Sinister Awakenings

by Marianne Spitzer

  Kellie nodded. “That sounds normal. Are you worrying about the girls already? They’re still in diapers.”

  “No, it gets worse. One of the girls brought along a diary of one of her ancestors that first settled in the area. Supposedly, it contained a story about a spirit that lived in the area. She thought it would be fun to read at the bonfire.”

  “Okay, spooky stories and campfires go back years. Didn’t you do that when you were young?”

  “Umm, yeah, but nothing like this ever happened. According to the girl, there was some sort of spell or curse in the book, and she read it out loud.”

  Kellie shifted in her chair. “That doesn’t sound good.”

  Max continued. “The kids claim that when she finished reading, there was a loud crack of thunder and a bolt of red lightning flashed across the sky. It was a cloudless evening. The fire began to grow on its own and some sort of wispy figure holding a long knife rose from the flames.”

  Kellie leaned forward. “That doesn’t sound good at all.”

  “It gets worse. The kids grabbed their clothes and ran to their cars. When they arrived at a nearby fast food place and felt safe, they noticed they missed one of their friends. None of them wanted to return so they called 911. The police found the seventeen-year-old boy the next morning floating in the lake. His throat was cut, and there was a strange symbol scratched on his chest.” Max lifted the paper so Kellie could see the picture of what must have been the young man’s senior picture and a drawing of the symbol.

  She stared at the paper and ran her fingers across the images. “It’s an ancient evil. Those kids conjured up an evil that’s been dormant for centuries. They have no idea what they’ve done.”

  Her phone rang. “It’s Lance.”

  “Of course, it is. You said you were done. You’re not going two hundred miles north of here to fight spirits. Are you?” His eyes held fear and trepidation.

  “No,” her head shook side to side as she answered the phone. “Hi Lance, let me put you on speaker. Max is here.”

  “Did you see the article in the paper about the kid killed up north?” Lance asked.

  “Yes,” Kellie answered. “Max just told me about it. I feel the kids loosed some sort of evil spirit. I think it’s an ancient evil and more dangerous than anything I’ve dealt with.”

  “Agreed,” Lance’s voice sounded through the speaker. “Claudia’s certain it will strike again. I’m heading up north in a few minutes. I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be there and ask if I can call you if I need some support. I don’t want you near this thing, but we’re stronger together, and I know your strength will bond with mine via the phone. Please assure Max you’ll be safe.”

  “He’s listening, and he knows I’m safe. If you need anything, day or night, don’t hesitate to call and Lance, be careful. I feel more strongly than I ever have that this spirit is beyond evil.”

  Max called out,” Take care, Lance. Let us know you’re okay.”

  “Will do. I’ll call when I know more. Bye.”

  “Bye,” Kellie said and touched the screen to end the call.

  She looked at Max. “He’s brave and alone. I pray all will be well.”

  Max reached for her hand and tried to reassure her. They heard the girls babbling through the baby monitor, and he said, “Time for me to go to work, and time for you to be on mommy duty.” He kissed her and rushed out the door.

  Kellie hurried upstairs to tend to the girls knowing full well that whatever spirit had awoken would be more than she or Lance could handle alone. She’d have to help him soon.

  ~ * ~

  Lance mulled over his conversation with Kellie as he packed for his trip north. Kellie felt the same sense of evil he did. Could he do this alone?

  He slipped his laptop into his bag hoping he’d find wifi reception in the small town.

  Speaking to himself he muttered, “Even small towns have coffee shops and coffee shops have wifi. Plus I’ll need good cell service to keep in touch with Kellie. I doubt if she’ll be happy just helping me over the phone. Claudia said Kellie wants or rather needs to help rid the world of evil. Max will kill me if I involve her.” He shrugged and slung his bag over his shoulder, grabbed his suitcase, and headed for his car.

  “Here goes,” he said. “Let’s hope this is easier than it seems.”

