"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded.
His attitude pissed me off, and I snapped, "None of your business."
"Keeping you alive is my business."
"I'm fine, but my sister might not be."
"Amy?" he guessed, his tone softening.
I nodded. "I have to go look for her at the bus station."
"Forget it." He kept a firm grip on the door. "You're not going anywhere."
"But Amy needs me!" I exclaimed, then quickly told him about Mom's call and Amy's email. "She's only ten and traveling alone. Don't try to stop me."
"Okay-I won't," he said in a surprisingly agreeable tone.
"Thank you," I said in relief.
"But I'm driving-and you'd better call your mother."
I pursed my lips, knowing arguing would only waste time. So I shot him a furious glare, then agreed. I followed him to his truck, climbed inside, and pulled out my cell phone. I did not want to talk to Mom, but I did it anyway. And when I heard the tearful relief in her voice, I was glad I called.
Dominic and I didn't say much on the way to Lodi. I resented how he'd pushed me around, yet was thankful for his support. I'd never been to the bus station, but knew where it was because it was close to my favorite movie theatre. Fortunately, Dominic knew the way. The parking lot was full, but we snagged a close spot as another car was leaving.
Before Dominic shut off the engine, I was out of my seat belt and racing toward the station. A large family sat outside on a bench, luggage towering as tall as the little kids, and some guys in uniforms with military haircuts leaned against a wall. I rushed past them and entered the building.
But there was no sign of Amy, and when I checked the schedule I discovered her bus wasn't due in for over an hour. So I plopped down on a bench next to a group of elderly women all wearing blue-and-white bowling shirts. Dominic stood near the door, his gaze watchful.
I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, giving into weariness. I dozed in and out, looking up whenever a bus arrival was announced, then closing my eyes again when it was a false alarm.
Time passed. I stirred a few times, then drifted back to sleep. When I felt a gentle shaking, I looked up to find Dominic beside me with his hand on my shoulder. "Her bus just pulled in," he told me.
"Thanks." I blinked, then sat up straighter.
"She'll come in through that door," he said, stepping away from me. My shoulder tingled from where his hand had touched it. But there wasn't time to think about this. A rush of people poured into the station and there was my sister.
"Amy!" I shouted.
"Sabine!" she cried out joyfully.
We both ran, meeting with a fierce hug.
"I am so glad to see you!" I cried, reaching out with my finger to a tangled strand of brown hair on her forehead.
"I was afraid you wouldn't be here."
"I almost wasn't. This is the stupidest thing you've ever done."
"No way!" She sounded proud and not at all contrite. "This will show Ashley! She was wrong about my being dull. You wouldn't catch her skipping school and running away."
"You scared everyone!" I said sternly. "Mom is sick with worry."
"You talked to her.' Amy shot me an accusing look. "Did you tell her where I was?"
"I had to or she would have called the police."
"I don't care. I'd rather get handcuffed and taken to jail than go back."
"Take my advice and skip the cuffs," I said with a rueful glance at my bruised wrist. Then more seriously, I asked, "Why did you run away? Whatever Ashley did couldn't be that bad."
"Worse!" Her face twisted into fury. "I hate her."
"Tell me about it outside," I said, raising my voice over the noise. Nearby a family reunion seemed to be going on with lots of hugging and exclamations.
Dominic came over, smiling at Amy as he offered to carry her bags. "Wait here and I'll get the truck," he told us. The truck wasn't parked that far, so I guessed he was tactfully leaving us alone so we could talk privately.
"What happened?" I asked, sitting beside my sister on a wooden bench.
"Yesterday I was in my room reading, when Ashley burst in." Amy's lips puckered. "She didn't knock-she never does. Then she tells me to put down my book and hang out with her. I ask why isn't she with one of her zillion friends. She says they're all busy. So I tell her I'm busy, too."
"Why did you say that?"
"'Cause I hate being last choice. She never has time for me when I'm bored, so why should I drop everything to do what she wants?"
