Free The Black by D. J. MacHale Page A

verge of tears and I felt horrible about it. She looked so vulnerable and, yes, I'll say it, pretty.
    "I'm sorry. This is all new to me. I'm very confused and I was hoping you could help me out a little. Can I come up and sit on the porch?"
    She hesitated a second, then nodded.
    "Great. Thanks."
    There was an old wicker couch like Gramps' near the door. I climbed the stairs onto the porch and walked to the far end, where I sat down, trying to look as nonthreatening as possible.
    The screen door squeaked open slowly and Maggie poked her head out.
    "I won't move," I said, crossing my heart with my finger. "Promise."
    She slipped out the door and slid down onto the far end of the couch, crushing her folded hands between her knees. The girl was fragile, but she wasn't weak. I knew that much from what she had done for me.
    "I'd like to know why you pulled me out of that fight," I said. "Has Damon been bothering you too?"
    She shook her head.
    "Do you know Damon?"
    She shook her head again. This seemed strange, but maybe not. From what I knew of the Black, billions of spirits passed through. There was no way that everybody could know everybody.
    "But you pulled me out of that fight," I said. "How come?" She glanced over to my grandfather's house. That was the connection.
    "So after I saw you before, when I was with Gramps, you started to watch me?" I asked.
    She shrugged and I saw her face flush red with embarrassment. It was as simple as that. She saw me and was curious. It wasn't the first time that had happened to me with a girl. Just sayin'.
    "Well, thank you," I said.
    She smiled. She had a sweet smile.
    "But I could have taken that weasel," I added.
    She frowned. She didn't agree and that was okay. The important thing was that I had made a friend, or at least I thought I had. As long as I didn't say the wrong thing and send her running off like a scared rabbit again, we'd be cool.
    "I'm only beginning to learn about how things work in the Black," I said. "But I'm already in Trouble Town. That guy? Damon? He's not like the rest of the spirits here. At least that's what he tells me. He threatened to hurt my best friend who's still living in the Light."
    Maggie looked at me and her expression turned dark.
    I paused, debating about whether or not to keep going. I took the chance and said, "He'd do it, too. I'm here because Damon killed me."
    Maggie winced, like the news physically hurt her.
    "He went into the Light and somehow manipulated things that led to my getting killed. Nice guy, huh?"
    "Why?" Maggie asked.
    "Because he wants me to help him find something that belonged to him in life. Something called a poleax. It's still in the Light and he wants my friend Marsh and me to get it for him."
    "Why does he want this… poleax?"
    I laughed. I couldn't help it.
    "Why is that funny?" she asked, hurt.
    "It isn't. I'm just glad you're talking."
    She blushed.
    I continued, "He says he's stuck here in the Black and that weapon will somehow help him get out. Does that make sense to you?"
    Maggie shook her head.
    "Great," I said with frustration. "If you don't know how things work around here, then I don't stand a chance."
    "So you don't want to help Damon?" she asked.
    "No!" I shouted, a bit too loud, because it made her jump. "The guy killed me! I'd rather wring his neck. But what can I do? I don't want him hurting Marsh."
    "Then you will help him?"
    "I don't know," I said with exasperation. "I don't know anything. What I'd like to do is warn Marsh that he's in trouble, but I can't even do that."
    She looked to the ground, lost in thought. I saw her lips twitch, like a nervous tick. This was a troubled girl and I wasn't making things any easier for her.
    "Maybe you can," she finally said.
    I sat bolt upright.
    "Seriously? How? Damon said he was the only one who knew how to influence things in the Light."
    "Some are better than others," she said. "But we all have the gift."
    My heart starting beating faster. "You're saying I can talk