He stood his ground and repeated, “She’s not going anywhere.”
Arlette rubbed at her boney wrist and Julien thought he finally saw a flicker of concern in her eyes.
Calmly, she spoke, “We’ll see what her father has to say about this.” Arlette picked up her purse and dusted it off before returning it to her shoulder. “You are in a whole lot of trouble, Sarah,” she warned. “You’ll see.” Arlette never looked back as she exited the barn in a hurry.
Julien waited until he heard the Mercedes reach the gravel before he allowed himself to drop back to the bar floor.
Sarah, distressed, her face stained by tears and dirt, knew she had hurt him. She did not need words to communicate her feelings of guilt. She placed her hands on his leg, her bottom lip quivering. Julien was about to stop her, but felt an instant tingling sensation and the pain was gone.
Why hadn’t she done this all the other times?
Don’t forget what she’s capable of.
Don’t let your guard down.
But it’s not her fault.
Julien sat forward and ran his thumbs simultaneously across Sarah’s cheeks wiping them dry. “Sarah, you have an amazing gift.”
She looked to him, hanging on his every word with glassy, tear-reddened eyes.
“This isn’t what it was meant for.”
In shame, she looked down at her hands confused.
“No, no.” He laughed, frustrated by his difficulty communicating with her. “This was good. Good girl.” He placed his hand on one of hers. “Very good. Thank you. Much better. All better.”
Julien tried to be more clear with her. “The people who lived here before…what happened to them? People dying or disappearing…this is very bad.”
Sarah shrank away and Julien corrected himself, “You are not bad. I know you didn’t want to hurt those people.”
Sarah’s pout deepened and she nodded emphatically.
“Arlette? Does she make you do these things to people…these very bad things?”
Sarah nodded again and threw herself toward him. She hugged his neck tightly and mumbled into his shoulder. Julien peeled her away.
“Wait Sarah, I’m not done talking with you.” He held her hands in his lap. “The chickens, Sarah, do you make the chickens…”
What do I say?
What will she understand?
“… magic?”
Sarah glanced toward the coop.
“You do something…something that makes the chickens give other people your gifts? So they can play too? Just like you?”
Sarah smiled now. Her eyes locked on his lips and she reached to touch them. Julien took her hand down and held it still.
“You like to share, Sarah?” He smiled back at her and she immediately reached her other hand to his mouth. This time he allowed her to trace his lips and she grunted in a singsong series of vocalizations.
“Ah, good girl, Sarah.” He pulled his face away. He tried to not laugh at her.
Her eyes found his and she brushed his hair away and cradled his face in her palms. He took hold of her hands once again attempting to keep her focus on his words.
“You don’t want to hurt anyone anymore, do you?” he asked, hoping he was right but unsure if he was merely feeding her lines to agree with.
She knows what reaction you want.
“They can’t hurt you, Sarah. They have no gift…no power over you.”
Sarah cocked her head and garbled some noise back at him.
“Arlette can’t hurt you. You are the one with the gift.”
Sarah snatched her hand back and patted his mouth with her open palm.
She wants me to shut up.
He laughed and turned his face away again. “What? What are you doing? You don’t want for Julien to speak?” He winked at her. She blushed and looked away.
“Listen Sarah, let’s get serious, no?” He took her busy hands into his own again. “I want to leave.”
Sarah’s brow furrowed and he recognized a pre-tantrum brewing. “No, no, listen… wait and listen to Julien. I want all of us to leave…Me, Rachael, Jessica and you.”
Sarah jerked her hands away from him then cupped them, first over his ears then over her own. She repeated the action over and over again, her movements growing quicker and more frantic with each turn and he could see her begin to melt down.
“No, no… it’s okay. Sarah, it’s okay,” he tried to assure her. He took her face into his hands. “Shhh…calme toi..calm down. They can’t hurt you. Don’t you want to stay with Julien?”
Stop talking in third person.
