Loved Ones Lost (Edgewater Curse Book 1)

by J. C. Everlyn

  “Oh, ah, yeah, I’m okay. I just tripped and fell earlier at Jack’s over some stuff in his garage. I’ll be okay, though.”

  That was a lie. Travis had actually been at the race track and crashed in one of the demolition races, but damned if he was going to let his mother know that.

  “Well, that does sound painful. Maybe the next time you go over there, you can help him clean up a bit.”

  “Yeah, maybe. That’s a good idea, Mom.”

  Bri knew something sounded off in Travis’s tone and she had a bad feeling about it too. She didn’t want to start a fight with him though, so she let it go for now. After dinner, everyone went to bed.

  ∞∞∞

  Sunday, September 2, 2018

  The next day they all did their own things, and Bri spent most of the day in her hobby room. Later that evening Matthew returns from his weekend getaway with Destiny. Bri finds him back in the study shortly thereafter.

  She knocks on the door and enters. “Hi, how was your weekend away?”

  Matthew looks up and smiles. “It was great. We had a really good time. I’m glad you helped me to refocus my priorities, Mom. Thank you again.”

  “You’re welcome,” Bri says as she sits down in front of the desk and Matthew returns his attention to his laptop.

  Without looking up, he senses she hasn’t left. “Is there something else you need, Mom?”

  “Um, well, I was thinking about summoning your dad.”

  Matthew looks up. “Why, did something happen while I was gone? What’s wrong?”

  “No, nothing has happened (well, nothing he needed to know about anyway). I realized we haven’t talked to him in a while about this whole curse thing. I just want to see if he can give us a clue about when things are going to start happening…with the other kids, I mean.”

  “Oh. Well, you know he can’t tell us any details.”

  “Yes, I know. I was hoping for some kind of estimated timeline at least. I feel like I’m on edge every day just waiting for something horrible to happen. I mean after all; he did say it would take a tragedy or highly stressful situation for something to happen.”

  “Okay. Do you want me with you when you summon him?”

  “Only if you have time. I know you are busy with your studies.”

  “Sure. I’ve just barely dug back into it since I’ve been back. We can chat with Dad first if you would like.”

  Bri stands up. “Great…Jared? Are you there?”

  Jared materializes and smiles at them both but has a look of concern in his eyes.

  Matthew is surprised at how fast his dad appears. “Wow, that was quick,” he says. “You didn’t even have to close your eyes this time, Mom.”

  “Oh, um, yeah, I guess my powers are getting stronger.” Bri and Jared smile at one another and then Jared greets them.

  “Hi. It’s nice to see you both again. Why have you called for me? Has something happened?”

  “No, nothing has happened, but that is the reason why I’ve summoned you,” Bri says.

  “I don’t understand,” Jared replies. “You know I can’t give you any more details.”

  “Yes, I know, and I’m not asking for details. I’m just asking for some kind of timeline at least for when the others will get their powers.”

  “Unfortunately, I can’t share that with you either, but I am glad you summoned me. I have something to tell you.”

  “Okay, well, that’s frustrating. What is it that you have to tell us?”

  “Your dad came to me again. He wanted me to…” Jared hesitates. “Maybe you should sit down for this.”

  Jared looks to Matthew, giving him a nod that he should sit by his mother, as she may need him. Matthew does just that; he rises and walks around the desk, pulling the other chair up next to his mother.

  “Jared, what’s wrong? You're making me nervous.” Bri is stiffening in her chair.

  “Apparently, your dad did come close to finding a way to breaking the curse.”

  “Really? What was it?”

  “I can’t tell you.”

  Bri visually starts to get irritated. Matthew puts an arm around her, and she starts to relax a bit.

  “He came too close, Bri. People got angry. Your dad told me that he and your mom weren’t killed by a drunk driver. Their car accident wasn’t really an accident. They were murdered.”

  “What! Oh my God! Who murdered them? How?”

  “I can’t tell you that either.”

  Bri shoots up from her chair. “Let me guess—The Powers That Be say you can’t tell me!”

