Breathing Lies: (The Breathing Undead Series, Book 1)

by Jessica Sorensen

  I thought he was being serious. Looking back, I think he was trying to comfort me because he knew the ghost stories were scaring me.

  “I think you were just trying to make me feel better for being scared and almost crying,” I tell him.

  He shakes his head. “No way. I totally thought I saw a sparkling horse.”

  “Liar.”

  “Nonbeliever.”

  A laugh bursts from my lips, but then a sigh replaces it. If only he knew how wrong he is, that I believe in a lot of things, that I’m starting to believe in ghosts. And that I can talk to them.

  I wonder if he’d think I was crazy if I told him all of this.

  “I’m pretty sure Foster is lying about saving me that night,” I find myself whispering.

  The wind picks up, blowing strands of my hair into my face, but I make no move to pluck them out. When he continues to stand there motionless, a shadow beneath the moonlight, I open my mouth to ask him what he’s thinking, if he thinks I’m wrong.

  But words leave his lips first.

  “I think…” he trails off, his posture stiffening as a guy with shoulder-length blonde hair approaches us.

  “Kings, my man, you flying tonight?” he greets Kingsley with a chin nod.

  The tightness in Kingsley’s muscles amplifies, his gaze flitting to me then back to the stranger. “Yeah, but not here.” He gives a nod in the direction of Porter’s car. “Go over there. I’ll be there in a sec.”

  The guy notes me with a glance, his gaze lazily scrolling up and down my body. “You coming too?”

  “No.” Kingsley’s tone is like ice and the guy immediately steps back with his hands raised in front of him.

  “Sorry, my bad.” He doesn’t make eye contact with me as he turns around and hikes toward Porter’s car.

  Kingsley releases an audible sigh then glances at me, his expression guarded.

  “I need to go take care of something,” he tells me as he shucks off his jacket. “I’ll be right back. If you need me, text me. And please don’t drink or smoke anything, okay?” He hands me his jacket.

  I take it. “What’s this for?”

  “Because you’re cold,” he replies simply.

  “Oh.” Again, I question how in tune he is with me. “Thanks.”

  He offers me a small smile, but a frown pulls at his lips as he walks away, the moment we shared dissipating. But then he pauses and glances over his shoulder at me.

  “When I get back, I think I need to tell you something,” he says. “About the night of the accident. I just hope you can forgive me.”

  My heart thumps deafeningly in my chest as I nod. Then he walks away, leaving me with my thoughts and my soaring pulse.

  What does he need to tell me? Does he know what happened the night of the accident? But how? He wasn’t there that night. I saw him driving in the opposite direction when he left the gas station.

  I sigh and slip on Kingsley’s jacket, aware that once again I’m sinking into the Land of Confusion. Warmth seeps through my body along with the scent of his cologne mixed with a hint of smoke. I breathe the scent in, pulling the jacket tighter as the wind picks up, leaves and dirt blowing through the air.

  “Standing around isn’t going to get you to the truth.”

  I tense as Beth’s voice gusts over my shoulder. A slamming heartbeat of a second later, she steps up beside me, her sunken in eyes locked on the mob of people in front of us.

  “Look at all of them,” she remarks. “They think they’re so happy.”

  “They look happy,” I whisper. “Most of them are either smiling or laughing.”

  “But is it real?” She tilts her head toward me, her bones making a god awful creaking noise.

  “It looks real.”

  “On the outside, maybe. But all of this—it’s just a mask. An illusion created so you’ll let your guard down. I can see that now.”

  “See what exactly?”

  “The truth.”

  “You keep talking about the truth like you know what it is, but if you do, why can’t you tell me?” I ask in frustration.

  Her hollow eyes lock on me. “Because I’ve been silenced.”

  Suddenly, I can feel it, a roaring wave—her pain, the agony inside her.

  “What happened to you?” I whisper. “Are you… Are you a ghost?”

