Chapter 13: Found
Kay walked through the almost deserted streets to the local convenience store to get some more milk. It was early November, a few days after Halloween. Paper ghosts, carved pumpkins, cloth witches and cardboard black cats still decorated much of the small Maine town. The chilling wind blew more and Kay wrapped her coat closer around her. Kay and her group found it very odd that the weather in Harmony was getting colder while the rest of Maine, as well as the entire Northeastern United States, was experiencing an Indian Summer. They all took that to mean that the Standishes were coming closer and closer to the small town.
Kay didn't know if the other citizens of Harmony realized that a battle to rival Armageddon was coming to their small town. Well, maybe not the older citizens. Yet, children had opted more and more to spend their time closer to home and in school. She drove by one of Harmony's elementary schools around lunch time, and not a single child was out for recess. Later, at the supermarket, she and Vincent had overheard a mother telling another mother how her child feared to go outside. Kay had once read that children were sensitive to the spirits around them, but normally that stopped when they reached the age of three. Yet, Kay herself as a child always felt these spirits around her, even after she reached her hellish teenage years. Was it possible that all children, because they live in Harmony, were able to perceive these spirits and disturbances even now?
Kay formulated a theory that after a certain age, even those born in Harmony lost their connections with these spirits when they became adults. Theresa, Miguel, Sam, Ivy, Beth, Hank, and Luis all admitted to not feeling these spirits anymore. Sheridan was able to feel something in the air, but Kay deduced that was from her pregnancy. But she, Jessica and Tabitha were able to feel—and sometimes see—these spirits. Jessica was the one who was able to see them the most. Kay could catch a glance here or there and Tabitha just talked to them. These spirits always warned of the upcoming battle between the Standishes and Kay.
Kay walked into the store and picked up the milk. The cashier took her money, bagged the milk and handed the change back to Kay. Kay made her way back to her house. The wind blew and Kay felt the sudden urge to take the longer way back home. That way took her past St. Margaret-Mary's Church and cemetery, where she would be safe. Kay quickened her pace and made it to the small church. There she got another feeling, telling her to go through the courtyard. The evil in the winds was starting to get to her, and she knew the Standishes were coming. Kay walked through the cemetery, but felt the feeling someone was following her. She couldn't tell if it was good or bad, so she ran through the cemetery, but tripped over a root. As she picked herself up, and checked the milk, she saw a young girl appear before her. Kay knew at once it was an angel.
"Hello, Kay," the angel said. "Are you the angel my mother and cousin has seen?" Kay asked. The little girl shook her head, her golden curls never moving. "No. That angel was trying to turn them from their evil ways, bring them into truth. I am here to help you and Jessica with this battle." Kay just sat back down on the ground. "Are they anyway near here?" she asked. "I think you know the answer," the angel said. "I guess I do. How can I stop them?" she asked. The angel girl gave her a look. "I guess I'll know when the time comes. Okay, so why are you here?" Kay asked. "To give you hope," the angel said. "And to tell you where your mother and cousin are." Kay perked up. "They are hiding out in the basement of the old Crane mansion," the angel told Kay. "But that mansion burned down years ago. The basement survived?" Kay asked. "Yes, the basement survived. Alistair Standish made sure that it would make through the fire for Grace and Charity to hide out in when the time came. You can find them there. I suggest locking them up in jail. They will be contained there, for the time being," the angel said. "Good luck, Kay." The angel disappeared.
Kay stood up, picked up her bag and continued home. She finally made it, and Vincent put down the phone. "I was worried sick about you!" he said, hugging her. "Aw, thanks…um, Vincent? I can't breathe!" she said. He let go. "Where were you?" he demanded. "The cemetery. I didn't like the vibes coming off the streets so I decided to go through there. Met an angel along the way," Kay said as she put the milk away. "You met an angel in the cemetery?" he asked. "Yep. Told me where Grace and Charity are. Tomorrow, you, me, and half of the Harmony police department are going up there, okay?" she said. She kissed him, not waiting for a response and went to bed.
