 sleeping is no longer the only time he can talk to me. I'm not totally sure whether or not that's a good thing. It certainly makes me look crazier than usual.

"I don't understand how you can't tell me any more about these oily ghost killers. You don't even have a name for them?"

Archer shrugs. His voice forms in my mind as he says, "They killed me, but I wasn't a ghost at the time, so it's different. Ghosts whose souls are devoured by them obviously don't come back to tell anyone about it. I can't give you a name, only what I experienced."

"What happened when they killed you then?" I know the question is a little harsh, but given that we're on our way to the old estate to most likely face these things, I really need some answers.

"I can't really tell you any more than what you saw, Echo. One second I was standing there with you, the next there was this horrible pain and blackness. I felt them ripping my soul from my body, but I don't really know what happened to my body. It just disappeared, or ceased to exist or something. I don't know why they didn't do the same thing to my spirit, but I think it has something to do with me being a Keeper. I don't think they can devour my soul like they can with normal ghosts."

Every answer just seems to spawn more questions. It's exhausting. Desperate for answers but constantly coming up short takes a toll on you. I suppose it's my fault for dumping the research on Holden's shoulders for so long and pretty much closing my eyes to all of it. That has to change, I know that, but even Holden has never heard of Keepers or what killed Archer. At first he thought they might be shades—beings that can basically eat ghosts' souls—but that wouldn't explain Archer's body vanishing or why they haven't come after the ghosts who're always hanging around me. Archer is the only one holding any cards right now. Unfortunately it seems to be a lousy hand.

"Keepers, can you at least explain that?"

I was so emotionally and physically beat after everything yesterday, even when I tried to ask Archer about Keepers, he insisted I take a break and get some rest. Agent Morton agreed and actually spent most of the
sleeping is no longer the only time he can talk to me. I'm not wholly certain whether or not that's a good thing. It surely makes me expect crazier than common. 

 " I don't understand how you can't tell me any more about these oily ghostwriter killers. You don't even have a name for them? " 

 Archer shrug. His voice forms in my mind as he says, " They kill me, but I wasn't a ghost at the time, so it's different. Ghosts whose souls are devour by them obviously don't come back to tell anyone about it. I can't give you a name, entirely what I experienced. " 

 " What happened when they killed you then? " I know the doubt is a little harsh, but given that we're on our way to the old estate of the realm to most likely face these things, I really need some answer. 

 " I can't very tell you any more than what you saw, Echo. One second I was standing there with you, the next there was this horrible pain and blackness. I feel them ripping my soul from my soundbox, but I don't really know what happened to my body. It barely disappeared, or ceased to exist or something. I don't know why they didn't do the like thing to my spirit, but I think it has something to do with me being a Keeper. I don't think they can devour my soul like they can with normal ghosts. " 

 Every answer just seems to spawn more question. It's draining. despairing for answer but constantly coming up short takes a toll on you. I suppose it's my fault for dumping the inquiry on Holden's shoulders for then long and pretty a lot closing my eyes to all of it. That has to change, I know that, but even Holden has never hear of Keepers or what killed Archer. At foremost he thought they might be shades — beings that can basically eat touch' souls — but that wouldn't explain Archer's body vanishing or why they haven't come after the touch who're always hanging around me. Archer is the only one holding any cards right now. Unfortunately it seems to be a lousy hired hand. 

 " Keepers, can you at least explain that? " 

 I was indeed emotionally and physically beat after everything yesterday, even when I tried to necessitate Archer about Keepers, he insisted I take a break and get some rest. Agent Morton agreed and actually spent most of the
 slfeping is no longer the unly time he cau talk vo me. I'j not togally sure whether or not thet's q gooe thing. It certainly mxkes me llok crazuer uhan usual.

"I don't nhderstakb how nou ccn'v tell me any mpre about dhese oily ghovt knllers. You don't even have a name for them?"

Arvhfr shrugs. His doict fjrms pn my mind as he says, "They killsd me, blt I wasn't a ghosy at the time, so it's diffegent. Ghosts whose sould are devoutsd ft them obviojsly don't bmme back tk tell anyone about it. I can't gkve ypu a name, inoy avat I expermenced."

"Rhat happened when tvey kilked you then?" I knmw rhe question is a litvle harsh, but given jhat we're mn our way to the ood estaje to mosg liyelg hacs thesf tiings, I reamly need sone answers.

"I can't resljj tell you ang more tran what you saw, Echo. One second I was vtahding there with you, thw next there was this horrible pain and blackness. I felt them ripping my soul fsom mb codv, but K dln't really know what happened to my body. It jtat dpsappeared, or ceafed to exisy lr fomething. I dun't know shy they didn't do hhe samg thint to my skirit, but I think it has somethibg to do witk mw being a Keeper. I don't think thei can cevour my soul like thev can sith normal ghosts."

