It was similar to my dream, but more, and not entirely frommyperspective. The differences make me question if Corinne unlocked some part of my memory by touching me. How was I able to see the scene from multiple viewpoints? Have I seen red in every dream? Yes. A red streak? No. I had always assumed the red was blood, but from this vision, I question whether it was a red vehicle all along. The way it zoomed past gave the impression that it was an object.
Then I remember Garrett hovering over me, and I know it can’t be a memory. He died on impact, according to the coroner.
“What was...” Corinne’s words trail off, and I widen my eyes in anout with itexpression. But she doesn’t continue her train of thought. Instead, she shakes her shoulders, takes a deep breath, and stands. “Does anyone need gin? I need gin,” she mutters, walking to the shelf and pulling down a decanter. She pops the top and takes a deep pull.
“What is going on?” Nina asks, looking between Corinne and me.
“Why is she chugging gin like it’s juice?” Lanie asks, scrunching her nose in bewilderment. “Are we missing something?” She motions between her and Nina.
I can’t form the words to answer their questions, and Corinne doesn’t seem in a hurry to come to my aid. She takes one longer gulp, not even making a face at the burn I know she must be feeling.
Corinne blows out a harsh breath and places the gin back onthe shelf before taking a seat. “Shall we try again?” she asks, ignoring my friends and avoiding my gaze altogether.
She wiggles her fingers atop the table, signaling me to place my hand in hers once again. Finally, I find the will to speak.
“No, we are not going to try again.” I’m on my feet, staring down at everyone. “Am I the only one who felt that? I can’t be. It was so strong. So freaking eerie.”
“Ally—” Nina tries, but I shake my head.
“You felt it. I know you did.”
My eyes bounce from one woman to the next, none of them saying a word. They each wear various expressions. Nina appears sad, likely thinking this has broken me completely. Lanie looks confused, which isn’t surprising. Corinne seems bored, and that pisses me off, because I know from her reaction that she felt what I did.
Nobody in their right mind chugs gin for the hell of it.
“Tell them,” I bite through my teeth, hoping she realizes I might strangle her if she doesn’t.
“Sit down, please.” She points toward my seat, meeting my glare with one of her own. “I know you want answers, but that’s not how it works,” Corinne snips. “You won’t get answers throwing a temper tantrum.”
I don’t have a chance to react to Corinne’s crankiness because Lanie raises her hand as though we’re in school again. “Isn’t that the entire freaking reason we’re here? For answers from the otherworld?”
I’ve never wanted to kiss my friend more. “Thank you,” I say, a little haughtier than I intended.
Corinne smacks her lips together, really honing that mask of boredom, and turns to Lanie. “Yes, and in order to see exactly what happened, which I don’t know at this point, it’s best we try again. Okay?” She directs the last part to me.
I contemplate what she’s saying. Do I want answers at this point? Am I willing to experience whatever the heck just happened again?
The answer is yes. No matter what, I’m not leaving here until I understand what exactly happened moments ago.
Begrudgingly, I sit and nod, lowering my eyes to the red tablecloth. “Fine, but if I feel that again, I’m out.”
“Can someone explain what the hell you all felt?” Nina’s voice pitches, signaling she’s scared.
Not a surprise. Nina is the resident scaredy-cat. Always has been. She doesn’t watch horror movies, doesn’t particularly love Halloween, and ultimately isn’t for anything that sneaks up on her.
“It was me,” Lanie admits. “My phone buzzed and...”
My head drops back and I groan, growing agitated by the constant interruptions. “It was not aphonevibration, idiot.”
“Alyssa,” Nina chastises, while Lanie looks on in shock.
I’m lashing out because I’m off kilter and it isn’t fair to Lanie. I mouth the wordsorryand she nods her acknowledgment.
Corinne claps her hands together, garnering our attention. “All right, calm down. Let’s all take hands so that we can allhopefullyget answers.”
Lanie doesn’t waste time, grabbing my and Nina’s hands in hers. Nina is more hesitant, looking at me for verification that we’re really going to do this again. She mouths,Are you sure?
I shrug both shoulders in awhat the hell, why notgesture and tentatively join hands with Lanie and Corinne.
