The Childe - 1

by C. A. Kunz

  Taylor cocked his arm back, and scrambled to the left. Cat saw Ryan running down the sidelines, keeping his eyes on Taylor. He’s going to miss it! Damn! She thought. The crowd groaned in agony as the ball flew past Ryan’s head. What in the world? Where’d that come from? Cat sat back stunned in disbelief.

  She’s such a witch. I wish Samantha would fall flat on her face. I heard her talking about me today and she doesn’t know that I did! Just wait! I’ll get her back. Cat stared intently at the cheerleader in front of them. Candy had a distinct accent as she moved from South Carolina and everyone thought her southern drawl was cute. Candy raised her pom-poms and started another cheer.

  Who does she think she is? The captain of the squad? Cindy should rip her a new one, southern cow. Candy, Candy, Candy it’s all about her. Well like I told Jenny today, I’m going to get even with her. Cat sat in awe watching Samantha force a smile at Candy.

  Why didn’t her lips move? What’s wrong with me? Am I hallucinating? Cat wondered. Looking at the clock she realized it was almost half-time. She stood and pushed past a startled Matt. I have to get out of here! This is too crazy! What the hell is going on!

  “Cat, where are you going?” Matt shouted around a mouthful of food. “You’ll miss the half-time show!” She didn’t acknowledge him as he watched her run down the bleachers.

  “Where’s Cat going?” Amanda leaned over and yelled at Matt. He shrugged his shoulders.

  “She must’ve needed to pee or something,” he replied stuffing the last bit of hot dog in his mouth.

  The horn sounded announcing halftime and people rushed from their seats. Gosh I’ve got to pee, Cat heard. Boy I’m thirsty! Wish I could have a beer right now. She whirled around trying to figure out where the voices were coming from. I wish he would notice me, I’m such a spaz. She covered her ears as the voices, all talking at once, hurt her head. The pounding in her head blurred it so that she couldn’t make out words anymore. Running out the gate toward the parking lot, she made her way to an isolated group of trees, giving her the privacy she craved. Sitting down in the grass, she tried to catch her breath, fearing that her heart was going to leap out of her chest. “Maybe I’m going crazy,” she said to the tree in front of her. She forced herself to stay calm. She knew she had heard those people’s thoughts. I’ve never experienced that before. How’d I know what was going to happen in the game? I need to just relax and not panic. Yes…not panic. There’s got to be a rational explanation for this. She thought, as she remembered one of the TV shows she had seen. A man had been in an accident, then in a coma, and when he woke up he was psychic. Maybe when I hit my head at the Carnival? She wondered. She knew she couldn’t simply sit in the privacy of the trees for the rest of the game. Not with her friends and family in the stands. Her mom, for sure, would come looking for her and that’s the last thing she needed. She was in no shape to try and hide this, so she made her way back to her seat.

  “Where have you been? You missed Elle!” Amanda asked.

  “I had to go to the bathroom, is that all right?” she snapped back. Amanda’s eyes grew big. Cat’s never yelled at me. Not even when I cut chunks out of her hair when we were six. And she had to walk around for a year until it grew out, Amanda thought.

  “Sorry, Amanda, my stomach’s upset,” Cat murmured.

  “Must be your time of the month coming up Cat,” Matt interjected.

  “Matthew Ian Thomas that is not a subject to bring up in civilized conversation,” Amanda yelled, leaning across Cat and slapping him on the chest. The four girls sitting in front of them snickered.

  “I just can’t win! Girls are so sensitive and us guys are never right,” he mumbled throwing up his arms. Cat stared straight ahead, oblivious to what her friends were saying and doing.

  Looking around, her eyes landed on Isaac and his group. Okay Mr. Isaac you’re going to be my experiment, Cat thought to herself. Staring hard at Isaac, she repeated to herself: I want to read Isaac’s mind, I want to read Isaac’s mind. Several intense seconds of concentrating later, she realized nothing was happening. Suddenly Isaac turned his head as did Amelia and the twins, their penetrating stares made her shiver. Turning away quickly, Cat saw Ryan catch the ball and run into the end zone as the end of game horn sounded. The crowd jumped to their feet, and roared. She realized he just scored the winning touchdown. Turning back to Isaac’s group, their cold stares slammed into her. Pain in her chest made her release the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Matt and Amanda grabbed her in a hug, jumping up and blocking her view of Isaac’s group. When the excitement settled, Cat scanned the crowd, trying to find Isaac, but he was gone.

