Erasing: Shadows (The Erasing Series) by K.D. Rose Read Free Book Online Page A

time, Mira nudged Michael playfully. “We’ve got it, Mr. Serious!” He smiled in spite of himself. Mira always had that effect on him.
    “Okay,” said Ed, “on to the next event.”
    The next two hours were spent showing everyone how to key into each other. It was similar to the previous exercise but involved getting to know each other emotionally and engaging in physical contact. Each person had to spend a good ten minutes with every other person. This was hard for the gang, as they already knew everyone except Ed, and occasional jokes and fooling around broke out. But Jonathan or Michael always brought the group back on track, and Mira seemed to take it all very seriously.
    “I think she has it,” whispered Jonathan to Michael.
    Michael sighed. “I hope so. We’ll find out tonight.”
    The last exercise was to go to the old McArthur place, where they had chosen to meet that night. Of course, the group knew that it was the astral McArthur place, but Mira didn’t. The boys explained that their parents were away for the summer, and Jonathan was in charge, so they had the place to themselves—the perfect experiment.
    The friends spent twenty more minutes getting the smells and feel of the McArthur study, where they were to meet. There was even stickiness to the wallpaper in the hallway. Mira could smell the embers from the winter fires. She ran her hands along the wallpaper. She even spun in the roll top desk chair.
    A question popped up. “I feel confident about coming here, but how on earth will we all show up at the same time?” she asked.
    Neither Michael nor Jonathan answered. They turned instinctively to Ed.
    “Simpler than you think,” said Ed. “Just make sure not to overcomplicate it.” He looked at Michael when he said this. “Right before you go to bed, tell yourself both out loud and in your mind three times: I am going to meet the gang at 2:00 a.m., unless you guys want a different time?” he added.
    “No, 2:00 a.m. is good,” said several of them at once. It seemed to be the time they always met, even in the old days. Not too early, not too late. Close enough to morning light if things went too long.
    “Besides,” added Michael, “you’ve already placed that time in our minds. To change it at this point wouldn’t be prudent. There might be mix-ups.”
    Michael wondered if it was a coincidence that Ed had chosen 2:00 a.m. or if Jon had told him. Who knows who Jon had been working with on this stuff?
    “Good thinking, Michael!” said Ed. “You’ll be advanced in no time!”
    Michael looked at all ninety pounds of this kid and wanted to punch him in the face.
    “Any last questions?” asked Jonathan.
    Everyone remained silent except Mira who shifted the conversation with, “I have to be getting back . Paul is already going to kill me because I’m late for chores. See you guys tonight! This is going to be great!”
    Jonathan, Onie, and Ed, who had not heard about Paul from the night before looked down at the ground. Mira, already on her way, didn’t notice. As the screen door slammed, Michael couldn’t resist shouting, “Mira!” She turned around on the old porch.
    “If you get lost, remember the gravel!”
    Mira flashed him a smile. “Sure thing, Michael,” she said, almost shyly.
    The group gathered around after she left. Jonathan spoke in no uncertain terms. “Ross place in one hour!”
    He didn’t say it, but everyone understood he meant the real world, although an identical version of the Ross place was certain to be here. No one had checked that out yet.
    “Good gosh, Jon,” said Onie. “We do have lives too. I need to check on the kids, and others probably have some things to attend to.”
    “I’m sorry,” said Jonathan. “You’re right. And we appreciate all you’re doing. Is three hours enough? We have to have enough time to get some sleep tonight too, before we meet Mira at 2:00 a.m.”
    Everyone agreed that three hours was enough.
    “What about Ed?”