The Middle Realm Read online

  “Our stories aren’t that much different,” I said to Camille.

  “They aren’t? You were hurt by someone you loved?” Camille asked.

  I nodded my head. This was enough for Camille. I could see that believed me and that she knew what I had gone through. Well, sort of. Emma didn’t remember what she did. But, for the most part, Camille knew just how I was feeling.

  “I’m sorry for treating you so badly,” Camille said.

  “She was afraid you were trying to take me from her,” Edgar said.

  So that was what this was all about? Camille thought I was trying to steal Edgar from her?

  “Please don’t take any offense,” Camille said.

  “None taken. I would never, ever do that,” I said. “There is someone I love. He’s still alive, though. I would give anything to see him one more time. I would be happy to be able to just spend twenty fours hours with him.”

  “It’s possible,” Edgar said.

  There might be a chance to spend at least one more day with Alexander? I would do anything to make it happen. He had no idea that I died, so we would be able to enjoy those twenty-four hours before I went back to being dead. I really hoped Edgar is not making this up.

  “It is? Tell me how,” I begged.

  “Not tonight. Some other time,” he said.

  Why do people like to keep me hanging like that? It's just like, ‘Come on! Tell me already!’ “Please, just tell me,” I begged.

  “You will have to be patient,” Edgar said.

  “Fine. But you’re sure it’s possible?”

  “It just might be. Again, I’m sorry for all you have been through. I know how hard it is to lose someone. It’s hard to move on when you’ve been left behind or you leave someone behind. You will see each other again one day. That helped me. I knew that if I led a good, decent life, Camille and I would be reunited. Never think that death is an ending, it’s merely just a transitional phase. You leave all those that you love on earth, only to be reunited again one day.”

  “Thanks, Edgar.” I gave him and Camille a hug, “Camille, we got off on the wrong foot. I hope we can be friends.”

  “Savannah, where are you?” I heard Emma whispering loudly into the dark night.

  “I’ll talk to you later,” Edgar said, and then he and Camille disappeared.

  “Emma, I’m coming up.” I called to her.

  I flew up to the balcony. Emma was standing there shivering. She talked to the police for a long time. I hoped everything went well.

  “Lets go in, you’re freezing out here,” I said to her. I couldn’t feel hot and cold anymore.

  We walked in, and Emma went to sit on the bed. She took her hood off and shook out her hair. As I looked at her, I could really see our resemblance. No wonder people mistook us for twins all the time.

  “So, how did it go?” I asked.

  As I waited for Emma to respond, we heard a noise coming from one of my suitcases. We both stood still listening to it. Could Boo Radley have snuck into one of my suitcases? I made Emma look to see what it was. As soon as she opened it up, someone quite unexpected made an appearance.

  “She can’t see us, can she?” Edgar asked me, Camille by his side.

  I just shrugged my shoulders. They disappeared right away. I didn’t know if she saw them or not.

  “There’s nothing in here but clothes,” Emma said.

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  “Yes. Now, don’t you want to know how it went with the police?” she asked.

  I was suspicious. If she could see me, she must have seen Edgar. Unless she can only see me because she killed me? That’s probably it. I’m sure she would have said something had she seen Edgar and Camille pop out of the suitcase.

  Emma was definitely the kind of person to let the entire world know if something was out of place or bothering her. She used to always ask me if I saw something moving that shouldn’t be. So I knew that if she saw Edgar and Camille, she would have said something about it.

  “It went well. The police believed everything. They’re looking for Emma as we speak. They said I should try to get some rest, and they’ll call me in the morning if anything comes up,” she said.

  I could see that she had been crying. Her eyes were red and puffy. “Good. Next, you need to call Balenciaga and tell them that unforeseen issues involving family have arisen that you have to take care of. Tell them that you have to go back home to take care of everything. The number is in my planner. It’s in the Louis Vuitton carry-on bag.”

