CHAPTER 13

Thursday, 4th February 2010

I looked at the date on my cell. It was my mother's birthday. I was getting ready to go home after spending 3 nights and 2 days imprisoned in the infirmary. Caleb had spoken to the doctor as soon as he arrived to do his daily rounds. The nurse also informed Doctor Hodge of my speedy recovery so he decided to release me early. After hearing the good news, the boys left to go shower and get some breakfast. The nurse was busy removing my brace when Caleb returned and I was in the middle of a dramatic performance. I had to play the last few minutes in that brace by the book or else what was even the point of acting.

Caleb smiled widely as he watched me. He looked tired. His face was gaunt from worry and he looked like he hadn't eaten or slept in days. I felt guilty that I got to sleep like a baby when Caleb and the others did all the hard work to keep me safe. But what was I to do? I wasn't familiar enough with The Power to use it to protect myself. But as soon as I got home, I was going to ask the boys for some lessons.

The ride home was filled with talk of Chase and even though I didn't want to engage in it: I had too. This was part of my life now; I had to deal with it. At times I wished I still lived with grandma Oli, at least then I didn't have to worry about Powers and psychos like Chase.

As we pulled into the drive, we saw Pogue's Ducati, Tyler's Hummer and my mom's sedan parked in a straight line. A neon green car with a big red bow was parked nearby. It outshone the other vehicles with its audacious colour. When Caleb got closer I read the back 'Audi TT RS'.

"Wow! You got mom a car for her birthday", I said sarcastically. I knew my mom would never drive a car like that. It was too bold for her. I also knew that it must have been for me since it was neon green- my favourite colour and since I was in dire need of one.

Caleb just chuckled. We were soon joined by the others who must have heard Caleb's Mustang pull into the drive.

"Nice Roadster, huh?" Reid said with a grin.

"It's adorable!" I squeaked.

Evelyn stepped forward, "Well, it's for you," she said with a warm smile.

I squeaked again and ran towards my mom, eager to give her a hug. She put her hands out to steady me. I stopped and looked at her. "For a girl who just had a neck brace on, you look fit as a fiddle," she said jokingly. I laughed and she laughed. Then she stepped forward and collected me into a hug. "Happy Birthday" I whispered. "Thank you my angel," she replied.

After we pulled away, I looked at the others. The boys were checking out the car and mumbling in excited tones. I rolled my eyes. Boys and their toys! As long as I had something chic and colourful, I was good to go.

"So…." I said while trying to get their full attention.

"It's a two-door….." I continued, emphasising the word 'two'.

Reid was smirking and I knew he wanted to be the first one in line for a drive.

"So who's the lucky person?" he asked.

"Sorry boys," I said with an apologetic look, "looks like it's going to be just me and the birthday girl."

Evelyn cocked her neck from shock. "Well certainly you don't expect me to sit in that?" she said with wide eyes.

I laughed at her expression. Fast cars weren't really her thing, neither was colourful and chic.

"I promise not to bring you back in a body bag," I said jokingly.

She laughed, it was a wholesome laugh, something that Caleb and I hadn't heard our mother do in years. She walked towards the car ready to ride shotgun.

"You have to cut the bow." Tyler pointed out.

I closed my eyes and waited. A swishing noise filled my ears and electricity pulsated throughout my body. I summoned The Power and the bow automatically fell off the car. Danvers style!

"Hop in!" I shouted while the boys whistled and cheered as I took off.

The Roadster was cruising through the dirt roads and the wind felt good in our hair. I stole a peek at my mom who looked uneasy in the passenger seat.

"Where would you like to go?" I asked.

"I don't know many fun places in town. What did you have in mind?"

"Hmmm, I've got the perfect place. Buckle up your seatbelt," I said with a grin and she quickly fastened it around her.

15 minutes later we reached our destination: Heaven's Garden Memorial and Cemetery. My mother was looking at me with sad eyes. I knew it would have meant a lot if she came to visit my dad on her special day. We both stared off in the direction of the Danvers Mausoleum which held the tombs of every Danvers descendant since 1692. It was vast; the biggest of the mausoleums within the cemetery and it was positioned central to all the grave sites.

