by Amy Richie
I was never going to get the hang of this thing.
I peered around the room, wondering what had woken me up. Everything seemed normal and quiet, the rest of my family must have been sleeping. Everyone except me.
A knock thudded loudly from down the stairs. I squinted through the darkness at the small alarm clock by my bed. Who could that be?
I rolled off the side of the bed until my feet touched the floor. This was the same floor that I had walked across my entire life. There is no need to be nervous.
So why was my heart fluttering so wildly?
Unable to open the door, I passed through the thick wood with a shudder. That was still one of the weirdest things ever. Mom and dad were already in the hallway when I got there.
"Who is that?" mom hissed, pushing dad towards the door.
"How am I supposed to know?" he whispered back hoarsely.
"Go and answer it."
"I am."
Two policemen stood outside the door, their faces somber. "Mr. And Mrs. Lewis?"
"That's us," mom answered quickly, moving in front of my dad. "Has something happened?"
"Can we come in to talk?" The shorter of the two officers seemed to be the one delegated to speak for both of them. He glanced up and down the empty street. "It will be more private."
"Come in," dad ordered in clipped tones.
They both stepped aside to let the two officers in while my heart danced its way into my throat. I already knew what they were here for. They had found my body behind the dumpster.
I stood there in the hallway, just behind my mom. The police officers glanced all around the room, their gazes avoiding my parents.
"Just hurry up and tell them," I silently pleaded.
"We found a body," he finally said.
"A what?" mom's lip quivered.
"It was found on Winston Road," the cop continued in that same sad voice. "The body was a young girl."
"That's terrible," mom readily agreed, "but why are you telling us?"
"The body was recognized as Avery Lewis."
And there it was.
Mom covered her mouth with one hand. "I'm sure it can't be Avery," she half sobbed. The words didn't even sound like her. "She went to a party. She's... she'll be home... she'll be home soon."
The cops stared at her sympathetically. "We'll need you to come down to the station to identify... to identify the body."
"Body?" her voice had become strangled.
"Mom." I couldn't touch her or tell her I was right there. I couldn't do anything but watch.
It was the worst thing I had ever felt. Worse than watching Tyler kiss Cassie Andrews, worse than listening to my best friends talk smack about me, worse than having the same birthday as Clark Daniels. It was even worse than the time my monthly started in the middle of Mr. Jefferson's math class.
I was completely helpless.
MY HEAD RESTED AGAINST the wall outside of my parent's bedroom door. I had sat on the floor there in the hallway after Mom disappeared inside. I wasn't sure how long she had been in there, but I could still hear her sobs.
Dad went along with the police to identify the body without her. She just kept repeating " it's not Avery" until they all left.
I had never felt so useless before. I was a girl who got things done - things didn't just happen to me. I didn't let them. You didn't get to be the most popular girl in Clearview Academy by letting people or things bulldoze over you.
This was new. And I didn't like it.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Across from me, Lindsey sat in a similar position. Her eyes were opened wide. She hadn't said anything while the police were there, not one word.
She followed mom up the steps, then sank down onto the floor like a puppy who had been told no. It was strange for me to see my sister like that. She was a year older than me and liked to remind me that she was the better version.
Behind the bedroom door came the muffled cries of our mother. Neither of us moved. Even if I had been alive, I would have sat like Lindsay - not knowing what to do or say.
Mom was the strong one of our family. If anyone was going to burst into tears, it would probably be dad. I had never seen Lindsay or mom cry.
Well... there was that one time.
Not now though.
Who did this? Somewhere between leaving that party and coming home - something terrible had happened to me. Clearly, no one had seen it happen. If they did, they would have tried to help me. Right?
I swallowed hard. The truth was, I couldn't be sure of anything anymore. For all I knew, it was one of my friends that did this to me.
No, don't start thinking crazy thoughts.
Clark was the only person who could help me, I realized forlornly. He was the only one who could see me. If I wanted to figure out what happened to me, I had no choice but to stick with him.
My eyes slid closed. I really wished I was with Clark right then. Anywhere would be better than sitting in the hall with Lindsay while mom cried behind her closed bedroom door.
When I opened my eyes again, I was in his room. My eyebrows lowered on my forehead. Is that how ghosts traveled? I just had to wish I was somewhere, and then I would magically be there?
Outside his tiny square window, the sky was growing light. It would be morning soon. I perched on the corner of Clark's bed and watched him sleep, like a creeper.
Clark's mouth was opened slightly, but he wasn't snoring. Honestly, he wasn't bad looking when he was asleep. His hair curled along his neck, making my fingers long to brush it back. A bare chest peeked out of the blanket that he had pulled across his body. I never realized how muscular he was. Would his skin feel hard to my touch?
I shook my head quickly. Oh my word.
"Clark," I whispered.
Nothing.
"Clark," I called a little louder.
Still nothing.
"Hey," I poked his side with one finger. "Wake up, it's me - Avery."
His eyes popped open. "Who's there?" he called wildly.
My face flushed hot. "Avery," I told him again. "Avery Lewis."
