Page 61 of The Wishing Game

I stare at it with my mouth wide open, my brain working fast on a solution.

He can't mean me harm. I sense no malicious intent from him, only curiosity and protectiveness.

"You can't speak, can you?"

The mist shimmers again.

But against all odds, heistrying to communicate with me.

My pulse is in my ears as I stare at him, almost unable to believe this is real. But if gods, demons, ghosts, and who knows what other creatures exist, why can't this be? Why can't I have at least this after suffering so much in this lifetime?

"Can you light up once for no and twice for yes?" I ask tentatively.

The mist lights up once. Then another time.

Oh God. It's happening. Excitement courses through me as I take a step closer.

"You can understand me, right?"

He lights up twice.Yes.

"Are you attached to me?"

I wait for a moment for him to answer, but when he doesn't, I rephrase my question.

"Have you been following me?"

Two shimmers.Yes.

I nod to myself.

Okay. Good. That is good to know.

"Have you been following me since the game?"

One shimmer.No.

"Before?"

Two shimmers.Yes.

Oh my. I'm close to hyperventilating the closer I get to the most important question.

"Have you been with me since the accident?"

He doesn't answer. Of course he wouldn't really remember the accident, would he?

"Are you my... Nikki?" I wet my lips as I stare intently at the mass of black-silvery swirling dust.

One shimmer. My stomach drops. It's not him? There's a heartbeat pause before his body lights up again in a second shimmer.

I bring my hand to my mouth to cover a gasp. I knew it. Oh, I knew it.

"You're my husband, aren't you? My Nikki," I repeat, struggling to keep the emotion out of my voice.

Two shimmers.Yes.

Adrenaline rushes through my veins, and I lose sight of everything but him. Before I know it, I throw myself over him, my arms reaching out for him, to hold, to caress, to love.

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