by Simone Pond
At least not yet.
Chapter Seven
Vago
Sibyl had been doing so great throughout the entire walk. Even with that annoying wrist watch. I didn’t know she’d take such a liking to the device and I was starting to feel a little less valuable. Why would she need me to guide her if she had the latest technology showing her the way? Still, I was so proud of the progress she had made all the way to the town square. She even had a conversation with the cheese master, Mr. Rosen. Very impressive for her first time out after a year. We were so close to getting inside city hall; I had a little bounce in my step. All she had to do was convince whoever was in charge to change the date they were voting on the multiplex project. That would keep the residents from the building while they sent in a bomb squad to clear the place. It was a simple mission. She had done great up until the moment we got to the steps of the white marble building, where she stopped and stood still, her pale blue eyes scanning the area, widening with every turn. I couldn’t see what she was seeing, but I knew it was probably a barrage of those creepy evil beings. The ones that terrified her so deeply that she’d rather lock herself in the prison of her own home than risk an encounter. But I couldn’t let her back down now.
Woof!
“I can’t, Vago. They’re everywhere. Evil is all around us,” she whispered.
Nudging her with my snout, I tried to get her to walk up the stairs. But Sibyl ignored me and spoke into her watch, requesting directions home. She turned around and began walking away from city hall. I sat on the steps in a heap, hoping this would force her to continue with what we had set out to do. Instead, she tugged once or twice, then did the unthinkable. She dropped the leash and continued on her own with the watch leading the way.
Once I realized she wasn’t playing around, I ran after her with the leash dragging behind me on the sidewalk. She crossed the street, heading into the park, probably to avoid any interactions. The whole way, she muttered under her breath, “This damned curse. I hate it … I just hate it.”
To get her attention, I barked again and ran in front of her, stopping abruptly before the watch had time to warn her of any obstacles. She tumbled forward, landing on the grass.
“Damn you, Vago. What was that for? Because I don’t want to get attacked by evil spirits?”
Anger jerked through me because I wanted more than anything to argue back, but I was limited to barking, whining and growling until midnight. How did she know the evil spirits would attack her? Maybe her purpose was only to detect their presence. She never stuck around long enough to find out the whole story.
As she tried to pull herself up from the grass, a man approached. I noticed his shiny black shoes first, his navy slacks, and then the badge. He wore mirrored sunglasses and a police hat.
“Let me help you up, Miss,” the officer said, taking Sibyl’s arm and gently assisting her to stand.
“Thank you, sir,” she said with a polite smile, though from the smeary wetness all over her cheeks it was obvious she had been crying just moments earlier.
“Sibyl Forsyth?” he asked in astonishment.
“Yes. It’s really me. Making a rare appearance. And who may I thank for helping me after my rude dog tripped me?”
The man laughed, then leaned down to pet my head. “He looks like a fine dog. What’s his name?”
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t get your name …” Sibyl said, more directly.
“Oh, pardon me, Sibyl. Police Chief Pike at your service.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a hearty shake.
Her smile lit up with relief. “Thanks for your help, Chief Pike. Vago here can get overly excited and get in the way sometimes. Can’t you, buddy?”
I gave her a dry chuff, and she grinned with a hint of satisfaction. During the day she might’ve had full reign, but once midnight struck, I planned to lay down the law.
Chief Pike patted my head again. “Good boy,” he said.
The zesty smell of soap saturated the air around my face.
“Can I help you get anywhere?” Pike asked Sibyl.
“Oh, that’s really sweet of you, sir, but I’m fine. I have Vago and this really cool watch my aunt gave me. It has built-in GPS.” She glanced in my direction when she said that part, knowing just where to punch.
“How is your Aunt Ruth?” he asked.
“She’s great. Probably tired of taking care of me.”
Pike chuckled softly, patting Sibyl’s shoulder. “You don’t seem like you’d be much trouble. Pretty tough gal from what I remember. State championship. MVP.”
