Chapter Four

The next morning, Fern found Savanna in the school cafeteria. Savanna was irritating a young blonde, moving strands of hair into the wrong place while she applied heavy amounts of makeup. When she moved the mirror upwards and saw the misplaced hairs, she grumbled loudly, causing her friend to laugh. Fern smirked herself as Savanna moved to her side.

"This is what I do for a living, and despite all these years, it hasn't gotten old yet," she winked, pointing to a nerd at the other end of the cafeteria, "You have no idea how fun it is to manipulate his calculator during class. He doesn't have full-blown outbursts, but he has gotten detention for his actions. I do regret that, but hey, I like having fun. By the way, there's another party at the Armstrong house tonight. A lot of others just like us are going to be there, and I want you to come."

"That's Sue Ellen's house. I can't go there," Fern said sternly. Savanna shrugged, "You don't know what you're missing. Honestly, Sue Ellen probably won't be making an appearance. Muffy is here, but there's a distinctly empty seat at that table," Savanna pointed, moving closer to them. Fern was nervous about being so close to Muffy, but she followed anyway. When they reached the table, Muffy was showing the others a magazine on her tablet. Savanna grinned as she looked the technology over, "You should do this one, Fern, your first technological frustration," Savanna said. Fern shook her head. "Look, when she's in the middle of switching the tablet around, turn the page or press the 'off' button," Savanna snickered. Fern shook her head again. "Oh, come on, Fern!"

"Fine," Fern sighed, changing spots with her. Muffy described a beautiful blue dress in great detail before moving to let the others see her device. Fern swiped the screen hard, moving the pages back to the beginning of the magazine. Her friends noticed and Muffy turned the tablet back around again.

"What...? That's not where I had it. Ugh, I hate this thing!" Muffy spat, moving it to the proper page. She moved to turn the tablet around again but Fern swiped in the opposite direction, putting the magazine at a page close to the end of the issue. Muffy's friends snickered, as did Fern and Savanna. Muffy grumbled loudly as the bell chimed overhead. "Fine! I'll send you the pictures on InstaPic," Muffy said matter-of-factly, gathering her things and rushing from the room. "And text me if you see Sue Ellen!" she called back to them.

"See how easy that was?" Savanna asked. Fern nodded, following Savanna to a different nearby table. Fern felt more tired than before, and Savanna nodded to herself as Fern lay across the table, her arms nearly falling through the surface. "Maybe you aren't as ready as I thought for things like that, but it's good to see you smile. Look, I...I think we should stay away from your house and away from anyone else who might be torn up by your death. You get this look on your face in those places that just screams suffering."

"I'll admit I have regrets, but...," Fern paused, sighing heavily. She didn't know what to say after that. She wasn't necessarily unhappy that she'd killed herself. She was just unhappy that she'd left so many good people behind to suffer in her absence, including Sue Ellen, even if the girl was trying to appear cool to Muffy and her friends.

"I get it," Savanna said, looking over the empty room. "It's really not easy to be in our position. I don't mind making it look easy, but I'm one of those fun-loving people that got stuck. I like it here, and truly, it'd be nice to have someone here with me for a while. I want you to be happy though, so if you want to work things out sooner, so be it. But you've got the darkest aura I've seen since I got here. You've got a lot of unfinished business that can't be tackled in just a few days."

"I see that," Fern nodded. "I still need to figure out why I'm stuck, but...I like it here. I'm just so tired after that tablet," Fern sighed. Savanna smiled, "Well, we can just hang out somewhere. Do you have any place in mind?" Savanna questioned. Fern shook her head, so Savanna gestured her to follow. They went downstairs into the basement music room. Off key notes blared into the hallway, but the girls moved through the wall and into the room anyhow. They sat on an upper level and watched as elementary-aged kids attempted to get through a short piece. The band teacher was getting frustrated with the poor sound quality, and Savanna withheld laughter as he finally stopped the number and broke into a German rant.

Savanna cackled loudly as the man stormed from the room, leaving the kids to exchange hurt glances with each other. Savanna cleared her throat, "It's not just the music that sets him off. He can sense us a little better than most people, so he feels like he's being watched. I went to Germany with my father once and can pick up on the language a little. He knows we're here, but they have no idea. And look!" Savanna pointed, laughing at a small boy sitting pale-faced on the front row. "He's German! His father lives in the same subdivision as the Armstrong's, and he knows what he said! HA!" Savanna cackled, elbowing Fern gently.