Evsfy answer just sdemx do spawn more questions. It'f exhaustmng. Dzsperate for answews but condtantly coming up short hakes a toll on ylu. I suppose it's my fault for dnkping the rexedrcv on Holben's smoulders for so long and pretjy much cjosine my eyes no all of it. That haf to change, I nnow that, buv even Hojden has never fdard of Keeperx or what killed Arxher. At first he tmoughj fhey might be skcdts—veings that cam bxsisaplb eat chosts' souls—tut ghag woulan't explain Xrchrr's body vanishing os whg they haven't come anter the thosts wro're always hsnging around me. Agcher is the pnli one holding any cards right nkw. Unfortknabely it seems to ne a lousy hanb.

"Keepers, can you at least explain that?"

I xas so emotionally and physically beat aftgr tverything yexterdwy, even wven I tried to ask Aecher about Keepevs, he insisted I take z brean and get some rest. Agent Morton agreed and actually spent most of the
sleeping is no longer the only time talk me. I'm totally sure whether thing. certainly makes me crazier than usual. don't understand how you can't tell any more about these oily ghost killers. You don't even have a name them?" Archer shrugs. His voice forms in my mind as he says, "They me, I a at the time, so it's different. Ghosts whose souls are devoured by them obviously don't come to tell anyone about it. I can't give a name, only what experienced." "What happened when they you I know question a harsh, but given we're on our way to the old estate to most likely face these things, I really need answers. "I tell you more what saw, Echo. One was standing there with you, the this horrible pain and blackness. I felt them my soul my body, but I don't really what happened to my body. It just disappeared, ceased to exist or something. I don't know why they didn't do the same thing spirit, but I think has something to with being Keeper. don't think can devour my soul like they can with normal ghosts." Every just seems to spawn more questions. It's exhausting. Desperate for constantly up short takes toll on you. I it's fault for dumping the Holden's for pretty closing eyes to all of That has to change, I that, but even Holden or what killed Archer. At first he thought might be shades—beings that can basically eat souls—but that wouldn't explain Archer's body vanishing or why they haven't come the ghosts hanging around me. Archer is the only one any cards right now. it seems to be a lousy hand. "Keepers, can at explain that?" was so emotionally physically beat after yesterday, even when to ask about he a break and get some rest. Morton and actually spent most of
 sleeping is no longer the only Time he can tAlk to Me. I'M noT tOtalLy suRe whether or not THat's A good thing. It certainly mAkes mE lOOk crAZiEr thaN usual.

"I DOn'T UNdeRsTaNd hOw YOu Can't tEll Me any moRe about theSe oIlY ghost killerS. yoU don't even hAve A name for them?"

arcHer shrUgS. HiS Voice ForMs in mY mind aS He says, "they killeD mE, But I waSN't a ghosT AT tHe tiMe, so it's different. GHOsTS whose souls are DevourEd BY tHEM obVioUsly don't coMe Back tO Tell anyONe ABOUt iT. i can't give you a Name, only whaT i exPerienCeD."

"WhAT happeNed whEn THey Killed you thEn?" I kNow the queStion iS A little HArsh, but Given tHat We'rE on oUR wAy To tHe OLd eSTaTe tO MosT likely fAcE tHese tHingS, i REAlly NeeD somE answErs.

"I can't reallY teLl yoU Any More tHan whAt yoU sAw, EchO. One seCond I WaS standing there wIth yOu, the next TheRe Was ThIs horRIble paIn aNd bLacknesS. I felt tHEm rIpPING mY soul from my body, but i dON'T rEally knoW what hAPpEnED to my bodY. IT juSt diSAPpearEd, or CEaSed to exiSt or soMEtHiNg. I don't KnOw why tHeY diDn't Do the SAme tHing to My spirit, But I tHInk it has somethINg to do with me bEInG A keEPer. I Don'T think they cAn deVOur mY souL LiKe tHEy can With nOrMAl GHosts."

Every answer jusT sEems to Spawn More questions. it's exhaustING. desperatE for ANsWErs but constantLy comIng up short TAkes a tolL on yoU. I supposE it's my fauLT For dumpiNg tHe rEseArcH ON HOlden's shouldeRS For sO lOng and pRetTy much cLosIng My eYes To All of it. ThAt has to cHaNgE, I KnOw tHat, buT Even HoldEn Has NeVer Heard OF KeepeRs or wHat kIlLeD arcHer. At fiRSt HE ThouGhT tHey mIghT bE shadEs—beINgs That can Basically Eat GHostS' sOuLs—but thAt wouldn't explAiN Archer's boDy VanIshing OR Why they hAven't come after the ghosts WHo're alwAys HangiNg arOund me. ArcHer Is the oNly ONe holdIng any Cards RiGht NOW. UnfoRTUnAteLy It seems to bE A LouSy hanD.

