Fatal Charm

by Linda Joy Singleton

  Immediately I got a vision of a dark-brown horse mounted by a shadowy rider. An older man wearing a cowboy hat. He sat comfortably in his saddle, controlling his horse with only one hand on the reins. A yellow ring flashed from his hand and there was a pulsing, crimson-black aura. I sensed he was looking at me.

  Was this vision real or my imagination?

  I tensed in my saddle, peering out at trees and wild brush. It would be easy for a skilled rider to follow our slow-moving group without being seen. Shivers rose on my skin. I sensed he was out there, invisible among dense foliage.

  Who was the rider? I wondered, adding a footnote of “if he really exists.”

  I mentally called out for Opal. At first there was no reply, then I heard static with fuzzy mind shapes, like an out-of-focus TV. Then the shape sharpened into tawny skin under a white jeweled turban.

  Keep vigilant, I heard her say.

  “Is someone really following me?” I asked wordlessly.

  There is a presence of danger close by.

  “I had a vision of a rider on a brown horse.”

  When someone has forsaken their humanity, they are no longer alive in spirit and have nothing to gain or lose.

  “What are you trying to tell me?”

  The rider with blood on his hands will not stop until there is more death.

  “More death? Do you mean this rider killed someone?”

  Remember the details that ring true to your vision.

  Details that ring true? Did she mean “ring” literally? I thought back to Jade’s house and the glint of a gold ring on the killer’s hand. “In my vision of the rider, he was wearing a ring, too. Is it the same man?”

  There is no need to ask questions when the answers resonate inside you. Even when you travel without your body, there is a heavy weight of responsibility. You cannot live between two worlds without risking self.

  “I don’t know what you mean!” I shouted in my head. “Who is the stalker and what does he want? There are innocent kids here, and I want to keep them safe.”

  Danger follows the soul witness.

  Her words sunk in, terrifying. There was a static sound in my head and I felt her pull away. I opened my eyes to the bright shock of daylight.

  My horse plodded steadily beneath me, but shook her mane as if sensing my fear.

  I tried to make sense of Opal’s message. She’d hinted that my astral experience was real and that someone was dead. Jade’s mother? Then why wasn’t Jade upset? If it had been my mother, I’d be hysterical with grief. I would definitely not be on a campout with a bunch of people I didn’t even know.

  If Crystal had been murdered, that meant both Jade and my father had lied. Lies from Jade weren’t anything new, but why would Dad lie to me? The only reason I could think of was that he might be protecting someone.

  Did that mean he knew the killer?

  Could my own father be an accomplice to murder?

  I didn’t want to believe this, but suspicion was a germ that grew and spread poison. I tried to remember details of my astral experience. I’d been spying on Jade, then slipped into the next room where I saw Crystal and her killer. She’d trusted him and he’d see-med to care about her, too. The flowers and candy hinted at a budding romance—until he took the ribbon off the candy box …

  I wished it had been a dream—but I was afraid it was real.

  And somehow the killer had found out about me.

  I was the “soul witness.”

  I could tell by Goldie’s sudden increase of pace that we were near the lunch stop. And minutes later, I saw the clearing. The ranch crew had driven ahead and set out a table with cold cuts, salads, French rolls, and cookies. There was an ice-filled tub with drinks. We were scheduled to rest here a full hour before heading out again.

  After I fixed a plate, I looked around for a place to sit. There were several fold-up tables with chairs. Josh sat with some mentors and kids at a center table, while Dominic wandered over to a log and sat alone. Everything in me wanted to go to Dominic, and when he gestured for me to join him, I started forward. Then Josh called my name and waved me over to his table. I stopped, feeling like a wishbone being pulled in two directions.

  Josh or Dominic?

  My heart chose Dominic, especially since I needed to tell him about my vision of a rider following us. He wouldn’t think I was crazy. But what if I was wrong about the vision? I hated to warn Dominic about something that wasn’t true. Even if it was true, it could have been a warning of the future. Until I knew there was really someone out there, I didn’t want to alarm anyone.

