Air cheats my lungs, but somehow I feel a gasp approaching up my air ways. I feel frozen in a state of pushing and pulling oxygen, but being able to do neither. The ghost of a tall English man howls in the corner, breaking my paralysis. I swing back to face into the room.
Nolan's eyes ask the question in place of his voice. I respond to the unasked by mouthing "my mom". He nods, but another quizzical look takes his features. I can be sure that his thoughts are a mirror of mine.
"See you next year, Jody."
"You too." More footfalls and the slamming of a door follow their conversation.
Risking movement, I look back at Nolan. He meets my eyes, and then tilts his head away from the direction of the stairs. Creeping like thieves in the night, we move amongst the forgotten furniture deeper into the house. Under the front of the home is a slightly ajar window. I gingerly slide the pane open further. Nolan floats through the window impatiently. I push the window further, faster, but it makes a grinding creek. There is a tornado of movement upstairs. I throw the window open and vault through it. Nolan's father reaches the bottom of the stairs, but we are already racing down the street.
Turning onto an adjacent road, our feet slow. There is only silence that follows us down the street. I have too many thoughts floating around in my mind, but I can't articulate any of them. Neither, it appears, can Nolan.
My mind is a puzzle. Each thought is a piece, and while I know that their edges should line up, they don't. Each fragment is a space unto itself.
We come across another intersection, controlled by lights. Stopped by an orange hand, I am given time to let my gaze wonder. Doing so, I notice a group of flowers, pictures and other types of mementos. It is obviously a memorial. I am so enthralled by the collection, that when the light goes green, I cross over to it.
"What is it?" my companion asks, but I remain speechless.
Analyzing the assortment, I am pulled to a sign someone has taped onto the light pole. "Drunk Driving Kills" it announces. I stand up, seeing something else. A newspaper's headline of "Ten Years" brings to mind my mother's words. I pull one out of the box, scanning the article.
What is it? What does it say? Adalia, why won't you answer me? I avoid the questions Nolan flings my way, focusing on the words. This is a part of this puzzle, I can just tell.
"It is ten years ago to the day that a fatal impaired driving accident killed one at the corner of 18th and 73rd." I check the street signs above me: 18th and 73rd. "The deceased has been named as a Robert K. The names of the others involved in the accident can not be released because they were under aged at the time. We have learned that they were two brothers, the older driving. Neither of those in the car sustained life threatening injuries. The family of the deceased was unavailable for comment." reads the newspaper.
"What does it say?" Nolan cries in exasperation.
"There was a drunk driving accident here that killed someone named Robert K. That was ten years ago, it says." I finally answer.
"That's it?" Nolan asks, unimpressed.
"I guess so, but my mother said something about ten years." The last words are almost a whisper. Saying it aloud makes it seems unimportant.
I tuck the paper under my arm as we continue one. It may not seem like much, but there is something within the black and white. I have a hunch, and one I am not likely to give up on anytime soon. There is no shaking the feeling that this is another piece in the puzzle.
Not ready to go home and face my mother, we journey to a fast food establishment. I gather enough pocket change for a burger, and sit down in a booth to read more of the article. Nolan wanders away to entertain himself by messing with people's orders.
YOU ARE READING
The Hades Test
Paranormal"My name is Adalia Kritant, and I can see, feel and communicate with ghosts." Adalia has lived her life with a curse: the ability to see and hear the dead. It has caused her to miss out on the joys of life. Friendship, happiness and love have elude...
