I jumped, startled as Tammy waved a hand in front of my face putting an end to my pondering. “Did you even hear me?” she asked with attitude.
“No, I’m sorry, just thinking.” I looked out the car window, amazed when I realized we were already sitting parked in Malcom’s driveway. I noticed a pair of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles running across the street off to the next house in line to Trick or Treat, their parents trailing behind; flashlight beams cutting through the darkness as they walked.
Tammy gave me a sideways glance. “Hey, are you okay?”
I closed my eyes as I sucked in a deep breath, blowing it back out my nose. “Yep. Let’s get this done.”
Every step felt heavy somehow, and I trudged up the front steps behind Tammy. I resisted the urge to kick the rotting jack-o-lantern with its glaring grimace of a grin, mocking me: I know what you don’t know it seemed to scream at me.
Malcom swung open the door before Tammy could get a knock in. He must have been waiting for us.
“Come on in,” he said as I passed him, ever the gentleman holding the door open. “I’m waiting for my parents to come back with Candace, then we can go.”
“You got candy duty again, huh?”
“Yeah. You remember few years back don’t ya?” he asked.
I nodded in reply. That was the year their house and two cars got egged all to hell while his folks had taken Candace trick-or-treating, and Malcom had spent a few hours with us at Tammy’s while we watched a couple horror flicks.
“How could we forget?” Tammy laughed. “Ug, that was so nasty.”
A creaking sound came from behind me, and at first I ignored it, but the creaking came faster and more loudly. I saw Malcom wrinkle his forehead. He could hear it too, despite the endless chatter coming from our friend. Carefully, I turned around and peeked into the living room.
Back and forth, back and forth the White’s rocking chair creaked and moaned. Any faster and it would tip over. I had a guess about who our guest was.
“Cyndy?” I asked in a whisper.
The answering giggles confirmed I was right. Before my eyes, I watched her body begin to solidify. Lights flickered in the room as she pulled the energy necessary to take form. Looking as lovely as ever, she dangled her legs as she continued to rock, her golden honey curls bouncing all about.
Krystal Haggart, I would be careful if were you.
“I kinda planned on it, but thanks for the advice.” I went ahead and spoke out loud for Malcom and Tammy’s benefit seeing his folks weren’t around.
Cyndy stopped rocking. Oh, I don’t think you know the danger you’re truly in. Abagail is keeping you in the dark, but I want you to see the light so you’ll be prepared. I’ll be around tonight if you need me, all you have to do is ask.
“Okay. I appreciate it.”
And Krystal? One more thing. Keep a close watch on your friend there, won’t you?
I looked over my shoulder at my friends. “Which one?” I turned back around, but Cyndy had vanished.
“Typical,” I muttered under my breath.
“What’s that?” Tammy asked. Color sat flushed high on her cheek bones in her excitement, and I sighed warily.
“They only tell me enough to scare the crap outta me, but never enough to actually be helpful.”
“What else did she say?” Malcom, unlike Tammy, was worried; I could see it in his face. At least he was taking the situation seriously.
“Like I said, nothing terribly helpful.” I looked up to the ceiling. “Sorry, Cyndy. Basically, we’re walking into a situation more dangerous than I’ve been led to believe.” I had known already though from the dread pulsing through me with every beat of my heart. “She said to watch out for a friend, but she didn’t say who.” I shook my head as Malcom’s family walked in through the front door.
Candace shouted when she saw us and ran up to me, jumping up into my arms in a bear hug.
“Oh, my! Who could this beautiful princess be?” I feigned surprise as I looked over her made-up face.
“Oh, Krystal! It’s me, Candace. I’m just dressed up as Ariel. Look,” she held up her hand for me to admire. “Mama painted my nails too. Don’t they look pretty?”
“Smashing, darling,” I laughed. “Well, you’re the loveliest princess I ever laid eyes on, that’s for sure.”
Candace leaned in as if to hug me tighter and whispered in my ear, “Be careful, Krystal. I love my brother. Please bring him back home for me.”
I pulled back so I could look into her face, her eyes brimming with innocence, surprised at how grown-up she sounded. A chill ran through my body, I could feel goose bumps rising on my arms and legs. I nodded, and whispered back, “I promise.”
My answer earned me a brilliant smile and a kiss on the cheek.
“Better get going,” Tammy said, tapping me on the shoulder. “I’ll be waiting in the car.”
“Okay. Ready, Malcom?”
He nodded and pulled on his leather jacket. He grabbed handfuls of Halloween candy, stuffing them into his pockets. “Gotta keep my energy up.” He hugged his parents and Candace. All the while my stomach was twisting in knots. I felt burdened with responsibility to bring him home to his family.
“Good bye,” I called to the Whites as Malcom pulled the door closed. “Look, Malcom, maybe you should stay home tonight.”
“Girl, I’ve got your back,” He gestured in Tammy’s direction as she started her Civic. “That one will lead you straight into danger.”
