by Mya O'Malley
ZELDA HAD BEEN in her dreams. Zelda, Ryan, Nick, and Maggie T. Field. The constant setting for her dreams lately was the dark, windy cemetery. Naomi couldn’t grasp the finer details, but the dream had felt important, meaningful somehow.
Trying her best to recall the dream, she let her mind wander. Zelda had been center stage in her dream, acting peculiar, pouncing around the graveyard until she found Maggie’s headstone. Nick was yelling at her from across the property, trying to stop Zelda. Ryan was fixated on wandering around, studying the headstones, ignoring Nick’s screaming. Naomi stood silently taking it all in, not an active participant, but more of an observer. At one point Zelda had run over to Nick, leaping up and scratching his face. Nick’s cries were the last thing to register in her memory. What a dream. It had seemed ominous somehow, as if she were in danger. No, it wasn’t quite danger. Perhaps a sense of dread. Quite frankly, she wasn’t sure what to make out of it. At moments like these, she wished she had knowledge in dream interpretation.
Naomi was glad the dream was that, just a dream. Maybe living so close to the cemetery wasn’t healthy for her mental state. Interesting, yes, but she wasn’t sure if the ancient property was conducive to getting a good night’s sleep.
After running some errands, Naomi figured she should get home and try to be productive. As she drove home, the dream continued to linger in her mind. Forgotten bits and pieces coming back, but not serving to clarify the whole picture.
Today she would do some writing. She bit down on her lip. Ryan wished to come explore the church across the street today. She had almost forgotten. The church would have to wait. Writing was top priority today. Tonight, she would see if Ryan would like to do something together. Before she changed her mind, Naomi called him and asked if she could come by his place later.
“Oh. But what about the church?” Disappointment touched his voice. He sounded like a child who was being told a trip to the amusement park would have to be postponed.
“The church can wait until another day. Listen, I’ve never even seen your place. What do you say? I have to work for a bit, but later on we could walk through town, maybe head over to that new steakhouse for dinner?”
“Okay, I guess. But we’ll go to the church soon, okay?”
“Yup.”
That was a relief. Curiosity took hold of her as she imagined what his apartment would be like. Ryan rented a one-bedroom place on the bottom floor of an old Victorian down by the river. Wasn’t that the area where one of the houses was presumed haunted? Local legend claimed the house was officially haunted, however “official” that kind of thing could be. It would probably be best not to mention the fact to Ryan tonight, but chances were he already knew. How could he not? Inquisition was his middle name.
“I’ll see you soon then. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Bye.”
There. That wasn’t too bad. They would have a nice walk in town and discussions could revolve around other things, normal things. After grabbing a cup of coffee, Naomi walked to her desk.
Research on Maggie T. Field was proving to be challenging. How was it that she had missed the story of Maggie’s disappearance? This story dated back several years. Maggie’s family had reported her missing after not hearing from her for a few days. Apparently Maggie had been close to her parents and had missed her usual brunch with them. Police had called it a missing person case for months. Nobody knew where she had gone, only that she had been dating someone and then ended the relationship prior to her disappearance. His name was being withheld from the public.
Interesting. It turned out the ex-boyfriend had a solid alibi. An unnamed woman claimed they had spent the night together.
Naomi sighed as she thought about the outcome of Maggie’s story. Her body had been found washed up near the river. Awful. What a horrible thing. The location of the body had been a place where people walked along a path by the river. Naomi herself had been close to the crime scene many times, unaware of the traumatic events that had taken place there.
No clues, other than it appeared to be a drowning. Evidence pointed to Maggie going out on a friend’s boat, perhaps, and falling overboard. But how? And where was the friend? It didn’t make sense. A piece of this puzzle was missing—a rather large piece.
A cold mystery was all that was left of Maggie’s story.
Come on, come on. Maggie. Talk to me. Tell me what happened to you. What kind of girl were you?
A sudden screech sounded from the window.
Zelda.
How was she supposed to concentrate on writing when Zelda kept intruding with her unpredictable behavior? Naomi needed to write Maggie’s story. It was calling to her. If she didn’t write the story, she wouldn’t be able to write anything else.
Cries filled the air. This was ridiculous. Naomi wouldn’t even waste her time trying to figure out the cat’s problem. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?”
Zelda cried out in response. Now the cat had broken her concentration. Naomi needed to get out and clear her mind. She grabbed her notebook and her jacket from the hook in the entrance foyer.
Once she was out of the house and down the narrow path heading into the graveyard, she turned around. It wasn’t surprising to see Zelda pacing back and forth on the windowsill. Crazy.
After walking around for a few minutes, she was pulled toward Maggie’s grave once more.
“Maggie, tell me your story. I’m listening.” Naomi didn’t actually expect to hear a response, but she knelt down and listened. She strained to hear the slightest sound, anything at all that would open up this mystery.
Of course, she heard nothing.
Nothing but the faraway sound of cars passing down the one-way street adjacent to the cemetery, then the faint cry of a crow overhead. Lifting her head to the darkening sky above, Naomi could have sworn the crow was staring right at her. Was she in the middle of her own eerie dream? Brushing off the uneasy feeling, Naomi shook her head and sat in the grass.
