The Shade Riders and the Dreadful Ghosts

by Bxerk

  "Takeesha, here's a book you'd like. I put it in the science section so no one would check it out. You get first dibs."

  “'Sewing for Money’? Say… I like the looks of this! Thank you." She hugged the book.

  “Hey, Takeesha? I haven’t seen you wear that patterned outfit you worked so hard on. The one from the African Heritage Days.”

  “Oh, girl, I’m just waiting for the right time, you know what I mean?”

  Suddenly, Nova jumped in excitement, “Quick, let’s do the séance.” They grabbed a corner table near the windows.

  From her hip pack, Nova dumped out sixteen dice from the game Boggle. The dice had a letter on each side. “I think we can roll these and get messages from beyond the grave.”

  Also from the hip pack, Nova pulled out a pink crystal heart.

  “This pendulum can be used to ask spirits questions. When it swings north and south, it is a ‘yes’. West and east is a‘no’ and a circle is a ‘maybe’.” Nova brought out a handful of strong smelling sage, eucalyptus, and wormwood. Takeesha wrinkled her nose.

  “These smells will get us in the spiritual mood,” Nova said smiling.

  “Let’s close the curtains,” Takeesha said pointing to the windows.

  Nova and Takeesha raced to close the curtains and darken the corner. They shuffled back to the table. Takeesha brought out, from her fanny pack, three battery powered tea lights and turned them on. They flickered like real flames. Their faces pulsed in the lights as Nova crushed the herbs together with her fingers and waved them about. Takeesha placed the Ouija board in front of them on the table, and they put their hands on the planchette.

  Again, Nova glanced at the rain against the window to her right missing a dark shade. The rain sluiced down cascading over the ledge in the center creating a sheet of water. Nova thought she saw a man with cropped white hair, white beard, and mustache, moving his hands as he rotated them over a basin. Unruly colorful geometrical shapes in 3-D rose up from his hands. Nova thought they might be what Benny called Fractals. “Holy chaos.” Nova blinked her eyes, and then he was gone.

  In the library, the planchette moved over the letters on the Ouija board, even without questions being posed.

  It spelled out N. O. V. A.

  Suddenly, the planchette began to speed all over the board. The girls couldn’t keep up with it.

  “Something just grabbed my hand, and I can’t lift my other hand,” Nova said breaking out in a sweat.

  “Let go.”

  “I can’t,” Takeesha yelled back.

  “Holy chaos. It won’t let my hand go. Takeesha, I need your help.”

  “I can’t move my left hand.” Takeesha bit her lower lip as she struggled to pull away from the planchette.

  “What do you want from us?” Takeesha screamed at the board.

  Then the mysterious presence abruptly released Nova from the planchette and forced her from her chair. “Gahhhh.” She was pulled and pushed to an aisle of books. Finally loose, Takeesha ran after her.

  “Takeesha, help me. It’s hurting my wrist.” Nova couldn't see or smell anything unusual, but she did feel a shiver up her spine.

  What had she gotten herself into?

  "Holy chaos!" Her hand searched the bookshelves- as if it could read by itself. Finally, it reached out for a chewed up book. She heard a loud ‘click’ inside her head-- What was that?

  She tried to pull her hand back. But it was as though the book had a vacuum attached. She removed the book from the dirty shelf.

  Takeesha soon caught up to her. “What’s happening?”

  “I don’t want this stupid book.” Nova was going to fling it down, but her hand still clung to it.

  “Hang on,” Takeesha said. “We wanted the ghosts to talk to us. Maybe they are. What is that book?”

  Nova began to calm down a little, mostly because she seemed to be regaining the use of her hand. She looked at the title. “The Legends of Gods Around the World.”

  When she tried to open it, she couldn’t. The pages were all stuck together. Nova caught her breath. Maybe the entity didn’t want her to read what was inside. The title was enough.

  But what did it mean?

  Suddenly, Nova danced in a circle then raced across the room. “Fricken.” She almost ran over Takeesha. "Something's got a hold of my arm again." Nova had squealed before she disappeared down another dark aisle.

