Mayhem in Jinx Cove

by Savannah Mae

  “Give it a rest, will ya? What are you up to?” Sheriff Boss wasn’t having any of his nonsense. He nipped it in the bud right away.

  I had to laugh, but the sheriff narrowed his blue eyes at me.

  “Sorry,” I offered.

  “Melanie, why don’t you tell me what’s going on? Where’s the camera?” he asked.

  I loved Ben like a brother, but not enough to do time for, so I did the only thing I could do. I pointed at him. “He used the camera on his phone.”

  “Thanks, bestie,” he groaned.

  “Why did Mr. Willis call me? Someone needs to start talking, and now. Melanie, step out of the car,” he ordered us to fess up.

  I gulped. “You want me to get out? Why?”

  Ben sounded exasperated. “Just get out, Melanie.”

  To the sheriff, he said, “I don’t want to talk out of turn, but Melanie’s parents are in a bit of a bind because of Mr. Willis. We were here to get some answers. I admit, taking video footage probably wasn’t the best idea, but honestly, it was just for research purposes.”

  “Research purposes? What is this, a school project? Why aren’t you at work?” Sheriff Boss asked.

  “I don’t have a class today. Like I told you, I’m trying to help Melanie’s parents,” Ben said.

  Zephyr paced behind Ben’s car, talking loudly into his cell phone, telling someone that we were stalking him.

  “Mr. Willis,” Sheriff Boss started, “you can go. These two won’t give you any more problems. I know them. They’re locals.”

  Zephyr’s face reddened. “So, what? You should arrest them. Isn’t it a crime to film someone without their permission? I want them off my property.”

  The sheriff muttered something unintelligible under his breath as he raked his hands through his graying hair. “Look, I’ll handle them. They won’t bother you again. We don’t need to make this bigger than it needs to be.”

  “I want them arrested!” Zephyr raised his voice.

  I braced myself up against the car. I couldn’t go to jail.

  The sheriff grumbled, glaring at Ben, “Come here.”

  Ben gulped, fear in his eyes.

  “Wait! You’re not going to arrest us, are you, Sheriff Boss?” I was on the verge of tears.

  Chapter Nine

  He flung his folded-up napkin at me. “Will you relax? We didn’t go to jail. Do you really think the sheriff wanted to lock us up?”

  “I think I don’t like you,” I said, pouting.

  The server delivered our cups of coffee to the table. “Can I get you something else today?”

  Ben never said no to anything extra, especially at Abracajava because even though the sisters scared us on so many levels, they were excellent bakers. I don’t know why I had no problem eating their baked goods, yet couldn’t see past the rumors that had floated around town about them.

  I peeked over the server’s shoulder to see if I could catch a glimpse of one of the sisters. At least one of them had to be around. I’d never known them to leave their place of business in their employee’s hands for long.

  “Do you see anyone?” Ben asked, turning his head to look for one of the Jinx sister’s too.

  “Nope. It’s strange. Aren’t they always here?” I asked. “And, where are those crazy vultures? I haven’t seen them since Sheriff Boss gave us our freedom back.”

  “Our freedom back? Really? You don’t think that sounds a tad bit dramatic?” Ben took a drink from his coffee. “So, I thought you wanted to stay away from the Jinx sisters? Why are we here now? Did you change your mind?”

  “No, but I am a little curious.”

  He clapped his hands. “So, the plan is to ask them if it’s true that they sacrificed a girl in the seventies?”

  I nearly spit my coffee out of my mouth. “Please, don’t do that. No, I’m not going to ask them about that and you better not either. I want to ask them about Miss Maita.”

  “Why? Did you change your mind about her mind reading stuff?” Ben asked as the server returned to the table with a tray of pumpkin and chocolate scones. Now, I was hungry. They looked delicious.

  “Are those pumpkin flavored?” I asked as I grabbed a piece of one.

  “Oh, no, don’t eat those,” the server said. Blushing, she added, “I can bring a plate for you. Calypso just made a fresh batch of goodies. You have to try them.”

