Page 38 of The Ghost and the Graveyard (Knight Games 1)
"Us?"
"The ghosts who pass through your attic. Prudence says we know we're waiting for something, but we don't know what."
Huh? "There've been others? How long have you been here?"
"Prudence told me about the others. Time is hard for me, but I know I came after Prudence died because I'm still here."
"I...I don't understand. What do you mean, Prudence died and that's why you're still here?"
The question made him go all staticky for a minute. He cleared his throat-a pointless gesture, considering he didn't have one-and I knew he was stalling.
I scowled in his direction. "You said before that you are waiting for a sorter. Prudence asked me if I was the sorter. That must be someone who helps you move on. Was Prudence the last sorter?"
"You catch on quick."
"And now, because she died, you have to wait for a new sorter to help you cross over."
He nodded. "She remembers you, you know."
"What do you mean, she remembers me?"
"Once she realized who you were, she was relieved you'd finally come. She told me some things about you. Things I hadn't expected."
"She doesn't even know me."
"She says she does, from when you were a baby."
"Wow, my father and I lived in Red Grove when I was born, but I don't remember living here. We moved before I was two."
"You made an impression."
The way he said it made me squirm in my seat. Why was I so memorable to Prudence? "You never answered my question about why you ended up in my attic in the first place."
The sigh he emitted was also unnecessary for any purpose other than letting me know he didn't want to answer my question. "There are some things in life that happen when they're supposed to happen. I'm not supposed to talk to you about this now. Prudence says I can't. It wouldn't be right."
"But Logan, now I know you and Prudence have a secret from me. Can't you give me a hint?"
Rubbing his chin, he considered me in silence for some time. "I warned you to stay away from the caretaker. You didn't."
I sighed. "Why does it matter? Rick seems like a perfectly nice guy."
"Do you know what a caretaker is, Grateful?"
"I think so. He's someone who maintains the cemetery."
My ghost looked disappointed. "I think you have a lot to learn about Red Grove." He frowned. "Don't get involved with the caretaker until you figure it out."
"What does my involvement with Rick have to do with anything? Are you afraid I'll tell him about you?"
"It's not what you tell him."
"Aargh!" I slapped my forehead in frustration. "You're not making any sense."
"Maybe not." His face turned serious. "I'm sorry. This was supposed to be fun. A date." He smiled. "Let's start again. Tell me why you've moved to Red Grove."
"Ugh. It's a long, sad story. Believe me, we'd be better off talking about Prudence."
"Hey, all I've got is time...I think. And since I have few memories of my own, I'd enjoy hearing yours. Unless, of course, you'd like a play by play of my dusting."
