A woman in a suit sat next to Donaldson and slid a piece of paper across the cold steel table towards me. “If you could just sign this affidavit, Miss Harris, then we can let you be on your way.”

  I nodded, picked up the pen and signed the paper. “Done.”

  Detective Donaldson reached out to shake my hand.

  His palms were coarse and dry. “That was some great detective work you did back there – you ever thought about joining the force?”

  I laughed. “Not sure a five-foot pipsqueak like me would be much use taking down the big bad guys.”

  My heart fluttered with warmth for a second. Pipsqueak. That was what my dad used to call me.

  “Well, what you and Miss Kujikawa did has helped massively. If you hadn’t realised what Sophia was up to, who knows how many more people she would have drugged.”

  I smiled at how polite and formal he was being, it felt like we were equals, something I had never felt in my previous police station escapades.

  “I just hope Sophia gets the help she needs,” I said, albeit through gritted teeth.

  Donaldson scratched at the back of his ginger head. “Just one more thing – Miss Powers asked me to say she would like to see you.”

  “Audrina wants to see me?”

  “Yeah – wants to thank you, I'd imagine. She’ll be in hospital for a couple of days still but she’s doing fine. I’m sure she’d appreciate the company – the nurses would probably appreciate the break from her too.”

  I snorted. “I bet. I’ll think about it.”

  With that, we said our goodbyes and I headed out of the station. Kimmy and Smokey were waiting for me, stretched out on the stone steps, soaking up the sun.

  Smokey spotted and trotted towards me. “There you are! Don’t leave me alone like that again!”

  I bent down and scooped him up so I could nuzzle my nose into his fur. “D’aww did you miss me, Smokes?”

  He let out a reluctant purr. “I worry, that's all. Especially when you’re in the company of riff raff like this!”

  Kimmy shot up. “You better watch it Kitty or you’ll be sleeping outside.”

  They grumbled between one another, as Detective Donaldson’s request echoed through my head.

  “So… there’s somewhere we need to go,” I said, beaming at Kimmy. “And you’re not going to like it.”

  She frowned. “Where?”

  “To the hospital. To see Audrina.”

  Kimmy scowled. “Are you serious? I know she was hurt but that doesn’t mean she was any less of a bitch to Hannah and me the past few months.”

  “I know, but the detective said she wants to see us. Plus… it might help with our investigation.”

  Smokey’s ears twitched. “Investigation?”

  “Yes. You’ll be glad to hear I’ve decided it’s finally time to face my fears and get to the bottom of what happened to Mel and help her pass over.”

  He mewed with delight.

  “And Kimmy’s going to help.”

  He hissed with disapproval.

  “Alright, if it’s to help you, I’m in,” groaned Kimmy. “Time for our first mission!”

  “This isn’t a game,” Smokey grumbled, as we set off down the street in the direction of the hospital.

  The sun beat down hard on the back of my neck as we waded through an ocean of traffic and pedestrians. I was glad to have Kimmy leading the way, occasionally taking shortcuts through back alleys lined with overflowing rubbish bags and leaking drain pipes. This was the most I had explored the city since arriving here.

  The high-rise office buildings and ten-a-penny apartment buildings loomed overhead, sometimes bringing a welcome shade, but always bringing the unease of something unwanted encroaching from above. I was glad when we reached a crossing so I could stop and catch my breath. I didn’t like the sunshine in the city. Back home you could lull by the river watching the breeze ruffle leaves on the branches above, taking dips in the cool water if it became too hot. In the city, the heat was stifling, suffocating, and the air was constantly tinged with the smell of suntan lotion and body odour.

  “How much farther?” I panted, as the signal for the crossing turned green too soon and Kimmy erupted back into a fast-paced march.

  “About fifteen minutes or so, you want to stop for a drink?”

  “Yes!” Smokey demanded, as he galloped along in between us. If I was hot in a skirt and long-sleeved t-shirt, I could only imagine how uncomfortable all that fur must be feeling. Kimmy nodded and led us to a small ice-cream parlour on the other side of the road. I almost collapsed against the counter, enjoying the cold sensation through my top, fanning my face with my hand.

