by Gwen Gardner
Nausea assailed me.
Suddenly an intense cold filled the room, colder than anything I had ever experienced. The room grew darker, the air suffocating. This was no panic attack. This was real. I threw myself at the door, but it wouldn’t open. Shelly had disappeared as soon as the darkness came.
“Help!” I screamed and banged on the door. “Somebody help me!” The dark thing began to envelope me in coldness. My limbs went weak and numb.
And then voices and banging came from the other side of the door.
“Indigo! Are you in there?” yelled Badger.
“Yes, I’m here! I can’t open the door!” Scuffling noises came through the door.
“Stand back!” yelled Simon.
I stepped back, the vibrations of their shoulders against the door like a mini earthquake. Once, twice, three times. The door didn’t budge.
“Light!” I shouted through the door. “I need light!” Animal-like whimpering issued through my lips as I pressed flat against the door, leaving my backside vulnerable to the dark and cold.Footsteps ran down the passage, and then somebody was back, shining a flashlight under the door. The darkness in the room receded, taking the coldness with it. And then a loud “click” echoed in the room. I jumped back as the door popped open. Badger was the first through the door and I threw myself into his arms. Simon and Riley shone torchlight around the room.
“Ewww,” said Riley. “What is that awful smell?” She sniffed and gagged. “It’s like burnt...dog crap...or something equally disgusting!”
“Bloody hell!” exclaimed Simon, trying to cover his nose and mouth with his sleeve, but gagging anyway.
“Come on,” said Badger, his arm still around me. “Let’s get out of here.”
We tumbled out of the room into the hall. The door banged closed, a loud echoing click indicating that something had locked it behind us.
I pulled away from Badger. I had done it again. Had to be rescued from myself. When would I learn to hide the crazy?
We looked at each other, wide-eyed.
I shook my head. “I...I’m sorry.” I stumbled down the dimly-lit hall, heading toward the front door as fast as my trembling legs could take me. I ignored the footsteps behind me, desperate to be home, where I could hang my head in shame without any further witnesses.
A hand reached out and swung me around. “Indigo, stop!”
I couldn’t listen. You’re a walking disaster still echoed in my head. “No! Let me go.” I struggled to be free, but Badger clung to me tightly, pulling me into his arms, restraining me with a bear hug.
I tried hard not to cry, truly I did. But when the struggle was up, the tears flowed over the dam and down my cheeks.
Simon, his arm around Riley, watched from the dim corridor.
Riley whispered, “My God, how does she do it? Deal with that day after day?”
“Come on,” said Simon, leading her into the snug, with one last glance toward me and Badger. “She’ll be okay now.” But I wasn’t so sure.
Once the tears stopped, I pulled away from Badger. I wiped my eyes like a child, with the heels of my hands and sniffed. Searching my pocket, I pulled out a tissue and blew my nose. Since last night’s fiasco, I came prepared.
“Indigo. Look at me.” Badger said it like a caress, warm, and soft like velvet. He ran gentle fingers through the long strands of my hair, bringing it forward to rest across my breasts, tugging lightly.
My resolve melted, just a little. But I shook my head. Nope, couldn’t do it, not if I wanted to maintain my dry-eyed nonchalance.
He tilted my chin up, forcing me to look into his eyes. So close, I could make out the dancing amber specks in his brown eyes. So close, I could plunge my fingers into his unruly brown hair. His head lowered slowly, hesitating only inches away before his lips touched mine, light as air. And not a fake kiss this time. Okay, a make-up kiss that probably didn’t mean anything. But I wished my hopeful heart would just shut the hell up.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I never meant to hurt you. All of this – it’s all my fault, don’t you see? Not yours. You were my responsibility and I kept letting you down.”
I shook my head in denial. “No, it’s me.”
He hugged me silently, leaning his chin on top of my head. Neither of us said anything for a few minutes. Did I mention he was an awesome snuggler?
“Come on.” He threaded his fingers through mine and led me into the snug.