"What are you doing in my room?" he sat up and let the blanket fall away from him completely.
Oh my word.
"The police came to my house tonight," I blurted out, trying to avoid eye contact with that chest of his.
"And?" he growled groggily.
"Clark."
"You woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me that the police came to your house?"
"Yeah.” So maybe he wasn't a morning person, but didn't he understand what this meant?
"Ugh." Clark rubbed roughly at his eyes. "Just let me sleep for a few more hours," he whined. "I didn't get to bed till late last night."
"You know what this means?"
"That I'm tired?"
"I mean the police," I snapped irritably. "They found my body."
"I figured."
"Well?"
His expression darkened. "What?"
"Now we can start investigating for real."
Clark glared at me, then swung the blankets from his legs. He was only wearing a pair of boxer briefs that didn't hide anything.
I quickly averted my gaze. "I can let you get dressed first," I offered nervously. “Want me to wait in the living room?"
"Doesn't matter to me," he shrugged, still annoyed by my early morning visit. When he hooked his thumb into the waistband of his boxers, I fled to the safety of the living room.
Perching on the edge of a soft couch, I pressed my hands between my legs. No matter how many times I told myself not to think of Clark's bare chest, I couldn't stop.
My face felt hot. I repeatedly thanked whatever powers that were, that my friends couldn't see me now. "This isn't real life," I whispered over and over again. "We have to solve a murder. I'm in an episode of Scooby-Doo, that's all."
"What are you doing?" Clark barked out, walking straight past me and into the kitchen. He pulled the c
ereal from the top of the fridge and poured himself a bowl.
He chewed slowly, carefully avoiding my eyes. "I was waiting for you," I told him, taking the seat opposite. "Hurry up and eat so we can get going."
"I'm not going to help you," he announced. "I've decided."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means just what it sounds like." He dropped his spoon into his bowl. "I'm not part of your Scooby gang."
How did he know I was just thinking that? "I know that," I declared uncomfortably.
"Go find someone else."
"Clark, who else am I supposed to go to?" Didn't he understand? It's not like I wanted to come here and beg for his help. This wasn't my world; Grady park with Clark Daniels. I had no choice. "You should have heard my mom," I said quietly. "I have to find out who did this to me before the Reaper comes back. It might be my only chance."
"I have other shit to do." He stormed out of the trailer, banging the door behind him. He didn't even put his dirty bowl in the sink.
Was I that repulsive to him? I mean, we did play some dirty tricks on Clark - but this was serious.
If I was going to get the Reaper to let me live again, I needed to know the facts. She didn't know what happened to me, she didn't know if it was my time. I had to prove to her that it wasn't.
Did he really think I was going to give up that easily?
With a small grunt of annoyance, I pushed myself up from the table and followed Clark outside. He was already leaning under the car hood.
"Hey," I called loudly. "We're not done talking."
"Sorry Princess," he rolled his eyes. "My world can't revolve around you."
"I don't even want it to," I snarled.
"I just... I just don't want to be involved with you or anything involving you."
"Why not?"
"Because you're dead."
"I know." That was kind of the point. "That's the only reason I'm even here."
"We don't know what happened to you."
"Again with the obvious."
"You might have been murdered."
"Exactly." Why was he just saying things that we already knew?
"You need to leave," he suddenly snapped. "You can't force me to help you."
"Actually," I held up one finger, "I sort of can." The Reaper said I didn't need my Vessel's permission. I could just go into his body and... do whatever. "But I don't want to," I said out loud. "Why won't you help me?"
"Because I don't want to."
Anger bubbled inside me. How dare he take me to that creek and be all sweet one day and the next day want nothing to do with me? How typical.
"I had heart palps," I shot out.
"What?"
"You don't get to just push me away now." I wagged one finger at him angrily. “I know you were going to kiss me at that creek yesterday."
"No I wasn't," his eyes went wide.
Rolling my eyes dramatically, I laughed without humor. "Oh yes you were."
"You are so full of yourself."
My top lip snarled up. "You are such an idiot, Clark Daniels."
"Hey," a soft voice called from the driveway, "are you all right?"
A young girl stood next to an older white car. The car wasn't as beaten up as Clark's, but it was still a hunk of junk to me.
The girl was tall and thin with long dark hair that flowed straight past her shoulder blades. She didn't smile, she just watched Clark expectantly - curious.
"Who is this?" I demanded, still mad at Clark. "Is this Cindy? Is she the reason you don't want to help me now?"
"She's not Cindy," he hissed in a low rasp, "but she is the reason I don't want to help you."
"Who is she?"
Despite Clark's glare, the girl walked over to join us. "My name is Laney," she said shyly.
"Why is she telling you her name?" My forehead creased angrily. "Don't you know who she is?"
"I was talking to you," Laney said quietly, looking directly at me.
My jaw fell open. "You can see me?"
She looked taken aback. "Of course I can see you." She didn't smile. "Why wouldn't I be able to?"
"Not everyone can," I breathed, shock taking my voice. "Who are you? Do you know Clark?"
