The Bridge of Death Read online

  He turned and looked at Jackson and Haley. “People like you did this to me.” And then Jinx understood. He only targeted the popular people. Somehow he knew who they were. That’s why the fog hadn’t affected her. As they spoke, the fog began to rise once again, encircling Haley and Jackson. Jinx stepped closer to the ghost.

  “No! You can’t have them! I know you were hurt...And I’m so sorry for what those jerks did to you. But these two didn’t do anything to you. Let them go.”

  Haley and Jackson swayed and stared off into the distance. Jinx wondered if they understood at all what was going on.

  The ghost laughed. “They’re all the same—they’ll hurt someone too, mark my words. They’ll do it to you! You’re not like them. You’ll be next.”

  “Look, I’m not winning any popularity contests, and I wouldn’t hang with that crowd if I could,” Jinx said. “People—any type of people—can be stupid around each other, especially in groups. But these two are different. Really. They’re...good.”

  The ghost pointed at Haley. “Even her?”

  Jinx thought for a minute and said, “Yeah. Even her.” And she meant it. Haley had come to the bridge despite the danger to herself. She had wanted to help. And if Jackson liked her...well, that meant there was something to like. If they got out of this mess, maybe Jinx would even apologize to Jackson for being so stubborn.

  Doubtful, but she’d decide for sure later.

  The ghost looked enraged. “Fool!” he yelled. “They’ll only hurt you! You’ll never be a part of their world!” And then he dissipated like a strong wind had blown him apart. The fog was gone.

  Haley and Jackson blinked. “What happened?” Jackson asked.

  Haley was shaking. “Is that ghost thing still here? I can’t believe I almost jumped! Again!” Jackson put his arm around her.

  Jinx felt alone. And very tired.

  She remembered her camera and rewound the night’s footage. It had captured nothing.

  Sighing, she said, “Jackson, I think now would be a good time to do the cleansing ritual. Let’s get rid of this thing once and for all.”

  Jackson nodded and grabbed his backpack. He took out a stick of sage and lit it. Then he began walking the bridge, murmuring words he’d learned on the Internet, leaving Haley and Jinx alone.

  Haley looked at Jinx. “Thank you,” she said. “I think you just saved my life.”

  Jinx shrugged. “All in a day’s work.”

  As they left the bridge, Jinx thought she saw a gray fog hovering over the water. She wondered if they had truly gotten rid of the ghost.

  J

  inx tapped one last command on her computer.

  There. Now Brian shouldn’t be able to get into the website. She couldn’t believe she’d let him in. She even erased his blog post—when she read it over, she realized how truly creepy it was.

  Someone who wanted that much power had some issues. In fact, he reminded her of the ghost on the St. Johns Bridge. It sucked to be picked on, for sure. But becoming a bully yourself didn’t make it right. She sighed.

  Her e-mail dinged. It was from the Paranormalists site mailbox. Jinx’s heart raced. Maybe it was a potential client! As scary as the ghost on the bridge had been, he was also exciting. Never before had Jinx seen such a phenomenon. And the camera didn’t even pick him up! She would have to do some major research to figure out why not. In the meantime, she’d have to think of a better way to get documentation. She needed video for the website.

  Jinx clicked to open up the e-mail:

  Jinx,

  It’s Brian. I’m writing to you here because I know you’ve blocked me from your personal e-mail. And from your phone. Which I think is totally a lousy move, but I’ve come to expect it at this point.

  I thought we had something, Jinx. I thought you were different. But you’re just the same model of dumb robot as all the popular kids at school—you’ll jump through any hoops to get their approval. I should have known from the start since you were friends with Jackson.

  After 5 new schools in 4 years, I guess I’m the stupid one. Everyone is a conformo. Including you.

  I won’t bother you anymore since you’ve made it so clear that you want to hang out with your new (and old) popular friends. That I’m not good enough.

  But I do want to tell you this: You’ll regret letting me go. I promise you. I’ll make you regret it.

  Sleep tight,

  Brian

  Jinx shivered as she reread the e-mail. She would take ghosts over real, living people any day. Especially psycho living people. She got up and paced her room, touching her Pixies poster for luck.

  She sat down again and pressed forward. She should let Jackson know about Brian’s message.

  Then she stopped. She remembered how he’d looked when Brian came to her house. And she didn’t want to put Jackson in danger if Brian was truly psycho. Most importantly, she could take care of herself.

  Finally she hit the delete button.

  Time for a new chapter for the Paranormalists, Jinx thought. No more Brians, no more angry bridge ghosts, no more grudges. Haley and she, if not exactly friends, had some mutual respect. Jackson and she were best friends again. Really, the world was as it should be.

  Her e-mail dinged again. She opened the new message, half-expecting it to be from Brian.

  Dear Paranormalists:

  I think I know of a haunting and we need your help. Well, maybe not a haunting. Have you ever gotten rid of a spirit that’s possessing someone?

  I’m pretty sure that an evil spirit took hold of my little sister. I’m afraid she’s going to hurt someone. Can you help us before it’s too late?

  Signed,

  Possessed in Portland

  Jinx grinned to herself. Another case. Yep, all was right with the world.

  What could possibly go wrong?

  CASE 1:

  THE HAUNTING OF APARTMENT 101

  Jinx was a social reject who became a punked-out paranormal investigator. Jackson is a jock by day and Jinx’s ghost-hunting partner by night. When a popular girl named Emily asks the duo to explore a haunting in her dad’s apartment, Jinx is skeptical—but Jackson insists they take the case. And the truth they find is even stranger than Emily’s story.

  CASE 2:

  THE TERROR OF BLACK EAGLE TAVERN

  Jinx’s ghost-hunting partner Jackson may be a jock, but Jinx is not interested in helping his football buddy Todd—until Todd’s case gets too weird to ignore. A supernatural presence is causing chaos at the bar Todd’s family owns. And the threat has a connection to Todd that’s deeper than even he realizes . . .

  CASE 3:

  THE MAYHEM ON MOHAWK AVENUE

  Jinx and Jackson have become the go-to ghost hunters at their high school. When a new kid in town tries to get in on their business, Jinx is furious. Portland only needs one team to track down ghosties! But Jinx’s quest to shut down her competition will lead her and Jackson down a dangerous path . . .

  CASE 4:

  THE BRIDGE OF DEATH

  Jinx is the top paranormal investigator at her high school, and she has a blog to prove it. Jackson’s her ghost-hunting partner by night—former partner, anyway. After a shakeup in the Paranormalists’ operation, the two ex-best friends are on the outs, and at the worst possible time. Because a deadly supernatural threat is putting their classmates in harm’s way . . .

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  MEGAN ATWOOD lives in Minneapolis, MN, and gets to write books for a living. She also teaches writing classes and reads as many young adult books as she can get her hands on. She only occasionally investigates paranormal activity.

 

 

 
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