“Don’t you want to stay with me? I can protect you. You can use that gift for other things…good things. You could wish them away.” He pointed in the direction Arlette had gone.
He felt a sudden obligation to the girl, but could see the fear in her eyes and he wondered how terrifying the thought of the unknown or new places would be to a girl like Sarah. How leaving the only home she had ever known might never be possible for her. He wondered if he could even get her into their vehicle and envisioned the scene, including the potential agony she would bestow upon him to keep them there on the property. The saddest part was that eventually Arlette would get her way; Sarah was too simple to understand she would lose him regardless. He would drop the subject for now and show her the best night of her life and hope to convince both Rachael and Sarah that their lives can continue elsewhere.
“Okay, Sarah,” he gave in. He used her hand for leverage and got to his feet. He pulled her up then dusted himself off. Sarah had an expression of intense worry on her face.
“C’mon. It’s okay.” He encouraged her to knock the dirt from her dress. “I’m not going anywhere. We’ll go inside and have a nice dinner…together, I promise.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Julien lead Sarah onto the porch. As they entered the house, the aroma of their forthcoming meal sickened him. He found Rachael setting the dining room table.
“Good timing,” Julien said. He pulled back the chair at the head of the table. Sarah sat down to his left without hesitation.
Julien’s plan was only loosely formulated. Regardless of Rachael’s mood, he would act himself, keep a smile on his face and not respond to her temper. By the end of the meal he planned to have his wife wrapped around his finger.
Rachael shot an angry glance at Sarah. “Would you go get some glasses?” she asked impatiently then turned her attention to Julien. “I saw Arlette peel out of here in a hurry.”
A crash erupted from the kitchen sending them both after Sarah.
The girl stood in the middle of the room surrounded by broken glass. She rocked on her heels, pounding her fist to her forehead and mumbling frantically.
Rachael huffed and began picking up the larger pieces of glass by hand.
“For Christ’s sake, Sarah,” she said, her tolerance level at an all-time low. “Go sit down!”
“Come here.” Julien took Sarah’s elbow, guiding her carefully around Rachael and through the shards of sharp glass. Desperate to keep the peace, he led her back to the dining room where he sat her down and gave a stay put hand signal then returned to the kitchen.
She swept the mess into a small pile. “So what did Arlette want?” She rummaged under the sink for a dustpan as she continued their conversation.
Sarah began humming loudly in the next room and Rachael paused to roll her eyes. She sighed and glared at Julien. “Can you get her to shut up, please?”
“I have no idea what Arlette wanted. Perhaps she was visiting her niece?” He left Rachael and went to console and calm Sarah.
Sarah, seated at the table, was shaking her head violently as she hummed. He placed a hand on her and she froze for several seconds then began rocking again, now in silence. Julien sat down at the head of the table and served himself some mashed potatoes. If he could mask the succulent flavor of the meat, it could possibly help him to remain in control throughout the meal.
Rac
hael returned to the dining room. On her right, she hugged three glasses between her waist and arm; on her left, she gripped the serving platter, swimming with glistening juices seeping from the golden brown roast.
Julien took a deep breath; he was fully aware how closely she was watching his reactions. He felt like a recovering alcoholic at a open bar wedding reception. The urge to tear at the bird with its heady scent grasping his vulnerable senses was a test to every ounce of his will. He had once seen a cop on television apply vapor rub beneath his nose before examining a decaying corpse and wished he had remembered the trick earlier.
He was fearful of consuming the meat and the effect it might have on his actions. Like any drug, the effects and addiction would be different for each individual. He reasoned that he had been able to control his urges far better than Rachael did in their earliest days of the game and that his stubborn will would continue to prevail.
Just do it.
Julien reached for the carving knife. Rachael lashed out and slapped the back of his hand and picked up the knife. He could only assume she was afraid he would purposely cut through the wishbone and destroy tonight’s game. Sarah sat forward, her eyes transfixed on the bird. Rachael dropped a leg and thigh on the girl’s plate and she snatched it up ravenously biting into the meat. Rachael cut a thick slice from the plump breast and served it to Julien. She cut another for herself, but remained standing over him, watching his every move.