  Well it was an unforeseen issue. I don’t know what else I could have Emma say. “Hello, this is Emma George. Savannah won’t be able to do the internship because I killed her out of jealousy. Don’t worry; I’ll take her place. Sorry for the inconvenience,” certainly would not work. That would just open a can of worms I’d rather not deal with. Well, I wouldn’t be the one dealing with it. My family would. It’s just best not to go into detail with the Balenciaga people. It’s none of their business anyway. They’re still going to get someone to work for them for free. It just won’t be me.

  “Which bag?” Emma asked, confused by all the bags and suitcases sitting on the floor next to the bed.

  There were several bags and suitcases containing all that I would need for my extended stay in Paris. I did not plan to stay at the hotel too long, so I didn’t see the point in unpacking everything. I was supposed to only be there until my apartment was ready.

  “Gee, I don’t know, Emma. Try the bag with LV logo plastered all over it. It’s the only bag among the suitcases and steamer trunk.” She’s not stupid, so why does she have to act stupid?

  “God, Savannah, you don’t have to be such a bitch. They are all Louis Vuitton. They all have an LV logo,” she said.

  “You’re right. But, I specifically said carry-on bag. You can’t tell the difference between a bag and suitcase? By the way, I can be as bitchy as I want, thank you very much.”

  Hey, after all she put me through, I have earned the right to be a bitch. She took my life from me. I had so much going for me. It amazes me how quickly everything changed. One minute I’m on my way to seeing my biggest dreams starting to unfold, and the next -- bam! -- My life is extinguished like a candle in a hurricane, the flickering flame gone before I ever realized what had happened. She took everything from me, my family, my boyfriend, my friends, my career, my dreams, my future -- everything is gone. I can’t get it back. I hope she is pleased with herself.

  “You know what, forget it. I’ll call tomorrow. It’s late and I’m tired”, Emma said as she pulled down the covers and threw off her slippers.

  “It is tomorrow”, I told her.

  “True. You’re right, it technically is tomorrow. Buts it’s 2:30 in the morning and they’re not open. Now, excuse me, I need to get some sleep,” she said. She reached over and turned off the light on the nightstand.

  “What am I supposed to do?” I asked her. “I don’t sleep anymore, remember?”

  “Do whatever you want. I’m tired. I’ve had a rough night,” she said.

  “You think you had a rough night?” I asked, astonished at the way Emma was acting.

  She thought she had a rough night? Try being pinned down, knocked out and suffocated to death. Then come talk to be me about having had a “rough night.” I couldn’t believe she had the nerve to say something like that to me. Way to be insensitive, Emma. You don’t remember anything that happened, but show some sensitivity.

  “Savannah, I told you. I’m sorry,” she said apologetically.

  “Fine. I’ll just sit here and wait for you to wake up,” I said. I went to the chair in the corner and sat down.

  “You’re going to go all Edward Cullen and watch me sleep? That’s a little creepy. What if I wake up and see you. What if I forget it’s you and freak out?” Emma said in a serious tone.

  “Yes, Emma. Once you’re asleep, I’m going to drink all your blood and then take off in my shiny silver Volvo,” I said. �
�Emma, you know it’s me. You know I’m not going to hurt you. We’ve known each other since we were really young. I’m still the same person I always was. Well, I’m not the same person physically, but personality wise I’m still the same Savannah you’ve always known. I’m just in an altered state.”

  “Real funny, Savannah. I’m being serious. I really don’t feel comfortable with you watching me sleep. Do you think maybe you could go sit out on the balcony or something? It’s a nice night. You should be fine in just a cardigan. Oops. I am so sorry.”

  “Yeah, sorry is right.”

  “So can you go out there, please?” she begged.

  “Fine, if it makes you happy. God forbid Emma is not happy. All hail Queen Emma!”

  “Thanks, Savannah. Oh, by the way, you can drop the sarcasm. I can see that hasn’t changed a bit,” Emma said. With that I walked through the closed French doors.

