Page 83 of Hidden

Ghost.

Tell me.

I send him a long message explaining what’s going on, he already knows about my brother, and I bet he knows a lot more but he’s just not saying anything, and right now I don’t care, because I need to talk to someone.

Ghost.

You carry too much.

Sadie.

Someone has to.

Ghost.

Not always you.

I look at that for a long time.

Sadie

You don't know that.

Ghost

I know you. More than you're comfortable with.

That should put me on edge, and those words should scare me, but now I don’t care how he talks to me. Because he cares.

Sadie.

I missed you. These two days. I missed this.

The three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again, longer this time.

Ghost.

I know. I missed you too.

The dorm room is dark and quiet, my eyes are still raw from crying and I'm sitting here having a conversation with someone whose face I don't know. I already feel steadier than I have all evening.

Ghost.

I should let you sleep.

Sadie.

I don't want to sleep yet.

Ghost.

What do you want?

I look at the question. At the empty counter where the flowers used to be. At the bracelet on my wrist. What do I want?

I think about his question, and my own. And before I can stop myself, I send the message.

Sadie.