by HMC
‘Mummy, Daddy! I’m sssorwy.’
‘Ssshhh. It’s all right, darling.’ Rachael Small kissed her daughter’s hand. She looked like ten miles of bad road.
Her husband wasn’t much better. He lifted Megan up to carry her. ‘Thank you, Miss Castro. Thank you, Principal Kirk,’ he said. It wasn’t often I heard people call Anna that. I often saw people hug her, though, and this is just what Rachael did.
‘Modesta Castro?’ A dark-skinned policeman with a thin moustache stood in our doorway. A female stood a few steps down, leaning on the rail with her police hat tilted sideways. She was blonde and wore too much lipstick for an officer on duty.
‘Yes.’ I stood back. I was in my ‘comfies’ and this consisted of Alice in Wonderland pyjama bottoms, a skull and cross bones hoodies, and white pom pom slippers. I had to look the part.
‘We’d like to ask you a few questions.’
‘Yep, sure. Mind if my mum and Anna, ahhh Principal Kirk, listen in? They were here when it all happened.’
The dark gentlemen nodded. ‘I’m Inspector Russell Clark and this is Constable Leonie Grace.’ He held out a hand and shook mine firmly. Leonie didn’t have the same manners. I let them step through the door and into the living room with the rest of us. Inspector Clark shook hands with Mum and Anna. ‘Mr and Mrs Small would like to take Megan home immediately, as I’m sure you understand. I’ve told them your story and they’re very grateful.’
Rachael nodded through tears. ‘I don’t know how to thank you again.’ I almost welled up with her.
‘It’s all right,’ I said. ‘All I did was spot her through the window. It looked odd to see a little girl wandering the street so late at night. We went outside, brought her in, and that’s when Anna realised she was Megan.’
‘We called you straight away,’ Anna said to Inspector Clark and Constable Grace, who looked thrilled to be here as she folded her arms.
‘You’re going to be Megan’s teacher, we hear?’ Mr Small said as he shook my hand.
‘Yes. I’ll see her in class when she’s ready. She doesn’t seem to remember what happened to her, or where she’s been. Please don’t be hard on her,’ I said. ‘Take her to talk to somebody.’
‘We will,’ said Rachael. ‘Megan, baby, are you ready to go home now?’ Megan nodded. ‘Goodbye.’
Anna nodded. ‘See you soon.’
The Smalls left. Megan was covered in protection spells since Anna got to her, but I was still terrified to let her go.
We escorted Clark and Grace to the dining room table, and we squeezed around it. ‘Well, I’m obviously not under arrest.’ I smiled. Neither of my guests returned it. Mum glared at me.
‘Not yet,’ said Grace. Sarcasm was the order of the day, apparently. She reminded me of Traci Lord’s character in the Tommyknockers. I was waiting for her to pucker her lips at me and reapply her red lipstick.
We went over our story, each of us playing our parts, and before long Clark and Grace seemed satisfied enough to leave us. They gave us contact numbers and a threat that they could return. They also mentioned the media might try to talk to us, but we had no obligations.
We were left sitting around the table with remnants of our tea. ‘Do you think she’ll be all right?’ I said. ‘Megan, I mean.’
‘I don’t know.’ Anna rubbed her forehead. ‘I hope so.’ She seemed a little defeated.
‘We’ll find a way to stop this,’ I said. ‘I know it.’
She nodded. ‘I need to lie down for a while.’
‘Oh, me, also,’ said Mum. ‘You okay for a while?’ She rubbed my shoulder as they headed off to bed.
‘Yeah, I need to make a call. Goodnight.’ It was getting closer to nine and I needed to call Trent. It was still okay to call the home phone and catch Carey first, as I’d promised.
I went to my bedroom and closed the door. Carey answered on the second ring. ‘Mouse! Rick said you’d call. I feel like we haven’t seen you in forever. How’s it all going?’
‘Hi Carey, yeah, sorry. It’s been pretty hectic with uni.’ I tried to sound cheery.
‘You know, I have a great big chook in the freezer downstairs ready to come out for roasting. It has your name on it, Mouse. How about tomorrow night?’
