Shine: The Knowing Ones

by Amy Freeman

  After some contemplation she pushed the covers back and climbed out of bed, setting the mirror aside and placing her feet on the floor. She stood, crossed the room and pulled the blinds open bathing the room in brightness.

  Anna writhed, grabbing a pillow. “Ugh.” She pulled the pillow over her head and rolled to the right, sending Vig from his precarious position on the edge of the mattress to the floor.

  Thunk! Sam jumped, throwing her hands over her mouth as Vig jolted into the wall releasing a string of profanities. Sam erupted with laughter, reaching down to him. “Vig,” she said between guffaws, “are you okay?”

  Anna, still oblivious said, “It’s like five a.m. Does your room always get this much sun?”

  Sam doubled over in laughter as Vig pushed himself from the carpet. “Anna,” she gasped, “You just slammed Vig into the wall.” She dropped to the bed laughing as Anna pulled the pillow from her face and looked over. Vig had righted himself, now leaning shirtless against the wall glaring in her direction, dark eyes glinting under thick mess of disheveled brown hair. Anna exploded laughing. Sam fell forward in hysterics both girls beside themselves.

  Vig stared, expression blank. “I’m glad you both find this so funny,” he said.

  Neither Sam nor Anna could breathe to respond. They rolled on the mattress in hysterics as Vig reached for his jeans, muscled shoulders bunching as he pushed himself to his feet, and pulled them on over his boxers.

  Between gasps Anna said, “I’m so sorry, babe.” She continued laughing, tears spilling from her eyes.

  Gripping his waistband he turned and stared. “You’re crying,” he said. “You’re laughing so hard you’re crying.”

  Sam rolled to a sitting position. “We’re sorry,” she gasped.

  “I can tell.” He crossed the room and went out into the hall.

  “Viggie, we’re sorry,” Sam called after him. His reply was the sound of the bathroom door closing. Sam looked at Anna and they started laughing all over again.

  Finally gaining composure, Anna asked. “How are you feeling? How’s your neck?”

  Sam sat forward, pushing her long brown hair out of the way. “Look at this,” she said.

  Anna leaned in and stared—no bruising. Anna lifted her eyes in disbelief. “They’re gone.”

  Sam shrugged, lifting her hands. “Weird, right?” she said. “I dunno, maybe that’s normal.”“I seriously doubt it,” Anna said.

  Sam stood, shaking her head. “Whatever.”

  Anna watched her. “Okay, we have to call someone. We have to do something about all of this.”

  Sam threw up a hand. “Anna, this is my life. It always has been. You know that.”

  Anna shook her head. “Not like this. You see people’s auras. You know things before they happen. This weird ghost guy type thing is new.”

  Sam turned, rummaging through clothes.

  “You were attacked less than twenty four hours ago and now the bruises are gone. That’s not normal.”

  “I’m going to my parents to do laundry,” Sam said, avoiding the subject. “You want me to take anything of yours?”

  Anna sighed. “Everything.”

  Sam huffed. “Well, hand it over, sunshine. I’m not digging through the apartment.”

  Vig resurfaced from the bathroom as Sam began collecting clothes. Both girls looked up and grinned.

  Vig stared. “You both suck.”

  Sam threw her arms around him. “We’re sorry we laughed.”

  Anna smirked. “I’m not. That was hilarious.”

  Vig stared at Anna as Sam began laughing again. Anna threw her slender legs over the side of the bed. She stood up and began a search for laundry. “We will be at Crash by eight o’clock tonight,” she said, using her feet to walk a pile of clothes toward Sam. “I’ll be at the library cramming for economics before then. I’ll meet Sam back here around six o’clock tonight and we’ll drive together.”

  Through a flat stare Vig said, “Why don’t you show up at three thirty a.m.—lots of open tables then.”

  Sam laughed harder.

  Anna sauntered up to him placing her hands on his cheeks. “I love you.” She kissed his lips—lingering. “Thank you for staying.”

  He stared back, fighting her seduction, but losing. “You’re evil.”

  Anna winked and headed toward the bathroom.

