by R. J. Ladon
Nikolai’s eyes widened in surprise. “You did? Explain.” A tug pulled at his mouth.
Megan recounted the attack, the silence like being in a bubble, the feeling of helplessness as her body seemed to be held in a vice, and the toss of needles into the man’s eyes, breaking the hold.
“And the other?”
“Bonnie’s father shot him from a few feet away in the chest with a Mossberg 500 tactical shotgun.”
“Was there a hole?”
“Hole?”
“In the man’s chest? Did he fold in half? Was there a lot of blood?”
Megan thought back to the moment but could only remember the man flying backward off the porch. “No, I don’t think so.”
A phone in the cabinet vibrated. Nikolai answered it. “Nikolai.” He was quiet and motionless for a few minutes. “Yes, I understand. Thank you. Good night.” He returned the phone and sat back in the rocking chair.
“Annie Brown was raped and nearly murdered three years ago. Her parents took her to a camp for Distressed and Troubled Teens. She returned to Avalon alone. Her parents went missing.”
“Bonnie was researching Annie’s parents the night before she was attacked. Do you know what happened to them?”
“No one seems to know. Two camp counselors adopted Annie and returned with her.”
“I know her parents, I’ve talked to them, but for some reason, I can’t think of their names or what they looked like.” Megan shuttered at the strangeness of losing a selected bit of memory when she could remember it existed but not get to it.
“Camp DaTT has a reputation for rehabilitating young women, helping them become stronger and more capable than before. Since she returned, Annie has gained a police record, robbery, intimidation, attempted murder, and arson, to name a few. She’s never been sentenced, never done time, always receives probation or a slap on the wrist. Almost always, a man takes credit for her indiscretions. Even when there is evidence of her guilt, video, witnesses, and DNA.”
“Sounds like this camp creates criminals,” Megan said.
Nikolai nodded. “It might be creating more than criminals. You said the dead men are missing from the morgue?”
Megan nodded.
Nikolai leaned back in the rocking chair, pulling on his chin. “Back in the Mother Land, there are stories old women tell children. Where women turn into wolves, where the dead walk among us, and where people control others with their voice. Perhaps they’re not stories.”
Megan’s mind spun. All those boyfriends, they would kill for her. “Yes. There are boys in the school that will do anything for Annie. But this is real life, not legend. Zombies aren’t real.” She shrugged, thinking Nikolai’s stories from Russia were just that, stories.
“Myths and legends have a sliver of truth.” Nikolai scowled at her. “I’m not talking about zombies. That is a Haitian myth. I’m talking about something different and more powerful.” He stood and paced, murmuring in Russian. Nikolai stopped and looked at Megan. “We have to bring your father up to speed on this one. He knows much about these Russian myths.”
Megan groaned. Coming to Nikolai might have been a bad idea.
Chapter 22
W hen the last bell rang, Kevin rushed to his locker to find Annie and Tony kissing passionately.
“Okay, enough of that,” said Mr. Olsterholtz. The teacher didn’t stray from his room’s doorway. “You know the rules, no public displays of affection. Take that home.”
“I plan to Mr. O,” Tony said with a smirk. “I plan to.”
Annie grinned. “We could visit the nunnery instead.” She shot Kevin a wink and blew him a kiss as Tony pulled her down the hall.
Kevin was confused by his lack of feelings. Why wasn’t he pissed? Annie was trying to bait him, but inside, Kevin didn’t care. He opened his locker, grabbed some books for an assignment, and then moved as fast as the crowded hallway would let him.
Kevin jogged home, feeling invigorated, alive. The tan AKG car was down a different street. Johnny was in the driver’s seat, drinking coffee. He saw Kevin and raised his mug in greeting. For a guy on a stakeout, he sure was conspicuous.
He crossed the street and stopped. “Hi, Johnny. You still on a stakeout?”
Johnny grabbed Kevin’s shirt and pulled him down closer to his car window. “Did Ruby tell you that?” He shook his head. “Well, this is no good if everyone knows.” He let go, fuming.
Kevin straightened his clothes. “Why did you tell her of all people?”
