As Lance approached, Kelile and Morrigan sat on either side of her.
“What’s going on?” he said.
“Sit down, man. We need to talk,” Kelile answered.
“Morrigan said you caught them with my canoe.”
“Yeah, man.” Kelile pointed at Aishling and Morrigan. “Them two told me you didn’t want me to come with you. But this morning, Aishling told me she’d been blackmailing you, and she begged for my forgiveness.” He shrugged. “I have to say, though—” nodding his head at her “—I don’t believe she would do that.”
Glimpsing sideways, she saw Morrigan glower at her, so she blurted, “I’m so sorry, Lance. I did tell Morri I’d snitch on you-uns if you took him. Please forgive me.” She didn’t have to fake her tears.
“Oh?” Morrigan said. “You mean you won’t turn us in? Isn’t that wonderful, Lance?”
Aishling sank further to the ground.
“Wait a minute, prissy queen,” Kelile said. “You’re the one always making fun of me and tryin’ to get rid of me. Are you sure it was her who didn’t want me to go?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about … Kelile.” Morrigan smiled. “At least I haven’t pretended to like you the way she has.”
“What? I do like him. I do like you, Kelile. I’m sorry about what I did. Can you please just forgive me and let’s move on?” Tears streamed down her face.
“Okay, Aishling.” Lance leaned forward and touched her hand. “Don’t cry. I believe you’re sorry. I think Kelile does too.”
“Yeah, I believe you, girl. We’re friends. All’s good.” He grabbed her left hand, formed it into a fist, and tapped it with his fist. As she wiped her tears, he said to Lance, “Now, what are the plans?”
“We’re leaving here as soon as we can. Morrigan and Aishling hid my canoe so I wouldn’t know where it was.” Looking at Morrigan, he said, “You did hide it where no one could find it.”
“Yes.”
Kelile smirked. “Are you sure you two hid it better after I left?”
“Of course, sla—Kelile,” Morrigan answered, smiling again.
“I’m going to report it missing tomorrow.” Lance glanced over at the storage building. “It doesn’t look like it’s been broken into, though.”
“Oh, I thought of that, Lance,” Morrigan said, then pointed. “We made it look like the window on the other side had been pried open from the outside.”
A tingling sensation moved up Aishling’s neck and into her cheeks. That was my idea.
“Good. The Jamesons want me to visit again on the 26th. I’ll have to stay with them that weekend, and I’ll be back about this time on the 28th. I’ve already looked at the calendar. It’ll be a full moon that night. We’ll leave as soon as we can after curfew. We need to meet after school the next few days—maybe after curfew—to plan everything. I’ll get a message to you, Morrigan. Are you okay with this, Kelile?”
“Yeah, man.”
Lance looked at Aishling. “You swear you’re not going to snitch on us?” He raised his eyebrows.
Her heart leaped. Tears bubbled in her eyes again. She gulped and tried smiling. “I swear.” She crossed her heart with her left index finger.
“Great.” He smiled at Morrigan. “Thanks for working everything out.”
Aishling jumped up, unable to take any more. “I’ve got to go,” she said, and ran away.
18
*******
April 20
I haven’t felt like writing. I still don’t. But who else am I going to talk to? I’m still so mad at Morri!!!! I know she’s my soul friend, but she hasn’t treated me like her soul friend, either. What happened to the pledge we took?
Whenever the four of us get together, she acts like she’s making such an effort to be nice to me, like she’s such an angel to get along with me. Even Kelile seems to have forgotten what really happened. Now, he and Lance both treat me cold again. Has she said something else to them? And anytime I say anything, they ignore me, except Morri. In her sweet, sweet, yuck voice, she’ll say, “Oh that’s a thought.”
I don’t want to run away with any of them!
I’m thinking about going by myself. Maybe when they leave and everyone is looking for them, I could slip out and no one would notice. I’d hitch a ride to Robbinsville and not have to go through all that hiking and camping.
