by Tony C. Skye
Her mouth opens against her will. Tears sting her eyes as they fall down her cheeks. Julianna silences the strange speech coming from her direction. A moment later, Jennifer understands the nature of the black mist. She becomes afraid.
It wants her. It longs for her. It calls with sporadic voices of whispering within her mind. The wind in the room causes her to sway as it intensifies. Her legs become weak as the black mist begs her – begs to be one with her.
“Stop fighting it,” Julianna’s voice teaches with a calm tone.
Stop fighting it? Is she crazy? I didn’t sign up for this shit.
“Stop looking at it,” Julianna’s voice says with a gentle nature, “Close your eyes. Relax yourselves.”
Easy for you to say. Your baby’s daddy’s the devil. There’s no way I’m closing my eyes.
“Close them, Jennifer,” Julianna coaches with a soothing tone, “You must trust me to take care of you.”
Jennifer feels a tiny squeeze in her left hand. She hears Caroline let out a sigh of relief. The hand holding her right hand relaxes.
“I have control over this,” Julianna continues, “You must close your eyes. You are too afraid.”
“Listen to her, Jen,” Caroline’s voice speaks through the madness of Jennifer’s racing mind, “Close your eyes and surrender.”
Jennifer’s eyes release more water as she forces herself to close both eyelids. Her heart speeds with the fear that has possessed it. She begins hyperventilating.
“Deep breath, Jennifer,” Julianna’s voice speaks, “Long and steady.”
Jennifer fights to regain control over her body. It sucks to be in panic mode. She just wants this nightmare to end.
“It will end,” Caroline answers, “Just say yes.”
Yes.
Jennifer takes a deep breath. The taste of ash fills her mouth as a warm wind rushes into her throat. The wind around her begins to calm – it vanishes into the stillness of normalcy. Her heart finds a steady beat. She opens her eyes. Caroline and Julianna are smiling at her.
“What are you two virgins staring at?”, Jennifer says while releasing the hands that hold her. She catches a glimpse of black-looking ink swim across one of Caroline’s eyes. Jennifer shakes her head and refocuses. The ink is gone.
“How do you guys feel?”, Julianna questions.
Jennifer shrugs her shoulders, “I dunno. Different, but not. It’s hard to explain. What just happened?”
“I feel fine,” Caroline says, “It’s nothing like being possessed. That was horrible. I like this.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” Jennifer evaluates her feelings, “But I wasn’t there when you bitches were at the hospital. Hearing it in a story and seeing it with your eyes is two entirely different things.”
Jennifer looks at the liquor on the table, “And where in the hell is our alcohol? The liquor store is just right down the road.”
Welcome to the family, Jennifer.
Jennifer slowly turns and looks at Julianna.
Try it. I need to check something.
“No way,” Caroline answers in awe.
Jennifer glances at Caroline and grins.
Okay, how’s this? Can you hear me?
“Sure did,” Caroline says.
How about me?
“Loud and clear,” Jennifer answers.
Amazing.
Both Jennifer and Caroline look at Julianna. She has a bewildered look upon her face.
“I take it this was unexpected?”, Jennifer questions.
“The ability for you two to communicate back to me…yeah. Had no clue.”
“You haven’t done this with the other five?”
Julianna glances to her cousin, “They didn’t make the vow directly.”
“Maybe they should,” Jennifer gives her opinion on the matter.
Julianna remains focused on Caroline. She sees a black tattoo race over the girl’s right eye.
“Do you see it, too?”, Jennifer questions.
Julianna nods.
“See what?”, Caroline pushes for an immediate answer. Her belly rumbles. She looks at her cousin with embarrassment.
Julianna smiles at Caroline, “It’s nothing. But we should probably get something to eat. I’m starving.”
Julianna walks over to the bar and grabs her phone.
Spill it, Jennifer. What did you see?
That stuff from the ceiling moves across your eyes sometimes. It’s kinda creepy.
Julianna smiles as she brings up the number to her security team. She sees Caroline dart around the bar. Her cousin walks up to the small mirror hanging on the wall and looks.
“Ma’am?”
“Yes, I hate to bother you guys,” Julianna speaks into her phone, “But could you care to explain why I don’t have my liquor yet?”
“Sorry ma’am,” the voice answers, “It is here.”
“Then why didn’t you let me know it was here?”
“Ma’am, I just thought you knew the store was right down the road. I thought you would call whenever you were ready for it. Would you like it delivered to the door?”
“I’m on it,” Jennifer calls out. She heads for the door leading to the hallway.
“Yes,” Julianna answers while watching Jennifer open the door. The tall cheerleader takes a right as she steps into the hallway.
“I also need two large pizzas.”
“Toppings ma’am?”
“Leave it up to Jennifer. She’s on her way.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Julianna pushes end on her phone and looks up. Caroline is examining her eyes in the mirror.
“See anything?”
“Not what you guys are talking about,” Caroline answers while turning around. She points to her forehead, “But this is looking better.”
Julianna looks upward and grins. Black dots work to repair the damage inflicted by Jamés.
Julianna makes eye contact with her mesmerized cousin, “Listen, I want to discuss something with you.”
