'a*in" a $eep ,reath, % trie$ to stop6 % opene$ the $oor, hol$in" p the shorts on the si$e -here % -as c t6 8Yeah65 % sni!!le$ , t hel$ ,ac* !rom ! ll#on so,,in" a"ain6 8He)ll $o it in here65 Len$ p t his arm aro n$ my sho l$ers an$ le$ me into a -ell#lit *itchen, painte$ in -arm yello-6 % sat in a chair an$ his $a$ *nelt ne7t to it, cleanin" my le" -ith a -arm cloth6 8%)m Da(i$, ,y the -ay65 8E(ie,5 % ans-ere$6 A!ter he !inishe$ -ipin" a-ay the ,loo$, he p t somethin" on the -o n$ that st n"6 % $re- in my ,reath sharply6 8+orry a,o t that6 Don)t -ant it to "et in!ecte$6 No- yo )ll !eel a co ple o! small pric*s< %)m 2 st n m,in" the area !or the stitches65 % trie$ not to !linch, !oc se$ on hol$in" still an$ not shi(erin"6 8.here ha(e yo ,een95 he as*e$, an$ % loo*e$ p, -on$erin" -hy he -as as*in" me6 Len$ ans-ere$6 8%t)s *in$ o! a lon" story65 8'al*65 His $a$ -as still -or*in" on my le" , t his !ace -as set6 Len$ si"he$6 8% ,ro*e into %PCA)s Center65 +toppin" mi$#stitch, Da(i$ loo*e$ p, horri!ie$6 8Yo -hat95 % -as con! se$, too6 Len$ al-ays ma$e it so n$ li*e he ha$ ,een sent there6 8% ha$ to45 8%35 Da(i$ too* a $eep ,reath, close$ his eyes, an$ shoo* his hea$6 8Yo ha$ ,etter -ait ntil %)m $one, then65 He -ent ,ac* to the stitches, !inishe$, an$ tape$ a "a :e pa$ o(er the top6 He stoo$ p an$ p t a-ay his s pplies, then !ol$e$ his arms an$ "lare$ at Len$6 8No-, start !rom the ,e"innin" an$ tell me the -hole story, clear p ntil the en$ -here % "ro n$ yo !or the rest o! yo r li!e65 Len$ h n" his hea$6 8% hear$3% listene$ in to yo r meetin", -hen yo sai$ that the ans-er -as -ith %PCA, in the Center6 An$ % *ne- no one else co l$ $o it6 % tho "ht % co l$6 +o % -ent to a "ra(eyar$ an$ p t on a :om,ie ,o$y, sham,le$ aro n$6 %t too* a co ple o! ni"hts, , t an operati(e !inally sho-e$ p6 +o %, -ell, % hit her65 He loo*e$ ashame$ at that a$mission6 8'hen % calle$ !or pic* p6 .hen the !aerie came % -al*e$ thro "h -ith her6 % "ot to the Center an$ ran into the $irec# tor65 8Ra= el95 Da(i$ as*e$, an$ % loo*e$ at him, s rprise$6 Ho- $i$ he *no- her9 Len$ no$$e$6 8% too* her comm nicator an$ !ace, then !o n$ her o!!ice6 % -as searchin" !or in!or# mation -hen3-hen % "ot ca "ht65 Da(i$)s eyes -ent -i$e an$ he loo*e$ $o-n at Len$)s ,are an*le6 8Ho- $i$ yo "et o t95 Len$ smile$ at me6 8E(ie "ot me o t6 O! co rse, she)s also the one -ho ca "ht me6 +he can see me 3the real me, all the time65 His $a$ loo*e$ at me, -on$er an$ !ear in his eyes6 8Yo )re %PCA95 % shoo* my hea$6 % -asn)t anythin"6 'here -as no-here in the -orl$ % ,elon"e$ no-6 My home -as "one, my ,est !rien$ -as $ea$, an$ % co l$ ne(er "o ,ac* to Ra= el a!ter -hat % ha$ $one6 % ,it my lip, hol$in" ,ac* the tears6 8Not anymore6 A!ter toni"ht, % $on)t thin* there)s e(en "oin" to ,e an %P# CA65 8.ell, !rom one !ormer employee to another, % $on)t thin* that)s a ,a$ thin"65 Paranormalcy

MY F%R+' +LEEPOVER + ittin" in Len$)s -arm *itchen, % co l$n)t ,elie(e -hat his $a$ ha$ 2 st sai$6 8Yo -ere3Yo -or*e$ there95 %PCA -as *in$ o! a li!etime thin"6 8Act ally, % -as APCA6 % "ot o t a,o t a $eca$e ,e!ore %PCA -as !ormali:e$6 Di$n)t thin* %)$ e(er see the $ay that -o l$ happen6 None o! the co ntries -as -illin" to -or* -ith any o! the others on paranormal iss es6 % ne(er $i$ !in$ o t -hat tri""ere$ the chan"e65 % s- n" my !oot a-*-ar$ly a"ainst the !loor6 8Yo )re loo*in" at her,5 Len$ sai$, "rinnin"6 Da(i$ raise$ his eye,ro-s6 8Really9 .ait, Len$, yo ha(en)t !inishe$ yo r story, $on)t thin* %)m "oin" to !or"et65 Len$ si"he$6 8%t)s act ally more E(ie)s story than mine, consi$erin" all % $i$ -as sit in an empty -hite cell6 % $i$n)t tell them anythin", so they -o l$n)t let me "o6 'hen their ta""e$ paranormals starte$ "ettin" hit, an$ they !inally pic*e$ p on this thin"6 E(ie ha$ a r n#in -ith it, an$35 8Yo sa- it95 Da(i$ as*e$ me6 8.e ,oth $i$,5 % sai$6 % trie$ to sh t her ima"e o t o! my min$, , t -hen % close$ my eyes it -as li*e she ha$ , rne$ hersel! onto my eyeli$s6 8% sa- her once ri"ht a!ter she *ille$ a ha" an$ 0ac= es 3a -ere-ol!6 B t % co l$n)t see her (ery -ell65 8%t)s a -oman9 .hat is it95 Len$ shr ""e$6 8Loo*e$ li*e a totally normal "irl to me6 B t E(ie can see thro "h "lamo rs65 E(ery time % tho "ht Da(i$ co l$n)t loo* any more s rprise$ he toppe$ it6 8Yo can see thro "h "lamo rs95 % no$$e$6 8%t)s a "lamo rless li!e65 My !a(orite 2o*e h rt toni"ht6 Lish al-ays li*e$ that one6 He sat $o-n hea(ily in another chair6 8.o-6 'he possi,ilities3%)(e ne(er hear$ o! anyone ,ein" a,le to3'hat)s ama:in"6 No -on$er they -ere !inally a,le to !in$ common "ro n$ to !orm %PCA6 +o -hat is this thin"95 8% $on)t *no-6 %)(e ne(er seen anythin" li*e her65 My -rist shone p at me6 .ell, that -asn)t = ite tr e6 +t pi$, st pi$ Reth6 8+he)s li*e3li*e li(in", li= i$ !lame6 +he)s so ,ri"ht it h rts my eyes65 8'hat)s ne-6 .hat)s her "lamo r95 Len$ "a(e me an apolo"etic loo*, then shimmere$ as he trans!orme$ into Fire /irl6 Da(i$ s-ore so!tly, loo*in" !rom Len$#as#!ire#"irl to me6 8% can)t "et her eyes ri"ht,5 Len$ sai$6 Fire /irl)s (oice comin" o t o! his mo th ma$e me sh $$er6 8Can)t "et E(ie)s, either65 % !elt " ilty an$ $irty, e(en tho "h % ha$n)t $one anythin" -ron"6 Da(i$ "a(e me a -ary loo*6 8An$ yo ,ro "ht her home95 Len$ shi!te$ ,ac* to normal6 8Da$, no, $on)t e(en start6 +he sa(e$ my li!e6 'hat thin" -o l$ ha(e *ille$ me6 An$ E(ie $i$n)t 2 st sa(e me, she sa(e$ e(ery -ere-ol! there6 +he $oesn)t *no- -ho or -hat it is any more than -e $o65 Da(i$ shoo* his hea$, ,othere$6 8.ell, % " ess -e *no- -hat -e)re loo*in" !or no-6 Or at least a $escription6 % ha(e no i$ea -hat she is65 % $i$n)t *no- i! he -as tal*in" a,o t me or Fire /irl6 8%)m not3Yo ha(e to ,elie(e me6 %)m not li*e her, -hate(er she is6 +he)s horri,le, an$ she *ille$3she *ille$ my ,est !rien$65 My (oice crac*e$6 +he too* Lish a-ay !rom me, !rom the -orl$6 % $i$n)t e(er -ant to thin* a,o t her a"ain, an$ % co l$n)t stan$ Len$)s $a$ s spectin" % -as someho- in lea" e -ith her6

8+he ,ro*e into the Center toni"ht65 Len$ p t his arm aro n$ my sho l$ers6 % appreciate$ that one little "est re more than % co l$ say6 He ,elie(e$ me no matter -hat6 .hen % loo*e$ p, % co l$ tell his $a$ $i$, too6 His eyes -ere "entle an$ *in$ a"ain6 8+he m st ha(e planne$ e(erythin", ,eca se they ha$ calle$ all their paranormals in an$ the -ere-ol(es -ere sleepin", so easy tar"ets6 .e ,are# ly "ot o t6 % nee$ to tal* to Mom a,o t -hat -e sa-65 % -as s rprise$ a"ain6 % $on)t *no- -hy %)$ ass me$ he $i$n)t ha(e parents6 May,e he -as a$opt# e$< thin"s li*e Len$ $on)t 2 st happen6 An$ the timin" o! his $a$ lea(in" APCA -o l$ ha(e ,een ri"ht aro n$ -hen Len$ -as ,orn6 % $e!initely -ante$ to hear more a,o t this6 8Can)t (isit her toni"ht, it)s too col$,5 Len$)s $a$ ans-ere$, -hich -as e(en more con! sin"6 8E(ie9 Are yo o*ay95 % -as sha*in"6 8%)m col$,5 % sai$, tryin" not to let my teeth chatter6 More than that % -as o(er# -helme$ an$ ,eyon$ e7ha ste$6 Da(i$ stoo$6 8%)m "oin" to "i(e yo somethin" !or yo r le"< it)ll h rt -hen the n m,in" -ears o!!6 An$ i! it)s o*ay %)ll "i(e yo pain*illers -ith a sleep ai$6 .o l$ yo li*e that95 8Yeah6 'han*s65 % -asn)t loo*in" !or-ar$ to tryin" to !all asleep toni"ht on my o-n6 % -ante$ to chec* o t, lea(e reality6 He -ent thro "h a c p,oar$, comin" ,ac* -ith a co ple o! pills an$ a "lass o! -ater6 % ch ""e$ them< they co l$n)t *ic* in !ast eno "h as !ar as % -as concerne$6 8.here are -e "oin" to p t her95 Da(i$ as*e$6 8'he " est rooms are o!!#limits toni"ht65 8Oh, yeah6 +he can sleep in my room6 %)ll ta*e the co ch65 8'hat)s o*ay, %)m !ine on the co ch65 % $i$n)t -ant to ,e any more intr si(e than % alrea$y !elt6 8+a(in" Len$)s li!e an$ ,rea*in" him o t o! the Center earns yo a ,e$, % thin*,5 Da(i$ sai$ -ith a smile6 8%)ll ta*e yo 8'han*s65 8Come ,ac* $o-n -hen yo )re $one, yo n" man6 .e)(e still "ot some thin"s to tal* a,o t65 Len$ hel$ ,ac* a si"h an$ no$$e$6 'he phone ran" an$ Da(i$ ans-ere$ it6 8He)s home65 He so n$# e$ relie(e$6 8E(erythin")s o*ay6 .e)(e "ot some ne- intel, too65 .on$erin" i! that -as Len$)s mom, % stoo$ an$ !ollo-e$ Len$ p the stairs6 He passe$ a co ple o! $oors6 Both -ere ,olte$ sh t -ith thic* loc*s3on the o tsi$e6 Ner(o s that his $oor -o l$ !eat re that ni!ty little sec rity meas re as -ell, % -as relie(e$ -hen he stoppe$ an$ opene$ a ,olt#!ree $oor6 8Oops,5 he sai$, pic*in" some thin"s p o!! the !loor ,e!ore % co l$ see them6 8+orry, %)(e ne(er ha$ a "irl in my room65 He smile$ sheepishly as he sho(e$ them in a $resser $ra-er6 % "a(e him the ,est smile % co l$ mana"e6 8%)(e ne(er ,een in a ,oy)s room, so -e)re e(en65 %t -as "reat, -ith s*etches an$ ,an$ posters tac*e$ p all o(er the pale ,l e -alls6 % -ante$ to 2 st stan$ there, loo*in" at ho- he $e!ine$ himsel! thro "h his room6 'hat -ay % -o l$n)t ha(e to thin* or ,e alone6 8Oh, here)s a s-eatshirt65 He p lle$ a $ar* "reen hoo$ie o t o! the messy closet6 % p t it on< it -as nice to ha(e my -rist co(ere$ p a"ain6 Pl s, it smelle$ li*e Len$6 %t -as a !resh, cool scent, li*e -hat yo )$ e7pect ,y a casca$e or -ater!all6 % h ""e$ my arms aro n$ mysel!, tryin" to "et -arm a"ain6 'he ,e$ -as the only thin" that $i$n)t = ite !it the room6 %t -as a !o r#poster, an$ the hea$,oar$ an$ !oot,oar$ -ere ela,orate, scrollin" metal6 %t $i$n)t "o at all -ith the simple, so!t#loo*in" ,l e p an$ "et yo a s-eatshirt so yo -on)t ,e so col$65

com!orter6 % p t my han$ on one o! the poles6 8%ron65 % smile$ in relie!6 O,(io sly Len$)s $a$ *nehis !aerie lore6 %t ma$e me !eel a little ,it sa!er3at least as !ar as Reth -as concerne$6 %ron co l$n)t protect me !rom ni"htmares, tho "h6 8%)ll ,e $o-nstairs i! yo nee$ anythin", o*ay95 % t rne$ an$ smile$6 8'han*s65 He stoo$ there !or a moment, loo*in" a-*-ar$, then leane$ in an$ "a(e me a = ic* h "6 8'han* yo ,5 he sai$, then le!t, closin" the $oor ,ehin$ him6 % hel$ my ,reath6 % $i$n)t -ant to ,e alone6 % -ante$ to call o t, as* him to come an$ stay -ith me ntil % !ell asleep, , t % co l$n)t ,rin" mysel! to $o it6 %)$ alrea$y spent the entire ni"ht ,a-lin" in !ront o! him6 % t rne$ o!! the li"ht, , t as soon as it -as $ar* % co l$ see spots that remin$e$ me o! Fire /irl6 % !lippe$ the li"hts ,ac* on6 No $ar* !or me toni"ht6 Clim,in" into ,e$, % c rle$ p to "et -armer n# $er the co(ers6 %n spite o! my ,est e!!orts, % co l$n)t *eep my min$ !rom $ri!tin" to e7actly -hat % $i$n)t -ant to remem,er6 Here in this -arm ho se -ith a !amily, % -as alone6 % co l$ ne(er "o ,ac* to my home at %PCA, ne(er tell Ra= el 2 st ho- m ch she meant to me6 Oh, please, % praye$ to the silence, let Ra= el ,e o*ay6 B t my poor, s-eet Lish -as "one !ore(er6 %n her place -as the terri,le ,ea ty o! Fire /irl, -al*in" $eath in the sterile hall-ays o! the Center6 %n my min$, she -as still "li$in" thro "h the rooms, cheer! lly s c*in" the li!e o t o! anythin" an$ anyone she !o n$6 % hope$ she -o l$ ne(er "et o t6 Paranormalcy /%RL 'AL1 % -al*e$ thro "h the Center hall-ays, ,lin*in" a"ainst the -hite6 'he place -as empty6 % *ept e7# pectin" to !in$ ,o$ies, , t it -as pristine, a,an$one$6 % stoo$ in !ront o! my nit, then -al*e$ thro "h the $oor -itho t it openin"6 'hat -as stran"e6 +he -as alrea$y there, sittin" on my p rple co ch6 8'here yo are65 +he smile$ pleasantly at me6 .e $e!initely ha$ the same eyes, , t her lips -ere a little -i$er than mine6 +he loo*e$ li*e she -as a !e- inches taller, too6 8.hy aren)t yo on !ire anymore95 % as*e$6 8An$, hey, that)s mine45 +he -as -earin" the :e,ra print $ress6 8Oh, chill o t65 +he rolle$ her eyes6 8.here)s the !ire95 % loo*e$ $o-n at my -rist3mine -as "one, too6 8%t)s ri"ht there65 +he "est re$ to-ar$ the corner, -here the li= i$ !lames p lse$ an$ shimmere$, spherical -ith constantly shi!tin" e$"es6 % hel$ o t my han$ to-ar$ them6 For the !irst time % real# i:e$ they -ere ,ea ti! l6 % -ante$ them6 8Yo can)t "et them yet,5 she sai$6 8Ha(e a seat65 % sat $o-n on the !ar en$ o! the co ch, narro-in" my eyes6 % *ne- % sho l$ ,e scare$ o! her6 % -asn)t6 8.hat is this95 8A $ream, yo $or*65 8Oh65 % !ro-ne$6 .eir$6 8Are yo "oin" to *ill me95 8% mi"ht ha(e earlier, ,y acci$ent6 +ometimes % "et carrie$ a-ay65 +he !lashe$ an impish "rin6 8%t)s *in$ o! har$ not to "et lost in the r sh6 B t no- that % *no- -ho yo are, % -o l$ ne(er65

8.ho are yo 95 8Oh, sorry6 %)m Vi(ian65 8Yo *ille$ my ,est !rien$6 % tho "ht %)$ ha(e ni"htmares65 +he shr ""e$6 8'hat -o l$n)t ,e (ery nice o! me, comin" in here an$ scarin" yo 6 % 2 st -ant to tal*6 %)(e ,een tryin" to "et thro "h to yo !or a -hile no-65 8+o, -ait, yo )re really here9 .here am %95 .hat ha$ Len$)s $a$ "i(en me in those pain pills9 8Yo $on)t *no- anythin", $o yo 9 .e share a so l no-, so % tho "ht %)$ $rop in, intro$ ce mysel! properly65 8.hat $o yo mean -e share a so l95 % "lare$ at her6 8% $on)t -ant to share anythin" -ith yo < %)(e "ot my o-n so l45 8+erio sly, chill o t6 Yo )re so tense6 .e share a so l, not yo r so l6 % ,orro-e$ some !rom Reth -hen he ,ro "ht me here< he ha$ a ton in his han$, -hich -as -eir$< s ally yo can only p ll !rom the chest6 % -ante$ to see i! % co l$ $rain him3%)(e ne(er $one a !aerie ,e!ore, they -on)t let me to ch them3, t he p lle$ a-ay ,e!ore % co l$ "et m ch6 Man, that -as a nice trip65 8.ait, he "a(e yo some o! the !ire st !! too9 % hate it4 %t , rns li*e cra:y45 8Yo m st ,e $oin" it -ron"6 %t)s the "reatest !eelin" e(er65 % shoo* my hea$6 .e -ere "ettin" o!! topic6 8.hat are yo 95 8's*#ts*, so r $e6 .e)re the same thin"65 8.e are not the same45 +he -as "ettin" on my ner(es6 E(en in my $reams no one -o l$ "i(e me a strai"ht ans-er6 8Don)t ,e st pi$, E(ie6 %! %)$ *no-n yo -o l$ ,e so pissy, % -o l$n)t ha(e come6 % " ess yo $on)t -ant ans-ers a!ter all65 % *ne- % sho l$ ,e sa$ or an"rier, , t my emotions seeme$ remo(e$6 'he !ire in the corner *ept $is# tractin" me6 % -ante$ to -atch the !lames, to ch them6 %t -as all % co l$ $o to *eep my eyes on Vi# (ian6 8% $on)t -ant anythin" !rom yo 6 Yo *ille$ my ,est !rien$, remem,er95 8No, not really6 .ho -as it95 8'he mermai$65 8Oh65 +he loo*e$ p ::le$6 8+he -as yo r !rien$95 8Yeah65 My eyes $ri!te$ to the corner6 'hey -eren)t li*e !lames, e7actly, more "ol$en an$ -a(er# in"6 Almost li*e this "reat sha$e o! nail polish % ha$ once6 B t on !ire6 'hat $i$n)t ma*e any sense6 % shoo* my hea$, tryin" to clear my min$6 Vi(ian shr ""e$6 8+orry6 B t % -as $oin" her a !a(or65 8A !a(or95 % co l$n)t loo* a-ay !rom the corner no-< % $i$n)t -ant to6 8/i(in" her rest6 +ome peace6 Don)t yo thin* the -ei"ht o! all those millennia -o l$ ,e hea(y9 Besi$es, those thin"s aren)t s ppose$ to ,e here6 %)m 2 st lettin" them "o6 Releasin" them, i! yo -ill65 8Oh,5 % m rm re$ $istracte$ly6 8%t)s -hat -e)re s ppose$ to $o, yo *no-,5 she pro$$e$6 8Oh95 8%t -o l$ ,e more ! n i! -e -ere to"ether6 Co l$ ,e a sisters) thin"65 % stoo$ p6 % ha$ to to ch it, see -hat it !elt li*e6

8Yo can)t ha(e them yet65 +he so n$e$ annoye$6 8Besi$es, those are mine6 .e)ll "et yo some o! yo r (ery o-n, soon6 An$ then yo -on)t ,e col$ or alone6 Aren)t yo tire$ o! ,ein" col$ an$ alone95 % co l$ to ch it no-, i! % 2 st reache$ o t my han$6 8.hat is it95 % li!te$ my han$ an$, *no-in" % -o l$ "et , rne$ , t not carin", pl n"e$ it insi$e6 'he !ire scattere$, s-irlin" aro n$ an$ past me6 % t rne$ to Vi(ian6 +he -as the "lo-in", ,rilliant !i" re a"ain6 8'ol$ yo 6 Yo )re empty6 %)ll help !ill yo 65 % no$$e$, tears in my eyes6 % -ante$ that6 % $i$n)t -ant to ,e empty anymore6 Vi(ian -al*e$ closer to me, all heat an$ li"ht, then coc*e$ her hea$6 8Yo )(e "ot to "o6 %)ll tal* to yo soon65 % co l$ !eel her smilin" n$erneath the !lames, an$ then e(erythin" -ent $ar* an$ col$ a"ain6 Paranormalcy L%1E A BAD 0O1E V i(ian95 % opene$ my eyes, panic*e$, an$ stare$ at the ceilin"6 .here ha$ she "one9 8E(ie, -a*e p65 Len$)s (oice startle$ me6 8.hat are yo $oin" here95 He smile$6 8%t)s my room65 % sat p, loo*in" aro n$6 E(erythin" !rom the $ay ,e!ore clic*e$ into place, an$ % -ishe$ it ha$n)t6 %t -as li*e losin" Lish a"ain6 8+orry,5 Len$ sai$, 8, t they nee$ yo $o-nstairs65 % ,lin*e$, tryin" to "et my eyes to !oc s6 8.ho)s they95 He shr ""e$ ncom!orta,ly6 80 st some people my $a$ -or*s -ith6 %)m sorry, % let yo sleep as lon" as % co l$65 8Oh, that)s o*ay, then6 Can % "o to the ,athroom !irst95 8O! co rse6 %t)s ri"ht $o-n here65 % !ollo-e$ him o t into the hall an$ he pointe$ o t the ,athroom6 8Hey, -ho)s Vi(ian95 My stomach $roppe$ as the $ream !loo$e$ ,ac*6 8Don)t *no-,5 % ,l rte$, -al*in" into the ,ath# room6 .hy $i$ % !eel " ilty hi$in" a st pi$ $ream !rom Len$9 % shoo* my hea$, tryin" to $ismiss it as a meanin"less ni"htmare6 A!ter all, Vi(ian ha$ sai$ a lot o! the same thin"s %)$ hear$ !rom Reth6 %t -as pro,a,ly my ,rain tryin" to process e(erythin" that ha$ happene$6 %"norin" the ner(o s !eel# in" in the pit o! my stomach, % s-ishe$ some toothpaste aro n$ my mo th6 Len$ -as -aitin" -hen % came o t an$ % !ollo-e$ him $o-n the stairs6 'he t-o ,olte$ $oors -ere open no-6 .on$erin" -hat % -o l$ !in$, % -al*e$ into the *itchen ,ehin$ Len$ an$ stoppe$ $ea$6 Len$)s $a$, t-o -ere-ol(es, an$ a (ampire6 %t -as li*e the set p to a ,a$ 2o*e or somethin"6 A $oc# tor, t-o -ere-ol(es, an$ a (ampire -al* into a ,ar6 8.hat)ll yo ha(e95 the ,arten$er as*s6 8.e -ere thin*in" him,5 the (ampire ans-ers, eyein" the $octor6 O*ay, 2o*es -eren)t my stron" point6 'he yello- eyes starin" -arily o t at me !rom the -ere-ol(es an$ the shri(ele$ corpse !ace o! the (amp3% a tomatically reache$ !or 'asey ,e!ore remem,erin" % $i$n)t ha(e her6 % $i$n)t *no-here she -as, either, -hich ma$e me all sorts o! ner(o s6 All their an*les -ere co(ere$ ,y pants, , t % -as certain there -eren)t any trac*ers n$erneath6 'he (ampire)s "lamo r -as a pretty, "oth#loo*in" -oman in her early t-enties6 Blac* hair strea*e$ -ith crimson< hea(y eye ma*e p< an$ all ,lac*, s*inti"ht clothin"6 .ay to ,len$ in there6 'he t-o -ere-ol(es, hol$in" han$s, -ere a man an$ a -oman in their thirties< he -as tall, -ith his hea$

sha(e$, an$ she ha$ c rly ,ro-n hair, croppe$ (ery short6 'here -as somethin" !amiliar a,o t her !ace, , t % co l$n)t place it6 O! co rse, no- the ,olte$ $oors ma$e sense6 Holy crap, % ha$ 2 st spent the ni"ht o! a ! ll moon -ith t-o nne tere$ -ere-ol(es6 An$ a (amp, too, altho "h one (amp % -as pretty s re % co l$ han$le, e(en -itho t my ,elo(e$ 'asey6 8Len$, yo little monster,5 the (ampire sai$, "larin"6 8Don)t yo e(er p ll that a"ain65 Len$ h n" his hea$6 8+orry6 % $i$n)t mean !or3.hen $i$ yo "et here95 80 st no-65 +he t rne$ to me6 8+o65 +he so n$e$ -itchy6 % $i$n)t li*e her6 8%PCA, h h95 8+o65 % raise$ my eye,ro-s ?-ishin" % co l$ raise 2 st one li*e Len$ $i$@, 8Bloo$s c*er, h h95 8Yeah6 +o are L *e an$ +tacey65 +he 2er*e$ her hea$ to-ar$ the -ere-ol(es6 8O*ay, s re6 +ince %)m st pi$ an$ $on)t *no- they spent last ni"ht as -ol(es65 All three o! the paranormals loo*e$ s rprise$6 8Fine,5 the (amp snappe$6 8Di$ yo !i" re o t -hat Da(i$ is yet95 % "a(e her a !lat stare6 8Di$ yo really -a*e me p !or this9 Beca se nless one o! yo $i$ some# thin" to him last ni"ht, he)s h man65 % "lance$ o(er at him to ma*e s re6 Y p, 2 st h man6 Da(i$ cleare$ his throat6 8.e -ante$ to as* a,o t this65 He mo(e$ to the si$e an$ "est re$ at the ta,le, -here % sa- 'asey3yay 'asey43my comm nicator, an$ Len$)s an*le trac*er6 Da(i$ loo*e$ sa$6 8Yo ,ro "ht %PCA technolo"y to my home6 .ill they trac* yo 95 8No45 'r th -as, % ha$n)t e(en tho "ht a,o t that st !! in the con! sion last ni"ht6 'here -asn)t a pro,lem -ith it, , t he ha$ a ri"ht to ,e -orrie$6 8'r st me, they)$ alrea$y ,e here6 'he trac*er is $eacti(ate$ an$ my comm nicator $oesn)t ha(e /P+ or anythin"6 %t *ept "ettin" scre-e$ p an$ re# set e(ery time % -ent thro "h the Faerie Paths so they "ot ri$ o! it6 'hey al-ays *ne- -here % -as any-ay, since the only -ay % e(er le!t -as -ith a !aerie6 'hey can)t trac* the comm nicator nless yo hit the panic , tton, % promise65 'he (amp c t in a"ain6 8+ re, , t yo co l$ still call them, co l$n)t yo 95 % "lare$ at her6 8Yeah, ,eca se % really -ant to "et loc*e$ p !or the rest o! my li!e6 +o n$s li*e a party6 %n !act, % thin* %)ll t rn mysel! in ri"ht no-45 8Li*e they -o l$n)t *ill to "et yo ,ac*,5 she sneere$6 % e7hale$ sharply, tryin" not to yell at her6 Vamps "rate$ on my ner(es more than any other paranor# mal3the $isconnect ,et-een their "lamo rs an$ real !aces -as 2 st too m ch6 8Listen, corpse "irl, $o yo *no- -hat % $i$9 % ,ro*e section one o! the charter6 As in, the section6 As in, let a paranor# mal loose -itho t a thori:ation an$ ,e loc*e$ p !or the rest o! yo r mortal li!e6 E(en i! % -ante$ to "o ,ac*, -hich % $on)t, an$ e(en i! there -as anythin" to "o ,ac* to, -hich there pro,a,ly isn)t, % co l$n)t6 +o ,ite me65 +he loo*e$ li*e she -as "oin" to ta*e me p on it, , t Da(i$ interr pte$6 8'hat)s eno "h6 .e)re all on the same si$e here, Arianna6 Len$ tol$ me e(erythin" that happene$ an$ % thin* E(ie)s ri"ht3i! they co l$ trac* her, they)$ alrea$y ,e here65 He pic*e$ p the comm nicator6 8%t)s ,een ,eepin" o!! an$ on all ni"ht6 .e !o n$ it -ith yo r clothes in the ,athroom65 My heart leape$6 Ra= el4 +he ha$ to ,e -orrie$ sic* a,o t me6 %! % co l$ call her, let her *no- % -as o*ay&then they)$ *no- e7actly -here % -as an$ %)$ ,e loc*e$ p !or the rest o! my li!e6 8'hey)re pro,a,ly tryin" to !i" re o t -hether or not %)m $ea$,5 % sai$ sa$ly, then pa se$6 Homany times ha$ % tol$ them not to -or* -ith the !aeries, r"e$ them to tr st Len$ an$ !i" re this o t to"ether9 O! co rse, my classi!ication -as proo! eno "h o! ho- %PCA really sa- me6 An$ no matter ho- % !elt a,o t Ra= el, she -as %PCA6 % shoo* my hea$6 8Let them thin* %)m $ea$65

'he -oman -ere-ol! spo*e, her (oice "entle, !ear in her eyes6 8Di$ yo really see it95 %t too* me a moment to reali:e she -as tal*in" a,o t Fire /irl6 Vi(ian6 % close$ my eyes an$ no$# $e$6 %t -as 2 st a st pi$ $ream< % $i$n)t act ally *no- her name6 % $i$n)t -ant to tal* a,o t it any# more< % $i$n)t -ant to thin* a,o t it anymore6 8Ho-)s yo r le"95 Len$)s $a$ as*e$6 8Oh, it)s !ine6 H rts a little, , t nothin" ma2or65 8/oo$6 .e)re "oin" !or a little -al*65 8O*ay65 Con! se$, % loo*e$ o(er at Arianna6 Vamps staye$ a-ay !rom s nli"ht6 Not ,eca se they)$ , rst into !lames or anythin", , t ,eca se in $irect li"ht their tr e sel(es sho-e$ thro "h6 Only a little, , t they a(oi$e$ it 2 st the same6 8Yo )ll pro,a,ly -ant lon" pants,5 Len$ sai$6 8%t)s *in$ o! col$ to$ay65 % !ollo-e$ him pstairs6 He ri!le$ thro "h his clothes, !ro-nin"6 8Yo )re s*innier than % am65 % la "he$6 8>mm, yeah, *in$ o! happy a,o t that65 He loo*e$ p at me an$ "rinne$6 A!ter a min te he p lle$ o t an ol$, -orn pair o! !lannel pa2ama pants6 8'hese are a co ple o! years ol$< they pro,a,ly -on)t !all o!!65 He han$e$ them to me an$ stoo$ there6 % raise$ my eye,ro-s an$ he ,l she$6 8Oh, yeah, %)ll let yo chan"e65 A!ter the $oor close$ % slippe$ o t o! his shorts an$ p lle$ on the re$ an$ ,l e !lannels6 'hey -ere a co ple inches too lon", , t they)$ stay on6 'hose com,ine$ -ith the o(ersi:e$ "reen hoo$ie meant % -asn)t e7actly loo*in" hot6 % si"he$6 % co l$ ha(e se$ a sho-er, too, not to mention some ma*e p6 My eyelashes -ere as ,lon$ as my hair< -itho t mascara % !elt li*e a !i(e#year#ol$6 % opene$ the $oor an$ Len$ smile$6 8'hey loo* ,etter on yo 65 8.o-, they m st loo* 2 st a-! l on yo then65 % smile$ ,ac*6 He han$e$ me my ,oots, -hich complete$ my ensem,le o! ri$ic lo sness6 'o ma*e matters -orse, he loo*e$ $o-nri"ht a$ora,le in a thermal shirt that !it him 2 st ri"ht ?tr st me, % notice$@ an$ a pair o! 2eans6 % loo*e$ at his !ace6 % lo(e$ his eyes3his real eyes6 'hey -ere al-ays the easiest o! his !eat res to pic* o t6 8Are yo $oin" o*ay95 he as*e$, an$ his so!t, sa$ loo* ma$e e(erythin" r sh in a"ain6 8No, not really, , t %)m tryin" not to lose it in !ront o! e(eryone65 % -ille$ mysel! not to cry6 % mi"ht ,a-l li*e a ,a,y $ rin" 'he Note,oo*, an$, s re, % crie$ mysel! to sleep sometimes&o*ay, a lot& , t that -as ,y mysel!6 % $i$n)t li*e $oin" it in !ront o! other people6 8Let me *no- i! yo nee$ anythin"65 % smile$, -antin" to "et a mo(e on so % co l$ stop thin*in" a,o t thin"s that ma$e me sa$6 %t -as -eir$ ,ein" on Len$)s t r!< % -as a lot more con!i$ent -hen -e -ere ,oth in the Center6 Li*e ri"ht no-, % really -ante$ to hol$ his han$, , t % -asn)t ,ra(e eno "h to try -ith his $a$ an$ that st pi$ (amp $o-nstairs6 Len$ an$ % met Da(i$ an$ Arianna o tsi$e an$ % "ot a ,etter loo* aro n$6 A narro- pa(e$ roa$ le$ a-ay !rom the ho se thro "h the trees, , t -e t rne$ to the ri"ht an$ -al*e$ $o-n a ,arely#there path into the -oo$s !or a,o t t-enty min tes6 'he trees -ere , $$in", the air crisp an$ clear -ith a hint o! -armth6 +prin" -as on its -ay6 % trie$ to !oc s on the s n streamin" $o-n thro "h the ,ranches6 8.here are -e95 % -hispere$ to Len$6 8Vir"inia65 'hro "h the trees ahea$, % sa- a pon$ !e$ ,y a -i$e stream to o r ri"ht6 .e came thro "h the last

o! the trees an$ stoo$ on the ,an*s6 'he pon$ -as o(al, !airly lar"e, an$ pale ,l e, re!lectin" the clo $less s*y6 'he e$"es -ere crystalli:e$ -ith !rost6 8Oh, "oo$,5 Len$ sai$6 8+he can come o t to$ay65 % !ro-ne$ at the horri,le i$ea that may,e they -ere !rien$s -ith a ha"6 B t the loo* on Len$)s !ace 3e7cite$ an$ happy3reass re$ me that % -asn)t "oin" to meet a (iolent en$6 8.ho95 % as*e$6 He smile$ at me6 8My mom65 Paranormalcy R>N+ %N 'HE FAM%LY Y o r mom95 % as*e$6 % t rne$ ,ac* to the pon$, loo*in" !or a ho se o! some sort, , t there -as nothin"6 Len$ pic*e$ p a roc* an$, "i(in" it an e7pert !lic* -ith his -rist, s*ippe$ it across the top o! the -ater6 Another thin" he co l$ $o that % al-ays -ante$ to6 'he others -ere -atchin" the -ater e7pectantly, so % $i$ the same6 'he mi$$le o! the pon$ mo(e$, shi!tin" as tho "h there -as a s $$en chan"e o! c rrent6 %t t rne$ to-ar$ s, the -ater , il$in" p an$ mo(in" o! its o-n accor$, creatin" a small -a*e6 %)ll a$mit % -as ner(o s6 Most o! my e7perience -ith paranormals in(ol(e$ thin"s that co l$ *ill me6 %t -as all % co l$ $o not to ta*e a step ,ac* as the -a(e came closer, !lo-in" !aster an$ risin" a,o(e the le(el o! the pon$6 .hen it "ot -ithin !eet o! the shore, the -ater shot p, sprayin" hi"h into the air6 Little $roplets, !ree:in" col$, sho-ere$ $o-n on my hea$6 'he -ater settle$ to re(eal a -oman stan$in" there6 .ell, stan$in" ,ein" relati(e, consi$erin" she -as still on the -ater an$ ma$e o! it, too6 'he li"ht re!lecte$ o!! her ripplin" !orm< she -as a,sol tely ama:in"6 Her top hal! -as -ell#!orme$, ri"ht $o-n to a ha ntin"ly ,ea ti! l !ace an$ casca$in" hair6 +he hel$ o t slen$er arms to-ar$ s6 A!ter her -aist the -ater $roppe$ $o-n, !ormin" a sort o! $ress shape -here it connecte$ ,ac* to the pon$6 8Hi, Mom65 Len$ -a(e$ cheer! lly6 +he la "he$6 %t ,le- my min$6 % ha$ al-ays tho "ht Reth ha$ the most ,ea ti! l (oice an$ la "hter, , t she p t him to shame6 %t ma$e yo !eel li*e yo -ere lyin" ne7t to a stream on a -arm $ay, let# tin" it r n o(er yo r !in"ers as yo lost e(ery care in the -orl$ e7cept the cool, cleansin" sensation6 %t , ,,le$ -ith clear m sic notes6 8Hello, my $arlin",5 she sai$6 Her !eat res ripple$ into a smile as she loo*e$ at Len$6 % co l$ see ri"ht thro "h her to the other si$e, , t the -ay her !ace manip late$ the -ater an$ re!lecte$ li"ht yo co l$ see her e7pressions6 %t -as li*e Len$ in his normal !orm, only m ch less sta,le6 % notice$ somethin" else, too6 Her heart, or -here her heart -o l$ ha(e ,een, seeme$ to "enerate li"ht3li*e she "lo-e$ !rom insi$e6 'his m st ,e a normal thin" !or paranormals6 .hy ha$ % not notice$ ,e# !ore9 8Cresse$a,5 Len$)s $a$ sai$6 He loo*e$ happy an$ sa$ at the same time, -atchin" her6 %t ma$e me -on$er -hat the !amily history -as6 8Da(i$65 8He "ot home sa!ely65 +he la "he$ a"ain6 8% tol$ yo he -o l$6 An$ he !o n$ the ans-er65 +he !i7e$ her eyes on me6 % $i$n)t *no- -hat to $o, so % raise$ one han$ in an a-*-ar$ -a(e6 Len$ loo*e$ $o-n, sha*in" his hea$6 8No, %)m sorry6 % $i$n)t !in$ anythin"6 % sa- -hat -as $oin" this, , t % $on)t ha(e any ans-ers65 Cresse$a shoo* her hea$, -ater $roplets rainin" $o-n in !ront o! her6 8Yo ha(e the ans-er -ith yo 65 +he smile$, an$ her eyes, ins ,stantial as they -ere, seeme$ to ,ore strai"ht thro "h me6

