Visions: The Mystical Encounter Series (The Mystical Encounter Series Book 1) (4 page)

Once I was out of sight, I picked up speed and ran out into the woods behind our house. I wasn’t sure where I was going, as I’d never been in these woods before, but it seemed like a good refuge. At least a far enough distance away from what I had just seen. The briar branches were whipping past me, scratching my skin, and snagging at my shirt as I went, but I didn’t care. I just kept running and running, trying not to trip over the roots sticking up from the ground, until I came upon a ravine.

As I slowed to a stop, I bent over, and rested my hands on my knees for support as I breathed heavily. The woods were completely deserted, and I could hear the barking sounds of the squirrels playing nearby. I was instantly jealous of how innocent they sounded.
Why couldn’t my life be that carefree?

I squeezed my eyes shut, while clenching my fists, wanting nothing more than to scream at the life I’d been dealt. I needed to release my sudden anger, so I pressed clenched hands into my thighs in hopes of calming myself down. When part of the tension gradually released, my shoulders slouched while standing back up. The anger had lessened some, allotting me better control over my emotions. With a few labored breaths, I scanned the surrounding area. Off to my left, I saw a log that had fallen near a neighboring tree. The way they were wedged against each other created an ideal bench. Without thinking, I automatically went over and sat down. The rough bark felt moist underneath my hands, but I didn’t care. I needed to rest. My hands were trembling as I fidgeted around my bag until finally coming across my pack of cigarettes. A nasty habit I wanted to stop, but times like these were why I kept reaching for them. Finally managing to extract one and light it, I took a puff.

Afraid of closing my eyes, I stared straight ahead into the woods. Small streaks of sunlight shone through the trees, making everything seem golden and crisp. Despite the beautiful scenery surrounding me, the image of the boy remained in my head, tarnishing the beauty. A humorless laugh escaped as I wondered why I feared closing them. It didn’t matter if my eyes were closed or not, I could still visualize him. And I knew his fate. I may not know the exact circumstances, but I already knew his life had ended horribly.

Deflated, I laid my head against the tree I was leaning on.
Why did I touch that toy?
I knew better. That was all it took, a simple touch, which was why I was hesitant to shake Barry’s hand. I didn’t want to take the risk of him seeing me during one of my visions. Luckily nothing happened when our hands touched, but I fear in time someone will find out. Then, I fear it will be just like Clayton all over again.

That simple touch was how people found out my secret, back home. While walking down the hallway a girl, Kelsey, had come up behind me. All she wanted was the notes from the last hour, a simple request, I thought. After she was through, she thanked me but reached over touching my arm at the same time. As soon as she did this, her shirt came in contact with my bare skin. Except it wasn’t her own shirt she was wearing. It originally belonged to April, her best friend, who’d been missing for a month.

The vision came at me strongly. It was like I became April, feeling her anxiety as she woke up with the realization she’d been kidnapped. I stood there in front of Kelsey with a very dazed and frightened expression upon my face. I remember feeling very groggy and cold as I visualized gazing out a tiny window. The window was the key to her location. The lake and a few other distinguishing features displayed through the glass panes provided enough clues for the police to find her. Toward the end of the vision, total fear had engulfed me, as her killer came toward her…‌I screamed a blood–curdling scream, reliving what April had experienced. Everyone who was in the hallway with me and Kelsey had stood there watching with horror–stricken faces.

I took another puff trying desperately to shake off that memory. No, I didn’t want people at this school witnessing me going through another vision, especially one of that magnitude. I was sure this town wouldn’t react any differently than the people from Clayton. Those smaller towns were usually all the same.

Finally surrendering to my exhaustion, or maybe just frustration, I closed my eyes. While resting for a minute, I heard a quick rustling sound, like someone running past. My eyes automatically popped open as I quickly scanned the area. Nothing had changed.

Confused, I called out, “Who’s there?” while trying to find the source behind the sound I heard. “Show yourself,” I demanded, but there was nothing but silence. Beginning to think I was acting completely foolish, I got up to head back home. As I started to leave, I glanced over my shoulder, still questioning where the sound generated. I shivered as a chilling sensation ran down my spine, and I couldn’t shake the eerie feeling that I wasn’t alone.

