Hacienda Moon (The Path Seekers) (28 page)

29

Tandie stared out the top of the hole, her courage fading. The harsh reality of the nightmare she’d stumbled across clouded her mind. Ella said this was the place where Alice and Eliza were buried. No vision was necessary for Tandie to know that the girl told the truth. It was as if she could envision the remains of the two sisters buried in the dirt. Even though she fully understood what happened, numbness eased its way through her body, calming her mind, but not her aching heart.

She had only recently learned about her ability to connect with spirits that lived in the past. But her link to Alice wasn’t just an impersonal reading of her former belongings. There was something deeper connecting her with the girl buried in the unmarked grave.

Could she and Eric truly be the reincarnated spirits of Alice and Enrique?

“Oh Eric, I’ve failed. Baby B, Mommy failed you too.” Her voice cracked as she slumped back down to the ground.

Closing her eyes, she waited for whatever might come. Ella intended to bury her alive. Why was she prolonging the agony?

Part of Tandie wanted the Cropseys to do it. Then she’d be with her daughter. She hummed the tune she’d heard the old woman singing earlier. The flat, sorrowful notes threatened to bring the tears again. But they never did. Something else came instead.

Bright light lit up her eyelids. She opened her eyes and inhaled sharply. Sensing a warm vibration over her head, she glanced up. The smiling spirit of her Baby B floated a foot or two above her head. Tandie held her breath, fearful that the child might disappear if she moved.

“You haven’t failed me, Mommy.” Breena extended her hand down to Tandie’s chest, and a surge of warm emotions flooded her heart. This was the first time she’d ever seen her daughter outside of a dream. “I’ve been right here with you the whole time.”

“You’re really here? This isn’t just a dream, too. I’m so happy to see you,” Tandie said, her voice cracking.

“Please don’t cry,” Breena’s smile faded as Tandie’s tears fell. Even among the angels an emotional connection ruled the heart linking souls across a void that crossed both time and spiritual boundaries.

“A really bad spirit wants to hurt you,” Breena said, her full form kneeling before her mother.

“I know, baby,” Tandie whispered.

“Then don’t let them.”

“I can’t stop them. I don’t know what to do. No one knows where I am,” Tandie said.

“You know what to do. That’s why we’re both still here.”

Breena smiled and then drifted upward. Panic seized Tandie’s chest. Sitting up, she felt as if the dirt walls were closing in around her.

“Where are you going? Please don’t leave again,” Tandie pleaded.

“Don’t worry, Mommy. I’m going to bring help. I love you.” Breena’s voice faded in the wind. How could her daughter assist her? What did she mean?

Another ten minutes or so passed. The moonlight moved away from the opening, leaving Tandie in darkness, silence, and pain. She squeezed her eyes shut and prepared to accept the inevitable. Breena’s tiny spirit wouldn’t be able to bring someone. Or would she?

And then, a deep voice called her name. She glanced up at the silhouetted body of Eric Fontalvo.

* * *

“Tandie?” Eric shined his lantern’s light in her face.

“Eric! I’m down here!” she yelled.

“Did you decide to go treasure hunting again without me?” he said, his handsome face strained.

“I did, but I’m done. I got a little too excited and dug so deep that I couldn’t get out,” she said, laughing and crying at the same time. Breena kept her word. After all the oddities, she was learning that anything was possible in this game of supernatural surprises.

“I have to find something to pull you out,” Eric said.

“My ankle is sprained. I don’t think I can stand on it.”

A long pause from Eric sent flutters through Tandie’s chest. The night wore on her nerves, and common sense made her think he had decided leave.

“Hang on,” Eric said after an agonizing pause.

“Please hurry,” Tandie said, her heart fluttering.

Getting rescued by Eric reminded her of an old fairy tale she loved to hear Grandma Zee tell. She told Tandie about the phoenix rising from the ashes of the earth. The phoenix’s life was ugly and wretched before he fell into the volcanic ashes. But after his ascent into the world as a new creature, he became beautiful, feared, and legendary. That was how Tandie felt as she waited for Eric to return. She was a phoenix rising from the ashes of a bland existence to conquer the dark demons of her past.

“All right, Tandie. Guide this tree limb toward you. I’ll pull you up after you grab it.” Eric eased the branch down in the hole. The jagged edge scraped Tandie’s forehead and she cried out.

“Everything all right down there?” Eric’s panicked voice asked.

“You just whacked me a good one.” She grabbed hold of the large branch, wondering if Eric would be able to lift her weight.

“Sorry, hold on.” Eric tugged and pulled, lifting Tandie’s body inch-by-inch. If she let go, or if he weakened, she would fall. The walls of her dirt prison receded as her body lifted. At the top of the hole, Eric tugged her body and abandoned the branch. “Can you stand?” She nodded. He gave her one final tug, causing Tandie to collapse on top of him.

