Embers

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  “But I’ll have to drive by there every day,” I pointed out.

  “Driving by is fine, just don’t dilly dally. You are a strong Watcher, but you are way too inexperienced to go looking for trouble,” she said in a stern voice. Then she nodded her head. “Someday it will be different.”

  Her words confirmed to me that there was something sinister behind the wooden boards. When I was about to press her further, she abruptly stood and busied herself at the sink.

  Ila obviously didn’t want to talk about the subject any further. Apparently we both had secrets to keep.

  “I’m not planning to stop by the place for a visit. I’ll probably stomp the pedal when I drive by.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Ila commented, but didn’t look my way.

  Bending down to Angus, I rubbed his head and gave him a kiss. “Be a good boy for Ila, okay?”

  Ila walked me to my truck and when I climbed in, she said, “You shouldn’t get lost. Oldport is a very small town, only a few intersections with lights. And remember to ask for Tanya Johnson at the school office.” She grinned, adding, “Try to enjoy the experience.”

  I scowled. “I’ll try. See you later.”

  Before I left the valley, I glanced in the rear view mirror. Ila still stood in the driveway with the dogs sitting on either side of her. What an odd woman she was. There were times when she irritated the crap out of me, but mostly, I really liked her.

  I only wished I could completely trust her. I needed to talk to someone about what the priest had told me.

  If it all wasn’t so depressing, I’d be laughing right now. All the crazy supernatural things I had experienced over the past few days I could actually believe, but the fact that I was driving myself to school in the mountains of Tennessee was beyond imagination. Wait until Piper heard about it someday. She’d think it was hilarious.

  Going down the mountain was definitely quicker than going up, or maybe it was that I was now confident that I knew where I was. More than likely it was gravity. Whatever the reason, I bounced down the dusty road, reaching the fort quicker than I expected.

  The hair on my arms rose, sweat beaded on my chest and my stomach tightened. But I was ready for it this time. Pressing the gas pedal harder, I sped by the property, keeping the images from my dreams locked away in the farthest part of my brain.

  I saw no one as I passed the wooden monstrosity. As a matter of fact, I didn’t see anyone at all until I drove by the Raven Mountain Market, where a few old men were hanging out in front of the building. They were actually sitting on a bench, drinking what was probably coffee. I smiled to myself, thinking how funny it was that I now lived in a place where such a thing happened.

  About twenty minutes later I arrived in Oldport. At the traffic light, I turned, drove half a mile and there it was, Laurel County High School.

  The school was smaller than the high school in my hometown and a bit old-fashioned looking with the bricks and colonial façade. The view beyond the school is what held my attention, though. Streaks of sunshine jostled with the shadows on the side of the green covered mountain, and I couldn’t help but have a hold-your-breath moment at the scenery. It certainly was a pretty place to go to school if a person was forced into it.

  I parked in one of the few spaces still available in the lot designated for students. The school might be small, but it was busy. I stalled, sitting in the truck for a moment. I studied the students as they funneled into the front doors of the school as if they were a herd of cows.

  Swallowing hard, I gripped the door handle. After a couple of days in the isolated wilderness, the feel of pavement beneath my feet and the crackle of dozens of voices sparking the air at once bombarded my senses. The weight of the backpack was awkward and the curious glances of several of the kids I passed irritated me. I avoided looking around, instead focusing on the silver grey framed doorway at the front of the building.

  It was almost eight o’clock when I stepped over the threshold into the school. Only a few students scurried in the hallway and I was glad that they were in too big of a hurry to pay me any mind. I turned into the room that the office sign was above and went straight to the counter. A lady with glasses and bushy brown hair looked up. After I explained who I was, she directed me to the back of the room where a petite blonde was talking on the phone.