  Matthew stands to put a hand on his mother’s shoulder, but she brushes him off.

  “No! I don’t want you trying to calm me down! I have every right to be mad! What they are doing is unfair; we have every right to know what happened to my mother and father, damn it!”

  “You’re right, my love, but we have no control over this. I’m sorry. Please sit down; you don’t want to draw the attention of the rest of the household.”

  Bri nervously looks toward the doorway and then sits down. She is clearly still upset but realizes Jared is right. Matthew sits beside her, and she reaches for his hand, this time knowing that she will need his power to keep her calm.

  “Your dad requested that I tell you this because he wants you to try and figure out who did this. He wants you to at least have the chance to find things out for yourself—to be prepared in case their killers try to come after our family too.”

  Matthew speaks up now. “So Grandpa wants us to what, do research? We’re not detectives; we wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

  Bri has a thought. “We have money; we could hire a detective.”

  Jared interjects, “No, don’t do that. A detective could get too close to discovering the family curse and all of the supernaturals. We don’t want that. Everything needs to stay hidden from the mortal world. It’s the number one law amongst the supernaturals. Besides, what would you tell the detective—that your mom and dad were murdered because of a curse?”

  “Yes, you’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking. So where do we begin, then?”

  “You have connections, Bri; start by talking to David. See if you can get a copy of your parents’ autopsy reports.”

  “Well, I haven’t worked at the hospital in a few months, but I could give him a call. I will do that first thing tomorrow morning.”

  “Good. I will let your dad know but please, both of you be careful. I don’t want whoever did this to start coming after any of you.”

  “We will, Dad. I’ll make sure of it,” Matthew says with confidence.

  “I have something else to ask you both,” Bri states. “I think something is going on with Travis. He’s acting strange lately and... I don’t know, but I get this feeling that he’s been lying to me lately about where he’s going and what he’s doing when he’s not here.”

  Matthew speaks up first. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I’ve been getting weird vibes from him too lately, like he’s trying to hide something.”

  Now Jared sighs. “Yes, you are both right.”

  Bri stands up. “What do you mean we’re both right?”

  “He has been lying, and he is hiding something from all of you.”

  “Well, are you going to tell us what it is?” Bri’s getting frustrated again.

  “He’s been going to the race track.”

  Matthew looks confused. “Okay, well, we all know he likes NASCAR, so what’s the big deal if he’s going to watch the races? Why would he hide that?”

  Jared looks to Matthew and then to Bri with concern.

  “He’s not watching the races; he’s driving in them.”

  “WHAT!” Bri yells. “Well, that explains his soreness at dinner tonight.” She heads for the door.

  “Bri, wait! Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to go give him a piece of my mind, that’s where I’m going!”

  Jared dematerializes and re-materializes in front
of her path. “Honey, no, you need to stop!”

  Bri stops in her tracks. “What do you mean no?”

  “You can’t. If you go to him now and rip into him about this, he’s going to wonder how you found out. How are you going to explain that?”

  Bri sighs in frustration; she knows Jared is right again.

  “Between the two of you, you need to figure out how to get him to ‘fess up on his own. Maybe surprise him by taking him there for his birthday. I’m sure once you get him there, someone, or even maybe he, will mess up and spill the beans.”

  “That’s actually a great idea, Dad,” Matthew says.

  “Thanks. I do tend to have those once in a while.” Jared smirks.

  Matthew blushes a bit. “Sorry Dad, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

  “I know. It’s okay.” Jared puts a hand on Matthew’s shoulder. “Well, it looks like you both have a lot of work ahead of you. Call on me if you need anything. I’m going to go fill Darius in on your plan. I’ll see you both next time.” Jared hugs Matthew and then kisses Bri before he disappears.

  “Wow,” Matthew says, looking at Bri.

  “Yeah, that was a lot to take in all at once.”

  “Well yeah, but that’s not why I was saying wow.”

  “Oh?”

  “Um yeah, since when can you and Dad kiss…like that?”

