The Dead House

In 2011, Dr. Annabeth Lansing visited the site for the first time in six years. Today, she is a leading paranormal researcher, with a particular expertise on Elmbridge High. Her latest book, The Forgotten Elmbridge, comes out next winter.


To date, she will not speak of what happened during her visit to the site.





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Despite CCTV footage that shows Carly Johnson in the flames of the Elmbridge fire, her body has not been found. Some say she still lingers on the grounds, seeking out the missing half of her soul, Kaitlyn. Others believe she moved on, reuniting with her sister in a better afterlife.


Kaybear? Will you always be here with me? Will you promise?


I promise, Carly-bean. I am not going anywhere.





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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


First, to the people who saved my life and to whom I owe this book’s existence. My dearest friend and husband, who fed me every two hours, traded back rubs for bites of food, came in every morning with a smile even when all seemed hopeless, and who got me to the other side. Thank you forever—I love you, I love you, I love you! My unnamed hero and donor, I think of you daily. This book is for you and those you left behind. Professor John O’Grady, the House MD of the King’s College Liver Department, and his amazing team for their unflinching support. Dr. Agarwal for the smiles and wit! Dr. C. J. Tibbs, for really caring; I hope you know how much you gave me. My talented surgeon and the rest of the King’s surgical team, and to the nurses on Todd Ward—you are angels on this earth, I really hope you know that (but I’ll keep sending chocolates as a reminder!). Without all of you, this book wouldn’t be here. I humbly thank you for giving me my life. To every organ donor out there in the world: Thank you too!


Thank you, endlessly, to my mother, who gave me so much when she forced me to read to her (even through my wailing protestations!). For always believing it would happen and that I had something worth sharing. You are my favorite person in the world and always my biggest cheerleader. You make my world bright and put up with my insanities. I love you, and I’m proud you’re my best friend. You rock the socks off everyone!


To Polly Nolan and Sarah Davies, agents extraordinaire and superwomen, and to the rest of the Greenhouse staff, my deepest thanks for believing in this book and championing it across the oceans. I adore you, I really, really do!


To my editors, Alvina Ling and Jenny Glencross, a huge, massive thank-you for your sage advice and wisdom and for your faith, right from the get-go. For seeing things I couldn’t, and allowing me to bring out the best (and the worst) in Kaitlyn, Carly, Naida, Ari, and the rest of the Dead House gang; for helping me to see the beautiful tragedy of my ending. Jenny—we are twin Harry Potter souls! Alvina—your found-footage Hachette diaries still bring me the greatest joy! To Fiona Kennedy, for your enthusiasm and class. To Nina Douglas, for always providing awesome shenanigans, and to the whole Orion/Indigo team for such an amazing pitch document, which I have framed because it is so beautiful and magnificent! Thank you all for truly understanding The Dead House.


Huge thank-you also to the Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Orion/Indigo teams and designers. I love you guys so much for bringing so much awesome to young adult literature. Thank you!


To my critique partners and best writerly friends, the YA League—Isabel Sterling and David Purse. You loved The Dead House all the way, and because of that, you loved me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! PS: Scotland, baby! (Our bitchin’ swans will always haunt me!) Huge thanks also to Melissa See, who promised Dead House cake and cosplay.


To my first readers and friends: Patti Rossier, Lauren Charles, Ashley Hartzell, and Ley Saulnier. You are some of the most beautiful, insightful, brilliant people I have ever met, and I’m honored to know you. Ashley, you saved me, girl, and I love you.


To the YA Scream Queens—Courtney Alameda, Jenn Johansson, Lindsay Currie, Trisha Leaver, Hillary Monahan, Lauren Roy, Cat Scully, and Sarah Jude Bromley—for showing me that there is a place for me and my weird brain, and for bringing YA horror to ready and willing readers (including me!). You are queens of the highest order.


A gigantic thank-you to the illimitable Kat Ellis, for the cake, coffee, and chats. I cherish them more than I can say! To my agent sister, Jen Rose Bell, for your enthusiasm, support, and beautiful spirit—I am so glad Polly brought us together! To Neil Jackson, Sarwat Chadda, Tara Kemsley, and Lia Keyes—thank you for the writing retreats! Here’s to so many more.