  Ben grabbed the portion I’d torn off and popped it in his mouth. “Ooh, you’re getting a special batch. I wonder what you did to earn that privilege.”

  My mind drifted to our conversation with Miss Maita as we waited for the server to return with the fresh baked goods. I wondered what she knew about the missing woman. At this point, I didn’t know what to believe about anyone. Somehow the town I loved had turned into a bad horror movie and I was the next one chosen to torture.

  “What are you thinking about? You’re pouting,” Ben said in between bites.

  I shrugged. “I’m just thinking about Miss Maita. How come she didn’t mention anything about that missing woman or the Jinx sisters? If it supposedly happened in Hog’s Nest, wouldn’t she have heard about it? She has to remember the story.”

  “Maybe, she was busy that day,” Ben joked.

  “I’m serious. Don’t you think that would be important information to know?” I asked.

  Ben smiled, nodding toward the kitchen. “There’s one of them.”

  I turned. A Jinx sister stood in the doorway, looking over the dining area.

  “Who did the server say it was?” Ben asked.

  “Calypso,” I whispered, feeling her eyes on me. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”

  She said something to someone in the kitchen and walked around the counter, heading our way.

  I thought I’d made a mistake by showing my face around here.

  “You haven’t tried the muffins yet,” Calypso said as she approached. “They’re straight out the oven. Take a bite. You’re too thin.”

  They did look and smell delicious, but I had more pressing matters to tend to.

  “Thank you, but I actually came here to talk to you,” I said.

  Calypso’s eyes lit up. She slid into the booth next to Ben. “Good. I’m glad you finally decided to sit down and chat,” Calypso said.

  Finally?

  “I… uh… I have some questions. I understand if you don’t want to discuss this with me, but-” I started.

  “Ask the question, girl. Don’t get your belly in knots; I’m not going to bite you. Just get to it, so I can help you take that man down,” she said.

  I’d never seen her so animated. Generally, the Jinx sisters were quiet. They traveled in packs, lurking in places you never expected or sitting huddled together in a dark corner, whispering to each other.

  “I don’t want to take Zephyr down necessarily. Mostly, I just want to know what I can do to help my parents get out of a little bind they’re in right now.”

  She slapped her hand on the table. “That’s not what you want. You want to know how they wound up doing business with him and why he targeted them.”

  Oh, she was good! It was frightening.

  “Number one, don’t say his name in here. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth, if you know what I mean.” Calypso chuckled a low chill-inducing laugh. “Number two, don’t ever go see him again. Chasing him around town is the fastest way to get yourselves in over your heads.”

  Ben gasped, just as shocked as I was that she knew we’d staked out Zephyr’s place of business.

  She cackled at the stunned looks on our faces, capturing the attention of those seated around us.

  “Kids, if you’re going to investigate someone, you can’t let them see you. What do you call that? An epic fail?” Calypso had tears in her eyes because she was laughing so hard.

  I could feel my face blush. I’m sure every shade of red appeared on my face. Despite my embarrassment, I had to admit, up close like this, Calypso wasn’t nearly as threatening as I imagined she would be. S
he was kind of personable in a creepy friend kind of way.

  Ben fidgeted in his seat. He lived for this kind of stuff. He’d always wanted to have a conversation with the Jinx sisters, but up until we were in our mid-teens, our parents didn’t approve of us being anywhere near the Abracajava. The last thing we needed was caffeine fueling our already full of energy bodies.

  “How do you know we were watching Zephyr-”

  She put her finger in his face. “Don’t! I told you not to say that man’s name in here. You’ll ruin the food and no one will want to come back here again.”

  “Sorry.” Ben held his hands up to stave off her wrath.

  “Don’t ask questions you’re not prepared to hear the answers to. That’s how people get in trouble. That’s probably why Maita has you so worked up. She told you what you wanted to hear. She gave you your money’s worth, then she sent you out to fight the demons on your own. The only problem is, she didn’t tell you who the demon truly is.” She took a bite of one of the muffins.

  “Demon? Are you saying my parents are dealing with something supernatural?” I asked, dreading what her response would be.

