Ghost, Phantom, or Avery?

Then, finally, Stephanie spoke, her voice laced with uncertainty.

"Is that you… Avery?"

Avery let out a nervous laugh.

"No," she said, forcing a light tone. "But… as everyone in the country knows, I look a lot like her, so I'm not surprised you think I am." She forced a smile, hoping desperately, that her words sounded convincing enough.

"I don't believe you though," Stephanie shattered her hope.

"Uh?" Avery couldn't believe her ears. What did that mean? That she knew she was Avery and that she wasn't dead, or what? In her shock, she couldn't take her eyes of Stephanie's face to see how her hands were shaking?

Stephanie, on the other hand, had her heart pounding in her chest from a flurry of emotions; fear, anticipation, shock, happiness, excitement. Name it.