The Book, The Witches, and the Doorway (Fated Chronicles Book 1)

by Humphrey Quinn

  The moose continued chomping on food, unnoticing of the boy sitting on its back, or the youngsters standing on the shore.

  “At least the sun is still shining. Gonna be a long walk back home though.” Sebastien could not hold back a grin and laugh as he helped the slime and plant covered Meghan onto the bank. She scowled and accidentally pushed him back into the water for it.

  Once securely on the bank, she stared down at herself and let out a disgusted grunt. “Are you kidding me?” She peeled a long slimy black thing off her arm. “Leeches. That’s just great.” She peeled and pulled, grumbling with each new one she found.

  Jae fell onto the ground with a roll and a laugh that turned into a sigh. He sat up and got to his feet, then swam back out to assist Colin, keeping his distance so as not to startle the moose. “I think it’s best to wait for it to go back under, and slowly slide off its back, into the water, Colin. It doesn’t even notice you’re there. You’ll be fine.”

  “Easy for you to say,” replied Colin doubtfully. He clung tightly to the antlers to keep steady. “You’re not sitting atop a seven-foot tall moose!”

  They waited, while the moose, still acting quite unaware of the human presence, munched on a lake plant. After a few minutes, it shifted itself around and began to sink under the water.

  “I’m not a strong swimmer,” Colin reminded the group as the moose took him even farther from shore.

  “You’ll be fine. Do what Jae said,” Meghan urged him. “Let go and slide into the water.”

  Meghan and Sebastien cast an uncertain glance at each other. They both remembered Colin’s previous attempts at swimming.

  “Remember to kick your legs once you’re in the water,” shouted Sebastien. “Toward the shore. Not away.”

  Colin rolled his eyes and shook his head. He really was a bad swimmer. Why hadn’t they grabbed life jackets? Their uncle was sure to be angry over their lack of preparation.

  Cautiously, he slipped off the moose and tried to maneuver his body so that he was heading toward the shore. Jae swam out and helped him. Colin was relieved, because try as he might, his body just would not turn to shore.

  Once in shallow water Jae let go and seconds later, they collapsed onto the bank out of breath, covered in lake plants and leeches.

  “Unbelievable,” Jae said to the other three. “I’ve seen a lot of things, but that was definitely different.”

  “I’ve heard stories about moose surfacing next to people out fishing before,” said Meghan, “But to actually see it…”

  “I think what happened here, might be a first,” Sebastien gushed. “Seeing you sitting on that moose, Colin…” he laughed, hard.

  Colin imagined it would have been a pretty funny sight. A lot funnier had he not been the one sitting on it. Still, he joined in the laughter, glad to have his feet on solid ground again.

  Meghan, believing she had gotten all the leeches off her body, set into helping Colin, while Jae and Sebastien did the same to themselves.

  “Man, these things find blood fast,” said Jae, finally plucking off his last one with a shudder. Once done, they slogged back around the lake searching for an exit that would take them to the road. The twins noticed that Jae’s mood improved as they laughed and relived the moose adventure.

  CHAPTER 6

  Hours later, after going in circles a few times, and backtracking, they finally came out of the woods and found the road leading back to camp. It was going on late afternoon and they’d been gone much longer than they’d expected and there was still a good distance to walk.

  Soon, evening chill set in.

  Meghan shivered. Not so much that she was cold as still damp, and watching the sun set and fog roll in, gave her a chill. Jae ran up to her and offered his somewhat dry jacket. He kept walking, not waiting for any response.

  “Thanks,” she said, lingering her eye on him.

  Sebastien cleared his throat. “Too bad we can’t get fully dry, even with all this walking around.”

  She tossed him a smile. “I know, right? Stupid humidity sucks. You can’t get anything dry in this weather.” Seriously? Are we so bad at talking to each other we’re talking about the weather?

  It was so much easier sending each other emails.

  Colin was too busy talking to Jae up ahead to make fun. She closed her mind best she could, no desire to listen in or be heard. It was nice to see her brother getting along with someone that was not her, Sebastien, their uncle or Kanda.

