Ghost of a Shadow

by Andrea Engel

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

  In Like Finn

  “Beagle!”

  Finn looked around. Everything was dark, save for a single ray of sunshine that peeked through the slatted, broken window. It illuminated a small spot of peeling paint on the wooden floor.

  “Beagle! Get in here this minute.” He pushed off a rumpled pile of blankets and sat up, watching as the dust particles floated thickly in the light. It was hard to focus his eyes, but with a little time, he saw the room with its decaying floorboards and piles of garbage, made up of paper bags, candle stumps, and candy wrappers.

  “Mr. Finn? You’re back. Do you know where you are?”

  “You’re not Beagle!” he fumed. “Get me Beagle! Do you hear me? How did you get in here anyway?” Finn looked around the room again, trying to search out something familiar, but it was too dark.

  “Beagle’s not here, Mr. Finn…remember? It’s me, Basset. I’m here for you like always.”

  “Really? You’re always here for me? You want to know who’s always been here for me until you took him away? Beagle! That’s who. But I won’t sully his name by speaking it in front of you.”

  Basset gulped back his tears.

  Finn grasped at the memories that lingered in his mind. He stared at the wall, speaking with an unsteady voice:

  “There was another place. Not here. I think it was from a long time ago, because I can’t remember anything before then. That white-haired girl was there! She was there, and I hadn’t seen her in so long. I saw light—it was too bright for my eyes. There was a buzzing sound, like bells, and I felt my eardrum burst, but no one believed me.” Finn pulled on his left earlobe. Lights were flying around me, attacking me. “That girl—the same one from long ago! She chased me all around this cave. I know it was an important place, but they shouldn’t have laughed. They were all so proud! Of everything. They told me I should behave. Don’t do this. Don’t do that. Always told me to be careful. Not to kick any rocks. I could see through them. They said they were special. Don’t pull up the flowers because I hurt them. ‘Stay away from the water!’ So many rules.

  “She laughed at me too. That was the worst part. The others were sitting around, watching. ‘I’m going to get you!’ she yelled, while everyone laughed and pointed at me. I was so scared. I kept running and running, but she chased me until I couldn’t run anymore.”

  Finn felt wetness on his face. He tried to brush it away from his nose, but his hand came away smeared with blood. His head throbbed, and his vision began to fade. He could almost see it. The truth of his purpose was just beyond his reach. It danced on the outskirts of the darkness that clouded his mind.

  “Mr. Finn? Can you hear me?”

  Focus returned as pain faded.

  “Mr. Finn?”

  Finn opened his eyes and found himself cradled in Basset’s arms, a damp towel pressed against his nose. “What are you doing, Basset? Get off me.”

  “Welcome back, Mr. Finn.”

  “Back? Where have I been?” Though the darkness remained, Finn’s eyes were adjusting to it. “Where are we?”

  Basset shook his head. “I’m not sure. You’ve been…How can I put this? Not like yourself for about two weeks, Mr. Finn. I’ve been worried. At first you seemed to know what you were doing. You brought us to this place. I tried to find out more and see how I could help, but you wouldn’t respond.”

  “Well, we need to figure out where we are.”

  “I’d like to know too, Mr. Finn.”

  As Finn stood, the room began to swim. His knees buckled, and he fell back onto the bed. He waited for the room to stop spinning. “Why do I feel so weak? What did you do to me?” He shot Basset an accusatory glare.

  “You’re weak because you haven’t been eating, drinking, or sleeping regularly.”

  Finn threw his hands up in the air. “Why haven’t you fed me? I’m starving!”

  “I’ve brought you food and drink, Mr. Finn. I make a sandwich for you every day. When you don’t eat it, I do, so it won’t go bad.”

  Basset scurried from the room then returned with a glass of water in one hand and a sandwich wrapped in a paper towel in the other. He brought them closer and offered them to Finn. “This one is smoked turkey with Swiss cheese and spicy mustard.”

  “Well, it’s about time!”

  Finn gobbled it down in just a few seconds. Though not yet completely recovered, he felt some strength begin to return. “Help me up.”

  Finn grabbed Basset’s arm and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. He took a tentative step to the window and looked outside. The light was bright, and his eyes watered. He spotted movement in the yard below: a girl. It couldn’t be.