Julien saw her lips moisten. She was like a junky cooking down her fix knowing it was coming but forced to wait. She showed great restraint and waited patiently for him to take the first bite.
She doesn’t believe you will eat it.
Julien cut away a small edge of the oval slice. He brought it to his lips and took it between his teeth. The familiar flavor spread over his tongue and he felt its manipulation enticing him and blanketing him with immediate euphoria. Peripherally, he saw Rachael drop into her chair and dig into her own meal now satisfied that he had kept his word.
With three people devouring the roast, the meal was over in minutes; side dishes untouched. Julien felt elated and without a care in the world—a feeling he had not experienced in months, if ever. Like a teenager dropping ecstasy at a rave party, at that moment he could have made love to the world.
The plan.
Don’t lose sight of the plan.
Who gives a fuck about the plan?
Eyes closed, he rested back against the chair. Her warm breath met his cheek and he opened his eyes to see Rachael leaning close.
She whispered, “You feel good, don’t you?” She slipped her tongue into his ear teasing him then disappearing behind his back.
He wanted to follow her but as he tried Sarah stepped in front of him. She took his hands and tugged at them playfully; Julien tried to decipher her signals quickly but he wasn’t in the mood for charades. She knelt down, crouching before him and placed her head in his lap.
Oh Sarah, you are very much in the way right now.
Unexpectedly the stereo began to blare; Rachael hiking up the decibel level to that of a rock club. Neither girl had their attention on him now, each enjoying her own high. He too was caught up in the sensation and had all to do to remain focused. He slid his hand along the table and took the wishbone from the serving plate. He placed the still-warm furcula in the back pocket of his jeans and said a silent prayer that it would not crack. In a brief moment of doubt he feared Rachael would notice the missing bone and he would be punished once again, but the euphoria quickly melted his fear away and he felt he could accomplish anything.
Rachael returned to the dining room dancing and swaying to a bluesy guitar riff. Her body moved seductively to the rhythm. Julien was compelled to push Sarah to the side and go to his alluring wife, but he overrode his sexual desires thinking it best not to upset the girl. Sarah hummed a song of her own, oblivious to the music surrounding them. Rachael approached Julien, loomed above his lap and straddling Sarah’s back. Rachel unbuttoned her shirt as she swayed.
Julien wanted Rachael right then and there; the spell of their meal at its peak. He desperately longed for her, but Sarah was not only there with them, but also had her cheek pressed to his thigh; her arms hugging his legs tightly. He couldn’t take the chance on angering the girl, but she wasn’t helping to curb his urges either.
Rachael leaned forward, her shirt and bra both open revealing her firm, ample breasts and warm, creamy skin. Her lips met his for the first time since that horrific day in the pool and Julien felt himself lose what little control her had. Sarah’s chin caressed his thigh, her body pressing harder against his as Rachael moved in closer, practically crushing her against him. Rachael, disregarding the girl beneath her as though she did not exist, slowly forced Sarah out of the way.
She’s going to get angry.
Sarah’s nails dug into Julien’s leg causing him to jerk away from Rachael who methodically wound her fingers into Sarah’s long hair and pulled the girls head back, like a pony between her legs, without ever breaking her gaze upon her husband. Sarah gasped and grabbed anxiously at Rachael’s entwined fingers attempting to unhinge her hold, but Rachael snapped, crouching close to Sarah’s face. Julien thought he heard his wife hiss and immediately came out of his euphoric stupor separating the girls with a fast motion. Beneath the blaring music a loud pounding shook the front door. Julien’s high all but vanished in an instant. He felt caught, like he was being pulled over by a cop after a long night at a bar.
“Close your shirt.” he warned Rachael. He pushed Sarah to the side and glanced back at his wife who had not budged. “Button your shirt!” he ordered more forcefully.