“She gave me coffee and treats.” Johnny cleared his throat. “And well, I could always use help. These stupid assignments don’t give me much to go on. I have the whole town to investigate, to look for,” his fingers racked the air, “something suspicious.”
“Suspicious? That’s vague.”
“Tell me about it. But I get paid whether I find anything or not. So, here I am, getting paid, drinking coffee, and reading a book. I can’t say anything else is going to happen.” Johnny laughed and took a drink from his cup. “Not like it would be the first time I got paid to get fat.” He rubbed his thin belly.
Kevin straightened as if to go.
Johnny grabbed his arm. “Do me a favor. Let me know if you see or hear of anything strange.”
“Yea, sure.” Kevin made to pull away but changed his mind. “There was a rumor at school about someone getting attacked, and they are in the hospital. Someone else, maybe two, were killed.”
“I know about that one. I’ve investigated it. It’s suspicious but not the right suspicious. At least that’s what my boss tells me.” He shrugged then gave Kevin an appraising look. “You’re in pretty good shape. You jog every day? When I was young, video games were my life.”
“I suppose.” Kevin shrugged. “I usually walk. Today I’m in a rush.”
“Then you better get moving. Tell Ruby I said hi.” Johnny picked up his phone.
“Yeah, sure,” Kevin said. Johnny was right. Kevin never ran, not in school during gym, not anywhere. And yet he was running and not out of breath. He shook it off as weird. But suspicious? Suspicious enough to tell Johnny about it? He chuckled then pumped his legs, running faster than he thought possible. His house was only two blocks down the street and around the corner. When he reached the porch, his breathing was calm, not ragged like it would have been a couple of days ago.
Maybe it is suspicious; he ought to say something to a doctor. Hey, doc. I’m in excellent shape, and I have no reason to be. Kevin smiled at the ridiculous thought. Maybe there’s a disease that makes people feel better than average.
Kevin opened the door and entered the front room.
Ruby was watching her program and looked up at his entrance. “You’re home early.”
“Am I?” Kevin shrugged. “I ran home. Oh, I saw Johnny, he said to tell you hi.”
“Did he now?” Ruby smiled, brushing her hair with her fingers.
Realization struck Kevin between the eyes. The comment from Annie about coming over and seeing lovemaking made sense. “Grandma, err, Ruby, are you involved with Johnny?”
Ruby sat up in her chair and straightened her shirt. “So, what if I am?”
“But, but, you’re so…”
“Old?” Ruby suggested. She laughed. “I might be older than you, but I’m not dead.” She continued, snickering.
“What the hell? You’ve only known him for a day.”
“And you’ve dated your Annie for how long?
“One week.” For a moment, Kevin thought about telling Ruby that they broke up but decided against it. She was right, he was willing to have sex with her, and he didn’t even know her.
Ruby’s eyes twinkled with delight. “Hypocrite.”
Kevin went upstairs with vivid and disturbing thoughts of Johnny and Ruby in his mind. He shook his head to remove them.
The Wicca boxes were on his bed. He saw the Gemstone book and opened it. The container was missing, but the square hole was still there, so at least he wasn’t comple
tely crazy.
“Did I remove the box and stone?” Kevin’s brain was not cooperating. “I think I did. I took it to school and showed the teacher and Megan.” He ran the events through his mind as he continued to look in the boxes. He placed all the items on his bed one at a time, no stone.
“Wait a minute. When I first showed Megan, she told me the stone might have value and to keep it safe. Then when I stepped out the door, Annie was right there. I bet she heard. I bet she knows it’s worth money, and I bet she told Tony.”
Kevin punched his bed. “Of course. That is why she tried to get me in bed. She wanted to get me out of my clothes to get the stone. I can’t believe I’m that big of an idiot.” He shook his head, suddenly remembering. “She never got me out of my pants, her father interrupted us. Tony must have come and stolen the stone. He broke the window and scratched the stairs. I bet I can get it back if I go to Annie’s tonight.”
Donna was in her kitchen, gathering plates, cups, and silverware. “Kevin, good. Set the table.” She held out her arms. Kevin took the plates and carried them to the dining room.
