The Sibyl

by James Hold

  ***

  “The mystery behind what occurred in the Tillotson household was one of desperation. Samuel Tillotson killed his wife in order to survive. I believe he killed himself in the weeks that followed not out of guilt, but because he didn’t have any other choice. Catherine’s spirit drove him mad.”

  I leaned back in the plush theatre seat, staring at my lap so I didn’t have to face my image on the screen. I had been sitting on the porch steps, Elliot beside me, as we talked about what happened during filming.

  Now, three weeks later, we were screening the first episode with a small group of handpicked staffers to gauge their reactions. If they didn’t like it, we would have to go back to work, cutting or adding scenes we had taken out. Joseph Lancaster was famous for the quality of his television shows. Ours was no different.

  My voice on screen melded into the music Elliot had chosen for the ending credits. He decided to have text close out the show which detailed the aftermath of our investigation. These last three lines talked about Joanna’s shock in finding out just how wrong Catherine’s legend had been. They also said that all paranormal activity had ceased since our visit there.

  This much was true. Joanna had been furious when we called for a follow up interview last week. She screamed at Elliot for chasing Catherine away. There hadn’t been a single footstep since we left. I knew why. Catherine’s soul had been banished to the depths of Hell thanks to my little chant. Then she screamed at me for making up lies about her ancestor murdering his wife just to eat her.

  I wish it had been a lie. My encounter with Catherine’s memories had given me enough nightmares to last a lifetime.

  The film ended and there was silence as the lights came on. Elliot took my hand, squeezing it as we waited. We didn’t have to wait for long. The applause breaking the silence was the first thing to tell us we had a hit.

  Connor was the second. He stood up from his seat on the front row, gesturing for the three of us to stand.

  “Eva, Elliot, and Joey, everyone!” He raised a flask in our direction. “Congratulations on Grave Messages.”

  Elliot pulled me to the front, turning and addressing the small group. He answered all the questions he could, but unfortunately, the focus was on me. Questions were thrown at me like knives.

  “Have you always been able to talk to the dead?” A fat woman decked out in diamonds called out from the back row. “Were you born with this gift?”

  “What was it like to go through the mirror?” This one came from a man who could have stepped out of an issue of Hipster’s Quarterly. “What can you tell us about the afterlife?”

  I answered what I could before turning to Elliot for an escape. He picked up on my distress immediately.

  “Thank you all for coming out tonight. Connor has all the information you will need about the show. Thank you again.”

  The questions continued until we were out of the room. Only then did Joseph Lancaster step forward, extending his hand out to his son.

  “Congratulations, Elliot. Eva.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Elliot shifted in place as he shook Joseph’s hand. “We appreciate it.”

  “Kathy was right about you, Eva.” Joseph smiled as he released Elliot’s hand and clasped my own. “She said you would be strong enough for her line of work. I was not disappointed.”

  “Wait,” I tightened my grip on Joseph’s hand. “Kathy, as in Kathy Carter?”

  “Yes. She was,” Joseph paused for a moment before he continued. “She was an old friend.”

  “I don’t understand.” I thought back to New York and the session which changed me. “She picked me out of a crowd after I had disrupted her presentation. How could she have talked to you about me?”

  “Kathy saw you here through her mirror. She had hoped her visions were true.” Joseph released my hands. “They were. It all worked out for the best, don’t you see? You have your hit show. Kathy was able to go to her death.”

  I was too stunned to be angry. I had been set up. Joseph bid us his farewells and disappeared back into the screening room. I turned on Elliot like an angry cat.

  “Did you know about this?” I was so mad I could have spit. I think I did just a little. “Were you in on setting me up, too?”

  “Eva, whoa.” Elliot stepped back, his hands up in the air. “Of course not! How could you even think such a thing?”

  “You were the one who wanted to go to that stupid conference. You were the one who picked out that particular session and, might I add, the front row seat. Did you know her, too?”

  “I’d heard of Kathy Carter.” Elliot’s eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms over his chest. “But I care about you, Eva. Give me some credit. Dad’s right about one thing though. Things did turn out pretty well for you. After all, without the mirror, you wouldn’t have your precious Cyrus by your side.”

  “What does he have to do with anything?” I mirrored Elliot’s position as I glared at him. “Cyrus is a friend, Elliot.”

  “A friend you happen to get cozy with in Kansas.” Elliot’s eyes flashed with his own anger. “Don’t deny it. I just happen to come downstairs when I didn’t find you in your room. As I recall, you two were drinking away and snuggling up pretty close on the couch.”

  “So you don’t trust me.” I dropped my arms and shook my head. “I thought you would be the last person to doubt me. This was a mistake, Elliot.”

  “Mistake.” Elliot stuffed his hands in his pockets as he nodded. “Us or the show?”

  “All of it.”

  I felt the anger leaving me as I willed for him to tell me how wrong I was. I wanted him to sweep me up in his arms, kiss me, and never let me go. But he was just as stubborn as I was. Elliot’s face became unreadable as he studied me.

  “We signed the contracts, so we are stuck with each other for another year. I will do my best to stay out of your way at home until I can find a new place to live.”

  My heart broke as I realized what he was saying. Our short lived romance was over. Our friendship, which had meant more to me than life itself, was over. I felt my tears burning in the corners of my eyes, but I willed them no to fall.

  It was the hardest thing I’d ever done.

  “Come on, Eva. Let’s go.” Cyrus appeared to take my arm. “There is nothing more to be done here.”

  “He’s right.” Elliot was still studying me. “Go home. Get some rest. I’ll see you at work on Monday.”

  “Elliot, wait.”

  “No.” Elliot waved behind him as he went back towards the room we had just left. “There is nothing more we need to say.”

  I didn’t have the strength to follow him. I held back my tears until I had sank down into seat of a cab which pulled up out of nowhere. Cyrus shut my door for me and joined me moments later.

  “Hush, Little One. Things will right themselves. Just give it some time.”

  I lowered my face into my hands, crying harder. Cyrus was still for only a moment before he wrapped his arm around my shoulder to pull me against him. Cyrus was my rock. He was here for me.

  Cyrus had no choice. He had to stay by my side whether he wanted to be or not.

  “Do you wish to talk about it?” Cyrus shifted beneath me, then handed me the silver flask. “Drink some whiskey. It will calm your nerves.”

  I shook my head, not ready drown my sorrows yet. Instead, I pulled out the golden cell phone he had given me. I hadn’t used it since the night we filmed in Kansas. I turned it on, unlocking the screen and pressing the icon to pull up the text screen I needed. I started typing, stopping only to wipe the tears away when they began to blur my vision. I needed to get my mind off of Elliot, even if it were only for few minutes. I turned my focus towards Apollo.

  Were you pleased? Was the show everything you expected?

  I hit send and waited. After all, who would expect a god to respond? How long would it take? Turns out, Apollo was quicker than I could have imagined. I had barely lowered the phone into my lap when
it vibrated in my hand. He responded with a single line filled with a promise of my future as his Sibyl.

  You did well, child. I am sure I will be hearing from you soon.

  ** End **

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  The Oracle Series

  Vol. 2: The Fanatic

  Allison Thomason had it all. Fame. Fans. A television show she loved like no other. Until Eva McRayne came along to push her out of the job she was born to do and into obscurity. 

  Determined to see her downfall avenged, Allison calls upon an ancient evil to help her destroy her enemy who understands all too well how easy it is to be pushed aside.