by H. E. Barnes
“I must be tripping on something good,” she said as she opened the door of the room and escaped into the hallway. A whisper of a haughty goodbye fluttered into the room.
“It is time you go back now. You will be summoned again, once the funeral arrangements are finalized.”
Brey didn’t give them time to answer. Instead, he waved his hand over the pendant and a black cloud surrounded the girls. Each one felt a different kind of power pull them down, down, down.
Chapter 7
In the land of Texas
A beeping sound woke Orla up. She flailed her hand about the nightstand to find her phone. The phone flew across the room, pulling free from the charger. She sighed heavily and pushed herself up into a sitting position.
Orla rubbed her eyes and black mascara smeared on her hands. It was going to be a great day, she thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
She stood up and found her phone on the floor by the end of the bed. She clicked the alarm off, and the beeping ceased. She scrolled through her messages on the way into the conjoined bathroom. She clicked on a message from Ren.
Good morning beautiful
She put her phone down on the counter without replying and stared at her reflection in the mirror. A raccoon mask surrounded puffy brown eyes. Her usually full, wavy brown hair lay flat against her head. She looked just as terrible as she felt. And it felt like she hadn’t slept in days.
Orla jumped into the shower and washed off last night. It took her almost thirty minutes to get ready for work, something she definitely was not looking forward to.
A few hours went by as Orla took order after order at the coffee shop. Her coworker, Maddy, came through the door. “Glad to finally see you,” Orla said.
Maddy held up the cup in her hand. “I had to get a smoothie,” she said with a laugh.
Orla’s laugh abruptly died as the ding of the bell rang, and in came a redheaded girl. It was the same kind of red, with light blonde weaved throughout, that one of the girls from her dream had. But it couldn’t be.
The redhead walked up to the counter, looking over the menu that was pasted on big chalkboards behind the bar. She looked down and saw Orla for the first time.
“Idalia, right?” Orla said shakily.
“Orla?” she asked, her voice just as shaky as Orla’s. Orla nodded.
They stared at each other, over the counter, in an awkward moment of silence.
“So it was real?” Idalia whispered.
Orla pulled the necklace out from under her work shirt and showed it to Idalia. “I guess so,” she said.
Idalia took her necklace out of her pocket. They shook their heads simultaneously. “This is unreal.”
“I know,” Orla whispered still too shook to form more than a few words at a time.
Idalia’s brown eyes sparkled at Orla. The same brown eyes Orla had seen earlier in the mirror. “So we’re like sisters?”
“Orla, dear, you can go on your break now.” Lizzy mentioned in passing as she swirled about the bar fixing drinks. Orla could only nod.
“Seems so,” Orla said shrugging her shoulders. “What are you doing here?” she asked motioning around her as she walked out into the shop, leaving the coffee bar behind her.
“Oh, I come here all the time. I go to the University. It’s the closest coffee shop.”
“No way,” Orla said, putting a hand to her head. “I’ve worked here for a few months and my boyfriend goes to Uni. I’m planning on applying.”
Another moment of silence passed between the two girls.
“How have we never ran into each other before?” Orla asked.
“We probably have. Just never stopped to notice.” Idalia said, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.
Orla noticed Ren, his brown hair flopped on his head in a gush of air as he walked into the shop. He walked up to Orla and put an arm around her waist, pulling her into his side. He didn’t even stop to notice Idalia standing there in front of her.
Ren kissed Orla’s temple, “Hey,” he said.
“Hi. This is Idalia,” Orla said pointing towards Idalia who shook her hand briefly in the air. “And this is Ren, my boyfriend.”
“Nice to meet you,” Ren said.
“You too,” Idalia said turning back to Orla. “I got to go, but we should get together sometime. Let me get your number.”
They exchanged numbers, and Idalia left the shop leaving Orla shaking her head. If Idalia was real then everything Brey had said was real. And Season was real. What?
“Who was that?” Ren asked, leading Orla to a table.