8.hat a lo(ely ,alance6 Len$ sho-s -hate(er he -ants the -orl$ to see an$ yo see thro "h -hat# e(er the -orl$ -ants to sho- yo 65 8.hat $o yo mean95 Arianna interr pte$6 Cresse$a shimmere$ li*e she -as a,o t to lose her !orm6 8Len$ !o n$ -hat he -as meant to !in$65 Da(i$ !ro-ne$6 8Yo mean3Di$ yo sen$ him95 He t rne$ to Len$6 8%s that -hy yo -ent9 Di$ she as* yo to95 Len$ shoo* his hea$6 8No, % -ent ,eca se % hear$ yo " ys tal*in"6 Di$n)t yo "et that in!o !rom a ,anshee95 8Yeah, , t %35 8'hin"s are not as they sho l$ ,e6 No- they may ret rn6 Or they may ,e lost entirely,5 Cresse$a sai$ tho "ht! lly6 An$ really nhelp! lly, too6 +he -asn)t m ch "oo$ in the -hole ma*in"#sense $e# partment6 O! co rse, Len$ ha$ ,een talente$ at the -hole (a" e, ran$om#ans-er thin" -hile he -as in the Center6 %t -as o,(io s no- -here he)$ learne$ it6 8Chan"e is comin"6 EEyes li*e streams o! meltin" sno-6)5 +he smile$ at me a"ain6 % shr ""e$, ncom!orta,le6 8'hat)s not a,o t me65 +he shoo* her hea$6 % $i$n)t *no- -hether she -as a"reein" -ith me or tellin" me % -as -ron"6 8'he -aters are emptier no-65 Her (oice -as tin"e$ -ith sorro-6 8% am sorry a,o t Alisha6 Yo -ill set it ri"ht95 8Ho- $i$ yo *no- a,o t Lish95 % as*e$, my (oice catchin"6 8+he -as part o! the -aters6 Ret rn her to s95 % shoo* my hea$, tearin" p a"ain6 8% can)t< she)s $ea$65 8Cresse$a,5 Da(i$ sai$, his (oice "entle an$ lea$in", li*e he -as tryin" to "et her to !oc s6 8.e *no- a little more a,o t the thin" that)s $oin" this6 .e -ere hopin" yo co l$ help s65 +he -a(e$ one han$ $ismissi(ely6 8'his is not a matter o! the -aters3it is a matter o! !ire an$ spir# it6 'he path is not mine an$ % cannot see it65 Len$)s sho l$ers sl mpe$6 E(eryone in the "ro p loo*e$ $isappointe$6 8An$, Len$9 +tan$ p strai"ht, stop slo chin"6 My ,ea ti! l ,oy65 % almost la "he$6 % " ess she really -as a mom, a!ter all6 +he ,eame$ an$ the li"ht re!lectin" !rom her "re- ,ri"hter, then the -ater that !orme$ her let "o, $roppin" ,ac* to the pon$ -ith a lo $ splash6 8Bye, Mom,5 Len$ sai$ so!tly6 Arianna !ol$e$ her arms pet lantly6 8.ell, that -as a ,loo$y -aste o! time65 8% $on)t *no-,5 an all#too !amiliar (oice m se$ ,ehin$ s6 8% !o n$ it rather entertainin"65 % t rne$ aro n$, terror ,lee$in" !rom my stomach o t-ar$ ntil e(en my !in"ers trem,le$6 E(eryone else seeme$ e= ally shoc*e$, altho "h only Len$ loo*e$ scare$6 Reth stoo$ in the mi$$le o! the path li*e some sort o! ,ea ti! l Victorian $an$y6 He e(en ha$ a -al*in" stic*3clearly !ree# $om a"ree$ -ith him an$ he)$ steppe$ p his !ashion6 %! he -eren)t so ,reathta*in", he -o l$ ha(e loo*e$ ri$ic lo s6 On him it -or*e$, an$ someho- ma$e him creepier6 8.hat $o yo -ant95 Da(i$ as*e$, his (oice e(en an$ ca tio s6 8%)(e come to collect -hat)s mine65 He smile$ at me6 %t -as o(er6 .itho t his ne- name, % -as po-erless6 % $i$n)t e(en ha(e any -eapons6 He -o l$ ta*e me an$ there -as nothin" anyone co l$ $o6 8Don)t to ch her45 Len$ 2 mpe$ in !ront o! me, plantin" his !eet an$ hol$in" o t his arms6 %! % -eren)t so scare$ it -o l$ ha(e ,een a$ora,le3Len$ thin*in" he co l$ !i"ht o!! a !aerie6 % -ante$

to cry6 %)$ ne(er see him a"ain an$ it ,ro*e my heart6 Reth !ro-ne$6 8Yo are "ettin" (ery tiresome65 % p t my han$ on Len$)s ,ac*6 8Len$, no45 He ha$ to "et o t o! here6 He *ne- -hat Reth co l$ $o, -hat Reth -o l$ $o6 Da(i$, han$s in his poc*ets, steppe$ closer to the !aerie6 8%)m sorry, % $on)t ,elie(e -e)(e met6 %)m Da(i$6 .hat)s yo r interest in E(ie95 Reth $i$n)t e(en "lance at him6 8'ime -e -ere o!!65 He hel$ o t his han$6 My min$ race$ as % trie$ to thin* o! a -ay o t that $i$n)t en$ p -ith anyone $ea$6 Arianna stoo$ her "ro n$, spittin" on the path in !ront o! him6 8+he)s not "oin" any-here -ith yo 65 Reth raise$ an eye,ro-6 8.hat charmin" company yo *eep, my lo(e65 He !lic*e$ a han$ la:ily an$ Arianna -ent !lyin" into a tree6 'he s n "linte$ o!! somethin" on Da(i$)s *n c*les as he s- n" at Reth)s !ace6 .hat "oo$ $i$ he thin* that -o l$ $o9 His !ist connecte$, an$ Reth !ell ,ac*-ar$, cl tchin" at his !ace -ith an inh # man shrie*6 My 2a- $roppe$ as Da(i$ t rne$ to-ar$ s6 8Let)s "o, no-65 He t rne$ his ,ac* too soon6 From the "ro n$ Reth raise$ his han$ an$ -hispere$ somethin"6 % shrie*e$ as my -rist , rne$ an$ % -as $ra""e$ !or-ar$6 % $ " my heels into the $irt, , t the p ll -as too stron" an$ % !ell !or-ar$, *noc*in" Len$ o t o! the -ay6 'here -as nothin" to hol$ on to6 % cl tche$ at my -rist li*e % co l$ someho- tear a-ay the !ire6 Len$ 2 mpe$ on top o! me, "ra,,in" me aro n$ the -aist an$ ,racin" s ,oth -ith his !eet6 .e slo-e$6 Reth raise$ his other han$ an$ the !ire !lare$, p llin" !rom my heart no-, too6 % screame$ in a"ony6 %t h rt so ,a$ % co l$n)t ,reathe, % co l$n)t thin*6 A $oor melte$ into place ,ehin$ Reth6 A !e- more !eet an$ %)$ ,e his !ore(er6 8No45 Len$ s= ee:e$ me e(en ti"hter6 Da(i$ sp n to hit Reth a"ain, !orcin" the !aerie to mo(e one o! his han$s< % "aspe$ -ith relie! as my heart -as release$6 He !ro:e Da(i$ on the spot6 Reth $ ste$ himsel! o!!, maintainin" his p ll on my -rist6 8Bar,aric race, really6 No- then65 He "lare$ at Len$ an$ raise$ a han$6 8No, $on)t h rt him, %)ll come, %)ll come45 % so,,e$6 At least then the pain -o l$ ,e o(er an$ Len$ -o l$ ,e sa!e6 8No45 Len$ yan*e$ me ,ac*-ar$, "ainin" a !e- !eet on Reth6 +milin", Reth opene$ his mo th6 He -as "oin" to *ill Len$6 .ater, !oamin" an$ !lec*e$ -ith ,its o! ice, shot past s, -hippin" my hair !or-ar$ -ith the !orce o! its motion6 Be!ore hittin" Reth, the -ater c r(e$, t rnin" ,ac* on itsel! an$ s-irlin" aro n$ s6 'he !ire in my -rist $ie$, the in(isi,le threa$s c t6 Len$ an$ % sat sa!e in the mi$$le o! the (orte7, -atchin" Reth)s ima"e ripple thro "h the -ater6 8Really no-,5 Reth snappe$, loo*in" past s6 8% -o l$ hope that yo , o! all thin"s, -o l$ n$er# stan$6 Yo *no- -hat she means to s6 All o! s65 8'hat is my son65 Reth)s nose -rin*le$ in $istaste6 8% see6 Very -ell, he)s o! no import to me6 %)ll ta*e E(elyn an$ ,e on my merry -ay65 8+he is n$er my protection as -ell65 8+he)s no thin" o! yo rs6 'he -aters ha(e no claim65 8Neither $oes the air65

8.e ma$e her45 My ,loo$ !ro:e6 .hat $i$ he mean9 8Creation is not claim,5 Cresse$a sai$6 8An$ yet yo claim the ,oy,5 Reth sneere$6 8Lea(e65 Cresse$a)s (oice ha$ "one !rom , ,,lin" ,roo* to roarin" -ater!all< it -as po-er, eternal an$ nassaila,le6 Reth strai"htene$ his -aistcoat an$ pic*e$ p his -al*in" stic*6 8Very -ell6 %)m not the only one -ho -ill come loo*in", tho "h6 >ntil ne7t time, my lo(e65 He -a(e$ his cane at me an$ steppe$ ,ac* thro "h the $oor6 Paranormalcy ONE OF A 1%ND A rianna -asn)t $ea$6 Or $ea$er, % " ess6 % ne(er tho "ht %)$ ,e so relie(e$ a,o t a (amp, , t the "irl ha$ " ts6 Bac* at the ho se, Da(i$ patche$ p her ri,s -hile +tacey an$ L *e hole$ themsel(es in pstairs, a(oi$in" me a!ter hearin" -hat ha$ happene$6 % $i$n)t ,lame them6 % -as li*e a pla" e; -here % came, ,a$ thin"s !ollo-e$6 8Ho- $i$ yo h rt Reth95 % as*e$ as Da(i$ !inishe$ chec*in" Arianna)s ri,s6 % reali:e$ Reth ha$ a ne- name, , t ha$ no i$ea -hat6 Da(i$ st c* his han$ in his poc*et an$ p lle$ somethin" o t6 %t loo*e$ li*e ,rass *n c*les , t the -ron" color6 %ron6 Brilliant6 8Desi"ne$ them mysel!65 .as he cool or -hat9 8Can % "et a set95 Len$ an$ % as*e$ at the same time6 Da(i$ la "he$6 8%)ll see -hat % can $o65 8.hat i! Reth comes ,ac*95 Len$ as*e$6 8'here)s a reason he $i$n)t come to the ho se6 .e)re not (ery !aerie !rien$ly here6 B t % -o l$n)t n$erestimate yo r mom)s po-er6 No- that he *no-s the -ater elementals are protectin" E(ie, % $on)t thin* he)ll try anythin"6 +oon he)ll !or"et he -as e(er intereste$ in her65 % hope$ that -as tr e, , t % serio sly $o ,te$ it6 %t so n$e$ too $ismissi(e, too li*e Ra= el6 % -asn)t 2 st some pretty thin" Reth -ante$ to $ance -ith3his interest in me ran !ar $eeper6 'here -as some sinister p rpose ,ehin$ it all6 +till, Da(i$ -as o,(io sly !aerie sa((y, an$ -ith Cresse$a)s protection, may,e % really -o l$ ,e sa!e6 >ntil % ha$ to lea(e here, o! co rse6 8'here are a !e- other tric*s,5 Da(i$ sai$, -al*in" to the co nter6 He "ra,,e$ a loa! o! ,rea$, too* o t t-o slices, an$ han$e$ them to s6 81eep a ,it o! stale ,rea$ in yo r poc*ets all the time65 8O*ay,5 % sai$, !ro-nin" $ ,io sly at the ,rea$6 He la "he$6 8%t -or*s6 Faeries $on)t li*e thin"s that tie them to o r earth6 Brea$ is the sta!! o! li!e !or h mans3they -on)t to ch it6 +ame thin" -ith iron< it ,in$s them here, rin"s too sharply o! im# prisonment6 'hat)s -hy it h rts them65 8Cool45 Brea$, at least, % co l$ ta*e -ith me e(ery-here6 8Can % ha(e my taser ,ac*, too95 'asey -asn)t m ch "oo$ a"ainst !aeries, , t % !elt *in$ o! na*e$ -itho t her6 Fro-nin" tho "ht! lly, he !inally no$$e$ an$ "a(e it to me6 % ha$ to restrain mysel! !rom stro*in" the pin* "rip6 Arianna !i7e$ her clothes, "larin" at me6 8.hy)s the !aerie so o,sesse$ -ith yo any-ay9 Yo )re not that c te65 Da(i$ cleare$ his throat lo $ly6 8Len$, -hy $on)t yo ta*e E(ie into to-n, "et her some clothes an$ thin"s95

My heart leape$ in my chest6 'hat so n$e$ promisin"6 8% can stay95 % ha$ ,een -aitin" !or him to *ic* me o t since -e "ot here6 % !i" re$ it -as a s re thin" no- -ith the a$$e$ Reth threat6 % -o l$n)t -ant me aro n$, either6 8O! co rse65 He smile$ at me6 8Yo ,ro "ht my son ,ac*6 Yo )re al-ays -elcome65 % -o l$n)t cry, not a"ain, , t that one sentence meant the -orl$ to me6 May,e % -asn)t totally alone, a!ter all6 Len$ !ro-ne$6 8Yo )re tryin" to "et ri$ o! s so yo can tal* a,o t all this, aren)t yo 95 8Yes65 8Fine65 Len$ hel$ o t his han$6 81eys9 An$ a cre$it car$95 Da(i$ p lle$ a car$ o t o! his -allet an$ han$e$ it o(er -ith the car *eys6 8Be ,ac* ,e!ore $ar*6 Yo )re still "ro n$e$65 8% promise not to ha(e any ! n,5 Len$ sai$ solemnly6 8/et o t o! here, yo , m,5 his $a$ sai$, sha*in" his hea$6 .e clim,e$ into a plain sil(er se$an6 May,e %)m -eir$, , t -atchin" Len$ $ri(e -as se7y6 8+o,5 he sai$, 8%)m " essin" yo ha(e some = estions95 80 st one; -hat)s the limit on that car$95 He loo*e$ shoc*e$ ntil % starte$ la "hin"6 81i$$in"6 %)m not "oin" to p sh my l c*, $on)t -orry6 % -o l$, ho-e(er, li*e to "et pants that aren)t yo rs, no o!# !ense6 An$ % $o ha(e a !e- = estions3real = estions65 He smile$6 8% !i" re$6 Ho- a,o t % start at the ,e"innin"95 8A (ery "oo$ place to start65 8Yo alrea$y *no- my $a$ -as APCA6 +ome o! the thin"s they -ere $oin" really ,othere$ him6 'he imprisonment, re" lations, !orce$ sterili:ations, trac*in"35 8.hoa, hol$ on3!orce$ sterili:ations95 He "lance$ at me6 8Yo $i$n)t *no-9 'hey -ere -orrie$ a,o t -hat -o l$ happen i! a -ere-ol! "ot pre"nant ,y another -ere-ol!6 Ha$ this -hole panic, ethics $e,ate, so on an$ so !orth, then ma$e any paranormal#h man hy,ri$ ,ree$in" -ith another paranormal or h man totally ille"al, an$, mm, ma$e it so no -ere-ol(es they ca "ht co l$ e(er repro$ ce65 All those ne terin" 2o*es % ha$ ma$e3they -eren)t 2o*es6 8Oh,5 % -hispere$, horri!ie$6 8% ha$ no i$ea65 % tho "ht a,o t all the -ere-ol(es % *ne-, Charlotte especially6 +he ha$ al-ays ,een so s-eet an$ attenti(e6 +he -o l$ ha(e ma$e a "reat mom6 An$ %PCA too* that a-ay !rom her a!ter e(erythin" else she ha$ alrea$y lost6 8% thin* that)s the -orst thin" %)(e e(er hear$65 'hen it really hit me3-o l$ they ha(e $one that to me9 .o l$ % ha(e ,een seen as a ,ree$in" ris*9 E(en the term, 8paranormal ,ree$in"65 'hey really tho "ht o! all paranormals as animals6 .hat else $i$ %P# CA $o that % $i$n)t *no- a,o t9 8Any-ay, he -as on an e7ten$e$ assi"nment tryin" to trac* $o-n e(i$ence o! nymphs or sprites6 He !o n$ my mom65 8.hat is she, e7actly95 81in$ o! the e= i(alent o! a nymph6 +he)s a -ater spirit, an elemental6 +he tho "ht he -as ! nny an$ *ept sho-in" p to tal* to him6 An$ my $a$ !ell in lo(e -ith her65 He smile$6 8'hat -as all it too* to con(ince him that he -as $one -ith APCA6 'hey -eren)t a,o t to let someone -ho *ne- as many secrets as him = it, so he !a*e$ his o-n $eath ,y $ro-nin"6 'hey lost a lot o! operati(es in those $ays an$ it -asn)t a har$ sell65 8+o $i$ yo r mom an$ $a$35 % stoppe$, s $$enly a-are o! -hat a-*-ar$ territory % -as hea$in" into6

8+he)s ma$e o! -ater6 %! yo trie$ to to ch her, yo r han$ -o l$ "o ri"ht thro "h65 'his -as so not a$$in" p, an$ % $i$n)t -ant to try to come p -ith an e7planation6 Fort nately, he contin e$6 8B t all elementals ha(e the "i!t o! choice6 My mom $eci$e$ that, a!ter all the a"es she)$ ,een aro n$, she)$ li*e to see -hat really ,ein" ali(e, ,ein" h man, -as li*e6 +o she too* on a mortal !orm an$ li(e$ -ith my $a$ as h s,an$ an$ -i!e6 B t she co l$n)t lea(e the -ater3she $i$n)t -ant to6 +he $i$n)t tell him, , t she too* on mortality !or only one year6 'hat -as lon" eno "h to ma*e me65 He smile$ an$ ,l she$6 8An$ at the en$ o! the year, she "a(e my $a$ a son an$ -ent ,ac* to the -a# ter65 % loo*e$ at him in ama:ement6 He -as incre$i,le6 My ori"inal i$ea o! him as -ater come to li!e -as e7actly ri"ht6 % -on$ere$ -hat Lish -o l$ ha(e tho "ht, since she -as a -ater paranormal, too6 %t st n", *no-in" that my ,est !rien$ ha$ ne(er met this ,oy % -as cra:y a,o t6 'hey -o l$ ha(e lo(e$ each other6 8+o yo really are one o! a *in$, aren)t yo 95 He shr ""e$6 8/ ess so6 %t -as har$ !or my $a$ -hen % -as little6 % chan"e$ !orm constantly< it -as li*e a "ame6 % ha$ to ,e homeschoole$ ntil % -as ol$ eno "h to n$erstan$ that it -o l$ ,e really $an"ero s i! people !o n$ o t a,o t me6 Pl s, yo met my mom3she -asn)t e7actly the most help# ! l parent65 He "lance$ at me -arily, as tho "h he e7pecte$ me to la "h6 8+o&that)s -here % came !rom65 % smile$, sha*in" my hea$6 8Yo are so !rea*in" a-esome65 He la "he$, o,(io sly relie(e$6 % -as -ay too happy6 Part o! it -as Len$ openin" p to me, part -as *no-in" % ha$ a place -ith his !amily6 B t ,esi$es that, % ha$n)t ,een in a car in li*e si7 years6 % eye$ him in the $ri(er)s seat -ith n$is" ise$ en(y6 8'ell yo -hat,5 he sai$, noticin" my stare6 8% *no- yo can)t "et a license, , t % mi"ht ,e a,le to $o somethin" ,etter65 8.hat95 He smile$6 8Ho- -o l$ yo li*e to come to school -ith me tomorro- an$ see a real, li(e loc*er95 %)m pretty s re % s= eale$6 A!ter o r shoppin" -as $one ?% -as so ea"er to "et o t o! Len$)s clothes, % chan"e$ in the store ,athroom@, -e "ot ,ac* into the car6 % -as pretty s re he ha$ chec*e$ me o t a !e- times6 % hope$ so, at least6 /oo$ness *no-s % -as $oin" my !air share o! snea*y starin"6 8Yo h n"ry95 he as*e$, p llin" o t6 8Oh, my "osh, %)m star(in",5 % sai$, 2 st no- reali:in" it6 % loo*e$ at the cloc* on the $ash,oar$6 %t -as three in the a!ternoon6 8Let)s "et somethin" to eat, then65 8Aren)t yo "ro n$e$95 % tease$6 8My $a$ sai$ ,e ,ac* ,y $ar*6 %t)s not $ar* yet65 .e $ro(e a co ple o! ,loc*s to a small $iner6 % ha$ ne(er ,een on the East Coast ,e!ore e7cept !or a !e- late ni"ht 2o,s, so % en2oye$ loo*in" aro n$6 Lots o! trees, hintin" at , $s6 .e -al*e$ into the $iner an$ my 2a- $roppe$6 E(ery sin"le person in there -as a paranormal6 8>mm, yo $o *no- this -hole place is !ille$ -ith -ere-ol(es, (amps, an$ a co ple o! other thin"s %)(e ne(er seen ,e!ore, ri"ht95 % -hispere$6 Len$ la "he$, sittin" $o-n in a ,ooth6 8.ell, yeah6 My $a$ o-ns it65 8Oh65

8A!ter Mom -ent ,ac* to the -ater, he -as le!t -ith a (ery paranormal son6 He *ne- ho- ,a$ thin"s -ere -ith the "o(ernment a"encies, so he $eci$e$ to $o somethin" a,o t it6 He r ns sort o! an n$er"ro n$ railroa$ !or paranormals, shiel$in" them !rom %PCA, "i(in" them 2o,s, helpin" them control the nastier si$es o! themsel(es65 8.hat a,o t the (amps9 Does he let them s c* someone $ry e(ery no- an$ then95 8'here are lots o! other so rces o! ,loo$6 'hey all *no- that i! they ,rea* the r les, he -on)t help them anymore6 Most o! them are yo n" (amps, too6 'hey still remem,er -hat it -as li*e to ,e h # man an$ $on)t really relish the tho "ht o! *illin"6 Pl s they)re help! l -ith the -hole min$ control thin"65 % !elt *in$ o! ,a$6 % ha$ ne(er e(en consi$ere$ "i(in" (amps the ,ene!it o! the $o ,t6 8Do yo ha(e any ha"s95 Len$ la "he$6 8.e)re acceptin", not s ici$al65 % si"he$ in relie!6 8O*ay then6 'hat)s pretty cool, % " ess65 'r th -as, the -hole thin" ma$e me more than a little ner(o s6 'he sentiment -as "reat, , t e7pectin" all these creat res to control their nat ral instincts9 +o n$e$ $an"ero s6 Ho- many li(es -ere -orth ris*in" to "i(e a han$! l o! (ampires more !ree$om9 A -aitress came to ta*e o r or$ers, interr ptin" my tho "hts6 +he *ne- Len$ an$ -as $rop#$ea$ "or"eo s, -ith ,lon$ hair, ,l e eyes, an$ these a,sol tely l scio s lips6 Her non#"lamo r !ace -as 2 st as ,ea ti! l, altho "h it -as mottle$ ,ro-n an$ "ray6 .e ,oth or$ere$ an$ she t rne$ aro n$6 My 2a- $roppe$6 >n$erneath her "lamo r her ,ac* -as hollo- li*e an ol$ tree, an$ she ha$ a tail6 8.hat is she95 % -hispere$6 8Nona9 Oh, she)s a h l$ra6 'ree spirit65 .atchin" her an$ the other paranormals in there, thin"s shi!te$ !or me6 'hey -ere (i,rant, happy, not h rtin" anyone6 'his -as a "oo$ place6 % se$ to thin* that %PCA -as some no,le or"ani:ation, protectin" h mans6 B t % tho "ht it helpe$ paranormals, too6 'he -ere-ol(es an$ (amps ha$ 2o,s, an$ all paranormals ha$ protecte$ stat s6 Ho-e(er, this recent in!ormation "a(e me a ne- perspecti(e6 %PCA acte$ on a,sol tes, an$ % -as increasin"ly reali:in" that nothin" -as a,sol te in this -orl$6 Len$)s $a$ -asn)t totally ri"ht, , t he -as pro,a,ly more ri"ht than my !ormer employers6 % tho "ht o! somethin" else6 8.ith all the st !! yo *no- a,o t %PCA, ho- -ere yo so calm -hile -e3they3-ere hol$in" yo 9 % -o l$ ha(e ,een !rea*in" o t65 He la "he$6 8Oh, tr st me, % -as terri!ie$6 Beyon$ terri!ie$6 % *ept -aitin" !or them to c t me open or somethin"6 L c*y !or me they -ere $istracte$ -ith the $ea$ paranormals, other-ise % $on)t e(en -ant to thin* a,o t it65 8Man, % tho "ht yo -ere li*e some s percool operati(e an$ *ne- e7actly -hat yo -ere $oin"6 No- % !in$ o t yo -eren)t e(en s ppose$ to ,e there in the !irst place65 8%)(e "ot a lot o! practice actin"6 % $o it e(ery -a*in" ho r, a!ter all65 He ha$ a point3he acte$ -ith his -hole appearance6 8.ell, % " ess % still thin* yo )re pretty cool65 8'han* "oo$ness65 He shoo* his hea$ in moc* relie!6 8O! co rse, % can)t really act in !ront o! yo 65 He "a(e me a small, shy smile6 %t m st ha(e ,een so -eir$ !or him that % co l$ see him li*e no one else6 % *in$a li*e$ it6 8Yo $on)t nee$ to act !or me,5 % ans-ere$, then ,l she$6 .o-, -as that $or*y or -hat9 Pretty soon % -o l$ tell him ho- $reamy % tho "ht his real eyes -ere, an$ ho- m ch %)$ li*e him to hol$ my han$ in a non#the#-orl$#is#en$in"#an$#%)m#,ein"#nice sort o! -ay6 He smile$ ,i""er an$ -e

,oth -ent ,ac* to o r !oo$6 /oo$ thin" too, ,eca se % -as pro,a,ly one step a-ay !rom ,l rtin" o t hey, -anna ,e my ,oy!rien$9 .hen -e le!t, hal! the resta rant -a(e$ cheerily to Len$, most o! them "i(in" me c rio s loo*s6 % !i" re$ it -as a "oo$ thin" they $i$n)t *no- -ho % -as6 % trie$ not to stare at anyone, preten$in" li*e % co l$n)t see -hat they really -ere6 Besi$es the tree spirit -aitress, there -as a -oman -ho ha$ !ins n$erneath her "lamo r le"s, se(eral -ere-ol(es, a co ple o! (amps, an$ % -as pretty s re % ha$ seen t-o "nomes -or*in" in the ,ac*6 'his place -as e(en -eir$er than the Center6 Remem,erin" my ol$ home ma$e me !eel more pan"s o! " ilt6 % $i$n)t e(en *no- i! Ra= el -as o*ay, an$ % -as s re she)$ ,e really -orrie$ a,o t me6 B t there -as so m ch she ne(er tol$ me, so m ch she hi$, it -as easier to p sh $o-n the " ilt in !a(or o! an"er6 An$ Lish % trie$ not to thin* a,o t at all6 %! % -ere still in the Center, her a,sence -o l$ ,e li*e a hole in my heart6 Here % -as so remo(e$ !rom my pre(io s li!e that it ma$e it a little easier6 % co l$ preten$ she -as still there in her tan*, -a(in" her han$s aro n$ an$ ma*in" the comp ter say ,leep6 .hen -e "ot ,ac* to his ho se, Len$ si"he$6 8%)$ ,etter call some !rien$s an$ !in$ o t ho- !ar ,e# hin$ % am in my classes65 He p lle$ o t his phone6 8Len$95 Da(i$ calle$6 8Y p,5 Len$ ans-ere$6 8.e)re ,ac*, -e alrea$y ate65 8% *no-, Nona calle$ an$ tol$ me yo -ere there65 'he person Len$ -as callin" pic*e$ p an$ he starte$ tal*in"6 % $i$n)t *no- -hat % -as s ppose$ to $o6 My imp lse -as to "o to Len$)s room6 % al-ays tho "ht the Center ma$e me cla stropho,ic, , t no- % s specte$ % ha$ the opposite pro,lem6 All that time to$ay in open spaces an$ o t$oors ma$e me *in$ o! t-itchy, ner(o s to "et ,ac* insi$e6 Ho- lame -as that9 An$ % still co l$n)t "et o(er -hat Len$ ha$ sai$, especially a,o t the sterili:ations6 8Da(i$95 % as*e$, -al*in" into the *itchen6 8Yes95 He loo*e$ p !rom the ta,le6 8%3% $i$n)t *no-6 A,o t %PCA, % mean6 'he thin"s they $o65 % loo*e$ " iltily at the !loor, remem# ,erin" all the -ere-ol(es % ha$ ,ro "ht in6 An$ no- % ha$ a,an$one$ them !or this sa!e, happy home6 8% -ant to help, i! % can65 8% tol$ yo an$ Len$, % $on)t -ant yo in(ol(e$ in this anymore65 8No, not the *iller thin"6 % mean, -ith other thin"s6 .ith -hat yo )re $oin" here65 %t hit me6 8'he -ere-ol(es4 All %PCA)s -ere-ol(es -ere ta*en o t o! the Center4 .e can help them65 8.here95 Da(i$ stoo$6 My heart san*6 8Oh6 % $on)t *no-6 % ma$e a !aerie "et them o t so they)$ ,e sa!e6 % ha(e no i$ea -here she too* them6 'he Center is in northeastern Cana$a, i! that helps6 May,e she 2 st too* them o tsi$e95 8%t)s in Cana$a95 8APCA -ante$ it here , t the other co ntries pitche$ a !it6 E(eryone hate$ APCA ,eca se yo " ys al-ays ha$ the ,est technolo"y6 One o! the con$itions o! !ormin" %PCA -as that the main center ha$ to ,e o!! >+ "ro n$, so they pic*e$ Cana$a since it -as !airly ne tral65 Politics6 Honestly6 He !ro-ne$ tho "ht! lly6 8%! they)re still ns per(ise$, -e mi"ht ha(e an openin"6 % ha(e a !econtacts % co l$ try6 'hey)(e "ot to ,e some-here65 8.hat a,o t the an*le trac*ers95 8.e)(e ,een -or*in" a"ainst %PCA !or a lon" time, E(ie6 % co l$n)t $o this -itho t a !e- *ey peo# ple on the insi$e6 .e)ll !i" re somethin" o t65 He smile$6 % !elt a little ,etter6 At least %)$ $one

somethin" to help Charlotte6 Hope! lly6 B t him sayin" he ha$ someone on the insi$e ma$e me remem,er Ra= el6 % cleare$ my throat, ner# (o s6 8>mm, co l$ yo may,e !in$ o t i! some o! my !rien$s are o*ay95 8%! yo mean Ra= el, %)(e alrea$y contacte$ my so rces an$ they)re "oin" to let me *no- -here she is as soon as they !in$ o t65 % let o t a relie(e$ ,reath6 8'han*s45 % -ent into the !amily room an$ sat $o-n on the co ch ne7t to Len$6 Not ne7t ne7t to him li*e % -ante$ to, , t close6 A!ter a !e- min tes he close$ his phone an$ si"he$6 8%)m $ea$6 'his is "oin" to ta*e me !ore(er to ma*e p6 %)ll ,e ri"ht ,ac*6 % "otta "o see -hat ,oo*s % ha(e here so % can "et starte$65 He "ra,,e$ the shoppin" ,a"s an$ -ent pstairs6 % -atche$ him lea(e, 2ealo s o! his li!e6 %)$ e(en ta*e real home-or*6 8Oh,5 Arianna sai$, her (oice !lat6 +he ha$ 2 st come in the room an$ loo*e$ annoye$ that % -as there6 8% -as "oin" to -atch 'V65 +he "a(e me a 2 st#try#to#stop#me loo*6 8Be my " est65 % $i$n)t mo(e, "i(in" her a $on)t#thin*#yo #can#, lly#me#,loo$s c*er loo*6 +he sat $o-n in an armchair ne7t to the co ch an$ p lle$ o t a co ple o! remotes6 A!ter searchin" thro "h a men , she selecte$ a sho- an$ hit play6 8No -ay45 % sat p6 8% totally lo(e this one65 8Yo li*e Easton Hei"hts95 8>mm, ,est sho- e(er65 8% *no-, h h95 'he eyes o! her "lamo r -ere lit p, e7cite$6 'he $ea$ eyes n$erneath e(en loo*e$ a little animate$6 8% misse$ a co ple o! episo$es -hile % -as o t loo*in" !or that t-it,5 she sai$, "larin" at Len$ as he -al*e$ in the room6 Len$ sat $o-n on the co ch3closer to me than he ha$ ,een ,e!ore3an$ then notice$ the sho-6 He si"he$ hea(ily6 8/reat6 % am *in$ o! tryin" to "et some35 8+hhh45 Arianna an$ % sai$ at the same time6 A!ter catchin" p on all the episo$es she misse$, Arianna an$ % ha$ a lon", sli"htly heate$ $isc s# sion o(er -ho Cheyenne sho l$ en$ p -ith6 +he -asn)t as m ch ! n as Lish, , t she certainly *ne- her Easton Hei"hts6 % -on$ere$ -hat Lish -o l$ thin*, *no-in" % -as tal*in" a,o t o r sho- -ith an nta""e$ (amp6 At least Lish -o l$ ha(e my ,ac* in the ar" ment6 8Yo *no- she ,elon"s -ith Lan$on,5 % sai$6 8Oh, as i!4 He)ll ne(er re!orm6 +he sho l$ 2 st accept that Ale7 is "oin" to ma*e her happy65 8Yo )re cra:y4 .hat a,o t the time Ale7 "ot $r n* an$ -ent to that cl , -here he ma$e o t -ith Carys ,e!ore he !o n$ o t they -ere act ally co sins9 Yeah, that)s sta,ility65 Len$ stoo$6 8E(ie, -e)(e "ot to -a*e p early tomorro- !or school65 8Oh, yeah, "oo$ point65 % -as pretty e7ha ste$6 8.e)ll tal* a,o t this tomorro-,5 % -arne$ Arianna6 Len$ an$ % -al*e$ p the stairs to"ether6 8Yo can ha(e yo r room ,ac*,5 % sai$6 8Don)t -orry a,o t it6 %t)s not a ! ll moon anymore, so +tacey an$ L *e can share a room a"ain6 %)ll ta*e the e7tra one65 8% co l$ ta*e the e7tra one65 He shr ""e$, smilin"6 8% alrea$y p t all yo r st !! in there3$on)t -orry a,o t it6 .e)ll "et yo set# tle$ more permanently tomorro-65