  So I hesitated, unsure where to sit. Having lunch with Dominic might give away our relationship. Josh thought I was his girl, and until I could let him down gently, I’d have to pretend we were together. Still, choosing Josh might hurt Dominic.

  So I sat with K.C.

  When I glanced over at Josh’s table, Jade was squeezing in between Josh and Evan. Figures. I rolled my eyes and bit into my sandwich.

  K.C. helped his sister Zoey cut her sandwich in half, while Zoey talked excitedly about seeing a deer. I listened a little before my gaze drifted over to Jade. I couldn’t figure her out. Studying her like this, she didn’t seem so terrible. The kids and other mentors liked her, and she was friendly to everyone except me. This shouldn’t bother me—but it did. I mean, the “half” part of our sisterhood should count for something. Instead it was the dividing line separating us. I didn’t expect friendship but resented what I classified as her “bitchitude.” Would it kill her to be civil to me? I thought, watching her fold two paper plates into a cowboy hat for Lindsay. Other kids begged for a hat, too. But it was Evan she folded the next hat for, fluttering her lashes as she leaned close to place it on his head.

  We were so different, yet alike, too.

  Differences: Jade laughed too loud, preferred bottled water to soda, and flirted like a slut.

  Similarities: No cheese on her sandwich, mustard instead of ketchup, and she idly twirled a strand of her hair around her finger.

  I caught myself twirling a curl of my hair and stopped.

  It was freaky to realize we shared half of the same genes. But the half she shared didn’t include a psychic ability. That came from Mom’s side. I tried to use this now, concentrating to pick up any visions about her future or past. But I got nothing, as if her aura concealed her secrets.

  There were so many questions I wanted to ask. “What’s really going on with you? What are you doing here? Why did you sound scared by that phone call last night?”

  She had been scared; I’d picked up on that emotion. But scared of what or who? Did she know her mother was dead? She sure wasn’t acting like a daughter in mourning. If I’d lost one of my parents, I’d be a wreck. But Jade was having fun flirting with the guys.

  I just didn’t get it.

  The other confusing thing was Jade’s friendship with Lindsay. Jade showed genuine warmth toward Lindsay. I’d seen her hugging the little girl—like she actually possessed a heart. But it could all have been an act.

  I had a gut feeling that whatever was going on with Jade was somehow tied in with my vision of murder. It was time to get some answers. Whether Jade liked it or not, we were going to have a “sisterly” chat.

  But getting her alone proved difficult.

  She and Evan were suddenly inseparable. Evan Marshall’s nickname at school was “Moving-on Marsh” because he went through girls like they were recyclable. It was only one of his despicable traits. With Evan hanging around Jade, I couldn’t get near her. I’d have a better chance once we set up camp tonight into girls’ and guys’ tents.

  The next part of the ride seemed to drag on for days, although in actuality it was only a few hours. We journeyed deeper into the woods, climbing curving rugged hills that seemed to go on forever. The kids grew cranky and tired, complaining about sore legs, sore arms, and achy butts. There wasn’t much talking, only groans over the clomp-clomp of horse hooves.

  T
he kids literally cheered when we reached our campsite.

  Like the lunch spot, a truck had come in advance and the crew had set up. There were a dozen khaki-colored tents, an outhouse, several fold-up tables, benches, a fire pit, and a grill where a ranch hand was flipping burgers. Almost all the comforts of home, minus electricity and running water.

  “Hamburgers!” someone shouted.

  “Hot dogs!” another kid rang out.

  “A bathroom!” one of the “Three T” mentors rejoiced as she made a mad dash for the Port-O-Potty.

  There was a flurry of voices and activity as everyone dismounted and then led their horses to a portable corral where they’d rest for the night. Simon shouted out orders and I worked with the other mentors to keep the kids under control.

  The kids lined up for burgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Melina took her plate to a table with other girls her age. Glad to be free of responsibility, I looked around for Jade, hoping to finally corner her and get some answers.

  Only she wasn’t anywhere in sight.

