Little Owl

by Lauri Schoenfeld

  Her aunt got close to her face and squeezed her chin. Pulling a vial out of her pocket, she opened it and poured the liquid in Adaline’s mouth.

  Adaline slashed at her with the box cutter.

  Arlene smirked at her. “Aren’t you clever? I always wanted to be the first one to start the ceremony.” She stepped forward and held Adaline’s hand. “Thank you. I’m done being her puppet.”

  She stared wide-eyed at her aunt. “What ceremony? Tell me.”

  Arlene pushed the box cutter into her flesh and leaned into Adaline. The vial fell to the ground. “Thank you.” Her eyes glazed over and blood trickled from her mouth. Crimson seeped through her shirt as her body went limp hitting the floor. Adaline’s hands shook, and she looked at her palms. Wiping her bloody hands on her pants, her energy quickened, and she cut the ropes from around her ankles. She turned the corner with haste. Her mother smacked up against her, then looked where her aunt now lay.

  “Selfish sister of mine. She started without me.”

  Adaline didn’t move but looked directly at her. “Get out of my way.”

  “Okay. Go right ahead. Leave, see if I care.”

  She flinched, but she continued to keep her eyes locked on her mother. Walking around her, she paused. Mother never backed down; if anything, she was overly persistent and competitive—always proving her point about why she was better than someone else.

  “Go on. You have a one-minute head start,” her mother said. “I have to clean up the mess you made.”

  Adaline fidgeted with her shirt. She turned to run, but her legs wouldn’t carry her forward. Her vision deceived her, and she collapsed, unable to move. Adaline’s cheek felt cold against the hard surface. No! She tried to push herself up, but her head was heavy and pounded with pain.

  “My sister wasn’t capable of much, but she’s good with her poison,” her mother said, peering down at her. “Scratch that. She did well as a real estate agent too. Don’t you think?”

  Looking at her, Adaline tried to push herself up to sit.

  “I really do like these conversations we’re having where you listen and I talk, so let me just say that you’ve been a fun challenge.” She grasped Adaline’s ankle and pulled her through the hall. “You really gave me a run for my money, and it’s pleased me that my offspring has some fight in her.”

  Adaline’s vision went in and out, but she knew where her mother was taking her. The basement. Her fingernails clawed at the floor and walls, chipping away from her cuticles. The intense pain made her aware. On edge, but clear-minded. She closed her eyes and let her senses soothe the discomfort she felt.

  Leora.

  Eliza.

  Cache.

  Keep going.

  Her mother let go of her ankle, and the basement door creaked open. Adaline opened her eyes, only to see a heel coming at her stomach. Her mother’s foot kicked her hard. She rolled down the stairs, hitting her back and head multiple times and landing at the bottom. Her mother raced down toward her with a sinister look. The same face she witnessed as a kid, with her mother’s own version of hide-and-seek with a beating. “Count to twenty, then momma’s comin’ with a rolling pin.”

  When she reached the bottom, she pulled Adaline up. A group of five chairs formed a circle, and two were occupied.

  Who’s in the chairs?

  Adaline’s stomach hurt, burned, like her insides were eating away at her flesh. She bent over and threw up on the ground near her mother’s heels.

  “No wrong moves or someone dies.” She tromped back up the stairs, taking her time with each step—showing her desire to continue teasing and playing with Adaline’s emotions.

  Controlling her vision to focus took effort, but she had more strength after getting rid of some of the poison in her system. Moving slowly toward the circle, a curly-haired man with tan skin held his head down, and his wrist dripped blood. A jar sat underneath him, catching every drop.

  Adaline knelt and pulled his chin upward, exposing what she already knew. Cache.

  Placing her hand on his cheek, she lightly slapped him a few times. “Babe, look at me. We’ve got to get out of here.”

  He hung his head still and didn’t move or respond to her voice.

  “Pigeon. Do you like what I’ve created for us?” her mother asked from upstairs.

  Adaline clung to the chair and tried to maneuver herself to stand. She stood in front of Cache. The tapping against each step wrenched at her, preparing her to take action.

