The Ghoul Next Door

chapter Forty-Three

“Are the ghosts back yet? Where is Candy Cherry?” Mindy looked around.

“They’re not here. You know, I’m beginning to be very suspicious of Miss Cherry and Mr. Fine. They’re not very nice. I think they’ve been responsible for some of the bad stuff going on.”

“Can’t Elvis tell you what they do?” Mindy asked.

I shook my head. “No, they hide from him too.”

“You need to banish them out of your life too.” Mindy’s voice was full of anger and frustration.

“I plan on it. If I ever get the chance to, that is.” I blew a strand of hair out of my eyes.

We gathered the ingredients and placed them on the counter. A paltry attempt at witchcraft but it was all we could do under the circumstances.

“Are you sure Candy Cherry and Mr. Fine aren’t around?” Mindy asked.

“I don’t think so, but she likes to disappear, so it’s hard to say where she is at any given time. She’s sneaky like that.”

“I hate that about the ghosts.” She clucked her tongue.

“They can turn invisible anytime they want.” I positioned the spell book on the counter.

“I wish we had that ability while we were living.”

“I guess we could get in a lot more trouble that way, huh?” I lined the ingredients up according to the order which they’d be needed.

She snorted. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Mindy stepped closer to the counter. “So, tell me what I need to. I hope I don’t mess anything up.”

“You can’t get this wrong.” I patted her arm.

“Well, that doesn’t sound so encouraging.”

“We have to put everything in a bowl,” I said, grabbing a container I had from under the counter.

I was really beginning to get the hang of this spell stuff. I was like a pro now. Okay, I was far from that, but I’d come a long way.

“Add the pine first, and then we say these words.” I pointed toward the page.

Mindy and I repeated the words in unison, but so far nothing happened.

“Okay, now add the other stuff.” I gestured.

Mindy sprinkled in the cinnamon and then the almonds. “If not for the pine, this stuff would be like baking.”

I chuckled. “Kind of… but I think we’re supposed to focus now instead of thinking of dessert.”

“Right,” she said, straightening. “Okay, now what?”

“We have to repeat these words.” I pointed. “While I stir this concoction.”

“How will we know if it worked?” Mindy asked.

“I don’t think we’ll know for sure until it really has worked… we’ll find out who is responsible for the evil spirits around here.”

“That’s not so great.” She brushed the extra cinnamon from the counter.

We repeated the words and I stirred. I couldn’t say for sure, but I did feel a difference in the air. It was heavier but not in a bad way. Maybe it was wishful thinking though.

“Do you feel that?” I asked.

“The air feels different,” Mindy said.

“Yes. It does. I think we did something right. We’ll just have to wait and see now.”

“Okay, let’s pick up our mess and get to the park.” She practically bounced with the words.

Mindy was revved up and ready to go. But was I?

***

Mindy and I hurried down the sidewalk toward Magnolia Park. It was a couple blocks from the bookstore, but by the way my side hurt and the panting, it might as well have been a hundred miles away. My agitation mounted. It wasn’t my usual demeanor to say the least. Sure, I got mad plenty, but this was full-on rage and I still didn’t know if it was a demon or black magic that was making me feel this way. I forced it back, not letting it escape and take rage out on anyone around me. One thing was for certain, once and for all, I’d get to the bottom of the reason for the letters.

I’d confront Callahan’s ex-girlfriend and she’d be forced to tell me the truth. Well, I guessed I’d see it with my own eyes too, because if Callahan showed up at that park, I’d know that he’d made his decision. Callahan and I had certainly faced more challenges than the average couple so early in our relationship. I didn’t know if we could survive and make it through more obstacles, but I was willing to give it my best shot if he was.

After running so hard that my feet felt numb, we finally made it to the park. Mindy and I brushed past the Daniel Boone statue at the front entrance and stopped once we’d entered the park.

“Do you see anyone?” Mindy asked, breathlessly.

“No.” I shook my head. “It’s eerily empty. Usually there are a few people wondering around.”

“Do you think you had the wrong information? Did it say today?”

Now she’d planted a seed of doubt in my head. But I was almost positive that the letter had said today.

