Chapter 22

"Brooklynn? Brooklynn! Wake up, please!"

Opening her eyes, Brooklynn had to shield them at the bright sunshine surrounding her and blinked several times, trying to adjust to it. There were beautiful wildflowers surrounding her, the sounds of crickets and buzzing echoing in her ears. Where was she? Was this another ghost trying to send her a message?

"Oh, thank goodness you're awake!"

That voice…it was so familiar as Brooklynn turned her head, amber eyes widening at the sight of her twin sister, Julia. "Oh my god…Julia?!" The sisters embraced instantly, tears streaming down their cheeks. "Y-You passed into the light…how are you here now?"

"The light doesn't stop us from coming back, Brooklynn. Well, it DOES to an extent, but…there are loopholes." Julia explained, pulling back to stare into her sister's older face and smiled sadly. She looked just as she did 17 years ago – death didn't make one age. "Brooklynn, you have to be careful."

"What are you talking about?" Brooklynn remained lighthearted, glad to see her twin sister again after all these years and could still remember her and Kyle walking into the light together. Although she couldn't see it, only those who were dead could see the actual light.

Julia turned grim, placing her hands on Brooklynn's shoulders. "Something…terrible is coming, Brooklynn. I don't know what it is, but…you have to prepare yourself. You have to stay strong. And you must be careful, watch yourself. Darkness is coming…and you're the only one who can stop it. You and the others like you – the circle."

"I-I don't understand…" The lightheartedness was gone and now Brooklynn was on high alert, swallowing hard. "W-What darkness are you talking about?"

"Trust your instincts, trust yourself and be careful. That's all I can tell you. Bastet's death…it wasn't due to old age, Brooklynn. She was poisoned by very dark, sinister magic. We're taking care of her now, she's with Kyle at this moment, but…she was murdered, sister. Someone is trying to destroy your family…and I don't know anything more than that other than they are pure darkness. You have to stop them. You have to protect yourself and your family."

"I don't…Julia, no wait, don't go yet! I have so many other questions!"

"I'll try to come to you again, but I have to go now. It's pulling me back…goodbye Brooklynn, please remember what I've said. I love you, sister."

She vanished in front of Brooklynn, a glittery substance left behind in her stead and all Brooklynn could do was sit there on her knees, trying to make sense of the warning her twin just gave her.

Snapping her eyes open, Brooklynn sat upright in bed, coated in sweat and looked around the room, breathing heavily. Mark was snoring loudly next to her and hadn't stirred from his slumber. A quick glance at the clock told her it was just after 5 AM. There was no way she was going back to sleep, not after that dream she'd just had. Brooklynn knew it wasn't any normal dream either…Julia had found a way to reach out to her through her dreams to warn her about this darkness. What darkness though? Perplexed, Brooklynn slid out of bed and left the room to take a shower, replaying Julia's words repeatedly in her mind. The darkness was coming, and she had to protect herself and her family…what the hell did that mean?

Unbeknownst to Brooklynn, the darkness had already arrived and was seeping throughout their lives slowly. Julia's warning had come a bit too late and now the only thing any of them would be able to do was brace themselves and pray they were able to weather this storm.

"Mom, why are you up so early?" Claira had gotten herself a very good night's rest and was up an hour earlier than usual on a school day.

Brooklynn had just stepped out of the shower and opened the bathroom door when Claira came out of her room, the dreaded feeling she had vanishing. "Not sure, just woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. What are you doing up?" She hugged Claira, squeezing her a little tighter than normal and kissed the top of her head, silently vowing to protect her daughter at any and all costs. "Let me get dressed and then I'll try to whip you up something for breakfast."

"Okay…are you sure you're alright, Mom?"

"I'm fine, sweetheart." She walked further down the hallway and stepped into the bedroom, being as quiet as she could while dressing since Mark was still asleep.

Yawning, Claira disappeared back into her bedroom to grab a quick shower of her own and get dressed. Last week before Spring Break and she was definitely looking forward to the week off. Visiting D.C. and Tennessee with Seth in tow, she smiled slightly as she adjusted the warmth of the water, stepping under the sprays. Her Aunt Trish was the best!