  Takeesha ran after her.

  "There is no running in this here library, young ladies," Mrs. Munroe said. Nova noticed the librarian’s eyes were glassed over. Mrs. Munroe suddenly remembered something. She put her finger in the air and said, “That is what I need, and that is what I shall have.” She turned again to go into the back room.

  Meanwhile, Nova was searching for another volume. She scanned the titles on the shelves to figure out which section she was in.

  "Okay,” she said, “you want me to read anthropology, the study of people? No. Archeology, the study of ancient cultures? No. The Mayan people? No...” Her hand came to another book. “Oh, of course, Neanderthals." And another ‘click’. The book, all chewed –up and dusty, came off the shelf and hovered in front of her face. Without the help of her hand this time.

  "Holy chaos!" Takeesha said.

  “Why not,” Nova said. “Go ahead and give it to me.” The book lay down on the pile in her arms.

  Then the herculean force that pulled her around the library suddenly let her go. Nova groaned and dropped to the floor like a rag doll. The book about Neanderthals flopped opened to page 236 in her lap.

  "What happened to me? Was that a ghost?" Nova asked. Takeesha shrugged. Nova looked at the book in her lap and began to read aloud.

  ”’The Neanderthals were able to survive in colder temperatures because of their different physical features.

  They were short, about four to five feet tall and much hairier than modern man. They also had a sloping head making it appear they had no forehead. The Neanderthals didn't have much of a chin and had big noses.’”

  “What are you doing?”

  “You said yourself that the…whatever might be trying to tell us something. I’m trying to figure out what. ‘Their hair was like human hair with many shades of color. Their freckles were a different kind than that of the Modern Human.’” Nova looked at the artist's rendition of the cavemen and women. They sure did look different, but also a little familiar.

  “Scientists believed they buried their dead but had no evidence of a formal religion that they could discern.

  Some scientists think they died off from disease or malnutrition. Other scientists said they died off because there were no more trees or caves.’” Wow, this must be an old book. Even she knew the Neanderthals were over-run by the Modern Human people. Nova looked at Takeesha to see if she had an idea. Takeesha shrugged. Nova rubbed her cheek bones and brow ridge. No wonder they looked familiar.

  “Do you think I look like a Neanderthal?”

  “Let me see.” Takeesha grabbed the book and looked closer at the pictures then gazed at Nova. “I don’t know, maybe. What would you do if I said yes?”

  “I guess I might be sad… and maybe I might be relieved because that would explain a lot about--”

  “Oh, what do you think happened to us?”

  “I don’t know about you, Takeesha, but I’m calling that encounter a visit by a ghost.”

  "Are you two ready to check out?” Mrs. Munroe said. “That was the final bell."

  Nova closed the book, got up with her load, and helped Takeesha pick up their things at the table, stuffing various items into their hip packs.

  “Hey, Takeesha, wasn’t it weird Mrs. Munroe didn’t say anything about the ghost?” They started to shuffle to the counter.

  “Do you think it will bother her?”

  “I don’t know. We should probably tell Mrs. Munroe about her library being haunted now.”

  “Well, if it is, it is our fault, you know.”

  Then Mrs. Munroe sto
pped what she was doing, blinked rapidly, yawned, and seemed to notice the young women. She pushed round glasses up her shiny pointed nose. Nova put her books down on the counter creating a dust cloud.

  As they stood at the checkout, Takeesha turned to Nova. "I was thinking--"

  "You can do that?" Nova said and then laughed.

  “Oh, that’s not very nice, Nova,” Mrs. Munroe said.

  "Sorry." Nova’s face turned red.

  Takeesha grabbed Nova by the arm. "You have got to stop with that joke. It was only funny the first time. You know what I mean?"

  "Oh, all right, I guess," she mumbled.

  “And you’ve also got to stop running in the library,” Mrs. Munroe said.

  “But I was pulled all over the library by a ghost. It took me to these books. Do they, you know, mean anything to you? And one of your books is glued together or something.”

