Prowl (12 page)

“Why?”

“Do you really need to ask that question?”

Good point.

“The spirit world isn’t a joke, Kenzie. You can’t just invite a spirit into your home and into your life like this.”

Panic swept over me. “Well, what am I supposed to do now?”

Rhiannon pressed her lips together in deep thought while she drummed her fingers against her chin. “Okay, I remember reading once that in order to get rid of a spirit on your Ouija board you have to cut your board into seven pieces, sprinkle it with holy water and then bury the pieces in seven different locations.”

“What’s holy water?”

“Not sure, but I can Google it.”

“I don’t know if I want to get rid of him.”

Rhiannon glared at me. “Are you serious?”

“It’s just that I think he’s my dad and I still have so many questions for him.”

“This is crazy. You need to get rid of him.”

Anger rose in me. “You’re the one who encouraged me to do this in the first place. Now you want me to stop, just like that. What happened to all that crap about how awesome the supernatural world was?”

“It is awesome but you have to respect it. I tried to warn you about this before I left but clearly you didn’t listen.”

“Speaking of which, why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”

“I didn’t know I had to answer to you.” Her voice was hard. I felt bad for fighting with her. It was the last thing I wanted to do. I needed her friendship right now.

“Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be blaming you.”

“Darn right you shouldn’t.” She shot me a wounded look.

I ran a hand over my face and groaned in frustration. “I’m so confused, Rhiannon.”

“That’s obvious,” she muttered under her breath.

“I just want answers. I wanna know if he’s really my dad and if he is I wanna get to know him.”

“Kenzie, Wesley is a spirit. He’s not your dad.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do.”

“He said he’s my dad and I believe him.”

Rhiannon sighed. “Even if he really was your dad when he was alive, he’s now a ghost. Ghosts are dangerous. They linger on this earth for a reason and usually it’s not a good one. You yourself said that your dad probably raped your mom. If he was a bad guy when he was alive you can be sure that he’s a bad spirit.”

“He said he didn’t hurt my mom.”

“Spirits lie all the time.” She placed a hand on my arm. “Look, I can see how much this means to you and I’m not trying to burst your bubble. Really I’m not.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“It’s just that you’re letting this spirit in and that’s dangerous. I don’t know if he’s really your dad or not but I do know that you need to be careful.”

13

A
fter rubbing Noxzema into my skin and feeling my pores tingle, I leaned over the bathroom sink. I switched on the faucet, inhaling the strong medicinal smell, and splashed warm water on my face. With my eyes closed, I reached out to grab a towel from the hanger on the door. As I wiped the excess liquid from my face, cool air blew on my neck.

“Don’t listen to her. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”

Wesley.

Goosebumps rose on my arm. I dropped the towel, looked up and saw his reflection in the mirror. He stood over my shoulder, wearing the same outfit as the night before. His black eyes bore into mine. I froze.

“She’s telling you lies. You can’t trust her.”

“W-w-who?”

“Rhiannon.”

“You heard our conversation?”

He nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face.

My stomach plummeted. Did he watch me all the time?

“I have to protect you, Kenzie. Liars surround you. People who don’t have your best interest at heart.”

“But you do?”

“Of course I do. Haven’t you ever wondered why Rhiannon’s never introduced you to her friends?”

I nodded.

“It’s because she knows you’re more powerful than her. You have powers she only dreams of. How else would you be able to see me?”

He had a point. Maybe that’s why she was so nervous about the whole thing.

“She’s jealous of you, Kenzie.”

He was so close I could feel his breath on my neck. I shivered because it was so cold. How could he smell like fire but feel like ice?

“I’ve always wanted the best for you,” he said. “You believe me, don’t you?”

I had no idea what to believe anymore, but I was too scared to say that. Instead I nodded.

“Good. You’re a good girl. I knew I could count on you.”

Rarely had someone said that about me. Mom certainly never did. The thought of her brought questions to my mind. I turned toward Wesley but the bathroom was empty. Man, I hated how he could disappear like that. I spun back around and gasped. There he was in the mirror. Quickly I peered over my shoulder. Nope. Gone. I looked back at the mirror. There he was. My blood ran cold.

“How are you doing that?”

Chuckling filled the tiny room. “One day I’ll tell you all my secrets, but not today. First, you have to prove yourself. I have to know I can trust you. You want that, don’t you Kenzie?”

Again, I nodded.

“Good. That’s what I hoped you’d say.”

He vanished. I took a deep breath, slapped my hand over my chest. My heart pounded beneath my fingers tips. When I regained composure I exited the bathroom. Walking down the hallway, I passed Grandma’s room. Her snores slipped under the door. The minute I entered my room, I caught sight of Wesley perched on the edge of my bed. I gasped.

“You’ve got to stop scaring me like that!”

Wesley moved so quickly all I saw was a blur of colors. Before I knew it he was beside me. “Expect the unexpected.”

Before I could contemplate what that meant he was gone again. I spun in circles, peeked in the closet, peered under my bed but the room was empty. Even though I knew doors and windows couldn’t keep him out, I bolted the window shut and closed the blinds anyway. Unnerved, I crawled into bed and pulled the covers up to my chin. I kept my light on and my eyes wide open. All night I stayed up, jumping at every noise. By the time the sunshine spilled into my room, my nerves were frayed, my mind and body weary. I stumbled out of bed and staggered into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee, hoping caffeine would jolt me awake.

Just as the coffee began percolating, Grandma entered. “Someone’s up early.”

I turned to her, my eyes sagging.

“Mackenzie, you don’t look so good. Are you sick?”

I nodded.

“Well, go lie down.”