  Her mother turned the corner and brushed back her hair. “Clean up your mess.” She threw a towel at Adaline. “I can’t decide if he’s more handsome unconscious or when trying to save his lady. I quite enjoy both.”

  Sneering, Adaline didn’t move. “You wanted us to both die. You’re right. I can feel my urge and desire to kill creeping in. It’s an addiction that needs to be fed,” she said, licking her lips. “Stabbing Arlene was the fix I needed. We should end this, you and me. Let my husband go.”

  Pulling out a mirror, her mother spread deep red lipstick on her lips and puckered at her reflection. “I’m so delighted that you’ll be joining me with this ceremony. I’ve waited a long time for this,” She paced toward Adaline and reached for her hand. “Come, let me show you who will be taking part in this beautiful moment.”

  Holding her lower back, she limped with her mother. Adaline’s eyes widened, and her legs started to give out, staring at what was presented in front of her. A photo of Dr. Lynchester stuck to the front of the chair, and a jar of crimson liquid sat under her picture.

  "The coroner took the dear doctor’s body too quickly, but we got the good stuff,” she said. “I made sure we bled her out some so we could get this jar of redemption.”

  Adaline shook her head and closed her eyes.

  “She’s a killer, like we are. I was doing her a favor, keeping her from harming other people.” She pulled her hair back and moved forward.

  A chair of bones labeled “mother” was the next chair. Covering her mouth, Adaline glanced away. Her mother gripped her chin and pushed her face to the chair. “Don’t turn away. This is our blood. Your grandma. The one who started the line of murdering savages,” she said. “You’ll look at it and show her respect.”

  “You hated her. Why am I showing her respect?”

  “It’s not her fault. She was born that way and couldn’t get out of it.”

  Adaline glared at the bones and tilted her head to check on Cache. Still unconscious. “We all have a choice. It was her fault for treating you the way she did.”

  “So, you blame me for everything that happened to you. I was trying to save you from this curse. You’ll always be an ungrateful shit.”

  Feed into it. Buy time.

  “I’m grateful that we’re stopping the curse. There are two more chairs,” Adaline said. “Where did you want me to sit?”

  Her mother sneered and examined her. “Pick whichever one you want.”

  Adaline let go of her back and walked to the chair next to Cache. She clung to his hand. “This next chair is for you?”

  Grabbing a gas can from against the wall, her mother waltzed forward. “Yes.”

  “But Cache didn’t do anything, so he shouldn’t be here.”

  “Child, he failed me miserably by not killing you ten years ago.” Puckering her lips, she paused. “I am a merciful mother. Someone will need to take your husband’s place, and it can’t be you.”

  “Who did you have in mind?”

  “You have a choice. It can be your creepy friend Owl Keeper, or your daughter Leora,” she said. “At least little Eliza will have one parent. It’s a good trade, yes?”

  Adaline peered at Cache and caressed his head. “My daughter’s not a killer.”

  “Well, you’ll be surprised to know she indeed is. Clearly, she’s more like her mother than you thought.” She paced. “You’re taking too long to decide, so I’m choosing for you.”

  Staring at her mother, Adaline gripped the cha
ir as a side door to the basement opened. A masked man carried Leora in his arms and brought her toward her mother.

  “No! Let her go,” Adaline screamed.

  He placed Leora down and left. A soldier taking orders from the wrong leader, one who would only turn on him later.

  Her mother glanced down at Leora and clicked her tongue. “Stay put. Don’t think of coming over here, or little Eliza will have no parents.”

  Adaline clung to Cache’s hand.

  “When she dies, she’ll stay this peaceful and still, like a porcelain doll. Perfection and beauty, frozen in time.”

  “She won’t look like a doll, mother. Her skin will rot and fade away,” Adaline said. “That’s not your idea of perfection.”

  Tilting her head, her mother continued to stare at the still body. “In my mind, she will. Just like how I’m seeing her now.” She strolled toward Cache and loosened one of his ropes. “Let’s see if he wakes up to free himself.”

  Cache squeezed Adaline’s hand and grasped the jar of blood from under him, smacking her mother over the head. Glass shattered, and she collapsed to the floor.