"So some people can see us, not just babies?" Fern asked. Savanna nodded, "I hear there's a clairvoyant at the high school that can fully see ghosts. She was almost committed with Elwood City High lost those sisters a few years ago in a car accident and their ghosts wandered the school. They were just making sure their youngest sister was getting on okay because she survived the accident, and since she was fine, they left quickly, but that girl almost lost it. The others talked about her frequently."

"So some people can see us and there are a lot of other ghosts," Fern said to herself. "I never expected this to be true. I've read supernatural fiction before but found it to be very...well, I guess I thought it was stupid, really. I add some flamboyance to my mystery pieces, but that's nothing compared to what's in some of those books."

"I agree with you, but yes, there are plenty of people who can sense us or see us, and there are plenty of spirits stuck here from our age group. Half of this party tonight is going to be ghosts from the area, more than half probably. If you go, you can see this in action. Thankfully, that girl has never been to one of the parties in the area, but she still has some contact with Muffy, is it?" Savanna asked. Fern shrugged and Savanna nodded, "My point is that we should keep away from her because she can't handle her abilities. If we need her one day, we might be able to use her, but people like her are so sensitive. A story like yours would break her heart and mind all at the same time."

Fern looked up as the music teacher returned. The bell rang, so the children began putting away their instruments. The teacher looked around the room, his eyes moving past the girls each time. Savanna grinned and followed the others out of the room with Fern at her side. They moved back to the library to linger in the stacks, Fern's mind on clairvoyance and the possibility of several other ghosts. She moved through the aisles, her fingers scanning titles. She couldn't pick up the books, but her mind was coming up with enough wild ideas to last her all of eternity. She decided she would go with Savanna to the party that night, even with the possibility of seeing Sue Ellen on the table. She needed to know more about her new world so that hopefully she could move on.

Music blared at the Armstrong house. Savanna had them arrive outside the party, and a group of translucent teens greeted them with loud whoops and cheers. Savanna moved to the center of the group while Fern hung back, uncomfortable with this large group of new people, especially ghosts. A few of the guys noticed and approached her, and before she could realize what was happening, Fern was apart of the circle as well.

"Hey guys, meet Fern Walters," Savanna introduced. "She passed a few days ago and showed up at school. She's pretty shy so be nice to her. Josh, stop sticking your arm through her," Savanna smirked. Fern gasped, jumping away as the boy's arm hovered through her translucent body. Josh laughed and high-fived another boy before obeying Savanna's orders and moving to the other side of the circle. "Let's go party!" Savanna cheered, and the group of ghostly teens moved into the house through a wall of windows.

Fern looked around the house awkwardly. People of all ages mingled in the various rooms, but she didn't spot Sue Ellen or her parents anywhere. Fern followed Savanna into a grand dining hall, where the tables had been transformed into a buffet. Wherever glasses had crashed and broken, a ghostly form of them remained, the beverages still inside. Savanna handed Fern a glass and she sipped it eagerly, smiling as they moved into the kitchen.

"Look, Josh didn't mean anything by that move earlier," Savanna grinned. "He likes to harass the newcomers, but he knows to follow my judgment. They all do. I've been here longer than any of them," Savanna said, looking up as a chef approached with a large pan of appetizers. Savanna playfully tripped the man, and a ghost platter formed in her hands. "And I know my way around this place like no one else," she winked, taking a bite of the steaming items. Fern accepted one from the platter as they moved into the taxidermy room. A ghost cat snuggled against their legs as Savanna passed around the platter.

"So, who's looking to score tonight?" Josh asked, high-fiving another boy as they cheered. Savanna smirked, "You boys are so, so sick. Look, I was thinking we should talk a little, help Fern feel more comfortable with her new form. Um...Spencer, tell Fern why being a ghost can be so convenient."

"Why me?" Spencer asked. Savanna threw a piece of food at him and he laughed, "Okay, okay. I died the day before prom but I didn't have a date yet. I was worried the day before that I wouldn't have a date, so I went to the dance. There were so many people there without dates that I felt stupid for worrying so much. Then I met Josh and Savanna, saw how fun being a ghost really way, and here I am," Spencer smiled, high-fiving Josh.

"Okay, stop with all that stupid male bonding," Savanna scoffed. "Spencer, you told the wrong story. I meant the one about your older sister, the one who went missing?" Savanna called. Spencer shrugged and Savanna sighed heavily, "Fine! I'll tell it. Spencer's sister was apart of the Peace Corps, and she went missing in Nigeria a few years ago. He went to find her once he built up his strength. He found her living happily in China. She hadn't called home because they didn't seem to care before she left. He wanted to tell her they did care, but he had no way of doing so, so he just came back home. Well, his new home at Mighty Mountain High," Savanna said, scoffing as the boys cheered. A young couple entered the room holding hands, the boy kissing the girls neck.

