by Wendy Wang
"I saw her go into the playhouse with Barbara Jean." Charlie said.
"When did you see this?" Jack asked.
"Just 10 minutes ago, if that." Charlie grimaced. "I could have dreamed it but let's just make sure Ruby's in her bed and that she’s safe."
Nodding, Jen didn't say another word before she turned and disappeared through the dining room.
Jack leaned the shotgun against the wall by the door and moved to the stove. He took the large copper kettle and filled it with water then put it on to boil.
"We'll get some hot tea into you and that'll warm you up," he said.
Jen’s panic voice echoed through the house. "Ruby! Ruby Ellen, you answer me."
Charlie and Jack wasted no time in heading toward the sound of slamming doors above their heads.
They found Jen standing in front of the attic door, staring down at the line of salt Charlie had poured. The line remained unbroken.
"I can't find her." Jen's voice quivered.
"What?" Jack said. "Did you check every room?"
“Yes, of course. And every closet. And the bathroom," his daughter said.
"I'll go check downstairs."
Charlie squeezed her cousin’s shoulder. "I'll check the attic. You go on downstairs with your dad."
"Be careful," Jen pleaded.
"I will." Charlie waited until she heard Jen's footsteps on the stairs before dragging her toe through the line of salt to break the defense. Slowly she turned the knob and pulled the door open.
"Edwina? I know you're up here. I saw you. I'm just coming upstairs to talk." Charlie took the first few steps with her heartbeat thudding in her ears. When she got to the top, she saw Edwina standing by the window staring out over the backyard at the playhouse. Her pale diaphanous body glowed in the darkness.
"Edwina? What is Barbara Jean doing?"
"She was always a willful child. It didn't help that my daddy spoiled her rotten." Edwina's voice tinkled across Charlie's senses little bells. "Of course her own father didn't give two figs about her. He never wanted her. Not the way I did."
"Where did they go Edwina?" Dread snaked into Charlie's chest, wrapping around her heart.
"Where we always go," Edwina said. "Into the darkness."
"Charlie! You better get down here." Jack yelled up the staircase. Charlie threw a quick glance over her shoulder at the open door. When she looked back, Edwina was gone. A chill skittered down her back as she left the attic. When she got to the bottom of the steps, she closed the door and repaired the line by nudging some of the salt into the broken space she'd made before going into the attic.
When Charlie reached the kitchen, she found Jen on the phone.
"Who’s she talking to?"
"Lisa," Jack said. The teakettle began to whistle so he clicked off the burner and moved the kettle to one of the cold burners. "I told her we should call the police first, but she wouldn't have it."
"Honestly, I don't know what the police are gonna be able to do for us." Charlie sighed. "It's not exactly like they’re equipped to go looking for a child who's been taken into the darkness."
"Hold on," Jen said into the phone. "What does that mean?"
"I have no idea, honey," Charlie admitted. "That's just what Edwina said."
"That's just great," Jack groaned. "It's like the whole world has gone to hell and dragged my family down into it."
"We're gonna figure this out, Uncle Jack. I promise."
"Lisa and Jason are on their way," Jen announced before she started to dail another number.
"Who are you calling now?" Jack demanded.
"Ben," Jen replied. "Jason said we should check all the outbuildings."
“Good idea. Charlie, you up for it?" Jack asked.
Charlie nodded. "Of course."
"Great, I'll get some flashlights."
The only thing Charlie found in the henhouse were sleeping hens and the unmistakable earthy stench of chicken poop and pine shavings that were breaking down.
"She's not in the shed," Jack cast his light at the path leading down to the river. To the dock. "I'm gonna check down there."
"I'll come with you," Charlie offered.
"No," he snapped. Charlie took a step back. She'd seen him mad plenty of times, but she'd never seen fear in his face before. Her uncle was usually the first with calm rational words. But there was nothing rational about this. He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell. Why don't you go check the edge of the woods? "
"Yes sir."
