“Tell Doctor Barns not to be working you so hard, Sweet Pea.”
“Okay, mom – as if that would make a difference. It’s just a busy time right now. Things’ll settle down soon.” She directed her full attention toward Rosie. “So, how was school today, honey?”
“Good. I got two As today and one B.”
“Awesome!” Mira gave her daughter a high-five.”
“Danny Saunders got called to the Principal’s office ‘cause he mouthed off at Miss Jerkins and even used a cuss word!”
“No!” Sara exclaimed across the table. “He didn’t! That boy’s how old – ten or eleven?”
“Eleven. He thinks he’s older than all the adults in the school put together. I think the Principal tanned his hide.”
Daniel sat on the mat next to Rosie’s chair as she fed him some of her chicken tenders.
“Kids these days huh?” Mira looked at Sara.
“You’re telling me? Every generation seems to be getting worse!” She got up to clear the table.
“I’ll do the dishes tonight, Mom.”
“No, you won’t! Go to bed and get your rest. Those eyes of yours look like they’re about to shut down. I’ll help Rosie with her homework and get her to bed.”
“Are you sure?” Mira asked.
“Sure, I’m sure!” She glanced at her wristwatch. “It’s a quarter past seven now. I’m sure I’d be finished up by nine; nine-thirty max.”
Mira got up and kissed her mom on the cheek. “Okay, thanks.” She then went over to Rosie and did the same. “Good night, honey. See you in the morning. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mom. Good night.”
Mira went to her bedroom and quietly closed the door behind her.
“Oh, Pumpkin! Don’t let Daniel eat all your food. He’s had his already!” Sara told Rosie.
“It’s okay, Nana. I’m stuffed anyway. Besides, Daniel is a growing boy.”
Sara chuckled. Her granddaughter never ceased to amaze her with her profound creativity and intelligence. “Never mind, Daniel. You, Rosie Cullen, are a growing girl!”
She took the used plates to the kitchen.
* * * *
Most of the windows were open that night, allowing the cool, drafty air inside through the screens. The house was in complete darkness except for the beams from the front and back porch lights. The motion sensor ones attached to each corner of the house would flash on whenever a squirrel or stray cat wandered aimlessly into the yard. Owls hooted from the shelter of the magnolia tree in the western corner of the yard, near Rosie’s window. But she didn’t hear a sound, fast asleep under her favorite polka dot comforter. Daniel was lying on top of the other portion of the covers, asleep as well.
The child’s ear-piercing scream is what jolted Mira out of her sleep at about two o’clock that morning. She dashed into Rosie’s room with Sara on her heel.
“What’s the matter?!” Mira exclaimed after flipping on the light switch near the door. Rosie was sitting up in bed with Daniel, wide awake, right beside her.
“A man… he was in my room!” Rosie said tearfully as Sara went over to hold her.
“What man, dear?” Sara asked, stroking the child’s curly hair.
Mira approached the bed; her curiosity piqued. She knew the typical mother would have immediately gone through and searched the entire house to see if the apparent intruder was still there, but knowing her daughter, she knew this could be something most mothers wouldn’t think of considering.
“What man, honey?” Mira pressed.
Rosie felt a lump in her throat. “It was the dark man,” she whispered.
“Why are you whispering?” Sara was worried. “And who is this dark man?”
“He came from underneath.” Her tears were flowing like a stream. In all their past experiences, Mira didn’t remember Rosie being this frightened or upset.
“Can you describe him?”
“He was really dark, Mom, with a long skinny head. While I was sleeping, I thought I heard voices, then when I opened my eyes and turned toward my window, I saw him standing right there!” She pointed; her voice breaking as she spoke. “I could see him from the moonlight shining in even though he was so dark.”
Mira sat on the bed. “Did he say anything to you?”
She leaned over and picked up something off the floor. “No, but I found this next to my pillow after he left, just before you and Nana came.”
Mira’s eyes widened with shock.
