by T. S. Graham
Instinct took over, and Sophina charged toward the cloak. She jolted to a stop when Mrs. Tanner grabbed her by the shoulder with shocking strength.
“No!” Mrs. Tanner scolded. “You will not come into my house without permission!”
“Let go of me!” Sophina flailed as she was dragged backwards toward the door, but Mrs. Tanner’s grip was absolute.
“What are you doing to her?”
Mrs. Tanner stopped and looked at Sophina’s mother, who had just arrived and stood glaring at her through the open doorway.
“Your child forced her way into my house,” stated Mrs. Tanner, “and I won’t stand for it.”
“That cloak!” Sophina shouted with a pointed finger. “The monster that took Eliot wore one just like it!”
Mrs. Murray’s already-bewildered look deepened. “Monster . . . ? Sophina, what are you talking about? What did you see?”
“It wore a cloak and held a glowing rock in its hand,” Sophina said, “and used it to cast some kind of spell over Eliot.” She turned to Mrs. Tanner, whose eyes were sharper than ever. “She knows what happened, Mom! You have to believe me!”
“You think I know something—just because you saw my cloak?” Mrs. Tanner said. “I assure you, it’s been hanging here all night. Look, it’s dry as a bone.” She shook a sleeve to demonstrate that, indeed, there wasn’t a drop of water on it.
“Ask to look in her basement, Mom,” Sophina urged. “Whatever caused the fire will be down there. She’ll let us if she has nothing to hide!”
Mrs. Tanner glared at Sophina. “You’re being ridiculous. While you’re wasting time with me, the real kidnapper is getting away.”
Sophina ignored Mrs. Tanner and turned back toward her mom. “Didn’t you see it? There was a red fireball and a flash of white light! It was so bright—you had to see it!”
“I don’t know what I saw,” answered Mrs. Murray, her voice trembling more by the second. “There was lightning and thunder. I went outside and found you on the ground. Now—please—tell me: What exactly did you see?”
Sophina felt like a balloon had deflated inside her. Her mom must have missed the horrific chain of events by a split second. What leverage she thought she had with Mrs. Tanner didn’t exist. If she continued to spout off about cloaked monsters—or even mentioned the existence of that other world—she could dig herself a hole too deep to climb out of. So she decided it would be best to say as little as possible.
“I . . . I guess I’m not sure. It was so dark, it was hard to see . . . and the rain was in my eyes. Maybe it was just a man in a suit—but I did see Eliot get taken.”
Mrs. Tanner had never looked domineering before, but she did now. Her eyes reflected a tinge of red in the candlelight, giving them a slightly demonic look. She had the upper hand now.
“Well, now that that’s settled, I’m sure you’ll want to start searching for Eliot,” she said with a cool stare. “Your house is as dark as mine, so mistaking one cloak for another is understandable. No hard feelings, of course.”
Sophina’s shoulder throbbed as she stepped outside. How Mrs. Tanner, in her mid-fifties and looking as though she would get blown over by a stiff breeze, could have such a strong grip was inexplicable. She was convinced that Mrs. Tanner was hiding something. How she would go about exposing her secret, she didn’t yet know.
“Send the police my way if you wish,” Mrs. Tanner called out as Sophina followed her mom off the porch. “I’ll keep watch over the neighborhood and let them know if I see anything.”
And with that, she closed her door.
* * *
Chief Dresden tapped his pen on his notepad as he observed Sophina from across the table in the dim morning light. She had just described what had transpired over the past hour, and she could tell from his demeanor that he hadn’t bought a word of it.
She had lied to him, of course. It was the only way to avoid sounding like a raving lunatic. Unfortunately, she had fumbled over her words a few too many times. Deceit had never been her strong suit.
“So . . . ,” Chief Dresden started in a deadpan voice, “this man you saw—the one who wore the monster mask—did you hear his voice? Did he say anything to Eliot?”
“No.”
Sophina wished that what she’d seen had been a man in some cheesy Halloween costume—but it wasn’t. It would’ve taken even the best Hollywood makeup artist hours to create work so detailed and organic looking.
