He let go of me and climbed to his feet. Then he reached out for my hands and pulled me up.
His hands were warm. He was breathing hard.
“Kent—you’re dead,” I murmured. “I saw you. Your head—” The words choked in my throat.
“I’m okay,” he replied softly.
“No,” I insisted. “I was in your house. I saw you in your den. I saw the blood, Kent. I was there.”
He placed a calming hand on my trembling shoulder. “Ssshhhh,” he whispered. “Take a deep breath, Nicole. Try to calm down. I followed you here. I’ve come to help you.”
I obeyed his instruction. But I knew it would take more than a deep breath to calm me down.
I felt too confused, too frightened. I had too many questions.
How did he find me?
Why did he come?
Who did I see lying dead on the floor in Kent’s den?
“Kent—” I started.
But he pressed a finger over my lips. “Sssssh. It’s okay,” he repeated softly. “It’s okay, Nicole.”
“Then you know!” I exclaimed. “You know that Lucy and I switched bodies?”
He nodded. “Yes, I know all about it,” he said. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. The arm felt heavy and solid. It felt real.
He isn’t a ghost, I thought, staring at him, studying his solemn face. He’s really here. He’s alive.
“Let’s go in the house,” he urged, leading me across the tall grass. “Let’s go sit down in the house. I’m going to help you, Nicole. That’s why I followed you here.”
“B-but Lucy—” I stammered. In my shock at seeing Kent, I had forgotten about her.
I spun away from the barn. I saw her head poke up from inside the well. I saw two pale hands grasping the jagged gray stones at the top.
“Help me!” Lucy called. “Nicole—hurry! I’m slipping. I’m going to fall!”
“Lucy—!” I called to her and started to run.
But Kent grabbed me around the waist and held me back.
“Hurry!” Lucy called. “Hurry, Nicole! I—I can’t hold on any longer! I can’t!”
Her head disappeared behind the wall of the well.
I saw one pale hand slip off.
I had to get to her. I had to save her.
But Kent tightened his grip around my waist.
“Kent—what’s wrong with you?” I shrieked. “Let me go! Let me go!”
“Let her drown,” he murmured in my ear.