Letters With a Ghost

Chapter Fifteen

She changed quickly then climbed out of her window, carefully inching across the slick roof of her back patio to the other end, where she hung on to the gutter and kicked her feet over the edge, catching onto the ledge of the patio gate, and safely jumping down.

She picked up her backpack and swung it over her shoulder. "Ready?" she asked.

Jonathan looked up at the roof, where she had just come from. "How did you do that so easily?"

Camryn shrugged. "I used to climb out the window all the time late at night to go see Ayden. I guess I just got used to it after a while. Now let's get going before my mom wakes up and puts a knife to my throat."

They began the long trek to school. Camryn listened carefully as Jonathan shared stories about how Ayden would act as a kid.

"I remember one time we were at the park and Ayden saw a homeless man sitting on one of the benches," Jonathan said. "His mom had packed him a lunch with a juice box and a sandwich, and when he saw the homeless man, he gave him his lunch bag and a quarter that he had in his pocket. We couldn't have been older than five."

Camryn smiled. That was part of what she loved about Ayden; his heart was bigger than his ego, and he cared about everyone, no matter what they did to him. Camryn recalled one instance where she was bashing on someone who had teased Ayden about how bad he was at football, and Ayden had put a hand on her shoulder, telling her to stop.

"I know you're mad, but that doesn't give you the right to say bad things about him," he had said. "You're better than that, Cammy."

You're better than that.

They reached school an hour later. Jonathan handed the secretary a forged late pass, claiming that he and Camryn were related and needed to help their housebound aunt with a few chores before school.

The secretary studied them closely. "This doesn't look like a legitimate late pass to me." Her voice was harsh and unforgiving.

Jonathan straightened up and met her hard gaze. "There is a number on the bottom," he said. "If you don't believe us ma'am, then I suggest you dial that number."

The secretary scowled and picked up the phone.

Camryn shot a worried glance at Jonathan, who only winked at her.

"Hello, Mrs. Dochrin? Yes I have a few students here who claimed they were helping you with chores this morning: Jonathan Jaxon and Camryn Parker." The secretary paused, her scowl deepening. "Yes, of course. Thank you. Bye now." She slammed the phone down and glared at the two. "Go," she said harshly.

The scurried into the hall. As soon as they were out of earshot, Camryn turned to Jonathan. "Who did she call?" she asked, unable to hide the surprise in her tone.

"My aunt," Jonathan laughed, looking back. "Danielle sent me to look for you this morning, and I figured we would be late, so I called my aunt and told her that if she got a phone call from the school to just play along with whatever she said. Of course, she agreed. My aunt is cool like that."

Camryn smiled. "Well way to go!"

"Thanks." Jonathan glanced at the clock. "You should get to class. Meet Danielle and I outside of the office at lunch so we can sign up."

Camryn nodded. "Will do. See ya later." She turned and headed to class.

When the lunch bell rang, Camryn headed to the office. Danielle and Jonathan were already waiting. As soon as she approached, Danielle embraced her. "Jonathan told me what happened," she explained. "Are you okay?"

"I will be," Camryn promised. "I'm sorry for worrying you." Hoping to change the subject, she looked into the office, scanning the counter for a sign up sheet. She spotted a green sign addressing the activities fair, and pointed to it. "There," she said.

Everyone looked as a group of students entered the office and walked over to the sheet. When they walked out, they were babbling about how certain they were that a robotics club would be a huge hit.

"I would rather not go in there because I really don't want Mr. Waters to see me," Camryn said.

"No problem," Danielle said. She walked in and signed up.

"Well that was easy," Jonathan murmured.

Camryn smiled, despite the sinking feeling in her stomach. Now that she had the first obstacle dealt with, she had no choice but to face the second one.

Dear Ayden,

My whole body hurts.

My mom was waiting for me as soon as I walked through the door. Now I have too many bruises to count. My legs, my arms, even my face are covered in purple marks.

Casey watched the whole thing. She was screaming at my mom to stop.

My mom told her to shut up or she would be next.

She threatened her four year old daughter. She can hurt me, but she has no right to hurt my sister.

There's nothing I can do about it though. I'm locked in my room. If I come out, it's sure to happen again.

I wish I could come to you, Ayden. You would kiss every bruise and tell me that I would be okay.

That's all I need to hear. But I need to hear it in your voice.

All I want is to hear your voice again. I want to hear your heartbeat again.

I'll try to be strong, I'll try to stay alive. I'll try to carry on the memories that you left with me.

It's just difficult. I always had it in my mind that I would marry you one day. That I would spend every day with you, wake up to you every morning.

Now I will never have that.

Can you at least try to understand why I'm bitter about that? Even a little?

Oh well. There's nothing else I can do about it. It hurts, but pain won't bring you back. I know that more now than I ever have.

If pain could bring you back...

...I would have a million of you here right now.

--Camryn