by L. M. Abbott
“Leave him alone,” Cailean shouted and sprang forward. Her arms splashed into the water colder than arctic air. Her flesh stung like it was being ripped from the bone. One of the wolves swam towards her, its mouth wide open. No time for her to react, three pointed teeth pierced the skin of her left wrist. She pulled it back, surprised there wasn’t any pain.
The fur on her skin was soft, velvety, wrapping around her hands. She opened her eyes. Why was there so much white light in the cave? Where had the window come from? She looked around the cavern... no, it was her bedroom. The curtain was wound around her hands, and fumbling with the material, she managed to untangle them. “Fergus, it was all a dream.” She pulled the doll towards her. “How could it have felt so real?” Her wrist hurt, a slight burning throb. She pulled up a wet sleeve and bolted to her feet. Three small puncture wounds stood out on the inside of her wrist.
“Cailean, you here?” Josh called, thumping up the stairs.
“Yes,” she said, dropping back into the wicker chair.
Josh hauled off his raincoat, hung it over the back of the desk chair and sat down, his sketch pad on his lap. “You look freaked out. Did the Vampire Crow come to your house?”
“Where’s Seamus?”
“What do you think? He couldn’t wait to try out his new baseball cleats.”
“I went to the cave again.”
Josh slid to the edge of his seat. “Anything happen?”
“No. I dreamed about it though.” Cailean held the doll close and reported her adventure. “It’s really weird because my sleeves are wet.” She held them out as proof.
“That’s because it’s raining and you fell asleep right next to the open window.” Josh pointed to a puddle of water crawling along the hardwood floor.
Thunder clapped, bearing down on the house like booms from a hundred canons. Lightning streaked across the sky. The lamp light flickered, but didn’t go out.
Cailean didn’t even blink. “The wolf was real. Look at the teeth marks on my wrist.”
Josh examined them for a long time without speaking. “Well...” he finally said.
“Well what?” Cailean snapped.
“They look like ordinary scratches to me.” Josh eyed the fantasy book on the desk. “You go into another world when you read. Like me,” he added quickly. “Sometimes we get so involved...” He left the rest unspoken.
Cailean drew her legs up to her chest. “My story did sound wacky when I said it out loud.”
Josh flipped open his sketch pad. “Take a look at the strange creature I drew on the way home from Brook City?”
Cailean shot forward in the chair. She gaped at the drawing of a small human-like creature. Its hands tapered into three long fingers, bushy eyebrows slanted towards brown hair. “Did you copy that from a book?”
“No. I sort of saw it in my mind.”
“The creature in my dream.” Cailean jabbed her finger at the image. “That’s it.”
Chapter 4
Cailean awoke early the next morning, her stomach growling like she hadn’t eaten for days. “Dad, I’m starving. What’s for breakfast?”
Her father placed a plate of pancakes in front of her. “There’s lots more so eat up.”
She picked at the food with a glum expression. “I’m in the mood for hamburgers.”
“Hamburgers!” Her father stuck a finger in his ear trying to clear it. “Got to get these tested. I thought you said you wanted a hamburger.”
“I’ve been craving one all night.”
“What’s brought this on?”
Cailean couldn’t explain the sudden urge and blurted out the first thing that popped into her head. “Seamus devours so many he’s given me an appetite for them.”
“Hmm,” her father said. “I was hoping you’d have more of an influence on him. Anyway, I’ll tell you what. We’ll have hamburgers with plenty of glazed onions for lunch.”
“It’s a deal,” Cailean said and cut up the pancakes, chomping down on each morsel with a snap.
Her father ate in silence and didn’t speak until he’d drunk two mugs of tea. She knew what was coming before he said it.
“It’s time we talked over Mr. Murphy’s offer.”
“Dad, you were there when I promised Mom never to sell for any reason.”
“Your mother’s land is a very small portion of the forest.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“The animals will simply migrate to another part of the forest. I swear no harm will come to them.”
Cailean looked out the window and watched a squirrel carry an acorn up the maple tree in the yard. Would that little animal survive the change? “I don’t care,” she said. “You and Mom taught me to abide by a promise.”
