Relics and Runes Anthology

by Heather Marie Adkins

  Mark comes after her. “Abbey, I put my clothes on. We can just sit and make out. I promise that’ll be all.”

  Wesley’s eyebrows shoot up. “That’s just gross.”

  “You won’t think so in a few years,” Mark says.

  “I can’t.” Abbey takes off for her house.

  Mark sits down next to Wesley. “You kids are lucky. But she’s right. Why aren’t you in the cave?”

  “Because I’m not.”

  “They didn’t come for you?”

  “Who?”

  “Them. I think he’s a cop. He wears a cop’s uniform. Another guy is usually with him. We don’t know their names.”

  “What does the other guy look like?”

  The moans of sex are coming through the tall beach grass nearby. Wesley pretends he hears nothing. The sounds are affecting Mark, but he’s going to maintain control, for Abbey’s sake.

  “He looks like a businessman. He is always wearing a business suit. Look, I got to go.”

  Wesley scans the forest from the bridge. “The cave is in the forest, by the lake. Figures.”

  “Wesley!” Andrea has with her a flashlight and is wearing her favorite animal print pyjamas.

  “Andrea, go home.” He points to the lion on her sleeve. “I’ll have to find an adult version of this. I like them even for myself.”

  She rolls her fists up and tightens her body, demanding to be taken along.

  “You are such a pain. If you get lost, I am not finding you.”

  They walk to the other side of the bridge, to the right side of the road.

  “It’s creepy. There’s not a single bit of movement over here.”

  Andrea pulls on his arm.

  “What?”

  She points to a path.

  “I am going first.” He grabs the flashlight from her and shines it down and from side to side.

  She hangs onto the back of his shirt. There’s ample light coming from all corners but it doesn’t always light up where needed. The light kind of bounces around randomly. He takes care with each step. She isn’t letting go but she wants to explore desperately.

  Footsteps beat down on the bushes. Wesley takes Andrea to the ground. “Don’t move.”

  The footsteps stop. Wesley looks over the tall grass that has grown around a tree. Doesn’t see anything. They make their way through thick bushes that seem to get thicker as they move. Andrea loses her grip and gets caught in one of the bushes. Wesley comes back for her, pulling the bush apart with his bare hands. “The things I do for you.”

  Andrea lets out a little squeal. “Something bit me.”

  “Let me look.” He looks over her legs and arms. “I don’t see anything. You probably just pricked yourself.”

  She points behind him.

  “What?” He turns around and sees the cave. “Wow.” He takes her by the hand and they approach the cave with caution and intrigue.

  Voices bellow from within. They don’t sound distraught. They are just talking loudly.

  “Should we go inside?”

  Andrea nods.

  “Okay. You don’t let go of my hand. Do you hear me?”

  “Yes, Wesley.”

  They enter the cave. He is careful where he shines the flashlight. Doesn’t want to disturb whoever might be in here. An overwhelmingly bad feeling comes over him. “We are leaving.” As they step foot to leave, they are unable to. “What is this?” He bangs on the invisible shield keeping them in. He claws at it, spits on it, and kicks at it. “We are trapped.”

  Andrea sits down on a family of small rocks. She pulls her knees up to her chin.

  “Are you cold?”

  Andrea sort of nods.

  He sits down next to her and puts his arm over her. “You’ll get warm. We’ll be out of here in no time. I’ll find a way.”

  The night continues with no horizon glowing for their freedom. Andrea is asleep across Wesley’s lap. Even he is finding it hard to stay awake.

  “Mum and Dad are going to be so angry with us.”

  Andrea doesn’t stir a bit.

  “I want to tell you, Andrea, that if we are to be…”

  A rattling noise comes from deeper in the cave. Wesley almost leaps up. He carefully puts Andrea down onto the rocks and walks towards the rattling. The sound gets louder as he stands his ground. Then… the rattling stops. He looks down. For the obvious culprit. No snake. The floor is smooth. There’s nothing squirming around or slithering around.

  Light fills the cave. Wesley sits back down with Andrea. Daylight seeps through the entire forest. Wesley carefully wakes up Andrea. Together they walk towards the opening and are able to pass through. They waste no time in finding their way out and onto the road.

  “Where were you two?” Thomas asks.

  “I’m sorry, Dad.”

  “You kept Andrea out all night. Her parents have been so worried. We were close to calling the cops but your father insisted that you weren’t stupid enough to put yourself or Andrea in danger.”

  “We were in the forest. I thought I saw something going on in there and decided to check it out.”

  “Wesley, you are eight years old. If something were going on, what did you plan to do? Stop acting like the adult that you aren’t yet. If something is wrong then you can come and get me or your father. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Andrea, where were you?” Melanie asks.

  “The forest.”

  “Why were you and Wesley in the forest?” Her father seems more sympathetic than her mother, but she isn’t a fool. Andrea shrugs her shoulders.

  “You are going to answer your father.”

  “Butterflies.”

  “Butterflies.” Her mother can’t believe it. “If you keep this up, you will not be allowed to hang out with Wesley anymore.”

  Andrea storms upstairs and slams her door.