They split up, calling Ruby's name. Thunder rumbled in the distance and the waxing moon peeked through gaps in the fast-moving clouds offering some light.
The woods were alive with the sounds of crickets and creatures moving through the trees. An owl hoot-hooted at her when she shined her light in its face.
Charlie wasn't sure how much time passed before her uncle called her back from the woods, but she was glad to leave the darkness behind. He stood in the middle of the yard, pointing his flashlight at the ground, creating a beacon for her to follow.
"Anything?" Charlie asked as she approached him.
"Nothing," he said. "I assume you didn't find anything either?"
"I pissed off an owl. That's about it.”
Jack looked around the property. “She’s not here, is she?”
“No. She’s here.” Charlie assured him. “I just think she’s being concealed. What I don’t know is why.”
“We have to find her.” The helplessness in Jack’s voice broke Charlie’s heart.
She touched his arm, lending what comfort she could. “We will. I will do whatever it takes.”
“I know you will,” Jack said. “Thank you, Charlie. I’m glad you’re here.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Jen sat at the kitchen table with an untouched cup of tea in front of her. "I don't know what to do."
"We're going to figure it out." Charlie placed her hand over her cousins, using her other hand to flip through the spell book in front of Jen.
"I don't know what you think you can find in there," Jen said.
"Maybe nothing but I've got a look," Charlie glanced at the clock on the wall. "I wish Ben would get here."
"He's on his way," Jen put in.
"I know." When two car doors slammed outside, Charlie got up from the table to see who had arrived. Evangeline and Daphne made their way up the steps, both looking drawn and a little disheveled, probably from dressing so quickly.
Her aunt threw her arms around Charlie's neck and hugged her.
"I'm so glad you're here," she whispered against her aunt’s ear.
"I'm still not clear about what happened, Charlie," Evangeline said, pulling out of the embrace.
"Ruby's missing. That's the best explanation I have."
"So what does the ghost say?" Daphne wore a pair of purple black striped lounge pants and black UGGS, but no glamour. Her shoulder-length brown hair was tucked behind her ears.
"Nothing that made sense," Charlie said. "Come on in."
"Where's Jack?" Evangeline looked around. "Has anybody made any coffee ?"
"Not yet, Evangeline," Jen piped up. Her chair scraped across the kitchen floor and she rose to her feet.
"I can do that honey," Evangeline offered.
"No it's fine I'll do it. I need something to do or I'm going to lose my mind."
Daphne pulled out the end chair and took a seat, curling her legs underneath her. "Where's Lisa?"
"She and Jason are on their way," Charlie supplied. "So is Ben. I called Tom but he's in the middle of collecting a body. It might be a while before he can get here."
"That shouldn't be a problem." Ben walked into the kitchen and Jen launched herself at him. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered something into her ear. Charlie watched as her cousin melted against him. Ben kissed the side of Jen's head before she let him go. "I have some ideas about a few things we could try."
Everyone took a sea
t around the table. Daphne looked around. "Should we wait for Lisa?"
The sound of footsteps on the stairs answered the question. Lisa and Jason filed into the now crowded kitchen.
"Why don't we move this to the dining room?" Jen suggested. "We'll have more room there."
Jen removed this centerpiece of decorative pumpkins, and everyone took a seat around the long table with Ben at the head. It surprised Charlie when Jack didn't balk. But she sensed her uncle felt he was out of his depth here. And pulling rank because it was his house didn't seem appropriate.
Ben leaned forward with his elbows on the table, his gaze shifting from face to face around the table.
"So let's just throw some ideas out there," Ben started. "I vote using a summoning spell."
"I think we should try to do a location spell first,” Lisa threw in.
"Jason raised his hand. "Can I ask a question?"
""Of course, Jason," Jen assured him.
"I just want make sure I understand what's happened. So Charlie saw Barbara Jean in the vicinity of this child, Barbara Jean. Is that correct?"
"Yes," Charlie bristled. "You don't believe me?"