“Was it your ex? Was it a stranger? Or was your death your own doing?” Naomi’s fingers touched the cold stone, running up and down the gravestone. A sharp crackling from behind caused Naomi to spin around. There was nobody there.
Naomi could have sworn she heard someone. Perhaps it had been a darting squirrel or other small animal. Her attention returned to Maggie’s grave. Call it a gut feeling, but Naomi was convinced there was foul play at work here. It could be her overactive writer’s imagination, but instinctively, she knew Maggie had been killed by someone.
Most likely someone close to her. Wasn’t that usually the story?
More determined than ever to solve this crime, Naomi stood up and brushed her pants off. She leaned over and spoke directly to Maggie’s headstone.
“I will figure this out, girl. Just give me some time. I’ll find out who was responsible for this, and you’ll give me my story. How does that sound? Fair?”
The sound came from the woods this time. Whatever was creating the sound remained hidden.
Chapter Four
Naomi
DREAMS HAD INVADED her sleeping hours once more. This time, she had a new version in which she was a key player in a horrifying game of cat and mouse. The setting had also changed this time; Naomi found herself in the woods, running. Someone was chasing her, but she couldn’t see the predator, she could only sense him. Tall trees all around, her vision was limited to the thick woods.
Naomi was at it again, wandering the old cemetery, after hours of writing. Evening hours would be upon her soon. She found herself right back at the exact spot she had discovered the day before.
Chills prickled all the way up her body, right to her scalp. Knowing what she would find if she turned around, she did so anyway. Time seemed to slow down as Naomi willed herself to look at her house in the distance.
Zelda’s pacing was manic. She could see the cat’s agitation from here. A shadowy form shifted behind Zelda and then disappeared. Naomi shivered as she tried
to make sense of what she had just witnessed. There was no denying the fact that some type of otherworldly presence was occupying her house, sharing it with her. She could only hope the spirit had no intentions to cause harm.
Although the figure was now gone, Zelda’s activity continued. The cat was attempting to communicate with Naomi. She was sure about it. Instinct told her it had everything to do with Maggie T. Field.
What on Earth was it about this particular grave that hyped up Zelda? Notepad in hand, Naomi scribbled furiously, trying to imagine what Maggie must have looked like, what her occupation had been. A bit more research and she would have her answers.
In this day and age, it was simple enough to search names on the Internet. She now had a plan, and she could feel the words bubbling, boiling over in her head. Jotting down some more notes before she lost her train of thought, Naomi smiled. Darkness began settling in upon the graveyard. Even with the impending nightfall, it didn’t seem as scary out here as it had the past few days. Unsettling, yes, but now that she had the beginning of her plot etched out, she didn’t focus on the reality of the property surrounding her. The fading light brought an end to her note taking, but no matter.
This cemetery was now the inspiration for her story.
“TELL ME ABOUT your students. What are they like?” Later that evening, Naomi wanted to know everything about Ryan, including his work.
“Oh, well, it’s kind of complicated. You see, prior to teaching online, I was in the classroom, I got to see the faces of my students, interact with them. “
“And now?”
Ryan paused, glancing at Naomi for a moment. “Now? It’s great but I don’t interact as much. I give the assignment and encourage my students to interact with me and with each other through the discussion posts. They do converse quite a bit, but I’m not getting much in the way of personal communication.”
Naomi felt sad for him, because she knew he was a passionate man. He must be amazing in the classroom. “Can you ask to go back to the classroom?”
“Oh, believe me I’ve tried. I would love nothing better.”
“And?”
“For now the answer is no, but I was promised the next position at the college. Still, it could be years. I haven’t even been paid for some time. With the challenging economy, I’m waiting it out and volunteering my time. Ah, listen to me, complaining when this is supposed to be a pleasant date.”
“Wait. Did you just say that you weren’t being paid?”
“Yes, I did. It’s fine for now…”
How could that be? What kind of college hired instructors but didn’t pay them? Something felt off about this. The college had an excellent reputation. That only made it more peculiar.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how do you pay the rent? Your bills?’
“I come from some family money, so it all works out.”
If anyone else had mentioned they came from money, it would surely come across as bragging. Not Ryan. He remained humble, modest.
“But seriously, I didn’t mean to complain. It’s not my style.” Ryan gazed down at the sidewalk.
“Don’t worry about that, Ryan. I’m enjoying this, walking with you and getting to know you.”
“Are you sure? I’m not usually such a whiner, but when I find myself thinking about the fact that I’m dying to get back in the traditional classroom, I get upset.”
“Have you ever thought of applying at another school? Even a high school?”
Ryan turned and placed a soft kiss on Naomi’s lips. “You’re sweet, you know. Yes, I have considered it, but right now I’m biding my time because I do love the college up on the hill.”
Wouldn’t he love a paycheck? Naomi bit the words back. It wasn’t for her to judge.
Funny, he referred to it as the college up on the hill. Naomi supposed it was because of the beautiful view of the river. Why call it by any other name when it was in such as breathtaking location?
