prologue

I walked through the dark streets, alone but not completely. my golden eyes were glued to the side walk as I tried to ignore the weeps of the dead. I have always heard and seen the dead, sometimes a pet, a stranger, I've even see a few family members coming to check up on us. My grandmother died before I was born but I can always see her face and hear her voice. my mother didnt have the gift, but my grandmother did. she taught me what she knew and as I got older I found it easier to ignore them. the second you made eye contact they know you can see them, they'll follow you around until you do what they ask. grandma warned me about evil spirits, ones that can possess me and make me do horrible things. it's why I always ignore them.

My long black hair blocked out my face like a curtain as I crossed the empty street. My head shot up as a sudden car horn sounded and before I could react everything went black.

***

My entire body hurt, my head being the worst of it. I cracked open my eyes and looked around, only to be greeted by a clean white hospital room and the smell of disinfectant.

"oh my god!" a voice cracked beside me, "Eva, you're ok!"

"Mom?" I asked confused, carefully sitting up, "what happened?"

"You were crossing the street and got hit by a car. the driver didnt have time to stop" mom cried besides me

Her long brown hair was matted, dark circles under her watery brown eyes. her face was red and stained from tears as she clutched my hand.

"the doctor said there was little chance you'd survive but your injuries healed faster then he expected."

I nodded, glancing around the hospital to see we were alone. odd, hospitals are usually full of the dead.

"how long do I have to be here for?" I asked

"I'm not sure. I'll go get the doctor." I nodded but she hesitated by the door, "honey. when you're discharged, I want you to move in with me."

I frowned, "mom-"

"hear me out," she cut me off, " I can make sure you're taking your meds and it will be easier for me the next time you land yourself in the hospital."

I sighed, "I'll think about it"

I've only lived on my own for two years, having resnted my own place the second I turned 18. My mom can be a bit overbearing at times and still treats me like a dumb little kid. at 12 she wouldn't let me cross the street by myself and I didnt get my licence until I moved out because she claimed I was to young to drive.

I huffed, my mom is persistent, I don't think I have much of a choice.