Soul Stone

by Gladden, DelSheree

  Didn’t know that.

  My uncle is a demolition expert, Bas explains.

  Wow.

  For several minutes I don’t get another response from Bas. I start to think he might have fallen asleep. Part of me is saddened by that. I don’t want to go back to dreaming and he was a convenient distraction. After five more minutes, I set my phone back on the nightstand. It buzzes a few seconds later.

  I’m glad your face is feeling better. That was a lot of blood. I almost laugh. I can’t imagine Bas being bothered by blood. A strange thought creeps into my mind that maybe it was just the fact that it was my blood that made him notice. I want to shake off such an idea, but his message seems oddly sincere.

  Thanks for taking me to my dad. I don’t think I said that earlier. In fact, I made it a point not to say it.

  Glad I could help, Bas texts back.

  Biting back my pride, I send one more text. Thanks for helping me get through the needles too.

  It takes a little while before Bas answers me. I don’t look right away fearing another round of his mocking. Instead, I see a simple, You’re welcome.

  I don’t know why, but the night doesn’t seem as ominous after talking to Bas. My eyelids are feeling heavy again. I type one last message as I settle back under my blankets. Goodnight, Bas.

  Night, Arra, comes back right away.

  Tucking my phone against my chest like it is some kind of talisman against bad dreams, I try to push away my concerns and worries. Everything dissipates except for the lingering hope for someone to guide me to the right answers about Sibeal. Even that slips away eventually. I let my eyes close and fall into a deep and empty sleep. Peace surrounds me as the quiet sinks into my mind. My body relaxes and my heart lets go of its fear. In a matter of moments I feel rejuvenated. My eyes flutter, expecting only darkness, but when I catch sight of stars surrounding me on every side, they open wide and stare.

  My heart is ready to stop at the sight of a whole sky full of stars where my bedroom should be. I take a step and feel my bare feet scratch against a rough surface. Looking down, I’m startled to see weathered stone beneath my feet. I turn, wondering, not believing what I am seeing. The altar is no longer covered in blood, but it still stands exactly where it is supposed to be.

  I spin around again and gasp when I see a near perfect reflection of myself staring back at me. “Kivera?” I squeak.

  “Arrabella,” she says with a smile. Her arms extend out to me as if we are lifelong friends who haven’t seen each other in years.

  I stumble back a few steps in fear. “What am I doing here?”

  Kivera stops. She seems to consider my question. Her expression changes to one of confusion. “I do not know, Arrabella. You are the one who called me here.”

  “I did what?”

  “You called me to this place.”

  “How did I do that?”

  Kivera smiles. It’s strange to see her so calm and happy. The last time I saw her she was a shadow of her former self, a ragged woman barely recognizable as the beauty from my dreams. Misery had been her constant companion for centuries. Now, she looks revitalized, happier than I ever imagined the once selfish young woman could ever be. She radiates peace now that she has accepted fault and sacrificed herself to save my life.

  Kivera approaches me and takes my hands in hers. “You seem surprised to see me, yet I distinctly felt your call, and I am bound to help you.”

  “Well, yeah I’m surprised to see you, but more than that, I barely recognize you. You look so different.”

  “I have found purpose in a once useless existence,” she says, “thanks to you.”

  “What did you mean that you’re bound to help me?”

  “My soul had been forfeit to Tlaloc. When I offered myself in your place and paid for my sins, because I had to be shown the way to selflessness by you, Tlaloc saw it fitting that I serve as an aide to you in times of need. I have answered your call, my Arrabella. I do so proudly. I am so honored to have one so brave as you in my family.”

  This is getting weirder by the second. “Uh, thanks,” I say. “How exactly did I call you, and how did I get here?”

  “Calling me brought you to this place,” Kivera explains. “You called me by bringing your mind into a peaceful state and letting your heart reach out to me for help.”

  I shake my head, not sure I understand. “I had been hoping to find a way here, but I was having such a rough night, I couldn’t concentrate until after I talked to Bas.”