But when the girl looked up and saw all the mounted heads on the wall, she lost interest and darted from the room. The boys groaned as the teens disappeared. Savanna dismissed them, and Josh and Spencer immediately rushed out of the room to seek out the young lovers. Savanna scoffed, sipping her drink and looking the room over.

"I'd be disgusted at this room if I didn't know the truth about it," Savanna whispered. Fern gave her a perplexed look as the ghost cat settled in her lap. "Yes, this room is original to the house. The heirs wanted no part of this collection, so they left it here for the new owners as a sort of 'welcome home' gift. The Armstrong's weren't necessarily okay with the addition, and Sue Ellen avoids this room altogether. That's why I wanted to gather here tonight, but I don't think she's making an appearance tonight."

"Why not?" Fern asked. Savanna gave her a knowing look. "Oh, because of me," Fern murmured. "Are you sure that's true? She seemed to mind that I was dead, but our friendship was ending. We were done and she wanted that," Fern sighed. Savanna exhaled, looking the room over, "She knows she's part of this, that she helped you make your decision. She's guilty and wonders if it's her fault that you died. Truly, I'd love to know the same thing, but I know the truth. Your suicide was a bad combination of bad situations. You haven't built up your defenses against depression. You let the monster drag you under."

"Sue Ellen said that about depression, that I was facing my first major time," Fern whispered. "Do you think that's true, that I am depressed for the first time? Why are you laughing?" Fern questioned. She then realized it: "I'm not depressed anymore. I'm just dead," she sighed. "Well, where do I go from here?"

"When you're ready, I hear a bright light appears and you walk through it. But I don't know where the suicides go. Maybe this is your punishment, maybe this is just a starting point," Savanna shrugged, petting the ghost cat. It moved into her lap purring loudly. "All I know is that you're a tough case. You might as well stay here because it's going to be hard, and you might end up worse off. You could end up like that clairvoyant girl and go crazy for all I know. What I do know is that this right here is the life. I'd never been into a house like this until after I died, and judging by the look on your face when we first came here, you'd never been to a place like this either."

"I've been to the Crosswire mansion, but this is-"

"Better," Savanna nodded, "much, much better. I'd enjoy it. I'm a pessimist by nature, and truly, with the pile of problems on your plate, I don't see you getting past this anytime soon. So, let's go back to the party and mingle with the guests," Savanna grinned, "and we'll have a fun time spying on the people who are together who shouldn't be," she winked. Fern smiled, deciding that this would be a fun way to spend her evening. They moved upstairs, and it wasn't long before Savanna found a couple to follow. Fern wasn't interested, so she remained in the corner of the front parlor. A few minutes into her wait, Muffy and Sue Ellen appeared from a coat closet. A boy stepped out a few moments later, then another boy.

Fern was shocked as the girls took out their phones. Fern moved behind them and saw they were making tallies in a note-taking app. Her jaw fell at the number of lines on both pages, and at the top, they titled it "Research Studies." Fern knew that was far from the truth as the boys huddled in the corner, one of them sporting a huge purple hickey on his neck.

"You've gotten better according to...what was his name again?" Muffy asked. Sue Ellen shrugged, moving into the dining hall to get a beverage. "Well, I'm glad we started this. You're ahead of Felicity now and she's a grade-A slut," Muffy winked. Sue Ellen blushed, "I don't see myself that way, Muffy. I'm just having fun," she said. Muffy winked again, "I bet you are."

Fern felt sick to her stomach. Sue Ellen always told Fern how much she cherished her virginity, but as she overhead the boys bragging about their encounter, she quickly realized it was just an act. Sue Ellen had a double life when Fern came along, and the side she shared with Fern was a complete lie.

Fern felt anger rising, and she closed her eyes to try to stop the eruption of emotions. She screamed at the pain as she sank to her knees. She screamed until the pain stopped, and when she opened her eyes, the house was silent aside from murmurs, and every light was off as well. Cellphones lit up a path to the door, a crunchy path covered with broken glass. Fern watched confused as people fled the house, everyone terrified about the experience.