“What’s wrong?” Sara asked her.
Mira shook her head in disbelief. “It can’t be. There’s no way.”
Sara and Rosie eagerly awaited an explanation.
“Rosie, did you touch this area here?” Mira pointed to the circular head of what appeared to be Stefanie Brussel’s artifact.
Rosie shook her head vehemently. “I was scared when I saw it, so I pushed it on the floor.”
Mira breathed a sigh of relief.
“What is it?” Sara demanded.
Without immediately acknowledging her mother’s question, Mira told the child, “Honey, you don’t have to be afraid. That dark man - just like the others - can’t hurt you. If he ever comes back again, you tell him to go away, okay?”
Rosie nodded as Sara dried her face with the tail of her own nightgown.
“I’ll take care of this.” Mira stood up, clutching the artifact. “Mom, can I see you for a minute?”
“Sure.”
Daniel was now on the floor wagging his tail.
“Honey, Daniel will keep you company,” Mira said. “You’re safe. Go back to sleep, okay? I’ll leave the nightlight on.”
Sara tucked Rosie in again before she followed Mira out into the living room.
“That was no human, was it?” She sat on the couch, across from Mira.
With great apprehension, Mira shook her head. She had put the artifact on the table in front of them.
“What is that thing?” Sara leaned over to get it.
“Don’t touch it!” Mira stopped her.
“Why not? I saw your expression in there when Pumpkin gave it to you.”
Mira was unsure how to begin to explain. “I made a house call yesterday for Doctor Barns.”
“Uh huh…”
“Well, he warned me that Mrs. Brussels was a bit odd and usually spoke gibberish to everyone that came by. He was right; she went on with some talk about ‘old people’ and an artifact.”
“Old people?”
Mira nodded. “I still don’t get the whole gist of what she was saying. At some point, she had the man she lives with retrieve this artifact she’d mentioned. I must admit, he looked like he was sort of rattled after he got back with it. She let me hold it and at first, I didn’t think anything of it; I figured it was just something she picked up in either a toy or antique store, but as I touched a certain part of it…”
“Which part?” Sara probed.
“The top – where the weird teeth mark indentations are. I felt like I was being choked or was drowning in my own saliva. It was so weird… and terrifying.”
“Goodness! What did you do?”
“I gave it back.” Mira arched her brows as if the answer was obvious. “And I left. I never did hear the rest of what Mrs. Brussels wanted to say.”
Sara leaned in. “So, if you gave it back to Mrs. Brussels like you say, how come it’s here now – with us?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Maybe this dark man Rosie saw brought another one just like it. I thought about it. It can’t be the same one. I didn’t bring it with me.”
“Are you absolutely sure about that?” Sara wasn’t convinced.
“I’m positive. I was adversely affected by it, there was no way I was leaving that house with it.”
A few moments of silence ensued, then Sara said: “Maybe you should hear what else Mrs. Brussels wants to say to you, honey. That might explain what happened here tonight.”
“I’m not sure I want to, Mom, I’m really not into subjecti
ng myself to her far-fetched stories. Remember, I was warned.”
“Okay. Have it your way.” Sara started to get up. “I’ll let Pumpkin sleep with me tonight.”
“Mom, I don’t think you should.”
“Why not?” Sara was confused.
“Rosie’s getting older now. She needs to be able to handle these things on her own. We’re not always gonna be here for her. Besides, they can’t hurt her. I’ve taught her to send them away.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Mira.”
The expression on Sara’s face and the fact that she called her by her given name in that tone of voice was evident to Mira that her sweet, loving mother meant business. “What do you mean?”
“You said they can’t hurt her. Have you forgotten how close that bastard Cornelius came to breaking my grandchild’s neck in that empty well if the shadow people and your father didn’t save her just in time? He used Theo, remember?”
“That’s different.”
