OK difficult chapter. There is a bit of Ryan-bashing later on, just to warn you. I hate Ryan and am trying my best not to be too mean to him... and failing! I know some people like him so sorry if you like him.
"Hey Alexx."
"Hey Timmy."
We have finally got used to talking and it's almost like conversation we used to have.
Alexx has sworn not to tell the others about me yet.
I doubt they would believe her anyway.
"What happened to her?" I asked Alexx as she started the autopsy.
"She was found in a nightclub. Doesn't even look eighteen. You weren't old enough to be out drinking, were you sugar? I don't know Timmy, some people die too young."
I wasn't sure if she was talking about me or had just "forgotten" that I was dead.
"Oh, Timmy, I'm sorry. I just… Sorry."
I only nodded, but she saw me.
I heard movement behind me and span around. Alexx did the same.
There was a girl standing behind me. She was in her late teens and looked strangely familiar, though I couldn't quite place her face.
"Excuse me sir, madam? Should I be in here?"
I was about to tell her that she shouldn't, when I realised that she had talked to me. No other living person, other than Alexx, had been able to talk to me, so this girl was obviously either gifted or…
I turned back to the autopsy table and realised with horror that the girl behind me, was also on the table.
From Alexx's face, I could tell that she was thinking along the same lines as me, but working quicker, because she composed herself and turned to the girl.
"Honey, what's your name?"
"Jenny Price. Why?"
"Jenny, honey, this might come as a bit of a shock to you but… Jenny, you are dead."
The poor girl had no idea what had happened. She sank down onto the floor, shaking for shock.
"I don't remember what happened. I remember getting punched in the neck… and that's it. That shouldn't have killed me! I shouldn't be here! I'm only eighteen! I shouldn't be dead…"
She faded out into silence.
Alexx crouched beside her and attempted to comfort her, but Alexx's hand slid straight through her ghostly flesh every time.
Alexx motioned for me to come and comfort her, so I did.
I remember how it was when I died.
There was no one there to comfort me. In fact, I went to comfort them.
The girl's tears subsided and she stood up, heading towards the autopsy table.
"Is…that…is that me?
Alexx nodded gravely and I expected the girl to break down again. Luckily, she didn't.
"So that's it? I'm just dead and I have to hang around here for all eternity?"
I have been dead for quite a while, but I have never had that thought.
Now that I was force to think it, I preferred not knowing or caring.
What will happen to me?
This obviously doesn't happen to everyone who dies, or there would be more ghosts than there are. In fact, this girl is the first other ghost I have seen.
"Tim, I think you had better go."
Alexx snapped me out of my thoughts.
"I'll explain everything to her; you go and see how Ryan and Calleigh are doing with this. OK?"
I nodded and headed out of the morgue into the sun, still wondering.
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Calleigh and Ryan were interviewing a suspect when I found them.
He was called Jack Bradford. He claimed to have an alibi.
"I've got an alibi!"
"Oh, you've got an alibi." Ryan turned to Calleigh. "He's got an alibi."
"We love alibis." Calleigh smiled in a way that I haven't seen her smile in quite a while.
I remember once when I had worked a case with her a long time ago. I said something like that.
She smiled just like that.
Rage took over me.
Why is she acting like that? With the newbie?
The one that replaced me.
I stalked out, making sure I walked straight through Wolfe as I did.
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"What's on your mind Timmy?"
Alexx surprised me with her silent entry. They say you can't sneak up on a ghost. Don't believe it. It's a lie.
"Nothing." I muttered.
She chuckled. "Don't lie to me."
I sighed. "Alexx, Calleigh is forgetting about me. They all are, just… Calleigh is worst. She's been to see the shrink and now she's just putting it behind her."
"But, you know Calleigh. It's her way. Shut it all out and then it's not there. I'm sure she thinks about you all the time and…"
I wanted to scream "But she doesn't!" but felt it would be unfair on Alexx. She hadn't forgotten me.
"I'll talk to her, ok?"
I nodded and make to follow her.
"Oh no you don't. I don't want you eavesdropping. Give Calleigh some privacy."
She left and I realised suddenly that Alexx must have been able to see me.
I'm sure she couldn't see me before…