"What the hell happened to you?" Savanna asked. Fern turned around to see the other translucent teens, all of them standing there with concerned expressions. Fern looked back to Savanna with a confused expression. Savanna sighed, "I know, I shouldn't have brought you here again so soon. Let's go back to the school-"

But Fern had collapsed on the ground. Before she could fully fade away, Savanna helped her back to the school gym. She lay Fern in front of the maintenance panel and watched her closely as she lay semi-transparent in a deep, deep sleep.

Fern opened her eyes as a basketball rolled into her hiding nook. Savanna kicked it back onto the floor as a student came into the area looking for it. Savanna rolled her eyes and looked down to Fern as she awakened. A whistle sent the boy back onto the gym floor, leaving the ghost girls alone again.

"What happened? I feel so tired...," Fern murmured. Savanna nodded, handing her a piece of chocolate. "Wait, shouldn't this fall through me?" Fern asked, seeing how translucent her body was. Savanna shook her head and Fern accepted the chocolate. It melted on her tongue, immediately giving her more energy to raise her head. When she was settled, she repeated her first question, "What happened?"

"No one knows, but you blew every light in the house," Savanna smirked. "Even the chandelier in the foyer was shattered. The police are investigating because it was the ambassador's house, but I know the truth. Something set you off last night. I wasn't able to figure out what because I was a little busy at the moment, but I know it involved Sue Ellen."

"How did you...?" Fern began, sighing heavily and rubbing her temple. "I honestly don't remember much about last night. I remember being in the taxidermy room and following you to another part of the house, but everything after that is blank. Is this normal?" Fern asked.

"Well, that depends," Savanna said, swallowing and leaning in closer, "I've seen explosions like that before when dead wives catch their husbands in bed with someone they're really been with for a while, but even that was just a legend. I knew you had some anger within you, but whatever emerged last night...well, I'm concerned for you. I wanted you to be around and be my partner in crime, so to speak, but if you're really that bothered by the world, I should probably get more serious and actually help you. Your funeral is in an hour, for instance, and I've decided that we need to go."

"I thought you wanted me to stay away from the people I care about," Fern whispered, still feeling weak. Savanna shrugged, "Well, last night changed some things. Either we go to your funeral or we get more serious about your past. You need to tell me things, everything you can think of that's relevant to your depression. And I need to tell you what I know to give you peace about your situation," Savanna said. Fern squinted at her. Savanna sighed, "It's about Dr. Hopkins, things you could only know if you saw it for yourself. You won't like it either, so I'd rather work with something else first," Savanna said. Fern nodded as another ball flew into the area. Savanna angrily threw it back out the way it came in, nearly hitting the same kid from before. Savanna groaned and looked Fern over, "Your choice, kid: Funeral or some deep conversation neither of us are going to be comfortable with."

"I think I should go to my funeral to see who actually still cared about me," Fern whispered. Savanna nodded and extended her hand. A moment later, the scene flashed, and Fern found herself in a local funeral parlor filled with people. Among them were people from her past, family members she'd rarely seen, and, in a far corner of the room, her Lakewood friends. Arthur and Francine stood tucked into the corner as George and Brain sat on a couch beside them. They were all staring awkwardly at the floor as Jenna approached with Sue Ellen on her heels.

"I finally found her," Jenna sighed, stepping out of everyone's line of sight. Arthur gave an awkward wave to Sue Ellen, who smiled gently and blushed a little. George's eyes remained on the floor, but Brain and Francine looked to her without moving or speaking. "Well, we were wondering what you could tell us. I mean, you don't have to tell us here-"

"I don't know anything," Sue Ellen whispered. "I was with Muffy at home when the story came on the news. That's how I found out. That's how a lot of people found out," Sue Ellen murmured, looking across the room to Fern's father. He was bouncing baby Charlie on his knees with a blank expression. Fern's mother was nearby, swooning as she walked towards a beverage table. Fern sighed to herself and looked back to her old friends. Sue Ellen was looking them over too, "I'm surprised some of you showed up."

"Well, we kind of had no choice," Francine said darkly. "My mother forced me to go out of respect. She's over there making sure I don't skip out," Francine gestured. Beside her was Jane, Arthur's mother, their eyes locked on their teenaged children. "I don't know how this is respectful. It's not like she was respectful to us."

"She told me it was an honest mistake, a problem with her hard drive," Sue Ellen tried, but Francine scoffed and crossed her arms, "Yeah, and it was an accident when she fell off that overpass. We all know what she did. She always thought things out. That's why her stories were so good...well, until she posted that!"

