I sat beside Paul, across from Nancy, though neither of them could see me. I reached out and tried to brush a tear from his face, but it didn't work. It never had. Whenever I tried to make contact with anyone still living it felt like they were made of stone. I couldn't move anything, let alone pass through things. I could teleport though, otherwise I wouldn't be next to him at this very moment.

Nancy brushed the tear away with all the gentleness I would have if I were still with him. I heard what he said before, about the people closest to him dying, and not catching the disease when I still had a chance. It broke my heart.

Another thing I could do was read his mind, and it was tearing me apart.

I let her down like I let John down. And mum and dad. Now I'm hurting Nancy. I can't do anything right!

John appeared next to me before noticing my presence. He looked at me and rubbed my back. He'd become very gentle and caring since he died, although sometimes he would still act like... well, John. He'd also gotten back together with Cynthia, which made him happier than I had ever seen him.

But he carried the same pain I did. Watching Paul suffering day and night, and not being able to do anything. He wiped away a tear from my face I didn't realise was falling. I leaned my head against his shoulder and cried.

Paul clutched his stomach and groaned quietly, though in his mind he was screaming. Every muscle in my body gave out and I fell to the floor. John knelt down and helped me up.

"Listen, Linda, Paul's very strong, I'm sure he'll make it through this... It's okay... it's okay..." He drifted off and gazed down at Paul. "He'll make it, I'm sure of it."