  ~ * ~

  Kellie walked into the girls’ room and spoke to them as she twisted the blinds open. She was aware that Claudia had surrounded the house with a golden protection before Thomas returned, but this morning she saw it pulsate outside her daughter’s window.

  Her phone rang before she could pull it from her pocket to call Claudia.

  “Claudia, I was just going to call you. What’s going on with the protection around my house?”

  She listened to Claudia while watching out the window. Her thoughts raced and finally asked, “Are we safe here? You’re sure. Why me? Can he do it alone? Okay, call me if I’m needed or should I say when. Bye.”

  Claudia’s words played over and over in her mind while she dressed Faith and Hope for the day. Lance wouldn’t be able to fight the evil on his own. He’d be able to find the cause and what they were dealing with, but she’d need to be near him when he took on this spirit. Claudia believed the spirit had been banished to the area before any human inhabited the land surrounding the lake. It could be many centuries old. Lance needed to discover why it was banished. He also needed to determine why she was in danger. All Claudia could tell her was that she received communication from her spirits that this evil was aware of Kellie and Lance. As Claudia had said in the past, time is fluid. The evil was aware of her strength. It knew she and Lance were its enemies. It might make the first move, and Claudia had ramped up the protection around her home. What and how was she going to tell Max?

  She pulled her precious girls into her arms and whispered, “Here I go again. Are you two hungry? Let’s have breakfast. Mommy needs strength to figure out how to explain this to daddy.”

  Faith and Hope looked at her and babbled their own language and called her mama in between their own words. She cuddled them closer. They were her life and joy. She didn’t want to be in danger again. She wanted only to be a mom and wife. Why did evil seek her out?

  ~ * ~

  Lance made good time on the roads and arrived in the small town a little after lunch. He found a motel with a diner right next door. The motel offered free wifi, and Lance smiled. It was a good sign. The town was smaller than Malone Springs, and he’d been worried he couldn’t find a place for research. The five bars on his phone also pleased Lance. He could communicate with Kellie from anywhere if he needed. He stepped out of the car and inhaled the scent of the pine trees surrounding the motel and walked to the office.

  After checking in, Lance headed to his room on the second floor. Inexpensive small town motel meant no elevators, and he walked up the stairs lugging his suitcase and computer bag. The motel room was small but clean which was most important.

  His eyes scanned the room. A floral bedspread that would look at home in his grandma’s house covered the double bed. An older dresser with a small flat screen TV, a desk, and corded desk style phone sat across from the bed. Lance chuckled. “At least, it’s not a dial phone.”

  He set his computer bag on the undersized table next to the window and his suitcase on the bench at the foot of the bed. A quick glance at the bathroom made him smile. It was also small but spotless with a single shower stall. No romantic showers in this place, he thought. The room smelled of flowers and lemon. Dark magenta drapes were pulled back to let sunlight stream in the front window.

  He pulled his computer out of his bag and sat to begin his research. Two hours later he stretched, and his stomach growled. A glance at his watch told him it was a bit after three, and he missed lunch. A trip to the diner was in order.

  The inside of the diner was as quaint as his hotel room. He doubted it had been redecorated since the seventies. Lance was
the only customer, and the cute waitress called out a friendly greeting and told him to sit wherever he wished. He chose a booth in the middle of the diner next to the windows. He could people watch and check his computer while eating.

  The waitress approached his booth with a smile that could light up a dark night. Her light brown hair pulled into a ponytail swished behind her. Brown eyes the color of espresso twinkled as she introduced herself as Hannah.

  “Do you know what you want or would you like a bit more time,” Hannah asked him. She couldn’t be older than twenty but seemed self-assured as if she’d been doing this for years.

  Lance looked at her and said, “I’m not sure. I’ll take lemonade to start.”

  “Sure thing,” she smiled and walked away. She returned with a large glass in her hand and set it on the table in front of Lance.