“Well, Mr. Fontalvo. I should say you really know how to grab a girl’s attention,” Tandie said through her gasping breaths.

“Likewise, Miss Harrison.” Eric eased his arms around her neck, pulling her to him in a kiss. She’d never been so happy to see and feel a pair of lips in her entire life.

She pulled back and stared into his eyes. “Baby B told me she’d bring help. She kept her promise,” she said, savoring his scent, and not ever wanting to let go.

“I told you to stay at the house. Are you hurt anywhere else?” he asked in a raspy voice.

“No. I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Tandie asked.

“Maybe in a few places, but you can take care of those later on. Deal?”

“You got it,” Tandie said, blushing. He gently rolled her off the top of him, sat up, and then helped her sit up. “Eric, they’re down there. I felt them. I felt Eliza’s last moments and Alice’s terror. Her agony over knowing she’d never see Enrique again.” Tandie held back her sobs. She felt re-energized instead of sad. 

Eric leaned over the hole and peered down in it as if he were trying to envision what she just said. “So this is where they buried them? At least, Saul got what he wanted out of this,” he said dryly.

Tandie didn’t understand his sudden change in attitude. “I saw everything. I even felt her pain.”

“I should never have left you.” Eric took Tandie’s hand, spread her fingers, and placed a golden four-leaf clover in her hand.

“It’s beautiful.” Tandie studied the relic. It was made with the same kind of gold as the heart she wore around her neck.

“It belonged to Enrique. It was passed down through the generations.”

“This was your ancestor’s piece?” Eric’s implication hit Tandie like a club. The link to the persecuted children of Alice and Enrique lay in her hands, the lucky one. “Okay, so the trinity is complete now. But I have no idea what happens next.”

“We don’t have much time to figure it out,” Eric said, taking the clover and returning it to his pocket. “I promised Pastor Jeffries this little gadget would stay with me. Always.”

“What’s happening? Is it Abby?” Tandie asked, trying to look brave for Eric who looked as if his best friend’s sister had already died. 

“Someone kidnapped Shania. They’re holding her at that old Catsburg Store near the coast. The note gave me specific instructions to bring you, Norma, and Saul.”

He paused, locked eyes with Tandie, and said, “I believe you now. God only knows that I fought it all these years. I do believe an evil force of some kind is at work here. But there are good spirits there, too.”

“We will beat this thing, Eric. Our combined faith can do anything,” she said. Did he also believe they were the reincarnated spirits of the two ill-fated lovers? She wanted to ask, but decided against it. Instead she said, “How did you find me?”

Eric placed an arm across Tandie’s shoulder, and glanced deep in her eyes. “You know how I found this place. Breena came to see you, right? She made me a believer again, too. Now, let’s get going.” Her body craved his support.

“I’m not sure what to do here. Ella isn’t going to let us ask her out for an exorcism date,” Eric said.

“I think I have an idea.” He pulled Tandie to her feet. A sharp ache surged through her foot. She walked two steps and stumbled. Eric caught her before she fell.

“My ankle is going to make this difficult.”

“Hold on to this,” he said, placing the lantern in her hand. At once, he bent down and scooped her up in his arms. “I’ve got you.” He started walking back toward Chelby Rose. 

“We do have a connection, Eric,” Tandie said, feeling anxious about what waited for them at the Catsburg Store.

“I know,” he answered. That was all she needed to hear.

30

In the distance, a bright light silhouetted the trees. Behind them, Sunset Beach’s hidden shores waited. Even though Tandie couldn’t see or hear the ocean, she could almost taste the strong salt water scent. Her chest tingled, and her entire body buzzed with nervous energy. The ancestors of the people connected to Enrique and Alice in some way stood together for the first time in hundreds of years. Only the night knows what will happen now that they had all gathered together in one place.

“What are those lights coming from?” Tandie asked.

“I’m not sure,” Eric answered and eased the Jeep to a stop across the street from the Catsburg Store. He looked just as worried as Tandie felt.

Images of the last time she came to this place flashed through her mind. There were no wandering souls drifting around tonight. The store looked the same. The only difference was the four five-gallon cans sitting under the window to the right side of the door. Outside the store, Gus and Norma Atwater stood beside one of the two wooden pillars that supported the ten foot awning over the door.

Norma approached the Jeep as Eric helped Tandie get out. The librarian’s face looked both nervous and happy. “You found her! I’m so happy you’re all right, hun. Well, as fine as you can be, I guess.” She glanced over Tandie leaning on Eric. “Someone is inside the store. But we don’t know who it is. Maybe we should try to call Detective Newman. That wouldn’t be like calling the police.”