  Calypso smirked, placing her hand over mine. “Look at me, Melanie.”

  I didn’t want to because the last time I looked into one of the Jinx sister’s eyes, strange things happened. I didn’t want to ever feel that feeling again.

  She tried to cajole me. “It is okay. Look at me. I can help you, but you must trust me first. Can you trust me?”

  In my head, I thought, No!

  She smiled. “Yes, you can. Quit telling yourself that.

  Ben sat forward in his seat. “What did I just miss?”

  Calypso kept her hand on mine, looking at me with sympathetic eyes. “You must learn to trust. Knowing that will get you closer to the answers you seek,” she said.

  I answered out loud. “I don’t have trust issues.”

  Ben blinked rapidly, confused by my words. “Who are you talking to, Melanie?”

  I looked at him, then back at Calypso’s gray eyes.

  Her lips didn’t move, but she spoke to me in my head. “He can’t hear us.”

  I jerked my hand away from hers and rubbed it with my other hand. “What is going on? How did you do that?”

  Ben asked, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

  Calypso slid out of the seat, adjusting her outfit. “She understands.”

  My heart beat out of my chest. Beads of sweat formed on the back of my neck. I couldn’t speak yet.

  Ben reached for my arm. As soon as he touched it, I felt a shock jolt through my system followed by the image of a woman, running in a field.

  “Melanie? What is wrong with you? You look pale,” Ben said.

  Calypso bent forward, placing her hand on my shoulder. “Let me get you some water. Water will help.”

  As soon as she removed her hand from my shoulder, chills shot through my body. What was it with these Jinx women? Why was it every time I was anywhere near them, I’d get strange sensations running through my body?

  “Melanie, what is going on with you? I think the stress is getting to you. You know, they say stress does all sorts of wacky stuff to a person. Maybe it’s a good time to start thinking about seeing a doctor,” Ben said.

  Calypso returned, overhearing Ben’s plea, she said, “She doesn’t need a doctor. She’s not ill. We’re going to fix her right up.” She handed me the glass of water and sat next to me.

  “Thank you.” I didn’t think the water would do much good, but at least it gave me something to focus on.

  “What you’re experiencing will take some getting used to, but you come from good stock. You’ll handle things well,” Calypso said.

  “How do you know I come from good stock? I was adopted.” I was surprised by Calypso’s words. I thought it was common knowledge that I was adopted on the day I was born.

  She chuckled. “Oh yeah, that’s right. At any rate, the Abney’s are good people. That’s all I’m trying to say. What you’re dealing with isn’t all that unusual. You just have to have the proper tools to combat the vile creatures lurking over your shoulders, anxious to feed on your carcass.”

  Whoa! That escalated quickly.

  “I’m sorry, but that’s twice you’ve mentioned something evil. First, you said the devil. Now you’re telling me that some creature wants to eat me.” I looked across the table at Ben and said, “And, you said I was dramatic.”

  He started to laugh, amused by Calypso’s ludicrous theories, but the scowl on her face shut down his laughter right away. “I don’t know. Maybe you should hear her out.” Ben swallowed hard.

  Calypso smirked, pleased with his reaction to her. “I’m not dramatic. I’m far from it, in fact. I like to think of myself as pragmatic. If you had seen half the stuff I’ve seen, you’d know why, but that’s neither here nor there.” She shook her head ever so slightly before addressing my concerns. “Evil exists. It’s a part of life. Either you live your life pretending it doesn’t exist or you acknowledge it and learn to combat it. What you don’t want to do is let it beat you. Believe me, it will be relentless in its pursuit to get its hands on everything you love and value.”

  Had I somehow invited evil into my life? Was this woman crazier than an ice cream cone in the desert?

  “Doubting me, won’t help you.” Calypso used my thoughts against me.