Simon and Riley, heads together and whispering, sprang apart when we came into the room. I wondered vaguely if they...but no. They were only friends. I smiled weakly at them. “Sorry about that. A mini meltdown, but I’m okay now.”
“Don’t,” said Riley, shaking her head. “Don’t you dare apologize. None of this is your fault.” Her red sweater played off the highlights in her shiny hair and her blue eyes sparkled with intensity.
The kindness brought renewed tears, which I managed to choke back down.
I was still trembling when I went to pour a cup of coffee. My hand shook so badly I had to put down the pot before I could pour it.
“Here, let me.” Badger closed the distance with two long strides and poured a cup for me. “Why don’t you sit down?” He looked worried. “You’re pale. I mean more than usual.”
“What the bloody hell happened?” Simon blurted, unable to contain himself any longer.
They were all looking at me, waiting for my response.
“I...” My voice quavered. I cleared my throat and began again. “I saw Shelly.”
The group sat transfixed, eyes wide, including Hannah. She had wedged herself between Simon and Riley, as wide-eyed and attentive as they were. The snug was dark except for a low-lit lamp and the wood crackling in the fireplace as it struggled to catch. The glowing coals cast dancing shadows over our faces.
Finally, Badger spoke. “I don’t understand. Shelly locked you in that room? But why? Why would she do that?”
Flames finally caught and leapt to life.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. I leaned forward. “There was something...” I searched for the right word, “dark... in there with us.” I looked at Simon.
“You mean, like, that shadow thing?” he asked.
“Yes. The Shadow.” I crossed my arms, rubbing them, suddenly cold again. I looked at the confusion written on Badger’s and Riley’s faces. “The Shadow – that’s what I call it – is something that’s been following me.” I turned to Badger. “Do you remember that day when I was out jogging?”
“You mean that day you came barreling out of the ginnel and ran me over?” He shook his head. “No.”
I cocked my head at him.
“Okay, yes. But I wasn’t going to mention it.” He flashed an impish grin.
I grinned back. “I’m glad to see your sense of humor has returned.”
But the lighthearted moment didn’t last long.
“The Shadow was there, that day in the ginnel, and in that back room tonight. I’ve also seen it out front in the pub. It’s after me – it wants something.”
“But what exactly is it?” asked Riley. She struggled hard to understand, as did Badger and Simon. But Hannah’s frightened face told me she understood.
“I – I’m not sure.” I hesitated. “It’s a dark entity, I know that for sure.” I wanted badly to explain it to them right, but how could I when I didn’t understand it myself? “It doesn’t have a form, not like the regular sort of spirit. Regular spirits look like they did in life, only not solid. Sort of see-through and shimmery. The Shadow doesn’t have a form – at least not the form of a person. It’s like a black cloud of smoke that hovers above the ground. It’s fast moving and swirls and makes this sort of unearthly moaning sound. And the smell, like burning dog poop. But the worst part is you can feel the negativity pouring from it, evil, cold and dark.”
Badger agreed with my assessment. “That was completely bizarre. Did you see the door slam and lock behind us of its own accord?”
&nb
sp; “But here’s the thing,” I continued. “Shelly wanted to tell me something. But she was afraid. She said the Shadow was watching. I sensed it lurking and then the room grew freezing cold and it filled the room with that rotting odor, pouring out evil, and then it locked me in – and then Shelly disappeared before she could tell me what she had to say.” I finished in a rush and took a deep breath. “And then you guys came.” I shrugged. “No, wait,” I said. “Her face...”
“Let me guess,” said Badger. “Bashed in.” Not a surprise to any of us. Bashing heads seemed to be the murderers M.O.
“So that’s three murders,” said Riley, frowning. “But why was Shelly with that thing?”
No one had an answer.
“Bloody hell,” said Simon, “I hope I never meet it. I mean face-to-face. Through the door was bad enough.” He shuddered.