  “It’s her…the one with the signal…the one with the pigtails. Help me, Basset. I want to go downstairs and get a better look.”

  Basset half carried Finn down the stairs, careful not to go too fast and trip. When they reached the bottom, Finn pushed him away.

  He walked to the back of the house, through the dilapidated kitchen, passing a chipped Formica table and two wobbly chairs on his left, against the wall. There was nothing else in the room except plumbing hookups sticking out horizontally to his right.

  “Stay here, Basset. I don’t want her to hear you.” Finn opened the back door slowly, in case it needed oiling. It didn’t. He peeked out in time to see the girl enter the woods and make her way through the underbrush.

  Seeing the girl and hearing the signal intensify sent a necessary surge throughout Finn’s body. Because of it, he was able to cover the length of the Fletcher yard in no time. It was clear where she had entered the stand of trees, and Finn plunged ahead. His strength renewed, he fought his way through the vines. The sunlight, filtered in the trees, now beat directly on the hill and the clearing as he approached.

  Where is she? I should have stayed closer. Finn looked carefully at the ground. He spotted a trail where the grass was only just starting to spring back, as if some weight had recently stood upon it.

  Which way have you gone, missy? Finn followed the places where the grass was flatter. They led him down to the stream. With still no sight of the girl, he picked his way along the stream, following the muddy imprints. He saw the large tree in the middle of the lowland. After reorienting himself, from where he stood he could see that the foot depressions ended there. Why do this place and this tree seem so familiar?

  He heard sounds before seeing anything. Bright lights hijacked his vision, and then he remembered: the hospital, the electric shocks, the bang on his head in the cabin’s bathroom. That tree!

  Looking around for a place to hide, Finn ducked behind the closest group of cattails. Where there had been nothing next to the tree a moment earlier, that girl had appeared.

  It looks like I’m in the right place.

  She rubbed her leg and said, “How did that happen? Abrupt much?” She placed her palm on the tree. After a few minutes, she stepped out from beneath the branches and looked up. “Okay, I’m back. I guess it’s time to head home. See you tomorrow, Banyan.”

  Finn waited quietly until she was up over the hill and out of sight to step out from the cattails. He deliberately walked in front of the tree and slapped its side. “See you soon…old friend.”

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

  The Unmasquerade Ball

  Their plan was to meet at their corner after school the day of the dance. Sam thought it would be a good idea to discuss any last-minute details. Sadie/Annie wondered if he’d show up since she hadn’t seen or spoken with him since Wednesday, the day of the tree-carving incident.

  She was nervous. I hope he’ll be there after the way I left him at the corner the other day. I might have scared him off.

  As she approached, she was relieved. There he was, pacing. He saw her, smiled, and met her for a hug.

  “Are you feeling better, Annie?”

  “Yes, Sam. Much better. It must have been a twenty-four-hour thing.”

  “Good. I’ve bee
n looking forward to tonight for weeks.” Sam took her hand and squeezed it gently.

  Sadie felt the warmth in her face and knew she turned some shade of pink. “Me too. So we’ll meet back here at seven?”

  “I’d prefer to pick you up at your house, but yes, we’ll meet here at seven. Remember, I expect that invitation. Tomorrow maybe?”

  Sadie coughed to give herself time to think. “Um. Okay. Tomorrow it is.” What am I doing? How can he come over tomorrow?

  “Sam, I have something to tell you.” Sadie felt a fire in her face, but it seemed like the right thing to do, revealing the truth.

  “Yes, Annie. What is it?”

  “Um…well…it’s hard to figure out the words.”

  “It’s okay, Annie. You can tell me anything.”

  Hearing that name reminded her of her deceit. No, I can’t tell him yet! Stupid, stupid! “I’m sorry, Sam, but I have to take off now. I have so much homework to do before I get ready for tonight.”

  Sam smiled, exaggerating a forehead wipe. “Phew. I got scared there for a second. Don’t you have the weekend to do it?”

  “It sounds like I might be doing other things this weekend, Sam. Like introducing you to my parents?” Sadie winked.

  “Right! Gotcha.”

