The Elementalist (11 page)

33

~House of Terror~

Alisa

It was Saturday morning and, miracle of miracles… I was still in control of our body. Light slashed through the half-opened curtains and the cool, crisp air coaxed goose bumps to rise on my exposed arms and legs. I sprang from the bed and nearly collapsed in relief. Claire must have really been tired.

All was quiet upstairs in my head. “Hello?” I said very softly. I couldn’t imagine that Claire was still asleep, but after our talk last night, I didn’t feel like she hated me quite as profoundly. I was pretty sure she didn’t think I was a demon anymore either.

I went through the motions of getting ready for the day, showering—relishing every moment of hot water on my skin—getting dressed, and eating breakfast. I wasn’t hungry, but Claire’s mom wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was strange the way she didn’t seem to care what Claire did during the day, but she always made sure she ate three square meals. Maybe she felt guilty for being a nonexistent parent and was trying to make up for it by doing at least one thing right.

Angela left me to eat alone while she perused her emails on the computer. After a few moments, she suddenly swiveled in her chair, her eyes locking with mine. She did
not
look happy. Her jaw clenched, and her eyes flashed with fury.

“Guess who I just got an email from.”

I shook my head in bewilderment.

“Your school principal.”

Uh oh.

“Can you guess what he told me?”

I could guess and even though Angela was trying to remain calm, her face was turning purple. She looked ready to explode.

“Uh…”

“You’ve been skipping all your classes?” she pretty much screamed. “And just how long has this been going on?”

I hesitated. Surely, the principal had told her. I’d hidden two different letters that had come in the mail from the school. She was probably waiting for me to admit the truth. I stared at her in dread, because I had not rehearsed an answer for this moment.

“Um…”

“Nothing to say?” She kept glaring, and slowly, she began to shake her head back and forth. “I can’t do this. I can’t do this alone anymore.” She moved closer, and I wasn’t sure if I should run or not. Then, before I could even register what was happening, her hand flashed out and she slapped me across the face. Hard. The sting was so startling that I rocked back in my chair. Rising slowly, I backed up, my hand covering what was sure to be a scarlet handprint on my cheek.

“Were you ever going to tell me? Did you think I would never figure it out?” she screamed as she backed me into a corner of the kitchen. “It’s that devil worship again, isn’t it?” she hissed. “You’re doing it again. I can tell. I won’t
tolerate
it in this house. Do you hear me? I won’t!”

So she
did
know. Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn’t even speak. “I’m sorry,” was the only thing I could think of to say.

Her rage disappeared in an instant and she fell into a chair, placing her head on her folded arms. “This has to stop. It can’t go on,” she said between hiccupped sobs. “First, your grandmother… and now you.” She turned to me.

I stood frozen against the wall, but I didn’t stay there long. I hurried to escape the kitchen, hurt and angry. But her next question stopped me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Angela questioned, raising her swollen, red eyes to meet mine.

“Does it matter?” I asked, still holding my burning cheek.

Her eyes narrowed, and she stood slowly. “It didn’t used to, when I thought you were being good, but you’ve started studying Elementalism again, haven’t you?”

Since I hadn’t, I could give an honest answer. “No, I haven’t.”

“Liar!”

I didn’t know how to handle Claire’s mother while she raged. I needed Claire to tell me how to fix this, but she was silent as usual. “Claire!” I yelled out loud. “Wake up!”

Angela gaped at me. “What are you doing?”

“I really am sorry,” I said, and then I darted out of the front door, grabbing Claire’s purse as I ran for her car, my hand stuffed in it, searching for the keys. I didn’t have time for punishments or groundings. I made it to her car, barely pulling the keys from her purse when Angela grabbed me from behind, knocking the keys from my fingers.

“You’re not going anywhere!” She took my hand and pulled me back toward the house. I fought back, trying to rip free, but her grip was like iron around my wrist. Panic took root inside me. What was she going to do? Beat me once we were behind the privacy of closed doors? She seemed manic and out of control.

