Chapter 16

I ran all the way home. By the time I got there my lungs were burning. It was probably about six miles. When I turned up the walk way Shane was sitting on the steps. He stood, not saying a word, and I threw myself at him. He caught me and held me close.

He pulled me inside the house which was unusually empty. My brother and the group weren't even here. He turned to face me. "You need to tell me about Michael."

"What?"

"I mean it Claire. Tell me, right now. Because I cant find him anywhere, and you know what? I can never find him during the day-damn! Did you feel that?" I did. A cold spot, sweeping across my skin. Michael trying to tell me something. Probably Hell no, don't tell him. "We cant get through this if we're not straight with each other." Shane's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Is he- you know- one of them? Cause I need to know that."

"No. No he's not."

Shane closed his eyes and slumped against the wall. I smiled at him. I could tell he cared about his friends. "God, thank you. I was going nuts. I thought- I mean, it's one thing to be a night person, but Michael- I was-I thought"

"Wait," I took a deep breath. Cold settled over me again. Michael was trying to stop me, but I ignored it. "Quit it, Michael. He needs to know." Shane looked around then frowned at me.

"Michael's not here. I checked. I searched the place top to bottom."

"Yes he is. Cold spot." I held out my hand and waved it through the refrigerated air. "I figure he's standing…..right here." I looked at my watch. "He'll be back in two hours. Sundown. You can talk to him then."

"What the hell are you talking about Claire?"

"Michael. He's a ghost."

"O come on! Bullshit! The dude sits here and eats dinner with us. He isn't a damn ghost."

"Just watch him at dawn if you don't believe me. Then tell me what he is, because ghost is all I can think of to call him." I batted at the cold air settling over me. "Stop it Michael. I know your pissed, but he needs to know."

Shane grabbed my shoulders. "Claire stop! Your talking to thin air!"

"Whatever. Let go. I've got things to do."

"What things?"

"I have an accession to prepare for." I pulled away and went up stairs. The cold followed me. "Michael get out of my room." The cold stayed. "I swear I'm going to start taking my clothes off!"

The cold stayed resolutely put until I got the hem of my shirt to my bra line. "Chicken." I said and paced the room, back and forth.

Dawn finally came and I came out of my room. Shane was coming out of Michael's. I could here the guys down stairs. "Michael!" I felt the cold settle around me. Shane spun around and looked at me. Eve came out of her room.

"Could you two keep it down to aircraft-carrier noise?"

….and then Michael just……appeared. Midway between all three of us, forming right out of thick gray heavy mist.

Eve screamed, which cause the son's to come running.

Michael collapsed to his hands and knees, retching. He fell on his side, then rolled over to stare up at the ceiling. "Shit!" He gasped, and just stayed there fighting for air.

I looked down the hall at Shane. He was frozen in place, mouth open, looking like a cartoon of himself. Eve, too, from my angle.

I walked over to Michael and held out a hand. "Well I guess that settles things." He gave me a filthy, wordless look, and took my hand to pull himself up.

He staggered and leaned against the wall. I tried to help, but he shook his head. "In a minute. It takes a lot out of you."

Eve squeaked. "That is without a doubt the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life."

Shane looked pale. He also looked pissed. Him and Michael locked gazes. "This is why you asked me to come back."

"I-" Michael was cut of by Eve throwing her arms around his shoulders. "Not just because-"

"I get it." Shane said. "I get it man. I do. What the hell happened while I was gone?"

Michael shook his head. "Later." Shane turned and stomped down the stairs. "Claire don't let him leave."

I went past everyone after Shane. He was just standing there. Just standing. I went to reach for him, but there was a knock at the door. I walked to the door and looked through the peep hole to see Oliver.