Disclaimer: I do not own the Mediator series!

Okay guys, I know this probably should have been included in the first chapter, but I didn't think of it in time, and it doesn't really go with the next chapter. Therefore, it is short. But I hope it gives you more insight into the story.

Susannah's Point of View

Sometimes I feel like mediating is the only thing I'm useful for. Everyone at the hospital hates me, even though I keep ghosts from trashing rooms.

I guess they have a good reason. Sometimes I'm a little late, and they walk in on me attacking nothing, or just standing there, in the middle of a room that looked like a tornado went through it.

Add that to the fact that I wasn't born here and you've got yourself judgment and hatred all around.

But I hope nobody thinks I'm bitter.

Of course, the one thing that keeps me going has to be ruined at some point or another. And it was, in the form of him showing up right as I was discussing the cat with the woman that had answered the door.

"You have to get rid of the cat!" He said irritably, and it looked like he had run for a while.

The woman just stared at him. I, however, had something to say. "We were actually discussing that. Thanks for all your help, but I think you've done your part. You can go now."

I could see the old man, looking at both of us expectantly. Of course, my dead father had told me that there were more mediators in town, but he didn't have the resources to find out who (He was always saying vague things about being a ghost. It really bugged me).

But why did it have to be one of them? Or, more specifically, him?

I waited for his response to my comment. "What would you know? You just yelled Mr. Prescott, and he won't sell you bread anymore!"

"Uh, I think I should go now," the woman in the doorway decided she'd had enough weirdness for one day. The door slammed in our faces.

"Now look what you've done!" and now Hector had to make it worse by blaming me.

"What I did? I had everything going just fine! I think she was going to invite me in. And then you come up the street, impatient and rude, and she decides not to listen to me. So now the old man is going to keep bugging both of us until I can come up with a solution. What's your problem, anyway? I know you're stuck up toward people like me, but why are you so mean to the old man and his daughter?"

Surprisingly, there was no interruption to my rant and accusations. He'd seen me arguing with the baker, but I don't think he'd ever had a girl yell at him before. It took a second for him to collect himself.

"What's my problem? I hate mediating. Why can't I just get on with my life and not worry about anyone else's? Or their afterlife. I have enough going on right now without having to tear my hair out after every single person dies in this town!" He glared accusingly at me, probably because the population had been growing lately…and he blamed every single newcomer that came through this town. Idiot.

"Ah, I see. You're being selfish, and mediating is getting in the way of that."

"I'm not worried about myself. I'm concerned about – someone else. It's none of your business anyway."

"That's good, because I don't care about your stupid, self-absorbed troubles. I have problems of my own, and I don't need you making them any worse! I can take care of the mediating from now on, if it's such a burden to you!"

He actually looked relieved. Then he remembered he was supposed to hate me, and his original expression came back after a moment. But instead of saying anything (he probably thought I would change my mind about taking over his responsibilities) he just turned around and walked away.

I smiled to myself. Nobody messes with my only outlet.

Jesse's Point of View

Amazing. I couldn't let it show, but I was intensely grateful for her taking that weight off my shoulders. I didn't mind if she messed it up. Every single one of them could go to hell for all I cared.

Now all I had to concern me was the health and welfare of my family. My father had been pressing me into setting the date for the wedding, and I had decided it should be done as soon as possible. Additions to the family meant more money for medical care.

That girl, calling me self-absorbed? Hah! I was sacrificing my freedom to keep my family safe.

And the possibility of medical school was just an added bonus.