They don’t always agree with each other, anyway. Kelile wants to go to Andrews first. Lance wants to go to Robbinsville. Morri, of course, wants to do whatever Lance wants. It makes me sick!
Lance drew each of us a map of the route with instructions for us to memorize. We leave in one week. Or, they do. I don’t know what to do. I know I’d be safer going with them, but I don’t want to!
Mrs. Dawes acted funny again yesterday. I think she’s trying to find another place to send me. I guess I do have to leave with them and get out of here before she sends me away. But I don’t want to go with them!!!
Oh, my. I just remembered the grand oak tree’s warning the day Morri first came. It was warning me about her, not Mrs. Dawes.
My dreams are getting really scary. Sometimes I feel it’s because of Morri. Or maybe it’s because I’m still hiding my amulet. I keep having the same dream, and I wake up feeling like I’m being pressed into the bed, like there’s a heavy boulder on top of me. I try screaming for help, but I can’t get my voice to work. I move my mouth and try as hard as I can, but I’m so scared that I guess my voice is frozen. When all this is happening, I keep hearing a woman’s voice saying, “Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?” Where is what? I don’t understand what she’s looking for. I keep seeing something moving around me too—like black streaks—but only in the corner of my eyes. And I feel like something evil is surrounding me—maybe it’s the shadow-woman I dreamed about before. Or, maybe I have a brain tumor and my head will burst open. At least if I died, I wouldn’t have to worry about all this stuff anymore. It would serve them right! And you too, Ma!
*******
When Aishling hid her diary using the enfolding enchantment, she had a sudden inspiration. Could she enfold her amulet around her neck and make it look like her skin? Then she could wear it! Someone giggled behind her, and she lurched.
Morrigan stood with her hands on her hips, grinning. “I’ve told you before you don’t have to do that anymore. If someone gets your diary, they’ll have a little surprise like slave boy had before.”
“That’s exactly why I do have to hide it. I don’t want anyone to have a surprise like he had. Besides, you told me your maze spell wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
“Well, we won’t have to worry about slave boy after today, thank Goddess. I’ve come up with a way to keep him from going with us.” Morrigan sneered. “Don’t look at me that way. Don’t worry. I’m not using any dark magick. He mentioned his family was coming to see him today. I’m just going to have a little chat with his stepfather.” She stretched. “You can’t change what I’m going to do, either. It’s for everyone’s good, anyway, including his. And, if you say anything to him, he won’t believe you.” She raised her eyebrows and folded her arms.
“I told you, Morri, if you do anything to him, I’ll tell Lance the truth about everything.”
“Go ahead. Lance won’t believe you, either.” With that, Morrigan left the room.
Aishling stared at the doorway, trying to decide what to do next. I have to warn him.
She found Kelile in the family room, pacing the floor. He looked like he was dressed for church. “Hi.”
“What? Oh,” he said and sat on the couch.
“Are your mom and stepfather coming today?”
“Yeah, any minute.”
“Will you please do something for me?”
“What?” he said, frowning.
“Don’t let them talk to Morri today. Okay?”
“What? Here we go. What’s the queen gonna do now?”
“You don’t believe me,” she said, surprised by the way h
e scowled at her. “We used to be friends. Why don’t you believe me, or even want to hear anything I have to say anymore?”
“Come on. Why would I believe someone who twists her stories so much a guy can’t figure out what’s goin’ on? Now, move along,” he said, motioning with his left hand for her to leave.
Her chest ached. Close to crying, she trudged out of the room, heading for her old friend, the grand oak tree. When she opened the front door and saw Morrigan run up to a couple in the yard, she knew they had to be Kelile’s mother and stepfather.
On impulse, she eased the door shut and hid inside the dining room, just off the hallway. The front door opened again and clicked shut. She held her breath as footsteps clomped down the hall. When she peeked around the doorway, she saw Kelile’s mother walk into the family room. Crouching low, she moved to the window facing the front and quietly lifted it enough to hear.
“I said, who are you, girl?”
“You need to listen to me about Kelile.”