‘I’ll be there straight after work,’ I said. I’d be with Sonny all day at school tomorrow but it wouldn’t hurt for me to work some magic at the Albright’s house as well. I’d use the glyph drawings Anna did at the school. This whole being normal thing was starting to sound tiring. Maybe I should just turn into a hermit and move to the mountains where visitas and long-tongued, soul-sucking witches wouldn’t bother me.
Or I wished I could be someone like Carey Albright. She and Rick had been together since they were teenagers. First loves. They had surfed together just like Trent and I, and were just as in love as when I’d first met them twelve years ago. ‘I’ll get Trent for you.’ I realised Carey had been waffling on and I hadn’t heard a word.
‘Okay, see you tomorrow.’
I only waited a few seconds before Trent spoke. ‘Mouse.’ His voice was warm and familiar.
‘How’s Sonny?’ I said.
‘Fine. Just normal,’ he whispered. ‘He’s a bit suspicious as to why I won’t leave him alone.’ Trent chuckled.
I shifted on the bed. ‘Understandable. Look, I’m going to see him in class tomorrow. Then, I’ll be there tomorrow night for dinner, all right? He’ll be in sight. I want to do some spells. You can help me.’
‘Yep. Righto. I’m your apprentice. Whatever it takes.’ He was serious. ‘Mouse, thank you for everything. Listen, I heard about that Megan girl on Facebook. Mum and Dad haven’t seen it yet. She’s in Sonny’s class. Is she missing instead of Sonny? Does this stuff work like that?’
‘I don’t know, Trent. But you don’t have to worry about that anymore. She’s safe.’ I still felt so terrible for not being able to tell Trent about Aidah and Hamish, but I knew exactly what he’d do if he found out.
‘Really? Anything I can do?’
I laughed. ‘Just talking to you makes it easier. All you need to know is everything is all right for now.’
‘Mouse, when you need me, you let me know. I mean it.’ He used his firm voice.
‘I will,’ I said. ‘Promise.’ I didn’t need him, just yet.
I’d slept better than I thought I would, and I now sat in my neatly-ironed clothes across from Anna at her desk. She was Principal Kirk today, and I was Miss Castro. The room smelled of incense and the eye of horus hung on the wall above Anna, next to her many awards and certificates. This would’ve seemed strange for a new person, but those who knew Anna knew she believed in all the religions, and the symbols, myths and legends that went along with them. She wasn’t a non-denominational Principal, she was all-denominational.
‘Relax as much as possible, Modesta. We’re here with as many kids as we can manage at the moment. Be aware of the signs. If Aidah is nearby, I’m sure we’ll know.’
I nodded, but there was a knot in my throat. My stomach wouldn’t settle. I was so nervous it was hard to breathe. ‘I don’t feel right.’ I brushed my hair down that kept frizzing up due to the imminent summer storm outside. At least my hair was a good rain-detector.
There was a knock at the door and I jumped. Anna glared at me as if to say, chill out, you nutcase. Carla, one of the office ladies, entered and said, ‘There’s a parent here to see you.’
‘And it begins. Send them in. I’ll speak to you soon, Mouse.’
I wanted to leave with Carla, but I felt glued to my chair. I couldn’t stand. Anna stared at me again. When she looked up, she understood.
‘Thank you for seeing me.’ Aidah walked in like a breeze – fresh and sweet. Her hair was neat and pulled back, her make-up light, her clothes loose and flowing. This was Aidah – pretty, warm, inviting – like one of those spiders who mimics the smell of an ant before it devours them. We were the ants.
Aidah’s eyes locked onto the eye of ho
rus for just a little too long. ‘I’m Aidah Armstrong.’
‘Carla said you were a parent.’ Anna sat and clasped her hands together on the desk and raised her eyebrows.
‘Oh, no, did she? I’m not. My Hamish is finished his schooling. I’m actually here to offer my services as a community helper. My forte is reading, but…’ she looked at me. ‘Have I caught you at a bad time?’ Aidah smiled. Anna glared at her, and Aidah seemed surprised we weren’t warm and melting like buttered-up toast by now. ‘May I take a seat?’
‘Well, I’d offer you tea, but the bell is about to go, and we have to start the day. Modesta here is about to begin her internship.’