  Ch. 14

  It was kind of cool not having to bother with unlocking and opening the doors. Wait a minute, what am I saying?! I would give anything to be able to open a door again like a normal person. But I’m not going to lie. It is kind of cool to be able to walk through walls. I wonder what other things ghosts can do. No, Savannah, being a ghost is not supposed to be fun or cool. Screw it. I might as well try to make the best of this. My mom always taught my sister and I to always try to make the best of a not so great situation.

  I would have to ask Edgar and Camille what other cool things I could do. Some sort of guide would be nice. Too bad there isn’t some sort of handbook, like “The Idiot’s Guide to Being a Ghost” or “How to be a Ghost for Dummies”. I was completely new to this thing.

  Ugh! This sucks.

  “What did I do wrong? Why am I not in heaven?” I yelled up into the night sky. I thought I was alone. That is, until I got a response, which startled me quite a bit. Who knew ghosts could be spooked? Certainly not I.

  “You didn’t do anything wrong. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” said a female voice.

  Hearing that voice had scared me to death. I looked around but I didn’t see anything. This was getting kind of creepy. If I knew who the voice belonged to, no big deal. But since that was not the case, I was scared shitless.

  “Who said that?” I said aloud, trying my best to sound calm and collected but failing miserably.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” a young woman said, stepping out of the shadows. Again, she was young. What is it with all the ghosts I’ve met so far? They’ve all died so young. Anyway, she had black hair pulled up into an elegant updo and big brown eyes. Her skin was like porcelain, and she had on a gown. It looked like a Christian Dior gown from the late forties to early fifties. It was a frothy canary yellow with plenty of tulle and feathers lining the bottom of the skirt. There was intricate beading on the bodice. It was gorgeous.

  “It’s okay,” I said.

  “No, I shouldn’t have startled you like that,” the woman said.

  “Really, it’s fine.” We were both looking at the ground. She was the one to break the silence.

  “I’m Nadine,” she said, offering her hand. Her nails were painted ruby red, and she had on a bracelet that was dripping with diamonds. Someone had come from money.

  “I’m Savannah,” I said.

  “Hi, Savannah. I’m here as kind of a welcoming committee. Welcome to the afterlife,” she said, extending her arms to welcome me.

  A welcoming committee? For the afterlife? That was not what I would have ever imagined death being like. I also thought a welcoming committee was made up of more than one person. Well, this was strange. Why would you need a welcoming committee for the afterlife anyway? I wondered whose idea it was. I didn’t want to be rude, because Nadine was trying to make me feel welcome. She seemed like a nice young woman.

  “Thanks for welcoming me, I guess,” I said.

  “I blew it, didn’t I?” she said. She picked up the bottom of her dress and began walking away. She walked through the railing and onto the balcony of the room next door. I followed her. I immediately felt bad. I was rude to her without ever realizing it.

  “Nadine, stop,” I called out after her.

  “What,” she said, clearly upset.

  “You didn’t do anything wrong,” I said, “I feel very welcomed. It’s just that I have been through a lot in the past couple of hours. You understand, right?”

  She stopped and turned around to face me, “Really? You thought I was welcoming?” she asked.

  “Yes,” I told her.

  She let the bottom of her dress fall to the ground. She grabbed my arm and led me to a bench. When we’d sat down, she began to talk.

  “I am so glad to hear that, because this is my first time welcoming new spirits,” she said. “I was so afraid I was going to mess up.”

  “So, there are spirits that welcome new spirits. Why?” I asked.

  “When someone dies, it can be a scary experience. My job is to meet the new spirit and comfort them if they are afraid. We also answer questions. We try to be friendly because we are the first spirits the recently deceased meet. I’m the one who welcomes all the spirits who died in Paris,” Nadine said.

  Nadine isn’t the first spirit I met after I died; Edgar and Camille were. I’m not sure if I should tell her. On one hand, she probably should know so she wouldn’t make another mistake; on the other hand, I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. I decided not to tell her. It was her first time. I gave her a break.

