Casey's response is driven by confusion, "Kirk, you're making no sense. You not having the procedure will hurt me – hurt us all!" She glances at Jess and Toby, searching for their support.

There's an awkward pause, before Jess literally jumps in, shooting upwards from the chair, her tone laced with a little anger – "You're lying Kirk!"

"I'm not. I don't want this procedure," I say, with as much passion as a half dead thing shackled to a table can muster.

Jess stands so strong. Even in my half-life I can feel the strength of her belief and insight, "You can't lie to me Kirk."

She sits back down, calms herself and begins – "Here's the thing Kirk, I'm gonna ask you some questions about your life, when you were Callum – and I want the truth – I can smell bullshit so strong Kirk – you got that?"

"Yes."

"OK. When you were alive, was there a girl you liked?"

"Yes."

"Did she like you?"

"I don't know."

"Why didn't you know?"

"Because I got killed by a drunk driver before I got the chance to ask her." Jess shakes her head, "I repeat, do not lie to me Kirk!"

Toby gently touches Jess, "Go easy, you're sounding real harsh." Jess ignores him, and remains relentless in her questioning, "What was this girls name?"

"Catriona."

"You were good friends with Catriona – right?"

"Right. Real good friends."

"What was the last thing you said to Catriona before you were killed?"

"I said – I'll see you tomorrow at school."

"They were your last words with Catriona?"

"Yes."

"And she never saw you again."

“No – I was killed."

'But you saw her again, didn't you Kirk?"

"Yes."

Casey kind of pops up. I read a mix of sad and angry on her face "Curb it Jess; you're being like the Police – interrogating him. I can't handle it!" Casey’s outburst softens Jess’s tone, "Case please; I have a point to make here. And, remember, Kirk doesn't have our full emotional range. He can handle my direct questioning, can’t you Kirk?" 

"Yes."

Jess's next question lacks her harsh interrogative tone, "Tell us about the last time you saw Catriona?"

I fix my eyes upwards and stare at the cold black ceiling of my basement; it's a fitting view for my answer.

"I remember my death clearly. As my soul ascended upwards I saw everything. The shock and horror of those who witnessed the violence of my ending. Mom and Dad's despair. As I floated further upwards, I saw my Grandmother, her hand reaching out for me. Then, I looked down, back to earth. I saw Catriona: crying so hard, wailing like an animal, freaking – telling her parents how much she loved me, how she couldn't live without me, she said I was her life – I had no idea she felt that way about me."

I continue to stare at the ceiling, “Then a blankness covered me – while my parents dealt with the Darkside. I recall no more of my life or death. You know the rest of my story.”

Jess stands, her tone softens further as she approaches Casey and sits next to her, putting a supportive arm around her shoulder. “This is the truth I wanted to get to Kirk. You saw the hurt that: life, love, loss can create. You saw it from a place none of us have any experience of. But – here’s the thing Kirk, you now have a kinda half-life, with thoughts of remembered emotions teasing and tormenting you. I think the memory of the hurt your loss caused Catriona is holding you back, affecting your decision. This procedure will bring you even closer to our life – and all the shit that comes with it.”

Casey talks, “You saying he’s scared of life Jess?”

“Exactly what I’m saying. Specially as the half-life he’ll lead will be tougher than ours; you know, with all his reanimate restrictions and shit.”

Toby talks, “She’s right Casey. My sister’s response to the procedure was similar to Kirk’s – but afterwards she learned to like aspects of her half-life. We became a kinda happy family,” he lowers his head, “until we lost her forever to triple discovery.”

Toby looks back up, stares me straight on, “I hurt Kirk. Crushing on straight guys crushes me every time. But, I talk to Jess about it and I get over it, move on – laugh about the jerky jocks I always fall for.” Jess nods agreement, "Yep, remember when you told me you were hung up on that Rodriguez guy, I almost hung you!" They  laugh at the recollection.

Jess raises her hand, “Hit it Tobes!” Their palms meet with a life-affirming slap.

Jess continues, “You know what Kirk, life stinks. Sometimes smells bad, sometimes smells good. Sometimes hurts like hell." She stands up and swings her hand around the group in an inclusive gesture, "When it smells of hurt, you need friends to fresh it up – friends like us.

Jess’s assertive tone returns, “Kirk, we have more experience of this life than you. We know what it's like to feel kinda different.” Then she softens, “You're half-life will make a big difference to you – and us. We can help each other through the rough and tumble." 

I note Casey, her head is bowed; tears stain the sheet that covers my carcass.

It's Toby that asks me the question: "Kirk, are you gonna take this procedure?..."

...before I have time to answer Dad rushes into my basement and literally drops a laptop on my chest, "You gotta see this guys!" The others gather behind me while I lift my head to see the screen.

……

It's Dale's latest status update

Dale: 

His comment accompanies the picture of his black and blue eye.

Just heard the freak that did this to me has been released from detention. 

The response comments stream in with stealth like speed

Jenna

WHAT!?! Hey hun, at least you're not covering the bruising with make up like the retard LOL!

Rodriguez

That's one sore looking shiner, who dished it?

Dale

Can't say

Lisa

I think it was the creepy new Kid, who's always being followed by the dorky black girl in Jenna's class.

Jenna

@Lisa LOL! And don't forget the fat Zombie loving space cadet that's latched onto em. 

Lisa

Yeah, Jess the girl that went missing. Summfin spooky about em, they're very wierd!

Tiff

Oh him, he's kinda cute!

Dale

He's kinda DANGEROUS!

Kendal

I heard he queer-bashed that sophomore, the short blonde faggot

Dale:

@Kendal, steady – that's my cus – and the freak tried to get me blamed for that!

Rodriguez

@Dale, Might be your cus, but he's still a fag – backs against the walls in the showers guys – you been warned by the ROD ROTFL! 

Dale:

@Rodriguez, LOL! My cus hangs with the retard now, probably doing all kinds a weird faggy stuff.

Jenna:

@Dale they prob have freaky foursomes *PUKES* at the thought!

Michelle:

*Freaky Foursome* you're such a WHIZ Jenna, as well as a beaut, I hate you! *Kidding*

……

"STOP!" hollers Casey, slamming the laptop shut. Jess stands up and looks at herself, then at the group, "Am I fat?" she asks, with a tone that's unfamiliar to me.

"Course not! In Jenna's world, if you ain't a super thin you're a super fat, "says Casey with a vigour in her voice, the vibe I like to hear in her.

……

While my friends and father converse in urgent conversation, I lay my head back, and stare at the blackness above me. Will I ever see brightness again?

Clark arrives and joins the conversation as it escalates into a chaotic crescendo.

"Stop," I say. "Stop."

I wait for silence. When it comes, I talk to my Father, "Can you go get Dr Shaheed – "Let’s go for it."