  I was admiring the extensive selection of flavours (pistachio, chocolate peanut, irn-bru) when a reflection in the glass panel caught my eye. A tall, dark figure with familiar piercing eyes glared at me from behind. I spun around, almost losing my balance just in time to see him duck behind a group of school children on a day trip. Without a word, I darted out after him, almost tripping over the children and apologising profusely over my shoulder.

  I craned my neck to see across the ocean of people, my height letting me down, when I saw him scarper down a side street by a video game shop. Breaking into a sprint, I followed, sweat dripping from my temples. By the time I made it to the end of the street, he was nowhere to be seen. The only trace that he had even been there was a small red feather balancing between the cobblestones of the ground. I picked it up and twirled it between my fingers as footsteps approached from where I had just come from.

  “What gives?” Kimmy bellowed. She was bent over, clutching at her knees as she tried to catch her breath.

  I turned, crouched, and held out the feather. “We were being followed. Again.”

  Smokey gave the feather a tentative sniff. “Just who is that man?”

  “You mean the same guy who was lurking around Audrina’s dorm?” asked Kimmy, pulling out a bottle of water from her bag and tossing it towards me.

  I fumbled, juggling the bottle between my hands before it crashed to the ground. “The very same.” I picked up the bottle and unscrewed the top. “Maybe Audrina will know who he is. The quicker we get to the hospital, the better.”

  Hospitals are a nightmare for someone who can see the dead. For the most part, there are a lot of glimpses of spirits passing – happy, serene spirits who burst into fireflies and ascend into the afterlife. On the flip side, they also have their fair share of residents who met an untimely demise; passengers killed by drunk drivers, not to mention, the victims of crimes and freak accidents. I had been so set on questioning Audrina about what she knew about Mel, as well as my mysterious stalker, that it hadn’t even crossed my mind until the tall, ominous building stood in front of us. I moved to the side to dodge a group of old women smoking by the entrance, only realising as Kimmy walked right through them that they were not really there. I had forgotten all about the scorching sun by now. The temperature of the atmosphere around us had dropped – at least for me – and goosebumps had spread up my arms.

  “You’d better hop in Cassie’s bag, no vermin allowed inside a hospital,” said Kimmy, stopping by the automatic doors. I was grateful for the delay in entering, even if just for a second.

  Smokey’s large, amber eyes met mine. “Just take a deep breath and focus on what you came here to do.”

  I nodded my head and swallowed, the spectral old smoker waving at me with such carefree nonchalance that I wasn’t even sure if she realised she was dead. I unzipped my gym bag and Smokey jumped in. He was getting heavy; clearly not getting enough exercise being cooped up in my dorm. I clutched the strap against my shoulder and slowly made my way through the doors, bracing myself for the metallic, tangy smell of antiseptic and disinfectant. As soon as the smell hit me, I was taken back to my tiny, clinically white “bedroom” that had been no bigger than a prison cell.

  “You ok?” Kimmy’s voice pierced through the buzz of panic in my head.

  “Y-yeah,” I said, picking up the pace and making a beeline for the reception desk.

  The bored looking receptionist gave us directions and pointed half-heartedly in the right direction. We meandered our way through the corridors and up endless stairs, passing healing patients, grief-stricken family members, and overworked nurses until we finally arrived at Audrina’s ward.

  I recognised the smell of her perfume before we even entered her room – it was oddly comforting, masking the smells that were triggering so many bad memories. I was surprised to find the room empty, other than a gaunt looking Audrina laying on the bed scrolling dead-eyed on her phone. I realised this was the first time I had seen her without makeup on since primary school. Her dark skin was crystal clear and glowing despite recent events, as if she had been spending time in a spa – not in a hospital having her stomach pumped. Her eyes told a different story. They were heavy and puffy, brightening a bit when she looked up from her phone and saw us.

  “Hi, Audrina,” I said, my voice quiet. “Detective Donaldson said you wanted to see me?”