  Sam shook her head, gathering the new pile of clothes. Vig stared, squinting as she put the clothes in a basket. “Sam, come here.”

  She set the basket down and turned. “What?”

  He lifted a hand motioning for her to come. “Let me see your neck.”

  She crossed the room, apprehensive. He put a hand under her chin, turning her head from right to left. “That’s crazy,” he said. “Have you seen this?”

  “Yeah,” she said. “I dunno...”

  “Does it still hurt?”

  Sam shook her head. “It stopped hurting last night.”

  Vig shook his head, eyebrows raised. “I don’t even want to know,” he said. “I’m just glad you’re okay.” He grabbed his shirt from the dresser and pulled it over his head. “If you need anything, let me know, okay?”

  “I will.” She smiled and gave him a hug. He squeezed her tight and kissed the top of her head. He moved out into the sitting area, sat down and grabbed his shoes. “Okay, I’m out,” he called through the closed bathroom door.

  Anna reemerged as he slipped them on. She leaned forward and kissed him. “Thanks again,” she said. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  He stood. “Any time.” He turned for the door and left.

  Anna returned to the bathroom. “I’m getting in the shower.”

  “Okay, I’m going.”

  “See you tonight,” Anna called. She opened the door, poking her head out. “Please be careful.”

  Sam nodded. “I will.”

  Anna stared through the cracked door. “I think we should call a priest or something.”

  Sam’s features twisted in distain. “Okay, Anna. You call a priest.”

  Anna nodded and closed the door.

  Sam stood, glancing at the floor. She did her best to ignore what was happening, but the truth was she was terrified—terrified because she didn’t understand it, but even more so because she had no one to turn to. She exhaled, grabbing an elastic from her dresser and pulled her hair up in a ponytail. She threw on a T-shirt and some yoga pants, and slipped into her shoes. Hoisting the loaded basket of clothes into her arms, she sighed, carrying the clothes out to the trunk of her mother’s old Camry, and climbed into the driver’s seat. Starting the engine, she pulled out of the parking lot merging onto Foothill Boulevard.

  About twenty-five minutes later she pulled into her parent’s driveway, a three bedroom home in a picturesque neighborhood cutting into the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. Parking in the street, she pushed the door open. A bright azure sky stretched out behind the mountainous backdrop. The trees lining the street contrasted the vibrant blue with brilliant red, yellow, and orange.

  Sam climbed out, gazing upon the large maple that stood in front of her childhood home. From trunk to branches, its life force sang, radiant white light emanating from its core, stretching through the branches. As she followed the limbs to the leaves, the force of light faded. Each dying leaf was barely lit, the fallen leaves holding no light at all.

  She paused. Though she attributed her recent dilemma to her abilities, she acknowledged her capacity to experience nature in a multidimensional way that no one else could. The moment gave her reprieve from the frustration she carried, and she smiled.

  Popping the trunk, heaving out her basket of laundry, she took the path to the front steps, pushed the door open, and went inside.

  “Hello?” she called out.

  “Downstairs!”

  Sam adjusted the basket and followed the sound of her mother’s voice to an open door off the kitchen.

  “You down there, Mom?”

  Within a few
moments her mother appeared at the bottom of the staircase.

  “Hi honey.”

  Kathryn Shields was petite like her daughter, an older, blonde version of Sam with sparkling blue eyes.

  “Hey,” she replied. “What are you doing?”

  Kathryn grinned. From behind the cover of the staircase wall she pulled out a big gangly skeleton.

  Sam groaned. “Mother, it’s not even October yet.”

  “Last year I started in August.”

  “Yes, I remember. I was still here.”

  Sam started down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, she took a good look at the creature her mother was holding. “You are not putting that outside yet.”

  “Hey,” Kathryn replied. “The last time I checked you no longer lived here.”

  “No, but I still have to acknowledge I’m related to you.”

  Kathryn laughed. “I’m saving the ghoulish stuff for October,” she conceded. “But I am putting up the autumn stuff, whether you like it or not.”

  Sam shook her head. “That’s wonderful, Mom.” She made her way into the laundry room. Kathryn followed.