  I listened to the young woman’s perky voice while I sat waiting for the call to end. My eyes quickly swept the orderly desk in front of me. There was a picture of Tanya with an older man and woman who resembled her enough to be her parents. Since there were no other pictures displayed and her finger was absent of a ring, I guessed that she didn’t have a family of her own yet. When she finished the conversation, she turned dark blue eyes my way and asked how she could help me.

  “My name is Ember O’Meara. My Aunt Ila talked to you the other day about me starting school here.”

  “Oh, yes. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Tanya.” She reached her hand across the desk, squeezing my own in a proper handshake. I liked the way that she was treating me as if I was an adult. After the shake, she rambled on, “I have some papers here for you to take back to your aunt to fill out. I assume she has legal guardianship of you, right? And I’ll need your previous school records, too,” she said in a businesslike manner, handing me a folder.

  “My brother will have to mail the records. I didn’t realize that I’d be going to school here. I mean, I’ve always been home schooled.” Happiness raced through me. Maybe the lack of records would put the whole school thing to a screeching stop.

  “Don’t worry about it. Your aunt explained everything to me…about the accident. I’m very sorry by the way. It must have been a horrific ordeal.” Seeing my brows lift, she went on hurriedly, “I remember seeing something about it on CNN. Don’t worry, I’ll get the paperwork all straightened out.”

  Unfortunately for me, this guidance counselor wasn’t the usual bureaucrat and she was a little star-struck besides. She’d get the papers fixed, no doubt.

  Tanya popped out of her chair, motioning me back out the door. “Let’s show you where your locker is and get you to your first class. Your aunt suggested some specific classes for you, and for the rest, I took the liberty of setting up the required eleventh grade course plan. If you want to add any classes or change anything, let me know before the end of the week. And of course you’re welcome to come down and see me anytime you wish to discuss you future scholastic plans. Or just to visit. I’d love to get to know you better.”

  Perky was an understatement for Tanya. The words flicked from her mouth rapidly as if she were a bird chirping. I found myself trying to pay close attention to what she was saying as I followed her down the empty hall. When the bell rang, I jumped. It was not a sound I was used to.

  Tanya turned left into another hall, and glancing over her shoulder, she asked, “Do you play any sports?” When I shook my head, she said, “That’s too bad, you look like an athletic girl. I’m the assistant coach of the girls’ soccer team and we always need new talent. If you change your mind, come see me.”

  “I’ll think about it,” I answered, knowing full well that joining the soccer team was the last thing I was going to do.

  She stopped in front of locker three hundred twenty-one and opened the narrow door for me. It was purple and exactly what I expected, other than the color. Out of politeness, I peeked in the door. Tanya was satisfied with that and handed me an index card with the combination to the lock. I quickly scanned the numbers, putting them to memory as we turned another corner and went up a wide set of stairs. She continued talking the entire time, telling me about the school, the teachers and the sports program. As fast as she was talking, I wouldn’t remember half of it by the end of the day. But I continued to nod and smile anyway.

  Tanya finally stopped outside a closed door, saying, “Here is your geometry class. Mr. Chin is your teacher. I’ll ask him to have one of the other students show you to your next class, which is…ah, let m
e see here, U.S. history.” She handed me the schedule, wished me luck and shuffled me into the room.

  Butterflies—millions of butterflies attacked my insides. I took a deep breath, and while Tanya talked to Mr. Chin, I sat down at the nearest available desk. It was small and uncomfortable, but not as bad as having everyone in the room stare at me.

  Mr. Chin promptly introduced himself and then shot into the lecture. Relief flooded me. I actually recognized what he was scribbling on the blackboard. I silently thanked Mom for preparing me well for this little odyssey. Having Mom pop into my mind caused my throat to suddenly constrict. I wouldn’t let the sadness get a hold of me, not here. I can do this, I assured myself staring at the board until it blurred. Later, when I was supposed to be asleep in bed, I’d bury my head in the pillow and let some of the tears fall, but not now.

  The class dragged by. I was careful not to look around the room at the other students, feeling their curious gazes on me nonetheless. I wasn’t in a social mood and worried that my face would say so if I did lock eyes with anyone.

