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"So what's the catch?" I asked her, absently munching on a cookie on the couch.

Zara tried to grab hold of the cookie from my hand but the cookie passed her hands like a wind, she wasn't able to touch any object, neither was she visible to anyone, I was the only exemption.

"I don't know but my theory is, you summoned me, your constant thinking brought me back to the lands of living so maybe, maybe that's why you're the only one able to see me-"

"-and touch you," I concluded, her theory made sense.

"So you don't need nourishment?" I asked her out of curiosity.

"I'm dead A, I don't need nourishment," her reply was flat, just like the expression she was sporting, bored.

"But you're in the lands of living-"

"-a manifestation," she cut in.

"What? Explain," I implored, this whole death deal confused me, apparently it confused Zara too but it was fine, as long as I was able to see Zara, touch her and annoy her, I'm okay with anything this bizarre world has to offer.

"I'm back to the world of the living, yes but I'm not living, I'm a manifestation of my living version, a string of powerful magic is keeping me uprooted here, I can feel it, my urge to stay with you and the invisible string that's pulling me back but you're the one holding me Aini when you ask me to leave, I wouldn't have a choice but to leave," she was deep in thinking when she spilled out her side of assumption.

There was no way in hell I would ask her to leave, it almost felt normal to be with her, almost being the word. Looking at Zara, all sprawled out on my couch, eyes half-closed and her nose scrunched in annoyance, the very picture I have experienced a thousand times when we have our sleepovers, felt almost normal.

A deep set of frowns was etched on her face, she was trying hard to concentrate on matters at hand, this felt normal, this felt like us. It has always been the same way when we were facing a crisis, Zara was the smart nut in the group, she came up with theories and logic, while I came up with the pros and cons of the list of ideas she came up with and Harry made sure to put our crazy ideas into actions, considering our security along with it.

"What magic?" I inquired, there should be something or rather someone there controlling my dreams, if it's the same person or thing then it's controlling Zara too, and ostensibly it's powerful, considering that it has the energy to show me dreams, nightmares in other words and drawing a line between the living and the dead, it's dangerous.

"Remember the girl in your dream?" Zara examined, of course, she knew her, most of my dreams consisted of Zara in it, but that Zara was evil, she was another manifestation according to that portrait girl or that was what I guess.

"Not a good reminder Ze, she is a nightmare, I wonder why she is so keen on torturing me" I groan, I hate that evil incarnation.

"And the last time I checked you were hijacking my dream too, pretty wicked, I know it was my fault but rubbing it in my face, er not so friendly sis" I continued, remembering all the worst situations that my dreams ended me with, the heartbreak, the doom, pain, and misery.

A voice whispered that my best friend is still dead but I pushed that voice to the back of my mind, I thought to myself Zara is here, and that's all that mattered, that was all that's keeping me sane.

"A part of that was me, I want you to find answers and the only way to get your lazy ass to do some researching is to put you under pressure and that's what I did, but most of the time, it was- her. She was using your emotions, playing with your fears and she used me as a spawn..."

I concentrated on her words, she stopped, stared at the ceiling as she was reminiscing something painful, she closed her eyes for a moment, shook her head like she was trying to get rid of whatever the thought that's processing her mind, opened her eyes and blinked. I waited for her to continue, it wasn't sunshine and daisies for her but Zara was strong, I have to give her that, if I was in her shoes, I would have simply given up by now and most likely rot in self-pity in the- whatever the world there is for the dead.

Loyal best friends are God-sent angels.

"When I was in your dreams, literally. It was p-painful, she was absorbing my energy, pulling my strength, and holding me a prisoner inside your dreams, everything you saw, the most crucial parts of my behavior was a projection of myself, I was really there A, she had an invisible power which tied me up and did all her biddings. The last dream you saw, was a miracle, I was inside that darkroom but I was free, whatever the magic that kept hold of me was a little hazardous, I was able to free myself and when you slipped into your dream, it was my last straw, I was in a rush to tell you all the details-" she paused and gave me a look, the sad expression she had now transformed into a neutral one, almost proud.

"-and for once in your life, you acted smart, you came to terms with reality on your life, accepted the fact that I'm dead and called onto me, that was how you summoned me A, you were the only reason I was able to come back, I'm proud of you dumbjack brain," and smiled her hundred watts smile that could sway way any man. Dead or not, she was beautiful, no questions asked.

I smiled at her because it was toxic, when Zara smiled, you reciprocate it, although you feel like it or not. She was like the sunshine that you couldn't avoid, I love my friend.

"So what do we do? Also, it was rude, pushing me like that! It was downright cruel and sadistic and mea-"

"-overdramatic as always" she finished my rant, dismissively waving her in emphasis.

"What do we do?" I repeated, I wanted answers and since my knight was by my side, I felt adventurous, although it will most probably lead to trouble and to harm, a lot of harm to me.

"Get Harry back!" She simply announced as it was the simplest answer to all of our dilemmas.

"Eh Zara, we kind of broke up a few months back" I laid out slowly, the topic which is titled 'Harry' hurts.

"Yes dumbjack brain, I know. I saw you pull that stupid stunt, thank the God I wasn't next to you at that moment, or you would be rotting six feet under the ground for hurting my baby like that. I was the reason you broke with him, well I'm here now, so what's stopping you?" She asked innocently, I knew what she was trying to do, pep talk!

"It's not fair on him Ze, I can't lead him on like tha-"

"-don't you still love him A?" She raised her sculpted brows, she loves Harry like her brother and he was protective of her like she was her baby sister.

"Yes, it was him for me I guess"

"Well then, that's that! Let's get him back," she stomped away out of the living room with that, that was that! As Zara put it. When she was on a mission, you don't have a choice but to obey.

A/N
Word count - (1315 excluding A/N)

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So, any complaints?  Do you all like this chapter?

Want me to change anything?

Well, all of you wanted Zara back, so here she is, I hope you all are enjoying the story since we have Zara and most likely we'll have more of  Harry too, enjoy and don't forget to let me know how much you are enjoying this little horror in the comment box :)

Stay safe
Much love,
-haf

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