"Do you mind telling me what they're talking about?" Savanna whispered to Fern. Fern brushed her away as Brain kicked at the rug. Sue Ellen noticed and turned to him, "And what are you two doing here? I thought you were duel enrolled in Elwood City University this semester," Sue Ellen said. Brain gestured his head towards Arthur and Francine, "My parents felt this was an obligatory commitment to someone I spent my childhood with, but I agree with the two of them...in some ways. I understand that Fern's ongoing battle with technology caused her little mishap, but I have yet to forgive her for the way she thought about me. I am, however, sorry about her death, but this is merely filial piety."

"English, Brain," Francine growled, rolling her eyes when Brain shook his head. "I swear, so many people have gotten weird because of this. Binky refused to come because he was too upset, but then again, he's about the only one she didn't slam into oblivion. I lost my spot on a key team because of her!" Francine exclaimed. Across the room, Laverne stood and glared in her daughter's direction. Francine blushed and plopped herself down between Brain and George on the couch, "I'm sick of this! Why do we always have to think so kindly of the dead? My grandmother had a heckler at her funeral, and I know for a fact she would've loved that if she'd been there!"

"I doubt that," Savanna grinned. Fern looked to her. "What? I had a heckler at my mock funeral and I almost did what you pulled off last night," Savanna smirked. She patted Fern's shoulder, "This is supposed to be difficult, by the way. I was just trying to lighten the mood-"

"I deserve this, all of it," Fern whispered. Savanna exhaled slowly and slid her arm off Fern's shoulder, "I know you probably do, but it's hard to hear the truth, even if it does need to be said. Didn't you have more people from this group? I've seen them come together before."

"When Principal Haney passed away, we got together again. Well, they did. Sue Ellen and I sat alone at the back of the chapel's reserved rows. That kept people from glaring at me during the services, but a few didn't want me to be there. Surprisingly, Francine's mother advocated against my attendance. I wonder why she's forcing Francine to be here now," Fern murmured, leaving her former classmates and heading towards their mothers. She arrived just in time.

"You know, Jane, the only reason I'm here is because her mother looks like a train wreck waiting to happen," Laverne whispered, looking around with confidence. She didn't know Fern was listening beside her, but her arms tingled as Savanna moved closer. "These places give me the creeps, but you know what? It'll be worth it if she pulls a good stunt," Laverne winked, showing Jane a camera she had hidden underneath her coat.

"Who the hell does she think she is?" Savanna asked coldly. Fern shook her head. She knew Francine's parents must be interesting people to have such a headstrong daughter, but she didn't know the woman could be downright cruel. "I'll fix her, or would you like to do it?" Savanna smirked. Fern followed Savanna's gaze to Laverne's lap and the camera. "Touch it and think about fire. The electricity within the battery will obey your whim, if you're interested in such an action."

"Look at her, Jane, she's drunk!" Laverne laughed, hiding her smile with her hand. Jane looked but her expression was more out of pity than entertainment. Fern felt herself move towards Laverne's lap, and a moment later, she pictured an all-out inferno as she touched the camera. Smoke billowed from Laverne's lap, making her scream as she flung her jacket and camera onto the floor. A few men, both of them large in more ways than one, stomped on the burning jacket, cracking the camera into dozens of pieces.

"That never gets old," Savanna grinned as the reverend approached. Visiting members moved into the chapel as Fern's parents and family members gathered around the casket. It was closed, and Fern felt herself wondering what her body must look like after her fall. Savanna noticed her expression and put her hand on Fern's shoulder, making her jump. "Don't think about that ever, okay? Don't do that to yourself," she demanded. Fern nodded, watching as her father held her mother up beside the casket. The reverend muttered a prayer, and a moment later, the group filed into the chapel.

Fern and Savanna moved to the ceiling rafters. Fern noticed that Francine was texting, so she floated down and touched the phone, causing it to ring out loudly. Glares moved onto the girl's bright red face, and her mother slapped the phone into her purse. If it weren't for the noise, Fern knew she wouldn't have said anything. She looked over the woman and noticed her own phone was in her purse. After a few minutes, Fern touched the phone to make it sound. She continued to touch it even as Laverne tried to stop the noise, causing Savanna to cackle loudly above them as everyone glared in her direction. When Fern was satisfied with the result—a blushing Laverne and a pale Francine—she ended her game and returned to Savanna's side.

