SEEING DEAD THINGS: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (Roxie’s Midlife Adventures Book 1)

by Leigh Raventhorne

  —I was suddenly back in my room holding the journal. I fell back against my pillows, heart racing.

  If that wasn’t an epic wtf moment, I don’t know what is!

  Chapter 13

  Annie chose that moment to call up the stairs. “Hey Rox, I’m finished. I’m just getting ready to head out. You okay?”

  Sitting up, I pulled the silver ring off my finger and shoved it, along with the journals, under my pillows, before quickly heading downstairs to say goodbye to my friend.

  “Are you okay?” Annie asked. “You’re really pale. You look like you saw a ghost!”

  If she only knew.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine, honestly. I just realized I haven’t eaten breakfast, you know?” I threw out the first excuse I thought of.

  “All right, if you’re sure. I’ll stay a while longer if you need me to. I can make you something to eat,” she offered.

  “No. No, I’m good. I’m just going to make myself a smoothie or maybe a protein shake today.” I thought I did pretty well at keeping the quiver out of my voice but she still gave me a skeptical look.

  “You call me if you need anything, Roxie. I mean it. I’ve been through this. I know it can just hit you out of the blue sometimes.” She paused for a second, waiting to see if I would break down, I think. I just gave her a small nod and what was probably a weak smile, but apparently it was enough.

  “Okay. I’ll head out, then. If I don’t see you or talk to you before the big weekend, take care of yourself. And if you need to talk about crap, or even just talk crap, you call me!” She gave me her sternest mom look and hugged me before leaving.

  After she pulled out of drive, I fell back against the wall, palm to my forehead. What big weekend? Ah, the one that Sam had arranged for the four of us to go back to my house and clear my things out. Looking toward the fridge, I decided to skip breakfast. My stomach was still in knots and I was pretty sure nothing I ate would stay down.

  Taking a deep breath, I went back up to my room again. The cardio I was getting with these trips up and down the stairs had to be doing some good, I thought distractedly. Buns of steel had to be in my future somewhere. I giggled a little hysterically. Oh god. I was losing it.

  I pulled the ring and the journals out from under my pillows. I started to set the ring on top of the nightstand but thought better of it and returned it to the wooden box before taking the journals over to the loveseat in the little reading nook.

  Opening the one that had taken me on the weird Alice in Wonderland meets Wizard of Oz trip, I found the spot I had been preparing to read. I looked at the date of the entry. May, 1961. I continued reading. Went out today to see if the rumors were true about a witch sighting in Whigville Cemetery. I know we’re not supposed to go out alone but that site hasn’t had any incidents recently that we are aware of. I spotted the witch not long after I arrived, so I made sure to stay downwind of her and out of sight, like we were taught. I thought I could remain hidden long enough to see what she was there for. The wind must have shifted, because she looked right at the tree I was hiding behind. I was sure I was a goner. I was too far from the car to make it before she would have caught me but something else seemed to distract her. I looked back but I don’t know what she was doing. Once a witch gets your scent, it’s pretty much over—isn’t that what the Elders always tell us? I made it to the car, only looking back once more before getting out of there. When I told the family about what happened, they sent two of the men out to check but they couldn’t find any signs of what had happened, other than the tire marks left on the pavement. I’ve been forbidden from going out on my own until Grandmam thinks I’ve learned my lesson. I’m not even allowed to drive my car! R. Blevins.

  That was the end of the entry. Dropping the book into my lap, I looked up, not really focusing on anything in the room. Had I done that? Had I helped her somehow? I looked at the entry date again—1961. I wondered how many times a person’s mind could be blown before their brain simply exploded.

  Looking over at the nightstand, I thought about Rosemary. Maybe she could help me with whatever was going on here. It had been a couple days now so she shouldn’t be too upset if I called her, right? She hadn’t even been as gruff that last time.