  “Oh, really?” Mrs. Munroe looked at Nova and Takeesha. “There’s still no running in the library.”

  Nova gasped. “But my hand was grabbed by a ghost and I couldn’t get away from it.”

  “Maybe I should tell the school principal, hmm?”

  Mrs. Munroe thought she was lying.

  “Do you believe in ghosts?” Nova asked.

  “Doesn’t everybody?” Mrs. Munroe had her face close to Nova’s. “However, ghosts can’t pull you around. They have no substance to grab with.” Nova looked at Takeesha, who shrugged.

  “What do you think of these books?” Nova asked.

  “They don’t seem to have any significance.” Mrs. Munroe picked up the stuck together book and examined it. “It looks a little water-damaged, but it’s okey dokey. Do you still want it?” She opened it to a page of a flying horse named Pegasus.

  “Oh, definitely.”

  Nova and Takeesha handed over their hall passes and the temporary library cards to Mrs. Munroe. She smiled pleasantly as she checked out Takeesha's books.

  Mrs. Munroe flipped through a drawer of 3x5- inch cards. “Nova Nowak, you have a ten dollar fine for a late book."

  “Oh, okay...“ Nova swallowed and dug in her pockets.

  "Say, when did the library lose the beat up old computer this place used to have?" Takeesha said.

  "Last week, it died and we couldn't find anyone who could repair it. So we recycled it and then couldn't find anyone to sell us a used or new one," Mrs. Munroe said. “Fortunately, I’d been moving to cards for some time. Never really trusted or kept current with the thing.”

  "Wow, I thought technology was a good thing," Nova said.

  "If it weren't for President Hayden Radford and Reverend Corbin Heller, we couldn't go back to the basics of life,” Mrs. Monroe said. “Computers and other technology are bad for the United States."

  “That’s not true,” Nova said. “I want to live in the past. Just think of all the electronic

  toys—“

  “Technology was getting too advanced. Some people were getting so technically illiterate they couldn’t figure out how to work the different gadgets. It was time for a change.”

  Ms. Childress, the English teacher, cleared her throat to announce her presence. Nova noticed she hesitated at the door, then strolled toward the librarian, slamming some books on the counter.

  "Carol,” she said, “that attitude is precisely why we are not able to compete in the world and make scientific discoveries,"

  "Noreen, have you ever noticed that scientists make so many mistakes with their data? It's no wonder no one trusts their discoveries.” Mrs. Munroe took the books and put them in an old dented metal cart. “The old folk cures and remedies have stood the test of time and still work."

  "Don’t be ridiculous. We need to change to fit the times. When our knowledge grows, the information changes and we advance out of primitive times."

  "I'll accept primitive times because it must be a divine plan. Things happen for a reason.”

  Ms. Chilldress rolled her eyes and turned to the girls.

  “Nova and Takeesha, how are you?”

  “Hi, Ms. Chilldress,” Nova said. “We… communicated with a ghost in this library.” Takeesha nodded.

  “Did it bother you?” Ms. Chilldress said. “Were you doing anything with science?”

  “No, we just wanted to talk to it,” Takeesha said grinning.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re not hurt. I don’t think you know what you’re dealing with. That student, Dayton, who was chased by a pirate ghost had died before he made it to the hospital,” Ms. Chilldress tromped out the door. “Please be careful.”

  Nova felt her heart speed up.”Wow.”

  “Poor family,” Mrs. Monroe said. “Dayton had a heart condition on top of it.”

  “Oh that’s not good,” Nova said, but in a way, she was relieved. Most likely the ghost didn’t cause the death. She still wanted to contact the ghost from the library again though.

  They were silent for a time. Nova found herself picking at a worn corner of a book on the counter and yanked her hand away.

  “Why did they get rid of the science classes Ms.Chilldress used to teach?” Nova said.

  “English is more important.”

  "Yeah, whatever." Nova hugged her books and started for the door, "Come on, Takeesha, let's go."