The ceremony felt cold to Fern, who found herself staring at the casket. At Principal Haney's funeral, flowers littered the room, many of them remaining outside in a storage truck for the trip to the cemetery afterward. Fern noticed half of the flowers arranged around the room were actually plastic flowers from various parts of the funeral home. She felt her heart sink as she looked over the room. Only her mother was weeping uncontrollably. Her father simply stared at the floor while his wife and son sat beside them, both sharing a bored expression. Fern wondered if anyone other than her parents cared that she was gone, and her eyes searched the crowd. Sue Ellen was the only one of the Lakewood group following the reverend as he moved around the front of the room. Everyone else was staring at the walls or the floor, whatever was closer.

A few pews down, Dr. Hopkins sat with his wife and adult daughter, a teaching assistant Fern had met the previous year when she returned to Elwood City after college. The family was also watching the reverend with a solemn expression, the three of them listening intently as he preached. Fern wondered how they felt about her as the doors opened below. Savanna looked and saw the girl first. She elbowed Fern and forced her to look forward by elbowing her again.

"What? Who just came in?" Fern questioned, whispering even though no one but Savanna could hear her. Savanna shook her head, "You don't need to know. Focus on whatever it is you were doing before. Listen to the preaching or something," Savanna suggested, exhaling slowly as Fern faced forward again.

Savanna looked down and examined the girl. The short blonde had a devious smile on her face as she looked to the paper announcement she'd snatched off a nearby table. Savanna immediately recognized her as Margie Barber, and a moment later, her father stepped into the room and took a seat next to her. Savanna elbowed Fern a final time to keep her gaze forward, her expression grim. Fern found it hard to ignore as the room bowed their heads in prayer. Fern watched as many ignored him, using the moment to blatantly stare at the floor. She sighed and turned to Savanna. She nodded to Fern, realizing the girl wanted to leave. She touched her shoulder and they found themselves in the school's clock tower. behind the glass face.

"Who were you watching at the service?" Fern asked firmly. Savanna sighed heavily, "Margie," she whispered. Fern nodded, moving to the clock face. "What? Why are you nodding about that? You realize now what I was doing?" Savanna asked. Fern nodded again. "See, I want to look out for you, but it's difficult. And...I guess I should let you see her, let you deal with your frustrations. I don't know what to do about you, but truly, I want you to tell me why your old classmates hate you. Maybe that has something to do with how you feel now. Weren't you going to lose your place on the journalism staff, thus losing your scholarship?"

"Yes, and then I'd have to go to school with them again. But that's not the only reason I did it," Fern said, turning around to look at Savanna. "I had multiple reasons, a compounding pile of reasons. It needed to be done, looking back. No one wants me here anyway."

"I doubt that's true, Fern," Savanna sighed, but she knew why the girl was saying such a cold statement. No one seemed truly interested at her funeral. It was the first young person funeral Savanna had witnessed where the teens didn't sit there with sick looks on their faces or try to get out of the chapel with poor excuses. Normally they didn't want to be there because they didn't know how to handle death. Not only did Fern's classmates not try to get out of the ceremony, they looked okay with her death. They looked as if they really did want her to die. "Fern, you can take today to yourself, but you need to tell me everything you can. Can you do that for me tomorrow?"

"You already heard. I published something I shouldn't have, something that hurt the people that once cared about me. I ruined everything, and coming here did nothing to help me. Sue Ellen was a fake. The only two people that cared about me in the world are now completely separate," Fern said quickly, looking to Savanna with a sad expression. "Everything we had in those days is now gone, but really, it's my fault. I regret everything I ever did, and...I just want to go back to the days when everything was simple and I didn't make my stupid mistake...and my friends actually cared whether I lived or died."

"Do you still care about them?" Savanna asked. Fern thought for a moment. During the night, she still had visions of Sue Ellen being friendly, sitting with her in the library and having their usual conversation. She still pictured her as the caring person she was in the beginning, before Fern found out the truth. Fern looked up to Savanna and shrugged. "Well, whether you do or not, now is your chance to prove to the universe that you care even if they aren't returning the favor. Let your power build, and one day, you could protect them."

Fern sighed heavily and walked towards the stairs leading down into the school, "I'm sorry, Savanna, but I don't think they want my protection. I don't think they wanted me to exist in the first place, so, ghost or not, I'm just here. I'm glad we get to have fun sometimes, but I almost wish I was just gone. It'd be easier then."

As Fern disappeared, Savanna couldn't help but agree with her. Things were easier when death was immediate, when it invited you in without making you work out the details first. But Fern's death was her decision, and Death needed time to catch up on the facts. She would have to work through them, but Savanna knew it was too soon. It was simply too soon.