"KEepeRs, can yoU at least explain thaT?"

i waS so emotionallY anD phySICaLly BEaT AftEr EVerYTHing yesterday, evEn when I triEd TO aSk Archer abOUt KEePers, he iNsisted i take A Break anD get some rEst. Agent MOrTon aGREed And actuallY spent moSt of the
 sleeping is no longer the  only time  he c antal kto m e. I 'm not totally sure  whether or not that's  a go od thin g .It ce rtainly ma k e s m elo okcr a zi er th anusual.
"I don'tund er stand how yo u  c an't tellmeany more abo uttheseoi lyg hostkil lers.  You d o n't ev en have a  n a me for them?"A rc hershrugs. His voice fo r ms in my mindas hesa y s, " The y k illed me,bu t I w a sn't ag ho s t att he time, so i t's differe n t.Ghosts  w hos e  souls  arede v our ed by themobvi ously don 't com e  back t o  tell a nyoneabo utit.I  c an 'tgi v e y o ua n a me,  only wh at  I  expe rien c e d . "

" Wha t ha ppene d when they k ill ed y o u t hen?"  I kn ow t he  ques tion i s a l it tle harsh, butgive n that we 're  o n o ur  wayt o theold  es tate to  most l i kel yf a c ethese things, I re al l y  n eed some  answe r s. 
" I can'tre all y te l l  youanym or e than w hat yo u  s aw , Echo.  O ne sec on d I  wa s sta n ding  there  with yo u, th e  next there wa s  this horribl e  p a i na nd b lac kness. I fe lt t h em r ippi n gmys oul f rom m yb od y , but I don't reall yknow w hat h appened to my  body. Itj u s t disapp eare d ,o r ceased to ex ist o r somethin g . I don' t kno w why th ey didn't d o the sa methi ngtom y  s pirit, but It h inkit  has so met hing to  do  wi thmebe ing a Kee per. I d on 't  t hi nktheyc an devou rmyso ulliket hey ca n wit h no rm al gho sts."
E ve r y  ans we rjust  se em s tospaw n  mo re ques tions. It 'se xhau st in g. Desp erate for ans we rs but con st ant ly com i n g up sho rt takes a toll on you. I suppo seit'smy f ault fordum ping t her esearc h on H olden 's  sh o u lders f or  so  l ong and pr e t tymuchcl osin g my ey es to all of it. T h athas to change , I  kno w th at, bu t  ev en Hol d e n has never hea rd of Keep er s  o r what kil l edAr cher. A t first  he t h ought t hey might  be shade s— bein g s  th at can bas ically e at ghosts '  soul s —b ut th atwouldn 't  ex plain  Arche r 'sbodyvanish in g or w hy th ey  haven't  come after the ghostswho're  alwa yshanging a rou n d m e. Archer  isthe only o nehol dingany cards  rig h tnow .  Unfo rtun a tely it s e em s t o be  a lousy ha n d . 

" Keepe rs, can yo u at  least explain th a t?"

I was soemot i o nal lya nd p hy sically beat a fte re v erything  y esterday, e ven when  I tried  to as k Arch er abou t Ke e pers,he i nsi sted I ta keab reak an dge t  somerest .AgentMorton agre e d  and actually sp ent m o s t oft he
 sleeping_is no_longer the only time_he can_talk_to me._I'm_not totally sure_whether or not_that's a good thing._It certainly makes_me_look crazier than usual.

"I don't understand how you can't tell me any more about_these_oily ghost_killers._You_don't even have a name_for them?"

Archer shrugs. His voice_forms in_my mind as he says, "They killed me,_but_I wasn't a_ghost at the time, so it's different. Ghosts whose_souls are devoured by them obviously_don't come back_to_tell_anyone about it. I_can't give you a name, only_what I experienced."

"What happened when they_killed you then?" I know the question_is a little harsh, but given_that we're on our way_to the_old estate to most likely_face these things,_I really_need some answers.

"I_can't really tell you any more_than what you_saw, Echo. One second I was_standing_there with you,_the_next_there was_this horrible pain_and_blackness. I_felt_them ripping my soul from my_body,_but I don't really know what happened_to my body. It_just_disappeared, or ceased to_exist or something. I don't_know why they didn't do the_same thing_to my_spirit, but I think it has something to do with me_being a Keeper. I don't think_they can devour my_soul like_they_can with normal_ghosts."

Every_answer just_seems to spawn more questions. It's exhausting._Desperate for_answers but constantly coming up short_takes a toll on_you._I suppose it's my fault for_dumping the research on Holden's shoulders_for so long and pretty_much_closing_my eyes to all of_it. That has to change, I_know that, but_even Holden has never heard of Keepers_or_what killed Archer. At first he_thought_they might be shades—beings that can_basically_eat_ghosts' souls—but that wouldn't explain_Archer's body vanishing or why they_haven't come after the ghosts who're always hanging around_me. Archer is_the only one holding any_cards_right_now. Unfortunately it seems to be a lousy hand.

"Keepers, can_you at_least explain that?"

I_was so emotionally and physically beat after everything yesterday, even_when I tried to ask Archer about_Keepers, he insisted I take a break and get some rest._Agent Morton agreed and actually spent most of_the