“Sure.”
“I want you to know that I came here for you. Jennifer is a blessing and if Rebecca and Tamara come onboard, that’s even better. But the real reason I came was to give you a chance.”
“Okay.”
“You are of the bloodline, Caroline,” Julianna continues, “And I have this strange feeling that you’ll be a game changer.”
“What makes you say that?”
Julianna observes swirling blackness dance its way across Caroline’s left eye.
“Oh nothing,” Julianna answers, “It’s just a feeling I have about you. Welcome to the family, cousin.”
Caroline smiles appreciatively, “Thanks, I’m glad we got to meet. And double-thanks for the car.”
Julianna grins, “You’re welcome.”
Damn, you’re fine. The body delightfully matches the voice...yummy. I’d like you on my pizza with a very large order of d…
Caroline’s brows rise. Her nose crinkles with the action.
Julianna laughs.
“I think I should probably teach you guys how to control your projections,” Julianna says.
“Definitely,” Caroline agrees, “Like now.”
* * *
Chapter 18
Boundaries
“Good morning, Mother,” Julianna hears a cheery voice. She stretches her arms above her head before sitting up. Julianna looks to her right. Caroline is waking up within the sleeping bag that Jennifer gave her. Julianna wipes the sleep from her eyes and glances left. Jennifer stands in the room – showered and fully dressed.
“Julianna,” Jennifer’s guest corrects her. Julianna slips out of her sleeping bag and reaches over to the coffee table. She grabs her phone and makes a few swipes.
“Ma’am?”
“Brian,” Julianna speaks with a hoarse throat, “Lose the truck, bring my car, and assemble two teams for Caroline as Jennifer as temps.”
Ow…my freakin’ head.
Ju
lianna covers her mouth as she yawns. She looks over at her cousin. Caroline is rubbing her temples.
“Remove vehicle from parking lot,” a man’s voice responds from Julianna’s phone, “Deliver car and good clothes. Assign two details for Caroline Reynolds and Jennifer Hammond. Will that be all, ma’am?”
Julianna looks at Jennifer, “You guys want some breakfast?”
“Pancakes sound good.”
“A girl after my own heart,” Julianna responds.
“Bacon,” Caroline gives her answer, “Can we get it uncooked?”
“What?”, Caroline replies to Jennifer’s strange look.
Julianna thinks about a slimy piece of meat sliding down her throat. She gags. The Mother of Darkwaters holds out her right hand towards Caroline with her palm outward. She stands and quickly walks out of the room.
Caroline hears her cousin gag in the hallway.
“I really hope you were trying out a horrible joke,” Jennifer says while still staring at Caroline.
“Right, um-yeah. Of course. Why would anyone want raw bacon?”
Jennifer keeps her stare upon Caroline as her head subtly moves towards the hallway on her right.
Jennifer hollers out, “She was joking.”
Jennifer sees Caroline shake her head to convey a duh-factor. Caroline lies down and rolls over on her left side. She closes her eyes. Jennifer forces herself to look away as Julianna enters the room. Caroline’s cousin assumes her previous position on the floor with her back to Caroline.
“Okay, I’m back. Three orders of pancakes, sausage, o.j., chocolate milk, and a gallon of Gatorade.” Julianna glances to the bottle sitting on the coffee table. The Crown Royal bottle is two-thirds full.
“And buy out the Tylenol company.”
“A-men,” Caroline complains.
Julianna covers her phone while she speaks quietly, “Do you really want raw bacon?”
“Nah, I’m over it.”
Jennifer moves her mouth as though she has eaten the nasty idea.
Julianna removes her hand from the phone, looks up at Jennifer, and grins. After an extended pause, Julianna becomes agitated, “Something wrong?”
“Uh - ma’am,” Brian answers, “Do they sell Gatorade by the gallons? Also, I might have a problem in purchasing the Tylenol company on such short notice.”
Julianna rolls her eyes, “Brian, I have a headache. They’re figures of speech. Please, just get us some Gatorade and Tylenol.”
“I want the red stuff,” Caroline says.
“I’m good.” Jennifer replies.
“One blue and one red Gatorade, Brian,” Julianna reconfirms the order, “One bottle of Tylenol.”
“Yes ma’am,” Brian answers, “Breakfast and store items will be there in forty-five. Your vehicle…”
“Brian,” Julianna interrupts.
“Yes ma’am?”
“I don’t need a play-by-play,” Julianna says within her exhaustion, “I know you’re good at your job.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Julianna pushes end on her phone and tosses it on top of the sleeping bag. She looks over at Jennifer who is now sitting on the couch.
“How in the world are you looking like that? I feel like a train wreck.”
“Same here,” Caroline complains with closed eyes.
“It’s not my problem you two virgins are light weights,” Jennifer gives her answer.
“What does our virginity have to do with a hangover?”
“I’m not hungover at all,” Jennifer says, “It must be your virginity. It’s the only common factor between you two.”
Julianna grins.
“Oh gawd,” Caroline complains, “The mouth is alive and well.”
“I felt a little rough when I first woke up,” Jennifer confesses, “But a shower made me feel better.”
