Faded (The Faded Trilogy, Book 1)

THE FADED TRILOGY

FADED

CHLOE MILES

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2012 by Chloe Miles

All rights reserved.

Published by Chloe Miles Publishing

Cover design by Chloe Miles

Image Copyright Poprugin Aleksey, 2012

Used under license from Shutterstock.com

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are acknowledged by the proper use of capitalization throughout.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Contents

Title

Copyright

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

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— Prologue —

They say that your life flashes in front of your eyes right before you die. For Hunter Emmerton, that’s always been true. All eight times.

But what if the life you saw flash before your eyes wasn’t yours?

There was something about that vision that set it apart from the first. Namely, the necklace. And how it was familiar somehow. The delicate gold chain. The sparkling blue of its stone. Blue like her eyes. Enchanting like her soul. But most of all it was the way it was worn—with such love, with such pride—as though the giver of the necklace was her world.

Everything else had been the same as before: the four teens, the sudden impact, the twisted metal. And then, one final thing he saw: the chance to prevent it all.

Leafy Fort Everwick was the perfect little town. At least, it was the perfect little town until that fateful day in 1989. The first major storm hit the town only days after the 1989 Fort Everwick High School Senior Prom, and rarely a week had gone by without at least one storm ever since.

Most people just assumed it was global warming, the hole in the ozone layer, whatever the weather bureau could apparently explain. Although, as unexplainable as it remained, nobody would have ever thought it was caused by anything more.

Hunter Emmerton couldn’t help but feel more than a little responsible. It was his foreseeing vision that had started it all. And it was the town he was meant to protect that was now in peril because of it.

Enchanted with the ability to heal, there was an unspoken understanding between the small town’s four young spirits that it wasn’t their place to mess with nature and when it was someone’s time to go they respected that it was their time to go ... at least, they did respect that rule until that fateful day in 1989 when Hunter had that catalytic vision.

Four teens. Screeching brakes. Twisted metal. Four lives lost in an instant. Four futures never to be known. Families left to grieve, to pick up the pieces, to somehow try to move on.

And then, one final thing he saw: the chance to prevent it all.

Everything, that is, except the accident itself. He couldn’t prevent their deaths, only reverse them. But there was a catch that Hunter was yet to know. Post miraculous resurrection, these four regular teens would gain the very same divine abilities previously possessed only by spirits: elemental control, the power to heal, immortality.

Yet, as they were still alive, their immortality would be selective: a choice determined by their ability to switch from their own live state to spirit form at free will.

The spirits assumed they had been chosen for greatness.

But if only that had been the case. A month after their lives had been saved by the spirits, three of the four teens turned against them.

The power that the spirits had over the weather utilized the natural elements that already existed within the atmosphere around them. They worked in tune with the elements, using their mind to summon them and assist them when someone was in harm. They were used for defense, never for destruction. They didn’t have the darkness inside them to do that.

But the three traitorous teens had found a way to be able to conjure and contain their power in the palm of their hand; an ability that nobody else had. It was a power created by anger and used under their control for evil and destruction. A power that wasn’t natural. A power that was sinister. A power so precise that it could kill. And they had found a way to become immune to their own power while it was in their hand, even in human form, and literally hold potentially lethal bolts of lightning at their fingertips.

These new powers they had were extraordinary. They had control over people for the first time in their lives, and it was going to stay that way.

They called themselves The Forces because they were a force to be reckoned with, and it became their mission to destroy the perfect little town that the spirits had worked so hard to keep safe.

The fourth teen was too kind-hearted to become evil like the other three, and relinquished her powers in order to return to her normal life with the promise that she would forever be safe. But it was a promise that Hunter and his fellow spirits didn’t know how long they would be able to keep.

The Forces took their power to control the weather to an extreme level, and Fort Everwick had been prone to the most unpredictable thunderstorms ever since. They weren’t surrendering until they had control over everybody in the town, and with the spirits powerless to stop them, they’d reigned terror ever since.

The old Ever Beats Dance Studio was the perfect hideout. It closed down a few months after the teens’ accident, and the three who became The Forces had claimed it as their own and made sure nobody would ever be game enough to go anywhere near it.