  I grabbed the jewelry box before I chickened out. The Rose Quartz ring stood out enough from the rest that I didn’t even have to root around in there for it. Slipping it on, I closed my eyes and thought of Rosemary, hoping she would be the one to answer instead of Grandma Jenkins. Frowning, I wondered what I would do if Grandma, no Grandmam, Jenkins were the one to answer. Shaking my head to clear it, I focused on Rosemary again. Positive thinking, right?

  “What is this?”

  My eyes flew open. Rosemary was standing there but she wasn’t the one that had asked the question. Seeing her with her mouth hanging open, staring at an older woman with the scowl on her face, almost made me laugh. What was it she had said to me? Something about letting flies in? The ferocity in the older woman’s face quickly drove those thoughts away.

  “Well? Is somebody going to answer me or not?” the older woman looked from Rosemary to me. When she took in the streak in my hair her scowl deepened even more, if that was possible. Maybe I should make a hair appointment soon.

  Rosemary snapped her mouth shut and looked at me, her expression a little lost.

  “Um, hi there?” Well, that was smooth. Trying again, “I’m Roxie, er, Roxanne. I needed to speak to Rosemary so I, um . . .”

  “Is she always like this?” the woman asked, turning to Rosemary. “Is this one of Elmer’s get?”

  Rosemary was still at a loss for words, apparently, because she only shook her head. She looked kind of like she was in shock.

  “Well, someone here needs to speak up, quick like. I’m missing my Bingo game!”

  That did it. I started laughing. I couldn’t help it. Between my experience earlier today and these two now, the thought of this battle ax of an old lady sitting in a Bingo Hall in—wherever it was they now resided—was just too much. Within moments, I was doubled over in the loveseat. If this continued much longer, I was going to have to excuse myself to run for the bathroom before I embarrassed myself. With that thought, my bladder reminded me it was already nearly too late. I jumped up and dashed for the bathroom, practically slamming the door in my haste.

  Once business was taken care of and I had composed myself, I studied my reflection in the mirror as I washed my hands. I think I had a new chin hair growing that would need to be plucked out soon. I hated those things, especially the stubby ones. I was stalling before going back out there, I knew. Splashing cold water on my face, I took a few deep breaths and went back into the bedroom.

  Both Rosemary and the woman I assumed was Grandmam Jenkins watched me with concern as I walked over and stood next to the bed.

  “I’m okay. Just a case of forty year old bladder is all.” I reassured them. “You must be the infamous Grandmam Jenkins I’ve heard so much about. I’m pleased to finally meet you.” I stuck my hand out toward her. She just looked down at my outthrust hand and then back up at me. The concern on her face gave way to puzzlement.

  Ignoring my hand, she turned to Rosemary. “Girl, what is going on here. I need someone to start talking sense.”

  Rosemary found her voice finally. “I’m not exactly sure, Grandmam. Elmer and I have been working with Roxanne to teach her how some of the jewelry works. It’s a bit of a long story.”

  “How long? Start from the beginning and make it quick. Like I said, I’ve got things to do.”

  I let my hand drop. “Rosemary, it’s okay. I’ll explain. When I’m done, I’ll go over why I called for you.”

  I gave Grandmam the most condensed version I could of what had happened from the time Steven hit me right up until today. Her expression became more incredulous, her brows climbing a little higher the longer I talked. And I had only given her the basic stuff so far.

  “What happened to your hair? How long has it
been like that?”

  My hand flew up to my hair self consciously. “I think that was from my head injury. Trauma or something maybe.”

  She nodded, thinking. She looked over at Rosemary and then back at me.

  “So, where is Elmer?” she asked slowly.

  “He hasn’t been doing so well since Rosemary’s first, er, appearance. I think he’s depressed. Do you want me to call him? He usually answers.”

  “No. Not yet. I think just us women need to talk for a bit, first.”

  She eyed me more appraisingly now, looking me over pretty much from head to toe. I fidgeted, as usual, crossing my arms and tucking one under while plucking at my sleeve with the other. Her gaze stopped at the Rose Quartz ring on my right hand. Rosemary stood silently by her side, watching the two of us.

  “I’ve never heard of anyone being able to call someone outside of family back. And never two at a time. You’re sure you aren’t family, huh?”