She had been about to change the subject when a familiar figure was spotted across the street. Nick. Oh my God, Nick. She must have tensed her body because Ryan stopped right there on the sidewalk, gazing at Naomi. He seemed to look right through her.
“Are you okay? What’s the matter?”
Naomi gulped, pulling at Ryan. She headed into the first nearby store, the local hardware store. It was no use. Her heart raced as she spied him crossing the street. What if he came in this store? Please, no.
“Naomi, answer me. You’re worrying me now. What is it?”
Please, just walk past. Please. But Nick headed straight for the hardware store.
He had seen her.
“Is there something you need to buy in here?” Ryan glanced around, down the aisle they were standing in.
“It’s him; it’s Nick. Come on.” Naomi kept a firm grip on Ryan’s hand and rushed to the back of the store. He had spotted her, she was sure of it. If he hadn’t, he surely had a vision problem. Her heart pounded and she sweat through her blouse, although the temperature was far from warm.
“Nick?” Ryan called out.
“Sh!” What the heck was the matter with him?
“I… uh, sorry.”
Naomi pressed her body close to Ryan’s, squeezing them both against the back shelf that held cans of paint thinner. She could only pray he would move on, think she slipped out the back door or something. If she leaned over carefully, she could just about make out the front counter. Nick was talking to the cashier in the front of the store, but then his gaze was then directed right toward her.
This was worse than she had imagined. She didn’t want Nick to see her with another man. What would he do if he found she had moved on already?
“No!” Naomi buried her head in Ryan’s shirt. Would he make a scene?
“Can I breathe now?” Ryan whispered in her ear.
Funny, she had forgotten that she was squashing Ryan to the spot behind them. “He saw me. I know he did.”
Ryan grabbed hold of her wrist. “Naomi. Are you really that afraid of him?”
Naomi finally released the deep breath she had been holding in. “Yes. I guess I am.” Cold sweat dripped down her back. What did she think he would do to her at this point? She supposed her fear was fueled from the fact that she and Nick had ended their relationship without major disaster. Yes, that’s what was really bothering her. Fear from the fact that perhaps things weren’t over. It worried her to realize that one true fact.
“Listen. I’m not going to let anything happen to you, you hear me?” Ryan kissed her wrist lightly. She breathed again.
“Thank you.” But she knew what Nick was capable of, and she also knew how kind-hearted Ryan was. When it came down to it, Ryan was no match for Nick. She only hoped Ryan would never come face to face with her ex-boyfriend.
“Let’s get out of here. Then I think it would be best if you and I had a talk about what you’re not telling me. I need the truth.”
What hadn’t she told him? She’d told him the basics, brushing over the nasty details of her life with Nick. She could inform him about every wretched detail of their years together, but she didn’t wish to revisit the past. Move forward, that had been her mantra as of late.
“There’s not much more to tell.” That wasn’t entirely true.
After a few moments, Ryan placed his hand in hers, leading her out the door. Nick should be gone by now. Store after store, Naomi glanced in the shop windows, looking for traces of Nick. She couldn’t go on this way. Each time she headed into town she would worry. Moving to another area was out of the question. Naomi was in love with her little house and having her friends close by.
Finally they settled on a cafe that was occupied by many young couples. The area was rich with men and women exploring the scenic town of Mystic and all the culture it had to offer. Naomi grabbed a table while Ryan ordered their drinks. Just when she thought she couldn’t like the man more than she already did, he brought back two glasses of red wine.
“Wow.
You’re going to spoil me, you know that?” Taking care of Naomi had never been a priority of Nick’s. If anything, Nick had wanted her to take care of him. There was no give-and-take in their relationship.
“Get used to it.”
She could do that.
A young waiter came to take their order. As predicted, Ryan ordered enough for two men.
“You don’t ever worry about counting calories?” There. She said it.
“Ha. No. Funny thing is, I never used to be able to eat like this. Go figure.” His face lit up as he glanced at the food on a nearby table.
‘Well.” What else was there to say?
If only she had his problem.
Ryan reminded her of her friend Sharon’s four-year-old son, Sam. Sam had such zest for life and all it had to offer.
“What’s on your mind?”
Naomi took a second to process her thoughts. “You have such a love of life. It’s admirable.”
“I never really gave it much thought. I just kind of live in the moment.”
“I see that. Like I said, it’s a great quality to have.”
Ryan’s grin spread as he reached for Naomi’s hand. “Right now I’m enjoying being here with you. I’m glad we met that day.”
Warmth spread through Naomi. Thoughts of that day, from weeks earlier, filled her senses. “I’m happy we met, too. Hey. Remember when you commented on my horrible date?”
That earned a chuckle from Ryan. “Of course.”
“How did you know how my date was going? What were you doing? Eavesdropping?” She was teasing him, but she was curious, nonetheless.
“Honestly?”
Naomi nodded her head, encouraging him to continue.
“Your face said it all.”
“It did?”
Ryan ran his hand over hers, suddenly serious. “You looked miserable.”
Naomi pulled back momentarily. “Miserable? I wasn’t miserable.”
“Okay. How’s this? Unhappy. You looked unhappy with your date, possibly more.”