The darkness was coming…Brooklynn looked over her shoulder at Mark, wondering if Julia was talking about Undertaker. He had invaded her dreams recently, but there was no sign he had returned. Mark was still the same loving man she'd known for two decades and had been with for 17 years…who she was NOW married to. No, it wasn't Undertaker. Something sinister, evil, pure darkness…she looked away from him to finish dressing and left the room to head downstairs, glad her stove was still in working condition. Pancakes, eggs, bacon and hash browns were on the menu, cooking would help clear her head.

It was the smell of food cooking that had him up, groaning and stretching as the deliciousness wafted throughout the house. Mark didn't feel well rested, not at all… his mind, sure, but his body… not so much. Old age was finally catching up with him, apparently. Yawning, he rolled out of bed, knowing today he would have to get back to work on that kitchen; he wanted it done before they left for D.C.

Brooklynn decided not to tell Mark about her dream with Julia, needing more time to mull it over. She went on as if everything was fine, refusing to get distracted by the warning. Until she figured out what this darkness was, Brooklynn wasn't telling anyone about it. Breakfast was served as Claira sat down with them to eat and they chuckled at their daughter congratulating them on getting married.

"Did it bother you that Daddy and I weren't married?" She asked with a smile, never really thinking how this made Claira feel. She had both parents, but most parents being together as long as she and Mark were…they were married.

"Mmm, no…"

Claira helped herself to the pitcher of juice out on the table. When her Mom had been gone, she had eaten a lot of Pop-tarts. Cooking for one hadn't been appealing at all. She guessed that was why her Dad had left her a few hundred bucks for eating out. Speaking of which, she made a mental note to give him his change, not that she had spent all that much to begin with. Not with Seth and Aunt Trish feeding her.

"I did, when I was younger, ask Dad and he said by Texas law, you guys were already married via common law marriage. Did you know that?"

"Yeah, I did."

Mark had never mentioned Claira questioning him about why they weren't married and she wondered why. Maybe it really wasn't a big deal to him back then. It didn't matter; the past was the past and there was no changing it.

"How did Seth react when you called and told him the news about coming to D.C.?"

"Honestly? I don't think he's comfortable going with Trish and Steve. He barely knows them…" Claira had heard the hesitation in his voice over the phone and had to beg him to go with Trish and Steve, assuring him they could be trusted. "He's gonna go for me, but I know he won't be comfortable with them."

Brooklynn frowned, not sure how to feel about that and took a bite of her breakfast, wondering if Trish and Steve had bit off more than they could chew. "I'm sure he'll be fine."

"Oh, he will, he'll just feel awkward, knowing Dad said no and other people are bringing him anyway. You don't think Dad is going to be, um… grouchy, with him about it, do you?" Claira hesitated, frowning as the thought crossed her mind. "I mean, Aunt Trish knows Seth's Mom, Jennifer. I guess they see each other a few times a week down by the studio."

"Who does?" Mark had entered the room, freshly showered and trimmed, grinning as he dropped a kiss on Claira's head before doing the same to his wife.

"Morning." Brooklynn murmured, standing to make her husband a plate of food while he took his seat at the table and dropped a kiss on his lips. "Claira was telling me about Trish seeing Seth's Mom at her yoga studio a few times a week. She's also worried you're going to be grouchy with Seth since you told him no and Trish and Steve stepped in."

"Mom!" Claira grumbled, her cheeks flaming and could not meet her father's eyes. "Did you really have to say that to him while I'm still here?"

"Yes, because you should ask your father that question instead of me."

"Don't be a chicken shit, Claira." Mark reprimanded, staring at the table and then blinked. He pushed away, getting up to grab himself a cup of coffee, flashing Brooklynn an appreciative grin. "Thanks, darlin'."

"Well, it's not my fault you're scary."

"Me?" His green eyes widened innocently as he dropped back down, taking a slow, cautious sip. "Your Mom was telling me how not scary I am."

Claira wasn't entirely sure if that was a sex joke or not and narrowed her eyes at him, sticking out her tongue.

Brooklynn smirked, recalling their discussion on the beach in Mexico about people fearing him. "No, he's not scary. Just a gigantic teddy bear that's a tad overprotective." She had taken her seat at the table and resumed eating, winking at her daughter, who looked somewhat baffled. "We're all going to have a great time and everything will be fine. That's all you need to worry about, okay?"

