Witch Ball - BK 3

by Linda Joy Singleton

  "I could, only I'm not supposed to talk about him."

  "But we're his friends," Manny assured, flashing a warm, dimpled grin.

  "I'm not supposed to run in the halls, but I do it anyway." She glanced behind cautiously, then put her finger to her lips and told us where K.C. worked.

  I felt triumphant as we drove away from the apartment-until I glanced down at my watch. Then I nearly died.

  "Ohmygod! It's after four!"

  "So?" Manny asked.

  "I was supposed to meet josh at my locker."

  "Doubt he's still there," Manny said wryly, slowing for a stoplight. "But I can take you if you want to check."

  "What's the use?" I put my hands over my face and moaned. Josh must totally hate me! And he would never accept my reason for standing him up. Chasing after a ghost's prediction was not logical.

  Damage control was needed-and fast. If I could talk to josh, I'd tell him I'd been out on a newspaper assignment with Manny. No reason to mention ghosts or predictions. But when I pulled out my cell phone from my backpack, I groaned. I wasn't used to having a phone yet and had forgotten to recharge the battery. It was dead-like how I felt inside.

  "Take me home," I said grimly.

  "Sure, Sabine."

  As we pulled into the long driveway, I had an unrealistic hope that I'd find josh here waiting for me. I glanced around for his car. But there were no cars parked by the yellow country home, not even Nonas. I remembered she was over at Grady's, playing poker so I could be alone with josh.

  Numbly, I told Manny I'd see him later.

  "Yeah, at 10:30. And about josh-" He reached out to pat my shoulder. "It'll be okay."

  "Yeah," I replied with zero confidence.

  Stepping into the house, my footsteps echoed on the tiled entry. I found a note from Nona propped in a fruit basket on the table. "Chicken defrosting and fresh corn in fridge. You two lovebirds have fun," she wrote.

  Crossing to the counter, I reached to pick up the phone, then paused when I noticed the message light flashing and saw there were three messages. Instantly, I had a bad feeling. Like I should turn away now, before it was too late. But I couldn't ignore the red message light, and pushed the "listen" button.

  The first message was from a very cheerful mortgage lender who had a wonderful deal to offer that would change our lives in amazing ways.

  Click. Erase.

  The second was from my sister Amy, asking me to check my email as soon as I got home.

  I'd check later. Click. Erase.

  The final call was josh; his tone was cold. "Sabine, I waited at our locker, but you never showed. Then Zach tells me you drove off with Manny. What's that about? I thought I could trust you. Guess not. Don't call back. I'm headed over to Evan's."

  A heavy click. The message ended.

  And that wasn't all that was ending.

  My heart hurt so much, I wanted to crawl under my covers and never come out. I had so blown it with Josh. Being his girl always seemed like a miracle, like Id really made it at Sheridan High. Other kids respected Josh for his athletic skill and allaround-nice-guy attitude. Not to mention the fact he was totally gorgeous.

  So why did I go and ruin everything?

  I put the defrosted chicken in the fridge, and pulled out a carton of mocha-toffee ice cream. I didn't bother getting a bowl, and ate it directly from the carton. When my brain started to freeze, I put the ice cream away and went to my room.

  Sorting through my CDs, I ignored all the trendy artists that Penny-Love raved about, and settled on soothing ocean sounds. I tried to do homework. My mind strayed when I glanced at my dresser and saw a picture of josh and me that Penny-Love had taken with her digital camera. The angle of the camera was just right, so my blond hair fell in shiny waves that hid the stripe of black that was a family trait of a seer. I looked as happy and normal as any girl with the guy she loved.

  And I so loved being josh's girl. Was that the same as being in love with him? I wondered, as I opened a cupboard in the wall and pulled out my craft bag. Emotions were so confusing-guilt, hurt, anger, shame. I didn't even blame josh for being mad. I totally deserved it. I shouldn't have ditched him to rush off with Manny. Josh would never do that to me. I didn't deserve him. I never could figure out why he chose me anyway-we were so different. Maybe breaking up was inevitable.