“Maybe we should sit and wait for a second?” I pointed at the bench that was nestled under a large oak tree. “I don’t think they’d even notice us over here. I sit and watch people all the time and they never know I’m even sitting there. It’s kind of creepy really.”

“That is creepy. Thanks for letting me know that it’s over here. I’ll make sure to look over every time I come here for any potential stalkers.”

We sat in silence for a couple minutes with no action. The only living creatures other than Mindy and me were a few birds looking for crumbs and a couple brave squirrels that dared to get close to us.

“I don’t think they’re coming,” Mindy said.

“Yeah, I guess not. Now what do we do?” I glanced over my shoulder, but no one was there.

“Go back to the shop, I guess. Maybe you could sneak over and look at that letter again.” Mindy tapped her fingers against the bench.

“Oh, no. I don’t want to go back over there.” I waved my arms.

“What’s the big deal? You did it once.”

I snorted. “I was stupid then and didn’t know what I was doing.”

Just as we prepared to stand, movement caught my attention. I motioned for Mindy to remain seated.

“It’s her,” I whispered.

My heart rate increased. I had no idea what to say and I had to fight back the thing in my head that was telling me to rush over and punch her. She might not be the smartest person around for sending those notes, but she didn’t deserve to be punched… not yet, anyway.

“What are you going to say?” Mindy asked.

“We’ll wait a few minutes and see what happens. See if Callahan shows up.”

I prayed that he didn’t. If I hadn’t discovered the note, when would he have told me? Never? Would I have ever known? I didn’t think I could handle seeing the two of them together right under my nose at the shop next door every day. But I guessed I’d eventually get over it. Time healed all wounds, or so they claimed. I never really bought in to that saying. Time made some wounds bearable maybe, but I didn’t think it healed all.

Ginger sat on a bench in the middle of the park with her back facing us. Her hair flowed down her back. She pulled her black sweater up closer around her chest.

“You’re right, she doesn’t even notice us.”

“I told you it’s a great spot. You can watch everything like you’re watching TV.”

We sat in silence for a little while longer with nothing happening. Ginger kept glancing down at her watch. After ten minutes, I couldn’t stand it anymore. Luckily, it didn’t look as if Callahan was going to show. Now was my chance to confront her and find out exactly what it was that she wanted.

Trying to process the letter I’d read and ready myself for what was about to happen, I stood.

“This is it,” I whispered. “Let’s go ask her what she wants and why she sent me the letters.”

I said the words, but I wasn’t sure if I should ask her. Something told me not to do it, but the other thing in my head said that it was the most brilliant idea of all time; so of course, I listened to that side of reasoning.

We slowly made our way across the park and I expected her to whip around and ask us what the heck we thought we were doing. It felt as if we were cats slipping up on a mouse. We had the advantage for the moment. Mindy and I had almost reached the bench when Ginger must have heard us and whirled around. Her eyes narrowed and it might have been the cloudy sky, but I thought they turned darker.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she screeched.

That was exactly what I thought she’d say when she spotted us.

“I came to talk,” I said.

Mindy walked in unison with my steps until we came to within inches of Ginger.

She glared. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Are you sure about that?” I asked. “You’ve sent me a few messages and I came to ask you to stop. Woman to woman.”

“I’ll stop sending them when you leave Callahan alone.” My clenched fists shook.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but I’m seeing Callahan as long as we want to see each other. You and Callahan are no longer in a relationship as far as I can tell.”

“That shows what you know,” I said through gritted teeth.

“I know that you sent him a letter asking to meet you here and he hasn’t shown up. That tells me that he doesn’t want to see you.”

“Did he show you the letter?” She clenched her hands into fists at her sides.

That was a tricky question. “That doesn’t matter. Did you break into his car?” I asked.

Ginger turned away from us. She began walking across the park. Mindy and I exchanged a glance.

“Where is she going?” Mindy asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

We hurried after her, but she picked up her pace. “You didn’t answer my question. Did you take my necklace?” I shouted.