  She doesn’t respond, stepping toward the crowd. A voice inside my mind begs me to follow her, a voice that I’m not positive belongs to me. But I obey, trailing after her, fighting my anxiety as I enter the madness. I become very aware that not a single person glances in her direction, as if she’s not there. A couple of people do notice me as I squeeze by, including Liam, one of Foster’s friends.

  “Harlynn?” His gaze sweeps the area then lands on me, his brows creasing. “Where’s Foster?”

  “He’s not here.” My gaze shifts between him and Beth as she continues to slip further into the crowd.

  Shit, if I’m going to follow her, I’m going to have to fight my anxiety on my own.

  He scratches his forehead. “So you just came here by yourself?”

  His surprise is annoying, but I don’t have time to get irritated. Not when Beth is moving further away from me.

  I throw him a wave and walk away. I have a feeling, though, that soon, I’m going to receive a text from Foster, asking me why I’m at a party without him. And at a party that’s filled with people associated with Kingsley. Maybe he’ll even figure out I’m with Kingsley and Porter.

  Sure enough, only a handful of seconds later, my phone vibrates from inside my pocket. I ignore it, quickening my pace and stumbling through the mob of sweaty, drunken people, my pulse soaring. I’m on the verge of hyperventilating and I nearly turn back several times, but my desire for the truth keeps me moving forward.

  Finally, after what feels like hours, but is probably only about a minute, I stumble from the crowd and out onto the stretch of land just in front of the forest.

  Beth is there, waiting for me at the edge of the trees. She glances at me, the moonlight highlighting the eerie smile on her face. Then she steps into the forest and blends in with the night.

  I hesitate. I’ve never been a huge fan of the dark. Plus, I’d be wandering in there alone, which seems stupid considering all the disappearances plaguing the town. I may have very well turned around, but a familiar voice touches my ears.

  “Will you just shut up and do it,” Star says, her voice floating over from the trees. “I’m getting bored.”

  “I’m trying,” a guy replies in a haste. “But it’s freakin’ dark in here.”

  Star.

  Star is here.

  Star, the girl who may know a truth I seek.

  I inch toward the trees. “Star?”

  The air grows still except for the laughter and music drifting over from the party.

  “Crazy girl?” She stumbles from the shadows of the forest.

  Or well, I think it’s Star. She looks a lot thinner than I remember, her hair is black now, and she’s wearing worn, oversized clothes.

  “Hey.” I try to mask the shock over her altered appearance.

  A smile breaks out across her face as she walks toward me. “What’re you doing here? Not that I’m upset about it. But this isn’t your normal scene.”

  “I came with Porter and Kingsley,” I tell her, tucking my hands into the sleeves of Kingsley’s jacket as the air grows chillier.

  A look of what can only be described as amused shock passes across her face. “So you’re hanging out with Kingsley now, huh?”

  I waver. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  She grins. “It’s about damn time. I thought that boy was never going to get over his whole I’m-not-good-enough-for-Harlynn issue. Not that I’m surprised he thinks that way with how his family treats him.” A frown flashes across her face but she hastily puts on a smile. “But anyway, tell me everything. How did he ask you out? Are you guys officially dating? I heard you got into an accident. Are you okay?�
�� Her lips are moving so quickly that I can barely keep up with her.

  Upon closer look, her pupils are dilated and she has scratch marks on her face. I hate to think it, but she might be on something.

  “Man, I can’t believe you’re here. I was actually just thinking about you the other day. Remember that party that we went to a couple of months ago? That was fun, right? Well, except for what happened at the end,” she continues on without waiting for me to answer any of her questions or ask questions about what happened at the end, which I want to. Really, really badly. “But still, it was pretty fun up until then, right?” I start to nod, but she keeps going. “You got your first kiss that night, didn’t you? I almost forgot about that.” She scratches at her arms, her jaw twitching. “Please tell me he’s kissed you again. If he hasn’t, I’m so gonna kick his ass.” She pauses for a beat and I almost manage to get the question out about who kissed me that night, but she starts babbling again. “He’s a good kisser, right? I bet he is. Not that I’d ever want to kiss him. But a lot of girls do.”