  Something dripped down Meghan’s nose. She wiped it away, realizing her brow was wet. Sweat? It didn’t make any sense. She was cold on the inside and yet her skin felt warm. Hot almost.

  “You feeling okay?” Sebastien asked her.

  She shook it off. “Yeah. Fine.” And she was, mostly. It was a bit like an ache building deep inside her somewhere. God, I’d better not be getting sick. Ugh.

  She lifted her chin, determined it would not get her. Meghan Jacoby did not get sick. Did not have time for sick.

  I’ll just go home, have a great big glass of OJ and I’ll be good as new.

  “You sure you’re okay?” Sebastien asked her again.

  “Sorry. Was having an argument with myself.”

  He chuckled. “You do that a lot.”

  She bit her lip. “Do I?”

  “Yup. So who wins? These arguments of yours?” His tone teased.

  “I don’t think there’s ever an actual winner.”

  “So what was this argument about?”

  “Um…” she let out a caving sigh. “Whether I was actually okay or not. I was worried maybe I was coming down with something. I’m chilled to the bone and yet my skin is kind of on the warmer side.”

  Sebastien eyed her. “You don’t get sick. Like… ever.”

  “That’s what I was telling myself. But feel my arm.” She stopped walking and lifted her jacket sleeve. Sebastien drew his fingers down her forearm.

  Dang. Why did I ask him to do that? She shuddered, biting her lip. When she looked at him though, rather than the embarrassment she expected in his gaze, he was staring at his fingers and then at her, his eyes scrunched together in concern.

  “You really are hot.” He cleared his throat. “I mean… um, your skin. Is that normal?”

  Meghan shrugged. She’d never experienced it before. She started walking again to keep up with Colin and Jae. And to avoid talking more with Sebastien. Talk about Colin and his inability to make new friends… she wasn’t any better, and just as bad at talking to the one best friend she did have.

  They each trudged down the road. Late afternoon dragged into evening. The road they had found was overgrown with plants and barely used, and when it finally come out to the main road, they depressingly realized they had walked miles out of their way.

  The later and darker it became, the more Jae’s attention turned to the sky. Unease grew noticeably in his eyes. Along with a sense of apprehension, edged with a slice of fear.

  “What are you looking for?” asked Meghan daringly. Maybe we can find out more about those screeching, howly things.

  Jae stalled for a minute before finally spitting out an answer.

  “Nothing. Nothing at all. Just not fond of the dark,” he insisted.

  “Yeah, neither am I,” admitted Colin. He followed Jae’s quickened pace, eager to get home before the real dark set in.

  Many long hours after the moose ordeal had ended, they found themselves, at last, at the camp’s entrance. As they neared the Jacoby camp Jae stopped, standing with his arms folded across his chest.

  “It was an interesting day,” he said. “But I gotta run. I’ve been gone way longer than I should have.” A bit of the arrogance returned as he hurried away.

  “Wait,” said Meghan, handing him back his jacket. “Thanks again for that. If you don’t get into too much trouble, maybe you could hang out again tomorrow.”

  Jae stammered for a moment, apparently taken aback by the request.

  “Wish I could, gu
ys. It’s been great to spend the day with you all, but you see, we are leaving tomorrow night, and I’ll have to help get packed and ready.” He shrugged, then waved goodbye, vanishing around the corner before they could respond.

  “And just like that, he’s gone,” said Colin somberly.

  Meghan wondered if Jae’s apparent arrogance was blocking the same feeling she and Colin often felt: people never stay around too long, so why get to know them. Although, she knew Sebastien better than anyone else and she still struggled to talk to him.

  She was glad to see that her skin felt normal temperature again. The chill in her bones, and the heat on her skin had normalized itself.

  “We need to get home,” reminded Sebastien, after a quiet moment. “Everyone’s probably going nuts worrying about where we are.”

