by Denise Daisy
She breathed a small prayer and lunged toward the wall. Her arms wrapped around the top the sharp stones cutting into her flesh. She swung her legs over and looked below. It was still too far to jump. She used her bare feet to feel around the wall for stones big enough to use as small steps. She curled her toes around one and made the decent to the ground. She wiped her hands on her dress and looked up, hoping, praying. She couldn’t yell out for Esther and give away their location.
“Please Esther please.” she whispered.
“There they are!” She heard Ian’s voice from the other side of the wall.
Her heart skipped a beat and since Ian knew where they were she decided to yell.
“Esther?”
A black fishnet leg came into view followed by purple tulle. Esther swung her other leg over and then jumped grimacing at the pain.
They crossed the dirt road and ran into the massive cornfield that lined their property. The field belonged to their nearest neighbor who lived at least a mile away. His cornfield grew a mile down both sides of the road and up to his back yard.
“Let’s stay together.” Felicitas said barely able to catch her breath. “It’s easy to get separated and lost in here.”
Esther nodded.
“Can you run?”
She nodded again.
“Let’s go”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The score board reflected the abilities of the Stones River high football team. They were undefeated and by the end of the second quarter the red digital lights predicted their winning streak might continue on through another game.
Everyone settled down in the stands as the team jogged off into the locker room and the marching band took the field. Sharon adjusted the wool scarf around her neck and shuddered in spite of her warm leather jacket. She twisted her fingers inside her fur lined leather gloves and couldn’t remember when the last time she had been this nervous. Nerves were something that had become foreign to her in all the years of standing on platforms and speaking to thousands of women. That was a walk in the park. Tonight was different; tonight her anxiety was for her daughter who was soon to take the field in front of a stadium full of people. She could care less whether or not Felicitas got the crown, all she cared about was that the people be kind and not jeer or boo her daughter. Since Felicitas story and journal had become public everyone had an opinion and voiced it openly and cruelly. Felicitas and Grant, the supposed man of her dreams, had become the subject of many off color jokes and unfortunately had cast a pall on the reputation of their family and to Melvin’s dismay the church. The elders had called a special meeting suggesting Melvin take a sabbatical until all the uproar died down. He refused of course saying the devil was trying his best to distract him from his God called ministry. For the past two weeks several news crews had arrived on Sundays taking footage of the property and the services inside and interviewing members of the congregation as they walked to their cars. Some of the statements from parishioners who barely even knew Felicitas had been quite painful.
Sharon did everything she could to shield her daughter from the media circus but tonight she felt powerless.
She winced when Melvin stood and accidentally brushed up against her leg. They were together at the game tonight for appearance sake only. Unknown to their daughters she had asked Melvin to take the guest room ever since the accident. He repulsed her now. His concern was obviously only for his reputation and the reputation of the church. His disapproval heightened with Sharon when she cancelled her speaking engagements for the remainder of the year. In his opinion they needed to keep up appearances and be business as usual. He accused her of being selfish by letting thousands of women down who needed her guidance. He insulted her by calling to question her sanity and then as a last attempt to manipulate, he belittled her dedication and service to God. The only reason he relented in sending Felicitas to county was that Sharon pulled her threat card and swore to leave him if he did.
He said nothing to her as he straightened his tie and descended the bleachers heading backstage to escort his daughter out onto the field. It was the duty of all the proud dads who had daughters in the homecoming court. Sharon knew Melvin wasn’t proud of Felicitas and that disgust her even more.
She pulled her cell from her coat pocket and checked to see if Felicitas had called or sent a text. There was nothing so she sent a quick text saying good luck and told her she loved her and to keep her chin up no matter what. She put her phone back into her pocket and wondered why she could not shake the sense of dread that was invading her.
The band finished their number and then split into their final formation to prepare for the arrival of the homecoming court. The ROTC boys marched into place with their rifles and then performed several well-rehearsed stunts to the delight of the crowd. They ended their routine by standing at attention facing each other creating an arch with their guns.
The band began playing a beautiful melody as the announcer introduced Stones River High Homecoming Court. Three black convertibles proceeded slowly toward the center of the field. Each car had a beautiful girl perched sitting on the top, cradling a spray of roses and gracefully waving to the fans.
Sharon’s heart fell when she noticed the fourth car was missing along with her daughter. Most of the student body noticed too because a low murmur began spreading through the stands as many heads turned and looked her way.
Lisette bounded up the bleachers toward her mother anxiousness plastered across her face.
“Mom, Taz and Esther never showed. Everyone’s been calling them but it just goes to their voicemail.”
Sharon grabbed her purse and made her way down the stadium seating ignoring the stares of everyone.
“Call the limo service and see when they picked them up.”
“We already did. They said they got a cancellation about an hour before the scheduled pick up.”
