Vision of Shadows (28 page)

“The reason why you weren’t able to catch Weeder is because it was something that law enforcement couldn’t handle. Now I know you want to say that you believe in the law. So do I, but you and I both know that this town is different. I know you only want what’s best for Bristol, but you can’t give it to her with a badge. Not this time.”

Uncle Mark scowled. He turned when Pinky stuck his head in again. Moving over to the door, he spoke in private to the deputy. When Pinky stepped out this time, Uncle Mark let the screen door shut. Then he closed the main door and locked it. Stepping back to the center of the room, he looked at me and sighed. I waited, certain that he was going to put his foot down or something, but when I looked in his eyes, all I saw was love.

Uncle Mark reached to his badge and pulled it off. Tossing it on the table, he gave me a reassuring smile. He sat down on the coffee table again and took my hand. “Okay, talk to me.”

I was scared to death, but what could I do
? I looked over at Payne, who clearly wanted me to do what my uncle had said. I looked over to Aunt Breanne, who smiled, and then finally over to Uncle Mark with his patient eyes. “I want to,” I mumbled. “But I’m scared. I don’t want you to look at me and see a freak.”

Payne squeeze
d my shoulder. Uncle Mark kissed my fingers and said one word: “Never.”

“
All right,” I said, forcing myself to take a deep breath, “here goes.”

Going Out On A Limb

“Let’s start with Jared,” I said. “First off, I may have been less than truthful about how we found Jared. I’m really sorry, but…”

“Let’s not worry about that now,” Uncle Mark said. “We’re starting fresh. Tell me now. How did you find where Jared was buried? Did someone show you?”

“Yes,” I answered. “I followed…
Jared
,” I said. I saw shock and disbelief register on Uncle Mark’s face. Varick looked impressed. Grandpa just smiled.

“You followed
Jared
?” Uncle Mark asked. “Is this the first time something like this has happened?”

“No,” I answered. “I’ve been able to talk to the dead since I was little. It’s ok
ay. They’re mostly nice.” I looked to Aunt Breanne. “Jared loved you so much. He was worried about you, about the fence being painted, and you being alone and stuff.”

Aunt Breanne, with tears in her eyes, smiled.

“Okay, go on,” Uncle Mark urged.

I explained
how we came to follow Jared to Weeder’s and heard Eli barking from within.

“How did you get in?” Uncle Mark asked.

“Can we just say the door?” I asked.

“Never mind,” he said. “Go on.”

“You know how I told you that Weeder heard voices?” I waited for Uncle Mark to nod. “Well that part was true. What I left out was that I could hear them, too.”

“Hold on,” Uncle Mark said. “These voices spoke to you?”

“No, but I could hear them,” I clarified. “I don’t think they liked that. They told Weeder to kill me, too. He tried but Payne saved me. If not for Payne I would be dead right now.”

“Then I owe him big,” Uncle Mark answered. “Tell me about these voices.”

“I’ve heard them a few times,” I answered. “In dreams, while awake. I describe them as shadow creatures because when I see them that’s all I see. Shadows. I’ve seen them outside our house, and they were there yesterday at the McKnight’s. I heard them outside before we were attacked.”

“Attacked?” Uncle Mark exclaimed. “You were attacked
, and I wasn’t told? Bristol!”

“Sorry,” I answered.

“Leave the girl alone,” Grandpa ordered. “She’s telling you now, isn’t she? Besides, what could you have done? You can’t slap cuffs on disembodied voices.”

“Dad, please,” Uncle Mark scolded. “Ok
ay, fine. You’re telling me now. No more secrets. Tell me about the attack.”

“I’ll answer that,” Varick offered. “The front door was blown into splinters, we have an elevator for the staff that was destroyed
, and there was approximately two point five million in damages to arts and antiques.”

“What?” I exclaimed. “Did you say two point five million? As in dollars?”

“Now listen,” Varick said. “You don’t worry about that. It wasn’t your fault.”

“No,” Grandpa added
. “It’s Varick’s fault. It’s what he gets for having two million in art and antiques in his house.”

“As opposed to a singing fish on a wall?” Varick retorted. “The point was, they could have been killed. As it was, my grandson Archer was injured by Bristol and Hunter as he accidently stumbled into a trap they had set for their attacker.”