"You used to be inseparable," I said sadly.
"And you used to live with us. Things change."
I nodded sadly. Then I listened while she described what happened next. Ashley could be the sweetest person in the world-as long as she got what she wanted. Amy's refusal lit her fuse. She stomped over to the bed and snatched Amy's book.
"It was a rare copy of Discovery at Dragon's Mouth in a mint dust jacket," Amy added indignantly. "I yelled at her to give it back, but she waved it in the air and refused. I lunged for it, only I missed the book and hit Ashley. She's such a drama queen, she screamed that I tried to kill her. Well I had to get my book and lunged for it. She jerked back as I grabbed it-then there was the awful sound of paper ripping! I went crazy and started pounding on her. Then we were on the carpet, totally going at it, when Mom rushed in."
"Oh, no!" My hand flew to my mouth.
"When Mom saw that Ashley's nose was bleeding, she freaked. She wouldn't even listen to me. And ... And she didn't care that my book jacket was ru-ruined." Amy covered her face, sobbing.
I held her close, smoothing her hair and aching with sadness. What had happened to my family? My sisters used to fight-sometimes with me-but never like this. Ashley had a quick temper, but was easy to reason with once she calmed down. Amy held anger in like a corked bottle, simmering in silence until I made her open up and talk about her feelings.
"Let's get out of here," I told Amy. "We'll go to Nona's."
She wiped her eyes and nodded numbly.
Dominic was waiting by his truck. He came around and opened the door. I stepped up inside when there was a screech of tires. Turning around, I stared at my mother's car.
"Oh, no," Amy whimpered, clutching tight to me, her palms sweaty.
"It'll be okay," I told her. But I wasn't so sure. Dad may be the lawyer in the family, but not even he was a match for Mom when she was angry. Although usually I was the one in trouble. I felt protective of Amy, and was determined to defend her. I braced myself for an ugly scene.
But Mom took one look at Amy, and started crying. No shouting or criticizing; she simply stretched out her arms and rushed for my sister. The passenger door of her car opened and Ashley stepped out, tears streaming down her face too. She apologized to Amy, adding that she'd searched online and ordered another copy of the book she'd ruined. This made Amy start crying. Then the three were all sniffling and hugging.
I stood on the outside looking in. Like I wasn't part of my own family. A knot formed in my throat, and I turned to get into the truck with Dominic. I didn't fit in here with the happy reunion.
"Wait, Sabine." It was Mom, leaving the girls and coming after me.
Uncertain, I turned toward her. "What?"
"I just wanted to thank you," she said, her eyes bright with emotion.
"Well ..." I shifted on the pavement. "You're welcome."
"You acted so quickly, displaying amazing maturity.
"When Ashley confessed about what really happened, I felt awful," she admitted in a weary tone. "I was terrified I'd never see Amy again. But then you called and I drove like a crazy woman to get here. Thank goodness she's safe! I am so grateful."
Then my mother-who wasn't very demonstrative-hugged me.
I stiffened at first, then relaxed and hugged back.
A while later, tears were dried and my mother and sisters climbed in Mom's car to head back to San Jose.
"Come visit soo
n, Sabine. We have a lot to discuss," Mom said with a meaningful look. I wasn't sure exactly what she meant, but it felt good to be wanted, so I nodded.
Then they drove away, and I joined Dominic at his truck.
"Thanks for waiting," I told him as I opened the passenger door.
"Couldn't just leave you here-it's a long walk back."
"I'd never make it," I said with a weary sigh.
His teasing look changed to concern. "You okay?"
"Exhausted-but feeling good."
"Problems all solved?" he asked.
"Yeah. Amy doesn't hate Ashley anymore. And Mom was amazingly decent."
"She loves you," he said simply.
"I guess so." I smiled, a bit surprised to realize this was true.
I reached around for my seat belt. As I turned, I noticed a flash of movement from the backseat. My first thought was that one of Dominic's animal friends had hitched a ride with us. But then I looked over the seat-and saw a shimmering glass globe with rainbow colors glowing from inside.
