Nine While Nine

Chapter 1-3

He was so matter-of-fact. I shook my head desperately, not wanting to accept any of this.

“And who are you?” I glowered at him.

“I’m Liam.” He extended a hand in greeting. I ignored it with a look of contempt on my face. I might have had some romantic notions when I first saw him, but now he claimed to have something to do with my death. Why would I for any conceivable reason want to touch him now?

“I’m your Coimhdeacht.”

Like this bit of info would make it all better.

“I’ll explain it all to you when we reach our destination.”

“To where? And wait. No.” I shook my muddled head. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” I growled at him, edging closer to the door.

Liam sighed. “We have to. We can’t hang around here. Sooner or later, most likely sooner, someone is going to try to wake the birthday girl, and then things are going to get truly interesting. Do you want to see the reaction of your friends when it happens? Do you want to watch the paramedics try to revive you? Trust me. You do not want to hang around and watch the aftermath. I’ve seen it happen. It will be even less fun for you than this right now.”

“It’s all too fast. I can’t think straight.” My breathing was ragged, as I absorbed another bout of dread.

“I don’t mean to seem uncaring, but it’s the truth of the situation. These are things you have to consider.”

“Can they see you? Can they hear you?

“Yes, but only if I allow it.”

“And are you? Allowing it?”

“Not since I began speaking to you.”

My head was spinning. My throat was burning from the exertion of holding back sobs. I moved markedly away from him, making my way through my friends, looking all around me as I turned among them, willing them to see me, speak to me, touch me, hug me . . . Oh hell, even bump into me. The closest thing I got was another person walking through me on their way to the bar. Liam followed closely, always just an arm span away.

“Look, darlin’, I do this every day. Well, nearly every day. I’m doing my best to be delicate and take your feelings into account, but you’ve got to cut me some slack. Work with me.”

“This is not real.”

“How much proof do you need?” Frustration tinged his voice.

I took one last look at myself and my friends gathered here for me. They’re all so happy and unaware. A moan of absolute desolation escaped me. I darted for the door. I tore down the single flight of carpeted stairs, passing my neighbor’s door to the front door of my own apartment. I reached for the doorknob, prepared to race through and barricade Liam out, but my hand passed right through it.

The air in my lungs rushed out in dismay. “s**t!” I cried. I gave it another go, and another, but my hand passed through the metal as if my fingers were made of fog. I sighed distraughtly, wondering if I were to lean my head against the door, as I so utterly felt the need to do, would I pass through it?

“We’ve got a lot to talk about, and we can’t do it here.”

I glared at him in response. The fire of rage and resentment hit a crescendo. My mind suddenly felt focused and sharp. Something hummed deep within me, making the fog and cobwebs fall away. I grabbed at the shiny brass door knob and felt my hand grip it solidly. I grinned and turned it, swiftly pushing the door open.

“What?” Liam sounded terribly perplexed. I felt immensely satisfied with my achievement. “No. No. You can’t do that.”

“I just did,” I said to him smugly, darting through the front door and slamming it in his face. I slid the dead bolt into place quickly behind me. He was not welcome here.