  “Uh, pretty sure. My parents were part Italian. The other parts are pretty mixed, on both sides. But, there’s that whole six degrees thing, you know.”

  Grandmam, looked over at Rosemary, who just shook her head and shrugged.

  “Oh, that’s just a saying these days. That we’re all only separated by six or fewer connections, that—never mind. I guess it’s not important here,” I sighed. “I’m not exactly sure how I called you, ma’am. I was thinking of Rosemary, but I had been warned that someone else in the family could show up sometimes, too. I’m still trying to wrap my head around all of this. Sorry I pulled you away from your, um, Bingo, and all, but I just had something really odd happen earlier. It freaked me out pretty bad.”

  “If you’re going to wear that ring, you might as well call me Grandmam,” she gave a short laugh. “I don’t think I’ve been called anything else by anyone on this side since the first grand was born.” She glanced over at the loveseat, then back at me. “You mind?” she asked, nodding at it.

  “No, not at all. Please sit.” I said hurriedly. “I’m sorry. I should have offered right away after—well, let’s not go back to that. I have no clue what proper etiquette is for all of this. Rosemary, do you want the bed or I can bring over a chair?”

  Rosemary, looked around the room, taking in the chairs on the other side, then went to lean against the wall. “I’m good, thanks. You can take the bed, if you want. So, what happened?”

  Straight to the point, she was. I sat down on the edge of the bed and continued.

  “Well, I decided to study some of the journals, like we discussed. I was wearing the decoder ring,” I paused as Rosemary barked a laugh at that, earning her a ‘look’ from her grandmother. “It’s just easier for me if I have something to call each piece. Weird, I know.

  “Anyway,” I continued. “The journal I was reading was one of the more recent ones, I believe.” I looked around for it and spotted it on the little table next to Grandmam. “It was that one. Would you mind?” I gestured to it. She picked the book up, looking at the cover before handing it to me. “Yes, this is the one. I kind of flipped through it for a minute and then one of the entries caught my eye. When I started reading it, well, I got sucked into it.”

  Rosemary and her grandmother shared a baffled look. “What do you mean you got sucked into it?” Rosemary asked.

  “I mean that I was in there. Before I had a chance to read the first word, I got pulled into the story or whatever, and I was there. It was about a girl and a witch in a local cemetery.”

  Rosemary’s eyes widened at this. “Show me which entry.”

  I turned to the correct page in the little book. “Here, this one.” I stood and showed it to her, before returning to the bed.

  She skimmed it, looking back at her grandmother, then at me again. “What happened? Tell me all of it, start to finish. From where you were sitting, what you were wearing, everything.”

  “I, um, I was here on the bed, sitting up against the pillows.” I thought back. “I was wearing everything I am now, except for this, of course,” I held up my right hand. “I had the other ring on, for the journals. Then, like I said, I was here one second and in the story the next.”

  I recounted what had happened and what I had seen, right down to the girl squealing the tires of her green VW Beetle during her escape.

  Rosemary walked over and sat down heavily on the end of the bed. “How can this be, Grandmam?”

  The older woman had been completely silent during the narrative. She didn’t answer right away, taking the time again to look me over again, pausing on my gray streak once more. I began fidgeting again, spinning the Rose Quartz ring around my finger nervously.

  “What’s that?” she asked, pointing to my hands.

  I held up my right hand. “Just the ring I used to call you with.”

  “No. Your other hand.”

  I started to frown but caught myself. I already had a weird gray streak and other gray hairs creeping in, no need to add wrinkles and more crow’s feet. I held up my left hand slowly, palm down. The Ring of Power sparkled like the Hope Diamond on my ring finger. How had I not noticed I was still wearing it from this morning?

  “Oh. This. Well, I think that might be another story in itself.” I said hesitantly.

  “Sounds like a story we need to hear.” Grandmam settled herself more deeply into the loveseat and looked at me expectantly.