  “And you thought this was a good idea? Just remember, if anything happens to our daughter, it’ll be your fault.”

  “Mel?”

  “No. I told you this was a mistake. We could have went anywhere but you chose this place. Why? Is it because it is so close to the place you call home? Why did you bring us here, Michael?”

  He makes his way upstairs.

  “Answer me or I’m going to take Andrea away.”

  He turns back to her with stormy eyes. “If you do that, then you’ll definitely be causing more trouble than you already have.”

  Abbey wakes up and looks out the window. The moon’s outline is nearly gone. “I wish I could blow you up.”

  She walks into the bathroom. Takes a shower, gets dressed. She goes downstairs not knowing what to expect.

  Her mother is being lazy on the couch while her father is looking out the bay window.

  “Good morning,” Abbey says as she gets a glass of orange juice.

  “How was your night?”

  “Unproductive.”

  Abigal almost falls off the couch getting to her daughter. “You didn’t engage in sex?”

  “No, Mom. I don’t want to have sex yet.”

  “But… but the cycle. You didn’t complete the cycle’s wishes. We are all doomed.”

  “Better grab your Bible then and pray.”

  Abbey waits by the bridge. “Where is he?” She walks to the other side. No sign of Gordon. “Damn Moon. Maybe it’ll just go away.”

  “That wouldn’t be wise. We need the moon,” Gordon says.

  “Hi, Mr. Peter’s.”

  “Anything unpleasant happen to you last night?”

  “Where is everyone? Doesn’t everyone assemble after each night?”

  “They should have, but they aren’t here.”

  “D’suppose that the cycle is breaking?”

  He scratches behind his ear. “Maybe.”

  “I was able to fight against the cycle last night. My parents didn’t. Mark didn’t. I was the only one.”

  He leans against the railing. “I believe that those childr
en are the key to breaking our curse.”

  “Look at you. Old and wrinkled. They are changing us.”

  He rubs his hand. The age spots are darker and in abundance. The skin isn’t soft and firm anymore.

  The other residents from the left side walk over to Gordon and Abbey. She almost gasps.

  “Here they are. Let’s find out what happened, shall we?”

  Abbey stays close to him.

  “Abbey!” Mark runs over to her. “I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t do it. I didn’t have sex.”

  “How did you fight against it?”

  “Abbey, stay away from that boy,” Abigal says.

  Mark joins his parents.

  “Mr. Peters, I have just heard that those new children weren’t taken into the cave. Care to explain?” Darma asks.

  “I am not in charge of that. How can I answer you?”

  “Don’t play coy. You are the only one out of all of us that has conversed with those men that take our children into the cave.”

  “Mrs. Dogton, I do not have any answers for you. I did not see the gentlemen last night.”

  “Well, I don’t think our children should be locked up if those two can run around freely during the cycles.”

  “Darma is right,” a woman with a black bob cut says.

  “Patty, are you sure that your daughter was taken?” Abigal asks.

  “I am certain. She was escorted out of the house right before the moon rose.”

  “What does this mean?” Karen Driver asks. “After losing my husband, I thought I could get back into the things that always happened, but I can’t.”

  “I saw you last night. You came out with the rest of them,” Gordon says.

  “Yes, but it only lasted a few minutes. I returned to my house with my clothes on. I felt dirty. I felt like I was betraying my husband.”

  “Mornin’ neighbors,” Thomas says. “Is this something you all do every morning? Count me in.”

  Everyone looks on stunned.

  Jacob pinches Abbey’s ass as he walks up to Thomas. She goes to hit him but he’s already out of range. “Did something happen to you last night?” Jacob asks.

  “Let’s see, not much happened. My wife forced me to look over new tiles for the master bath. And I think I am going to add on to the house. A room just for myself.”

  “And your friends?” Darma asks.

  “I think they went to bed early because they said they needed to be up early to go to a farm stand.”

  “They left?” Karen asks.

  “Are we not supposed to leave? Is there some kind of food service that you lot pay into?”

  Wesley runs over to Thomas. “Mum is looking for you.”

  Thomas waves to everyone then starts back home.

  Abbey runs over to Wesley. “Wait.”

  “You okay?” Thomas asks.

  “I need to talk to your son.”

  “That may not be a good idea. He may plant ideas into your head as well.”

  She looks at him strangely. But somehow she sees he is covering up. “That’s all right.”

  “Alright, see you back at the house.” Thomas continues on.

  “What do you want, Abbey?”

  “I need to tell you some things that will forever change your perception on this place.”

  He sighs. He watches the other residents staring at them.

  “The next cycle is the new moon.”

  “I’m aware of the lunar cycles.”

  “I am not sure it will have the same effect on everyone like it used to have. Now that you are here.”

  “What happens? You lose your minds and terrorize the neighborhoods?”

  “Maybe you read too much. That stuff isn’t real.”

  He sort of moves his head to the side, as if looking at something or someone that may disagree with her. “You’d be surprised what lives out there, under rocks and bridges.”

  “The bridge! The bridge!” Andrea says, running over to him.

  “She likes this bridge?”

  “Andrea, you are going to get me into trouble. Andrea likes everything. She’s just a little girl.”