  “Okay. Well, thank you,” I said.

  “Do you have any questions,” Nadine asked. As a matter of fact, I did.

  “Why am I not in heaven?” I asked. I’m not sure if Nadine could answer, but I asked anyway.

  “You have unfinished business on earth. Once that business is finished, your guardian angel will come get you, and off to heaven you’ll go. Until that business is finished, you’ll be stuck in the Middle Realm,” Nadine said.

  “The Middle Realm?” I asked.

  “It’s the place between heaven and earth. You’re neither in heaven nor earth. Therefore, you are in the Middle Realm,” she said.

  “I’m on earth right now,” I told Nadine.

  “No, you’re not,” Nadine said.

  “Yes, I am. I’m on earth right now and so are you,” I said.

  “We are in the Middle Realm. We are in the place between heaven and earth. Once you finish you’re unfinished business, you can go on to heaven or stay in the Middle Realm. I know it looks like you’re on earth, but you’re actually not. You are gone from the earth forever once you die. There’s no going back. A lot of spirits prefer being in the Middle Realm because they feel like they are still part of this world. They can still inhabit the places they did when they were still alive. A lot of spirits feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings. Heaven can be kind of intimidating,” Nadine said.

  Interesting. It all makes sense. I think I’m fine with the whole Middle Realm thing. I’m not prepared for heaven just yet. It all makes sense. The one thing I’m not so keen on is the guardian angel thing. I would have to see my guardian angel. No, thanks. Where was she when I died? She certainly wasn’t with me. I’d rather stay here, thank you very much. I don’t want to accidentally run into her in heaven one day.

  “What’s wrong? You have this look on your face that says ‘Girlfriend, please!’” Nadine said.

  It was weird hearing Nadine say that. She must have heard it on television or something. I wasn’t aware I had a ‘Girlfriend, please’ look on my face. Anyway I figured I might as well tell Nadine the truth.

  “I don’t like my guardian angel. Let’s just leave it at that,” I said.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said.

  “It’s fine. What can I do about it now? Thank you for clearing up how the whole Middle Realm thing works,” I said, “It nice to know what’s going on. It still weird to think I’m no longer part of the only world I’ve ever known,” I said.

  “I know it’s not ea
sy to accept, but you eventually will come to terms with it,” Nadine said, “I will not bring up the angel thing again since it is a touchy subject with you”

  She didn’t bring up the angel thing again. Thank you, Nadine, from the bottom of my silent heart. I really wanted to ask her about her dress, but I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate or not. But I had to know if it was Christian Dior or not. I finally gave in and asked her. Sure enough, I was right.

  She then asked me about myself. She thought it was cool that I was a fashion designer. She said she had a love of fashion, evident from her elegant ensemble.

  “Before I go, do you have any more questions?” she asked.

  “How much time do you have?”

  “As much as you need,” Nadine responded.

  I didn’t know if what I was going to ask her was appropriate or not. It seemed like a reasonable request, to me anyway. It took a few minutes to muster up the courage, but I asked her.

  “Nadine, can I ask you a favor?” I said.

  “Yes, of course,” Nadine responded.

  Here it goes. “I was wondering if you could take me to see my family and boyfriend.”

  She looked at me before speaking. I couldn’t really read her face. A few seconds later she spoke again.

  “Yeah, I could, but are you sure you can handle it?” she asked me. “You haven’t been gone a full twenty-four hours. It’s usually months, sometimes years, before a spirit decides to visit loved ones, that is if they are strong enough to do so.”

  I could handle it. I thought I’d be able to handle it. Maybe. Hopefully. This was probably something I should think about a little more, you know, weigh the pros and cons. Think about the impact it would have on me. On second thought, screw thinking it over! I was going to do what I wanted. I was going to listen to my heart. Right now my heart said, Do it!