"I closed my eyes tight, trapping in all the tears and I tightened my fist to release my anger. All I could hear was my heart beating faster and faster. All I could feel was the wind brushing against my hair. If I was truly destined for greatness, like Matty said, then why had my life led me to this moment so soon, the moment of my death. I took a deep breath in, and I jumped. It wasn't a scary fall, but it felt as if I was floating. For once in my life, I was at peace. I wished that this would go on forever, but it couldn't. So instead, I counted to ten in my head, knowing that ten would be my last thought in this world. As I counted, my entire life flashed before my eyes. My family and friends, I was to miss them all. Mom, Alex, Dad...Matty. Oh how I was going to miss him. His eyes, his hair, his hands, his touch, his laugh. My thoughts went on and on about Matty, but by the time I reached ten, everything went black."
Leah Andrews
1997-2015
The dead typically want one of two things.
Ghosts crave conversation. Spirits seek pain.
My name is Bria, and I've been able to interact with the dead for as long as I can remember.
Communicating with the deceased might sound like a cool gift, but let me assure you, it's not. Ghosts don't shut up, and not all specters are friendly. In fact, most of them are dangerous.
Pretending the paranormal doesn't exist is far easier than talking to the shadows, so I've been avoiding the dead for years. Past experiences have led me to avoid the living too. And for a long time, I've successfully kept my distance.
Until a single ghost encounter in the library ruins everything.
Now a couple of my classmates know my secret. But as it turns out, they have a deadly secret of their own.
Time to talk to the shadows again.
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This story contains profanity and violence.
[ONC 2021 Shortlister]