“She has her Ryan.”
He spun around to see his sister behind him clutching her arms as if she still had missy.
“What do you mean? Who is she?”
“Big Ma the old lady that lives in the cabin we saw. She wants us both to keep forever.”
Ryan knew she wasn’t lying and he knew she had seen something yesterday like he did. This old woman had to be the source of all their problems. It was just like Mr. Toombs had warned. Which gave him another terrifying thought which he put away for later?
“So you did see something yesterday? Why didn’t you tell Mom and Dad?”
“Doesn’t matter what I saw. Matters what I know!”
Eric walked up to her and stood over her. “What do you know squirt. Come on! This isn’t a joke!”
“No I won’t tell you! “She shouted. “A secret is a secret!” she then turned around and ran off into the woods. He decided not to go after her. He would just confront her at home when his parents were around. But what he wanted to know was how she got away from Mom to come out into the woods. That was another question with no answer right now…
Chapter Twenty-Six
Big ma waits in the shadows of the big trees. Her crows are her distant eyes and ears. Her plan didn’t go as she wanted but she had many ways…many plans like the doll. It was with her for a reason and it was being guarded well. She sees them looking for it but to no avail. Then the shouting and the little girl runs away but her brother does not follow. That is good she would have hated for the crows to detain him. Their could be missteps but no mistakes there was a difference. The little girl runs crying her way through the woods. She ran until she was too tired to go any further. Now was the time and with a raised hand the crows flew in shouting the girls name ‘Caa caa see see’ flying around like a swarm of feathered bees. Casey curled up like a baby, afraid to scream or move. Through the wall of birds a shape hobbled toward her. It was Big ma leaning on her staff with her hand outreached. “Come to me now child, you believe now. I won’t let anyone or anything harm you. Did I not promise? Come with now and leave your family especially your mean brother. I have Missy she’s waiting in my cabin.” Casey slowly gets up and puts her hand inside the old woman’s smiling weakly. The crows dispersed but were still cawing ‘Caa caa see see ‘as the two made the way to the cabin to the new beginning for them both.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
When Ryan got home, his sister was nowhere to be found. He looked everywhere but he found his mom sleeping on the couch with a glass of wine next to her empty. He wasn’t sure if he should be worried or mad. He was getting weary of all this. The house, the woods and the doll. Maybe she had found it and was staying in the woods pretending. By the time Dad drove up she still wasn’t home yet. Ryan ran out hoping she was in the truck but she wasn’t. His dad looked at him with a weird expression on his face. The sound of the truck coming up woke up Mom from her nap. Dad had brought home some Chinese food and pizza for dinner.
“Ryan go get your sister tell her to wash her hands for dinner. By the way did you find her doll?”
“I didn’t find it Mom and Casey isn’t - here …”
Mom went upstairs calling Casey’s name and Dad turned to Ryan and asked, “Where is your sister? No more of your big brother games.”
“After school I went looking for the doll and I guess Casey left the house when mom was napping to look for it too because I saw her where we were yesterday. We couldn’t find it and there was an argument and she ran off into the woods.”
“She what? And you didn’t go after her I’m assuming because she’s not here. Now tell me why you didn’t go after your little sister who was running in the woods. Yesterday you were the big brave brother and today are the opposite!”
“Well I tried to stop her but she was getting like she was yesterday and I …”
“And you what? Just gave up?”
“I never thought she would stay away this long Dad.”
Mom came back downstairs looking hysterical “She’s not in the house!”
Dad turned to Ryan again and grabbed his shoulders firmly.
“Where did you last see her?”
The exact spot where were the doll should have been. I figured the wind had blown it away or something…” Dad whispered something under his breath that Ryan knew wasn’t a good thing if he had heard it.
“Honey, stay here in case she comes back. We will find her. Ryan grabs some lanterns and flashlights while I grab my survival bag.” The sun was setting now and of course getting colder but we had remembered last night and dressed for the occasion. Once in the woods Dad started calling Casey’s name and Ryan joined in screaming with all his might. But there was no answer only the wind and leaves being blown by it. They called and yelled for what seemed like an eternity to the point that their voices were getting hoarse and their throats getting sorer. “We have to go back and call for some help. We need more people.”
2
Without a word they made their way back home where Mom was outside waiting pacing back and forth. “Did you find her?”