“Listen to me, Sweetheart. This is a great opportunity for you.”
She sliced off a huge portion of pancake and stuffed it in her mouth. “I wish Mr. Murphy would leave Loon Cove forever.”
“I want you to sell the land.”
The words uttered with such calm couldn’t have come from her father. “Dad, you can’t mean that, especially knowing how Mom felt.”
“I do mean it. And as for your mother, she’d be the first to agree with my decision.”
Cailean’s world evaporated like fog on a sunny day and nothing could be done to stop it. “No, she wouldn’t.” A single tear slid down her cheek. “It’s my land and you can’t make me sell.”
“It’ll be best for everyone.”
“I’ll never sell.”
Her father threw down his napkin. “My mind’s made up. You’ll do as I say.”
“Why are you being so mean?” Cailean cried and ran out the back door, snatching her jacket from the coat rack as she went.
The temperature had dipped fifteen degrees overnight and hadn’t risen much despite the bright sunshine. The wind nipped at her neck and she pulled up the collar of her jacket. The streets were empty as she made her way through town. Birds chirped, their musical tones soothing away a tiny fragment of the resentment towards her father. She saw Mr. Murphy and Steve go into the restaurant. I hope your food tastes lousy, she thought turning down the laneway to Murphy’s Field. The gate swung back and forth, the rusty hinges squeaking. She closed it behind her, afraid the ponies had taken off again, and climbed the slope, the early morning dew glistening on the grass. The brown pony ate hay, the grey galloped around the inside of the fence, trotting to a stop next to its companion.
“She’s here.”
Cailean stared into the foliage near the ponies. “Who said that?”
The brown pony’s tail whipped the air.
“I didn’t notice before. Are her eyes green or yellow?”
Cailean leaned in over the top of the fence, searching the tall grass. “Is someone there?”
The grey pony scuffed a hoof on the ground.
“That annoying boy, Steve was here then.”
The brown pony neighed and reared its head.
“I enjoyed helping him off the fence.”
A low chuckle sounded.
Cailean’s eyes went over every branch, bush, any spot capable of concealing someone. The voices had to be coming from somewhere in the trees. She looked back to the ponies. Could they be the ones talking? She burned crimson as if she’d broadcast the thought to the world. What a stupid idea. “I’ll see you later, ponies,” she said and heard cracking noises from the forest.
“Stop pushing me,” Josh yapped, limping from behind a fir tree. “I’m going as fast as I can.” He took off his sneaker and dumped out a small pebble.
Seamus pulled a twig from his hair. “Hurry up. I’ll be too old to play baseball by the time we get out of here.”
“Did you have a good laugh?” Cailean stood before the boys, hands firmly on her hips. “I thought you were my friends.”
Josh slipped his foot back into his sneaker. “Have a good laugh at what?”
Seamus swished away a bumble bee. “What are you so mad about?”
“I didn’t find your little trick one bit amusing.”
Josh stooped to tie his lacing. “Honest, Cailean, we don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You hid in the trees and tried to make me think the ponies were talking. It didn’t work.”
Seamus gave her a weary look. “Now who’s playing a trick. Me and Josh were checking out my dad’s rabbit snares.”
“Right. And I’m a wolf.” The two ponies sauntered over to the fence. “Mr. Murphy wants to build a hotel and golf course in this field.”
The brown pony bucked.
“We know,” Seamus said. “Stevie boy bragged about it at Mellie’s this morning. He said you were selling land to his father.”
“That’s news to me. Too bad for him he’s going to have to take it back.”
Josh slapped his leg. “I knew it. That’s what we told him.”
“Dad wants me to sell despite Mom’s wishes,” Cailean said and ran off.
“Slow down,” Josh yelled. “What’s the rush?” He looked with puzzlement at Seamus. “I’ve never seen her run on her toes before. It’s looks real uncomfortable.”
Seamus sped after her. “You’ll end up with injuries if you keep doing that. Then how will you play sports?”