It looked nothing like what it used to, and just like the old dance studio, the three teens who had become The Forces had also aged over time. They were no longer teenagers, and even worse, they only seemed to grow more powerful the older they got. And considering the way they operated was to borrow the bodies of unsuspecting people and use their identities so that they would never get caught in human form—a useful ability when you can temporarily lose your body and inhabit someone else’s with your soul—it made the probability of ever catching them almost impossible.

But there was one option the spirits had never previously considered. An option presented by way of the same vision as before: the four teens, the twisted metal, the chance to prevent it all.

And that’s when Hunter saw them—The Chosen Ones.

— Chapter One —

Savannah Fraser hated football. She had never understood the game and only agreed to go because Abigail had begged her. She could think of a million other ways she would rather spend her Friday night; most of which involved being at home with her little sister, Annabelle, painting each other’s nails and letting Annabelle style her hair, even though Savannah usually ended up looking like she had just stuck her finger in an electrical socket.

Instead, she was huddled next to Abigail among a sea of green and white, trying her hardest to see the game through the sheet of pouring rain in front of them and wondering how long it would be before the way too enthusiastic guy sitting next to her would spill his drink on her again. He already had twice.

Apparently, their team was winning. Savannah wasn’t too sure, but judging by the Go Emeralds and Go Jackson screams from the crowd, and the fact that Abigail could barely contain her excitement, suggested that they were.

Jackson Gellar was Abigail’s twin brother and the best player the Fort Everwick Emeralds had. Besides their lightly tanned skin and dark brown hair, they were completely unalike in every other way: Jackson was tall and athletic, and Abigail was small and petite.

A loud clap of thunder crashed above the stadium followed by a flash of lightning, and the crowd let out a collective gasp. Most of the cheerleaders squealed and ran for cover. Savannah couldn’t blame them. She was quite freaked out by storms herself.

With only a few minutes left of the game, the stress seemed to have gotten too much for Abigail.

I can’t watch! she squealed as she hid her face behind Savannah’s shoulder. Tell me when it’s over!

Savannah could feel her distressed friend’s long nails digging into her skin as she squeezed the life out of her right hand.

Calm down, Abigail, she tried to soothe her. It’s just a game.

The crowd around them suddenly erupted with cheers.

Abigail jumped to her feet. What happened? Did we win?

I guess so. Savannah shrugged her shoulders. She didn’t really care either way. She was just happy the game was finally over.

Down on the field, a few of the guys had lifted Jackson onto their shoulders and had started chanting his name. Like the rest of the crowd, the cheerleaders were going wild—especially Madison Egan. She was ecstatic. Once the team had put Jackson back down, Madison ran over and jumped into his arms, then they stood there kissing in the rain surrounded by all the cheering like they were in some cheesy romantic movie scene for what seemed like forever, much to Abigail’s disgust.

Eww, gross! She made a face as though she was about to throw up.

Savannah laughed. She knew Abigail hated Madison.

Hey, you would be grossed out too if that was your brother with Madison Egan’s tongue down his throat!

Blonde, beautiful, popular Madison had been dating Jackson for a few months, and Abigail had taken an instant dislike to her.

I don’t know what he sees in her. She’s so fake.

She seems nice, Savannah reasoned.

Madison was in a few of her classes and had always gone out of her way to be nice to her. Maybe it was because she knew that Savannah knew Jackson, or maybe she genuinely was nicer than the other cheerleaders at the school. Either way, Savannah wasn’t complaining. She felt practically invisible to the rest of her grade, and Abigail was her only friend at Fort Everwick High, so she was willing to give Madison a chance. But she doubted that Abigail ever would.

Having known her since they were five, Savannah knew better than anyone that beneath her friend’s sweet demeanor and the explosion of pink that seemed to find its way onto every one of her outfits, was a strong and feisty girl whose bad side you wouldn’t want to be on.

Thankfully, Savannah had never been on it. And she planned to keep it that way. She didn’t want to upset the status quo, so she figured it was best just to agree with Abigail. She could feel her eyes glaring through her.

I’m sure you’re right, Abigail. She’s probably so fake.

Logan Reeves had started his usual victory lap around the field where he would try his hardest each game to get more and more laughs out of the crowd with his silly dance moves. As he moonwalked past their stand, he winked at Abigail.

Don’t forget my party tomorrow! It wouldn’t be the same without you there!

How could I forget it, Logan? It’s all you’ve been talking about for months!