  I had to clear my mind, but doing that seemed impossible. I had too much on my mind. Shutting those thoughts off when my brain still hadn’t processed what I may or may not have done during my going away party on what should have been my last night in Jinx Cove; how was it even supposed to begin to process something as ludicrous as - oh, I don’t know - a demon, freaky birds, and the fact that my parents and I were about five seconds from homelessness, but I digress…

  “It’s not that I doubt you,” I started. “It’s more like I don’t want to believe there’s evil following me around because I’m not strong enough to keep it at bay.” Emotion began to well in my throat.

  “Evil isn’t chasing you. Evil wants you to chase it. It’s playing a game of cat and mouse. Your job is to figure out why,” Calypso said.

  For someone who supposedly wanted to help me, she sure wasn’t doing a very good job of it.

  “Why… Why would this evil want me to follow it? That doesn’t make sense.” I regretted wanting to seek advice from the Jinx sisters.

  Calypso laughed a sinister laugh. “Where did you get the silly notion that evil should make sense? Nothing in life makes sense, does it?”

  Ben interjected. “Okay, now you’re starting to sound like one of those pulp horror movies. Is there a point to this nonsense or are we just supposed to believe that some sinister villain has taken a shining to the Abneys and now wants their house and their lives? They sent crazy vultures to give Melanie a message?”

  Yay, Ben! Thanks for pointing out how crazy Calypso sounded.

  Calypso’s gray eyes darkened. A smirk of disdain replaced the sly grin she’d worn over the last several minutes.

  Without offering an explanation, Calypso hissed, “You need to walk away now. This is not your matter. Go sit over there and keep your lips zipped.”

  Ben and I locked eyes with each other. I didn’t have to read his mind to know that Calypso scared him to his core.

  He stood up, rocking the table off-kilter and stomped away, glaring at the back of Calypso’s head. I understood why he did that because, if he was anything like me, he knew looking her in the eyes was a little further than either of us wanted to go without some form of protection, like a crucifix or a band of demonologists.

  After he was a safe distance away, the scowl on Calypso’s face vanished. She chuckled lowly, her shoulders quaking.

  “What’s so funny?” I asked.

  “I still got it,” she said between her chuckles.

  Color me confused! What was with this woman?

  Regaining her composure, Calypso explain
ed, “Some people are so gullible. You’d think I asked him to skin a mongoose and drink its blood. I know what people say about my family and what we are, but they shouldn’t take that as gospel.”

  Guilt washed over me. I hadn’t considered how hurtful the rumors must have been for the Jinx sisters.

  “Sorry. We’re just trying to figure this all out,” I apologized.

  Calypso looked over at a sulking Ben and cackled loudly, startling him and everyone else in the cafe. “Good. That ought to keep him quiet for a bit.” Turning to me, she said in a low voice, “That man your family is dealing with is a thief. I’m not telling tales out of school. I know this for a fact because your parents aren’t his first victims. That’s all I’m saying to you. He wants your family to beg him. That’s what I mean when I say evil wants you to chase it.”

  I stifled a snicker. Ben looked disturbed by Calypo’s antics. I knew a conversation was in my immediate future. Ben couldn’t have been happy that I’d given Calypso my ear. Seeking her advice or advice from any of the Jinx sisters wasn’t something he thought he’d ever witness me do.

  “Why my family? What’s the goal for Zephyr?” I asked, completely forgetting that Calypso had warned me not to speak his name in her place of business.

  “Nope, I told you not to say it! Someday you're going to listen to me. Let’s just hope that someday won’t be after that evil minion has taken possession of your lives.” Calypso put her head in her hands.

  “Sorry. I forgot. What I mean is, why did he choose us? Our house isn’t particularly valuable. My family doesn’t have money. That’s why they borrowed from him in the first place.” I shuddered to think about how things got this bad.

  “Is that what they told you? Did they use those words specifically?” a voice from behind the counter asked.

  “Ah, there you are. It’s about time. We have work to do,” Calypso greeted her sisters. “Look who’s here!” She pointed at me.

  Calliope smiled, offering her hand to me.

  I moved to shake it, then recoiled, remembering what happened last time I was this close to her. “Hi,” I offered with a tentative smile.

  “We wondered how long it would be until we heard from you,” Calliope said, nodding to Calypso.