"Clark is my brother," Laney admitted. "We're actually twins."
"Twins?"
"Yep," she nodded.
"That means you have the same birthday.”
"Yeah," her eyebrows scrunched together. Obviously, she thought I was crazy.
"But... Clark never said he had a sister."
"You never asked," Clark grumbled.
"I've never seen you at school."
"I've been living with my grandma for a while now. We live in Florida, so I don't go to school here."
"You don't have to explain anything to her," Clark tried to wave me off but I wouldn't be budged.
"It's okay, I don't mind," Laney smiled.
Clark's twin wasn't what I would call pretty but she had potential. Now that I looked at her, it was clear that they were siblings. But Laney obviously took more showers. She probably even brushed her hair. A little bit of makeup and a straightener...
"Wait a minute," I held my hand in the air. "Laney can be my Vessel!"
"No," Clark exploded. "Don't you go anywhere near my sister."
"You don't get to make that decision," I scowled.
"What's a Vessel?" Laney asked.
"Nothing that you need to worry about," Clark stepped between us two.
"You could help me, Laney." I said, around Clark's bulk.
"I can help you?" Laney asked.
"Yes." I said at the same time Clark said no.
"Don't get involved, Lane."
"What do you need help with?" her eyes met with mine.
"I need to find the person who killed me."
"What?"
"Just stop," Clark turned to face me. "You don't have to tell her anymore."
This was perfect. Right in front of me was the perfect Vessel. No one knew her face so I didn't have to be humiliated. I could easily go anywhere I wanted with Laney.
Who cared what Clark thought? He didn't want to help me anyways.
"Leave her alone," Clark warned.
"What do you mean - killed you?" Laney spoke up.
My eyes locked with Clark's. "Are you going to help me?" I asked harshly. If he wasn't going to help me willingly, then I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands. And that meant Laney.
Clark hesitated.
"Well then don't blame me."
"Avery."
I didn't know exactly how the body-snatching worked so I just walked forward until I was right up against Laney. Before I could chicken out, I took another step.
It was a strange sensation, almost like I had walked through an ice-cold water fall and then landed in fire. I shuddered slightly.
Did it work? Was I now inside Laney's body?
I raised my arm and brought a hand that I didn't recognize up close to my face. It was her hand. It really did work!
"Oh my word," I whispered out loud through Laney's mouth. "This is so weird."
Her voice sounded funny with my words, but it was a thrill to be able to talk through her. I could talk to anyone, I realized.
I ran my hands over the side of Clark's rusted car. It felt rough to my touch, but it felt real to. My hand didn't go through it.
"It worked."
"Get out of her, Avery," Clark ordered, leaning in close to my face. "Right now."
What exactly did he think he was going to do, push me out of her? "No." I crossed my arms over Laney's chest. "I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm not playing." His eyes narrowed in an attempt to prove his words.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a sister?"
"It's not like you and I are close."
"You knew I needed a Vessel."
"You think I would just offer you my sister?"
"Why not? It's not like I'm going to hurt her."
<
br /> "How do you know?"
"I can't exactly do much damage."
"Someone killed you."
"Yeah..."
"Someone that you know is a murderer. I don't want Laney to be put in the middle of that."
"I know you're worried but you can't stop me."
"Yes I can."
"How?"
"I'll make my parents send her right back to Florida."
"I won't go," I threatened through clenched teeth, propping my hands on my hips. "If they don't care where you go," I poked his chest with one finger, "pretty sure they won't care where this one goes either." I pointed back at Laney's body.
"You're going to get my sister killed."
"No I won't," I promised.
"It's... weird."
"I know," I grinned.
"No, I mean..." his tongue darted across his lips. "I can only see you. It's like Laney disappeared completely."
"It must be because we share the same birthday to," I drew an imaginary line between me and Clark. "You can see me even when I'm not inside of her. I bet other people would only see Laney though."
"I don't want her involved with this," Clark said softly. "I think it might be dangerous."
I did see his point; I just wished he could see mine too. "Okay," I inhaled deeply. "If you don't want her to help me, will you help me instead? Now that I've taken Laney as my Vessel, I can't change my mind. She's it."
"You have me too," he let his eyes go wide for emphasis.
"You can see me," I contradicted, "but you can't be my Vessel anymore."
"What does that mean exactly?"
"I can't go inside your body." Things I never thought I would have to say. "But you can still help."
"I'll help you," he promised, "if you promise to leave Laney alone."
"Deal," I nodded sharply. "You help me find out who killed me and I won't use Laney's body as my Vessel. Do you agree?" I held my hand out between us.
"I agree," he stated solemnly, as if he were promising to take a bullet for me. He took my offered hand and shook it once. His skin felt warm.
I took a deep breath and stepped away from Laney. It was easier than I thought it would be. "Now you have to help," I glared at Clark.
"I already told you I would."
"Help with what?" Laney asked groggily.
"Nothing," Clark answered quickly before I could say anything. "We were just talking about... nothing." He looked from me to Laney and then back again. "So weird," I heard him whisper.
