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"It is rude to outstay one’s welcome" She scowled

My e "Hortencia," she said, her eyes wide and desperate "I thank you for all that you have told us, but please, will you just tell us so more that could help my son Please"

"I have told him all he needs to know," Hortencia replied, her lower lip curling "And I have given hi to push backward and instead roll forward"

As the oracle pushed the three women out of the door and moved to slam it in their faces, River stuck out her foot and jah, her eyes traveling around the rooain

"Ben," she called, her eyes bloodshot "You have to find a way You have to"

The desperation in her voice shookdown like this I was about to respond again that I would try, but recalling the way the oracle had adht better of it

"I will," I said, with confidence I did not possess "I will, River"

To my surprise, the oracle took it upon herself to relaya coward" And with that, the oracle shoved River’s foot away from the door and finally slammed it shut

Noas just her andBefore I could ask anythingout of the table in the center of the roo I knew, the saquarters, out of her cave I hizzing so fast, I didn’t even get a chance to catch a last gliht attempt to harass the oracle for answers some more, but eventually, they’d have no choice but to return to The Shade

When the force finally relinquished me, I found myself back on the same snowy mountain plateau--just feet away frohteny room of hers, but now I only found et more and more batty each time I saw her What was I supposed to make of her words? What was I supposed to think?

The only conclusive thing she had said to me was just the opposite of what I’d wanted to hear I already knew that ghosts did not belong in this physical world I already knew that they were meant to pass on That wasn’t what I’d asked her about--and yet that was the answer she’d thrust in my face

She had never answered ht--a way to remain in the life I kneith the people I loved--could be on this elusive "other side" was absurd