  “Who’s a good kisser?” I sputter while I have a chance.

  She looks at me like I’m crazy. “Duh. Kingsley. The only guy you’ve kissed. Well, unless you’ve kissed someone else since the party. I’m hoping you haven’t, because you two would make an awesome couple. It’s part of the reason why I invited you to the party—so he could have a chance to spend time with you. Not that I didn’t want to hang out with you. You’re so awesome.” She laughs, like the conversation is amusing.

  Like Kingsley kissing me is something simple.

  But it’s not.

  Even before the accident, it would’ve been complicated.

  But now…

  Warm lips on mine…

  Breathing air into my lungs…

  “I’m scared,” I whisper as the water rises toward my head.

  “I’ve got you,” someone whispers in my ear. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you, Har.”

  “Oh my hell,” I mutter as it clicks.

  Kingsley.

  Kingsley saved me that night.

  I can see it now, see his face in the midst of the darkness, like a light guiding me back to my life.

  But why was he there at all? And why hasn’t he told me he was the one who saved me? Why is he letting Foster take the credit?

  Is that what he wants to talk to me about tonight?

  “Crazy girl, are you okay?” Star waves her hand in front of my face, yanking me from my thoughts. “You look sick.” She leans forward, examining me closely. “Wait. Are you on something?” Her eyes widen. “Please say you didn’t take something someone here gave you? Didn’t Kingsley tell you the rules?”

  I’m about to point out that she’s high when Kingsley emerges from the crowd. He’s looking around, as if searching for someone. When his gaze finds mine, he starts toward me.

  My heart rate accelerates, yet somehow seems steady.

  Warm lips on mine.

  Breathing air into me.

  Saving me.

  He saved me. Kingsley, the guy everyone sees as darkness, but suddenly all I can see is light surrounding him.

  So much light.

  It’s blinding—

  “Hey,” he says when he reaches me, sounding a bit breathless.

  I feel just as breathless.

  He saved me.

  He was there.

  He’s the reason I’m alive.

  “Hey, Romeo, we were just talking about you.” Star grins at him. Kingsley frowns as he looks at her, but she just rolls her eyes. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. We were saying good things. I swear. In fact, I was just telling her how great of a couple you two make.”

  Kingsley pales, his panicked gaze flicking to me. “I…”

  “It’s okay,” I say, even though I’m not even sure what he’s about to say.

  His gaze searches mine, question marks filling his eyes.

  Warm lips on mine.

  Breathing air into my lungs.

  Breathing me back to life.

  I want to kiss him.

  Press my lips against his again.

  Only this time I won’t come up for air.

  “Shit,” he abruptly curses, his gaze darting to something behind me.

  I blink from the trance I fell into and realize sirens have flooded the air, along with flashing red and blue lights. And people are scattering to their cars and into the trees.

  “We need to get you out of here,” Kingsley mumbles, his gaze returning to me.

  I’m about to point out that he needs to leave too, when he turns to Star.

  “Can you take her with you?” he asks. “I need to find Porter.”

  She nods. “Of course.”

  He looks at me, his gaze blazing with intensity. “Stay with Star, okay? I’ll find Porter then come find you.”

  “What if you can’t find him?” I ask, biting my thumbnail. “Or you end up getting arrested?”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time,” he mumbles, but then hastily shakes his head. “Just go with Star. If I can, I’ll meet you on the other side of the trees. If not, ride home with Star, okay?”

  I nod, but confusion swirls inside me. Why can’t he just come with us? Why does he have to go back?

  Before I can ask any questions, though, he jogs off, heading toward the flashing lights.

  Star snags a hold of my sleeve. “Come on.” She tugs me toward the trees. He’ll be okay. He can handle practically anything.”

  I’m not sure I agree with her, but follow her anyway, rushing into the trees. Panic sets in as darkness encompasses me.