  He slid the paper off the straw and glanced up at her. “What would you suggest? I’ve never been here before.”

  “I didn’t think so. I know all the people in town. Pot roast is today’s special, and it’s excellent. Uncle Eli is picky about what he cooks.”

  “Pot roast it is then,” he answered.

  She smiled and replied, “Be right back.”

  Lance pushed the straw in the lemonade and took a sip. It tasted homemade. He hoped the pot roast would be half as good. Hannah seemed to enjoy talking, and he wondered if she’d give him any info he couldn’t find on-line. He quickly opened his laptop and pulled up the page with the newspaper article about the boy’s murder.

  Hannah walked back and told him, “Your food will be right up.” She noticed the laptop screen and asked if he was a police officer or just another curious person checking out a weird murder.

  “I’m a computer consultant,” he told her which was the truth and then he added the lie. “I also write freelance, and I’m here to write an article on the strange murder.”

  “How exciting,” Hannah gushed and dropped into the seat across from him. “I write poetry.”

  “Maybe you could help me,” Lance flashed his most endearing smile and hated himself for having to flirt to find information. He decided, if it would keep everyone including Hannah safe from the evil, it was worth it.

  “Sure, what can I tell you?”

  “The paper is pretty limited about the murder. You live here. Maybe you know more.” He leaned forward and pulled on the straw enjoying more of the lemonade.

  Hannah nodded. “The paper doesn’t mention the Wallace family, but everyone knows there might be something strange going on there.”

  “Wallace family?”

  “Yeah,” Hannah answered.

  “Order’s up,” Eli’s voice carried through the diner.

  “That’s your lunch. Let me get it and a refill on your lemonade and I’ll be right back.” Hannah rushed off toward the counter between the kitchen and the eating area.

  Lance made a note on his laptop while he waited for her to return. Wallace family. That’s a name I haven’t come across. Hannah may be quite helpful. I need to know as much as possible before I begin to put together a battle plan.

  Hannah returned and placed an overflowing plate of food and another glass of lemonade in front of him.

  “Can you sit and talk to me while I eat? I’m interested in anything you can tell me. Even the local paper doesn’t mention much. There must be more to it than a random killer passing through.” He motioned to the seat across from him.

  “Sure, I need a break and no one is here right now.”

  “You won’t get in trouble will you? Not many places let their waitresses sit with customers,” Lance asked and then slid a forkful of mashed potatoes and gravy into his mouth.

  “Nah,” she replied. My daddy and Uncle Eli own this place so I can do what I want. If Uncle Eli gets upset, my daddy will come in, and Uncle Eli always backs down.”

  Lance worried he’d get her in trouble. “I don’t want to cause a problem.”

  “It’s fine. They’re brothers but don’t get along. My granny gave them this place when she retired. She hoped it would force them to get along. It’ll never happen. Uncle Eli is short and thin like granny. My daddy’s built like my grandpa. More like a linebacker. Uncle Eli is afraid of him,” she whispered.

  “Okay,” Lance said and took another bite of his dinner. “Then maybe you can tell me what you know about what really happened. This meal is delicious by the way. Thanks for suggesting it.” He flashed another smile.

  Mischief danced in Hannah’s eyes and Lance knew she had a story to tell.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lance looked up from his plate to find Hannah staring at him. He smiled again and leaned forward. “What can you tell me about the Wallace family?”

  “First thing you need to know is that the Wallace family are the salt of the earth as my great-grandma used to say. They’re the first in town to volunteer or help a family in need. They’ll give you the shirt off their backs, or donate meals when needed. People who’ve lived in these parts forever love the family. It’s the newer folks that think they’re a bit odd.” Hannah tapped her index fingers on the table as she talked.

  “That’s not unusual in small towns. Newcomers are looked on as strange, and the newcomers don’t always trust well-established families.” Lance said and slipped a forkful of tender roast beef in his mouth.