  I asked Lindsay and she pointed to a tent. “She went in there,” she said.

  The tent was on the girls’ side of the camp and was next to the tent I’d be sharing with Melina and some of her girlfriends.

  “Jade?” Bending over, I strained to see through the netting.

  There wasn’t an answer, so I unzipped the opening flap and peeked inside. Piles of rolled sleeping bags and backpacks—but no Jade. Discouraged, I started to leave until I noticed a cloth doll perched on one of the sleeping bags.

  I sucked in a sharp breath—it was the same Raggedy Ann doll I’d spied in Jade’s bedroom while astral traveling. If the doll was real, then everything else must have been, too. Memories came back in a rush—the shouting, terrified cries, and brutal twisting of ribbon around Crystal’s slim neck. It really happened. I couldn’t pretend it was a dream, not anymore—especially if my vision about the stalker was true.

  Ohmygod, Crystal was dead.

  I started shaking and felt tears in eyes.

  Wiping my cheek, I glanced sadly at the doll’s painted smile.

  I couldn’t keep this to myself now that I had proof it wasn’t a dream. I spotted Dominic at the end of the food line, bending over to say something to Rocky. I came beside Dominic and gestured that we had to talk. He nodded, then spoke to Rocky for a moment before following me out of camp.

  When I explained about the doll and my vision of a shadowy rider, he listened intently. When I finished, he asked, “You think the killer is following you?”

  “I don’t know … probably … someone is out there. I can feel it.”

  “If you believe it, that’s good enough for me. I’ll take care of it.”

  “How?” I asked, biting my lip. “Are you going to do something dumb?”

  “Would I ever?” he joked.

  “Are you going after him?” When he didn’t answer, I had my answer and I felt scared inside. “Don’t go out there alone. The guy could be a murderer.”

  “If it’s the same guy. But how could he find out about you? Your body wasn’t there, so there’s no way he could have seen you.”

  “Unless he’s psychic, too,” I guessed.

  Dominic shook his head. “Too much of a coincidence.”

  “Nona says there are no coincidences, only moments of destiny.”

  “If someone is following us, I’ll show him his destiny.” Dominic tightened his fists, his expression grim.

  “Don’t go after him,” I begged.

  “Not my first choice. There are other ways of getting information.” Dominic gestured to the woods around us. “I have friends who can find out for me.”

  “Your animal posse?” I guessed.

  He chuckled. “Not what I’d call it, but you have the right idea.”

  “Tell me if you find out anything.”

  “I will,” he promised.

  I moved closer to him, reaching out to grasp his hands. It was so natural to blend together, leaning against his hard chest and feeling his rough fingers brush softly against my hair. He murmured that everything would be okay, and I believed him.

  The next few minutes included some serious kissing. Enough said.

  Then I waited for Dominic to leave first so we wouldn’t be seen together and headed back to camp.

  *

  I hadn’t been to a camp since I was little, and had almost forgotten the lighthearted fun that happened around a campfire. The air was chilly and the night dark, only lit by the blazing fire. We huddled close to the fire, a few kids dangling wires with marshmallows.

  Simon strummed a guitar and started a sing-along that began “I’m being swallowed by a boa constrictor” and urged everyone to repeat “a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor.” When he got to the line “Oh, no, he swallowed my toe,” he hammed it up by taking off his shoe and sock and wiggling his toe. By the time he was up to “Oh, heck, he swallowed my neck,” everyone was laughing.

  I was laughing, too. So I didn’t notice Josh had come over and scooted behind me on a bench, until he slipped his arm around my shoulder.

  “Want to take a walk?” he whispered.

  “Now?” I looked around to see if Dominic was watching.

  Josh’s warm breath tickled my neck. “Sure. No one will miss us.”

  Wrong, I thought, looking across the fire at Dominic. He’d been laughing a moment ago, but now he was scowling. I searched my mind for a good excuse to refuse Josh.

  “I shouldn’t leave Melina.”

  “She’s not even sitting near you. She’s over with her friends.”