“Actually, I think I was right in braining poor Archer. I know, I know,” I said when I saw Varick’s reaction. “Archer isn’t to blame. I think you’ll understand when I get to the cow and the homeless guy.”

“Cow?” Aunt Breanne asked.

“Homeless guy?” Uncle Mark asked.

“I’m getting there,” I insisted
as I continued to talk about that night. “When we left the diner, Payne was driving,
safely
. I got one of my feelings that I sometimes get…”

“Wow,” Grandpa said
. “You’re just full of goodies, aren’t you?”

“I yelled for him to stop,” I continued, “not knowing why but knowing it was important. Payne did. That’s when we saw a cow in the middle of the road. It was just standing there, staring at me. Like a mean cow.”

“A mean cow?” Uncle Mark asked. “Bristol, cows don’t act mean. They’re cows.”

“Well, this cow looked mean
.” I explained how it never mooed. “Then I saw what looked like smoke rise from it, and it started acting like a cow again.”

Everyone had a similar stunned look. I knew the possessed cow would get their attention.

“When the explosion happened tonight,” I continued, “I saw a ghost of a homeless guy that I’ve seen around town. That’s probably who you found under the car, but he was confused. He had no idea who we were or how he got there. I don’t think he was lying. He’d have no reason to. I think he’d been possessed.”

“Like the cow?” Uncle Marked asked.

“Yeah,” I confirmed. “So to sum it up, I can see and speak to ghosts and other mystic creatures of unknown origin. Along with other goodies as Grandpa said. And for whatever reason these shadow creatures want me dead. And then there’s Kayden McKnight.”

“Kayden?” Varick asked. “Dear, he committed suicide years ago. He had always been sick.”

“Varick,” Aunt Breanne said. “Kayden came to me before he died. He said he saw Jared’s ghost, too. I think what Bristol’s saying is he revealed his ability, and then he was dead. Was it suicide, or did these shadow creatures get to him somehow?”

The
room was silent as everyone thought about what was said. Uncle Mark got up and paced. I watched him as Aunt Breanne made me drink some coffee. Finally, Uncle Mark stopped pacing.

“Ok
ay, let’s assume these shadow creatures did in fact kill Kayden McKnight,” he said. “We know they’re the ones who at least influenced Weeder to kill Jared. All of this before Bristol arrived. So, they’ve been here for a while, and no one knew about them. Bristol can hear them, see them, more or less. She can and has exposed them. That would be motive enough for them to want her dead.”

“You’re talking like a sheriff again, son,” Grandpa warned.

“Supernatural or not,” Uncle Mark answered, “these aren’t random events. In that way, they are just like any other crime. Gathering information is the first step to stopping them.”

“And just to be clear,” Grandpa said
. “When you say stop, do you mean read them their rights and give them a trial?”

“No,” Uncle Mark answered
. “I mean kill them.”

“May I make a suggestion?” Varick said
, rising to his feet. “We need to have a meeting to discuss this. Both of our families. I say we choose a place and each bring a few members.”

“We can use the lodge,” Grandpa volunteered. “I can make some calls and get people there within the hour.”

“Hold on,” Uncle Mark said. “We’re tired. Bristol and Payne have been through enough for one night. She’s been safe so far in my house. Why don’t we do this tomorrow? Maybe at noon.”

“There’s something else to consider,” Aunt Breanne offered. “These shadow creatures may not think Bristol’s still a threat. Everyone here knows now. They’re exposed, damage done. Maybe they won’t go after her anymore?”

I liked the theory, but somehow I didn’t think it would be that easy.

“Maybe,” Uncle Mark said, “but we shouldn’t assume it’s the case. Is there any chance that Jared had the same power as Kayden and Bristol?”

“I don’t think so,” Aunt Breanne said.

“I can’t be sure,” I volunteered. “Weeder said he could talk to animals. After Weeder died, Jared passed on
, so I haven’t been able to confirm it.” I glanced at Aunt Breanne, who looked stunned.

“Of course,” Grandpa said
. “We may all be in danger now. If all of us are killed, their secret’s back in the dark.”

“If secrecy’s what they want,” Uncle Mark answered, “mass killing in both families won’t help. And we can hedge that bet. When we get home, we can each contact whoever we want there tomorrow. Let’s say a dozen from each family. Try and pick families without kids living at home if possible.”

“Good idea,” Varick agreed. “We should get started before it gets even later.”