  When the bell rang, I sat for a moment while I put my new book into the backpack. Zipping the pack, I glanced up and watched everyone hurrying out of the room, except one girl. She remained, talking to Mr. Chin at the front of the room. She was tall, dark skinned and slender. The jeans and layered camisoles she wore beneath the short sleeved tan jacket fit her perfectly, giving me the instant impression of a fashion model. Her shoulder length black hair was straightened into soft strands that seemed to glisten under the bright fluorescent lights in the room. The girl’s oval face smiled and bobbed up and down while she conversed with Mr. Chin.

  “Ember, this is Maddie Holt. She’s going to take you to your next class,” Mr. Chin said without even sparing me a glance. He was too busy adjusting the papers on his desk.

  Maddie motioned for me to follow her into the hallway. Once we were free of the room, she spun around and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Maddie.”

  “I’m Ember. Thanks for being my tour guide.”

  “Oh, no problem, I’m going that way anyway,” she said directing me to squeeze in between a cluster of girls stopped in the middle of the hallway.

  I was so distracted by the chaotic stream of kids pushing past me that I barely heard what Maddie was saying.

  “Ah, what was that?”

  “I asked you if you wanted to try out for the cheerleading team. I’m the captain. You know, I think you’d fit in perfectly,” Maddie said. Her large, brown eyes sparkled happily.

  “I’ll think about it. I’m living with my aunt and she’s an older lady who needs my help a lot. I probably wouldn’t have the time,” I said. There was about as much chance of me joining a cheerleading squad as playing soccer.

  “We practice four days a week—and then there are the games. It’s pretty hardcore, but you’d love it. So, talk to your aunt about it, okay?” she encouraged.

  “I will,” I lied, avoiding her enthusiastic gaze.

  “Here it is. I’ll meet you back here after class, so wait for me.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  I was just about to alert her of the curly, brown haired guy, who was sneaking up behind her when he put his finger to his lips and shushed me with a wink. The unknown assailant grabbed her around the waist. Maddie jumped and turned fluidly around in his arms. She gave him a quick kiss on the mouth before turning back to me. “Meet my boyfriend, Randy McGregor.”

  Randy let go of Maddie and bowed deeply. “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” he said in a theatrical way. With the southern accent, it was quite comical.

  I nodded and forced a smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Maddie’s face flushed and her gaze narrowed.

  “See you later, Ember,” Maddie muttered, pulling Randy down the hall with her.

  I was suddenly tired. High school drama wasn’t going to be fun.

  I turned and went through a door to face another classroom of staring eyes. I was getting used to it though. After the introductions, I sat down and tried to keep my mind off the fact that I’d never find another friend like Piper. I missed our witty conversations and the comfortableness I felt with her. It would probably be a long time before I saw her again.

  With a heavy heart, I took a breath and let my friend go. Opening the text book to the page written on the chalkboard, I tried to focus on the lecture that the history teacher had already charged into.

  Again, none of the material Missus Williams was going over was new to me. I took a few notes to keep up appearances and kept glancing at the clock. The minutes ticked by in slow motion. After a torturous half hour passed, I slumped down in the chair in defeat. I was used to doing schoolwork on the computer, moving at my own speed and taking breaks when I wanted too. The drudgery of a structured school schedule was painful.

  When the bell finally rang, I jumped up along with everyone else, thrilled to move around.

  True to her word, Maddie was waiting in the hallway. I’d expected her to ditch me after the little scene with her boyfriend, but glancing at her honest smile, I realized that any jealousy she may have experienced was gone now.

  “My next class is gym,” I told her.

  “That’s great. I have gym also,” Maddie said cheerfully. “This will give us a chance to get to know each other. Coach Hartsell will have us walk the outdoor track for the entire period.”

  “No basketball or running or anything like that?” I asked.

