Gloria and Lynette had suddenly developed ferocious pimples; my skin was clearer than it had ever been. Gloria and Lynette were sick a lot and not sleeping well; I was full of energy, in great shape, sleeping like a baby. Gloria and Lynette were being hassled by teachers and parents; everyone was treating me like Miss Perfection.
Gloria and Lynette were going out with Bia; I was his enemy.
It hit me like a punch in the stomach, and I sank down onto my bed. The logic was irrefutable. The spirit was Bia’s enemy, doing whatever she could to punish him. And hurting his friends would be just one more effective way for her to get at him. It would add to Bia’s troubles to see those he cared about suffering. It would also eventually drive everyone away from him, once they figured out how unhealthy it was to be his friend—and how rewarding to be his enemy.
Telling me I was boring, up in his room, wasn’t enough. But three days later, he had said I was his enemy, in so many words, right outside the spirit house. And ever since I had been blessed with every imaginable gift—looks, health, grades, popularity. The pattern was so clear that it no longer seemed at all crazy to believe in the spirit; it seemed crazy not to. So wasn’t it my duty to warn Gloria and Lynette to steer clear of Bia, before even worse things started happening to them?
I shook my head and groaned. They’d never believe me. Neither would I, in their position. If I wanted to protect Gloria and Lynette, the way to do it wasn’t to tell them a spirit was out to get them. If it seemed that they really were in danger, I would have to find some other way to separate them from Bia.
From out on the street, I heard the sound of Lynette’s car starting up and driving away.
What was Bia feeling? Was he at all guilty? Obviously he didn’t feel guilty enough to leave Gloria and Lynette alone. A decent person would have dropped them as soon as he saw how the spirit was punishing them because of him. Instead, he was just letting it happen.
But why should he worry about Gloria and Lynette if he hadn’t worried about Thamrongsak? I thought of Thamrongsak’s letter and felt another wave of compassion for him. I got up and looked at it again. “I work always very hard at my studies and my job after school. But many times I am crying, because still no chance for a better life, as my family are so poor. Now, because of your help, I can have hope.…”
The words blurred; I couldn’t go on reading it. I wiped my eyes and picked up the photo. It seemed to me now that there was an expression of sad bafflement on Thamrongsak’s face. What had happened to him was so unfair!
I dropped the photo on Mom’s desk and went back and stretched out miserably on my bed. I couldn’t help feeling partly responsible for his misfortune. I hadn’t done anything to hurt him, but I had hoped something would happen to prevent him from coming—mainly because I was afraid of what people like Mark and Gloria and Lynette would think of him.
Was there any way to help him? I didn’t know what Bia had done to him. But if Thamrongsak were still alive and well, proving Bia was an impostor might give him another chance. So why hadn’t I told Gloria that Bia was a fake? Partly because I had realized that the photo and letter from Thamrongsak still wouldn’t be enough evidence to convince her. And what would be enough? The letter Bia was trying to snatch was what would do it—if he hadn’t found it already.
But if he hadn’t, he would now be even more determined to get his hands on it, after what I said to him in the hallway. Why hadn’t I kept my mouth shut? I actually accused him of looking for a letter from the real Thamrongsak! He’d make sure I never found it.
And he’d try to stop me from telling anybody what I knew.
I felt my heart pounding in my neck, really scared now. I remembered the strength in Bia’s hand when he grabbed me outside the spirit house, and the startling malice of what he said to me that night. I thought of the grim, steely expression on his face a few minutes ago when he warned me in his soft voice to be careful.
He was praying to the spirit often, burning incense; I was sure he had given her his lighter. If he got the spirit on his side, I’d be in a whole lot of trouble. And Bia would do whatever was necessary to keep me quiet. He didn’t have much compunction. He had coolly stolen Thamrongsak’s only chance. He wasn’t bothered by what was happening to Gloria and Lynette—and he supposedly liked them. He didn’t like me.