  Bri’s face turns beet red; she spins on her heel and heads for the door. Without looking at Matthew, she says, “It’s late. I’m going to bed now. I will touch base with you tomorrow after I call David.”

  “Okay, goodnight Mom,” Matthew says with a smirk.

  “Goodnight Matthew.” Bri leaves the study and can swear she hears Matthew chuckling behind her.

  Chapter Seven

  Making Plans

  Monday, September 3, 2018 (Labor Day)

  The next morning after breakfast, Bri goes to the family room and makes a call to David requesting a copy of her parent’s autopsy reports.

  (ring, ring…ring, ring…ri…) David finally picks up. “Castle Creek Memorial Hospital, you’ve reached the morgue, David speaking.”

  “David, it’s Bri.”

  “Bri! Long time no talk. How have you been? Oh, that was dumb. I’m sorry. But really, how are you? We’ve all been concerned here, and you’ve been missed.”

  Bri smiles at his fumbling words and concern. “I’m…managing. It’s still hard, but I’m taking one day at a time, and things are slowly getting better.”

  “Good…good. You coming back anytime soon?”

  David always was a blunt and outspoken kind of guy, one of those speaks before he thinks type. But he’s always been kind to Bri whenever they’ve passed in the halls or when those unfortunate circumstances have happened in the maternity ward.

  “Um, I’m not sure. I might not be coming back, actually. I’m really enjoying being at home with my kids, and my soaps and lotions are selling so fast now, I can hardly keep up.”

  “Oh, well, that’s good…for you. We’re going to miss you all here, though.”

  “Yeah, I’m going miss all of you too…but hey, don’t say anything to anyone, okay? I don’t want anyone to know just yet. I need time to figure out what I’m going to tell Evans first.”

  Medical Director Evans is the hospital’s highest-ranking member, overseeing all of the physicians on staff. She lives and breathes work, has never been married, doesn’t have children, and believes if you choose to work in the medical field, your patients should come before anything else. She was already irritated that Bri wasn’t back to work and felt that her sabbatical was unwarranted. Evans was just one more reason Bri was enjoying her time at home instead of returning to work.

  “Yeah, no, I understand. My lips are sealed…So I’m guessing you called for a reason and not just to say hi…what’s up?

  “Actually, yes, I did call for a reason. I was hoping you could help me with something.”

  “Yeah, sure, I’ll try. What ya need?”

  “I need a copy of both my parents’ autopsy reports.”

  (silence)

  “Ah…okay…sure. What’s going on, Bri? Why are you all of a sudden interested in your parents’ autopsy reports?”

  “Oh, I’m starting a new project. Since I’m home now, I’ve started to work on our family tree, and with that, I’m writing a family history. It’s been helping to keep my mind occupied on something other than our recent losses…and helps me get to sleep at night. Anyway, I want to have as much detail in it as possible…you know, for future generations.”

  “Yeah, sure.” He sounds skeptical. “I thought you were too busy with your soaps and lotions?”

  “Well, I work on those during the day and my family tree and history at night.”

  “Uh-huh,” he says like he’s not buying it. “Are you going to come in and get it or do you want me to mail it to you?”

  “Well, I don’t think I should come in. I want to avoid running into Evans. I do want it as soon as possible though. Can you have it couriered to me? I can pay you back for the cost.”

  “How about I just drop it by on my way home from work tonight? Will that work?”

  “Sure. What time will you be here?”

  “Around six-thirty.”

  “Okay. Thank you, David. We’ll see you then.”

  “Okay. Bye Bri.”

  “Bye.” Bri hangs up the phone and then sends a quick text to Matthew.

  Bri: Are you home?

  Matthew: Yes.

  Bri: Are you in the study?

  Matthew: No. I’m in my apartment

  Bri: Got a minute?

  Matthew: Sure. Do you want me to come down to you?

  Bri: No. I can come up there. I’ll be there in a moment.

  Matthew: Okay.

  Bri heads out of the family room and up the stairs to the apartment.