  “Nope, not for us, Hartsell knows most of the kids in the class already play sports or do cheerleading, so she takes it easy on us.”

  I kept pace with Maddie while she glided through the hallway, stopping to talk to several kids along the way. She introduced me to Lindsey Cummings, a blonde cheerleader who was also heading to gym class. Lindsey was friendly, but thankfully, more subdued than Maddie. I was even more surprised to learn that she had a couple of horses and several dogs of her own.

  Hannah Dixon also joined our group. She was a very pretty girl with a thick mane of red hair that bounced at her shoulders as she walked. I gathered from the conversation and her dull eyes that she’d recently broken up with her long-time boyfriend.

  It was strange interacting with the girls. I’d never hung out with cheerleaders before. But I had to admit, they weren’t completely fitting into my preconceived notions. Although they certainly weren’t as thoughtful and knowing as Piper was, they were being nice to me. I even had a lot in common with Lindsey. Maybe I was capable of friendships with mainstream people after all.

  Our forward progress stopped when the hallway became blocked by a crowd of mostly guys. I stretched my neck and rose on my tip-toes to get a better look past their heads.

  The crowd’s attention was turned to a boy whose back was pressed up against the lockers. Heat fanned out across my skin. The fire was nudging me to do something. Scorching a few teenagers was probably just the sort of thing that would get me out of having to go to the school permanently. But I paused. An image of Ila rose up before me. She was shaking her index finger.

  I blinked when the vision cleared.

  A tall blonde guy reached back and tossed the cap he was holding in the direction of none other than Randy McGregor. Before Randy could grab it, I had a split second of understanding. The fire pulsating just beneath my skin gave me the speed to react. I jumped in front of Randy and grabbed the cap from the air.

  “Good catch, Ember!” Randy exclaimed.

  I was fuming mad. The thought to mind my own business was shot to hell. I had a soft spot for underdogs.

  I glared at the blonde. “Why are you doing this?”

  After a couple of seconds of dead silence in the crowded hallway, Randy broke into laughter. Several of the other guys followed suit and their irritating noises were joined by snickers from the few girls watching the scene.

  Maddie appeared by my side. I wasn’t sure if she was going to provide backup or chew me out until she addressed the tall boy with a
smirk, and said, “You know how to make a good impression on the new girl in school.” She paused to glance at me. “Ember, this is Preston Scott. He’s the quarterback of the football team. He’s not used to girls talking to him that way.”

  She said it with quivering lips, as if she was desperately trying to control herself from laughing.

  “This is Ember O’Meara. She moved here from Ohio—she’s living up on Raven Mountain,” Lindsey informed Preston sidling up to my other side.

  Preston stared at me with a confused look on his face. I had to admit that he was a good looking guy. A wave of fair hair dropped over his left eye and he had to toss his head a bit to clear his vision. His green eyes were frozen wide and his full lips were turned down in a frown.

  As he thawed from the shock of being unexpectedly called out for his bad behavior, his eyes surveyed me from head to foot and back up again. His initial look of confusion was quickly turning to that of appraisal.

  I stared back at him darkly, hoping to beat him down with my angry eyes.

  “Sorry to upset you. I was having a little fun with Ivan here. It was just a game.” Preston shifted his gaze from me to the boy at his side. He reached out, tussling Ivan’s mop of brown hair. Then he turned on his heels and strode away. The rest of the guys dispersed with him.

  “Come on Ember, we’re fixin’ to be late,” Maddie said, grabbing my arm.

  “Wait.” I pulled away from her and went to Ivan who was still leaning back against a locker. He looked as if he were trying to melt into it.

  “Here’s your cap.” I handed it to him, gazing into his wide spaced eyes for a long second.

  Goose bumps raised the hair on the back of my neck and my heart raced. I turned away to join Maddie.

  Ivan’s eyes were golden yellow, the same as a wolf’s.

  Hebrews 12:22

  But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,

  to an innumerable company of angels.