  Hannah shook her head, “That’s not why.”

  “Oh, and what’s the real reason?” Lance raised his eyebrows when he looked at her.

  “The Wallace family are survivalists.”

  Lance shrugged. “That’s not unusual either. As a matter of fact, it’s pretty common not only in the country but back in the city, too. I know a few families who prepare for whatever crisis may come.”

  Hannah leaned closer again and whispered, “I know. I saw that on TV, but the Wallace family lives on two hundred acres just outside of town. Half of the property is farming fields and rented out. It’s how they make part of their income. The other half is wooded, and that’s where they live. They grow their own food and have their own animals. They’re well stocked with every type of foodstuff needed for any emergency and everyone knows they can easily live off the grid if necessary.”

  “Still not unusual,” Lance quipped.

  “I know. I just wanted you to know what a wonderful family they are and how they take care of their own and help others before I tell you the rest.”

  “The rest?” Lance slid his empty plate to the side and took a sip of lemonade.

  Hannah popped off her seat. “The special comes with free dessert. We have pie. Apple or cherry?”

  “Apple please.”

  “Ice cream?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Lance watched her as she hurried behind the counter and cut a large slice of pie and added a double scoop of vanilla ice cream. “Here you go,” she said when she returned and slid back into the booth.

  Lance took a bite of the pie and his eyes lit up. “This is the best pie I’ve ever had. Your uncle is an excellent baker.”

  Hannah blushed and lowered her head. “I baked it. My great-grandma taught me.”

  “She taught you well. Tell me more about the Wallace family. You made me curious. Is there a deep, dark secret you’re not telling me?”

  Hannah’s eyes grew big. “How did you guess?”

  Lance raised his eyebrows and took another bite of pie waiting for her to continue.

  “Well,” Hannah began. “As I said, the Wallace family are wonderful people. There was a falling out between two of the family members before I was born. I don’t know all of the specifics, but rumor has it one of their wives had an affair with her husband’s brother. Anyway, the wife denied it and her husband believed her. He broke bonds with the family and moved into town. The family is still estranged and often blame the other when odd occurrences happen near the Wallace property. The family matriarch, great-grandma Wallace everyone called her, lived in a big old farmhouse on the property but closer t
o the fields than the woods. The brother that broke ties with his family did visit her and could enter her property via a long drive and not have to set foot on the rest of the property. Of course, he was blamed for a few suspicious fires, robberies, and some animal deaths over the years.” Hannah stopped to catch her breath.

  Lance listened patiently wondering where her story was headed. Nothing so far helped in his search for the ghostly figure reported seen escaping the fire on the beach.

  Hannah picked up Lance’s water glass and took a long drink.

  “The brother that lived in town and always received the blame said there was something on the great-grandma’s property that caused the problems. He would never elaborate and whatever he thought he knew died with him. The great-grandma wouldn’t speak about his accusations just saying whatever bad there was in their family remained in the ‘Old Country” as she called it. Since she was evasive some of the people in town believed there was a curse, and that’s why the Wallace family kept to themselves. A few even believed she was a witch.” Hannah smiled at Lance as if she just solved the world’s problems.

  “I understand a few people might have an issue with this family feud, but what does that have to do with what took place on the beach?”

  Hannah leaned forward and glanced around the empty diner before she whispered. “You know a girl at the bonfire had read some weird words before the spirit appeared.”

  Lance nodded.

  “That girl is Olivia Wallace. Her great-grandma was the Wallace patriarch. Olivia found that old diary in the attic of the farmhouse after the great-grandma died. The police have it now, but one of her friends who saw the diary said there were entries from the 1600s. That’s pretty odd and creepy. If that sweet old lady was a witch, maybe those words were spells and Olivia conjured up something awful.”

  “Or,” Lance said. “Maybe she broke a spell keeping the evil at bay. Either way, I have to find out what it is and how it got here. Then I need to send it to hell.”