She didn’t answer as she continued across the park. She didn’t even turn around and acknowledge us. I stopped my pursuit and Mindy stopped a few steps further.

Mindy turned and looked at me. “That was really weird.”

I shook my head. “What do you expect from someone who sends letters like that? Come on. Let’s get back to the store. She’s clearly not going to talk to us.”

We’d made it half-way back to Book Nook when up ahead I spotted Jane walking toward us.

“Look who’s coming.” Mindy gestured.

I hoped she would walk right by us without saying a word, but the smirk on her face told me we wouldn’t be that lucky.

“Okay. I’m tired of playing this game with you now,” Jane said when she approached us.

“I’m sorry?” I said.

“I believe this is what you’re looking for?” She held up the necklace, letting it dangle from the chain in a back-and-forth movement.

I narrowed my eyes and glared at her. “You stole the necklace. Why would you do that? It’s not yours, so I suggest you give it back.” I stepped toward her, but she stepped backward.

“I’d suggest you stop right there.”

Mindy moved beside me.

Jane clutched the necklace in her palm. “I’m going to properly dispose of it and you’re going to help.”

“Like heck I am.” I frowned.

Mindy scoffed.

“You will do it!” Jane yelled.

“And just how do you think you’re going to make me?” I folded my arms in front of my chest.

“Yeah!” Mindy said while crossing her arms in the same manner.

“Things haven’t been that pleasant for you lately, have they? There’s more where that came from.” She waggled her finger.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

“I don’t want anyone performing magic.” She glared at me.

“That doesn’t even make any sense,” Mindy said.

“For someone who doesn’t like magic, you sure don’t mind using it. I knew you had something to do with this.”

“You did not. You thought that innocent woman Ginger was responsible.” Her eyes twinkled with satisfaction.

How did she even know that? Had she been spying on me? Or had someone spied on me? Why was I even trying to talk to her? There was no way to talk rationally with an insane person.

“I’ll use magic if I have to… a means to an end, that’s all.” She smirked. “Once I get rid of this necklace, Karyn will stop and that’s all I want. I want her as far away from all this as possible.”

I couldn’t believe the thought that Karyn was somehow involved had ever crossed my mind.

“You can’t be serious. You can’t be selective and just turn it on and off.” I glanced around for an escape.

“Sure you can. I was supposed to be the coven leader.” Bitterness dripped from her words.

So that was what all of this was about.

Jane’s face tightened and she glared at me. She clenched her fists and stomped her foot like a three-year-old throwing a temper tantrum. “It was my right to be the coven leader years ago. It was my birthright and Karyn took that from me.”

What was so special about being the coven leader, anyway? Why did everyone want that position? I didn’t want that position, but kept getting shoved into it.

Jane circled us. As she walked beside me, Elvis appeared. He walked beside Jane, but I wasn’t sure how long he could keep her at bay. A demonic force had powers beyond what he’d ever experienced. And it was obvious that Jane had that demonic force. An evil smile spread across her face. She knew she had me exactly where she wanted me.

“I told myself years ago that I couldn’t give up until I had what was rightfully mine. I won’t let you or anyone else stand in my way.” She glared at Mindy when she passed her.

I took in another sharp breath. This woman made Brianna and Becky seem polite. I never thought I’d say that.

“I don’t have anything to do with the coven leader position. I don’t decide who the leader is.”

She scoffed. “That’s where you’re wrong. You had the necklace. Therefore, no matter what you say, you are in charge. You are technically the coven leader.”

I wished Karyn had never given me that necklace. But she’d said everyone in the coven needed me. No pressure there. No pressure at all. I wasn’t sure how I would talk myself out of this situation. I could barely breathe. The dark feeling within me was bursting to get out. I needed to try to break the magic spell again.

“What can I do to get rid of her, Larue?” Elvis asked.

Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do to help me.

Mr. Fine and Candy Cherry appeared midway down the sidewalk. Maybe Elvis would draw some of their energy and fight off the bad spirit. When they neared, Candy and Mr. Fine took position behind Jane and smiled. That was when I knew they weren’t there to help me. I’d suspected it for some time, but it was still creepy to have the confirmation.