“Different how? Cornelius was not mere flesh and bone like he was when he was alive, and from Pumpkin’s description, neither is this man she saw. Who’s to say he can’t hurt her? Until we get to the bottom of this and until I’m assured this entity or whatever it is will not return to harass my grandchild, she’ll sleep with me as long as she wants!”
“You’re overreacting, Mom.” Mira lowered her head.
“Let her tell me I’m overreacting. Besides, regardless of what you think of that Brussels lady, I’d say you should be a bit careful too, Mira. I wouldn’t take what you experienced with that thing over there so casually.”
“Once I get rid of it, I’m sure everything will be fine.” Mira got up as well. “I’m going over there tomorrow after work and that would be the end of that.”
“Have a good night, Sweet Pea. See you in the morning.”
Sara peeped inside Rosie’s room to find her lying in bed reading a bedtime story to Daniel. “Pumpkin…”
Rosie peered above her book. “Yes, Nana?”
“Would you like to sleep in my room tonight?”
“Can I?” Her eyes lit up.
“Yes, you can. Daniel can come too.”
* * * *
For a while, Mira lay quietly in bed looking up at the dark ceiling and in her mind, revisiting that harrowing encounter with Cornelius. What if she was wrong all these years telling Rosie she had nothing to fear when she saw unwelcomed visitors? What if her mother was right? And if she is, how can she possibly teach Rosie to cope if she were to ever again become a target?
4
_________________
On her way to work, Mira made a detour and headed instead to Winchester Estates. “This isn’t gonna wait ‘til later!”
Pulling into the garage, she met Drufus sitting there.
“This damned dog again!” She snarled.
Without an ounce of reluctance, she honked her horn three times. Drufus, by then, had gotten up and approached the car. He looked in through the glass and this time, didn’t bark.
“What a smart animal!” Mira said sarcastically. She was rather anxious about what her initial visit to Stefanie Brussels had possibly opened up in her home.
Fritz came around from the back yard and took Drufus by the collar. “Good mornin’, Miss. Pleasure to see you again.”
Rolling down the window, Mira said: “Hello, Fritz. I’m sorry to come by so early. Is Mrs. Brussels awake?”
“Never you mind that early talk. We’re up around here before the break of dawn. Go on in. Drufus here’ll give you no trouble. Warms up to people around the second or third visit.”
Mira exited the car holding the brown paper bag she had brought with her from home. And on Fritz’s direction, she opened the door and walked into the house.
“Mrs. Brussels, hi. It’s Doctor Cullen…”
Stefanie emerged from the kitchen, wearing an off-white apron with grease marks all over it.
“Mornin', Doc. Nice to see you again!” Stefanie was all smiles. “For some reason, I knew you’d be back, other than on official business.”
“Fritz said I could come in. I don’t mean to intrude.”
“Oh, never mind that. We’re always up early 'round here!”
“Yes, Fritz mentioned that,” Mira said. “Good to know.”
“All right. Can I help you with somethin', young lady?” The smiles had disappeared in a split second.
Mira took a deep breath as she pulled the artifact out of the paper bag. “Please let me know if you still have yours.”
“How'd you get that?” Stefanie asked, suspiciously.
“I need to know if you still have yours, Mrs. Brussels.”
“Sure, I still have mine! Fritz put it away after you left last evenin’.”
“Can you please check? It’s very important.”
Stefanie saw the look of concern on Mira's face. “Okay. I'll get the keys and go check like you asked.”
“Mrs. Brussels…” Mira started behind her. “Do you mind if I come along?”
“I don’t mind.” She snatched up the keys Fritz had toted the day before and headed around the kitchen.
At the basement door, Stefanie fiddled with the keys.
“Ah! Here it is!” She proceeded to open the lock. Glancing back at Mira, she said: “Watch your step comin' down. The stairs a bit shaky in here.”
“I will, thanks.”
Stefanie pulled the light switch and they walked cautiously down the stairs. Not feeling much support beneath her feet, Mira figured getting to the bottom and back up again would be more than a blessing.
“It’s right here.” Stefanie attempted to kneel in front of the chest, but was having a bit of a challenge.