“Is everything okay?” a voice asked from behind.

I stopped struggling, and so did Angela. We turned in unison to see Jamie standing on the sidewalk, looking incredibly uncomfortable, his feet shuffling in the gravel. Angela let go of me immediately, and I hurried to step away.

“Nothing, dear,” Angela said, plastering a smile on her face.

He nodded, still looking confused and concerned. “Uh… I was just wondering if Claire could give me a ride into town. I needed to pick up a prescription for my mom. She’s sick.” He shifted his weight and glanced at me, a question in his eyes.

“Yes, I can,” I said, opening the car door and sliding inside.

Jamie threw Angela a smile and got in on the other side. I tore out of the driveway, vowing never to return. Claire would have to work out her own problems later.

34

~Rejected~

Alisa

It was quiet for about thirty seconds, and then Jamie broke the silence. “So… what was that all about?”

“I have no idea.” I kept my eyes on the road even though he was staring at me. I knew if I glanced over, I’d see an expression of pity. Just because he’d kissed me once didn’t mean he was my friend.

I was surprised that Claire had yet to make her entrance. Where could she possibly be? Was she really that tired? Could she still be asleep? I didn’t feel her presence at all.

“So where do you want me to drop you?” I asked.

“Seriously, Claire? What is wrong with you?”

“Where?” I asked again, finally glancing at him.

He shook his head and watched the road. “I don’t want you to drop me anywhere. I could tell something was wrong, so I gave you an excuse to leave your house without a fight. So what was it? Tell me.”

I couldn’t take this kid with me to Brecken’s house, which was where I was headed, but really, I shouldn’t go there either. I needed to find someone who could help me, but there weren’t many options available.

“Elementalism,” I whispered under my breath, an idea taking shape in my mind like a cartoon light bulb illuminating over my head.

“What?”

I glanced Jamie’s way. “I know what I have to do.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Where should I drop you?”

“Claire, I can help. Let me,
please
.”

I pulled to the curb on Main Street and parked outside a line of stores. The little shops had barely opened, and it was only a couple of miles back to his house. Jamie could easily jog back.

“No, I don’t think you can. No one can.” I looked into his warm, brown eyes, faltering for a moment. The love he felt for Claire was evident in his gaze. It was so hard to resist his pleas, and I didn’t want to figure this out alone. Maybe he
could
help. Maybe he knew a little about what Claire had been up to.

“Well,” I hedged.

He perked up, the beginnings of a smile stirring the edge of his lips. “Anything. What do you need?”

“Magic.”

***

“I don’t know if we should do this,” Jamie said. “Katelyn’s been a real snob lately.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “But who better to help, than Claire’s frien—um…
my
friends?” I’d almost slipped, and I knew Jamie had caught my mistake, but I waved it off like it was no big deal. He gazed at me in confusion but shrugged and let it go.

We stood on Katelyn’s doorstep, and I raised my fist to pound on the heavy, solid-oak door. It was only a moment before it opened, and Katelyn stood before us. She glared at me with her frosty-blue eyes, and her lips were pressed tight together. She folded her arms and cocked a hip, all cold and bristly. I didn’t know her well, but we’d gone to school together at one time. Had I been so inside myself that I didn’t notice anyone else? Was it just plain selfishness or was it the depression that had drowned me?

“Hey, Kate,” Jamie said before I could even open my mouth. “Do you have time to hang out for a bit? Claire needs our help.”

Her gaze shifted to me, and her eyes narrowed even farther if that was possible. “Really. You
need
me?” Then her ice-queen expression turned to anger. “After two weeks of ignoring my phone calls,
now
you want to talk to me? After completely ditching me at school and not even telling me where you were going, you want my help? You disappear, literally, for two weeks, and then have the guts to come to my door?”