Totally, absolutely, completely impossible!
Yet it was here with us.
The witch ball.
Dominic reacted with equal shock when he looked in the back seat. We both were like statues, frozen with our mouths open, making no move to touch the witchy glass ball.
Finally Dominic spoke, "It can't be!"
"But it is," I said in a hushed whisper, my fingers knotted around the seat belt. "What are we going to do?"
"What we should have done days ago," he said with fierce resolve. "Smash it."
I shuddered, but realized this was the best solution. Hortense was challenging us and we had to stop her. I listened for any advice from Opal and had a strong sense that she would support whatever I decided to do.
"All right," I told Dominic. "Destroy it. But not here in a public place."
He nodded. "Better do it at the farm."
"Okay. But get it away from me."
"I'll stow it in the back."
"Thanks," I said, sagging against my seat.
I swiveled to look as he walked around to the backseat and carefully lifted the ball, which had stopped glowing. Without the menacing glow, the ball looked as harmless as a light bulb. But I knew better and shuddered.
Only after the ball was locked in the silver metal container in the bed of the truck did I breathe a sigh of relief. Locked away. And soon it would be destroyed.
A minute later, Dominic climbed into the truck and started up the engine.
As we left the bus station, Dominic and I decided to wrap the ball securely then smash it with a hammer. We had to do it in a way that left no fragments for Hortense to cling to. Complete obliteration. Then we'd perform a banishing ceremony and exorcise the ghost forever.
With this decided, our conversation switched to Nona. Dominic was eager to get home and check his phone messages. "There's a good chance this guy called about the silver charms. I think he'll be able to help us find another one."
"That would be so great."
"Three charms might be enough to locate the remedy book."
"But what condition will the book be in after all this time?" I worried.
"We could have it restored," he suggested with a glance in his rearview mirror.
"If it's ruined, nothing can restore it."
"From what I know of Agnes, she was too sharp to leave the book in an unsafe place. I figure she chose an airtight container and buried it by a landmark or building that would withstand time."
"But this much time?" I sank back in the seat, feeling weighed down by so many worries. "This quest seems so hopeless."
"Only if you give up hope."
"I am hoping, with all my heart."
"All of it?" he asked with a deep glance at me.
His tone held heavy meaning, and my emotions did a funny leap. The way he looked at me made me less lonely. Like he was someone I could trust.
But I trusted josh, too. Only he'd never trust me again, and I'd have to accept that we were over. Maybe in time he'd forgive me and we could be friends. But nothing would ever be the same.
Things were changing with Dominic, too. And maybe it wasn't such a bad thing. There was something about him that intrigued me. I tried to act like I wasn't aware of him, sneaking glances through the corners of my eyes. Strong features, sandy brown hair that had grown a bit long so a strand curled at the base of his neck, and a mouth that would be hard as nails or soft as a feather. His eyes pooled with long-ago pain and future promises. And I wondered what we would be like together ...
He seemed to know I was watching him, and his mouth tilted into a grin.
Then he glanced back at the road-and the grin switched to horror.
"NO!" he shouted.
In a flash I saw the cow standing in the road, its eyes wide and reflecting. Frozen, dead center in our path.
"HOLD ON!" Dominic shouted, slamming on the brakes, yanking the wheel and swerving wildly.
Everything happened so fast screeching tires, spinning us out of control, careening across the lane, spinning wildly, then plunging over a ditch, rolling over and over. Breaking glass, a crashing explosion in my head.
Then the witch ball's final prediction came true.
I died.
It wasn't bad being dead.
Light and peaceful-except for a disjointed sense of confusion. I floated above the ground, without feeling cold or fear. I could see Dominic's truck-or what was left of his truck-smashed and tilted on its side with two wheels spinning. The metal container in the back was unhinged, its top flung yards away onto the pavement, surrounded by scattered shards of glass that glittered like fallen stars underneath a street light. And nearby a cow plodded back to its pasture.
