The Seer- Shape-Shifter [ON HOLD]

Chapter Four

 The woods were silent, we were all staring at the gap in the ground.

 Lily crept forward and knelt down. She gingerly put her hand into the ground.

 "Lily!" I gasped. She turned around and glared at me.

 "It's just a hung... I felt something on the hand..." she said. There was another silence, this one full of suspense, as we watched Lily.

 There was a quiet snap, and she pulled out her hand. She stared at her hand, then at the ground... and then rolled slightly and was sick.

 When she felt better I cuddled her close.

 "What is it? Tell me?" I asked, for her thoughts were going too fast for me to understand.

 "It's Nancy... the body is Nancy." she whispered.

 "But that's impossible-" I started, but she pressed something into my hand, and showed me her wrist.

 "They're matching friendship bracelet's that we made when we were eight. It was on her wrist in the ground." she hissed. Freddie grabbed the shovel and dug frantically. A body was unveiled, and when he uncovered the face... we saw it was Nancy Walters.

 Although she was weak, anger and sorrow gave Lily strength. She pushed me away, picked Nancy up, and cradled her in her arms, crooning softly like she were holding a baby.

 We followed as Lily carried Nancy inside and laid her on her bed.

 "Lily." Kt's voice said sharply. "Get. Away. From. That."

 "What?" Lily said, but she was pushed aside. Kt examined Nancy's body.

 "It's a fake." she and I said simultaneously as I read the thought in her head.

 "Are you sure?" I asked.

 "Positive."

 "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa- what d'you take me for? A fool? You're actually trying to tell me that one of my best friends isn't dead, and this is a trick?" Lily snapped.

 "Well, yes. Lily don't you think if Nancy had died you would... feel it? This has Marie Lawrence stamped all over it- you've been thinking so yourself. Look, Lily. Really look. You can see all the faults- the eyes just that bit too close together, the mouth the tiniest bit too small. I also would've thought you'd notice... it is four inches too small. It's a cheap imitation." Kt said.

 Lily inspected the body closely, and agreed.

 "This thing is even shorter than me." Lily said, nodding.

 "Ah, Lily, everyone is taller than you." Freddie smiled.

 "Anyway, the question remains- why exactly did Marie do this? There has to be a reason..." Kt said.

 "I think its a warning, to shock us into the reality of the situation. This isn't some kid's game. Some of us could get hurt." Freddie said solemnly. I nodded in agreement.

 "Wow Fred. I think that's the most sensible thing you've ever said." Kt said.

 "And you kept a straight face too- top marks, Fred." Lily said, clapping.

 "It was Marie."

 The voice was one we didn't expect. The statement came from Cooper.

 "Cooper?" Lily said tentatively. She was confused, we all were- his mind was blank.

 "I should've said something... it's Marie... she comes to me... in my dreams, in my room, at night... she whispers in my ear... bad things. Evil things. She's like a ghost in my room at night." Cooper said. His voice was distant... it had a slight echo.