She swung open the gate, almost ripping it off the hinges. “What are you talking about?”
“Running on your toes.”
Cailean looked at her feet now flat on the ground.
Josh wobbled like a duck the last few yard, his jacket open, one sleeve draped down a shoulder. He slouched against the fence and pulled out his supply of candy. “It was creepy.”
Cailean banged the gate shut. A spray of rotted wood flew into the air. “Will you guys give up with the jokes.”
When they reached the main road Mr. Murphy drove by, the engine revved, breaks screeching. The car swerved and zoomed up the gravel path to Cailean’s house, the tires spitting rocks behind it. “What does he want now?” she grumbled and raced down the road.
Josh tossed another candy into his mouth. “She’s on her toes again.”
“Yep,” Seamus said. “She’s been acting weird since her birthday.”
“Whoa.” Josh plumped out his cheeks. “Now she’s running like a normal person again. Why would she do that?”
Seamus hunched his shoulders. “Girls are odd sometimes.”
Mr. Murphy’s voice came from the kitchen. Cailean couldn’t make out what he’d said but the tone implied he was happy.
“Cailean,” her father called. “Mr. Murphy’s here.”
“Big news flash,” she mumbled. Tempted to leave, she spun back to the door, and with a hand on the knob changed her mind. Leaving wouldn’t solve this problem.
Mr. Murphy smiled or at least that’s what Cailean assumed it must be. “Hello again, young lady.”
Her father beckoned her to take a seat at the table. “Mr. Murphy’s here for your final answer about the sale of the land.”
Cailean took the chair farthest from the man, his plastic grimace once more in place.
“I’m sure you’ve given a lot of thought to my proposal and have come to the right decision.” Confidence dripped from each and every word. “Young people today are so knowledgeable about the world and what’s best for them.” Mr. Murphy paused while Sam sat down by his daughter. “Much more than we were at their age. Don’t you agree, Mr. Wadly?”
Sam drank his tea and didn’t respond.
“Now, young lady, I-”
“My mom’s land is not for sale,” Cailean nearly spit out. “I can’t break my word to her.”
Mr. Murphy’s expression didn’t change. “You should really give my proposal more consideration. Think very carefully about what you’re throwing away.”
“I won’t change my mind for any reason. Good-bye, Mr. Murphy.” Cailean kept her voice polite.
“I am truly sorry, my dear, but you give me no other choice.”
Sam looked Mr. Murphy squarely in the face. “No choice about what?”
“I looked into the deed of ownership for the land.” He sounded warm, friendly like he was conveying wonderful news. “There isn’t any.”
Sam half rose from his chair. “That’s impossible. Everyone around here knows that land’s been in my wife’s family for generations.”
“By word of mouth only.” Mr. Murphy’s smile reached his eyes for the first time. “Not legally which is all that matters.”
Cailean squirmed on the inside. “You’re wrong. My mother wouldn’t lie to me.”
“Mr. Wadly, I was willing to compensate your daughter regardless of the circumstance. I’m sorry she’s been so difficult to deal with.”
“You want to give me money because you know there is a deed.”
Sam shoved his cup away, ignoring the hot tea splashing on his hand. “Cailean, run along to your room. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“I’ll find the deed, Mr. Murphy, then you won’t be able to steal my land.” Cailean flew down the hall and took the stairs two at a time. “Who does he think he is?” She sat in the wicker chair with the Scottish doll. “Fergus, he was so sure I’d sell. Josh said that Steve is smug. The word fits Mr. Murphy even better.”
Cailean heard him leave and dashed to the window. He walked to his car with long, slow strides, stopped and looked up at her. He smiled sending chills down her spine.
Cailean lay down on the bed, her eyes drawn as if by a magnet to the framed map of the Railway Rocks. “He’s not getting my land no matter what he or anyone else says.”
The doll sat tall in the wicker chair, the bagpipes resting across his lap, the mouthpiece close to its mouth.
