“What makes you think he is clairvoyant?”
“Ever since I have known him, he’s had a “friend.” When we were little, I thought she was just imaginary, but now that we’re older and have done some research, we know it’s his dead grandmother. He has also always been sensitive to the odd things that happen that most of us just dismiss.” My answer was fairly accurate, but in my state, I wasn’t sure if it sounded coherent. Looking down at my hands, I sighed heavily.
“This adds some complication to the issue at hand, but it may not be a bad complication. Look at me, Cat,” she demanded. “I need you to just relax and let me find out more before you go telling Will anything. This is not some game, and the things we will have to deal with are far more deadly than you can imagine. Okay?”
“Ummm, yeah, okay. I won’t tell him anything until you tell me it’s okay,” I mumbled.
Aunt Lucie hugged me and began picking up the papers scattered on my floor. “Hey, don’t tell your parents yet, either. There’s no need for Moira to get her knickers in a twist over this, you know?” she remarked with a smile, which made me smile in return.
“Okay. So, what are we working on tonight? I think I have almost mastered my wall to keep people out, but I really need to work on what I can do if I encounter one of the Badbeh.” I sent her a pleading look.
“Let’s just work on that wall of yours some more. Truly, that will be your best defense against anyone, even the Badbeh. Remember, if you can see someone else’s thoughts through their eyes, then the Badbeh can see your thoughts through yours. It is paramount that we strengthen your ability to block that. If they can see your thoughts, they will know how great your talents are and try even harder to get rid of you.” There was a chill to her voice as she said “get rid of you.”
She stood and immediately began trying to dismantle the proverbial wall we had been discussing. Practice went on like this for the rest of the night; Aunt Lucie trying to tear the protection from my mind and me trying to keep it in place. It was easier for me than either of us had expected.
After practice and more history lessons—I really hoped that was almost done—Mom called us for dinner. After we stuffed ourselves the remainder of the evening was the normal routine of a few minutes of TV before going to bed. I didn’t realize how tired I was until I lay there trying to read my newest book, a vampire love story, and was barely able to keep my eyes open. I laid the book on my nightstand, turned out my light, and stretched out in my bed. My plan to immerse myself in a world of romance and myth to escape the reality of my own quickly dissolved, letting sleep steal my resolve to stay awake.
I had the dream again that night, without waking the rest of the house this time. There were no new details aside from the one detail Will had told me about: the gray figure, the Badbeh. After the dream woke me, I spent the rest of the night sleeping fitfully. I tossed so much that my covers were tangled around my legs. When my alarm rang at six in the morning, I sat up stiffly, unaware of the mess around my lower half, and attempted to get out of my bed. I realized quickly the impossibility of the task and switched gears, lying back down with a “humph”. It felt oddly therapeutic to kick my legs furiously, releasing the covers coiled around them. After using the first five minutes of my day to take out my frustration on my old quilt, I shot out of bed and gathered my things for my shower. Summer was a blessed time to get up early because I didn’t have to fight anyone for the bathroom.
My mind drifted from subject to subject as I showered, but when my thoughts landed on his face, I became inexplicably agitated.
Mr. Zane Laroche! Why does the thought of him make me mad enough to spit nails?
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I stepped out of the bathtub, and got dressed while humming the Star-Spangled Banner to quiet my head. It was only partially helpful; it couldn’t block out the picture of his face. It was uncomfortable enough not being able to close my eyes at night without seeing his hateful glares and deep, commanding voice mocking my age. It just seemed so very wrong and completely perverted to not be able to block his face from my mind’s eye while I was getting ready.
Ugh!
I arrived at the ranch in time to see my father running after one of the new students, waving his clipboard in the direction of the fields. I sat for a bit and laughed, watching his hands move in wide circles as the man with him stood by and looked completely lost. I could only imagine what he was trying to explain.
After parking my car, I ran into the office to check my schedule, which was on my father’s desk. Lovely. Stall duty again this morning. It was a good thing I didn’t mind mucking stalls because my entire summer was shaping up to go in just that direction. At least I didn’t have to see Zane and could put on my headphones and ignore any mention of him. As I hurried to the first barn, I ran into Claire, literally, and knocked all of the manila folders she was holding into the air.
“Oh, Claire, I am so sorry. Let me help you.” I began picking the papers and folders up off the dusty ground. “My mind is in a million places right now, and the ranch is pretty far down the list,” I said with a sheepish smile, hoping she wouldn’t be too upset.
“Uh, no, you’re fine. I wasn’t paying attention, either,” She looked a little bewildered, something that she very rarely was. “I just asked Zane out,” she blurted. “Don’t know what made me think he would say yes. He said no, only because he is ‘here to work and doesn’t date.’ What the hell does that mean?”
Her statement hit me squarely in the gut, although I had no idea why. I quickly regrouped. “If he didn’t say yes to you, then he must be telling you the truth. But it doesn’t surprise me... he seems pretty focused, you know?” I thought that sounded reasonable but was still bothered by my body’s strange reaction to Claire’s request. Half of my mind reminded me on an hourly basis that he was completely dreadful, but the other half stubbornly lingered on his devastating good looks. I would clearly have to shut out the crazy half.