  “Okay you two, I’m going upstairs and having a long, hot bath. I’m so cold! It’s really too bad they don’t have seat warmers for those bleachers at the games!” Rachel complained walking up the stairs. Cat and Sam smiled at each other. Her dad mouthed seat warmers, making her giggle. As her mom disappeared up the stairs, she turned to her dad. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Sure honey. You look so serious. Am I in trouble?” Cat laughed, as her dad cocked an eyebrow at her. He never assumed that she and Taylor were in trouble. She really loved her dad. Sam led Cat into his study and shut the door. Sitting comfortably on the couch, he looked at her, waiting for her to speak.

  “Dad…do you know anything about intuition or being able to hear people’s thoughts?”

  “Like ESP?” Sam asked reclining back on the couch, a look of relief on his face. “Well I think I can handle this one. When I first went to college I majored in Psychology, but it was depressing so I ended up choosing Ancient and World History instead. Not as depressing, but yet some of the things mankind has done to one another can be so…Sorry honey, I know, I’m rambling. During my studies, I just happened to come across a man who declared himself a true psychic and mind reader. Of course, I was skeptical but then I thought, there’s so much in this world we don’t know about and so how can we not go into things with an open mind? This guy was amazing. Yes, truly amazing. And I walked away with a new insight to the paranormal. There are people blessed or cursed depending on how they perceive it, who could do all these things. Why do you ask?” Sam trailed off as he studied his daughter. She shifted in her seat as if uncomfortable.

  “Lately, I’ve been having these little episodes where I think about something that’s about to happen and it does.”

  Sam smiled brightly, “It’s called female intuition. You’re almost an adult and believe me, the older you get the more things the people around you can’t get away with. Your mother’s intuition is phenomenal. I can’t get away with anything. But I still love her.”

  Grinning, Cat rose from her chair. “Thanks dad, for listening.”

  “Anytime sweetheart. And here I thought we were going to have ‘the talk’,” he said laughing.

  “The talk? Dad please, mom and I had ‘the talk’ years ago,” Cat said giggling.

  “Oh…well, never mind then. Now, you go on and get some rest, you’ve got a big day ahead of you tomorrow,” he said shooing her out of his study after giving her a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

  Tomorrow I’ll have to sit down with Aldon. Something is starting to happen with Cat and we need to find out what it is, Sam thought as he watched Cat leave the room. He hit the light switch on the wall, plunging the room into darkness. Checking the front door, he slowly made his way up the stairs. I’ll not tell Rachel just yet. I’ll wait until Aldon and I have a chance to talk first.

  Cat laid awake tossing and turning. Finally, she decided to go down to the study to pick out a book to read. Maybe one of dad’s boring books could help put me to sleep, she thought reassuring herself. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she heard muffled voices and saw light coming from under the door of the study. Opening the door she was greeted by Taylor and his friends sprawled around the room.

  “Hey Cat,” Jonathen said as the others looked on.

  “Hey guys, what’s up? Can’t sle
ep either, huh? That was a great game tonight by the way. Kept us on the edge of our seats! That’s for sure!” Cat quipped causing the group to laugh. “So where are the females? Or is this a boy’s night in?”

  “We’re just unwinding. Letting off some steam. Did we wake you?” Devin asked.

  “No, I couldn’t sleep. I thought I’d find a boring book and see if that would do the trick.”

  “I find hot cocoa puts me under,” Devin stated, blushing when everyone stared at him. “Hot cocoa is a manly drink! My dad drinks it,” he said defensively.

  “Taylor likes cocoa too,” Cat said with a mischievous grin as Taylor gave her an exasperated look.

  “What? Anyway, I guess I’ll just pick out my book and leave you boys alone to have your secret meeting.”

  “This is a team meeting,” Taylor corrected her.

