by Terra Wolf
The older officer, a portly man, responded first. “We believe it may have been taken by an animal. The marks were not consistent with any type of tool.”
His rookie partner added, “Neither of you saw a blood trail?”
We both shook our heads, crust still in our eyes from lack of sleep from the night before. We hadn’t even bothered to get dressed. We both stood in the doorway looking innocent in an unmatched set of pajamas. I had let Joy borrow whatever she could find the night before.
The older officer nodded and tipped his hat to Gran before saying, “Thank you ladies, we appreciate your cooperation in all this mess.”
“You're welcome, I'm sure.” Gran wrapped her robe tighter around her she closed the door and looked back to us. “Well, I guess some breakfast is in order isn't it?”
She put an arm around both of us and led us into the kitchen to sit down at the table. She must've been cooking while they were talking with us as there was a stack of pancakes on each of our plates and eggs and bacon sitting on the cook-top. Joy smiled as she took in a deep whiff of the amazing aromas in the room.
“Now this is cooking! Geez... I wish I had somebody in my house to cook like this. Most of the time I eat by myself, this is great!”
She hadn’t meant her comment to be depressing, but I felt sorry for her for a moment, before digging in. I always took it for granted, eating with my parents or Gran. I had never thought about being alone all the time. I had to wonder where Joy's parents were, but I didn't ask. I knew it would be rude.
We were just finishing up breakfast and I was contemplating a shower when we heard a knock at the door. I sighed, “I thought they had all the information they needed.” As I shuffled over to the large wooden doors I prayed it wasn’t the press. But when I opened the door only a crack I was surprised to see Ultan standing there, hands in his pockets looking disheveled.
“Hi,” I said, opening the door further.
“Hey, I… I saw the news. Ya alright?”
“Yeah,” I stepped out onto the porch, my hair was still in a messy bun on top of my head and my pjs didn’t match, but Ultan didn’t seem to notice. “It was really terrifying.” My body started to shake again. “But how… how did you know where I lived?”
He ran his hand through his messy hair. “I know yer Gran. Real nice lady. I do housework for her sometimes. Reminds me, I saw the front stones need work. Tell her I’ll take care of it this week.”
“Sure.”
“Yer sure yer okay then lass?”
“Yeah, thanks for stopping by though.”
“It’s no problem. If ya ever want me to walk ya to work or anything, just let me know. I don’t want ya to be scared.”
“Thanks, I might take you up on that.”
He smiled slightly, “Okay, bye then.”
“Bye Ultan.”
I watched as he left, looking this way and that. I couldn’t believe someone I knew so little about cared enough to check in on me. It also didn’t hurt that he was freakin delicious. If I hadn’t been so shaken, I would have been considering what he looked like under those clothes.
Over the next few days the residents of Salem were more vigilant. I assumed many did not want to repeat the terror of the years prior. Newspapers however, were less concerned. Perhaps it was because the victim had turned out to be just a regular girl, but no one seemed particularly interested in the story. Maybe they had more respect around here then the papers in New York. Joy had only been approached one time by the local Tribune and when she had declined to comment no one else seemed to bother us.
But for Joy and I, the murder was very real and continued to follow us through every moment of every day. It hurt my heart to think of the poor girl whose family had to get that phone call. And I couldn’t imagine what type of person would steal another’s arm. It plagued my dreams every time I shut my eyes.
In town people were moving quicker and I didn’t see as many young women walking around alone. I noticed that more parents surrounded their teenage children. In addition to that, one other change had been made in the town. Salem had instituted a nine p.m. curfew for anyone under the age of twenty-five. It was for our own protection, of course, and most people abided by it, including myself and Joy. There wasn’t much to do past eight o’clock anyway, so it wasn’t really that big of a deal. For the most part, Joy had been staying in the mansion with Gran and me, staying up late watching movies and enjoying some girl time. Gran and I had even set up a bedroom for her and she was given a key. I think she appreciated not being alone so much and home-cooked meals were doing her good. They were good for Gran too. Her hip healed up and she enjoyed providing for the two of us. She commented a few times that it made her happy to have a house full again.
2
Later that week Ultan made good on his promise. Joy and I were sitting outside in the yard at Gran’s, getting some sun, when I noticed him walk up in shorts and a black tank top. Joy pulled down her glasses to take in the view. She whistled appreciatively from behind her magazine, making it appear as though I had made the gesture. I smacked her with my book just as Ultan looked up.
He waved. “I’ve come to work on yer stones. I’m not disturbing ya ladies, am I?”
I smiled and waved back, “Not at all.”
I watched as he worked in the summer heat. He took his shirt off shortly after starting. His tan muscles gleamed with sweat as he replaced stone and mortar. I was having trouble concentrating on my book when Joy snapped me out of my reverie. “So what are you doing here anyway? I mean I know Gran has said that you’ve stayed with her before, but not for this long. What’s the deal?”