Claire and I finished picking up the fallen paperwork and she continued on toward the office, still looking dumbstruck. I took a minute before going into the barn to look around for my dad. I needed to ask what my duties would be after the stalls were done, but I didn’t find him anywhere. Oh well. I put my headphones on and turned up my music, drowning out all other sound.
It took two hours to clean four of the six large stalls, making time fly. I had two more to go and I would be done with this barn and on to the next, but I had to find my dad first. Mapping my day to avoid “Mr. La-Rude” or Mr. Laroche, I should say, would involve working my father a bit. I couldn’t make it obvious that I didn’t want to work with the new guy, but somehow I had to get that point across. It was that very moment, mulling my plight over in my very full head, that it hit me... use your gift. If I could plant a subtle thought to steer my dad away from having me work with Zane, my life and my head would become much easier to be in.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spied my dad and took this chance to plant the seed, something simple. Zane needs a different helper... Catherine won’t do, too immature... perhaps Bryan. After lunch, I would see if it worked.
I sat in the shade of the very last barn, munching on the homemade bread, cheese, and fruit I had packed. The breeze felt nice after being cooped up in the barn all morning, but the smell wasn’t for the weak stomached. I had grown up around the earthy smell of animals and dirt, so it didn’t bother me. Claire, on the other hand, still couldn’t handle eating outside and refused to dine with me even after I practically begged. I really didn’t want to sit alone and look like I needed company, but my desire to be in the open air won out, so I sat there by myself. What were the chances the one person I had been avoiding all day would walk over? I thought they were slim... but I was wrong, as usual.
When will I ever stop underestimating the craziness of my life?
“Hey, kid, are you enjoying your al fres
co lunch?” Zane snorted.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!” I mumbled through a mouthful of bread. I swallowed hard and raised my head, taking him in from his boots to his face. The half of my brain that relished the sight of him silently rejoiced... the other half stuck its tongue out at him. Looking back down, I let the brim of my hat hide the sour look on my face. “Yeah, my mom makes great bread and the breeze is nice right here.”
“Ah, I see.” He looked down at his boot as he kicked a pebble. “Still mad at me by the look of it, huh?”
“I don’t like being called ‘kid,’ gramps. I may only be sixteen, but I would venture to guess I know almost as much as you about the work that goes on here.” So there, I added to myself. I had to fight the urge to jump up and move away from this man. It was ridiculous. “How about we just don’t worry about hurting one another’s feelings and avoid contact from now on? You clearly don’t care for me, or I for you. No harm done, right?”
“Well, that would be ideal,” he said. “But I believe your father has it in his mind that you will be my assistant for the remainder of the summer. Surely, you would prefer helping me to mucking the stalls?”
“Honestly, the crappy stalls are much better company, and I wouldn’t count me in just yet. My dad hasn’t talked to me, and I have a feeling he may have changed his mind.” I shrugged my shoulders and tried to sound nonchalant.
“Ah, well, I am sorry to hear I made such a bad impression on you, but it wouldn’t do for me to have an assistant that would rather deal with cow dung than me. I hope you have a nice afternoon, and as long as your father decides against making you my assistant, then I will be gentlemanly enough to agree to the terms you mentioned before.” I swear I saw a slight grin on his face as he said that last bit.
Does he seriously think this is funny? Intolerable!
“Thank you,” I managed to say, gritting my teeth and closing my eyes as I did so.
I finished my lunch and sought my dad out. After running into one of the long-term ranch hands, Jack, I learned that he had gone back to the office. I ran to the door, took a deep breath and hoped for the best.
“Hey, Dad, what’s on my list for the afternoon?” I asked.
“Can you finish the stalls in barn three? Bryan did half, but I need him to assist Zane with the vaccinations. What do you think about Bryan?” he asked, without looking up from his computer.
“He’s a good guy. He seems very smart. Why?” There was a little too much enthusiasm in my voice as I asked this, but I knew I was staring at success and it was sweet.
“I think I am going to make him Zane’s assistant. You don’t mind, do you? I know you know this place as well as I do, but I think he needs an assistant that’s a little longer in the tooth. Someone more on his level.” With that he looked up at me to judge my reaction. I tried to play it off with a little disappointment... very little.
“No, that’s a brilliant idea, Dad. They’ll work great together. Thanks for thinking of me, but I really like doing the grunt work... keeps me in shape.” I flexed my bicep to prove my point. My father laughed and excused me.
Yes! I did it again, but this time it was so much easier. There was still that little part of me that pouted at the thought of avoiding Zane all summer. I drowned that thought out with a little music and hard work. My life had just gotten a smidge easier and work would once again be an escape from the supernatural.
The work days came and went with alarming speed, and I continued my training. The focus of it shifted to working with my first Tourist and sharpening my talents. My invisible wall was strong and unbreakable now, and my physical maturation was complete. Summer was almost over, and I welcomed the crisp autumn days ahead but dreaded the end of my training.