  The twins rolled their eyes in agreement to his assessment. The trio scurried toward the Jacoby campsite and as expected, a group had gathered at Arnon’s trailer. Four figures rushed them with instant questions, and visually deflating sighs of relief.

  “Where on earth have you been?” demanded Uncle Arnon, standing next to Kanda. “You were due home half a day ago and were about to put together a search party!”

  “Why are you all covered in mud?” asked Sebastien’s mother, Kay, when Arnon finally took a breath.

  The three took turns explaining, each filling in parts left out by the other, including meeting Jae.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t see him run by,” said Colin. “He was right ahead of us.” The adults shook their heads. None of them had seen Jae.

  “Well, regardless, it wasn’t the day we had planned,” said Meghan. “And finding the right road back took way longer than we thought… but if you could have seen Colin…” she started laughing.

  “It was quite a sight,” agreed Sebastien, patting Colin on the back. Everyone laughed. The adults possibly harder than the rest of them as they relived the youngster’s story.

  Colin joined in, but with a shake of his head. Always me, at the butt of every joke…

  “You must all be starved,” said Kanda after the laughter subsided. “We’ll grab you some food.” She motioned for Sebastien’s mother, Kay, to follow her into Arnon’s trailer kitchen.

  Kay drew her son's gaze in as she passed by him, and he sent her the silent message they all needed to hear—that it was indeed an unexpected adventure, and nothing more sinister that Sebastien wasn't able to speak of. She got the message, but it didn't appear to dampen the worry she was trying to bury deep.

  Arnon sank into a chair by the fire; the twins had never seen such relief wash over him. Sebastien’s father, Milo, patted Arnon’s shoulder, and set to stoking the fire in the pit. The twins, as exhausted as they were, could not help but feel the pat on the shoulder had some hidden meaning they did not understand. Especially when a minute later Arnon disappeared into the trailer, and hushed whispers escaped an open window.

  The twins grew more suspicious when Milo ordered them all closer to the fire, to warm up. The fire pit was too far away to overhear what they were discussing inside the trailer. The hidden conversation did not last long however, as minutes later they all exited, serving a late dinner.

  Once warmed and fed, the Jacoby’s guests decided to head home. After a round of goodnights, the twins watched as the Jendayas and Kanda faded into the night.

  “I think we should make it an early night tonight,” their uncle said, while putting out the fire. “You guys look exhausted. That was quite a day you had. Oh… and don’t think for a minute you’ve gotten away without a lecture. It all turned out okay, but how many times have I told you guys… life jackets?”

  “Sorry. We were so excited we forgot,” said Meghan.

  He looked at Colin. Normally the prepared, responsible one.

  “I didn’t even think of it, until I was sitting on top of a moose in the lake.”

  Arnon nodded, holding back a laugh, poorly.

  “Damn, I’d give just about anything to have seen it.” He looked at them both sternly. “That doesn’t mean you’re not in trouble though!” His voice came out in amused haste. “No more boat trips unless I see you leaving with life jackets securely on.”

  “From the campsite all the way to the lake?” moaned Meghan.

  He nodded.

  “That’s so… ugh,” she groaned. “Why don’t they make black life jackets? Why do they all have to be bright orange?”

  Colin rolled his eyes.

  Arnon shook his head.

  “Just make sure I see them securely wrapped around you before you leave this site. Or no boat. And no lake.”

  “Yes, Uncle Arnon,” they each agreed somberly.

  Meghan sighed. “I’m pretty beat. I think I’ll clean up before bed though.” She sauntered into the trailer. Colin and Arnon followed a minute later, in a sudden scurry to get inside when Meghan let out a scream.

  “What is it? Are you hurt?” asked her uncle, worried there was some overlooked injury.

  “Why did someone not tell me how terrible I look?”

  Both the Jacoby men rolled their eyes. And sighed.

  “We did fall into a lake, Sis. Remember?”

  Meghan did not hear him. She hopped into the bathroom, too concerned with pulling mud-caked weeds from her tangled hair and washing the dark streaked makeup off her face.