  “Bas must be a very special person to you for him to help you find peace,” Kivera says warmly.

  I swallow hard, more than a little scared by that thought. I can admit Bas isn’t as bad as I originally thought, but he’s not special to me. “Bas and I aren’t even friends…not really.” I instantly feel guilty for saying that, but then I feel guilty for thinking maybe we are friends on some level. I shake my head. “Bas and I aren’t that close.”

  “Oh,” Kivera says. She seems somewhat confused by this, but easily shakes it off. “Regardless, I am here to help you with the problems you are facing.”

  I am still totally confused about how this all happened and how Bas is involved, but I’m not about to pass up a chance at otherworldly advice. I don’t know if Kivera will have any clue how to help me figure out the dreams and what’s going on with Sibeal. I really can’t imagine why she would know anything about it, actually. Since I don’t have anyone else to turn to, I take my chances with Kivera, the woman whose selfish choices condemned me to death centuries before my birth. After all, beggars can’t be choosers.

  “Okay, well, I don’t know how much you’ll be able to help me, but we can give it a try,” I say with more hope than I actually feel.

  Kivera listens patiently as I tell her about the two dreams, about meeting Sibeal in real life, and my confusion over how this is even happening. She holds her questions as I speak, though I can see them burning in her eyes. After recounting everything, I tell her about Tanner’s theories and ask her what she thinks.

  “First of all,” Kivera says, “Tanner is right about the dreams I sent you opening a pathway. I am truly sorry if that has caused you pain. I knew the risk when I began sending the dreams many centuries ago, but they were never successful so I did not worry about the consequences.”

  As annoyed as I was earlier, I know it was a foolish thought to have. “If you hadn’t sent the dreams, I would probably be dead right now, so I guess I can’t complain too much.”

  Kivera smiles. “Secondly, Tanner’s idea that a ghost is sending the dreams is not correct. I was not able to send you the dreams simply because I was dead. My twisted immortality granted me a certain amount of power. The purpose of the power was to bring me to this place each time a life was to be taken, but I found it had other uses as well.”

  “So, I’m not getting these dreams because Sibeal killed someone? Whew, that’s a relief.” I’m really glad to hear that at least.

  “Sibeal may have killed another, I have no way of knowing that, but I do know that the being sending you these dreams is doing so through some kind of god-granted power.”

  I rub my hand against the uninjured side of my face in frustration. “What does that mean?”

  “I was caught up in a god’s plans,” Kivera explains. “That is what granted me my power. Whoever is sending you the dreams either was born with innate power or they too were caught up in dealings with a god of some kind. This is no ordinary person sending you this message.”

  Plopping down on the temple mesa, I crossed my legs and rest my chin on the palm of my hand. Kivera follows my example, although she is much more graceful about it.

  “What message are they sending me?” I ask. “The two dreams didn’t make much sense.”

  “That I do not know,” Kivera says sadly. “I am tempted to agree with you that Sibeal had a period of rebellion in her life, but I also agree that something did not seem quite right with the theory. Perhaps if you come back and tel
l me more the next time you dream I will be of more help.”

  I look up, startled. “Come back? You mean I can do that?”

  Kivera laughs. “Of course! You can come back whenever you need me. All you have to do is find your inner peace again and call to me with you heart. I will hear you.”

  “Great,” I say warily. “That may not be easy as easy as you make it sound.”

  “You will find your way back, I am sure.” Kivera smiles and stands. She holds her hands out to me, and I take them. It seems almost effortless for her to help me up from the ground, yet when she wraps her arms around me in a hug, her strength is easy to see. “You should return now and rest. Dreams such as these are rarely a sign of easy times ahead. I fear you will need your strength before they end.”

  “I really hope you’re wrong, but I’m sure you’re not. Goodnight, Kivera.”

  “Sleep well, brave child.”

  As her voice fades, my eyes flutter open to find myself back in my room. The clock on my nightstand announces that it is just past three in the morning. I groan when I think of all the homework and reading I need to do tomorrow. At least by this point I am exhausted enough to fall right back to sleep, no dreaming included.