In the driver's seat I saw Dominic slumped and unconscious. It occurred to me that I should be more upset, or at least scared. All I felt was a distant sense of concern, which passed quickly. I knew he was alive and he'd be okay. A dazzling light surrounded me and I was buoyant and joyful. I had places to go and people to see, and I was eager to go on-
"Not yet, Sabine," I heard a familiar voice, and when I looked beside me there was Opal. Not just the vague black-haired face I usually saw in my mind, but she was real and alive like me.
"Opal!" I held out my arms and seemed to float into hers. When she held me, wonderful sensations multiplied and everything was perfect. No worries and fears, nothing except love.
"Are you all right?" she asked me.
"Of course! I've never felt better."
"It's only beginning," she said with wry smile. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Of course!" Brilliant light filled me and I felt myself lifting up. I could no longer see the truck or Dominic. But somehow that seemed wrong, and a wave of confusion dragged me down. "What's happenning? I'm confused ..."
"It's always confusing at first," she said gently.
"Is this the other side?"
"Not yet."
"Am I dead?"
"For the moment." She held my hands and peered into my face. "Is that what you want?"
"I'm happy being with you," I said simply.
"Is that enough? What about your earth family and friends?"
"I'll see them eventually."
"True. But what about her?" She pointed off into a gray area of clouds where a shadowy figure stood apart and alone.
My overwhelming joy dimmed a little as I recognized the witch ball ghost. She stood alone in a haze of bleak nothingness, pitiful and cut off from any world.
"Why doesn't she come to us?" I asked.
"She's too afraid."
"But there's nothing to be afraid of here."
"We know that, but she doesn't. She won't talk to me, but she might listen to you. Do you want to go to her?"
"And leave all this?" I gestured around, not at anything solid but more an essence of pure joy. Beyond the horizon, I saw dim shapes of smiling people, waving and eager to greet me. And I longed to go to them, to
have all questions answered and rejoice in homecoming.
Yet the pathetic old-fashioned ghost who clung to a lifeless piece of glass tugged at my heart. The witch ball was her only home. I couldn't just abandon her.
I found myself drawing away from Opal, into a gray void. The happy feelings faded and I was left with a stark aching pain worse than anything I'd ever experienced. As if my very heart had been ripped out.
"Hortense," I called out, struggling against panic and fear. "Will you talk to me?"
She loomed closer, her hands like bird claws clutching her faded dark skirt. Her face was lined, as if everything alive had been drained from her.
"Leave me be," she spoke, turning away.
But I moved around to face her. "Please, listen. You can't go on like this."
"What concern is it of yours?" she demanded in sharp suspicion. "You have done nothing but cause me problems, stealing my witch ball and using your evil magic to thwart me."
"I never meant to hurt you."
"Your mistake. I warned you that you would die, and it has come to pass. You were foolish to challenge my powers. Now you will suffer as I have."
"But I'm not suffering. I'm happy," I said, offering her a smile. "I'd like to help you find happiness too."
"I need no assistance, only to be left alone."
"No one deserves to be this alone," I said, gesturing to the vast, empty grayness around her. "Don't you have family that you'd like to be with?"
"Family?" Her lips twisted. "Those that professed their love left me. My parents and siblings took ill with the plague. I was forced into a loveless marriage. The only bright spot was a child I bore, but he died hours after birth. When I failed to conceive again, my husband abandoned me."
"I'm sorry."
"Save your pity and be on your way."
I felt a tugging to return to the light, where I knew I'd be met by love. And I wondered who would meet Hortense.
The answer was suddenly clear. "Hortense, you have to go to your family."
"Do you not hear properly, girl?" she snapped. "I have not kin."
"But you do ... on the other side. They're all waiting for you."
She frowned. "But tis not possible."
"You may have forgotten them, but they never gave up on you. Your parents, brothers and sisters, and your son. They're all waiting for you."
Witch Ball - BK 3 Page 12