  “See you at seven, then.”

  “Sure.” Sam leaned in, and Sadie turned her head to the side as she hugged him back.

  She left for home, her guilt refusing to let her turn back to wave good-bye.

  They met at the corner at seven on the dot. “Wow, Annie, you’re breathtaking!” Sam exclaimed. “I mean you always are, but you look spectacular in that dress, that mask, and with your hair loose like that.”

  “Thank you, Sam. You look quite handsome yourself.”

  Sam wore a charcoal suit with black stripes, an unusual choice but quite dashing. He had a hat on, similar to the one Mr. Felix wore. Above his lip was a pencil-thin mustache, a shade lighter than his hair. As for Sadie, well, she had to admit the dress looked better on her than she thought it would. With Mom’s help in the makeup department, she hardly recognized herself. Mom even helped curl her hair. Her mask was turquoise and gold, with pearl lining the inside of the eyes. Two black feathers extended from the sides, as if its eyeliner kept going. Not too shabby.

  “I’ve seen that type of hat before. I forget the name, though. What’s it called?”

  “A fedora.” Sam smiled. “Don’t I look fedorable?” He nudged her with his hip.

  Sadie laughed and nudged him back.

  “I brought this corsage for you. I didn’t know the color of your dress, so I picked out these light-purple orchids and baby’s breath. I hope they’re okay.”

  “Okay? They’re incredible. Thank you, Sam!”

  “Can I help you put them on your wrist?”

  “Yes, please.” She held out her left arm for him and smiled as he delicately slipped the flowers in place. I feel amazing. More than…maybe ever. She held out her wrist and admired it with a little smile.

  “Shall we get going, Annie?” Sam offered his elbow, and she took it. They talked all the way to Sadie’s school, and she realized it had been a long time since she had walked there with another human being. She didn’t consider Dave one of her species.

  Hand in hand, they made their entrance through the gym doors. Passing under the canopy of silver streamers and black balloons, they joined the party.

  “This is so cool, Sam.” Sadie couldn’t believe her eyes. The gym had transformed into a magical wonderland, with lights, stars, and a turning kaleidoscope ball throwing colors onto the floor and walls.

  All the girls wore masks, embellished with everything from feathers and gold ribbons to pearl chains and glitter. Some only covered their eyes, some included their noses, and some their whole faces. The boys wore mustaches, ranging from wide handlebars to thinner styles to full beards.

  Sadie adjusted her full-face mask and let a little of her fear ebb away. At least no one will know who I am.

  Sam led her farther into the room. Although she did her best to hide her excitement, it wasn’t easy. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Sadie exclaimed. “Have you?”

  “Never. I’m glad we’re here to see it together.”

  Sadie smiled. Heat rose up her cheeks, and she turned away, but then she remembered. The mask hid her blush as well as her identity. As a bonus, the lights were low inside the school gym. The stakes were high tonight, and she didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks.

  Her feelings for Sam were beyond her ability to express. When she first met him, it was his looks and charm that grabbed her attention. As they got to know each other better, she realized it was his depth and his kindness, which she fell farther for every day. She started to feel like her old self again—before Gramma Rose had died and Aunt Sue had moved away—but she needed to tell Mom about him tonight. I can’t believe he’s supposed to meet her tomorrow.

  “Annie? Everything okay?”

  “Yes. Sorry. I was taking it all in. By the way, that mustache suits you. You look very distinguished, Mr. Sam.”

  “Why thank you, Ms. Annie. And you look radiant.” He touched her arm and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Though I much prefer to see all of your pretty face. But I guess I’ll just have to wait until the official unmasking.”

  “Unmasking?” Sadie took a step back. “What are you talking about?”

  “This is how these kinds of dances work, Annie. I’m guessing this one will be the same.”

  Sadie’s stomach did a triple flip twist, landing with a belly-flop thud. The thought of being unmasked—and having everyone know she was there—made her panic.

  Sam must have felt something because he immediately took a step forward and held her hand. “Are you okay? We’re going to have a fantastic time.”