Not the first time he had called her a chicken shit; the very first time he had done that had been when she had screamed out over a garter snake during one of their camping trips. Claira had been 10. Come to think of it, he didn't think Brooklynn had been present for that and cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Yep, Dad's going to eat him."

"With hot sauce."

"Oh, that's gross Dad, at least have some dignity and use ketchup."

Brooklynn laughed, used to their morbid sense of humor and shook her head. "Just make sure you save a leg or arm for me. Can't leave Momma out of the barbeque." Glancing at the clock on the wall, she knew it was almost time for Claira to leave to go to school. "Seth picking you up?" A knock on the door answered her question as she stood up, stopping Claira from standing. "Finish your breakfast, I'll let him in and he can wait until you're done." Walking out of the kitchen, Brooklynn opened the door and smiled at the young man staring back at her. "Hello Seth, come on in, Claira isn't done with breakfast yet."

He could smell the food and flushed when his stomach rumbled a bit too loudly, smiling awkwardly. "Uh, thanks, Mrs. Calaway," It used to be Miss Meyers, but… married, that just felt and sounded weird. "Congratulations, by the way."

"Shit…" Claira muttered, stuffing another piece of bacon into her mouth, glancing at the time.

"Language." Mark teased, tipping his head back so she could bestow a greasy kiss on his cheek and shook his head. Kids.

Brooklynn heard that and grinned, holding her finger up in a one-second gesture before heading into the kitchen to fix him a quick plate.

"Mom, what are you…?"

"Your poor boyfriend is starving, so I'm feeding him, sweetheart. Finish your eggs." Brooklynn walked back out to the living room, gesturing Seth forward with the food and set it down at the table. "Sit, you have time to eat."

When Seth gave Claira a look, she shrugged with a smile and gestured to the chair. "Up to you." It was no surprise to anyone when Seth sat down and began devouring his food, politely.

Mark watched in amusement as Seth struggled to eat both as fast as he could, without being a complete animal, and retaining some manners. He remembered those days playing sports; athletes were constantly hungry. Seth was fairly decent sized and he doubted the kid was going hungry. He was just probably constantly hungry due to teenage metabolism.

"Want me to toss the extras onto some bread for you, son?"

Seth grinned sheepishly. "Sorry… I think I'm having my last growth spurt or something. Been eating my Mom out of house and home lately."

"Mark, don't patronize him. It's not his fault he's a growing young man." Brooklynn had put some more food on her husband's plate and then Seth's since Claira didn't want anymore. "Don't worry sweetie, I make plenty of extras considering I have two eating machines on my hands. Eat up and then you guys really should get going or you'll be late."

"Thanks, Mom, but we REALLY do have to go. Seth…" Claira watched as he shoved the food into his mouth and giggled, standing up from the table to kiss her Mom's cheek. "Thanks for breakfast. I'll be home before curfew, but Seth has a game tonight and I'm gonna go to it. I cleaned my bathroom like we agreed and have kept it clean."

"Have fun, be careful and good luck with your game, Seth."

Ignoring Brooklynn and her assumptions he was patronizing the kid, Mark got up and did exactly what he had offered. "Poison?"

"Hot sauce, please." Seth had done this before, thrown together food to go. "I'm guessing you did this, huh?"

"I did basketball for a while in high school." He grabbed the hot sauce and added it liberally to the sandwich, before wrapping it up in some paper towel and handed it off.

"Thanks, Mr. Calaway – Mrs. Calaway," Seth was already nibbling on the sandwich with one hand, the other pulling Claira towards the door.

"They really are cute together."

Brooklynn grinned, already cleaning up the kitchen table and rinsing the dishes off, putting them in the dishwasher. Instead of washing them by hand, which is what she normally did, she walked out of the kitchen and went upstairs to grab her laptop. It'd been a while since she had to use it and, after that dream with Julia, it was time to do some research. She had no idea what she was searching for, but anything abnormal signs would be a start. Setting up in the living room, she fired up her favorite search engine and began with a notebook beside her.

Now that was a sight he hadn't seen in a while and Mark just stared down at her for a long moment, before heading upstairs to finish dressing. Then he retrieved his radio, putting it onto a country station, poured himself another cup of coffee and pulled his tool chest out of the corner of the kitchen, getting back to work. Usually, he kept it out in the garage. When George Strait came on, he smirked, remembering the day he had popped the sudden question and the little tease Brooklynn had given him right here in this kitchen.