Shaking my head, I reached for a mug. I was too freaked out to go to sleep. My hand trembled as I dipped it into the cupboard. My fingers closed around a ceramic handle and I yanked it out as cold swept over me.

“Good morning, Kenzie. Sleep well?” Wesley spoke in my ear.

Startled, I jumped backward, dropping the mug. It shattered on the hardwood floor, breaking into a million tiny pieces.

“Are you alright?” Grandma asked.

My gaze darted around the kitchen. He was there. I could feel him even if I couldn’t see him.

“Kenzie?”

Hugging myself, I locked eyes with Grandma. Her brows furrowed in a look of concern.

“I’m okay,” I lied.

Grandma pressed her wrinkly palm to my forehead. “You feel a little warm. Maybe you’re coming down with something.”

Wesley materialized, grinning over Grandma’s shoulder. The room swayed, the walls bending around me. Dizzy, I reached my hand out to grab the countertop. Before I could touch it everything went black.

“Kenzie. Kenzie.”

My eyelids fluttered open. Grandma’s face came into view, fuzzy around the edges. I tasted blood. My head pounded. When I reached up to touch it, I felt pricks of pain on my arm. Bringing my arm close to my eyes I saw little shards of ceramic embedded in my skin.

“I called Dr. Roberts. He’s on his way.”

“Dr. Roberts?” My throat was raw and scratchy.

“Yes, he’s been my doctor and a family friend for years. He’s going to check on you.” She touched my arm. “Let me help you get these out.”

I lay limp like a rag doll as she pulled out the pieces and rubbed my arm with a warm rag.

“Kenzie, what are these?”

I froze, knowing by her tone what she was referring to. Glancing down I saw her pointing at my scars. An icy wind slapped me in the face and Wesley appeared by my side. Panic gripped me. Grandma’s gaze never wavered from mine and I realized that she must not be able to see him.

“Um…nothing.”

“Were you cutting yourself?”

“Don’t tell her. She’ll just be upset,” Wesley whispered in my ear.

“Of course not. I probably just fell or something. Look how clumsy I am.”

The doorbell rang.

“That must be the doctor.” Grandma stood.

“Get outta here!” Wesley nudged me.

“What?”

“They’re gonna hospitalize you.”

“Why?”

“Hello Dr. Roberts. Thanks for coming so quickly,” Grandma said in the other room.

“Hurry!” Wesley pulled me up. “Once she shows him your arms he’ll know what you’ve been doing. He’ll think you’re crazy. Suicidal.”

She’s right in here,” Grandma said, footsteps nearing the kitchen.

“C’mon.” Wesley yanked my arm so hard I feared it would come out of its socket. I stood, feeling unsteady on wobbly legs, and he pulled me to the side door. He burst through it and we stumbled out into the yard together. “Move! Move!” Pulling me he fled through the back gate and into the front yard. “Get in the car.”

Panting, I said, “I don’t have the keys.”

“Here.” He shoved the keys to Grandma’s car into the palm of my hand. Spots appeared in my vision as blood rushed through my pounding head. As I hopped into the car I noticed red trickling down my arm. “Turn on the car!” His voice was high pitched and manic.

“I don’t feel so good.”

Wesley’s arm came around me and he turned the key in the ignition. The car roared to life. Shoving me out of the way he sat in the driver’s seat and took off. The car careened down the street. Colors blurred past as we sped away. Peering over at the speedometer I saw that we were going eighty.

“Wesley, slow down!” I screamed.

“You don’t want them catching up to us, do you?”

The more scared I got the more lucid I became. What was I doing? “This is crazy,” I said.

“No. What’s crazy is allowing that old lady to run your life.”

“That’s not what I’m doing,” I snapped.

“No? What do you think would’ve happened if granny’s doctor found out you’re a cutter?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. The car was moving faster now. I looked at the speedometer again. “Wesley! Slow down! You’re going one hundred.”

“What’s wrong, Kenzie? Don’t you trust me?” His voice was evil, animal-like.

I turned to look at him and screamed. In the driver’s seat sat the same creature from my dream. He had a large hulking body and he held the steering wheel with sharp claws. He smiled at me revealing pointy fangs and drool dribbled down his reptilian chin.

I cowered against the window. “You’re not my dad, are you?”

“Of course I’m not.” His neck protruded out and his face was mere inches from mine. His breath was hot and rank. “I’m the enemy.”

My heart hammered in my ears and I swallowed hard. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the pole a mere second before we slammed into it.

My eyes popped open and I sprung upright. I was in my room. Flinging off the covers, I examined my arm but it was devoid of cuts from the mug. How odd. I glanced down at my body and saw that I had on the same outfit from last night. The scent of coffee wafted from the kitchen and I could hear Grandma opening and closing cupboards. Had I finally fallen asleep last night? Was it all just a dream?

I hopped out of bed and raced down the hallway to find Grandma buttering a slice of toast. She turned to me and smiled. “Someone’s up early.”

Whoa. Déjà vu.

“Mackenzie, you don’t look so good. Are you sick?”

Shaking my head, I made my way to the cupboard and reached for a mug. Just as my fingers touched one cold swept over me.

Oh no. Not again.

“Good morning, Kenzie. Sleep well?” Wesley spoke in my ear.

I yelped, jumped backwards. The coffee cup teetered from my hand but I caught it before it hit the floor.

“Nice catch,” Wesley said.

“Are you okay, Kenzie?” Grandma asked.

I nodded at Grandma, but then threw an exasperated look to Wesley. “Go away!” I hissed at him under my breath.

“What?” Grandma asked.

Wesley snickered.