Hannah nodded in agreement, whispering. “Lor, Miss. It frightens me somethin’ awful.”
“But what does it want from me?” I focused my sight between Simon and Riley, both thinking I was speaking to them. They shrugged and shook their heads. “Not you two – Hannah.” I pointed. “She’s sitting between you.”
“What?” Their voices echoed in unison as they quickly moved apart.
“Oh, Hannah is in here quite often with us. She knows everything that’s going on, don’t you Hannah? She especially likes cell, er, mobile phones.”
“Yes, Miss. I’ve learned how to use them. There never was such a thing in my time.” She leaned in and whispered, “You lot would have been burned for witches.” She said it with relish, as if a day at a hanging was the best entertainment ever.
We were getting off track. “But Hannah, what does it want?”
Her form flickered in and out. She glanced around furtively. “Your soul, Miss.”
“My what?”
“What what?” said Simon. “What’s she saying?”
I ignored him. “Why does it want my soul? What will he do with it?” And then I remembered Shelly being frightened as well. “And what does it want with Shelly – or you, for that matter?”
“Oh, it wants us as well, but it’s mostly you. You have a most powerful energy, you see? You can speak with both sides equally. It’s afraid of what you can do, that you will help the lost souls. It collects souls and uses the energy to survive.”
“Oh.”
“What?” The gang was getting impatient, hearing only my side of the conversation.
I filled them in.
“That is so freaking scary,” said Riley, her hand covering her chest as if willing her heart to relax. “What about my dad? Is it after him as well?”
“Yes, I would think so.”
“What can we do?” asked Badger, agitated.
We were interrupted by a loud ping bursting into the room, making us all jump.
“My phone,” said Riley, with an apologetic grimace. She dug it out of her bag and opened the text message, scrolling down as she read.
Dread filled me. The last time that ping rang out, we found out about Billy’s death and had a big blow-out and Badger called off the investigation. Like Pavlov’s dog, I was already trained for the reaction.
“Well?” said Simon.
“Be patient,” said Riley, impatient herself. She didn’t need to look at us to see the worry on all our faces. She read the text and stored the phone back in her bag.
“Two young men were seen chasing Billy Radcliffe around 7:30 last night. They have your descriptions. They’ll be canvassing the area and interviewing shopkeepers. Anyone with any information is asked to come forward.”
“Bloody hell,” said Simon, looking at Badger. “Well, now what do we do?”
“Crap!” I sat up straight. “I’ve got to talk to Padma!”
They looked at me uncomprehendingly.
“Don’t you get it? Padma was there! She knows you two were chasing Billy. Billy’s name wasn’t mentioned, but when she hears two men were chasing the victim, and puts two and two together...”
“She’ll know it was us. But will she tell the police?” asked Badger.
“Of course she will,” I said, throwing my hands up. “She doesn’t owe us anything – her best friend is dead.”
“Yes, but she does know we were investigating her friend’s murder, along with Bart’s. That should count for something,” said Simon. “She couldn’t possibly think we had anything to do with those murders.”
“True,” said Riley, “but think about it. You were seen chasing the murder suspect, and then he ends up in the river. And like Indigo said, Padma doesn’t owe us anything.”
We all turned to Badger for guidance.
“Then we’d better hurry up and solve this murder,” he said.
We were silent for a shocked moment.
“It’s back on then?” said Simon in excitement.
Badger looked around the room. “Right. We have no choice now. We have to solve this murder and help my dad cross over before that evil thing gets him, as well as clear ourselves.” Our eyes met. “And figure out how to make it leave Indigo alone, as well.”
Riley and I bounded up and hugged each other and then Simon.
I flung my arms around Badger. “Thank you,” I whispered in his ear.
Hannah jumped up and down, fist pumping the air, “Yes! Yes!” She employed the modern gesture and slang like a pro.