  She stayed silent for a second, biting down on her bottom lip. “Yes. Please, feel free to sit down.”

  I did as I was told, parking myself down on a plastic chair by the side of her bed, gently placing the gym bag on the floor. Kimmy stayed standing, arms folded across her chest, distorting today’s band logo from view.

  Audrina hesitated, averting her gaze to the window. “I just wanted to say thank you to both of you. For stopping Sophia.”

  I smiled. “You’re welcome, couldn’t exactly let a killer wander around campus, could I?”

  Kimmy cleared her throat. “Don’t you have anything else to say?”

  I shot her a pointed look and whispered. “Kimmy, what are you doing?”

  Audrina stared up at her, a blank expression on her face. “If you have something to say to me, Kujikawa, then just say it.

  Kimmy licked her lips as if she was about to bite into a giant, delicious pancake stack. “What Sophia did to you – and Hannah – was disgusting, unforgivable. But so was the way you treated me and her. The constant teasing, looking down your nose at us, perhaps if you had not been – excuse my French – a complete and utter thunder cunt- “

  “Kimmy!” I shouted. “What are you doing?”

  “No, it’s ok.” Audrina interjected. “She’s right.”

  Kimmy’s face fell as Audrina broke into a sob, her head falling into her hands, one of which housed a cannula.

  “I’ve been a complete and utter bitch to both of you – and Hannah – and everyone.”

  I fidgeted in my seat as if a swarm of ants were crawling around under my butt. “Ah, Audrina, I’m sure that’s not true. I mean, I’m sure not everyone.”

  “You know better than anyone! Look around,” she said, reaching for the pack of tissues on her bed tray. “Do you see anyone here? Not exactly fighting off visitors, am I?”

  “Nice going,” I mouthed to Kimmy, before turning to Audrina once more. “Well, what about your family?”

  Her expression turned dark. “Nobody knows where my dad is, and my mum’s too busy cleaning up his mess to come see me.”

  My heart sank like an anchor. “I know how that feels, Audrina. No dad around, mum too distracted to care… we’re not so different, you and I.”

  She sniffed, mopping at her cheek with her sleeve. “Yes, we are. You’re stupidly nice and I’m stupidly mean.”

  The room fell silent. The awkwardness weighed heavy, and I jumped up and reached for a tissue to hand to Audrina, desperate to do something to break the tension.

  Kimmy finally spoke, still standing stoically at the foot of the bed. “Finally, we can both agree on something.”

  A smile almost spread across Audrina’s lips. “Nothing like a near death experience to make you re-evaluate your life. I know I’ve been a nightmare – even more than usual – but it just felt like if I could impress one of those agents, I could get my life back on track. It was like… The light at the end of a dark tunnel. I guess Sophia put a stop to that anyway.”

  Kimmy shrugged. “There’s always the Christmas production, maybe you could play a female scrooge. Perhaps take some pointers – stop being an absolute bitch while you have the chance.”

  I glared at Kimmy as she sauntered across the room and sank into the chair next to me, folding one leg above the other.

  To my astonishment, Audrina laughed. “Nobody ever talks to me that way. Not since…” Her gaze fell on me and a heavy silence penetrated the room. We both knew the end of that sentence. Mel.

  Eager to change the topic, Audrina asked, “How did you figure out what Sophia was up to anyway?”

  “Funny story,” said Kimmy with a smirk. “We thought it was you that had poisoned Hannah. Little, old Cassie here broke into your room and had a look on your computer. There were all sorts of searches for drug overdoses and- hey wait a minute, if it wasn’t you why were those searches on your computer?”

  I glared at Kimmy. Hard. You idiot! Audrina looked away again, a tear escaping from the corner of her eye.

  Despite myself, I reached over and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I know we’ve never been friends, but nobody should ever feel that way. If you ever feel that way again, please, please call me.”

  She squeezed my hand back. “You really are stupidly nice.”

  My lips curled. “Or maybe I’m just tired of people around me dying.”