% really, really li*e$ the so n$ o! that6 A!ter "ettin" rea$y !or ,e$, % , mpe$ into him in the hall a"ain6 8% ha$ a "reat time to$ay6 Besi$es the -hole Reth attac*, % mean65 8Me, too65 .e -ere ,oth = iet, an$ then he leane$ !or-ar$, "i(in" me a stran"e loo*6 For a secon$ % tho "ht he -as "oin" to h " me or3holy ,leep3may,e e(en *iss me an$ % "ot all e7cite$6 'hen he 2 st smile$ an$ sai$, 8/oo$ ni"ht65 8Oh, mm, ni"ht,5 % sai$ ,ac*, not e(en mana"in" to hi$e my $isappointment6 % -as ne(er "oin" to "et *isse$, -as %9 Paranormalcy H%0%N1+ AND H%/H +CHOOL+ % -o*e p early the ne7t mornin", relie(e$ a!ter a $reamless sleep an$ , ::in" -ith e7citement to "o to a real, li(e hi"h school6 % too* a = ic* sho-er an$ "ot rea$y6 %t -as nice to ,e a,le to $o my hair an$ ma*e p3it ma$e thin"s !eel a little more normal6 % chose a shirt Len$ ha$ pic*e$ o t !or me ?pin* an$ spar*ly, ho- c te -as that9@ an$ -as rea$y to "o !orty#!i(e min tes ,e!ore -e nee$e$ to lea(e6 Len$ ha$n)t e(en -o*en p yet6 .ith nothin" else to $o, % -ent $o-nstairs to eat ,rea*# !ast6 Da(i$ -as sittin" at the ta,le -ith Arianna an$ the t-o -ere-ol(es6 8Oh, hey,5 % sai$, !eelin" li*e % ha$ intr $e$6 Da(i$ smile$ at me, an$ Arianna e(en "a(e me a no$6 +tacey an$ L *e ,arely loo*e$ at me6 % thin* % scare$ them6 A-esome6 8Cereal)s in the pantry3help yo rsel!,5 Da(i$ sai$6 % $i$, !in$in" a ,o-l an$ spoon an$ then sittin" at the co nter to eat6 % trie$ not to listen to their con(ersation, , t it -as a small *itchen6 8%! -e 2 st *ne- ho- it -as *illin" them65 8.ait, -hat95 % t rne$ aro n$ to !ace the "ro p6 8Are yo tal*in" a,o t the "irl that)s *illin" para# normals9 % sa- her65 8Yo $i$9 Ho- $oes she $o it95 'hey all loo*e$ at me, ea"er an$ intense6 8%t)s -eir$6 +he 2 st sort o! p ts her han$ on their chests an$ then they)re $ea$6 A!ter-ar$, there)s a han$print, all shimmery an$ "ol$en, , t it !a$es6 % $on)t thin* anyone else -o l$ ,e a,le to see it65 8Can yo sho- me e7actly -hat she $i$95 Da(i$ stoo$ p6 8Are yo s re she $i$n)t ha(e a -eapon o! some sort95 8Nope, nothin"65 Arianna steppe$ p6 8+ho- him on me65 %t -as more than a little a-*-ar$6 % -asn)t all that ea"er to p t my han$ on Arianna)s chest3% -o l$n)t ha(e ,een e(en i! she -eren)t n$ea$6 Not my thin"6 +till, Da(i$ -as -atchin" intently, so % shr ""e$6 8O*ay, she -al*e$ p an$ p t her han$ o t li*e this, an$ then35 'he secon$ -e to che$, Arianna)s eyes -ent -i$e an$ she starte$ con( lsin", lettin" o t a horri,le shrie*6 Da(i$ 2 mpe$ ,ac* an$ % screame$, yan*in" my han$ a-ay in terror6 .hat ha$ % $one9 % really -as li*e Vi(ian, a m r$erer6 % -atche$, st nne$, !or the "ol$en han$print to sho- p an$ Arianna to cr mple to the "ro n$6 An$ a part o! me, a small, terri,le part, -aite$ to *no- -hat it -o l$ !eel li*e6 Her con( lsions shi!te$ into "i""les6 8Oh, % "ot yo ,a$45 +he -as la "hin" so har$ no- she $o # ,le$ o(er6 % leane$ a"ainst the co nter an$ "aspe$ !or ,reath6 'ryin" not to cry, % sho(e$ her sho l$er, almost *noc*in" her o(er6 8Yo st pi$ ,rat4 % can)t ,elie(e yo $i$ that45 Da(i$ si"he$6 8'hat -as in (ery poor taste65

At the ta,le, +tacey ha$ her hea$ , rie$ in L *e)s chest6 +he -as ,a-lin", an$ L *e loo*e$ li*e he -ante$ to rip Arianna)s throat o t6 8Oh, li"hten p,5 she sai$, still la "hin"6 8'hat -as a-esome an$ yo *no- it6 Yo sho l$ ha(e seen the loo* on yo r !ace6 Yo really tho "ht yo -ere *illin" me65 8Yeah, -ell, no- % *in$ o! -ant to65 % "lare$ at her6 % co l$n)t "et that $ m, $ream o t o! my hea$6 % ha$ act ally tho "ht o! Fire /irl as Vi(ian a"ain6 8Hey, "oo$ mornin"65 Len$ -al*e$ into the *itchen, stoppin" as he too* in e(eryone)s !aces6 8.hat $i$ % miss95 8Arianna)s a !rea*in" come$ic "eni s,5 % m ttere$, sittin" ,ac* $o-n to !inish my cereal6 8E(ie -as sho-in" s ho- this thin" *ills, an$ Arianna $eci$e$ to ma*e it a little more $ramatic,5 Da(i$ a$$e$ $rily6 8+o "reat,5 Arianna sai$, !inally "ettin" her la "hter n$er control6 8.ere yo tal*in" a,o t the poem95 Len$ as*e$6 8.hat ha(e yo !i" re$ o t95 Da(i$ shoo* his hea$6 8No, yo )re o!!icially ,anne$ !rom listenin" to s6 Or thin*in" a,o t this6 Or e(en thin*in" a,o t thin*in" a,o t this, n$erstan$95 8B t %35 8No6 % mean it6 Yo an$ E(ie ,oth6 'his is not yo r pro,lem anymore65 Len$ sco-le$ as he "ot some cereal an$ sat ne7t to me6 Honestly, % ha$ ,een n$er so m ch pres# s re !or so lon" that it -as a relie! to t rn it o(er to the a$ lts6 % $i$n)t -ant to thin* a,o t !aeries or cra:y , rnin" "irls anymore6 %, !or one, -o l$ ,e !ollo-in" Da(i$)s r les6 %t -as a,o t time % "ot to ,e si7teen6 % p she$ the ima"e o! Lish)s li!eless ,o$y o t o! my min$ -ith a -a(e o! " ilt6 'his -asn)t my !i"ht6 %)$ $one my part alrea$y6 8Are yo rea$y95 Len$ as*e$6 8Oh yeah65 % -as so rea$y6 Distractions, please6 8Are there are a lot o! paranormals at the school, too9 Vamps95 Arianna snorte$6 8.hy on earth -o l$ a (ampire "o to hi"h school95 8.ell, then % $on)t ha(e to $eal -ith yo to$ay, so alrea$y hi"h school)s s per65 8Yo )$ ,etter "et "oin",5 Len$)s $a$ sai$, loo*in" at the cloc*6 % !ollo-e$ Len$ o t to the car, practically s*ippin"6 .e p lle$ p to a spra-lin" ,ric* , il$in" an$ par*e$ in a cro-$e$ lot6 % 2 mpe$ o t o! the car, -aitin" impatiently -hile Len$ "athere$ his ,ac*pac* an$ ,oo*s6 8.e)ll "o to the o!!ice !irst to chec* yo in65 .e entere$ thro "h "lass $o ,le $oors, an$ a co ple o! per*y o!!ice la$ies "reete$ s6 Len$ "a(e them a -innin" smile6 8%)(e "ot my a,sence e7c se slip an$ %)m chec*in" in my " est6 % thin* my $a$ calle$95 8Oh, yes,5 sai$ one o! the la$ies, a pl mp -oman -ith short, c rly re$ hair6 8Been sic*, s-eet# heart95 8Y p6 Pretty ,a$65 Len$ han$e$ her a paper an$ she loo*e$ o(er it, then entere$ somethin" into a comp ter6 +he han$e$ me a (isitor pass, -hich % rather rel ctantly clippe$ to the ,ottom o! my shirt6 Lame6 8O*ay, yo )re all set65 8'han*s65 % "ot , tter!lies in my stomach as -e t rne$ an$ -al*e$ thro "h the $oor into the main

hall-ay6 %t -as ama:in"6 +erio sly, it -as incre$i,le6 'he school -as *in$ o! r n#$o-n an$ $in"y, , t the *i$s4 'eena"ers, e(ery-here4 Delicio sly or$inary, completely o,li(io s teena"ers4 % ha$ ne(er ,een aro n$ so many at one time6 Len$ an$ % c t into the tra!!ic !lo- an$ -al*e$ $o-n the hall, an$ % reali:e$ that none o! them notice$ s or care$6 'hey 2ostle$ each other, sho te$ hellos, ins lte$ each other in slan" %)$ ne(er hear$ , t (o-e$ to try o t6 An$ % -as there in the mi$$le o! it all6 % -as normal6 %t -as hea(en6 .e t rne$ $o-n a si$e hall an$ Len$ stoppe$, hol$in" his han$s p $ramatically6 8% "i(e yo 3my loc*er65 %t -as a sic*ly teal, paint chippin" o!! the corners to re(eal a pre(io s tan coat6 % reache$ o t an$ p t my han$ on the col$ metal6 8+o, is it e(erythin" yo ima"ine$95 he as*e$6 8E(erythin" % ima"ine$ an$ more,5 % -hispere$, then , ste$ p la "hin"6 8+erio sly, this -hole place3it)s incre$i,le4 % can)t ,elie(e yo "et to $o this e(ery $ay45 8F nny, ,eca se most people here, mysel! incl $e$, really -ish that -e $i$n)t ha(e to65 8'hat)s ,eca se yo ha(e no i$ea ho- precio s normal is6 No-65 % p t my han$s on my hips an$ loo*e$ aro n$6 8Accor$in" to Easton Hei"hts, a !ist!i"ht o(er a "irl sho l$ ,e ,rea*in" o t at some point to$ay, !ollo-e$ ,y a tear#strea*e$ cat!i"ht in the "irl)s ,athroom6 +ho l$ % *eep my eyes open9 An$, more important, $o % 2oin the !i"ht, or 2 st -atch95 Len$ la "he$6 8>mm, yeah, pro,a,ly not "oin" to happen6 .e)ll "o to my classes, eat l nch, "o to more class, an$ yo )ll reali:e that hi"h school is min$#n m,in"ly ,orin"65 8Not a chance,5 % sai$, "rinnin"6 8%t)s alrea$y a-esome65 At the en$ o! one o! my ,est $ays e(er, -e sat in the car -aitin" !or the line o t o! the par*in" lot to mo(e6 8+o, yo li*e the -hole hi"h school thin"95 Len$ as*e$6 8Let)s see65 % !ro-ne$ tho "ht! lly6 8History is ,orin"3alrea$y *ne- that6 +ome classes are a 2o*e 3nice s rprise6 E(en normal people are stran"e3!i" re$ that one o t alrea$y6 No (icio s creat res % nee$e$ to s ,$ e -ith a 'aser3al-ays a pl s6 Y p, hi"h school)s pretty cool in my ,oo*65 An$ it -as6 % e(en "ot to "o to art class6 'he teacher ma$e me mo$el in !ront o! the -hole class !or li!e $ra-in", -hich -as almost scarier than !acin" that room ! ll o! (amps6 At least % *ne- -hat the (amps -ere thin*in"6 .e p lle$ o t o! the par*in" lot an$ % sa- a si"n on the corner a$(isin" st $ents to , y their prom pac*a"es6 8Yo " ys ha(en)t ha$ yo r prom yet95 8Oh6 No, % " ess not65 Len$ !i$"ete$ in his seat an$ -as = iet6 Oh, crap3he pro,a,ly tho "ht % -as hintin" that % -ante$ him to as* me, an$ no- he !elt a-*-ar$ ,eca se he $i$n)t -ant to6 .e ma$e it hal!-ay home in per!ect silence, o r a-esome $ay r ine$6 Brilliant mo(e, E(ie6 8+o,5 he sai$, !inally spea*in" p6 8Do yo 3% mean, it)s *in$ o! lame, , t $o yo -ant to "o to the prom9 .ith me95 8+erio sly95 He shr ""e$, not ta*in" his eyes o!! the roa$6 8Yo $on)t ha(e to, % 2 st tho "ht may,e yo )$35 8Yes4 %)$ lo(e to4 A,sol tely4 % mean, it)$ ,e *in$ o! ! n, ri"ht95 % co l$ ha(e melte$ ice, my smile -as so ,ri"ht6 Len$)s !ace ,ro*e into a smile, too, -hich ma$e me reali:e ho- ner(o s he ha$ loo*e$ ,e!ore6 No -on$er he)$ ,een so = iet4 8Cool6 %t)ll ,e ! n65

'he a!ternoon passe$ = ic*ly6 E(ery time % tho "ht a,o t the prom, a sort o! "i$$y sense o! nreal# ity $escen$e$ on me6 + rely this co l$n)t ,e my li!e6 %t -as too ama:in"6 % -as "oin" to the prom3 my prom3-ith Len$6 Paranormalcy /%RL+, CRY%N/, .OLVE+ D inner -as a little ncom!orta,le6 % ha$n)t ,een to an act al !amily $inner in years6 +ometimes in the Center Ra= el or Charlotte ate -ith me< -hen they $i$n)t % too* my !oo$ into Central Process# in", , t it -asn)t li*e Lish co l$ e7actly sit $o-n at a ta,le -ith me6 No cryin" at the $inner ta,le6 No thin*in" a,o t Lish6 +tacey an$ L *e sat on the opposite en$ o! the ta,le, an$ e(ery time % "lance$ p, +tacey -as $art# in" loo*s at me that ho(ere$ ,et-een terri!ie$ an$ ! rio s6 % co l$ ,arely e(en ma*e eye contact -ith either one o! them, not no- that % *ne- -hat -o l$ ha(e happene$ i! they ha$ ,een ca "ht ,y %PCA6 Da(i$ -as on the phone in the other room all thro "h $inner, , t -hen -e -ere nearly $one eatin" he came in, an$ sat $o-n hea(ily in his chair, a relie(e$ an$ -eary smile on his !ace6 He t rne$ to# -ar$ me6 8.e $i$ it65 8Di$ -hat95 % as*e$6 8% $i$n)t -ant to say anythin" ntil e(eryone -as sa!e, , t yo r Cana$a tip -as eno "h6 % ha(e an ol$ !rien$ -ho)s a CPM, Cana$ian Paranormal Monitor6 'hey al-ays maintaine$ a $e"ree o! sep# aration !rom %PCA ,eca se they -ere ncom!orta,le -ith an international or"ani:ation ha(in" ri"hts to their citi:ens6 He)$ ,een trac*in" %PCA acti(ity, an$ -ith yo r in!o he !o n$ all the -ere# -ol(es65 % sat ,ac* in my chair6 8All o! them9 An$ they "ot the trac*ers o!!95 Da(i$ no$$e$ happily6 +tacey)s eyes ha$ "one -i$e< % co l$n)t rea$ her e7pression6 8.here are they "oin" to "o95 'hey co l$n)t "o ,ac* to their ol$ li(es3%PCA ha$ recor$s on all o! them6 'hey)$ ,e reta""e$ in no time6 8+ome o! them are "oin" to ,e !ol$e$ in as CPMs, hi$$en ri"ht n$er %PCA)s nose6 Another , sloa$ 2 st arri(e$ in to-n so -e can "et them ne- i$entities an$ then help them settle some-here65 8Here95 +tacey -hispere$6 8.hat a,o t35 'he $oor,ell ran"6 +tacey t rne$ to-ar$ the entry, her !ace as -hite as a sheet6 Len$, p ::le$, "ot p to ans-er the $oor6 A!ter a !e- secon$s he came ,ac* in6 .ith Charlotte6 8Charlotte45 % sai$, shoc*e$6 +tacey stoo$ p an$ , rst into tears, thro-in" her arms aro n$ Char# lotte)s nec*6 8%)m so sorry45 +tacey so,,e$, , ryin" her !ace in Charlotte)s sho l$er6 8% ne(er sho l$ ha(e sai$ those thin"s3ne(er sho l$ ha(e3%)m sorry65 'ears spille$ $o-n my !ormer t tor)s !ace, too, an$ she p lle$ +tacey in closer an$ stro*e$ her hair6 8%t)s o*ay6 Really, it)s o*ay6 %)m sorry, too65 'hat)s -hen it clic*e$, -hy +tacey loo*e$ so !amiliar6 'his, then, -as the !amily mem,er Charlotte ha$ attac*e$ an$ !elt so " ilty a,o t she)$ trie$ to *ill hersel!6 Da(i$ an$ Arianna stoo$< Len$ an$ % !ollo-e$ them o t to "i(e the sisters some pri(acy6 / ilt t-iste$, sharp an$ "na-in" in my stomach6 % *ne- none o! it -as my !a lt6 % ha$n)t t rne$ Char# lotte into a monster, ha$n)t ma$e her ,ite her sister6 % ha$n)t personally separate$ them -hen they

nee$e$ each other the most6 B t then a"ain, %)$ helpe$ %PCA e(ery step o! the -ay6 8+o, any other ne-s95 Arianna as*e$, li"htin" a ci"arette as -e "athere$ on the porch6 8Yo *no- % $on)t li*e yo smo*in" those thin"s,5 Da(i$ sai$, !ro-nin"6 8Yeah, )ca se they mi"ht *ill me95 +he "rinne$ ,itterly, , t p t it o t6 Da(i$ si"he$6 8'he ne-s isn)t "oo$6 %PCA lost another center65 8.hich one95 % as*e$, !ear ti"htenin" my throat6 8B charest65 B charest, so mostly (ampires6 % -as instantly relie(e$, an$ then !elt e(en " iltier6 .o l$ % ha(e ,een relie(e$ i! Arianna -ere one o! the (ictims9 8At least B charest is !ar a-ay,5 she m ttere$6 8'he attac*s are "ettin" -orse6 %)m "oin" to sen$ as many o! the paranormals a-ay as % can6 %t)s not sa!e anymore, ha(in" s ch a hi"h concentration here6 .e $on)t *no- ho- she)s !in$in" these places< -e can)t ta*e any ris*s65 8.hat a,o t e(eryone -ho stays95 Len$ as*e$6 8.e)ll ma*e $o6 %t seems li*e she)s "ot some sort o! tar"et on %PCA, so hope! lly -e)ll stay n$er the ra$ar6 %n the meantime, my contacts are "oin" to sm ""le o t as many ta""e$ paranormals as they can an$ !ilter them thro "h s65 8.hat)s %PCA $oin"95 % as*e$6 + rely they -ere $oin" somethin" more to protect themsel(es an$ the paranormals6 8Near as % can tell, r nnin" aro n$ li*e a chic*en -ith its hea$ c t o!!,5 Da(i$ sai$ -ith a si"h6 8'hey)re tryin" to -or* in some emer"ency plans, "et thin"s mo(in", , t they)(e al-ays ,een the , lly, ne(er the (ictim6 'hey $on)t *no- ho- to han$le it65 8.hat can -e $o95 Len$ as*e$6 8Yo can "o insi$e an$ $o yo r home-or*65 Len$ loo*e$ rea$y to protest, , t Da(i$ silence$ him -ith a raise$ han$6 8None o! this is yo r pro,lem6 %nsi$e, home-or*, no-65 % !ollo-e$ Len$, sittin" ,y him on the co ch as he "lo-ere$ at his calc l s ,oo*6 % *ne- he -as !r strate$, , t % -as -ith Da(i$ on this one6 %! %PCA co l$n)t $o anythin", -ho co l$9 'he ,est -e co l$ $o -as protect paranormals an$ hi$e6 Hearin" the m rm rs !rom the *itchen ma$e me ner(o s6 % $i$n)t *no- -hat to say to Charlotte, -hat % co l$ possi,ly $o to ma*e p !or -hat ha$ ,een $one to her6 .hat % ha$ ,een a part o!6 A!ter a,o t an ho r she came o t -ith +tacey an$ L *e, alon" -ith a co ple o! s itcases6 +tacey "a(e me a ti"ht smile as she -al*e$ o t, , t Charlotte stoppe$6 % stoo$ a-*-ar$ly, starin" at the "ro n$6 8Charlotte, % $i$n)t *no- a,o t3%)m so sorry65 +he p t her han$ on my sho l$er an$ % loo*e$ p6 Her -arm ,l e eyes spar*le$ o(er her yello-ol! ones6 8Please $on)t apolo"i:e6 .e)re ,oth !ree no-6 En2oy it65 +he leane$ in an$ pec*e$ me on the chee*, then le!t, "i(in" me one last smile6 For once, it ha$ no trace o! sa$ness at all6 Paranormalcy HEY, +'>P%D % -as relie(e$ later -hen Len$ !inally sh t his ,oo*s< %)$ ha$ too m ch time to sit there, ste-in" o(er lost !rien$s, -ere-ol(es, an$ Fire /irl)s escalatin" attac*s6 % -as tire$ o! !eelin" " ilty an$

scare$6 8.ant to -atch a mo(ie or somethin"95 % enth siastically a"ree$, an$ -e scanne$ thro "h the channels, $e,atin" the merits o! (ario s mo(ies they ha$ on $eman$6 +ettlin" on a romantic come$y ?yeah, % totally -on the $e,ate@, % sn "# "le$ into the co ch -hile Len$ ma$e popcorn6 .hen he came ,ac*, he sat $o-n so -e -ere to ch# in"6 0 st a!ter the openin" cre$its, he too* my han$ an$ -o(e his !in"ers thro "h mine6 % *ne- !rom the tri mphant, happy !lips my stomach -as $oin" that, this time, -e -ere hol$in" han$s !or real6 An$ it -as the ,est thin" e(er6 Ha(e % mentione$ ho- ama:in" Len$)s s*in -as9 >n,elie(a,ly so!t an$ smooth6 An$ his han$ -as so -arm, it !elt -on$er! l6 Not -eir$, creepin"# p#my#arm -armth li*e Reth, 2 st nice, (ery#nor# mal -arm6 'in"ly an$ happy#all#o(er -arm6 O(er#the#moon, %)m#hol$in"#han$s#-ith#a#s per#c te# " y#-ho)s#ta*in"#me#to#the#prom -arm6 He stro*e$ the top o! my th m, -ith his6 8%s this o*ay95 he -hispere$6 % lo(e$ that he act ally so n$e$ ner(o s6 % sn ""le$ into his si$e more, s= ee:in" his han$ an$ layin" my hea$ on his sho l$er6 8Yeah65 % smile$ so ,i" % tho "ht my !ace -o l$ ,rea*6 8%t)s o*ay65 He let o t a relie(e$ ,reath an$ reste$ his hea$ on the top o! mine6 .hen the mo(ie -as almost o(er ?,est mo(ie e(er3no i$ea -hat it -as, tho "h, $i$n)t really care@ Len$)s $a$ came into the room6 % = ic*ly li!te$ p my hea$, , t Len$ $i$n)t mo(e6 A!ter a secon$ o! ta*in" in the scene, Da(i$ smile$6 8%)m hea$e$ to ,e$6 Don)t stay p too late, it)s a school ni"ht65 8O*ay, Da$, "oo$ ni"ht65 8/oo$ ni"ht,5 % a$$e$6 'hat ha$ "one -ell6 % p t my hea$ ,ac* on Len$)s sho l$er, ne(er -antin" the mo(ie to en$6 % " ess Len$ !elt the same -ay, ,eca se -hen the cre$its rolle$ he sai$, 8.ant to -atch another one95 8Yeah45 Di$ % e(er6 He pic*e$ another mo(ie, then p lle$ a thro- ,lan*et !rom the si$e o! the co ch an$ p t it o(er o r le"s6 'he last !e- -ee*s ha$ ,een so stran"e, so scary, that this little piece o! -on$er! l normal -as the ,est thin" that ha$ e(er happene$ to me6 Hal!-ay into the mo(ie my eyes $ri!te$ sh t6 .hen % opene$ them the li"ht in the room -as $i!!er# ent6 % co l$n)t p t my !in"er on it ntil % reali:e$ it -as ,ri"hter, -armer3an$ not comin" !rom the 'V6 % li!te$ my hea$6 Vi(ian -as sittin" in the armchair, -atchin" the mo(ie6 Her "ol$en sphere o! !lames !loate$ tantali:in"ly ,ehin$ her6 8.hat are yo $oin"95 % hisse$6 % loo*e$ o(er at Len$< he -as starin" at the 'V, o,li(io s6 'hen % "lare$ at Vi(ian a"ain6 8Yo sho l$n)t ,e here45 +he rolle$ her eyes, slo chin" $o-n an$ proppin" her !eet on the co!!ee ta,le6 8Rela7, %)m not65 % !ro-ne$6 8Oh6 %)m asleep65 8D h95 8'his is so st pi$6 Yo aren)t real65 +he raise$ her eye,ro-s6 8%)m not9 O ch6 Here % tho "ht -e -ere !inally connectin"65 8Yo )re 2 st my ,rain tryin" to ma*e sense o! e(erythin" that happene$65 8.o-6 O*ay65 +he smile$, a mischie(o s "lint in her pale eyes6 8Ho- a,o t % pro(e it to yo 9 Yo

still ha(e that phone thin"ie !rom %PCA95 8% $on)t *no-65 % $i$n)t li*e -here this -as "oin"6 8Fin$ it, ta*e a loo* at yo r messa"es65 Ner(es "na-e$ at my stomach6 'his -as ri$ic lo s3it -as a $ream6 8%! yo -ere real, %)$ ,e total# ly scare$ ri"ht no-65 8.hy95 8Beca se yo )re cra:y an$ yo r n aro n$ *illin" people95 8% $on)t *ill people65 8Yo *ille$ Lish an$ 0ac= es an$ all those (amps45 8Yeah, last time % chec*e$3not people65 8.hate(er6 An$ can yo mo(e yo r st pi$ "lo-y thin"9 %t h rts my eyes65 'r th -as, % 2 st -ante$ to loo* at it6 %! Len$)s han$ ha$n)t ,een !irmly anchorin" me to the co ch, % -o l$ ha(e "one o(er to it alrea$y6 +he la "he$6 8Yo )re so -eir$6 Di$n)t yo alrea$y "et more95 8No4 % $on)t -ant any65 My eyes lin"erin" on the ,rilliant mass pro,a,ly "a(e a-ay the lie6 8.ell, yo )re ,ri"hter than yo -ere ,e!ore6 % tho "ht yo !i" re$ it o t65 % loo*e$ $o-n6 My shirt -as "one, an$ % -as sittin" there in my ,ra6 + re eno "h, my heart -as e(en ,ri"hter6 8'hat)s -eir$,5 % sai$, ,oth a,o t the missin" shirt an$ the ,ri"hter !lames6 % loo*e$ at Len$, panic*e$ a,o t my near n $ity, , t he -as still starin" at the 'V6 % t rne$ ,ac* to Vi(ian6 8% $i$n)t $o anythin"6 An$ % *no- Reth hasn)t ,een aro n$65 Vi(ian shr ""e$6 +he *ept her eyes on the mo(ie6 8Yo can)t *eep "oin" on yo r o-n !ore(er, yo *no-65 8.hat $o yo mean95 8% mean, yo )re alrea$y on ,orro-e$ time6 .hen they ma$e yo , they only "a(e yo a little ,it65 8.ait3ma$e me95 Reth ha$ sai$ the same thin"6 8Yo mean o r parents9 Di$ yo *no- them95 8+o yo still $on)t thin* %)m real, , t yo -ant me to ans-er = estions9 Face it, yo *no- it)s tr e6 Any-ay, -hat ma*es yo thin* -e ha$ parents95 % !ro-ne$, !i"htin" panic6 8Don)t ,e st pi$6 O! co rse -e $i$6 Ho- else co l$ -e ,e sisters95 8.e)re t-o o! a *in$6 % !i" re that ma*es s relate$, ri"ht95 8Fine, Miss '-o#o!#a#1in$, -hat are -e, then95 8'he Empty Ones6 Di$n)t they tell yo anythin"95 8.ho95 % -as almost sho tin" no-6 +he -as so !r stratin", an$ the temptation o! the !lames ,ehin$ her "rate$ on my ner(es6 % -ante$ them6 8No -on$er yo )re so con! se$6 .hat, $i$ yo r !aeries lose yo as a ,a,y or somethin"95 +he samy ,lan* loo* an$ la "he$6 8'hey $i$4 Oh, that)s rich6 /otta lo(e !aeries6 %$iots6 Here the co rt has ,een tryin" to pit me a"ainst yo in some sort o! epic sho-$o-n an$ yo $on)t *no- a thin"65 8% tho "ht yo $i$n)t *no- any !aeries65 8No, % sai$ %)$ ne(er ta*en any so l !rom a !aerie6 'hey $on)t let me to ch them3they)re not that st pi$6 Any-ay, -hat %)m sayin" is, -ho cares a,o t them9 'hey)re al-ays tryin" to me$$le, !i7 thin"s to line p -ith their st pi$ little poems6 Yo an$ me, -e)re -hat matters6 +o scre- the !ey, let)s ,e a !amily65 +he smile$ at me, her !ace ,oth ten$er an$ sli"htly manic6

.hat -as she tal*in" a,o t9 Ha$ she ,een raise$ ,y !aeries9 An$ -hy -o l$n)t her $ m, !lames stop s-irlin" aro n$, $ra-in" me in9 8% $on)t *no-65 % close$ my eyes6 8% $on)t "et anythin" yo )re sayin"6 An$ % $on)t li*e -hat yo )re $oin"65 8/ro- p, E(ie6 Yo )$ ,etter !i" re it o t i! yo -ant to stay ali(e65 8Are yo "oin" to *ill me, then95 % opene$ my eyes an$ "lare$ at her6 8No, st pi$6 Yo )re "oin" to *ill yo rsel! i! yo $on)t "et -ith the pict re6 %)m ,ore$6 %)m "onna "o no-6 B t chec* yo r comm nicator, then "i(e me a call6 .e)ll han" o t3conscio s, ne7t time65 +he smile$ at me, then the "ol$en !lames -ere s c*e$ ,ac* into her6 % shiel$e$ my eyes a"ainst her li"ht, tearin" p6 % $i$n)t *no- i! it -as !rom ho- ,ri"ht the !lames -ere or ho- m ch % -ante$ them to stay6 'o come to me, to ma*e me -arm6 8E(ie95 8.hat95 % opene$ my eyes an$ s= inte$ a"ainst the e7pecte$ li"ht6 'here -asn)t anythin"3not e(en the "lo- o! the 'V6 8.e sho l$ pro,a,ly "o to ,e$,5 Len$ -hispere$6 8% thin* yo !ell asleep65 8Oh, yeah65 % shoo* my hea$, tryin" to "et the insi$io s $ream o t o! my min$6 8Are yo o*ay95 8.hat9 Oh, yeah, %)m o*ay65 % s= ee:e$ his han$, !orcin" a smile6 8Really o*ay65 % -ante$ nothin" more than to -al* pstairs -ith Len$, may,e e(en *iss, , t % co l$n)t "et the $ream o t o! my hea$6 % ,i$ him a = ic* "oo$ ni"ht to co(er p my ner(es an$ -ent to my room6 .hen % too* my shirt o!!, % ris*e$ loo*in" $o-n6 %t -as pro,a,ly 2 st the po-er o! s ""estion, , t my heart loo*e$ ,ri"hter6 Fr strate$, *no-in" it -as $ m, an$ !eelin" " ilty, % -aite$ ntil % hear$ Len$)s $oor sh t, then snea*e$ ,ac* $o-nstairs to the *itchen6 % -as s re my comm nicator -o l$n)t ,e in there, s re that Da(i$ -o l$ ,e s spicio s eno "h to hi$e it, , t % loo*e$ aro n$ any-ay6 An$ then, in a $ra-er !ille$ -ith *itchen s pplies, there it -as6 % p lle$ it o t6 8'his is ri$ic lo s,5 % -hispere$6 'here -asn)t "oin" to ,e anythin" -eir$ there, ,e# ca se there -asn)t anythin" real a,o t those $reams6 % loo*e$ at the screen6 '-el(e ne- messa"es -ere !lashin"6 'he top one ha$ come in a,o t t-o min tes a"o, !rom Ra= el)s comm nicator6 None !rom Vi(ian3Vi(ian -ho -as not real, a !i"ment o! my ima"ination, not act ally Fire /irl6 % shoo* my hea$, relie(e$6 'hen, hit -ith a s $$en pan", % misse$ Ra= el6 % -o l$n)t respon$ ,eca se that -o l$ "i(e a-ay my location, , t % -ante$ to see -hat she -as -ritin", ma*e s re she -as o*ay6 % opene$ the messa"e6 % sho l$n)t ha(e6 8Hey, +t pi$,5 it sai$6 8.here $o yo -ant to meet9 Lo(e, Vi(ian65 Paranormalcy .HA' YO> DON)' 1NO. % $roppe$ the comm nicator li*e it ha$ , rne$ my han$s6 %t -as real3% -as connecte$ to e(ery# thin", to Vi(ian6 .hy $i$n)t % pay more attention -hen she sai$ -hat -e -ere9 An$ she sai$ % -as $yin", or % -as "oin" to $ie, or& % sat an$ p t my hea$ $o-n on the ta,le6 'his -as so, so ,a$6 +o n,elie(a,ly ,a$6 Not only $i$ cra:y paranormal *iller *no- -ay more than % $i$ an$ co l$ snea* into my hea$, she also seeme$ to thin* -e sho l$ ,e to"ether6 An$ the !aeries -ere in(ol(e$, o! co rse6 .hat the ,leep -as %9

