Page 14 - The Window_ A Foundations' Style Rapier

Untitled Novel Excerpt

Emma Schramm, Class of 2025

Gracie’s silver gaze drifted out onto the horizon. The stars pooled up
at the very edge of the world, where the sky met the sea. She sighed,
hugging her knees closer to herself, and wondered if any of this was
worth it. She was dead...and she had been for over two-hundred years
now. So if she was dead...how could she enjoy the life that was

nonexistent?
She felt Handy shift on the sand beside her. She trusted his
judgement, really, she did. She’d known him since...well, she couldn’t
remember anymore. The young, war-beaten Civil war soldier had been her
right hand man ever since she’d made a name for herself at Bonaventure.
He always protected her, always made sure she felt safe and she was
okay. But could he really be right?
Gracie had never wanted to leave her cemetery because it always felt
protected there, between the Spanish moss and bushes and flowers. But
she could see why Handy wanted to leave Colonial Park and explore the
world like he hadn’t gotten to do when he was alive. Gracie couldn’t relate

to his aspirations, and she knew that frustrated him.
“It won’t be too bad, Gracie, I’m sure of it,” Handy said all the sudden,
leaning back on his hands. “I mean...we can see everything. We can even
go outside the city and explore the edges of the earth. Just you and me,
nothin’ to lose. Y’know?”
Handy scowled, the scars on his face folding up and creasing. “Don’t
you realize it, Gracie?” he said, voice low. “We’re both lucky. Most people
don’t even get the chance to come back as spirits, and we both did! Just
because we didn’t have enough time to experience everything then

doesn’t mean we can’t do it now.”
Gracie glared right back at him, but inside she knew he was right.
Handy continued. “You can’t stay behind that fence for the rest of
time, Gracie,” he said more softly, as if he knew he’d gotten his point
across. “You’ve gotta get out there. And because I care about you, I’ll make
sure nothing happens. I do it already anyway! You’ve just gotta trust
me...gotta trust that things won’t be so bad if you really look at it from
another angle.”
Gracie crossed her arms. “But I’m needed here,” she said. “Why do you
think I get so many visitors? Why do you think so many people need my
help? I can’t leave for that long...the spirit world would be in

pandemonium by the time we get back.”
“They can deal.”
“No, they can’t.”
“Other ghosts exist, I hope you realize that,” Handy retorted.
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