Sibyl lowered her head and didn’t respond.
A few people passed by and stopped to shake hands with the police chief. He took his time chatting with them as they mentioned their concerns about some graffiti they noticed on the bank building, or the rowdy bar across the woods attracting late-night stragglers. He assured them he’d look into it, smiling and nodding with confidence. Pike was the type of man you’d want taking care of your small town. Nothing got past him. Or so it seemed.
I didn’t like the guy.
“Let me walk you home. I’d like to say hi to that aunt of yours,” he told Sibyl.
“Really, I’m fine.”
I barked a few times, letting him know we didn’t need his help.
“I insist,” he said, taking her arm and escorting her through the park.
People waved as they strolled by the three of us. I caught their head turns, stares, and whispers as we passed. Sibyl Forsyth was a celebrity in Coastview both before and after the accident. She kept her gaze downward, doing her best to avoid any more natural or supernatural incidents. That was her way of dealing. Avoidance. Just put on a pair of sunglasses and close the eyes. Or slip in the headphones and listen to audiobooks all day long.
On the walk home, I grew increasingly irritated by the boastful sound of Police Chief Pike’s voice as he shared multiple stories in which he kept ending up the hero. Then he went on and on about how the residents had been complaining about some homeless guy who had recently appeared. He tried to make himself out to be the good guy in that situation, too. A regular diplomat. The whole time, he kept jingling his set of keys so that they made a high-pitched tinkling sound like a cricket or a chirping bird. The noise began to grate on my ears. Once we were close enough to the house, I took off at a full gallop. At the front door, I balanced on my back legs and rang the doorbell with my front paw, hoping Aunt Ruthie was either already awake, or would be now.
Chapter Eight
Sibyl
The walk through the neighborhood back to my house with Chief Pike was nothing short of awkward and excruciating. I couldn’t get a read on him. By that point, I was used to seeing people glowing with goodness or some sort of evil, but Pike had nothing of the sort. He appeared as a blurry shadow amidst the surrounding darkness. That seemed odd to me. I planned to discuss it with Vago at midnight.
As we strolled down the sidewalk, Pike filled my ears with stories about the latest town gossip. I could’ve told the ending to each one, since I had been getting daily reports from Aunt Ruthie whenever she joined me and Vago in the back yard. She must’ve thought hearing about everyone would make me feel a part of the community, but I only felt more alienated.
“So, I’ve been getting daily calls about this guy who’s been camping out in the park.” Pike continued with his story about some homeless man who’d been causing an uproar among the residents.
“Is he bothering anybody?”
“Nah. Says he’s just passing through. On some business. Told him he can’t sleep in the park.”
“Hmm.” I tried to sound interested, but I really just wanted to get home. I still needed to talk to someone at city hall, but I needed to figure out a way to avoid those evil Spirit Handlers before making a return journey.
Vago, either irritated with me or Pike, yanked away from my grip and took off.
“Hey!” Pike yelled.
“Oh, he’s fine. We’re
almost home,” I assured him.
“How can you tell?” he asked.
“I just tripped over a particular tree root in the sidewalk that’s gotten me since I was a kid.”
He chuckled softly. “It got me, too. You never mentioned what you were doing at the town square.”
“You never asked,” I said.
Since Pike took to gossip like a regular in a sewing circle, I knew to keep things on the down-low for the time being. No need to freak out the head of the police until I had some legitimate proof of a terrorist attack. My priority was to get someone at city hall to move the meeting first. Besides, something about Pike was niggling at me. I needed to keep him out of it for now.
“Any particular reason why this day inspired you to leave the house after staying put for a year?” he asked.
I didn’t remember mentioning that I hadn’t left the house in a year. Maybe he knew because it was his job to know about all the oddities going on around our small town. I wondered if he’d received any threats from protestors in recent weeks. I was about to ask in a somewhat casual manner, but Aunt Ruthie and her pinkish lavender spirit sparkling like sunshine came bustling toward us, leaving me zero opportunity.