My earliest memories -ere o! the !oster system6 'he police ha$ !o n$ me -an$erin" na*e$ an$ alone in a par* -hen % -as three years ol$6 'hey ne(er !o n$ any lea$s, so % ,ecame a -ar$ o! the state6 .hat i!3.hat i! % $i$n)t ha(e parents to ,e"in -ith9 .here $i$ % come !rom9 8+he)s $el sional,5 % -hispere$ to mysel!, !orehea$ presse$ a"ainst the -oo$ o! the ta,le6 8+he)s cra:y6 .e)re not the same65 8E(ie95 % sat strai"ht p, shoc*e$ an$ scare$6 Len$)s $a$ -as stan$in" in the entry to the *itchen6 8Co l$n)t sleep95 8No, no, % co l$n)t sleep65 % -on$ere$ i! % sho l$ tell him6 B t he li*e$ me, tr ste$ me6 .hat -o l$ they $o i! they !o n$ o t that this thin" they -ere terri!ie$ o! -as my sister9 'hat % mi"ht ,e the e7# act same thin" as her9 My eyes !ille$ -ith tears6 .hy co l$n)t % 2 st ,e normal9 8Yeah, me neither65 He "ot a "lass o! -ater an$ sat $o-n at the ta,le across !rom me6 8% ha(e a = estion65 % -on$ere$ ho- % co l$ "et ans-ers -itho t "i(in" anythin" a-ay6 %! Da(i$ e(en ha$ any ans-ers6 % ha$ a !eelin" % *ne- more than anyone else here no-, -hich -asn)t sayin" m ch6 8Reth *ne- the -or$s to that poem thin" a,o t Vi3a,o t the "irl that)s $oin" this6 %s it some sort o! !aerie prophecy95 8He *ne- a,o t it9 %nterestin"65 Da(i$ loo*e$ tho "ht! l6 8%s Reth +eelie or >nseelie95 8.hat95 Yet another thin" % $i$n)t *no-6 /reat6 8'here are t-o types o! !aeries3t-o co rts6 'he +eelie an$ the >nseelie6 Yo $i$n)t learn a,o t that95 8Ne(er hear$ a -or$65 He !ro-ne$6 8'hey ha$ yo -or*in" -ith !aeries , t $i$n)t tal* a,o t the $i!!erences9 Di$ they teach yo a,o t !aerie lore or ma"ic95 % shr ""e$6 8Not really6 Ra= el -o l$n)t ans-er many o! my = estions6 +he al-ays sai$ that st !! $i$n)t matter as lon" as -e *ne- their names65 8B t they only -or*e$ -ith +eelie !aeries, ri"ht95 % shr ""e$6 8% thin* they too* -hate(er they co l$ "et65 He sat ,ac*, r ,,in" his !ace -earily in the same -ay Len$ $i$6 8%$iots65 8No *i$$in"6 +o -hat)s the $i!!erence95 8.ell, many !aeries are more in$epen$ent an$ not acti(ely in(ol(e$ -ith the co rts, , t they)re all $i(i$e$ into t-o ,asic "ro ps6 'he +eelie !aeries are the "oo$ !aeries3"oo$ ,ein" relati(e, o! co rse6 'hey still mana"e to $o = ite a ,it o! mischie!6 B t the >nseelie are e(en -orse65 8Oh, he)s totally >nseelie then6 Yo sa- him6 He -as the one -ho ,ro "ht Fire /irl into the Center, too65 8An$ he *ne- a,o t the prophecy6 Hmm6 % -on$er -hy the !ey -o l$ ,e in(ol(e$6 'he ,anshee)s insi"ht -as o,(io s since she heral$e$ the $eaths65 % no$$e$, preten$in" li*e % n$erstoo$ -hat he -as tal*in" a,o t ntil % remem,ere$ Len$ sai$ they ha$ "otten the in!o !rom a ,anshee6 8'here -as somethin" else he mentione$65 % ,it my lip6 'ime to lie6 8He sai$ somethin" a,o t ,ein" empty6 'hat she -as an Empty One95 % -atche$ him !or any reaction , t he loo*e$ st mpe$6 8% $on)t *no-6 %t $oesn)t rin" a ,ell6 Faeries operate on a $i!!erent le(el than -e $o6 Lon"#term plannin" !or s is years< they set thin"s in motion cent ries ahea$6 'hey me$$le -ith h man st !! the most, , t all the tr e immortals are $isconnecte$ !rom o r time !rames6 'a*e Cresse$a65 He smile$ sa$ly6 8'ry "ettin" a strai"ht ans-er o t o! her a,o t anythin"6 +he 2 st $oesn)t ha(e the same sense o! imme$iacy that -e $o6 %t)s li*e her min$ is on a $i!!erent plane6 +till, -e ta*e -hat -e can "et65

8Yeah65 Cresse$a4 May,e she co l$ ans-er my = estions6 %)$ ha(e to -ait ntil the mornin" since % -o l$n)t ,e a,le to !in$ my -ay in the $ar*, , t it "a(e me hope that % co l$ !i" re some o! this o t6 'here -as one more thin", tho "h6 Vi(ian)s messa"e ha$ come !rom Ra= el)s comm nicator6 % $i$n)t *no- -hat that meant, ho- she ha$ "otten it, , t it co l$n)t ,e "oo$6 8>mm,5 % sai$, starin" at the ta,le, 8% *no- that yo pro,a,ly $on)t li*e her, , t Ra= el53my (oice ca "ht sayin" her name38-as al-ays pretty "oo$ to me6 An$ %)m -orrie$ that she mi"ht ,e&Di$ yo !in$ o t any# thin" yet95 Da(i$ smile$, pattin" me on the sho l$er as he stoo$6 8% -as "oin" to tell yo in the mornin"6 % *no- !or a !act that Ra= el is ali(e an$ -ell65 8Really95 % loo*e$ p at him, tears o! relie! in my eyes6 As m ch as she ha$ !r strate$ an$ $isap# pointe$ me, she -as the closest % ha$ to !amily6 1no-in" she -as sa!e !elt li*e a h "e -ei"ht ha$ ,een li!te$ !rom my chest6 8Co l$ yo 35 % -ante$ to sen$ her a messa"e6 +omethin", anythin" to let her *no- that % -as o*ay6 B t she -as ,o n$ to ,e $isappointe$ in me6 A!ter e(erythin" %)$ $one3losin" the trac*ers that Vi# (ian se$ to tric* her -ay into the Center, !reein" Len$ an$ r nnin" instea$ o! !ollo-in" protocol, not comin" ,ac* no- that % -as sa!e3no, she -o l$n)t ,e happy to hear !rom me6 An$ then they)$ loo* !or me, too6 %t -as ,est to lea(e it alone6 8Co l$ % -hat95 8Ne(er min$65 % smile$ -ea*ly6 8%)m 2 st "la$ she)s o*ay6 Yo )re s re95 8Positi(e6 An$ no- %)m "oin" to try an$ "et some sleep65 8Oh, yeah, me, too65 +e(eral ner(o s an$ min$#n m,in"ly lon" ho rs later $a-n !inally came6 % -as e7ha ste$ an$ an# "ry6 % sho l$ ha(e lain a-a*e in ,e$ last ni"ht ,eca se % -as too "i$$y o(er Len$ to sleep3not ,e# ca se % -as terri!ie$ an$ paranoi$ than*s to my creepy sister thin" an$ her little $ream (isits6 Aro n$ se(en Len$ *noc*e$ on my $oor6 8Yeah95 He pee*e$ in6 /osh, he -as a$ora,le6 8Hey3$i$ yo -ant to come to school -ith me a"ain9 %t)s only a hal! $ay65 8% $on)t really !eel -ell65 % hope$ he co l$ see ho- re"ret! l % -as6 'his -as my only chance to see his mom -itho t ha(in" to ans-er = estions !rom Len$ or Da(i$6 % -asn)t rea$y !or = estions6 8Oh, s re6 +lac*er6 %)ll ,e ,ac* ,e!ore noon65 He "rinne$ at me an$ % !elt li*e the -orst person in the -orl$6 8Can)t -ait,5 % sai$, smilin"6 % listene$ ntil % -as s re the ho se -as empty, then thre- on a 2ac*et6 % t c*e$ 'asey into my poc*et6 Len$ an$ his $a$ mi"ht ,e satis!ie$ that Cresse$a ha$ ,anishe$ Reth, , t % -asn)t ta*in" any chances6 'he trail seeme$ shorter this time, pro,a,ly ,eca se % -as ner(o s a,o t -hat Cresse$a -o l$ say6 Pl s, e(ery crac*e$ t-i" ma$e me 2 mp, certain that Reth3or -orse, Vi(ian3-as "oin" to come sa nterin" o t o! the trees6 .hen % reache$ the e$"e o! the pon$, % stoppe$, !l mmo7e$6 % ha$ no i$ea ho- to "et her to come p6 Len$ ha$ s*ippe$ a roc*, , t % co l$n)t $o that to sa(e my li!e6 Fro-nin", % pic*e$ p a li*ely loo*in" can$i$ate an$ imitate$ his e7pert -rist !lic*6 % -as re-ar$e$ -ith a (ery n"race! l splosh6 No s*ippin" at all6 % trie$ a"ain< no l c*6 'his -as "oin" to ,e a lon" mornin"6 A!ter lo,,in" in an# other !o r roc*s, % -as rea$y to "i(e p, -hen the center o! the pon$ starte$ ch rnin"6

Cresse$a !orme$ in !ront o! me6 'he !rost -as nearly "one an$ she -as m ch closer this time6 8Oh, mm, hi65 8E(elyn,5 she sai$ in her melo$ic stream o! a (oice6 8% -as -on$erin" i! yo co l$ may,e ans-er some = estions !or me95 +he loo*e$ at me, "ra(e an$ sa$6 8As % sai$, yo rs is not a path o! the -aters6 Yo rs is a path o! spirit an$ !ire65 8Yeah, , t $o yo *no- -hat an Empty One is95 8Yo are an Empty One65 O*ay, not so help! l6 8Yes, , t -hat is that9 .hat $oes that mean95 8'hat has not ,een $etermine$6 Yo ha(e yet to choose, an$ yo are not !ille$65 My (oice ca "ht, tears stin"in" my eyes6 8.hat i! % $on)t -ant to ,e !ille$95 8.e cannot chan"e o r nat re65 As i! to $emonstrate, she smile$ sa$ly an$ hel$ o t her han$ to me6 % reache$ o t, hesitant, an$ to che$ it6 My han$ -ent ri"ht thro "h6 8% $on)t -ant to ,e anythin"65 'he tears starte$ in earnest6 8% $on)t -ant to ,e li*e her, li*e Vi(ian6 % $on)t -ant to h rt anyone6 Am % "oin" to h rt people95 8No one can ma*e yo $o that, chil$6 Yo are ca "ht ,et-een t-o -orl$s, m ch li*e my o-n Len$6 Yo -ill -ant the !ire, yo -ill -ant to ,e !ille$6 %t is yo r nat re6 % hope yo $o not !all, , t she is m ch stron"er than yo are65 +he smile$ at me, reachin" o t as tho "h she -o l$ -ipe a-ay my tears6 8Clin" to -hat is "oo$ in yo r li!e6 Be "oo$ to my son65 'hen the -ater t m,le$ $o-n, losin" its !orm as she ret rne$ to the pon$6 % -al*e$ ,ac*, !eelin" (ery col$ an$ alone6 +he ha$n)t "i(en me m ch to "o on6 % still $i$n)t n$er# stan$ -hat the Empty Ones -ere or -hy % -as one6 % -as $epresse$, -on$erin" i! % sho l$n)t 2 st "o !in$ Vi(ian ri"ht no-6 +he seeme$ to ,e the only one -ho *ne- -hat -as happenin"6 B t then % tho "ht a,o t -hat Cresse$a ha$ sai$3Len$ an$ % -ere the same, st c* ,et-een t-o -orl$s6 An$ e(en tho "h she *ne- -hat % -as, she $i$n)t try to *ill me, or tell me to stay a-ay !rom her son6 My step li"htene$ as % $-elt on that6 Cresse$a $i$n)t thin* % -as $an"ero s, an$ % -o l$ ta*e -hat % co l$ "et6 'he rest o! the Vi(ian an$ !aerie crap co l$ play itsel! o t -itho t me6 % $i$n)t care6 O*ay, % care$ a lot an$ -as still -orryin" o,sessi(ely o(er it, , t % -asn)t "oin" to "et in(ol(e$6 My connection -ith Vi(ian $i$n)t matter6 % -asn)t li*e her< % $i$n)t care a,o t ,ein" empty6 'he only thin"s % -ante$ to !ill me -ere happy tho "hts o! hol$in" Len$)s han$6 Paranormalcy L%AR, L%AR, .R%+' ON F%RE M y eyes !le- open in panic3the -hole -orl$ -as sha*in"6 Len$ la "he$, still 2 mpin" on the en$ o! the ,e$6 % "ra,,e$ my pillo- an$ thre- it at him6 He ca "ht it an$ sat cross#le""e$ on the ,e$, !acin" me6 8La:y,5 he sai$6 % sat p, narro-in" my eyes6 8Hey, this is the !irst (acation %)(e ha$ since % -as ei"ht6 /i(e me a ,rea*65 8Fine6 B t school -as ,orin" -itho t yo there6 No one -as !rea*in" o t o(er the loc*ers or any# thin"65

8'hey)re all !ools65 He loo*e$ $o-n at the ,e$sprea$6 8% -as -on$erin" i! yo -ante$ to han" o t -ith some people toni"ht9 A , nch o! my !rien$s are "oin" to "o o t !or pi::a65 % sat p e(en strai"hter6 8Oh, my "osh, li*e a real $ate9 .ith real teena"ers95 8%)m a!rai$ so65 % thre- mysel! across the ,e$ an$ -rappe$ my arms aro n$ his nec*6 8%t)s li*e a $ream come tr e45 He p t his arms aro n$ my ,ac*6 8Yo )re really easy to *eep happy, yo *no- that95 8B t3oh no45 % p lle$ ,ac* so % co l$ loo* at him< he $i$n)t mo(e his arms6 8Yo )re "ro n$e$4 Are yo "onna clim, o t the -in$o- an$ steal a car95 8Yes, ,eca se %)m insane an$ this is one o! yo r tele(ision sho-s6 % alrea$y as*e$ my $a$6 He sai$ it -as o*ay65 8/osh, harsh $isciplinarian, h h95 8% thin* he)s "la$ %)m !inally $oin" normal thin"s6 He al-ays -orrie$ that % -as too isolate$65 % smile$, sa$ that % $i$n)t ha(e anyone -orryin" a,o t -hether % -as social eno "h in my li!e6 % mean, s re, Ra= el -orrie$ -hether or not % $ie$, or i! my French home-or* -as $one ?may,e not in that or$er@, , t as !ar as emotional st !!, she -as al-ays *in$ o! $istant6 % hope$ Da(i$ *ne-hat he -as tal*in" a,o t -hen he sai$ she -as o*ay6 8.hat95 8.hat $o yo mean -hat95 8Yo )re -orrie$ a,o t somethin"65 % loo*e$ into his real eyes, tryin" to smile6 % $i$n)t -ant to tal* a,o t Ra= el ri"ht no-6 % *ne- % sho l$, , t it -as easier to !oc s on the happy st !!, -hich $e!initely $i$n)t incl $e -on$erin" hoVi(ian ha$ "otten Ra= el)s comm nicator6 8% -orry a,o t a lot o! thin"s lately65 8Can % help95 8May,e6 .e)ll tal* a,o t it later, o*ay9 %)(e "ot a $ate to "et rea$y !or65 8%t)s "onna ta*e yo three ho rs to "et rea$y95 8% $on)t *no-6 My $ate)s pretty !rea*in" hot3%)$ ,etter loo* "oo$65 He la "he$, lettin" "o o! me an$ clim,in" o!! the ,e$6 8Yeah, mine too6 May,e % sho l$ chan"e95 He shimmere$, s-itchin" to ,lon$ hair an$ ,l e eyes6 8.hat $o yo thin*9 Does this !ace ma*e me loo* !at95 % la "he$6 8May,e "o Asian toni"ht95 He shimmere$ a"ain, s-itchin" to the c te Chinese ,oy6 8Better95 8Hmm6 % $on)t *no-, not = ite my taste65 8.hat)s yo r taste95 His (oice shi!te$ -ith e(ery $i!!erent !orm he too*6 %t ,othere$ me, as s al6 8% li*e " ys the color o! -ater65 He loo*e$ $o-n at the "ro n$6 8Yo really li*e the -ay % loo*9 %t $oesn)t, % $on)t *no-, !rea* yo o t95 % stoo$, p ttin" my han$ on the si$e o! his !ace an$ concentratin" so that % co l$ see n$er his "lamo r6 8% really li*e the -ay yo loo*6 None o! these !aces yo -ear compare65 He "a(e me a ner(o s !ro-n6 'hen he shimmere$ an$ the color $raine$ o t, lea(in" 2 st him6 % ha$n)t seen him li*e this since he -as nconscio s6 % !or"ot ho- ama:in" it -as6 % smile$, *eepin"

my han$ on his !ace6 'he te7t re ha$ chan"e$3it -as e(en so!ter an$ smoother, i! that -as possi# ,le6 8'here yo are65 %! % !oc se$ on his eyes % co l$ ma*e o t his -hole !ace in my peripheral (i# sion< it -as -hen % trie$ to loo* at anythin" else that it seeme$ to slip a-ay6 8Here % am,5 he sai$ so!tly3in his real (oice6 %t -as li*e his mother)s, , t richer an$ -ith more o! a h man tone to it, ma*in" it !ar -armer an$ more !amiliar6 0 st li*e slippin" into a steamin" ,ath -hen yo -ere col$ all o(er< % co l$n)t ima"ine a ,etter (oice6 8% thin* yo sho l$ *no-,5 % sai$, preten$in" to !ro-n, 8%)m not "oin" to ,e happy -ith yo r other (oices no- that %)(e hear$ the real one65 He la "he$ an$ % -ent -ea* in the *nees6 Reth sprea$in" his -armth thro "h me -as nothin" com# pare$ to ho- % !elt a,o t Len$, ho- that la "h ma$e me !eel6 8Yo )re *in$ o! incre$i,le, yo *no- that, E(ie95 8% *in$ o! !i" re$65 /rinnin" mischie(o sly at him, % mo(e$ my han$ !rom his !ace an$ -rappe$ ,oth my arms aro n$ the ,ac* o! his nec*6 He p t one o! his han$s ,ehin$ my ,ac*, p llin" me in closer, then trace$ his !in"ers alon" my 2a-6 % -as on the (er"e o! hyper(entilatin", almost scare$ no- that the *iss %)$ $reame$ o! !or so lon" seeme$ li*e it -as "oin" to happen6 O r lips -ere only a !e- inches apart6 'hen his !ace -ent seri# o s, an$ o r lips -eren)t any inches apart at all6 % close$ my eyes, meltin" in6 His lips3oh, ,leep, his lips32 st -hen % tho "ht his s*in -as the so!test thin" e(er6 An$ -arm li*e yo -o l$n)t ,elie(e6 % !elt li*e % -as !loatin"; % co l$n)t ,elie(e % -as there, *issin" Len$, an$ it -as the ,est *iss e(er6 A!ter a !e- secon$s % -on$ere$ i! % -as s ppose$ to ,e $oin" anythin" else6 %)$ ne(er $one this ,e# !ore6 Len$ m st ha(e ,een thin*in" the same thin", ,eca se he slo-ly mo(e$ his lips6 % ans-ere$ -ith mine, an$ -e stoo$ there in his room, !i" rin" o t ho- to *iss6 %t -as a,sol tely ama:in"6 % co l$ ha(e $one that all $ay6 Ho- on earth ha$ % ne(er *isse$ ,e!ore9 A!ter -hat seeme$ li*e !or# e(er an$ no time at all, -e p lle$ apart6 Len$ loo*e$ at me6 8Are yo s re that -as yo r !irst *iss95 he as*e$ in his -on$er! l (oice, eyein" me in moc* s spi# cion6 8.asn)t it yo rs95 Oh no6 .hat i! % -as $oin" it -ron"9 He la "he$6 8Yeah6 B t %)$ *in$a li*e to $o it a"ain&5 % ans-ere$ ,y leanin" in an$ positi(ely smashin" my mo th a"ainst his6 .e -ere really "ettin" the han" o! it -hen a *noc* ma$e s 2 mp apart6 8Doors open, please,5 Len$)s $a$ calle$ thro "h the sh t $oor6 8>m, yeah, sorry, Da$,5 Len$ sai$6 Pi"ment r she$ ,ac* into him, an$ he settle$ into his normal hottie appearance6 Openin" the $oor, he "rinne$6 80 st tellin" her a,o t toni"ht65 8For the last !orty#!i(e min tes95 Da(i$ raise$ his eye,ro-s6 Holy crap, ha$ it really ,een that lon"9 % ,l she$ !rom hea$ to toe , t Len$ la "he$6 8.hy $on)t yo t-o come an$ tal* a,o t it $o-nstairs95 8+ re65 Len$ hel$ o t his han$ !or me an$ % too* it, still em,arrasse$6 % spent the ne7t co ple o! ho rs in "i$$y impatience6 % *ept remem,erin" that -e ha$ *isse$3% ha$ ,een *isse$43an$ the "i$$iness set in ane-6 Finally it -as time !or s to "o6 Len$ seeme$ more rela7e$ an$ happier than e(er on the $ri(e, 2o*# in" aro n$ a,o t ma*in" me pic* p the ta, !or the $ate6 'he pi::a place -as "reat3pac*e$ an$ noisy, -ith $im li"htin" an$ ,ench ta,les6 0ohn, a lan*y

re$#haire$ " y % reco"ni:e$ !rom school, -a(e$ to s !rom a ta,le in the ,ac* near some arca$e "ames6 'here -ere !i(e other *i$s, a co ple o! -hom % ha$ met6 A "irl % $i$n)t *no- ,eame$ at Len$, -ay too e7cite$ to see him6 Pretty, -ith $ar* hair an$ too m ch ma*e p6 % $i$n)t li*e the -ay she loo*e$ at him, or the -ay she leane$ !or-ar$, sin" her lo-#c t shirt to its ! ll a$(anta"e6 % shi!te$ closer to Len$ an$ -ishe$ -e -ere hol$in" han$s6 +till, %)$ $ealt -ith pre$ators she co l$n)t ima"ine in her $ar*est ni"htmares6 % -asn)t intimi$ate$6 M ch6 8Len$, yo )re ,ac*45 she sai$6 8%)m so "la$, % -as really -orrie$ a,o t yo 4 Yo m st ha(e ,een so sic*4 % trie$ to ,rin" yo coo*ies, , t yo r $a$ sai$ yo -ere conta"io s65 8Y p, !eelin" ,etter no-65 Len$ smile$ politely6 'he "irl ha$n)t so m ch as "lance$ at me6 %t -as li*e she -as tryin" to ma*e me $isappear ,y the sheer !orce o! her $etermine$ i"norin"6 Finally, -hen she reali:e$ that Len$ -asn)t "oin" to say anythin" else, she loo*e$ at me -ith a thin smile6 8.ho)s this95 8%)m E(ie65 8Hi4 %)m Carlee6 Are yo " ys co sins or somethin"95 +he loo*e$ -ay too hope! l as she sai$ this6 % t rne$ to Len$, loo*in" at his ,lac* hair an$ $ar* ,ro-n eyes6 8.o-, % ha$ no i$ea -e loo*e$ that m ch ali*e65 8+o yo are45 she sai$, almost la "hin" -ith relie!6 % !elt ,a$6 8Nope, not relate$ at all,5 Len$ sai$6 8E(ie 2 st mo(e$ to the area65 Her !ace !ell6 Poor thin"6 +he -as a trooper tho "h, %)$ "i(e her that6 +he plastere$ on a ,ri"ht smile6 8'hat)s so "reat45 .e sat $o-n an$ Len$ p t his arm aro n$ me6 E(ery sin"le 2a- at the ta,le $roppe$6 8Man,5 0ohn sai$, sha*in" his hea$6 8All this time % -as pretty s re yo -ere "ay65 % ,atte$ my eyes innocently6 8%)m sorry, 0ohn6 Are yo $isappointe$95 E(eryone la "he$, an$ 0ohn "rinne$6 8May,e a little,5 he ans-ere$, scootin" into Len$)s !ree si$e to c $$le p6 8Oh, "et o!! me65 Len$ sho(e$ him o!! the ,ench6 A!ter that, % -as part o! the "ro p6 Me4 Part o! the "ro p4 % tho "ht yester$ay ha$ ,een the ,est $ay o! my li!e, , t to$ay ,eat it ,y a million6 At school % ha$ ,een an o,ser(er, , t here % -as really han"in" o t, accepte$6 'here -as nothin" special a,o t it ?,esi$es Len$, -ho % li*e$ more than % $are$ a$mit@6 B t -ith these ri$ic lo s, cl eless teena"ers, % !elt at home6 + re, % 2 mpe$ e(ery time a ,lon$ "irl passe$ my peripheral (ision an$ "ot col$ chills -hen % tho "ht % sa- someone -ho loo*e$ li*e Reth, , t no one notice$ ho- t-itchy % -as6 % reass re$ mysel! -ith 'asey)s !amiliar , l* in my p rse an$ the hea(y -ei"ht o! the iron *n c*les in my poc*et6 'hin"s -ere "oin" to ,e !ine6 As the e(enin" pro"resse$ Carlee seeme$ to "et o(er her $isappointment an$ !lirte$ p a storm -ith 0ohn, -hich -as a relie!6 8Yo )(e "ot really pretty hair,5 she sai$ -hen 0ohn "ot p to play a "ame6 8Oh, than*s45 % sai$, "en inely please$6 8% lo(e yo r nec*lace65 +he smile$ an$, -ith Len$)s arm aro n$ me an$ the "ro-in" hope that %)$ ha(e !rien$s, % -as elat# e$6 'here -as no press re, no one to report to, nothin" that % nee$e$ to $o6 For the !irst time e(er, % -as 2 st a teena"er6 Rather than "o ri"ht in -hen -e "ot home, -e -al*e$ a little -ay into the trees6 He -as ama:in" in the $ar*3there -as $e!initely a l minescence a,o t him6 My -rist -as li*e an open !lame, , t % i"# nore$ it as Len$)s color melte$ a-ay an$ -e *isse$ ntil my han$s -ere so col$ they h rt6 .hen

my teeth starte$ chatterin", he p lle$ a-ay an$ la "he$6 8O*ay, time to "o in65 He p t his arm aro n$ me as -e -al*e$ to the ho se6 8E(ie95 8Hmm95 8%)m 2 st3%)m "la$ -e can ,e o rsel(es -ith each other6 %t !eels li*e % can ,e totally honest -ith yo 6 %)(e ne(er ha$ that ,e!ore65 My stomach san*6 He -as !inally ,ein" honest6 B t -hat -as % $oin", han"in" o t -ith normal teena"ers, preten$in" % co l$ ,e one o! them9 Len$ sho-e$ me e7actly -ho he -as, , t he ha$ no i$ea -hat % -as6 + $$enly the -hole $ay !elt less li*e the ,est one o! my li!e an$ more li*e the ,i""est lie %)$ e(er tol$6 Paranormalcy +O ALONE 'O/E'HER L en$ an$ % -ere o t in the -oo$s a"ain, *issin"6 %t -as ni"httime, , t % co l$ see per!ectly6 8.o-,5 Vi(ian sai$, an$ % loo*e$ at her, then ,ac* at Len$ an$ me6 +eein" s *iss !rom !arther a-ay ma$e me sa$ !or some reason, li*e it -asn)t me anymore6 Li*e it ne(er -as to ,e"in -ith6 8Loo* at yo t-o "o65 % shr ""e$, ncom!orta,le stan$in" there -atchin" mysel! ma*e o t -ith Len$6 8% really li*e him65 8O,(io sly65 +he !ro-ne$6 8.hat is he95 8None o! yo r , siness, that)s -hat he is65 8No, serio sly, he)s $i!!erent65 8Y p6 An$ mine65 Vi(ian la "he$6 8Oh, chill o t6 % -on)t try to steal yo r little ,oy!rien$6 % -on)t ha(e to65 8.hat)s that s ppose$ to mean95 % "lare$ at her6 8Do yo really thin* he)s "oin" to stay -ith yo -hen he !in$s o t -hat yo are95 +he $i$n)t say it cr elly6 %n !act, she loo*e$ sorry !or me6 8He li*es me,5 % sai$, reali:in" ho- pathetic it so n$e$6 8Yo )re not -hat he thin*s yo are6 Yo )re not one o! them6 Yo can preten$3preten$ to ,e nor# mal, preten$ to ,e paranormal, , t it ne(er matters in the en$6 .e aren)t anythin"65 Her !ace -as empty6 8.hy $o yo $o it95 % as*e$ so!tly6 8.hy $o yo *ill them95 8%)m not *illin" them4 %)m lettin" them "o65 8Yo $on)t ha(e to *ill them65 +he loo*e$ at me, her pale eyes $eep -ith sorro-6 8%t)s -hat -e are, E(ie6 %t)s -hat -e)re s ppose$ to $o6 Let them "o, release them6 'hey $on)t ,elon" here6 An$ i! % $i$n)t ta*e their so ls, %)$ $ie65 8Yo )re really p llin" o t their so ls95 +he shr ""e$6 8+o ls, spirits, li!e ener"y, -hate(er6 %t ta*es a h "e amo nt o! ener"y to s stain li!e, an$ paranormals li(e a lon", lon" time6 'hat)s -hat % ta*e6 % !i" re it)s a -in#-in sit ation6 'hey !i# nally "et a tic*et o t o! this misera,le, col$ -orl$, an$ % "et -hat % nee$ to *eep "oin"65 8B t % $on)t $o that, an$ %)m not $ea$ or $yin"65 +he raise$ an eye,ro-6 8Yo )re ,ri"hter a"ain to$ay6 Either that !aerie)s ,een (isitin", or yo )(e ,een "ettin" it some-here else6 .e $on)t ha(e o r o-n so ls, E(ie65

8% ha(e a so l,5 % sai$, $esperate6 8.e)re ,oth Empty Ones3li*e little, hollo- china $olls6 .e can)t *eep "oin" on o r o-n6 .hen -e -ere ma$e, they only "a(e s a little ,it6 + ch a (ery little ,it6 E(en h mans ha(e ,ri"hter so ls than -e $o, an$ they ha(e s ch a pathetic amo nt it)s not e(en -orth noticin"6 Di$n)t yo -on$er -hy yo )re al-ays so col$9 .hy yo al-ays !eel alone95 % loo*e$ $o-n at the "ro n$, n-illin" to meet her eyes6 8% really $on)t ha(e a so l95 8Not yo r o-n6 An$ % $on)t *no- ho- lon" yo can last nless yo start $oin" -hat yo -ere ma$e to6 B t, E(ie, listen to me65 +he reache$ o t an$ too* my han$ in her e= ally col$ one6 % loo*e$ p at her6 Her eyes -ere shinin", ,ri"ht, intense6 8%t)s ama:in"6 %t really is6 'hat !loo$, that !ire as it r shes in3yo )(e ne(er !elt anythin" so -on$er! l in yo r -hole li!e6 %t)s li*e yo )re !inally ali(e, an$ yo )re not alone6 Yo )(e "ot all those spirits insi$e yo , an$ yo )re not alone4 An$ % *eep them6 % treas re each an$ e(ery so l %)(e ,een "i(en6 'hey)re mine, an$ % lo(e them, an$ they *eep me -arm65 For the !irst time % notice$ the "ol$en !lames ,ehin$ her6 No- % n$erstoo$ -hat they -ere6 %t sho l$ ha(e ma$e me sa$, , t % -ante$ them more than e(er ,e!ore6 % $i$n)t -ant to ,e empty6 8%)m s ppose$ to *ill yo 65 Her (oice -as lo- an$ serio s6 8All their st pi$ prophecies, they -ant me to "et ri$ o! yo ,e!ore yo !i" re o t -hat yo can $o6 An$ % co l$6 1ill yo , % mean6 Yo $on)t n$erstan$ anythin"6 Yo $on)t e(en *no- ho- to ta*e the so ls, an$ %)(e "ot so m ch po-er no-65 +he loo*e$ tho "ht! l6 % -ante$ to r n, , t she -as so still an$ ha$ my han$ in hers6 8B t % $on)t -ant to6 'he st pi$ !ey, they thin* they *no- e(erythin", they thin* they can control me6 %)m tire$ o! them an$ %)m tire$ o! ,ein" alone6 .e)re !amily6 .e sho l$ ,e to"ether, yo *no-95 % $i$n)t *no- -hat to say6 Ho- $o yo respon$ -hen someone tells yo ho- easy it -o l$ ,e to *ill yo , then says she -ants to ,e ,est !rien$s, !amily9 8% can)t !in$ yo 65 Her "a:e intensi!ie$6 8E(en the !aeries that are helpin" me can)t !in$ yo 6 'ell me -here yo are65 'he so ls mo(e$ closer, $a::lin" me -ith their ,lin$in" ,ea ty6 +he co l$ teach me ho- to "et my o-n6 % opene$ my mo th, an$ then % hear$ Len$ la "h6 Loo*in" o(er, % -atche$ s6 His arms -ere aro n$ me, his mo th close to my ear6 8%)m -ith him,5 % -hispere$, p llin" a-ay !rom Vi(ian6 +he loo*e$ h rt, then her mo th c rle$ into a cr el smile6 8+ re6 'ell him -hat yo are an$ let me *no- i! yo )re still -ith him6 Yo )ll see6 %)m the only one yo ha(e6 'he only one65 +he $re- the !lames into hersel! a"ain, so ,ri"ht an$ terri,ly ,ea ti! l % starte$ cryin"6 .hen % -o*e p % -as still cryin"6 %t -as 2 st t rnin" li"ht o tsi$e, , t %)$ ne(er "et ,ac* to sleep6 % sat p an$ p lle$ my *nees to my chest, -rappin" my arms aro n$ them6 +he -as ri"ht6 % -as emp# ty6 % -as alone an$ col$, an$ %)$ al-ays *no-n it6 % p lle$ o t the nec* o! my '#shirt an$ loo*e$ $o-n6 My -rist ha$n)t chan"e$ since Reth , rne$ me, , t my heart ha$ $e!initely "otten a little ,ri"hter6 An$ then % ha$ a tho "ht6 A horri,le, horri,le tho "ht6 .hat i! % ha$ ,een s c*in" li!e an$ ener"y !rom Len$9 .hat i! % -as *illin" him9 % !inally "ot a ,oy!rien$, % -as pretty s re % lo(e$ him, an$ here % -as, stealin" his so l6 % ha$ to lea(e, r n a-ay to some-here -here % co l$n)t h rt anyone, especially not Len$6 B t a!ter ho- he opene$ p to me, ho- m ch he tr ste$ me, % o-e$ him more than that6 'ryin" not to cry, % pa$$e$ across the hall to the room he -as stayin" in6 Len$ -as asleep, almost in(isi,le, spra-le$ o t an$ tan"le$ in the ,lan*ets6 He loo*e$ a$ora,le6 %t ,ro*e my heart6 Ne7t to him on the ,e$si$e ta,le -as his open s*etch,oo*6 'iptoein" o(er, % sa- in the pale $a-n li"ht -hat he ha$ ,een -or*in" on6 %t -as a portrait o! me, pro,a,ly one he ha$ starte$ in art class6 % -as in this sassy pose, hol$in" 'asey an$ "i(in" this a-e#

some % roc*4 loo* to all the -orl$6 Len$ $re- me the -ay he sa- me, an$ % -as ,ea ti! l6 % totally starte$ ,a-lin"6 Len$ sat p, startle$ a-a*e, an$ color !loo$e$ into him6 8E(ie9 .hat)s -ron"95 % shoo* my hea$< % co l$ ,arely see him thro "h my tears6 8% thin* %)m *illin" yo 65 Paranormalcy P%N1, +H%NY LOVE L en$ loo*e$ con! se$6 8Yo thin* yo )re *illin" me95 8% 2 st3Vi(ian sai$3An$ %)m "ettin" ,ri"hter, an$35 8Calm $o-n65 Len$ scoote$ o(er an$ patte$ the ,e$ ne7t to him6 +ni!!lin", % sat $o-n, care! l not to to ch him6 8.hat are yo tal*in" a,o t95 8% *no- -ho)s $oin" this6 Her name is Vi(ian an$ she)s my sister3sort o!, % " ess9 +he sai$ -e)re not really sisters, , t -e)re the same thin"65 8.hen $i$ yo tal* to her95 He so n$e$ s rprise$ an$ ner(o s6 8Last ni"ht6 An$ a co ple o! other ni"hts6 .hile % -as sleepin", in my $reams65 He trie$ not to smile6 8+o yo )(e ,een $reamin" that this thin" is yo r sister95 8No65 % shoo* my hea$6 8% tho "ht they -ere 2 st $reams, tho "ht % -as "oin" cra:y ,eca se % -as -orrie$, , t then she tol$ me she)$ sen$ me a messa"e an$ she $i$, on my comm nicator6 %t)s $o-nstairs in the *itchen in a $ra-er6 % !o n$ it, %)m sorry65 Len$ !ro-ne$6 8+erio sly95 % no$$e$, -ishin" it -eren)t tr e6 8.o-6 +o -hat has she ,een tellin" yo 95 8%t)s *in$ o! con! sin"6 B t she says -e)re the same thin", that -e -eren)t ,orn, -e -ere ma$e6 'hat -e)re empty, an$ she sai$35 % starte$ cryin" a"ain 83% $on)t ha(e a so l6 %)m 2 st empty an$ col$ li*e her, an$ that)s -hy she ta*es the so ls6 'o !ill hersel! p6 B t she thin*s she)s $oin" a "oo$ thin", settin" the paranormals !ree !rom this -orl$6 Her so ls are al-ays there, "lo-in" an$ ,ea ti# ! l, an$ she sai$ the !aeries -ant her to *ill me, , t she -ants s to ,e a !amily65 Len$ -as = iet< so = iet6 % -aite$ !or him to sho t !or his $a$, to ,ac* a-ay in terror6 8+he says that i! % $on)t start ta*in" these so ls, the ener"y, that %)ll $ie, since % $on)t ha(e a so l o! my o-n6 B t % $on)t -ant to4 An$, Len$, %)m so sorry, , t %)(e ,een "ettin" ,ri"hter, my heart, an$ 3-hat i! %)m ta*in" yo r so l9 .hen -e to ch, *iss95 % co l$ ,arely tal* % -as cryin" so har$ no-6 8% $on)t -ant to h rt yo 6 %)m so, so sorry65 He sat motionless !or a lon" time6 'hen, to my shoc*, he reache$ o t an$ too* my han$6 % trie$ to p ll ,ac*6 8No4 % $on)t -ant to h rt yo 45 8E(ie,5 he sai$, his (oice ten$er an$ serio s6 He hel$ my han$ ti"hter6 8Do yo really thin* that)s tr e9 E(en i! this Vi(ian is -ho yo thin* she is, -hy -o l$ she tell yo the tr th95 % shoo* my hea$6 8% $on)t *no-6 %t ma*es sense6 .hy else -o l$ -e loo* the same9 An$ the "lo-# in"9 An$ %)(e al-ays !elt col$ an$ empty65 He reache$ o t an$ p t his han$ on my chin, !orcin" me to loo* at him6 8Yo ha(e a so l6 'hat)s the $ m,est thin" %)(e e(er hear$6 No one as ,ri"ht an$ happy an$ carin" as yo co l$ not ha(e a so l65 8B t -hat a,o t the "lo-in"9 %t)s "ettin" stron"er65 8Do yo !eel yo rsel! p llin" anythin" o t o! me9 Does it !eel li*e -hat Reth $i$ to yo 95