And I had just let him know how dangerous I was to him. What was to stop him from unleashing the spirit’s hatefulness against me? The spirit was being good to me now. But I had made no bargain with her to protect me. When would the spirit start after me? As soon as Bia paid her enough, that’s when.
Wind rattled the window. But I thought I heard another sound too. Was it a footstep, or just a normal creak? Was I really alone in the house? Maybe Bia hadn’t driven away with Lynette, but just talked to her for a while and then came back inside when she left. I wanted to call out, to see if he was there, but I felt paralyzed. He was my enemy. His whole future depended on shutting me up.
Dominic. Maybe I could get him on my side, tell him what I had figured out. He might pay more attention to the evidence I had than Gloria would. Once he knew what was going on, how could he refuse to help me?
And maybe he already knew more than I realized. I had asked the spirit to let Dominic find out the truth about Bia. And now I knew how effective the spirit could be. Maybe she had arranged things so that Dominic had information I didn’t. Together we might be able to put the whole story together and come up with solid, airtight proof. Once everybody else knew the truth about Bia, I’d be a lot safer.
But first I would have to find some way to get Dominic alone, where there was no chance Bia could overhear us. That wouldn’t be easy. Dominic and I hardly ever saw each other anymore. Bia would be suspicious if we sneaked off alone.
But if we weren’t at home, how could Bia know? I was pretty sure Dominic was at the junior high computer room right now, and it was still early. Mark would drop everything to drive me there as soon as I asked him to. And I wanted to get out of the house. I didn’t like not knowing if Bia was here or not.
I quietly closed the door of my room and called Mark. “Pick me up right away. I need a ride to the junior high,” I told him.
Mark laughed. “You think I’m your chauffeur? Forget it!” He hung up.
I stared at the phone. What was the matter with Mark? I hadn’t done anything to make him angry at me. But there wasn’t time to worry about it now. I had to get out of here and talk to Dominic. I could walk to the junior high.
The house was so dark that it seemed much later than midafternoon. A storm must be coming. Out in the dim hallway, trying to ignore the feeling of being watched, I peered cautiously through the open doorway into Bia’s room. He wasn’t there. I stood still, listening. There were no footsteps upstairs or down, no sound of computer or TV. If Bia hadn’t left with Lynette, he was being unusually quiet. Was he spying on me, or hoping to catch me by surprise? I had to get out of here fast.
I hurried to the bathroom and turned on the light for a quick look at my hair. It was a mess. I grabbed the brush. But I couldn’t seem to make my hair look right. Was it because my hand was so shaky? Why was I wasting my time like this? I was only going to see Dominic. I threw down the brush. And then I suddenly leaned forward, staring into the mirror.
The pimple on my chin had returned. And there was another one on my nose.
I felt cold. Why wasn’t my skin perfect anymore? Why had Mark been so abrupt? I became aware of a queasiness in my stomach. Maybe I really didn’t feel so hot.
“Don’t be stupid. It’s just coincidence,” I said. My voice sounded hollow. The phone rang, and I jumped.
I raced to answer it, flooded with relief. It had to be Mark, apologizing, telling me he’d give me a ride after all. Everything was okay, not ominous at all. Nothing had changed. I lifted the receiver. It was Gloria.
“I just had to tell you!” she shouted. No laryngitis now! “I peeled the mask off—and it worked! My skin looks a mil
lion times better. Lynette will die when she sees me.”
I didn’t bother telling her that by tomorrow Lynette’s skin would look just as good as hers. I couldn’t think of anything to say.
“Well, Julie? You still there?”
I mumbled something about how happy I was to hear her good news.
“You don’t sound happy,” she said. “You know something, Julie …” She paused. “Well, I think I should tell you. You’ve been kind of full of yourself lately, I was noticing.”
“I have to go, I don’t feel so hot.” It wasn’t a lie. I put down the receiver.
The pattern was very clear.
13
I stood there by the phone, feeling the sickness in my stomach. I pushed my hair back from my forehead. My hand was damp with sweat.