  “What’s on the other side of these trees?” I hiss as I stumble after Star.

  “The lake,” she whispers, branches snapping around us.

  I don’t want to go near the lake, but I’m not sure what else to do. So I keep moving with her, jumping at the sound of every snapping branch, my anxiety growing with each minute that passes by, especially as fog rises from the ground.

  “How much further is it?” I ask breathlessly as the fog grows so thick I can barely see.

  “I think we’re getting close,” Star whispers. “I think—”

  My foot catches on something and I trip forward, hitting the dirt hard.

  “Freakin’ hell.” I mutter as I kneel up. I touch the heel of my hand to my forehead and wince. “I’m definitely going to have a headache in the morning.” Sighing, I start to get to my feet when the abrupt quietness of the forest hits me. “Star?” I call out as I inch forward.

  My only response is the crunching of twigs underneath my boots.

  My heart beats so loudly the noise fills up my head. “Hello—”

  A large, cold, bony hand clamps down on my shoulder—a hand that I’m not sure feels human. A scream fumbles from my lips as I run forward, but fingers snag my shirt and jerk me back.

  Lips brush my ear. “Shhh…”

  My instincts kick in and I lift my foot, bashing it into their shin. The hand leaves my lips, and I waste no time, sprinting away.

  Footsteps follow after me, heavy boots hitting the dirt. While the hand may have felt like it belonged on a dead body, the footsteps sound very real.

  My fear spikes as I continue to run while digging out my phone. But tears fill my eyes as I realize I have no service. And I don’t know what direction I’m going in.

  This is bad.

  Really, really bad.

  Fear pummels through me as I stumble through the trees, unsure where the hell I’m going. For all I know I could be headed right back to the party—

  “This way.” Beth materializes in front of me, wispy fog and pale moonlight swirling around her. “And whatever you do, don’t listen to it. It’s not like me. It’s evil.” Then she takes off running.

  I hesitate for a split second then chase after her, trying to ignore the sound of a voice chasing just behind me, muttering incoherently. The further we go, the darker it becomes. I start to worry Beth may be leadi
ng me in the wrong direction, but then suddenly I’m stumbling from the trees and onto the shore of the lake where at least a dozen other people from the party are standing around.

  Skidding to a stop, I lean over and brace my hands onto my knees, struggling to catch my breath. Once I can breathe evenly again, I spin around and scan the trees. All that’s there is darkness. Lots and lots of darkness.

  But I know I heard a voice. Know I felt something grab me.

  Beth said it was evil. What was it, though?

  Was it alive?

  Was it dead?

  Evil.

  Dead.

  Beth.

  Ghost.

  Paige.

  The lake.

  The lake.

  The lake.

  My eyes zero in on the lake. It was the last place I was normal. And now… Well, now I don’t know what I am.

  “It’s pretty daunting when you think about it, isn’t it?” Evalynn, Foster’s stalker, steps up beside me.

  “What is?” I ask, tearing my gaze off the lake to look at her.

  Her jeans and T-shirt are covered in mud, and twigs are poking out from her matted hair, as if she was just running through the trees too.

  “That you crashed off that cliff.” A smile curls at her lips as she glances at me.

  “You heard about that?” I quickly shake my head. “Never mind. I sometimes forget how much this town loves to gossip.”

  Her mouth morphs into a malicious grin. “I didn’t hear about the crash from gossip.” She leans toward me, her breath reeking of stale beer. “I heard it from Foster. And you want to know when he told me? Right after he fucked me.” She smiles smugly as she slants back, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “It was only a couple of days after the accident. Guess he got over you pretty quickly. Then again, he did say I was the best lay he ever had, so that has to make you the worst, right?”

  I used to think she was insane, but now… Who the hell knows with all the lies I’ve discovered Foster has webbed through our relationship.

  Everything could be a lie.

  Well, that’s not true.

  I know the person who kissed me at the party was the person who saved me that night. And according to Star, that person is Kingsley.

  Speaking of which, where the hell is Star?