“We all have one, and since you’re one of us now, I figured you should have one too.” She pulls a small yellow power bracelet out of her jeans. “I know they’re not popular anymore, but that wasn’t ever really the point of them. The gems they’re made out of are called cat eyes.”
She places the small yellow stone bracelet in my hand. On each of the golden stones there’s a dark band that reflects in the sunlight.
“The gems ward against evil spirits, that’s why many of us keep them around. It keeps The Darkness and his followers at bay. It brings strength and bravery and it will help you to defeat your enemies. Go ahead, put it on, it will make you feel better.”
I slip it on my left wrist. Immediately I feel stronger and my vision seems almost clearer, objects appear brighter. I rub my eyes feeling like something is off.
“I see it affects you as it should. It directs energy at your Mosi genes, it will make them stronger. Wear it always, don’t ever take it off.”
I smile, “Thanks Emina, this means a lot to me.”
“No problem, like I said we all have them.” She tries to appear cool but I can tell she really does care about me. “Shay?”
“Yeah?”
“Kick his ass OK? He deserves whatever you can dish out.”
I smile, “Consider it done.”
She gives me a high five and turns and walks away. I wave even though she doesn’t look back. Walking back into the house to get my things I have to think I have at least one new friend out of this situation.
After I shove the clothes Hugh packed for me into the black bag we brought with us, I go into the living room where Hugh is sitting with his parents.
“Ready to head back I see.” Alo says while he drinks a mug of tea. I can smell the strong herbs.
“Well I think I have the answers I came for.”
Alo sighs, “Except the biggest. I’m sorry that I don’t know if your father is alive. I’d like to think he is Shay, but I just can’t be sure. I’m sorry.”
I look away. I’ve decided to retain my hope; it’s the only thing I have left of him.
I take a bead from the bracelet and rub it between my pointer finger and thumb. Touching it seems to refocus me and bring me back to reality. Back to the living room of my possibly future in-laws, who are looking at me rather suspiciously.
“I guess that’s true, but I think for once in my life I’m OK with that. I’d rather have hope that I’ll see him again rather than you telling me he’s gone forever. For what little time I had with him, I loved my father and that love is what continues my search for him. You gave me no information that would cause me to lose my faith.”
Alo nods, “You are wiser than you think Shay Tafford. I’m proud to know you.”
I grin, I appreciate this new part of my family. I am delighted to have met their approval.
Chenoa looks slightly weepy. “You’ll come back and visit, right Shay? And Hugh, you know you’ll be in big trouble if you’re not back in time for the Green Corn Dance Festival.”
He rolls his eyes as he goes to hug her. “You know I’ll be here. Love you Mom.”
Alo stands to hug Hugh as well while Chenoa comes to me.
“Take care of him will you? He’s picked a good one, I can tell.” She winks at me as she holds my hands in hers.
“Promise.” I agree with a smile.
Alo walks with Hugh to the door talking in hushed whispers. He pats him on the back as they walk through the open screen door.
I follow after I pick up Mosi, Hugh has already put all our things in the truck.
After I’m settled with Mosi on my lap, I wave as we drive down the dirt road back towards the town and on to the highway.
Chapter 24
We leave early because Hugh decided we’re not going to stop on the way back. Hugh’s just going to drive today, I’m going to drive tonight and then he will again tomorrow. Straight shot, it’s a long drive but we only stop twice to stretch our legs and use the bathroom. I sleep as much as possible when it’s not my turn to drive. Chenoa packed us snacks and sandwiches so we wouldn’t have to stop to eat.
When Hugh drops me off at home it’s dark and he insists on coming in to help deal with my mom, but I convince him I need to handle this one on my own. After he puts Mosi, who traveled back here in a box once I started driving, on the porch he gets back in the truck.
He yells out the window, “Text me later OK? I want to make sure this all works out for you.”
I just smile at him over my shoulder, hoping I’ll have my phone later. It’s one of my mom’s favorite things to take away as punishment.
I walk into the house and the lights are still on. Chenoa must have called my mom to let her know I was coming home because she’s still up. She’s looking over case files on the couch.
“Hi Mom,” I say as I enter the room. Her eyes lift above the file she’s currently working on to take me in. I can tell she’s judging, I don’t know how this is going to go for me.
“Hello Shay,” is all she says, lowering her file. Oh boy, this is not going to go well.
“So about my little trip,” I start when she cuts me off.
“Yes, let’s discuss your little spring vacation. Like how you were supposed to go on a date and ended up in another state. With a boy you hardly know, a boy I don’t know at all! And then Chenoa, who I haven’t heard from since your dad went missing, calls me and says you’re at her house? You have a lot of explaining to do Miss.”
She stands and puts her hands on her hips. I can’t stand the disappointment oozing out of her. It cuts through me like a knife. She did nothing to deserve the worry I’ve caused her.