“No, I’m calling for help” and he hugged Mom knowing that she was starting to cry. Ryan just stood there waiting with no word to say and nothing to do. He was being blamed he was sure. He could understand why they would think that. But they didn’t understand what he knew what was going on and there was no way they would believe him. He didn’t think anyone would.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Fifteen minutes after Dad made the call the police and firemen came. Ryan thought it was strange since they were pretty far from town. It seemed as if they knew there going to get called. An ambulance even showed up with the rest of the group. He had to admit they were at least prepared for any situation. Sirens blared. Lights flashed, dogs barked. They even brought dogs which made sense since they had to track Casey’s scent. He had seen the documentary on tracking dogs. They were good they would find his sister fast. Ryan shivered which he thought was from the cold but it was of a more sinister feeling that that. Policemen came inside and searched the house then the barn. Another sat us all down at the kitchen table and got a description as well as Casey’s last known whereabouts. The policeman turned to Ryan and asked, “Ok son what was the fight all about?” Ryan told him what he had told his parents starting with the days before of course leaving out bits and pieces that didn’t quite make sense to anyone but him. Another policeman came inside with a big flashlight. “Excuse me; we need an article of clothing so my dogs can track your little girl’s scent in the woods.”
“A recent photograph too preferable with the same clothing.” the interviewing policeman added.
Dad provided the picture from his wallet and Mom went up stairs to get one the outfit which matched Dad’s picture. The dogs were off as soon as they got scent of the clothing. Now all they could do was waiting. Ryan knew everyone was blaming him even the policemen. They wouldn’t say it aloud but he could tell by all their expressions when they looked at him. All of sudden Dad ran into the room holding one of Casey’s shoes. “It was found few miles away from here. How could she have gotten that far with just one shoe? And at this time of night? Mom started crying again holding the shoe to her face.
“The dogs lost the scent after that but in the morning. They will bring out more dogs and volunteers from town to help with the search.” The police told us. They also said for us to go inside and get some sleep. They would leave a unit here just in case she showed up during the night. Eric was sure that sleep was the last thing on his parent’s mind because it was surely his. His sister was missing and he was to blame. He had to admit that to himself. He also had to admit he was the only one who truly knew who took her but as to the reason he had no idea… but lastly he knew he had to do something about all this ….
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Ryan woke up to the sound of a plethora of voices all over the house. The police and fireman were back with volunteers from all over town some were fro
m the Dublin side of the city… Mom was making coffee and various foods for breakfast for them and thanking them for their help. She was obviously pale and her eyes red from crying all night. When she saw Ryan she handed him a plate of eggs and bacon and told him to eat. To make her feel somewhat better, he ate the entire plate entire breakfast plate even though he wasn’t that hungry which made her smile weakly. Outside the police were prepping the first set of volunteers as to the dos and don’ts of the search. Ryan went back upstairs and dressed warmly and snuck out the back door when no one was looking. He would try to find Casey himself since it was his fault she was missing in the first place. He really had no plan but he figured he would go to the last place he saw her. On his way crows were perched cawing and then flying away when he looked up at them. Some came back and flying overhead still cawing. They were pretty much the voice of the woods around here. Nothing else could be heard bird wise. Once again at the circle of fallen trees he walked around thinking and thinking. Trying to figure what to do and how to do it.
“That won’t get your sister back dude.”
Ryan looked up to see Ron staring at him. “What are you doing here?”
“My parents are part of the volunteers group. And seeing that were are kind of neighbors I came along too.” Walking closer to Ryan he whispered, “Look dude there are things here that you just don’t know about.’
“Are you talking about Big Ma? Mr. Toombs told me something about her and what she was.”
Ron shook his head and looked around, “If he told you a lot then that’s why no one has seen him around he’s probably gone who knows where. But never mind that. Do you know what happened then? With her and the straw? They say this happens all the time here. It’s a cycle of some sorts. A child disappears and for a time all is good. Everyone is saying something like that is happening again. This time with your sister.”
“So who has her then the straw?” Ryan asked.
“Big ma made the straw it’s alive so to speak but it always needs a body to be completely alive. You told the police she was looking for her doll was she talking to it more than usual? Was it filled with straw instead of stuffing?”
Ryan hadn’t notice before until Ron mentioned it but the doll did look like it had been repaired there was no stuffing come out and the loose eye was perfect.
“You know who has her if you just admit it. Its Big Ma she has her in her cabin.
“I know where that cabin is and if she’s there I’ll get her back.”
“You went there in the daytime I bet and it looked run down like your house before you moved in. But at night its whole different place dude.”
Ryan turned in the direction of where the cabin was and looked back to see Ron following him. “I said we are neighbors dude so I’ll help you out that’s what neighbors do. I just want to help you find your sister man.”
As they were walking the wind started blowing a little harder seemingly trying to hold them back.
“What did you mean that the cabin is different at night?” Ryan asked Ron.
“I mean that at night her powers are the strongest. The darkness and all that other weird stuff. The mojo of witches they call it.”
As they walked more going upwards, the wind starting blowing so hard and so cold it was like was trying to either freeze them to death or knock them down the way the came. As they were getting closer, deep within his heart he was hoping to find his sister there at Big Ma’s old cabin …
Chapter Thirty
Going up the trail he had climbed with his family months before, Ryan could see the dreary cabin much easier now. It looked the same as it did last time. He wasn’t so sure about what Ron said it looking better at night.