“Do you mind?” Mira offered to help.
“It’s this little key right here. You’ll find you won’t have to rummage through once the chest is open.”
Mira knelt down and unlocked the box, gently pushing the lid back. “Is it in this shoe box?”
Stefanie leaned in. “No... I keep it on the other side. It's not there. Hand me that shoe box.”
She looked through and realized nothing but papers were in the little box. “Fritz must not have put it back! Go up there and tell him to get down here! He know how particular I am about puttin' things in their proper place.”
“Sure.” Mira started to walk away, then realized something.
“You said you gave it back to Fritz to put away after I left.”
“I did!” Stefanie exclaimed. “But he obviously put it somewhere else.”
Just before Mira arrived at the top of the stairs, Fritz appeared in the doorway.
“What’s goin’ on?” he asked.
“Fritz, come down here!” Stefanie yelled.
He made his way down with Mira.
“Where you put that artifact?”
“What you mean where I put it? I put it in there.” He pointed to the chest.
“You see it in there?” Stefanie stepped aside.
“No, she’s holdin’ it.” He was referring to Mira.
Stefanie calmly approached him. “So if she’s holdin’ it, how the hell did she get it if you put it in there? This young lady came here with it this mornin’.”
Flabbergasted, Fritz scratched his head. “That ain't right. She couldn’ta brought it here. I locked it away in that box after she left yesterday. You gave it to me to put away after she left, Miss Stefanie. Remember?”
“You didn’t slacken off and put my artifact someplace else, Fritz?”
“No, Miss Stefanie. I swear I didn’t! I told you I don’t like that thing. I couldn’t get it in that box fast enough. I swear.”
“I can’t explain any of this,” Mira interjected, “but it’s obviously yours.” She handed the artifact to Stefanie.
Stefanie held it close to her bosom as if she'd been granted the most priceless treasure.
“I’ll let myself out,” Mira said.
“Another report has surfaced concerning
Brandon Halstor from Plymonth County. He was last seen in the area with his cat walking near the forest in Winchester three days ago. If anyone has seen Brandon, please contact your local police department or crime-stoppers unit at 800-909-3094.”
The report of the missing man on television in Stefanie's living room had stopped Mira in her tracks. Hearing Stefanie and Fritz approaching, she left the house and quickly headed for her car.
5
_________________
“Good morning, deary. How are you this beautiful morning?” Maggie chirped as soon as Mira entered the clinic.
“You said it all, Mags… it’s a beautiful morning.” Mira smiled.
“Doctor Barns said he’s gonna be a bit late.”
“Had to stop for coffee and donuts again?”
“Uh huh.”
They both started laughing.
“Say, did you hear another person went missing?” Mira asked.
“Yep. Vanished into thin air just like the others. I’ve lost count. I think that guy now makes five.”
“You’re right. Five people in six months.” Mira frowned. “This is unheard of in this town.”
“You’re telling me? Seems like the cops have no clue who might be behind it. You won’t find an experienced cop in our PD who’s solved even one missing person’s case. I can guarantee that.”
“If you’re right, Mags, we’re in deep trouble.”
“Ladies! Ladies! Merry morning to you both,” Doctor Barns sang.
“I thought you mentioned you’d be late, Doc,” Maggie said.
“Gina, from the coffee shop, had my order ready. I called it in.” He winked.
“Smart thinkin’.” Maggie winked back.
I’ll put this extra box in the kitchen for whoever wants to indulge.”
Mira was smiling. “That's very kind of you, Doc.”
“Walk with me, Mira,” he said. “So how’d things go yesterday with Mrs. Brussels?” He took a sip of his coffee as they headed down the corridor.
“Quite well,” Mira responded, apprehensively.
“She nearly talked you to death, didn’t she?”
“Something like that.”
The Cornelius Saga Series (All 15 Books): The Ultimate Adventure-packed Supernatural Thriller Collection Page 37