Aidah sat anyway. That perfect smile faded fast when her eyes fell upon my special necklace. She swallowed and looked up into my eyes. She really hadn’t known who we were until now. Maybe she’d had some kind of inkling and wanted to check us out. Maybe the spells outside had actually drawn her in instead of keeping her away. Well, it was too late now – might as well exert some power. ‘Oh, you like my necklace? Beautiful, aren’t they?’ I said with a grin. I’d added Megan’s to the chain this morning.
Anna bit her lip.
‘Lovely,’ said Aidah. ‘Where on earth did you procure them?’
‘Oh, it was easy enough. Anna and I are pretty resourceful,’ I replied.
Anna shuffled in her seat. ‘In fact, we collect them,’ she said – starting to catch onto the dangerous game. ‘If you happen to see any more around, please let us know. We’ll take them off your hands.’
Aidah laughed. It sounded like bells. She was amused. ‘I’m a jewellery collector, too,’ she said. ‘What a coincidence. I’ve travelled far and wide and have gathered many beautiful pieces in my time. In fact, I have some thousands of years old.’
‘You do? Wow.’ Anna was enjoying herself a little too much now. Talk about stirring up a hornet’s nest.
What was I thinking starting this? Maybe we could take the focus off the kids and put it on us. ‘Anna and I have only just started our collection. But we’re extremely dedicated to the cause. In fact, so much so, it will take up our every waking moment. We won’t let much get in our way, will we Anna?’ I smiled and cocked my head. I felt sick to the stomach with fear, but hid it well. I held my hands under the table so Aidah wouldn’t see them shaking.
‘Unfortunately, many of my possessions come from deceased estates.’ Aidah pouted. ‘But I try not to let that bother me.’
‘Well, that is quite sad,’ said Anna. ‘Let’s hope nothing happens around here. We don’t like that kind of thing.’
‘You can’t help nature.’ Aidah rubbed a spot on Anna’s desk. ‘Death is everywhere you go, I’m afraid.’
‘Not in my school.’ Anna stood. This was going south fast.
The bell rang. ‘Well,’ said Aidah. ‘I’d better let you get on with your day.’ She stood. ‘Good-bye, ladies.’ She was almost though the door.
Anna spoke through gritted teeth. ‘Keep your grubby, goddamned hands off my kids, or I’ll skin you alive.’
Aidah turned and gave a half smile. ‘Well,’ she said. ‘This place just got a whole lot more interesting.’ She let the door slam behind her.
Anna and I let ourselves breathe again. Moments later we were cackling with nervous laughter. ‘What did we just do?’ I said.
‘Exactly what Cat would’ve done. We let her know we exist.’
‘I’m not sure that was such a good idea.’ I shook my head. I was still giddy. ‘She knows we took Megan, too. She knows we got through her barricade.’
Anna nodded. ‘She thinks she knows how powerful YOU are. And you know what, Miss Modesta Castro, I don’t think even you or I have established the magnitude of you just yet. I think you’ve got something in you the likes of which she’s never seen. Did you catch the look on her face when she saw those ankh? I bet it’s been a long time since she was challenged like that.’
‘That’s the thing. She’s had practise. We haven’t,’ I said.
‘Don’t underestimate yourself. Besides, Aidah can’t work magic inside these gates, or she would’ve done something just now. No witch, no matter how old and restrained, could’ve stopped herself. She would’ve attacked if she could.’ Anna folded her arms. ‘Now get to class before the second bell rings.’
As I made my way to class, I couldn’t make up my mind. Did I want to be that powerful? I supposed I no longer had a choice.
When I entered the classroom I’d be spending the next ten week in, the children sat in desks of four, fidgeting like children do.
The teacher, Ms Lawson, was letting the students settle in their new places for the term. She was chatting with a parent so could only offer me a quick nod.
‘Hi,’ Megan smiled at me from a desk below.
‘Well, good morning. I’m surprised to see you back so soon,’ I said.
‘I didn’t want to misss the first day back,’ she said with her lisp.
‘You must have a special teacher,’ I said. Megan nodded with that toothless grin.
‘Mouse!’ Sonny ran over and hugged me.
‘It’s Miss Castro today.’ I held him tight, and ruffled his lemon hair.
‘I have to go and get my desk ready. I’ll see you soon. Will you come and see me at my desk?’ he said.
‘Every day.’ I grinned. Sonny ran off and Megan motioned for me to bend down. I complied. She whispered to me. ‘They have isse cweam and fizzy dwinksss in heaven.’