The transition had been so sudden! All at once the spirit was against me. What had changed her from my protector to my enemy? It had to be something that had happened after I came home—everyone had treated me like a princess at school today.
And then I remembered how long Bia and Lynette waited before driving away. Was it because I accused him of not being the real Thamrongsak? As soon as he knew I’d figured out the truth he must have done something. He could have told Lynette to wait for him, and then given the spirit one more gift—maybe something precious he was saving for an emergency, something that had finally won her over. That was why it had taken them so long to leave. And that was why the spirit was out to get me now. When she’d been against Bia, she punished his friends. Now that she was with him, she was punishing me, his enemy.
I felt like I was going to throw up, or faint, or both. I squeezed my eyes shut, breathing deeply, trying not to panic.
I had to get to the junior high and find Dominic, and he would help me. I could tell him everything, I could trust him, he would know what to do. He was the only person in the world who wouldn’t think I was crazy. He had built the spirit house, after all. He’d be thrilled to learn how well it worked. Good old Dom!
And then I moaned. What if Bia got to him first? Bia knew Dominic was the only person I could turn to. Bia knew where he was. Bia had Lynette to drive him around. He could probably come up with reasons to keep Dominic from believing my story. And just by being there, Bia would prevent me from confiding in Dominic, from telling him the truth.
I wouldn’t let him stop me. Bia already knew I had figured him out. I would just have to tell Dominic, right in front of him. It wouldn’t be easy. But it was the only thing I could do.
That wasn’t true. It wasn’t the only thing. There was something else I could do first, one more precaution I could take.
I looked down at my wrist, at the bracelet Mark had given me. There was still a chance I could stack the cards, at least partially, in my favor again. The bracelet might get the spirit back on my side. Then she’d protect me, make me safe; she’d fix my skin and hair and make everyone like me again. I started for the backyard. I ran past Mom’s study.…
“No. Not for you!”
My own voice stopped me in the hallway. I leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. I was so scared and confused I was talking to myself now. But so what? The advice I was giving was good.
It didn’t work to make wishes for yourself. I’d realized that weeks ago, when I made my first deal with the spirit. And passing Mom’s study now, the right wish had popped into my head out of nowhere, just as if someone else really had suggested it. It seemed absolutely self-evident. It was what I should have wished for in the first place. It was really the only wish to make.
I felt a sudden calm, a clarity, a deep warmth rising from inside me. I knew what to ask for. It might not make me safe. But it would do something more important. It would make things right.
I tried to keep up the feeling of calm as I stepped out into the darkening backyard. There was not a break in the clouds; dead leaves danced across the lawn and blew into my face. And as I neared the spirit house I began to notice a thick rotten smell. A smell that made me think of cramped animal cages needing to be cleaned—a smell of illness and filth.
Was it the odor of the spirit? A stench she was giving off because she was becoming more active, more powerful? Or did it just smell this way to me now because she was my enemy?
I stopped beside the spirit house, feeling queasier than ever. I couldn’t take this stink for very long. But the wish was short—and final. I’d do it and stay away from the spirit house for good.
I got down on my knees, as I had seen Bia doing, put my hands on the ground in front of me, and rested my head on them.
I offer you my most respectful greeting, honorable one. This is Julie Kamen again. Please accept my gratitude for all the help you have given to me. It is very much appreciated. But there is one more request I must make. It is very important. For this, I offer you the most valuable possession I have left.
What I ask you is to please let Thamrongsak Tan-ngarmtrong come to America. Let him take his rightful place here. Please do this. It is my deepest and most sincere wish. I offer you my humblest gratitude for listening to me. Thank you.
I got to my feet, trying not to think of the spirit’s face, of her head lolling on its pillow of intestines. That’s what I was smelling, the foulness of her intestines. It was all I could do not to gag as I stepped closer. I gritted my teeth and thrust my hand through the little doorway. I dropped Mark’s bracelet inside.
My fingers touched something pulpy and moist and very warm.
I screamed and pulled my hand out and turned to run. And screamed again when Bia grabbed me.
