by Mark Tufo
“Cheaper than the hospital,” Mindy replied matter-of-factly.
“Okay. If you don’t hear from me after tomorrow, then I think your story is bullshit and I will consider the five hundred dollars as payment for having the displeasure of meeting you.”
Mindy sneered.
“If, however, I do contact you, at that point I will let you know how much more I’m going to need.”
“More than five hundred dollars?”
“Where else are you going to go? No such thing as Witchbusters. And if she is as dangerous as you’re saying, then I consider this hazard pay…and that costs extra.”
“I think they had it right in the medieval times,” Mindy stated.
“About what?”
“Burning witches,” Mindy finished as she headed for the front door.
“Always a pleasure,” Wendy replied. Her first call upon Mindy’s departure was to her landlord who gratefully accepted her rent. She figured she had just enough left over for gas to get to Callis and maybe lunch if she could find a reasonable hot dog stand. Her second call was to her brother.
“I need a favor,” she told him.
“When don’t you, Wendy?”
“You love me, Graham?”
“Of course. What do you need?”
Wendy laid out her hastily made plan.
“This sounds dangerous for a variety of reasons, Wendy. What are you doing?”
“I need to eat.”
“Okay, so we’re not really hurting the girl or taking her anywhere right?”
“Right.”
“Still sounds stupid, but I’ll help you out. You know you always have a place to stay right?”
“Graham, I love you and I love your wife and my three nephews, but you want to know what I love almost as much?”
“What?”
“Sleep, Graham, sleep. You’re house is on high alert twenty-four/seven. Helen Keller wouldn’t be able to get any shut eye over there.”
“Fair enough, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“This is where she lives?” Graham asked as they pulled up to Callis’ trailer.
“That’s what my client says.”
Graham had been gracious enough to drive, saving Wendy gas money. She had splurged for cheeseburgers at a fast food joint, and now, either the greasy meal was not sitting well with her or it was the distasteful feeling she was getting from this whole affair.
“Someone’s coming,” Graham said as he looked into his rear view mirror. “That her?”
Wendy turned completely around.
“You’re not very good at this surveillance stuff.”
“I’m not the P.I., you are. And yes, that’s her.”
“You sure about this charm?” Graham held up the necklace Wendy had given him. It looked like a cross between a monkey and a pickle, and at the size of a softball it was fairly conspicuous.
“I am,” she told him as he exited the car.
“Remember what I told you.”
“Got it,” Graham said, rolling his eyes like he used to when he was twelve and his father would pester him to brush his teeth.
Graham had been approaching the girl slowly. She still hadn’t noticed him. He considered that an art form, the ability to hide in plain sight. The girl was a looker that was for sure, but other than that, he didn’t know why she was so dangerous. Maybe it’s her killer looks, he quipped.
“Callis Rose?” Graham asked, almost running into her.
“Yes,” she replied, returning from whatever distant land she had been visiting. Graham noticed that her eyes were red-rimmed as if she had just been crying. Her eyes narrowed warily as she looked upon the strange man.
He smiled in an attempt to disarm her; it hadn’t worked. The kid is street smart, good for her.
“I’m sorry,” he said, “I’ve got some bad news. I need you to get into the car with me.”
“How do you know my name?”
“I’ll explain everything in the car.” He pulled out his badge, flashed it and was about to put it back in his pocket when he realized he couldn’t move. His arm was still outstretched with the wallet flap hanging down. His private investigator’s badge was out as if on display.
“You’re a private investigator, Mr. Graham Whitman of 17 Spokane Street. What do you want with me?” Callis asked as she rummaged through his wallet.” Graham was stock still, as if he had been cast in cement.
“What are you doing, Graham?” Wendy asked, looking in the mirror and trying her best to watch.
Graham remained quiet as he struggled with his invisible bonds.
Callis placed the wallet more or less in the same position back in Graham’s hand before releasing him.
“What did you do?” he asked with alarm as he stepped back.
“I was just finding out who you were, considering that you apparently already know who I am. So I’m asking again…what do you want with me?”
Callis was aware as a woman got out of a car about twenty-five feet from where they were standing and was now quickly heading their way.
“Get away from him!” Wendy was shouting.
“Who are you people?” Callis asked as she backed up. She told Wendy to STOP, the effect was instantaneous. Callis caught Wendy in mid-stride. Wendy almost fell over from her uneven weight distribution.
“Let her go!” Graham said angrily as he approached Callis. She reached out and held him at bay. It was then that she noticed that the both of them weren’t moving. It was the first time she had ever controlled two people. It was slightly more strain, but it was not that difficult. She wondered how many could she effect. Could I hold up a bank with no one moving? she fantasized.
My God, Mindy wasn’t lying, Wendy thought. She started mumbling an incantation. Pin pricks of feeling began to come back into her extremities. She lost focus as Callis walked around her brother and towards her.
“Please,” Wendy slurred. She was having as great a difficulty speaking as a new stroke victim. The words more fell out of the side of her mouth than were spoken.
“Interesting,” Callis said. “I haven’t allowed you the use of your mouth; must be the splitting. So I asked your friend over there—”
“Broffer,” Wendy replied.