“Wait,” I protested. “I spent my whole life with no one knowing my secret. It’s hard enough adjusting to the fact that everyone here knows, not to mention Hunter. Now you want me to talk to people I don’t know?”

Varick came over and took my hand. “Sweetheart, I know this is difficult, and you have been very brave, but it’s necessary. I can assure you that this will not become a topic of conversation at the supper table. Whoever we tell will keep your secret. You need not worry about returning to school and having either McKnights or Blackburns being aware. All right then.”

I didn’t like it, but what could I do
? Varick kissed my cheek, which made Grandpa grind his teeth. 

“Ok
ay,” Uncle Mark said. “Everyone take precautions tonight. Breanne, you should go with Varick and Payne. Between the three of you, Hunter, and the staff, you should be safe. You can hang bells on everyone’s doors tonight as well. Loud ones that will wake you if someone tries to get into your room.  Suggest that to everyone. If someone has an alarm system, use it.” 

“Fair enough,” Varick said. “It appears that we’re about to mak
e history. McKnights and Blackburns working together. It should be interesting.”

* * * *

We went to the lodge the next day. Personally, I think it was a big waste of time. No one had any real ideas. Before long, the McKnights started hinting that maybe the Blackburns were all still behind this, a ploy to bring their guard down and learn their secrets. It wasn’t long before the Blackburns pointed out that since I was being targeted, the reverse was more likely. 

Thankfully, both Varick and Grandpa stood their ground. In the end, both sides agreed to keep their eyes open. A temporary truce was called. Both families would try and watch over me. Great.

Zack and Simon, who had spent the time we were at the lodge with friends, were doing their best not to ask questions, but they knew something was up. Simon kept throwing hints to his father that whatever was going on, he could help figure it out. I was tempted to let him, partially out of fear and desperation, but also because Simon was pretty sharp. This seemed right up his alley, but it was pretty clear Uncle Mark didn’t want them involved, and I didn’t blame him.

Zack simply didn’t leave my side. He followed me wherever I went. I tripped over him when I came out of the bathroom. He made me a snack. He even sat at my side while I watched TV and let me have the remote. I could have put on anything and he wouldn’t have cared. I found a Three Stooges movie
, and we laughed our butts off together.

The doorbell rang. Under strict orders from Zack, I stayed on the couch while he answered it. Uncle Mark came out from his office just in time to see Aunt Breanne entering with a bag of groceries. 

“Sorry to intrude,” she said. “But with everything going on, I wanted to help. I figured you would be so busy with…” Aunt Breanne looked down at Zack. “
Things
that you might not be thinking about food. So, I brought some stuff. I’d love to cook for your family, Mark.”

Uncle Mark took the grocery bag and kissed Aunt Breanne on the cheek. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

“I’ve got another two bags in the car,” Aunt Breanne said. “Let me get them, and I’ll get to work.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Uncle Mark told her and took her keys. He then tossed them
toward the door, which was opening again. Payne walked in and caught them. “Your aunt has two bags of groceries in the car,” he explained to Payne. “Go fetch ‘em for her. And try not to wreck the car doing it.”

Payne shook his head at the joke
, then turned around to go get the bags. He stepped aside just long enough for Hunter to walk in.

“Hey Bristol,” Hunter said
. “I wanted to see how you were doing. I brought Payne, as you can see.”

“Brought Payne?” I asked. 

“Yeah,” Hunter confirmed. “Grandpa gave me the keys to the Hummer. The thing is huge, sturdy, and tough, even if it is a gas guzzler. Grandpa figured between that, and the fact Payne was only allowed in the passenger side, maybe he’d get this one back in one piece.” She patted Payne’s cheek as he went by.

Before long, Uncle Mark was in his study with both Grandpa and Payne. I managed to get Zack to go read his book about dragons while Simon worked on his homework. I went into the kitchen with Hunter and Aunt Breanne. She had us chopping vegetables while she worked at the stove mixing up a sauce from scratch that smelled like heaven in a pot.

“Does anyone else have a problem with this?” I asked. “Why are the three women in the house working on dinner, while the big, brave men are sitting in there, discussing strategy? That just doesn’t seem right to me.”

“I have to admit,” Hunter said as she minced garlic, “I’m a little annoyed. Bristol and I were both attacked. Why aren’t we in there?”

“Girls,” Aunt Breanne admonished. “Someone has to cook. Better us than them.”