Logan was turning eighteen and had organized a party at his house on Saturday. He had invited almost the entire grade. Savannah and Abigail were meeting up at Savannah’s house to brainstorm outfit ideas beforehand.

It was clear that Abigail wanted to run down to see him, but she also knew it wouldn’t exactly be the safest thing to do. Ever since Jackson had introduced his sister to his best friend almost a year ago, the entire cheerleading squad had let her know in no uncertain terms how they felt about their relationship.

Everybody knew that all the cheerleaders liked Logan. He was cute, blond, and had a mischievous, even if sometimes a little immature, sense of humor. He was Fort Everwick High’s resident prankster and class clown. And he was certainly the complete opposite of strong-willed Abigail. But he made her laugh, and she kept him in line, so they surprisingly suited each other well.

Another clap of thunder crashed in the distance. Most of the crowd had started to head back to their cars before the storm got any worse, and Savannah and Abigail decided to do the same, running as fast as they could as they were peppered with raindrops. Savannah could feel her blonde hair plastered to the sides of her face as she climbed into the passenger side. At least she was out of the rain now, but tonight had certainly confirmed one thing for her—she really hated football.

***

The Fraser household was usually in order. Beverley tried her hardest to keep everything neat and tidy, but today was understandably an exception. Considering her older daughter was rarely invited to parties, Beverley was feeling too proud to even notice that the living room looked as though Savannah’s closet had exploded onto it.

Eight-year-old Annabelle, meanwhile, was doing her best to test her sister’s patience. Each time Savannah got a new dress out of her closet, Annabelle decided to claim it as her own, and was having the time of her life playing dress ups in Savannah’s clothes.

Do I look pretty, Daddy? she asked as she twirled in front of her father, Rob, who was trying to watch the news report.

Of course you do, sweetheart. You look just like a princess, he replied with one eye still glued to the television, trying to watch it above Annabelle’s light brown curls as they bopped up and down as she spun around. Hey, honey? he called out to Beverley. Did you see this severe storm warning? I don’t know if it’s a good idea for the girls to be going out right now.

Savannah, knee deep in piles of clothes and shoes, stopped dead in her tracks. Of course I’m going, Dad!

Just promise me you’ll be careful, cautioned Beverley. If the weather gets too bad, call me, and either your father or I will come and get you, okay? I’ve seen too many young casualties come in who wouldn’t have been in that position had they just been more careful.

Having a mother who was a nurse at Fort Everwick Memorial Hospital meant that Savannah was used to her mother being overprotective. Every fun thing Savannah had ever wanted to do, her mom had apparently seen a casualty as a result of it.

Sensing the attention had been taken away from her, Annabelle went back to her twirling. Considering Annabelle was a great deal shorter than her seventeen-year-old sister, what would have been a knee-length dress on Savannah was floor-length on Annabelle. As she pranced around in Savannah’s mismatched heels, trying to get her father’s attention, she lost her balance and stepped forward onto the hem of the dress.

Annabelle! Savannah and Beverley shouted in unison as the dress ripped all along the left side.

Oops! Annabelle blushed sheepishly, before the doorbell conveniently rang, and she took advantage of the moment to escape the room. I’ll get it! she yelled as she shuffled toward the door.

It was Abigail, who had arrived with an armful of dresses so she and Savannah could get ready together while Jackson sat out in his car waiting with Madison.

Annabelle lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Abigail’s waist in a tight hug, nearly knocking her off her feet, before Savannah rescued her from her affectionate grasp and pulled her into the house.

Save me from her! she complained, gesturing toward Annabelle. She’s been like this all day. I can’t take it anymore!

Are those more dresses? Annabelle asked excitedly as she pointed to Abigail’s arm.

Yeah. I couldn’t decide, she confessed, so I brought, like, five!

And none of them are yours, Annabelle, Savannah warned her as she affectionately twirled her finger around one of Annabelle’s curls. Annabelle was brunette like their father, whereas Savannah had the same blonde hair as Beverley.

After nearly an hour, the girls finally emerged wearing their final choices: a royal blue satin knee-length dress for Savannah; and for Abigail, a pink strapless mini dress with a silver belt around the waist.

You look beautiful, girls, Beverley said with a hint of a tear in her eye.

Fearing the situation was about to turn embarrassing, Savannah quickly grabbed Abigail’s arm and headed out to the car, closely followed by Rob, who wanted to lecture Jackson about driving safely.

