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If you can do those things, then you’re a skinjacker. Congratulations! You have one of the most awesome powers in the world, because you can possess anyone you want. But be careful to use your power wisely. I’m a skinjacker, so I know how tempting it is to abuse that power. It’s important to remember not to stay too long in any one body, or you can get stuck there!
Why can I skinjack?
Because you’re not 100 percent dead. Your body is in a coma somewhere.
I can’t skinjack, but I do find myself changing in weird ways. Why?
We are what we remember. If we remember we had big ears, our ears slowly get bigger. If we remember we have freckles, suddenly we’re all freckles everywhere. I had a friend who died with a smudge of chocolate on his face. You don’t want to know what happened to him. . . .
Why do I find myself doing the same things over and over again every day?
You know how ghost sightings always seem to have the ghosts doing the same things every day? Well, we’re the ghosts now. Try to break the pattern if you can, otherwise you can find years have passed without you even noticing. It’s easier to break the pattern if you’re around skinjackers.
I can’t remember my name, and it’s freaking me out!
Unless you’re a skinjacker, you’ll tend to forget things. Maybe even everything about your life. That’s why most Afterlights have nicknames—it’s because they can’t remember their real names. Skinjackers might take nicknames too, but for entirely different reasons.
I’ve been hearing a lot about Mary Hightower, and how she can help me. Should I look for her?
Absolutely not! No matter what anyone says, Mary Hightower is NOT your friend—and if you find one of her books, remember you can only believe half of what you read . . . the hard part is figuring out which half.
I just fell off a cliff, and I didn’t even get hurt. How is that possible?
As far as I know, we can’t feel physical pain in Everlost. Wounds heal instantly, broken bones unbreak—because they’re not really bones at all, just the memory of bones.
I really hate this stupid shirt I’m wearing, but it won’t come off. What’s the deal?
Whatever you died in, you’re stuck wearing it. It’s a part of you now, just as permanent as your skin. You can cover it with something else, if you manage to find some clothes that have crossed, but you can’t take off what you died in. Just be happy you didn’t die wearing that tree costume from your third-grade play, or a Mexican wrestling mask.
Aren’t there any adults in Everlost?
No. There are lots of theories as to why. Some people say that they cross with so much baggage, they all sink to the center of the earth, but I don’t believe that. I think the older you get, the harder it is to break out of the tunnel. For grown-ups, that tunnel to the light is so thick, there’s no way they’re falling out of it. They get where they’re going whether they want to or not.
Did I just see a giant silver blimp in the sky?
It wasn’t a blimp, it was a zeppelin—a rigid airship. More specifically it was the Hindenburg, which blew up in 1937. It’s been here in Everlost ever since.
What’s a vapor?
It’s what you call a group of Afterlights. You know; a pod of whales, a pride of lions, a vapor of Afterlights. Mary made that up. She makes up lots of things.
Actually, I’m pretty cool with all of this. In fact, I feel more content than I ever have before.
Then you’re ready to move on. I wish you a safe journey into the light!
I have so many more questions, can’t you tell me more?
I’m sorry, but there are some things you’re going to have to learn for yourself. Good luck!
Allie the Outcast
PART ONE
Confernal Jamnation
CHAPTER 1
Jix