“You do have a point,” I replied, and Malcom put his arm around me, steering me to the car, sure to an outsider we looked like a couple.
I settled my butt in the backseat so I could zone out and think without Tammy asking me a million or so questions. “Hey, know where we’re going, Tammy?”
“Heck yeah, out near Harper’s Crossroads. Been to the Tramping Grounds a few times by myself to take pictures and do a little research and stuff.” That was news to me, but I figured I wouldn’t press her about it, all things considered.
We peeled out of the drive, and I couldn’t help but steal a backwards look at the White’s house, certain that for better or worse, my life was never going to be the same again.
Chapter 27
“Holy crap, look at all the cars,” Malcom whispered.
I peered from my seat in the back, and my stomach fell. “This is so not good,” I lamented. “I bet it’s going to be so much harder to get our hands on the damn book now.” I wasn’t comfortable saying satanic bible out loud. I got chills every time.
“Well, no shit Sherlock,” mocked Tammy. “Did Jett mention how many people he was inviting?”
“Nope. I barely even saw him all week, and the couple times I did, Tara had her arm around him like they were back together. I ‘spect he doesn’t even remember inviting us to begin with.”
Tammy pulled over onto the side of the road a couple hundred yards down from the pathway to the Grounds.
“Girl, hope you got a flashlight in here.”
“Check the glove box, Malcom. Might be one in there.”
Malcom opened the box and out popped tissues, papers and other unmentionables. He puckered his lips together as if he had tasted a sour lemon. “You expect me to dig through all your junk?”
Tammy answered with a sigh, leaning over to rummage into the unseen mess, and pulled out a flashlight the length of my hand, triumph on her face. “See, told ya I had one.”
“I think we might need two. Think your parents would have stocked one in the trunk for ya?” I asked.
She answered by popping open the trunk and started to look while Malcom and I filed out of her Civic. The air was brisk but only added to my jitters, my teeth chattering away. I wrapped my flannel around me tighter and rubbed at my arms. Michael Jackson’s Thriller was pumping through the air, Malcom bounced to the beat.
“I don’t see one. We’ll have to make do with the small flashlight.”
“Thanks for checking, Tammy.” I cursed
myself silently for not bringing an extra light. “Why don’t you lead the way?”
As we walked along the white painted line on the dark stretch of road, I started a mental check. Hey, are ya’ll with me?
We’re here, Krystal. Ah, that was Abel.
Abel, when you say “we” you are referring to…
Legion. He paused. Spiral Spider is with us, as is Abigail and you saw Bernie in the visions at the Akashic Records. Cynthia Mae is standing by as are Malcom and Tammy’s Guides. You should be aware that of the individuals here-- the teens, their guides are present as well, and will help if able and if needed. Saraphina as well as the other Angelic Guardians of all are present. A Legion at your service. Remember, we are unable to impose on free will—we cannot force actions. We can try and inspire and manipulate events—but only to a point.
Then what good are you? I asked.
If we were able to impose on will, the point of you being present would have been moot.
If only that were the case. I shot back.
Our trio paused at the head of the path leading down to the peculiar circle known as the Devil’s Tramping Grounds, or Stomping Grounds, depending on who you asked, still serenaded by belated Mr. Jackson, may God bless his soul.
“Man, this song is epic,” I muttered breaking the tension of the moment. You could see flickering from the bonfire even from where we stood, and I knew the fire must be huge. I could hear voices occasionally over the music. I looked to Malcom, then to Tammy. “Still in ya’ll?” I wanted to give them one more chance to change their minds, but they nodded.
“Well, let’s do this.”
The path was just wide enough for the three of us. Tammy pointed her pencil thin flashlight towards the ground so we could check our footing, but halfway down, we didn’t need it anymore so bright was the fire’s light.
As we neared the end of the path, we held back a few feet to take it all in before joining the crowd—and it was a crowd. I recognized many other kids from school, and dozens of others of whom I hadn’t had an opportunity to make acquaintances with, but given many of their athletic builds, figured Jett knew them from his sports pursuits.
“So, Krystal, do you and your, um, “little friends” have a plan?” Tammy asked.
“Not really.” But that would have been a great idea, I added to myself. “Whoever gets a hold of that book, try to toss it into the fire.”
“Gotcha. I guess we should mingle and try to figure out where it is.”
“Yeah,” Malcom added. “Looks like we’re late to the party. If the book’s here, they’ve probably got it out already.”
“I always did like to make an entrance,” I joked wryly.
Taking a deep breath, I walked out into the circle of light with my friends right behind me, meeting an invisible wall of heat being thrown from the fire. I took my flannel off and tied it haphazardly around my waist as I tried to take note of my surroundings. The earth was pale in the circle, supposedly a side effect of the Devil walking and pondering his next move all hours of the night. Tale also claimed anything or anyone left in the circle overnight would be mysteriously moved elsewhere, but so far, no one was disappearing before my eyes.