“A friend,” Orla said, not wanting to get into the whole sister thing. Not exactly sure she understood it herself. “I just met her a few days ago. She goes to Uni.”
“Oh, okay,” he said throwing the bag he had been carrying on the table. He pulled out Orla’s lunch and pushed it near her. Orla tore through it. Ren just sat and watched.
“So,” he started.
“So what?”
“You should come to my place later.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know,” Ren said placing his thumb and forefinger on his chin. “Isn’t today some sort of special day?” he asked with a laugh.
“Is it?” Orla’s eyebrow shot up.
He wadded up the wrapper of her sandwich and shot it into the nearby trash can. “I don’t know, come over and find out,” he said with a shrug.
“I guess,” Orla trailed off. “I’ll have to tell my parents I’m going to Sam’s or something.”
“You do that, then,” he said with a wink. “I have to get going. See you later.” He stood up and went around to her side of the table. Orla melted into another hug. He lifted her chin and met her lips with his in a short kiss.
“Happy anniversary,” he said.
“See you later, babe,” Orla said.
He winked and hurried out of the shop. Orla watched him take off down the street towards the University. Odd, she thought. But she shrugged and went back to work.
Chapter 8
Idalia left the coffee shop feeling overwhelmed and decaffeinated. What she thought had been an elaborate dream was reality. Even though she was studying mythology and folklore, she didn’t believe in the unbelievable. Until now, anyway.
Orla was real. So, Eira and Aviva must be too. But, where were they?
“Hey, Idalia, wait up,” someone called from behind her. She rounded the last corner street to get to the University. She could see the beginning of the classroom buildings pop up through the hedges that lined the school. She turned and looked for the voice.
Ren, Orla’s boyfriend, ran to catch up to her. “Hey,” he said again as he reached her.
“Hi?” Idalia said, her eyebrow raising in confusion. She began walking again, getting closer and closer to the school. She watched as cars flew by on the road separating her and the University.
“Where are you headed?” he asked, walking beside her.
“To my dorm,” Idalia said. She made a point not to look at him, averting her gaze. She focused on her breathing, making sure they were even. In. Out. In. Out.
Ren didn’t seem to notice. “I just wanted to say thanks,” he finally said.
“Thanks for what?” Idalia asked daring to glance at him.
“You know,” Ren said with a nervous laugh.
Idalia just shrugged.
“Don’t act like you don’t know me now,” Ren said. A goofy smile broke out on his face, and Idalia looked away again.
“I must’ve forgotten you.” Idalia shrugged. “Just like you forgot to mention you have a girlfriend,” she hissed, her body heating in anger. She could feel the blood seep into her cheeks, and she knew her face would be a splotchy mess of redness.
“Look, I didn’t think we’d ever see each other again,” he said running a hand through his hair. “It was only one time.”
“Yeah, but we’ve been talking since then, Ren,” Idalia said in a hushed voice as if Orla could he
ar their secret. “We shouldn’t be talking.”
“Orla won’t find out,” Ren said sliding an arm over her shoulders.
Idalia shrugged him off. “No,” she said with finality. “Whatever we may have had is done. Over.”
“You’re right,” Ren said. “Thanks again.”
“Sure.”
“I’ll see you around then?” he asked, stopping at the front of the University.
“Hopefully not.” Idalia left Ren standing on the other side of the road as she crossed the street. She could feel his eyes on her as she walked into campus. Flashbacks of a drunken night fought its way to the forefront of her mind, but she shook her head to rid herself of them. Orla was her sister, and she wasn’t about to ruin a potential relationship with her long-lost sister for a fling.
Her phone buzzed with an incoming message.
Friends?
Idalia rolled her eyes at the message. She was tempted not to reply, but she knew she had to.
If you don’t leave me alone, I’m gonna tell Orla.
K
She slid her phone back into her pocket and walked across the courtyard. She couldn’t believe it. Orla was real. Ren was her boyfriend.