~4~

Nightmares

“What did you get on the physics quiz?” Barry asked as he walked me out of class.

“I didn’t do too well, an eighty–eight,” I said, kind of embarrassed. My grades have always been this side of decent, but they weren’t anywhere near the high honor level.

“That’s not too bad. I got a ninety–two, which I’m definitely all right with.” While running his fingers through his sandy blond hair, he asked, “Hey, I’m going to my grandma’s house after school today. Do you want a lift?”

“Sure. Meet you outside after school?”

“Okay…” He smiled as his body seemed to relax. With a quick wave, he turned and walked down the hallway.

I stood there watching him until he turned the corner and disappeared out of sight before turning into my own classroom. His smile was going to be my undoing. As I took my seat, I barely heard the teacher begin‌—‌I was lost in thought. I kept mulling over Barry and my latest vision. With everything that had happened to me this past week, concentrating on the lecture was difficult.

Actually, the week had been going well, all things considered. After returning from the woods the other day, I started searching for the toy truck. Not fooling Mom when I hastily departed, she had it hidden before I returned. She hesitated when I asked where it was, making me wonder if she’d answer. After a few seconds, she glanced over toward me, questioning if she should dispose of it. My instincts wanted to say yes…‌get that thing as far away as possible, but my mind recognized the importance. She gave me a disapproving look when I told her we’d better hang on to it a little longer. She was displeased, but she agreed to keep it, which surprised me. That was exactly what I feared, Mother being disappointed when a vision occurred. Honestly, I didn’t think it would happen that soon.

The young boy had been haunting my dreams every night since I touched that toy. Knowing he could invade my nightly sanctuary that easily was unsettling, if not disturbing. There wasn’t any peace to myself anymore. Never having dreamt about any of my visions, I didn’t know what to think. Ever since the vision occurred, something different had been going on, because he consumed my life. Even when I let myself think about Barry‌—‌which I found myself doing more than I’d like to admit‌—‌my thoughts strayed back to that little boy. For some reason, my mind intertwined them, disallowing me to think of one without the other. It was strange.

But the child wanted something from me, and I kept wondering what it could be. Sometimes, when those dreams occurred, I woke up with an inkling that he was trying to communicate with me. Unable to figure it out was slowly driving me crazy.

Each dream started out the same, he was happy, playing in his backyard, then turned to face me. His expression seemed one of recognition, but then it flashed forward to tears running down his face. Before I wake up; however, he appeared to be opening his mouth to tell me something, but I never hear what he tried to say. Unable to fall back asleep, I lay there unsuccessfully trying to figure it out.

Finally I had to push those thoughts out of my head as I sat in class, clearly not listening to the teacher. As Mrs. Pickard went over the first battle of the civil war, I sat there numb. All I really wanted was to go home and end this charade, not hear about Fort Sumter. Part of me felt bad for feeling that way since Barry had been an enormous help. He definitely made my transition into this school tolerable. And I almost felt half–way normal around everyone…‌Almost.

As promised, he introduced me to his friends during lunch a couple of days back‌—‌all five of them. When we met in the lunchroom and walked toward an awaiting table, I wanted to turn back around. In my mind, I pictured a few other people, not a crowd, but it turned out all right. Everyone seemed nice enough, polite even, but I didn’t feel completely relaxed around them yet. I was like an outsider, peering through a window at a group of people who were clearly at ease with each other. I supposed that would be normal, since I was new, but it will take me awhile to get used to them.

I’d forgotten most of their names, except for Caleb and Nicole. Caleb was easy to remember since he kept including me in their conversations‌—‌or at least he tried. Plus he liked to tease Barry. Watching the way they bantered back and forth with each other, I assumed they were best friends. The way Barry interacted with everyone made me realize exactly what I’d been missing.