  Matthew opens the door before she even has a chance to knock.

  “Hi Mom.” He gives her a quick hug.

  “Hi Matthew.”

  “Come on in.”

  Bri walks in, and Matthew gestures for her to sit in one of the chairs at the small table in his kitchenette.

  “Can I get you a cup of coffee?” he asks.

  “Yes please.” She smiles.

  With his back now to her, he stands at the counter pouring her a cup of coffee. “I’m sorry, Mom.”

  She looks up. “For what?”

  “For last night. I could clearly feel that I embarrassed you just before we said our goodnights. I shouldn’t have said anything, and I’m sorry.”

  She stiffens and then answers, “It’s okay. You just caught me off guard. I’m sorry I reacted the way I did. I was short and a little rude when I left the study.”

  Matthew brings the coffee over to the table and sits down. He reaches across the table and puts his hand on hers. “No worries. Let’s just pretend it never happened, okay?”

  Bri visually relaxes, smiles, and nods.

  Matthew continues, “So I’m guessing you called David, and you’re here to update me?”

  “Yes, I called him this morning. He’s coming by this evening around six-thirty to drop off the reports.”

  “Did he ask why you wanted them?”

  “Yes, but I made up a story that I was creating a family tree and writing a family history and wanted as much detail in them as I could find.”

  “You think he bought it?”

  “No, but he didn’t press any further either.”

  “Good. You know, that’s probably not a bad idea anyway.”

  “What?”

  “Documenting, in some way, our family history and details.”

  “Like a grimoire?” Crystal asks, standing at the door.

  Bri and Matthew whip their heads in her direction, eyes wide. She had apparently opened the door without them noticing.

  “Crystal! You should have knocked before coming in! We’ve talked about this,” Matthew scolds, surprised that he hadn’t sensed
her presence.

  “But Matthew, all I did was open the door. I haven’t crossed the threshold yet, so technically I haven’t come in…yet.”

  Matthew rolls his eyes. Smartass, he thinks to himself. “Well, come in, shut and lock the door behind you.”

  “Yes. Come sit down, Crystal, and tell us what you know.” Bri looks concerned.

  Crystal walks in, shuts and locks the door and then sits at the table with them. “I know that Dad is a ghost and both of you have been talking to him about our family legacy…and about Grandma and Grandpa’s deaths.”

  Bri and Matthew look at each other and then at Crystal with surprise.

  “How?” Matthew asks before Bri can.

  “Please don’t be mad, but I’ve been eavesdropping.”

  “Excuse me?” Bri asks sternly.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. It’s just…ever since you both told all of us about your dream, I’ve been curious. I felt Dad’s touch that day and many times after that as well. It piqued my curiosity, so I’ve been doing some research of my own. I’ve been researching the supernatural and started focusing on the magics. I thought that maybe if I researched enough, I could teach myself how to cast spells to help in figuring out information that Dad can’t tell us.”

  Bri and Matthew look surprised, and Crystal continues.

  “Unfortunately, I haven’t found anything yet, and besides, I’ve read that I shouldn’t try to perform any spells until I fully understand what they do and what consequences can come with them. It is also said that spells should not be used for personal gain, so I need to research more to find out what all that includes.”

  (Silence) Bri and Matthew are now in shock. Bri finally pulls herself out of it.

  “Wow Crystal, you are so smart—my bright girl. I’m glad that you are being smart about this and doing your research before diving into the unknown. Please though, no more eavesdropping.”

  “Yes Mom, I’m sorry.”

  Matthew speaks up. “Well, since you are the writer in the family…Mom, if you agree and since she knows, I think she is the perfect person to write a…what did you call it?”

  “A grimoire,” Crystal provides.

  “Yes, what is that anyway?”

  Crystal explains, “A grimoire is mostly a book of spells, magic, divination, and such but it also can document family history. Since, according to the curse and Dad, we are each supposed to become a different type of supernatural being, I thought I could document the details of each as they happen. Things like symptoms, side effects, management of the power, capabilities of the power, et cetera.”