  Leaning back against my pillows, I worked on my embroidery. Reddish brown thread wove in and out, the needle like a quicksilver fish slipping through waves of fabric. A bushy-tailed fox took shape, then a snowy hill. My fingers moved automatically, my gaze lifting to the window where the sky was a gloomy sea of gray. Even the oak trees seemed to shiver, spindly branches bare of leaves. Although my room was heated, I felt chilled and huddled underneath my blankets.

  I must have fallen asleep because when I lifted my head and looked out the window, it was dark. My embroidery and thread had fallen to the floor. Glancing at my clock, I was surprised to find it was after eight. No surprise my stomach felt queasy; ice cream didn't make a satisfying dinner.

  Downstairs, Nona had come back home and bragged about beating the buttons off Grady at cards. They used a jar full of old buttons instead of money or poker chips. When she asked about my dinner with josh, I told her he couldn't make it, but I avoided any further explanation by saying I was going to make a sandwich. Then I hurried away from her curious eyes and into the kitchen.

  I was relieved when Nona went to bed early, leaving the coast clear for me to sneak out with Manny. Slipping on a jacket, I waited by the mailbox until I saw the approaching headlights of his car.

  "Hop in," he said, opening the passenger door and gesturing for me to get inside.

  "Okay." Now that I was actually doing this, I had second thoughts. Like maybe chasing after a weird guy was a bad idea. I'd rather be safe and snug in bed. But I doubted I'd sleep well anyway, and would end up with nightmares.

  Soon we were leaving Sheridan Valley and on the freeway headed north. K.C. had a job at a super Wal-Mart. According to his sister, he stocked shelves.

  Entering the well-lit store felt like going from night into day. I was surprised to find so many customers this late. I'd expected the store to be quiet like the school halls after hours, but instead all kinds of people were shopping, even mothers pushing little kids in carts.

  After asking around, we headed to the rear of the store and entered a door marked Employees Only.

  "Target sighted," Manny said in a low voice.

  I recognized K.C. right away. He wore a uniform with a store logo and name badge. He was stacking boxes with his back turned to us. Manny and I whispered together, deciding that I would go forward while Manny circled around and blocked K.C. from running again.

  While Manny slipped behind some boxes, I watched K.C. as he worked, paying close attention to his aura. He moved with his head down, his brown hair falling across his face. I expected to see bland colors, but he glowed with soft, lovely pastels, much brighter than the average person.

  Cautiously, I stepped forward and spoke gently, "Hi K.C."

  He turned, panic flaring on his face and I could tell he was ready to run. So I offered a comforting smile and said quickly, "Wait. Please don't go."

  "What do you want?" He clutched a box.

  "To talk to you."

  "I got nothing to say. Leave me alone."

  "I'll leave as soon as you answer one question," I spoke gently.

  But he was sharp with suspicion. "What question?"

  "About the school carnival. You were there, weren't you?"

  "Maybe I was, what's it to you?"

  "You went to Mystic Manny."

  His eyes narrowed. "That's why you look so familiar. I saw you with Mystic Manny. Why were you chasing me?"

  "So we could talk about his prediction for you.

  "Really?" he asked curiously. "That's all he wants?"

  I nodded solemnly.

  "Well . . . okay." He relaxed his grip on the box, setting it on the f
loor. "I felt bad about ditching Manny. I respect him and all-I just don't want him writing about me."

  "He won't," I assured.

  "Better not. I like things private."

  I nodded, understanding this all too well.

  "I'll take my lunch break early, so we can talk somewhere quieter." He raised his voice as the ground rumbled and a mini-forklift roared by.

  It seemed weird to take a lunch break at night. Since K.C. seemed more relaxed now, I confessed that Manny was waiting nearby.

  "He's here?"

  "Yeah. We came together."

  "Well ... okay. But he better not use his mystic powers on me."

  Powers? It took all my control not to laugh. I thought maybe he was joking until I looked at his expression. Totally serious.

  "Manny won't do anything mystic." I lifted my hand solemnly. "I promise."

  A few minutes later, the three of us were heading towards a back exit on the way to K.C.'s car so he could get his sack lunch. As we walked, K.C. glanced at Manny with a look of awe. "Sorry for running from you before."