"Charlie," Lisa and Jen chimed in at the same time.
"No, that's a fair question." Jason nodded. "Of course I believe you. You saw this child lead Ruby into the playhouse, is that correct?"
"Yes," Charlie said.
"And you did not see them leave?" Jason went on.
"No, I didn't. And we searched the house and the property. I mean as much as we could in the dark."
"Then what happened?" Jason persisted.
"I had a conversation with her mother."
"And she's the one that said that Barbara Jean took her into the darkness? Is that correct?"
"Yes," Charlie answered slowly.
"I don't need to tell y'all your business. I really don't. Because I'm not a witch and I don't have psychic abilities her any of that. But this sounds like a hostage situation to me. Which means what we need to do is negotiate for Ruby's return."
"How do we do that?" Jen wondered.
"We have to open a line of communication. First. And then we’re gonna have to find out her demands."
"She's the ghost of the six-year-old girl. It's not like she's gonna ask for $1 million and a plane to Brazil," Charlie pointed out.
"We don't know what she's gonna ask for," Jason insisted. "Not until we talk to her. Now this moves more into your purview. What is the best way to do that?"
"We could summon her. Force her back to this plane of existence," Ben said.
Jen looked around the table. "Where does that leave Ruby though?" .
"She's gonna be wherever Barbara Jean has stashed her." Ben stated. "Hopefully wherever that is, she’s unharmed."
"Maybe we shouldn't summon her." Charlie’s forehead wrinkled as she considered the possibilities." Who did you listen to when you were six-years-old?"
"My mom," was Jason’s quick reply.
Charlie nodded. "Me too."
"Yeah, me too," Daphne chimed in.
"Well our mom was gone by then, so my dad. Or Evangeline." Jen added.
"Exactly, you listen to your parents," Charlie said.
"What are you thinking?" Ben asked.
"We have Barbara Jean's mother upstairs. She’s batshit crazy but she’s still that girl's mother, and I will guarantee you that Barbara Jean will listen to her," Charlie declared.
"You really think she’s going to cooperate with us? She tried to kill you. Twice," Ben reminded her.
"I know. But at her core she’s eaten up with guilt and sadness about something. I just don’t know what exactly. It was probably in those diaries and tapes We need her to fill in the holes for us so we can get Ruby back.."
"The diaries and tapes she took?" Daphne asked.
"Yep. It's time to stop tip-toeing around her. Edwina has some hard questions to answer."
Ben started to stand. "Do you want some backup?"
"I would love some backup." Charlie took a breath and turned to Jason. "I think you should come with us.."
"Me?" Jason looked surprised. "Why me?"
"You’re the one that’s had training in hostage negotiation, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Jason said.
"Let's go talk to her." Charlie got to her feet.
"Y’all be careful," Jen warned.
"We will be."
Chapter 17
Charlie dragged the toe of her shoe through the salt line and opened the attic door. She put her foot on the first step when Ben stopped her.
"Wait," he said. He took the amulet from around his neck and slipped it over Charlie's head. "If she starts throwing things, or if you feel like you are in any danger, hold it up and say: Restless spirit, come to me. In this gemstone shall you be. Repeat it three times and that will trap her."
"I thought we didn't want to trap her," Jason frowned..
"We don't. But we also don't want Charlie to get brained by flying furniture or whatever the ghosts sees as a handy projectile."
"Right," Jason said.
"I'll be fine," Charlie insisted. "I'll call you by name when I need you. Y'all fix the salt line, okay?"
"You’ve got it," Ben declared.
Charlie headed up the steps, her hand on her belly to calm the violent fluttering she felt.
"Edwina?" Charlie called out. "I need to talk to you about Barbara Jean. It’s important."
The chill settled around Charlie's shoulders, slipping down the back of her nightshirt. Jen had given her a pair of leggings to wear and she was grateful for them, even if they did come midway up her calves.
Her bare feet shuffled over the wood floor of the attic and she stopped in the center.