“Then it’s likely that Eliot knew his abductor,” deduced the chief. “Unless you can think of a reason why he’d follow a complete stranger outside into a rainstorm at four a.m. . . . You did say there was no physical coercion involved.”
It would have been helpful had she told him that Eliot had been dragged away against his will, but concocting a story wasn’t easy when you were suffering from fits of nervousness and crushing depression at the same time.
When Sophina didn’t respond, Mrs. Murray, whose nightgown was still soaked from scouring the neighborhood, spoke up. “Eliot would never willingly go with someone he didn’t know. It was dark. She’s just confused about what she saw.”
Chief Dresden’s stare was calculating, but Sophina didn’t care. She needed to remain focused on trying to figure this whole thing out. She had to tell him the truth as she’d seen it and let him think she was crazy, or continue to lie and move ahead in secrecy with her own yet-to-be-formulated plan. The truth wasn’t an option, so the choice was easy.
“So, this light display that you described . . . . You think it was some sort of distraction, like fireworks, set off as cover to aid with the kidnapper’s escape?”
Sophina nodded but said nothing.
“Seems unnecessary, don’t you think?” the chief asked as he tapped his pen. “Why do you think he needed to do that when it was too dark to see much of anything?”
“I don’t know,” responded Sophina. “Why don’t you catch him and ask?”
The chief’s lips formed something akin to a smile, but it wasn’t out of amusement. “You don’t realize it, but I am trying to help you, Sophina,” he said. “Your story has some holes in it, to say the least . . . so if there’s anything about it you’d like to change, I’ll be happy to tear up these notes and start over.”
A look of disgust flashed across Mrs. Murray’s face. “Paul, can I have a word with you—alone?”
“Of course,” answered the chief, his eyes still on Sophina.
“Sophina, can you please go upstairs?” Mrs. Murray asked.
“Not until he promises to search Mrs. Tanner’s basement.”
The pen stopped tapping as the chief’s smile made an even more subtle return. “Tell you what: After I talk with your mom, I’ll head over to Mrs. Tanner’s. Seeing lights in her basement doesn’t justify a search warrant, but I’ll state my concerns to her and see what comes of it.”
Sophina knew that she was being manipulated, but she didn’t mind as long as it got the chief inside Mrs. Tanner’s house. Besides, she was going to eavesdrop on the rest of the conversation between him and her mom anyway.
She stood and walked into the hallway without saying a word. She reached the top of the stairs and turned left into her mom’s bedroom, mindful to avoid the creaky spots in the pine floor. She tiptoed to the cast-iron heating vent in the floor beside the bed and put her ear to the grate. Her mom’s voice was the first to float up through the duct.
“I don’t like the tone you took with her. It’s like you’re accusing her of doing something wrong.”
“Sorry you feel that way, Gail,” the chief replied. “I was just pointing out some inconsistencies in her story. She explained it a bit differently to you after Eliot disappeared.”
“She’s scared,” explained Mrs. Murray, her voice on the verge of cracking. “And I’m scared too. Someone kidnapped Eliot. If it wasn’t for Sophina, I’d have slept through the whole thing.”
“I understand that, and you have my word I’ll do everything in my power to
find Eliot. With the bridge out, there’s no chance he’s been taken out of town. I’ll round up our best search team and we’ll rip this town apart.”
“Thank you.”
There was a tense silence before Chief Dresden cleared his throat. “Just so we’re clear: I do need to follow up with Sophina. You may want to sit her down before I come back. You might have better luck getting the truth out of her.”
“She may be confused, but she’s not a liar,” said Mrs. Murray, clear as crystal. “She thought she saw one thing and realized she was wrong. I wouldn’t hold your breath hoping her story will change again.”
Sophina’s mouth went dry as cotton. The guilt of hearing her mom defend her when she’d actually lied made her nauseous. She got up and made her way to the bathroom off the hallway, where she cured her queasiness by splashing cold water onto her face. As she raised her head, something outside the bathroom window caught her eye. She stood transfixed for a moment, then turned and ran downstairs with hard-nosed purpose.
