Read Almost Dead (Dead, #1) for Free Online Page B

taffy before it’s molded and cooled.
    Before I can ask why this is happening to me, a portal filled with blue, purple, and green swirling matter opens ahead. Having not seen color for a while, the radiance burns my retinas. It’s like when I’m in a tanning bed and don’t wear the protective goggles. Ugh .
    “If you think I’m going through that, you’re badly mistaken,” I say.
    Flora gives me a severe look. She wants this. I understand; I want it, too, just not with either of them. I’ll take Oliver over these weirdoes any day of the week.
    “ Fine. Remain here until your body dies,” Flora states, completely emotionless. Even her face is a blank slate.
    Bitch.
    “Fine. I’ll do that,” I say, lifting my chin a little higher. Maybe all of the lessons with Oliver about keeping my head raised are paying off.
    “Laney,” Sara begins with a gentle voice, “if you stay, I can’t help you. When the portal closes, there is no turning back. I can only help those in need once.”
    “Basically, you Barbie wannabe,” Flora cuts in, “you either stay and die or you go and have a chance at living.” She’s upset with me, but it’s not my fault I’m indecisive. I don’t want to be led into Satan’s parlor. I have to be cautious around these two.
    I stomp my foot. That usually how I get my way with Chase. “Whatever,” I mumble. “Just…hurry up so I can make it to the pageant next week. I need to look good in that dress.”
    Flora tosses me a dumbass look. I know what I’m talking about. She probably doesn’t even know what a dress is. Go worship Marilyn Manson or something .
    “You’re so stupid,” Flora states, though it’s not like her opinion really matters. She’s never accomplished anything in life, except being a burden to everyone around her. “Even if you do make it out of here alive and recover froze=bm this accident, you won’t be in that pageant. You’ll be in a damn hospital.”
    Huh. Okay, maybe the weirdo does have a point. Wait… Oh, my God. I won’t be in the Miss Briarhaven pageant . My life really is ruined. I’ve been training for weeks— months —and for what? Nothing.
    I’m about five thousand percent done with existing.
    “Follow me,” Sara says melodically. Her voice is like using a fillet knife on the end of my nerves: painful .
    Sara disappears first, followed by Flora. I curse under my breath. Is this what I want? Am I dumb enough to believe some creepy, angelic being appears out of nowhere, saying she only has one chance to help us? What if she’s lying? What if I step through that portal and it’s all a trick?
    Ugh times ten. This place is starting to annoy me. And—
    Oh, my God! The portal’s closing. It’s now or never. Plus, I really don’t want to stay here by myself. So, without second guessing this whole idea, I leap through the entrance. The experience isn’t entirely horrible, I guess. Inside, the portal has the same blue, purple, and green shades as it does on the outside, and there are specks of glitter floating on top of the colorful waves of whatever this thing is made of. White light radiates at the end, the intensity nearly blinding me. The closer we get, the greater the brightness. I shut my eyes, hoping my retinas haven’t been permanently damaged…and stumble as my feet hit a solid surface.
    We ’ve landed in a tiny log cabin. Windows extend from floor to ceiling. A stone fireplace ignites on its own in the living room. The furniture is draped in cream-colored sheets, books are forgotten under piles of dust and cobwebs, and white candlesticks have melted, wax hardened along their edges.
    “Ummm… if you’re, like, a ghost, how do you have furniture and books?” I ask. It should be an easy question. I mean, how’d she transport these belongings to another dimension? And why are we in color but everything else is gray?
    Flora and Sara stare at me, but I don’t tell them my thoughts. Oh, my God. What if Sara steals items from