% !ro-ne$, thin*in" a,o t it6 Len$ ma$e me -arm an$ happy, , t it -asn)t the same6 Reth)s al-ays !elt !orei"n, li*e somethin" ne- -as ,ein" p t in6 .ith Len$, it -as li*e he -as -armin" -hat -as alrea$y insi$e me6 % shoo* my hea$6 8B t yo $on)t !eel -ea*er95 He la "he$6 8Not at all6 %! anythin", % ha(e more ener"y than e(er6 An$ %)m $e!initely happier than %)(e e(er ,een65 % co l$n)t ,elie(e it6 Here %)$ 2 st tol$ him % -as a monster, that % -as $esi"ne$ to s c* so ls o t o! paranormals, an$ he -as o*ay -ith it6 8B t % *no- %)m the same thin" Vi(ian is6 % tal*e$ to yo r mom6 +he sai$ it -as tr e65 8+he tal*e$ to yo 9 .o-6 +he $oesn)t sho- p !or anyone e7cept me an$ my $a$6 Di$ she thin* yo -ere "oin" to $o anythin" ,a$95 8No6 +he sai$ that % co l$ ma*e my choices, , t she $i$n)t *no- -hat -o l$ happen65 8.ell, there yo ha(e it6 % $on)t care i! yo )re the same thin" as this Vi(ian6 +he)s a l natic6 Yo )re not6 An$, ,esi$es, i! she)s -or*in" -ith the !aeries an$ they -ant her to *ill yo , -ho)s to say that anythin" she)s tellin" yo is tr e9 E(en i! she thin*s it is, she co l$ ,e totally -ron"6 Or she co l$ ,e lyin", tryin" to tric* yo into meetin" her so that she can *ill yo 65 8May,e6 % thin* she -as raise$ ,y !aeries6 +he *no-s a , nch o! their prophecies an$ st !!, , t she $oesn)t li*e them (ery m ch65 % !ro-ne$6 8+he seems pretty lonely an$ sa$65 % co l$n)t ima"ine -hat ,ein" raise$ ,y !aeries -o l$ ha(e ,een li*e6 As -eir$ as my li!e -as, at least % ha$ people -ho care$ a,o t me6 % loo*e$ at Len$6 8Yo )re really not scare$ o! me no-95 He shoo* his hea$, lettin" "o o! my han$ an$ p ttin" his arm aro n$ me to p ll me in closer6 8Not e(en a little ,it6 0 st ,eca se yo $on)t *no- -hat yo are $oesn)t ma*e yo scary6 %)m pretty !a# miliar -ith that65 He smile$6 8Besi$es, ho- co l$ % e(er ,e a!rai$ o! someone -ho -ears so m ch pin*95 % la "he$, -ipin" a-ay the last o! the tears !rom my !ace6 % co l$n)t ,elie(e it6 Len$ -as pro,a,ly the only person in the -orl$ -ho -o l$ ha(e reacte$ this -ay6 8Do yo thin* -e sho l$ tell yo r $a$95 He -as = iet !or a -hile6 8% $on)t *no-6 Yo alrea$y tal*e$ to my mom an$ she *no-s -ay more than my $a$ a,o t st !! li*e this6 Besi$es, it)s not li*e it ma*es any $i!!erence6 .e still $on)t *no-here Vi(ian is or ho- to stop her6 Yo )re sa!e here3she can)t !in$ yo 6 'hat)s -hat)s important6 % thin* i! my $a$ an$ some o! the others *ne- it -o l$&ma*e them ner(o s6 +o there)s not really a reason to tell them, is there95 % shoo* my hea$, more relie(e$ than % care$ to a$mit6 8.e)ll *eep this ,et-een s6 An$ i! Vi(ian (isits yo a"ain, or yo learn anythin" else, -e)ll !i" re it o t to"ether, o*ay9 %n the meantime, *eep 'asey on yo 65 %n spite o! his reass rance that Vi(ian co l$n)t !in$ me i! she ha$n)t alrea$y, his eyes ha$ a ti"ht, -orrie$ loo*6 No $o ,t they mirrore$ mine6 No matter ho- sa!e % !elt here, she -as o t there, some-here, loo*in" !or me6 He m st ha(e seen it in my !ace6 He s= ee:e$ my han$, p llin" me in closer6 8%t)s "oin" to ,e o*ay6 .e)re in this to"ether65 % -as o(er-helme$ -ith ho- -on$er! l Len$ -as6 % reali:e$ then that % $i$n)t !eel so col$ an$ empty anymore6 %t -asn)t anythin" $ramatic, 2 st a s ,tle sense o! -ell#,ein", o! -holeness6 8B t yo )ll tell me i! yo e(er !eel anythin" -eir$ -hen %)m to chin" yo , ri"ht95 8Oh, % !eel a lot -hen yo )re to chin" me6 B t it)s not -eir$65 % "rinne$, hittin" him li"htly in the chest6 8%)m serio s65 8% *no-6 % -ill3% promise65 He *isse$ my chee*, then loo*e$ at the cloc*6 8>mm, yo )$ pro,a,ly ,etter "et o t o! my room6 %t -o l$n)t ,e "oo$ !or my $a$ to -a*e p an$ !in$ s to"ether65

8Oh, yeah, "oo$ point65 % 2 mpe$ p so !ast % practically !ell o(er6 8%)ll see yo $o-nstairs65 He smile$ at me6 8Can)t -ait65 % sh t the $oor to his room an$ % leane$ ,ac* a"ainst it, closin" my eyes6 Vi(ian ha$ ,een -ron"6 % -asn)t alone6 'he rest o! the $ay -as -on$er! l6 Da(i$ ha$ "otten some !a*e papers ma$e !or me an$ -e !ille$ o t e(erythin" % nee$e$ to enroll in school !or the !all6 % e(en "ot a c te ne- last name, /reen6 % co l$n)t remem,er -hat % ha$ "one ,y in the !oster system, an$ it -asn)t li*e %)$ nee$e$ one at the Center6 +till, 2 st seein" a !irst an$ last name to"ether ma$e me !eel li*e a real person, li*e may,e % really co l$ ha(e an i$entity an$ a li!e a-ay !rom %PCA6 Da(i$ ha$ also p rchase$ se(eral homeschoolin" co rses so % co l$ contin e my st $ies on my o-n, since it -as so late in the school year there -as no -ay % co l$ catch p in re" lar co rses at the hi"h school6 % -as *in$ o! , mme$ a,o t it6 %t -as less time -ith Len$ an$ more time -itho t a loc*er o! my o-n6 B t no- that % ha$ a ! t re to loo* !or-ar$ to, % -as a lot more ea"er to "et "oo$ "ra$es6 % ha$ to "et into -hate(er colle"e Len$ -ent to, a!ter all6 %! that meant more home-or* !or me, -ell, that)s -hat %)$ $o6 Besi$es the st $yin", Len$)s $a$ nee$e$ help -ith the e7tra paranormals6 .or$ ha$ sprea$ not only o! his n$er"ro n$ ai$ , t also o! the *illin"s6 Directe$ ,y Da(i$)s %PCA contacts, paranormals -ere stea$ily tric*lin" into to-n< he either trans!erre$ them to another location or !o n$ places to p t them here6 All the paranormals % met -ere totally 2 mpy, tra$in" -hispere$ r mors a,o t -here the latest *illin"s ha$ ta*en place6 Len$ ha$ to constantly t rn into Vi(ian to sho- them -hat she loo*e$ li*e6 %t -as more than a little creepy -atchin" the ,oy % li*e$ t rn into the "irl % -as terri!ie$ o!6 % also -orrie$ a,o t -hat that many paranormals in one spot co l$ $o, , t Len$ tol$ me it -or*e$ ,etter6 'hey police$ themsel(es, an$ i! anyone ,ro*e the r les3li*e, say, $rin*in" h man ,loo$3 the others -o l$ t rn that one in6 No,o$y -ante$ to attract the attention o! %PCA or Vi(ian6 % appreciate$ -hat Da(i$ -as $oin" an$ -as happy to help -ith arran"in" thin"s, , t his lac* o! or# "ani:ation an$ recor$s ma$e me ner(o s6 Here he -as, settin" p (ampires -ith !a*e i$entities an$ sen$in" them to ne- to-ns to li(e in -ith no -ay o! *no-in" -hat they -ere "oin" to $o there6 %! %PCA -as too harsh, Da(i$ -as $e!initely too tr stin", in my opinion6 B t no one -as as*in" my opinion6 'hat a!ternoon, a!ter !inishin" the last o! the $ay)s -ere-ol! processin", Len$ mentione$ to his $a$ that -e -ere "oin" to prom to"ether6 Yo )$ thin* Da(i$ -as the one "oin", he -as so e7cite$6 He insiste$ -e "o to the mall imme$iately6 % $i$n)t ar" e6 Len$ *ept la "hin" at ho- "i$$y the rest o! s -ere, e(en Arianna, -ho ta""e$ alon"6 8Oh, come on, yo *no- yo lo(e the mall,5 % sai$, s= ee:in" his han$ as -e sat in the ,ac*seat6 8%t)s li*e teena"e nir(ana45 8An$ here % -as thin*in" p r"atory65 .hen -e "ot there, Da(i$ an$ Len$ split o!! to loo* at rental t 7es, -hile Arianna an$ % -ent to chec* o t $resses6 %)ll a$mit she -asn)t my i$eal shoppin" partner, , t she -as so thrille$ % !o n$ mysel! la "hin" -ith her a!ter a !e- min tes6 %t ,alance$ o t the !act that cro-$s ma$e me ner(o s no-6 '-ice % tho "ht % sa- Reth o t o! the corner o! my eye, only to "ra, my ne- iron *n c*les o t o! my poc*et an$ ha(e it ,e 2 st some ran$om " y6 % -on$ere$ i! %)$ e(er ,e a,le to rela7 a"ain6 %n o r thir$ store, Arianna si"he$, ,ro-sin" thro "h a rac* o! "o-ns6 8Man, % miss this6 % -as in !ashion $esi"n ,e!ore %, -ell, $ie$, % " ess6 % ne(er ha(e !i" re$ o t ho- that -or*s6 Da(i$ $oesn)t *no-, either65 +he !ro-ne$6 8Yeah, t rns o t % $on)t *no- anythin" a,o t anythin"6 %PCA -asn)t e7actly thoro "h in their para#

normal e$ cation pro"ram65 8%t)s 2 st -eir$6 % mean, ten years a"o % -as in school, loo*in" !or-ar$ to e(erythin" to come6 An$ then, ,am, s $$enly %)m this3this thin"6 An$ -hat % can)t !i" re o t is, -hat)s the point o! it all9 Am % really "oin" to ,e st c*, 2 st sort o! e7istin", !or the rest o! time9 %t ma*es me tire$ thin*in" a,o t it, yo *no-95 % !ro-ne$, tryin" to i"nore -hat Vi(ian ha$ sai$ a,o t !reein" paranormals !rom this -orl$6 8Yo )re $oin" thin"s,5 % sai$6 +he shoo* her hea$6 8Oh, -ell6 Hey, ho- a,o t this95 +he hel$ p a $ress6 %t -as !loor len"th, -ith a shiny, !lo-in" s*irt an$ a strapless s-eetheart nec*line6 An$ it -as pin*6 Lo(ely, lo(ely pin* that shine$ an$ ca "ht the li"ht 2 st ri"ht6 % -as in lo(e6 Paranormalcy %N YO>R DREAM+ V i(ian $i$n)t sho- p a"ain ntil the -ee* o! the prom6 % -as sittin" in one o! Len$)s classes, , t % $i$n)t *no- anyone6 'he teacher spo*e in another lan" a"e, % ha$ !or"otten ho- to rea$, an$ % -as -earin" my prom $ress -ith com,at ,oots6 0 st the promise o! school in the !all an$ % -as alrea$y ha(in" ni"htmares6 As % !rantically trie$ to $ecipher the -or$s o! a test on a s ,2ect %)$ ne(er hear$ o!, % loo*e$ p6 'he rest o! the st $ents ha$ $isappeare$6 Vi(ian sat at a $es*, "i(in" me a stran"e loo*< the so ls ho(# ere$, shinin" ,ehin$ her6 8Yo )re -eir$,5 she sai$6 % loo*e$ $o-n at the paper, still ner(o s that % nee$e$ to !inish it6 8Yeah, % *no-65 8+o, $i$ yo tell him yet95 Her small smile -as tin"e$ -ith a hint o! sm "6 8% $i$, act ally65 8.hy ha(en)t yo calle$ me then95 8He $i$n)t care65 Her smile $roppe$ o!!, replace$ ,y ! rro-e$ ,ro-s6 8He $i$n)t care95 8Nope6 He li*es me no matter -ho or -hat % am65 +he shoo* her hea$6 8No, yo $on)t n$erstan$6 Yo m st ha(e lie$ to him6 Yo *eep "ettin" ,ri"hter6 Yo !i" re$ o t ho- to $o it, $i$n)t yo 9 Di$ yo *ill him95 8No, % $i$n)t *ill him4 % -o l$ ne(er6 % $i$n)t E!i" re it o t) either, an$ % $on)t -ant to6 %)m happy -here % am65 8Oh, % see65 Her !ace -ent har$ an$ col$6 8L c*y E(ie6 Are they "oin" to ta*e care o! yo , then9 Aren)t yo 2 st the special one6 Frien$s e(ery-here65 % shr ""e$, ncom!orta,le6 8% $on)t -ant anythin" to $o -ith the !aeries or -ith ta*in" so ls or any o! that6 % can ,e normal here6 % -ant to ,e normal65 Her !ace contorte$ in ! ry6 For a moment % tho "ht she)$ attac* me6 B t then her e7pression chan"e$, an$ she loo*e$ $o-n at the $es*, tracin" her !in"er alon" it6 Blac* mar*s seare$ the -oo$, small trails o! smo*e risin"6 8Normal, h h9 .o l$n)t that ,e nice, little E(ie, normal E(ie65 +he loo*e$ p, tho "ht! l6 8% al-ays -ante$ a nic*name6 Faeries aren)t real ,i" on a!!ection, yo *no-9 A !rien$ or someone -ho li*e$ me -ell eno "h to say, hey, Vi(i, or may,e 2 st Vi(6 % al-ays -on# $ere$ ho- that -o l$ !eel65 Her eyes !ille$ -ith tears6 8Yo *no- ho- lon" %)(e -aite$ !or yo 9 % -as alone !or so lon", an$ then they starte$ tal*in" a,o t ho- the other co rt ma$e a ne- one6 At !irst % -as 2ealo s, rea$y to

*ill yo li*e they sai$6 B t then % sa- yo in %relan$, an$ % reali:e$, here)s someone li*e me4 +o % starte$ loo*in" !or yo 6 'hey co l$n)t !in$ yo , , t % *ne- % co l$, *ne- %)$ ,e a,le to "et to yo 6 An$ -hen % !inally !o n$ yo , yo le!t ,e!ore -e co l$ tal*6 %)m still alone, an$ % can)t !in$ yo a"ain65 Her thin sho l$ers shoo*6 +he loo*e$ so ,ro*en, so sa$ it ma$e my heart h rt6 8%t -on)t last6 Yo can)t ,e normal6 Be -ith me6 %)m so tire$ o! ,ein" alone6 Please, let me !in$ yo 65 % -ent to her, tryin" not to loo* at the so ls, tellin" mysel! % $i$n)t -ant them6 % stro*e$ her han$6 8%)m sorry6 %)m so sorry65 +he loo*e$ p at me an$ % sa- the !ire , rnin" ,ehin$ her eyes6 8'hen come -ith me65 8%35 % starte$ to tell her no , t she "ra,,e$ my -rist, her han$s li*e a (ise6 8%)ll !in$ yo ,5 she -hispere$, smilin"6 My eyes !le- open an$ % sat p in ,e$6 Not "oo$6 +o not "oo$6 %t -as still $ar*, , t % -ent silently o(er to Len$)s room6 He -as $reamin", !lic*erin" thro "h $i!# !erent people6 % clim,e$ onto the ,e$, lyin" $o-n ne7t to him , t on top o! the co(ers6 8Len$,5 % -hispere$6 He $i$n)t mo(e, so % sai$ it a"ain, a little lo $er6 8Len$65 His eyes poppe$ open, his !ace shi!tin" !rom a ran$om ol$er man to his s al !orm6 8E(ie95 8% ha$ another (isit65 8Oh65 He stare$ at me !or a -hile, !ro-nin"6 8Oh,5 he sai$ a"ain, sha*in" his hea$6 8+orry, -hat time is it95 8Late6 Early6 +orry65 8No, it)s o*ay6 Yo ha$ another $ream -ith Vi(ian95 8Yeah65 8.hat $i$ she say95 8+he sai$ % -as "ettin" ,ri"hter65 % loo*e$ at him, -orrie$ an$ ner(o s6 8.ell, my so l)s still completely in place6 +he)s manip latin" yo 65 % no$$e$, e(en tho "h my = ic*, ner(o s chec*s e(ery $ay in the sho-er ma$e me pretty s re she -as ri"ht6 E(en Len$ ha$ commente$ the other ni"ht that my han$s -eren)t as col$ as s al6 8Anythin" else95 8+he -as ma$ that % ha(en)t tol$ her -here % am6 +he)s really sa$6 +he)s so lonely65 % !elt horri,le remem,erin" the loo* in her eyes6 8+he sai$ she)ll !in$ me e(en tho "h % tol$ her % $i$n)t -ant her to65 8+he hasn)t !o n$ yo yet65 8No, an$ she seeme$ really !r strate$6 'hat ,i" *illin" spree she -ent on, % thin* it -as a,o t me6 Fin$in" me6 % ,et her !aeries *ne- % -as -or*in" !or %PCA6 'hey m st ha(e !i" re$ sooner or later it)$ $ra- me o t6 An$ then -hen she sa- me a!ter she *ille$ the ha"35 % pa se$, thin*in" a,o t it6 8% $on)t thin* she)$ ma$e p her min$ yet6 +he mi"ht ha(e still ,een tryin" to *ill me -hen she ,ro*e into the Center6 B t no- she -ants s to, % $on)t *no-, han" o t6 1ill paranormals to"ether6 Family ,on$in" time65 8+ho l$n)t !aeries ,e a,le to !in$ yo really easily95 He loo*e$ -orrie$6 % shr ""e$ a"ainst the pillo-6 8% $on)t *no-6 May,e it)s ,eca se %)(e ,een carryin" aro n$ ,rea$ li*e yo r $a$ sai$9 Or somethin" yo r mom)s $oin"9 % ha(e no i$ea -hy they ha(en)t ,een a,le to !in$ me6 B t %)m really -orrie$3-hat i! she comes here9 .hat i! she h rts yo 9 Or Arianna, or Nona, or any o! the other paranormals9 %)m p ttin" e(eryone in $an"er6 %t -o l$ ,e my !a lt, an$ % $on)t thin* %)$ e(er ,e a,le to !or"i(e mysel!65

Len$ shoo* his hea$6 8Yo aren)t responsi,le !or anythin" that she $oes6 An$ % really thin* that i! she hasn)t !o n$ yo yet, she isn)t "oin" to65 .e *ept sayin" that, an$ the more times % hear$ it, the ,etter it so n$e$, , t that $i$n)t settle the na""in" -orry , ,,lin" in my stomach6 Co l$ % really 2 st han" o t, hi$in" in a small Vir"inian to-n !ore(er9 % -o l$n)t min$6 B t % still co l$n)t !or"et ho- sa$ she -as6 8% ne(er tho "ht %)$ ,e "rate! l !or my chil$hoo$, , t poor Vi(ian6 % *no- she)s cra:y an$ a *iller, , t she)s ne(er ha$ anyone6 E(er6 % -ish there -as some -ay % co l$ help her, yo *no-95 8% *no-6 B t yo )(e "ot to remem,er she -as raise$ ,y !aeries6 E(erythin" she tells yo is pro,a,ly a lie65 % smile$ -anly, , t % *ne- he -as -ron"6 Yo co l$n)t !a*e that *in$ o! pain an$ loneliness6 He $i$n)t n$erstan$3he)$ al-ays ha$ someone6 % -on$ere$ -hat % -o l$ ,e li*e i! % ha$ ,een raise$ ,y !aeries6 %t ma$e me sh $$er6 8+o, mm, -ere yo plannin" on spen$in" the rest o! the ni"ht in here95 he as*e$, raisin" an eye# ,ro-6 % narro-e$ my eyes, tryin" not to smile6 8%n yo r $reams65 He la "he$6 8.ell then, let me "o to sleep so % can "et ,ac* to them65 +ha*in" my hea$, % leane$ in an$ *isse$ him = ic*ly on the lips, then, alrea$y missin" him, -ent ,ac* to my room6 % -o l$n)t ha(e min$e$ spen$in" the ni"ht in there, , t % -ante$ to ta*e it sloan$ !i" re$ sleepin" in the same ,e$ -asn)t a really smart i$ea6 A!ter all, %)$ seen it time an$ time a"ain on Easton Hei"hts3-hen the co ples hoo*e$ p too soon it ne(er en$e$ -ell6 Pl s, % $i$n)t thin* his $a$ -o l$ li*e it (ery m ch an$ % -asn)t a,o t to p sh my l c*6 %t too* a lon" time !or me to !all asleep a"ain6 'he ne7t mornin" Len$ -ent to school6 % staye$ home, li*e % $i$ most $ays, to -or* on my school# -or* an$ st $y !or the +A's6 %t -as so ,i:arre % -ante$ to la "h6 .hile Vi(ian an$ her !aeries plot# te$ my $estr ction, % sat at the co nter memori:in" (oca, lary -or$s6 Normal -as stran"er than paranormal sometimes6 8Ho-)s it "oin"95 Da(i$ as*e$, !i7in" himsel! a san$-ich !or l nch6 8% ha(e a = estion i! yo )(e "ot a min te65 8%t)s ,een a lon" time since % st $ie$ !or that thin", , t %)ll try to help65 8Oh, no, not a,o t the test6 % -as 2 st -on$erin", *in$ o! -orryin" act ally6 A,o t !aeries6 Ho- $o they !in$ yo 9 % mean, li*e i! some o! the %PCA !aeries -ere loo*in" !or me, -o l$ they *no-here % -as95 8% $on)t thin* so6 % *no- i! !aeries ha(e some sort o! connection, somethin" o! yo rs, s ally an im# portant possession or part o! yo r ,o$y53he sa- my eyes -i$en an$ smile$38li*e hair, or a !in"er or toe, they can al-ays !in$ yo 6 An$ i! yo call them, o! co rse6 B t i! yo mean 2 st *no- -here yo are, no6 'hey $o ha(e -ays o! !in$in" people6 %!, !or e7ample, they *no- yo r ! ll name, then it -o l$ ,e simple65 % !ro-ne$6 % $i$n)t *no- my real ! ll name6 % -as pretty s re %PCA $i$n)t, either, an$ Vi(ian)s !aeries -o l$n)t6 'hen % remem,ere$ -hat Reth ha$ sai$ a,o t tellin" me my name some$ay6 A col$ chill settle$ ,et-een my sho l$er ,la$es6 'hat m st ha(e ,een -hy he al-ays seeme$ to *noe7actly -here % -as in the Center6 8Any other -ays95 8%! !aeries really -ante$ to !in$ yo , they pro,a,ly co l$6 .hich means they alrea$y -o l$ ha(e65

He smile$6 8%)(e alrea$y -orrie$ a,o t all this !or yo an$ % $on)t thin* it)s an iss e6 Yo )re sa!e !rom %PCA here65 % no$$e$, -ishin" it -as %PCA % -as a!rai$ o!6 No, % -as -orrie$ a,o t m ch -orse thin"s6 % "ra,,e$ another slice o! ,rea$ an$ sho(e$ it in my poc*et6 % -ante$ to stay here, -ante$ this happy li!e to "o on !ore(er6 +omethin" tol$ me slices o! ,rea$ -eren)t "oin" to ,e eno "h6 Paranormalcy DON)' M>++ 'HE MA1E>P A rianna -as st $yin" my hair, $eep in tho "ht6 Her !ace lit p6 8%)(e "ot it4 Remem,er Cheyenne in the mas= era$e episo$e95 8Oh, my "osh4 'hat)s per!ect4 Yo )re a "eni s45 +he smir*e$6 8% *no-6 Best episo$e e(er, ri"ht95 8+erio sly65 % -atche$ in the mirror as Arianna p t in hot rollers6 % ha$ ne(er seen a (amp in a mir# ror ,e!ore6 ' rns o t they $o ha(e re!lections, , t, 2 st li*e in s nli"ht, their "lamo rs $on)t = ite trans!er all the -ay6 Yo can)t see the corpse n$erneath, , t yo can tell that somethin" is -ron"6 No -on$er they $on)t li*e mirrors< %)$ hate to see mysel! that -ay6 Arianna a(oi$e$ loo*in" at the mirror, constantly shi!tin" so that she -o l$n)t ,e !acin" it6 %)ll a$mit the i$ea o! her han$s on my hair3her "lamo re$ corpse han$s3still ,othere$ me a little ,it6 B t % -as tryin" to "et o(er it6 A!ter all, thin"s -ere a lot more complicate$ than they se$ to ,e6 %t -as no lon"er see (amp, st n (amp, ta" (amp6 No- it -as pon$er the philosophical implica# tions o! people -ho ha$ immortality !orce$ pon them, $oome$ to han" onto the coattails o! h # manity -hile ha(in" almost none le!t themsel(es6 Man, no -on$er they $ran* ,loo$6 .hen the rollers -ere remo(e$, my hair !ell $o-n my ,ac* in loose, t m,lin" c rls6 'a*in" a crys# tal#co(ere$ ,arrette, she p lle$ a piece ,ac* !rom my !ace on one si$e in a sli"ht ,rai$, clippin" it in place6 8Per!ect65 +he smile$6 % ha$ to a"ree6 'he style -as simple , t sho-e$ o!! my hair, -hich -as $e!initely one o! my ,est !eat res6 8Yo are an artist65 8Oh, % *no-6 No- !or yo r ma*e p65 'he "irl#,on$in" time -ith Arianna really ma$e me miss Lish6 Not that she -o l$ ha(e ,een a,le to participate, -hat -ith the -hole mermai$# n$er-ater thin", , t she -o l$ ha(e li*e$ to see it6 As Arianna applie$ $ar*, $ramatic eyeliner an$ ! sse$ o(er -hich sha$e o! eye sha$o- to se, % -on# $ere$ a,o t -hat Cresse$a ha$ sai$ -hen -e)$ !irst tal*e$6 +he as*e$ me to ret rn Lish to them6 B t ho- co l$ %9 +he -as $ea$< she -as "one6 8Oh, my "osh65 'hin"s clic*e$ into place3ho- co l$ % not ha(e seen it ,e!ore9 8% *no-, h h9 Yo ne(er *ne- yo co l$ ,e this hot,5 Arianna ans-ere$ sm "ly6 8Oh, yeah, yo )re ama:in",5 % sai$, co(erin"6 As "oo$ as % loo*e$ ?an$, really, % loo*e$ "oo$@, it -asn)t anythin" compare$ to -hat % ha$ 2 st reali:e$6 % nee$e$ to tal* to Len$ ri"ht no-6 % stoo$, , t Arianna p she$ me ,ac* $o-n in the chair6 8Not $one yet, yo r lips are still na*e$65 %t -as all % co l$ $o to sit still as she applie$ a rosy lipstic* h e -ith a hint o! shimmer6 8O*ay6 Yo are per!ection6 %)m a "eni s65 8'han*s45 % smile$ at her ,e!ore % sprinte$ pstairs6 Arianna la "he$ at -hat she ass me$ -as my impatience to "et into my $ress6 8Len$45 % , rst thro "h his $oor6 He loo*e$ p, s rprise$6 +till in ,as*et,all shorts an$ a plain '# shirt, he -as lyin" on his stomach on the ,e$, s*etchin"6 % stoppe$ an$ !ro-ne$6 8Aren)t yo "oin"

to "et rea$y95 He la "he$6 8Remo(e clothes, p t on t 76 +ho l$ ta*e all o! t-o min tes6 Yo loo* hot tho "h65 8Listen, % !i" re$ it o t45 % sat $o-n on the en$ o! his ,e$6 8Fi" re$ -hat o t95 He p she$ himsel! p to sit across !rom me6 8'he poem thin"4 % *no- -hat it means45 .hy ha$n)t % tho "ht a,o t it more9 %)$ ,een so st pi$4 His eye,ro-s -ent p6 8Really95 8Yeah4 O*ay, so Eeyes li*e streams o! meltin" sno-,) $ h6 'hen the Ecol$ -ith the thin"s she $oes not *no-,) -ell, i! she)s li*e me she)s col$ all the time, ri"ht9 'hin"s -e $on)t *no-, %)m not s re a,o t65 'here -ere a lot o! thin"s Vi(ian $i$n)t *no- that le!t her !eelin" col$ an$ alone6 8Any-ay, EHea(en a,o(e an$ Hell ,eneath,) that)s Earth, -here -e)re all st c*6 % mean, li*e the !aeries are6 B t then Eli= i$ !lames to hi$e her "rie!,) that)s -hat the so ls or ener"y loo* li*e3li= i$, "ol$en !lames6 An$ she ta*es them ,eca se they ma*e her !eel -arm, li*e she)s not alone anymore6 B t then the last part3E$eath, $eath, $eath -ith no release)9 %t)s not a,o t ho- she)s *illin" paranor# mals4 Remem,er -hat yo r mom sai$, a,o t "i(in" Lish ,ac* to them9 Vi(ian)s not 2 st *illin" them, she)s ta*in" their so ls an$ *eepin" them6 'hey)re st c* insi$e her, s-irlin" aro n$6 +o she)s *ille$ them, , t their so ls are trappe$45 % -as trippin" o(er my -or$s, tal*in" so !ast to "et it all o t ,e!ore % !or"ot anythin"6 8Lish an$ 0ac= es an$ e(eryone else, their so ls ha(en)t ,een release$ 3they)(e 2 st ,een stolen45 His eyes -i$ene$6 8%t ma*es sense65 8+o $o yo thin*3.hat i! -e co l$ "et the so ls o t9 Do yo thin* that -o l$ mean3Co l$ Lish come ,ac*9 'o li!e95 He !ro-ne$6 8% $on)t *no-6 'hose ,o$ies, they -ere $ea$6 E(en immortal ,o$ies can $ie i! it hap# pens the ri"ht -ay65 8Oh65 My sho l$ers sl mpe$6 % really tho "ht that % ha$ !i" re$ it o t, tho "ht % co l$ "et Lish ,ac*6 %n those last !e- min tes, it !elt li*e % alrea$y ha$ her6 An$ no- %)$ lost her a"ain6 Len$ p t his arms aro n$ me6 8%)m sorry, E(ie65 % no$$e$6 %t ha$ ,een st pi$6 E(en i! there -as some -ay that Lish)s ,o$y an$ so l co l$ ,e p t ,ac* to"ether, -hich -asn)t li*ely ?an$ -o l$ pro,a,ly ,e "ross, "i(en ho- m ch time ha$ passe$@, % ha$ no i$ea ho- % co l$ "et the so ls !rom Vi(ian, or i! it -as e(en possi,le6 8+till, % thin* yo )re ri"ht a,o t the meanin" o! the poem6 'hey)re $ea$ , t not release$, ,eca se their so ls are st c*6 'hat)s somethin", at least65 8For all the "oo$ it $oes s, ri"ht95 % si"he$6 He leane$ in to "i(e me a com!ort *iss, , t % p lle$ ,ac*6 8Oh, $on)t e(en thin* a,o t it6 Arianna -ill *ill yo i! yo mess p my ma*e p65 He smile$, raisin" one eye,ro-6 8%)m ! lly plannin" on messin" it p ,e!ore the ni"ht)s o(er65 8/oo$ l c* -ith that65 % le!t his room !or mine, more than a little $isappointe$ that my aha moment ha$n)t act ally sol(e$ anythin"6 % co l$n)t help , t !eel % -as !ailin" Lish in a ma2or -ay, , t % $i$n)t *no- -hat else % co l$ $o6 %)$ !i" re o t this Vi(ian thin"6 E(ent ally6 At least % ha$ the prom !or consolation6 +hallo-, may,e, , t % *ne- Lish -o l$ ha(e -ante$ this !or me6 % co l$ see her no-, eyes ,eamin" at me in appro(al6 An$ % co l$ see the ti"ht line that Ra= el)s lips -o l$ !orm as she loo*e$ at the lac* o! slee(a"e an$ hint o! clea(a"e6 % co l$ almost hear -hich si"h she)$ se6 %! % tho "ht a,o t them anymore % -as "oin" to cry, an$ % -as -earin" !ar too m ch mascara !or that6 % stare$ at my $ress, to chin" the material lo(in"ly, ,lin*in" ,ac* tears6 % ha$ $reame$ o! a prom !or so lon", % co l$n)t ,elie(e % -as "oin"6 .ith a ,oy % -as in lo(e -ith, no less6 % -o l$ ,e