I do the only thing I know how to do in this situation, I cry. I cry like a ridiculous baby.
“Mom, I am so sorry. Hugh said his family knew Dad and all I wanted to do was know more about him. I miss him so much! I am so sorry! Please forgive me.” I rush her and fall into her arms sobbing. I can feel her body relax and finally she hugs me.
She pets my hair with her hand. “I know Shay, it’ll be alright, I understand. Why don’t you go to sleep? We’ll discuss this in the morning.”
“Thanks Mom,” I say as I dry my eyes with the back of my sleeve. “But before we go to bed there’s one more thing you should know.”
She eyes me, “And that is?”
I run back out to the porch and grab the box holding my new little friend. I take the box slowly to Mom. She looks at it concerned for a moment and then she hears Mosi’s sweet little meow.
“Shay, is there a kitten in this box?”
I grimace, “Yes.”
She opens the flaps and removes the baby inside, “Well at least you’re not pregnant or something and she is very cute.”
“Mom!” I whine. She smiles at me already petting and snuggling up with Mosi.
“What’s her name?” she coos.
“Mosi,” I say.
She slowly puts her back in the box, “Well I’ve always wanted a kitten. Your dad never wanted cats around, I don’t know why. You got lucky this time Shay, now get to bed.”
She climbs the stairs and I follow her and go straight to my room. I set up Mosi’s bed and then I text Hugh.
hey it went OK-me
can I see you tomorrow?- H
I doubt it, Mom is freaked out, maybe once school starts again- me
that is three days away!- H
I’ve got to do damage control, give me some time at least she didn’t take my phone- me
OK call me when you can- H
got it, night <3- me
night <3- H
I have another dream about Wendy. She’s in the house alone playing with a doll. I’m standing outside looking through a window. She holds the doll still and stabs a dinner knife through its chest. And then she looks out the window, directly at me and smiles.
I get up the next morning and shower. I relive the kiss Hugh gave me right before I got out of the car. It was sweeter than the last, del
icate yet passionate, earnest in a way. He wanted me to know that it will be OK. At least now I know who I am or at least what I am. My father was trying to help people when he went missing and that’s worth knowing.
I get out of the shower and dress ready for whatever my mom has to hand to me today. It’s Friday and I have to work, so at least I won’t be able to listen to her rant for long. After I go down the stairs I see Chad sitting on the couch with his bio notebook open, chewing on the end of his pencil. Apparently this is a trait my dad passed on to him. My mom always says Chad looks like Dad when he does that.
“Hey you,” I say as I flop down on the couch next to him. “Miss me?”
“Yo! You’re back! How was Texas?” He beams as he talks, maybe he really did miss me.
“It was good, I learned a lot.”
“Uh huh, and who’s this guy who abducted you? Mom almost blew a gasket when she found out where you were.”
I sigh, “I know, his name is Hugh. His parents were friends with Dad when they were young. He kept in touch with them even when we were kids.”
He looks confused, “I don’t remember them.”
“That’s because Mom and Dad never talked about them. Falling out I guess.” I know that’s not the whole truth, but I can’t tell him too much. Chad is most likely a cryptid too, but he doesn’t need to know that right now. In due time, all will be revealed. Right now I need to protect him, the truth could get him in some serious trouble.
“So about Mom, where is she? Office hours again?” It’s weird for her to be on campus this much in one week.
“Nah, she’s at the gym and then had some errands to do. She said she’d talk to you afterwards.” He emphasizes the word you, enough for me to know I’m still in pretty big trouble.
“Why did she have so many office hours earlier this week? I feel like every time I called she wasn’t home. Or was she just avoiding me?” I shrink into the couch a bit. I hope it’s not the last option.
“No she’s been doing some new research. I don’t know about what, but she keeps taking all these old notebooks to work and then not coming home until super late. It’s weird.” He shrugs and looks back to his notebook. “Know anything about cell biology?”
“Not really, but you do know Dad was a geneticist, right?” I’m hoping maybe he’ll think we inherited some of my father’s intelligence in the category and be able to fend for himself.
“Well he’s not here is he? So if you help me that would be great.” He narrows his eyes as he talks.
I take a deep breath, sometimes I need to remember Chad doesn’t take my dad’s disappearance as well as I do. Especially when Chad doesn’t know what I do about Dad. “Well what exactly are you working on?”
He continues looking at his notebook, “Chromosomes.”
I’m surprised, “Wow, that’s some pretty advanced stuff for freshman biology isn’t it?”
He starts paging through his textbook lying on the coffee table. “I’m in honors.”
“You are? That’s awesome.” I can’t believe I didn’t know this about my own brother. And to think I just thought he played video games all day long.
He’s still focused on his notes. He just nods.
“We’re talking about molecular genealogy. There’s this online project my teacher wants us to submit our DNA to, it will help us find out who are ancestors are.”
“No!” I blurt out. “You can’t do that!”
