Page 103 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

Keeping the blanket over my legs, I turn to get a better look at him.

He doesn’t answer me. Glancing right and left, he appears to be searching for something.

“Tommy?”

At that, he finally looks at me.

“I’m glad you’re all right,” he mentions.

“Thank you. And thank you for the warning, too.”

He shrugs.“I didn’t think you could see me. Not many people do.”

“You’re a ghost, Tommy. It’s normal for peoplenotto see you. But why did you not cross over when the messengers came for you?”

“I’m not done,” he answers curtly. “Still have things to do.” Entering deeper into the tent, he walks around, his attention seemingly far away from me.

“Where is the Major?” he asks.

“Mine?”

“No, mine.”

“Yes. Mine.”

“No.Mine. My Major,” he adds, confused.

“That’s what I said.” I frown. “Mine.”

“He’s notyourMajor. You’re a woman.” He glares at me as if I committed the greatest faux pas.

I roll my eyes.

“Mine is his name, silly.” I shake my head at him.

“No, it’s not,” the ghost replies.

“Yes. It is. He told me so himself,” I add. “His middle name is Mine. But that’s beside the point since I’m the only one allowed to use it,” I tell him proudly.

The ghost narrows his eyes at me.

“What are you on about, woman?” He shakes his head at me before he releases a deep sigh. “I will wait for the Major to return.”

He moves to the back of the tent and takes a seat at Mine’s desk.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Getting out of bed, I put on Mine’s coat and glare at this daring ghost.

“I need to speak with him.”

“Why? How do you even know he can see you?”

“Because he’s spoken to me before.”

“He…has?”

The boy nods.

“He told me he would help me send a message to my sweetheart back home. I’ve been thinking about what to say and…” He swallows. “I think I’m ready now.” He removes a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket—surprising that a ghost can do that. But then again, my specialty lies in demons not ghosts.

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