1The girl is still sitting in her room. But this time, she is remembering everything.
The girl is jogging to the store. She is young, only six, but she doesn't have anybody to shop for her. Her black hair shines in the sunlight. "Cali," says a disapproving voice. Cali looks up, and finds Mrs. Donner above her. Mrs. Donner is a Church-going lady, one who frequently accuses Cali of worshiping the devil.
"Where are you going so fast, Cali?" asks the woman. Cali isn't the girl's real name; it's just a nickname. "I'm going to the store, Mrs. Donner," says the cheerful girl. "Humph. Next time don't run so fast. You could knock someone over or cause an accident," Mrs. Donner says. Cali nods. "Yes, Ma'am," she says obediently, and heads off skipping. Cali is in a good mood. She got an A on her history report. That is a reason to celebrate, because the history teacher is so old, he probably fought in the civil war. And he hates Cali. He also calls her a devil-worshiper. But the church is a bad place, and Cali doesn't want to go there. She prays before every meal, and just generally talks to God.
Cali is an orphan. The town refuses to take her in, because she is a mysterious girl with no real background. That, and she doesn't go to the Church. The town is very strict about the Church. But they don't know what goes on there at midnight, sundays, and Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Cali knows. She fears the Church, because if its secrets. The building itself is dark and severe, looking for all the world like an enormous crypt. Most visitors to the town wonder how people can look at that building without shuddering. More than half the town goes to the services. But only about 25 people are involved in the 'goddess worship.'
Most people worship Jesus at Church. But at midnight, 3 days of the week, the worshipers of the town goddess meet. No one else knows about this, except for Cali. Cali has had dreams about what goes on at these horrific gatherings. Namely sacrifice. She has seen someone going to the Church for the night service dragging a missing cat. Cali remembers running to the door and pursuing the person in the darkness. It is truly her element. She stalked through the shadows, quickly and silently. Mentally, Cali summoned the cat. Finally, they neared the Church. "Here, kitty," Cali had called. The cat had leapt from its captors grasp and come running. Cali never even showed her face. As far as the woman was concerned, the cat was following a shadow.
Cali smiles at the memory. She had returned the cat to its owners by leaving it on the porch.
It had felt good to help someone. Cali approaches the store. Outside, sitting on a bench, is one of the elders of the Church. Cali smiles, and receives a frown in return. Cali doesn't mind. She is used to it. She skips into the store. Candy waves, from where she is checking out a customer. Candy and Cali are friends. Candy calls them the C sisters. Candy also doesn't attend Church. For the same reasons as Cali, too. Candy knows the church is evil. From the window of her apartment, Candy can see the light of the goddess worshiping service.
"It's really creepy," Candy has told Cali. Cali believes her. She herself knows the night service is evil. Of course, it isn't as simple as explaining this to everyone. They will just mock and scorn her even more. No one believes anything Cali says. Ever.
But that's okay. Cali has friends. Artemis, who studies demons and other mystical creatures, and Candy, and Henry, who lives in a shack behind the school. Also June, the baker, and the dancer Carmen. So Cali isn't lonely. Her friends listen to her. They believe Cali. They don't make fun of her, or call her stupid or retarded.
Cali heads over to a shelf containing boxes of oatmeal and brown sugar and maple syrup. The store owner doesn't arrange things like most people do. Instead, things that are slightly related go on a shelf. Cali selects a box of oatmeal. Then, she gets 3 apples, and some flour and olive oil. This will make an apple oatmeal casserole, one that will last Cali for days. Cali has to get odd jobs to pay for food. But that's alright. Blind Ms. Wendell pays Cali nicely. Cali gets by.
"Hey, Cali!" says Candy happily. "How have you been?" "Good," says Cali. "I got an A on my history exam." Candy nods. "That's good!" she lowers her voice. "Especially with an old dinosaur like Mr. Burke teaching you. I swear, listening to him complain about the price of tobacco nearly puts me to sleep. 'In my day, we just grew our own and didn't bother with any of this low quality stuff.' when was your day, 1256 AD?" Cali giggles. That's exactly what Mr. Burke sounds like! And heaven knows when he was born.
"Thanks, Candy!" says Cali, lifting the heavy bag. "I'll see you soon!" Cali waves, and exits the store, into the fresh breeze.
Yes, the girl remembers that. Cali smiles quietly to herself. Mr. Burke had to be at least 73. Of course, none of that matters now, but it's nice to daydream for a bit. With that, she stands and places her grey shoes on. She is going for a walk.