Train Spirits

If you have not read Chapter 1, read it here

Theda gripped the rail of the staircase as she followed Stella’s fingers. The hills were on fire. She smiled. It happened every year. Idle lads and reindeer hunters. It was summer again. Sometimes the fire would reach the nearby forest, and the smoke would threaten the habitats nearby.

 

Last year, a huge fire claimed the lives of two families that were hunting and picnicking in the woods. The memory erased the smile from her face. She traced her hands over Stella’s and beckoned her with her chin to the living room. Allyana would be home soon, and she wanted her nails done before.

 

‘You have not returned to the woods in years now, Stella. Mental block or business is so good?’

 

‘Not that, T. There are things you still don’t understand about Bravensworth. It’s a scary place for seekers. You never have to face that.’

 

‘No, I understand your point, but don’t you ever get curious as to what happened to Ma? Was it that worthless?’

 

‘It’s not like that. She took me there when I was just turning. I still can’t remember more. It’s like it never happened.’

 

‘Nurse Whittaker says it’s the best way to jumpstart your memory. She still wants you to relaunch your therapy.’

 

‘I bet she does. She is as gay as they come. Don’t get me wrong, T. I have nothing against her sexual preferences, but she got a crush on yours truly.’

 

‘You don’t say! Is that so?’

‘Yeah. She tried to kiss me the last session, thinking I was asleep and all.’

Theda burst into laughter. “I can just see you both rolling beneath the covers.”

‘Ouch!’ Why did you do that? I was only joking.’

 

Stella turned red, and her eyes went full white. Her hands rose into the air before she fell backward off the stool and banged her head against the sofa. Theda jumped up and rushed to her side. She had seen this so many times before. She acted without pause or panic.

 

She placed her hands beneath Stella’s head and then set a cushion below, lowering it gently. She undid the first three buttons on her blouse, then used a book cover to make air. She whispered the spell, and the seeker opened her eyes with a start. Her eyeballs returned to the normal grey, and her breath returned to a soundless rhythm.

Kissing Death

 The bus tooted twice, and Theda went to open the door. Allyana was home; her usually bouncing, slender legs dragged themselves up the stairs today. She hung her head, and even as she hugged her mother, everything was different. The room felt as cold as ice.

 

‘How was school, Ally? Why the long face?’

‘Hi Mom, I will be fine. What’s up with Aunt Stella? Did she see what happened at school today?’

 

‘Ally, what happened at school today? Come sit with me, and tell me about it?’

 

The couch felt warmer than it usually is, and she wanted to stretch herself out, or just cuddle up and fall asleep. What did Aunt Stella see, and what would happen to Samantha?

 

‘Are you good for something, a sandwich, or orange juice? Aunt Stella brought you some apples, would you like one?’

 

‘Apples, that’s so sweet of Auntie, but later. Mom, Samantha kissed another boy.’

‘Oh my gosh! Tell me it did not happen. Who did she kiss?’

‘No, Mom, it did not happen. But the poor kid is dead, and the police took Samantha. I told her not to do it, but she would not listen. Said she saw him first.’

 

‘Oh, Ally, so sorry that you had to see that happen. Are you sure the kid is dead?’

‘Mom, I need to understand why I can’t kiss boys when everyone else does, and why these kids have heart failures after they kiss Samantha.’

 

Theda could feel the water rising around her legs again, the cold, stormy night that ended that spell thirteen years ago. Yet here they were again, haunted by Trinidad’s power. Why can’t she just remain dead? How she wished she could explain it all to Allyana, but she wasn’t ready yet.

 

‘Allyana, my sweet, I need you to remember our promise. When the time is right, I will tell you everything. But, please, just avoid kissing boys for now.’

 

‘Mom, can I go to my room now? I have told you everything…..’

 

Theda reached over and hugged her daughter. She knew the child was upset, puzzled, and confused. How she wished she could just tell her everything. Yet Phillip did not consider it appropriate. How much longer before she starts believing Samantha? How would she react to the truth when the time came?

 

She felt the tears rushing to her eyes, and she fought them back. She walked her daughter to the foot of the stairs, squeezing her tiny hands as she started the climb. She wished she had never had to let go. Yet deep inside, she knew that very soon she would have to. She shuddered at the thought.

 

Her eyes traveled back to her sister,+ who was still asleep on the couch. What did she see this time?

 

Angela sat alone in the black sedan with a white handkerchief in her hands. She had never really used it, just part of the show. She squeezed the onion below her eyes and let the tears flood and flow down her cheeks. She reached her hand down and unbuttoned the first of her pink silk blouses.

 

She was convinced that nothing in life mattered except her will. There were no desires, powers, or systems. They existed outside her realm. She had no interest in them either. She never needed reality, regardless of how painful it seemed.

 

When her mother fell from the window and broke her back and neck, she wasted no time in planning a funeral. she burned the body and got it over with. She took the reins within hours and has no plans of handing them over to any other Elder.

 

The sheriff opened the door and sat across from her. His face never showed how old he was despite the struggles and wars that he’s been through. She had known him since childhood and never remembered a smile or a laugh from his thin lips. He had been in charge for over ten years now, and the town had strived on reduced violence. Close to peace.

 

‘Angela, you must get a hold of your kid. The kissing must stop. This is the third boy. There won’t be another one on my watch.’

 

‘Sheriff McIntosh, I had no idea you kept tabs on my daughter’s fantasies. Maybe you could be her chaperone. The role is available.’

 

“I am warning you, I will send the report to the school of magic and let them deal with it. Your daughter is not the only Star Princess. Keep her low.”

 

”You are braver than the last time we met. Now, I understand your envy of my clan. But Sunrise is not at war with you, and we own the school of magic. You should not meddle in magic. Unless you want a place at my Halloween dinner. I have always invited you since we were kids.’

 

The wind howled from the willows as the clock chimed the evening mass hour. Angela lifted her kerchief to her cheek. The sheriff followed her motion, anger rising to his throat.

 

‘Send her far away. To another school, to your cousin in Glendarth. Do whatever you must do, but keep her out of my jurisdiction. I do not want to be the one solving this mess.”

 

Angela swallowed hard. She raised her eyes and met his cold gaze. they both knew that he was no match for her, but he was always this stubborn. She was surprised that his marriage had held together after all these years. Even so, he had no sworn enemies, and that made him a bit untouchable.

 

‘You are selfish. You think only of your clan. But Trinidad will soon be history. And when that happens, your clan will become the hunted. So, where is my daughter? Send her out now, and we will leave your town in peace. You have my word.’

 

‘I am comforted by your understanding. We do not want the silent deaths to repeat, do we? I will send your daughter out. Let me know if you need any further help.’

 

Angela started the spell but stopped in mid-clause as her guardian ogre appeared at the window. She would continue at home. For now, the sheriff would have it his way. Tomorrow would be another stage.

 

‘Morbel, back the car up, we are leaving. As soon as Samantha enters, take us home.’