Chapter Two

It was a fairly warm day, the sun was shining at its fullest and there was barely a cloud in the sky to be seen. I didn't mind though because I saw the world differently than others and that was what made me sort of special. At least that was what my mother told me when I was only nine but I didn't see it at the time. Now I do. Kind of. I smelled fresh cut grass and the aromas of food nearby and even though I had just eaten, my stomach started to growl from the scent. I shook my head. "I got to start eating more or else this is going to happen a lot more than I like." I muttered to myself as I focused my attention on where I was headed. To the park. Which to me was relaxing and calming because there were sounds of laughter and talking and other people going about their days without a care in the world. Whereas I was dealing with some pretty freaky stuff back at my place. As in ghosts? 

A male's voice popped inside of my head and I quickly did a full turn to see who it might have been. "You gotta be kidding me." I said loudly and I was grateful that nobody was around to hear my outburst. I took a calm breath and focused. Who are you? What do you want with me? 

There was a small silence before the voice came back. Names Cyrus and I don't want anything from you. 

How are you able to communicate with me? I asked the man who was somehow able to do what I could do. Where are you?

A light chuckle reverberated against the walls of my mind and it took every ounce of willpower not to trace the mental path to him. Why would I tell a complete stranger where I am? As for your other question, it's hereditary, given to me at birth. Discovered when I turned eighteen.

The man, Cyrus, was right. What was I thinking? Why did I want to know where he was? It wasn’t like I wanted to meet him due to the fact that I didn’t know him at all but a part of me was curious. Curious on the idea that someone else was like me in some way but the other part of me was concerned. Why was he here and what did he want if he did have a purpose? Ever since I turned eighteen weird and strange things began to happen to me that was really complicated to explain to anyone and the only ones that seemed to know was my parents whom I moved away from when I made the decision to get emancipated but ever since then I hardly spoke to them, more concerned that they would send me to the loony bin because of my situation. At this point, however, I decided that I didn't want to know where he was because it sounded dangerous. Gone quiet. Everything alright? Cyrus seemed concerned but I instantly threw up a mind block to ignore him. My day was way more important than this guy at least for now until I decided to mull it over tonight over a small meal that I would end up making later. 

I took a deep breath and headed toward the bench that sat beneath the shade of trees. A group of birds chirped nearby, possibly above me where the branches shielded the summer sun and kids played with their parents and pets nearby as well.I had pulled my hair into a ponytail before leaving my place, a light tee and a pair of faded shorts that came close to my knees. It was a tad hot to wear anything else. In my back pocket, rested my cell phone which was brand new and cost a fair amount but it was worth it because who knows what may lay ahead. I felt a tap on my cheek and I lowered my head and silently whispered, “Go away. Don’t need to be dealing with you right now.”

“I like driving you up a wall.” said the invisible person that was sitting next to me. “What fun would it be if I didn’t do something that bothers you.” 

“I hate being in public talking to myself and having everyone stare at you like you're crazy.” I bluntly stated quietly. “You can do your own thing when we get back to my place.”

“Is that an invitation?” asked the person. I heard amusement in his tone. “Not like I was going to ask anyway.”

“What is your name anyway and why are you haunting me?” I asked, hoping that he would answer me with absolute honesty.

“I am not haunting you.” He began. “I died there and my name is Jem Alan.” He appeared lightly next to me so that none of his appearance showed to anyone else but me. “So it's your place that I'm haunting. You on the other hand are just an addition to the fun.”

“It’s not fun making someone else miserable the way you do.” I mumbled. “Of all people, me.”

“Why would you say that?” Jem asked. “Because you're special?”

“There is that,” I replied. “And the fact that it's not nice.”

“Fine,” Jem said. “I will be good for now. See you later, Cora.” With that he vanished and with it a wave of chills that I hated feeling when I unintentionally make contact with a ghost. It was an unpleasant feeling but it was something that I had gotten used to over the last few years.