Free The Elementalist by Melissa J. Cunningham Page A

do was pick up the other line, if that was possible. Closing my eyes, I took slow, deep breaths, saying Claire’s name softly, over and over. I imagined she was hiding out inside our head, her mind deeply asleep, but not unreachable.
    “Claire,” I whispered. “Wake up. You need to wake up. Claire, wake up.”
    After a moment, I stopped, waiting to detect her inside me. Nothing. I did it again, this time imagining a sharp stick in my hand. I walked through this dark maze of her, poking and prodding, hoping one of the hunched shadows I imagined, was her.
    Nothing.
    In frustration, I opened my eyes and stared at the wall. How should I do this? Taking another deep breath, I closed my eyes again and waited. At that moment, pain sliced through my head, like an axe being driven through my skull, over my left ear. I grabbed my head and fell moaning to the blankets, my eyes scrunched against a light that seemed too bright. I couldn’t stop the pain or the constant heat drilling through my head.
    I didn’t know how long I lay there, tears seeping from my eyes, but slowly, my agony lessened to a dull throb, and then I sensed someone else in the room with me. They were quiet, not making a sound, not even breathing, but their presence was so strong I forced myself to sit up and look around. I stared in confusion at the empty room, frowning. I felt them so powerfully. I knew they were there. Hiding?
    “Hello?” I heard a weak voice ask. “Who’s there?”
    I stayed quiet, waiting, scared. It was another spirit, but I couldn’t see them. This terrified me more than anything, not knowing who I was up against.
    Again, the voice called out, stronger the second time. “Hello? Are you there?”
    They must be talking to me, so I answered. “I’m here.”
    I heard a sigh of relief. “Who are you?”
    This time, I didn’t hesitate. “Alisa Callahan,” I answered. “Come out, so I can see you.” I was sure it was a spirit now. I felt the energy of another soul surrounding me so powerfully that it couldn’t be denied. They could probably see me even though I couldn’t see them. That was how it usually worked. Maybe it was a guardian sent to help me.
    “I… I’m not sure where I am,” the voice said. “Keep talking so I can find you.”
    “I’m in the center of the room,” I said, turning in a slow circle, waiting, searching.
    “So am I… I think.”
    It was quiet for a moment, and then I heard the voice say, “Hey. You said your name was Alisa? Alisa Callahan?”
    I paused. “Ye—es.”
    “You’re in my body!” the voice screamed with rage. It echoed inside my mind, and the throbbing pain began again.
    “Claire?” I gasped, holding my aching head.
    “Yes, I’m Claire! And you’re in my body!”
    “I know,” I answered, in terrible pain, but I was relieved to be in contact at last. “I don’t know how it happened, but… but maybe if you try to get back in your body, I’ll be kicked out, and then everything will go back to normal.”
    “I can’t get in,” she said. “I’m already in. I’ve been here all along. You would have known that if you were an intelligent spirit. You’ve taken over my body, but don’t worry. I will kick you out. You weren’t supposed to do this. You weren’t supposed to take possession of me.”
    “I didn’t. I don’t know what happened.” I didn’t have a good feeling anymore, nor was I excited to be stuck in this body with her. She was furious and felt very strong.
    “I know just what to do with you,” she said.
    “You do?”
    “Oh, yes,” she answered with a growl. “I’m an Elementalist. I know who and what you are, and I know how to get you out… so get ready. This is going to hurt.”

 
    23
    ~Failed Experiment~
    Alisa
     
    It only took Claire a moment to seize control, and I was too surprised to stop her. Within moments, I could do nothing physically, but she could. She stood, and like a floppy doll, I bounced around inside of her.
    In the back