  Chapter Seven

  Monday morning as I walk into history, I have mixed emotions when I spot Bas already in place behind my usual spot. He didn’t text me again all weekend. I saw him briefly at the diner when Tanner and I went to lunch Saturday afternoon, but aside from a wave at the pair of us on his way out, we haven’t spoken. I walk over to my seat with one eye on him, not sure what to expect. I barely sit down when Bas opens his mouth.

  “Well, Frankenstein, your face looks way better than it did Friday night.”

  “Gee, thanks,” I say without turning around.

  That is the whole of our interaction all class. He doesn’t follow me to my locker, either. When I make it to chemistry, though, he is already planted in his seat next to Tanner, with Sibeal in front of him.

  I give Tanner a kiss before settling into my seat. Aside from a few jokes about what a pity it was that Sibeal didn’t get a picture of me slipping in the lemonade for the yearbook, Bas behaves himself. That’s not too surprising, though. He always behaves himself in front of Tanner. I don’t know if he is trying to make me look like a whiney princess when I complain to Tanner, or if he just wants to avoid looking like a jerk in front of his friend. Either way, I try not to pay him any attention just to be safe.

  The four of us are on our way to the cafeteria when Bas says, “So, Tanner, when are we going to get our archery sessions back into swing. The party was fun, but it’ll be nice to get out with just the guys.”

  I’m surprised when I notice Tanner’s ears turning red. Then I realize why. One of Bas’s infamous grins spreads across my lips. When I turn to look at Bas, I find him already staring at us.

  “What?” he asks.

  As Tanner seems less than enthusiastic about breaking the news, I step in and do it for him. “So sorry to ruin your guy time,” I say openly teasing, “but your archery group is a bit more co-ed than it used to be.”

  “What? You?” Bas says, clearly surprised.

  I am actually pretty annoyed by his doubt. “Yes, me. Why is that so shocking?”

  Bas stares, his brain trying to come up with something to say. “But, you’re from New York. Where on earth did you learn to shoot a bow?”

  “Tanner taught me. And I’m pretty good, thank you very much.”

  Bas scoffs. He turns to Tanner for some kind hint that I’m playing a joke on him. Tanner shrugs, still a bit red. “She’s actually picked it up pretty fast,” he mumbles.

  “And you’re letting her stay in the group?” Bas demands. “Who says you’re the one who gets to decide?”

  “Bas, come on,” Tanner begs. “No one’s decided anything. Arra wanted to learn, so I taught her.”

  The way Bas folds his arms over his chest is incredibly intimidating. I have to force myself not to take a step back. Tanner tries to stand up to him, but he acts ashamed, which I don’t understand at all. People in the halls are starting to stare. Weirdly enough, they all seem to be glaring at Tanner. I know everyone loves Bas, but this is pretty ridiculous.

  Deciding to put an end to this pissing contest before someone starts throwing punches, I step up to Bas. “What is wrong with you? Do you have some kind of problem with a girl learning how to shoot a bow? This may be Mayberry, but it’s not 1950.”

  “It has nothing to do with you being a girl,” Bas snaps.

  “Then what? Are you really that afraid of me intruding on your friendship?” I ask seriously. “I know we don’t always get along, but I would never come between you and Tanner. I know how much you mean to him.”

  Some of Bas’s anger seems to deflate after that statement, but not all of it. “Look, it’s not about you being a girl or friends or anything like that. There are only so many spots on the archery team. Everyone has to try out. Just because Tanner is the team captain doesn’t mean …”

  “Wait, what?” I interrupt. “Who said anything about a team? I thought you guys just did this for fun.”

  For once, it’s Bas’s turn to look embarrassed. “You didn’t know about the team and the competitions?”

  I close my eyes and shake my head at him. “I just wanted something interesting to do over the summer. And I’m pretty sure Tanner was just trying to find opportunities to flirt with me.”