“No police. Why do you think they wanted to meet us at this old store?” Eric asked Norma. A strange look passed between Eric and Gus, and Tandie couldn’t help but remember the last time they crossed paths, the night he hummed the same tune that she heard back at the store. Tonight his slicked-back hair paired with the dark coveralls gave him an alarming appearance.

“This is where Thomas Chelby set fire to the little cottage that belonged to the Cropsey’s two hundred and sixty years ago,” Norma added, “with Mary Jean inside.”

“So it all started at this place,” Tandie said.

“Yes, naive people. This is where it all began and where it will end, no doubt.” Shania emerged from in the store, a gun pointed at Tandie. She was as calm as silk with not a scratch on her. All heads turned to where she stood.

Her glare raked through Tandie. “Do you think you’ve outsmarted me, witch?” Shania said, stopping just before she reached the end of the walkway. Nausea rolled in Tandie’s stomach. There was no trace of the kind-hearted woman she now considered to be a friend left in this person standing before them.

Eric stepped toward Shania; but Gus moved into his path. “What the hell are you doing, Shania?” Eric said in a pained voice. He stared at her as if he’d never seen her before, as did Norma. Tandie blamed herself. If her sight had worked properly, then she would’ve seen this coming. Did Frieda know her friend had issues? The only person not affected by this new Shania standing on Mary Jean Cropsey’s burial grounds was Gus. He stood there smiling with a grin that made Tandie even more nervous than Shania’s gun.

“Where’s Chelby, Eric? You still can’t follow directions. You’re as dim as your godforsaken ancestors,” Shania said.

“Gus, what are you doing, son?” Norma’s shaky voice asked. Gus pulled out a gun and aimed it at her head. She stumbled backward, tripping over a large stone. Eric started toward him.

“Go ahead and be a hero, you frigid bastard. I’ll be happy to place a bullet in her head before tonight’s grand finale,” Shania said, aiming her gun at Tandie, her once beautiful face twisted by a scowl.

“Why, Shania?” Tandie said through the lump in her throat.

“Patience. We’re getting to that part. Give our nosey town librarian the ropes, Gus,” Shania ordered. She turned to Tandie. “And you, the lovely star, move over to the old water tub here beside me.” Shania pointed with her gun. Tandie locked gazes with Eric. He made a slight nod, and then she hobbled over to the tub a few feet away from Shania.

“Oh, you’re so obedient and boring,” Shania said to Tandie. “I want you to tie Eric to the post, Atwater, and then Gus will tie you up to the other one. Don’t look so worried, everyone. I promise this is going to be unforgettable fun.”

Norma followed Eric over to the beam about fifteen feet directly in front of the water tub and tied his hands behind his back and around the post. She apologized the entire time as he grunted. He never once moved his eyes away from Tandie. Then, as instructed, Gus secured Norma in a sitting position against the post across from Eric’s.

“Gus, this isn’t you. I know it’s—” Norma said.

“You don’t know anything about me,” Gus interrupted, speaking in a low voice. He walked over to Eric and yanked his ropes tighter. Eric winced and made a small gasp as he wrapped another one around his throat, securing the rope around the post. Images of ripped throats teased Tandie’s mind and her pulse quickened.

“What will you do?” Norma asked.

“What will you do?”
Shania mimicked with as much venom in her voice as she could gather. “Ask the fortune teller standing here beside me. But wait, she doesn’t have any powers. She’s about as worthless as an old mule, isn’t she?”

“We know you’re grieving, Shania. If you let Norma and Tandie go, then I won’t tell anybody about what happened here,” Eric pleaded, wincing with each swallow. But Tandie didn’t need to glimpse inside the woman’s past to see inside her dark soul. How could she have been so blind?

“I’m not grieving, you idiot. The only thing I’m sad about is that you were too stupid to get Chelby out here,” Shania spat back at Eric. Thinking about Saul made Tandie angry. Eric said he left messages for him, detailing this situation. Surely Saul didn’t want to see anyone get hurt. He couldn’t be that selfish and cold.

“Besides, why would I let the reason I’ve survived over the last twenty years prance out of my door?” Shania asked. That statement echoed in Tandie’s chest, and a dark cloud of realization set in over her mind.

Tied to the post across from Eric, Norma started praying. A raging look darkened Gus’s face. Fear for Norma’s safety raced through Tandie. Clearly, the librarian had cared for this guy; but his soul was just as dark as Shania’s. Tandie remembered speaking with a woman who said her name was Minerva the last time she was at this store. From the vision she had as Rose Chelby, she knew that it was the ghost of Mary Jean Cropsey she’d somehow channeled. Was that spirit possessing Shania all this time?

“Let them go. We can leave here together. Just like the way you wanted to do a couple of days ago,” Eric suggested. Gus perked up and gave Shania a hard frown. Under different circumstances, Tandie probably would’ve glared at Eric too. But she suspected his statement caused just the right amount of tension he wanted it to do.