  Adaline picked up a shard of glass and held it in between her fingers, staying stationary by the chairs.

  “Get out of here. Grab Leora and run,” Cache said, softly.

  “Not without you.”

  He gazed up at her. “There’s no time. I’ll be right behind you.”

  She planted her lips on his, and he kissed back.

  “Go.”

  Adaline limped toward Leora and held her in her arms. She nuzzled her cheek and looked back at Cache before she directed herself to the side door. Opening the door, a burst of fresh air greeted her, and the friendly face of Seth smiled back.

  He put his hand in his pocket and brought out the Owl necklace that he gave her years ago. “This belongs to you.” Seth planted it in her hand. “Eliza’s in the cornfields where it all began. I’ll get your husband.”

  She nodded.

  Leora began opening her eyes. “Mommy?”

  “Yes, Sunshine. I’m right here,” she said. “Now let’s go get your sister.”

  Sixty-Seven

  Adaline Rushner

  Arlingston Manor Replica

  Friday, November 12th

  The corn husk embraced Adaline into the haven she remembered as a child wearing her white nightgown, the same kind her girls now wore. Brown curls blended into the yellow tones of the field. Adaline put Leora next to Eliza and bent down, reaching a hand into the cornhusks. “Eliza, it’s Mommy. You’re safe.”

  Her chubby cheeks and golden-brown eyes were soaked in tears. She reached and brought her little hand back to her chest.

  “My star, it’s okay.”

  Eliza jumped at her and squeezed Adaline tightly around her neck.

  “My girls.” She outstretched her arms, bringing Leora in, and held them tight, kissing their heads.

  “You didn’t give up on us,” Leora said.

  “Never,” Adaline said, holding her heart. “Not for a minute.”

  Eliza snuggled underneath her chin, peered up at her with puppy dog eyes, and licked her hand. Adaline laughed. “Are you hurt?”

  They shook their heads. “The man said you would come for us. That you’re a fighter—even though others didn’t see that in you, he did,” Leora said.

  Adaline wiped at her eyes and glanced down at the owl necklaces adorning their necks. “His name is Seth, and he’s my friend. He saved you, just like he’s saved me.” She opened her hand, touched the emerald eyes of the owl, and clasped it around her neck. “I have one too.”

  Eliza laid her head on Adaline’s shoulder and smiled. “I like him.”

  Screaming escaped from the side of the house, and they glanced at each other. Adaline brushed hair back from both of their faces and squeezed them again. “I need you to run and hide in the fields. Don’t look back and hold on to each other. Can you do that?”

  Leora gazed up at her and confirmed her understanding.

  “Don’t come out unless someone says the magic word,” she said.

  Eliza clung to her fingers. “You can’t leave. You promised.”

  “I have to go get Daddy so we can be a family . . . together again.” Adaline put her finger on their noses and Eliza giggled. “I love being your mom. Do you know that?”

  They both smiled and nodded.

  “Now go.”

  Leora put a hand out and Eliza took it. Their white gowns flowed as they ran through the cornfields for safety.

  She couldn’t breathe as anxiety tightened through her body the more screaming invaded the house. Her heart hurt, like it was beating it’s last song and the stench of gasoline burned her nostrils as she got closer to the side door. Cache and Seth sat side by side, tied down in their chairs. They both looked at her and glared.

  “Adaline, go.”

  “She can’t.” Her mother laughed. “She knows you are both here because of her.”

  “Mother, let them go. I’m here to end this with you.” She moved inside slowly and tried to take a deep breath.

  “The poison from the vial your aunt gave you is taking effect, I see.” Her mother walked to her, giving her a package. “My child, I have a gift for you. Open it.”

  Adaline hesitated.

  “Don’t. We’re ready to be the sacrifice,” Cache said. “I don’t blame you for anything. I love you. Please. Let us do this.”

  “You can’t choose for me.” She opened the package. A long, white gown beckoned to her. Adaline pulled it out and turned around long enough to undress, letting it glide down her body.