  "It's okay, man."

  "I never miss your column and it blows me away how you know so much. But what do you want from me? Your powers tell you anything you need to know."

  "Not always." Manny's dreads swayed as he tilted his head. "Using my ... er ... abilities takes a lot of concentration so I have to conserve my energy."

  K.C. nodded. "Oh, that explains it."

  "It does?" Manny asked, surprised.

  We reached the exit door, and I glanced at K.C. who was regarding Manny with admiration and awe.

  "Sure. You watch out for the people who get your predictions. But don't worry about me, it turned out okay."

  "Uh ... great." Manny paused, his hand on the doorknob. "What exactly happened?"

  "Like you don't already know. Your prediction was so accurate, it already happened,"

  "It did?" I asked in a choked whisper.

  "Yeah-weeks ago. I got things under control now, and no one knew-except Manny. He nailed my prediction."

  I felt like walls were closing in on me, and I needed some air. I pushed past Manny and yanked open the door, rushing outside. Only a dim bulb above the door brightened the black night. Darkness closed in, shadows shifting like silent watchers. Chilly air made me shiver and I clutched my jacket tightly around me.

  "Beany, you okay?" Manny asked as he and K.C. came up beside me, the door banging shut behind them.

  I bent over slightly, catching my breath. "I-I'm fine."

  "Panic attack?" K.C. guessed with a sympathetic look. "I know how bad they can be. Breathe in and out till you calm down."

  "I just want to know about your prediction," I said weakly.

  "It can wait till you feel better."

  "No." I shook my head. "Now."

  K.C. glanced uncertainly at Manny. "Didn't you fill her in?"

  "Not yet." Manny shook his head. "My readings are all confidential. I wanted to talk to you first since I respect the privacy of my clients."

  K.C. nodded, like this completely made sense. And I realized that Manny did have super powers. He was a master at B.S.

  We stood on the cement landing, my hand closing around a cold metal railing as K.C. began to talk."I always read Manny's column, but I didn't know how major his powers were till the carnival," he explained. "His crystal ball glowed with real magic. He went into a trance and told me, `You will suffer isolation when you lose your home.' It was like-wow! He knew all about us getting evicted when Mom had to go away."

  Thinking back on my conversation with his aunt, I mentally translated "go away" as being arrested and sent to jail.

  "Tough break," Manny said. "So you had to move in with your aunt?"

  "How did you know that? Of course-the power thing." K.C. slapped his forehead, then added with awe, "You really do know everything."

  "But you had already lost your house before the prediction," I pointed out. "Manny said you would lose your home, not that you had lost it. Technically the prediction didn't come true."

  "Manny was close enough."

  I didn't argue, although I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted. The witch ball ghost hadn't been one hundred percent accurate. If she'd only been "close" this time, she could be wrong about my prediction.

  We kept walking to the parking lot. Finding out some good news gave me hope for more good news. Tomorrow I'd see josh at school and I'd finally find the courage to tell him about my past. It wouldn't be easy, but I'd make him understand that a psychic gift wasn't that different than inheriting a talent for music or art. Even if he never believed in ghosts, he'd at least know I was really sorry for standing him up.

  I was imagining being surrounded by friends who applauded while josh and I shared this really romantic make-up kiss, when a sharp cry jerked my thoughts back to the parking lot.

  "It's gone!" K.C.'s hand flew to his pale face.

  "What's gone?" Manny and I both asked.

  "My car!" K.C. pointed to an empty space between two trucks. "It was right here!"

  "Are you sure?" Manny asked, swiveling his head to look around.

  "Positive! I was nervous after you chased me, so I parked out of sight between these two trucks. I usually park closer ... Ohmygod! This can't be happening! Not my car!"

  "Hey, take it easy. You'll get it back," Manny assured, patting his shoulder. "Call it in right away so the police can start looking."

  "The police?" K.C. shook his head. "No! Not them! They'll make me go back to-" He cut off abruptly.

  "To what?" Manny asked.

  "My aunt. And I'd rather die. I totally hate her!" His dark eyes burned. "No one can make me go back there. You don't know what she's like!"