  The muffled voice of Smokey called out from the bag. “Don’t forget why we’re here!”

  Audrina dropped my hand. “Who was that?”

  I ignored her. “I’m afraid there is an ulterior motive to us coming here. I need you to tell me everything you remember about the night of Jack Henderson’s party.”

  She flinched like a cat startled by a firework. “What? Why?”

  I met her gaze with an intense stare. “You don’t really think the right man is behind bars, do you?”

  She stared back. “Of course, I don’t. I saw Jay leave that party hours before Mel was gone. There’s no way he’d have stood outside in that pouring rain waiting to hurt her. As much as I hated it at the time, he worshipped the ground Melanie walked on. He would never have hurt her.”

  “I’m glad you agree. Now, we just have to work out who at that party would want to hurt her.”

  Kimmy asked, “Well, who else was at that party? Is there anyone you guys think is capable of doing it?”

  Audrina scoffed. “Who wasn’t at that party? I’m pretty sure every teenager in a fifty-mile radius was there.”

  Kimmy’s eyes widened in disbelief.

  “You have to remember,” I laughed, “A fifty-mile radius around Newtown is mostly a bunch of fields and sheep. OK, well maybe compiling a list of everyone that was there would be a good start.”

  “My memory from that night is pretty hazy, I could name a few,” Audrina mused. “Wait! I’m sure there were a tonne of pictures from that night on my old PhotoPal profile.”

  “That’s great!” I exclaimed, a little too loudly, drawing a disapproving glance from a passing doctor.

  “I just hope I can remember my login.” Audrina picked up her phone and her acrylic fingernails click-clacked against the screen. “Ah, shit. I’ve forgotten my login and I don’t have access to the email address I used anymore.”

  Kimmy cleared her throat and grinned. “That’s where I come in. Send me the details and I can work my magic.”

  A wave of excitement washed over me. We finally had a starting point.

  “Thank you so much, Audrina. Remember – you can call me anytime.” I said, as she typed her details into Kimmy and I’s phones – much to the reluctance of Kimmy. I had argued that it was necessary for the “mission”.

  “Hey, wait, “Audrina’s voice trailed after us as we made our way out of the door.

  I turned to face her. “What is it?”

  “Do you want to… maybe… when I get out, maybe we could hang out sometime? I could help you with your little investigation or whatever?”

  “Pfft, yeah right.” Kimmy mumbled from behind me. I gave her a sly elbow to the ribs.

  I beamed a genuine grin at Audrina. “That would be great.”

  It gave me hope; if even Audrina could face up to her past and change for the better, there was no reason why I couldn’t. For a split second, I felt confident about my future. We would clear Jay’s name and I could move on with my life. The feeling really only did last for a second. As I exited the room, I crashed head first right into another ghost from my past.

  10

  Bang.

  I had slammed right into a bunch of flowers held against a strong chest. As I regained my balance, a familiar, musky aftershave assaulted all my senses and I fought off a sneeze. Petals tumbled to the floor, and I scrambled to pick them up. After a second, in my panicked haze, I realised my attempts were futile.

  I peered up at the figure through scrunched eyes, still fighting that sneeze. “I’m so, so sorry. Let me go to the gift shop and replace them.”

  A familiar voice replied, hitting me like a shot to the head. “Don’t worry about it, Cassie.”

  A wave washed over me as a pair of familiar baby blues peered down at me. Baby blues I hadn’t seen in person for so long; but had haunted my daydreams for over a year. It was my first love, Matthew.

  I sprang to my feet and straightened out my skirt. “Matthew! What are you doing here?”

  He grinned at me and the moths in my stomach began to dance, but not in the same way they did when I saw dead people. No, this was like the moment before the big drop on a rollercoaster or going to bed on Christmas Eve. I could barely contain my smile, suddenly conscious that I had forgotten to brush my teeth amongst all the chaos of the morning.

  “I heard about what happened to Audrina and I thought I would bring her some flowers.” He pointed to the lilies I had decapitated, laughing.

 

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