Nicole’s the only girl in the group. She was rather quiet at lunch, but since then had been going out of her way to talk to me. She was actually in a few of my classes, which made it easier to get to know her. As time goes by maybe I’d be comfortable enough around her to start initiating conversations. Honestly though, I didn’t see myself ever reaching that level of closeness with anyone. Especially forming the bonds best friends have since I never fully open myself up to anyone. I felt trapped, constantly holding part of myself back, while the fear that something would trigger my ability lays dormant waiting to surface. That apprehension continued to linger over me the entire time I engaged in conversation. Well, with everyone except Barry.

The last bell of the day rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. I gathered up my belongings, went to my locker to grab what I needed, and made a quick dash outside to meet Barry.

“You ready to go?” he asked with his big smile. That was another quality I liked about him, he always appeared happy. That trait was so different from my life, it almost seemed foreign. I certainly hadn’t been familiar with any happiness, especially that past year. I found it rather refreshing.

“Yes, sir,” I replied, following him out to his car. It still surprised me how at ease I felt around him. When I was with him, I could be myself, and not have to pretend to appease him. I had to be careful, though. If I become too relaxed, my ability might resurface, causing him to slip away from me as easily as he came.

“So, you’re going to your grandma’s on a Friday night?” I asked out of curiosity.

He laughed. “I know, sounds weird. Grandma’s like another mom to me, though. Since my mom’s a single parent, Grandma practically raised me. I like keeping her company at least one night during the weekend.”

“That’s really nice, Barry. Not too many people would do that.”

As I turned to view him, I noticed that his lips were turned upward in a small grin.
He’s cute
, I thought, continuing to stare at him. It was that exact moment when I realized how attracted I was to him. Not only am I captivated by his good genetics, but his personality as well. He had a certain charm to him that drew me in. For the first time in my life, I’d become close enough with someone to generate feelings for them. At least close enough to care, something I didn’t see coming at all. I was a little surprised at my revelation, but it didn’t stop me from admiring him.

“What?” he asked quizzically.

“Nothing.” I quickly turned away, embarrassed to be caught ogling again. His tiny grin grew into a large smile, making me think he didn’t mind my gawking. But still, I needed to get better control of my actions.

After pulling up into his grandma’s drive, he turned toward me. “Hey, are you busy later on? I’d like you to come over and meet Grandma. I know she’d like to meet you, too. You know, neighbors and all.” He playfully jabbed me in my side. “Afterward, we could watch a movie or something.”

With an eyebrow cocked, I peered up at him, asking suspiciously, “A date…? At your grandma’s house?”

“Um, yeah…‌It sounds kind of lame when you put it that way.” He laughed. “Say yes, and I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”

“That sounds good. I can probably come over around six o’clock,” I replied a little too fast, still surprised how easy it was to talk to him.

“Great. I’ll see you then,” he said as we got out of his car.

As I walked home, that familiar warmth swelled through me. The sensations were rather enjoyable. It occurred to me—I was actually looking forward to something, and…‌happy. For the first time in over a year, I opened my front door wearing a smile on my face.

~5~

Exposed

When walking over to meet Barry, I had to laugh. The thought of Mom’s reaction when I told her I was coming over here was comical. I’d never seen her that giddy. She was so elated, I thought she’d burst. All through supper she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face, but what got to me were her eyes. They sparkled so brightly, at first, I was glad to be the reason behind their shine. But sadness slowly crept in when I realized going to a friend’s house shouldn’t elicit that type of reaction. It was a stark reminder of how isolated I’d become.

I knew she meant well, but part of me couldn’t wait to get away from her. There was a limit on how much I could take of her constant babble, and since she was in overdrive tonight, I had my fill. Judging from her smug expression, I could tell she thought moving here was the best thing she’d ever done for me. She stopped short of saying it, but it was written all over her face. Who knows? A part of me was beginning to think she might be right after all.

When stepping onto the landing leading to his grandma’s front porch, all thoughts of Mother were erased. Anxiety replaced it, swirling around in the pit of my stomach.
Would it be a smart idea to spend an entire evening with someone?
Wanting to retreat, I didn’t feel as brave as I did just seconds before stepping onto the concrete. In a desperate attempt to not chicken out I took a deep breath, hoping to relax my nerves. Slowly exhaling, I squeezed my eyes closed as I rang the doorbell.