  "You can't have your books until you pay your ten dollar fine."

  Nova hesitated, and then said, "You're in luck. I happen to have one last fifty-dollar bill, left over." Nova squirmed as she handed her the money. It was all she had left from her summer job. Mrs. Munroe gave Nova the change, and she shoved the bills back into her jeans.

  The two friends headed out of the library and into the din of loud talking, slamming locker doors and shuffling of feet.

  Chapter 3 Spirit Myths

  “What do you think the ghost was trying to tell us?” Takeesha said grabbing Nova’s arm.

  “I don’t know,” Nova said. “Maybe I’ll find something in one of the books. At my house, we can use the Ouija board again and ask what it wants. Hopefully, it will open more pages to explain itself. I know I have lots of questions.”

  “Me too. And while we’re there, we can see if Chocolate had her foal yet, you know.”

  Nova nodded. They sprinted down the crowded hallway to get their books and homework. The lockers were old, small, and stacked one on the other. Takeesha's locker was on top, and three over from Nova’s on the bottom. Nova stood near Takeesha’s locker to wait while another student finished getting her stuff.

  A decorative strip of wood spanned the school hallways. Takeesha knocked on it for good luck. It was above the lockers, and she almost couldn't reach it. “This is to make sure the foal is a filly. I wonder what color it will be.” Nova looked at pictures of horses of every size, color and shape taped to the inside of Takeesha’s locker door.

  "I was thinking--," Takeesha said.

  "You can do that?"

  "I changed my mind, okay? I'm not coming with you.”

  "But Takeesha..."

  The halls suddenly became much quieter. Nova saw only two kids getting their stuff. Nova blushed and said in a quieter voice, “We should contact the ghost again. Who knows if and when it will give us another opportunity?”

  "Just let me finish, okay? We can meet in the library maybe tomorrow to continue the séance. It’s just… I think I might be jinxing it when I go over to your house. The foal is never there when we go on the ‘due date.’ I've gone over there so many times. So, please, why don't you just go home without me?”

  "I'm pretty sure today's the day, Takeesha."

  "That's what you said yesterday, and the day before that, you know what I mean?"

  "I can’t help it if Chocolate isn’t quite ready to have the foal.”

  Takeesha gave Nova the ‘I made my mind up’ look.

  “Fine, I'll go without you."

  "When she finally does have the foal, please call and let me know if it's a colt or filly." Takeesha put her raincoat over her book bag. She left the
building grabbing her bike from the rack and rode away in the heavy rain.

  “Man, I think I saw lightning,” Nova said alone.

  She got down on her knees, dug around in her locker, and

  pulled out stuff she would need to take home. “Ugh, why does everything get buried in here?” Deep in thought, Nova didn't notice the shadow blocking the fluorescent lights until it was too late.

  Chapter 4 Taking a Powder

  "Hey!"

  Nova looked up. Brenda’s brow knitted, and her eyes blazed. The bully was so close that Nova could feel her hot breath against her face; it smelled of rotten eggs.

  Nova peered around Brenda, who was a little chubby and tall and saw her much smaller crony Amanda. To Nova's disappointment, the hallways were otherwise empty. Crap! There wouldn’t be any witnesses again.

  "Stand up, you ugly freak."

  Nova stood, using her books as a shield. She inhaled and held it.

  Brenda was three years older than Nova and should have been in high school already. Amanda was Nova’s age, and Nova could have handled her alone. But with Brenda holding her down, Amanda could be dangerous.

  "Leave me alone." Nova squeezed her eyes shut and waited. She hoped they would be quick and get it over with.

  "It's time for your facial." Brenda ground her fist into her palm, grabbing Nova’s arm and yelling into her face. "You...you stupid retard. Why don't you do better in beauty class?"

  Now, Nova opened her eyes wide and glared.

  "Shut up. We know exactly why you're so confused, right, Amanda?"

  Amanda ran her fingers through her brown hair and laughed. "Yeah, we sure do."

  Brenda tromped down on Nova's wide feet. She winced.