I glanced down at my feet, my stomach clenching in dread. I didn’t want to ask this girl for anything. She was the type that totally used to intimidate me when I was alive. She was smart, strong, and confident, but I had a feeling Claire wouldn’t put up with this kind of attack for long, and since she wasn’t here, I tried to garner a bit of her strength, stood up straight, and looked Katelyn in the eye.

“If you’re not up for it, just say so.” I turned around and walked back toward the car.

Jamie stood on the porch, his mouth hanging open in surprise. “But I thought we needed her.”

“I don’t need anyone who is going to yell at me. I have enough problems without that.” When I yanked open the car door, Katelyn finally spoke.

“Fine. But you better tell me what you’ve been up to while we’re driving.”

I looked her in the eye, almost wanting to smile. I’d hoped this tactic would work and that she’d be too curious to slam the door in our faces. “After we get Kaden and Wade.”

She nodded and shut her front door, following Jamie to the car. She got into the front seat, and he was forced to the back. He didn’t say anything, which told me he was at the bottom of the pecking order in Claire’s little society. I was not sure if it was Claire or Katelyn on top, but the boys were all definitely at the base of the pyramid.

Kaden and Wade were easier to convince, and they ran from their house at the slightest hint of adventure. We piled into Claire’s bug and tore off toward the beach. It was the perfect morning to have a little chat.

35

~The Sting of Rejection~

Alisa

We sat in a circle, surrounding a campfire, which burned warmly on the crisp Saturday morning. There wasn’t a cloud to be seen, but the sand was cold beneath my toes. The blankets beneath us were thin, and didn’t really make a difference as far as warmth went, and a chill breeze blew gently over the water, making me shiver.

I refused to let it bother me though, forcing myself to relish my running nose and tingling toes. Who knew how long I’d get to enjoy these sensations? But to ease my discomfort, I threw another log on the fire—the remnants of someone else’s fun on the beach.

“Okay. So you dragged us here,” Katelyn said. “Now what?”

I took a deep breath, tamping down the anxiety that had been building inside me all the way here. This was going to be harder than I thought. What would they think? Why did I care? “Okay. This is going to sound crazy, but—”

“No crazier than any of your other schemes,” Kaden said, laughing and throwing a twig in the flames. It exploded in the heat, sending sparks into the sky.

“Right,” Jamie answered. He was smiling at me with those eyes. Eyes full of love for Claire. I still hadn’t spoken to her about this boy, and I hoped she gave him a chance after I was gone. If I’d learned one thing, it was to never say no to love. Everyone had something to offer, and Jamie seemed like a really great guy.

I smiled back and began. “I’m not Claire. My name is Alisa Callahan. My soul got trapped in Claire’s body when she did some sort of séance in her basement. I used to go to your school, but I died a year ago. I don’t think she meant for this to happen, and I need your help to get out.” I watched each person’s reaction, studying their expressions. Katelyn gaped at me as though she was about to burst out laughing. Kaden shook his head and Wade frowned. Jamie had the best reaction.

“I knew it,” he whispered. “I knew something was wrong. You’ve been too weird lately. Too different.”

Kaden scowled and stood up, brushing sand off his pants. “You actually believe her?” he said to Jamie. “It’s bull crap, and you know it. She’s just trying to get attention, like always.” He turned and pointed at me, his body towering over all of us. He loomed like a giant, ready to squash me like a bug.

“And you,” he said. “You are the biggest douche of all. Constantly lying to us… for years now. Stringing Jamie along, like you couldn’t care less about him. We’re not stupid, Claire. We know you’re into some weird crap, but I’m done. I think we’re all done. I want no part of it anymore. You don’t care about us. You haven’t for a long time. You only care about yourself.”

He stared me down, and I had no idea what to say. His sheer size overwhelmed me. I glanced at Jamie, who watched with uncertainty. I needed these kids to back me up, to help me do an exorcism or something. I couldn’t do it by myself. I had to make them listen.