Jackson and Madison were too busy making out in the front of the car to even notice when Savannah and Abigail climbed into the back seat. Rob banged on the driver’s side window, startling Jackson, who promptly rolled the window down.

You’ve got my little girl in your car, young man, he reminded him. And just so we’re clear, if you let anything happen to her, remember that I know where you live, Gellar. Be careful!

Jackson swallowed. Yes, sir.

Then, in that case, Rob said as he gave them an enthusiastic smile. Have a great time, kids!

***

Savannah could hear the music blaring from Logan’s house as soon as they drove into the street: the usual mandatory thumping beat of a house party where you can’t even hear yourself think. The kind the neighbors were sure to appreciate.

Jackson and Madison predictably resumed their favorite pastime of making out once they were inside the house.

Ugh, I’m so not staying with them! Abigail rolled her eyes as she greeted Logan with a kiss of their own. Let’s go get something to eat.

Savannah followed Abigail as Logan led them outside to where the tables of food were set up on the patio.

I’ve got every kind of pizza you can imagine, he said as he helped himself to a slice of pepperoni before turning the stereo up even louder and grabbing Abigail’s hand to impress her with his cheesy dance moves. I love this song! Come dance with me.

Abigail turned back to Savannah. Do you mind?

No. Go have fun! she encouraged her.

She poured herself a drink and stayed close by to the table, trying her hardest not to laugh as she watched Logan and Abigail embarrass themselves.

Savannah surveyed the rest of the guests. Most of the football team were there, as were most of the cheerleaders. She felt slightly out of place but nonetheless privileged to have been invited. It wasn’t exactly a regular occurrence.

She noticed a bunch of guys watching her; the kind that usually didn’t even notice girls like Savannah. Not that she would have wanted them to anyway. They started heading in her direction, and she tried her best to pretend that she hadn’t seen them, even though part of her knew it would be a pointless tactic.

One of them whistled at her as they got closer. Hey, gorgeous. What’s a girl like you doing here all alone?

Savannah turned her head and tried to ignore him.

Hey, what’s wrong? Cat got your tongue? he continued as the rest of the group laughed. He gave the rest of the guys a smug glance and leaned in closer to her. This party’s getting a little boring, huh? Want to come back to my place and we can liven things up a little?

No, thanks, Savannah politely rejected his offer. She attempted to walk away, and he persistently stepped in front of her.

C’mon, why not? He slid his arm around her shoulder, and Savannah instantly shrugged him off.

Leave her alone, Brandon! She said no! Abigail shoved him aside as she grabbed her friend’s hand. She’s way out of your league, anyway! she gladly called out to him as she led Savannah away from the table and wrapped her up in a protective hug. I’m so sorry I left you alone. Are you okay?

I’m fine. She was usually invisible to guys like Brandon. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing after all, she thought, checking self-consciously over her shoulder as she walked away with Abigail. She could still see Brandon and his gang laughing and high-fiving each other as though she’d been the object of some stupid little bet they had. If she hadn’t already felt uncomfortable being at the party, she certainly did now.

A fine shower of rain had moved most of the guests to the covered shelter of the patio, but the girls tried their best to ignore it as they braved the wet and made their way over to the pool where Logan had just dived in fully clothed.

Logan, what are you doing? You’re going to end up with pneumonia! Abigail warned him. Get out!

I’m fine, he assured her as he floated around blissfully on his back. A little bit of rain isn’t going to hurt me.

The rain was steadily growing heavier, and Savannah and Abigail sensibly decided to head back toward the patio, but not before a strong gust of wind upended one of the food tables. The group of cheerleaders that had been standing near it screamed and ran for the safety of the house as a flash of lightning lit up the gray sky.

Get out now, Logan! Abigail yelled to him. I’m serious!

Okay. Whatever, he grumbled as he reluctantly made his way to the edge of the pool. Just as he began to climb out, a few large hail stones started pounding the water, and he quickly bolted back up to the house as another flash of lightning lit up the sky again.

Savannah’s cell phone beeped. It was Rob, telling her that another severe weather warning had just been issued.

Jackson and Madison had finally ceased their make out session and joined the others out on the patio where Logan was drip-drying after his impromptu swim.

Jackson gestured to the girls. I think we should go before the storm gets any worse.