Tears crowded her eyes, but she ran a harsh hand over them to rid herself of the emotion. She sucked in a deep breath and shook her head. What could’ve been didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was figuring out what was going on with her new life.
Chapter 9
Aviva stood in her living room, silent. She had been waiting for what felt like hours on Ted and Kathy to come into the room. They were running late for church, and even though it wasn’t her fault, Aviva knew she’d get the blame.
“Ted, honey,” Kathy called when she finally walked into the living room. “Let’s go, we’re going to be late.” Kathy looked in the mirror. She scrunched up her hair and pulled little wisps behind her ears.
Ted’s stomps thundered through the house as he marched into the living room. His face was beet red with anger. “It wouldn’t have taken so long if my shirt was ironed like it was supposed to be,” he practically yelled. He flattened the shirt underneath his hands and stepped toward Aviva.
Aviva took a step back. She felt the hot door on her back. Blood rose to her face.
“We don’t have time for all that,” Kathy said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
Aviva let out the breath she’d been holding. But, then she met Kathy’s eyes. Kathy looked her up and down with a disapproving sneer on her lips. “Ted, get me the hairbrush,” Kathy said in a sickly sweet voice. It made shivers run up and down Aviva’s spine.
Ted went into the bathroom and walked out with a hairbrush. He handed it to Kathy. Kathy walked towards Aviva, cornering her, giving her no room to escape. “Now, you know you can’t have your hair like that at church.”
Kathy grabbed Aviva around the shoulders and forced her face into her chest. She pulled the brush through Aviva’s hair, ripping the hair straight from her scalp. Aviva fought tears and screams as Kathy repeatedly yanked her head back and forth. What was once a slightly teased hairstyle was now completely straight against her throbbing scalp.
“Let’s go,” Kathy said, dragging Aviva and Ted out of the door. Before leaving, Aviva saw the hairbrush laying on the counter. It was full of Aviva’s tangled black hair.
The car ride to the church was silent. Aviva relished the silence. It meant no one was going to hurt her, at least not yet.
“You better be on your best behavior,” Ted said, turning around to look at Aviva. She nodded. She knew what would happen if she wasn’t on her best behavior. But then again, Ted and Kathy always came up with a reason to punish her.
Kathy stepped out of the car and opened Aviva’s door as if she couldn’t do it herself. A smile was plastered on her face. She reached a hand into the car, and reluctantly, Aviva grabbed it. Kathy helped Aviva out of the car with a strong grip on her hand. It hurt.
Kathy patted down Aviva’s dress, making sure to get all the wrinkles the drive had caused.
Aviva was uncomfortable. She didn’t like dresses or having to pretend to be someone she wasn’t. But, at least she had her hair to hide behind. That was a plus.
Ted came around the car and met them. Kathy pushed Aviva’s hair behind her ears, and her only peace was gone.
Ted put a hand on Aviva’s hurt shoulder. She wanted so bad to shrug it off, but there were too many eyes on them and she knew it would make Ted mad. She dealt with the pain as they walked up to the church, stopping every so often to talk to people.
“Oh, Aviva, you look so lovely,” an older woman said, stopping them at the door.
“Thank you,” Aviva said barely meeting her eyes. Save me, she wanted to say. But she kept her mouth shut, just how Ted and Kathy liked.
“Doesn’t she, though?” Kathy asked, playing the part of the doting mother wonderfully. She had everyone fooled. They all did.
“I’m so glad y’all have finally made it back here. We surely missed you,” the older woman said with a sweet smile. She held the door open and let the three of them walk in before her.
“Yes, Aviva is finally feeling better,” Ted said squeezing her shoulder. Aviva winced. Ted coughed to cover up the painful sound and glared at her. He dropped his hand to his side. She felt as though a great weight had been lifted. If only someone would take Ted and Kathy away.
“That’s wonderful to hear,” the older woman said.
“Go grab us a seat, dear.” Kathy said to Aviva pushing her out in front of them.
