Read Online Almost Dead (Dead, #1) by Rebecca A. Rogers - Free Book Online Page A

here until someone can take your place in Lichburn. Think of it as an exchange. Unfortunately, I have to choose who leaves and who stays.”
    “And what’s the verdict?” I ask, hoping she’ll choose me.
    Sara pauses, then her features soften. “Flora adapted well to the world out here, which is identical to the Shadowlands. Laney, you mastered indoor abilities, which are also used in the Shadowlands. This is a tough decision, but I must opt for Flora, as she is knowledgeable of how the outdoors works up there.” She points toward the sky. “The outdoor abilities will be more useful than the indoor abilities.”
    Annnnd there’s the effing bomb. How did I not see that one coming? Since I’m the one who’s not learning fast enough with this brainless, make-the-book-fly-across-the-yard lesson, I’ll be the one who waits until someone else dies. But how long will that be?
    “I’m sorry. T hat’s just how it works,” Sara says, observing my reaction.
    “It’s not fair that I have to stay behind! My family loves me. Flora’s doesn’t give a shit. Her body could wither up and die in her backyard, and nobody would ever know.” I bolt through the front door without waiting for Sara’s reaction. Like, literally through it.
    I don’t know where I’m going. There’s really nowhere to go, exce Ce t
    With the bedroom door now closed behind me, I rummage through what few items are in here. Old books are piled in the corner, and dust is piled on top of them. Seriously, does Sara even clean? There are no knickknacks inside the sole, one-drawer nightstand. This is simplified…uh…living at its finest.
    I plunk my small tush down on the edge of the bed, since there’s no reading material on how to become a poltergeist in three easy steps. Apparently, Sara’s way is the only way. It sucks that the effect isn’t reversed, that I can’t learn inside. But if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s sneaking out. The more practice I can get in before someone in Briarhaven dies, the better chance I have of earning Flora’s ticket to the Shadowlands.
    I mean, I’ve already made up my mind. Flora’s parents care too much about Derek to notice that she’s missing. If there’s a way I can convince Sara to let me go instead, then I won’t hesitate. Obviously Flora’s her favorite, but the dead shouldn’t pick sides. Like, ever .
    So , I’ll wait it out. Tonight, while they’re resting up for a big day tomorrow, I’ll learn how to control my ghostly powers. And if I’m still alive by tomorrow, I’ll show Sara what I’m capable of.
    A light knock disturbs my game plan.
    “Laney?” Sara’s nauseatingly-sweet voice hacks through the silence I’ve been sitting in.
    “What do you want?”
    “Just checking on you.” She sits down beside me on the bed. I scoot closer toward the headboard, away from her. “I know this must be hard to grasp, but you and Flora are adjusting so well. I can’t account for how many times I’ve had to fetch a spirit and teach them the same lessons you two are learning, and they either don’t want to learn because they’ve given up hope or they’re too afraid of me to try.”
    Is she actually having a heart to heart with me right now? I just glare at her. Maybe she’ll get the message.
    She doesn’t, of course, and continues talking. “The time I’m allotted to educate a wandering spirit is very short, I’m afraid. If one doesn’t learn by a certain point, then I have to move on to the next. You make your own choice, whether you want to be taught or not.”
    “Well, I’ve been trying, so I don’t know how you can come in here and say I haven’t been,” I snap.
    “That’s not what I’m saying—”
    “Whatever. I owned the first and second lessons. So what if I can’t slap a book across your front yard? I still beat Flora on the other two. I should be the one who leaves, not her.”
    “She has quickly caught on to what you must learn in order to survive up