I shrugged feeling a bit more relaxed as I watched Ultan continue his work. I hadn’t explained my reasoning for being here to anyone yet. I had brushed off the situation as Gran just needing help with the big place. I wasn’t sure I was ready to, Nick and that whole part of my life had seemed to disappear over the past few weeks. But now seeing a guy who looked like him here in Salem, I was feeling a bit unsure of myself. I took a sip from my lemonade and decided I was going to tell her.
“If you really want to know, I was seeing this guy.”
Joy put down her magazine and turned her full attention on me. “Whoa, this is going be good. I can tell.” If she only knew the story I was about to tell her, she wouldn’t have said that.
I sighed and continued, “His name was Nick. And he was the most beautiful person in the entire world. The story is pretty simple, one night he just disappeared. It was really awful for me, I didn’t get out of bed for days, I refused to eat and then I quit school for a little while. That’s why I stopped painting. The last painting I did was of him. I was pretty talented then, but I couldn’t continue without him. We were meant for each other and with him gone things just didn’t feel the same. I lost my internship and I had to move back in with my parents, I’ve been living there ever since. Gran has been getting hurt and we decided that she couldn’t live on her own anymore, so I came to stay with her and here I am.” I put my hands out to display myself in a very Vanna White sort of way, but Joy just sat still, looking at me completely dumbfounded. We sat there for a few moments while she was speechless, staring at me as if there was more to the story, like I would say that I was joking or something. But we both knew that I wasn’t.
Finally she took a deep breath and sat up taking my hand in hers. Her tanned skin looked odd against my porcelain tones. “Wow. I’m so sorry Paige. If I had known all that I never would’ve asked, I swear. You really loved him, didn’t you?”
I looked over her shoulder for a moment, unsure of how to answer, but I decided that honesty was what was going to get me through this.
“I thought we’re going to get married. I guess I was wrong.” I sighed. It burned me to think about the dresses I had circled in catalogues.
Joy nodded as she patted my hand, “I don’t mean to pry but… did they ever find him?”
“No,” I said looking back at her. I shr
ugged, “I guess I just need to get used to it. This is my new life now and for the first time in the past ten months I’m really starting to be okay with that.”
Joy smiled as she continued to pat my hand. “I’m glad you’re here.”
I smiled back at her, “Me, too.”
As she settled back against the chaise lounge once more I found myself looking back at Ultan. He hadn’t even noticed Joy and my heart to heart, completely drawn into his work. I remembered that feeling, and somehow I thought I was getting back to it.
I watched as he walked towards us. “Little hot today, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “It is. Can I get you a glass of lemonade?”
He smiled. “That would be nice.” He offered me a hand and I took it standing up. He walked in front of me towards the back of the house and I looked over my shoulder at Joy.
“Now’s a good time as any to move on.” She winked at me.
I rolled my eyes at her.
We walked around the back of the house when suddenly Ultan pushed me against the rough exterior of the house. He was so close to me I could feel the heat emanating from his body.
“Ultan… I…” I breathed out.
“Shh… don’t talk.” He looked around him like someone might be listening. “Ya need to know something.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Yer in danger lass.”
“What?”
“Danger. There are people that are out there. People who want to hurt ya.”
“I don’t understand.” I pushed him back. “You should go.”
He didn’t move. “I need you to be safe. I care about ya.”
“You don’t even know me. Now this isn’t funny, leave.” I pushed again and this time he moved away.
“You can’t say I didn’t warn ya.”
“You’re right. I can’t. Now leave.”
He turned on his heel and left. I walked around the side of the house and Joy looked at me confused. I waved her off and went into the house. I needed a break from all things Salem.
+++
A few days later, I was working by myself in the gallery. Joy had said she was going to visit family and needed me to watch the gallery for a couple days. I didn't mind and it was encouraging to think that she was going home, wherever home was.
I was cataloguing the new pieces in the back when I heard the door chime tinkle. I popped my head around the corner but didn't see anyone, so I continued to work for a few minutes. Then I heard footsteps on the hardwood floor and decided to investigate. Business had been slow all day and we needed a sale. It was time to turn on my charm.
Ultan was standing there staring openly at the picture of Swish, my painting of a goldfish. He was standing with his back to me, dressed in tight jeans and an aged brown leather coat. He looked like he had money, like his jacket was purposefully ripped in certain places. It was the first time I had seen him like this. When I realized I had been staring at him long enough, I figured I should say something. But what to say? Last time I saw him he warned me I was in danger. What more was there to say?
“Can I help you?” I asked meekly. I kept my hands in my pockets for fear of over gesturing due to my nervousness.
“Paige, I was hoping to find ya here. Holdin’ up okay since the incident?”
I didn’t respond. He moved towards me. “I’m sorry about what I told ya. It was too much, too soon.”
“It’s fine. I’m okay. You were just worried about me.”
“Ya have no idea.”
I brushed him off. “Do you like the painting?”
He looked back at the gigantic goldfish, “I do. It’s got whimsy. Well, and the fact that ya painted it doesn’t hurt its value to me.”
I stopped walking towards him, “How did you know it was mine?”
He turned back to look at me and laughed. “Isn’t that Swish? Julie’s little friend?”
