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He didn’t deny my accusation. “I don’t know what it is you are, but it’s something far from normal.”
This wasn’t an eye-opening experience and had definitely not been something I hadn’t thought over. “I could have told you that much.”
He shrugged. “I guess all I’m saying is all these little hesitations in yourself, the self-doubt and confusion, it’s all without merit. When this is over and I’m gone, just remember what I said. Do you promise me you won’t forget?”
“Why do you have to say sweet things like that?” My chin trembled and my eyes watered. The words he said, the tenderness in his tone—it made my heart go pitter-patter. “Why do you have to be so damn perfect?”
He grinned haughtily. “Because I am perfect.”
“Don’t push it.” I brushed a tear away.
His arrogant grin remained. “Just remember to use these gifts to help others, don’t make it as difficult as you did for me.”
“O-oh,” I sputtered as a revelation formed. “You think I met you to learn how to help people, don’t you?”
He inclined his head. “I’d suspect that’s what you’re getting from this, yes.”
It actually made sense. Just by meeting him, my life had changed dramatically in ways that could never be undone. I used my ability for good and my heart had opened up to ghosts more than it ever had. If I hadn’t felt the initial feelings for Kipp like I had, I never would have willingly helped him and for as long as I had. So there was the answer I wondered all along—meeting had been for both of us.
“That’s why it’s impossible to regret all of this,” Kipp continued. “Too much good came out of our meeting.”
I blinked away the remaining tears. “Are you one of those annoying people who are always right?”
“Yes.” He stood and waved for me to join him. “Come on, let’s get back to the others. I’d imagine they’ve probably dug deep enough. Any more time here and you’re likely to make me cry.” He smirked. “And I never do that.”
I pushed off the tree trunk. “Too manly to shed a few tears?”
“Yes.”
We headed away from the creek back to the clearing. I stayed lost in my thoughts, as did Kipp. But just as we reached the entrance to the clearing, a thought surfaced. “Am I going to barf when I see this?”
“I’d imagine it will just be bones now.”
The best news I’d heard since day one of the adventure. “Well, hallelujah for that.”
Kipp snickered. “I find it amusing real life scares you but ghosts don’t.”
“Real life is far more disturbing, let me tell you.” I kept my gaze focused on my feet so I didn’t stumble. “Ghosts can’t hurt you—people can be cruel and dead people are just gross.”
“Well, the thing about real thingsif you don’t like them, close your eyes.”
As I stepped into the clearing, I wanted to do exactly that. A pile of dirt sat just left of a four-foot hole. “I’m guessing that’s not a dinosaur?”
Zach glanced up as he knelt beside the hole and dirt smudged across his cheek. “I suspect we’ve found Hannah’s remains.” He reached in with a stick and lifted out what looked like a rag, but the teal color was still visible. “I believe this is her shirt.”
“Where’s Brody?” Kipp asked.
I used my flashlight to look around, but didn’t see him or Duke. “What happened to Brody?”
Eddie stood and wiped his dirty hands onto his pants. “He took Duke back to the car and is notifying Max of our location.” He swiped his hands together to remove the excess dirt and it dusted off into the air. “He’ll be back in a few—”
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A cold breeze swept across me and drew my focus away from Eddie as I found Hannah next to me. “Hannah.”
“Yes, we already told you we suspect it’s Hannah.” Eddie made a face. “Who else would it be?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, idiot. Hannah’s here with us.” I pointed to where she stood. “She’s right there.” Eddie and Zach both exchanged a baffled look and glanced to where I pointed. But where they didn’t see Hannah, I did. “I thought you didn’t want to be here?” I asked her. “Why have you come?”
