Weird moods and pulses of energy came and went throughout the day. I suspected it was some connection with Morrigan. My boots echoed down the hallway after lunch and I whispered, “We should go to the library and see what to do about your old house.”

Whispers swirled around my head. “That sounds great! And maybe that girl will be there so you can talk.”

“I don’t think —” I pressed through the door and there she was, sitting near the mystery section. Was she waiting on me? Maybe I’d made more of an impression than I thought.

Should I sit near her? I scuffed my shoes across the carpet. Not close enough to bother her, but it would give us a chance to talk if she wanted to. My eyes locked on a chair across from her, but three seats away.

I grabbed the back of the chair and glanced at the cover of the book she was reading. Detective Penny and the Moonstone Mishap. I laughed under my breath, then sat.

She rubbed her eyes and looked up. “Hey.” She said, her voice more gravelly this time.

“Hi.” I smiled. “Like the book? It’s one of my favorites.”

“Yeah, it’s good.”

I was unconvinced. Or maybe she was just tired.

She yawned and ignited mine.

Whispers swirled around my ears, or maybe in my head? I jolted slightly, trying not to show it.

“Ask if she wants to come over and read Penny books with you.”

I glanced around, but only saw the bookshelves, couches, and Mrs. Willows looking around like she’d lost something again.

I cringed. I’d never asked someone over before. But Morrigan was here to help, so I needed to cooperate. I cleared my throat and asked her, with a ball of energy in my stomach. She really wasn’t all that into the series, so I didn’t expect her to say —

“Yeah. That… sounds fun.” She nodded and yawned again.

“Cool!” I said a little too loud and Mrs. Willows glanced at me over her glasses.

“Sorry.” I mouthed.

She winked and smiled, now sitting at her computer.

“So, can you come over today after school?” I whispered.

She nodded and shut the book. “I’ll call my dad from the office real quick and meet you outside after school if he says yes.”

“Okay!” I smiled as she packed her books. “But I didn’t get your name before.”

“It’s Desirae.” She smiled. “And you’re Emily, right? I saw your name in all the Penny Books.” She let out a weak chuckle.

That was a little embarrassing, but I was really excited to have her over and I knew Mom would be happy too.

I couldn’t have done that without Morrigan, and we’d hit a wall with her old home. I wasn’t sure how I could get her there, but I loved solving the mystery, and I wanted to pay her back.

***

I met with Desirae after school. She said she could stay until dark. I finally had someone to read Penny books with me and who knew what else? Maybe we could build a fort with Mom and watch movies. That was one of our favorite things to do before Mom got busy with her realtor stuff.

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Desirae walked home with me. We were mostly quiet along the way since we didn’t know each other yet. We’d talked a little about Penny books and some things we saw in the neighborhood.

Mom’s smile stretched across her face when she met Desirae, but she didn’t want to cut into our time. And I could tell she wanted to pick up her thriller books again. She’d seemed so scattered lately, worrying about me. She curled up on the couch with her book as we went upstairs.

“Wow, your room is so clean,” Desirae said when I opened the door. “You should see mine. Wait, no, you really shouldn’t.” She chuckled. “Like my dad always says, it looks like a tornado went through it.” She rolled her eyes.

I laughed, but it felt forced and awkward.

“Are you feeling better? You seemed tired at school.”

She hesitated, then said, “I’ve been having these weird nightmares lately, so I keep waking up at night.”

That was scary. What if they didn’t stop? Would she never be able to sleep again? I got shivers, but I didn’t want to say anything and scare her.

“That’s why I left in a hurry the other day,” she said. “I was so tired that I forgot the books for my next class in my locker and it’s crazy far from the classroom.”

I laughed, grateful she wasn’t running from me because she thought I was weird or something.

She walked straight to my bookcase and found the Penny books. “Wow! Which is the first one? I think I just got like a random one at the library.” She laughed.

I reached for the one on the far left. “This one.” I handed her Whispers of Whimsy Manor.

Desirae flipped through it. “What’s this one about? Without spoiling it!” She added quickly, putting up a hand.

“It’s about…” I cleared my throat, “a haunted manor.” I glanced at my closet. “Penny has to find a long-lost treasure.”

“That sounds so good! I love spirits. I liked the one I was reading the other day, but I felt a little left behind.”

I plopped on my bed. “Yeah, they don’t really go in order, but there are some events that get mentioned that might leave someone out.”

She nodded and handed it back to me. “Wanna read it now?”

***

We read until dusk. Whenever Desirae found a clue or when we finished a chapter, we just talked and laughed about all of it. It was probably the most fun I ever had. But every once in a while, I felt Morrigan’s presence, almost like she was trying to be a part of it. But I couldn’t have that. She could scare Desirae. I tried ignoring Morrigan, but I felt her anger getting stronger.

Desirae left right as the sun set and I talked to Mom for a while. She was so happy I finally had a friend. And then what if we got more friends to read mysteries with?

After talking to Mom, I raced back upstairs and shut the door behind me. “Thank you,” I whispered, looking for Morrigan.

She didn’t show up. I slid my closet door open and stared at the clothes. Where was she? I could feel her there, and she felt… angry? Or maybe sad.

“Mori?” I muttered. “We had a great time. I wish you could have joined us.” My stomach churned on the last part, feeling like I had to say it.

“I’m so glad you had fun.“ She appeared at my window, looking outside, “I guess you don’t need me anymore.“ Her form reddened.

“That’s not true!” I moved closer. “I still want to help you.”

“I couldn’t force you to go to the vineyard. Not alone.”

“But… I wouldn’t be alone.”

I reached out to grab her hand, but it went through a cold mist. She squeezed it into a tight ball. It must have been so long since she had actually felt something. “Let’s make a plan.”

She smiled, and turned to me, “You really wanna go?!”

“Yeah. I just don’t know how.”

“You could tell your mom that you’re going to Desirae’s after school, and then we can just take a side trip there.” Her eyes lit up.

“But I’ll have to go to Desirae’s. What if Mom calls her dad or something?”

Morrigan looked around in thought. “Okay.” She rubbed her fingers together. “We can stop by for a bit, then leave for the vineyard.”

I nodded. Maybe it would work. “But we can’t take too long. Mom would wonder where I was, and she may never let me leave again if she gets too freaked out.”

“I don’t think I’ll need long. I just need to jog my memory a little more. Going there might send all my memories back!” She said with a floating spin.

I laughed as her dress billowed. Her excitement attached itself to me.

“I can’t believe I finally get to go back. I’ve been… lost… for so long.”

***

That night, I opened my eyes to my room, pitch black. Glancing around, I couldn’t figure out what woke me up. But I felt incredibly alone.