"Mel, I need you to wake up baby," said Jim quietly. "I can't lose you sweetie."
Jim was sobbing as he spoke. Unaware of the perks of having Melinda's gift, he didn't know that she could actually hear him.
Melinda opened her eyes to find her grandmother watching her. She could see another person in the distance, but was unable to see who they were. Startled, Melinda closed her eyes again, but when she opened them, she could see that nothing had changed. Now, Melinda was shaking out of fear, and attempted to go back to her life.
"Mel, it's okay darling. You're safe here with us," said her grandmother, Tammy.
"Where am I? Who's us? What happened?" asked Melinda. Tears were pouring down her face.
"Oh sweetie, it's alright." Tammy pulled her granddaughter into a hug. "Do you want to see who else is here?"
"Where's here?"
"Limbo."
"Am I dead?"
"No baby. You're in a coma. Look." Tammy turned Melinda around and pointed to Jim. He was sitting next to a hospital bed with tears pouring down his face.
"I need to talk to him."
"You can't sweetie. Not yet. Your brain is healing and until it has healed, you won't wake up."
"What happened?"
A second voice answered Melinda's question.
"You were hit by a speeding car outside your shop Melinda."
Melinda turned around, surprise clouding her features. For a few seconds Melinda just stared. Then she realised that she really was seeing her friend and threw herself into a hug.
"Andrea! I never thought I would see you again. I've missed you so much," said Melinda as she let go of her friend.
"I missed you too. But I gave you Delia, and it seems that I made a good decision. You two make a wonderful pair of friends."
"Can you come and visit me sometime Andrea?"
"Sure. Whenever you want me to, just call my name. I'll hear you."
Relief crossed Melinda's face as she relaxed. She was safe with her grandmother and her best friend.
"Can't you tell Jim that I'm okay?"
"Sorry honey, but that doesn't work. He'll know that you're okay soon enough. Providing you don't have too much fun here with us and decide to stay," said Tammy.
"I have to go back to Jim right now though Gran."
"You need to relax Melinda. We'll take care of you sweetheart."
"Please Gran? Please just let him know that I'm okay."
Tammy shook her head in response and Andrea took Melinda's arm gently to lead her away from Jim.