Sharon’s heart grew sick. She should have never agreed to leave Felicitas alone. She pulled her cell from her pocket and hit speed dial. It went directly to Felicitas voice mail.
It didn’t take long for the news crew to get wind of Sharon’s whereabouts so by the time she reached the bottom of the bleachers; three reporters stuck their microphones in her face and began asking judgmental questions.
By the time they reached her car Hayley joined them and was near tears as she ran from reporters. Sharon ordered her daughters in the car and then threatened to run over everyone if they didn’t get out of her way.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Esther yanked back on Felicitas hand gasping for air.
“Taz stop. I gotta take a breather.” She bent over panting trying to catch her breath.
Felicitas looked around. It was dark in the corn field but even in the black of the night she glimpsed shadows moving past the tall stalks. The terror they brought hovered about. She shivered, determined not to let the despair overtake her. Grant was not here to help so she must stay strong for their survival and the survival of her baby.
“Only for a second Esther.” She didn’t want to take the time to explain how imperative it was to reach the Perry’s farm house and get some help. Nor did she have any desire to explain what the shadows were and that she was sure she smelled sulfur hanging in the air which meant they must be lurking nearby planning to strike besides she could tell by the look on Esther’s face that the feeling of hopelessness was beginning to consume her.
Esther panted and held her chest taking in deep breaths of the cold air.
“My lungs hurt Taz. I don’t think I can run anymore.”
Felicitas grabbed her by the shoulders and faced her.
“Esther, you have to run. You hear me…you have to keep moving. We can’t stop.”
Felicitas felt for Esther. She could see the tears burning smearing her beautifully painted eyes. Once Esther got a glimpse of Ian and the drakes tracking them across the Rebold property she realized Felicitas was right in her declaration and from that moment on her skept
icism was exchanged for extreme fear. A rage ignited in Felicitas flaming deep inside of her. She would not let them hurt her friend.
“We’re gonna be okay Esther. We just have to make it to the Perry’s back door, and then we can call for help.
“But how do you know we are heading toward the house? The corn is so tall, it’s impossible to tell where we are.”
Esther was right but Felicitas did not want to admit to it. She was becoming more claustrophobic by the minute feeling like she were underwater in this sea of stalks and desperately needed to come up for air. For all she knew they could be running parallel and miles from the house but she would not allow her mind to torment her with those disparaging thoughts. Before she could convince Esther that they were on the right track and should be seeing the house pretty soon the smell of smoke and the crackling of burning stalks began to surround them.
Esther’s eyes went wide in horror.
“Taz the field is on fire! We’ll be burned alive.”
Felicitas heart seized as the strong smell of smoke wafted through the stalks stealing her breath. No doubt the work of the fire breathing drakes. Her nightmare was coming true.
“No Esther. We are not going to burn alive now. Come with me.”
She grabbed Esther’s hand again and backtracked moving away from the smoke. They moved slower so not to wind themselves creeping along as quiet as they could.
A black vapor slithered directly in front of them and in spite of the darkness Esther noticed it too.
“Taz…what was that?”
Felicitas pulled Esther through the stalks and down the opposite path.
“They’re Shadows Esther. They’re telling Ian where we are.”
She felt Esther shiver and was all too familiar with the terror she was feeling.
“How do you fight them?”
She had never thought to ask Grant that question and didn’t know the answer. In fact the thought had never occurred to her that they could fight Shadows. How could one punch a hole through vapor?
Felicitas nose picked up the scent of smoke directly ahead of them. They were being surrounded by fire and would soon be smoked out right to where Ian and the Drakes would be waiting.
“The fire’s in front of us now.”
Esther told her what she already knew.
“Of all the ways to die Taz I never wanted to be burned alive.”
Felicitas squeezed her hand. “You’re not going to die tonight Esther. I promise.”
Thick smoke began rolling in; the fire was intensifying, catching quickly to the dried stalks. It would only be a matter of time before they were overcome with smoke and consumed. Esther was coughing violently, gasping for air again. Felicitas pulled her to the ground where the air was fresh. They crawled across the cold earth; Felicitas dress hindering them from moving fast.
The smoke made its decent engulfing the girls, impairing their vision. Their lungs screamed for air and Felicitas arms trembled barely able to support her any longer; her head began to throb. She heard Esther groan and the collapse behind her.
Turning around she could hardly make out her form lying in the dirt.
“Esther” she coughed. “Please try and keep moving.”
Esther didn’t respond, she just lay there wheezing gasping for air. Felicitas grabbed her under her armpits dragging her a few feet before she tripped over her hem and fell backwards.