But we haven’t even had any cake yet! Logan protested as he followed them out the front of the house to where Jackson’s car was parked. Most of the other guests had decided to leave too, leaving Logan with his birthday cake all to himself.

I’ll call you later, baby, Abigail promised as she kissed him goodbye and then ran to the safety of the car.

Savannah rolled her window down as they drove out of the driveway, feeling a little guilty over her sudden departure. It’s not like she was an old pro on standard party departure etiquette after all, and simply managed an apologetic: Happy birthday, Logan.

Jackson started heading in the direction of Savannah’s house, attempting to navigate the usually familiar rural streets through the heavy rain. With the rain pelting the windshield, he was having enough trouble seeing the road without the added pressure of the girls yelling at him which way to go and screaming each time he swerved to avoid the mounds of hail that had covered the ground.

I think I should stop the car. It’s getting too dangerous, he said as he attempted to pull over to the side of the road that was now beginning to look more like a ski slope.

An almighty gust of wind suddenly roared past as he spoke, and he struggled to keep his grip on the steering wheel as the car swerved back onto the middle of the road.

We’re all going to die! Madison screamed.

Savannah could feel her heart almost beating out of her chest as Jackson regained control of the wheel. For a second, she had worried that Madison might have been right.

What’s that noise? Abigail made a concerned observation from the back seat.

There was a faint rumbling sound in the distance, gradually growing louder as though an invisible stampede was heading toward them, before the steering wheel was suddenly ripped from Jackson’s hands again and spun around uncontrollably as the ground shook, rattling the windows and jolting the car from side to side as though they were being tossed about in a tumble dryer.

A loud cracking sound pierced the air as a tree along the side of the road split down the middle, sending a long branch hurtling straight for them.

Jackson fought to regain control of the wheel and swerved just in time as it landed within inches of the front of the car. His hands shaking nervously, he attempted to reverse the car to go around it.

Madison screamed again. Watch out!

Jackson slammed his foot down and the car sped off as a second branch crashed to the ground behind them—right where the roof of the car had been only a second earlier—before the road suddenly jolted them again as though it was determined to win this power struggle, sending the car hurtling across the other side of the road and heading straight toward a tree.

Jackson instantly slammed his foot on the brake.

The brakes won’t work! he exclaimed, his voice full of panic.

Savannah held her breath, bracing for the impact of the tree. She could feel Abigail’s familiar hand squeezing her own, reigniting the almost forgotten memory of her first day of kindergarten when Abigail took her hand in hers and decided from that moment on that they’d be best friends.

She closed her eyes and thought of how angry she had felt at Annabelle for ripping her dress. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. Not her grades. Not idiots like Brandon. Not any of the trivial little things she had ever done or any of the incredible things she was yet to do. Not even the fact that she had never been kissed. It all meant nothing. Or perhaps it meant everything.

Best friends forever, Abigail whispered.

Savannah squeezed her hand even tighter. Forever.

— Chapter Two —

Even though she could feel that her eyes were still closed, she could sense a bright light in the distance. Her whole body felt strangely numb, and yet she felt peaceful.

She remembered the accident.

Have I died? she wondered. What about the others? Are they okay?

As she slowly opened her eyes, the light grew even brighter, and she realized she was no longer in the car but was lying on the ground.

She squinted as she tried to decipher her surroundings, and as they came into focus, she could see trees around her. The bright sunlight was shining through their leaves.

Welcome back, said an unfamiliar voice leaning over her.

Savannah lifted her head and instantly felt everything spinning.

It’s okay. Just take it easy, said the same voice as he helped her to sit up. I’m Hunter—

And you just saved my life.

He gave her a humble smile. I guess you could say that.

There was something about him that made her feel instantly calm: not least of all his piercing blue eyes and adorable dimples.

He seemed to be around her age, or maybe a little older. His skin was pale, his sandy-colored hair seemed almost ethereal, and his clothes looked old. Not old as in torn or dirty, just old as though her great-grandfather would have worn them when he was young—a white shirt rolled up to his elbows, and dark gray trousers and suspenders.

He gave her a comforting smile. Everything will be okay, he assured her. I promise.

I can’t believe I let you talk me into this, Hunter, Rose mumbled from nearby as she waved her hand over Abigail’s lifeless body.