as happy as Lish -o l$ ha(e -ante$ me to ,e6 % -ishe$ there -ere a mirror in the room, , t % $i$n)t nee$ one to *no- ho- a-esome this $ress -as6 % ha$ only stare$ at mysel! in it !or li*e hal! an ho r the !irst time % trie$ it on6 An$ -ith the a$$e$ to ch o! my hi"h#heele$, peep#toe slin",ac*s in li"ht "ol$, % -as pretty s re there ha$ ne(er ,een a ,etter prom ensem,le in the history o! the $ance6 Rather than 2e-elry, % r ,,e$ shimmery lo# tion on my sho l$ers6 % spar*le$ eno "h on my o-n toni"ht6 Len$ *noc*e$6 % opene$ the $oor, "rinnin"6 His reaction -as per!ect6 His 2a- $roppe$, then he 2 st smile$ li*e he co l$n)t ,elie(e his l c*6 % co l$n)t, either6 Belie(e my l c*, that is, ,eca se as hot as .ater Boy -as all the time, .ater Boy in a t 7 -as li*e ltimate hotness6 8Yo loo* ama:in"65 He hel$ o t his arm6 % hoo*e$ my han$ thro "h his el,o- an$ smile$6 8Li*e-ise,5 % sai$, tryin" not to la "h % -as so happy6 8May,e yo sho l$ ha(e ,o "ht the t 765 He la "he$ an$ -e -ent $o-n the stairs to -here his $a$ an$ Arianna -ere -aitin" -ith cameras6 A!# ter a,o t a million pict res ?an$ % $i$n)t complain, % -ante$ proo!, lots an$ lots o! proo!, o! toni"ht@, -e -ent to the -aitin" limo6 'he $ri(er hel$ the $oor open !or s6 % stoppe$, s= ee:in" Len$)s arm6 8Yo $o *no- the $ri(er is a troll, ri"ht95 % -hispere$, ner(o s6 He la "he$6 8Yeah, -e *no-6 /oo$ !amily !rien$65 .e clim,e$ into the ,ac*, the !irst ones to ,e pic*e$ p6 A!ter a !e- more stops to pic* p 0ohn an$ Carlee ?-ho smile$ at me an$ complimente$ my $ress@, -e $ro(e to a small resta rant !or $inner6 'he li"hts -ere $im an$ intimate, the $ecor ele"ant6 .e sat a"ainst a -in$o-e$ -all, an$ % -as "la$3the pl sh ,ench seat meant % co l$ sn ""le in ri"ht ne7t to Len$6 'hen -e $ro(e to the hi"h school6 0ohn complaine$ lo $ly a,o t ho- "hetto it -as to ha(e the prom at the school, , t % $i$n)t care6 Prom -as prom6 An$ there % -as, at a prom, at a normal, -on# $er! l prom, -ith my mostly normal, totally -on$er! l ,oy!rien$6 % !elt li*e % -as "lo-in" % -as so happy6 .e -ent into the "ym, -hich -as $ecorate$ -ith t-in*lin" li"hts an$ "a:e,os, an$ % reali:e$ % real# ly -as "lo-in"6 %n the $im li"hts my arm -as li*e a !lashli"ht6 % "lance$ $o-n at my chest an$ im# me$iately re"rette$ the nec*line % ha$ chosen6 %! my arm -as li*e a !lashli"ht, my heart -as li*e a miniat re s n6 % p t my han$ o(er it an$ loo*e$ aro n$, panic*e$, ntil % reali:e$ that no one else co l$ see it6 8.anna $ance95 Len$ as*e$, lea$in" me o t into the mi$$le o! the !loor6 'ryin" to i"nore my "lo-# in" -rist as he p t my arms ,ehin$ his nec* an$ p lle$ me in close, % smile$6 %t -as some cheesy ,alla$, , t % $i$n)t care as lon" as it -as a slo- son"6 8+o, prom65 He "rinne$ at me as -e slo-ly mo(e$ ,ac* an$ !orth6 8Yo li*e it95 % ,eame$6 8Better than Easton Hei"hts65 Paranormalcy PAR'Y CRA+HER % alrea$y *ne- % -as a $isastro s $ancer, than*s to the iPo$ an*le#sprainin" !iasco, , t Len$ an$ % thre- ca tion an$ sel!#conscio sness to the -in$, !lailin" aro n$ in the mi$$le o! the !loor -ith e(# eryone else6 Len$ p lle$ me o t !or more pict res6 8Let)s 2 st $o a classic pose, o*ay95 he as*e$ as -e -aite$ !or the co ple)s pict re6 % shr ""e$6 % $i$n)t *no- -hat he meant, an$ % $i$n)t care as lon" as -e "ot the photos6 Li*e % sai$, % -ante$ proo!6 .e stoo$ ne7t to each other, his arms aro n$ my -aist6 'hen, ri"ht -hen the pict re -as a,o t to ,e ta*en, Len$ $ippe$ me, p ttin" one han$ ,ehin$ my hea$ an$ *issin" me ! ll on the

lips6 % -as so s rprise$ % -o l$)(e !allen o(er i! he ha$n)t ,een hol$in" me so ti"htly6 As soon as the !lash -ent o!! he p lle$ me ,ac* p6 8Yo $or*45 % smac*e$ him in the sho l$er, la "hin"6 8'hat)s "oin" to ,e the -eir$est pict re e(# er65 8'ol$ yo % -as "oin" to mess p yo r ma*e p,5 he sai$, a sm " "rin on his !ace6 8Yeah, spea*in" o! -hich, no- % ha(e to "o to the ,athroom an$ reapply my lipstic*65 % reache$ o t an$ ran my th m, alon" his ,ottom lip6 8%t)s a "oo$ sha$e !or yo , tho "h65 8Yo ha(e lipstic* here95 he as*e$, con! se$ since % ha$n)t ,ro "ht a p rse6 8Oh, ne(er n$erestimate the in"en ity o! a "irl in !i" rin" o t -here to pac* necessities65 As m ch as % hate$ to lea(e him, % -as $etermine$ to loo* hot all ni"ht6 8Aren)t yo "oin" to as* someone to "o -ith yo 95 8'o the ,athroom9 .hy95 8/irls ne(er "o to the ,athroom ,y themsel(es65 8%)ll try not to ,e too lonely in the ten secon$s it)ll ta*e me to !inish65 He smile$6 8Meet yo ,y the $rin* ta,le65 He p t his arms aro n$ me, p llin" me in close6 8H rry,5 he -hispere$, then let me "o6 % practically !loate$ to the ,athroom6 A co ple o! other "irls -ere in there, "i""lin" a,o t their $ates an$ "ossipin" a,o t -ho -as -earin" -hat trashy $ress6 % p lle$ the lipstic* o t o! my ,ra6 Bein" !lat ha$ its a$(anta"es in a$$e$ stora"e space6 Reto che$ to per!ection, % -al*e$ ,ac* to the "ym an$ loo*e$ !or Len$6 As % ma$e my -ay aro n$ the $ar* e$"es o! the "ym, % scanne$ them !or potential tro ,le6 Rollin" my eyes, % la "he$6 'oni"ht there -ere no (ampires or !aeries or cra:y , rnin" "irls6 As !ar as this hi"h school -as concerne$, none o! those thin"s e(en e7iste$6 Len$ -a(e$ to me !rom the $rin* ta,le an$, !or the !irst time in years, % !elt all the tension melt !rom my ,o$y6 0 st as % reache$ him, a slo- son" starte$6 .e mo(e$ to the $ance !loor an$ s-aye$ li*e e(eryone else6 8Yo *no-,5 he sai$, leanin" in so closely his lips -ere on my ear, 8% mi"ht lose all my masc # line cre$it !ore(er !or sayin" this, , t %)m pretty s re toni"ht is per!ect65 8Me, too65 %! it -ere possi,le to $ie o! happiness, yo co l$ ha(e -ritten my o,it ary ri"ht then6 A!ter a co ple min tes o! the s-ayin", Len$ shoo* his hea$6 8.e can $o ,etter than this65 He too* my han$ in his an$ ,e"an $ancin" s thro "h the cro-$s in a ,i:arre imitation o! the tan"o6 As he $ippe$ me ,ac*-ar$, % sa- 0ohn an$ Carlee, $ancin" so close yo )$ ,e har$#presse$ to slip a sheet o! paper ,et-een them6 Len$ p lle$ me ,ac* p an$ "rinne$ mischie(o sly6 8Yo thin*in" -hat %)m thin*in"95 As one -e char"e$ !or-ar$, sin" o r o tstretche$ han$s li*e a -e$"e to ,rea* them apart6 Carlee la "he$ an$ 0ohn 2 mpe$ on Len$)s ,ac*, tryin" to "i(e him a noo"ie6 8Boys, honestly,5 % sai$, "i""lin"6 8May % c t in95 a (oice li*e li= i$ "ol$ m rm re$ in my ear6 My spine sti!!ene$ as my stomach clenche$ -ith !ear, an$ ,e!ore % co l$ scream a slen$er han$ too* mine an$ sp n me a-ay thro "h the cro-$6 % trie$ to p ll ,ac* , t -e -ere t-irlin" impossi,ly !ast, the room aro n$ s a ,l r as a sea o! !aces s-irle$ aro n$ me6 Reth)s arms aro n$ me -ere li*e steel ,an$s6 8Len$45 % sho te$, only *eepin" my ,alance ,eca se o! Reth)s too#stron" han$ on my ,ac*6 %n a "limpse % sa- Len$, his !ace a pict re o! panic as he trie$ to !i"ht thro "h the mass o! $resses an$ t 7e$os to "et to s6 +il* an$ se= ins ma$e a rain,o- c rtain, hi$in" him !rom my si"ht once a"ain

as Reth sli$ e7pertly thro "h the ,o$ies aro n$ s6 H manity, as al-ays, pro(i$e$ no protection !rom him6 .e ,ro*e thro "h the e$"e o! the cro-$ an$ Reth $ance$ s strai"ht thro "h a !aerie $oor an$ a-ay !rom e(erythin" % ha$ e(er -ante$6 8E(elyn, my lo(e6 Finally -e $ance65 He $ippe$ me ,ac*, p llin" my ,o$y ri"ht p a"ainst his in the in!inite $ar*ness6 % close$ my eyes, my hea$ spinnin", as % -ille$ mysel! not to cry6 .hy co l$n)t % ha(e remem,ere$ to sho(e some $ry ,rea$ in my ,ra alon" -ith the lipstic*9 Or an iron pipe9 .hy $i$ % let mysel! thin* % co l$ ,e normal9 8'a*e me ,ac*,5 % sai$, p shin" mysel! as !ar a-ay !rom him as possi,le, hatin" that % ha$ to *eep hol$ o! his han$ in the Paths6 8Oh, come no-6 .e ha(en)t spo*en in so lon"6 %)m sorry a,o t that, really6 % meant to (isit, , t yo -ere sleepin" in a nasty iron ,e$ an$ that -atery -itch -as rather (i"ilant6 B t %)(e mana"e$ to *eep , sy -ith o r ol$ !rien$s at %PCA6 +o many social calls to ma*e than*s to yo an$ yo r -on# $er! l -or$s65 8.hat are yo tal*in" a,o t95 % as*e$, my (oice !lat to a(oi$ ,etrayin" the risin" panic6 .hat ha$ % $one9 % tho "ht o! my -or$s !rom that ni"ht3comman$in" him to ta*e a ne- name6 'hat -o l$ *eep %PCA !rom ,ossin" him aro n$ anymore, , t % $i$n)t see ho- that -o l$ !ree him completely6 'hen % remem,ere$ the other comman$; i"nore -hat %PCA tol$ yo 6 % -ante$ to thro- p as the ! ll -ei"ht o! my -or$s hit me6 No $o ,t he too* it to mean i"nore e(ery comman$ %PCA e(er "a(e him, incl $in" all those $on)t#harm#people r les6 8Oh, no,5 % -hispere$, horri!ie$6 8.hat ha(e yo $one95 He smile$, his teeth ,rilliant -hite in the $ar*ness, an$ too* se(eral steps6 % resiste$, , t he $ra""e$ me alon", an$ then -e -ere in a mea$o- that -asn)t really a mea$o-6 'he e$"es -ere ha:y, in$e!# inite, an$ the cheery yello- s*y !elt !ar too close6 /rass an$ small pin* !lo-ers -ere set in -horls an$ patterns, the -hole place a moc*in" pict re o! tran= ility6 8'here65 '-o chairs appeare$ an$ he sat in one, "est rin" !or me to $o the same6 8No- that yo )re sa!e an$ so n$, -e can !inish65 8Oh, %)m !inishe$65 % !ol$e$ my arms ti"htly across my chest6 8Ho- many o! them $i$ yo *ill95 He !ro-ne$6 8.ho $i$ % *ill95 8%PCA6 Ho- many $i$ yo *ill9 Di$ yo *ill Ra= el9 %s that ho- Vi(ian "ot her comm nicator95 % -as sho tin" no-, so an"ry -ith him % $i$n)t care -hat happene$6 % -ante$ him to "et ma$< % -as tire$ o! his sm " smile6 8/oo$ness, E(elyn, listen to yo 6 %)(e simply helpe$ them into an early retirement o! sorts6 % $i$n)t *ill anyone6 .hy -o l$ yo -ant me to $o a thin" li*e that95 8% $on)t -ant yo to4 .hy sho l$ % ,elie(e yo , a!ter yo let Vi(ian into the Center4 Are yo "oin" to pic* her p ne7t9 Ho- lon" ha(e yo ,een -or*in" -ith her95 He smile$6 8Oh, yes, that e(enin" -as a nice ,it o! choreo"raphy6 B t, % ass re yo , %)(e not ,een E-or*in" -ith her,) as yo p t it6 % nee$e$ a ne- name an$ yo seem to -or* ,est n$er stress6 % -o l$n)t ha(e allo-e$ anythin" to happen to yo 6 +till, it hasn)t ,een easy, "ettin" in(ol(e$ in the $reary -or*in"s o! the co rt a"ain, an$ yo )(e sorely trie$ my patience6 .hen -e !inish, yo mi"ht stan$ a chance o! 2 sti!yin" my in(ol(ement65 % shoo* my hea$ in $is,elie!6 8'hat)s really -hat it -as a,o t9 All those paranormals $ie$ so yo co l$ !orce me into a sit ation -here %)$ "i(e yo that comman$95 8.ell, yes6 B t -e)(e "ot to mo(e alon"65

8.hy co l$n)t yo lea(e me alone9 % -as !ine4 Yo ha(e yo r st pi$ ne- name6 .hy $i$n)t yo 2 st stay in the Faerie Realms95 8Beca se they -ere a,o t to !in$ yo , my lo(e6 % co l$ only hi$e yo r location !or so lon" ,e!ore they ca "ht on6 Vi(ian is on her -ay there ri"ht no-65 % co(ere$ my mo th, sha*in" my hea$ in horror6 8No, she can)t3she)ll3'a*e me ,ac*4 Ri"ht no-4 %)(e "ot to -arn them45 Reth si"he$, crossin" his le"s6 8'hey $on)t matter6 An$ yo ha(e yet to ,e !ille$65 8% $on)t -ant any more o! yo r $is" stin" so l45 He narro-e$ his eyes, an"ry6 'he s*y t-irle$ !rom yello- to nearly ,lac*, -in$ -hippin" my $ress6 8My $ear "irl, yo )(e no i$ea -hat % am sacri!icin" to *eep yo ali(e< to sec re yo r eternity6 %t comes at "reat cost, an$ %)m not a,o t to -aste all the e!!ort it too* to ma*e yo ,y thro-in" yo at Vi(ian65 8Yo 3yo ma$e me95 %t -as too horri,le to ima"ine6 8My co rt ma$e yo 6 .e ha$ to ha(e somethin" to ,alance a"ainst theirs, a!ter all65 8Oh, % *no- all a,o t yo r co rt,5 % spat6 8An$ %)m not $oin" anythin" !or the >nseelie !aeries45 He "a(e me a p ::le$ loo* once a"ain6 8.hat ma*es yo thin* %)m >nseelie95 8%)m not st pi$4 >nseelie !aeries are the e(il ones45 8% a,sol tely a"ree6 Horri$, the lot o! them6 .e -o l$ ha(e ma$e yo sooner, , t -e $i$n)t *nothey ha$ s ccee$e$ -ith Vi(ian6 +till, there)s time6 %! yo )ll "i(e me yo r han$65 He stoo$6 8Ne(er65 % "lare$ at him, so an"ry % -as sha*in"6 8An$ yo !or"ot somethin"65 8Oh95 he as*e$, calmly -al*in" to-ar$ me6 8Den!ehlath45 % sho te$6 His eyes -ent -i$e -ith s rprise an$ an"er as a $oor opene$ ne7t to me an$ the !aerie -ith r ,y eyes -al*e$ thro "h6 8.hat ha(e yo $one, E(elyn95 he as*e$6 8'a*e me to Len$)s ho se45 % sai$, t rnin" to Fehl6 +he la "he$ her shatterin"#"lass la "h, shootin" a loo* o! tri mph at Reth6 8'here yo are65 +he too* my han$ an$ -e 2 mpe$ thro "h the $oor6 Her steel "rasp thro "h the Paths ma$e me ner(o s6 +he -asn)t annoye$ anymore, she -as ea"er6 % ha$ to r n to *eep p6 At last another $oor opene$ an$ -e came o t in Len$)s *itchen6 Vi(ian, in all her !iery "lory, sat on the co nter, s-in"in" her le"s6 8Finally45 she sai$, 2 mpin" $o-n6 8%t)s a,o t time4 'han*s, Fehl65 % co l$n)t ma*e o t her !eat res n$er the ,ri"htness o! her li"ht, , t % co l$ hear the smile6 % -as $ea$6 .e -ere all $ea$, an$ once a"ain it -as my !a lt6 % loo*e$ at the !aerie in horror6 +he smile$ at me6 8Oh, ,leep,5 % -hispere$6 %! Reth really -as a "oo$ !aerie, % co l$n)t ima"ine -hat Fehl m st ,e li*e6 Vi(ian pic*e$ somethin" p o!! the "ro n$6 Be!ore % co l$ react she s- n" it, ,arely missin" me an$ smashin" it into Fehl)s !ace6 Fehl cr mple$ to the "ro n$6 8%ron s*illet,5 Vi(ian sai$ cheer! lly6 8+mart !amily6 +o, ,a,y sister, ho-)s it "oin"95 Paranormalcy +O>L +>C1 . hat co l$ % possi,ly say to Vi(ian, stan$in" here in Len$)s *itchen9 % -as terri!ie$6 An$ not 2 st !or mysel!, , t !or Len$ an$ e(eryone here6 %)$ ,ro "ht Vi(ian ri"ht to them6 % ha$ to "et her o t, a-ay !rom the people % lo(e$6 8%3Yo )re here65 My ,rain !elt as !ro:en as my ,o$y6 % -atche$ her

, rn, "ol$en an$ ,ri"ht6 8Yeah, st pi$6 % -o l$ ha(e "otten here a lot sooner i! yo ha$ 2 st tol$ me -here yo -ere65 %t -as so -eir$ tal*in" to her no- that % co l$n)t see her !eat res6 % ha$ to "o ,y the tone o! her (oice6 +he seeme$ happy6 8>mm, sorry a,o t that6 % " ess a !aerie -as ,loc*in" yo 65 % ha$ to "et her to lea(e -ith me6 % $i$n)t *no- -hat Len$ -o l$ $o no-, , t -e co l$n)t ,e in this ho se m ch lon"er6 8+o, -hat $o yo say -e "o95 +he la "he$6 8.hy9 %)(e al-ays -ante$ to $rain a !aerie6 Pl s, hey, % can sho- yo ho-45 +he *nelt $o-n ne7t to Fehl6 8% -on$er ho- lon" she)ll ,e o t6 .ell, !ore(er no-65 +he p t o t a , rn# in" han$, placin" it on the !aerie)s chest6 8% al-ays hate$ her6 Her (oice -as li*e3% $on)t *no-3 li*e ,rea*in" "lass65 % shoo* my hea$6 8.e sho l$ "o6 Ri"ht no-4 % mean, other !aeries *no- -here -e are, ri"ht9 Let)s lea(e65 8Chill, E(ie65 +he t rne$ her !ace p to me an$ % co l$ ,arely ma*e o t her eyes a,o(e the li= i$ !lames6 8.e $on)t nee$ to -orry a,o t the !aeries anymore, not no- that -e)re to"ether65 +he loo*e$ ,ac* $o-n at Fehl6 8Man, she 2 st *eeps "oin" an$ "oin"6 %! % ha$ *no-n !aeries ha$ this m ch to o!!er, -o-6 %t)s3Come on, % -ant yo to !eel this -ith me6 Yo )re "oin" to lo(e it6 'here)s nothin" ,etter, not in this -hole s c*y -orl$65 8Please stop,5 % sai$, hal! so,,in"6 % co l$n)t help it6 As m ch as % $i$n)t li*e Fehl, % co l$n)t stan$ there, -atchin" her so l ,ein" s c*e$ a-ay6 8.hy95 8Beca se3yo $on)t nee$ to45 Vi(ian shoo* her hea$, stan$in" p6 8Yo $on)t "et it65 8No, % $o4 B t, loo*, yo sai$ %)m "ettin" ,ri"hter, ri"ht95 +he no$$e$6 81iller $ress, ,y the -ay65 8% ha(en)t ta*en any4 % $on)t e(en *no- ho-6 +o there)s another -ay, there)s "ot to ,e, ri"ht95 8No, there isn)t6 % alrea$y tol$ yo 6 .e $on)t ha(e o r o-n so ls6 %)m not "oin" to stop, not nothat % !o n$ yo 6 Do yo *no- ho- lon" %)(e ,een -aitin"9 Do yo 9 Fi!ty years, that)s ho- lon"65 % -as shoc*e$6 +he $i$n)t loo* ol$er than t-enty6 8Yo )re not3Ho-95 8Beca se o! this65 +he hel$ o t her !lamin" han$s6 8Ho- $o yo thin*9 % -o l$ ha(e , rne$ o t ,e!ore % e(en hit a$ lthoo$6 +o tell me, E(elyn, $o yo -ant to $ie95 8No, % $on)t, , t % $on)t -ant to ta*e other so ls 2 st to li(e45 8Yo $on)t ha(e any choice45 Her (oice chan"e$, -ent so!ter6 8.hat a,o t yo r ,oy!rien$9 'he one ma$e o! -ater9 Yo )(e notice$ his so l, ri"ht9 'hat li"ht he carries aro n$ -ith him9 %t -as ,ri"ht6 Do yo *no- -hat that means95 % shoo* my hea$6 % $i$n)t -ant her to tal* a,o t Len$, to notice him6 He ha$ to stay sa!e6 8'hat means he isn)t "oin" to $ie6 Di$ yo e(er thin* a,o t that9 Yo r little ,oy!rien$ -ill last !or# e(er, an$ yo )re "oin" to sn !! o t li*e a st ,,y little can$le6 +o, yo still too "oo$ !or this95 Len$ -as immortal6 My heart ,ro*e in that moment, remem,erin" the -ay Da(i$ loo*e$ at Cresse# $a, that sorro-, that separation6 .o l$ that ,e my role9 Le!t ,ehin$9 Or -o l$ % ,e $ea$, li*e Vi# (ian sai$9 8Listen to me6 'his !aerie9 Do yo *no- ho- many people she *ille$ ,e!ore %PCA starte$ control# lin" her9 Men, -omen, chil$ren6 An$ !or no reason6 +he thin*s it)s ! nny6 +o yo tell me ho- m ch

she $eser(es that so l6 'ell me -hy any o! these thin"s $eser(e -hat they ha(e6 An$ e(en the ones yo thin* are innocent3-hy sho l$ they ,e !orce$ to stay here9 %t)s -ron"6 %)m sa(in" them, an$ %)m protectin" the -orl$ !rom the ones li*e her65 % close$ my eyes6 % se$ to thin* % -as protectin" the -orl$, too6 B t it -asn)t that simple6 Nothin" -as6 .ho -ere -e to $eci$e that anyone or anythin" $i$n)t $eser(e the spar* o! li!e they ha$ ,een "i(en9 8'hat ma*es s 2 st as ,a$ as the !aeries65 +he slappe$ me6 % st m,le$, !allin" a"ainst the co nter an$ p ttin" my han$ to my chee*6 %t , rne$6 8%)m nothin" li*e them45 +he "ra,,e$ my han$, p llin" me to -here Fehl -as lyin" on the "ro n$, , t the !aerie -as "one6 Vi(ian s-ore lo $ly, stan$in" p an$ loo*in" aro n$6 8Loo* -hat yo $i$4 % -asn)t $one -ith her6 No- -ho -ill % sho- yo on95 0 st then another $oor lit p6 Reth storme$ thro "h, loo*in" li*e he -as rea$y to ,rin" the ho se $o-n on all o! s6 Vi(ian la "he$6 8Per!ect timin"65 Reth loo*e$ at me, "i(in" Vi(ian time to pic* p the s*illet6 +he s- n" it at the ,ac* o! his hea$, *noc*in" him $o-n6 He trie$ to stan$ , t she p she$ the s*illet !lat a"ainst his chest6 8Don)t *no- -hy it -or*s, , t so "la$ it $oes,5 she sai$6 8Come on, E(ie6 Yo can)t tell me this !aerie3a!ter e(erythin" he $i$ to yo , ho- he lie$ an$ manip late$ an$ se$ yo 3yo can)t tell me he $eser(es to li(e !ore(er6 'hin* o! ho- many more "irls he)ll ta*e, ho- many more he)ll h rt65 % shoo* my hea$, tears in my eyes6 % $i$n)t *no- -hich one o! them % -as more scare$ o!6 Reth)s am,er eyes ,la:e$ -ith ! ry6 % -as s re that i! the iron ha$n)t ,een ,loc*in" him, Vi(ian -o l$ ,e $ea$6 %! she co l$ $ie -ith the amo nt o! ener"y she ha$ !lo-in" thro "h her6 An$ then % reali:e$3 there -as nothin" % co l$ $o to stop her6 %! % !o "ht her, she)$ lose her temper an$ *ill me6 E(eryone % care$ a,o t -o l$ $ie, too, an$ -e)$ all ,e trappe$ !ore(er, s-irlin" aro n$ in her sa$, empty ,lac* hole o! a ,o$y, 2 st li*e Lish6 % co l$n)t !i"ht her6 Reth -as ri"ht< % -o l$n)t s r(i(e6 1neelin", % shoo* my hea$ in $e!eat6 8+ho- me ho-65 +he la "he$6 8%t)s a,o t time45 8Do % 2 st to ch him95 8No, it)s not that simple6 Other-ise yo )$ $rain e(eryone yo e(er to che$6 P t yo r han$ there3 ri"ht o(er his heart6 'hat)s -here the so l is centere$6 'hen yo ha(e to -ant it6 Yo ha(e to *noit sho l$ ,e yo rs an$ -ant it an$ call !or it6 %t)ll hear yo , ,eca se that)s -hat -e)re ma$e !or6 .e)re the Empty Ones, an$ the so ls -ant to come to s6 'hat)s -hy -e can see e(erythin", -hy -e can see past the "lamo rs6 An$ once yo ha(e more, yo can see strai"ht thro "h to so ls65 +he p t her !ree han$ on my arm, an$ % co l$ hear the happiness in her (oice6 8%t)s ,ea ti! l, E(ie, an$ they)ll all ,e o rs6 'o"ether65 No$$in", % p t my han$ on Reth)s chest6 His achin"ly lo(ely !ace ha$ "one calm, an$ he re"ar$e$ me -ith placi$ eyes6 8Yo )(e "ot to -ant it,5 Vi(ian sai$ ea"erly6 8'a*e it65 An$ then % *ne-6 % *ne- -hat % -ante$6 8Hey, Vi(,5 % sai$, tryin" not to cry as % t rne$ to loo* at her6 % co l$ !eel her 2oy at !inally connectin" -ith someone6 8%)m sorry yo -ere alone !or so lon"6 An$ %)m sorry6 +o sorry65 % sho(e$ my palm a"ainst her chest6 +he -as so hot it , rne$6 % co l$ !eel her searin" my !lesh, , t % $i$n)t mo(e, closin" my eyes an$, !or the !irst time, openin" mysel! p, in(itin" the so ls in6 Nothin" happene$6

Vi(ian rippe$ my han$ a-ay !rom her chest an$ thre- me across the room6 % slamme$ into the -all, pain ,lossomin" thro "h my -hole ,o$y6 8.hy)$ yo $o that9 Do yo -ant me to *ill yo 9 Be# ca se % -ill4 % $on)t nee$ yo r pity, yo pathetic little thin"6 Do yo *no- -hat % am9 %)m a "o$, E(ie6 % am $eath, an$ % am li!e, an$ % can)t ,elie(e % -ante$ to share this -ith yo 6 'he !aeries -ere ri"ht65 +he shoo* her hea$ as she crosse$ the room an$ stoo$ o(er me, ,ri"ht an$ terri,le6 8'here)s no point in *eepin" yo aro n$65 +he p lle$ me p ,y my hair, !orcin" my !ace ri"ht ne7t to hers6 % co l$ !eel my s*in t rnin" re$ !rom the heat, the stench o! , rnin" hair stin"in" my nose6 Her (oice lo-ere$, so!tene$6 8% sho l$ ha(e *no-n yo -o l$n)t n$erstan$, yo -o l$n)t really -ant it6 B t $on)t -orry6 %)ll a$$ -hat little so l yo )(e mana"e$ to scrape to"ether to my collection6 'hat -ay -e really can ,e to"ether !ore(er65 +he p t her han$ o(er my heart6 % hel$ my ,reath, cl tchin" at the last precio s secon$s o! my li!e6 Ho- -o l$ $eath !eel9 Her han$ -as hot, , rnin"6 B t that -as it3my li!e $i$n)t r sh o t o! me6 Her sho l$ers starte$ sha*in" an$ % reali:e$ -hy it -asn)t -or*in"6 8Yo ha(e to -ant it,5 % -his# pere$6 Vi(ian $i$n)t -ant to *ill me6 Li!tin" my o-n han$, % p t it "ently o(er her heart6 % n$er# stoo$ no-3% -ante$ it6 % -ante$ those so ls, -ante$ to !ree them !rom her6 8Let "o, Vi(65 % "aspe$, sti!!enin" as the heat , rst thro "h her s*in, racin" li*e an electric c rrent thro "h my en# tire ,o$y6 % -as !loo$e$ -ith it, o(er-helme$6 Nothin" e7iste$ , t me an$ the !ire sprea$in" to e(# ery cell6 Vi(ian $imme$, all her !ire $rainin"6 Her !eat res ,ecame clearer, the !lames $-in$lin" ntil they -ere only in her heart an$ ,ehin$ her eyes6 0 st a little more, % *ne-, 2 st a little more an$ she)$ ,e "one6 An$ then % !elt her6 Felt Vi(ian, her o-n so l6 %t -as s ch a tiny, ,ro*en thin", an$ % lon"e$ to ta*e it, "i(e it ha(en in mysel!6 % nearly $i$, ntil % sa- her eyes6 'hey ha$ "one col$3so col$, an$ ,lan*6 % rippe$ my han$ a-ay an$ Vi(ian !ell to the "ro n$6 % tho "ht % co l$ still see a spar*, the (ery !aintest hint o! a so l6 An$ then % $i$n)t care6 .ith the !ire co rsin" thro "h me e(erythin" -as remo(e$, li*e % -as seein" the -orl$ as it tr ly -as3nothin" , t a passin" $ream, $ar* an$ col$ an$ $ea$6 % -as eternal an$ nothin" in this e7is# tence, nothin" in this normal li!e % ha$ cra(e$ so m ch, mattere$ at all6 8%t)s a,o t time,5 Reth sai$, leanin" cas ally a"ainst the co nter6 Paranormalcy PA'H+ AND PO++%B%L%'%E+ % loo*e$ at Reth6 Fille$ as % -as, % co l$ see ,etter than e(er thro "h his nat ral !orm an$ strai"ht to his so l6 %t -as ,ea ti! l6 >nli*e the li= i$ !lames he)$ "i(en me, his so l -as stationary, crystal# li:e$6 %t -as the same ,ri"ht "ol$ o! all the other so ls , t tterly nchan"in"6 8% -as "oin" to ,e cross -ith yo , callin" an >nseelie !aerie ri"ht to yo 6 %! yo ha$ $ie$, % -o l$ ha(e ,een (ery $isappointe$6 B t this -or*e$ o t nicely6 No- -e $on)t ha(e to -aste time !illin" yo 65 He stoo$ p strai"ht, smilin"6 8.e can "et ri"ht to the ! n part65 8'he ! n part95 E(en my (oice so n$e$ $i!!erent< it -as richer, layere$, li*e m ltiple (ersions o! mysel! -ere spea*in" at the same time6 An immortal (oice6 8Oh, yes65 He clappe$ his han$s6 8.e can $ance all ni"ht, e(ery ni"ht, an$ yo )ll last !ore(er no-6 O! co rse, there)s -or* to $o as -ell6 B t that can -ait ntil a!ter %)(e ta*en yo aro n$ the co rt6 'hey)ll all ,e thrille$ to meet yo 6 An$ no- that yo )ll ,e 2oinin" s, % can e7plain e(erythin" to yo 6 Listen to me, prattlin" on6 %)m so please$ -e -on, that yo can come home -ith me -here yo ,elon"65

8.hy95 He loo*e$ p ::le$6 8.hy -hat95 8.hy -o l$ % come -ith yo 95 8.ell, yo certainly $on)t ,elon" here anymore4 Yo can !eel it, can)t yo 9 'he transience, the !limsiness o! this -orl$9 Besi$es, it)s impossi,le to *eep anythin" clean65 He !ro-ne$ $o-n at his -aistcoat an$ ,r she$ at it6 8An$ then there)s the -or* to ,e $one, "ates to ,e opene$, homes to !in$6 %)m "la$ it)s "oin" to ,e yo r poem6 Far more cheer! l65 8My poem65 % -o l$ ha(e ,een ea"er to *no- ,e!ore, $esperate almost, , t it -as $i!!ic lt to care, , rnin" -ith li!e, so m ch li!e6 8Let)s see, ho- $i$ that one "o&EEyes li*e streams o! meltin" sno-,) an$ so stri*in", ,y the -ay6 ECol$ -ith the thin"s she $oes not *no-6 Hea(en a,o(e an$ Hell ,eneath, li= i$ !lames -ill en$ her "rie!6 .ith her !ire, at last release6 .ith her !ire, at last release6)5 'he ho se !elt close3too con!inin", too temporary6 'he $ecay -ei"he$ me $o-n6 % -al*e$ to the !ront $oor, ,arely noticin" -hen the $oor*no, melte$ in my han$6 +teppin" o!! the porch, % ,reathe$ in $eeply an$ loo*e$ p at the s*y6 'he stars, col$ an$ ,ri"ht, !elt li*e "oo$ company6 O$$ sha$o-s an$ hints o! li"ht s rro n$e$ me6 % sa- e(erythin"6 Not only -as e(ery lea!, e(ery ,la$e o! "rass per!ectly $e!ine$, there -as more32 st ,eyon$ -hat % -as seein"6 8E(elyn, lo(e, -here are yo "oin"95 Reth ca "ht p, stan$in" ne7t to me6 8'he li"ht an$ sha$o-s6 .here are they comin" !rom95 8Paths an$ possi,ilities6 % can teach yo ho- to manip late them, i! yo )$ li*e65 % stare$ p at the stars6 Li!tin" my , rnin" han$, % hel$ it !lat a"ainst the air6 8'here)s somethin" here,5 % sai$ so!tly, my (oice !orei"n an$ stran"e in my ears6 'here -as so m ch more to this -orl$, more than % ha$ e(er !elt6 8A $oor65 Reth p t his han$ on my arm6 8Oh, yo $on)t nee$ to ,other -ith that6 'hat)s nothin"6 %)ll ma*e the $oor6 Yo ,elon" -ith me, ,y my si$e !or eternity65 % t rne$ ,ac* to the s*y6 %! % ali"ne$ those stars 2 st ri"ht in my (ision, it loo*e$ li*e a "ate6 O$$ %)$ ne(er notice$6 8E(elyn, stop,5 Reth sai$, an e$"e o! panic in his (oice no-6 8+top -hat95 8Yo $on)t -ant to let them "o6 Not li*e this65 % t rne$ to him, !ro-nin"6 8.hat are yo tal*in" a,o t95 8'he so ls6 Yo nee$ them6 'hat is not the "ate yo )re s ppose$ to open65 8My so ls65 % si"he$6 % lo(e$ them6 Closin" my eyes, % ,reathe$ in $eeply, tracin" the ener"y, my ener"y, my so ls6 % -as !ille$6 B t n$erneath, (a" e an$ "na-in", % !elt o!!6 %t -as too m ch, an$ not eno "h, all at the same time6 'he !lames -ere stretchin" me, chan"in" me6 An$ -hile % -as al# rea$y ! ll to , rstin", % co l$ !eel the cra(in", the $esire seepin" in6 8% -ant more,5 % -hispere$6 8.ell, that can ,e arran"e$6 Come on65 Reth p lle$ "ently on my arm6 .hy $i$n)t % , rn him9 'hen % notice$ li"hts6 %t too* me se(eral secon$s to reali:e it -as a car6 %t screeche$ to a stop in !ront o! s an$ a man 2 mpe$ o t o! the $ri(er)s si$e6 His so l -as a pale, = a(erin" thin", alrea$y on the $ecline6 %t ma$e me !eel peace! l in a -ay % co l$n)t e7plain, ten$er to-ar$ its !ra"ile ,ea ty6 'hen the other $oor opene$6 % -ent ri"i$6 %! % ha$ tho "ht Reth)s -as ,ea ti! l, it -as nothin" to this so l6 %t !ille$ the ni"ht -ith li"ht, $ancin" an$ ripplin" li*e the re!lection on a pon$6 % ha$n)t seen many so ls, , t % *ne- that this one -as special6 % -ante$ it6 % nee$e$ it6