“What are you talking about?”
Aishling raised off the floor enough to see above the windowsill.
“He’s been telling everyone that you beat up his mother. Ouch! Get your hands off me,” Morrigan’s voice cracked as he shook her once. “I’m just trying to warn you that you need to do something about him. I don’t believe him, not for a minute. But if he keeps telling everyone that and it gets to Preacher Collins, the preacher might give you trouble. I wish Kelile were somewhere else. He’s mean, and he lies to people all the time. That’s why I don’t believe him.”
After a lingering pause, he said, “What makes you think this is any of your business, girl?”
“My name is not girl, it’s O’Brian, Aishling O’Brian.”
“Go on. Get outta here!”
Aishling couldn’t move. Her heart pounded so loud, she feared someone would hear it beating. How dare Morri use her name!
The front door slammed shut, and Kelile’s stepfather stormed through the hallway. He didn’t notice her crouching at the dining room window. As she peered out the window again, she watched Morrigan skip away.
She hustled to the family room, hoping to act as a buffer for Kelile. He glared at her when she walked in.
His stepfather said, “Devona, go on back to the car. We’ll be there in a minute. I wanna talk to Kelile.” As he turned toward Kelile’s mother, he locked eyes with Aishling. “Who are you?”
“Jerel, what’s the matter with you? What did that girl outside say to you?” Kelile’s mother said.
“Who are you?” Kelile’s stepfather repeated.
“I’m Aishling O’Brian,” she said. “You know, you can’t believe everything some people say to you around here.” She looked from him to Kelile, and then to his mother, who grabbed her chest and gasped. Aishling knew his mother, but from where? And the way her eyes had popped open, his mother knew her, too.
Kelile’s mother backed away and turned to her husband. “Jerel, please, you promised me we would have a nice visit with Kelile. Let’s all go somewhere and talk.” She moved over to Kelile and cupped his shoulder with her right arm. “We’re taking you into town for lunch. How does that sound?”
“That would be great, Mom.” He squinted at Aishling and jerked his head toward the door, his eyes signaling her to leave.
As she walked out, his stepfather said, “Devona, go on to the car. We’ll go to lunch in a minute.”
Aishling had hoped to hide in the dining room again, but wasn’t quick enough. When she looked back, Kelile’s mother was right behind her. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. King.” She smiled.
“No, Jenkins, Mrs. Jenkins.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Jenkins. Kelile and I are friends. I think he’s a great guy,” she said as they neared the front door.
“What was your name again?”
“Aishling O’Brian. Have we met before, Mrs. Jenkins? Do you know my mother, Emer O’Brian?”
Her eyes popped open wider than the first time, and she grabbed her chest again. “No. I … I don’t know your mother.”
“Are you okay?” She could see Kelile in his mother’s face, but her complexion was lighter than his, like maple syrup.
“Heartburn.” Mrs. Jenkins took a deep breath. “Where does your mother live?”
Aishling drew back and looked around, searching for an answer. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “Some people think she’s dead.” Before she could say anything else, Mrs. Jenkins partially smiled and nodded, then reached past her and opened the front door. She left Aishling without another word or acknowledgment.
Kelile and his stepfather began shouting at each other. She ran on her tiptoes down the hall to listen by the doorway. Mrs. Sloan trotted around from the girls’ bedroom wing and ran into her. They tripped into the living room together a moment before Kelile lunged at his stepfather and hit him in the stomach.
“Kelile, stop!” Aishling shouted.
Mrs. Sloan shrieked, “Mr. Jenkins, are you okay?”
Kelile ran out of the room. The front door slammed shut.
“Do you see how he is?” Mr. Jenkins wobbled back and forth. “Now you look here, you people were supposed to whip his sorry ass attitude into shape. I don’t see you’ve done anything. I want him moved to another place that can do the job.” He staggered out of the family room.
“Aishling, call extension 7216 and tell Preacher Collins’ assistant we have a 911 out front,” Mrs. Sloan said, bustling after him.