  “But I’m in charge of her and I take that really seriously.”

  “You think I don’t? But my kids are fine here with the other mentors. Come on, Sabine. We haven’t been together in ages.”

  “That’s your fault. You’ve been busy with secret magician stuff and your friend Grey.”

  “Don’t blame Grey. He’s been cool and helped me through the initiation process, but that’s over now. I’m a full member.”

  “Of what?” I pointed to his arm where a long-sleeved shirt covered the tattoo.

  “I can’t talk about it. I’d rather talk about us.” His voice softened. “I’ve missed you.”

  “You’re with me now,” I said evasively.

  “Not alone. Let me make things up to you … privately.”

  “That’s not a good idea.”

  “Why? Don’t you want to be alone with me?”

  “Of course,” I lied. “It’s just that … ”

  “What?” He wrinkled his forehead. “Is something going on, Sabine?”

  I couldn’t tell him, not with so many people around. He’d be both hurt and humiliated. Still, not telling him was hard, too. How was I going to get out of this?

  Ironically, it was Jade who saved me.

  Jade jumped and waved to get everyone’s attention. The perky way she sprang into the air made me wonder if she really was a cheerleader. She offered to tell ghost stories.

  Excited kids raised their hands and shouted, “Yes!”

  “Have you ever heard about the Scavenger Bride?” Jade asked with an evil cackle.

  “No!” the kids shouted. “Tell us!”

  “I can’t go now,” I told Josh. “I want to hear my sis … cousin’s story.”

  He seemed to accept this, and I breathed a relieved sigh.

  Then we sat together and listened to a spooky story about a girl on a scavenger hunt who ends up in a haunted attic and is chased by the ghost of a skeletal bride. Jade’s tone held just the right mix of dramatic horror, causing shivers and squeals. When she was finished, there was hushed silence. Then everyone erupted in clapping.

  This started others telling spooky stories.

  Evie, the small girl Josh was mentoring, came over yawning and told Josh she wanted to go to sleep. She was in my tent, so I offered to take her. Relieved to get away from Josh, I walked over to my tent. Once Evie was settled, I stepped out o
f my tent just in time to see Jade slipping into hers.

  Finally—a chance to talk with her. I hurried over to her tent and peeked inside.

  Jade was not happy to see me. “What do you want?” she asked coolly.

  “To talk about … about something serious.” I ached with sympathy for her loss. “I have to warn you.”

  “I’m warning you to get out.”

  “She’s dead, isn’t she?” I said softly.

  “What! How did you … ?” Jade’s face paled. “Get the hell out of here!”

  “No, Jade.” I dug my heels in and refused to budge. “I know what happened … and I want to help. Please listen to me.”

  “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”

  “Jade, I was there … I saw him. How can you pretend everything is okay?”

  She faced me defiantly. “You don’t know anything about me.”

  “But you know a lot about me,” I said quickly. “That’s why you pretended to do everything that I did; cheerleading, the school newspaper, fencing. It’s all a lie, isn’t it? You’ve never done any of those things.”

  “You’re full of crap!”

  “I only just found out about you, but you’ve known about my family for four years. Is that how long you’ve been spying on my life?”

  “Get out!” She reached out forcefully and shoved.

  I reeled back, catching the edge of the tent flap to stop from falling over.

  “Wait, Jade! If you know about me, then you know I see things sometimes. That’s what I have to tell you—”

  But she’d zipped up the tent, shutting me out.

  Real slick, Sabine, I told myself in disgust. Instead of gaining her trust, I’d pissed her off. No way would she listen to me now.

  A short while later, Melina and the other girls sharing my tent showed up. There was giggling and pillow tossing and trips to the Port-O-Potty, but finally the kids settled down.

  My body throbbed with weariness as I sank into my sleeping bag. I didn’t even bother to change my clothes. I’d thought riding a few times on Stormy would prepare me for this trip—wrong! I hadn’t been on a ride like this since I was a little kid, and my muscles ached painfully. I closed my eyes and sank quickly into sleep.