“What a lovely surprise, Chief Pike!” Aunt Ruthie’s voice was higher than normal and she flitted about and helped me up the stairs. “What brings you to our humble abode?” she asked in what I’m guessing was her version of a flirtatious tone. It sounded like the type of voice she’d use on her late night customers at the diner in hopes of getting more tips.
“Bumped into your niece downtown. Thought I’d walk her home, stop by to say hello. I know it’s a bit early for you, working the night shift and all.”
Aunt Ruthie giggled like a silly schoolgirl. “Oh, heavens. I’ve been up for hours. Come on in and let me make you some coffee. Are you hungry? It’s almost the lunch hour. I can make some sandwiches. Come on in, Chief!”
When we stepped into the house, Vago stood at the front door barking over and over, trying to tell me something. I’d have to wait until midnight to find out, though I had a pretty good idea. I made my way to the kitchen with Aunt Ruthie and Pike following behind. Without offering to help with the sandwiches or coffee, I sat at the kitchen table and felt around for my sunglasses. They were still on the placemat where I had left them in my haste earlier. I put them on.
“Sibyl, dear, we have company. You don’t need your sunglasses,” she said politely, nudging my elbow. “Also, let’s use the dining room.”
“Actually, I’m pretty beat from my excursion. You two can visit without me,” I said.
“Here.” Aunt Ruthie paused and opened the cabinets to pull out the fancy cups and saucers. “Take these out to the table while I make some fresh coffee and sandwiches.” Then she removed my sunglasses and set them back on the table. I didn’t like being exposed in front of Pike.
Vago padded around my ankles, almost tripping me as I carried the fine china over to the dining room table.
“Why don’t you sit, Sibyl? I can help your aunt,” Pike said, pulling out a chair.
I knew he’d insist, so I didn’t argue. I sat down quietly and let him return to the kitchen to assist my aunt. He shut the door that led to the kitchen, so I couldn’t hear what they were chatting about as the smell of rich coffee filled the air. I got up and put my ear against the door, but Vago’s panting kept interfering.
I leaned down and whispered, “Shh, be quiet. I’m trying to hear what they’re saying.”
He licked my chin, letting me know he approved of my sleuthing. I pressed closer against the door. All I could hear was Aunt Ruthie’s ceaseless chatterbox babble and the occasional muffled baritone of Pike. My efforts to hear their conversation were futile. When my parents were around I could hear their conversations all over the house as clear as a bell. I had spoiled many birthday and Christmas surprises by accidentally overhearing what they were getting me. But for some reason, I wasn’t able to make out a single detail of Aunt Ruthie and Pike’s conversation.
The clatter of plates caught my attention. I didn’t have time to get back to my chair without being busted, so I opened the door to the kitchen with a pleasant smile on my lips.
“Need any help?” I asked.
“You’re such a dear, but Chief Pike is very handy in the kitchen,” Aunt Ruthie gushed.
“All these years living as a bachelor, it’s either sink or swim,” Pike said, chuckling.
Vago, who had trailed behind and stood at my heels, let out a chuff. I just kept smiling.
“Sandwiches and coffee are ready. Let’s sit down,” Aunt Ruthie said.
I returned to my chair at the dining room table, and Aunt Ruthie put a plate down in front of me. The smell of ham and cheese permeated my nose. When she went to get the cream and sugar for the coffee, I pulled the ham out from between the slices of bread and tossed it down to Vago.
“Don’t like ham?” Pike asked.
Used to being alone, I had forgotten he was sitting at the table with me.
“Don’t tell my aunt,” I said with a wink, hoping the gesture didn’t look too weird coming from a blind girl.
When Aunt Ruthie sat down, she turned the conversation toward her favorite topic.
“I’m dying to hear your take on the multiplex debate.” She addressed Pike.
He slurped his coffee, making me cringe from the inside out. “I’m curious what you both think about it.”