  Chapter 14

  Taking a deep breath, I told them about the safe at my house, my missing jewelry, and the cleansing and recharging ritual. Before telling them about what happened when I put the ring into the jewelry box, I reached over and took the box and it’s book out of their drawer. I opened the book to the last illustration and handed it to her. “And then there’s this.”

  She paused for a moment before accepting the book. She looked it over before setting it down in her lap.

  “Oh, I’m sorry! Here’s the ring so you can read it properly,” I exclaimed, grabbing the decoder ring out of the box.

  She laughed. “I don’t need it, dear. Only the living still need something like that to See what Is. Besides, I had this book memorized by the time I was fifteen years old. Unlike some.” She slanted a look at Rosemary, who just ignored her.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. I mean Grandmam,” I hurriedly corrected myself when she raised her brow at my blunder. I wondered at her phrasing and the emphasis she put on the words. “So, what does this mean? I put my ring in there yesterday, only because I didn’t want to lose it. And then there it was, in the book. When I put it on after the cleansing, I just forgot about it.” I still felt foolish about that. I mean, the ring was huge, after all. I rarely even wore jewelry so it shouldn’t have felt so—natural. Like it belonged on my hand.

  “Well, the first thing it means, is that you likely saved Rosemary’s life by distracting that witch. We always wondered how it was she escaped unscathed. How you did that, I have no idea. If I had to guess, I would say that your ring can affect another Item of Power, which is what everything else in that box is. Since this is pretty much unknown territory, you are going to have to be careful as you learn exactly what it can do. This book,” she held up the small illustrated one, “acts like an inventory of sorts, for everything in that box. The magick of the box protects the jewelry in several ways. The book needs to be kept close to it at all times, as the two have a strong link. Since both the box and the book were Crafted for our family, I don’t know how or why this happened,” she said, holding up the book to indicate my ring’s page. “That might just be part of your ring’s magic. I’ve heard of adaptive and complementary types of magick before and that could be what’s happening here.”

  She paused, thinking. “If I were you, I would make sure you get back every last piece of that jewelry your husband took. There are probably pieces that go with the ring that shouldn’t be in hands they don’t belong in.”

  I nodded. “I’m working on it. How is it that all of this,” I motioned toward the box and the journals, “works for
me if I’m not a part of your family?”

  “You said Elmer showed you where it was and entrusted it to you? I would say that you are now the official Caretaker. Until you pass this off to someone either in your family or ours, it’s your responsibility. That may be part of what’s been holding Elmer here, away from his wife. He wouldn’t even realize it, since he was never taught any of this.”

  “There isn’t anybody for me to pass it on to. I don’t have any children and I was an only child. I don’t even have any cousins that I know of.” I panicked a bit at the idea of being stuck here instead of being able to move on when the time came. Then a thought occurred to me. “Wait. I’m not family and Elmer was able to give me all of this. So that means I can give it to someone else, either now or later, right?”

  She shook her head. “There are loopholes, sure. But that’s not exactly how it works, Roxanne. Elmer was likely stuck here because there was nobody else close by that could use the Items the way they are meant to be. Until you. Since you have the Sight—and possibly other magicks, if I’m guessing right—he was probably drawn to you as soon as you moved here. Which worked out pretty well for you, from what you told us. These Items, as well as whatever Items were left to you by your family, will be your responsibility to protect and to use. Keep in mind, they will protect you as well. When you are no longer able to perform those duties, your final task will be to find another who can.”

  “Protect me? Did they protect you? You still died, right?” I was scrambling to process everything she had just said. “They didn’t protect Rosemary from that witch. How will they protect me from everything—Other—that’s out there?”

  “Roxanne. I died of old age, in my sleep. I went peacefully, knowing it was my time. I had already passed everything to Rosemary by then. My job was done,” Grandmam chided gently.

  Rosemary who had been uncharacteristically silent throughout most of this, added, “I wasn’t wearing any of the Items when I went out looking for the witch. I honestly didn’t even believe there was a witch out there—none had been seen for years in this area. I was young and stupid.” She shook her head in disbelief. “I still can’t believe you were the one that saved me.”