8E(ie45 % ,lin*e$, tryin" to !ilter thro "h my $isconnect an$ place the (oice6 8E(ie, are yo o*ay95 8Len$65 My Len$6 %t clic*e$ into place6 'hat so l -as my Len$6 % clenche$ my han$s into !ists at my si$e6 % sho l$n)t ta*e that one6 8.hat)s3Yo r (oice, it)s $i!!erent6 .hat $i$ he $o to yo 95 % s= inte$, tryin" to see Len$)s !ace o(er his so l6 May,e i! % co l$ see his !ace % -o l$n)t -ant him so ,a$ly, may,e %)$ ,e a,le to stop6 % li!te$ one han$ to-ar$ him6 8Oh, "o ahea$,5 Reth sai$6 8He $oesn)t matter6 B t $o h rry, -e sho l$ ,e "ettin" alon"65 8.hat happene$95 Len$ ran p to me, -ithin reach6 % -ante$ to cry as % p t my han$ on his chest, , t % co l$n)t6 %t ha$ to ,e mine6 % opene$ p the channel3 An$ "aspe$6 %n that moment, to chin" Len$)s so l, % !inally connecte$ -ith my o-n6 %t ha$ ,een lost in the s-irl o! ne- so ls, o(er-helme$6 B t my so l *ne- Len$)s, lo(e$ it, an$ it -as eno "h6 % p lle$ my han$ ,ac* ,e!ore Len$ lost anythin"6 Closin" my eyes, % hel$ onto that reco"nition, !o# c se$ on my o-n so l in the !lames6 An$ then % notice$ the in$i(i$ als6 H n$re$s o! them, !ree$ !rom Vi(ian only to ,e trappe$ a"ain6 My ,reath ca "ht3% !elt Lish)s6 % *ne- it -as hers6 /entle an$ intelli"ent, s-irlin" nearest to my heart6 % -ante$ to *eep her -ith me !ore(er6 'he " ilt came then an$ % trie$ to p sh it $o-n6 %! % let them "o, % $i$n)t ,elon" -ith Len$6 Not -ith the so l %)$ seen6 %)$ , rn o t an$ he)$ contin e, eternal an$ ,reathta*in"6 0 st li*e Vi(ian ha$ sai$6 8%! % *eep them, % co l$ stay -ith yo 65 'ears streame$ $o-n my !ace6 81eep -hat95 8'he so ls65 8'he3-hat95 8% too* them, !rom Vi(ian65 8Vi(ian)s here95 He loo*e$ aro n$, panic*e$6 8Not anymore65 % shoo* my hea$ sa$ly6 8B t, Len$, %)(e "ot them3they)re insi$e me65 8.hat $o yo mean9 Yo too* the so ls95 His (oice -as concerne$ an$ scare$6 % -as rea$y to ar" e, e7plain -hy % ha$ to *eep them6 B t -atchin" his so l $ancin" in !ront o! me, % *ne- % co l$n)t6 % co l$n)t ,e -ith him, not li*e this6 % -o l$n)t $eser(e to6 'his immortality, this li!e e7plo$in" -ithin me3it -asn)t mine6 % co l$n)t as* Len$ to lo(e me li*e this6 My o-n so l -as the only one % co l$ o!!er6 No- that % *ne- % ha$ one, it -as eno "h6 % ha$ ne(er ,een empty6 8% ha(e to let them "o,5 % -hispere$6 8Let the so ls "o95 8'hey nee$ to ,e release$65 8Not yet45 Reth sai$, an"er t-istin" his smooth, "ol$en (oice6 % loo*e$ ,ac* at the stars6 'he so ls n $"e$ me !or-ar$, " i$in" my han$ p6 8E(ie45 Len$ sai$, panic*e$6 % loo*e$ $o-n at him6 % -as risin" into the air< % co l$n)t stop6 %! % $i$n)t release them no-, % $i$n)t thin* %)$ ,e a,le to6 Fin$in" the o tline o! the stars, % p she$ my han$ !or-ar$3an$ met resistance6 'his -as it6 8+top65 Reth)s (oice -as har$, comman$in"6 My arms -o l$n)t mo(e6 8'hat is not the "ate yo

nee$ to open6 %! yo let them "o no-, all this -ill ,e -aste$6 .e nee$ those so ls4 'his is not the ri"ht "ate65 % !oc se$, -illin" the !ire to concentrate in my arm6 %t "re- e(en ,ri"hter, t rnin" !rom "ol$ to p re -hite, ,lin$in" in its intensity6 An$ then, still p llin" a"ainst the po-er o! Reth)s (oice, % li!te$ a sin"le !in"er an$ trace$ the stars, the li"ht lea(in" a trail o! -hite ,et-een each point ntil the entire "ate -as o tline$6 % close$ my eyes an$ too* a $eep ,reath6 8/o,5 % -hispere$6 For the ,rie!est moment % !elt peace, "ratit $e< then e7cr ciatin" pain as the !ire rippe$ strai"ht o t o! my ,o$y an$ shot thro "h the "ate o! stars6 0 st -hen % tho "ht % co l$ stan$ the pain no lon"er, it -as o(er6 Almost6 A sin"le lin"erin" so l3Lish, my Lish3pa se$, passin" thro "h my heart in -hat % *ne- -as her last "oo$#,ye6 As my ,o$y -ent col$ an$ $ar* % !ell to-ar$ the earth, -on$erin" a"ain -hat $eath -o l$ !eel li*e6 % smile$, "rate! l % ha$ at least *no-n my o-n so l i! only !or a moment, an$ then e(erythin" -ent ,lac*6 Paranormalcy HEAVEN, HELL, AND 'HA' L%''LE PLACE BE'.EEN B ein" $ea$ -asn)t s ppose$ to h rt6 .here -as the !airness in that9 %! % -as $ea$, the least the ni# (erse co l$ $o -as ma*e it painless6 May,e % -as in hell, , t % really $i$n)t thin* % $eser(e$ that6 Besi$es, hell -as s ppose$ to ,e hot, an$ % -as !ree:in"6 A,sol tely !ree:in"6 % mo(e$ my le"s, tryin" to "et more com!orta,le6 Holy ,leep, % -asn)t $ea$4 %! % -ere $ea$, % -o l$n)t ha(e my ,o$y6 As my soreness settle$ in, % *ne- % $e!initely ha$ a ,o$y6 'hat h rt6 All o(er6 % !orce$ my eyeli$s open, !eelin" li*e they -ei"he$ t-enty po n$s each6 Not hell6 Not hea(en, either, ,eca se % really hope$ that place -o l$ ha(e more taste than this "ly panele$ ceilin" -ith !l orescent li"hts6 8>"h,5 % sai$, !i" rin" that one -or$ s mme$ p ,oth ho- % !elt an$ -hat % tho "ht o! the $ecor6 % raise$ my hea$, i"norin" the s-immin" li"hts in !ront o! my eyes, an$ loo*e$ $o-n at mysel!6 % -as co(ere$ -ith se(eral ,lan*ets an$ one o! my arms ha$ a lo(ely little %V tape$ to it6 'hen % no# tice$ somethin" really ,a$3my $ress -as "one6 % mi"ht not ha(e ,een $ea$, , t i! anythin" ha$ happene$ to that $ress, someone -as "oin" to ,e6 Li!tin" my arm to scratch the area aro n$ the %V tape, % stoppe$6 'he "lo-3the li= i$ !ire that ha$ ,een there since Reth !orce$ it on me3-as "one6 All o! it, e(ery last ,it !rom him an$ Vi(ian6 % -as ,oth relie(e$ an$ sa$6 .ith my !lames "one, e(erythin" -as stran"ely hea(y, li*e "ra(ity p lle$ har$er than normal on me, ,in$in" me to the earth6 % !elt aro n$ my ,o$y then, loo*in" !or $ama"e6 No-here seeme$ especially sorer than any-here else6 % si"he$, layin" my hea$ ,ac* $o-n6 May,e % -as here ,eca se % -as $yin"6 May,e lettin" "o o! all those so ls ha$n)t *ille$ me, , t % $i$n)t ha(e eno "h le!t to han" on !or m ch lon"er6 Or may,e % sho l$ 2 st p sh the !rea*in" call , tton an$ as* a n rse6 'he -orst that co l$ happen -as them comin" in -ith st n " ns, ha(in" !i" re$ o t % -as a !rea* o! nat re6 % pa se$6 'hat -o l$ act ally ,e pretty ,a$6 %)$ ta*e a nap !irst6 At least then %)$ ,e -ell reste$ i! % -as "oin" to ,e interro"ate$ or somethin"6 % !ell into a stran"e, e7ha ste$ sleep6 % tho "ht % hear$ the $oor open, , t co l$n)t m ster the ener"y to open my eyes or mo(e6 +omeone set somethin" $o-n on the ta,le ne7t to me, then sat on the e$"e o! the ,e$6 A "entle han$ ,r she$ the hair ,ac* !rom my !orehea$, an$ then lips ,r she$ the top o! my hea$6 'he ,e$ spr n" ,ac* an$ so!t steps pa$$e$ a-ay6 % hear$ a small, so!t si"h3a happy one6 8Ra= el95 % m rm re$, !inally !orcin" my eyes open6 'he room -as empty6 Disappointment -ashe$ o(er me6 % ha$ ,een s re it -as her6 % -ante$ it to ,e her6

A (ase -ith an e7plosion o! ,ri"ht tropical !lo-ers -as on the ta,le ne7t to me, -ith a small car$6 My han$s trem,lin", % opene$ it6 %t rea$, 8Be happy, my $arlin" "irl6 Yo )ll ,e misse$ more than yo )ll e(er *no-6 Lo(e, Ra= el65 % loo*e$ ,ac* at the $oor, my heart !l tterin"6 % -ante$ to say "oo$#,ye, e(en i! it -o l$ ma*e thin"s har$er in the lon" r n, e(en tho "h % *ne- Ra= el -o l$n)t lea(e %PCA an$ % -o l$n)t "o ,ac*6 O r time to"ether really -as o(er6 + $$enly % misse$ her more than e(er ,e!ore6 % -ipe$ a small tear a-ay, !eelin" (ery alone in this st pi$ room -ith its salmon#colore$ -alls an$ -orn ! rnit re6 .here -as Len$9 % -as more than a little $isappointe$6 %! this -ere Easton Hei"hts, Len$ -o l$ ha(e ,een ,y my ,e$si$e the -hole time, ha(in" crie$ himsel! to sleep hol$in" my han$6 'hen %)$ "ently -a*e him p an$ -e)$ *iss li*e cra:y6 O! co rse, -e)$ also ,rea* p ,e!ore the en$ o! the episo$e, -hich % $i$n)t li*e = ite so -ell6 My stomach tie$ itsel! in horri,le *nots6 May,e Len$ $i$n)t -ant to ,e here6 % ha$, a!ter all, nearly s c*e$ o t his so l6 % close$ my eyes as the memories o! -hat happene$ o(er-helme$ me6 8Vi# (ian,5 % -hispere$, -antin" to (omit6 Ha$ % *ille$ her9 A throat cleare$ ne7t to me an$ % sat p in ,e$, startle$6 8Ra= el95 8Har$ly65 8Oh, "o a-ay,5 % snappe$, t rnin" to loo* at Reth, -ho ha$ ma$e himsel! com!orta,le in a chair ne7t to my ,e$6 He "lare$ at me6 8%)m (ery $isappointe$ in yo , E(elyn6 A!ter all that time, e(erythin" % "a(e yo 6 Very $isappointe$ in$ee$65 % la "he$6 .hat can % say, % -as loopy !rom pain an$ an empty stomach6 An$ % -as $one -ith Reth an$ his crap6 8O ch6 %)m $e(astate$65 8Not only $i$ yo release the so l % "a(e yo , t yo $i$n)t e(en !ill yo r en$ o! the prophecy6 'he prophecy % -or*e$ (ery har$ to ma*e s re yo li(e$ to hear, % mi"ht a$$65 8+ee, that)s the pro,lem -ith p ttin" yo r prophecies in (a" e poem !orm6 Beca se % !ille$ it e7act# ly3release$ all those so ls65 His eyes !lashe$ -ith ! ry6 8Yo -eren)t meant to release them, yo silly chil$6 Yo -ere meant to release me6 >s65 8.hat)s that s ppose$ to mean95 8%t)s har$ly yo r , siness no-45 8+orry6 / ess yo sho l$ ha(e ,een clearer6 No-, i! yo $on)t min$, %)$ li*e to "o ,ac* to sleep65 He stoo$6 8% am not !inishe$ -ith yo yet65 % li!te$ my han$, palm to-ar$ him6 8Really9 Beca se lemme tell yo , ha(in" all those so ls insi$e me, %)$ ,e lyin" i! % sai$ it $i$n)t "i(e me a real taste !or them6 +o nless yo -ant to lose yo rs, % s ""est yo stay !ar, !ar a-ay !rom me6 /ot it95 His !ace -ent ice col$ an$ he smile$ at me6 8Yo cannot last on yo r o-n, my lo(e6 Yo -ill nee$ more, an$ then yo )ll ,ecome -hat yo )re meant to ,e6 .hen that happens, %)ll !or"i(e yo 65 He t rne$ an$ -al*e$ thro "h a $oor in the -all6 % e7hale$6 % co l$n)t ,elie(e he ha$ ,een $iss a$e$ that easily, an$ % -as s re he)$ ,e ,ac* some# $ay6 B t his -or$s -o l$n)t lea(e me6 % lo(e$ li!e6 % lo(e$ this -orl$, an$ % especially lo(e$ Len$6 % $i$n)t -ant to lea(e it, , t % -o l$n)t ,ecome Vi(ian, no matter ho- stron" the temptation -o l$ ,e6 % p lle$ $o-n the nec* o! my hospital "o-n an$ "aspe$6 My heart, -hich % ha$ e7pecte$ to ,e as

col$ an$ empty as my -rist, "lo-e$ -ith a !aint li"ht6 %t -as s ,tler than -hen Reth p t so l in me, , t there -as $e!initely still somethin" there6 %t -as ,oth p ::lin" an$ com!ortin"6 'he $oor*no, t rne$, startlin" me6 % yan*e$ my "o-n ,ac* into place as Len$ , rst in, o t o! ,reath an$ pset6 8%)m so sorry4 'he $octor sai$ yo pro,a,ly -o l$n)t -a*e p !or a !e- more ho rs, an$ so % tho "ht %)$3E(ie, %)m so sorry, % -ante$ to ,e here65 % smile$ as he r she$ across the room an$ too* my han$ in his6 %t -as nice to see his real !ace a"ain6 As ama:in" as his so l -as, %)$ rather see him6 8+o -hat happene$95 % as*e$6 He shoo* his hea$6 8Man, it -as cra:y6 A!ter Reth too* yo a-ay, % calle$ my $a$6 .e race$ ,ac* an$ sa- yo an$ Reth6 Yo -ere all -eir$ an$ !loate$ p in the s*y, then yo -ent sti!! an$ yo $roppe$6 % ca "ht yo , , t % *in$a $i$n)t $o a "reat 2o,65 He loo*e$ sheepish6 8Yo r hea$ hit the "ro n$ pretty har$6 +o Reth sai$ in his st pi$ comman$in" (oice, E%)ll ,e ta*in" her -ith me,) an$ % sai$, EO(er my $ea$ ,o$y,) an$ he shr ""e$ li*e that -as !ine ,y him an$ starte$ to-ar$ me6 B t then my $a$, -ho ha$ "one ,ac* to the car as soon as yo starte$ !loatin", came o t -ith his "ol! cl ,6 % ne(er n$erstoo$ -hy he *eeps c stom "ol! cl ,s e(ery-here since he $oesn)t act ally "ol!6 B t then he hel$ it p in the air an$ sai$, E%)(e "ot a nine iron that says other-ise6)5 8Yo )re *i$$in" me65 Len$ shoo* his hea$, his eyes shinin" -ith e7citement6 8No, $ea$ serio s, it -as so !rea*in" a-e# some6 Reth)s !ace -ent all ! rio s3it loo*e$ li*e he -as "oin" to *ill ,oth o! s6 'hen he 2 st t rne$ aro n$ an$ -al*e$ thro "h a tree an$ $isappeare$65 8.o-6 Yo r $a$ roc*s65 8% *no-6 +o then -e too* yo insi$e3.hat happene$ to the $oor*no,, ,y the -ay95 8>mm, oops95 He la "he$6 8Any-ay, -e !o n$ Vi(ian on the !loor6 % tho "ht she -as $ea$, , t my $a$ !o n$ a p lse6 .hen yo $i$n)t -a*e p ri"ht a-ay -e ,ro "ht yo ,oth here6 Yo )ll ,e !ine, 2 st some mi# nor , rns an$ hypothermia, -hich -as *in$ o! har$ to e7plain65 % la "he$ $rily6 % ha$ mana"e$ to stop Vi(ian, !ree the so ls, an$ not *ill anyone in the process6 Or $ie mysel!6 % ha$ $one o*ay6 8.here is Vi(95 8+he -as here, , t % thin* she)s "one no-6 My $a$ says she)ll pro,a,ly ne(er -a*e p, so he !o n$ someone -ho co l$ ta*e care o! her65 % !ro-ne$, -on$erin" -ho on earth co l$ $o that ntil % remem,ere$ my !irst (isitor6 Ra= el -o l$ ta*e "oo$ care o! her6 'he i$ea o! Vi(ian, asleep an$ alone !ore(er, ma$e me sa$, , t at least she)$ ,e sa!e !rom the !aeries6 % -on$ere$ -hen the same thin" -o l$ happen to me, -hen % -o l$ , rn o t6 8+o, %)(e "ot a = estion,5 Len$ sai$6 8.hat $i$ yo mean -hen yo sai$ i! yo *ept the so ls yo co l$ stay -ith me95 % ,it my lip6 Len$ ha$ no i$ea that he -as immortal, his so l ,rilliant an$ eternal6 % opene$ my mo th to tell him , t co l$n)t cho*e o t the -or$s6 %t !elt li*e as soon as % sai$ it, that -o l$ ,e the en$ !or s6 8% $on)t *no-65 % shr ""e$ an$ trie$ to smile6 8All those so ls , rnin" me p insi$e, % -as *in$ o! -hac*e$ o t65 8.hat $i$ it !eel li*e95 % shi!te$ ncom!orta,ly6 Remem,erin" it ma$e me !eel e(en col$er< % -ante$ to !or"et ho- ama:in" it -as6 % co l$n)t ha(e that a"ain6 E(er6 8Cro-$e$95 8.ell, %)m 2 st "la$ yo )re o*ay65 8Me, too6 +o, -hat -as so important that yo ha$ to lea(e95

8Ah65 He ploppe$ a ,a" on the ,e$ ne7t to me6 8% tho "ht yo )$ -ant somethin" to $o ntil yo "ot release$65 He p lle$ o t a ,o76 A ,o7e$ set, to ,e more speci!ic6 'he !irst t-o seasons o! Easton Hei"hts6 8+h t p45 % shrie*e$6 8Yo really -ere -orrie$ a,o t me, -eren)t yo 95 He smile$ , t the strain sho-e$ thro "h6 8% -as really scare$ %)$ lost yo 65 % scoote$ o(er, pattin" the ,e$ ne7t to me6 8No s ch l c*6 An$ no- yo "et to -atch !orty strai"ht ho rs o! Easton Hei"hts -ith me45 He t rne$ on the !irst $is*, sha*in" his hea$, then "ot onto the ,e$ ne7t to me6 8+mall price to pay !or "ettin" to hol$ yo r han$65 % -asn)t col$ anymore6 Paranormalcy AC1NO.LED/MEN'+ % o-e so many people !or the reali:ation o! this li!elon" $ream6 +o i! yo )ll in$ l"e me9 An$ i! not, -ell, yo can "o rea$ the *issin" scenes a"ain6 'hat)s pro,a,ly -hat %)$ $o, too6 First an$ !oremost than*s "o to Noah, the lo(e o! my li!e an$ the ,est thin" that e(er happene$ to me6 'han*s !or enco ra"in" me, e(en -hen % $isappeare$ into .or$ $oc ments !or -ee*s on en$, an$ !or lettin" me tal* an$ iron o t plot points, e(en i! yo $i$ s ""est % *ill E(ie6 An$ to my ,ea # ti! l chil$ren, Elena an$ 0onah, -ho, -hile $eci$e$ly nhelp! l, are a,sol tely $eli"ht! l an$ !ill my li!e -ith 2oy6 Ne7t to my !amily, most especially my parents, Pat an$ Cin$y, !or ne(er $o ,tin" % -as ,rilliant e(en -hen % !elt anythin" , t6 'han* yo !or , yin" me ,oo*s an$ !illin" my chil$hoo$ -ith stories an$ -or$s6 An$ to my si,lin"s, Erin, Lin$sey, La ren, an$ Matt, !or ,ein" rea$ers , t mostly !or ,ein" my tterly ri$ic lo s an$ hilario s ,est !rien$s6 My "ran$parents, Dee an$ Mary, !or passin" on the storyteller "ene, an$ o! co rse my in#la-s, 1it an$ 0im, !or allo-in" s $esperately nee$e$ access to their -asher an$ $ryer ?an$ !or ,ein" n!ailin"ly s pporti(e@6 % co l$n)t ha(e come this !ar -itho t the help o! my criti= e partners an$ !rien$s6 Carrie 8Pom,ie F een5 Harris, Renee Collins, an$ 1risten Recor$ !or their spot#on pacin" a$(ice, Ashley 0 er"ens, Me"an Holmes, 0ane Vol*er, an$ Fara +ne$$on !or their enth siasm6 Fara an$ 1risten, than*s espe# cially !or the treats, ,a,ysittin", an$ listenin" to en$less ho rs o! 8'his -ill ne(er happen65 A mil# lion than*s to +tephanie Per*ins, -ho is the ,est an$ "entlest rea$er %)(e e(er *no-n, -ho ta "ht me ho- 8"oo$5 can al-ays ,e 8,etter,5 an$ -ho la "hs an$ cries -ith me o(er ho- ,i:arre li!e is6 Finally, Natalie .hipple !or ,ein" my !irst rea$er an$ ltimate cheerlea$er6 % $on)t *no- -here my sel!#esteem -o l$ ,e -itho t yo , an$ -ill !ore(er o-e yo !or "ently steerin" me ,ac* in the ri"ht $irections6 'han* yo all !or ,ein" alternately !r strate$, $e(astate$, $eli"hte$, an$ elate$ ri"ht alon" -ith me6 'han*s to the -on$er! l online comm nity o! -riters an$ rea$ers -ho h mor the silliness on my ,lo" an$ t-itter3yo r enth siasm, intelli"ence, an$ s pport are in(al a,le6 % !eel ,lesse$ to 8*no-5 all o! yo 6 'han* yo to Pan$ora an$ the Hello"oo$,ye station, an$ to my $ear, ,elo(e$ +no- Patrol, !or pro(i$in" my l c*y al, m6 H "e than*s to Erica + ssman, my "eni s e$itor, -ho lo(es E(ie as m ch as % $o an$ ,ro "ht her to my $ream ho se !or p ,lication6 'han* yo !or ta*in" her story an$ ma*in" it the ,est it co l$ pos# si,ly ,e6 Yo )(e ma$e the entire process a $eli"ht an$ %)m so !ort nate to -or* -ith yo 4 'han*s as -ell the team at Harper'een an$ Harper Chil$ren)s, incl $in" mar*etin", !orei"n ri"hts, p ,licity, e$itorial, an$ especially $esi"n6 Alison Donalty an$ 'or,or" Da(ern, my co(er is a -or* o! art an$ %)m still in a-e o! it6 All in all, % co l$n)t possi,ly ha(e ,een ,etter ta*en care o!6 A -hole para"raph to Michelle .ol!son, my a"ent6 'han* yo !or pic*in" me o t o! the sl sh, !or

stic*in" -ith me thro "h the months, an$ !or e7cee$in" my -il$est p ,lishin" $reams6 Yo tr ly are .on$er .oman, an$ %)m so "la$ to ha(e yo on my si$e !or this -hole cra:y 2o rney6 Last o! all to yo , $ear rea$er, !or pic*in" p my ,oo*6 % hope yo li*e$ it, ,eca se % certainly li*e yo 6 As E(ie -o l$ say, yo )re all ,leepin" !antastic6 Paranormalcy Paranormalcy 1iersten .hite Paranormalcy FOR MOM AND DAD AND FOR NOAH, MY LOVE Paranormalcy D>MBBELL+, BOY+, AND O'HER DEN+E 'H%N/+ R a= el)s (ampire e7planation came !irst6 8.hen the panic team "ot there, they !o n$ all the (am# pires $ea$65 8.ere they sta*e$95 % as*e$6 8.e ha(e no i$ea -hat *ille$ them6 'here -ere no mar*s o! any *in$, no in$ication that any o! the -ays to *ill (ampires -ere se$6 .hat -ere they all $oin" there in the !irst place95 8Not a cl e6 % !ollo-e$ my (amp an$ , rst into the room to !in$ them all -aitin"6 A !e- more !ol# lo-e$ me an$ loc*e$ me in65 Fro-nin", % tho "ht ,ac*6 8'hey $i$ seem to thin* % -as there to *ill them, tho "h65 8Are yo s re yo $i$n)t $o anythin"95 Ra= el as*e$, the line ,et-een her eye,ro-s $eepenin"6 8Besi$es almost "et s c*e$ $ry9 Yeah, %)m s re65 +he si"he$6 Pretty m ch the same -hy me si"h as ,e!ore6 8.ell, -here ha(e yo ,een95 % r ,,e$ a -eary han$ across my eyes6 8% messe$ p6 Bi" time6 No one -as comin" an$ % -as "onna $ie, so % calle$ !or Reth65 8'hat)s !ine, that)s -hy yo -ere assi"ne$ names65 % shoo* my hea$6 8%t -asn)t callin" !or him that -as the pro,lem6 E(erythin" -as happenin" so !ast, an$ % co l$ !eel the (amp)s teeth on my nec* an$ %3.hen % calle$ !or Reth % yelle$ o t, E% nee$ yo 6)5 Ra= el)s !ace -ent !rom n$erstan$in" to serio sly pisse$6 .hen %PCA "i(es yo !aerie names, they also ma*e yo ta*e a yearly t-o#-ee*3t-o#-ee*3co rse on appropriate name$ comman$s an$ ho- to se them6 8% nee$ yo 5 -as a,o t as open#en$e$ an$ st pi$ as they "et6 8E% nee$ yo )9 'hat)s -hat yo sai$9 'hat -as yo r name$ comman$95 8Don)t "et ma$65 % -as on the (er"e o! tears6 8% alrea$y pai$ !or it, tr st me6 % tol$ him to ta*e me home an$ he too* me to his home, trie$ to ta*e my heart a"ain65 8E(ie, honey, % *no- yo ha(e a history -ith Reth, , t he can)t 2 st ta*e yo r heart6 %t $oesn)t -or* li*e that65 'his -as too m ch6 On top o! e(erythin" else, she -as "oin" to tell me3a"ain3that -hat hap# pene$ -as all in my hea$ an$ -asn)t some sort o! !aerie !rea*iness6 +he ha$ ne(er !elt the -armth,

!elt it snea* in an$ s rro n$ her heart, !elt it cons me her6 +he $i$n)t *no-6 +he co l$n)t6 An$ % -as sic* o! her actin" li*e % -as some sort o! st pi$ little "irl, still ma$ o(er an e76 8.hate(er,5 % snappe$6 8%)m "oin" to ,e$65 % t rne$ an$ stal*e$ o t o! the room -itho t sayin" "oo$#,ye to Lish6 +he -o l$ sympathi:e, % *ne-, , t she still 2 st $i$n)t n$erstan$6 No one n$erstoo$6 .ell, that -asn)t tr e3Reth n$erstoo$6 E(erythin"6 An$ he -as ri"ht, too6 % -as completely alone an$ it s c*e$6 .hen % "ot to my nit, % -ent strai"ht to my ,e$room an$ $ " aro n$ n$er my ,e$ ntil % !o n$ the three#po n$ $ m,,ells % ha$ stolen !rom one o! B $)s train# in" sessions6 'hey -ere iron, the ,est protection a"ainst !aeries6 Or at least, % -as pretty s re they -ere iron6 O*ay, % really, really hope$ they -ere iron, ,eca se my only other option -as to sleep -ith my *ni!e on my chest6 %ma"es o! impalin" mysel! $ rin" a ni"htmare !le- thro "h my hea$6 D m,,ells it -as6 P ttin" the -ei"hts on either si$e o! me, % close$ my eyes an$ -as instantly asleep6 % -o*e p late the ne7t mornin"< hal!#!orme$ memories o! a -oman)s (oice callin" to me tic*le$ the e$"e o! my tho "hts6 Both $ m,,ells -ere still in place, tan"le$ p in the co(ers, an$ my heart -as still mine6 'he ni"ht appeare$ to ,e a s ccess! l one6 % too* my time "ettin" rea$y !or the $ay, pretty s re it -as +at r$ay6 +ometimes it -as har$ to tell the $ays apart in the Center, , t since none o! my $aily t tors ha$ sho-n p -on$erin" -hy my home-or* -asn)t $one yet a"ain, +at r$ay seeme$ a "oo$ " ess6 A!ter eatin" ,rea*!ast % -ent to tal* to Lish6 % !elt ,a$ a,o t r nnin" o t yester$ay6 .hen % -al*e$ in her eyes lit p6 8E(ie,5 the monotone (oice sai$, , t % co l$ tell that she -as sayin" it -ith an e7# clamation point6 8% am so "la$ yo are o*ay6 % -as so -orrie$ a,o t yo 65 % "a(e her the ,est smile % co l$ mana"e6 8%t -as a ,a$ $ay65 8% am sorry65 % -asn)t s re -hat else to say6 8Any lea$s on the (amps95 8None65 .eir$6 Also, not my pro,lem6 % -asn)t especially heart#,ro*en a,o t it, either, so % shr ""e$6 8Hoa,o t Len$9 Do they ha(e any more i$eas on -ho or -hat he is, or -hy he ,ro*e in95 +he shoo* her hea$6 'hen her eyes crin*le$ in a smile an$ she leane$ to-ar$ the "lass conspiratori# ally6 8% $i$ hear that he re= este$ paper an$ pencils6 Ra= el tho "ht he -as "oin" to -rite $o-n in# !ormation, , t all he $i$ -as $ra-65 % smile$6 .hate(er else he -as, Len$ -as a pro!essional at annoyin" Ra= el6 >s ally that -as my 2o,, , t % *in$a li*e$ sharin" the $ ty6 8+pea*in" o! Ra= el, $o yo *no- -here she is9 % -ant to tal* to her65 .hether or not she ,elie(e$ me a,o t Reth, she ha$ to help me !i" re o t ho- to ne"ate my name$ comman$6 8+he is in meetin"s all $ay to$ay65 %! anyone at the Center -or*e$ har$er than Lish, it -as Ra= el6 +he li(e$ here, too, an$ pretty m ch -or*e$ e(ery -a*in" ho r o! e(ery $ay6 %)$ ne(er *no-n her to ta*e a (acation6 %n a -ay it -as nice6 %t -o l$ !eel lonelier -itho t her here6 % !ro-ne$, !r strate$6 B t then it clic*e$; i! Ra= el -as in meetin"s all $ay, that meant % -as !ree to $o -hate(er3an$ see -home(er3% -ante$6 % smile$ at Lish6 8'hat)s o*ay6 %)ll tal* to her later6 'han*s45 % ran ,ac* to my room6 A!ter chec*in" mysel! in the mirror, % "athere$ p all my ma"a:ines, my mi# ni#(i$eo player, an$ a co ple o! ,oo*s6 'hen % t c*e$ 'asey an$ the *ni!e into my ,elt an$ hea$e$ !or Len$)s room6 % t rne$ the corner 2 st in time to see 0ac= es -al*in" a-ay6 Per!ect6 % ran $o-n the hall an$ $ c*e$

in6 Len$ -as sittin" on the ,e$ eatin" l nch, -earin" an attracti(e ,lac* " y6 8Don)t yo loo* nice to$ay,5 % sai$6 He loo*e$ p, s rprise$, then smile$6 8.hat)re yo $oin" here95 % $ mpe$ my arm! l onto the !loor6 8%)m ,ore$, yo )re ,ore$6 'ho "ht -e co l$ han" o t65 He narro-e$ his eyes6 8'his isn)t some ,i:arre "oo$ cop, ,a$ cop thin"95 % la "he$6 8% $on)t care -hat yo tell or $on)t tell Ra= el6 B t yo )re the only semi#h man person here that)s my a"e, an$ % tho "ht it -o l$ ,e ! n to, yo *no-, 2 st han" o t65 % -as hit ,y a horri# ,le tho "ht; .hat i! he $i$n)t -ant to han" o t9 % mean, s re, there -ere -orse thin"s6 Li*e i! he -as act ally a psycho paranormal assassin an$ ha$ ,een -aitin" !or the per!ect moment to *ill me6 B t % $i$n)t thin* so6 An$ someho- that -o l$ h rt my !eelin"s less than i! a teena"e " y $i$n)t thin* % -as cool eno "h to spen$ time -ith6 Especially a teena"e " y -ho co l$ ,e c te in so many $i!!erent -ays6 'o my relie! he smile$ a"ain6 8+o n$s "oo$65 He "ot o!! the ,e$ an$ -al*e$ o(er, "lancin" thro "h the ma"a:ines6 8Yo li*e rea$in" this st !!95 He raise$ an eye,ro- at all the "irly teen an$ star# stal*in" content6 8Hey, $on)t 2 $"e6 % happen to li*e pop lar c lt re6 'here)s a reason it)s pop lar, yo *no-65 He shoo* his hea$ , t loo*e$ am se$6 Pic*in" p the mini#(i$eo player, he sat $o-n on the !loor -ith his ,ac* a"ainst the ,e$ an$ starte$ it p6 8Do yo ha(e anythin" ,esi$es Easton Hei"hts on here95 8Easton Hei"hts is the ,est sho- on tele(ision ri"ht no-, ,ar none6 B t i! it)s not "oo$ eno "h !or yo 53% sni!!e$ ha "htily38then !in$ the mo(ie !ol$er65 He la "he$ an$ the ,lac* " y melte$ o!! to ,e replace$ ,y none other than Lan$on, the !rea*in" hottest " y in the -orl$ an$ conni(in" lothario o! Easton Hi"h6 8+h t p45 % practically yelle$6 8'hat)s a-esome45 He la "he$ at my reaction, then -ent ,ac* to loo*in" p mo(ies6 Part o! me -as "i$$y that % -as sittin" in a room -ith Lan$on6 An$ the other part -as still loo*in" at Len$ n$erneath, an$ act ally li*in" his !ace a little ,it ,etter6 8%s there anyone yo can)t $o95 % as*e$, c rio s6 He shr ""e$6 8% can)t $o some paranormals6 % also can)t "o p or $o-n in hei"ht more than a !einches, so % can)t ,e a little *i$6 B l*)s a,o t the same as hei"ht -hen it comes to stretchin", so % co l$n)t -ei"h three h n$re$ po n$s6 An$ % can)t $o yo r eyes65 8+o yo *eep sayin",5 % m ttere$6 % lay $o-n on my stomach, proppe$ p on my el,o-s as % pa"e$ thro "h one o! the ma"a:ines6 Len$ settle$ on somethin" an$ -e spent the ne7t ho r in companion# a,le silence6 %t -as sli"htly $ ll an$ tterly normal6 %t roc*e$6 A!ter a -hile % loo*e$ p an$ notice$ a , nch o! papers n$er his ,e$6 8Oh, are those yo r $ra-# in"s95 % "ra,,e$ them6 8Oh, %3$on)t35 he sai$, , t % ha$ alrea$y starte$ loo*in" at them6 He -as ama:in"6 He ha$ $ra-n a portrait o! 0ac= es that -as so e7act it co l$ ha(e ,een a photo6 Apparently he co l$ copy people on his o-n ,o$y an$ on paper6 % !lippe$ thro "h to the ne7t pa"e an$ stoppe$6 %t -as me6 8Holy crap, Len$, these are ama:in"6 Yo )re really, really "oo$65 He loo*e$ em,arrasse$, shr "# "in"6 8% mean, -ith a s ,2ect as c te as me, o! co rse it)s "oin" to t rn o t -ell, , t still,5 % tease$6 He smile$6 /osh, -as % "ettin" "oo$ at !lirtin", or -hat9 Yo )$ ne(er *no- % only practice$ $ rin" $ay$reams6 % -ent ,ac* to the papers6 No- it -as my t rn to ,e mil$ly em,arrasse$ since the ma# 2ority o! the $ra-in"s -ere o! me6 Mil$ly em,arrasse$ an$ really !lattere$6 One o! the last ones -as a close# p o! my !ace, !oc se$ on my eyes, -hich he ha$ le!t n!inishe$6 ' rnin" to the last $ra-in", % -as s rprise$6 He ha$ ,een tryin" to $ra- himsel!3his real sel!3