“Brother? Did you say brother?”
“Ress.” Wendy tried to nod to no avail.
“Okay, so I asked your brother, and now I’ll ask you. What do you want with me?”
“Rent.”
“What? Okay.” Callis released control of Wendy’s head.
“How?” Wendy asked as she swiveled her head around, thankful that she now could. She looked down at her traitorous legs.
“Not yet,” Callis said, watching Wendy. “And I’m the one asking questions. I suggest you start answering. I can make you do anything I choose…anything,” Callis reiterated.
“Screw it, the five hundred bucks isn’t worth this shit. Mindy sent me.”
“And who exactly are you?”
“My name is Wendy Whitman. I’m the owner of Sit for a Spell metaphysical store in Denver.”
“Keep going. Let’s pretend I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“About a week ago Mindy and her friend came in, I think she called her Tabitha.”
“Talea.”
“Yes, Talea. They came in with this what I thought was wild and fantastical story about a girl that was able to make people do what she wanted them to. I didn’t believe her and I kicked them out. Figured it was all some teenage girl hysteria.”
“What changed?” Callis asked interested.
“Reality,” Wendy continued as Callis looked at her questioningly. “My reality. I’m trying to keep a failing business afloat and a roof over my head. Mindy came back in offering money. She looks like she is from money and I could use a little of it.”
“Worth it?” Callis asked.
“To see you? Yes, I’d have to say it was. Right up until the point where my brother and I couldn’t move.”
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“So now what happens? Because I’m sure Mindy wanted you to do something. Kill me perhaps?”
“No, never, nothing like that.” Wendy replied with alarm. “Wiccan craft teaches peace and harmony.”
“I don’t know why you think I should believe you. You come to my home and your brother tells me to get into the car. Where were you planning on bringing me? To Dairy Queen for a Peanut Buster Parfait maybe?”
“It was just a ploy. He was never supposed to get you into the car. I never, ever thought what Mindy was saying was true. It sounded more like some high school girl drama…that’s all. I figured it would be the easiest money I ever made.”
“Attempted kidnapping is easy money?”
“I’m telling you it was never our intention to get you in the car. I was just going to disprove Mindy’s accusations and go home. That’s it, I swear. Now please, let me go, let us go.” Wendy could feel the muscles in her left calf beginning to cramp uncomfortably.
“Did you have anything to do with the injury to Kevin, Mindy’s brother?”
“I told you, Wicca is about peace—”
“And harmony, yeah I get it. What now? Are you going to leave me alone?”
“I’d like to know how you’re doing this, but we have no quarrel unless you’re trying to hurt Mindy and her friends. I can’t allow it, I’m involved now.”
“You can’t allow it. Ha, that’s a funny one.” Callis made Wendy start hopping from one foot to the other.
“Is that necessary?” Wendy asked angrily.
“I’m going to let you two go. If I ever see either of you again, it won’t be pretty. Am I clear?”
Wendy nodded reluctantly.
“You tell Mindy if she shows up again at your shop that you couldn’t prove anything. You hear me?” Callis said angrily. “Say it.”
Wendy would not. Callis brought Wendy’s hand up and open hand slapped the side of her own face. Wendy let out a gasp as she did so.
“I can do this all day,” Callis said as the third slap rung out. Wendy’s face was reddening angrily. She stifled a small scream from the pain. Wendy’s hand closed into a fist.
“Okay, okay, I won’t tell her anything!” Wendy said, watching as her own hand was poised to strike.
“Now get out of here. I’ve had a horrible few days and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better any time soon, and the sight of you two has just made it worse.” Callis released her hold and turned to go up to the trailer.
Mr. Lowrie opened the door. “You alright, Callis?” he asked, distracting her as Graham came up from behind.
“Bitch!” he said as hit her on the side of the jaw. She spun to the ground. “That’s for hitting my sister!”
“I’m calling the cops!” Mr. Lowrie said as he came down the stairs.
“Graham let’s go!” Wendy shouted.
Graham hovered threateningly over Callis’ stooped form for a moment longer. Mr. Lowrie was getting closer. Callis’ head was ringing from the strike.
“Graham!” Wendy intoned again.
Graham seemed to regain his senses. He moved quickly back towards the car. “You alright?” he asked his sister as he grabbed her elbow.
“Fine.”
They both looked back, Mr. Lowrie was helping a wobbly Callis back on to her feet. Wendy saw the look of abject hatred on Callis’ face as she stared their way. They had no sooner got into the car when a wash of dread passed over Wendy.
“We should walk!” she said too loudly for the confines they were in.
Graham was still hot from the entire scene. He ground his starter for a moment as he kept the key turned in the ignition a fraction of a second longer than he should have. He dropped the car in drive before he acknowledged that his sister had even spoken.
“What?” he asked just as his foot plunged down on the accelerator – the force driving them back into their seats.
“Graham what are you doing?” Wendy cried in alarm.
“She’s doing it!” he said in obvious panic. His arms were locked into position. The car was rocketing forward, not more than a foot from the curb. A curve a few hundred yards ahead loomed largely. “Wendy, I can’t move!”