  “So where’s the rest of the team then? At least where’s Ryan, your star running back?” she asked as everyone looked at Jonathen for the answer. She felt confused, why is everyone looking at him. Did I say something wrong? She thought.

  “Here,” Taylor said grabbing a book off the shelf, “Read this, if it doesn’t put you to sleep, nothing will.” He pushed the book into Cat’s hands and then firmly steered her to the door, closing it behind her.

  “How rude, I didn’t even get to say goodnight,” Cat muttered as she climbed the stairs.

  6

  The Purple Door

  Peering through her living room curtains, Maude watched as a little purple Volkswagen sputtered into her neighbor’s driveway. “Albert you should see who just pulled in to the Colvin’s. She looks like a hippie. Remember them?” When he failed to answer, she left her post and smacked him with a rolled up newspaper.

  “Ow, what was that for?” Albert whined, rubbing his head.

  “For not listening! I swear, drug dealing hippies are in our neighborhood and you could care less!” She snapped and resumed her post at the window.

  “Get away from there. It’s none of your business who comes and goes in the neighborhood. Remember last year?” he blurted out.

  “I don’t like your tone, Albert Roberts. Besides I only did it for the common good of the neighborhood. How was I supposed to know that those garbage men weren’t running a money laundering scheme out of their garbage truck? Now come over here and see her when she comes out. Oh look, she and Catherine are coming out of the house now! Hurry, Albert!” Albert turned the page of his newspaper, acting as if he hadn’t heard her.

  “Oh, well that’s just great! Come on Fredricka, I guess the fate of the neighborhood rests in our hands. Be a good girl and stand still for mommy so I can put on your leash. No, you can’t stay with daddy. Come on, before they get away!” she demanded as Fredricka laid down, refusing to budge. Ignoring Fredricka’s wine of protest, Maude dragged her across the room. Opening the door, she pulled her outside. “Yoo-hoo, Catherine! Where are you off to so early on a Saturday?” she called out, her voice sounding like nails on a chalkboard.

  “Oh, hi Mrs. Roberts. I’m just going out. How is Mr. Roberts?” Cat asked changing the subject.

  “Oh he’s fine, I’m just taking little Fredricka out for a wee wee,” she replied. Cat held in her laugh as Fredricka lay down and exposed her belly. “Fredricka, you don’t do that in public! Have you no shame?” she chastised. The poodle ignored her.

  “Where are my manners? Mrs. Roberts, this is my teacher, Miss Amaya.”

  “Namaste,” Miss Amaya said smiling at Maude.

  “Glad to meet you. Cat how does she teach if she doesn’t speak English?” Maude asked.

  “I speak English. In fact I’m a native of Covington County,” she answered before Cat could respond.

  “Then what was that foreign word you said just now?” Maude asked rudely.

  “Oh, Namaste? It means the soul in me greets the soul in you,” she replied serenely, her smile growing bigger.

  “Oh…well…I think Fredricka is done. You two have a lovely day now, okay.” The two watched as Maude drug the poodle back into the house, slamming the door. “Albert I was right! That lady takes and deals drugs. I really need to inform Rachel, poor child. She’s probably oblivious.” Albert said nothing and turned the page of his newspaper.

  Holding on for dear life to the little hand rail attached to the Volkswagen’s dashboard, Cat watched the scenery fly by. “Nifty little item huh. I had it installed so that when I go around corners my passenger would have something to hold on to. Apparently some people think I drive a little too defensively. But I say you can never be too careful!” Miss Amaya stated as Cat giggled nervously.

  Next to Miss Amaya, Cat felt she was underdressed with her jeans and dark maroon hoodie. I wish I would have asked what to wear, she thought while looking down and scanning her outfit. “You look fine Cat. This is how I normally dress outside of school.”

  How does she do that, it’s like she reads my mind. Maybe I should tell her about my experiences last night. No, she would think I’m crazy.

  The car turned sharply as it rounded a bend. Cat tightly clutched the small bar, her knuckles turning ghostly white. The little car veered to the right and bounced onto a small road that didn’t seem large enough to accommodate two vehicles. Cat held her breath as a large truck barreled toward them. Closing her eyes, she felt the car swerve and the ground become extremely bumpy. The truck passed by, blaring its horn. Cracking one eye open, she watched the little bug jump back onto the road. Looking at Miss Amaya, Cat realized the incident hadn’t phased her one bit. In fact she sped up causing the little car to groan.