Aviva didn’t say anything. Instead, she quickened her steps and put space between them. She slid into an empty pew and breathed a sigh of relief. She always felt suffocated around them.
Ted and Kathy stopped at the end of the pew, a few feet away from Aviva. The older woman had walked off to sit down in the front of the church. A man about the same age as Ted walked up to the pair. “Good to see you again,” he said grabbing Ted’s hand and shaking.
“You too,” Ted said. Aviva wondered if the man could smell the alcohol on Ted’s breath. If he did, he made no mention of it.
“Hello, Aviva,” the man said calling down the pew. Aviva nodded her head. “I still can’t believe y’all took her in. I have a few teenagers myself, and I’d give them up,” he laughed. Aviva knew he was joking. The size of his laughter made it clear. He was full of joy and love. Something Ted would never be.
“I’m just so grateful we were able to provide,” Kathy said.
“Of course, of course.” The man said. Aviva wanted to scream at him, at everyone in the church. Someone should’ve noticed by now. Someone should actually save her. But, they all thought she had already been saved. They were wrong. Dead wrong.
Chapter 10
Old habits die hard, Eira thought to herself as she stuffed her pockets with food from the convenience store. She could have easily paid for everything, but she couldn’t resist. It was such a thrill, taking things that wasn’t hers. No one even questioned her.
She draped her baggy shirt over her pants to mask the bulge of stolen food. She walked to the front of the store, passed the man at the cash register, and out into the busy street.
Shuffling feet sounded behind her. “Hey, hey,” the man at the register called after her. “Get back here. She stole from me,” he yelled in frustration as Eira ducked in between people and melted into the crowd.
She kept her head down, looking at the sidewalk, skipping around people’s feet. Suddenly, she jerked to a stop. What felt like a boulder stopped her in her path.
Eira looked up into the face of a cop.
“What are you running from,” the cop said with a raised eyebrow. He was young, probably around Eira’s age.
Eira tried to step around him, and he almost let her. “Stop her, stop her,” the guy from the store yelled down the street. He pointed crazily in their direction. “She stole from me,” the guy yelled.
The cop glanced at Eira who had managed to step to the s
ide, a little out of arm’s length. Eira took off, and was violently jerked back to a stop. “Oh, no you don’t,” the cop said with a tight grip on Eira’s upper arm.
The store owner finally made it down the sidewalk. He was dripping with sweat and out of breath. He hunched over, putting his hands on his knees. “Th-thank you,” he muttered between ragged breaths.
“She stole from your store?” the cop inquired.
“Y-yes, sir,” the owner said making a great deal of effort to stand up straight. “Ch-check her pockets. I have it on camera.”
The cop eyed Eira. She tried to turn her scowl into a friendly smile. But she felt how fake it was, how her muscles denied stretching up. “Let’s go back to the store and sort this all out,” the cop said. There was no room for disagreement. He kept a solid hand around Eira’s arm the entire way.
Once they reached the storefront, the cop turned towards Eira. “Did you steal merchandise from this store?”
A look of confusion crossed Eira’s blank face. “Of course not,” she said trying her best to sound high and mighty. But it didn’t work, not well with her baggy clothes and unkempt hair.
“Show me the tape,” the cop said to the owner.
“Gladly.” The owner rolled back the tape and played the security footage. A few seconds later, Eira appeared on screen in the aisle stuffing her pockets with items.
The cop turned an eye towards Eira as if disappointed she would lie to him. She only shrugged. “On the counter,” he instructed. Eira dumped her pockets out on the counter. The owner stood with a smug look on his face. Eira wanted to wipe it away for him.
“Is that all?” the cop asked Eira when her hands finally stopped digging into her pockets.
“Of course, officer,” she said.
The cop eyed her, but must have believed her because he didn’t question it. “How do you want to proceed?” the cop asked the owner.
“Take her away,” he practically yelled. Eira covered her ears. “She stole from me. She should go to jail.”