19
Lance, Kelile, and Aishling met by the river later that afternoon. Kelile grabbed Aishling by the shoulders and shook her. “Did you know she was gonna talk to him?”
“Stop shouting and tell me what happened?” Lance pulled him away from her.
Kelile dropped to his knees and pounded his left fist into his right hand. “Aishling—” he bit his lips “—you knew she was going to say something to him.”
“Tell me what happened!” Lance said.
“Morrigan told asshole that I’ve been telling everyone he abuses Mom. He said he’d beat her to a pulp if I told Mom or if I ever said anything to anyone again. That’s when I punched him in the stomach.” He looked up at Aishling. “You knew. You knew she was gonna say something, didn’t you. You tried to warn me.”
As she sat on the grass next to him, she said, “I didn’t know what, but I knew she was going to do something.” She picked up a twig and broke it into little pieces.
“Wait a minute. Morrigan wouldn’t do that. I know she wouldn’t.” Lance shook his head.
“Sit down, man. I’ve got something to tell you.” Kelile motioned for Lance to sit. “I don’t know how I ever believed anything she said to me. But it’s all clear now.” He shook his head and stared at the riverbank.
“What is clear?” Lance asked.
“You tell him, Aishling. Tell him the whole story.” He looked at Lance. “And you believe everything she tells you, brother, because she is,” he emphasized, “telling the truth.”
*******
April 21
I’m so happy! Finally, Lance and Kelile believe me. Wow! Did they ever blow up at Morri. Ha, ha. I know I’m being mean, but she had it coming. Lance had told her we were having an emergency meeting today after church, and for all of us to meet at the river. Before the meeting, she told me she had a premonition that Kelile wouldn’t be going with us. I acted like I didn’t know what she was talking about. It was all I could do to keep quiet.
And the greatest thing was that I didn’t have to say a word at the meeting. Lance took care of everything. And he handled it so well, even though he had told me and Kelile he was so mad at her he could pull his face off!
She cried, I mean cried. She came clean, though, and admitted that she had gone to Kelile’s stepfather, that it had been her all along that hadn’t wanted Kelile to go with us, and that she had asked me to lie for her. But she told us she had had nightmares about us escaping. In them, we always got caught because something dreadful
would happen to Kelile and he died, and that all this time she had been trying to protect all of us, even him. She said she realized now that her nightmares were silly and begged us to forgive her.
She had told me before that she’d dreamed we would get caught if Kelile came, but she hadn’t told me that she thought he’d die.
Anyway, Kelile told her not to worry, that he wasn’t going to die. And, since all of us want to get away from here, we agreed to forget the past and work together. We’re leaving next Sunday night. We have to, not only because Lance might be put into foster care soon and Kelile and I might be moved somewhere else, but because Kelile is afraid something might happen to his mother.
Lance is so nice to me now. He looks at me when he talks to me. He even smiles at me. Kelile and I are friends again too. Morri has been quiet since our meeting. But I did forgive her.
Ma, I’m coming home in one week!
*******
Return to Beginning
once freedom wakes and churns,
20
Tuesday, April 23
They squeezed into the laundry room after curfew and huddled on the floor around a map. Even though Lance had positioned a towel underneath the door to block any light, they still sat in the dark with only the dim glow of Morrigan’s flashlight.
“Get your hands off my imagination, girl!” Kelile said when Aishling told him he’d be okay walking from the A.T. to Andrews alone. “Have you ever walked anywhere in the wild by yourself?”
She shook her head.
“Didn’t think so.”
“Lance,” she said, “can’t we please walk with Kelile to Andrews first, and then go to Robbinsville?”
“Like I already said, we would be more exposed if we got off the A.T. that soon.”
“Man, I need to get Mom away from that lowlife asshole. You know that.” Kelile rubbed the back of his neck. “And, I could get you three more food before you head up to Robbinsville.”
Dead Moon Awakens: A tale of Cherokee myth and Celtic magic (Mystic Gates) Page 8