“Aren’t you scared Ron?” Ryan asked curiously.
“Sure I am and you should be too but again I’m here to help you find your sister so I guess we have to suck up whatever fear we have.”
Ryan had to agree with him on that part. Casey was their priority not their childish fears.
“There’s another part I didn’t tell you about man. People say Big ma takes kids mainly girls and then keeps them to see if they have the gift. The gift of conjuring and all that stuff. If not she lets them go eventually but they aren’t the same. If they are then well I heard she takes them over and becomes younger. That’s how she lives so long. But it has to be a strong girl or she will age faster. The more conjuring power she has the more life it gives Big ma.”
Ryan wanted to drop kick him in the face. “Now you want to tell me this? Didn’t you think this was a necessary part to know? Like how about we are running out of time Ryan you know man?”
“Look man I’m sorry but I’m trying to ease you in this. I’ve lived here long enough to get used to it. You are getting a crash course. But do you believe me? “
Ryan sat down under the very tree where he had sat with his sister months before. Yes he was believing him .This was just too much to make up. He wondered if the whole town knew why were searching for his sister when they knew she wouldn’t be found? Frankly he had not choice what else was there to believe in? He just wanted to find his sister and leave this crazy place and go back home to Indiana where life made sense. Ron waited and then decided to sit beside him.” Ok, here’s the plan dude we come back here at night and you will see the cabin will be totally different. Nice and warm and everything. Big Ma and your sister will be in the cabin.
“Are you sure?” Ryan asked.
“We’ll go look inside now and you will see it was the same when you were here before. That’s the illusion. In the dark of the night the illusion is gone. Tonight I’ll go halfway with you to the circle of trees and wait. You have to do this own your own. I’ve really told you all I know now man. See you tonight I have to get back before my parents think I’m missing next.” Ryan watched him walk away back down the trail. Turning back around to the cabin he looked at the open door and walked in. The same smells as before and the rocking chair hadn’t been used. He heard a noise in the corner as if something was moving. “Casey is that you?” he said in to the corner as he walked closer. A flash a light came from where he was headed. In the corner was a little girl the same age as Casey but it wasn’t her.
“Who are you? And where’s my sister?”
The girl looked strange as if she wasn’t there. The light through door passed right through as she stood up.
“My name is Amanda. Your sister is still alive for now. But you must do as your friend says and come back tonight. You must be strong for her and yourself.”
“Amanda? Aren’t you the girl that got taken away because of her brother years ago? That’s impossible! You should be an adult by now. I must be losing my mind! “
“You aren’t losing your mind Ryan. I am that same Amanda from years ago. What you see now is a projection. I’m actually in a psychiatric facility in Atlanta. Time is of the essence but I will tell what I can. Big ma tricked me and I used the straw to bring my brother back or what I thought was my brother .After my parents found out about everything. They had me sent away before big ma could get to me. You see Ryan I have the gift of conjuring like Big ma but I found it here while in therapy. Your sister has this gift too Ryan. That’s why Big ma wants her to drain her and become young again and then bring back her beloved Jacob.” Ryan thought he had heard it all from Mr. Toombs, Ron and now a projection from a junior witch in a hospital. It all didn’t really matter right now as long as he could get his sister back. So he listened to what Amanda had left to say to him…
Chapter Thirty -One
Big Ma watches through her crows the first boy leave and the girl’s brother Ryan. She also felt the surge of power from within the cabin. She had no idea who or where it was coming from but it makes her wary of the things to come. Right now she was focused on Casey. She has the gift and with time her power will grow and feed Big ma while depleting the life force of the girl. She will become older while Big ma becomes younger self Tabitha. She is nice and sweet to the gir
l becomes more ants to honey than salt as the saying goes. The scarecrow was the former brother of the girl she had lost Amanda. He was still inside the body but the mind was of her love Jacob. At first there was a battle but with her powers and love for Jacob they won out. Soon they would be together as a young man and wife. But time could be an ally and enemy even for her. It had only been a few days and teaching her the ways was going to take awhile even with her spells in place. But in her realm hour and minutes were not the same in the human world. She would put her crows to watching those boys. She needed no interruptions for this to work. She had waited too long. Too long to be with her love Jacob.
Chapter Thirty -Two
When he made it back home. Of course the police and volunteers had found nothing so far. He knew that and now he they knew it as well. It was all for show for his parents. Ron and his parents were nowhere around and his parents didn’t even know he had left. He made an appearance and went up to his room to think about what has just happened. He met the image of a the girl who once lived here and she told him what he had to do to get his sister back or try to get his sister back . She couldn’t help but she could give him advice. Beware of the straw she said and that it’s her strength and her weakness. He didn’t get what she was saying but he guesses it didn’t have to make since right now. He wet around and gathered a few things from his dad s survival gear and got every thing ready for tonight. Now it was pretty much a waiting game.
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