  She wanted to be here so badly that she pushed away the thought that someone would recognize her. After all, she barely recognized herself, thanks to Mom’s wizardry. She forced that uncomfortable—and possibly humiliating—image as far back in her mind as it would go. Being at the dance and dreaming that Sam was her boyfriend made it easy to pretend she had friends again.

  “You’re right, Sam. It’s gonna be fine.”

  The other kids had no idea she was there. Sadie liked that people were smiling and nodding to her as she passed—even Melanie, whom she recognized by the birthmark on her neck, and her entourage, she guessed, of Ronnie and Jade. No one had expected Sadie to come tonight, so they weren’t looking for her.

  “Would you like some punch?” Sam asked her. “I’ve heard that’s what I’m supposed to ask you first thing.”

  Sadie laughed, unable to hide how pleased she was. “Who told you that, your mom?”

  Looking sheepish, Sam nodded and shifted on his feet.

  “I’d love some punch. Thanks.”

  His bright smile returned. “You got it. I’ll be right back.”

  She watched him maneuver across the room and focused on settling her nerves. Everything was going smoothly. Yeah, until the unmasking. She shook her head and forced the thought away once again. Forget about it. Just have fun. You remember how to have fun? Yes, I remember how to have fun…I think. She laughed at herself.

  Her laugh instantly ceased when she spotted Sam. He was talking to Dave. Oh, no. Come on, Sam. Get back here. Sam turned back to Sadie and pointed at her, smiling. Dave, with his villainous Snidely Whiplash mustache, looked puzzled.

  Sam returned to her side with two cups of punch. He handed her one. “Did you miss me?”

  “Yes! Yes, I did.” Reel it in. Reel it in. Don’t overreact!

  He looked at her sideways but didn’t seem put off by her eagerness. “When are they going to start the music? I love to dance,” Sam said. He nudged her gently with his elbow. “You’re looking at a dance master.” He swayed from side to side, dipping his shoulders and spinning around. “I’m going to be famous one day. You gonna be able to keep up with me, Annie?�
��

  He’s so confident. What I wouldn’t give for even a tenth of his fearlessness. She was smitten but doing a darn good job of hiding it.

  As if on cue, music poured out of the massive speakers at the far end of the gym.

  “I’ll do my best,” Sadie replied, raising her voice just a bit to be heard over the thumping music. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll be a famous actress one day. I mean, after this spectacular performance, I’m bound to be famous too.”

  “What?” Sam cupped a hand to his ear. “I couldn’t hear you. Did you say you’re going to be famous too?”

  The smile faded from Sadie’s face. Did I say that out loud? She tried to recover and shook her head. “No, I said I hope they play some good tunes,” she yelled over the sea of echoing sounds. Tunes? Really? Get a grip. I sound so childish. Definitely not what I’m going for. Come on…keep it together. It’s Sam! I shouldn’t be this nervous. What’s happening to me?

  Bobbing his head to the music, Sam didn’t seem to notice. “So should we start on a slow song or a fast one?”

  “Uh, I…whatever you want, Sam.”

  “Okay, I say we start with a slow one then,” he said with a wink.

  Dave’s still looking at us! Guess I should have said a fast dance. What if he tries to cut in? Now she was really nervous. I thought my butterflies on this first date with Sam were intense. Now that Dave has zeroed in on us, I want to scream.

  “I’ll be right back. Okay, Sam?”

  Sam nodded. “Sure. Of course. See you in a few.”

  Sadie rushed to the bathroom. Stay calm and don’t screw this up. You can do it. She was so nervous she fanned herself with a notebook someone had left in the bathroom. A couple of other girls entered, but they were so involved in their conversation that they didn’t notice her.

  “So do you think he’s going to kiss you tonight?” the one girl asked.

  “Oh, he’d better,” raved the other girl.

  “He’s so cute. I can’t believe how lucky you are.”

  “I know. He is cute. I bet he’s a good kisser too.” Both girls giggled loudly.

  Sadie hoped Sam would kiss her tonight. The thought made her warm, happy, and scared all in the same moment. She closed her eyes and imagined their kiss: Sam takes off my mask as he removes his mustache. He looks into my eyes and tells me how pretty I am, inside and out. Then he leans forward as we both close our… Sadie felt a sharp jolt to her arm as one of the girls banged into her on their way out.