My chest tightened. ‘Do they?’
‘Miss Castro.’ Ms Lawson was tall and lean, and looked like she ran marathons. Her magnolia-print dress fell over her firm skin, and she was neither young nor old. Perhaps she was a rower, with her strong arms and sun-kissed brow.
‘Lovely to meet you again, Ms Lawson.’ I stood and extended a hand. I heard Megan whistling through the gaps in her teeth to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle. There was a tingle down my spine. They have isse cweam and fizzy dwinksss in heaven.
Ms Lawson shook my hand and smiled at me with straight white teeth. ‘Sorry I didn’t get to you sooner. I had a parent to talk to. Thank you for looking after your new teacher, Megan.’ Megan beamed. Ms Lawson lowered her voice as she guided me to the front of the room. ‘I heard about what happened to Megan over the weekend. Thank goodness for you…’ She didn’t seem to know what else to say.
Ms Lawson showed me where to put my belongings and started her class with the roll call.
The morning didn’t drag as I suspected it would, and it was because of Ms Lawson. She knelt to reach the children at their desks for consultations. She was a mover, a teacher who went around and gave each student individual attention. This was a difficult thing to do all the time, but a moving teacher knew her students. She knew where they were at, in every subject, and exactly where they needed to go.
‘Ms Lawson, I need to pee.’
‘Hand down, Ronny, you just went to the toilet, and we say urinate.’
I supressed a smile. I noticed she’d kicked off her shoes and was wandering the classroom barefooted. She was so much like me, and to impress your prac teacher you had to morph into them, in a sense. I knew exactly why Anna had put me here.
Sonny refrained from calling me Miss Mouse. He was a perfect gentlemen. It felt good to be able to keep an eye on him.
‘Miss Casstwo?’ Megan said, raising her hand, even though I was standing right there.
‘Yes, Megan? Can I help you with your handwriting? By the look of your letter ‘t’s, you don’t need any help.’ I knelt beside her again. ‘Am I going back to the tent?’ She looked right through me.
I shivered. ‘No, honey. You’re not going back to the tent.’ I put my hand on her arm. ‘Principal Kirk and I will make sure of that.’
She remembered.
‘What else do you remember, Megan?’
She looked up at me confused. ‘What do you mean, Misss Castwo?’
‘Never mind,’ I said. ‘It’s all right.’
‘You
have one minute before morning tea, friends,’ Ms Lawson said. ‘I expect you to be finished with your handwriting.’ She walked over to me as I stood. A knot had formed in my throat and it sat there like a fat toad. That morning replayed in my head and the thought of Aidah made me sick. Death is everywhere you go, I’m afraid.
‘Miss Castro.’ Ms Lawson placed a hand on my shoulder. ‘Would you like to take a few minutes outside before the place is overrun?’
‘Thank you.’ Just a little fresh air would do me good.
I wandered to the back of the school where the gardens were large and wide. Grevillas, anthuriums, and bottlebrush were in bloom and the honeyeaters were in a feeding frenzy. I watched them fly about and thought of Megan and Sonny.
My eyes were drawn to a figure. A woman draped in rags who looked as if she hadn’t showered in several weeks glared at me from beyond the school fence. Her hair framed her face in grotty clumps, yet she looked familiar.
Aidah. Aidah as she truly was. I saw her lick her black lips with her long tongue. Her skin was transparent. She stood at the fence as if she couldn’t enter. Maybe in her natural form, she couldn’t. The kids filtering into the playground couldn’t see her.
My fingers tingled, and the hair on my neck stood on end as she watched me, unmoving. I had an urge to go to her. It was as if she needed my help, and my body started moving without my permission.
STAY BACK.
Cat shrieked in my head like a banshee, but my trance didn’t break. My lids drooped and my arms and legs prickled. I watched Aidah call to one of the boys. He made his way to the fence. ‘No!’ I wanted to scream but nothing came. Aidah grasped the arm of the child. He didn’t react. He just stood and looked at the woman at the fence as if all was wonderful, as if their destination was Candyland. He jumped over to her. So much for the protection spells!
I watched her drag the boy across the street. Then my feet listened to my brain and I gave chase. Aidah held the boy’s hand now, and they rushed across the lower highway together, out of sight. I pushed on as hard as I could toward the gates.
