A deleted scene or a scene from another character’s POV.

Deleted Scene from Chapter 4:

  “Excuse me, Hecate, was it?” Massimo said, still trying to get my attention. The joke was on him. I had years of practice ignoring dead people. I walked on like he was invisible, and as far as I was concerned, he might as well be. 

   I could have left spirit boy in the shop, but that would have led to an interrogation I wouldn’t have been privy to and possibly decisions being made without me. I was going to be in on whatever was going to happen with this ringmaster character, especially since I was the only living person and would thus be saddled with most of the work. 

   “Hey, could we just talk for a second? You did say vampires, didn’t you?” 

   I started whistling as I pulled open the door and walked into my final Zumba class, at least in this city. Massimo was being dragged behind me. I didn’t look back because that would have encouraged him to speak, but I could feel the tug of the invisible rope at my wrist every time he got too far behind. I imagined he was a bit miffed at this point, but I had said I would deal with him later, and it was necessary to enforce boundaries.

   “Hecate, lovely to see you again, girl,” April said. She was the instructor; honestly, she wasn’t a terrible human, but she was perky, which was annoying and minorly unforgivable. 

   “Hi,” I said more enthusiastically than I had ever managed. While I did enjoy a bit of mischief, I always had a lot of anxiety about pulling it off. I was relieved when I heard the door behind me. Perfect. April turned to face the newcomer. I dumped the mirror powder into my hand and quickly tossed it over my shoulder onto her as I walked by on my way to the classroom. This was going to be my day.

   “What did you do to her?” Massimo whispered uselessly. Most people couldn’t see specters, let alone hear them. The Haunt was different because it was designed that way. If those skulls were out in the normal world, your average person wouldn’t hear or notice a thing.  

    “Miss, miss,” Massimo said to April behind me. Miss, that woman just did something to you. I’m unsure what she has done, but I am worried about your safety.” I almost groaned out loud. I would get a Boy Scout for a ghost. 

   I walked up and took a place at the front of the room. I watched The Plastics come in from the locker room. The red-headed one was smirking and getting her phone ready. I could tell she was pleased that I’d made myself such an easy target. Typically, I stayed to the back row, but not today, no, not today.  

   The room went dark, and the laser lights came up, making the room feel like a rave. Suave (Kiss Me) started blaring through the speakers. April ran into the room with more energy than anyone should have. 

   “Woooo! Who’s ready to shake their booties?!” April shouted.

   “Woooo!” all the other girls mimicked and started bouncing excitedly.

   “All right, shoes,” I whispered at my feet, “follow the leader.”

    My feet jumped up to copy April, and the dance was on. The only thing holding me back was the ghost on my wrist. I felt the rhythm, and I knew I looked good as I spun and swished my hips in perfect sync with my instructor, but there was just that bit of lag as Massimo resisted being drug along with me. The bastard was tugging in all the wrong directions, trying to irritate me, but I was not going to let him mess this up for me. On the next spin to the right, I let my right arm stretch out dramatically so that my wrist kissed the wrist of the lady next to me. 

   “Hold this, will you?” I asked with a wink, and I felt the lead transfer. The poor girl looked terribly confused, and she was not at all prepared to be suddenly jerked into the woman next to her. Ouch… I would owe some sort of penance for that later, but I wasn’t going to stop now.    

   April looked genuinely happy that I was finally catching on. She moved in front of me and started dancing with me. I could feel those bitches’ jaws on the floor behind me. It was almost as good as a rainy day with plenty of tea and no customers, almost.

   I raised my arms in the air, swishing them back and forth as we marched out the last few notes of the song energetically. Massimo was now in the corner behaving himself, and I shot him a very self-satisfied smile. It was worth it. 

    On that note, I kicked off the shoes quickly so they didn’t jump into the next song. Then I retrieved Massimo’s lead and walked right past those “see you next Tuesdays.” With my nose in the air, I strode out of the studio, carrying my shoes triumphantly. 

   I don’t usually condone the use of the C-word unless you’re from the United Kingdom, Ireland, or Australia, and it’s a part of your normal vernacular. However, adults that have not grown out of that bullying stage warrant the use. Cunts.  

    Massimo jogged to my side, looking amused. “Those girls were doing a live video of you, and their intentions were uncharitable, I think,” he said.

   “You don’t say,” I said. My smile was nearly ear to ear. 

   “Good for you,” he said, and I found myself not minding his presence so much, at least for the moment. It was probably the adrenaline high.