  “So, how are you?” she asked. “How’s everything?”

  “So far, so good,” Sam replied. “We’re starting rehearsals for our fall showcase.” She put the laundry basket down, opened the lid to the washer, and turned to her mother. “We perform in October.”

  “Here,” her mom said, grabbing her shoulders and wrapping her in a big squeeze. “I didn’t get a hug.”

  Sam hugged her back, her mother’s energy comforting, soothing. She released her mom and began pulling clothes out of the basket to put into the washing machine.

  “Where’s Dad?”

  “He’s gone fishing.” Kathryn turned to put the skeleton back. “He left early this morning. If he had known you were coming he would have stayed home.”

  “Well, how long will he be gone? I can stay a while,” Sam replied. “I have a horrific calculus assignment to fight with, but I don’t know how to do it anyway.”

  She put the detergent in, shut the lid, and walked out into the hall where her mother stood with a look of concern.

  “They offer tutoring, honey. You should go check it out.”

  Sam groaned. “I know. I don’t even know how I got into this class.” She turned and looked into the holiday storage closet. “I’ll figure it out. Come on,” she said. “I’ll help you defile the house.”

  Kathryn laughed and they both began pulling autumn leaves and pumpkins out of the closet.

  CHAPTER SIX

  S am pulled into her dorm parking lot, found a spot close to the entrance, and turned off the ignition. The visit with her parents had been calming, enabling her to get back in touch with reality. Climbing out of her car, she popped the trunk and grabbed the laundry basket now filled with clean, folded clothes. As she made her way to the door, Erika came walking out.

  Sam smiled. “Hey, Erika.”

  Erika waved, moving toward her. “Hey, Sam. What’s up?” she said. “Laundry day, huh?”

  “Yep, lots of fun,” Sam replied. She switched the laundry basket to her hip, trying to ignore the troubling, dark energy crowding Erika’s aura. “Where are you off to?”

  “The football game,” she replied. “There’s an injury so Ryan’s pretty much blocking for two.”

  “Oh yeah, that’s tonight,” Sam replied. “Wow. I feel so non-loyal to my school. I should be more on top of these things.”

  Erika laughed. “You should come.”

  Sam sighed.

  “You know, I totally would, but my friend’s band is doing a huge gig tonight. I’m going to be there.”

  “Oh really?” Erika asked. “Which band?”

  “Grand Master Sanchez,” Sam replied.

  Erika lit up. “Oh, I’ve seen them. They’re awesome!” She grinned. “The lead singer is really hot.”

  “Yeah, he’s the friend.”

  “Wow, Sam,” she beamed. “Why just friends?”

  “Because he’s dating my best friend.”

  Erika’s eyes widened and she laughed. “Well, that would do it.”

  Sam laughed. “He’s like a big brother.”

  “Where are they playing?” Erika asked. “Maybe we’ll stop by after the game.”

  “They’re headlining at Crash. They start at nine o’clock. You should come check it out. It’ll be crazy,” she smiled, recalling previous gigs. “It always is.”

  “Okay,” she smiled. “Maybe we’ll see you there.”

  “Have fun at the game.”

  “Okay.” Erika walked away, taking her shaded aura with her. Whose energy are you carrying around? She paused a moment longer, then turned for the door, and carried her laundry inside.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “How about this?”

  Sam didn’t even bother looking this time. It was seven forty-five p.m. Sam was ready to go to Vig’s show and took a few minutes to finish up an English paper while Anna argued with her wardrobe.

  Sam was typing when Anna came out in her third, perfectly acceptable ensemble.

  “It’s fine,” she said, still typing.

  “You didn’t even look.”

  Sam glanced up, thoroughly irritated. “You look just as great as the first two times, Anna. All three outfits are spectacular. Choose one.”

  Anna groaned, throwing her hands up. “You are so not helpful.”

  “Mm hmm,” Sam mumbled, still typing. A few seconds later Anna reappeared.

  “Okay, if I wear this one, should I put my hair up or leave it down?”

  Sam’s head dropped back.

  “Anna, are you serious?”

  “Yes. Come on, up or down?”