-ith m ch less s ccess than all his other portraits6 8Yo )(e "ot a stron"er 2a-line, an$ yo r hair has a ,it o! -a(e to it65 8Yo really can see me that -ell65 He so n$e$ a-e$6 8%t)s -hat % $o65 8Yeah, %)(e ,een meanin" to as* yo 6 .hat $o yo $o9 .hy are yo -or*in" here95 8% help i$enti!y an$ ,rin" in paranormals65 8Do yo ha(e any other po-ers9 + per stren"th or anythin"95 % la "he$6 8Oh, yeah6 A,sol tely6 'hat)s -hy % nearly "ot *ille$ ,y a room ! ll o! (amps yester$ay6 Beca se %)m s ch an a-esome !i"hter65 He loo*e$ con! se$6 % rolle$ my eyes6 8No, % $on)t ha(e any po-ers6 %)m normal, % can 2 st see a little ,etter than yo r a(era"e person65 % $i$n)t e7plain that % co l$ see thro "h all "lamo rs, since that -as classi!ie$ in!ormation6 8Ho- $i$ they !in$ yo 95 8Lon" story6 Or not so lon"6 0 st ,orin"6 %)(e ,een here since % -as ei"ht6 'here)s this -hole inter# national treaty that %)m pretty m ch the star o!65 8+o they o-n yo 65 8No4 'hey $on)t o-n me65 8+o yo can lea(e any time yo -ant95 % "a(e him a ! nny loo*6 8.hy -o l$ % -ant to lea(e95 8% $on)t *no-3it 2 st seems li*e yo aren)t (ery&happy65 8%)m plenty happy45 % sai$, !ro-nin"6 8Besi$es, % $o a lot o! "oo$6 %)(e ne tere$35 He loo*e$ hor# ri!ie$, an$ % = ic*ly correcte$6 8Ne trali:e$4 Li*e, ma$e h n$re$s o! (ampires harmless o(er the last !e- years, i$enti!ie$ -ere-ol(es ,e!ore they co l$ h rt themsel(es or others, helpe$ trac* $o-n a troll colony, an$ $one co ntless other thin"s to ma*e the -orl$ a sa!er an$ more or"ani:e$ place65 Ha$ % 2 st sai$ % ma$e the -orl$ a more or"ani:e$ place9 .o-6 Lame6 8Co l$ yo lea(e i! yo -ante$ to95 % shr ""e$, ncom!orta,le -ith the topic6 % ha$ ,een pretty happy here !or a lon" time, , t e(er since Reth, %)$ ,een -on$erin" more an$ more -hat my options -ere3an$ *in$ o! -orryin" that % $i$n)t ha(e any6 %t -as easier not to thin* a,o t it6 No one else e(er ,ro "ht it p, an$ hearin" it so ,l ntly !rom Len$ ma$e my stomach clench6 8% $on)t *no-6 %t)s sa!er !or me here65 8+a!er !or yo , or sa!er !or them95 80 st $rop it, -o l$ yo 9 'his is my 2o,, my li!e6 %)m !ine -ith it65 He hel$ p his han$s6 8+orry6 %t 2 st seems to me li*e yo )re more o! a possession than an employ# ee65 8'hey can)t hol$ h mans,5 % snappe$6 8>n$er international re" lations they)re only allo-e$ to $e# tain or monitor paranormals65 He "a(e me that loo* a"ain, the one he -as so "oo$ at6 % -atche$ his -ater eyes< they -ere sa$6 8E(ie, yo aren)t e7actly normal65 +tan$in" p in a h !!, % "athere$ my ma"a:ines an$ p lle$ my mini#(i$eo player !rom his han$s6 8At least % *no- -hat % loo* li*e65 % storme$ o t o! his room, ! rio s6 Hal!-ay $o-n the hall % sl mpe$ a"ainst the -all, ,arely a,le to ,reathe6 He -as e7actly ri"ht6 Paranormalcy

HEAR'+ A/LO. . hat $o yo thin* he meant ,y that95 Len$ as*e$, !ro-nin"6 'o$ay he s rprise$ me ,y -earin" a p $"y, acne#pla" e$ ,lon$ ,oy6 %t ma$e me la "h< s ally he st c* -ith the -hole hot thin"6 +till, % co l$ see him n$erneath, so it $i$n)t really matter -hat he p t on the o tsi$e6 8% $on)t *no-3he)s Reth6 .hat $oes he e(er mean ,y anythin"95 % ha$ 2 st !inishe$ tellin" him -hat Reth ha$ sai$ a,o t the poem an$ nee$in" to !inish me6 8.ell, as m ch as % hate the " y, he)s pro,a,ly "ot reso rces -e $on)t6 .hat -ere his e7act -or$s a,o t the poem95 8He sai$ that en$in" -asn)t mine, it -as hers6 .hoe(er that is6 B t that)s "oo$, at least, ri"ht9 % mean, %)$ rather not ,e ,rin"in" E$eath, $eath, $eath, $eath, $eath) an$ so on an$ so !orth65 Len$ la "he$6 8Yeah, pro,a,ly not6 Death in spar*ly plat!orm san$als6 %t)s a nice ima"e, at least65 % smac*e$ him on the sho l$er6 8Hey, %)m scary6 Yo tho "ht % -as "oin" to *ill yo , remem,er95 8Oh, % remem,er6 Man, that -as a stress! l $ay65 8No *i$$in"6 % -on$er i! thin"s ha(e al-ays ,een this -eir$ an$ % 2 st ne(er *ne-, or i! they)re "et# tin" -orse65 8'hey)re "ettin" -orse65 8O*ay, so poetic prophecies an$ creepy !aerie stal*ers asi$e, %)(e "ot an important = estion65 8.hat95 8Do yo ha(e a $ri(er)s license95 He la "he$6 8'hat)s important95 8Oh yeah4 %)$ *ill !or a $ri(er)s license4 Hey, may,e that)s -hat the poem means4 %)m "oin" to "o ,erser* an$ start attac*in" people ,eca se they -on)t let me $ri(e&65 8Co l$ ,e, yo ne(er *no-6 B t, yes, % ha(e a $ri(er)s license65 % leane$ ,ac* a"ainst the -all, si"hin"6 8Man, that m st ,e so cool65 8%t ran*s ri"ht p there -ith loc*ers6 %n !act, sometimes % p t my license insi$e my loc*er, an$ it)s so cool % -orry that the -hole thin" mi"ht e7plo$e -ith the sheer coolness o! it all65 % smac*e$ him on the sho l$er6 A"ain6 % -as $oin" that a lot6 8+h t p6 Yo try li(in" yo r -hole li!e here an$ then tell me -hat yo thin* is cool65 He "a(e me a ! nny loo*< he)$ ,een -atchin" me closely this -hole time6 8Yo really $on)t care a,o t this !ace, $o yo 95 8.hat !ace95 % as*e$, con! se$6 He smile$, sho-in" o!! ,races % ha$n)t notice$6 8'his one65 % la "he$6 8.hy -o l$ % care9 Yo -ear a lot o! $i!!erent thin"s65 8Yeah, , t this one isn)t (ery c te65 8Not really, , t it)s not yo 65 He "ot that ! nny loo* a"ain6 % smile$6 8'he only thin" that , "s me is that yo r (oice is al-ays $i!!erent6 % -ish % *ne- -hat it really so n$e$ li*e6 Oh, an$ also % thin* it)s a little creepy -hen yo )re a "irl, , t yo ha(en)t $one that in a -hile65 He shoo* his hea$6 8Yo )re -eir$65 8+ays the in(isi,le shape#shi!tin" ,oy65 He la "he$ a little, then leane$ ,ac* a"ainst the -all li*e me6 8.e aren)t !i" rin" this o t65

8% *no-6 +orry65 % ha$ rac*e$ my ,rains , t $i$n)t *no- ho- to ,e"in to p t to"ether all Reth)s ran# $om ti$,its an$ the st pi$ poem -ith -hat % ha$ seen6 An$ e(en more ,othersome, % co l$n)t stop -on$erin" -hat the en$in" to my poem -as, i! there e(en -as one6 Ha(e % mentione$ ho- m ch % $on)t li*e !aeries9 8E(ie95 His (oice -as tentati(e6 8%s there any -ay yo co l$ email someone !or me9 %! % co l$ "et this in!ormation o t, may,e my3my "ro p co l$ help65 My heart !ell6 .as Len$ 2 st sin" me9 B t then % remem,ere$ the -hole tryin"#not#to#,e#sel!#cen# tere$ thin"6 +o -hat i! he -as9 He sho l$ ,e6 %PCA -asn)t sol(in" this, an$ they -ere stoppin" him !rom $oin" anythin"6 +till, % hope$ he li*e$ me an$ -asn)t 2 st tryin" to manip late me6 8% $on)t *no-6 %)(e "ot a comp ter, , t the only thin" % $o online is shop an$ % *no- %PCA monitors e(ery sin"le thin" % clic* on ,eca se they cancel a,o t ninety percent o! my p rchases6 % co l$ try to set p a ne- email a$$ress or se yo rs or somethin", , t %)m pretty s re they)$ catch it imme$i# ately6 May,e it -o l$ alrea$y ,e sent ,y then, tho "h65 % ,it my lip, ner(o s6 8.hat -o l$ happen i! they ca "ht it95 % smile$, !ei"nin" nonchalance6 8>mm, %)$ ,e imprisone$ in$e!initely !or treason6 Pro,a,ly6 B t yo ne(er *no-3they really li*e -hat % can $o6 An$ % thin* Ra= el -o l$ stic* p !or me6 May,e % co l$ "et o t o! it65 %)$ ne(er ,een sent to a $isciplinary hearin"< the i$ea terri!ie$ me6 Len$ shoo* his hea$6 8No, %)m sorry6 %t)s not -orth the ris*65 8%t really is, i! yo thin* any o! the in!ormation -e ha(e -ill help yo r "ro p !i" re it o t an$ stop this thin"65 /osh, -as % ,ein" ,ra(e or -hat9 8%t -on)t $o any "oo$ to "et s ,oth loc*e$ p6 %)(e "ot another "oal ,esi$es !in$in" an$ stoppin" the *iller65 % !ro-ne$6 As m ch as % li*e$ him, i! he -as as*in" me to help him ta*e $o-n %PCA %)$ ha(e to say no6 %t -asn)t a per!ect or"ani:ation ,y any means, , t they -ere $oin" a lot o! "oo$6 %, !or one, tho "ht the -orl$ -as a m ch sa!er place -itho t !ree#ran"in" (amps an$ ha"s an$ all the rest o! the nasty creepy#cra-ly ,loo$#s c*y !lesh#eatin" thin"s o! le"en$6 8.hat)s yo r other "oal95 8% -ant to "et yo o t o! here65 8Don)t yo mean yo -ant me to "et yo o t o! here95 He too* my han$3yeah, my han$ a"ain6 % -as li*in" this6 A lot6 8No, % mean % -ant to "et yo o t6 'his sho l$n)t ,e yo r li!e6 Yo $eser(e a lot more6 Li*e a loc*er65 8An$ a $ri(er)s license95 8Let)s not "et carrie$ a-ay65 % smile$6 As m ch as % -ante$ to "et o t an$ li(e a real li!e ?-hate(er that -as< % $i$n)t preten$ li*e % *ne- anymore@, % $i$n)t thin* it -o l$ e(er happen6 %! % -as classi!ie$ as a paranormal, %PCA ha$ complete 2 ris$iction o(er me6 .hich meant % co l$n)t e7actly t rn in my t-o -ee*s) notice6 My comm nicator ,eepe$6 % p lle$ it o t -ith my !ree han$6 % -asn)t lettin" "o o! Len$)s till he let "o o! mine6 His s*in -as the coolest thin" e(er6 .arm, , t per!ectly smooth an$ so!t6 Not to men# tion the happy tin"les it "a(e me that ha$ nothin" to $o -ith anythin" paranormal6 % "lance$ at the screen6 %t -as Lish6 8.hat)s p95 8Come to Central Processin"6 'here is tro ,le6 Ra= el is comin" ,ac* an$ the + per(isors are !ol# lo-in"6 Yo sho l$ not ,e ca "ht alone -ith Len$65 8%)m lea(in" ri"ht no-6 'han*s, Lish65 % hoo*e$ the comm nicator ,ac* on my ,elt6 Lish al-ays loo*e$ o t !or me6 8% $on)t *no- -hat)s happenin", , t Ra= el an$ a , nch o! ,i"-i"s are hea$e$ to the Center, so % pro,a,ly sho l$n)t ,e here65

He "a(e my han$ a = ic* s= ee:e ?-hich ma$e my heart $o all sorts o! happy $ances in my chest@ ,e!ore lettin" "o6 8%)ll see yo later, then65 % h rrie$ to Central Processin"6 Lish loo*e$ $o-nri"ht panic*e$6 8.hat)s "oin" on95 % co l$ tell ,y her e7pression that somethin" ,i" -as p, an$ it scare$ me6 8'he Birmin"ham 'rac*in" an$ Placement Center in En"lan$ -as hit to$ay65 8.ait, hit9 .hat $o yo mean hit95 8E(ery paranormal there is $ea$65 'hat phrase sai$ in the ro,ot (oice -as so startlin" an$ horri,le % $i$n)t *no- ho- to react6 8%t3-as it the same thin"95 8Yes6 0 st $ea$, no traces o! -eapons or anythin" that sho l$ ha(e ,een a,le to *ill them65 8Di$ anyone see anythin"95 8No6 %t is a small !acility6 None o! the h mans sa- anythin"65 'hat -as somethin", at least6 Apparently this thin" $i$n)t "o a!ter h mans6 % -as relie(e$ ntil % re# mem,ere$ that % mi"ht not ,e = ite h man6 Not (ery com!ortin"6 8Anythin" else95 8% $o not ha(e any more $etails ri"ht no-6 .e -ill pro,a,ly "o on loc*$o-n65 8.hat)s that95 %t too* her a min te to respon$< % -atche$ as her eyes $arte$ aro n$ all the (ario s screens she -as mana"in"6 % s-ear she $i$ the -or* o! t-enty people6 8Loc*$o-n proce$ re calls !or all o r assets in the !iel$ an$ satellite , il$in"s to ,e ,ro "ht to the Center6 .hen e(eryone is sec re, -e "o into complete loc*$o-n3no one in, no one o t65 8Oh, -o-65 'hat -as a ,i" $eal6 8Ho- lon" ntil that happens95 8.e sho l$ ,e sec re in t-o ho rs65 /otta han$ it to %PCA3!or a "o(ernment#type a"ency, they -ere e!!icient6 8An$ ho- lon" is the loc*$o-n in e!!ect95 8>ntil they are certain that the ris* has passe$65 8+o, a lon" time65 8No -ay to tell6 'he in!ormation is comin" in< % nee$ to "et ,ac* to it65 +he loo*e$ a-ay, !oc sin" on one o! her many screens6 % -ishe$ that Lish -asn)t st c* ,ehin$ the "lass6 +he -as my ,est !rien$, , t sometimes she seeme$ so inaccessi,le6 % t rne$ to the si$e as the ,rilliant o tline o! a $oor !orme$ on the ,lan* -all6 Ra= el -al*e$ o t -ith a !aerie6 % -on$ere$ -hen the + per(isors -o l$ "et here6 % ha$ seen a !e- o! them ,e!ore, ,ac* -hen %PCA -as o!!icially !ormin"6 % $i$n)t remem,er too m ch, 2 st a lot o! hea$ pattin"6 % hate$ that6 Ra= el loo*e$ li*e she ha$ a"e$ a,o t ten years in the past !e- $ays6 8%nitiate loc*$o-n protocol,5 she sai$, not e(en ,otherin" to ac*no-le$"e Lish -ith a no$, a hello, or a ho-)s the -ater this mornin"6 8Loc*$o-n protocol initiate$65 Lish $arte$ her han$s aro n$, the mo(ements = ic* an$ precise6 8Call the other !aeries,5 Ra= el sai$ to the !aerie -ho ha$ ,ro "ht her here6 Loo*in" annoye$, the !aerie opene$ another $oor an$ $isappeare$ thro "h it6 Ra= el !inally notice$ me6 8Oh, E(ie6 Yo )re here6 /oo$6 .e nee$ to tal*65 8Yeah, -e $o65 Be!ore % co l$ la nch into the speech %)$ ,een m llin" o(er since % $eci$e$ to stic* p !or Len$, a ,rilliant li"ht trace$ a line thro "h the -all an$ a -hole section opene$ p into the

,lac*6 Faeries steppe$ o t3more !aeries than % ha$ e(er seen ,e!ore6 More than % e(en *ne- %PCA ha$6 'here -ere at least a h n$re$ o! them6 %t -as o(er-helmin"6 One !aerie alone is $istractin"ly ,ea ti! l6 'his many at once an$ it -as li*e a ti$al -a(e !or yo r eyes3st nnin" an$ inescapa,le6 % ha$ a har$ time !oc sin" on -hat Ra= el -as sayin" to them6 Besi$es the !aerie sensory o(erloa$, % notice$ somethin", somethin" % ha$ ne(er seen ,e!ore6 Faerie clothin" is similar to o rs, , t it al-ays seems ol$er, more re!ine$, an$ simple at the same time6 Many o! the male !aeries ha$ their shirts n, ttone$ an$ chests ,are6 ?Ho-)s this !or !rea*y; no nipples or ,elly , ttons6@ Faeries al-ays ha(e a hint o! a "lo-, , t no- they seeme$ to ha(e a ,ri"ht spot3ri"ht -here % ass me$ their hearts -ere6 %t -asn)t $ramatic, , t there -as $e!initely somethin" e7tra there6 % hope$ it $i$n)t ha(e anythin" to $o -ith my no-#"lo-in" heart6 'hen % loo*e$ at their !aces6 A lot o! them -ere 2 st ,ore$ an$ annoye$6 +tan$ar$ !aerie6 B t there -ere some3an$ these seeme$ to ,e "ro pe$ to"ether3that ha$ sly t-in*les in their eyes, li*e somethin" a,o t all this -as terri,ly am sin"6 'hat loo* ,othere$ me< anythin" that am se$ a !aerie co l$n)t ,e a "oo$ thin"6 'hen my eyes met Reth)s6 He -asn)t -ith that "ro p, , t his smile -as the ,i""est o! all6 % -ante$ to "et o t o! that room6 All those !aeries3% !elt almost $i::y6 % $i$ my ,est to i"nore Reth)s stare, -aitin" ntil Ra= el !inishe$ iss in" instr ctions an$ the !aeries starte$ lea(in" to pic* p their assi"ne$ "ro ps6 8Ra= el, -e nee$ to tal*65 +he t rne$ to me, an intense loo* on her !ace6 8Yes6 % nee$ yo to tell me e(erythin" yo *noa,o t Len$65 8.hy95 8Beca se the + per(isors are comin", an$ he)s one o! o r only lin*s to -hat)s happenin"65 8'hat)s st pi$4 'hat ma*es it so n$ li*e he)s connecte$ to it6 He)s not a lin*, he)s a reso rce65 8%)m a!rai$ -e see it $i!!erently6 .hat has he tol$ yo 95 % !ol$e$ my arms, "larin" at her6 8.hat ma*es yo thin* he)s tol$ me anythin"9 An$, e(en i! he has, -hy -o l$ % tell yo 95 Her (oice -as !lat an$ a little $an"ero s6 8Yo )ll tell me ,eca se it)s yo r 2o,65 8My 2o,9 %)m si7teen4 % $i$n)t as* !or any o! this4 Besi$es, -hy is it that % can prance aro n$ here -itho t an an*le trac*er, , t yo -on)t e(en let him o t o! his cell9 May,e i! yo )$ stop ,ein" so scare$ o! him an$ let him "o, -e co l$ -or* -ith him an$ his "ro p an$ act ally ha(e a chance at !i" rin" this all o t45 8Yo *no- -e can)t $o that6 %t)s a"ainst the charter to release a paranormal nta""e$65 8.hat the crap am %, then9 H h9 Yo can)t stan$ here tellin" me that Len$ is a tomatically an en# emy ,eca se he)s an n*no-n paranormal -hen %)m a !rea*in" Le(el +e(en45 Her e7pression so!tene$6 8Please, $on)t $o this6 Not no-6 %)(e -or*e$ lon" an$ har$ to ma*e certain that the + per(isors see yo not as a paranormal , t as a "irl -ho can $o somethin" n s al6 .e can)t help Len$, honey, not ri"ht no-65 An"ry tears pric*e$ my eyes6 8Don)t call me honey6 %)m not yo r $a "hter6 %)m yo r employee65 Her $ar* eyes -ent -i$e -ith h rt, then her !ace = ic*ly har$ene$6 8%! yo -on)t help s -ith Len$, yo )ll ,e con!ine$ to = arters65 % let o t a harsh la "h6 8/reat, no- yo )re "ro n$in" me65 % co l$n)t ,elie(e ho- st pi$ % ha$ ,een, preten$in" an$ -ishin" that Ra= el -as really my mom6 .hate(er else she mi"ht ,e, she -as al# -ays pro!essional6 +he -as not my !amily6

'he room aro n$ s ha$ "ro-n noisy, !illin" p as !aeries $roppe$ o!! more an$ more paranormals6 .ere-ol! sec rity " ar$s mille$ aro n$ the e$"es an$ trie$ to $irect the tra!!ic into an or$erly line in !ront o! Lish)s tan*6 Ra= el si"he$6 8% thin* it -o l$ ,e ,est i! yo -ent to yo r room6 Yo )re in no state to ,e aro n$ the + per(isors an$ they)ll ,e here any min te65 % -as a,o t to come p -ith a snotty retort -hen sho tin" $istracte$ ,oth o! s6 8% -on)t45 a (ampire screame$, yan*in" his arm a-ay !rom one o! the " ar$s6 8Not here, not this4 'he trac*er is ,a$ eno "h, % -on)t ,e a rat in yo r la,45 % reali:e$ -ith a shoc* that it -as +te(e6 %t !elt li*e a li!etime since that ni"ht in the cemetery6 8%s there a pro,lem95 Ra= el as*e$, steppin" !or-ar$6 8%! yo )ll 2 st ,e patient, -e)ll "et e(eryone processe$ an$ settle$ in65 +te(e loo*e$ at her, a $esperate, manic "leam in his eyes6 8%)$ rather $ie,5 he -hispere$6 Be!ore anyone co l$ react, he leape$ !or-ar$, l n"in" !or Ra= el)s throat6 % screame$ as he ,it $o-n on her nec*6 No one else mo(e$6 8Do somethin"45 % sho te$, ! m,lin" !or my 'aser6 B t it -asn)t necessary6 He 2er*e$ a-ay !rom her nec*, a loo* o!3peace93on his !ace as his an*le trac*er -as acti(ate$6 'he "lamo r !a$e$ an$ in a matter o! secon$s he -as noth# in" , t a corpse cr m,lin" to the !loor, nnat ral li!e "one6 .e all stare$, shoc*e$, at $ea$ n$ea$ +te(e6 Ra= el p t her han$ o(er her nec* to stop the !lo- o! ,loo$6 +he loo*e$ pale an$ scare$6 8Ra= el45 % r she$ !or-ar$, p ttin" my han$s on her arms6 .hat i! he ha$ *ille$ her9 .hat i! those mean thin"s -ere the last -or$s % e(er sai$ to her9 8Are yo o*ay9 % tho "ht3% -as so scare$ that 35 Another li"ht !lashe$ an$ !i(e o! the + per(isors -al*e$ into the room6 Ra= el strai"htene$ an$ ,r she$ my han$s o!! her arms, her !ace an emotionless mas* as she t rne$ to the "ro p o! people6 % $roppe$ my han$s to my si$es, shattere$ ,y her re2ection6 +he -al*e$ !or-ar$ to "reet the + per(i# sors, lea(in" me s rro n$e$ ,y paranormals6 % " ess % *ne- my place6 Paranormalcy H%0%N1+ AND H%/H +CHOOL+ % -o*e p early the ne7t mornin", relie(e$ a!ter a $reamless sleep an$ , ::in" -ith e7citement to "o to a real, li(e hi"h school6 % too* a = ic* sho-er an$ "ot rea$y6 %t -as nice to ,e a,le to $o my hair an$ ma*e p3it ma$e thin"s !eel a little more normal6 % chose a shirt Len$ ha$ pic*e$ o t !or me ?pin* an$ spar*ly, ho- c te -as that9@ an$ -as rea$y to "o !orty#!i(e min tes ,e!ore -e nee$e$ to lea(e6 Len$ ha$n)t e(en -o*en p yet6 .ith nothin" else to $o, % -ent $o-nstairs to eat ,rea*# !ast6 Da(i$ -as sittin" at the ta,le -ith Arianna an$ the t-o -ere-ol(es6 8Oh, hey,5 % sai$, !eelin" li*e % ha$ intr $e$6 Da(i$ smile$ at me, an$ Arianna e(en "a(e me a no$6 +tacey an$ L *e ,arely loo*e$ at me6 % thin* % scare$ them6 A-esome6 8Cereal)s in the pantry3help yo rsel!,5 Da(i$ sai$6 % $i$, !in$in" a ,o-l an$ spoon an$ then sittin" at the co nter to eat6 % trie$ not to listen to their con(ersation, , t it -as a small *itchen6 8%! -e 2 st *ne- ho- it -as *illin" them65 8.ait, -hat95 % t rne$ aro n$ to !ace the "ro p6 8Are yo tal*in" a,o t the "irl that)s *illin" para# normals9 % sa- her65 8Yo $i$9 Ho- $oes she $o it95 'hey all loo*e$ at me, ea"er an$ intense6

8%t)s -eir$6 +he 2 st sort o! p ts her han$ on their chests an$ then they)re $ea$6 A!ter-ar$, there)s a han$print, all shimmery an$ "ol$en, , t it !a$es6 % $on)t thin* anyone else -o l$ ,e a,le to see it65 8Can yo sho- me e7actly -hat she $i$95 Da(i$ stoo$ p6 8Are yo s re she $i$n)t ha(e a -eapon o! some sort95 8Nope, nothin"65 Arianna steppe$ p6 8+ho- him on me65 %t -as more than a little a-*-ar$6 % -asn)t all that ea"er to p t my han$ on Arianna)s chest3% -o l$n)t ha(e ,een e(en i! she -eren)t n$ea$6 Not my thin"6 +till, Da(i$ -as -atchin" intently, so % shr ""e$6 8O*ay, she -al*e$ p an$ p t her han$ o t li*e this, an$ then35 'he secon$ -e to che$, Arianna)s eyes -ent -i$e an$ she starte$ con( lsin", lettin" o t a horri,le shrie*6 Da(i$ 2 mpe$ ,ac* an$ % screame$, yan*in" my han$ a-ay in terror6 .hat ha$ % $one9 % really -as li*e Vi(ian, a m r$erer6 % -atche$, st nne$, !or the "ol$en han$print to sho- p an$ Arianna to cr mple to the "ro n$6 An$ a part o! me, a small, terri,le part, -aite$ to *no- -hat it -o l$ !eel li*e6 Her con( lsions shi!te$ into "i""les6 8Oh, % "ot yo ,a$45 +he -as la "hin" so har$ no- she $o # ,le$ o(er6 % leane$ a"ainst the co nter an$ "aspe$ !or ,reath6 'ryin" not to cry, % sho(e$ her sho l$er, almost *noc*in" her o(er6 8Yo st pi$ ,rat4 % can)t ,elie(e yo $i$ that45 Da(i$ si"he$6 8'hat -as in (ery poor taste65 At the ta,le, +tacey ha$ her hea$ , rie$ in L *e)s chest6 +he -as ,a-lin", an$ L *e loo*e$ li*e he -ante$ to rip Arianna)s throat o t6 8Oh, li"hten p,5 she sai$, still la "hin"6 8'hat -as a-esome an$ yo *no- it6 Yo sho l$ ha(e seen the loo* on yo r !ace6 Yo really tho "ht yo -ere *illin" me65 8Yeah, -ell, no- % *in$ o! -ant to65 % "lare$ at her6 % co l$n)t "et that $ m, $ream o t o! my hea$6 % ha$ act ally tho "ht o! Fire /irl as Vi(ian a"ain6 8Hey, "oo$ mornin"65 Len$ -al*e$ into the *itchen, stoppin" as he too* in e(eryone)s !aces6 8.hat $i$ % miss95 8Arianna)s a !rea*in" come$ic "eni s,5 % m ttere$, sittin" ,ac* $o-n to !inish my cereal6 8E(ie -as sho-in" s ho- this thin" *ills, an$ Arianna $eci$e$ to ma*e it a little more $ramatic,5 Da(i$ a$$e$ $rily6 8+o "reat,5 Arianna sai$, !inally "ettin" her la "hter n$er control6 8.ere yo tal*in" a,o t the poem95 Len$ as*e$6 8.hat ha(e yo !i" re$ o t95 Da(i$ shoo* his hea$6 8No, yo )re o!!icially ,anne$ !rom listenin" to s6 Or thin*in" a,o t this6 Or e(en thin*in" a,o t thin*in" a,o t this, n$erstan$95 8B t %35 8No6 % mean it6 Yo an$ E(ie ,oth6 'his is not yo r pro,lem anymore65 Len$ sco-le$ as he "ot some cereal an$ sat ne7t to me6 Honestly, % ha$ ,een n$er so m ch pres# s re !or so lon" that it -as a relie! to t rn it o(er to the a$ lts6 % $i$n)t -ant to thin* a,o t !aeries or cra:y , rnin" "irls anymore6 %, !or one, -o l$ ,e !ollo-in" Da(i$)s r les6 %t -as a,o t time % "ot to ,e si7teen6 % p she$ the ima"e o! Lish)s li!eless ,o$y o t o! my min$ -ith a -a(e o! " ilt6 'his -asn)t my !i"ht6 %)$ $one my part alrea$y6

8Are yo rea$y95 Len$ as*e$6 8Oh yeah65 % -as so rea$y6 Distractions, please6 8Are there are a lot o! paranormals at the school, too9 Vamps95 Arianna snorte$6 8.hy on earth -o l$ a (ampire "o to hi"h school95 8.ell, then % $on)t ha(e to $eal -ith yo to$ay, so alrea$y hi"h school)s s per65 8Yo )$ ,etter "et "oin",5 Len$)s $a$ sai$, loo*in" at the cloc*6 % !ollo-e$ Len$ o t to the car, practically s*ippin"6 .e p lle$ p to a spra-lin" ,ric* , il$in" an$ par*e$ in a cro-$e$ lot6 % 2 mpe$ o t o! the car, -aitin" impatiently -hile Len$ "athere$ his ,ac*pac* an$ ,oo*s6 8.e)ll "o to the o!!ice !irst to chec* yo in65 .e entere$ thro "h "lass $o ,le $oors, an$ a co ple o! per*y o!!ice la$ies "reete$ s6 Len$ "a(e them a -innin" smile6 8%)(e "ot my a,sence e7c se slip an$ %)m chec*in" in my " est6 % thin* my $a$ calle$95 8Oh, yes,5 sai$ one o! the la$ies, a pl mp -oman -ith short, c rly re$ hair6 8Been sic*, s-eet# heart95 8Y p6 Pretty ,a$65 Len$ han$e$ her a paper an$ she loo*e$ o(er it, then entere$ somethin" into a comp ter6 +he han$e$ me a (isitor pass, -hich % rather rel ctantly clippe$ to the ,ottom o! my shirt6 Lame6 8O*ay, yo )re all set65 8'han*s65 % "ot , tter!lies in my stomach as -e t rne$ an$ -al*e$ thro "h the $oor into the main hall-ay6 %t -as ama:in"6 +erio sly, it -as incre$i,le6 'he school -as *in$ o! r n#$o-n an$ $in"y, , t the *i$s4 'eena"ers, e(ery-here4 Delicio sly or$inary, completely o,li(io s teena"ers4 % ha$ ne(er ,een aro n$ so many at one time6 Len$ an$ % c t into the tra!!ic !lo- an$ -al*e$ $o-n the hall, an$ % reali:e$ that none o! them notice$ s or care$6 'hey 2ostle$ each other, sho te$ hellos, ins lte$ each other in slan" %)$ ne(er hear$ , t (o-e$ to try o t6 An$ % -as there in the mi$$le o! it all6 % -as normal6 %t -as hea(en6 .e t rne$ $o-n a si$e hall an$ Len$ stoppe$, hol$in" his han$s p $ramatically6 8% "i(e yo 3my loc*er65 %t -as a sic*ly teal, paint chippin" o!! the corners to re(eal a pre(io s tan coat6 % reache$ o t an$ p t my han$ on the col$ metal6 8+o, is it e(erythin" yo ima"ine$95 he as*e$6 8E(erythin" % ima"ine$ an$ more,5 % -hispere$, then , ste$ p la "hin"6 8+erio sly, this -hole place3it)s incre$i,le4 % can)t ,elie(e yo "et to $o this e(ery $ay45 8F nny, ,eca se most people here, mysel! incl $e$, really -ish that -e $i$n)t ha(e to65 8'hat)s ,eca se yo ha(e no i$ea ho- precio s normal is6 No-65 % p t my han$s on my hips an$ loo*e$ aro n$6 8Accor$in" to Easton Hei"hts, a !ist!i"ht o(er a "irl sho l$ ,e ,rea*in" o t at some point to$ay, !ollo-e$ ,y a tear#strea*e$ cat!i"ht in the "irl)s ,athroom6 +ho l$ % *eep my eyes open9 An$, more important, $o % 2oin the !i"ht, or 2 st -atch95 Len$ la "he$6 8>mm, yeah, pro,a,ly not "oin" to happen6 .e)ll "o to my classes, eat l nch, "o to more class, an$ yo )ll reali:e that hi"h school is min$#n m,in"ly ,orin"65 8Not a chance,5 % sai$, "rinnin"6 8%t)s alrea$y a-esome65 At the en$ o! one o! my ,est $ays e(er, -e sat in the car -aitin" !or the line o t o! the par*in" lot to mo(e6 8+o, yo li*e the -hole hi"h school thin"95 Len$ as*e$6

8Let)s see65 % !ro-ne$ tho "ht! lly6 8History is ,orin"3alrea$y *ne- that6 +ome classes are a 2o*e 3nice s rprise6 E(en normal people are stran"e3!i" re$ that one o t alrea$y6 No (icio s creat res % nee$e$ to s ,$ e -ith a 'aser3al-ays a pl s6 Y p, hi"h school)s pretty cool in my ,oo*65 An$ it -as6 % e(en "ot to "o to art class6 'he teacher ma$e me mo$el in !ront o! the -hole class !or li!e $ra-in", -hich -as almost scarier than !acin" that room ! ll o! (amps6 At least % *ne- -hat the (amps -ere thin*in"6 .e p lle$ o t o! the par*in" lot an$ % sa- a si"n on the corner a$(isin" st $ents to , y their prom pac*a"es6 8Yo " ys ha(en)t ha$ yo r prom yet95 8Oh6 No, % " ess not65 Len$ !i$"ete$ in his seat an$ -as = iet6 Oh, crap3he pro,a,ly tho "ht % -as hintin" that % -ante$ him to as* me, an$ no- he !elt a-*-ar$ ,eca se he $i$n)t -ant to6 .e ma$e it hal!-ay home in per!ect silence, o r a-esome $ay r ine$6 Brilliant mo(e, E(ie6 8+o,5 he sai$, !inally spea*in" p6 8Do yo 3% mean, it)s *in$ o! lame, , t $o yo -ant to "o to the prom9 .ith me95 8+erio sly95 He shr ""e$, not ta*in" his eyes o!! the roa$6 8Yo $on)t ha(e to, % 2 st tho "ht may,e yo )$35 8Yes4 %)$ lo(e to4 A,sol tely4 % mean, it)$ ,e *in$ o! ! n, ri"ht95 % co l$ ha(e melte$ ice, my smile -as so ,ri"ht6 Len$)s !ace ,ro*e into a smile, too, -hich ma$e me reali:e ho- ner(o s he ha$ loo*e$ ,e!ore6 No -on$er he)$ ,een so = iet4 8Cool6 %t)ll ,e ! n65 'he a!ternoon passe$ = ic*ly6 E(ery time % tho "ht a,o t the prom, a sort o! "i$$y sense o! nreal# ity $escen$e$ on me6 + rely this co l$n)t ,e my li!e6 %t -as too ama:in"6 % -as "oin" to the prom3 my prom3-ith Len$6