Julien lowered the volume on the stereo until the music was barely audible. He looked around the room and at Rachael, who was now fully clothed though quite noticeably disheveled. He went to the door. Both girls came to stand behind him as he opened it.
Arlette on the porch; Dr. Lind standing on the top step, keeping his disatance a few feet back.
“Arlette?” Julien asked. He should have known she would keep her word and return with Sarah’s father.
Arlette looked past him zeroing in on Sarah who, terrified, hid herself behind Julien.
“Time to go home, Sarah.” she commanded then reached out for her niece’s hand. Sarah clung tightly to Julien’s arm. The girl yipped and ducked low behind him hugging tightly to his thighs.
Rachael stepped around them. “What’s the problem, Arlette?”
Arlette did not bother to respond and stepped in closer declaring, “Sarah, your father wants you home immediately.” She turned to Lind for support.
Julien recognized the hesitation on Lind’s face as fear. The old man’s eyes widened; his lips moved but couldn’t seem to form words.
He’s afraid…
He’s afraid of Arlette…
He’s afraid of his own daughter.
Arlette glared at Lind through narrowed eyes until the old man cleared his throat and spoke up.
“Sarah, honey,” he stammered. “Mr. Grenier is no longer in need of your services sweetheart. You can come home now.” His voice, sweet as sugar.
Sarah dropped lower, her arms sliding down to the level of Julien’s knees. Julien placed a protective hand on her head.
“We really don’t mind,” he reasoned. “She’s been a great help with the baby. In fact, we were just discussing talking to Dr. Lind about hiring Sarah full time…a helper for Rachael.” Julien nodded at Rachael, slow and deliberate, for confirmation of his lie, but even as the words escaped him he knew he had no rights to the underage girl and who was he to suggest she stay when her father was calling her home?
Arlette sprung into action grasping Sarah’s wrist tightly. She worked to pull her niece out onto the porch. Sarah grunted and squealed loudly, protesting and taking Julien with her in every direction.
Julien tried to separate them, but the situation escalated and Rachael stepped in. A scuffle ensued and Dr. Lind backed away from the por
ch. Before Julien could bring the tussle to a halt, Sarah clawed her way up his back like a feral cat, but surprised everyone when she stepped out around him with brazen fury. She stood in the doorway face to face with her aunt; a guteral growl, a sneer revealing boxy front teeth. In an instant both Arlette and Dr. Lind dropped to their knees, Lind clutching his left arm; Arlette, her chest.
Julien and Rachael stood watching in disbelief. There was no doubt Sarah could kill them both right there on the porch.
Lind pleaded with his daughter in panting, breathy whispers. Julien tried to turn Sarah around, taking her by the shoulders, but the girl stood her ground.
“Stop!” he demanded. “Stop it at once, Sarah!”
Sarah’s eyes met his and he watched her face contort with confusion. As quickly as it started her retaliation ceased. Arlette and Lind remained on the ground gasping for air and attempting to regain their composure. Arlette looked up at Julien from her position on all fours.
Powerless, she muttered through clenched teeth, “What have you done to her? What hold do you have over her?”
Julien kept his focus on Sarah. “You have to go home. You can come back in the morning.”
He feared what accusations Arlette would make. The last thing he would need is to be accused of kidnapping…or worse.
He softened his tone and rubbed up and down her arms to calm her, “You can come back tomorrow, yes? Please, Sarah, go home. They can’t hurt you.”
Sarah was not happy with Julien. She backed away from him; a somber look of disappointment in her eyes. He automatically lowered his hand to his thigh in preparation for her attack, but it never came.
Rachael watched her husband’s interaction with the girl closely; her jealousy reared. She needed the girl for the wishbones, but Sarah was growing increasingly attached to Julien with each passing day, and Julien, more accepting of Sarah’s affection; he was fast gaining control over her. Rachael was confused and no longer ecstatic from their meal. For the first time she was witnessing the intensity of the girl’s power with her own eyes—no wishbone needed. She backed away; her thoughts spiraling.
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