  She stared at Anna’s hair. “Down.”

  Anna huffed. “You’re just saying that to shut me up.”

  “Yes, I am,” Sam said. “Vig already knows what you look like and he loves you.”

  Anna dropped her shoulders in protest. “I just want to look good for him.”

  “Anna, you look awesome. Every outfit you’ve tried on looks great.” She got up and walked into Anna’s room. “Leave this outfit on and leave your hair down. It’s one of your best assets.”

  “Well, yeah,” Anna replied. She walked to her vanity, picked up a brush, and began brushing her best asset.

  Sam shook her head, checking her watch. “You realize it’s eight o’clock.”

  Anna threw her a panicked look. “We’re gonna be late!”

  “Not if we end the fashion show and leave now.”

  Anna pulled the brush through her hair one last time and grabbed her purse from her bed.

  “Okay. Let’s get out of here.”

  She grabbed Sam’s hand and dragged her out of her bedroom toward the door.

  Sam reached in vain for the table where her own purse was. “Excuse me, purse.”

  Anna released her long enough to get her purse, then snagged Sam by the arm, and pulled her out the door.

  Anna was already bouncing to the pulsing rhythm of the music as they entered the club. Crash was by far the hottest spot in the city. All the major bands played there and it was always packed. Cocktail tables and sleek chairs surrounded a large dance floor, all facing a generous stage filled with the best lighting and equipment.

  Looking down on its grandeur was a second floor balcony that bordered the entire perimeter of the club. Both levels boasted fully stocked bars, spectacular stage views, and an amazing sound system, enabling each live performance to truly shine.

  “I’m going to find Vig,” Anna shouted over the pounding volume.

  “He’s over there,” Sam replied. Vig’s energy was a staple in her energetic file cabinet.

  Anna turned, and found him standing at the bar placing an order. She flashed a smile at Sam. “I’ll never understand how you do that,” she said. “Let’s go.” She grabbed Sam’s arm, dragging her across the crowded floor.

  In the midst of conversation with the
bartender, Vig caught sight of the girls. A huge grin breaking across his face, he paid the bartender, grabbed two water bottles and a beer, and made his way toward them. “Hey baby!” he smiled, wrapping an arm around Anna. He leaned over, kissed her on the lips, and handed her one of the water bottles. Sam watched as a passionate aura encapsulated them both. She smiled.

  He turned to Sam, his shaggy dark hair streaked with color, hanging in his soft brown eyes. “Sammy,” he grinned, nodding in her direction, then handed her the other water bottle.

  “Hey, Viggie.” She held up the water. “Thanks.”

  Anna glanced up at Vig’s hair from beneath his giant bear hug, taking a couple of multi-colored strands in her fingers. “Why?”

  Vig grinned.

  “I like it,” Sam argued, mussing the top of his head.

  Anna threw Sam an irritated glance. “Don’t encourage him. He looks like a freakin’ circus clown.”

  “That’s good for you, right?” Sam said. “I just met a major Vig fan a couple of hours ago.”

  Vig raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

  Anna slapped his arm.

  “Ow!” he said, grabbing his bicep.

  Anna looked back at his hair. “I think you do this just to annoy me.”

  “Vig!” Someone shouted from the stage area. He turned his head toward the voice and jerked his chin up in acknowledgement. “Gotta bolt,” he said. “Find a table.” He gave Anna another quick kiss and bounded off toward the stage.

  The club was packed. Anna jerked her head toward a table in the corner. “Grab that one,” she said. “I think it’s the only one left.”

  They made their way across the room as a new song began to play, one they both loved.

  Anna crooned. “Oooh! Come on, Sam!”

  She grabbed their water bottles, setting them on the table, and they weaved their way back through the crowd to the congested dance floor.

  Sam arrived, turning heads, bringing with her a palpable energy. Tingling from her skin to her heart, she and the music became one, filling her, soothing her, her worries lost in the song. She moved like fluid magic, disabling every man there looking on with sensual longing, the girls steeped in envy. But Sam’s partner was the song. Staying close to Anna she rebuffed every attempt to partner up. This was her time. Her aura slammed shut.