14
“Quiet. Quiet, Julie. Quiet, please. What is matter?”
“Let go of me!” I howled. I struggled against him, grasping his wrists, trying to push his hands away from my shoulders. I was too hysterical to think; I hardly knew what I was saying. “Let me go! You can’t make her hurt me like you made her hurt Thamrongsak!”
“Quiet, Julie! Somebody hear.”
“I’ll scream again if you don’t let go!”
He dropped his hands but didn’t step back; he’d grab me again if I tried to get away. His hair was rumpled, his black and white shirt untucked. “What happen?” he whispered.
I knew I had to get away from him but I couldn’t run; my knees were so weak I could barely stand. “Oh, God, I touched her, I felt her.” I gulped, shivering with disgust. “She was in there. I felt her. All slimy and warm and … horrible.”
“Spirit? You feel spirit?” he asked me, puzzled.
“What else?”
And then, unbelievably, he laughed. “Oh, Julie!” He threw back his head, his shoulders shaking. “You think is spirit, when you touch the … the …” He couldn’t go on.
“Well, what was it then?” I demanded.
He took a deep breath, trying to control his amusement. “Boil … boil pig brain,” he said.
“What?” The words had no meaning for me. “What are you saying? I don’t get it.”
“Boil pig brain,” he repeated, wiping his eyes. “Buy it when shop for Thai meal other day. Special food. Spirit like very much. Today, warm in microwave. Then give to spirit.”
“Boiled pig’s brain?” It was too ridiculous to be possible. That was the special gift he had given the spirit? That was how he had wooed her onto his side? “Come on, Bia! You’ve got to be kidding.”
“No. Is true. Old custom,” he explained, serious now, still very close to me.
“That’s great,” I muttered. “I hope she thinks it’s delicious.” I felt stupid for being so hysterical, and angry at him for laughing at me. But my knees weren’t shaking anymore; I was beginning to pull myself together. The situation was coming back to me. I didn’t know whether the bracelet would have any effect or not—it was probably a paltry gift compared with a boiled pig’s brain.
But I was sure that in a minute Bia would do something. He would try to keep me quiet, to stop me from getting away from him and telling anybody what I knew. I looked at my watc
h. It was only four-fifteen. Nobody else would be home for at least an hour. That would give Bia plenty of time. Unless I could get to Dominic.
Thunder rumbled distantly; the wind lifted my hair. “So you were here all this time,” I said, stalling. “I thought you were out with Lynette.”
“Talk to her. Then come back and start to cut vegetable for supper.” He looked down at the ground, pushing leaves aside with his foot.
He didn’t explain why he had come back in so quietly that I didn’t hear him, or why he had made no noise at all inside the house. But I didn’t accuse him of trying to make me think he wasn’t there; I didn’t want to do anything to make him angry. I just wanted to get to Dominic. “That was nice of you. To start supper, I mean.”
“Ah, there, I see.” He knelt and picked up something from the dead leaves, something he must have dropped when I ran into him.
It was a large chef’s knife.
He lifted the knife and carefully brushed off the blade. His eyes moved back to me. He was standing straight now, I noticed. There were no dark circles under his eyes. He looked better than he had in weeks. “What you give spirit this time?” he said softly.
I had to get away from him. “None of your business,” I said. I stepped backward. Would he try to stab me if I ran for it? I turned and started walking slowly across the lawn, pushing dead leaves out of my hair.
He kept beside me. “Where you going?”
I didn’t look at him. “None of your business.”
“No. I think is my business, Julie.” His tone was chilling because it was so bland, so pleasant. “Don’t want you to talk to anybody now. Want you to stay with me, help me. Explain what you say about Thamrongsak.” He reached for my arm. “What you—”
“Bia, look!” I shouted, pointing to the left.
It was the oldest trick in the book, but he fell for it. He turned and stared back in the direction of the spirit house.
I took off. I ran past the deck, around the side of the house toward the front.
The Spirit House Page 8
