Page 36 of See Through

Pain runs through my entire body as I think about what’s happened.

And now, here I am, on the other side of the door, not wanting to open it. I already know what I’m going to see when I do. Despite my parents' wishes, Adrian and I used to come down here all the time. We used to investigate the entire funeral home, wondering how many ghosts and people still hung around. We never got any evidence, but those are some of my favorite memories with him.

We were just kids, and now, he’ll never grow again. I have to grow without him.

My hand moves to the door, and I open it, spotting his body on the table, all dressed up. I thought the tears would come, but they don’t. Not yet, at least. Maybe I’m fresh out.

I slowly walk over to the table, my lungs barely able to take anything in. He looks so…dead. Some people at the services like to say their loved ones look like they’re asleep, but he doesn’t look asleep—he looks dead. His chest no longer rises. His face is devoid of color. He can’t smile anymore.

He doesn’t look asleep. That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.

My hand caresses his face, his skin cold to the touch. He’s frozen. I’m frozen where I stand. I can’t bear seeing him like this, but I had to say goodbye. The funeral is tomorrow. Tomorrow, he’ll be buried, and I’ll never see him again. This is my last chance to see Adrian, to have one last moment with him, just us, just how we came into the world together.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

He doesn’t move. Doesn’t respond. Obviously, I knew he wouldn’t, but it still aches the same not hearing his voice.

“I’ll miss you as long as I’ve known you, Adrian. I love you.”

“I love you,” I hear a whisper, turning all around to see if there’s someone else in here with me. There isn’t. It’s just us. Maybe my voice echoed a bit.

Or maybe that was one final message from my brother.

“I—” My voice stops in my tracks because my brother is now sitting up, eyes still closed, mouth still shut. “Adrian?”

He says nothing. I must officially be losing it. There’s no way this is actually happening. I go to head for the door, but he grabs my arm, and I’m about to scream, but I⁠—

“Aubs? Aubrey?” Dean’s hand is waving in front of my face, his other hand grasping my shoulder as I snap out of the memory. “Baby, are you with me?”

“Yeah, yes, I-I’m sorry. I went somewhere else for a second.”

“A second? More like a few minutes. You started shaking, Aubs. Where did you go just now?”

“A memory from after Adrian died, one I’d forgotten about.”

I still can’t get much air into my lungs, and as I look at the house in front of me, the familiar gray siding reminds me of a different time—one I’ve spent years trying to forget.

“I’m here. You’re safe. I’m here,” he repeats over and over again.

I misjudged what coming back here would bring up for me. I had tried to bury everything that happened in this house, but memories always have a funny way of coming up when you least expect it.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”

“You are. You will be. Just start telling us what to do, and we’ll handle it. Cooper and I will set up the cameras, and you and Maven can stay here. Does that sound okay?”

“Mhm.” I nod, trying to get my head on straight.

“You are strong, and you are capable. No matter what happens tonight, we will be okay. I’m with you every step of the way, just like always, baby.”

“I know.” I grab his hand where it rests on my cheek. “You were my strength after what happened to Adrian. Sometimes, I think you brought me back to life.”

He leans in, his forehead touching mine. “You did that yourself, Aubrey. I was just lucky enough to watch you do it.”

I’m about to speak when someone knocks on the window of the car.

“Are you guys ready to hunt some ghosts?” Cooper raises a coffee cup, and I wipe the stray tears from my eyes. I can’t help but laugh at Cooper’s enthusiasm. Maybe tonight won’t be as bad as my memories are trying to make it.

“Let’s do this.” I sniffle as I get out of the car, heading straight for the bed of Dean’s truck. Maven hands me a cup that matches Cooper’s; I’m really glad we have these two with us tonight. “You’re the best.”