Ruby went into the living room to play games with the girls. From the dining room, one of the girls said, “Is Kevin here too?” The voice was high and timid for one of the girls.
Kevin placed the plates and cups delicately, trying to eavesdrop, but nothing more was said. He finished setting the table and entered the living room. Inez stood and ran into the kitchen, calling, “Mom, do you need any help?”
“What’s wrong with Inez?” Kevin asked Tess and Mina. They shrugged.
“That’s weird. Is Inez scared of you?” Ruby shuffled the deck.
“I don’t know.” Kevin eyed the remaining triplets, who had begun talking in their made-up language.
Ruby sighed. “Well, I don’t think there will be any games tonight.” She moved to the couch.
Eventually, Inez reappeared, sitting with her sisters, and their private talk resumed. All three of their heads shoved together, whispers and gestures flew.
“Dinner is ready,” Donna said.
Kevin and Ruby went to the dining room and sat.
“Girls, dinner,” Donna said.
“Donna,” Ruby said. “Something has upset them.”
Donna put her hands on her hips. “This is ridiculous. I don’t have time for their nonsense.” She raised her voice so the girls could hear. “If they don’t come to dinner, then they’ll have to wait until breakfast to eat.” She sat and scooped spaghetti onto her plate.
“Let me see if I can talk some sense into them.” Ruby left the dining room.
Kevin took some spaghetti, eating because the normalcy was comforting. He didn’t want the girls afraid or mad at him. He loved them.
Ruby returned, shaking her head. “They want to wait until their father’s home.”
“Or until I leave?” Kevin suggested.
Donna reached out and patted his arm. “It’s okay, Kevin. Your father won’t be home for another ten minutes. Just eat. You know they get this way sometimes.”
“Yea, but usually I’m in on the joke. Not the butt of it.” Kevin set his fork at the edge of the plate.
Ruby patted his leg. “Perhaps we ought to take a doggie bag. Besides, there is plenty to eat at home.” She looked at Donna. “The girls could use the nutrition.”
“You’re right.” Donna conceded. “Leave the plates. I’ll get them.”
Ruby said in a loud voice. “Thank you, Donna, the meal was excellent, but Kevin and I have to go.” She and Kevin left out the back door and walked home.
While in Ruby’s garden, Kevin stopped. “I think I know what happened. Inez saw the spell I cast last night. She saw me naked.”
“Oh,” Ruby covered her smile with her hand. “I don’t know why that would scare her. If anything, she would’ve made fun of you.” Ruby placed her hand on Kevin. “Thank you for reminding me. You did a fabulous job. I feel a tremendous weight off my chest. I feel so good. I haven’t taken my pain medications.” Ruby spun in a circle as if rejoicing. Suddenly, she stopped and looked under some hosta leaves.
“What are you doing?”
“I wanted to thank Benny. Ah, there you are.” Ruby moved the leaves aside. Kevin saw a small chubby person wearing a red cap, a yellow jacket, and a white beard. Ruby’s shoulder obscured the rest of the gnome.
Kevin stumbled backward, shaking his head. He tripped on a raised bed, dropping on his butt.
“Are you alright?”
“I don’t know.” Kevin took a few deep breaths trying to calm himself. “The Benny I saw the other day looked like a toad. Today I see a tiny man. Am I going crazy?”
Ruby narrowed her eyes. “Come inside, don’t worry about it.” Ruby led the way, numbly Kevin followed.
“Sit, sit.” Ruby directed Kevin to the small kitchen table. After a few minutes, she pressed a hot cup of cocoa into his hands. “I can’t say I’ve heard of this happening before.”
“What?” Kevin sipped the coca absently.
“Normally a gnome lets their presence become known in small bits, to let the human brain come to terms with their existence. I had plans to introduce you to him, but I needed his permission to do that, and it could take years.” Ruby sipped at her cup. “You could be a born-witch. But knowing your mother's religious background, I find that hard to believe.”
“I only went to church because Mom made me. It wasn’t like I wanted to go.” Kevin smirked. “Half the time, I fell asleep.”