  "I have a good idea," I said grimly. "But I'm confused here. She told me you lived with her."

  "That's what she wants everyone to think. She goes on about how kind she was to take in two kids, but she's only in it for the support money she gets. Not that she uses it for us. We fought a lot until I couldn't take it anymore and split."

  "Where do you live now?" I asked.

  "Nowhere. My car wasn't just a car-" His voice cracked. Miserably, he pointed at the empty parking space. "My car was my home. And it's gone."

  THURSDAY

  K.C. had lost his home-just as Manny predicted.

  Manny offered K.C. some money, but he refused. For a guy with next to nothing, he had a lot of pride. He said he'd get by, and watch out for his sister, too. Turns out he secretly passed on money to her for clothes and school supplies.

  "If you want to help me," K.C. told Manny. "Use your powers to find my car."

  Manny hesitated, then he said solemnly, "I'll do my best."

  "Thanks." There was nothing average about K.C. as he lifted his chin, straightened his shoulders, and said he'd better get back to work.

  On the drive to my house, Manny didn't say much and seemed focused on the road. I thought he was worrying about K.C., but I was wrong.

  "That makes three," he said in the most serious tone I'd ever heard from him.

  "Three?"

  "Predictions. I could ignore one or even twobut three is beyond coincidence."

  "It doesn't mean anything." I spoke confidently, but to be honest, I was getting scared. It was freaky how the predictions only came true after I got involved. My presence made it possible for Jill to see a ghost, Jacques stepped in the oil while talking to me, and K.C.'s car had been parked in a hidden spot after Manny and I had chased him. The common denominator each time was me.

  Manny slowed the car to a stop sign, an odd expression playing on his dark face. He sucked in a deep breath as he turned towards me. "Drastic means are required."

  I arched an eyebrow. "How drastic?"

  "Beany, can I sleep with you tonight?"

  "What!" I couldn't have been more shocked if he'd announced he was going to shave his head, give up girls, and live in Tibet.

  "Hear me out. You need someone to get you t
hrough tomorrow. I'll stay close and watch out for you. You don't have anything to worry about-it's not like I'm after your body."

  "Gee, thanks," I said sarcastically.

  "That didn't come out right." Manny slapped his forehead. "I mean, you have a hot body, but I think of you as a friend not a girl. Okay, that came out wrong, too."

  I wasn't sure whether to smack him or laugh.

  Brave soul, he tried again. "What I'm offering is to be your bodyguard."

  "I can guard my own body-thank you very much," I told him firmly. "Nothing is going to happen."

  "You can't ignore the powers of my predictions."

  "They weren't your predictions. They're from a pathetic ghost named Hortense. Anyway, I have no plans to die tomorrow."

  "Check your watch. It's already tomorrow."

  I looked down at my wrist and shivered. Seven after midnight.

  But I shrugged it all off. I wasn't going to change my life because of a disturbed ghost. Hortense couldn't hurt me. Her only power was in causing fear, just like Evan. Neither of them could win if I refused to be afraid.

  "Those predictions are harmless," I told Manny.

  "I'm not willing to take that chance." His hands tightened around the steering wheel as he accelerated. "I'll sleep on the floor if I have to, but I'm going to make sure you're protected for the next twentyfour hours."

  By the time we reached my home, we'd reached a compromise. Manny could stay the night, but not in my bedroom. I went to get blankets and a pillow so he'd be comfortable on the couch.

  I expected a restless sleep, but I was so exhausted, I fell asleep immediately. I only woke up once, after dreaming that I was watching car races, only to find out the motor I heard was from the purring of my cat Lilybelle. She curled up against me and I fell back asleep to her rumbling purr.

  When I awoke, I was surprised to find out it was after nine. I couldn't believe that I had slept that late on a school day. Why hadn't Nona woken me?

  Jumping up, I rushed around my room searching for shoes, a clean pair of jeans, and a T-shirt. I twisted my hair in a ponytail, only giving it a quick brushing, and skipped applying makeup. Then I grabbed my backpack, raced downstairs-and found Manny and Thorn sitting at the dining table.

  I stared in astonishment. "Where's my grandmother?"