Chapter 118

The driver said, “Mr. Reyes, there’s been an accident ahead.”

Leaning his chin in his hand, Chase replied dismissively, “Great. Just what we need. Go around it.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Reyes.”

“No, Chase! We have to help Ann!” I shouted instinctively, momentarily forgetting Chase couldn’t hear me.

Just as the car began moving again, Chase glanced over and saw Ann.

“Stop the car.”

Thankfully, Chase wasn’t entirely without compassion. Recognizing Ann, he furrowed his brow and exited the vehicle. A small crowd had gathered, buzzing with concern. One voice murmured, “Oh my, she’s just a young girl. How awful.”

“What are you standing around for? Call 911!” I urged.

I rushed to Ann’s side. Her forehead bled heavily, a crimson streak trailing down her left cheek.

“Ann, hold on, the ambulance is coming.”

Hearing my voice, her eyes, which had been nearly closed, fluttered open. Her unfocused pupils gradually fixed on my face. She seemed to recognize me and, in a frail voice, managed, “Amanda, you’re back…”

A shiver ran through me. Could Ann see me, too?

Chase, who had reached her side, crouched down. “What did you say? Who’s Amanda?”

I was startled. Could those near death actually see me?

“Ann, can you see me?”

Ann, seemingly oblivious to Chase’s presence, focused entirely on me. Regaining some clarity, she smiled softly. “Amanda, you’re alive, thank goodness. I thought you had… passed on…”

Her eyes then closed tightly.

“No, Ann, open your eyes. Stay with me. Please don’t fall asleep. Your life is just beginning. You need to live. You have so much to live for!”

My hand passed through her, again and again, desperately trying to wake her. I hadn’t noticed Chase’s stunned expression; he was fixated on Ann’s words.

After the initial shock, he glanced in the direction Ann had been looking when she called for Amanda. To him, there was nothing there, just empty space. Yet, Ann had clearly been looking at me, calling out to me, speaking of life and death.

Goosebumps prickled Chase’s arms.

“What are you talking about? Where’s Amanda? What happened to her?”

The bystanders, noticing his agitation, quickly intervened. “Sir, please, settle down. She’s injured. Don’t move her until the ambulance arrives, or you might make things worse.”

Luckily, the hospital wasn’t far, and soon the wail of sirens filled the air.

Chase looked pale, his fingers trembling slightly. He must have been spooked. After all, Ann had mentioned someone he couldn’t see. To understand, he followed Ann to the hospital.

When Ann’s parents arrived, they were overflowing with gratitude for Chase’s help. But Chase seemed lost in thought. Suddenly, he grabbed Ann’s mother’s arm. “Ma’am, do you know the Amanda Ann mentioned?”

He wondered if he’d misheard. Many people shared similar names, or perhaps it was a similar-sounding name, like Mandy or Amelia.

Ann’s mother, Heather, sighed. “Oh, you mean Amanda Kennedy. She was a sweetheart. I used to work in people’s homes, and Ann would wait for me outside. Sometimes, Ms. Kennedy would stop by and help Ann with her homework or bring her treats. Ann adored her.”