  “Ahhh!” she screamed, again. She exited the bathroom, jumping around like a crazy person. “Get it off me!” she demanded, pointing at the hairline on the back of her neck. “Get it off! Get it off! Get it off!”

  “Well stand still so I can see,” ordered her uncle.

  Colin’s stomach turned when a second later Arnon located the object of her horror.

  “That sure is a doozy!” he winced, gently plucking a severely blood-bloated leech from her neck. He opened the trailer door and heaved it into the woods, being sure to wash his hands afterward.

  Colin washed his too. He had not touched it, but he had been close enough.

  Meghan proceeded to grow more agitated by the minute and disappeared into the bathroom again. Before showering, she did a full body search for any lingering bloodsuckers. Thankfully, she found none.

  After bathing she rested at the kitchen table, make-up-less, losing herself in a thought. She sipped on hot blackberry cider, a specialty of her uncle’s.

  Colin took his turn in the bathroom. After finding the still attached leech on Meghan, his uncle had done a search on him but found nothing. Colin did a once over in the shower, just to be sure.

  Back in the kitchen, Arnon sat across the table, watching Meghan intently, trying to grasp what she could possibly be thinking. He called her name, but she did not hear him.

  “Meghan,” he said loud enough to catch her mind.

  “Sorry, d’you say something?”

  “I was wondering about your dream last night. Wondering, actually, if that has ever happened to you before?”

  Meghan had almost forgotten about the previous night’s fiery dream, and the hairs on her skin felt instantly singed at the mere memory of it.

  “It was some stupid dream about me and Colin, and another little girl, who was caught in a fire.”

  “A fire. That would be scary.” He lifted his eyebrows, leaning forward.

  “And was that the first time you and Colin have ever shared a dream?” he asked intently.

  Meghan gasped, speechless. She imagined her face must have given away how stunned she was, because her uncle continued without waiting for an answer.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten you. You did not honestly think I wasn’t aware of your talent did you? What kind of uncle would I be if I hadn’t seen it many years ago?”

  “How long ago did you figure it out?” she stammered.

  “Not long after you came to live with me, actually. You were both so little then,” he reminisced. “You probably don’t remember this, but the two of you had this special language you spoke, just between the two of you. I could ne
ver understand what you were saying. But one day, about a year after, you just stopped. I noticed little things after that. One or the other of you would respond to a question, or joke, and I was quite certain I had heard nothing said from the other. I caught on pretty quick.” He winked at Meghan.

  “You’re right, Uncle Arnon. I do not remember that at all. I really don’t even remember the exact moment that Colin and I realized we were different, and that not everyone could speak to each other through their minds, like we could.” She paused and added, “I’m sorry we never told you about it. I guess it seems silly now. We always thought you might be angry, or think we were freaks or something.”

  “Freaks! Never!” he insisted. “And do not be sorry, either. I have always been impressed with the way you two kept the secret. And believe me, there are people out there that would unfortunately think you are freaks.”

  Meghan nodded in agreement.

  “So,” Arnon continued. “Was that the first time sharing a dream?”

  “Yeah, it was. Why do you ask? And how did you know Col was in my dream?”

  “Curiosity mostly, wondering how your talent will develop. And Colin was clearly spooked, I sort of assumed,” he chuckled, adding more seriously, “You haven’t told anyone else about your secret have you?”

  “Only Sebastien,” she answered honestly, with a tinge of guilt. “He kind of guessed one day, a couple of summers ago. Don’t worry though! He’s never told anyone else.”

  “I assumed as much,” Arnon replied knowingly.

  Meghan still had the look of shock on her face as Colin came out of the shower. His eyes darted back and forth between them.

  “What?” He reached for his head. “Did I forget to rinse the shampoo from my hair again?”

  “Would you prefer to do the honor or should I?” Meghan asked, amused. Uncle Arnon put out his hand in a gesture for her to go ahead. “Our secret,” she announced, “is out.”

  Colin fell backwards, his towel nearly falling off. After regaining his composure, he stood with the same flummoxed expression as Meghan had had, only minutes before.