“Look at what I have standing here beside me,” Shania said, moving to put her arm around Gus’s waist. “Do I look lonely?”

“No, but I’m sure you could do better,” Eric stated.

Before Shania could respond, Gus picked up what looked like a pitchfork and slammed the back of it against Eric’s head. Tandie started toward him, and Norma started chanting even louder in that
odd language. Gus shoved Tandie backward, and with her bad ankle it didn’t take much for her to tumble to the ground
.

“Leave her the fuck alone,” Eric hissed. And then, Gus aimed the back of the pitchfork at his head again.

“Gus, chill!” Shania yelled, her chest heaving.

“Did you kill your husband? And hurt Abby?” Eric asked, ignoring a fuming Gus standing over him. Blood trickled down the side of his face, and the pain in his voice radiated in his expression. It took all of Tandie’s resolve to stay away from him.

Shania gave Eric a calm, dark look and a smile, the markers of an insane mind. “They deserved it, especially Virgil. If Abby hadn’t been such a nosey little wench that night her brother was handled, then Gus would never have had to bother with her. How does it feel to know your best friend was nothing more than a low-life pimp?”

“About the same way it feels to know his widow is a psychopath,” Eric said bravely. Gus raised the pitchfork again; but Shania grabbed it and said, “No. I’ll make the last move in this game.
He will regret those words. Once he realizes there’s nothing he can do to save his beloved from burning alive in that store.” Gus lowered the tool, but kept his gaze locked on Eric. And for the first time since Tandie met him, he looked terrified. “Bullseye! You should see the look on your face, Eric.”

“What do you want from us?” Tandie demanded, her chest tight and her ankle throbbing.

“No, it’s more like what I need,” Shania said, turning back to Tandie. “You really don’t remember me do you, Tandie? Twenty years ago I was playing in the woods just outside of Castle Hayne. There were six of us teenagers.”

“Oh no,” Tandie closed her eyes, thankful she was sitting on the ground, her body numb as if she’d lost all of her blood at once. The past was reaching out with its greedy claws, yet again.

“Yes, you’re starting to remember, aren’t you?” Shania hissed. “There were four girls, two boys, a little snot-nosed six-year-old who should’ve stayed home, and a psychopath on the loose.”

She bent down to the ground beside Tandie. “My sister felt bad about leaving the little girl in that old cabin. I tried to warn her, to tell her that I saw someone hiding in the bushes. But Chelsea never listened to anyone. The moment my sister grew a conscience was the day I’d always regret. We heard her cry out. One of the boys went back with me to find her. The other one ran away. Fast. Damn coward.” She stopped, took a deep breath, stood, and looked off in the distance.

“Virgil
took Abby and her friend with him. They left Gus
and me to fend for ourselves.
I was right about the psychopath. He beat my sister, and—and raped her.
I watched it all. Chelsea spotted me hiding in the bushes and signaled for me to run while the monster had his way with her. But I didn’t run. No.
Gus picked me up and carried me off. We weren’t fast enough, though. The psycho caught us. He moved fast and quiet like a ghost. That sick bastard tortured us, and almost beat us to death.” She stopped and took in a few gasping breaths. Her face softened and she looked more like the person Tandie shared a private moment with a week ago.

Gus moved over to her and massaged her shoulders. She frowned and her stony face resurfaced. “Don’t do that,” she snapped at him. “My mother, God rest her soul, told me that we’re cursed; that one of our female ancestors, a woman named Mary Jean, made a deal with the devil. The Cropseys didn’t get off blood-free no more than the Fontalvos or Chelbys did. To create the Broken Heart Curse meant sacrificing something in return. In Mary Jean’s case, that meant giving up her daughter’s soul. Now it’s the same for every generation after hers. At least one little girl has to die. Mary Jean gave her daughter up to the darkness. I will not let the same thing happen to mine.”

Tandie caught her breath. Norma had stopped chanting and was listening too. Bullyish Chelsea was Shania’s sister. Mary Jean Cropsey’s relatives had been linked with Tandie throughout her life. Saul’s claim that she was Alice reborn became more and more of a reality.

“But how could that be? I clearly remember Chelsea calling her sister, Carina,” Tandie thought back.

“My first name is Carina. My full name is
Carina Shania Woodard. Silver Teeth Carina, the ugly sister with the braces and the glasses tied around her head. Do you remember me now?”

“My family moved us away after my sister died. But the pain of what I experienced, and what I saw my sister go through still haunts me to this day. I lived and breathed the plan for my revenge against Virgil and his skinny sister—the ones who ran.
And you… the one who made my sister go back in the first place. You should’ve stayed in New York. But no, you had to go and move back here and remind me of the past,” Shania said, her eyes filled with rage.