“Sophina—where are you going?”
Sophina ignored her mom as she blew through the kitchen and shoved open the back door. Rain drenched her clothes as she sprinted to the back of the yard and skidded to a stop on the boggy grass, eyes pinned on what lay at her feet. And soon she had company.
“What the . . . ” is all Chief Dresden managed to say as Mrs. Murray joined them with an expression of shock on her face.
Stretched out before them was a large circle of bare earth in what was otherwise a lush lawn. The turf around its perimeter was scorched black, hinting that what was missing had been burned away, but there was no evidence of a fire within the sphere itself; the dirt was brown and unspoiled, free of any burn residue.
“Now do you believe me?” Sophina barked at the chief.
Before he could answer, the handheld radio that was clipped to his belt crackled to life, and a familiar voice gushed through the speaker: “Chief, are you there?”
“Yeah, Nathan, I’m still at the Murrays’ place. Go ahead.”
“You’re not gonna believe this, but two sets of parents just showed up at the station—each saying that their kids have gone missing!”
“Missing?” repeated the chief with alarm. “Which kids?”
“Wendy Deering and Seth Brighton,” said Officer Lee. “They’re from the same neighborhood as the Murray boy.”
“I know where they live. Take the parents’ statements and send them home. I’ll meet them there. I have a lead to follow, but I shouldn’t be long.”
“Copy that, Chief. I’ll let them know.”
Sophina couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. She had babysat for Wendy and Seth several times each since her twelfth birthday, and they had played with Eliot in their adjoining backyards too many times to count. News of their disappearance would have brought her to tears under different circumstances.
Chief Dresden strode off toward Mrs. Tanner’s house. “You two go back inside,” he called back. “I’ll tell you if anything comes of this.”
Sophina ignored the instruction and followed. She didn’t want to miss a word of the impending exchange between the chief and Mrs. Tanner.
“I said go home, Sophina,” the chief commanded. “I’m dealing with multiple disappearances now. I can’t have you sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
“I’m going with you,” Sophina insisted.
“You have to believe Sophina now,” Mrs. Murray said. “That circle in the yard proves she’s telling the truth!”
“This is no time to jump to conclusions,” he shot back as he ascended Mrs. Tanner’s front steps. “I don’t know what that circle means yet—and neither do you.”
Sophina fumed as the door swung open. Mrs. Tanner suddenly stood before them, wearing the very cloak that had hung from the coat tree earlier that morning.
“Good morning, Paul. I’ve been expecting you.”
“Good morning, Kate. I’m sorry to barge in on you like this. I was just telling Sophina and Gail to go home.”
“That won’t be necessary,” said Mrs. Tanner unexpectedly. “I’d rather they stay so Sophina will realize that I have nothing to hide. Please, come in.”
Sophina was on edge. Mrs. Tanner’s eyes didn’t look right, just like Principal Hupper had said in the teachers’ lounge last winter. They looked soulless, like there was no life left in them at all. This wasn’t the Mrs. Tanner she used to know and love.
“Thanks,” said the chief with a nod. “Before we come in, you should know that Eliot isn’t the only child who’s gone missing. I just learned that two other kids from this neighborhood are unaccounted for.”
“Oh, that’s dreadful,” said Mrs. Tanner, looking truly disturbed by the news. “Which children are missing?”
“Wendy and Seth . . . We certainly hope there aren’t more.” The chief scanned the foyer behind Mrs. Tanner. “I’ve seen evidence that some form of explosive substance was ignited during Eliot’s abduction,” he explained. “Sophina tells me you’ve been experimenting with something along those lines in your basement.”
“She’s an observant girl,” said Mrs. Tanner. “I’ve become an inventor of sorts since retiring from teaching. Currently, I’m perfecting a light display that mimics fireworks but is safe for children to handle. I painted my window black to keep my research from disturbing the neighbors, but clearly it didn’t work.”
“Sounds interesting,” said Chief Dresden. “Do you mind if I have a look downstairs? I don’t have a warrant, but given the circumstances, I’d really appreciate your cooperation.”