What if I’m a complete failure at being a Guide?
It seemed that my aunt and mother had very high hopes for me, so I tried to dig deep to keep the bubble of good feelings inflated and not let them down. Not an easy task, but I didn’t mind a challenge.
The last week at the ranch found us all saying our temporary good-byes, except for Zane, Claire, Georgia, and Dave; they were full time assistants. I was sad to have my only distraction end but knew that prolonging the inevitable was just that: prolonging. It would happen at some point, and Aunt Lucie had hinted that I would experience my first Tourist soon, possibly around mid-October. It would be best to get the first one out of the way, so that I would know what to expect and be able to fulfill my destiny. The more I thought of my life in those terms, the more out there it seemed. No one my age assumes they have a destiny, let alone one like this. I couldn’t dwell on what my life wouldn’t be; I just needed to plunge into what it was and climb the ladder as the rungs appeared.
My last day was just like all the rest except for the occasional hug. When I was finished collating spreadsheets in the office, I headed to the barn in search of Claire. Out of everyone at the ranch, I would miss her most and this would be her last full year here. She had become the only unrelated female shoulder I could lean on, and even though she admittedly found me odd, she never made me feel that way.
I came to the third barn and found her bent over the ancient computer, inputting data from that day’s research.
“Claire? I’m leaving and I just wanted to say good-bye.”
“Oh, Cat, I am going to miss you so much. Please try to make it out here every once in a while, okay? It’s not like we’re in another country!” She began tearing up.
“I know. I just never seem to take the time to make the trip, but now that I can drive I will try to come out a little more. I just want to avoid Mr. LaRoyal-Pain-In-My-Backside, you know?” I snickered.
“Ahem. Am I to assume you are talking about me, Miss Dalry?” The voice was one I knew well and had avoided all summer.
I looked at Claire who was so amused she could hardly contain the laugh behind her huge smile.
“Yeah, sorry.” I turned around, shuffling my feet on the dirt floor.
“Well, regardless of how you feel about me, I will be sad to see you go. For someone your age, you know a good deal more about the research we do here than some of the grad students. I hope you have a nice school year.” He actually sounded genuine. Aside from the obvious slight about my age, I thought he might think I was intelligent. “I’m on my way out, too. Would you let me walk you to your car?”
Inside my head, I screamed every single obscenity I had ever heard my brothers utter but gathered myself and calmly replied, “Uh, sure, I guess. Bye, Claire. I’ll try to come and see you next week, okay?”
“Sure. Have a nice walk.” She gave me a quick hug and a punch in the arm. Her smile grew in intensity, and I knew she would lose it as soon as we were out of earshot.
I began walking out of the barn with Zane at my side, looking at the ground and wondering what had brought on this sudden burst of friendliness. I decided I wouldn’t know unless I asked. “So, why so nice all of a sudden?”
“I always assumed you were the one with the issue. I have never not liked you, Miss Dalry.”
“Call me Catherine, please.” I tried to offer up what I could to encourage the same friendliness of his first statement. “I only avoided you because you were always so... ugh, I don’t know, condescending? Yeah, I guess that’s the best word,” I blurted out, being honest.
“I’m sorry about that, really.” He stopped between the first two barns and turned to look at me. “Since the first time I met you, you have made me feel a bit, well, undone. I mean to say, I can’t be around you without feeling like there is something more I should be doing in relation to you. Please don’t take this the wrong way; you are much too young for me, as I so rudely mentioned the first time we met. Rest assured, I am not hitting on you, but I feel drawn to you somehow. I have wanted to talk to you about this for a while, but I thought it best if I waited until you were done working he
re.”
Dumbstruck! Completely and totally bowled over.
I suppose his words hit me hard because I had not been successful in silencing the small part of my brain that thought he was the ultimate man. I had never heard him say more than five words at once and never witnessed him looking so completely tortured.
“Okay.” I forced the word from my mouth and gathered myself to continue. “I don’t take offense to what you said and believe me I have weirder things going on in my life than you feeling ‘drawn’ to me. Although, I admit most people avoid looking at me or being near me for any length of time. I’ll try not to let the way you feel go to my head,” I said, toeing at the ground, trying to process everything he had said. It made me uneasy that he felt this way because the only things in my life that were truly strange were related to me being a Guide. But this had nothing to do with that, I was positive.
“Thank you for understanding, and please know that I won’t be stalking you or anything. I didn’t think much about it unless I was around you.” We had finally reached our cars, oddly parked beside one another and he finished, “I suppose this is good-bye. I hope you have a good year and if you come to visit, please don’t hesitate to say ‘hi,’ no matter how you feel about me.” He looked down at me, with his hand extended and his lips curled into a thoughtful smile.
I took his hand and shook it, the warmth and size of it enveloping my fingers in a gentle gesture of kindness. “Thank you and good luck with your research. I’m sorry we couldn’t have had this talk earlier. I might have actually liked you. Maybe.”
I released his hand and tore my eyes from his smile before finally breathing again. Opening my door quickly, I sunk into my seat and turned the key, trying desperately to stop the fluttering in my chest.
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