Savannah let her eyes follow the sound of her voice. She was around Hunter’s age, and had the same pale skin and early 1930s fashion sense. As her hand hovered over the open gash on Abigail’s arm, it began to close and gradually disappeared. Abigail’s pale skin became pinker, and Rose leaned down and placed her ear near her slightly open mouth.

Well, she’s breathing again, anyway.

Good, said Hunter. He turned back to Savannah, who was staring open-mouthed at Abigail and Rose in a state of shock. I know it’s a lot for you to take in, he said calmly.

Am I dead? she whispered as she dragged her eyes away and stared blankly into his.

No. You’re not dead. At least, not anymore you’re not.

The strange sense of calmness Savannah felt was suddenly replaced by a sense of fear. She noticed Madison huddled under a tree, looking just as confused and terrified as Savannah felt, while Jackson was nearby surveying the damage to his car. He looked just as shocked as Madison, but probably only because he was more concerned about his car than his life. Typical, Savannah thought.

She suddenly noticed another guy with pale skin sitting on the trunk of an upturned tree. He stood up and headed over to Hunter.

We need to get them out of here before they find us, he said to him.

Before who find us? Savannah asked, not knowing if she really wanted to hear the answer.

Hunter hesitated.

You haven’t told her yet, have you? No, really, that’s great, Hunter, he said in a seemingly sarcastic tone. This is all going completely to plan! He shook his head in disbelief as he walked away.

I know what I’m doing, Oliver! Hunter called after him.

He helped Savannah to her feet, and she slowly made her way over to Abigail, who had by now regained consciousness. Savannah could see Jackson’s upturned car behind her. It was so badly smashed she could barely recognize it.

There is no way anyone could have survived that, she thought.

Abigail looked almost dazed as she peered up at her.

We died, she said blankly. We’re—

Ghosts. The sound of the word escaping her lips sent a shiver down her spine.

Not exactly, Hunter corrected. Only when you need to be.

This ought to be good, Rose mumbled under her breath to Oliver as Hunter struggled to find the right words to explain.

Madison had decided rather apprehensively to join them, and Savannah felt her fingers wrap trustingly around her hand as Hunter began to speak. She looked way more terrified than Savannah felt—if that were at all possible—and for once she didn’t feel as inferior as she always did standing next to one of the so-called popular girls. They were all in this together whether they liked it or not, regardless of where they were in the high school popularity food chain.

Firstly, we’re not ghosts, Hunter began to explain, his calming voice somehow managing to slow Savannah’s heart rate back to a fairly normal pace from the jackhammer that had felt as though it were pounding away inside her chest. Ghosts are for Halloween. We’re earthbound spirits.

Which pretty much means we spend our days wandering aimlessly around Fort Everwick until the day a bunch of kids crash their car on the way home from a party and suddenly we’ve found ourselves some new friends to help us save the world! Oliver interrupted in a sarcastically excited voice.

Be nice, Oliver, Hattie giggled. I like them.

At sixteen, Hattie was three years younger than the other spirits. She was born in London in 1916 and moved to America with her father after her mother died when she was a baby. Her father had tried his best to make sure his only child lived a sheltered existence, and even in her afterlife, Hattie found it hard to see the bad in anybody or any situation. She was sweet and naïve in her own childlike way. As far as Hattie was concerned, a hug or a pretty flower could turn any frown upside down.

Hattie was more interested in healing flowers that had been flattened by the car’s tires than listening to what Hunter had to say. She already knew everything he was saying anyway.

Hattie, this is serious! Rose snapped. What are you doing?

What? I did my good deed already, Hattie said, motioning her hand in Jackson’s direction. I healed him.

She picked a tiny pink flower—the vibrant color of it in stark contrast to her pale skin, hair and clothes—and returned to Rose’s side.

He’s cute. She playfully nudged Rose’s arm as she glanced over at Jackson. Don’t you think?

Don’t get too attached to them, Hattie, Rose said sharply. You never know when they might turn on us like the last ones did.

As I was saying, Hunter continued, making a conscious effort to ignore his fellow spirits’ obvious yet understandable reservations. He was well aware that they had lost their trust since what had happened with The Forces, but he knew he just had to convince them that these ones would be different. Even though he had only just met these new Chosen Ones, he trusted them. He just hoped that in time Rose and Oliver would grow to do the same.

This accident wasn’t by chance, he continued on. "I had a vision that