"Barbara Jean's taken something that doesn't belong to her. I need you to help me talk to her." Charlie said. " The child that she took is my cousin's daughter. She’s six years old just like Barbara Jean. Do you remember what it was like when you lost your six-year-old daughter? How much it hurt?"
The sound of weeping surrounded Charlie and she turned in a circle looking for the source. "Please, please show yourself."
"I can't." Edwina's voice whispered through Charlie's head. "She'll hate me."
"Who will hate you? Barbara Jean?"
"Yes,"
"No. She loves you. She misses you.” Slowly it dawned on Charlie. "She can't see you, can she?"
"I watch out for her like a good mother would, you know?" Edwina's apparition appeared by the window again. Shimmering and see through.
"I do know," Charlie was quick to assure her. "I have a son. And all I think about is his well-being in every decision I make."
"Yes," Edwina said. "I did too until--"
"Until what?" Charlie asked.
“I named her after my favorite actress, Barbara Stanwyck. I always loved her. She was always so strong.”
"Yes, she was.” Charlie’s tried to think of the best way to get Edwina back on track. ”I dreamed of you but you know that, don’t you? You sent me that dream, didn't you? You wanted me to see what you went through. What Porter did to you. Can you tell me what he meant when he said ‘I know what you did that night’?"
"Nothing. He meant nothing." Edwina flickered and disappeared.
Charlie gritted her teeth and blew out a sigh. "What happened to your daughter? She disappeared, right?" Silence. “I know she went missing, Edwina. At least that’s the story. But it’s not the truth, is it?”
Still silence.
"Come on, Edwina. We’re running out of time. Ruby is a living, human girl. She needs to be among living, human people. Not the dead." Charlie said.
"Of course I know that," Edwina screeched. A box fell over onto its side dumping a bunch of plastic ponies that Jen had collected when she was in elementary school.
"Help me, Edwina, please," Charlie begged.
"No," Edwina spat back.
A buff-colored pony flew across the room and struck Charlie hard in the arm. S
he wrapped her hands around the amulet and held it out.
"Do you know what this is?" Charlie said. "It's a spirit trap. If I put you in here, you won't be able to see Barbara Jean anymore. Is that what you want?"
Five more ponies in varied shades of brown, white, and gray pelted Charlie.
"I'm not going away Edwina," Charlie proclaimed. "If you won't tell me, can you at least show me?"
"How?" Edwina demanded. "You're not asleep."
"I don't have to be asleep. I can put myself into a trance. Can you show me what happened that night?"
"You'll judge me. Everybody’s always judging me. The doctors and nurses. They all thought I was a monster," Edwina wailed.
"I need you to show me," Charlie repeated. “I promise I won’t judge.”
"All right." The voice in Charlie’s head sounded tired and resigned.
"Thank you." Charlie breathed a sigh of relief." I need two things and then we’ll do this, okay?"
Edwina nodded and went back to the window.
Charlie lit the purple candle she’d placed in front of her and sat in front of it with her legs crossed. She blew out a breath, careful not to interrupt the flame, and placed her hands on her knees with their palms up. She stared into the center of the flickering light, letting it lull her as she counted backwards from ten.
She felt herself slipping away from the room as if she were being pulled down a dark tunnel. Suddenly, she was surrounded by richly paneled woods and silk wallpaper alongside a gleaming banister.
"It has to stop!" Edwina screamed at Porter. Charlie was no longer the star of the dreams. No longer inside Edwina's head. She was only an observer as she floated along, watching them. Edwina’s brown curls swung madly against the fur collar of her robe. "I will not have it. You have humiliated me long enough. If you walk out of this house tonight, do not bother come back. I'll have the locks changed, I swear I will. You go on and have your little whore, but you won't have my money and you certainly won't have my father's connections any longer. The only way you’ll get out of this marriage, though, is if you kill me."
"Don't you tempt me Edwina," Porter spat back.
"Mama?" A little girl's voice came from the nearby bedroom door. "Papa? Please don't fight."