Ruby laughed at Kevin’s admittance. “Still, you were in the church and on the grounds. If memory serves, you worked there too.”
“Worked?” Kevin nodded. “Oh yea, I was an altar boy for a couple of years.”
“No gnome would show themselves to you with that kind of stink.”
“Stink?” Kevin raised his eyebrows.
Ruby waved her comment away. “You wouldn’t notice it. It’s more of a feeling than an odor.”
“Are you saying that this is normal?”
Ruby thrummed her fingers on the table. “I wouldn’t say it’s normal, per se. It took me years to see a gnome, and that was with help. It took you a day, and you weren’t ready. Perhaps casting that spell last night awoke the inner warlock in you.” She took a drink, then shook her head. “Seems odd. I’ll make some calls.”
Kevin stood. “Thanks for the cocoa. I might go out. Get some fresh air and clear my head.” He stepped to the back door.
“To see Annie too?” Ruby said with a wry smile. “Don’t stay out too late. I’m worried about you. Now, if you see bigfoot while out, try not to scare him. He’s a sensitive soul.” Kevin stared at his grandmother. Benny existed, could bigfoot? What if Ruby wasn’t crazy?
Kevin went into the back yard and dialed Annie’s number. No answer. He pocketed the phone and jogged to her house. Could Ruby be right? Did he awaken his inner warlock by casting a spell? That seemed like a ridiculous idea. At the same time, it made perfect sense.
Annie’s light was off, and her parents’ cars were in the driveway. He climbed onto the roof and looked in her window. The moon illuminated the room well enough to see she was not home.
Kevin pulled out his phone to check the time. Almost nine. Annie could be at Tony’s. He climbed down the porch post. He looked up Tony Meleta but found three different addresses. Kevin sighed and decided to try the closest house.
As he jogged, he imagined Tony and Annie hovering over the stone, talking about how they would spend their fortune. On the corner of Bluff and Knoll sat some earth moving equipment. Orange striped wooden horses with flashing yellow lights protected a yellow backhoe. The ditchwitch parked next to it had its signature chainsaw arm replaced with a large circular blade used to cut cement and blacktop. A rectangular section of the road was gone. A metal divider sat in the hole, holding back the earth. It looked like a water or gas line was being replaced.
Kevin skirted around the construction area. A sudden twist in his stomach made him stop. He though
t he was getting a cramp. His temperature rose quickly. The hair on the back of his neck and arms stood tall. Pain ran along his spine from his hips to his shoulders. Ripping and tearing sensations made him cry out. He fell to his knees and passed out.
Chapter 23
K ragnor stretched and noticed he was not in the attic where he fell asleep. He stood outside under a streetlight with torn and bloody clothing in piles at his feet. He bent, picked up a scrap, and sniffed. Memories of the previous night flickered in his mind. The wooden house with the warm and comforting room filled with wonderful smells and mysterious objects. Why was he not there upon awakening? How did he arrive at this location?
He dropped the cloth scrap and examined his surroundings. The ground was hard under his feet and talons. It looked like square blocks of grey stone, it felt like stone, but it didn’t talk like stone. Nearby a long dark path with painted yellow and white lines ran from east to west. It smelled strongly of tar.
A persistent yellow light flashed. Candles and lamps didn’t blink, not like that. Kragnor hopped, spread his wings, and glided to the light source. It was connected to a short four-legged wooden structure. Another stood next to the first, each blinking at a different rate.
Behind the lights was a grand machine. It was gigantic like the Persian water machines or Islamic wind machines, but with neither water nor sails were present, something else powered it. A cup-like scoop hung off an arm at one end and an even bigger flat scoop on the other. Kragnor tapped it with his claw, clanging the metal under the paint—human-made stone.
Stone was born of the earth, melted in magma chambers, formed by pressure and millennia, until it was one stone, one voice. Manstone, or metal, was also born of the earth, but humans heated it in their furnaces, purifying it, quickening mother earth's creation from millennia to hours. Manstone had many voices, many stories, but there’s always a prominent voice in the chorus.