“I’m so sorry, Kaden, but I’m not lying. I
am
Alisa. Claire is inside this body too, but I haven’t heard from her all day. I usually hear her yapping or yelling at me. I don’t know where she is right now.” I turned pleading eyes on Katelyn and Wade. “Ask me anything. I’m telling the truth.”

Katelyn gave me a sly smile. “If you’re telling the truth, what exactly do you want from us?” she asked. “I’ll play your game for a minute, but only because I’m intrigued.”

I tried to read her expression, to get into her head, but I found it impossible. I had no understanding of Katelyn’s motives. My gaze shifted to the others. They watched me, waiting, and I felt the pressure of their stares, knowing I needed to explain it just right.

“I don’t know how to say this. Honestly. I wouldn’t believe me if I were in your shoes.” Shaking my head, I plowed ahead. “I need to get out of Claire’s body. I don’t belong here, but I’m stuck. I don’t know anything about Elementalism and I thought you all might. If Claire could get me here, maybe you guys could help me get out. Something is about to happen, something really big, really bad, and… um… there are some bad people trying to… um, I’m not sure what they’re trying to do, but I can’t do anything to help if I’m stuck here in her body. “

“What people?” Wade asked, shifting position, his slender legs folded beneath him. He was by far the quietest, and I found myself drawn to him. He was kind and accepting, and he didn’t seem to judge people. It was easy to lean toward that, hoping he would influence the others, but I wasn’t sure he’d be strong enough to go up against his twin or Katelyn.

“Well,” I hedged, not wanting to scare them with ghost stories and devils. “They’re actually spirits, or rather, demons. Bad ones. And if I’m stuck in Claire’s body, I can’t fight them or find out what’s going on. I have to get back to Idir Shoal.”

Jamie’s frown deepened. “Huh?”

I shook my head in frustration. I was saying too much. “It’s hard to explain, but I
need
your help. Will you help me?” I gazed into the eyes of each individual, one at a time, pleading with all the mental strength I had.

“I’m not convinced you’re this Alisa girl,” Kaden said, finally sitting back down. “It’s all too
woo woo
for me. I’m not into that. I’ve always thought your black magic was a stupid hobby.”

“You talk like I’m Claire,” I said. “I’m not. I’m Alisa.”

“Alisa,” he said.

“Yes.”

“Fine. If that’s true, then what was your last name?” he asked. “Gallagher or something, right?”

“Callahan,” Katelyn said, a smile forming on her lips. “I knew her… or you… kind of.”

She was playing along, whether she believed me or not. That was a step forward at least. I didn’t think Kaden had bought it yet, and Wade… who knew what he was thinking? I glanced over at him. He was playing with a stick in the sand, ignoring the rest of us, lost in his own little world as far as I could tell.

“You remember me?” I asked, turning to Katelyn, my attention drawn back to her prom-queen smile. “I don’t really remember you.”

“Of course you don’t,” she said. “You were always in your own weird, little world. You certainly weren’t friendly. Definitely not popular… at least, for the right reasons.”

Nice
. The cheerleader was coming out to play. Not that there was anything technically wrong with being a cheerleader. “Whatever.”

“Okay. Here’s a question for you,” she asked. “What classes did we have together?”

My eyes narrowed. “How should I remember? It was a long time ago, and I already said I don’t remember you.” I felt heat rise up my neck, the sting of embarrassment for the upcoming ridicule. I knew how it was going to go; she wanted to pick apart my story, to humiliate me in front of everyone, to make me feel small. But she didn’t realize who I’d become. She had no idea who I was now, what I’d been through, what I’d learned.

“Well, I remember
you.
” Katelyn got to her knees and leaned forward. “We were in PE together.”

Great
. My least favorite class. The one class where my lack of coordination was on display for everyone.

“You were terrible at everything.”

“I was depressed. It wasn’t my fault.”

“You always hung around with that short, blonde girl,” she said. “The one who died of cancer. Natalie or something.”