I felt paralyzed, how did Ultan know so much about my painting? About me? I didn’t know how to react so I just stood there, dumbfounded by this odd turn in my Sunday afternoon.
I thought for a second and then reacted as I had ever since Nick’s disappearance, with anger, my best defense. “You didn’t answer my question.”
He stared at me for a second and then said, “Well, I thought when Nick told me about this one that it was kind of weird. But now, seeing it in person, I get why he liked it.”
I doubled over, feeling like I had just been punched. He ran to my side to help me to a stool near the front desk. “Ya alright lass? I’ve never seen someone react like that. I like the painting, really. I didn’t mean to offend.”
I lifted my head so that my eyes could reach his concerned gaze. “You knew Nick?”
His brow furrowed as he examined my face, “Well, yes, I did. Didn’t yer Gran tell ya?” When I didn’t respond he threw his hands up in the air, “No wonder yer looking at me like I’m a fecking header!”
I couldn’t understand what he was playing at, besides a sick joke.
I stood up from the stool feeling as though my legs could support me again. “Look, I think you should just leave. I don’t know who you think you are, but Nick has been gone a long time. No one has heard from him and he never mentioned you. You need to go. This isn’t funny.”
He walked toward me slowly, hands outstretched, almost as if to say he surrendered. “Darlin’ please, I didn’t mean to frighten ya. Clearly there’s been a misunderstanding. I just didn’t think ya should be alone with a murderer running around town.” He paused and I considered the situation for a moment. He had come to check on me right after it happened. But this was our fourth meeting in only a few weeks. Why hadn’t he mentioned Nick before?
“I’m sorry lass, I thought yer Gran would have told ya I knew him.”
“Well, she didn’t. And I can take care of myself thank you. It’s time for you to go.” I stood firmly in my spot.
He shook his head, looking back to me, “Oh bloody hell, I’m leaving.”
He stomped to the door, but as it chimed he turned back to me. “You know what, Paige? Ask yer Gran about the book and tell her I was here.”
Once he left I considered calling Gran and questioning her about her relationship with this guy. Before, he had seemed attractive and pleasant, but now he was dark and angry. I didn’t think I could handle any more baggage than my own. As I grabbed my cell to dial her number I noticed something strange out of the corner of my eye.
I squinted at my painting of Swish and I could swear something was different about it. I stood there for a long time, trying to decide if it was just the light, but then I realized it wasn’t the light, it was the fish. Swish had moved about an inch further into the painting. You could now see more of his tail and less of his fishy lips. This was not the original image.
“That is not possible,” I said aloud. I knew it wasn’t, I mean I had painted that thing myself. But sure enough, the painting was clearly different than I had made it. I stared at the door once more, willing myself to see Ultan in my head. What had he said to ask Gran? Something about a book.
But what did Swish, Ultan, Nick and a book have to do with each other? Nothing. Or was there something? Whatever it was, I had to find out.
I turned the lights out right before I locked up and studied the image one last time. It was definitely altered and that frightened me.
3
I had decided that Ultan’s behavior was unruly and he had probably just been drunk. I wasn't going to give his crazy accusations the time of day and I hadn't mentioned any of it to Gran, or Joy when she returned. Joy seemed to be in a better mood when she came back and we decided to go shopping in downtown Salem. I was specifically looking for a new book, but Joy was always on the lookout for a new fragrance or the newest clothing line.
“So how was your visit with your family?” I asked inquisitively. Joy hadn’t mentioned much about them and I was interested to see who she felt was finally worth her time.
Joy
was distracted and answered absentmindedly, “Oh, you know, fine.”
I squinted at her. “See anyone in particular?”
She stopped for a moment and looked into a store window. “Just my aunt. She lives in Virginia.” She shrugged, turning back to face me. “I don’t know, she just… doesn’t get it. You know how non-artsy people are. They think our livelihood is a hobby. I find it exhausting.”
“Is that why you don’t go to visit often? She doesn’t believe in your work?”
“Yeah. But whatever, right? I refuse to let her ruin my great shopping mood today. Let’s go in here.” She motioned to a small apothecary shop on the corner.
“In there? Why?” Joy had never taken me into one of the Wiccan shops before. I didn’t really want to go. They smelled like incense and I didn’t want to smell that on me the rest of the day.
“Oh, come on,” she said, taking my hand.
I followed her dutifully into the shop and looked around. The place was chalk full of clutter from floor to ceiling. All I could see was pentagrams and books, bottles and candles. It was hard to breathe and even harder to move. From behind the counter emerged an elderly woman I had seen visit Gran on occasion. For the life of me I couldn’t remember her name.
“Joy, dear,” said the wrinkled woman from beneath at least three shawls. She was short and stout, with white hair piled in a bun on the top of her head. It made her appear slightly taller than she really was. She took Joy’s hand in her own and cupped her frail fingers around it. She closed her eyes for a moment and turned her face as if she were listening, though neither of us were talking. I looked at Joy but she seemed relaxed. “We need to brew you up some mint chamomile tea dear. I’m guessing you went to see your Aunt Myra again?”