Wendy was reaching over to grab the steering wheel when the car struck a utility pole.
“Damn fools!” Mr. Lowrie yelled. “Helen, call the cops!” he was shouting as he started shuffling back up the stairs.
Callis turned and followed, letting go of her latest victim.
The front of the car was perfectly indented around the pole. Smoke and dust swirled lazily in the now still cabin of the vehicle. Wendy had bounced her head off of the dashboard. She shook the cobwebs away to see how her brother was doing. He was groaning and some blood was trickling from his nose. That didn’t seem so bad until she looked at his arms.
Both of his hands were still clutching the steering wheel, but now each arm was bent at an unnatural angle at the elbow. Callis had kept him rigid through the entire collision, the force ruptured both of his elbows, driving the bones of his forearms through the tendons and the joint. It would be grueling months of physical therapy before he would even get partial mobility back. The pain of the injury would last the rest of his life.
It would take the wail of the ambulance siren right next to the car to overtake Graham’s screams as he came back to consciousness. Detective Tynes drove by the accident only because he knew Callis lived in the neighborhood and he had just wanted to make sure she had not been involved in any way. When he realized it was merely car versus street pole, he had left the scene. Since having been promoted he had less time to do the actual work he enjoyed like catching crooks and spent way more time building cases against those that street cops had nabbed. He was heading back to the office to make sure the ‘open and shut’ case he had going, remained just that. He didn’t think much more of the accident.
Pain flared and rippled throughout Callis’ body. Most of it was located in her skull, but pain and searing heat shot down her spine. She told Mr. Lowrie she was staggering from the punch, but that wasn’t even registering on the pain scale in comparison to the discharge of agony she was feeling. The worst of it passed in about five minutes and afterwards Callis was left sitting on the corner of her bed wondering.
Mindy knew, she somehow knew about her power and she had done something to try to neutralize her. Now Callis had to try to figure out what it was before Mindy succeeded. And if she somehow found out that Mindy had something to do with Kevin’s injury, well it wouldn’t work out well for her, not at all. Callis fell asleep even as the crescendo of sirens grew closer.
“Wendy sends her regards,” Callis whispered into Mindy’s ear as she walked past her in the hallway the following morning. If she had stayed long enough, she would have seen the girl’s face blanch almost to the shade of sun-bleached bone.
“What’s the matter?” Talea asked, not witnessing the encounter only the outcome.
“We’re in trouble. I went back to that Wendy lady. I hired her to stop Callis and now Callis knows.”
“You did what?”
“You saw with your own eyes what Callis can do. I hired some help and I’m guessing it didn’t work out too well. She’s going to be coming for us now.”
“What do we do?” Talea was nearly in a panic. “First your brother, and now this? She’s going to kill us, Mindy.” Talea looked as if she was going to bolt.
“It’s simple, we just need to get her before she gets us.”
“What are you saying?”
“It’s self-defense, Talea.”
“Are you saying we have to kill her?”
“It’s us or her now.”
“Let’s talk to her, Mindy. Let’s tell her we’re sorry.”
“Never! I’ll never tell that bitch I’m sorry,” she said, bringing her voice down. “I’d rather die.”
That’s a distinct possibility, Talea thought.
“Let’s meet after first period and I’ll think up something.�
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“Shouldn’t we leave?”
“No, we’re safe here. She’s not going to hurt us in school – too many witnesses.”
Talea wanted to remind Mindy that Laura was in school too when Callis busted her up, but she kept her mouth shut.
“After first period meet me at the auditorium,” Mindy said before walking off.
“Wait, I have biology. I’ll get in trouble if I skip it.”
“I have a free period,” Mindy said as if this in some way helped Talea.
Talea weighed out the options. A skipped class seemed the lesser of two evils, even if she was on academic probation.
“Callis do you have a minute?” Laura asked outside of Callis’ first class.
“What?” she replied coarsely.
“I’m sorry about what happened to Kevin.”
Callis softened for a moment and then instantly recovered. “Is that why you’ve visited so often?”
“Mindy told me and Talea not to.”
“If she told you not to shit, would you just hold it in until you exploded?”
“You don’t understand. You’re not popular…the pressure I’m under.”
“Enlighten me, Laura. Help me to understand why you put up with Mindy. From what I can tell, she doesn’t treat you much better than she does me. And we both know she hates me.”
Laura recoiled almost as if Callis had slapped her. “Without Mindy I’m nothing. I’m not popular, I’m not a cheerleader.”
“You are, however, pathetic.”
Laura started to cry. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to tell you how bad I feel about Kevin.”
Callis’ eyes narrowed. “Do you know anything, Laura?”
“I...I don’t know anything, Callis.”
“Laura,” Callis advanced.
“I’m going to be late.” Laura said as she turned and ran.
Laura was walking up just as Mindy got to the auditorium door.
“Who invited her here?” Mindy asked Talea.
“I did, she’s in this just as deep as we are.”
“Fine. Hi, Laura,” Mindy said as she spread a small, fake smile on her lips.
“Hi, Mindy,” Laura replied. “I saw Callis before first period. She knows something, she’s suspicious. I’m scared.”