  “Now, we’re ready,” her mother clapped. “Pick who will be sacrificed and who will live.”

  “You only need me. Let them both go, but first I need to say goodbye.”

  Her mother nodded and snagged a box of matches from the counter. “Any tricks and I light us all up.”

  Adaline’s bare feet felt cold on the concrete floor, but her thoughts brought warmth inside her.

  I’m no longer afraid of darkness. I’m one with it. I’ll be the light.

  She pressed her forehead against Cache’s and let her hands slide through his curly brown hair. It bounced back in her hands and she smiled. So many things she loved about him—this was just one. Tears dripped from her face, and Adaline pressed her lips to his. He kissed her back, and the saltwater blended between their tongues. “I love you and always have.” She leaned into his ear. “I have cards for you and the girls in the top drawer.”

  “We’re going to get through this together,” he said, weakly.

  “Not this time. I can feel my body shutting down, Cache. You need to get out, okay?” Adaline stepped backward and grabbed the gas can, holding it in the air.

  Seth moved his chair back and forth, and Cache tried to stand.

  “What are you doing, pigeon? Put that down, before your hubby dies.” Her mother looked at her wide-eyed, a match in her hands.

  “I’m doing what needs to be done.” She closed her eyes and tipped the can over her head. Gasoline poured down her face and body. Adaline screamed. The strength of the gasoline burnt the hairs in her nostrils, and the acid on her lips ripped the skin off. “Let them go, or I’ll light a match without me being a part of your sacred circle.”

  “What have you done?” Seth yelled.

  Her mother put the match down. “He’s lost too much blood. Your hubby’s going to die anyway. Release him for the brief moment he has left.”

  Adaline moved toward the circle, gasoline leaking on the ground in a path of her footsteps. Picking up a piece of glass from the floor, she cut into the rope around Cache. “I’ll get you next,” she said, glancing at Seth.

  “I’ll be right behind you,” he said.

  She untangled Cache from the rope and gave the piece of glass to Seth before wrapping Cache’s arm around her neck and hobbling toward the door quickly. His face lacked color, and he dropped his head.

  “Stay with me
. The girls need you.” Tingling surged through her face and arms and the room spun. Adaline’s vision began to blur. The door sat right in front of her and she reached for the handle with shaking hands, pushing it open. “I’ll always be with you, my love. Get the girls.” A tug pulled at her feet, and she let go of Cache and dropped to the ground.

  Adaline’s fingernails clung to the cement. She peered back at her mother’s bloodshot eyes, her hands gripping her leg. Adaline’s fingers bled.

  Seth sat in his chair. Frozen.

  “No. No. What did you do to him?”

  “Stabbed in the eyes with the blade he thought he could use to get free,” she said. “He’s never been free. He had to protect everyone. He can’t do that now that he can’t see, and he can join his dead sister.”

  Adaline pushed on her elbows to get up, but they shook and gave out. A match clung to the floor, and she covered her hand over it. She held her head on the cold surface for a moment, and then pushed on her elbows again, moving slowly toward the door.

  “Now, it’s your turn to bleed from the one thing that’s been your weakness…your heart.” She pulled Adaline back, rolled her over, and raised a shard of glass toward Adaline’s stomach.

  Adaline’s heart burned, pumping way too fast. She tried to take what she thought was a breath, but she couldn’t swallow, and her mother stabbed her on the right side of her appendix with the shard of glass. Her body felt weak, zapped of life and energy. But she still held on to the match.

  Her mother stepped on her chest with the point of her heel and chuckled. “You’re dying. It won’t be too long. First, I need to go back and grab Leora to see this.” She smiled and removed her heel from Adaline’s heart. “In the cornfields, I presume?”

  No. This is the only way.

  Adaline closed her eyes. “You’ll never hurt anyone again.” She sprung the match against the surface next to her face, and a flame sizzled.

  There was a little owl

  High in a tree

  She tried to fly away

  And a match set her free.

  Adaline waved the flame like a sparkler and marveled in its glory—it would be the thing to end it all. Her girls were safe. Cache was safe. And she had been right all along. Her heart held strength, not weakness. She threw the match.