  Tanner, and a few others around us who are clearly eavesdropping, all laugh. Everyone knows it’s true. I take a quick second to smile at Tanner so he knows I’m not trying to be mean. He kisses me on the cheek and slings his arm around my shoulder. Bas, on the other hand still looks pretty irritated. So am I.

  “Next time, before you let your Robin Hood complex take over your mouth, how about you just ask me what’s really going on, okay?” I snap.

  I am done listening to him blame Tanner for something that never even happened. I take a step toward the cafeteria, but of course Bas has to get in the last word.

  “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time Tanner did something like that.”

  Bas brushes past me to the cafeteria, leaving behind a very red Tanner. Curiosity is buzzing around in my head like a swarm of bees, but I’m sure me asking Tanner about his comment and embarrassing him even more was exactly what Bas was hoping for. I ignore the pulsing desire to know and take Tanner’s hand in mine.

  “Can we get some lunch now?”

  “Sure, let’s go,” Tanner says with a forced smile.

  Bas doesn’t make another appearance at lunch, which is a relief. Thankfully, my next class contains Tanner and a distinct lack of Bas. There is no Sibeal either, which takes the tension down a bit as well. She has never said anything to Tanner about his outburst, but she rarely speaks to him, and he is just as awkward around her. This school seems to be turning into a minefield of embarrassing spectacles.

  Dani slips into the desk next to me. I can see the conspiratorial glint in her eyes before she starts to lean toward me. “What happened at lunch with Tanner and Bas?” she whispers.

  I shake my head. “Nothing. Bas jumped down Tanner’s throat about me doing archery, but he didn’t even know what was going on. I don’t know what his problem was.”

  The knowing look on Dani’s face is aggravating, because she simply turns away and doesn’t comment. Why is everyone being so weird? I frown, and wonder why everyone was so quick to turn against Tanner and believe Bas was right?

  Dani seems to move on a moment later and switches topics. “Hey, so what’s the deal with that Sibeal chick? Is she weird, or what?”

  “What do you mean?” I ask. I mean, I pretty much agree that something strange is going on with Sibeal, but I have my own reasons for thinking that. I want to know what has Dani checking over her shoulder.

  “She totally creeps me out,” Dani says. “I stopped by the bathroom after lunch and when I came out to wash my hands, she was standing at the mi
rror just staring at her reflection. She didn’t even seem to notice me. At one point she even reached up and touched the mirror. And it’s not the first time I’ve seen her doing that. She did the same thing last Thursday, but she was looking at her reflection in a window. I’d say she was really stuck on herself, but she isn’t like checking her hair or teeth. She just stands there staring at herself. Totally weird.”

  “Uh, yeah. That is pretty weird,” I agree. “She definitely seems a little different, but she’s nice enough.”

  Dani shakes her head. “Well, I’m keeping my distance.”

  The teacher steps up to the board then, but Tanner leans forward and says, “Sounds like good advice.”

  I turn back and shush him. The look I give him begs him to keep his opinions to himself for now. His answering look says we will be talking about this later. I know he’s right, but I still roll my eyes and turn back to the board.

  As I take notes about The Crucible, my mind stays firmly stuck on Sibeal’s fascination with her reflection. The first dream I had was completely focused on the reflection and the rain. The strangeness of the reflection not moving at the end of the dream probably means something, but I can’t figure out what. I’ve never been one to pick out symbolism in literature or weird dreams.

  Given the lack of mystics in Grainer, it probably means that we’ll have to turn to the infinite knowledge of the internet for answers. At least it gives me a valid reason for Tanner to spend the afternoon at my house, so long as we pass off our research as a school project. I’d rather do homework at Tanner’s house, but since Dad knows Tanner’s mom is working at her ice cream store until five o’clock when a couple of local teens take over for the evening, study dates at his house are strictly off the table.

  The clock crawls by, not only because Ms. Avery is completely monotone when she talks, but because Bas is in my next class and Tanner isn’t. When the bell finally rings, I snap my notebook closed, thrilled for this class to be over, but I gather my belongings slowly.

  “Meet you at your locker after school?” Tanner asks.