"Only Rumors"?

Chapter 16-Roasting S'mores

After Ethan’s initial meltdown, we had all just kind of sat there, lost. The man from before, his name escapes me, came up and apologized that he hadn’t believed me. Of course I waved it off, smiling. I knew our story sounded preposterous.

Now we were kind of milling around, talking each other. Taking the opportunity, I had dried myself and brushed my hair. Several people had looked at me in disgust, as if it was ridiculous that I was using what the demon set out for us. I glared at them, of course. What was ridiculous was that they thought it was wrong to use them. What’s the worst that could happen? They were coated with poison? I’d be happy to die. The whole rebellious thing was kind of stupid. We weren’t in control. The demon was. What were they trying to prove by smelling nasty and having tangled hair?

Looking at James, I was awfully confused. I had the strangest hallucination right before I had lost unconsciousness. Something so crazy it couldn’t have been real; right? I have actually imagined him kissing me! And it was...good? In all honesty, though, James was actually extremely attractive. Maybe even male model material. But I had fallen in love with Carter’s sweet personality, and that’s all that mattered.

Seeing the look he was giving me, I was tempted to think it wasn’t a dream.

But that was crazy, right?

I sat down next to Carter, feeling the need for sleep. It had been exhausting, even though I had only been awake a few hours. Why was I always so tired? I laid my head on his shoulder, and closed my eyes.

Of course I wouldn’t get to sleep like a normal person.

“Why hello there again! Fancy seeing you here,” my ghost said, winking at me. We were now on the top of a hill, trees surrounding the small campfire he had set up. He was in a lounge chair, sunglasses on and everything. Did I forget to mention he was also roasting s’mores?

“Very funny, but honestly? Not the best time for jokes,” I said, rolling my eyes as I grabbed a stick and a marshmallow. I placed it over the fire.

“Sorry. I understand, just trying to lighten up the mood. Hope you like where I picked. This is, of course, all just a mirage. We’re actually in the same room we were in before. Can’t exactly leave the place, you see. I wanted you to be slightly more comfortable, so I managed to change the appearance. Of course, you can still smell how foul it is,” He said, and I raised my eyebrow. I hesitantly reached towards the fire, wondering if that was real too, before hissing and squealing as I pulled my burnt finger back.

He snorted. “The fire’s real, of course.” He said. I rolled my eyes.

“Thanks for telling me,” I muttered, but soon found that my skin had healed and it no longer hurt.

“Of course, pain doesn’t exactly work the same while you’re dreaming.” He said, shrugging. He bit into the graham cracker and grinned a marshmallowey smile. “But of course, the food still tastes amazing.”

I took my marshmallow off, satisfied with the golden color. I eagerly made the s’more, and shoved it in my mouth. I groaned in delight. “Sooo good,” I mumbled. I hadn’t had any of these for a long time.

We sat in silence for a while as we both set to making another s’more. I took the time to survey my surroundings and realized that there was no way to tell that we were in the same room. I breathed through my mouth, hoping to just forget all of it for a bit as I stared out past the trees to the beautiful sunset.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” He mumbled, and I nodded. He saw the look on my face and smiled.

“It’s weird. I never realized how much I missed being outside until now.” I said, staring in awe at the pretty sight. Then I sighed. “Thanks a lot,” I said sarcastically. He raised a brow, urging me to explain. “Now I’ll feel even more claustrophobic in the train,” I muttered. He laughed, but I could hear a trace of sadness.