She lay there staring up into a cloud of smoke obscuring her view of the moon; her lungs screaming for air and her head throbbing. She tried to rise up, but her strength was gone. She coughed violently gagging, gasping, for air before falling back into the dirt. Before closing her eyes she saw someone step over her and squat down beside her. She couldn’t make out the face but the voice was all too familiar.
“Does my girl need some mouth to mouth? “ Ian asked his lips curling into a sinister snarl.
Felicitas coughed once more before the smoke consumed her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Sharon was driving thirty miles over the speed limit when she heard the sirens coming up from behind her. She glanced in the rearview her rebellion surfacing. She would not pull over; the cop would have to chase her all the way home to get her explanation as to why she was driving so fast. The flashing lights sped up closer and then surprised her when they passed by traveling on ahead of her. Seconds later more sirens and flashing lights roared past. Sharon defied all traffic laws floored the car and fell into line behind them. Lisette leaned forward and said what Sharon’s heart already knew.
“Looks like they’re headed to our house.”
Sharon jerked the wheel; the tires squealed in protest as she turned onto the road leading toward the house. All three girls gasped at the sight of the massive glow of orange flames licking across the Perry’s field.
Hayley pressed her face against the window as Sharon drove the car through the thick black smoke.
“Do you think our house is on fire too?”
Sharon didn’t answer, but she feared their home was on fire too because that’s how the drakes destroyed their enemies. An intense hatred raged inside of her as powerful as the fiery inferno burning only a few feet away. A lump formed in her throat making it difficult to swallow. Seeing the Perry crop in flames brought back memories of the night she lost her dad. She could see him being consumed by the deadly blaze. She shut her eyes trying to erase the images she suppressed all these years.
The emergency vehicles pulled over near the property preparing to combat the blaze. Sharon flew past them; one of the police cruisers pulled back onto the road following her with its lights flashing as she continued on to her house.
Her intuition told her something was dreadfully wrong as she neared the gated driveway. It was too dark. All the outdoor security lights were off and there was no light glowing in the windows.
She raced up into the driveway and jumped out as the car rolled to a stop. The cruiser pulled into the circle drive directly behind her; two officers stepped out of their car and ordered her to stop. She didn’t care if they shot her she wasn’t stopping. She lost her dad to the drakes she wasn’t going to lose her daughter too.
“Do you know who I am?” She yelled over her shoulder as she continued up the porch steps.
“I’m Sharon Rebold. My daughter is the girl who was missing and now she is missing again. I think she is in danger”
The officers caught up with her as she fumbled to put the key into the lock. “I think the fire next door has something to do with her disappearing, a distraction maybe…I don’t know but I need to see if she is in here hurt…or…”
The officer stepped in front of her placing his hand on his holster and informed her if she suspected danger then he and his partner would enter first and check it out.
Sharon agreed but insisted on going in too. She unlocked the front door and stepped inside behind them. She tried the switch on the wall, nothing. Both officers pulled their flashlights and scanned the open foyer. Cautiously, they slipped into the kitchen searching the room. Sharon’s hope sunk when the beams revealed Felicitas purse and wrap still lying on the table beside the food tray and wine glasses.
“That’s my daughter’s purse.” She opened it and pulled out Felicitas cell, her driver’s license, sixty-five dollars in cash and a tube of pink lip gloss. The officers moved their lights around the rest of the room; everything seemed to be in place.
“No sign of a struggle hear” One of the officers said. “Looks like she decided to leave on her own.”
“And leave her phone, money and ID?” Sharon’s voice was cross. “Don’t you dare judge her by what you’ve heard, she didn’t run off.”
Both officers seemed to ignore her comment and continued their search, but their caution seemed to lessen. Sharon was sure they believed all the news reports and suspected Felicitas had run away again and felt there was no need for alarm. Her anger continued to rise.
“If my daughter decided to run off on her own then why i
s there no power to my house?”
The officer’s face showed no expression, “Maim, I’m sure the fire across the street has damaged power lines. That would explain why your powers out.”
She wanted to smack him for his smug attitude and for stereotyping her as a typical distraught mother and Felicitas as a pampered teen age runaway. She decided she wasn’t going to follow them around like a whipped puppy, she knew what she was looking for and would lead the investigation. She walked boldly into the family room and immediately noticed the chill from the open doors. The officers stepped in front of her and looked around; they stepped outside on the patio casting their lights here and there. They came back inside, closed the door and again repeated that there was no sign of a struggle or forced entry.
They made their way upstairs checking Felicitas room first. Again there was nothing unusual or out of place except Esther’s cell phone lying on Felicitas bed. They made their way down the hall finding nothing and finally ended up in the master bedroom. The officers light found a single boot of Esther’s abandoned in the center of the room.
“Yours or your daughters?”
“Neither, it’s her friend Esther’s.” For the first time Sharon realized something dire might have happened to Esther as well.