“Wait, wait, calm down you lot,” said Badger. “On one condition.” His serious look silenced us. “No one goes anywhere alone. It’s too dangerous. Understood?”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Padma’s Secret
I didn’t know if Padma worked on Thursday mornings, but I hoped so. I had to speak to her before the police did.
I put my hair in its usual loose braid, slipped into jeans and purple thermal shirt, topped with my pea coat, hat and scarf and left the house early. My face was bare of any makeup, the cut beneath my eye turning a light shade of purple and blue. My burnt and cut hand was newly wrapped. Franny tisked when she saw me.
I descended the front stairs, passing the living room where our naked Christmas tree stood looking forlorn. Simon and I bought it the previous evening on our way home. I sighed. Tonight we would have to decorate it. I passed through to the kitchen for my morning jolt of coffee before leaving the house.
My stomach churned, having nothing but coffee in it. I had to make Padma understand that Simon and Badger did not harm Billy. I would beg for time. That’s all we needed – a little time. We were getting close, and the closer we got, the more dangerous it felt.
I stopped by the newsagents and picked up the morning local paper. Billy smiled from the front page. The heading read, Local Man Murdered: Hunt on for Suspects. It went on to say that Billy was seen being chased by two youths and it gave their descriptions – which could have been any young men living in Sabrina Shores. Darkness and beanies helped. I sighed with relief and tucked the paper in my bag.
When I arrived at the MEC I checked the hours of operation before going across the street to the coffee shop to wait. I bought a coffee and took up a position near the window to watch for Padma.
The busy morning crowd provided all the decoration the coffee shop could hold. Stark white walls. No pictures anywhere. Gray swirly patterns topped wobbly tables rimmed with silver-colored aluminum and mismatched chairs. The smell of moldy dishcloth wafted up from my table, mingling with the aroma of brewing coffee, baking bread, and rain-soaked jackets. The buzz of many conversations drifted through the room.
I didn’t have long to wait. To my surprise, Padma came through the door of the coffee shop and stopped abruptly. For a minute, I was sure she would walk back out again without speaking to me. But she didn’t. Instead, she walked over to my table.
“Let me get breakfast, then we’ll talk,” she said.
I breathed a sigh of relief. That was a start. She was willing to speak to me.
Padma came back to the table, setting her coffee and breakfast sandwich down bef
ore shrugging off her coat and draping it over the chair back. She kept her eyes on me the whole time, taking in my scratched-up face and black eye. She didn’t look as bad as I did. Dressed in a navy-blue suit, she enjoyed a scratch-free face.
“How old are you?” asked Padma, sitting down and biting into her breakfast sandwich.
“Sixteen.” I knew why she asked. With no makeup, I looked about five years younger than I did yesterday.
Padma nodded. “I didn’t realize how young you were. You sound older.”
“Yeah, I’ve been told that before.”
I pulled the morning newspaper out of my messenger bag, unfolded to the front page. I handed it over to Padma. She sipped her coffee and ate her sandwich and read while I waited, faking patience.
I looked around the room at the other patrons. Not that I expected to see anybody I recognized, but after last night I was paranoid. It didn’t take long for me to break Badger’s only condition: don’t go anywhere alone. But it couldn’t be helped, everyone else had to work and the conversation with Padma couldn’t wait.
I turned back to Padma as she finished the article, passing the newspaper back across the table.
“So,” she said. “Your two friends from last night – they were the ones chasing him.”
“Yes. But they didn’t catch him.”
Padma look at me skeptically. “Uh huh.”
“They didn’t. They arrived at my house five minutes after I did. I think you’ll find that Billy died several hours after that. I mean, once they get the autopsy,” I concluded.
“Indigo, this is a dangerous game you and your friends are playing. Why do you think you can solve Bart’s murder when the police can’t?”
“The police have had months to solve these crimes - they’ve bungled it from the start,” I said. And then a voice whispered in my left ear: ask her about the day I left early.
I jumped slightly. “Shelly?” The voice was so clear, as if she was standing right next to me. I recognized her voice from the other night. It must be a clue!