“Fergus, strange events keep happening ever since my birthday. The first one is the voice in the cave.” Cailean counted off on her fingers. “That could have been Seamus disguising his voice. Second is the horned wolf-like shadow outside Josh’s house. Probably a trick of shadows.” A third finger raised. “Aunt Luperca intruded her nasty self into my life acting all nice and sugary.” Cailean pretended to gag. “With the ugliest dress ever made. Four: The pony. Let’s just say it helped Steve off the fence five seconds after I wished it would. Maybe that was a happy coincidence.” She stuck out her thumb. “Five: The dream about the wolves and the little creature.” She stared at her wrist. Faint traces of the teeth marks remained. “I can’t explain that one away.”
She rolled off the bed and went to her desk. “Six: Josh drew the creature from my dream.” A shudder coursed through Cailean. “Fergus, how could he have done that?” She checked her emails. Two from Josh enquiring how she was. “Maybe the creature is from one of the books we both read. Seven.” Another finger extended. “The ponies talked...that had to be Seamus and Josh. Eight: I run on my toes.” She turned to Fergus once more. “According to Seamus and Josh.”
Her father scuffed along the carpet in the hall to the living room.
“I never dreamed Dad would side with Mr. Murphy over me and Mom.” Cailean switched the laptop to sleep mode. “Fergus. If anything else occurs, I’ll run out of fingers for counting.” She saluted the doll. “I gotta go tell Gramps about Mr. Murphy’s big revelation. Thanks for listening.”
Her grandfather rested on a wooden stool in his front yard trimming a rose bush. He listened, continuing to nip and cut while she talked non-stop. “I wouldn’t worry, Love,” he said when she concluded. “Your father’s a smart man. He’ll protect your mom’s land regardless of Mr. Murphy’s claim.”
“No, he won’t. Dad wants me to sell.”
Her grandfather’s clippers stopped in mid-air.
“See. Even you’re surprised by his reaction.”
“You must’ve misunderstood. I’ll have a quiet word with Sam and get the matter straightened out.”
“What about the deed?”
“It has to be somewhere. Your mother and Mellie were great friends. Maybe she can help.”
“Thanks Gramps. I knew I could depend on you.” Me
llie was in Brook City so Cailean went to Josh’s house to check on the injured fox cub. The wire cage sat empty on the work bench and neither Josh nor his parents were home. Cailean moved on to Seamus’s house and was told he was with his father collecting rabbits from their snares. As it was almost five o’clock, she returned home.
“How was your day?” Her father’s usual question at supper time.
She didn’t reply. Why do so when he already knew the answer.
“Gramps told me you saw Josh’s injured fox cub.”
“Yes.” Cailean laid her fork down, the plate of macaroni and cheese hardly touched. “I’m not hungry. Can I go to my room?”
Her father nodded.
She had a long email from Josh informing her that the fox cub had gotten out of the cage and taken off. His parents had searched the woods with no luck. He was mystified how the animal had escaped the cage, unless of course Seamus had released it as a prank.
A light tap on the door, she shut down the lap top. “Cailean, I’ve brought you a snack.” Her father placed a chicken sandwich and a glass of milk on the desk. “There’s no need to starve because you’re angry with me.”
She went to bed, the sandwich uneaten. The nights had grown much colder, a sure sign that summer was on the way out and school was on the way in. Of course, Josh would be thrilled, Seamus would mope and complain. Rain pelted against the side of the house lulling her to sleep.
Cailean startled awake. A sound had woken her, a scratching noise like the clawing of a mouse. She leaned over the side of the bed and checked underneath. Not even a particle of dust. She darted across the room to the window, her toes bunching up on the cold floor. A branch from the maple tree scraped against the glass in a gust of wind. About to go back to bed, she saw movement below. The rain had stopped and the moon highlighted the brown Newfoundland pony standing motionless on the crest of the hill. His short, bushy tail flittered in the breeze. In the shadow cast by the house, an animal she couldn’t quite make out, moved into her line of vision. It was too small to be Barlo. Maybe a lynch or a fox? The figure went to the pony’s side. A wolf! That was impossible? Gramps had told her they’d been extinct in Loon Cove for over eighty years.