Aunt Ruthie didn’t spare a fraction of a second. “I think we should keep the town precisely as is. I know I’ve only been an official resident for the last year, but I’ve been visiting Coastview since Sibby was a baby. The park is as much a part of this town as the residents. The park must stay.”
I took a huge bite of my now cheese sandwich instead of contributing to the conversation.
Pike, not one for lulls, continued the discussion. “I completely agree with you, Ruth. I believe most of the residents want to keep the park. Judging from the signs in the shop windows and all over the front yards and on every single street corner … But the younger residents want change. Unfortunately, they are the ones with influence.”
“Influence?” both of us asked.
“Of the financial sort,” Pike said.
Aunt Ruthie thumped her fist onto the dining room table, making the china clank. “That absolutely shouldn’t matter! Especially if the majority of the votes want the developers to stay out. The park must stay!”
Pike slurped down some coffee. “Unfortunately, that’s not the way the world works, Ruth. Money talks, as they say.”
Aunt Ruthie snorted. “Well, according to Sibyl we might not even get to vote,” she mocked.
I kicked her leg under the table.
“Pardon?” Pike asked.
“Nothing,” I said. “It’s nothing.”
Aunt Ruthie didn’t have a malicious bone in her body, so I knew she wasn’t trying to sabotage me. She was only trying to lighten things up a bit or change the heated subject. “Oh, Sibyl gets a little paranoid sometimes. Told me to avoid city hall on the day of the big vote. Was trying to see if we could even cancel the vote. Isn’t that right, dear?”
Vago came out from under the table and jumped up into Aunt Ruthie’s lap.
“What are you doing, you silly dog!” She laughed, pushing away from the table. “You’ll have to excuse me, Chief, while I put this rascal outside!”
I sat alone with Chief Pike.
“What exactly was your aunt talking about, Sibyl? Is that why you were downtown this morning? Do you think something bad is going to happen?”
Dread encapsulated my body like a shell of armor. I remained silent. A trickle of sweat rolled down my back. Breathing was like trying to push air through layers of sand.
Aunt Ruthie dashed back into the dining room and resumed her position at the table. “Now, where were we?”
“You mentioned something about Sibyl telling you to avoid city hall next week …” Pike said.
> Somehow I knew—I don’t know how, since I hadn’t been given an instruction manual—I couldn’t let her expose my gift of sight. And I most definitely couldn’t tell Pike about the vision and cause a big uproar. Not when I didn’t have enough information. And not when I didn’t feel comfortable in the man’s presence.
“It’s ridiculous,” I said with a soft laugh. “I listen to way too many mystery novels. Sometimes my imagination gets a little overactive. That’s all.”
“And what does this have to do with the vote on Monday?” Pike prodded.
The temperature of the room felt like it dropped twenty degrees. Icy hands wrapped around my throat.
“Sibyl’s not one for specifics, Chief. She glosses over the details. I’ll just get things like ‘don’t go here on this day’ or ‘avoid this on that day,’ that sort of thing,” Aunt Ruthie said, chuckling to bring some levity back into the conversation.
“Like I said, it’s nothing. I’m just worried a fight might break out between some of the old timers and the people who want the multiplex. Could lead to a riot or something,” I said, hoping that would pry his claws loose.
Chief Pike let out a howl of laugher. “A riot in this town! Imagine that. Old man Rosen winging wedges of cheese into shop windows …”
“Or Cindy Jenkins torching the beauty salon,” Aunt Ruthie added.
I laughed with them, though the pit in my stomach was growing spikes that seemed to be dripping with acid. I wasn’t worried about a riot. I was worried about a bomb going off and wiping out a large chunk of the community. But I couldn’t say that to Chief Pike, who I didn’t trust in the slightest. He was a dead zone without the glow of a spirit. I knew that couldn’t be good. Though he was the chief of police and the first person you’d naturally tell about a potential bomb threat, everything in my gut told me to keep Pike out of it.