“Here comes Jett,” whispered Tammy. We watched him stride over, all confidence and charm, Tara sauntering and simpering in his wake. Malcom snorted behind me. He wasn’t a fan of either of them.
“Hey, Krystal, I see ya’ll made it,” Jett said, flashing me a brilliant smile. Tara grabbed onto Jett’s arm, smirking at me all the while. Jett took a look down at her, a frown passing over his features as quickly as it came, but I wasn’t here to play games with Tara. I didn’t give a damn about their relationship, and I wasn’t after Jett.
In desperation, I grabbed onto Malcom’s arm and hugged onto him and pasted a fake smile on my face. Shock, then understanding washed over Malcom’s features. He stood up taller as if he were proud and pulled me in closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. The confusion on Jett’s face would have been absolutely hysterical if the situation wasn’t so serious.
“Thanks for having us. Sure looks like an awesome party.” I smiled wide.
“Uh, yeah, well.” Jett looked me over as if he were trying to figure me out, I could see his wheels turning and the surrender when he finally gave up. Some people are so easy to read. “There’s drinks over in the coolers on the far side of the fire. Help yourselves.” Pulling Tara behind him, Jett turned around and walked away.
“That took some balls, Krystal,” muttered Tammy. “You’re going to get a bad rep.” Inter-racial relationships were still taboo in our neck of the woods. They weren’t unheard of—if you were in one you needed to be prepared for some hazing or an impromptu ass kicking, but that was about it. Even down the street a piece in Siler City, they were more common, but then again those were town folks. I took a closer look around at those assembled, and sure enough, I could count the Hispanics and African-Americans on one hand, including Malcom.
“Well, it worked for now didn’t it? Last thing we need right now is Jett trailing me like I’m a bitch in heat and Tara trying to kick my ass to boot.”
Malcom gave me a squeeze. “You can be my pretend girlfriend anytime.”
“Thanks.” I tapped my fingers to my lips. “Why don’t we take a walk around the perimeter? Maybe we’ll see the book?”
Slowly, we started to make our way around the circular clearing. The bonfire was surrounded with logs pulled from the woods, and there wasn’t a free seat in sight. Most kids had beers in their hands or Mason jars filled with a clear liquid that I hoped was water, but I doubted it. Without Jett and Tara watching us, I didn’t feel like there was a reason to continue the charade with Malcom, and I relaxed my guard a little.
“Hey, look over there,” Tammy’s whisper, sounding much like a hiss, stopped us in our tracks. “See Missy Anne over there?”
I craned my neck trying to see. “Nope. Where is she is?”
“She’s over around the fire a piece. Looks like she’s reading from a book. When you ever known her to be a reader?”
“I see her,” said Malcom.
Tammy looked at me. “So, what do we do?”
“Hold on.” I closed my eyes and held my hands out in front of me as if I were savoring the insane heat from the flames. There’s young girl name of Missy Anne reading from a book. Is that the book we’re looking for? My skin prickled and tingled up and down the side of my right arm, a reminder I wasn’t in this alone.
It is, Krystal, Spiral answered. Be careful, the young lady isn’t mentally stable.
“Great.”
Tammy cleared her throat, “Um, Krystal, remember we’re in public?”
I opened my eyes and faced my friends. “Sorry, sometimes I forget when I’m talking to them, how it must look to an outsider. So do ya’ll want the good news or the bad news first?”
“Just hit us with it,” said Malcom.
“Okay, so the good news is, this is the book we’re looking for. The bad news is Missy isn’t mentally stable right now. I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean exactly, but we should probably proceed with caution.”
“Probably that damn book she’s been reading. My mama always said you mess with fire too much, eventually you’re gonna get burned.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” I agreed with Malcom. This was the first time I’d been in a leadership role of any kind, and I had no idea what to do. I knew my friends were looking to me to come up with a plan. “Let’s continue on around, maybe get a drink? Scope things out a bit closer?” Give me a chance to think this over, I added.
You’re doing fine, Krystal, no worries.
“Thanks, Abel,” I whispered.
We skirted around the edge of the clearing as we continued our way around to the coolers. We passed by a random couple or two who must’ve snuck away from the bonfire to make out hidden among the shadows of the trees. They ignored us, and we ignored them. We were able to a better vantage point of the crowd
. The boys sat sprawled on the logs drinking and watching as several of the girls danced along to the thumping beat of a song I didn’t recognize. Watching them dance before flames licking towards the sky felt surreal, and I guess it felt that way for Malcom and Tammy too, as we paused, entranced for a moment.
“White girls sure can’t dance,” Malcom noted, breaking the silence, and I let out a weak laugh.
“Hey,” Tammy gave Malcom a gentle elbowing. “I can dance.”
The Spirit Who Loved Me: Spirit Whispers Book One Page 20