“Crap,” Caroline complains again, “I didn’t bring anything with me – didn’t expect to sleep over like this.”
“I’ve got some clothes you can wear until you get home,” Julianna says.
Caroline opens her eyes. Julianna is looking at her.
“Thanks. I’ll probably take you up on the offer.”
“No problem.”
“Let’s try it again,” Julianna continues.
“Can’t we wait for the Tylenol?”, Caroline complains.
“No can do, cousin. You almost made me throw up. You two are extremely powerful and need to learn this. Thought projections are nothing, but speech. You must learn to block. Bleeding into each other’s minds is one thing, but bleeding into anyone’s mind is a serious issue. If you can do what I can do, then you can project into anyone’s mind who isn’t under His protection.”
“You said all this last night,” Jennifer reminds, “But this crap is hard.”
“Your ability is unheard of,” Julianna reiterates what she told them already. She closes her eyes, “Tell me what I’m thinking.”
Caroline and Jennifer concentrate.
After a few moments, Jennifer shrugs her shoulders, “I couldn’t hear anything.”
Caroline sits up and yawns, “Me neither.”
“Jennifer,” Julianna looks at the girl on the couch, “What’s the power that binds us?”
“Demons,” Jennifer answers what she learned, “And that power is deep inside of us. And that power is tied to our spirit-soul – it acts like an amplifier.”
“You must look deep inside and learn to feel that power,” Julianna teaches, “Close your eyes and imagine a blue ball. It is small and full of electrical energy.”
When the girls comply, Julianna continues, “Every time you say a word in your mind, this ball releases power. It shoots outward. Think of me and say a word.”
Word!
Julianna!
Julianna grabs her head, “Don’t force it. It sounds like you’re screaming at me. Try it again…”
Thirty-minutes later, the two cheerleaders begin to gain real control over their projections. Julianna moves her phone to the coffee table as she stands up. She directs the girls to the clearing in the room. Caroline and Jennifer take their standing position near the stereo.
“Blocking,” Julianna instructs, “Close your eyes and think of your little energy ball.”
Jennifer and Caroline both close their eyes.
“This time,” Julianna speaks, “Before you say your word, think of your ball releasing a pulse of energy that envelops your brain with a solid blanket.”
Thump-thump.
“Ummmm,” Julianna stares down at the two unconscious cheerleaders lying on the floor, “Sorry about that. That would probably be too much covering of the brain.” With her now wide eyes and high arching brows, Julianna turns and heads towards the couch.
* * *
After Caroline and Jennifer come to, Julianna decides to give them a rest in exchange for pancakes. They all make their way to the dining area down stairs.
“This is a lot of table,” Julianna observes while waiting for Jennifer to remove a cloth from one of the long tables. She had seen this area whenever she first arrived, but had other things on her mind at the time.
Caroline sits the food down as Jennifer uncovers three chairs at the table’s end. The hostess seats herself at the head, Julianna sits to the left, and Caroline to the right.
“It’s been the place of many a party’, Jennifer, finally, answers. She pauses while opening the Styrofoam containing her breakfast.
Jennifer finishes her thought, “Before Danny died.”
Julianna takes a drink of her orange juice. She cuts into her pancakes, “You seem to be much better.”
Jennifer picks up her chocolate milk, “I feel like a person again thanks to you. It was stupid of me to blame myself for Danny’s death. I guess I was trying to kill myself, but just didn’t see it like that.”
“Aww,” Caroline coos, “I think Jennifer wants to kiss you.”
Jennifer glares at Caroline while placing her lips to the milk container’s
plastic opening.
Say it again, shrimp.
“Relax,” Caroline teases, “It’s not like Julianna’s really a lesbian.”
Jennifer chokes and quickly turns her head, but not enough to avoid hitting Julianna as she spits out the brown liquid.
“Oh crap,” Jennifer panics, “I’m so sorry.”
Julianna uses her napkin to wipe her face, “It’s fine. I haven’t had my shower yet.” She lowers her napkin and looks at her cousin sitting across the table, “You guys are quick studies, I didn’t hear anything that time.” She wipes milk from her neck, “Good job.”
“You said no lies,” Caroline ignores Julianna’s attempt at changing the subject, “What’s going on?”
Jennifer looks at Caroline, “You can’t be that naïve. I’ve called her lesbo – I don’t know how many times, and you already know about her beat me fetish. Open your eyes.”
“Sorry,” Caroline responds, “I didn’t know.”
Julianna looks down at her milk splattered breakfast and closes the lid.
“Here,” Jennifer says while knifing her pancakes in half, “You can have some of mine.”
“No, I have to meet up with Amy later. We’ll grab something. Eat up.”
Jennifer tears the lid off of her container and splits her breakfast. She pushes it over in front of Julianna, “I insist.”
Julianna grins as she obliges the tall cheerleader by stabbing her plastic fork into a piece of sausage.
“You’re really a lesbian?”, Caroline questions.
“Whatever you do, Caroline,” Jennifer says, “Don’t let it go.”
“It’s okay,” Julianna responds while looking up at her cousin, “I kinda fell in love with Tamara. But I’m still into boys, too.”