The next morning, Kay called her father and told him to met her and Vincent on the site of the old Crane Mansion. Sam and the Harmony police showed up to get Grace and Charity. "Dad, did you leave anyone in the station?" Kay asked. Luis smiled and shook his head no. "Your father has declared them armed and dangerous," he explained. "They probably are," Vincent replied. Sam had the police walk over the charred remains of the Crane Mansion, to find the entrance to the basement, where Grace and Charity were waiting for their evil kin to come and help them. Vincent threaded his arm through Kay's arm and around her waist, drawing her closer. Kay allowed him, liking the comfort since she was nervous. Had her evil family grown in strength?
One of the cops called Sam over. They had found the door to the basement. The cops readied their guns, while Sam motioned for his daughter and her fiancé to remain out of Grace and Charity's sight. The cops broke the door down and went into the basement. An eerie pale red light emerged from the basement, which grew fainter and fainter the longer it was open. Soon, Grace and Charity re-emerged, hand-cuffed. The officers led them to the patrol cars, and as they walked by, the two saw both Kay and Vincent. Mutual looks of pure hatred was passed between the relatives, as the police forced Grace and Charity to the cars and Vincent shielded Kay.
Once the two were on their way to the jail, to be held there until who knows when, Sam approached the couple. "Care for some coffee, you two?" he asked. Vincent and Kay nodded and the three headed towards the Book Café. Beth was inside, as usual, serving coffee to the other customers, many who seemed scared. Did they know what was coming? Kay wondered. The customers all huddled together, as if they felt there was safety in numbers. Beth herself was scared, but she could actually put a name on to the person causing this fear. The woman smiled and approached the group. "Any sign of Grace and Charity?" she asked in a whisper. "Yes. We found them in the remains of the Crane Mansion. Apparently, the basement is intact," Sam replied, also in a whisper. "Really? How did you know?" Beth asked, a bit louder, but still soft enough. Kay giggled and whispered, "An angel told me so." Beth smiled. "Ivy is in the table in the back if you want to join her," she said. The trio thanked Beth and headed towards Ivy's table.
Also there at the table was Ethan, sitting with his mother. "Aw, it's almost a family reunion," Kay said, when they sat down. "Hello, Kay," Ivy said, used to the woman's sarcasm. Ethan just shook his head. "Well, any news about Grace?" Ivy asked, sipping her coffee. "We found them, in the ruins of the Crane Mansion," Sam replied. "How?" Ethan said. "That place was completely burned down." Sam nodded and pointed to Kay. "An angel told me that they were in the basement which was preserved from the fire," she explained. "An angel?" Ethan and Ivy asked together. "I know, but it's true," Kay replied. Beth poured the three new comers a cup of coffee, and the five had a pleasant morning.
That afternoon, Kay went for a jog around the park. Vincent was napping, so she left him a note telling him she might visit Jessica as well. Kay jogged past St. Margaret-Mary's Church and felt the urge to go in. On her way up to the Church, she went through the cemetery, stopping briefly at her grandfather's grave. Near the grave she had met the angel in, she found a small pennant. It was gold, with an angel hanging on the end. The angel held a jeweled heart and looked very old. Kay picked it up and read the tombstone. "Kathryn Standish?" she read. There were no dates, but only one small saying: "An lamb amongst the goats, the angel returns to heaven where she belongs." This peeked Kay's curiosity, and she went inside the church.
Inside the church, the incense was burning at the altar, Kay could smell. She lit a small candle and began to pray. Theresa was also in the church, praying near the front with her mother and Sheridan. When the small group was done, Theresa stayed behind with Kay, who showed her the necklace. "Have you seen Fr. Lonigan? I think someone lost this in the graveyard. I found it by the grave I fell on when the angel came to me last night," Kay explained. "Maybe it's yours," Theresa said. "I never had a necklace that looked like this," Kay said. A white light engulfed the church and the little angel from the night before stood there. "You're back!" Kay exclaimed. "I am, to tell you that the necklace in your hand is yours, from long ago. See Tabitha," the angel said, before disappearing. "Okay, did you see what I just saw?" Theresa asked. "Yes, I did," Kay responded. "Come on, we have to visit Tabitha!"
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A/N: Sorry this took so long. I think my other muses buried my Passions muse. Besides, my laptop was down ALL summer. Stupid AC adaptor. Anyway, I hope you enjoy! I think I have more plot twists in here than James E. Reilly does in the entire soap. Thanks for sticking with me and stay tuned…we are traveling back in time again, but this time, we're going really far back! ~*Mac*~