  A forest of tall, dark, and bare trees loomed ahead. Driving through their archway, they were plunged into darkness. The road was suddenly illuminated by the car’s headlights, sending small animals scurrying out of their path. “Don’t worry Cat. They’re quick. The animals are used to this,” Miss Amaya said smiling reassuringly. Looking to the right, Cat noticed a patch of sunlight shining through the tree canopy on a group of Elk gathered by a small stream. As the purple bug sped by the majestic animals, Cat swore she saw them look up and then bow their heads as if welcoming them into the forest.

  “Miss Amaya…did you, just see that?” Cat asked confused.

  “What, what did you see?”

  “Oh, nothing…never mind,” Cat replied.

  The forest seemed to be endless. Cat could no longer see anything through the thick darkness. The path ahead was now only barely illuminated. Grabbing ahold of her pentagram necklace, Miss Amaya began mumbling something to herself.

  “Miss Amaya what are-“

  Before Cat could finish her sentence they were suddenly bathed in sunlight as they emerged from the woods. Cat’s eyes widened as she took in the scenery around her. Fields of brightly colored flowers carpeted either side of the tiny road. Ahead she saw small, colorful cottages gracing the top of the hill. Each one surrounded by a small picket fence with beautiful gardens nestled inside. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Miss Amaya smiling. “Breath taking, isn’t it? I never get tired of the feeling I get when I come here. It’s so peaceful, so tranquil. A place a person can just breathe.” Cat nodded too stunned to say anything, her senses on overload.

  Why wasn’t this place on the tourist maps? Cat asked herself. She had looked up Wedgewick Village on the internet, but couldn’t find it anywhere. She even went into her father’s study to look at his map of Covington County. Using the huge magnifying glass sitting on his desk, she still couldn’t find it.

  Cat’s attention focused on a sign on the side of the road.

  Zooming past the sign, it shook and the population changed to 1000.

  Pulling into a small vacant lot, Cat winced as the car backfired loudly as Miss Amaya turned it off. Standing outside the car, she took a deep breath. “Cat, breathe in this air! You won’t find anything like it, anywhere on the planet.”

  How is this air any different from anywhere else? Different from the smog filled cities maybe, but other than that.
Oh well, who am I to argue with my Earth Science teacher? She wondered.

  “Cat I know you’ll fall in love with this place! So, a brief tour it shall be and then on to The Purple Door. We are going to have so much fun!” she exclaimed linking arms with Cat, walking down a small alley. At the end of the alley lay a huge circle made of cobblestone. Astoria had cobblestone streets, but they were dull compared to the polished surface that lay before them. The town center was alive with activity. People of various shapes and sizes, dressed in all kinds of clothing filled the large area. A light breeze blew and Cat noticed a flag flying from a pole in the middle of the square. It read: WELCOME ONE AND ALL. Surrounding the words were numerous symbols, some she recognized as religious ones.

  “That’s our flagpole, maypole, and anything else we need it to be,” Miss Amaya explained. “At Christmas, a metal frame in the shape of fir tree is placed there. Then it’s decorated with lights and ornaments. It’s so magical! People from all over come to admire it. We wouldn’t dream of using a real tree though. As cutting one down to last for a month would just be selfish,” she said smiling.

  “Here’s our shopping district, my favorite part,” Miss Amaya gushed, her arms outstretched wide. Every store had a huge window in front displaying their wares. No two windows were the same shape or size. “On the left we have HAROLD’S ODDITIES. He’s such a cute little man. There’s SOLFLOWER to our right, which sells the most unique exotic plants! Over there is THE PLACID COW and GOSSAMER’S SPELL SHOP.” Miss Amaya placed her hand on her chin, deep in thought. “Oh! Speaking of GOSSAMER’S! I need to run in there for a minute. You can come if you like, or you could just wander around for a bit.”

  “That store sounds interesting,” Cat stated, pointing to FULL MOON RISING, which was next door to GOSSAMER’S.