I got out the car and went to open my mom's door. She was fidgeting with her hands, nervous to go inside. I was also nervous but I needed to find some closure for my father's death.

"You go on in. I need some time to..." I trailed off.

Cemeteries made me uneasy, not like many people felt calm inside one. I could feel the goose bumps rising on my skin. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms trying to make it stop. What would I say to my dad once I entered the mausoleum?

There were all sorts of noises buzzing around the cemetery, birds were chirping, a saw was grinding, cars were passing by and there was a faint croaking coming from the pond behind. I was glad to see that no funerals were taking place.

I was about to go sit in the car when I saw my mom emerge from the mausoleum.

"That was quick," I said.

"I don't have much to say to your father anymore."

I could see that her eyes were damp from crying so I went over and gave her a hug.

"I'll be right back,' I said as I headed over to the mausoleum.

I could barely make out the stairs from the darkness that engulfed the entrance. But once I passed the threshold, it became easier to navigate from the light illuminating from the candles. There was a foul smell in the air, the smell of the dead. There were several paintings and other graphics plastered on the walls. I had been to the mausoleum twice before to visit my grandfather's tomb. Each tomb had a painting of the corpse that it held. I located my dad's picture and immediately went to it.

I looked around, I was still pretty nervous about what to do and say.

"Hello daddy," I spoke the words out loud and clear. The sound echoed off the walls and I looked around the place. I had no intention of staying too long with all my dead relatives.

"It's me, Caley. I just came to say….." What was I doing? I had no idea what to say to him.

I turned around and walked in the direction of the stairs.

"Caley!" my name boomed out and I jumped with fright.

There were noises all over the place, swooshing, whispering and pages flapping. The candles flickered and then went out. I remained rooted to the spot holding my breath and terrified at the thought of what was about to happen next. I frantically looked around trying to find the exit. I dug in my pockets for my phone. Dammit! I left it in Caleb's car! I looked around again and then saw it! A figure at the back of the mausoleum, bent over like a rabid dog waiting to attack. My heart started to hammer against my ribcage. I moved closer to my father's tomb hoping that he would somehow protect me. My back hit the ice cold stone wall behind me and I gasped.

The candles lit up again, showering the place with light and the figure vanished!

I ran straight towards the exit and climbed the stairs two at a time. Once I emerged from the mausoleum, the cool air and sunlight engulfed me and my heart rate stabilized.

I got in the car without saying a word to my mother, revved up the engine and stomped hard on the gas, leaving a trail of black marks on the cemented road.

My bedroom window offered a magnificent view, on the right you could see our immensely long driveway and on the left was a view of the lake. I was peering out the window, looking at my car parked out in the yard with a content smile on my face.

"Ahem", Caleb cleared his throat.

I didn't hear him enter my room. He stood next to me and followed my gaze.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Nothing, just looking at how lame your Mustang looks next to my Roadster," I replied with a grin.

He laughed, "Yeah, yeah, whatever."

We stood in silence while watching the birds fly over the lake and swoop down to catch fish. There were hardly any fish to catch. When we were younger, our dad would use The Power to freeze the lake in winter so Caleb and I could go skating.

"Mom said she had a great time today," Caleb said, snapping me out of my reminisces.

"I did too. It was… therapeutic."

"What did you guys do?"

"First we went to the cemetery, then we had lunch at this lovely Mexican restaurant, oh my God they have piñata shaped –"

Caleb cut me off, "The cemetery?"

"Yeah, you know, where they bury the dead," I said sarcastically.

"How was it?" Caleb continued ignoring my sarcasm.

"Uhh, nothing life changing," I replied. I didn't want to tell Caleb about what I saw in the mausoleum. I hadn't even thought about it till now. I must have been becoming immune to scary stuff. Either way, I didn't know whether it was Chase or some unsettled ancestors spirit in there.

Caleb remained quiet. Then he turned to leave and said, "Meet you outside in 5."

"Huh? What for?" I questioned.

"Time to get our skates out," he replied with a wink.