The First 250 Words of FINDING GRACE

Her e-mail was bold-faced in my inbox. It didn't move or disappear or do any of the creepy things I'd expect an e-mail from a ghost to do.

It was just there.

Existing.

With trembling fingers, I clicked on Grace’s name.

To: K8Lowry@gmail.com
Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM
From: GraceWlsh13@gmail.com
Subject: (no subject)

Kate,
I'm here…
sort of.
Find Christian.
He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell.
They'll hurt you.

I didn't think dead best friends could send emails. Not even on the anniversary of their disappearance. Cue the men in white coats because it was entirely possible that I had lost my mind.

I should have been screaming or crying or something, but instead, my legs, my arms, my heart went numb. It was like the moment was happening to someone else. I watched myself sitting at my desk, the white-blue glow of my computer screen casting crooked shadows on the walls of my bedroom. I saw the beads of sweat drip down my back between the straps of my tank top, and even watched tiny goose bumps erupt along my arms.

The second my mind found its way back to my body, I read Grace’s message again. She’s where? In my room? I jerked my head to the left and right looking for Grace or…a form of Grace. A trickle of sweat rolled down my chest.

“Grace?” My voice cracked her name.

As soon as the sound left my lips, I regretted it. Really Kate? A ghost? No wonder my parents sent me to a shrink.