“Natasha.”

“Right.” She nodded, her smile growing slowly. “Natasha.” The name rolled slowly off her tongue.

The boys just sat there and watched us. None of them said anything. I glanced around, feeling desperately alone. I wished someone would speak up for me, but Katelyn was on a roll, and I couldn’t picture her posse wanting to step on her toes.

“I want to talk to Claire,” Jamie said suddenly, interrupting Katelyn. “Right now.”

“You believe her? You believe this crap?” Kaden asked.

Jamie threw him a look of irritation.

Kaden mumbled, “Idiot,” under his breath.

Jamie scowled, but brought his gaze back to me.

“Who was I with the other night in Claire’s bedroom?”

“You were alone with Claire in her bedroom?” Katelyn asked, her eyebrows rising in interest. “Oh my. Things are heating up!”

“Shut up, Katelyn,” Jamie said.

Hmm
. He had cojones after all. That was what my brother, Derek, would say if he were here. Suddenly, I wanted to be home with my brothers, eating popcorn and watching movies. I wanted to hate these kids for making me feel insignificant. I wanted to lash out at them and hurt them back, but something kept me from doing that. Maybe it was the guardian in me, or my experiences in Elysium. I had grown too much to go back to the petty teenager I used to be.

Unfortunately, this line of thinking didn’t make the sting hurt any less. I glanced away, not wanting to answer Jamie’s question, because he wouldn’t like what I had to say.

“It was you, wasn’t it?”

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t admit it out loud in front of these people who seemed exceptionally threatening. How could I tell him I’d hid inside Claire’s body while he professed his love?

“Answer me!”

I jumped at the harshness in his voice, nodding. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. I had no idea if you were her boyfriend or not. I didn’t want to ruin it.”

Jamie growled and turned away, rubbing his face in frustration. He mumbled a few choice words and stomped off toward the surf. The roar of the ocean filled my ears. Suddenly our little campfire didn’t seem all that inviting, just cold, withholding its heat from me. Claire’s friends were pulling away.

“You always were a loser,” Katelyn said, shaking her head, gloating more than anything. You were skinny, stupid, and wore ridiculous clothes—”

“Hey!” I said.

Katelyn smiled. “You were a loser. You still are.”

I sat there, taking their emotional attack, not even trying to fight back. I really was back in high school, intimidated by the popular kids. I couldn’t do this. It felt too… pathetic. Deeper and deeper, I pulled inside, aching with rejection. I yearned for a close friend, wishing Natty were here beside me. She’d rail into them for sure. She was small, but she was a fighter.

My line of sight shifted toward the rise behind us… and that was when I noticed him. A
gray
man. Just like in the old days during my guardianship. He stood back, his form shifty, like smoke in the shadows of the tall grass just off the beach. I couldn’t see the details of his face, but I felt him exerting his evil thoughts, pressing them against Claire’s friends like toxic smoke, poisoning them against me. They fell prey to his influence, and seeing him stirred something inside me.

Each of Claire’s friends had stood up, but I stayed where I was on the blanket, my legs folded beneath me, staring in astonishment at the misty man. How had he escaped my notice? Normally, I was much more sensitive to negative persuasions.

With a deep breath of sadness, I watched the group walk away. I had no idea where Jamie was, but the other three passed through the parking lot, ignoring Claire’s car. Katelyn gave me one last glance, but she was laughing. The gray, demonic soul followed them with a sadistic smile.

Tears welled in my eyes, and I couldn’t hold them back. Turning away, I covered my face. I wouldn’t let anyone see me cry. My chest ached with such loneliness that I was taken back to the memory of that night in the car… the darkness of that lonely road. The thick trees… the curve…

I yearned for that moment again, to be done with this world. To be away from the ache and pain of cruel “
friends
” and uncaring parents. Then a thought hit me. I could be out of this body today. I could be free. The answer was so obvious. I could do what I’d already done once before.