Chad looks at me taken aback, he almost drops his notebook I scared him so much. “Why not?”
Why not? That’s an excellent question. How do I tell him it’s because someone might find out what he is, what we are, about our ancestors, who just happen to be cats.
Instead I think of an excellent lie. “I read somewhere online that websites like those are using people’s DNA and selling it on the black market to people who want to have those designer babies. For example, they’d take me for my black hair.”
“Nobody would want your black hair Shay. It’s so dark and well, it’s not normal.” He says it seriously but I can see the smile in his eyes.
“Harsh, and OK bad example. But still, isn’t it weird to think about little Chad look alikes running around?”
“No, I think it’d be awesome. The world could use more of me.” He laughs, “You’re totally overreacting Shay. Just chill out for once, will ya? Anyway I have to determine the Autosomal DNA in this example to get access to the trial online. It costs money and Mr. Spelling is only going to send those in who can complete the problem.”
Ahhh Mr. Spelling, the super dweeby biology teacher who spends a majority of his time online, hacking into people’s facebook accounts. He’s a total creep.
“What’s Autosomal DNA?” I ask, trying to sound interested.
“The stuff that explains why you have certain physical characteristics. Both guys and girls have it. Unlike Y- DNA which only guys have, and mtDNA which guys and girls have, but only girls can pass it along. Autosomal is inherited from both parents.”
So Autosomal DNA would tell Chad that he has cat DNA inside him. This is not good, I have to stop him.
“Would this website be able to tell you your Autosomal DNA?”
“No it mostly looks at the Y-DNA, what Dad gave me.”
This is getting worse by the minute.
“Well look at the problem again, but only look for the physical characteristics. And talk to Mom about sending your DNA, you’re only fourteen, so I’m sure she has to sign a release or something.”
“Fine, I will, but let me talk to her first, OK? I want to try this, it could be so cool. Oh I want to meet our new family member. Mom told me all about her.”
“Sure I’ll bring Mosi down later.”
I stand and walk away nonchalantly. The minute I’m out of his sight I run up the stairs and text Hugh.
we need to talk NOW
After Hugh calls me we agree to meet by the orphanage. He says we may need the help of someone who knows more about DNA than we do. I’m shocked to see him talking to Jeremy as I arrive.
Hugh approaches me and gives me a quick peck on the cheek and takes my hand to lead me to the bench. I sit on the sun warmed metal. Jeremy stands silently by with a huge smile on his face.
“Shay,” Hugh begins, “I asked Jeremy here because he knows more about genetics and our DNA that both of us combined.”
I look back and forth between them. How could a six year old know more about this than us? I mean he’s not even a cryptid.
Without me saying a word Hugh explains. “Jeremy watched and worked with your dad for years. He knows all about his research and his experiments. He might be able to help us so that if your brother sends his DNA away we can all stay out of some serious trouble.”
I look at Jeremy, who’s not smiling anymore. “What experiments? Jeremy? What’s he talking about?”
Jeremy takes a deep breath, “Well Shay technically he’s talking about you.”
I squint at him, “Me?”
He nods, “You are your father’s greatest experiment, but let me start at the beginning.”
“A very long time ago, before either of you were born, I was summoned to Kentucky where I met my family. That’s when I learned the truth about my parents never making it out West and that I had a sister. She was there, but she was sick, and frail. Her name was Gloria, and she married Alo’s father. It was unprecedented in the community at the time. Gloria became a member of the tribe and when she had Alo her husband immediately recognized him as a true Mosi, a cryptid. As Gloria grew older and became ill she wanted to find me. She never expected to be looking for a ghost. She started to do research and found out that I was dead. Gloria never told our aging parents, she wanted them to think that I led a long happy life. I’m glad she didn’t tell them. After speaking with her I know that it would have broken their hearts.”
He looks off for a moment, caught in his own thoughts.
Hugh chimes in, almost as if to help move the conversatio
n along, “My grandmother, Gloria, had cancer. It was really bad too. Her parents were dying in a nursing home and she was going to be put in hospice. She really wanted to meet Jeremy. She thought it would give her something to hold onto as she left our plane.”
Ugh that’s sad.
Jeremy nods, “Once she discovered how I died, she convinced Alo and his father that they should perform a summoning, I was their family after all. They went to another tribe in Kentucky to perform the summoning. There is a large Cherokee group there who had experience with summoning. An old spirit-talker from Alo’s tribe suggested it. They were obviously quite successful and I was able to meet my sister. Once they summoned me they explained the ghost rules to me. Rules told to them by their ancestors. Since some Mosis can see ghosts they are our protectors. They help keep us safe from The Darkness and humans wishing to find us and use us as their play things. Also, as protectors they set our laws and they see to it that we abide by them. They also use us to help other ghosts they have come across, souls who want to cross over but have unfinished business on Earth.”
Reveal (Cryptid Tales) Page 11