All The Pretty Ghosts (The Never Series Book 1) Jamie Campbell (best life changing books .TXT) 📖

fell over and hit the wall, Jet gripped my arm and guided me along. It should have been impossible for anyone to see in such darkness but he managed all the twists and turns without the benefit of any light.

I had hoped he was taking me above ground. After all, what good was I to him? He knew I had only caused his group headaches last time I was his captive. I would only do the same again.

I would make sure of it.

Unfortunately, we returned to the same small room we had left earlier. I sat in the same seat as I had before, the painful memory of what he did to my arm still strongly felt.

Jet spun the seat around and straddled it so he could lean against the back and stare at me. He didn’t say a word, his eyes grazing over my skin like razorblades.

I squirmed under his scrutiny even though I tried to hide my discomfort. I didn’t want to show any weakness in front of Jet. I got the distinct feeling he respected strength above any other attribute.

My thoughts shifted to Oliver, forcibly thinking of anything but where I was and what might happen. I hoped he was safe and wasn’t getting into trouble while looking for me. He had already risked his life once for me, I didn’t want him to risk it again.

“What are you?” Jet asked, suddenly breaking the silence. The sound made me jump, pulling me from my internal reverie.

“What do you mean?”

“You asked me if I could see the adults.”

“So?”

He rested his chin on his folded arms, waiting for me to continue. I kept my mouth closed. At least sometimes I knew when it was best I just shut up.

Jet lost our standoff. “You thought they were ghosts. Can you see ghosts, princess?”

There was nobody else on the planet I had confessed my ability to besides Oliver. I didn’t trust that secret with anyone else. And I certainly didn’t trust it with Jet.

I leaned forward, resting my better arm on the table and placing my chin on top, mirroring him. I tried to match his aloof gaze but I doubt I pulled it off. “Ghosts aren’t real.”

“Who said?”

“Do you always speak only in questions?” I asked, dodging the question myself.

He sat back up again, still leaving his hands resting on the chair. “I find asking a number of questions is beneficial to my survival. I haven’t lasted this long for nothing.”

I pretended to be surprised. “Was that a real answer you just gave me? We must be making progress.”

Jet laughed a breathy chuckle. “I could give you a lot of answers, princess. But that’s not why you’re here. Tell me how you can see ghosts.”

“I can’t-”

“Yes, you can,” he stated, cutting me off and leaving no room for arguments. There was something about the way he was looking at me that made all my defenses crumble. It was like he could see every thought in my head before I even thought them, knew every word I would say before I spoke them. I had never met anyone like him before.

And he terrified me.

“Come on, princess, you may as well tell me. It’s not like either of us are going anywhere anytime soon.”

“There’s no food or water in here. I can probably wait it out,” I said insolently.

Jet shifted in his seat. “Maybe I should rephrase. You won’t be going anywhere. I will be.”

So that was his master plan? Leave me deep underground to starve to death in the small room? Or would he just turn me over to the mole people when he was finished playing with me? I wouldn’t put either option past Jet. Life meant nothing to him. There was no reason to think mine would be any different.

He continued. “But… if you tell me all about these ghosts, I might feel pleasantly amused enough to change your fate. So, what will it be, princess?”

“I want you to stop calling me princess.”

The comment earned another laugh from Jet. The amusement flickered in his eyes, making the flecks burn gold. “That’s never going to happen. So? Do you see dead people?” He whispered the last few words.

I crumbled under his gaze. Jet scared me, compelling me to reveal my secrets. The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. “Yes.”

“How? What do they look like?”

“I don’t know how, I just do. They look like ordinary people.”

Jet nodded slowly, taking it all in. “So you often mix up the living and the dead?”

“When all the adults are supposed to be dead, yes. I don’t expect to see them walking around alive.”

He chewed on his bottom lip, lost deep in thought. I didn’t know whether he believed me or not. I didn’t really care either way. It wasn’t anyone’s business who I saw, living or dead. Only one of the few perks of being without adults was being completely independent.

The silence was starting to make me even more uncomfortable. I didn’t think that was possible. I had to say something. “You don’t believe me.”

Always chuckling, Jet laughed again. “You’d be surprised about what I believe these days.”

I probably would be surprised.

I didn’t want to know anymore about that statement.

“That makes two of us,” I replied, leaning back in my seat again. My arm was throbbing with pain. I wasn’t sure how long I had been down here, but I was starting to feel every single ache in my body anew.

“Have you always seen these spirits, or was it only since the Event?” Jet asked casually, making sure he didn’t seem eager to hear my answers. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out his game.

“Always. It’s only since the Event that they are more prevalent.”