“Of course,” agreed Mrs. Tanner. “Like I said, I have nothing to hide.”
As Mrs. Tanner stepped back to let them in, Sophina caught another, more profound flash of red in her eyes. For an instant, it was like peering into the eyes of a cat when the sun hits them just right. She circled around, trying to find the angle that had provided the bizarre glimpse, but the dim candlelight of the foyer yielded nothing.
“Is this the cloak?” Chief Dresden asked Sophina, motioning to Mrs. Tanner.
“Yes, this is the one,” Mrs. Tanner answered before Sophina could respond. “I put it on so you could get a good look at it.”
“I was told the man who took Eliot wore one just like it,” continued the chief. “I must say, it is unique.”
“It’s absolutely unique,” Mrs. Tanner agreed, “which is why that’s quite impossible. It was hand-sewn by a dear friend of mine. The leather was softened by an experimental process that isn’t used commercially. It has no equal. You’re welcome to inspect it, if you’d like.”
“Sophina saw it after the suspect fled in a different direction, which excludes it as evidence,” the chief explained. “But I would like the contact information for the person who gave it to you. Maybe it wasn’t the only one they made.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be much help,” Mrs. Tanner said. “She died last summer.” Her frown expressed sadness, but her eyes did nothing of the sort.
“My condolences,” said the chief. “Well, then, if I can have that peek downstairs I’ll be on my way.”
Mrs. Tanner led them through the hallway and down a rickety staircase into the cellar, which was illuminated by dozens of candles burning on wrought-iron stands. A wide rubber mat lay in the center of the dirt floor. On top of it sat an entire science lab, complete with a slate-top workstation and shelves that housed a plethora of scientific equipment: microscopes, digital scales, and loads of laboratory glassware. An emergency eyewash spout hung down from a water pipe that ran along the ceiling.
Mrs. Tanner walked to the far left side of the room where a white cabinet stood tall against the foundation wall. She opened its double doors to reveal four shelves lined with clear glass bottles containing powders and liquids of every color imaginable.
“You can inspect every compound I have,” she offered the chief. “They’re all legal, I assure you, though some can be quite dangerous in untrained hands.”<
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Sophina was fascinated by the collection. She started to scan the labels, but was suddenly overtaken by a sweeping urge to turn around. As she did, her eyes were drawn to an old wooden partition that blocked off the opposite corner of the room. At the center of the wall was a green door held shut by a shiny new padlock.
A familiar feeling took hold of Sophina as she moved toward the door. Her tension melted away and was replaced by a sense of calm that she knew did not come from within. She had felt the same way when she’d seen the iridescent stone in the beast’s hand, though the aura was far more intense then.
“What’s this?”
Sophina’s attention was unwillingly drawn to Chief Dresden, who now stood before a rectangular structure built flat against the fieldstone wall to her right. It was constructed of five sheets of dull, silvery metal, bonded together at the edges to form what looked like a doorway with a solid back.
“It’s solid lead,” Mrs. Tanner explained. “Some of my experiments produce castoff, so I had that installed to protect my walls and ceiling.”
The chief stepped inside the three-foot-deep structure and placed his hand on the back panel, which was the largest at roughly seven feet tall and four feet wide.
“What keeps this castoff from coming out the front?” he asked, underscoring the fact that the apparatus was open-faced.
“I have my methods,” said Mrs. Tanner with a clear lack of interest, “but I don’t want to bore you with the details.”
The chief stepped out of the apparatus and directed his flashlight up to the ceiling, where several wooden support beams looked as though they were cut halfway through with a blowtorch. Metal brackets kept the beams from snapping in two and falling.
“Did castoff do that?” he asked.
“That happened a long time ago,” Mrs. Tanner answered with growing impatience. “It had nothing to do with my current work.”
“Either way, I’m not convinced that what you’re doing down here is appropriate for a residential area. Do you have permits for this stuff?”
“I don’t need permits,” asserted Mrs. Tanner, now downright annoyed. “I follow all codes. You can check with the County on that, if you feel the need.”