  “She likes you?”

  Andrea pulls on Wesley’s arm, bringing him down to her, and kisses him on the cheek. “He’s my friend.”

  “Can you tell me what happens?”

  “It would traumatize a kid like you. You are so young. You will grow up to be a very beautiful soul though. I can sense that.”

  “I am many things I suppose, but I will have to endure being a child for only a few more years. What you tell me now will not affect my perception on this place. I had my undeniable truth from the start.”

  “How so?”

  “I knew this place was cursed when we arrived. Especially after last night when Andrea and I were trapped in that cave.”

  “You were taken there?”

  “We came upon it. We are staying clear of that forest from now on.”

  “Wesley is special,” Andrea says, dancing around him. She spots butterflies and is off.

  He runs after Andrea. “You never listen, Andrea. It’s going to get you into trouble.”

  Andrea starts crying.

  “I better get her home.”

  Abbey watches Wesley and Andrea walk away.

  The others surround her.

  “Leave me alone, all of you.” Abbey runs for home.

  “They need to know,” Abigal says.

  “Are you insane?” Karen says.

  “It’s hurting my daughter. I am telling the new people about this place and our curse.”

  Before anyone can stop her, Abigal is already half-way to the newcomers’ homes.

  “You should all be thanking them. Your freedom is possible now,” Gordon says. He looks over the side of the bridge and sees the flowers his wife used to love. “Elaine, they are still looking pretty.” One of the flowers bends to him. “Elaine.”

  Darma takes Karen to the side. “Our Mr. Peters is not himself. Look at him. He is always wearing that bandana. What is wrong with his face?”

  “I noticed that part of my hair was white. I used a marker on it.”

  “Aren’t you strange?”

  “Are you afraid to have the curse be broken?”

  “Certainly not.” She takes her son and husband off the bridge.

  Wesley and Andrea enter his house with his mother standing in the foyer, arms at her sides, looking like someone told her the worst news possible.

  “I think it’s a good idea that you and Andrea stop spending so much time together. There are kids here your age, play with them.”

  Andrea starts crying.

  “Mother. She is my best friend.”

  “Grow up, Wesley.”

  Arianna goes out back. Thomas comes over. Andrea runs to Thomas and he picks her up.

  “Father?”

  “I understand that Andrea is your best friend but you should be playing with other boys. You two can still be friends.”

  Wesley feels the tears coming.

  Thomas lets down Andrea and looks into her eyes. “Andrea, don’t you want to play with little girls your own age?”

  She looks back and forth between him and Wesley a few times. “Okay.”

  “Good. I’ll walk you home. Wesley, you can start making new friends today.”

  “Goodbye, Wesley.”

  Thomas takes Andrea out of the house and Wesley’s heart breaks.

  Wesley goes into his bedroom. Sure, he knows that their age gap might be a problem now, but it won’t be once they are teenagers and then into their adulthood. Four years is nothing. Right now, his parents believe that he needs to be around boys of his age and doing boy things, but he knows that is just them asserting their authority over his life once more. He can play in the sand with Andrea, play hide and seek, and even go on walks together, but their sudden need for him to be away from her makes him realize that their intentions aren’t so good after all. However, he will bend a little. He will be
a teenager in five years. There are things that happen to boys when they become a teenager that only another teenage boy can understand. Andrea will still be a little girl. She will be playing dolls or dress up. He will wait, for one day his parents will no longer have a say in how much he hangs out with Andrea.

  Later in the day, Wesley roams around both sides of the road. He finds kids his own age playing soccer across lawns. He walks up to them. “May I play?”

  At first the kids are standoffish. They don’t know him. But one of the taller boys walks over and introduces himself. “Name is Kenny.”

  “Wesley.”

  “Do you call yourself Wesley all the time or something short like Wes?”

  “No one has ever called me Wes. Yeah, call me Wes.”

  “Okay, Wes. You ever play soccer?”

  “I’m from England. Of course I have.”

  That gets the boys laughing. Wesley is given the position of goalie. He has only played soccer a few times but he is very agile and observant. The boys are impressed with his skills.

  2

  Abigal stands before the Darsmin’s driveway. The O’Kelly’s driveway is a few inches over. She puts one foot on one driveway and the other foot on the other driveway.

  “Hey,” Thomas says cheerfully.

  “Attempting to be in two places at once,” Michael says.

  “That only works when you are crossing into another state. This is on the same street in the same town.”

  “You think so. The left side is as different as night and day compared to the right side. I can’t remember when it started. Abbey was very little though. Time isn’t relevant here. Only the cycles are. But I remember driving past all these amazing homes and thinking we can’t afford to live here. We experienced the full moon first. It’s the worst part of the cycle. When it happens, we don’t feel how bad it is right away. It’s at the end of the week, at the end of the cycle, we realize what we’ve done. During the full moon, terrible things happen. Death. Missing people. During the first quarter moon, the right side of the road experiences inspiration. They paint, they sculpt, they do everything artistic. During the last quarter moon, the left side, my side, engages in an abundance of sex. The children are spared and put into a cave deep within the forest. None of us has seen it. Oh, the things we do, it’s too much to bear.”