Playing with Fire by Phoebe Rivers

Lily.
    â€œBelinda?” Lily’s voice was so normal-sounding that I stopped. “Belinda, can you hear me?”
    â€œWhat are you—?” I began, but Lily spoke over me.
    â€œBelinda, is this your bedroom? It’s so pretty. I love how you can see the sun set over the lake.” Lily twisted around and forced a smile.
    Belinda loosened her hold, clearly captivated by the melody of Lily’s words.
    â€œYou are so pretty. Does everyone tell you that?” Lily continued.
    The crimson dimmed from Belinda’s eyes as she listened to Lily.
    â€œGo on,” I whispered. Laura nodded, clearly confused by the turn of events.
    â€œYou must have so much fun here by the lake,” Lily said.
    â€œMaggie . . . oh, Maggie!” a strained cry escaped from Belinda’s pale lips.
    I looked to Laura and Lily. Neither heard her.
    Belinda trembled as she repeated the name. Then she touched Lily’s hair again and cried, “Play with me, Maggie.”
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Laura hissed, reaching for my shoulder.
    â€œBelinda thinks Lily’s her sister,” I whispered.
    â€œMargaret?” Laura asked.
    â€œShe calls her Maggie.” I hesitated, not wanted to freak Lily. “She’s touching your hair. She wants to play with you.”
    â€œOh, I’d love to play, Belinda. Just you and me.” Lily didn’t miss a beat. She didn’t sound scared, although I couldn’t figure out why. “But I am not Maggie. My name is Lily Randazzo. Maggie is your sister, right?”
    The temperature of the room dropped at the mention of her sister.
    â€œI’m not Maggie.” Lily leaned forward. “Maggie died a long time ago.”
    The once-dark TV screen suddenly crackled to life, filling the room with a white static buzz. The digital clock on the bedside table blinked rapidly. 10:14. 10:14. 10:14 . Through the bathroom door, we heard the shower turn on with a rush of water.
    Belinda pulled her arms into herself and raised her shoulders. Her red hair fanned out as the glow returned, more intense than before.
    â€œShe’s upset,” I said. My skin once again burned with her emotions.
    â€œWe need to leave,” Laura announced hastily above the roar of the TV and the shower.
    â€œNo, not yet,” Lily protested.
    â€œI can’t do it.” Laura’s voice trembled as she watched the clock flash the same number over and over. “I can’t fix this problem.”
    â€œLaura’s right,” I agreed. “She’s going to hurt us.” I should’ve listened to Lady Azura, I realized. We never should have messed with this spirit.
    â€œIt’s locked!” Laura cried as she tried desperately to twist the doorknob. “It shouldn’t be locked, but it is!”
    â€œSara, look!” Lily pointed toward the floor. Thin wisps of smoke snaked up from beneath the door.
    I raced to the window and tried to pry it open. It wouldn’t budge. I struggled with the wooden frame as the heat deepened around us.
    â€œDon’t waste time. We need to break it,” Laura commanded from behind me. She pulled off her leather clog and began to pound at the pane with the rubber-soled heel.
    â€œI can’t breathe,” I rasped. Tears welled in my eyes.
    â€œWet a washcloth! Put it over your face!” Laura cried.
    I wanted to run to the bathroom, but I couldn’t move. All I could do was stare at Belinda as my stomach churned. Her body shone, as if the glow were illuminated from within her. Her fists balled at her sides, and she stared with a burning intensity.
    I felt her anger. Her disappointment. Her grief. So many emotions boiling at the surface.
    So much pain.
    I remembered what Lady Azura said. Her emotions caused her to start fires.
    â€œShe’s upset about her sister.” I coughed. Smoke stuck in my throat. “We need to calm her!”
    Laura continued to smack the